WWE reportedly had a variety of names backstage for the Royal Rumble PPV but didn’t really plan on using them. They wanted to swerve the Internet and have it leak the names that would appear. Randy Orton was backstage and was in his ring gear. Other names included Alex Riley, Sean Waltman, Chris Jericho and Nikolai Volkoff. WWE didn’t intend on using any of these people except for Riley. They were simply wanting to create buzz over the possible names.
The plan with Riley was to actually put him in the match at some point, but they ended up changing their minds. That’s why Riley was not a part of the Royal Rumble kickoff show.
100% DIRECT LINK (*PICS*): The Bella Twins In Sexy Bikini’s!
Backstage Update on NJPW’s Decision for Kazuchika Okada as Hiroshi Tanahashi’s Final Opponent & Reason Why Shinsuke Nakamura Was Not Chosen
WWE: Stephanie McMahon To Co-Host John Cena’s Retirement Match Show With Joe Tessitore, John Cena on Competing in His Final WWE PLE Match, Ridge Holland on Belief “Certain Members In The Hierarchy” At WWE Held Big E’s Injury Against Him
TNA President Carlos Silva Denies Rumors of WWE Helped Negotiate TNA’s New TV Deal with AMC
![Netflix Reportedly Wins Warner Bros Discovery Bidding War & Enters Exclusive Deal Talks for Potential WBD Purchase [Update: Clarification on Potential Impact on AEW & Netflix Not Wanting to Buy All of WBD]](https://www.tpww.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Netflix-logo-540x304.jpeg "Netflix Reportedly Wins Warner Bros Discovery Bidding War & Enters Exclusive Deal Talks for Potential WBD Purchase [Update: Clarification on Potential Impact on AEW & Netflix Not Wanting to Buy All of WBD]"){kind=logo}
