5 Likely WWE Women’s Royal Rumble 2022 Winners

The Women’s Royal Rumble match has had a short but exciting history so far. Since its inception in 2018, there have been both highlights and lowlights, with the likes of Ronda Rousey’s surprise debut shocking us all and then Kelly Kelly’s two separate returns disappointing us all the same. Over the past four years, the careers of the select few female wrestlers have skyrocketed following their big wins, elevating them into the WrestleMania stratosphere.

Last year’s Women’s Rumble saw ‘The EST’ Bianca Belair make good on her potential and outlast all other 29 superstars, including fellow NXT debutant, Rhea Ripley, in the final two. This year’s line-up includes some of the most promising stars mixing it up with returning legends, and Summer Rae. Let’s run down 5 likely winners from this year’s roster of competitors.

 

1. Liv Morgan

Liv Morgan hasn’t had the easiest ride in the women’s single division. She’s darted from being part of an awkward love triangle with Rusev and Lana, to being one of the most popular prospects as both part of the Riot Squad and as a singles star. Her most recent work has seen her springboarded into the championship picture, competing against ‘The Man’ Becky Lynch on two separate occasions. Liv hasn’t quite been able to best Becky Lynch just yet, but fans are eager to see her be given one final chance.

We all know WWE love a good underdog story, and the Royal Rumble is the perfect opportunity to portray their white-meat babyfaces as just that. Liv’s run in this year’s Rumble could very well be the female-equivalent to Rey Mysterio in 2006, having her last from one of the opening spots all the way to the end.

Morgan would be an interesting winner, as this time last year I would never have included her on a list such as this, yet here we are in 2022 and it seems that her time may be just around the corner.

 

2. Rhea Ripley

‘The Nightmare’ had a great start to her main roster career, debuting as part of last year’s Rumble match and then going on to compete at WrestleMania even in defeat. Ripley won the title on that night, but since has descended into the Tag division, and then even further since dropping the belts she once held with Nikki A.S.H.

Of course, all hope isn’t lost for a star like Rhea Ripley, who took NXT by storm just before the pandemic hit in 2020. WWE seem to have not given up hope in Rhea just yet, as she’s still heavily featured on RAW and as part of their overall marketing. Rhea could very well be poised for a big win at this year’s Rumble event, turning the tables on last year’s performance and being the last woman standing this time round.

Her feud with former friend and partner could take her through to WrestleMania regardless of her Rumble victory/defeat, I suspect it’ll definitely be a thread throughout the match either way.

 

3. Lita

Former WWE Women’s Champion and future Hall of Famer, Lita, could easily make 2022 her biggest year to date. Lita made her return to WWE television a couple of weeks back and immediately set her sights on one of the biggest names in modern WWE, Charlotte Flair. Lita implied that her in-ring career may not be limited to just the Rumble match, and it may span all the way through WrestleMania season. With so many old flames returning to round off their careers the way they’d want to, Lita could be no exception to a triumphant comeback.

The Women’s Royal Rumble matches are usually full of random cameos and throwback acts, ranging from Trish Stratus to Jillian Hall, to varying reactions from the fans. Rather them simply being seen as necessary inclusions to flesh out the 30 entrants, this year could see one of those returnees go the distance and actually win the whole thing, making them feel more important than they have done.

Lita’s story could easily become one of the most interesting and emotional tales of the year, I’d love to see her receive one last big win.

 

4. Shayna Baszler

Take a long look at that image above and think back to when Shayna Baszler was positioned as one of the biggest threats in the Women’s division. That night, she eliminated every single one of her opponents in the Elimination Chamber, stamping her ticket to WrestleMania. Unfortunately, Baszler wasn’t victorious against Becky Lynch that year and slid down the ranks into obscurity.

Occasionally, there have been glimmers of hope for Shayna, with WWE seemingly not giving up on her completely. However, a big victory has yet to swing momentum back in her favour. This year’s Royal Rumble could be an amazing turning point in the career of the ‘Queen of Spades’, with her perhaps smashing elimination records and then standing tall at the very end.

Baszler has her fanbase and they still very much want to see her achieving the same success she once did in NXT. Either that or she’s eliminated by Carmella, Hornswoggle or someone equally ridiculous.

 

5. Naomi

The purveyor of all things ‘Glow’ has been teetering on the edge of becoming a big deal since 2020. Studies were actually conducted to show that most non-wrestling fans were most interested in Naomi when she returned in that year’s Rumble, showing that she has the kind of mainstream appeal that could easily make WWE a lot of money. Yet, they refuse to actually allow her to shine in the way that she could.

With Naomi currently in the midst of a stop-start feud with both Charlotte Flair and Sonya Deville, a win at this year’s Rumble event is not completely off the table. Naomi could defy all the odds, prove the doubters wrong and make it all the way to the big show in April. Naomi is a certified veteran that hasn’t quite received her career moment, a Rumble victory is an easy way to turn her from perennial loser to marquee superstar.

Or, see the above Hornswoggle solution.

READ NEXT: 5 Likely WWE Men’s Royal Rumble 2022 Winners