The 2018 Royal Rumble was all about surprises. Even though the surprises were seriously, spectacularly backloaded, it was one billion percent about surprises. The biggest surprise of all (even if it was one that everyone expected) happened at the very tail end of the night, as Ronda Rousey finally made her WWE return and/or debut, however you choose to define it.
Rousey chose not to debut in the women’s Royal Rumble match, which itself was so stuffed full of surprises that we had to dedicate one big old honking mega-post to all of the surprise entrants. And another post for how awesome Lita’s appearance in the Rumble was!
But the men’s Royal Rumble match contained at least one bona fide surprise that absolutely no one was expecting. After a full week of Undertaker and EC3 and Rockstar Spud rumors, we were treated to the welcome return of the one and only Rey Mysterio.
But while the erstwhile top star in Lucha Underground may have made his grand return in Philadelphia Sunday, there appears to be no plan locked in for keeping him around for the long term. First, take a look at his post-Rumble interview with Cathy Kelley from WWE’s YouTube page.
The transcript, via Cageside Seats:
“It’s incredible. It’s been almost three years since I’ve heard that WWE fan reaction and to be honest with you, a lot of people say it’s luck and a lot of people say it’s awesome to hear that but I’ll tell you, I’m truly blessed. I’m truly blessed to come back and realize the fans don’t forget about you, and not only the fans but the WWE family. This is a universal reaction and it feels good, it feels great.”
So not a lot of clues there, obviously, but PWInsider reported after the Rumble that most everyone inside the company was kept in the dark about this big return. What’s more, this is (for the time being) only a one-time appearance. As of this writing, Mysterio has not signed a new deal with WWE.
Mysterio has recently been in negotiations with Impact Wrestling, and although he was considered unlikely to sign with them, he was also considered unlikely to head back to WWE, too. The way longtime Legends and fan favorites tend to go, however, is to sign a new deal soon enough once being brought back into the fold. While he isn’t locked up long-term yet, don’t be surprised if he re-ups and finishes up his career in WWE.
And then the next stop, of course, will be the Hall of Fame.
