WWE traditionally invites legends and former Superstars to the Royal Rumble, be it for surprise appearances in the Rumble matches or for filming interviews.
Recently, WWE has been featuring legends at major events to have them as ringside guests or to acknowledge them backstage.
Pwinsider is reporting that WWE is considering inviting some past Royal Rumble winners for the upcoming Royal Rumble 2025 pay-per-view event. “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan and Ric Flair are the two names that have been bounced around. It’s expected to be for a brief appearance rather than a wrestling role if they attend.
Flair appeared in AEW during Sting’s retirement storyline but has not been utilized since last March. Last Saturday, he was scheduled to appear at AEW Collision in Charlotte, NC, but that plan was nixed.
Flair’s deal with AEW resembles Randy Savage’s contract with WCW in the mid-1990s, as Tony Khan has confirmed that AEW receives payments from Wooooo Energy for all of Flair’s appearances.
Duggan won the inaugural Royal Rumble match in 1988, and Flair won the WWF Title in the 1992 Royal Rumble.
WWE Royal Rumble 2025 will be held on Saturday, February 1, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN.