I think it would be ridiculous to have Rousey as a surprise entrant in the Royal Rumble. That’s something that you would want to promote ahead of time to try and get as many eyeballs on the show as possible. So I tend to believe this story. Would I be surprised if she shows up to interfere in the match, no; but I would be shocked at the the missed opportunity if she ends up in the Rumble match at this point.
Well, I mean… why would she? He’s not an athlete and she has been one most of her life. That would be like Neil deGrasse Tyson asking Donald Trump advice on astropshysics. Just doesn’t make any sense.
I can see the logic in her being a surprise entrant as I can’t imagine the bump in numbers would be that big for a Rumble appearance compared to the newsworthiness of her arrival and victory, leading to a match at WrestleMania. Sure, her being there will interest people and get eyes on the product but the story loses steam quicker if they announce it ahead of time. Working the fans and press and then building towards a Mania match gets WWE more press after the fact.