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WWE News: Randy Orton and Edge Will Enter #1 and #2 in Men’s Royal Rumble, Natalya Earns 30th Spot in Women’s Royal Rumble

There was some WWE Royal Rumble news tonight during the WWE Backstage special on FS1. Here’s the scoop from WWE.com:

One night before the 2021 Royal Rumble pay-per-view a special edition of WWE Backstage on FS1, hosted by Booker T, Renee Paquette and Paige, helped decided some important Royal Rumble placement.

During that broadcast, Natalya overcame Tamina to earn the No. 30 spot in the Women’s Royal Rumble Match. A graduate of the famed Hart Family Dungeon and one of the most skilled Superstars on the roster, The B.O.A.T no doubt has given herself a tremendous advantage towards winning an opportunity to compete in the main event at WrestleMania.

In addition, the show exclusively revealed that Randy Orton will enter the Men’s Royal Rumble Match at No. 1 and his former friend turned bitter enemy Edge will enter at No. 2. Considering that The Viper has a storied history with The Rated-R Superstar, the opening clash of of the most unpredictable matches in WWE history is sure to be explosive.

Don’t miss when The Road to WrestleMania kicks off at Royal Rumble, tomorrow at 7 ET/ 4 PT on the award-winning WWE Network.

TJR Thoughts: I’m not a huge fan of revealing the first two entrants in the Royal Rumble match, but I guess WWE is doing it to build interest going into the show. That’s fine because Edge hasn’t had a match since last June at Backlash when he lost to Randy Orton, so now Edge can get revenge in the Rumble match. I don’t think either guy is winning the Royal Rumble anyway. As I wrote in our TJRWrestling Royal Rumble preview, I’m going with Braun Strowman for the Men’s Royal Rumble match winner.

As for Natalya at #30, that’s a bit of a different spot for her since she has done well in previous Rumbles as an early entrant. I think there’s value in having a veteran like Natalya early in the match to try to help the other women that may not be as experienced. Anyway, they should be fine in the match. By starting at 30, I think Natalya should do pretty well in terms of making it near the finish of the match.