WWE confirms women to have Royal Rumble match at January event
Tuesday 19 December 2017 07:52, UK
The Raw and SmackDown divisions will compete in the first women's Royal Rumble next month, WWE has confirmed.
Stephanie McMahon broke the news live on Monday Night Raw that there will be an all-female version of the traditional elimination match at the first pay-per-view of 2018.
"We've had the first ever women's Hell In A Cell match and the first ever women's Money In The Bank ladder match and just two weeks ago women competed in a WWE in the middle east for the first time," the Raw commissioner said to the red brand's women's division, who had assembled in the ring.
"The chant was 'this is hope' and all of you have inspired people all over the world with your courage, with your passion, with your unbridled talent.
"But that's not enough. What do you say, ladies, you make history once again? Do you people want to see these women make history once again?
WWE Late Night Raw
"On January 28, the road to WrestleMania kicks off and for the very first time we will have an all-women's Royal Rumble match."
There are currently 22 female competitors on Raw and SmackDown, meaning if the event is to include 30 people - as is the case with the men's match - then some non-main roster talent must be used.
That could lead to some NXT superstars featuring in the match, as well as potentially some former favourites coming out of retirement.
Trish Stratus has already sparked some speculation that she could be involved by tweeting: "There's NOTHING WWE women cannot do. It's been a long-time coming - can't wait for the FIRST EVER WOMEN'S Royal Rumble! Now…where dem boots?"
