Royal Rumble 2012 Participants?

The Royal Rumble 2012 participants have yet to be announced, but that hasn't stopped speculation.  Many pro wrestling fans are coming up with their own Rumble rosters, trying to guess the surprise entrants, and of course, the big winner.

At this blog, the early pick to win the 30-man contest is Chris Jericho.  This is based on how he's yet to say a word, but his actions will speak louder than words.  He'll win the Rumble, and then start talking, about how he'll reclaim the WWE title at Wrestlemania 28.  Seems like a fitting Y2J storyline.

Now for the surprise entrants.  There's a handful of wrestlers with questionable situations: Undertaker, Randy Orton, Rey Mysterio, Tripe H, Kevin Nash, Big Show, Christian, Alberto Del Rio.  Those guys have been less involved in recent WWE events due to injuries.  Some may not get the medical clearance to compete on January 29th.  Some of those names just might show up though.

Let's put two other names in just to make things fun: Batista and Brock Lesnar.  Could either of these "MMA stars" make a big surprise return?  We'll have to wait and see.

Keep in mind that this year's Rumble is only 30 competitors, while last year's was 40.  That 40 allowed WWE to bring in some surprises with Kevin Nash and Booker T making their returns to WWE.  In the past Rumbles, WWE has done that, bringing back the likes of Cena and Edge to win the Rumble, after they were out of action.

Here's 15 guys who might be in the Rumble but won't win it: Justin Gabriel, Hornswoggle, Heath Slater, Ezekiel Jackson, Brodus Clay, Mason Ryan, Alex Riley, JTG, Santino Marella, Tyler Reks, Curt Hawkins, Trent Barreta, Ted Dibiase, Jinder Mahal, and Yoshi Tatsu.  That was easy, wasn't it?

Top 5 potential winners: Sheamus, Wade Barrett, CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, Chris Jericho

Throw Punk in there with the off chance he loses to Ziggler at the event.  Otherwise, Jericho would have to be a heavy favorite.  WWE could always pull a really interesting move and have The Rock show up to really get the crowd going, and win the Rumble.  Somehow Cena captures the title in the next month or so, making Rock's match against Cena for the championship.  Anything's possible, right?