Sasha Banks returns to WWE SmackDown, declares for Royal Rumble

Sasha Banks will be in this year’s women’s Royal Rumble match after all.

Banks made her return on tonight’s SmackDown, declaring that she’s “ready to Rumble.” WWE had announced earlier this month that Banks was expected to be out of action for 6-8 weeks due to a bruised calcaneus bone. If that timetable had proved to be accurate, Banks would have missed the Royal Rumble.

Banks suffered the injury while facing Charlotte Flair at a house show in Fayetteville, North Carolina on January 2. After the show, Banks tweeted that she was good and thanked everyone for the love.

Charlotte kicked off tonight’s SmackDown before being interrupted by Shayna Baszler, Aliyah, Natalya, and Shotzi. Banks then made her way out and announced that she’s back. A brawl broke out, ending with Banks throwing Charlotte out of the ring.

Despite being the SmackDown Women’s Champion, Charlotte will be one of the entrants in the women’s Royal Rumble. She’ll choose her own challenger for WrestleMania if she wins.

The Royal Rumble is taking place at The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis this Saturday. Here’s the updated list of Royal Rumble entrants:

Women’s Royal Rumble match —

  • Rhea Ripley
  • Nikki A.S.H.
  • Nikki Bella
  • Brie Bella
  • Shotzi
  • Natalya
  • Michelle McCool
  • Dana Brooke
  • Carmella
  • Zelina Vega
  • Mickie James
  • Tamina
  • Kelly Kelly
  • Aliyah
  • Summer Rae
  • Naomi
  • Shayna Baszler
  • Lita
  • Charlotte Flair
  • Bianca Belair
  • Liv Morgan
  • Sasha Banks
  • Sonya Deville

Men’s Royal Rumble match —

  • Angelo Dawkins
  • Montez Ford
  • Rey Mysterio
  • Dominik Mysterio
  • Austin Theory
  • Johnny Knoxville
  • Sheamus
  • Damian Priest
  • AJ Styles
  • Big E
  • Happy Corbin
  • Madcap Moss
  • Sami Zayn
  • Kofi Kingston
  • Kevin Owens
  • Omos
  • Randy Orton
  • Riddle
  • Chad Gable
  • Otis
  • Dolph Ziggler
  • Robert Roode
  • Shinsuke Nakamura
  • Rick Boogs
  • Ricochet