WWE: Two more names announced for the Royal Rumble

Randy Orton’s name has been added for the Royal Rumble alongside John  Cena and Sheamus

If you watched earlier tonight on Monday Night RAW, you know that it can be confirmed that John Cena was the first official entrant in the 2013 Royal Rumble, promising that he would win the match as well as the WWE Championship at Wrestlemania 29.

It can now be confirmed that two more names have officially been added to the 30-man list for the big match. This week’s episode of Friday Night Smackdown! was actually taped yesterday (Sunday), and  spoilers have already leaked online. While I will not give any of the show away, I can tell you both names that have been confirmed, as it will not take anything away from the rest of the show. The two men confirmed for the Royal Rumble that can be added to John Cena on the list are Randy Orton and Sheamus.

That makes three names thus far entered for the big match. Not only are all three men former WWE and World Champions, but all three men are former Royal Rumble winners as well. John Cena won the match in 2008 at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY, entering the match at number 30 and last eliminating former star Batista. Randy Orton’s big win in the 30-man match came at 2009 event at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, MI, entering at number 8 and lastly eliminating current WWE Chief Operation Officer Triple H to win. Sheamus won the match this year at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, MO, entering at number 22 and last eliminating The Miz.

Thus far, of the three men who have been announced, Sheamus is the only one to move onto Wrestlemania and successfully win a championship, defeating Daniel Bryan for the World title at Wrestlemania 28. Randy Orton came up short at Wrestlemania 25 against Triple H, the very man he eliminated to win the Rumble. As for Cena, he actually cashed his shot at the title in early, going against then-WWE Champion Randy Orton at the No Way Out pay-per-view, just prior to Wrestlemania 24. Cena won the match via disqualification, but did not win the title. He was granted a second opportunity at WM24, but was once again successful, this time losing to Orton in a triple threat match that also involved Triple H.

Although there have been repeat winners in the past (Shawn Michaels, Hulk Hogan and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin), do not expect it to happen again this year. Vince McMahon reportedly wants a new winner of the match each year, and right now, Ryback seems to be a lock to win.