Shane “Hurricane” Helms and Chris Masters are rumored to be participants in Sunday night’s Royal Rumble match, reports F4WOnline.com. The two have allegedly been spotted in Phoenix alongside the WWE crew, where the pay-per-view will be held. The news comes on the heels of word that Shelton Benjamin and Carlito, two more former WWE talent, will be participating in the Royal Rumble match as well.
Helms achieved moderate success in WCW before heading to Stamford. After debuting as a member of The Alliance, he would go on to win the now-defunct European Championship in September of 2001. Several months later, he would make his Royal Rumble debut, lasting just 39 seconds and being eliminated by “Stone Cold” Steve Austin and Triple H. Helms would appear in three more Rumble matches before being released in 2010.
Chris Masters debuted in 2005, and immediately found success in WWE’s main card. After being released in 2007 due to Wellness Policy violations, he returned in 2009 before departing once more in 2011. Altogether, Masters would appear in four Royal Rumble matches.
It is not uncommon for WWE to bring back past Superstars for the Royal Rumble match. Last year alone, six men returned to the ring for one-off appearances, including Road Dogg and “Hacksaw” Jim Duggin. The 2002 Royal Rumble is famous for seeing the promoted returns of four popular WWE Superstars, Goldust, The Godfather, Val Venis and Mr. Perfect. The late-Mr. Perfect would go on to enter in the No. 25 spot, and would remain in the final three before being taken out by Kurt Angle.
There is no word at this time as to whether any of these returns will be permanent, though there has been much speculation of late that WWE is interested in bringing back talent to assist in boosting the midcard and aiding in live events.
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