Former WWE personality Cherry has made it clear that she would be interested in making a surprise return in a future Women’s Royal Rumble match. At the same time, Cherry offered a realistic assessment of why such an appearance may be difficult to arrange, pointing to both the length of her original WWE run and the number of current performers now available to fill the match’s 30 slots.
Cherry, whose WWE tenure included a memorable pairing with Michelle McCool, said a Royal Rumble cameo is something she would gladly consider if the opportunity came her way. However, she does not believe her time with the company was extensive enough to make her an obvious choice when WWE is building a field from its present-day main roster, NXT talent, and established alumni.
“I would love that. I don’t know. I wasn’t there that long. So I think that works against me, and then now that there’s NXT and all of these people and veterans, it makes it harder for someone like me.”
The Royal Rumble has long provided WWE with one of its most effective formats for surprise appearances. A familiar entrance theme, a recognizable face, or a returning competitor can quickly create a major reaction, even when that wrestler is only in the match for a short period. The women’s edition of the match has similarly become an annual opportunity to bring together talent from different eras of WWE history.
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For Cherry, the appeal is straightforward. A Rumble appearance would offer a chance to revisit a chapter of her career that remains remembered by fans, particularly those who followed WWE’s women’s division during the late 2000s. Her comments also make clear that she is not closing the door on wrestling-related appearances simply because years have passed since her WWE departure.
A Willingness To Return
Cherry stated directly that she is open to participating should WWE reach out. She did not present a possible comeback as a demand or suggest that discussions are underway. Instead, she described it as a welcome possibility while noting the practical roster considerations that go into putting together a Royal Rumble match.
“I mean, I would love it. I’m open to it, and I think that they’re shooting more for keeping the contracted talent on the Rumbles now.”
That point reflects how the Women’s Royal Rumble has evolved since its introduction. The inaugural women’s match was built in part around the novelty of seeing former WWE names return alongside active stars. Surprise entrants became a significant feature of the concept, helping connect the match to the broader history of the division. As WWE’s women’s roster expanded, however, the available pool of active talent also grew considerably.
With performers regularly appearing across Raw, SmackDown, and NXT, there are now more contracted wrestlers competing for Rumble spots than in the earlier years of the match. WWE also has numerous established names who may be available for special appearances, making the balance between current talent and nostalgia acts more complicated.
Cherry sees that depth as an obstacle rather than an indication that a return is impossible. Her perspective is rooted in the reality that a Rumble field has a fixed number of openings. A surprise entrant can produce a memorable moment, but every spot used for a returning name is also a spot that could feature a current performer, a developing NXT talent, or an active star involved in a larger storyline.
How A Shorter WWE Run Can Affect Return Prospects
Cherry repeatedly returned to the fact that she was not with WWE for a lengthy period. In an environment where Royal Rumble nostalgia appearances often draw from multiple generations of heavily featured stars, a shorter run can make it harder for a former performer to stand out in the selection process.
“I mean, it was a little bit more of an opportunity when they first brought the Rumble in for the women, but now they have so many people signed that they’re using who they’re contracted for. I hate to say that, but I wasn’t really there that long, even though I feel like we had a memorable team.”
That reference to a memorable team speaks to Cherry’s work alongside McCool. While Cherry’s WWE career did not span the same number of years as some other alumni who have appeared in major return spots, her association with McCool remains a defining part of her time on WWE television. The pairing gave Cherry a recognizable place within the division and left an impression on viewers who watched that era.
Royal Rumble appearances do not always require a former wrestler to return for an extended program. In many cases, a single entrance is designed as a tribute to a particular act, rivalry, partnership, or period in company history. Cherry’s openness means WWE would have a willing participant if it ever chose to revisit her role from that period.
Still, Cherry did not overstate the likelihood. Her comments were notably measured: she expressed enthusiasm, but also acknowledged that the company’s priorities may naturally be focused on talent currently under contract. In a Rumble match, active roster members can be advanced through eliminations, confrontations, alliances, and story developments that continue after the event. That gives WWE a strong reason to devote many positions to its existing talent base.
The Modern Women’s Royal Rumble Landscape
The women’s Rumble is no longer working with the limited roster depth that existed when the match was first introduced. NXT has become an important part of WWE’s overall talent pipeline, and its presence gives the company another source of possible entrants. An NXT wrestler can use a Rumble appearance to make a first impression on a larger audience, while a main-roster competitor can use the match to begin or intensify a rivalry.
Veterans also remain part of the equation. Depending on the year, WWE can draw upon former champions, Hall of Fame-level names, and other recognizable personalities for surprise slots. That variety is part of what makes the match unpredictable, but it also means former personalities such as Cherry are competing for limited space in a crowded field.
Cherry’s assessment does not diminish the value of her potential return. Rather, it outlines why a return would need to fit a specific creative purpose or a particular celebration of WWE history. Her link to McCool, the visual identity she brought to her WWE role, and her place in the women’s division of that era could all give a cameo a clear point of recognition for longtime fans.
There is also a difference between being open to a return and expecting one. Cherry has only said that she would be willing to participate. No Royal Rumble appearance has been announced, and there is no indication that WWE has made plans for her to enter a future match. Her comments should therefore be viewed as an invitation rather than confirmation of any upcoming surprise.
A Familiar Rumble Conversation
Discussion around possible Royal Rumble returns is a regular part of the road to the event. Fans often look back across WWE history and speculate about which former names could appear, particularly when the women’s match is being assembled. Cherry’s remarks add her name to the group of past WWE personalities who would be receptive to the call.
For now, the most important takeaway is her stated interest. Cherry would “love” the chance to take part, even as she recognizes the challenges created by a shorter WWE run and a far deeper talent pool than the women’s Rumble had in its early years.
“It would be great. I’m open to it.”
Whether that openness eventually leads to a Rumble entrance remains uncertain. But Cherry’s comments confirm that, if WWE decides there is room for a return connected to her era and her partnership with Michelle McCool, she would be ready to consider it.
Darryl Polo
Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.