The Royal Rumble is famous for its surprise appearances, featuring returning legends, new stars, and even celebrities like Pat McAfee. This year, there were discussions about NBA player Tyrese Haliburton making an appearance, but the plans were ultimately canceled. Reports suggest Triple H played a key role in shutting down the idea, likely due to concerns about the physical risks during the NBA season.
During an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, Haliburton revealed his desire to be part of the Royal Rumble. He mentioned that many people asked Triple H about his potential involvement, but the WWE CCO simply laughed off the idea. Haliburton speculated that Triple H was worried about putting him in a physically demanding segment mid-NBA season, which could have led to complications.
“I wanted to be in the Rumble. Me and Triple H talked about it. He was like, ‘A lot of people are asking if you’re going to be in the Rumble. I just laughed in their face.’ ‘What the f*ck?’ I think he was a little scared about me doing it in the middle of the season.”
Tyrese Haliburton
Haliburton also brought up Jalen Brunson’s appearance at the 2024 Royal Rumble, where he participated despite having a broken hand. This reportedly caused Triple H to panic behind the scenes. Haliburton joked that the incident nearly gave Triple H a heart attack, emphasizing the WWE executive’s cautious approach to involving athletes in high-risk situations.
Although Haliburton didn’t compete in the Royal Rumble, he was present at the event at Lucas Oil Stadium. He made an on-screen appearance during Pat McAfee’s segment and even attended SmackDown the night before. There, he celebrated with Jimmy Uso following Uso’s victory over Carmelo Hayes, showing his enthusiasm for the WWE world.
Triple H promises an industry-changing weekend of Elimination Chamber
WWE’s build-up to WrestleMania 41 has faced criticism for lacking the excitement seen in previous years. Triple H, however, has assured fans that things will shift dramatically after Elimination Chamber, calling it an “industry-changing weekend.” This has sparked hope for a major turnaround in the storyline momentum.
One highly anticipated segment involves The Rock and Cody Rhodes in Toronto. Rhodes is expected to respond to The Rock’s challenge, revealing whether he’s willing to “sell his soul.” Fans are eager to see how The People’s Champion will influence the road to WrestleMania, adding intrigue to the event.
The Men’s Elimination Chamber match is another focal point, with the winner earning a WrestleMania main event spot against Cody Rhodes for the WWE Undisputed Championship. The victor may also play a role in the ongoing drama between Rhodes and The Rock. While John Cena and CM Punk are favorites, WWE could surprise everyone with an unexpected winner, keeping fans on edge.
