– Naomi returned to action in tonight’s women’s Royal Rumble match.
Naomi entered the women’s Royal Rumble at number two, starting the match off with Bayley. It was noted that Naomi lasted in the match for over 47 minutes. She was eliminated by Women’s Tag Team Champions Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler.
Naomi used Bianca Belair’s hair to save herself at one point during the Rumble. Belair went on to win the match by last eliminating Rhea Ripley.
This was the first time Naomi has wrestled since August of last year. In September, Naomi wrote that she was recovering well after having to undergo surgery:
In the midst of hurricane sally and Covid I also underwent an unexpected 6 hr surgery to finally remove a massive fibroid that’s caused me severe anemia fatigue horrible abdominal pains and more problems I don’t even want to mention over the past year and a half…I’m recovering well I’m relieved and already feeling so much better so family friends and fans don’t worry I’m ok lol miss ya #myomectomyrecovery
Naomi had been on SmackDown prior to being drafted to Raw in October’s WWE Draft.
– The women’s Royal Rumble also saw Lana make her return to WWE television. She entered the match at number 26 before being eliminated by Natalya.
Lana was set to team with Asuka against Jax & Baszler at TLC in December, but there was an angle where Lana was taken out of the match after being attacked by Jax and Baszler on Raw. Tonight was the first time Lana has appeared since then.
Asuka instead teamed with the returning Charlotte Flair at TLC and won the Women’s Tag Team titles from Jax & Baszler. Jax & Baszler regained the Women’s Tag Team titles by defeating Charlotte & Asuka on tonight’s pre-show.
Lana eliminated Jax in the Royal Rumble.
The full list of women’s Royal Rumble entrants — including surprise legends appearances and NXT entrants — can be found here.