Royal Rumble Week Early SCOOPS THREAD (Patreon)

- Some names in Tampa or scheduled that aren't announced for the WWE Royal Rumble (as of 8 PM Friday):

Omos, Johnny Gargano, Candice LeRae, Natalya, Maxxine Dupri, Ivy Nile, The Creeds, JD McDonagh, R-Truth, Bianca Belair, Montez Ford, Chad Gable, Akira Tozawa, Titus O'Neil, Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods, Big E.

Others that were in Florida for Smackdown:

Carmelo Hayes, Asuka, Kaiti Sane, Katana Chance, Scarlett, Akam, Rezar, Karrion Kross, Angelo Dawkins, Carlito, Santos Escobar, B-Fab, Bayley, Dakota Kai, IYO SKY, Austin Theory, Grayson Waller, Cameron Grimes, Gable Steveson, Angel Garza, Humberto, Elektra Lopez, Miz, Jey Uso, Damian Priest, Jimmy Uso, Trick Williams

- We're told that the very few announced Royal Rumble entrants was "deliberate."

- The Undertaker is in Tampa.

- There is a press conference scheduled for after the show tonight.

- We've confirmed that as of earlier this week, Brock Lesnar was scheduled to travel to Tampa for the Royal Rumble. We aren't sure if that has changed, but there

- Unlike many recent PPVs, those that were on Smackdown didn't have to travel into Tampa and then back to Miami for media. There have been numerous times in the past where talent pulled double duty on things like that.

- WWE held an event at the Boys & Girls Club of America Friday with Natalya, Titus O'Neil, New Day, Candice LeRae, and others.

- Chad Gable and Otis participated in a Special Olympics event today.

- The Cody Rhodes cameo for the Tonight Show was filmed Thursday

- To reiterate -- Kazuchika Okada, Sasha Banks and MJF are not expected for the WWE Royal Rumble

- 2K hosted an event today, which will see a lot of gameplay footage from WWE 2K24 emerge later this week. Fightful was on site for it.

- QT Marshall is not planned for the Royal Rumble


Smackdown Producers:

- Randy Orton promo: Michael Hayes

- Carlito vs. Santos Escobar: Jason Jordan

- Katana & Kayden vs. Kabuki Warriors: Petey Williams

- Pride & Testament face-to-face: Jason Jordan

- Carmelo Hayes vs. Austin Theory: Shawn Daivari

- LA Knight vs. Solo Sikoa: Michael Hayes


Dark Matches:

- Cameron Grimes vs. Gable Steveson: Nick Aldis

- The Miz vs. Drew McIntyre: Shawn Daivari

- Jey Uso vs. Damian Priest: Shawn Daivari