Edge cut a promo on last night's episode of Monday Night Raw, where he declared his entry for Sunday's 30-man Royal Rumble match.
Many fans may be wondering why WWE didn't have Edge make a surprise and unexpected appearance on Sunday. His return at last year's Royal Rumble was the highlight of the show, after all.
According to Fightful Select (h/t Ringside News), WWE decided to just have Edge make the announcement on Raw because there won't be any fans in attendance at the Royal Rumble.
Fightful's report stated that if WWE were to have fans at the Royal Rumble, "there’s a good chance that he would have been held off." But with no fans at Tropicana Field this Sunday, WWE simply opted to have Edge reveal the big news six days ahead of the event.
Instead of having fans, WWE will once again use the ThunderDome concept. Their plan is to have upwards of 25,000 fans for both nights of WrestleMania 37 (Apr. 10 and 11) at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay, Florida.
It's unclear at this time if WWE will have fans back at any shows before WrestleMania.
Following a nine-year retirement, Edge made a thrilling an unforgettable in-ring return at last year's Royal Rumble. He made it to the final three, before getting eliminated by Roman Reigns.
The 2010 Royal Rumble winner has been sidelined since June, having suffered a torn triceps injury during his match against Randy Orton at Backlash. Fast forward seven months later, and the Rated-R Superstar is ready for another dramatic return.
This Was The Right Call
Edge's return at last year's Royal Rumble led to one of the greatest crowd reactions in WWE history. It simply won't be the same without thousands of screaming fans in attendance, so it was the right decision to have Edge declare his entry on Raw. It made last night's show that much better, and there's even more excitement now for the event that's just five days away.