Report: Backstage News On WWE Royal Rumble 2021 Alternates
A former champion could have returned
Feb 11, 2021
Murphy has been off WWE TV since the December 4 episode of Friday Night SmackDown when he defeated King Corbin. The Mysterio family's feud with The Lone Wolf was briefly paused after Rey and Dominik contracted coronavirus, but they have since returned while Murphy has remained on the sidelines.
The former Cruiserweight Champion could have returned during the Men's Royal Rumble, though. According to Fightful Select, he was selected as an alternate for the Rumble, as was Cedric Alexander.
WWE ultimately didn't add them to the match, but past reports have noted the Royal Rumble field received a number of changes as Robert Roode, Jey Uso and Keith Lee were unable to compete.
Fightful Select also noted Andrade wasn't listed as an alternate. The former United States Champion hasn't appeared on WWE TV since he was defeated by Angel Garza on the October 12, 2020, episode of Monday Night Raw. He opted to take some time off following the show to undergo elective surgery on his eye.
