Entertainment
WWE’s Hornswoggle insists most stars have ‘no idea’ about epic Royal Rumble surprises-Alistair McGeorge-Entertainment – Metro
The former Cruiserweight Champion reflects on his Rumble memories.
Hornswoggle reflects on his Royal Rumble memories (Picture: WWE)
Hornswoggle had ‘no idea’ John Cena was going to return at the WWE Royal Rumble in 2008.
The former Cruiserweight Champion, who spent almost a decade with the company following his debut alongside Finlay in 2006, was part of the 30-man match the year Cena returned from injury well ahead of schedule and left Madison Square Garden stunned.
Speaking exclusively to Metro.co.uk, Hornswoggle recalled: ‘I had no idea, literally I had no idea until his music played. I didn’t know about him, I didn’t know about Edge when he returned.’
It seems that’s generally how things work, especially when it comes to the biggest surprise entrants, with WWE known to keep people hidden backstage until the last moment to avoid any leaks.
‘Unless you’re involved with him, and even sometimes that, you have no idea,’ Hornswoggle laughed, while he’s no stranger to his own surprise appearances.
Some of them haven’t even seen him enter the match, as he appeared during the women’s Royal Rumble in 2019 by popping out from under the ring and terrorising Zelina Vega.
Hornswoggle startled Zelina Vega in the 2019 Royal Rumble (Picture: WWE)
‘I found out about that the week before, I had booking the night before I had to get my flights changed to fly there. My son didn’t know, a bunch of my buddies didn’t know,’ he admitted.
‘I think only his mom and my parents knew because I was like, “Okay, I’m gonna keep this to my chest and just have people get surprised by it.” ‘
It was a fantastic, lighthearted moment and one Hornswoggle, whose real name is Dylan Postl, was delighted by, as the incredible reaction from the crowd when he appeared put his career into perspective.
‘I talk about how I don’t think about myself in a big form, a big impactful way by any means. But to get a reaction – or any reaction – when I’m on screen in front of people makes it feel like, man, you did have an impact. All this was worth it,’ he smiled.
Hornswoggle looks back fondly on his Royal Rumble experiences (Picture: Metro.co.uk)
For Hornswoggle, the Royal Rumble is something he’s always adored and been fascinated by, and like many fans he even sees it as a step above WrestleMania thanks to the overall spectacle of the signature matches.
‘It is the most insane thing ever! But, man, how it comes together is magic,’ he said of his experiences being in the matches themselves.
He added: ‘It’s my favourite show of the whole year, and that’s becoming a cliche thing to say but it truly is. My whole life, I loved the Rumble so much more than WrestleMania because it’s just fun and interesting.
‘And now you have two of them with the women doing theirs, it’s two for the price of one now! I love the Royal Rumble.’
He beamed as he revealed how excited he is to watch this weekend’s festivities with his son Landon, and insisted that means he definitely won’t be returning for a surprise appearance.
‘It means I’m not gonna be there! I’m not, I’m not in the 30,’ he laughed, noting he still has a good relationship with WWE management. ‘I think it’s because they don’t wanna try and put me out of the Royal Rumble again.’
Hornswoggle has launched his podcast Going Postl as part of the Major Pod Network.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE : WWE Royal Rumble 2023 preview: UK start time, matches, live stream, surprises and more
MORE : Biggest WWE Royal Rumble surprises ever: John Cena, Edge, AJ Styles and more shock entrants
Follow Metro on Snapchat
You can follow our new Snapchat show Pop Cultur’d, the go-to place for all things pop culture.
Keep up with the latest Showbiz exclusives by following Metro Showbiz on Snapchat.
And football fans can indulge in all the transfer gossip and more on Metro Football on Snapchat.
Entertainment – MetroRead More
