Chairman Of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Inc. Vince McMahon (R) Holds A Plaque
IN PHOTO: Vince McMahon (R), the chairman of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), Inc., hold a plaque as he poses with the WWE star Triple H after McMahon's Hollywood Walk of Fame star was unveiled during a ceremony in California March 14, 2008 Reuters/Fred Prouser

There are five "Grand Slam" events in the World Wrestling Entertainment. There is Wrestlemania, Summer Slam, Hell in a Cell, Money in the Bank, and Royal Rumble.

Royal Rumble is the Wimbledon of wrestling. This is just the sheer magnitude of the event and what is stake, a chance for any newcomer to challenge the World Heavyweight Champion at Wrestlemania. For the past two years, the event has been somewhat lacklustre, but this year, the outfit is targeting to change all that by reverting to the 40-man roster. The said move is according to the direction of expanding the roster to feature current stars, returnees and legends.

The move to a 40-man roster has been announced Tuesday, and according to Ring Side News, the annual event will take place Jan. 25th at the Wells Fargo Centre in Philadelphia. Tickets will go on sale starting Friday.

It would be interesting to speculate who will be featured in the lineup as there are many potential fighters who can suit up for the Rumble. Among these are fighters who are currently injured but may come back in time for the event such as Daniel Bryan and Roman Reigns. There is also the never-ending speculation on when Sting might just make his WWE debut or when CM Punk will kiss and make up with the McMahon family and use the Rumble Stage to set a match with reigning heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar.

The limited appearance of the current heavyweight champ and Beast Incarnate has led pundits to believe that he will not hang on to the belt that longer. John Cena has already failed to snatch it during Night of Champions and will have a third go later this month at Hell in a Cell. It would no longer come as a surprise if Cena snatches back the belt from Lesnar by then.

The prospect of fielding in 40 fighters in a 20x20 wide ring will also bring more exposure to NXT fighters who only have the weekly Smackdown and RAW events as avenue. In the past, the WWE has been criticised for using up slots to legendary fighters who are way past their primes instead of developing new faces the way Cena or Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson were introduced via a win at Rumble. This recent development can go either way for now, depending on how WWE handles the lineup for the event or the way it decides how Lesnar will protect his belt.