[SPOILER] Is Meeting 2 Women From His 2023 ‘Bachelor’ Season Tonight

Tonight, the second part of the long-awaited Bachelorette season 19 finale drops, and fans are literally champing at the bit to see what happens. ABC has been ramping up the drama during this historic season, which has featured not one but two leading ladies, Gabby Windey and Rachel Recchia, but that doesn't mean there aren't already questions about who will star as the next Bachelor.

The new Bachelor season airs in January, and it makes sense that fans are eager to know who the lucky guy will be considering what a total train wreck Clayton Echard’s season was earlier this year.

And while there is no official word yet, there are some theories. Here are the best guesses so far.

Reality Steve is convinced that the new Bachelor is Zach Shallcross.

On his podcast on Sept. 1, Reality Steve said fans could expect an announcement towards the end of September, noting that the big news will drop on After the Final Rose or within a day or two on Good Morning America.

And on Sept. 14, Steve predicted who will likely be the next Bachelor. "As we know plans can always change last minute, and it won’t be 'official' until next Tuesday on the ATFR, but I feel confident in reporting that the next Bachelor is going to be Zach Shallcross," he tweeted.

Steve then posted a video showing Zach filming what could be his intro video in Austin, Texas:

Steve updated fans on his Sept. 20 podcast with even more details. Despite the last episode revolving around Gabby and Rachel’s winning men, “we also have to shift our attention to Zach as the new “Bachelor,” as he’ll be “officially” announced tonight,” and Zach “will be meeting some of the women from his show,” on the episode tonight, Steve wrote.

It’s not official until the formal announcement, but I’m convinced.

Oh, and here's Zach:

ICYDK, Zach got the boot on Gabby and Rachel's season after things didn't work out with Rachel. He's also been given quite a number of favorable edits this season, so it wouldn't be super surprising if he were being set up for Bachelor-hood. Despite the fact that he's only 25, he seems really ready to find his soul mate.

And shortly after Steve's announcement, sources *also* told Variety that Zach was ABC's next pick for season 27 of the Bachelor.

The source is pretty convinced he’s the guy.

For now, you'll have to wait and see if Steve's prediction holds true.

Ben Smith said he's not the next Bachelor.

Despite a suspiciously-timed announcement about a job switch on Instagram, the runner-up from Tayshia's season and contestant on Clare’s season put his Bachelor rumors to rest.

During an Instagram story Q&A, Ben Smith revealed he is not our guy. The story has since disappeared, but I think it’s safe to say that Ben is not the answer.

ABC hasn't said much about casting.

Back in May, the network shared on Instagram that The Bachelor was coming back after The Bachelorette and Bachelor in Paradise aired. And host Jesse Palmer has shared his dream Bachelor selection.

Jesse votes for Shawn Mendes, Pete Davidson, or Drake to claim the title, per Extra. While that would make for a fun season, it would only happen in Jesse’s dreams.

However, Jesse’s next best option is someone from the current season of the Bachelorette. "I think it’d definitely be somebody from Rachel and Gabby’s season,” he told Bustle.

“I don’t want to play favorites, but I do honestly think that we have multiple guys on this season that would make great Bachelors,” Jesse said. Hmm...noted.

A few men from Gabby and Rachel's season were also floated by fans.

With so many men on this most recent season of The Bachelorette, there are plenty of guys to choose from.

Nate Mitchell, a Chicago native who went home in episode 6, faced some intense rumors during this season (namely that he cheated on an ex-girlfriend and didn't tell her that he had a daughter) which surfaced thanks to some investigative reporting by Reality Steve.

Originally, many people thought Nate was preparing to be the next Bachelor because he went on the hot seat during the "Men Tell All" special in August. However, Reality Steve said that’s not the case.

“You can cross Nate off the list,” he said on his Sept. 1 podcast. “I have heard he rejected it, he doesn't want to do it," Steve added. Womp womp.

And it could also be Tyler Norris, who is really, really ready to get hitched. He makes it to Rachel's final four before getting eliminated, but Rachel specifically said that Tyler would be a great fit, per Bustle.

Tyler expressed concern with the job when talking to E! News. But, "if it gets me a stop closer to ultimately finding love then absolutely I would do it."

Fans have their own theories, suggesting a wide array of men who appeared on the last season (including one ultimate fan favorite). Here’s what realbachelorjobs thinks.

But yeah, put simply, most people are guessing Zach Shallcross will claim the title.

There are a few other contenders from previous seasons in the mix.

Fans had been rooting for Brandon Jones after he was so sweet during Michelle Young’s season (and was clearly devastated when they broke up). But—spoiler alert—he reportedly ends up engaged on the upcoming Bachelor in Paradise, so he’s out of contention.

Other potential Bachelorette vets whose names have been thrown around include Rodney Matthews, Michael Allio, and Greg Grippo.

Rodney, in case you’ve forgotten him (but how could you?), made it to the final four of Michelle Young’s season and was beyond lovable. Rodney is also BFFs with Michelle’s winner (and now ex) Nayte Olukoya, and the two seem to have such a sweet friendship. Basically, everyone loves Rodney.

Michael Allio is the single dad from Katie Thurston’s season, who left early when his son needed him. Michael tragically lost his wife to cancer and just seems like an all-around good guy. Of course, that means Bachelor Nation is rooting big time for him to find love.

But it looks like playing the Bachelor won't be in the cards for Michael. You’ll be happy to hear that he’s hitting the beach this September on Bachelor in Paradise and found his special someone the second time around. Michael leaves Paradise with Danielle Maltby, according to Life & Style Mag.

Greg Grippo was another fan-favorite turned maybe-villain from Katie’s season, what with his floppy hair, easy smile, and natural charm. Greg told Us Weekly that he’d consider being on another Bachelor show “if there was somebody I’m genuinely interested in.” So…I guess everyone will have to wait and see with that one.

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