It's been an unfortunate trend in recent years that the Royal Rumble, generally the most unpredictable event on the calendar, has become the most obvious to call. Since 2013, every Rumble winner has been easily spotted in advance by the fanbase, although in fairness, last year was a bit harder. This year, at least at the outset, appears no different, with the way the night is going to finish seeming to be written in stone. But you never truly know what's going through Vince McMahon's head, so we could be in for a major shock on Sunday night. Or maybe not.
Pre-Show- Bobby Roode's United States Open Challenge
It's an open challenge on a pre-show, so I wouldn't expect much. Maybe something to set up a spot in the Rumble later?
Pre-Show- Kalisto, Lince Dorado and Gran Metalik vs TJP, Jack Gallagher and Drew Gulak
Mask guys vs non-mask guys.
Pre-Show- The Club vs The Revival
I know a lot of fans were disappointed to see the Top Guys take the 'ole "Ascension" spot of getting beat up by legends, but the fact remains that they were given a major segment on one of the biggest shows of the year. Does that mean they're winning here? Probably not.
Raw Tag Team Championship Match- Seth Rollins and Jason Jordan vs The Bar
Seth and Jordan clearly aren't going to have a long run with the belts, so the only question is when they're going to drop them and move on to their rumored feud. Long term, I don't know if another Cesaro and Sheamus title reign would mean much, so it's possible the belts change hands at Elimination Chamber, instead, with a team like The Club going over.
SmackDown Tag Team Championship Match- The Usos vs Gable and Benjamin
The two of three falls stipulation definitely makes me think we're in for a title change here, as the heels could win through nefarious means. The Usos retaining wouldn't totally surprise me, but either way, I think we're in for a great match.
WWE Championship Match- AJ Styles vs Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn
Boy has this storyline dropped off a cliff. After the stinker at Clash of Champions, it's obvious that the authority struggle on SmackDown is causing fans to tune out, as you probably could've predicated. This match could be really good, but the handicap rules definitely make me feel a little nervous. The result of the Rumble will likely decide the winner of this match, but AJ retaining is the most likely outcome.
Universal Championship Match- Brock Lesnar vs Braun Strowman vs Kane
On paper, this seems like the easiest match to predict, since it seems so likely we're heading for Brock-Roman in New Orleans. Is it possible that Braun's path of destruction over the past few weeks could be the company prepping him for a title run? Yes, it could. Is it likely he gets the strap here? No, most likely not. Either way this goes, Kane's definitely here to take the fall.
30-Woman Royal Rumble Match
Although the result will obviously matter, I'm more interested in seeing how this match goes, to be honest. The first women's Money in the Bank match was a disaster, with the company completely taking all of Carmella's heat by negating the controversial finish. Hopefully, we're in for something better here. As to the winner, it's all up to one name: Ronda Rousey. If Ronda's in the match, which is definitely possible, she's not showing up to lose. If she isn't, then I see Asuka and Becky Lynch as the most obvious secondary options, with some wildcards like Nia Jax and Sasha Banks.
30-Man Royal Rumble Match
I mean, this one's obvious, right? It's Roman Reigns, all the way. It's been speculated since even before 'Mania last year that Brock-Roman was the plan, and although it's not been hinted toward at all on TV, it seems like this is the way it's going. But you can get to that match without a Roman win, since Raw has Elimination Chamber to potentially crown a number one contender. If the Big Dog doesn't win in Philly for a second time, then all bets are off. I could see Shinsuke, a returning Dolph Ziggler, maybe Orton again, hell, maybe a member of the New Day is heading to WrestleMania. Perhaps one of the losers of the earlier world title matches comes back, like Roman last year.
I'll catch you again either later tonight or tomorrow morning for my review of NXT Takeover, then of course tomorrow night for the Rumble itself. This is an exciting time for all wrestling fans, as the Road to WrestleMania is set to begin. Hopefully, we get it off to a great start.
Pre-Show- Bobby Roode's United States Open Challenge
It's an open challenge on a pre-show, so I wouldn't expect much. Maybe something to set up a spot in the Rumble later?
Pre-Show- Kalisto, Lince Dorado and Gran Metalik vs TJP, Jack Gallagher and Drew Gulak
Mask guys vs non-mask guys.
Pre-Show- The Club vs The Revival
I know a lot of fans were disappointed to see the Top Guys take the 'ole "Ascension" spot of getting beat up by legends, but the fact remains that they were given a major segment on one of the biggest shows of the year. Does that mean they're winning here? Probably not.
Raw Tag Team Championship Match- Seth Rollins and Jason Jordan vs The Bar
Seth and Jordan clearly aren't going to have a long run with the belts, so the only question is when they're going to drop them and move on to their rumored feud. Long term, I don't know if another Cesaro and Sheamus title reign would mean much, so it's possible the belts change hands at Elimination Chamber, instead, with a team like The Club going over.
SmackDown Tag Team Championship Match- The Usos vs Gable and Benjamin
The two of three falls stipulation definitely makes me think we're in for a title change here, as the heels could win through nefarious means. The Usos retaining wouldn't totally surprise me, but either way, I think we're in for a great match.
WWE Championship Match- AJ Styles vs Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn
Boy has this storyline dropped off a cliff. After the stinker at Clash of Champions, it's obvious that the authority struggle on SmackDown is causing fans to tune out, as you probably could've predicated. This match could be really good, but the handicap rules definitely make me feel a little nervous. The result of the Rumble will likely decide the winner of this match, but AJ retaining is the most likely outcome.
Universal Championship Match- Brock Lesnar vs Braun Strowman vs Kane
On paper, this seems like the easiest match to predict, since it seems so likely we're heading for Brock-Roman in New Orleans. Is it possible that Braun's path of destruction over the past few weeks could be the company prepping him for a title run? Yes, it could. Is it likely he gets the strap here? No, most likely not. Either way this goes, Kane's definitely here to take the fall.
30-Woman Royal Rumble Match
Although the result will obviously matter, I'm more interested in seeing how this match goes, to be honest. The first women's Money in the Bank match was a disaster, with the company completely taking all of Carmella's heat by negating the controversial finish. Hopefully, we're in for something better here. As to the winner, it's all up to one name: Ronda Rousey. If Ronda's in the match, which is definitely possible, she's not showing up to lose. If she isn't, then I see Asuka and Becky Lynch as the most obvious secondary options, with some wildcards like Nia Jax and Sasha Banks.
30-Man Royal Rumble Match
I mean, this one's obvious, right? It's Roman Reigns, all the way. It's been speculated since even before 'Mania last year that Brock-Roman was the plan, and although it's not been hinted toward at all on TV, it seems like this is the way it's going. But you can get to that match without a Roman win, since Raw has Elimination Chamber to potentially crown a number one contender. If the Big Dog doesn't win in Philly for a second time, then all bets are off. I could see Shinsuke, a returning Dolph Ziggler, maybe Orton again, hell, maybe a member of the New Day is heading to WrestleMania. Perhaps one of the losers of the earlier world title matches comes back, like Roman last year.
I'll catch you again either later tonight or tomorrow morning for my review of NXT Takeover, then of course tomorrow night for the Rumble itself. This is an exciting time for all wrestling fans, as the Road to WrestleMania is set to begin. Hopefully, we get it off to a great start.
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