This Sunday is the Royal Rumble and this year we enter the event unlike previous entries with no obvious favourite. Some people say Batista is the favourite, but in reality WWE have plenty of other options. Do they let Batista take the win upon his return? Will they let CM Punk go all the way from number 1 to 30 to help cement his legacy? Will they let Daniel Bryan enter the match and continue to grow his popularity? Could Brock Lesnar enter and destroy everyone?
These are all possibilities and this year the Royal Rumble means much more than it has previously. Due to the recent unification between the World and WWE Championships we can pretty much guarantee that WWE will not make the Rumble winner curtain jerk at WrestleMania.
This Rumble or event, surprisingly has not had a massive build and we only got the now traditional ‘numbers’ video on the go home show of RAW this past Monday.
The one thing that really annoys me about the Rumble is that anyone who has a match on the show usually doesn’t get to enter the Rumble. It makes no sense to me. Why on earth would Daniel Bryan and Bray Wyatt forego their chance to main event WrestleMania just to have a one on one match at the Rumble with no prize on the line?
I used to enjoy the matches that were on the card and continuing to spill over in to the Rumble match. Granted, that usually meant that the heel got the win in the match and then the face eliminated the heel later that evening during the Rumble, but it all seemed logical. The only people who shouldn’t be eligible for the Rumble should be the Champion and the number one contender who gets their Championship shot at the Rumble itself.
According to the rumours and reports circulating at the moment, Batista will likely take the victory this year but WWE have plenty of possible candidates that could go on to take the big prize if they wish.
At least 20 participants have been named for the Rumble this year and I would imagine that a few surprises will take place. People like Christian, Mark Henry, RVD, Sheamus and Evan Bourne are all likely candidates to make their return this Sunday. Who knows, maybe JTG will come down to the ring and shake the rafters!
One thing is certain, WWE still have options. This is the event where our fantasy booking minds go insane with the possibilities heading in to WrestleMania.
What role will Hogan play at WrestleMania? Who will Brock Lesnar face at WrestleMania? Could Goldberg return? Will Sting get that match with Undertaker? Will Austin and Punk ever happen? As always, time will only tell.
One favourite of mine would be to see Kurt Angle enter the Rumble. Never going to happen obviously but the thought of Angle vs Bryan at WrestleMania is enough to make me scream like Brock Lesnar!
One thing is guaranteed. WWE will give Kofi Kingston a scenario where he will avoid elimination through some over the top physical feat where he will be promptly thrown over the top rope upon his return to the ring.
Other questions to ask is who will actually be the WWE World Heavyweight Champion come WrestleMania? Will Randy retain at the Rumble? Will he lose it in the Chamber in February?
It’s exciting times for wrestling fans and hopefully we will all be satisfied with the direction they ultimately decide to go in, but knowing us all we won’t.
Who do you think will win this year’s Rumble? Let me know either through Twitter, email me at [email protected] or comment below!
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