One of the longest-running events in WWE history, the Royal Rumble returns on January 27. Along with the event is the Royal Rumble match, with the reward being a title opportunity at WrestleMania 40.
There will be a men’s and women’s match, with some of WWE’s top stars competing. To enter the Royal Rumble, 30 wrestlers are assigned a spot at random. The only way to win is by being the last person in the ring by the end of the match.
As always, there is a feeling of unpredictability heading into this event. Anything is possible in pro wrestling, especially at Royal Rumble.
Sporting News writers Carlan Gay and Dan Yanofsky joined forces to chat storylines and offer their predictions.
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Who will win the men’s and women’s Royal Rumble match?
Carlan: The men's Royal Rumble match should be very intriguing this year, and I can't wait. Cody Rhodes winning the Rumble two years in a row would be great. The potential storylines to play off of Cody's win would be tremendous. The Rock's recent return makes me think he'll have a say on who main events WrestleMania 40.
I would like to see Gunther win it, but I don't think WWE will go in that direction. My prediction: CM Punk somehow finds a sneaky way to win the Rumble and finally turns heel after enjoying a bit of a baby face run in his return to WWE.
The women's Rumble match has so much young talent, so I'll focus on the vets: Bayley, Becky Lynch, Bianca Belair and Nia Jax. I don't think Jax will win the Rumble, but I can see her getting the big spot, meaning she'll be the wrestler with the most ring time and eliminations. Coming out of the Rumble, Jax should look strong.
Bianca feels a little too cold right now to be heated up by a Rumble win, so that leaves me down to Bayley and Becky Lynch. I'm going with Becky Lynch. I think Lynch will have a better chance at telling a great story with Rhea Ripley.
I hope we get a surprise participant that at least gives us some doubt about who will win the match. Maybe Naomi or Sasha Banks... I know, wishful thinking.
Dan: The top five picks to win the men's Royal Rumble match are the following: CM Punk, Gunther, Cody Rhodes, The Rock, and Drew McIntyre.
Starting with The Rock: “The People’s Champion” and Roman Reigns have been rumored to wrestle for years. They almost did it at WrestleMania 39. Could this be the year they finally throw down, especially after The Rock teased a match on a recent episode of Raw? The Rock may surprise fans in Tampa, but fans shouldn’t get their hopes up.
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McIntyre winning could indicate if he re-signed with WWE. It is unlikely he will win the match, given his contract status and the lack of story to tell against Reigns and Seth “Freakin’” Rollins, men he has already lost against for gold.
Gunther is in an interesting spot here. The longest-reigning Intercontinental Champion of all time was favored to win the men's match via Sports Illustrated, but that later got retracted. Given his dominant run as the IC Champion, a push to the main event makes sense for the Austrian. He’s someone to keep an eye on.
However, the top two picks to win the Royal Rumble match are Rhodes and Punk. Rhodes didn’t beat Reigns last year after winning the Rumble and looks to “finish the story.” Punk returned to WWE for the first time since 2014, with momentum clearly on his side. Rhodes will likely get a rematch against Reigns (more on him later) but will get the rematch following Elimination Chamber. Either Rock or Punk wins the match, and it’s hard to deny Punk the main event since returning to WWE.
The top five picks to win the women’s Royal Rumble match are the following: Bayley, Becky Lynch, Jade Cargill, Nia Jax, and Raquel Rodriguez.
Raquel Rodriguez is currently dealing with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, and her status for the event is unknown. Nia Jax just completed a story where she hurt Ripley, who has been near-unstoppable. However, she will likely continue her role of dominating the match before a wild elimination happens.
Jade Cargill hasn’t wrestled a WWE match yet, and it is unlikely WWE will push her straight to the top. An appearance and a special spot seem likely. Becky Lynch has the best shot at repeating in the Rumble this year, as she already confronted Ripley regarding a match at WrestleMania. However, she could also earn the opportunity through the Elimination Chamber match. The likely winner will be Bayley, who is already involved in a story with her Damage CTRL teammate in Sky.
Bayley has yet to win a Rumble match, and there is teased tension within her group. The leader on the sidelines, Bayley could have a breakout moment in Tampa and secure her first headline match at WrestleMania.
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Can we expect to see any surprise appearances at the Royal Rumble?
Carlan: There will be some surprises, but the hope is they are big enough to make you think they can win.
I'm predicting Brock Lesnar and Kazuchika Okada show up and shock the world. And I expect them to enter into a program at WrestleMania.
On the women's side, Naomi and Sasha Banks would be great. More realistic options are Trish Stratus, Lita, the Bella Twins, and the big one: Queen Sharmell! Ok, the last one is hopeful, but it would be great to see her come back and have Booker losing his mind on commentary — if they let him near the booth, that is.
Dan: Given rumors regarding free agents, anything is possible. But will they come to fruition?
On the women’s side, the biggest move for WWE would be to bring back Mercedes Mone/Sasha Banks. Along with Naomi/Trinity, Mone walked out on WWE. There are rumors she will sign with AEW, but WWE can swoop in and re-sign her at the last second. Naomi returning following a run with TNA Wrestling makes the most sense.
Other surprise appearances in the women’s match could include Trish Stratus, Lita, the Bella Twins, and someone like Michelle McCool. Expect some NXT stars to appear.
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On the men’s side, Kazuchika Okada is rumored to sign with AEW, but WWE could make him a legitimate offer he can’t refuse. It all depends on his contract situation with New Japan Pro Wrestling, which may expire by the end of the month. Brock Lesnar usually shows up around this time. However, given his potential involvement in a recent lawsuit with Vince McMahon, that may not happen.
Andrade El Idolo, who just wrapped up with AEW, may appear. A former NXT Champion, Andrade has shown interest in returning to WWE, and this could be his shot at immediately making an impact. Speaking of NXT Champions, Bron Breakker could make his Royal Rumble debut.
Will Roman Reigns lose the Undisputed WWE Universal Title?
Carlan: Come on, are we serious? This is an easy no. Roman isn't losing this title now and shouldn't lose it at WrestleMania either. Not to Cody, The Rock, CM Punk, LA Knight, Randy Orton — I could go on.
This Roman reign, no pun intended, has been incredible. To me, it still doesn't feel stale, and I think it should continue, not only beyond the Rumble but WrestleMania 40.
Dan: At first, it seemed unlikely. And as we get closer to WrestleMania and The Rock teasing a match with Reigns, anything seems possible. Remember, The Rock and Reigns would be fighting for the status of “Head of the Table,” not for a world title.
However, if you throw The Rock out of the mix, Reigns should remain champion. Randy Orton, LA Knight, and AJ Styles are all valuable as contenders, especially a returning Orton. It doesn’t appear Reigns will give up the title that easily, especially with The Bloodline lurking. Reigns' goal is to break the reign of 1,474 days as world champion set by Hulk Hogan. If his massive 1,200+-day reign as champion were to end, it would most likely be at WrestleMania.
Regarding who eats the pin, it may be Knight, as Styles and Orton just returned, and Knight already fought for the title.