This Sunday (January 29), WWE starts the Road to WrestleMania with the Royal Rumble. While WrestleMania is still a few months away, the Royal Rumble directly affects the main event of the show. Featuring the match of the same name as the Pay-Per-View, the winner of the 30-man over-the-top rope battle royal will get a main event spot at the “grandest stage of them all” for the top championship of their respective brand. On top of that, there are huge championship matches and potentially something involving Seth Rollins and Triple H. Let’s take a look at what’s to come in the Alamodome.
Sasha Banks vs. Nia Jax
It’s unfortunate that Sasha Banks has gone from a 3-time Raw Women’s Champion to the bottom of the card, but here we are. Banks and Jax have been slowly but surely feuding over the past several weeks, including Banks coasting Jax a chance at the Raw Women’s Championship. Jax has gone out of her way to hurt Banks’ knee, so that could play a role in their matchup.
Prediction:
If Banks was 100%, I would say that this is 50-50. However, the knee injury is an easy way to give Jax the win without ruining the credibility of The Boss. Winner: Nia Jax
Sheamus & Cesaro (c) vs. Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson – Raw Tag Team Championships (w/Two Referees)
Both of these teams have been competing in a mix of tag and singles action over the past several weeks, and on more than one occasion, referee issues have led to screwy finishes. Mick Foley and Stephanie McMahon have decided to remedy this by putting two referees in the match. Now that I think about it, that should happen with every match. Kevin Owens, Seth Rollins, AJ Styles, and The Miz would all have short title reigns or be forced to compete legitimately.
Prediction:
Referee problems usually help the heel teams out, so nipping that in the bud should play in the favor of Sheamus and Cesaro. Winners, and STILL Raw Tag Team Champions: Sheamus & Cesaro
Becky Lynch, Naomi, & Nikki Bella vs. Natalya, Alexa Bliss, & Mickie James
SmackDown gets a pass for now having a SmackDown Women’s Championship match on the show because they just had a championship cage match last week. With so many great women on SmackDown, as well as three potential story thread woven into one match, this is a great showcase for the blue brand’s Women’s Division. This could be a brief glimpse into a potential Elimination Chamber match (there’s going to be one for the World Championship, so this is definitely possible), and it has the added interest of being Mickie James’ first main roster match since she left WWE.
Prediction:
This is probably the toughest call of the night (other than the Royal Rumble match, obviously), because both results can lead in good directions. Let’s go with the team that has the most momentum. Winners: Natalya, Alexa Bliss, & Mickie James
Rich Swann (c) vs. Neville – WWE Cruiserweight Championship
Since reviving the Cruiserweight Championship at the Cruiserweight Classic, there have only been three champions: TJ Perkins, Brian Kendrick, and Rich Swann. Swann has been a good champion, but Neville seems to have his number at every turn. Neville returned at Roadblock: End of the Line to ambush Swann and Perkins, which was only the start to him taking over the entire Cruiserweight Division. After defeating Swann in non-title action a few weeks ago, Neville earned this chance to truly become King of the Cruiserweights.
Prediction:
WWE hasn’t given the Cruiserweight Championship lengthy reigns, and that’s okay for now since they are still building a division. Rich Swann has proven that he is a credible talent, but after seeing Neville face Cedric Alexander on 205 Live last night, I hope that’s where we’re headed next. Winner, and NEW Cruiserweight Champion: Neville
Charlotte Flair (c) vs. Bayley – Raw Women’s Championship
Before Charlotte regained the Raw Women’s Championship from Sasha Banks to become a 4-time champion in eight months, Bayley scored two victories over her. This was a good enough reason to get a championship opportunity, but Bayley still had to defeat Nia Jax in a #1 Contender’s Match. Flair has yet to defeat the Hugster cleanly, so this might be her biggest challenge yet.
Prediction:
I’ve given up all hope. WWE is dead set on making Charlotte’s Pay-Per-View singles match undefeated streak as long as possible, which was clear every time she won back the title from Sasha Banks. Bayley will definitely become Raw Women’s Champion, just not yet. Winner, and STILL Raw Women’s Champion: Charlotte
Kevin Owens (c) vs. Roman Reigns – WWE Universal Championship (No Disqualification; Chris Jericho Suspended Above the Ring)
Since Triple H helped Kevin Owens become the second-ever Universal Champion, Owens has been kept the belt for months thanks to Chris Jericho. Mick Foley decided that putting Jericho in a shark cage and hanging him above the ring would be the best way to prevent his interference (like the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Finale at NXT TakeOver: Toronto). Just two nights ago on Raw, this match was turned into a No Disqualification match, so who knows what could happen.
Prediction:
Kevin Owens is really backed in a corner here. Every advantage he had is gone, and there’s no stopping Seth Rollins from screwing Owens out of the belt just to stick it to Triple H. While the crowd definitely won’t like it, expect Roman Reigns to become the third Universal Champion. Winner, and NEW WWE Universal Champion: Roman Reigns
AJ Styles (c) vs. John Cena – WWE World Championship
John Cena is on his quest to tie Ric Flair’s record for 16 World Championship title reigns. The only thing stopping him, however, is AJ Styles, who has beaten Cena three times (twice in singles competition, and once in a triple threat match). Styles not only wants to #BeatUpJohnCena, but he wants the finally get the respect he deserves as champion.
Prediction:
However this match ends, I will be a happy camper. AJ Styles has been in WWE for barely over a year (he debuted at last year’s Royal Rumble), and he has proven that he deserves to be the top guy on SmackDown. John Cena has been on top for over a decade, and after reinventing himself in the ring and adding a little edge to his character, Cena has been more enjoyable to watch than ever. There is no doubt both of these men are going to be in the Elimination Chamber match, but Styles should be the one walking in as champion. Winner, and STILL WWE World Champion: AJ Styles
Royal Rumble Match
This one’s for all most of the marbles. Whoever wins this match is guaranteed a WrestleMania Championship main event, and with how the last year has gone, this Rumble is the most unpredictable one in years.
Here is a list of all of the 22 confirmed entrants:
- Raw: Brock Lesnar, Big Show, Sami Zayn (who took Seth Rollins’ spot on Raw), Big E, Xavier Woods, Kofi Kingston, Braun Strowman, Chris Jericho, Sheamus, Cesaro, Rusev, Big Cass
- SmackDown: Dean Ambrose, The Miz, Dolph Ziggler, Bray Wyatt, Randy Orton, Luke Harper, Mojo Rawley, Baron Corbin
- Legends: Goldberg, The Undertaker
This leaves room for 8 surprise entrants (Samoa Joe, Shinsuke Nakamura, Finn Balor, Kenny Omega, etc.) that realistically could pick up the victory. But who will?
Prediction:
I said it before in how I would book the Royal Rumble match, and it is going to be my full-on prediction as well. The winner of the Rumble should be the man who just freed up his direction by being knocked out of the Intercontinental Championship title picture, and it would be awesome. Winner: The Miz
