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It’s a tradition unlike any other – it’s The Royal Rumble. The Road to WrestleMania kicks off tonight in St. Petersburg, FL. with the Royal Rumble PLE. As of this afternoon there are only four scheduled matches so let’s break it down:
Women’s Royal Rumble Match
Main Participants: Becky Lynch, Bayley, Bianca Belair, Nia Jax
Unlike years past, WWE is choosing not to reveal all the participants in this year’s Women’s Rumble match choosing to leave the fans guessing to see who debuts, who comes back and what surprises could happen.
Among those looking to make a splash, it has long been rumored that Jade Cargill will finally make her debut at the match and the potential stare down between her and Bianca Belair will be one of those WWE moments they’re known for.
It’s also rumored that Trinity Fatu, fka Naomi, will be making her return to WWE after finishing her successful run as TNA’s Knockouts World Champion. Fatu left WWE in 2022 and bet on making a name for herself outside of WWE and it worked. PWI named Trinity 2023 Comeback Wrestler of the Year. It’s also expected that Liv Morgan makes her return from injury.
Who Will Win: Bayley. Bayley has been the workhorse and backbone of the women’s division. She’s been instrumental in putting over Bianca Belair, Io Sky and Damage CTRL. Her storyline with Damage CTRL has held SmackDown together and the payoff should be Bayley’s babyface turn and Rumble win.
Logan Paul(c) vs. Kevin Owens – U.S. Championship
Kevin Owens emerged victorious in the US Title Tournament and became the #1 contender. Since then the champion has sought to make Owens life a living hell. It all came to a head last week at SmackDown when the two came face to face:
Will the ‘Social Media Megastar’ Logan Paul fend off Kevin Owens or will Owens gain the US Title for the 4th time in his career.
Who Will Win: Logan Paul
Undisputed WWE Universal Championship Fatal 4-Way
Participants: Roman Reigns(c), Randy Orton, AJ Styles, LA Knight
Undisputed champion Roman Reigns finds himself in a fatal 4-way and it’s all because of his own doing. SmackDown GM Nick Aldis initially booked a triple threat match between Randy Orton, AJ Styles and LA Knight to determine the opponent who would face Reigns at the Royal Rumble. The Tribal Chief didn’t appreciate Aldis meddling in his affairs and caused a no-contest. Aldis would not be intimidated by Reigns and booked the 4-way match after Reigns’ dastardly interference.
All 3 of the challengers have a beef with the Tribal Chief – and each other. Orton had been out of action for 18 months at the hands of The Bloodline. AJ Styles was also knocked out of action due to Solo Sikoa. LA Knight had Reigns beat at Crown Jewel only for The Bloodline to interfere and cost him the match. Knight felt as though there should’ve been a one-on-one rematch but both Orton and Styles feel Knight needs to go to the back of the line since he blew his chance.
Who Will Win: Roman Reigns. No way he leaves St. Petersburg without the Undisputed WWE Universal title. I mean there’s no one would dare cost the Tribal Chief his historic title run, right?
Men’s Royal Rumble Match
Main Participants: CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, Gunther, Drew McIntyre, Damian Priest, Shinsuke Nakamura, Bobby Lashley, Kofi Kingston, Jimmy Uso
Much like the Women’s Rumble match, WWE is going with the element of surprise by not revealing all of the participants. There will be some surprises as there are every year but there are two rumored surprise entrants that will cause headlines.
The Rock is one rumored surprise entrant due to him calling out The Tribal Chief on RAW three weeks ago. The Rock’s appearance on RAW Day 1 set the internet ablaze and rumors ran rampant of a dream match between Reigns and the People’s Champion. For that to take place The Rock would either have to win the Rumble or the Elimination Chamber… or cost Reigns the title tonight setting up a main event match to determine who is the true Tribal Chief.
There’s also rumblings that Hulk Hogan could enter the Rumble. WWE has spent most of the week doing promos celebrating 40 years of WrestleMania and Hogan. Let’s keep it 100 – I don’t want to see Hogan anywhere near WWE and given the events surrounding Vince McMahon it just looks like bad optics to have Hogan, whose racist rant still lives on, involved with the company.
The true story of this match revolves around two men – one who is looking to finish his story and one who is looking to finish what he’s started. It’s about Cody Rhodes and CM Punk and their legacies. Both men are deserving… but only one of them will get to main event WrestleMania.
Who Will Win: CM Punk
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