This weekend, WWE hosts its second biggest Pay-Per-View of the year: the Royal Rumble. This huge event kicks off the Road to WrestleMania with a 30-man battle royal to determine who main events WrestleMania. This time, the event will also feature a Women’s Royal Rumble match for the first time ever. Outside of the Rumble matches, both Raw and SmackDown Tag Team Championships will be defended as well as the WWE and Universal Championships.
Originally, Enzo Amore was scheduled to defend the WWE Cruiserweight Championship against Cedric Alexander this weekend. However, Amore was suspended then fired due to rape allegations. The future of the vacated championship will be decided next week by 205 Live’s new General Manager.
The Usos (c) vs. Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin – SmackDown Tag Team Championships (2 Out of 3 Falls Match)
Over the past few months, Jimmy and Jey Uso have been successfully retaining the SmackDown Tag Team Championships time and time again, but they can’t seem to get away from Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin. Gable and Benjamin were declared champions a few weeks ago, but the referee reversed the decision after realizing he made a mistake.
The challengers made a good point that nowhere else in WWE has an instant replay mattered, so they get a second chance. SmackDown General Manager Daniel Bryan made this a 2 Out of 3 Falls Match to make sure that there was a clear winner.
Prediction:
Gable and Benjamin are a great team that put on great performances, but it is hard to see The Usos without the belts anytime soon. Winners, and STILL SmackDown Tag Team Champions: The Usos
Seth Rollins & Jason Jordan (c) vs. Sheamus & Cesaro – Raw Tag Team Championships
On the last episode of Monday Night Raw, the oddball team of Seth Rollins and Jason Jordan challenge The Bar for the Raw Tag Team Championships and shocked the WWE Universe by actually winning. This match at the Royal Rumble event is the obligated rematch for Sheamus and Cesaro.
Prediction:
The title win last month for Rollins and Jordan seems to have been a fluke and with Dean Ambrose gone, both men work better as singles competitors. A win for the Bar gives them a fourth title reign while featuring great competition against the likes of the Balor Club and The Revival. Winners, and NEW Raw Tag Team Champions: Sheamus & Cesaro
Brock Lesnar (c) vs. Braun Strowman vs. Kane – WWE Universal Championship
This match was announced almost a month ago after Braun Strowman and Kane both lost a #1 Contender’s Match by double count-out. Since then, there has been nothing but chaos (mostly caused by Strowman). The Monster Among Men has tipped over a semi truck, nearly crushed Brock Lesnar and Kane with the stage setup, and slammed the Universal Champion through a table.
Prediction:
Like the Fatal Four-Way Match at SummerSlam, this match does not favor Lesnar. However, there is a pretty frequent rumor that he will be defending the strap against Roman Reigns at WrestleMania and he can’t do that without retaining. Winner, and STILL Universal Champion: Brock Lesnar
AJ Styles (c) vs. Sami Zayn & Kevin Owens – WWE Championship (Handicap Match)
Over the past few weeks, AJ Styles found himself in the crossfire of the feud between Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, and Shane McMahon. After weeks of competition, Styles was annoyed at all of the drama between authority figures and facetiously suggested that he should just face both of them in a handicap match. Daniel Bryan decided to make Styles eat his words and he has to defend his championship against two men.
Prediction:
Kevin Owens being injured could be a believable way for Styles to retain the WWE Championship regardless of this being a handicap match. Winner, and STILL WWE Champion: AJ Styles
Women’s Royal Rumble Match
After over thirty years of Royal Rumble events, this year hosts the first-ever Women’s Royal Rumble match. Just like the men’s match, the winner will have a guaranteed championship match at WrestleMania for her respective show. Every main roster woman is involved outside of the champions (Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair), with 14 spots for surprises.
The main rumor surrounding this Rumble match is whether or not Ronda Rousey will make her WWE debut. The former UFC competitor has been in talks with WWE for some time and has been training for pro wrestling since she left MMA. There is also a possibility that Stephanie McMahon (who will be on commentary for the match) will be in the match as well.
Here are all 16 of the confirmed entrants for the Women’s Royal Rumble match:
- Asuka, Ruby Riott, Liv Morgan, Sarah Logan, Sasha Banks, Nia Jax, Bayley, Naomi, Natalya, Sonya Deville, Mandy Rose, Mickie James, Tamina, Lana, Carmella, Becky Lynch
Prediction:
Asuka is undefeated. If she loses here, WWE will have to say that she “has never been pinned or submitted” and to simplify her undefeated streak, a win here will solve that. Also, she deserves to be in a WrestleMania title match. Winner: Asuka
Men’s Royal Rumble Match
There is nothing historic about this year’s male Royal Rumble match, but it does not mean that it lacks importance. The winner of this match will either face the Universal Champion or the WWE Champion in the main event of WrestleMania 34, depending on the brand the winner resides. Assumedly, John Cena could choose either title since he is technically a “free agent.”
There are a couple rumors circulating for the winner of this match. Roman Reigns (who is not confirmed to be in the match) is essentially a lock to face Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania for the Universal Championship, so a Rumble win can be an easy way to give the Big Dog his guaranteed match. The other rumored winner is Shinsuke Nakamura, who would go on to face AJ Styles at WrestleMania for the WWE Championship. The last time Nakamura and Styles went one-on-one was for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship for New Japan Pro Wrestling just days before they both moved to WWE.
Here are all 17 of the confirmed entrants for the Men’s Royal Rumble match:
- John Cena, Finn Balor, Randy Orton, Shinsuke Nakamura, The Miz, Elias, Baron Corbin, Woken Matt Hardy, Bray Wyatt, Aiden English, Rusev, Titus O’Neil, Apollo Crews, Tye Dillinger, Big E, Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods
Prediction:
It would be amazing for someone like Kofi Kingston to shock the world and win the Rumble, but the safest choice is Shinsuke Nakamura. WrestleMania always has a match geared towards the hardcore audience and having him go one-on-one with AJ Styles will scratch that itch. Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura
