The Royal Rumble is arguably the most exciting PPV the WWE puts on every year. Yeah, I know it's not Wrestlemania. But it's unique. It's not a match. It's survival. Beyond that, it's very hard to predict. Especially this year with 40 wrestlers entering instead of the usual 30. Yeah, i know Cody Rhodes and Kofi Kingston are not going to win the Rumble. But they could still have an impact.
Unfortunately, for me, I am going to try and predict the Rumble. Like i said, it's not an easy task to begin with and this year makes it more difficult. Does the WWE stick with an established main-eventer to headline Wrestlemania? Do they propel wrestlers like John Morrison or Alberto Del Rio into the spotlight? Does someone return like Cena did a few years back and blindside everyone?
Normally, the Royal Rumble winner is not currently feuding with anyone. They have just completed a feud or have a history with the champion planned for Wrestlemania. That makes a returning wrestler a strong candidate to win. HHH? Christian? The Undertaker? But, at the same time, the WWE has been utilizing younger wrestlers more. Guys like The Miz and Dolph Ziggler are in the main event. Alberto Del Rio and John Morrison are in the middle of huge pushes. This year's Rumble may be the hardest to predict yet.
This is what i have come up with.
Here are my top 5 choices for the Royal Rumble Winner:
1. C.M. Punk:
I know above i stated that the winner of the Royal Rumble is normally not involved in a feud. I also know that Punk is really involved in 2 feuds. However, he is a bonafide main eventer, is the leader of the hottest faction in the WWE and has his stable ready to sacrifice themselves in order for him to win. He is a 3 time champ, has held multiple belts and has never won the Royal Rumble. He is also everything the WWE is now looking for in a champion. I may be letting my bias get the best of me, but i see him as the favorite.
2. Alberto Del Rio:
Let me first start by saying I am not a fan of Del Rio at all. I think he has JBL's angle mixed with tequila. But what I like doesn't matter. Vince McMahon loves this guy. He also generates a lot of heat for not being too well known outside of Smackdown. The WWE pushed Del Rio more than any other wrestler up to the Royal Rumble with having him on both RAW and Smackdown for absolutely no reason at all. I don't believe it's his "destiny" but i think his mic skills and in ring skills are "good enough" by WWE standards to evenutally land him in the main event. The Rumble might be the best way to do that.
3. HHH:
Could the Rumble be a great welcome back party for HHH? Maybe... we saw it work out well for John Cena a few years back. It seems obvious that HHH will feud with Sheamus when HHH does return, but that doesn't rule out a Wrestlemania main event slot for Hunter. He is the second biggest draw for the WWE outside of John Cena and, let's face it, the WWE is lacking in star power right now. I could see him return, eliminate Sheamus immediately, win the Rumble, and then handle Sheamus for the next month before the heat really turns up for Wrestlemania. That's a lot of "if's" though... the biggest one being "if" he even returns at all.
4. John Cena:
It's almost impossible not to pick the biggest star in the business today. I don't necessarily see it happening, but again, he is a favorite going into every event. If he doesn't win, it will be because of The Corre and Nexus. The same could be said if he does win. The Corre and Nexus could very well take care of each other before Cena hits the ring. It's all a long shot and Cena will be at Wrestlemania no matter what. Cena losing the Rumble would have no consequences for the WWE.
5. The Miz:
Stay with me. Let's say The Miz doesn't get the job done against Randy Orton. We've seen the WWE pull some crazy swerves with Money in the Bank and with Hell in a Cell matches. Who better to swerve with than The Miz. One of the most despised characters the WWE has currently. He is the new Edge... forever the opportunist. I know it's a long shot, but maybe not as big of a long shot as people may think. It will depend on how the championship matches pan out. Randy Orton's name could just as easily be in this spot.
Runner Up: John Morrison:
John Morrison is proof that if you don't have strong mic skills, you can't be a champion. He has the goods: the look, the style, the arrogance, the in ring ability, the fans... but he is not as good as he should be on the mic. And that is the ONLY thing holding him back. He has improved everything else about his character and wrestling ability including limiting the high spots. He will make a good showing at the Rumble, don't get me wrong. I do expect to see him in the final 10 and maybe even the final 5. This year could have been Morrison's year... he just didn't know how to tell us.
