Royal Rumble Predictions

I've always wanted to do this. And by "this" I mean go on record to what's going to happen at a pay-per-view and either look a genius or a complete idiot the next day.

Unfortunately, my first prediction isn't going to be on what could be considered a "stacked" card. There are only four known matches for the Royal Rumble. Granted, the Rumble match itself is one of them and will surely take up a lot of time, but the card still feels bare. There will likely be another addition, such as a tag team or divas match. Nonetheless, I'll just have to work with what I have.


John Cena vs. Kane


This feels odd to say, but out of the three non-Rumble matches, I actually find this one the most intriguing. I feel like I know the result, I just don't know how it will be done. Seeing John Cena lose this match would be highly unusual. The Road to Wrestlemania starts here and as we all know, several weeks of Rock vs. Cena hype is sure to ensue shortly. For that reason, it makes no sense to have Kane go over here. The question is, will Cena overcome and "rise above" the hate to defeat Kane and quell his inner demons? Or will Cena give in and use said hate to just beat the ever living dog piss out of the Big Red Machine? It's hard to really make a prediction on that, but knowing the Cena we've known for several years, the latter would be shocking to say the least.

Prediction: John Cena



World Heavyweight Championship: Daniel Bryan (c) vs. Mark Henry vs. Big Show (Steel Cage Match)


The match for the World Heavyweight Championship feels much less predictable than usual. At the end of the day, I truly see this as only a two-man match: Bryan and Show. Again, maybe I'm going to look like a complete idiot tomorrow when Mark Henry is a two-time world champion, but I just don't see it happening. On one hand, it feels odd that Daniel Bryan's project as World Heavyweight Champion may be coming to end so suddenly and that Big Show would even need the strap on the Road to Wrestlemania. On the other hand, WWE has done almost nothing to give the sense that Bryan can win this match. I'm truly torn on what to decide, which is shocking considering I've found this entire quasi-feud on SmackDown to be very underwhelming. I honestly don't know how, but I think Daniel Bryan will be world champion until Elimination Chamber.

Prediction: Daniel Bryan



WWE Championship: CM Punk (c) vs. Dolph Ziggler (John Laurinaitis as special guest referee) 

The Royal Rumble itself always creates excitement, but if you're looking for good technical wrestling, this match is sure to be the show stealer for you. Ziggler and Punk have had matches together or RAW over the past month and a half, and each time they were excellent. If that trend continues, there's no way you can complain regardless of the result. Let me preface my prediction by saying that by no means would I be disappointed to see Dolph Ziggler become WWE Champion. I'm a fan of Dolph's, personally. However, I just don't think it would be a good idea right now, nor do I actually think it will happen. Once again, my line of reasoning comes back to the "Road to Wrestlemania." Logic stands to reason that it would make more sense to have Punk, one of the faces of the company, to hold the championship while WWE begins to sell its biggest pay-per-view of the year. You also have to take into account the rumored impending feud that will take place between Punk and Chris Jericho. Because of this, I don't see Punk dropping the strap. If he does (and I think that's a big "if"), it won't be much longer than a day. I could see Laurinaitis screwing Punk, only for Triple H to fire Laurinaitis on RAW tomorrow, give Punk his rematch, and Punk win back the title. That's a scenario, but I'm sticking with Punk simply winning tonight. I'm sure something crazy and innovative will happen with Laurinaitis and Punk somehow overcomes the odds. I could even see the old "knock out the ref and forcibly move his arm to do the three-count" trick. You get the idea. Something along those lines.

Prediction: CM Punk



The Royal Rumble Match


It would be boring to simply predict the winner, so before I do so, I'll make a few predictions on what else will happen in the Royal Rumble.

• Christian WILL return.
• Rey Mysterio will NOT return.
• We'll see no less than three returning former superstars/legends.
• The Undertaker will NOT be seen.
• Brock Lesnar will NOT be seen.

Let me get my prediction on Christian out of the way first. As you can see, I am buying that he will enter the Rumble tonight. Unfortunately, I do not think he will win. I believe Christian is in the Rumble for one reason and one reason only: Eliminate Sheamus. In Christian's advertised SmackDown shows for February, he's booked against Sheamus. Assuming that holds true, it means the Christian-Sheamus feud will resume where it left off in November. It's also worth noting that in Christian's second appearance on WWE television during his injury (The Tribute to the Troops), his short promo was interrupted by none other than the Great White. It seems there is still unfinished business between the two. I think Sheamus will enter somewhere in the teens and start cleaning house. I expect no less than five eliminations. Christian will enter somewhere between 20 and 30 and out of nowhere, eliminate Sheamus. After the Great While tumbles down to the floor on the outside, Captain Charisma will look down on him from the ring with his signature smug, smarmy smile. 

With that out of the way, let me say that the Rumble is a great place to continue longstanding or budding rivalries. That's why I think The Miz (who enters first) will at least last long enough for he and R-Truth to cross paths. I also would not be the least bit shocked if Cody Rhodes' hopes were dashed by none other than his brother, Dustin Rhodes (under the persona of Goldust of course!). It will also be interesting to see if any of the participants in the night's other matches are seen. The video previews certainly make it seem that way, but I'm not necessarily counting on it. Even if any of them are in the match, I don't like their odds. 

I'm expecting a big showdown in the final five competitors between Wade Barrett and hometown favorite, Randy Orton. If you're a Twitter follower, you know I've been quite high on Orton's Rumble chances since his minor injury (if it was even that) in late December. Believe it or not, having Orton return to television prior to the Rumble actually quelled my confidence somewhat. If the plan was to have Orton win, returning him on SmackDown doesn't really make sense. Wouldn't it have been better to have Orton be a surprise entrant between 27 and 30 with Barrett still in the ring? That's just my opinion. I still like Orton's odds a lot, but I'm not so sure he's going to win any more. 

Finally: Chris Jericho. 

Jericho vowed that the Royal Rumble would mark the end of the world as we know it. Just what does that mean? Is that statement connected to the Rumble match itself? Or will something else happen during the three hours of show that reveals the meaning of that statement? No one knows. In fact, it isn't even a guarantee that he's in the match (although it is highly probable). 

So here's where I stand. Seven days ago, I would have undoubtedly said Orton. Two major things happen this past week. 

A) Jericho's promo

B) Orton returns prematurely at SmackDown

Those two instances have completely turned the tables for me. I'm officially changing my initial prediction of Randy Orton and making my final prediction Chris Jericho. The sad part about this is, it feels too obvious. The thing I love about the Rumble is unpredictability. Yet, unfortunately, the Rumble has been predictable in the past. Don't get me wrong, I really do like the idea of Chris Jericho being in a world title match at Wrestlemania XXVIII. But if it is indeed going to happen via him winning the Rumble, it sort of feels like WWE spoiled their own product over the last week. I hope I am wrong. Jericho can still be in a title match without winning the Rumble.

Prediction: Chris Jericho

Here's how I would put the favorites in order:

1. Chris Jericho

2. Randy Orton

3. Wade Barrett

4. Sheamus

5. Christian

Peace, 

Daniel