That's all conjecture right now however.Īnalysing the women who are definitely entering, it looks like Asuka is the favourite. Not only would her involvement be a huge surprise, it'd also vindicate Rousey's hard-woman image carried over from UFC if she outlasted everyone on the WWE roster. We're calling it right now: if Ronda Rousey enters the first ever female Rumble in WWE history, she's taking it all. Balor narrowly beats Shinsuke Nakamura in my predictions although Finn is a Raw guy, they can get round that by facilitating another Raw v Smackdown match and calling it a trade.Ħ Former champ Becky Lynch aims to be No contender again Credit: WWE With Styles you are guaranteed a good match, they have New Japan history of sorts, you have the Club as support artists, and a previous match to call on for history. Spurs fan FINN BALOR would appreciate that comparison, and I will go for him to face AJ Styles at Mania.īalor’s positioning, sharing a ring with DX on Monday, tipped me over the edge to pick the Irishman. A Tottenham as opposed to a Manchester City. For a compromise, I will pick someone perhaps not yet in the highest of WWE echelons, but in the next level down. With all that said, I do not see it happening. Therefore, would it hurt if that match did not necessarily feature a marquee star, but one that would benefit from the exposure, put on a great match and give the Rumble some credibility back? PODCAST Listen to the latest edition of the Hooked On Wrestling’s very own podcast, The S.H.O.W right here This year, similar to several recent years, the top matches at Wrestlemania are likely to feature legends such as Triple H, Undertaker, Cena and the like, and so you could argue that the WWE title match would be number four or even five on the card.
So yeah, Ol’ Nakkers as we fondly call him hear at Hooked On is going to WrestleMania for a title match I reckon.Ħ Smackdown's Shinsuke Nakamura is a top contender at the Royal Rumble Credit: WWE I base this solely on the fact that I think it will be a SmackDown Live guy winning and there isn’t that many more credible choices on the blue side of the roster. It could even be someone not yet announced as there are plenty of spots wide open.
There is no standout candidate and about half a dozen guys who can win this. We often complain that due to the stipulations about the winner getting a title shot at WrestleMania, it narrows down the field and therefore makes this a predictable match. Share them with us on Twitter at Men’s Royal Rumble Match We would love to hear your opinions on our predictions.
This month, we are joined by Defiant Wrestling's James R Kennedy, who will be hosting our Rumble party in Glasgow. The Kickoff show also promises plenty of entertainment as newly-crowned US Champion Bobby Roode will defend the title in an open challenge.įormer RAW Tag Team Champions Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson will take on The Revival in a rematch following the Balor Club members' victory on RAW 25.Īnd finally Kalisto, Lince Dorado and Gran Metalik will battle TJP, Drew Gulak and Manchester's own Gentleman Jack Gallagher in a six-man tag team match which promises plenty of exciting Cruiserweight action.6 Asuka is yet to lose in the WWE, but will she win the Rumble?įor each pay-per-view, Rob and Paul will cast their eye over the card, joined by a guest forecaster. Smackdown Tag Team Champions The Usos battle Shelton Benjamin and Chad Gable in a 2-out-of-3 Falls match. Unlikely RAW Tag Team Champions Seth Rollins and Jason Jordan will take on former champs Sheamus and Cesaro in a rematch for the titles. Universal Champion and UFC legend Brock Lesnar will put his belt on the line against Kane and Braun Strowman in a monstrous clash that promises plenty of destruction and chaos. WWE Champion AJ Styles defends his title in a 2-on-1 Handicap match against Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn who will become co-WWE Champions if they emerge victorious.