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More than likely!The first flagstone on the Road to Wrestlemania might look a little unfamiliar this year, with the WWE World Heavyweight Championship on the line for the first time since 1992. All that does is heighten the anticipation for the Rumble, which makes amends for the absence of many big names like Cena, Rollins, Sting and Cesaro.That's not to say that the Rumble would've been bland without the stipulation, but it must be admitted that one-fourth of the WWE's biggest PPVs hasn't had as bedazzling a build-up as many have hoped. And of the usual suspects like injury and Creative's block, more blame can be apportioned to the man in the spotlight, Roman Reigns. It seems that the man with the biggest belt in sports entertainment can't help but leave the impression that he doesn't merit it. Now given, he's made leaps and bounds from his nascence in the WWE, but a main eventer needs a level of charisma that a member of one of wrestling's most revered families just doesn't have. On that bombshell, we believe that a few curveballs would serve the 29th Royal Rumble well.
#5 Both feet touch at the same time
Well, somebody had to say it. We think it should be Triple H and Roman going at it, with Brock left to deal with his Family problems. The Game and the Samoan Superman put on an engaging show, before both tumble out together, leaving the fans with the tried-and-tested vague finish.
A rematch is set up for FastLane, where the Roman empire ends, giving credibility to his almost two-month long run. The two main event WrestleMania, by which time Reigns has hopefully worked on the non-physical aspects of his game, and regains the WHC.
#4 AJ Styles
It’s ironic how the man considered to be the greatest current wrestler in the world is a virtually a stranger in the biggest sports entertainment company in the world. The WWE would lose a lot of its following if it does to Styles what it did to Sting.
Sting’s is a different story altogether, a star on the wane, but Styles is a marquee attraction. It is all but confirmed that he will be in the Rumble and will be a much-needed fillip if he does show.
Picture this; Styles gets into a tangle with a heel, say, Rusev, and both go over the ropes. Styles hangs on and does the mother of all pull-ups to make it back in. But, he has his back turned and the enraged Brute pulls him out and knocks him out outside the ring.
Cut to the final two – Triple H and Roman, battling it out and the Game tips the champ over, winning the WHC. But the unnoticed Styles gets back into the ring and after a brief light show, wins the WHC.
This could lead to a refreshing new angle for the big belt, with Reigns doing what he does best, being the muscle.
#3 Return of Shane McMahon
The family feud angle has always been interesting, a throwback to those irresistible Attitude Era storylines. Shane’s return would certainly attract new fans in droves.
Roman’s impressive in-ring ability plays a big part here. One of the best expressions he sports is that of despair. So we could see him inch the scales in his favour in the match, and seem like going all the way, when the League of Nations and some other eliminated Superstars, say the New Day, rush the ring and proceed to beat down the champ.
“Here comes the money” blares out after half a decade and “Simba” walks out, with the Dudleys, Ryback, AJ Styles and Neville in tow. They force the heels out of the ring, and Roman, reinvigorated, battles his way to the final two, where he loses to Triple H.
Thus begins a feud for against the Authority, with Roman getting a rematch at FastLane, the Dudleys challenging successfully for the tag titles and Styles taking on Del Rio for the US Title.
#2 Stipulation for Vince McMahon
On the RAW before last, Vince decided to bury (read try and put him more over) Roman Reigns by pitting him against the rest of the roster. When they were in the ring and father and daughter proceeded to amplify the fact that there’s no way Reigns could spear his way through 29 other men.
Which is when it seemed like Reigns had just had an Archimedes moment. The champ asked Vince and Stephanie what the ramifications would be if the opposite happened and he triumphed. I thought a master stroke was about to play out when I noticed the lights dim behind Roman’s blue lenses.
But hey, one man’s loss is another’s gain. What if Roman laid out a stipulation that Vince would be banished from the WWE and the Authority’s stamp shattered if he won? The aftermath opens up a host of new directions for the WHC.
#1 Braun Strowman
No, we don’t mean him winning, how dare you think?!
Envision Braun, Bray and Brock as the last three men in the ring. Braun stands between Bray and Brock and it’s obvious what he’s saying. A vicious collision ensues, and even The Beast is no match for Black Sheep of the Wyatts.
But what happens now? Will pupil turn on mentor and give in to his own miraculously-discovered ambition? No, but thank you very much for offering. The biggest Wyatt lumbers his way to the top rope, strides over it and thumps his mammoth feet on the ground.
Bray Wyatt is the winner of the first ever title defense in the Royal Rumble and the new WWE World Heavyweight Champion! And the main event of WrestleMania just had a moment of clarity, but the lead-up to it should be even more interesting.
