WWE Greatest Royal Rumble : Predicting the outcome of every match on the card

In just a little over 2 days, WWE presents its biggest event in the Middle East with the Greatest Royal Rumble in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Although it's rather weird that WWE is presenting a show this big and enormous, with a plethora of major matches, just 3 weeks after presenting their biggest show of the year in New Orleans, it will be a good step for WWE in expanding their footing in the Middle East.

The main highlight of the show will be the historic 50-man Royal Rumble match, the biggest in the 30-year history of the match, as well as title matches for all the 7 main roster male titles in the organization right now. Bonafide legends such as The Undertaker, Triple H, Chris Jericho and Kurt Angle will make their in-ring returns on the show that, on card, looks like a slobber knocker show.

With the superstar shake up mixing the superstars on both brands, few matches on this card have been turned into cross-brand matches. Even then, it is really hard to predict the outcomes of the matches since WWE presented a couple of swerves at 'Mania as well. Here are the predictions for the outcomes of all 10 matches taking place at WWE Greatest Royal Rumble.

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Cedric Alexander(c) vs Kalisto (Cruiserweight Title)

Cedric Alexander won the Cruiserweight title by defeating Mustafa Ali at 'Mania 34 in the finals of the tournament that had been the center of focus of 205 Live for the first 3 months of 2018. WWE clearly didn't put the title on Alexander after building him as the big dog on 205 Live to have him lose the title just 3 weeks later.

His opponent, Kalisto, has not been part of any serious storyline since dropping the cruiserweight title to Enzo Amore at TLC last year. This just feels like a one-off match before Alexander moves on to a more serious rivalry with Drew Gulak or, maybe, Buddy Murphy. Hence Kalisto has a negligible chance of winning the title in Jeddah.

Prediction : Cedric Alexander retains via Pinfall.

Cesaro and Sheamus vs. 'Woken' Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt (RAW Tag Team Title)

The RAW tag team division was left in shambles when The Bar was drafted to Smackdown in the Superstar Shake up. Ever since ending New Day's record reign in December 2016, Cesaro and Sheamus have been the prime focus of the tag team division on Raw. Hence, moving them to Smackdown this way looks like a short-term move before providing a shock.

Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt have been on a roll since joining hands at 'Mania, and will certainly be a team to beat if they capture the Red Brand's tag titles. However, it is all but certain that Wyatt will turn on Hardy, or vice versa, in the near future, and putting the title on them would be a waste of opportunity. Giving Bar the title will not only bring them back to RAW, it will prevent them from getting lost in the already stacked Smackdown roster.

Prediction: The Bar wins the title and moves back to Raw.

The Bludgeon Brothers(c) vs The Usos (Smackdown Tag Team Title)

The addition of Naomi in this rivalry has provided a nice little touch to it. Not only are the Bludgeon Brothers showing a little human side for the first time since their arrival, the way The Usos took the win last night on Smackdown hints at another heel run for the former tag team champions. If that is the case, then we are in for a fantastic rivalry for the tag title on the Blue brand in the coming months.

As for the Greatest Royal Rumble, it just doesn't make sense to take the title off Harper and Rowan after their dominant win at 'Mania 34. A loss for The Usos will only add more fuel to the negative side of the twin duo. WWE must make amends for the disappointing outing at 'Mania by giving these two teams a good 12-15 minutes. If given ample time, these two are capable of stealing the show in Jeddah.

Prediction: The Bludgeon Brother retain via Pinfall.

Jeff Hardy(c) vs Jinder Mahal (United States Title)

God bless you WWE for taking the US title off Jinder Mahal and making amends for the blunder you made at 'Mania 34. Despite making a lot of improvement in the last 12 months, Jinder still doesn't look like someone who could carry a prestigious title and keep it relevant during his reign. Jeff Hardy, on the other hand, will thrive in the stacked Smackdown Live mid-card, with a renewed rivalry with Orton and Benjamin being the focus in the coming months.

This one is clearly a no-brainer. Jinder is now on Raw while Hardy in on Smackdown Live, the brand that is the home of the US Title. Moreover, the US title has already changed hands 4 times in the first 4 months on 2018 and needs a champion that can hold the title for a long reign. Jeff Hardy holding the title will not only bring back credibility to the title, it will also provide a plethora of fresh and rejuvenated feuds for the title on the Blue Brand.

Prediction: Hardy continues his reign as US Champion.

Seth Rollins(c) vs The Miz vs Finn Balor vs Samoa Joe (Ladder Match for Intercontinental Title)

Rollins, Miz, and Balor nearly stole the show with their exceptional triple threat opener at 'Mania 34. The addition of Samoa Joe to this trifecta, along with the added stipulation of Ladder being involved, provides the perfect blend to present a match that is capable of stealing the show on any night. Given proper time, as they were given at 'Mania 34, these 4 superstars are capable of presenting an early match of the year candidate.

It seems like Rollins was only given the win in New Orleans so that he could become a Grand Slam Champion. He deserves to be fighting for the Universal Title, something that he will be doing in the near future. Since Hardy is not losing the US Title, it completely removes Joe and Miz from the title hunt. That leaves only Balor, the man who should have won at 'Mania. It is high time WWE finally gives Balor a well-deserved title run.

Prediction: Balor unhooks the title to become new Intercontinental Champion.

The Undertaker vs Rusev (Casket Match)

Why has WWE changed this match up 2 times in the last 10 days? I mean, does it even matter who the Undertaker is facing in the WWE right now? Unless your name is Brock Lesnar or Roman Reigns, the chances of you defeating The Undertaker are same as the reaction 'Mania's main event got - zero. Poor Rusev, despite being the most over superstar on the roster, will once again be taking a loss this Friday.

Taker's match against John Cena, WWE's biggest box-office draw, at 'Mania 34 lasted a mere 2 minutes and 46 seconds. Hence, it won't be a shock if this match ends even before hitting the 2-minute mark. WWE is building Taker back as the resurgent legend before he finally clashes with Cena again at 'Mania 35. As for Rusev, he is now the official jobber to all the megastars of the company.

Prediction: Undertaker buries Rusev in a squash match.

Triple H vs John Cena

How much have the times changed since 'Mania 22 in 2006? The two superstars who were fighting for the company's top prize in the main event in 2006 are now fighting each other in an exhibition match as a nostalgic visit down the memory lane. Neither John Cena or Triple H are expected to feature in any WWE storyline in the near future, hence the outcome of this match will not have any impact on the WWE programming in the coming months.

However, keeping in mind the long-term storytelling, Cena will be the one who will take the loss here. Cena has been on a pay per view losing streak since September last year. Having him lose to HHH here will only keep his losing streak intact, which will play a very big role leading to his rumored rematch with Taker at 'Mania 35. HHH, on the other hand, is expected to face Kurt Angle at Summerslam, and a win here will definitely provide him the momentum that he lost at 'Mania 34.

Prediction: Triple H defeats Cena via Pinfall.

Brock Lesnar(c) vs Roman Reigns (Steel Cage Match for Universal Title)

This match has to deliver in any way possible at Greatest Royal Rumble. After the disappointing and sleepy affair that the two presented in the 'Mania main-event, fans have rather grown tired of Brock Lesnar's reign as Universal Title and definitely want a champion who appears on the programming on a weekly basis and not after every 3 months. Fans don't want another slow and plodding Universal Title match featuring Brock Lesnar after this Friday.

According to the rumors, Brock Lesnar will be paid $100,000 for each of his appearance and $500,000 for every match in WWE now, which is a surprise considering WWE is currently going through a financial crunch. Hence, it is the right time to again turn Brock Lesnar into the special attraction that he was at the start of his second run. After the beating he took at 'Mania, Roman will decimate Lesnar inside a steel cage and finally capture the Universal title after 2 years.

Prediction: Roman slays The Beast to win the Universal title.

AJ Styles(c) vs Shinsuke Nakamura (WWE Title)

Shinsuke Nakamura's heel turn at 'Mania was the best thing that could have happened to the King of Strong Style. Not only has it ejected a new life to his stale and monotonous character, it has added more buzz and animosity into his feud with AJ Styles for the WWE Championship. The way AJ attacked Nakamura after the 6-man tag match on Smackdown was a clear sign that this rivalry is now taking a more serious turn.

If WWE can take advantage of this situation and manages to keep the fans engaged in this program for a month or two, this rivalry has the potential to be the best feud of the year. For that, however, WWE has to make sure that neither of the two look weak coming out of Greatest Royal Rumble, and the simplest way to do that is by having a disqualification finish after a 25-minute grueling contest. Nakamura has hit Styles with low blows four times in the last three weeks. Expect him to generate more heat by doing it in front of 60,000 fans in Jeddah.

Prediction: AJ Styles retains the title by Disqualification.

50-Man Royal Rumble Match

Has there ever been a match this big and humongous in the history of WWE? In 2011, WWE took a bold step to turn their January-exclusive match into a 40-man showdown, a move that was not well received by the fans. This time out though, not only are they presenting a third Royal Rumble match in just three months, they have also increased the number of participants to a whopping 50. If that isn't taking a risk, then I don't know what exactly is.

Coming back to the match, even though there are 50 men that will be taking part in it, only two men have a real chance of winning the match - Daniel Bryan and Braun Strowman. Even though Strowman deserves a 'Mania style moment after his weird appearance and victory in New Orleans, this match has a Daniel Bryan win written all over it. WWE is looking to push Bryan to the top of the ladder through the summer, and it will begin with a win in the match that has eluded him throughout his illustrious career.

Prediction: Daniel Bryan finally wins WWE Greatest Royal Rumble match.