WWE Royal Rumble 2019: What Might Happen

After delivering two reasonably good episodes of Monday Night Raw and SmackDown Live, all eyes are now set at Chase Field where WWE will host their first event of the year, Royal Rumble. Considering the anticipation that surrounds the event, the Royal Rumble has always been a show that blends a perfect mixture of professional wrestling with entertainment.

Sixty superstars, both men and women, entering Chase Field with a chance to headline the Grandest Stage of Them All, and with the company certainly looking to push some of their underutilized stars, this year's event is bound to be compelling. Even the championship bouts are star-studded, with many expecting the Universal Championship between Brock Lesnar and Finn Balor to steal the entire show.

The other three major championship matches involve A.J. Styles clashing with the WWE Champion Daniel Bryan, Sasha Banks locking horns with the Raw Women's Champion Ronda Rousey and the final one being a collision between two of the most compelling female competitors on the planet - Becky Lynch vs. SmackDown Women's Champion, Asuka.

Moreover, there's no denying that the two Royal Rumble matches will gravitate majority of the audiences due to elements that only a professional wrestling fan understands. With a golden ticket to WrestleMania 35 awaiting, who will toss adversity out of Chase Field and solidify his position in history? Let's find out.

So, without further ado, let's dive deep and predict what might happen at Royal Rumble:

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#1 Buddy Murphy (C) vs. Akira Tozawa vs. Kalisto vs. Hideo Itami for the Cruiserweight Championship

Judging by the talent that is going to be assembled in the ring with the prestigious Cruiserweight Championship on the line, this one could be a cracker.

While Buddy Murphy has been pretty dominant in his role on 205 Live, this could be the time when the company brings some serious alterations in their product.

With three superstars fighting to grab that belt held by Murphy, the Cruiserweight Champion will certainly be at a disadvantage when he enters Chase Field with his belt.

Since Hideo Itami has been pretty compelling in his role in the recent weeks, giving the belt to the Japanese whilst protecting Buddy Murphy could be the way to go forward.

While many Champions are predicted to retain their championships, I definitely believe that the company could be booking a title change with this one.

Prediction: Hideo Itami wins

#2 Rusev (C) w/ Lana vs. Shinsuke Nakamura for the United States Championship

Despite the fact that Rusev and Shinsuke Nakamura are two of the most talented competitors on the planet, WWE hasn't really given any meaning to this feud.

While the King of Strong Style works good as a heel, the feud genuinely fails to bring any excitement to Rusev and his recently won United States Championship.

With the match likely to kick things off, I would definitely believe that this match would fare well if the Bulgarian Brute walks out of Chase Field with the gold whilst keeping The Artist strong for the men's Royal Rumble match.

It's a damn shame that the creative team hasn't really figured out how to use Nakamura on the main roster, but a strong showing in the bout and diving him straight back to the main event scene after this could be fulfilling.

Expect this to entertain in bits, with the former NXT Champion bringing his Charisma in front to tackle the United States Champion and eventually falling down.

Prediction: Rusev retains the United States Championship

#3 The Bar (C) vs. Shane McMahon and The Miz for the SmackDown Tag-Team Championships

There's no denying that the creative team have failed to gravitate any attention towards the tag-team division of both brands, but with the recent intervention of Shane McMahon in this angle, this could very well be the start of something beautiful. While I'm genuinely not taking anything away from The Bar and how good they have been for the blue brand, The Miz and Shane O'Mac could certainly bring the 'entertainment' element to this field.

After the Awesome One did everything in his power to convince Shane, the company could be gradually turning Miz as a babyface on SmackDown Live. Judging by the criticism the company received for the "Best in the World" trophy at Crown Jewel, the creative team have been reasonably good in booking the two together, with the chemistry panning out pretty well.

Considering that they have received such legitimate focus in the last few months, losing to the Bar would certainly diminish their credibility going into WrestleMania 35. Therefore, I genuinely believe that the A-Lister and Shane O'Mac would be the one leaving Chase Field as your new SmackDown Live Tag-Team Champions.

Expect the bout to entertain, with The Miz's heel antics garnering most of the reception from the audience in attendance.

Prediction: The Miz and Shane McMahon win the SmackDown Tag-Team Championships

#4 Asuka (C) vs. Becky Lynch for the SmackDown Women's Championship

In what could very well be one of the most brutal women's matches of the year, Becky Lynch will lock horns with the Empress of Tomorrow, Asuka for the SmackDown Live Women's Championship. Judging by how good these two competitors are, the WWE Universe is expecting a riot in this bout, with both Becky Lynch and Asuka tearing the house down.

It's incredible that the company are finally realizing what they have in Becky, and might certainly be planning to push her in a part of a history-making main event at the Grandest Stage of Them All. Considering that the fans want The Man to headline the Show of Shows this year, the company could opt for the Empress of Tomorrow to win this one in order for the Relentless Becky Lynch to get her way into the Royal Rumble match later.

Since Vince McMahon is genuinely impressed how Becky Lynch has grabbed the brass ring on the main roster, they could book a finish that protects The Man whilst cementing Asuka's reign as the blue brand's Empress. Regardless of what transpires, this bout is bound to be one for the ages, with fans genuinely getting a taste of how far the women's division has come in terms of in-ring quality.

Prediction: Asuka retains the SmackDown Women's Championship

#5 Ronda Rousey (C) vs. Sasha Banks for the Raw Women's Championship

In my humble opinion, this would be the very first time that we could see Ronda Rousey being involved in a technical professional wrestling match with someone who has all the credentials to give her the match of her life. While Charlotte did push the Rowdy One to her limits at Survivor Series, the match certainly ended with The Queen using all the dirty tricks in her bag to make a gigantic statement.

However, Sasha Banks is a superstar that has been struggling to get her footing on Monday Night Raw and could be on her way for a major push in 2019 after the company announced the Women's Tag-Team Championships. Considering that this match could be a significant way to ignite the 'Four Horsewomen' angle the fans have been desperately waiting for, there are minimum chances that it would end up being the way we are expecting it to be.

The Boss as a technically gifted wrestler would definitely push the Raw Women's Champion, but all her quality and skills won't prove beneficial after the Rowdy One taps her way out of Chase Field. Expect this to be an extremely special match, with the company presenting the Boss' in a reasonably good position in order to push her as a future Women's Tag-Team Champion with Bayley.

Prediction: Ronda Rousey retains the Raw Women's Championship

#6 The 'New' Daniel Bryan (C) vs. AJ Styles for the WWE Championship

Daniel Bryan and AJ Styles are two of the most talented superstars who have ever graced the squared circle under the experiential supervision of Vince McMahon. If character work and in-ring quality are anything to take into consideration, then the 'New' Daniel Bryan is possibly the most engaging one, with the WWE Champion enacting a clever heel on screen who adulates facts over fiction.

On the other hand, A.J. Styles is one of the greatest in-ring performers of all time who could possibly be heading into a collision course with the Authority led by Vince McMahon. While nothing is confirmed as of yet, this match will certainly deliver to our expectations, with both the competitors bringing their best foot forward to entertain the audience at Chase Field.

Since Daniel Bryan has been working very well as a clinical heel, I would certainly put my money on him to carry the most coveted prize in sports entertainment to MetLife Stadium. Moreover, this won't really keep A.J. Styles out of the main event scene who is rumored to lock horns with Randy Orton at the Show of Shows this year. Expect the WWE Champion to pull off all the dirty tricks in the bag to eventually topple the Phenomenal One this Sunday.

Prediction: The 'New' Daniel Bryan retains the WWE Championship

#7 Brock Lesnar (C) vs. Finn Balor for the Universal Championship

In a match that could probably be the main event of the night, we will see Finn Balor locking horns with 'The Beast Incarnate' Brock Lesnar for the Universal Championship. With Vince McMahon himself involved in bringing some legitimate spotlight on the former NXT Champion, Balor could be in line for a major push in 2019.

In terms of the storytelling, the match sells itself with Finn enacting the role of an underdog and Brock Lesnar fulfilling his role of a force to be reckoned with when these two collide. It's an interesting thing that it was Brock Lesnar who reportedly suggested to square off against the first-ever Universal Champion who is genuinely on his way to becoming a major name on Monday Night Raw.

While the WWE Universe is expecting the Demon King to make his presence known in Arizona, there are fewer chances of that happening which only makes the outcome more favourable for fans who love Brock Lesnar. Since this could be a match for the ages, even losing to the Beast Incarnate would keep Finn Balor strong with rumors of The Undertaker returning to have a program with him.

Expect the Extraordinary Man to push the Mayor of Suplex City to his limits and receive a hero's welcome only to fall down to the wrath of the Beast Incarnate.

Prediction: Brock Lesnar retains the Universal Championship

#8 The Women's Royal Rumble Match

In a match that has always brought the majority of eyes to the screen in the world of professional wrestling, thirty female superstars from both Raw and SmackDown Live will enter Chase Field with an opportunity of a lifetime at stake. With Asuka creating history last year by winning the first-ever women's Royal Rumble, this year's Royal Rumble would also involve all the twists and turns that the fans love to see.

Considering that Charlotte Flair is the favorite to walk out of Chase Field with the golden opportunity to headline WrestleMania 35, some of the reports are suggesting otherwise. While the fans genuinely want to see Becky Lynch topple the other 29 female superstars to win the Women's Royal Rumble, the company could be booking a riskier end to this one.

Similar to what transpired in 2005 with John Cena and Batista, Vince McMahon could be looking to book both Becky Lynch and Charlotte to eliminate each other and fall at the same time in order to keep their road straight to the main event of the Show of Shows. With Royal Rumble always regarded for bringing many surprise entrants, I'm expecting Shayna Baszler to make a solid impression and debuting at Chase Field this Sunday.

If this happens, then the WWE could genuinely tease us with a legitimate 'Four Horsewomen' angle, with the Man and Shayna Baszler going to war in the Royal Rumble match. Since Becky Lynch has become one of the biggest stories in professional wrestling today, it's inevitable that she would tear the house down with the Queen also bringing her best foot forward.

Despite the fact that the fans want to see a clear winner in such a situation, the company would certainly not move ahead with this feud without including Charlotte Flair.

Final Four - Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch, Shayna Baszler, and Bayley.

Iron Woman - Bayley

Winner - Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch eliminate each other and fall at the same time

#9 The Men's Royal Rumble Match

The traditional 30 men's Royal Rumble Match could very well take the event by storm, with this year's Royal Rumble being the most unpredictable of the entire lot. Since this match always rejuvenates our memory with the special moments that have transpired over the years, this year's Royal Rumble won't be any different.

Despite the fact that John Cena's status for the bout is still questionable, the other popular confirmed entrants include Seth Rollins, Drew Mcintyre, Samoa Joe, Rey Mysterio, Dean Ambrose, and Randy Orton.

Considering that the WWE Universe has been disappointed with how the Royal Rumble winners have been booked, especially everything that happened with Shinsuke Nakamura, this year's Royal Rumble could make things more compelling for WrestleMania 35.

While there are many superstars who have a legitimate chance of walking out of Chase Field with the golden opportunity at the Grandest Stage of Them All, it would be either Seth Rollins or Drew Mcintyre who design their destiny in Arizona.

With R-Truth bound to enter the Royal Rumble match at No. 30, the coveted spot could see him in a comic act with someone surprising taking his place in the end, like Braun Strowman.

If I had to put my money on anyone, it would be 'the Architect' Seth Rollins who possesses all the credentials in the world to headline WrestleMania 35 and lock horns with the Mayor of Suplex City for the Universal Championship.

Final Four - Drew Mcintyre, Seth Rollins, Braun Strowman, and Samoa Joe.

Iron Man - Andrade 'Cien' Almas

Winner - Seth Rollins wins the Royal Rumble