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Battle royals are nothing new in the world of sports entertainment. Whether they are called the Bunkhouse Stampede, World War 3. or the Royal Rumble, all of the matches involve dozens of wrestlers in the ring at once, all attempting to throw each other over the ropes in order to eliminate them.
The WWE's version, the Royal Rumble, had its roots as a free event on the USA network. None other than the legendary Hacksaw Jim Duggan won the inaugural Rumble, outlasting nineteen other stars, including Bret Hart and the Ultimate Warrior.
Over time, the event became its own Pay Per View, and in 1993 the winner could claim the ultimate prize: a championship match at the main event of Wrestlemania.
Now with the stakes higher than ever, WWE prepares to present its annual Royal Rumble event. Who could win it all and be the next big thing for the coming year?
Here are ten candidates and their likely chances of winning the Royal Rumble.
10. Braun Strowman
The Monster Among Men has certainly come a long way from his days of jumping around in faux raver gear as one of Adam Rose's Rosebuds.
From acting as a mute, unnamed entourage to being in the main event of PPVs like Crown Jewel is certainly a vast improvement for Braun Strowman. He had one of the better Wrestlemania moments--albeit controversially--when he picked a young boy from the crowd to be his tag team partner, and wound up winning the titles.
But will the Monster among Men win the Rumble?
Chances of winning the Royal Rumble: 30%
Braun has repeatedly come against the upper tier main eventers like Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns and come up short. His size both helps and hinders him in the rumble: he's hard to lift up over the top rope, but his height means he can be unbalanced over the top more easily.
9. Big E
Big E has had his share of ups and downs in his WWE career. He was pushed onto the main roster while still relatively green and still trying to find his character. Being involved in high profile angles with people like AJ Lee didn't help him get over, and he drifted down the card.
Then he was bundled into the New Day stable, which seemed like another joke group that would quickly grow stale. Instead the three men involved--Kofi Kingson and Xavier Wood make up the rest of the trio--managed to make the outlandish and somewhat unabashedly silly gimmick work. Now they are one of the most popular three man groups in the history of pro wrestling.
Chances of winning the Royal Rumble: 15%
As much as Big E would be hard to eliminate due to his heavy build and short stature, he seems destined to remain in the tag team division for the time being.
3. Drew McIntyre
For someone who was dressing like a 1980s reject and doing the air guitar a few years ago, Drew McIntyre has really turned things around for himself.
Perhaps he was forced to shoulder too heavy of a burden early on, when Vince McMahon stood in the ring with him and proclaimed McIntyre would be world champion one day. After such a lofty debut, and despite wins against veterans like Matt Hardy, Drew just seemed to fizzle rather than sizzle.
He was bundled into the joke stable 3MB, and then released from the company. After working his way up the indies to a TNA contract, WWE again took notice and signed him back. Now he appears poised for greatness once again--but will it turn out the same as last time?
Chances of winning the Royal Rumble: 90%
Drew is red hot, has enjoyed a great push since returning to WWE--including a run as NXT champion--and the boss Vince McMahon is very high on him again.
4. AJ Styles
Many thought hell would freeze over before AJ Styles laced up his boots in a WWE ring, but truth can be stranger than fiction.
Despite so many things that normally prevent a wrestler from having a WWE career--he's 'too small,' too redneck, and made his name working for a rival company--AJ has not only flourished in WWE, he has simply dominated. The most consistently good performer on any of the WWE's myriad brands is without a shadow of a doubt AJ Styles.
He made a surprise debut at the Royal Rumble, shocking the world and bypassing the NXT developmental program that even seasoned veterans like Bobby Roode and Shinsuke Nakamura had to go trough. AJ enjoys a certain protected status simply because he is so popular and so good at what he does.
Chances of winning the Royal Rumble: 0%
Yes, you read that right. AJ will not win the Rumble, because AJ does not NEED to win the Rumble. He's already main evented Wrestlemania, and will likely do so again all on his own merits. The Rumble winner is usually someone who needs to be elevated or re-elevated, and AJ is doing fine.
5. John Cena
He's the face that runs the place, the measuring stick, the Champ... and now, the part timer.
Much as men like Hulk Hogan and the Rock have done before him, John Cena has been splitting his time between pro wrestling and Hollywood. He had break out roles in such films as Amy Schumer's Train Wreck, and then starred as the voice of Ferdinand the Bull in the animated film Ferdinand.
Most recently, he has a co-starring turn in the Transformers spin off Bumblebee. John Cena is clearly a man with multiple priorities, but so long as WWE is one of those priorities don't expect him to fully retire.
Chances of winning the Royale Rumble: 50%
If Cena is interested in working Wrestlemania, he might just wind up the winner as a way to springboard him to the main event and to re-establish him with the WWE Universe.
6. Andrade "Cien" Almas
Andrade "Cien" Almas wrestled for most of his career under a mask as La Sombra, primarily for the CMLL promotion in Mexico. He went so far as to join their top heel stable Los Ingobernables before winning a WWE contract.
Once he was assigned to NXT, he sort of floundered for a time. Andrade was good, fluid, and a superb high flyer, but so were many other athletes. He found himself taking a back seat to men like Bobby Roode and Shinsuke Nakamura.
However, once he was paired with Zelina Vega as his mouthpiece, Almas has found great success. He was NXT champion and received a call up to Smackdown quickly after winning the belt. Almas gave us a great highlight moment from last year's Rumble where he ate an RKO during a springboard body splash attempt. Will his highlight be actually winning the rumble this time?
Chances of winning the Royal Rumble: 25%
Almas isn't quite to the main event level yet on Smackdown, and perhaps needs more seasoning before he is truly ready for a top slot at Wrestlemania's card.
7. Seth Rollins
Fortunes change, and sometimes a tragedy might have a silver lining.
Such is the fate of Seth Rollins, who has seen his best friend Roman Reigns put on the shelf indefinitely due to a battle with recurring leukemia. While it has been rough for Rollins, it looks like there might be a ray of hope in the darkness; he is now being considered for the 'top guy' spot on WWE Raw.
Rollins is one of the rare wrestlers who can be popular with both the women and children and the male segments of the audience. His tremendous work ethic and hard hitting ring style have made him a favorite, but will he win the Rumble?
Chances of winning the Royal Rumble: 70%
Rollins may be somewhat out of favor with the WWE back office due to his poorly received match with Dean Amrose at TLC, but the company has already invested too much in him not to use him for the biggest show of the year.
8. Shinsuke Nakamura
Shinsuke Nakamura was once the most ridiculously over babyface WWE had on its roster. The fans locked arms and sang in unison to his theme music, they clapped and stomped and cheered his name just for getting in the ring.
So what did WWE do with him? Turn him heel, of course!
Ever since becoming a 'bad guy' Shinsuke has struggled. While he is the current WWE United States Champion, a mid card belt is far below his pay grade. Namakura at this stage in his career should be in the world title picture or involved in major feuds with fellow main event talent, not holding down the fort as Smackdown Live's gatekeeper. Will he be able to win the Rumble and turn his fortunes around?
Chances of winning the Royal Rumble: 5%
Nakamura won last year, and it stands to reason he won't repeat. Also, his contract is rumored to be up soon, and NJPW has already been putting out feelers toward him.
9. The Miz
"You have violated one of John Cena's house rules!"
You have to love the Miz. Every time it seems like his career is slowing down, he does something like a spot on John Cena impersonation and reminds you of why WWE keeps him around in the first place.
The Miz was once despised by the WWE audience and the locker room with equal heat... these days he's earned the respect of his peers, his company, and his boss Vince McMahon--who told him to wear shorts instead of pants because he had 'nice legs'--but the fans are still somewhat cold to him. Of course, that's just what you want with a top tier heel.
While it's been awhile since Miz wore the company's big belt around his waist, his longevity earns him a certain amount of respect with the WWE. Will he win the Royal Rumble?
Chances of winning the Royal Rumble 2019: 10%
The Miz might be certified main event talent, but he's spent most of his time in the mid card of late, albeit in high profile feuds with men like John Cena. Also, he doesn't need the Rumble to get over, much like AJ Styles.
10. Jeff Hardy
Jeff Hardy; the pro wrestling personification of the legendary Phoenix.
According to folklore, the Phoenix would combust into flames, burning utterly to ash, before being born anew. That describes the career of Jeff Hardy to a T. He went from being the WWE champion and a top star to being a drug addict who missed shows and famously tried to perform a match while terribly inebriated.
But Jeff fought back against his addiction, and managed to revitalize his career. With the help of brother Matt Hardy's 'Broken brilliance,' he wound up being a major force in pro wrestling again. The Hardys wound up working for WWE, something no one had ever thought would happen again, and now Jeff is enjoying a nice mid card push. Can he win the Rumble and have one last great run with WWE?
Chances of winning the Royal Rumble: 20%
Jeff Hardy has said he's winding his career down, and WWE might be looking to capitalize on his swan song. However, he's not heavily favored to win the match because the WWE mostly sees him as a mid card legend.
There you have it. Ten men who might win the Royal Rumble 2019. Questions or comments? Please leave them below the article and thanks for reading!
