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On 27 January, WWE's annual Royal Rumble event will take centre stage in Arizona's Chase Field in front of an estimated (and expected) 50,000 members of the WWE Universe. The Royal Rumble is one of the most highly anticipated events of the year and is definitely my favourite event of the year. This year's edition of the mega-event will mark the thirty-second event under the Royal Rumble chronology.
A part of the reason why a majority of WWE's fan-base takes a keen interest in the Royal Rumble is that of the shockers that take place almost every year at the event. Take last year's event as an example, Rey Mysterio and The Hurricane showed up in the Men's Royal Rumble match, whereas the inaugural Women's Royal Rumble match saw the return of female legends like Trish Stratus and Beth Pheonix. Ronda Rousey made her first appearance at last year's Royal Rumble too.
Many fans are expecting this year's Royal Rumble event to deliver in terms of surprises and WWE ought not to disappoint fans. Royal Rumble matches always have unannounced surprise entrants, so a few surprises are guaranteed.
With that said, let's look at 3 shockers WWE could pull off at this year's Royal Rumble event.
#3 Braun Strowman defeats Brock Lesnar clean to win the Universal Championship
One of the announced match-ups for the Royal Rumble event is a Universal Championship match between Braun Strowman and Brock Lesnar. This is being hyped up as a rematch from their initial encounter at WWE Crown Jewel, which was ruined by a pre-match assault from Baron Corbin.
As most fans are already aware of, Strowman hasn't had much luck against Lesnar in their recent showdowns. He was defeated clean by Lesnar at No Mercy in 2017 and he once again fell victim to the Beast two months ago at the aforementioned Crown Jewel pay-per-view.
However, Strowman's popularity has constantly been increasing and with Roman Reigns out for the meantime, Strowman's chances of winning the Universal title are much better than before. Furthermore, Strowman is perhaps the only plausible candidate (other than Seth Rollins) left on the Raw roster to dethrone Lesnar.
Strowman hasn't held the Universal title as of yet, but all of that could change at the Royal Rumble event when Lesnar and Strowman go head to head once again.
#2 Becky Lynch and Charlotte are the co-winners of the Women's Royal after both competitors' feet hit the ground at the same time.
Wrestlemania 35 is rumored to have a women's main event for the first time ever and it is likely to involve Becky Lynch, Ronda Rousey and Charlotte in some capacity, three of the most talented and popular stars of the women's roster. Rousey attacked Charlotte and Lynch at TLC, leading to Asuka's championship victory.
Ever since Rousey cost both women their TLC match, they have been itching to get their hands on the current Raw women's champion. Rousey has torn through the entire Raw women's division and there are no credible challengers left for her on the Raw brand. She is expected to hold onto the Raw women's championship till Wrestlemania.
Charlotte and Lynch are the favourites to win the women's Rumble match, but WWE would make a wise decision if it could somehow pull off a situation in which both women are announced as winners. This would set up a mega triple threat match between Rousey, Lynch and Charlotte on the grandest stage of them all.
#1The Rock makes a shocking return and wins the men's Royal Rumble match
The Rock is one of the heavy favorites to win this year's Royal Rumble match. I know it sounds ludicrous, given The Rock's busy schedule and old age, but this is WWE, and as we have learned in the past, anything can happen.
With no clear-cut favorite to win the Royal Rumble match, I wouldn't rule out the possibility of the Rock winning the Royal Rumble. Backstage reports indicate that Roman Reigns Vs The Rock was initially planned for Wrestlemania. But, with that match off the table, how could the Rock factor into Wrestlemania's main event plans?
Well, if you think about it, it's quite simple. Vince McMahon has always wanted a rematch between The Rock and Brock Lesnar at Wrestlemania. Roman Reigns and Goldberg were perhaps WWE's best options to dethrone the Beast, but with both out of in-ring action, The Rock is probably WWE's best pick to dethrone the Beast, at least in Vince's eyes.
Furthermore, The Rock vs Brock Lesnar has money written all over it and a wise businessman like Vince McMahon would be sure to book this dream match if both men are available.
