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WWE's annual Royal Rumble event is almost here. The event is named after the Royal Rumble match; the 30-Superstar over the top rope elimination battle royal, wherein the winner gets the opportunity to challenge a World Champion of their choosing at WrestleMania. This year, there will be two Royal Rumble matches on the card; the second women's Royal Rumble match, and the 32nd men's Royal Rumble match.
Every year, there are favorites for the Royal Rumble match. These Superstars are presented as big deals, and expected to win the match. However, ever so often, an unexpected Superstar is victorious in the Royal Rumble match.
This article takes a look at the dark horses for this year's Royal Rumble matches. We break down their records, the upside to them winning, and which champion they would challenge at WrestleMania 35.
#1 Bayley
Bayley's career has been one of unfulfilled potential. This may seem an odd way to describe someone who successfully defended her RAW Women's Championship on the main card of WrestleMania 33, but it is sadly true. Bayley was so highly regarded that it was thought that she could be a female John Cena. She had a kid-friendly gimmick, sold lots of merchandise, wrestled a very safe style, and was beloved by all fans. The sky seemed to be the limit for her. She was the sole survivor in her Survivor Series debut. She ended Charlotte Flair's undefeated pay-per-view streak. And she had the aforementioned WrestleMania title defense.
However, ever since losing the championship to Alexa Bliss, she has lost her momentum. She had a chance to regain it at SummerSlam 2017 but was injured in the lead-up to the match. She spent 2018 heavily teasing a feud with Sasha Banks, but after a few brawls, and awkward therapy sessions, they have been teaming up. Despite their obvious charisma, they have spent 2018 battling the Riott Squad.
She would be accepted as a winner because of her record and connection with the fans, but it would definitely be unexpected given her 2018.
However, despite her 2018, there are obvious advantages to Bayley winning. She is a true babyface and still retains a connection with fans. The audience cares about Bayley and wants her to win.
If she won, she could face a newly minted champion in Sasha Banks. They have obvious chemistry and an in-built story as tag-team partners and best friends. An even better choice would be Asuka, The Empress of Tomorrow.
Bayley's babyface wrestling style and character would mesh excellently with Asuka's intimidating persona.
#2 Andrade
Andrade lost his last name, but the former Cien Almas could gain a lot more in 2019.
His fans were frustrated in 2018; despite his obvious talent, he was stuck on the pre-show. There were encouraging signs; excellent matches with the likes of AJ Styles and Daniel Bryan, but he did not win those either. 2019 has been much better. He has had superlative wrestling matches with the legendary Rey Mysterio and has even emerged victorious. He is certainly on an upward trajectory. However, given his main roster inexperience, a Royal Rumble victory would be unexpected.
There are several upsides to Andrade winning. He is young, charismatic, has an excellent manager, and is one of the best wrestlers going aroumd.
If Andrade were to win the Royal Rumble, the only man for him to challenge would be AJ Styles, who would have to regain his WWE Championship. Every WrestleMania card has a pure wrestling match; a technical affair that is given 20 odd minutes and contested between two of the best wrestlers on the roster. Andrade versus AJ Styles could be that match at this year's WrestleMania.
#3 The Miz
The Miz is awesome. Certainly, his record must be considered awesome. He is a former WWE Champion and successfully defended it in the main event of WrestleMania 27 against John Cena(with a little bit of help from The Rock). He is a former Money in the Bank winner. He is a former multiple time Tag-Team Champion, United States Champion, and Intercontinental Champion. He is credited for bringing back the prestige of the Intercontinental Champion. Say it with me; The Miz is awesome.
He has been a featured part of every show he has been on since at least the brand split. However, he has not managed to get back into the main event scene yet. He has wrestled main eventers; Seth Rollins, John Cena, and Roman Reigns. He is interacting with a main eventer; Shane McMahon. But he is not considered a main eventer. He is successful enough to be a credible winner, but his struggle to break the main event glass ceiling means he will also be an unexpected winner.
The Miz winning the 2019 men's Royal Rumble match has several upsides. He is a dependable superstar. He is known by the audience. He is over. He wrestles a safe style. And most importantly, his promo skills mean he can make any programme he is in seem like the most important one on the show.
If The Miz wins the 2019 Royal Rumble match, there is only one man he can face. Daniel Bryan. These men have an almost 9-year history. They have excellent chemistry. They detest each other. They are perfect rivals. This rivalry was revisited last year, but the dynamics would be different this time; Bryan is now a heel, and Miz is now a babyface. It is time to add another chapter to their rivalry; a WrestleMania match for the WWE Championship.
Agree? Disagree? Let us know in the comments...
