'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
It's time to get excited, Royal Rumble season is upon us! And so begins the speculation on who will debut, return, and most importantly, win. As of now, WWE themselves don't have a concrete vision set in stone for WrestleMania, which may be a good thing.
The brand split has allowed WWE more flexibility in booking Royal Rumble winners, and this year's showcase could be a beneficiary. There are a lot of Superstars who could stand victorious at the end of the night in Houston, some have won the 30-man match before and some have not.
For a very long time, WWE was insistent on booking repeat Royal Rumble winners, but the past couple of years have seen new Superstars win the match. This year could see this trend swing either way, as discussed by Sportskeeda's Gary Cassidy and Tom Colohue.
Here are three Superstars who could win their first WWE Royal Rumble Match and three former winners who could do it again.
#6 Seth Rollins (Former winner)
Seth Rollins won last year's WWE Royal Rumble match and is a minor shout to do it in back-to-back years. The Architect's heel turn has completely rejuvenated him at a time when he was getting incredibly stale and unlikeable.
Rollins built a formidable alliance with the Authors of Pain and this could lead to more success. The one thing holding him back though is the fact that Brock Lesnar is the WWE Champion.
However, current issues with Kevin Owens and Samoa Joe will likely spill over to the 30-man match, and while it's a long shot, Rollins winning his second Royal Rumble in a row could lead to a multi-man championship match at WWE WrestleMania 36.
It wouldn't be the worst idea in the world.
#5 Rusev (First time)
Rusev's storyline with Lana and Bobby Lashley has rejuvenated his babyface momentum. Say what you will about the entire angle, but one thing it has done is get the fans behind the Bulgarian Brute once again.
His matches and segments are consistently crossing the 1 million mark on YouTube, as a result of this.
Now that Rusev is one of the most over faces on the WWE roster, a Royal Rumble victory and a WWE Championship match against Brock Lesnar would certainly make the fans happy.
Depending on when his feud with Lashley ends, it might be a slight possibility if the company desperately wants Rusev to sign a new contract with them. Tell me you don't want to see this match.
#4 Randy Orton (Former winner)
As a choice to win the Royal Rumble, Randy Orton is not that interesting. But events in recent weeks have sparked a subtle rebirth for the Viper.
He turned babyface shortly after joining RAW to feud with AJ Styles, and that has freshened him up for the WWE Universe. Orton's recent injury fakeout segment was effective and got the fans on his side.
Things could go up very quickly for the Viper from here, as he has the momentum to pull off a third Royal Rumble victory.
Also, lest we forget, Orton has some unfinished business with Brock Lesnar from SummerSlam 2016. We still need to see that F5-to-RKO reversal.
#3 Drew McIntyre (First time)
It's been said for years now, but surely 2020 is the year of Drew McIntyre. The last couple of years have been frustrating for him, booking-wise.
McIntyre should be a World Champion in WWE by now, and the Royal Rumble gives them the chance to make it happen. The Scottish Psychopath would certainly be a great opponent for Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania, and he would make for a very interesting babyface.
For the sake of justice, McIntyre has to become the WWE Champion by the end of the year, and him defeating The Beast at 'Mania after winning the Rumble is one hell of a plan, if the company goes for it.
#2 Roman Reigns (Former winner)
What is left to say about Roman Reigns, aside from the fact that he's the favorite to win the 2020 Royal Rumble match?
The 2015 Rumble winner would certainly be a good victor this year, but circumstances do not make this the best option. Predictability, for one, plays a factor in this.
Also, the goodwill that Reigns has built with the fans could be extinguished if he wins another Royal Rumble match. There are other ways the Big Dog could earn a match against The Fiend at WrestleMania.
Just like 2018, Reigns could give the royal rub to another Superstar. One who would be a more popular winner than him, and who has not won this match before.
#1 Kevin Owens (First time)
The one Superstar whose chances of winning the Royal Rumble are equally as likely and feasible to Roman Reigns' is Kevin Owens. He is the biggest babyface on RAW at the moment.
Nobody at the top of the card in WWE is as relatable as KO, as the support for him is on the rise. The former Universal Champion is one of those Superstars who could do with a rocket strapped to his back.
While he is currently feuding with Seth Rollins, things could take a sharp and more promising turn for Owens. The past couple of months have proven how wonderful he is as a face. So much so, that he should be in consideration for being Brock Lesnar's WrestleMania opponent.
So, with the crowd properly behind him, Owens has to be one of the front-runners to dethrone the Beast at the Show of Shows.
He should forge his path by winning the Royal Rumble match, and it would certainly make for as good a moment, if not better than Reigns winning it. KO winning the match would be less predictable.
