'%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)
The Royal Rumble pay-per-view is scheduled for January 27, 2019 at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona. It is one of the "Big Four" events of WWE and also it will kick off "The Road to WrestleMania" which is four months away.
This event is mostly recognized for its 30-men Royal Rumble match which gives an opportunity to challenge WWE Champion or Universal Champion for a match at WrestleMania. Last year, WWE initiated a similar concept for the women by making the first-ever women's Royal Rumble match which gave a chance to challenge Raw Women's Champion or SmackDown Women's Champion at WrestleMania.
Already, five matches have been official for the pay-per-view, as Braun Strowman will square off against Universal Champion Brock Lesnar, AJ Styles will face Daniel Bryan for WWE Championship, Buddy Murphy will defend his Cruiserweight Championship in a Fatal 4-Way against Akira Tozawa, Kalisto and Cedric Alexander/Hideo Itami.
So, here are predictions for four other matches that should happen at the event...
#4 Bobby Roode and Chad Gable (c) vs. AOP (Raw Tag Team Championship Match)
It was really shocking to witness Bobby Roode and Chad Gable winning Raw Tag Team Titles from AOP two weeks before the TLC pay-per-view. Actually, it was a handicap match since Drake Maverick also participated in the match, Roode pinned him to win the titles.
After losing the titles, AOP never received their rematch, both the teams were not in the TLC card. There was a Fatal 4-Way number one contender's match for the titles on Raw, involving AOP, The Revival, The B-Team and The Lucha House Party.
The Revival was victorious by pinning The B-Team, thus getting a Raw Tag Team Titles opportunity. Roode and Gable successfully defended their titles against the duo, now there is another rematch on the first Raw of 2019.
It is possible that The Revival could win the Raw Tag Team Titles, but AOP still has a remaining rematch which should definitely take place. So, whether it is The Revival or Roode and Gable or both the teams, AOP should face the champs at Royal Rumble.
#3 The Bar (c) vs. The Usos (SmackDown Tag Team Championship Match)
So far, The Bar's reign as SmackDown Tag Team Champions has been satisfactory but not an outstanding one. The reason is competition, it has seemingly reduced due to SmackDown generating few good tag teams. As of now, The New Day and The Usos are the only best teams SmackDown has to offer. Recently at TLC pay-per-view, The Bar successfully defended their titles in a triple threat tag team match against The New Day and The Usos.
Last SmackDown, The New Day announced that all three of them would be entering this year's Royal Rumble match. It gives The Usos a chance to face The Bar for the titles since they were not pinned in the triple threat tag team match at TLC. It will be something new, after The Bar has been feuding with The New Day, since coming to SmackDown brand in Superstar Shake-Up and with no other established tag team currently on the roster The Usos would be the best option.
The Bar has faced The Usos before at Survivor Series 2017, and that match was really great. So, a feud between both the teams would be exceptional, WWE should definitely add this match at the Royal Rumble.
#2 Asuka (c) vs. Becky Lynch/Charlotte Flair (SmackDown Women's Championship Match)
Asuka finally became the SmackDown Women's Champion after months of struggle. She defeated Becky Lynch (former champion) and Charlotte Flair in the first-ever women's TLC match when Ronda Rousey pushed Flair and Lynch off the ladder. A few weeks back, it was announced that Lynch would get her rematch against Asuka at Royal Rumble, but soon WWE changed it. After the former general manager of SmackDown Paige tweeted that since the McMahon's have taken control of both the shows, this rematch is not official for pay-per-view.
It is rumored that both Lynch and Flair are expected to face Rousey for Raw Women's Title at WrestleMania 35 possibly in the main event. If this match is really going to happen, then both have to participate in women's Royal Rumble match, because winning that match will only help them to trade to the Raw brand. Last SmackDown, there was a confrontation backstage when Triple H came to congratulate Asuka on winning the title. She was then interrupted by Flair, Lynch and Carmella who began putting some valid points on why they should be Asuka's next challenger. Triple H then said he will decide it very soon.
Now, Asuka will definitely face either Flair or Lynch at Royal Rumble because two women cannot win the Rumble at the same time, due to that any one of the women has to face Asuka for the title on the show. It seems WWE might book a triple threat match next week so that Carmella takes the pin from Flair or Lynch.
#1 Rusev (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura (United States Championship Match)
One of the best gifts WWE has given the fans this Christmas was making Rusev champion. He beat Shinsuke Nakamura for the United States Championship on SmackDown. Although, he won this title twice before, this time it really felt special for him as well as for his fans.
Now, Nakamura will surely get his rematch from the Bulgarian Brute, according to the rumors, he will be getting the rematch at the Royal Rumble pay per view. Normally, secondary titles are not defended on this show due to all the superstars participating in the Royal Rumble match.
But many superstars have done double duty before at this pay-per-view, so its possible both take part in the Royal Rumble match later on. Anyways, the match could be another solid encounter between the duo, after their match on SmackDown.
The Super Athlete shouldn't lose the title after winning it just a month before, as he deserves a long title reign that can be extended until WrestleMania 35, because he was one of the most popular stars of 2018 and fans have been constantly clamouring to push him.
