4 burning questions leading into Royal Rumble 2018

Royal Rumble time is a very special time of year for a couple of reasons. One reason is that the winner of the Rumble has an automatic shot at the champion of their choosing at Wrestlemania, so it is the start of Wrestlemania season, or as they often coin it ‘The road to Wrestlemania begins…here.' Several storylines have developed over the course of the past few months and will come to a head at the Rumble.

Among the many questions asked, one is about the whereabouts of a former champion, what will happen in the case of a couple of the championships, and who will win the respective Rumble matches? The event is also special this year as it is the first time there has ever been an all women's Royal Rumble.

There are many things being talked about, without any definitive answer. What are they and who is affected by them? Here are five burning questions heading into the 2018 Royal Rumble.

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#4 Will Ronda Rousey debut and win the Women's Royal Rumble?

Will Rousey, the submission machine, 'shock' the wrestling world?

A recent picture was released, and an interview done after, related to a dinner conversation between Triple H and Ronda Rousey. The former UFC champion has long maintained a relationship with WWE, and especially executives Triple H and Stephanie McMahon (who even had a feud with Rousey). Whether it was her first appearance at Wrestlemania or her most recent one in the Mae Young Classic, Rousey, and the WWE have been closely linked.

One scenario that is rumoured is Rousey's involvement in a WWE ring, and especially the upcoming Royal Rumble. Fans have engaged in lots of speculation, especially after Rousey and Triple H's meeting. Does that mean she will appear, or simply be in attendance? Does it become something greater?

It certainly appears as though Rousey's debut could be at the Royal Rumble. However, does that appearance mean she will walk away as the inaugural winner of the all-women's Royal Rumble? It is certainly something fans may be intrigued to find out.

#3 Who will walk out of Royal Rumble the WWE champion?

Will Styles overcome the odds as champion?

Three men walk into the WWE championship match, but there could be a scenario where the WWE championship is shared by two people. In what is certainly an unprecedented scenario, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn take on AJ Styles for the WWE championship in a handicap match. What is baffling is the seemingly face-friendly Smackdown Live general manager, Daniel Bryan, is the one that decided to make the match happen, supposedly for the sake of opportunity.

What we can be assured of is that it will be a tremendous match involving three terrific talents. An interesting situation that may or may not happen is that Owens and Zayn may squabble over getting the pin on Styles to win the championship. Now again, like many things it is speculation. however, it does add intrigue to the storytelling of the match, as having that conflict happen is much more interesting than having Zayn and Owens simply beat down Styles.

#2 Who will walk out of Royal Rumble the Universal Champion?

Who will walk away as the WWE Universal champion?

Unlike the handicap match for the WWE championship on Smackdown Live, this is a battle of three massive men making up a ton of mass for the Universal Championship. Kane has come from seemingly nowhere to be booked as a challenger against the monster among men Braun Strowman and the WWE Universal champion Brock Lesnar. Many don't give any shot to Kane, and with the way WWE booking can be, a way to throw everyone off would be to have him win even in a controversial fashion.

However, others will suggest this boils down to a battle between Strowman and Lesnar to really determine the true champion. Strowman had a remarkable 2017; he ran through everyone and anyone in his path and beat them down. To have him start off 2018 as the new WWE Universal champion would certainly be a grand way to show how much he is valued, and where the balance of the year will go for him. Or could this be a way to show how much of a beast Brock Lesnar is?

#1 Who will walk out as the 2018 men's Royal Rumble winner?

Does Nakamura walk away as the winner?

The thirty-man, over the top rope Royal Rumble has a number of names speculated to be the winner. It depends Depending on who is entered, of course. For example, many have said that for the Raw side that Finn Balor could be a favourite to walk away as the winner, while on the Smackdown Live side Shinsuke Nakamura could be the victor.

In Nakamura's case, it would be the first time a Japanese born wrestler would be the Royal Rumble winner, and would certainly show how global the company has become in its recognition of talent from other countries. A number of others could easily be considered contenders, as they often are, such as Randy Orton, John Cena, and Baron Corbin. Fans could be in for a surprise, as it may be someone that isn't talked about or even mentioned being a part of the Rumble winning after completely flying under the radar.