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The 2021 WWE Royal Rumble event comes our way tonight, with Superstars from RAW and SmackDown set to battle it out in high-stakes bouts. The WWE Universe anticipates a night filled with surprises and unpredictable turns, as the Road to WrestleMania will begin soon.
The build-up to the Royal Rumble has been fairly decent, although WWE has confirmed only a handful of matches in the weeks prior to the event. Nevertheless, the card still looks promising, especially the blockbuster world title matches. Several new feuds could also be ignited at Royal Rumble to set up a few matches at The Show of Shows.
As the clock ticks down to the start of the event, the powers that be could come up with some new ideas for the PPV at short notice. Here are five last-minute changes WWE could make to the 2021 Royal Rumble.
#5 An interesting stipulation could be added to Roman Reigns vs. Kevin Owens at the Royal Rumble
Roman Reigns is currently scheduled to collide with Kevin Owens in a Last Man Standing Match for the Universal Championship. The original stipulation for the match was No Disqualification, but it was changed due to The Tribal Chief. The current stipulation gives Reigns the advantage since he has his cousin Jey Uso by his side.
The former SmackDown Tag Team Champion has assisted the Universal Champion to gain the victory over Kevin Owens before. In order to make things fair this time, WWE could add a new stipulation to prevent Jey Uso from interfering in the match by suspending above the ring inside a shark cage. He could even be barred from ringside.
This will make the match even and there will most likely be a proper winner without any interference. Roman Reigns may also defeat Kevin Owens without any assistance, which will certainly prove that The Tribal Chief can defeat The Prizefighter without Jey Uso's help.
#4 A United States Championship match could be added to the Royal Rumble event
'The Almighty' Bobby Lashley could put his United States Championship on the line against Matt Riddle at Royal Rumble. On the latest edition of Monday Night RAW, Riddle defeated Hurt Business members Shelton Benjamin, MVP, and Cedric Alexander to earn a shot at the title. Although it hasn't been confirmed by WWE yet, it's possible that the match could be added to the show.
Bobby Lashley has already declared for the men's Royal Rumble match, but he could pull double duty and put his U.S. Title on the line against Riddle before taking part in the 30-man match.
Since Lashley and Riddle have already faced each other on Monday Night RAW for the title before, WWE could add a new stipulation if they collide at Royal Rumble.
It's been a while since the United States Championship was defended on PPV, so having the match taking place at one of the company's biggest events will bring back some prestige to the title. Bobby Lashley may defeat Riddle once again and continue his dominant run in WWE.
#3 Royal Rumble debuts/returns
The most significant things that make the Royal Rumble exciting is the element of surprise and the unpredictability that the event holds. Last year, fans saw the return of former WWE World Champion Edge, who made his in-ring comeback for the first time in nine years.
'The Phenomenal One' AJ Styles shocked the world when he made his WWE debut in the 2016 Royal Rumble match. This year, it's possible that WWE could be planning a surprise once again, which means that we could see some new or old faces making their WWE appearances at the Royal Rumble.
Speaking of potential returns or debuts, WWE's United Kingdom broadcast partner BT Sports recently shared a very interesting photo on Twitter that sparked discussions among fans.
The photo clearly shows several items that are associated with some big names such as Ronda Rousey, CM Punk, The Undertaker/Brock Lesnar, and former IWGP Heavyweight Champion Jay White, all of whom aren't active competitors in WWE.
CM Punk also recently teased an entry into the men's Royal Rumble match on Twitter, while former RAW Women's Champion Ronda Rousey shared a post on social media related to the Royal Rumble. None of these names have been confirmed for the event. Although it's highly unlikely that they will show up at the Royal Rumble, it isn't exactly impossible at the same time. The phrase 'Never Say Never' is often used when it comes to situations like these in WWE.
#2 The Fiend could return and emerge from the ashes at
the Royal Rumble
The 2021 Royal Rumble could feature a lot of surprises, including the return of Bray Wyatt's alter-ego.
'The Fiend' Bray Wyatt has been off TV since WWE TLC, where he was set on fire by 'The Viper' Randy Orton. Even though it seems like it's the end for the former Universal Champion, it might actually just be a new beginning for him. The two Superstars have been feuding for a while now, so there's a chance that their feud could continue until WrestleMania 37.
If the match does happen at WrestleMania, then The Fiend could also get revenge on Randy Orton for what transpired at WrestleMania 33. At last year's WrestleMania, The Fiend got his retribution from John Cena for Bray Wyatt's loss to the Leader of the Cenation at WrestleMania XXX.
This year, The Fiend could seek revenge on Randy Orton for what transpired at WrestleMania 33, which saw Wyatt losing his WWE Championship to The Viper. According to WrestleVotes, WWE is planning something scary for the Royal Rumble match.
What else could be scarier than a wrestler presumed dead making a return at the Royal Rumble and costing Randy Orton an opportunity for a world title match at The Show of Shows? This will add more stakes to Bray Wyatt and Randy Orton's rivalry and make their future match seem like a huge deal.
#1 Goldberg destroys Drew McIntyre and captures the WWE Championship at the Royal Rumble
WCW Icon Bill Golberg and WWE Champion Drew McIntyre will square off at Royal Rumble for the richest prize in the business. If Golberg captures the title, which could actually happen, it will be his first WWE Championship run in his entire career.
Last year, the WWE Hall of Famer ended The Fiend's winning streak and captured his second Universal Championship at Super Showdown. At Royal Rumble, Goldberg might destroy Drew McIntyre as well. With WrestleMania around the corner, WWE needs big names for the show, and Golberg fits that spot perfectly.
Although the WWE Universe doesn't want Golberg in the world title picture, the former Universal Champion is still a big draw and a major name in the business. At WrestleMania 37, Drew McIntyre could get his rematch, or perhaps we could see a bigger match between Golberg and another WWE Superstar.
Golberg is contracted to compete twice a year, meaning there's a strong possibility that he will compete at WrestleMania. A match between Golberg and Roman Reigns at The Shows of Shows might sound good on paper, but Golberg has already enjoyed a run with the Universal title.
He has never held the WWE Championship before, so it would make sense if he captures it at Royal Rumble and then defends it at WrestleMania 37.
A WWE Hall of Famer called out AEW fans HERE
