5 potentially shocking winners of the 2019 Royal Rumble match

The 2019 Royal Rumble is not far away, and the road to this marquee pay-per-view is going to be an exciting one, as WWE has declared it is changing to improve the viewership experience of Raw and SmackDown Live.

And for the most part, WWE has done some unexpected things in the opening stages of this new era, decisions such as Mustafa Ali becoming one of the top stars on SmackDown Live, AJ Styles almost turning heel, and Becky Lynch as the poster star for the company, are a few things one would not expect from WWE.

Could these changes influence the final decision for the Royal Rumble?

#1 Andrade "Cien" Almas

Andrade "Cien" Almas was one of NXT's hottest stars in 2018, but on SmackDown Live, he was not booked in a similar manner, as Almas wrestled very few times, didn't have a narrative to introduce him to the WWE, and featured on the blue brand fewer times than you would actually expect.

So why would Almas win the Royal Rumble if he was not even built up as a worthy adversary to other superstars? Well, that could be the case, but WWE's tendency to shock audiences could help Almas get the push we all thought he would receive ever since Vince McMahon praised him.

Moreover, betting odds are in Almas' favour, believe it or not, so we could see the former NXT star go to WrestleMania.

#2 Braun Strowman

Strowman has been put in shocking positions before

Braun Strowman will prepare for war at the Royal Rumble, as he will face Brock Lesnar for the fourth time in his career, and if you are tired of Strowman getting his ass handed to him by Lesnar, prepare yourself for another beat-down, as rumours dictate that Lesnar will retain at the Royal Rumble.

So where does this leave Strowman?

Well, he could shockingly be the man to win the Royal Rumble match. While that seems far-fetched, Strowman winning the Money in the Bank, squashing Kevin Owens, and turning heel last year seemed unlikely too.

#3 Mustafa Ali

Mustafa Ali is one of the stars on the rise, as he is already in the top flight on SmackDown Live, and that is something no one really expected, as Ali showed up on SmackDown Live and took Daniel Bryan to the limit.

The following week he pinned the WWE Champion, and last week he was in a number one contender's match for the WWE Championship.

The betting odds for the Royal Rumble match favours Ali, and what makes a shock Ali win at the Royal Rumble more possible is the story WWE has built around Ali and Bryan, it truly feels like a perfect way for WWE to catapult Ali's career.

#4 AJ Styles

AJ Styles could see his career turned inside out

The story of AJ Styles making it to the WWE is something out of a dream, as no one expected the wrestling legend to be in the WWE. Moreover, no one expected Styles to win the WWE title, and even stand as the top guy in the company today. So what is so shocking about Styles actually winning the Royal Rumble match?

Well, the fact that Styles is taking on Daniel Bryan at the Royal Rumble as well makes it kind of difficult for him to be in two matches on the night, but after Styles' newly revitalised character, it seems like WWE intends making him the top guy in the company.

Also, it seems Daniel Bryan could retain his title, as it's quite early in his reign. On the other hand, AJ Styles would have many options opened up for him. This could take him anywhere, and that might include winning the Royal Rumble.

#5 Samoa Joe

Samoa Joe is almost a forgotten entity on SmackDown Live and WWE as a whole, and that is due to WWE not really doing much to make the former NXT Champion a threat on the blue brand. But not all is lost for Joe, as he is never truly out of the game, and with regards to the Royal Rumble, he is surely the dark horse to win the match.

Joe winning the Rumble is not so far-fetched when you think about the possibilities awaiting him if he does.

On Raw Joe has the option of facing Strowman or Lesnar, and on SmackDown Live he has the option of facing AJ Styles or Daniel Bryan.

These are men Joe has unfinished business with, and there are not many superstars who can actually say that.

Moreover, with WWE's new era in full effect, could Joe finally get the push he deserves?

What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.

Edited by Anthony Akatugba Jr.