5 surprising decisions WWE could make at the Greatest Royal Rumble 

As the years have gone by, many of WWE’s marquee gimmick matches have lost their original magic, and that is due to the company's overuse of them. WWE has taken many of their unique and treasured gimmick matches and turned them into pay-per-views, which has taken away the mystic surrounding these innovative attractions.

However, the only event that has maintained its exclusive aura over the many decades of its existence is the Royal Rumble.

The Royal Rumble match is still one of wrestling's most cherished attractions which is not overutilized by WWE in one calendar year. However, that has all changed this year, as the company is replicating the Royal Rumble event in Saudi Arabia for the first time in the promotion's history.

Business-wise, WWE could not be smarter, as this event might prove to be highly successful for the company. Therefore, with this historic event taking place for the first time, Vince McMahon and co. could pull off many unexpected swerves that have significant implications on the company’ plans going forward and this could ensure a truly memorable occasion.

#1 Midcard titles switch brands

Could WWE switch the holders of these belts once again?

During the 2018 Superstar Shakeup, many expected WWE’s midcard belts to switch brands, and while it seemed WWE was taking that route, they eventually brought the United States Title back to the blue brand and left the IC Title on Raw.

At the Greatest Royal Rumble event, WWE has one more chance to swerve fans, as the United States Title match features Smackdown Live’s Jeff Hardy taking on Raw superstar and former US Champion, Jinder Mahal.

The IC Title scene has a different landscape, as Raw’s Seth Rollins and Finn Balor will face Smackdown Live's Samoa Joe and The Miz in a fatal four ladder match for the IC Title.

The reason why these titles could change hands is due to WWE possibly wanting The Miz to carry the IC Title over to Smackdown Live to build the midcard division, while Jinder Mahal could reclaim his title so that he can resume his push that ended abruptly. These decisions would be shocking as the titles would’ve changed hands multiple times in under a month.

#2 Cena squashes Triple H

This match is an essential turn in Cena's career.

From just reading that title, this idea already sounds ludicrous to many, but it is indeed possible, as Cena’s ongoing narrative in the company is far more important than him having a classic bout with Triple H.

When Cena shockingly got squashed by the Undertaker at Wrestlemania, many were surprised that WWE made their franchise player lose in such as manner, on a big stage like WrestleMania.

However, any wrestling aficionado understands that a match result might apparently lead to a more prominent storyline down the road, as Undertaker and Cena are not done feuding with one another. Therefore, that leaves a fundamental question open for discussion: Which John Cena is WWE going to present? The answer might be an incredibly frustrated John Cena.

WWE can use Cena's struggles to turn him into a man that is not concerned with having a good time or putting on a show, but a man that has one goal: destroy everyone. This transition for Cena is much needed if he were to continue his rivalry with the Undertaker.

Therefore, Cena squashing Triple H after three consecutive AA’s can only sell his seriousness in this programme with Undertaker going forward.

#3 Nakamura bends the rules to defeat Styles

Could Nakamura win his first WWE Title via cheating?

AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura was the most anticipated match on the road to WrestleMania, as these two wrestling greats were expected to replicate or even surpass the masterpiece they crafted at NJPW’s Wrestle Kingdom 10. However, while Styles and Nakamura had a solid match, it fell short of expectations.

However, the most newsworthy thing to come out of that match was Shinsuke Nakamura’s low blow to AJ Styles, thus turning him heel.

Ever since Nakamura turned heel, he has shown WWE what they have been missing out on, proving to be one of the best heels in the promotion today.

Therefore, while many say it is not surprising for Nakamura to realistically defeat Styles for the WWE Title at the event, Nakamura winning his first title belt via a low-blow can draw massive heat from the kayfabe inclined crowd.

This decision would go against many expectations of WWE wanting to send fans home happy with most of the babyfaces going over. This win could catapult Nakamura's career into the stratosphere as this finish can mirror Styles using the low blow to win his first WWE Title.

#4 Rusev defeats The Undertaker via help from an unlikely source

This match is leading to a more important story.

When WWE announced Rusev vs. the Undertaker at the Greatest Royal Rumble event, many were excited and surprised, at the same time. Wrestling fans knew this meant Rusev was going to get buried once again under WWE’s ignorance.

However, after some controversy, WWE removed Rusev from the match, and Chris Jericho took his place. However, Rusev was added again to the match and is finally going to face The Phenom in a casket match.

The casket match is one of WWE’s last gimmick matches not to be overused, thus making it an excellent unique attraction that only surfaces to settle a blood feud. Therefore, what is the purpose of this match, and what will either of these men get by winning?

The only logical explanation for the booking of this match is that it might be a launching pad for a bigger narrative. WWE could use this situation to pull off a shocking swerve, and that swerve can only be performed by one man - John Cena.

Cena and Undertaker are both scheduled to compete in the pay-per-view, and it feels as if WWE is intentionally laying the foundation for a future feud between the two. Moreover, this time. The Undertaker might be the one losing, and Cena could be the deciding factor in this match.

Cena destroying The Undertaker before he throws him into the jaws of defeat would be an enormous turn in this rivalry, as WWE can build one of the most heated feuds of the decade.

#5 Lesnar retains

WWE has made unpredictable decisions with regards to Lesnar vs. Reigns in the past

Many wrestling fans are tired of seeing Brock Lesnar waltz off with Universal Title every time he retains it in underwhelming fashion. While on the other hand, many fans are tired of seeing Roman Reigns being the only man pushed to face Lesnar for the title.

After their match at this year's WrestleMania failed to live up to its build, Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns will do battle once again for the right to walk out of the Greatest Royal Rumble as the Universal Champion.

Lesnar and Reigns can put on a classic match, and with the crowd most likely to treat Reigns as the top babyface and Lesnar as the hated heel, this match might take the match of the night award.

This match will most likely culminate with Reigns leaving as the Universal Champion. However, this year, WWE has utilized more unpredictable booking strategies than in the last decade, and the booking of this match could be no different.Therefore, Lesnar has a good chance of walking out as the champion.

Paul Heyman has said on countless occasions that if Lesnar losses the Universal Championship he has no reason to stay in the company, and that is a refreshing idea, as Lesnar's last run as a WWE Superstar could be over any night he loses the Universal Title.

While the odds are stacking against him, it seems unlikely WWE would end Lesnar's career in a house show style pay-per-view.