5 things that are likely to happen at the Royal Rumble

It's that time of the year again when 30 superstars will enter the ring and, only one superstar will outshine everyone and earn an opportunity to headline the "Grandest Stage of Them All". Well, this on paper seems like an absolute must-see pay-per-view but, WWE's lacklustre booking in some previous outings has made the Royal Rumble a total mess.

Despite being the most anticipated show of the year, the PPV has lost its authenticity of being the most entertaining & celebrated events of the year. Looking back at the previous four outings, it cannot be argued that the outcomes of all those matches have not been well received by the WWE audience, with the company constantly trying to book the whole match around Roman Reigns.

With such a reception, it seems WWE will have to try and book something different this time around to prevent the entertaining element of the show. The 31st Royal Rumble will take place on January 28, 2018, at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and, will be the first event to showcase a 'Women's Royal Rumble match'.

Here are the 5 things that are likely to happen at the Royal Rumble

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#5 The Champions will retain their titles

Brock Lesnar & AJ Styles are likely to head to Wrestle Mania as the Champions

As of now, four Championship matches have been booked and are scheduled to take place at the Royal Rumble. With both the "Beast Incarnate" and "The Phenomenal One" defending their championships against worthy challengers, it still seems unlikely that any of them would be able to steal the limelight & the title from these two veterans.

The Universal Champion & "the Big Red Machine" will look to take revenge on "the Monster Among Men" after the latter's vicious backstage attack on both of them two weeks ago on Monday Night Raw. Since "the Beast Incarnate" is scheduled to head to WrestleMania as the Champion, it seems likeable that he will walk out as the winner of this match. Since, WWE will try to make Strowman look strong, expect Kane to take the pin.

The WWE Championship will be defended in a 2-on-1 Handicap Match with Sami Zayn & Kevin Owens as the challengers. It has been rumoured that the stipulation has been added to create tensions between the duo with an eventual betrayal by the "Prizefighter". Expect Zayn to take the pin courtesy of a Phenomenal Fore-Arm and another W in the record of AJ Styles.

The other two championships that are scheduled to be defended are the Raw & the SmackDown Tag Team Championships. Since the Usos are leading the SmackDown Tag Team Division from the front, it is highly unlikely that the talented duo will lose in Philly. Moreover, the same could be said for Seth Rollins & Jason Jordan who despite being a weird pair will still walk out as the Champions due to the storyline that is being brewing between them.

#4 Ronda Rousey makes a sensational debut and wins the Women's Royal Rumble match

Will the Rowdy Ronda grace the Rumble with her iconic presence?

If WWE are somehow able to crack a monumental deal with Ronda Rousey, then it will perhaps be the most iconic moment in Women's professional wrestling history. WWE, for the past 3-4 years has pushed the boundaries to reach a wider audience and, have been very influential in promoting Women's wrestling. The WWE has taken this talented division by storm and will make history again at the Royal Rumble by hosting the First-Ever Woman's Royal Rumble Match.

Now, since the match will have 30 superstars trying everything they can, to punch a ticket to Wrestle Mania, there will be tons of returns & NXT call-ups. But, despite all the 'one night only' returns & call-ups, it is the speculation of a potential Ronda Rousey debut that has brought a lot of attention to this division lately.

The early favourites to win the match are Asuka, Becky Lynch, Sasha Banks, Nia Jax & Bayley but, with rumours swirling around that Ronda joining the WWE is a done deal now, it seems inevitable that the Rowdy one will make her debut at the Royal Rumble and possibly win it. Expect Ronda Rousey & Asuka to be the final two, with Ronda Rousey getting the better off the "Empress of Tomorrow". A potential match with Charlotte for the SmackDown Women's Title could be in the works.

#3 Kane's final match

Thank You, Kane !!

"The Big Red Machine" is a three-time World Champion and, was a pivotal & significant member of the fascinating Attitude Era. Kane made his monstrous debut on October 7, 1997, at Bad Blood during a Hell in a Cell Match between Shawn Michaels & the Undertaker and, has carried this legendary character since then.Ironically, he has been the most dominant Royal Rumble performer in WWE history, being the all-time record holder of the most all-time eliminations in Royal Rumble at 43.

He also holds the record of the fastest elimination ever by throwing Santino Marella in just 1.9 seconds. "The Big Red Machine" has had a fantastic run in the company and, still remains one of the most iconic & vicious characters ever. The 50-year old is now back in the main event picture and, is set to face Braun Strowman & Brock Lesnar for the Universal Championship.

Despite his character being booked like a Machine, it seems inevitable that he could be heading towards retirement. Kane has always tried to elevate younger superstars to increase the marketability of the business just like he is seen elevating Braun Strowman lately. He recently spoke to the New York Post and, dropped a major hint that this Royal Rumble could very well be his last. Glenn Jacobs has provided a lot to the wrestling business and, putting him in a Universal Championship Match only goes on to prove that the WWE Management does want to send him off in a huge fashion.

#2 Kevin Owens turns on Sami Zayn

Get ready to witness another monumental chapter in this feud

Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn have travelled all over the world honing their craft and have exhibited memorable storytelling wherever they went. While the WWE Universe already embraced this feud in both NXT & Monday Night Raw, it seems that another clash may just be around the horizon.

The duo has entertained the WWE Universe by constantly questioning Shane O'Mac's leadership on a weekly basis and, are now set to face AJ Styles in a 2-on-1 Handicap Match for the WWE Championship at the Royal Rumble. However, the rumour mill is swirling with reports that WWE is planning to cut this alliance short, which increases the possibility of a potential turn by the 'Prizefighter'.

Kevin Owens' betrayal on the Underdog could not only start another monumental chapter in this epic rivalry but, would also increase the possibility of these two talented performers battling at the 'Grandest Stage of Them All'. Well, WWE realizes what they have in these two and, a potential match at the 'Show of Shows' could be another illustrious instalment in this iconic rivalry.

#1 Shinsuke Nakamura wins the Men's Royal Rumble match

The King of Strong Style is the favourite to win the Royal Rumble this year.

We are now 10 days away from witnessing the 31st edition of the Royal Rumble and, as the days continue to pass, there is sheer excitement among the WWE Universe, on who would punch his ticket to the main event of Wrestle Mania 34? While John Cena & Roman Reigns are still being considered as the alternative favourites, it is the "King of Strong Style" who has all the odds in his favour and, is the top favourite to walk out of Philadelphia as the winner.

A Nakamura win makes sense considering a potential dream with AJ Styles could be in the works for the "Grandest Stage of Them All". The Japanese sensation is a versatile performer and, has all the abilities to put on a classic anywhere in the world but, his recent main roster run has been unsatisfying, to say the least.

The Royal Rumble would not increase Nakamura's stock within the company but, would also bring an element of surprise & excitement among the fans who have been disappointed with the previous Rumble outings.

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