The new year brings with it lots of hope. Being a WWE fan, you expect nothing else but a dramatic beginning to the new year’s proceedings and that is why one is always excited about the first pay per view of the season, The Royal Rumble.
Surprise returns, over the top rope eliminations, new rivalries and entrance countdowns are some things that the fans can never get enough of. Add some quality title matches and some OMG moments to this, and Royal Rumble is sure to satisfy your adrenaline requirements.
The WWE has perennially advertised the Rumble as the show where the road to the big daddy in Wrestlemania begins and today, we take a look at five things to look forward to in the upcoming Royal Rumble.
#1 A Kurt Angle return
Goldberg, Sting, AJ Styles and Brock Lesnar are WWE’s go to personnel to woo the fans back. Signing all these Superstars has always been a distant dream for a WWE fan and Mr McMahon has made it a reality.
TRP ratings and ticket sales are largely based on the above legends of the business, but there is another name that is perhaps missing from this elite list that will blow the roof off any arena in the world, Kurt Angle.
Angle is one of WWE’s most-loved stars and is a true embodiment of the American spirit. When the brand announced this week that he would be the star inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame, social media exploded with excitement.
Angle, entering through the curtain at the Royal Rumble is certainly on the cards and fans would love to see him once again breaking more ankles amidst the ‘you suck’ chants. He is also one the most technically gifted wrestlers and can make any bout a slobber knocker!
#2 Brock Lesnar and Goldberg
Brock Lesnar destroyed pretty much everybody in the locker room before a certain ‘Goldberg’ returned and showed the beast his place in under 2mins. With revenge on his mind, Lesnar enters the Rumble to prove a point and Goldberg is there as well to hear all about it.
Rumour has it that a Goldberg vs. Lesnar match will headline Wrestlemania 33. So, the two Superstars are most likely to have a brief altercation in the Royal Rumble match. This would mean carnage for the other 28 Superstars.
Without a real intention to run for the title, the above two entrants may just bash each other up and then get eliminated to take their feud to a different level rather than just win the Rumble.
#3 The Undertaker’s feud
AJ Styles, John Cena and Braun Strowman are just some of the names that the WWE is teasing for a ‘Mania feud with the dead man. But it largely remains unclear as to whom the Undertaker will take with him to his yard.
Much to the excitement of the fans, the Undertaker is entering the Rumble. So, if a feud is undecided yet, then the Rumble will give us an answer to the above question. Strowman is the most likely option as of now, as both Cena and AJ aren’t participating in the Rumble match. So, it is a matter of when and how the two stars get going.
Adding to this, odds are also in that the Undertaker is a favourite to win the Rumble. So, expect him to last a while and display some offensive manoeuvres as the crowd goes ‘you still got it’ and claps in unison.
#4 Cena vs. AJ Styles
This is perhaps the one match that has got everyone talking. Simply because of the star power and the in ring abilities both these modern day legends possess. Styles vs. Cena is going to be a match of the year candidate and this is one thing you don’t want to miss.
For Cena, it’s a match that sees him back in the title picture, a match that he can showcase his skills in and also a match in which he can prove a point to the WWE universe. For Styles, it’s simply about doing what he does best and giving the fans another opportunity to mock at John Cena.
The crowd is going to be polarised as always. Styles is going to be the popular one heading into this match as well. But, there is more at stake for Cena and this is perhaps a match that will define his career. So, adjust your TV sets and expect a lengthy and quality match-up, as these Superstars will tear each other apart to give you your money’s worth.
Cena vs. Styles! This is going to be a collector’s edition matchup.
#5 Legends or maybe not
The sole reason some of us old timers watch the Royal Rumble is because of its nostalgic appeal. Amidst the 30 entrants, there are always going to be a couple of legends who will return to a huge pop. Goosebumps guaranteed to that effect.
But, looking at the Rumble last year, there was pretty much no one and this came as a shock to most of us. Of course, Triple H winning the event compensated for that, but still, seeing no legends, made it a dry PPV.
The usual suspects are always The Godfather, Booker T, RVD, DDP, The Dudleys or even Good Ol’ Hacksaw Jim Duggan. But this time, names like the Hardys, Kurt Angle, Shaquille O Neil, John Morrison etc are making the rounds.
So, will Hunter and company give us another adrenaline rush moment with some legends or is it going to be a strictly ‘business only’ affair?
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