5 things you need to know before Royal Rumble 2019

Who will win as the Road to WrestleMania begins?
Who will win as the Road to WrestleMania begins?

Get all WWE Royal Rumble 2019 live commentary, live updates, and highlights here

Tonight, 30 men and 30 women will compete for the ultimate prize in WWE: a chance to main-event WrestleMania 35 and become the top champion of their respective divisions.

The Royal Rumble pay per view is just hours away, and this year's show is shaping up to be one of the most exciting of all time.

In addition to two huge Rumble matches, the WWE Universe will see the seemingly final showdown between WWE Champion Daniel Bryan and AJ Styles.

And a dream match will hit the Chase Field tonight, when Finn Balor hopes to finally recapture the Universal Championship he held so briefly, but faces a monster challenge against the incumbent Beast, Brock Lesnar.

With plenty more title matches, tonight's show could very well deliver a Match of the Year candidate.

Here are five things you need to know before the 2019 Royal Rumble.

#5 It pays to be #1 (and #2)

The first two women to compete in the inaugural Women's Rumble will both have title matches tonight
The first two women to compete in the inaugural Women's Rumble will both have title matches tonight

At last year's Royal Rumble event in 2018, the WWE saw for the first time, not one, but two Royal Rumble matches.

And whilst those matches may have been won by Shinsuke Nakamura and Asuka, they certainly have developed since last year.

Both the king of Strong Style and the Empress are in title matches tonight, with Nakamura hoping to regain the United States Championship, and Asuka looking to defend the SmackDown Women's Championship.

But interestingly, whilst these winners are now in title matches, so are both the #1 and #2 entrants of both matches from last year.

The men's 2018 #1 entrant Rusev is looking to defend the star-spangled title, whilst #2 entrant Finn Balor is hoping to regain the Universal Championship.

Similarly, women's 2018 #1 entrant Sasha Banks will be hoping to capture her fifth RAW Women's Championship, and #2 entrant Becky Lynch will be hoping to regain the SmackDown Women's title.

#4 A Blissful return at the Royal Rumble

Bliss hasn't competed in months since suffering a concussion
Bliss hasn't competed in months since suffering a concussion

Ever since she suffered a concussion in October, Alexa Bliss has been held back from competing inside a WWE ring.

That's not to say she hasn't been showcased, as Bliss has continued to be one of RAW's most featured women, appearing in a managerial role for Alicia Fox and Mickie James, being the leader of the RAW Women's Division, and most recently, working as the host of the talk-show, 'A Moment of Bliss'.

Whilst Bliss has been very successful despite being unable to compete, it seems that Bliss is medically cleared, and has teased making her in-ring return at the Women's Rumble match.

She may not have competed in last year's match, due to being the RAW Women's Champion, but if the rumors are true, the Petite Powerhouse is hoping to make tonight's Rumble Blissful.

#3 Huge debuts

EC3 could make a huge statement if he appeared in the men's Rumble match
EC3 could make a huge statement if he appeared in the men's Rumble match

On the Christmas Eve edition of Monday Night RAW, the WWE Universe got a very special Christmas gift: six brand new NXT Superstars who are set to make their main roster debut this year.

Since then, the WWE Universe has seen plenty of the NXT graduates, though only a few have had in-ring matches.

For the likes of EC3 and Lacey Evans though, they have been seen on TV, but are yet to compete.

With 60 total spots available in the Royal Rumble matches tonight, these graduates could certainly make their presences known in tonight's matches.

While both Evans and Nikki Cross,have been announced for the women's Rumble match, having the likes of EC3 or possibly the debuting Lars Sullivan in the men's Rumble match could certainly elevate these Superstars to the next level.

#2 Huge returns

Will the Great One return at the Rumble tonight?
Will the Great One return at the Rumble tonight?

Just as much as fans look at the Royal Rumble matches for huge debuts, the WWE Universe is also expecting a huge return or two.

Free agent John Cena has already been announced for the Men's Rumble match (though may have suffered an injury), though he isn't the only former World Champion rumored to be apart of the huge match.

Several months back, The Rock was considered the bookie's favorite to win the match, though it's unclear whether the Brahma Bull will appear tonight.

If he was to win, this would put the People's Champion on the path to WrestleMania, and most likely a collision with Universal Champion Brock Lesnar in a rematch of their Summerslam 2002 main event.

Kevin Owens is another former champion who fans are hoping to see return, as well as his friend/nemesis Sami Zayn.

#1 Will the dead rise?

The Deadman hasn't been seen since last year's Crown Jewel.
The Deadman hasn't been seen since last year's Crown Jewel.

With the Royal Rumble pay per view tonight, the Road to WrestleMania is about to begin, and there are few Superstars more associated with the Showcase of the Immortals, than The Undertaker.

Making his Mania debut in 1991, The Deadman has dominated the event, only losing twice in all those years: once in 2014, and again in 2017.

But with WrestleMania around the corner, fans have to wonder when the Phenom will make his presence known on the road to WrestleMania, with rumors speculating that the Deadman may not even appear at the Show of Shows.

Hopefully, these rumors will not come true, and if the WWE wants a guaranteed OMG moment at tonight's pay per view, an appearance from the legendary former World Champion in the men's Royal Rumble match would certainly get fans talking.

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