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The Royal Rumble is by far my favorite annual WWE event, and I'm a firm believer that the finish of the match should accomplish one of two things. It should either make a star, or revitalize one. Last year we saw both those things occur. Becky Lynch winning the Women's Royal Rumble solidified her as a main event player, while Seth Rollins reclaimed the spotlight after spending some time away from the WWE/Universal Title picture.
Both Lynch and Rollins went on to win gold at WrestleMania, a major change from 2018 when both Shinsuke Nakamura and Asuka lost their Championship matches. In previous years, we saw more established stars and/or part timers like Triple-H, Batista, Randy Orton, and John Cena walk away Rumble winners.
This year I'd like to see WWE lean more toward what we saw in 2018 and 2019. I'm not saying heavy favorites like Roman Reigns, Charlotte, and Shayna Baszler don't deserve to win. I'd be fine if any of them walk away victorious, but I'm also a fan of the shock factor. While Rollins deserved to win it last year, he was favored to do so. His victory fell a little flat compared to when Nakamura won a year earlier. The King of Strong Style had the support of the crowd, but I don't think many expected him to eliminate Roman Reigns. I know I didn't. When he did, the crowd (and myself) went nuts.
That's what I'm looking for at this year's Royal Rumble. Winners who are deserving, aren't currently in the main event picture, and bring a little shock value. Here are some superstars who check all the boxes and should win the Royal Rumble, though they probably won't.
Honorable Mention: Sonya Deville
I know I'm going to get some flak from the WWE fan base for even bringing her up as a possibility, but I'll take it and not think twice. Sonya Deville is the most underutilized wrestler in the entire women's division. Personally, I also think she's being misused as a heel. Anyone who watched Total Divas this past season saw how easily likeable Sonya is. She has this delightfully vibrant personality that she doesn't get to showcase in her current role.
Another thing she doesn't get to do a lot of in her current role is win, which is a shame as well. She has the athleticism and in ring ability to square up with anyone in the division. She just needs a chance to do it consistently.
A win at the Royal Rumble is highly unlikely, but I'll take a strong showing. The current story arc with Mandy and Otis has been hinting at a Fire and Desire break up. My hope is they take another step in that direction. Have Sonya eliminate Mandy and a few other superstars before getting thrown out. I'm just looking for a little hope that a more significant role is on the horizon.
#5 Drew McIntyre
McIntyre has the best chance of anyone on my list of winning the Rumble match this year. The smart money is on Roman Reigns walking away as a two time Royal Rumble winner, in large part due to the other betting favorites not being viable options. C.M. Punk's name remains high on the list despite him currently not being employed by the company. Cain Velasquez meanwhile has had all of one match in WWE, losing in pretty quick fashion to Brock Lesnar at Crown Jewel.
I simply refuse to believe Punk is coming back until I actually see him in the ring. As for Velasquez, he's simply too green to win a Rumble. I cannot imagine the crowd giving him a warm reaction if he's the one standing tall to end of the show. Velasquez may be the one to eliminate Lesnar to set up a rematch between the two, but he doesn't need to go the distance. These factors make Reigns' victory all too predictable to me. While the Big Dog is a fine choice, you can set up his match with The Fiend another way. Let's create a blockbuster match for the WWE Championship instead.
The Scottish Psychopath has begun the process of turning babyface in recent weeks. Something that reportedly is coinciding with WWE programming launching on BT Sport in the UK. If the company wants to build a big star, winning the Royal Rumble and challenging Brock Lesnar for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania is a good start.
Furthermore, it's just time. After his 2019 failed to live up to the expectations of fans around the globe, it's time for McIntyre to finally get his due. Vince McMahon reportedly wants McIntyre to win a World Championship and was ready to put him in the Title picture after King of the Ring. An injury may have derailed those plans, but McIntyre is healthy now.
Drew McIntyre vs. Brock Lesnar does a lot more to move the needle for me as a wrestling fan, than a Lesnar Velasquez rematch. If WWE still wants that rematch to happen, they can always do it at the event in Saudi Arabia in February. McIntyre getting the shot at the Title just feels like a more worthy match to main event the Showcase of the Immortals.
#4 Sasha Banks
Speaking of it being time for a Superstar to get their due, it's been far too long since Sasha Banks won the big one. The 4-time RAW Women's Championship hasn't held the Title since the Summer of 2017, and her last reign lasted all of 8 days. In fact, to this day, she has still yet to have a single successful Title defense.
This is The Boss we're talking about here. One of the best female performers the company has to offer. That's a stat that needs to change in 2020. After failing to beat Becky Lynch for the RAW Title at Hell in a Cell, Banks has faded a bit. Playing more of a support role to her best friend, and current SmackDown Women's Champion, Bayley. Right now, the rumor is that friendship will be tested once again at WrestleMania 36.
WWE management reportedly wants Banks to be the challenger for the SmackDown Women's Championship in April. Sportskeeda's Tom Colohue had this to say last week:
"There is a disappointment among WWE management that they haven't managed to make that match happen yet. This is something they really want to see happen. This is something both women really want to see happen... and it could be sort of be a crowning achievement for Bayley, who has been up and down on the roster so far."
If that indeed is the plan, you might as well give The Boss a marquee win to become the No. 1 contender. It's the big match victory we haven't seen from Sasha in a long time, and one that would certainly rekindle her singles career.
#3 Kofi Kingston
Kofi Kingston is one of the greatest Royal Rumble performers of all time. His unique and highly entertaining ways of saving himself from elimination are the stuff of legend. To this point in his career though, he's never been able to last all the way to the finish. That should come to an end this year for one simple reason. Kofi deserves his rematch against Brock Lesnar.
I was not a big fan of the way Kofi dropped the WWE Championship to Lesnar in a mere 8 seconds back in October. During his 180-day title reign, Kingston was booked as strong as anyone in WWE. He defeated some of the company's top stars including Daniel Bryan, AJ Styles, Kevin Owens, Samoa Joe, and Randy Orton. Then all it took was one F5 from Lesnar to take the Title off of him? This is something that has not sat well with me over the last few months.
Lesnar was swiftly switched over to RAW, taking the WWE Championship away from Kofi as The New Day remained on SmackDown. A Royal Rumble victory for Kingston would negate that as the winner can challenge the Champion of his choosing. Kingston should immediately show up on RAW the night after the Rumble and challenge The Beast. I'm not saying Kofi could or should win at WrestleMania. It would simply give him the chance to step in the ring with Brock and put on the show he didn't get the chance to back on SmackDown's premiere on FOX.
#2 Beth Phoenix
Ok, hear me out.
I realize that Beth Phoenix is, for all intents and purposes, retired. The last time we saw her compete in the ring was WrestleMania 35 when she teamed with Natalya in the Women's Tag Team Title Fatal 4-way. She's only competed in 3 matches over the last 8 years and hasn't had a one on one match since October 2012. That said, an appearance in this year's Royal Rumble isn't too far-fetched.
The Rumble usually has a few veterans return to help fill out the 30-woman line-up. Not only would I like to see the Hall of Famer compete, but I'd also like to see Beth Phoenix walk away the surprise winner. Granted I'm breaking one of my own rules with this pick. A semi-retired wrestler going over a myriad of deserving full-time stars is a booking decision I'd usually hate. I'm willing to overlook it this time around because there is one match Beth Phoenix needs to have before she walks away from in-ring competition for good. The Glamazon needs to fight Becky Lynch.
Anyone who pays attention to Twitter knows that the storyline is already there.
That's just a taste of what was a highly personal and entertaining exchange. Things have been quiet between the two in recent months, but the history is there. Adapt that Twitter war, stand back, and watch the magic happen.
Granted the outcome of this matchup is very predictable. It's highly unlikely that Lynch would drop the Championship to Phoenix, but this one of those dream matches that was built for WrestleMania. These two clearly want it and I think the WWE Universe would love it.
#1 Rusev
Rusev has been one of the most underutilized superstars for years now. The former United States Champion was once one of the most over talents on the roster, but the company failed to properly capitalize on the craze that was Rusev Day. After falling to the wayside for a period of time, The Bulgarian Brute has a new lease on his career.
The critically panned, yet highly watched love angle with Rusev, Lana, Lashley, and Liv Morgan is working. Rusev is once again getting over with the crowd and the company has a second chance to capitalize.
I'd be overjoyed if Rusev eliminated Lashley Sunday and finally got the better of him in their ongoing feud. Then I'd be elated if he went on to outlast the remaining competitors to win the 2020 Royal Rumble. It's long overdue for Rusev to get his push into the main event scene, and I think a match with either Brock Lesnar or Bray Wyatt would be amazing.
A Rumble win for Rusev may not be entirely out of the question by the way. It might all depend on his contract situation. Late last year it was reported that signing Rusev to a contract extension was a top priority of the company. That could very likely mean a major push is on the horizon, especially if an extension is ultimately reached.
Do I believe Rusev gets the big win on Sunday? No, I do not. I'm nearly convinced that the Rumble winners this year will be the two betting favorites in Roman Reigns and Shayna Baszler. This means the 6 competitors I've mentioned will likely have to wait until next year. It'd be really cool though if one or two of them did get their moment this Sunday.
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