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It seems like a distant memory now but when the WWE announced the first-ever Andre the Giant Battle Royal at Wrestlemania 30, fans were very excited at the prospect. Battle royals are often fun and exciting matches, and it seemed like a nice way to get more superstars on the card.
The original match, which was won by Cesaro, was so hyped that it felt as though the victory could be a career-defining moment for the chosen superstar. Fast forward 4 years, however, and the match has become little more than a joke.
Mojo Rawley's victory at last year's event cemented the match's speedy fall from grace and the match is now seen as nothing more than a pre-show filler.
That looks set to change this year, though, with the company reported wanting to push the match back into relevance to coincide with the release of ESPN's documentary about Andre the Giant. Reports have suggested that the winner of this year's match will be in for a big push, and if that is the case, then you can expect this year's winner to be someone a lot more notable than Mojo Rawley.
Conflicting reports from earlier this week suggest that the match may be replaced by the first ever Women's version of the bout, but considering how many rumored changes there have been to this card, it's safe to assume the WWE will likely change their mind on this again.
If handled correctly, and given a relevant placing on the Mania card, the winner of this year's match could be instantly elevated up the card, so let's take at the five superstars most likely to win the fifth ever Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal match.
6: Elias
If the match is truly going to be used to help somebody advance their career for once, then Elias would be my first choice for this year's winner.
The former drifter is on the best form of his career at the moment, and having him get a big victory at Wrestlemania would be a big signal of intent for the character from the WWE.
The Andre the Giant Battle Royal was originally supposed to be a launching pad for mid-carders within the company, and while the victory has certainly not benefitted previous winners, the WWE's renewed interest in the match, for this year at least, may mean that the winner could be in line for a big push.
The company would be crazy not to cash in on Elias' momentum right now, and with the former NXT star currently without someone to walk with at Wrestlemania, this might be the best way to give him a big moment on the grandest stage of them all.
6: Jinder Mahal
It seems strange to think that only three months ago, fans the world over were terrified at the very real prospect of Jinder Mahal defending the WWE title at Wrestlemania 34.
The Modern Day Maharajh's fall from grace has been one of the quickest in recent WWE history and he doesn't look to be getting anywhere near the main event in the near future. The Jinder experiment was a bonafide failure, but the company do seem adamant about keeping him in and around the mid-card and the US title scene.
The Andre the Giant Battle Royal has failed to ignite the career of any previous victors but a victory for Mahal could be used as a catalyst for a solid run in the middle of the card. The company could, and likely would push the fact that he is a former WWE champion in a hope to add some prestige to the bout.
5: Braun Strowman
With Wrestlemania less than six weeks away, Braun Strowman currently finds himself without a clear path to the event. Initial rumours that he would be facing The Miz seem to have been squashed after this week's edition of Monday Night Raw, and rumours about him partnering with Rousey are now dead and buried thanks to Angle's involvement.
There are plenty of routes the company could go down with Braun, especially considering the fact he decimated Roman Reigns at the end of the Elimination Chamber, but his inclusion in the Universal Title match seems to be nothing more than fantasy booking.
If the company really want to make this year's match feel special, then having a legitimate main-eventer like Braun Strowman take part, and win the match, could be just the way to do that. It's a shame, though, that it would be at the expense of one of the company's most over superstars getting a solo bout on the grandest stage of them all.
4: Big Cass
We've all watched enough Royal Rumbles to know the commentary cliches about big men in battle royal matches. The company loves to play up the idea of no-one being able to eliminate anybody over the height of 7 foot, and while those big men rarely find success in the actual Rumble match itself, given that this match is in honour of the company's most iconic big man, there is every chance someone like Big Cass could walk away victorious in New Orleans.
Cass has not been seen on TV since August when he was injured in a match on Raw against Enzo Amore. If recent reports are to be believed, however, Cass' in-ring return may just coincide with Wrestlemania.
Cass' solo career got off to a somewhat mediocre start, with his feud with Enzo Amore being one of the worst things on television last summer, and his return from injury will provide a chance for the WWE to reboot his solo run.
3: Elias
If the match is truly going to be used to help somebody advance their career for once, then Elias would be my first choice for this year's winner.
The former drifter is on the best form of his career at the moment, and having him get a big victory at Wrestlemania would be a big signal of intent for the character from the WWE.
The Andre the Giant Battle Royal was originally supposed to be a launching pad for mid-carders within the company, and while the victory has certainly not benefitted previous winners, the WWE's renewed interest in the match, for this year at least, may mean that the winner could be in line for a big push.
The company would be crazy not to cash in on Elias' momentum right now, and with the former NXT star currently without someone to walk with at Wrestlemania, this might be the best way to give him a big moment on the grandest stage of them all.
2: Goldberg
Since the announcement that Bill Goldberg, the former World Heavyweight and Universal Champion, would be headlining this year's Hall of Fame ceremony, WWE fans have been speculating as to whether or not he would be making one final appearance for the company in 2018.
Goldberg was seen in a WWE ring at last year's Wrestlemania when he competed in a losing effort against Brock Lesnar. He bowed out of Raw the following night but didn't rule out a return to the squared circle.
It seems unlikely Goldberg will be involved in any sort of one on one match at Mania, but could the dangled carrot of one last victory at the event be enough to convince him to enter this match?
Numerous websites have reported that Goldberg is scheduled to appear in this match, and it seems highly unlikely that he would make an appearance, only to be unceremoniously dumped out of the ring by a mid-carder. If Goldberg's music hits in New Orleans, then you can bank on him having his arm raised at the end of the match.
1: Dolph Ziggler
When the year began, it looked as though Dolph Ziggler's time in the WWE may have been coming to an end. The former World Heavyweight Champion had just walked out of an episode of Smackdown Live, leaving the US title belt in the middle of the ring, leaving many fans to speculate as to whether he was calling an end to his WWE career.
Fast forward a few months and reports are suggesting that Dolph Ziggler has signed a brand new contract, one which makes him the highest paid full-time performer on the WWE roster. He has also experienced a renewed push towards the main event since his on-screen return at the start of the last month, which could indicate that the reports are true.
If this is the case, then the company are likely going to want to get their money's worth from Ziggler, and a big Wrestlemania win would be a good way to kickstart a serious push for him.
The company have tried several times to make Ziggler a main event star within the company, and have gone cold on their decisions each time. Could 2018 finally be Ziggler's year? Or will it a be case of too little, too late?
