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In this new series, we look at potential winners of the 2019 Royal Rumble match.
Last time, we assessed the chances of Becky Lynch.
This time, we look at the chances of 'The Architect', Seth Rollins.
Seth Rollins is a two time WWE World Heavyweight Champion. He is a former Money in the Bank winner, and cashed in his Money in the Bank contract in the main event of WrestleMania 31 to win his first World Championship.
He was the brains behind the most dominant trio in WWE history, The Shield. He was the cover star of the video game, WWE 2K18. He is a two time WWE Intercontinental Champion. A former United States Champion, and four-time RAW tag team champion.
Seth Rollins is one of the most decorated superstars on the WWE main roster today. He is also one of its most heavily featured superstars.
Seth Rollins has never won a Royal Rumble match.
Will he add that to his list of accolades this year?
Let's find out.
The case for Seth Rollins to win the 2019 Men's Royal Rumble match
Logic dictates that a babyface Royal Rumble winner is not only one of the most popular superstars on the roster, but also one with the most potential. It is a great honour. The selected superstar must be ready to carry the load of a main event programme on the road to WrestleMania.
The selected superstar must have the presence to compete in a championship match at WrestleMania. And most importantly, the fans should have very strong feelings about the selected superstar. Seth Rollins is that superstar.
He had an excellent 2018, a recent feud with Dean Ambrose notwithstanding. He consistently got the loudest ovations on Monday Night RAW, and any pay-per-view he was on.
Rollins also consistently had the best performances; his near one-hour performance in the February gauntlet match on RAW is the stuff that legends are made of. He has also been de-facto top babyface on Monday Night RAW ever since Roman Reigns' unfortunate illness. However, fans were willing to embrace him as top babyface long before that.
Seth Rollins is one of the best wrestlers in the world. He is a very good promo, has a clearly defined character and fans adore him.
He is an excellent choice to win the 2019 men's Royal Rumble match.
The case against Seth Rollins winning the 2019 Men's Royal Rumble match
Seth Rollins has consistently been presented as a big deal by the WWE. Ever since his debut, he has been a featured part of the show. But he has never been the featured part of the show.
There is no doubt that he is a valued superstar, but the phrase "always the bridesmaid, never the bride" comes to mind. His second WWE World Heavyweight Championship reign lasted a matter of minutes. His first, longer reign saw him portrayed as the incompetent heel champion who could not win without outside interference.
The WWE crowd also turned on two of his main roster pay-per-view matches this year; the Iron Man match against Dolph Ziggler, and Intercontinental Championship match against Dean Ambrose at TLC.
Seth Rollins will certainly be a featured part of WrestleMania 35. But he may not be in the featured part.
Who would he challenge at WrestleMania 35?
If Seth Rollins does win the 2019 men's Royal Rumble match, it will be as a defiant babyface adored by the fans. It is only natural then that he should challenge a heel champion who does not care about the fans; the reigning, defending, undisputed Universal Champion, Brock Lesnar.
These two have faced before, back in 2015. It is likely to be vastly different this time. Unlike last time, Seth Rollins is a babyface, and Brock Lesnar is the heel, something that plays far better to each man's strengths. The crowd will be firmly behind Rollins, a superstar who does his best every week. Rollins has even called out Lesnar for being a part-time champion.
The match itself will likely be excellent. The crowd will be firmly in the babyface's corner. Seth Rollins is one of the best wrestlers in the world. For all the criticism he gets, it is sometimes forgotten just how good Brock Lesnar can be. This match could steal the whole show.
The Verdict: Seth Rollins has to be considered the favourite heading into this match.
Agree? Disagree? Let us know in the comments!
