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Whether you believe it or not, we are on the first Road to WrestleMania of the 2020s. It's an incredible time for a pro wrestling fan. New Japan Pro Wrestling kickstarted the decade in style, AEW is gaining momentum, and even Impact Wrestling and ROH have steered the ship.
At the helm of all, this is none other than WWE, with their big Royal Rumble approaching in a few weeks to initiate the tumbledown WrestleMania avenue. This year's event at Tampa is rumored to be something star-studded, with quite a few comebacks lined up for not just the Grandest Stage of them All, but the Rumble as well. Impressively WWE is also touting it's cult brand NXT to takeover the Rumble the same way they did Survivor Series. This promises to become a spectacular 30 man toss-off.
While the whole card is stacked with Becky Lynch facing the threat of Asuka to The Fiend poking at the beardless Daniel Bryan. The two major Rumble matches itself are the key highlight. There is no doubt like every other year, that the Rumble winner is in for an epic year, but alongside him and her; the top four in the four corners are also going to become prime superstars of 2020.
Since that's the case, let's start predicting which of the top four men out of thirty will square off for a chance at immortality.
Bonus: The curious case of Brock Lesnar
Of course, before we move on, there is one major component to address ahead of this great 30 man Royal Rumble. It is the fact that 'The Beast' Brock Lesnar will enter the massive showdown at number one. Under normal circumstances, this would be a hoot, with Lesnar's rare appearances. And it could be a chance to build a hot streak for the opening act of the match.
However, with Brock currently in possession of the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, his entry provides an interesting wrinkle. Though Paul Heyman has so far failed to address his clients' actions, beyond stating that RAW has no challenger worthy of the 'Beast Incarnate' (a small burial of his brand). The question remains, what happens if Lesnar wins?
Will he, like a champion winner of the G1 Climax in NJPW, choose his opponent for WrestleMania or will hechallenge for the Universal championship? This would mean Brock going onto headline against 'The Fiend' Bray Wyatt or Daniel Bryan (most definitely the Fiend). It would mean getting the big hoss battle fans were denied at Survivor Series. Brock Lesnar could even choose to challenge NXT Champion Adam Cole, or maybe WWE UK champion WALTER (if it counts as a brand-specific world title). The possibilities are endless.
However, the far more likely aspect of this unique stipulation, is that the Royal Rumble provides a fun and fascinating way to position Brock Lesnar's next challenger. It is fair to assume that one of the top four final men of the Rumble will eliminate Lesnar early in the match. Hopefully, it's that, rather than a setup for a part-time clash against another green outsider like Cain Velasquez or Tyson Fury.
#4 Keith Lee
With NXT's presence looming large over main roster WWE, there's no doubt this is the year the superstars from the Black and Gold brand shall go beyond exciting cameos in the Rumble. If there's any NXT superstar on the radar of Vince McMahon, it is the Limitless Keith Lee taking advantage of a 2-hour slot to skyrocket to the top.
Unfortunately, Lee faltered to the shenanigans of Undisputed Era on NXT during his North American title match. His move sideways (if not up) to the main roster, will be locked down with a performance at the Royal Rumble setting himself up for a bumper 2020 and a straight shot at a WrestleMania debut. This is unbelievable for someone who just last year was lost in the shuffle of a pre-USA network NXT.
Lee shall get a strong showing as he did during Survivor Series to dominate the early Rumble field, going all the way to the final four. He will even get big moments against his NXT compatriots as well as all-timers such as AJ Styles and Randy Orton before being eliminated by his Survivor Series dance partner; the man who eliminated him the last time as well. This will set Lee up for a huge future rivalry with the current face of the WWE, none other than the Big Dog!
Eliminated by Roman Reigns
#3 Edge
Whenever WWE management and talent seems to desperately rebuff a rumor, it's more than likely to be true. This is applied to the recent buzz around the return of Edge to the squared circle. It began last year with his first taste of action in a promo against WWE's resident bard Elias. Half a year later, the table seems perfectly set for Edge to make a miraculous return to active competition.
With a glorious comeback, the fans shall become enamored willing Edge to win. However a likely reduced schedule as well as Edge's old school penchant of working for the business (not against it, like some part-timers), Edge will be here to make stars in the last hurrah. We'll still get to see Edge mix it up with some top stars in dream confrontations, as he enters at the explosive number 30 spot. One of these will be him getting his revenge on Seth Rollins, for years prior and eliminating the current messiah of Monday Night RAW.
However, Edge will have a tough task with his last two opponents, particularly RAW's new rising stud in Drew McIntyre. The Scottish Psychopath shall put the Canadian in his place, cementing his legacy. WWE meanwhile shall keep Edge's WrestleMania plans and beyond, close to their chest; teasing this as an exclusive one-time comeback.
Eliminated by Drew McIntyre
#2 Drew McIntyre
Speaking of WrestleMania and the rising star, Drew McIntyre is riding a wave of momentum on the back of his newfound personality. Just this past Monday he vanquished AJ Styles and Randy Orton, amid their big rivalry. This comes at the absolute perfect time, allowing the Scottish Psychopath to push for a huge WrestleMania payday.
Nothing would be better than booking a spot in the main event of 'Mania through the Royal Rumble and if not, a huge title shot against a certain Beast might just prove to be better. With Paul Heyman squarely behind Drew McIntyre, it will be his Claymore kick early in the second half of the match that will see the end of Brock Lesnar. Irate, the Beast will make his presence known later in the match, not before McIntyre and Roman Reigns square off in a battle of titans.
After a somewhat muted set of matches last year, renewed purpose from both men will allow them to give us an explosive extended counter. This shall be reminiscent of the final two bouts between Undertaker and Shawn Michaels in the 2007 Royal Rumble. McIntyre will put his all only to be vanquished by the Big Dog, who hopefully won't have to suffer another huge chorus of boos. This will occur just after Lesnar makes his presence felt, his distraction earning him a Claymore kick as well as his old rival the big win.
Eliminated by Roman Reigns
#1 Roman Reigns
This one's going to be a big struggle, yet like the faces of the company before him; Roman Reigns will secure a second Royal Rumble victory to cement his legacy. With a year and a half spent muted since his unfortunate diagnosis and sweet return, Roman will once again punch his ticket for the 'Grandest Stage of Them All'.
Hopefully this time around, a competitive match against Drew and the residue of goodwill he has earned won't cause problems with the fans. Nothing can top the lethargic and poorly booked 2015 Royal Rumble and there is hope that WWE has learned from that. Roman's huge end won't just result in big fireworks for him, regardless of the final reaction of the audience.
Drew McIntyre will confront the Big Dog, as Brock Lesnar smarts over his kick ringside. A mutual handshake will follow before McIntyre delivers a Glasgow's Kiss to Reigns and walk away smirking at Lesnar, staking his claim for the WWE championship. Meanwhile, an equally agitated Roman will find his footing and bark off at Brock, teasing the renewal of their rivalry before darkness descends and crows scream.
The Fiend will end the night towering over a beaten Reigns bathed in red light, turning the Big Dog's eyes towards a man who is owed some redemption. The Fiend will gloriously pick apart the carcass of Roman Reigns and even inspire terror in Brock Lesnar, to set up the WrestleMania main event for the Universal Championship; Roman Reigns versus 'The Fiend' Bray Wyatt!
