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The first of the 'Big Four' PPV is around the corner, and it is set to roll.
The Traditional 30-men- Royal Rumble match is the hot favorite, and it has created a lot of buzz since its inception. This year's Royal Rumble doesn't have many stars to make it all glamorous and star-studded, but WWE can take this chance and bring in NXT wrestlers or many other surprise entrants (no prize for guessing Kenny Omega).
Last year, we saw the Japanese wave sweeping the wrestling conglomerate as Shinsuke Nakamura won the Men's Royal Rumble match and Asuka won the Female Rumble match. The surprise element remained intact till the very end, as many speculators and analysts bet that Reigns will win the match again. But, WWE threw a surprise and flabbergasted everyone.
WWE should continue throwing such surprises in order to keep the company's booking fresh and enjoyable. There are 20 confirmed contestants for the Men's Royal Rumble match who are going to fight for their chance against Brock Lesnar and Daniel Bryan who are the RAW Universal Champion and World Heavyweight Champion respectively.
WWE has left ten more spots for our perusal and to hype up the excitement. There is a scope for many surprise entrants which can hike the match's quality manifolds. Unpredictability is the key to a Rumble match's success, but here we will try to analyze every confirmed wrestler's chance to win the Traditional Royal Rumble match.
Titus O'Neil
The great sliding fall of Titus O'Neil grabbed a lot of headlines and mockery throughout the globe. WWE is going to use him as a fun element again, and it is confirmed that he won't win the match.
Maybe, WWE can try replicating the fall again this year to create a moment of amusement which will, in turn, give the former Prime Time Player a flash of the spotlight.
Chances: No Chance in Hell.
Randy Orton
Randy Orton stood tall in the 'Go home' episode of SD Live this week after planting an RKO on Samoa Joe who cleared the house by destroying Andrade and Rey Mysterio.
He is one of the most coveted wrestlers in the history of WWE, and he can't be ignored as the potential winner of the 30 men Rumble.
There are rumors that Randy Orton is next in line to fight for the WWE Championship after 'The Phenomenal One', but rumors are rumors and we can't take them as the Gospel Truth. He is the slithering Viper, but chances of him winning the Rumble match seems moderate at the current moment.
Chances: Moderate
The New Day
Big E and his fellow counterparts- Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston will be used by WWE to add an element of fun throughout the first quarter of the match. There will be a lot of gymnastics and mutual understanding between the three of them and I can assure you that the trombone and pancakes will be involved throughout their existence in the match.
The only way one of them can win the Rumble match is when the group is dissolved and all of them are available for singles competition. Given that the group's popularity is massive and there are very few relevant teams in the tag-team division, both their split and their chances of winning the Royal Rumble match is very slim
Chances: Extremely slim
Samoa Joe
Last year, Samoa Joe was involved in the world title picture against AJ Styles, but unfortunately, he wasn't able to defeat Styles which in turn hindered his route to becoming the champion. That shows that WWE management doesn't think that Joe is World Title worthy.
But, that doesn't deplete his talent in any way. Joe is excellent on the mic, and he is phenomenal in the ring, but injuries have plagued his career, and that has caused his downfall. He is one of the best heels WWE has produced in recent times.
Chances: Slim
Rey Mysterio
Rey Mysterio has aged like old wine. His series of matches with Andrade has proven that he has a lot left in his tank and he can continue for a very long time despite being 44-years old.
After his return to WWE, the lucha veteran has made a solid place for himself in the upper-middle card of the blue brand. But he still has a lot to do before competing for the World Heavyweight Championship, but that doesn't mean that he is not capable of doing it. He just needs more of a push in the main-event scene.
Chances: Slim
Andrade
WWE may have shortened his name, but this wrestler hasn't fallen short in producing amazing matches. His match against Rey Mysterio has already booked its place in the 'Best Match of the Year' category.
Andrade is the next upcoming star, and he has all the qualities which will catapult him as the next top star of SD Live. He has the charisma, in-ring skill and Zelina Vega by his side to cover up his bad mic-skills. WWE has booked the next Hispanic star of this era.
However, he is still in the upper-mid card level. If WWE gives him the required attention, he can win the Rumble match next year, but this year's victory seems hazy. But, the Universe wouldn't be very shocked if he pulls off this win like how Nakamura did that last year.
Chances: Moderate
Bobby Lashley
Bobby Lashley was the most hyped star of WWE when he debuted in the wrestling scene. But, the hype soon fizzled out when he was pushed to the middle card scene. However, that was one of the most prudent things WWE could do at that time because Lashley lacked mic-skills and a persona which can attract the attention of the viewers.
The best thing which could happen to Lashley was Lio Rush. With Rush by his side, Lashley can give the mic a little rest, because Rush would do that job. Lashley has just become the Intercontinental Champion, and that is his first championship in WWE since his return to the company. These baby steps will establish him as a big star, but currently, as he is occupied with the IC Title, chances of him winning the Rumble match is extremely thin.
Chances: Extremely slim
Baron Corbin
The fallen general manager of RAW has proven to be a good heel, but no one can deny the fact that the WWE Universe is tired of him. His reign as the GM was a disaster, RAW was plagued with low ratings, and the bookings were awful. But, his disastrous reign brought the McMahon's back to the television which helped in boosting the TRP's.
Since his fall, Baron Corbin has been cut loose to the middle card section, and his feud with Elias is getting redundant. He can redeem himself by eliminating few people off the top rope, but his chances of winning the Royal Rumble is next to impossible because of his disastrous term as the RAW GM.
Chances: Impossible
Jeff Hardy
Before Mysterio's return, Jeff Hardy was the bonafide veteran babyface of the middle card, but fans still love him, and he receives a nice pop when he enters the arena. The veteran puts his body to a lot of wear and tear which could lead to his early retirement. But, we should salute this man's effort. He won't win the Rumble match, but we can expect a good performance from him.
Chances: Slim
Dean Ambrose
After his return from his injury, there were a lot of things spoken about Dean Ambrose about how he can become the top heel because of his changed gimmick and bulked up persona. But, all that has fizzled out after his lacklustre feud with Seth Rollins and after he lost the Intercontinental Championship from his clutches.
Chances: Extremely Slim
Elias
Elias was built to be an amazing mid-carder, but not a main-eventer and WWE has been adhering to that idea. Since he has turned into a babyface, Elias' push has somewhat flattened. He was an amazing heel, but he is good as a babyface too. Currently, he is stuck in a feud with Baron Corbin. However, he is balancing it out as he is a very entertaining star himself.
Elias is fun, but that doesn't mean that he is winning the Rumble match. He will score a few eliminations, but that's all we can see from 'The Drifter'.
Chances: Extremely Slim
Mustafa Ali
The guy whose entry has created a storm at SD Live is Mustafa Ali. The former 205 Live wrestler has stepped in the main roster and has managed to create a name for himself quite early. WWE is doing all the right things with him by letting him showcase his talent in the ring, deliver gritty promos without being a very cheesy babyface.
Ali is a promising wrestler who has the potential to break into the main event scene but breaking into the main scene now is way too early for the young superstar. He has the potential, but the timing is not right.
Chances: Zero
Apollo Crews
Another NXT superstar who has been underutilized in the main roster. He is a very promising star who has both the built and athleticism to excel in the upper-mid card scene.
Until a few weeks ago, we saw that WWE was very interested in Apollo Crews and a huge push was around the corner when he challenged for the IC Championship. But, as he lacks natural charisma, him main-eventing WrestleMania will remain a dream.
Chances: Zero
Jinder Mahal
The only jubilant moment of his career was when he became the World Heavyweight Champion before the India tour back in 2017. Since then, Jinder Mahal has lost his relevance completely on the main roster. Currently, he is pursuing a meaningless gimmick where he is acting like a yoga guru.
Let's accept the fact that he will never ever receive the same spotlight again and he is going to be a mid-carder for the rest of his career. His chances of winning the Rumble match is impossible.
Chances: No Chance in Hell
R-Truth
R-Truth played his cards right and won the Mixed Tag Team Challenge alongside Carmella to book his place on the most convenient spot of the Rumble Match. It will take a Herculean effort for him to win the match, but we can expect a lot from him in terms of entertainment.
He is one of the most entertaining wrestlers on the roster. While he won't win, it will still be a pleasure for him to enter the rumble and do his thing of entertaining the masses with a 7-second dance break.
Chances: No Chance in Hell
John Cena
There are rumors that John Cena might now show up for the Rumble Match this Sunday. He has injured his ankle in his match against Finn Balor, Drew McIntyre and Baron Corbin for the No.1 contender match for the World Heavyweight Championship.
If he does show up for the match, we can expect a lot from John Cena.. He will surely remain in the match until the very end, but he won't win the match because of his resolution that he will push new talents as he is passing the baton.
John Cena is busy these days with his Hollywood career. With so many outside projects taking his time, the chances of him winning are probably not on the horizon. With that being said, WWE may pull a fast one on the audience and allow him to win.
Chances: Moderate
Drew McIntyre
There were many rumors that Drew McIntyre is the next Roman Reigns, and he will receive a lot of push in the latter's absence. But, that has cooled off in the last few weeks as he received his first defeat at the hands of Dolph Ziggler in a normal episode of RAW which has didn't help advance his character to the potential it deserves.
As for the match, his chances of winning are very high, and we can expect multiple eliminations from him easily.
Chances: Very high
Seth Rollins
He is fan favorite and one of the most likely WWE Superstars to go on to WrestleMania 35 and possibly defeat Brock Lesnar in the main event.
Seth Rollins is a very popular choice as he has received enough push over the past few months. He is 'the guy' of Monday Night RAW, and he has all the qualities to win the 30-man Rumble.
Rollins is the most capable wrestlers in WWE, and he has the most chances of winning. He has also lost the IC Title recently, which could only mean that he will be in the main-event scene, one way or another.
Rollins has shown time and again that he is the right guy for the main event scene. He is one of the only stars who have the potential to beat Lesnar for the Universal Championship. His victory will bring back the championship home and it will also involve active competition.
Chances: Fan Favourite
