WWE News: Official Royal Rumble poster with top SmackDown Superstar missing revealed

By Johny Payne
Modified Jan 10, 2018 02:55 IST
Brock Lesnar and AJ Styles head into the Royal Rumble PPV as the Universal Champion and WWE Champion respectively
Lesnar and Styles head into Royal Rumble as the Universal Champion and WWE Champion respectively

What’s the story?

The WWE has revealed the official poster for this year’s Royal Rumble PPV.

While the Universal Championship match was prominently featured, the WWE Championship matchup saw the absence of Sami Zayn. A few other Superstars who’re yet to be announced for the PPV have also been featured. Fans can see the poster below—

youtube-cover

In case you didn’t know…

The WWE has one of its ‘Big 4’ PPVs, the Royal Rumble, scheduled to take place later this month.

Apart from the two marquee Royal Rumble matches, a Triple Threat Match for the WWE Universal Championship and a 2-on-1 Handicap Match for the WWE Championship will serve as the main attractions of the PPV event.

The heart of the matter

Per the official 2018 Royal Rumble poster released by the WWE, the Universal Championship match that has Brock Lesnar defending his belt against Braun Strowman and Kane; appears to be the centre of focus.

Furthermore, the WWE Championship match that has AJ Styles set to defend the title in a Handicap match against both Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn, features only Styles and Owens, with fellow SmackDown Live Superstar Zayn absent from the poster.

Additionally, several other Superstars on the poster—most of whom are yet to be announced for either the traditional Royal Rumble matches or other bouts on the card—include Roman Reigns, Jinder Mahal, Rusev, Bobby Roode, The Usos, The New Day, Alicia Fox, Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch and Alexa Bliss.

What’s next?

The WWE’s Royal Rumble pay-per-view will take place at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on January 28th.

The event is receiving considerable coverage not only in the sports media but also in mainstream news outlets, owing to its historical significance, as the first-ever All-Women’s Royal Rumble match will take place on the show.

Author’s take

Sami Zayn’s absence from the promotional poster is befuddling, to say the least.

Perhaps this could be a hint on part of the WWE to the fans, alluding that Styles may indeed defend his WWE Championship against Kevin Owens in a Single match. Regardless, hype for the Royal Rumble is at an all-time high, and all of the WWE Universe’s questions will be answered as and when we inch closer to the ‘Rumble.

What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.