Although the Royal Rumble match itself is arguably the biggest draw for the show, the annual Royal Rumble PPV in January still needs other high-profile matches to deliver a strong showing. These matches are crucial to the overall reception of the PPV, and it would be a smart decision by WWE to provide fans with a stacked card, in case the Rumble match itself underwhelms, like in previous years.
With the upcoming 2017 Rumble taking place in the Alamodome, which can hold up to 70,000 fans, WWE needs to entice fans with tantalising matches in order to pack the stadium. With the current plethora of talent WWE possesses on both brands, there are a variety of incredibly appealing matches that could be booked for the PPV.
For WWE to deliver one of the best Rumble PPVs in years, in front of 70,000 at the Alamodome, here are 5 Matches We Must See at the Royal Rumble 2017, including dream matches, best friends turned enemies and a debuting star.
#5 Roman Reigns vs. Samoa Joe (United States Championship):
Even though some may criticise Roman Reigns’ in-ring talent, there is no denying he wrestles stellar matches when booked with the right opponent, and Samoa Joe would certainly get the best out of Reigns.
Assuming the Big Dog is still United States Champion by late January, a sure-fire way of creating intrigue for the Rumble would be to announce that Reigns, will be hosting an open challenge at the PPV for his championship. Instead of debuting in the Rumble match, Joe would instead answer Reigns’ challenge, which would guarantee a huge pop.
The two men’s hard-hitting, powerful in-ring styles would culminate in a show-stealing bout, and if Joe were to beat Reigns clean on his main roster debut, it would immediately cement him as a star on the main roster.
Looking at WWE’s previous two Wrestlemanias, Reigns will most likely be positioned back in the main event scene by April, and putting Joe over clean on his debut would be a perfect way for Reigns to finish his United States Championship reign.
Although Joe’s fans may want to see him catapulted into the main event scene of WWE straight away, a clean debut win over the Roman Empire for the United States Title would be an awesome introduction for the Samoan Submission Specialist.
#4 Dean Ambrose vs. John Cena
This match may seem unlikely due to Ambrose’s current status as the top babyface on Smackdown Live, but this is a feud that has been teased for months now. During the build towards the triple threat match at No Mercy between AJ Styles, Ambrose and Cena, fans got a taste of what the two men could do if given the opportunity to engage in a full-fledged singles rivalry.
Ambrose showcased a more heelish persona in those few weeks, and the back and forth between both men on Smackdown Live and Talking Smack had fans salivating at the idea of an Ambrose-Cena feud. With Cena set to return a few weeks before the Rumble, WWE must take advantage of a wonderful opportunity by turning Ambrose to the dark side.
Ambrose has always felt lacking as a babyface, as his character is designed to be a heel. The maniacal lunatic who will stop at nothing to get what he wants has much more of an edge than the comedic, laid-back character we are receiving now.
If Ambrose were to brutally attack James Ellsworth, for example, his heat/momentum as a heel would be incredible, and a feud with Cena would surely have to follow. Both men’s splendid in-ring talent suggests, they could tear the house down as well, and if Ambrose were to emerge victoriously, it could cement him as the top heel of Smackdown Live heading into Wrestlemania 33.
Check out this Talking Smack clip of Ambrose ranting about Cena:
#3 Chris Jericho vs. Kevin Owens (WWE Universal Championship):
It is only a matter of time until the friendship of Team Chris and Kevin implodes, and there is no better time for the two to finally face off than the Rumble 2017. When the duo does finally implode, it will be an incredibly hot angle, with the duo’s eventual breakup being teased ever since Owens won the Universal Championship.
With the long build and story that has been dedicated to Jericho vs. Owens, it deserves to be one of the headlining bouts for the Royal Rumble 2017.
Despite not being Wrestlemania main event quality (in my eyes), Jericho vs. Owens would be a fitting headliner for the Rumble, and it could definitely sell tickets, for those who have been invested in the story between the two men. In WWE, there isn’t a better story than friends turned foes, and Jericho and Owens are no different.
Although Jericho has lost a step or two in the ring somewhat, he’s ‘still got it’ as WWE fans like to chant, and there is no denying he still has the ability to steal the show on any given night. As for Owens, his fantastic in-ring ability has been obvious since his main roster debut, beating John Cena in a classic match at Elimination Chamber.
Whether Jericho would capture the Universal Title from Owens, is another topic entirely, but given how incredible his latest WWE run has been, he definitely deserves it. However, the better option would be for Owens to establish himself as the top heel on Raw, defeating Jericho clean.
Whether the implosion occurs this Sunday at Survivor Series, at Roadblock, or on an episode of Raw, Jericho vs. Owens’ grudge match should take place at the Royal Rumble 2017, with the Universal Championship on the line.
Check out Owens’ incredible debut match with John Cena at Elimination Chamber:
2. Seth Rollins vs. Triple H
Although this matchup should arguably be saved for the fitting stage of Wrestlemania 33, Rollins currently needs a high-profile feud to rejuvenate his current babyface run. The only reason Rollins is a babyface is that Triple H stabbed him in the back, and fans have been patiently waiting for the former mentor and protégé to finally clash.
WWE may think Wrestlemania 33 is where the match should finally take place, but a more suitable option would be the Royal Rumble 2017. Still one of the big four PPVs, Rollins’ babyface run could finally gain some strong momentum if this much-anticipated match took place in January rather than April.
Rollins would, of course, emerge the victor and after being screwed out of the Universal Title countless times, ‘The Man’ could finally capture the championship at Wrestlemania 33. Sure, this may not be WWE’s plan, but it would be much more effective for Rollins’ babyface run, than a prolonged build-up that stretches until April.
While Wrestlemania sells itself, the Royal Rumble (especially this year) needs Wrestlemania-worthy matches to hype the show, and Rollins vs. HHH would do exactly that. Another possibility would be Rollins vs. HHH at the Rumble, being the first of a series of epic matches, culminating at Wrestlemania 33.
If WWE is indeed planning to have the two men face off multiple times, why not have the first matchup take place at the Rumble? Overall, whether WWE is planning a one-match rivalry or a series of epic matches between ‘The Man’ and ‘The Game’, it should all begin at the Rumble 2017.
#1 The Undertaker vs. AJ Styles (WWE World Championship):
Even though The Undertaker is 52 years old, this is one of the biggest dream matches for fans. With the Deadman returning on the 900th edition of Smackdown Live and stating that “He’s back, taking souls and digging holes”, we may see another full-time tenure for the Undertaker, rather than a one-off Wrestlemania match.
Although a number of other feuds would also be incredible (Taker vs. Corbin, Taker vs. Ambrose), AJ Styles should be the one to feud with the Deadman. Somehow, in the next few weeks on Smackdown Live, AJ Styles could anger the Deadman, leading to the Undertaker challenging him for the WWE World Championship (assuming Styles retains at TLC).
Not only would this be one of the most anticipated dream matches ever in WWE, but Styles is arguably the best wrestler in the company right now, and if anyone were to get a classic match out of the 52-year-old ‘Taker, it would be the Phenomenal One.
Considering how much hype would be around this match, ticket sales and potential viewership for the Rumble would skyrocket. In this scenario, WWE could also have the perfect finish, with John Cena costing Undertaker the win and set up their much rumoured Wrestlemania 33 match, as well as allowing Styles to retain.
Overall, Undertaker vs AJ Styles for the WWE World Championship would be a huge boost for the Royal Rumble 2017 card, and the much-rumoured Wrestlemania match between Cena and Taker could finally be set up with a controversial finish.
Thanks for reading, Leave a comment about your thoughts on the Royal Rumble 2017!
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