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Get all WWE Royal Rumble 2019 live commentary, live updates, and highlights here
Cruiserweight Champion, Buddy Murphy, puts his title on the line against not one but three opponents in a Fatal 4 Way match-up at the Royal Rumble.
Murphy won that title versus long-reigning champion, Cedric Alexander, at Crown Jewel in October, and has been putting on great matches ever since. Versus Hideo Itami, Kalisto, and Akira Tozawa, he stands to put on another clinic subject to WWE giving the bout sufficient time.
However, the question is - will he retain the belt one more time, or will one of his three opponents lift the gold and leave the Royal Rumble event as the new Cruiserweight Champion?
Hideo Itami? The former KENTA was at a time one of the finest wrestlers in the world, but his time in WWE has been a disappointment, and in truth the cruiserweight title is probably his career ceiling in the company.
Can he achieve this at the 'Rumble? Doubtful.
WWE does not believe in Itami, a company he has spent four years in now. The language barrier is an issue, though his English is no worse than Shinsuke Nakamura's. It just hasn't happened for him in WWE, and that will not change unfortunately.
Kalisto? His big push in WWE came a few years back when he was crowned United States Champion. The fact he is currently competing in a comedy stable with Gran Metalik and Lince Dorado tells you all you need to know about Kalisto climbing the card again in WWE. It's not going to happen.
Akira Tozawa? The guy is super talented, and the most likely of Murphy's three challengers to win the belt from him. However, Murphy has performed so well as champion that he will surely hold that belt until at least WrestleMania.
Prediction: Buddy Murphy
