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The year 2019 was a relatively successful one for WWE, and the company would like to start the new year - and the new decade - with a solid first PPV. Royal Rumble 2020 is set to take place on January 26, 2020, at the Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas, and will see the beginning of this year's Road to WrestleMania.
Royal Rumble is one of the big four of WWE's PPV schedule, and is always one of the most fun shows of the year - with a star-studded match card, surprise entrants, epic confrontations, and high stakes. The last two editions of the PPV have been amazing, and if the build-up to this year's show is to be considered, WWE is looking to make it three in a row.
As of the writing of this article, seven matches have been announced for the show. With there being two Rumble matches, it would be better not to have too many other matches on the card. In this article, I present my full match card predictions for the show. Be sure to comment and let us know your predictions for each of them.
#8 (Expected to be announced) New Day (c) vs The Miz and John Morrison - SmackDown Tag Team Championship
After a break of nearly nine years, John Morrison made his return to WWE earlier this month. While many were expecting the company to push him into the mid-card title picture, he ended up reuniting his famous Tag Team with The Miz. The duo has straight-away started a feud with the current SmackDown Tag Team Champions, the New Day.
With Morrison defeating Big E on this past episode of SmackDown, and none of the four competitors announcing themselves for the over-the-top-rope match, there are high chances that we might see the two teams clash against each other for the Tag Titles at the PPV. With WWE already adding a couple of gimmick matches to the card, can we see a ladder match announced as well?
Anyways, my bet is on Miz and Morrison for this one!
Predictions: The Miz and John Morrison become the new SmackDown Tag Team Champions
#7 Roman Reigns vs King Corbin - Falls Count Anywhere Match
In a feud that has been around for as long as I can remember, Roman Reigns is set to take on King Corbin at Royal Rumble. Interestingly, with the match having the stipulation of Falls Count Anywhere and the possibility of the involvement from the likes of Dolph Ziggler, Robert Roode, and The Usos, the match is sure to be a fun affair.
In all likeliness, this would be the show-opener as the Big Dog is sure to have a huge role in the main event. My gut feelings say Corbin would somehow manage to steal the victory here, only for Roman to come back stronger in the main event.
Predictions: King Corbin wins
#6 Bayley (c) vs Lacey Evans - SmackDown Women's Championship
First of the two Women's Championship matches of the night would see Lacey Evans take on the SmackDown Women's Champion, Bayley, for her title. Not long ago, Evans was a massive heal and Bayley a proper babyface - but the roles have completed reversed now.
The involvement of Sasha Banks in this match could be the deciding factor. As much as I believe Evans won't take a clean pinfall, there's very little chance of her walking out with the title. Bayley has had a decent run so far, and she needs a bigger feud to drop her title. Maybe against her best friend, The Boss.
Predictions: Bayley retains
#5 Sheamus vs Shorty G
In a match which is arguably the least interesting one on the card, the returning Sheamus will take on Shorty G to prove "size matters". Coming back to the scene after what was expected to be a career-threatening injury, WWE could have easily booked the Celtic Warrior in a better way.
With him mentioning his desires to win the Intercontinental Championship this year, this match might be nothing more than a stepping stone for him to gain some momentum before challenging the IC Champ next. This is an easy one to predict!
Predictions: Sheamus wins
#4 Becky Lynch (c) vs Asuka - RAW Women's Championship
A rematch from last year's Royal Rumble, but for a different title, will see Becky Lynch defend her RAW Women's Championship against one-half of the Women's Tag Team Champions, Asuka. The build-up for the bout has been solid with Lynch putting over Asuka high time.
Unfortunately for the Empress of Tomorrow, the chances of her repeating her last year's heroics and becoming Asuka-two-belts are very low. The Man has had an epic 2019 and has held on to the RAW Women's title ever since winning it in the main event of WrestleMania 35, and is the favorite to retain here. As for Asuka, we hope her Tag Team partner gets well soon and the two can continue solidifying the status of the women's tag titles.
Predictions: Becky Lynch retains
#3 "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt (c) vs Daniel Bryan - Strap Match for Universal Championship
The feud between Bray Wyatt and Daniel Bryan has easily been one of the best Universal Championship feuds to date. While many were expecting it to wrap up after Survivor Series, the two Superstars have managed to create an intriguing storyline for the WWE Universe.
With Bryan going through a complete makeover and being determined more-than-ever to take down The Fiend, the match is sure to be a captivating one. This past week, we saw Kane help his former tag-partner in playing some mind games with The Fiend, as the two managed to force him to retreat, with Bryan also cutting off some strands of hairs off him.
Per Daniel Bryan's demand, the match has now become a strap match, with both of them being tied up with a strap throughout the match. While the idea is surely interesting with Bryan planning to not let Wyatt escape, a strap match might take away some of the mysterious vibes of The Fiend.
Even though this might prove to be the closest someone has come to defeat this sadistic creature till now, I'm sure Wyatt will somehow retain the title at the PPV. Will Rambling Rabbit have a role to play in the outcome? Will we get to see a major secret revealed? Moreover, what does Bryan plan to do with those strands of hair? There's so much to look forward to.
Predictions: "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt retains
#2 Women's Royal Rumble Match
Starting a couple of years ago in 2018, this year would see the third annual Women's Royal Rumble match take place on the PPV. While many of the male Superstars have been quick to announce their entry into their Rumble, only four Superstars from the Women's division have done so, as of the writing of this article.
It is safe to assume that we are in for quite a few surprise entrants in the Women's Royal Rumble match, with hopefully a handful of NXT Superstars getting a chance to showcase their talent on a bigger platform.
If the rumors are to be believed, Shayna Baszler is the favorite to win it all this time and challenge Becky Lynch at WrestleMania. The former NXT Women's Champion has had quite a history with The Man, with the two teasing a massive singles feud at Survivor Series as well.
A massive return that fans would be looking forward to will be that of Ronda Rousey. The former RAW Women's champion has been away from the ring ever since main-eventing WrestleMania 35.
Alternatively, a dark horse to win the match could be Sasha Banks, who can then challenge Bayley for the SmackDown Women's title. But I guess WWE can book that feud without a Royal Rumble victory for Banks as well. Who are you rooting for this year?
Predictions: Shayna Baszler wins and challenges Becky Lynch for the RAW Women's Championship at WrestleMania 36
#1 Men's Royal Rumble Match
After massive fan outrage for many of the Royal Rumble winners in the mid-2010s, WWE has done a decent job with booking the winner of the match in the last couple of years and the WWE Universe is expecting the company to continue this trend this year as well.
As of the writing of this article, as many as 20 WWE Superstars have announced their entry into the Rumble to try and secure a spot for themselves in the main event of WrestleMania 36. While I'm not necessarily a fan of two-thirds of the participants being announced in advance, the line-up surely looks star-studded.
With Brock Lesnar announcing himself as the #1 entrant, it would be interesting to see who could be the one to eliminate him from the match. A few of the major names missing from the Rumble list so far are those of Seth Rollins, Kevin Owens, and Samoa Joe. Unless the company books them in a match, I'm sure all of them will be in the match as well.
As for the predictions, my final four would be Roman Reigns, Drew McIntyre, Cain Velasquez, and Kevin Owens. The rumors suggest that the Big Dog is winning the match this year and will go on to take on The Fiend at WrestleMania 36 for the Universal Champion. That certainly looks to be a possible outcome. A dark pick for me would be Drew McIntyre, who looks set to dominate Monday nights with his recent face turn. Which match would you like to see at WrestleMania 36 more - Roman Reigns vs The Fiend or Drew McIntyre vs Brock Lesnar?
Predictions: Roman Reigns or Drew McIntyre win the Men's 2020 Royal Rumble match
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