I love the Royal Rumble! The battle royals are exhilarating, and I always look forward to surprise entrants, debuts, and returns. I’m a little sad that now wrestlers announce their entrances because it takes away some of the surprises. I’m also very excited to see who gets the last seven spots in the Women’s Royal Rumble. I’m guessing Lita, Trish Stratus, Toni Storm, Bianca Belair, Shayna Baszler, and The Bellas.
Men’s Royal Rumble match
Winner: Seth Rollins or Drew McIntyre
Who I Would Book to Win: Seth Rollins or Drew McIntyre
Here’s a mind-blowing fact; Seth Rollins has never won the Royal Rumble. Rollins is due for a Royal Rumble win. Once winning the Royal Rumble, Rollins could go on to challenge Daniel Bryan for the WWE Championship at Wrestlemania. But it seems as if the WWE has other plans for Rollins, including a feud with Bobby Lashley for the Intercontinental Championship.
Drew McIntyre is my second choice to win this year’s Rumble. Since being called up from NXT, McIntyre has been placed in a top role on Raw. A Royal Rumble win would be the perfect boost for McIntyre and would guarantee a shot at the Universal championship. McIntyre winning would be extra cool if Finn Balor defeats Brock Lesnar.
Women’s Royal Rumble match
Winner: Charlotte Flair or Alexa Bliss
Who I Would Book to Win: Ember Moon
Last year, both Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss didn’t participate in the first ever Women’s Royal Rumble because they were champs of their respective brands. Vince loves his blondes, so I wouldn’t be surprised if either Flair or Bliss won. There is a higher chance that Flair will win, and continue to build on her Flair legacy.
Personally, if I was booking this match, I would give the win to Ember Moon. Moon would challenge Asuka for the SmackDown Women’s Championship at Wrestlemania. At Mania, Moon would finally defeat Asuka and win her first main roster championship.
Brock Lesnar (c) vs. Finn Bálor for the WWE Universal Championship
Winner: Brock Lesnar
Who I Would Book to Win: Finn Bálor
I’ll keep this one short. I don’t think Brock Lesnar is losing, but I would love to see Finn Bálor win. I do think Lesnar works very well with smaller wrestlers. Since Lesnar’s return to WWE, some of his most memorable matches have been with smaller wrestlers including AJ Styles and Daniel Bryan. So, I’m expecting his match with Bálor to be solid. But like many fans, I’m tired of Lesnar’s Universal title reign.
Daniel Bryan (c) vs. AJ Styles for the WWE Championship
Winner: Daniel Bryan
Who I Would Book to Win: Daniel Bryan
I’ll keep this one short too. Daniel Bryan wins, and Daniel Bryan should win. AJ Styles held the WWE Championship for a year, so I’m not looking forward to another Styles title reign. Plus, Daniel’s heel run is entertaining, and I would love to see a D Bryan face off against The Miz (face), Mustafa Ali, and Rusev.
Ronda Rousey (c) vs. Sasha Banks for the WWE Raw Women’s Championship
Winner: Ronda Rousey
Who I Would Book to Win: Ronda Rousey
I’m so ready for this match, I know it’s going to be lit! Both Ronda Rousey and Sasha Banks have done a great job building the story. Rousey will remain undefeated in singles competition unless someone interferes in the match to give Banks an assist. I’m also interested to see where this feud and storyline is going. Is Rousey vs Banks another chapter in the Four Horsewomen vs Four Horsewomen feud? I would love to see Shayna Baszler make her main roster début by attacking Banks, and help get the victory for Rousey.
Asuka (c) vs. Becky Lynch WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship
Winner: Asuka
Who I Would Book to Win: Asuka
The storytelling for this match has been just as good as the storytelling for Rousey vs Banks. Yet unlike Rousey vs Banks, Asuka and Becky Lynch’s storytelling has been more physical. If the WWE is planning to give us Lynch vs Rousey, Asuka should retain. Becky doesn’t need a title to face off against Rousey (who will most likely still be champ at Wrestlemania). However, if the rumors are true and Rousey is planning on taking a break after Wrestlemania, maybe Becky will win the Raw Women’s Championship. But back to this match. Becky will put up a good fight, but she’s not ready for Asuka.
The Bar (Cesaro and Sheamus) (c) vs. The Miz and Shane McMahon for the WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship
Winner: The Miz and Shane McMahon
Who I Would Book to Win: The Bar
When the McMahons and Triple H promised change, I was looking forward to seeing fresh faces in the SmackDown Live tag team division. Maybe Anderson and Gallows, the Colons, or SAnitY. Nope, instead, we are given The Miz and Shane McMahon. That was unexpected, but not what I was looking for. After that brutal beatdown The Miz and Shane McMahon took on Tuesday’s episode of SmackDown, I have a feeling they will get their revenge and defeat The Bar.
Rusev (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura for WWE United States Championship
Winner: Rusev
Who I Would Book to Win: Rusev
Shinsuke Nakamura is one of my favorite wrestlers in WWE, but his United States title reign was underwhelming. So underwhelming that I was happy that Nakamura lost the title to Rusev. It’s a shame the WWE didn’t provide Nakamura with a more exciting title reign. Hopefully, the WWE can start devoting a little more time to the US championship and give us more well-developed storylines and feuds. In the end, Rusev will retain.
Buddy Murphy (c) vs. Akira Tozawa vs. Hideo Itami vs. Kalisto for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship
Winner: Buddy Murphy
Who I Would Book to Win: Buddy Murphy
205 Live has done a great job establishing this match and developing each wrestler in this match. I’m predicting Buddy Murphy to win. It’s rare that a champion loses his or her championship in a Fatal Four Way match. But it happens sometimes.
