Just a few hours away from the 25th anniversary of The Royal Rumble and one of the most anticipated nights of the WWE calendar year. 30 men enter, one man will win and go on to Wrestlemania. This year the WWE state that "anyone" can enter!
Usually an event brimming with surprises and controversy. We can only hope that this years will be no different. As people ask the question 'who do you think will win?' I address that question, identify my "impact players" and explore the possibilities.
The Miz: Ever since dropping the WWE title, The Miz has been somewhat lost in the shuffle on RAW. Not the main-event wrestler he once was, he has found himself involved primarily in feuds with R-Truth and the now departed John Morrison. After losing a recent match to Truth, we now know that The Miz will enter the match at #1 but does that necessarily mean there are no plans to have him win it? Two men; Shawn Michaels in 1995 and Chris Benoit in 2004 have gone coast-to-coast in the Royal Rumble match and gone on to Wrestlemania. If the WWE wishes to push a particular individual, and push them hard, then history dictates that having them outlast all 29 other men to win the match could certainly help them to do so. Could The Miz be ready to climb the ladder to the main event again? I personally think that one day he will find himself back where I'm sure he desires to be but that currently there just doesn't appear to be any concrete plans in place.
Randy Orton: I would not be surprised to see Orton win it. I really wouldn't. He is one of the biggest draws the WWE have and, after returning to Smackdown! a lot sooner than initially reported, could benefit from the "redemption" style angle we have seen in the past where he enters the match and triumphs, despite still not being 100% in terms of fitness. However, unless Orton triumphs over Barrett at The Rumble then you would imagine that the WWE are too invested in their angle to side-track it now. Randy Orton does not need The Royal Rumble. He could be given the title on any given night. I would certainly struggle to see who would benefit from this outcome.
Cody Rhodes: Arguably Cody has improved more than any other WWE Superstar over the last 12 months. The gimmick with the mask helped to transition him into a heel and I feel he did very well with it. He showed what a good heel he can be, a quality that often seems to be necessary for a wrestler to take that next step up from the mid-card. Thankfully that gimmick has since been dropped but since dropping the protective mask Cody has had no real gimmick of which to speak of to aid him and yet he continues to provoke the desired reaction from the WWE Universe. Now holding the traditional Intercontinental championship belt he has the opportunity to use tradition and nostalgia, as well as continuing to have some very tight matches, to bring value back to the IC title. If Cody Rhodes climbs the WWE ladder to the top, it's looking very likely that he would do it the old fashioned way and I just can't see any current plans to cut short his reign as IC champion. Personally I feel that a feud with brother Goldust is more likely to be what takes him to Wrestlemania.
Dolph Ziggler: Another man whose career began to blossom in 2011. Dolph Ziggler, in my opinion, has been knocking on the door of the main event for months and now could be his time. Under slightly different circumstances I would say that Dolph would be the perfect pick to win this years Royal Rumble. He's ready to take that next step and seems as though he would be able to handle the spotlight between now and Wrestlemania. Nobody sells as well as him right now, nobody is taking oppoortunities like he is and nobody is as consistently impressive in the ring. Ziggler is ready to main event Wrestlemania but what with the time already invested in his angle with CM Punk I feel that The Royal Rumble has little to offer him.
Chris Jericho: The return of Y2J to the WWE has certainly been an unorthodox one. After weeks of video promo's and speculation surrounding the identity of the returning Superstar, after weeks of not uttering a single word since making his return, Jericho finally spoke this past week on RAW. Even then he was short and sweet. "At The Royal Rumble it will be the end of the world as you know it." said the former WWE champion. Now if history tells us anything it's that a Superstar making their return around this time of year generally means they are going to feature in or win The Royal Rumble. Just think back to HHH and Edge for a start. I wouldn't be surprised at all to see Y2J win it and I know a lot of people seem to be tipping him for it. If anything he seems to be the favourite. However I can't help but think back to the weeks of the teaser promo's before his return, including the one played the night of his return. I can't help but be as confident as I can be that Jericho is not returning to the WWE alone and I can't help but wonder if tonight will mark the return of Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley, to align herself with Jericho, and build to Jericho and HHH at Wrestlemania.
CM Punk: A theory originally expressed to me by a friend of mine and a theory I have since seen circulating various forms of social media, is the theory that CM Punk could very well be the winner of the 2012 Royal Rumble. The idea of a Heavyweight champion winning the Rumble may not be as crazy as it sounds. The Royal Rumble has generally been used to develop a mans career, to give him that push toward the main event, or to hand another run to an established main eventer. Traditionally the Heavyweight champion(s) are not a feature of the match itself. I'm sure everyone has read or heard rumours of a downsizing of sorts in WWE. A trimming of the number of Championship titles and potentially the dissolving of the draft. The combining of both brands into the RAW 'Supershow' as of late adds weight to these rumours. I'm also sure that everyone has heard Michael Cole say, more than once, recently that this year "anyone" can enter The Royal Rumble match. This could be for many reasons. This could be legends, non-wrestlers and managers, commentators and really I wouldn't put many things past WWE, especially for the events 25th anniversary. It could, however, also mean champions. If CM Punk enters and wins The Royal Rumble then presumably he would go on to Wrestlemania to challenge for the World Heavyweight Championship in a championship vs championship match and if Daniel Bryan is still champion then really who wouldn't want to see that? With the title belts unified, the draft would be dissolved and the complete roster available for both RAW and Smackdown shows. I have to say, it's a very convincing shout for what may happen.
Sheamus: The Celtic Warrior kicked the door of the WWE wide open when he won his first WWE championship just six months after making his debut. Since then, having held it one more time, he has been floundering somewhat. Much like The Miz, it alsmost seems as though the WWE have pushed a younger wrestler too far too quickly and once they have been to the top of the mountain they have struggled to find a place within the company. Sheamus has been making largely cameo appearances as of late and although the WWE seem keen to keep his face on TV, maybe do not have too many ideas where to take the Irish champion next. In my opinion, this is what The Royal Rumble can be great for. This is Sheamus' way back to the top. The fan reaction/support is there for him, there's no doubt about that, and Vince McMahon knows whats good for business when he see's it. Sheamus is a draw. Sheamus is popular. Sheamus is a former World champion and Sheamus could just be the perfect man to benefit from winning The Royal Rumble and finding himself back in the main event by Wrestlemania. This match could be the direction that his character so badly needs.