Royal Rumble 2020: Match Card & Predictions

*Insert the Michael Buffer line here*

Royal Rumble
Source: WWE

The start of a new year means only one thing for wrestling fans, that we’re deep in Royal Rumble territory. The first stop on the road to WrestleMania 36 hails from Houston this year, but quite frankly, it’s coming together as one of the most uninspired Rumble events of all time. Interest in who’s walking away with the Rumble victories is at an all time low, with very few superstars being poised to have a chance at winning the traditional 30-person match.

The card surrounding the two Rumble matches isn’t exactly up to scratch either, with some promising title matches having their fires doused by hideous stipulations and the rest being recycled fodder from episodes of RAW and SmackDown Live.

Regardless, here we are a few days removed, and it’s time for us to run down what usually ends up as one of the most unpredictable nights of the year. Make sure you throw down your own Rumble predictions in the comments section below.

 

Men’s Royal Rumble Match

Men's Royal Rumble Match
Source: WWE

You’d think that with the sheer wealth of talent at WWE’s disposal right now, the Royal Rumble matches would end up being anyone’s game, but unfortunately, it only ever really boils down to a handful of superstars that have decent odds at winning. This year’s big story heading into the men’s Rumble match is that of the Universal Champion electing to enter the Rumble match first. Brock Lesnar announced via his advocate Paul Heyman that he’s willing to take on anyone and everyone to prove his everlasting dominance in WWE.

Of course this beckons the question of who’s going to step up to ‘The Beast Incarnate’ first? Both Ricochet and R-Truth have both felt the wrath of the beast in recent weeks, and we can only assume that the majority of the WWE roster would be suffering the same fate. Hence why it needs to be someone outside of the box – someone like Cain Velasquez.

The former UFC Heavyweight planted the seeds for a huge WrestleMania main event attraction as part of WWE’s last trip to Saudi Arabia. Lesnar annihilated his former rival, but left the feud open to a rematch once Velasquez nursed his injuries. According to a recent interview with UK tabloid The Sun, Cain is more than ready to take down Lesnar as part of this year’s Rumble match, making for a pretty exciting ‘surprise’ entrant when it comes round to his big moment.

Despite this being the big box-office draw for this year’s Rumble, I don’t see either brute as the last man standing. This is simply a vehicle for RAW’s WrestleMania title match. Both men will eliminate one another early on in the affair, possibly even before the clock counts down for entrant number 3. It would make sense for both titans to have such an explosive brawl that it takes both men out of the match somehow, whether that be over the top rope or because their fight is too damn intense for the battle royal. Either way, Lesnar nor Velasquez will walk away with the win.

Which leaves us with a plethora of deserving names, with the current front-runners being: Drew McIntyre, AJ Styles, Aleister Black, Kevin Owens and Randy Orton. Whichever way you look at it, the build to these superstars winning the match this year hasn’t exactly been tantalising. There are no feuds waiting for them at WrestleMania, there’s no particular desire to see any of them storm their way into ‘Mania season, it’s just sort of meh.

But of course, WWE has laid the foundations for at least one superstar; Roman Reigns.

Roman has spent significant time outside of the championship picture, which has done wonders for his fan rapport. He’s darted about the mid-card scene, often main-eventing SmackDown shows and putting together a fun little repertoire of non-title feuds. It’s about time ‘The Big Dog’ reclaims his main event spot, and that’s best done by giving him his second Royal Rumble victory in Houston this year.

‘The Fiend’ Bray Wyatt has been incredibly dominant as SmackDown’s Universal Champion, and will likely hold his title all the way up to WrestleMania 36. Meaning WWE are going to have to pull out one heck of a valiant hero to help dispatch of their latest monster heel. Roman Reigns is the perfect candidate to step into the ring with ‘The Fiend’ and give him a good run for his money.

Whether you like Roman or not, this is the feud that needs to happen right now and with Brock Lesnar seemingly being groomed for a big WrestleMania rematch with Cain Velasquez, the Universal Champion is left awaiting a challenger in the form of a Royal Rumble winner.

The bookies currently have Roman as their favourite, and I can’t help but want to side with them on this one. The real question is, will the boos make a return?

Winner: Roman Reigns

 

Women’s Royal Rumble Match

Women's Rumble
Source: WWE

WWE have kept their line-up for this year’s Women’s Royal Rumble match pretty close to the chest. Currently the field stands at: Charlotte Flair, Nikki Cross, Alexa Bliss and Sarah Logan, not the most impressive of rosters so far. Of course this leaves for plenty of surprise entrants and exciting cameos from alumni and special guest superstars. Last year proved that the Women’s Rumble can be just as fun, if not more fun, than the men’s. I suspect this year might be more of the same, as there’s genuinely no expectations heading into this contest.

The bookies seem to favour two specific superstars to go the distance: Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler. Two of the UFC Four Horsewomen, both which very impressive resumes in WWE. Should either former Octagon warrior enter the Rumble match this year and find themselves in the final few, I imagine the WWE Universe would be pretty happy.

Rousey has been absent from the scene since WrestleMania 35, seemingly with the intentions to start a family. But with WrestleMania on the horizon, one might think it’s the ideal time for Rousey to remind everyone that she’s a big player in the Women’s division. Ronda’s feud with ‘The Man’ turned into one of the hottest things in all of wrestling, I suspect WWE might want to capitalise on this once again as we step closer towards ‘Mania season.

Baszler also has developed a fairly strong relationship with Becky, a heated rivalry that took form over the course of the brand warfare between WWE and NXT. Baszler walked away with the win at Survivor Series, but never officially defeated Becky Lynch via pinfall or submission. With the question of who is the more dominant wrestler of the two looming, WrestleMania would be a great time to put together a one-on-one match.

Now to narrow our choice down to one, I’m going to have to go with my gut and say Ronda Rousey. Rousey has that blockbuster draw factor that makes her a more natural choice to bring back for a big Rumble win. Also, it’s really the only way to bring back a superstar as big as Ronda. Baszler should definitely have a moment of her own in this match, perhaps she enters and eliminates a large portion of the entrants, or delivers a big elimination over a returning Nia Jax?

Whichever way WWE choose to go with this year’s WrestleMania RAW Women’s title match, the Rumble winner should definitely send waves throughout the wrestling world.

Winner: Ronda Rousey

 

‘The Fiend’ vs Daniel Bryan – Strap Match for the Universal Championship

The Fiend vs Daniel Bryan
Source: WWE

As I previously touched on as part of the Men’s Rumble match, ‘The Fiend’ will likely be holding his Universal Championship through to WrestleMania and perhaps even beyond that. Wyatt has turned his new character into one of the most marketable attractions WWE has, and I doubt a loss to the renewed Daniel Bryan is on the cards for the Rumble.

But nevertheless, we have ourselves a strap match scheduled for Houston, which is a bit of a naff stipulation to be added onto what could be a really fun title bout. Daniel Bryan and Bray Wyatt proved in 2014 that they could put on a show-stealer, even on a Royal Rumble card. Why they couldn’t just create more of the same and not have to be tied to one another, who knows?

It would be a shame for Bryan to come away from this match looking weak. ‘The American Dragon’ should start setting himself up for a big WrestleMania match of his own, perhaps a fantasy match that we’ve yet to see with Shinsuke Nakamura or something of the like. Bryan should give ‘The Fiend’ a real run for his money in this match, but ultimately should lose.

Winner: ‘The Fiend’ Bray Wyatt

 

Roman Reigns vs King Corbin – Falls Count Anywhere

Roman Reigns vs King Corbin
Source: WWE

Roman Reigns is set for a big night at the Royal Rumble, not only is he the likely winner of the men’s Rumble match but he’s also pulling double duty in a Falls Count Anywhere match with King Corbin. We’ve seen these two wage war for the best part of the winter, seemingly being featured on every SmackDown production throughout the latter half of 2019. Hopefully this will be the closing chapter on their rivalry, with a Falls Count Anywhere match.

Unless WWE want to make Roman look pretty weak heading into his triumphant victory, there’s no reason for Corbin to come away with the win. The King has been berating ‘The Big Dog’ for months and hasn’t received his comeuppance just yet. Roman could beat Corbin from pillar to post as part of this hardcore contest and finally give the WWE Universe a satisfactory end to their feud.

Winner: Roman Reigns

 

Becky Lynch vs Asuka – RAW Women’s Championship

Becky Lynch vs Asuka
Source: WWE

A rematch over a year in the making; Becky Lynch will be going head-to-head with one half of the Women’s Tag Champions, Asuka. At last year’s Rumble event, Asuka walked away victorious over ‘The Man’ as SmackDown Women’s Champion, somewhat of an upset victory during the monumental rise of Becky Lynch. Becky has since been plagued by her loss, failing to defeat The Kabuki Warriors at TLC and always being one step behind Asuka in recent weeks.

After challenging ‘The Empress’ to a championship rematch, Becky has been on a mission to finally defeat the one opponent she’s yet to gain a victory over. With that all in mind, is there any way Becky is walking away with the L?

WWE are telling a pretty good story with this feud, not only is it making Asuka look like a credible threat to any champion, but it also presents Lynch as a vulnerable title holder, which is quite rare for a franchise player. Usually there’s an excuse or ten tied to whenever a babyface champion’s shoulders are down for three, but with Lynch, there’s a genuine remorse for just not being as good as her opponent.

But as per all WWE narratives, there must be a happy ending, and for Becky that has to come at this year’s Royal Rumble with a victory over Asuka.

Winner: Becky Lynch

 

Bayley vs Lacey Evans – SmackDown Women’s Championship

Bayley vs Lacey Evans
Source: WWE

A rather odd turn of events sees a heel Bayley walking into the Royal Rumble to face a heroic Lacey Evans for the SmackDown Women’s Championship. Last year, Evans made a splash in the Women’s Rumble match by antagonising the crowd to the point where they were happy to see her eliminated. It was good heat, something WWE could have easily ran with for another year or two. It’s no shock that she’s receiving title shots, but perhaps not in this manner?

Anyway, that’s beside the point. Bayley and Sasha Banks have been ridiculing Evans and her daughter for the past few weeks, all building to this title match at the Rumble. Honestly I haven’t been following this feud as much as I could have, but I feel like that’s all there is to it. This could end up being a fairly decent match, if they’re given the time and are both willing to put the effort in. So I’m willing to give it a chance.

I don’t see Bayley walking away defeated here, Lacey might have to wait until WrestleMania or beyond to get her run with the title.

Winner: Bayley

 

Shorty G vs Sheamus

Shorty G vs Sheamus
Source: WWE

Sheamus’ grand return as ‘The Celtic Warrior’ is culminating at the Royal Rumble event in a match with Shorty G. As per most return feuds, the returnee is destined to win in dominant fashion. A fool would be betting against Sheamus in this match, and a fool would also assume that this match would be anything less than a lot of fun.

Gable (still not calling him G) works best when paired with hard-hitters and bigger dudes, and Sheamus is one of the low-key best wrestlers on the roster. It wouldn’t shock me if Sheamus put in one heck of a performance as part of his comeback run.

Winner: Sheamus

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