Royal Rumble Bingo: 10 Likeliest Moments For The Battle Royal

Royal Rumble
Image Source: heavy.com

If there’s one thing likely to entice lapsed fans back to WWE, it’s the Royal Rumble match. 30 men enter, one at a time, until only one remains. It’s Vince McMahon’s vision of sports entertainment at its least diluted. In 2017 WWE’s grand battle royal marks its 30th entry, and the field is more open than it’s been in years.

Or is it? There’s definitely more potential winners this year than there’s been for a long time, but what about everything else? All the small things and long running traditions of the Royal Rumble? We’ve all seen our fair share of Royal Rumble matches. Surely any self respecting wrestling fan can take a wild leap and guess some of what’s coming this year. With that in mind, Cultured Vultures have tasked me with bringing you the definitive list of Royal Rumble traditions.

My challenge to you: pick five, and let’s play Royal Rumble bingo.

 

1. The Kofi Kingston Spot

Kofi Kingston in the Royal Rumble
Image Source:
WWE

Are there any new ways left for Kofi Kingston to avoid elimination? He’s used the Spanish announce table, an office chair and even Big E to stay in the match. The guy is like a tree frog, jumping round the outside of the ring. Mark my words, this will happen in the match.

Examples: The handstand, the ring steps, Matt Bloom and the chair.

2017 Candidate: I dont know. Maybe he can use Francesca II like a pogo stick

 

2. The Nostalgic Cameo

We’re in the thick of the Rumble. It’s too early to bring out the big guns and the active main eventers. Who’s next? It’s that guy from yesteryear! Maybe it’s Kevin Nash (it’s probably Kevin Nash), or Bob Backlund or the Honky Tonk Man. Whoever it is, fans of a certain age pop for them, they do a few signature moves and are then quickly eliminated.

Examples: Diesel (2011), Haku (2001), The Boogeyman (2015)

2017 Candidates: Kurt Angle, Shawn Michaels

 

3. A Tag Team Fights Itself

Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins
Image Source:
WWE

The Rumble can only have one winner, so any alliance must only be temporary. But what if you’re part of an established tag team? Do you stick by your tag partner, or sneakily try to push him over the rope when he’s not looking? Bonus points if you fail and then pretend like it was just an accident.

Examples: The Shield (2014)

2017 Candidates: The Wyatt Family, Sheamus and Cesaro

 

4. Kane Shows Up and Floors Everyone

Kane doesn’t get so many eliminations these days, but it’s a safe bet he’ll knock down all comers the first time he steps in the ring. The demon has become such a staple of the Royal Rumble it’s going to be genuinely sad when he finally stops popping up here each year.

Examples: Like, every year you guys.

 

5. The Final Four Staredown

Royal Rumble 2015
Image Source:
Dean-Ambrose.net

This one seems to have fallen out of fashion in recent years, but it’s one of my favourites. The unlucky 26th man is eliminated and the final four drag their battered bodies to each corner of the ring. Slowly they eye one another, finally realising how close they are to the big one. A tingle goes down your spine, and the finale of the Rumble match begins.

Examples: 2005, 2012

2017 candidates: Sami Zayn, Undertaker, Chris Jericho, Dean Ambrose, Brock Lesnar

 

6. The Ring Fills up

Wrestler after wrestler has entered, and now the ring is so packed no one has space to do any cool moves. Some are playing dead on the ring mat, others punch each other in the corners or try very slowly to push each other over the ropes. This herd needs thinning out.

Examples: This happens at least once in every Royal Rumble match.

 

7. A Guy Getting Pushed Cleans House

Kane and Drew Carey
Image Source:
Cageside Seats

Another old Rumble favourite which feels less popular these days. There’s a big guy getting a big push. We’re half way through the match and the ring is cluttered with bodies. Not to worry. Our big guy enters and, before Michael Cole can say “Are you kidding me”, he eliminates three, four, five men in short order.

Examples: Vladimir Koslov (2009), Kane (2000)

2017 Candidate: Braun Strowman

 

8. R-Truth Does Something Stupid

Poor R-Truth. His entire gimmick is not knowing what’s going on. Apart from last year’s incident with the ladder he’s not actually done that many dumb things in the Rumble. Unfortunately, I get the feeling the ladder thing made Vince McMahon laugh so hard milk came out of his nose. Expect this to become an annual tradition for as long as R-Truth decides to stick around.

Examples: The dumb ladder thing (2016).

2017 Candidates: Maybe he’ll try to pin someone? Or he could think it’s a tag match and try to tag himself in.

 

9. The Surprise Return

John Cena returns at Royal Rumble 2008
Image Source:
Youtube

A surprise return is different from a nostalgic cameo. This is a big star in his prime coming back to blow our minds. Maybe they’ve been injured. Maybe they’ve come back after some time away. Whatever the case, they get a huge pop and they’re suddenly an odds on favourite to win.

Examples: John Cena (2008), Edge (2010)

2017 Candidates: Finn Balor

 

10. The NXT Call Up

He’s done all he can do in NXT and now he’s ready for prime time. But where do you debut him? Give him ten minutes in Rumble of course, and see what people react to. He might be a big star, or he might end up in the Social Outcasts.

Examples: Rusev (2014), Bo Dallas (2013)

2017 Candidates: Samoa Joe, Tye Dillinger

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