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WWE Royal Rumble 2017 Predictions

Source: WWE.com
I didn’t do my usual Raw and Smackdown thoughts because both shows were just springboards to keep hyping this Sunday’s PPV. I will say the end of Raw where The Undertaker showed up out of the blue and stood in between Goldberg and Brock Lesnar was magical. I didn’t expect it and it was the perfect way to end the show.
This year the event has a two hour kickoff show AND is a four hour event. SIX f’n hours! This is all after what looks like to be a really good NXT PPV the night before. There are three announced matches for the two hour kickoff show and five matches (including the Rumble) for the four hour main show. I have no idea how they will fill almost four hours with what is advertised. The Rumble will be an hour or so, but that leaves around three and a half hours for four matches!
Here are my predictions for the matches that are currently announced in the order I would put them in if I was running the show.
KICKOFF SHOW
Naomi, Nikki Bella & Becky Lynch vs. Alexa Bliss, Natalya, and Mickie James

Source: WWE.com
Cesaro & Sheamus (Champs) vs. Gallows & Anderson
Raw Tag Team Championship Match

Source: WWE.com
Sasha Banks vs. Nia Jax

Source: WWE.com
Royal Rumble Event
Rich Swann (Champ) vs. Neville – WWE Cruiserweight Championship

Source: WWE.com
Winner: Neville
Kevin Owens (Champ) vs. Roman Reigns – WWE Universal Championship Match
w/ Chris Jericho Locked in a Cage Above the Ring

Source: WWE.com
Winner: Kevin Owens
Charlotte (Champ) vs. Bayley – Raw Women’s Championship Match

Source: WWE.com
Winner: Charlotte
AJ Styles (Champ) vs. John Cena – WWE Heavyweight Championship Match

Source: WWE.com
AJ Styles is one of the most popular wrestlers in WWE even though he’s a heel. He has been in the best matches in 2016 AND has been a defending champ. Does Styles NEED the belt? I say yes he does. He deserved to carry on with it and defend at Wrestlemania. The belt will continue to establish Styles as the guy to help carry the company forward in the next couple of years while Cena maintains his “part-time” status. Another win against Cena here will also cement how damn good Styles is to anyone that still has doubts about him.
One question is, where do either man go with or without the belt heading to Wrestlemania? I could possibly see Cena winning here and then Styles winning the title back at the Elimination Chamber PPV. But then who will each man face in April? I have a funny feeling that we’re going to see someone interfere in this match. Could Samoa Joe finally show up, interfere and then enter himself in the Rumble? Could it be someone else who has Styles’ or Cena’s number? I really don’t know! I’m going with who I want and think deserves to win this match.
Royal Rumble Match

Source: WWE.com
The Undertaker, Brock Lesnar, Goldberg, The Big Show, Dean Ambrose, The Miz, Sami Zayn, Dolph Ziggler, Big E, Xavier Woods, Kofi Kingston, Bray Wyatt, Randy Orton, Luke Harper, Mojo Rawley, Braun Strowman, Chris Jericho, Baron Corbin, Cesaro, Sheamus, Big Cass, and Rusev.
Out of all these guys who are announced, let’s narrow it down to those who have any chance of winning: The Undertaker, Brock Lesnar, Goldberg, Braun Stroman, and Chris Jericho.
Now I’ll examine each wrestler a little bit further. I don’t believe Goldberg or Lesnar will win as I’m sure as hell they’ll be fighting at Wrestlemania. One of them COULD win and they could face off at the Fastlane PPV with the opportunity to main event at Wrestlemania on the line in March.
I don’t think The Undertaker will win because he just doesn’t need it. It would be cool to see, but I believe Taker’s purpose for coming back is to have a match to probably put someone over at Wrestlemania (to take one for the team) and either retire after that match or begin his farewell tour. But then again, what the hell do I know as people have speculated about Taker’s retirement plans for years now.
Chris Jericho has had a hell of a year and a match between him and Owens at Wrestlemania for the belt would be interesting but I just can’t see it being for the Universal Championship if they did. If Owens doesn’t walk out of the Royal Rumble with the title, then Jericho and Owens feuding with each other for the US Championship at Wrestlemania is probably what will happen after their friendship implodes for good.
That leaves Braun Strowman. I think he’s grown tremendously over the past year in the ring and just playing the part of a monster. Is he Wrestlemania main event ready? No. Not even close and I just don’t see him in the main event or title picture yet.
So, who does that leave? Well, odds are that one of the men I just discussed will probably win. Then again, could someone from NXT like Samoa Joe arrive, dominate, and pull of a surprise win?
Could a past superstar like Kurt Angle return and win? Angle swears he hasn’t talked to WWE about anything else except the Hall of Fame so who knows what the truth is.
Could Finn Balor return, win, and gun for Kevin Owens? That would be a great match and build up! He was supposed to go for testing to see if he was cleared this week or last according to some reports.
What about Kenny Omega? He has the wrestling world in his hands right now but has clearly said he will not be showing up because he’ll be resigning with New Japan Pro Wrestling and can’t appear because his contract goes until January 30th. Is it all smoke and mirrors?
All these questions and scenarios make the Royal Rumble exciting for me this year. I have absolutely no idea what will happen or what the direction for Wrestlemania is and I LOVE it.
Reblogged this on Wrestling Dreams and commented:
My only regret is that the women could have a way better chance to showcase their talents but are lumped in a forgettable match.