The Royal Rumble is tomorrow night and while the respective men’s and women’s Rumble matches don’t look great on paper, they should still deliver. It’s still an exciting show that fans look forward to yearly. I’m going to do a short Rumble winner pick list of 5 for each Rumble.
I’ll start with the men’s. My dark horse pick is Jon Moxley, formerly known as Dean Ambrose. I know he’s fully signed to AEW and just made his return after rehab, but with his name being dropped recently on WWE tv and talk of the Shield during the lead up to the Universal Title match between Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins, I’m throwing it out there, despite how unlikely it is. Simply appearing in the Rumble will be a sight to see and is possible.
My next pick to win is someone who is hard to bet against, and that’s AJ Styles. It’s more than believable to throw “The Phenomenal One” back into the World Title picture at any time. AJ vs. Reigns, Lesnar, or Lashley could be a great main event for WrestleMania.
I know this is very early but my next pick is the NXT Champion himself, Bron Breaker. He has quickly risen in his short time in WWE. He has a pedigree, being the son of Rick Steiner and the nephew of Scott Steiner. Hopefully when he gets to the main roster he can use his namesake. It seems he is where many predicted Karrion Kross would have been had he been booked correctly and not released.
Another pick of mine is someone who could put on a main event match at WrestleMania against Reigns, Lesnar, or Lashley. I can’t believe I’m saying this but since I’m trying to base it on a WrestleMania main event caliber match, I’ve got one man in mind…and his name is John Cena! (queue his music). I know he’s not really around anymore and even if he is, he’s a part timer, but him vs either of those three looks great on paper. However, he’s also tied as a pick with none other than Kurt Angle. He’s been reported as being in town tomorrow night. This way, if he wins, he could get the proper send off he should have gotten three years ago, instead of retiring at the hands of Baron Corbin, of all people.
My last pick is one of the three names I keep mentioning, despite their involvement in Championship matches or being Champions themselves. It’s going to be either Roman Reigns, Brock Lesnar, or Bobby Lashley. Two years ago, Brock entered the Royal Rumble as champion so who’s to say he can’t do it again. Reigns did the same and even defended his championship in the Rumble match, losing it by eventual winner Triple H. Brock or Roman could win and challenge the other to a World Title unification match. Also, it could end up Bobby Lashley getting screwed somehow in his match with Brock and then their rematch happening at WrestleMania, or Lashley could go one on one with Roman. Either way, I’m trying to look at it from the perspective of a WrestleMania main event that will put butts in seats.
It’s actually easier for me to think up 5 picks to win the women’s Royal Rumble match. My first pick is a no-brainer, if rumors of her return and potential plans are true, and that’s Ronda Rousey. She could win and go on to WrestleMania to have an ultimate rematch with either Becky Lynch or Charlotte Flair.
My next pick is an underdog of sorts, who has fallen short in recent championship challenges, both clean and dirty. I’m taking about Liv Morgan. The first time she faced Becky Lynch, Becky cheated. Then, Becky won fair and square. However, Liv has proved to be scrappy and a fighter. To finally overcome these obstacles would be a feel good moment for sure.
My next pick is a tie between two potential comeback kids in Bayley and Asuka. Bayley is removed to be ready to come back after her injury, and though she hasn’t been back nor is reported to still be injured, Asuka is another possibility. Either one would be welcomed.
My dark horse pick is current Impact Women’s Champion Mickie James. It is highly unlikely but hey, it’s my pick and my blog. On the latest episode of Impact, she mentioned her joining in the Rumble and her intent on winning and going on to WrestleMania, not only to compete for one of the WWE Women’s Titles, but also putting her Impact Women’s Championship on the line as well. Hey, a guy can dream!
My final pick is someone that fans have not stopped talking about or hoping for since her forced retirement. In case you haven’t figured it out by now, I’m talking about Paige. There have been rumors for years about her being cleared to return from her career ending injury. If anyone deserves a moment like this and a potential Title match at WrestleMania with the likes of either Becky or Charlotte, it’s Paige!
Those are my picks and I’m sticking to them! If I had to choose one for the men’s and one for the women’s, my picks would be Kurt Angle and Paige.
