Guide to the Men’s Royal Rumble: Potential Winners Set Up Title Matches at WrestleMania
One of the WWE’s biggest annual events takes place Saturday, January 27 at Tropicana Field, home of the Tampa Bay Rays. Royal Rumble 40 brings 30 superstars into an elimination match, until one superstar is remaining. The sole survivor earns themselves a ticket to a title match of their choosing at WrestleMania. In what is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated Royal Rumbles of all time, here is the breakdown of the contenders to win and solidify a chance at a title at WrestleMania 40.
For the men’s Rumble, a few names come to mind to be the last one standing. The first of which is reigning winner Cody Rhodes. After the January 19 episode of WWE Smackdown, Cody Rhodes appeared in a post-show promo firmly confirming his mindset going into the Rumble- “I’m heading into the Royal Rumble, I’m gonna go back-to-back. And I’m gonna bring a championship back home to Atlanta.” If Cody Rhodes can fulfill his slogan of “Finish the story” and come away as the first back-to-back Royal Rumble winner since 1998, his wish may finally be granted with an expected meet up against the WWE Undisputed Universal Champion Roman Reigns. As one of the WWE’s biggest superstars, Rhodes looks at his shot to headline the industry by redeeming himself against Reigns.
Even though Rhodes won it last year, CM Punk comes in as the betting favorite. Punk has been on his honeymoon tour back in the WWE Universe, after his return at Survivor Series: WarGames, and has created one of the best storylines of his career. As the top pick to win it all, Punk could be in line for a huge title match versus his rival Seth Rollins. The two have been at a war of words for years since CM Punk reemerged around the pro wrestling scene. With Seth Rollins holding onto his World Heavyweight Championship belt despite injury, this could make for the perfect set up come WrestleMania.
Aside from the two biggest storylines in Rhodes and Punk, there are a few dark horses to win the Rumble. One of which is Gunther, who is amid a historic run as intercontinental champion, and claimed he would win the Rumble and target Seth Rollins’ Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania. Others include a former Rumble winner and heel, Drew McIntyre, and fan favorite who is flourishing since splitting from his twin, Jey Uso. And finally, speculation loves to fly around the WWE Universe, this time addressing that legendary superstar, The Rock, may make his return during the Royal Rumble. Rock made an appearance in the first Raw of the new year, and in his promo mentioned “The Head of the Table”, teasing to confront WWE Undisputed Universal Champion Roman Reigns. If the promo sticks true, there is no better time for a guaranteed match up at WrestleMania by The Rock winning a Rumble. With only 11 out of 30 confirmed contestants, there’s a lot of room for surprise at Saturday Night’s Showdown.
