World Wrestling Entertainment’s road to WrestleMania kicks off in Indianapolis.
The WWE’s annual Royal Rumble event takes place at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, laying the groundwork for the company’s biggest show of the year on April 19 and 20: WrestleMania.
A fan favorite, the Royal Rumble’s featured match is its namesake: a 30-wrestler battle royale in which participants must eliminate their opponents by throwing them over the top rope and onto the ground outside the ring. It begins with two wrestlers in the ring and every two minutes, a new one joins the fold. The match is often filled with plenty of returns and surprises. The winner earns a shot at a world title match at WrestleMania.
The match begins with two wrestlers in the ring and every two minutes, a new participant comes out to join the match. In past installments, there has been a bevy of surprise entrants, from stars of yesteryears to returns no one expects. Since 2018, the WWE has featured both a men’s and a women’s Royal Rumble match.
Here’s a look at the card and predictions for the show:
What to know
How to watch
Date: Saturday, Feb. 1
Time: Preshow at 5 p.m. MT, main card at 6 p.m. MT
Location: Lucas Oil Field in Indianapolis
TV: Netflix
Colorado connections
Otis: A former collegiate wrestler at CSU-Pueblo, he is one half of tag team Alpha Academy with former Olympic wrestler Chad Gable. He doesn’t have a match scheduled but may appear in the Rumble.
Main card
#DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) (c) vs. Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin)
WWE tag team championship
Two out of three falls match
Who should win: #DIY.
These are two of the company’s best tag teams and will surely showcase their talents in this match. With #DIY just winning the title in December, it feels like they should retain their titles. Albeit by nefarious means since they are the baddies after all.
Who will win: Aside from the fans? Let’s go with #DIY.
Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Kevin Owens
Undisputed WWE Championship
Ladder match
Who should win: Owens.
Kevin Owens heading into ‘Mania as champion is one of the few things missing from his resume. He’s main evented against Steve Austin. He’s main evented with Sami Zayn against The Usos. He’s been tremendously entertaining in this feud against Rhodes. C’mon, WWE, Owens vs. Zayn in the main event.
Who will win: Rhodes.
How can he not win? He’s main evented the last two WrestleManias. He’s one of the faces of the company. Rhodes will take this and await his next challenge.
Men’s Royal Rumble match
The winner of the 30-man Royal Rumble match earns a world championship match at WrestleMania 51 in Las Vegas.
Announced participants: Bron Breakker, Carmelo Hayes, Chad Gable, CM Punk, Drew McIntyre, Jey Uso, John Cena, LA Knight, Logan Paul, Penta, Rey Mysterio, Roman Reigns, Sami Zayn, Seth Rollins, Shinsuke Nakamura.
The favorites:
- John Cena: The 47-year-old is formally on his farewell tour. He is sitting on a record 16 world championships in his career, tied with Ric Flair. If he gets his third Royal Rumble victory, it would give have a shot at breaking the tie.
- CM Punk: Since returning to the company, Punk quickly re-established himself as one of the top stars in the WWE. A title match on the company’s biggest stage seems appropriate.
- Sami Zayn: He climbed up to become one of the company’s top stars during his run with and against The Bloodline.
- Roman Reigns: He’s defeated Solo Sikoa to regain the ula fala necklace to once again become the leader of The Bloodline. Now can he regain his title belt?
- Seth Rollins: A staple in the main-event scene. If he wins, he’d fit like a glove in the title match.
- Drew McIntyre: See: Rollins, Seth.
Who should win: CM Punk.
I chose him last year. Whoever he’s feuding against becomes must-see TV.
Who will win: Cena.
One final main event for Cena? He’s one of the few who have ascended beyond the squared circle to make a splash in popular culture. Cena is world title match will get tons of eyes on the WWE.
Women’s Royal Rumble match
The winner of the 30-man Royal Rumble match earns a world championship match at WrestleMania 51 in Las Vegas.
Announced participants: Bayley, Bianca Belair, Charlotte Flair, Ivy Nile, Iyo Sky, Liv Morgan, Lyra Valkyria, Naomi, Nia Jax, Rachel Rodriguez.
The favorites:
- Bianca Belair: Belair has faced off with some of the WWE’s best for a world title at previous WrestleManias, including Asuka, Becky Lynch and Sasha Banks. But she hasn’t taken on current women’s world champion Rhea Ripley in a one-on-one match since they were both in NXT in February 2020. Five years is way too long. Win here and that long-awaited rematch comes to Vegas this April.
- Charlotte Flair: Never count out the queen. A two-time Royal Rumble winner, Flair could challenge for her 15th world title at ‘Mania.
- Iyo Sky: She put on an amazing match against Bayley at last year’s WrestleMania to win her first world title. Win here and she is due for a fun performance against either Ripley or SmackDown women’s world champion Tiffany Stratton.
- Becky Lynch: While she hasn’t been announced for the Rumble, she’s been one of the biggest stars in the company since 2018. She’s been away for a while, but a splash this would be.
Who should win: Belair.
I want to see Belair vs. Ripley at ‘Mania. Who’s with me?
Who will win: Flair.
It’s not WrestleMania season without Charlotte Flair in a title match.
