411 PPV Roundtable Preview: WWE Royal Rumble 2010

Introduction:

It’s been over a month and a half since WWE graced us with a Pay-Per View, and for that, I thank them, because the 411 Staff was really getting exhausted doing a Roundtable every three weeks. But, here we are again, fully recharged and ready to dive back into the thick of it one more time. This month, it is the traditional start of the WWE’s Road to WrestleMania, as the twenty-second edition of the Royal Rumble sets the tone and ensures that when it’s over, we’ll know the name of at least one of the main event participants on the biggest stage of them all, WrestleMania. And with the field being assembled for the Rumble match, it’s a result that is clearly wide open. But that’s not all, as all three major titles plus the Women’s championship are also on the line this Sunday night.

Refreshed and ready, here’s the staff members who pitched in and participated in the Royal Rumble Roundtable.

The Staff

Stephen Randle, The Wrestling News Experience

Ari Berenstein, Column of Honor

Aaron Hubbard, The Contentious Ten

Chad Nevett, High Road/Low Road

Matt Adamson, Going Old School

Jeremy Thomas, Wrestling’s 4R’s

Julian Bond, Against The Grain

Robert S. Leighty Jr, From The Bowery

Michael Weyer, Shining A Spotlight

MIchael Bauer, ECW recapper

Jeff Small, The Small-For-All News Report

Michelle McCool © vs Mickie James

Stephen Randle: I hate this feud. I hate spending week after week listening to McCool drawl out “Piggy James” repeatedly in her hick accent while WWE teaches their PG audience that body image is a woman’s most important quality. At least in TNA, the Beautiful People get their asses kicked when it comes down to it. I’m not convinced WWE will go with the logical conclusion here, because all logic went out the window when Beth Phoenix, the largest female athlete in WWE, sided with the aggressors, but one can hope that it’s all a setup for this Sunday. After all, Mickie did promise that she would see McCool and Layla horribly humiliated at the Rumble.

Winner: Mickie James

Ari Berenstein: Logic dictates that with Michelle and her cohort Layla dogging Mickie (or should that read pigging Mickie) for weeks on end, that this is where Mickie finally obtains her retribution. Except that doesn’t play for a number of reasons, both from a kayfabe perspective (where Beth Phoenix is the x-factor in the story and could interfere) and a backstage politics perspective (McCool’s attached to The Undertaker and Mickie has been in the dog house pig pen as of late due to WWE’s abnormal perspective on how women should look. I’m pulling for Mickie to win, but I’m taking McCool in these predictions.

Winner: Michelle McCool

Aaron Hubbard: I hate this storyline and unless Mickie wins this will be my pick for feud of the year. Oh know, Mickie has a little bit of extra fat. WAAAAAAH!!! Screw this crap, Mickie is still fine to look at and a far more deserving Women’s Champion. But then, I’m not Vince McMahon. Hail the anorexic blonde chick with no heat.

Winner and STILL Women’s Champion: Michelle McCool

Chad Nevett: I tape Smackdown on Friday nights only to watch it… later on Friday nights when my girlfriend returns from playing hockey. As such, I have the option to fast-forward through certain segments, including all of the ones involving Michelle McCool and Mickie James. They lost me with that ‘Piggie James’ crap. So, I’m hoping McCool wins if only so that there’s no need for a rematch and we can just move on.

Winner and STILL WWE Women’s Champion: Michelle McCool

Matt Adamson: It seems to me that Mickey James is getting a tad buried these days. I don’t know or see what they have planed for her. Michelle McCool on the other hand seems to be getting the big “cool” treatment as her name would indicate. Regardless it’s one of the worst feuds in a while, and I really don’t care who wins, but I’ll guess McCool.

Winner and STILL WWE Women’s Champion: Michelle McCool

Jeremy Thomas: Anyone who has read my stuff knows I feel the same way about this angle that my fellows here do. The “Piggie James” thing is retarded beyond belief, but I do believe that they will do the one thing that can save it here. I think that Mickie goes over, and then we transition into a feud with someone else (Serena, perhaps) while Beth and Michelle battle it out when Beth stops Team Lay-Cool from stealing the win. Frankly, if Michelle goes over here than any value this storyline could have had is utterly gone.

Winner: Mickie James (NEW WWE Women’s Champion)

Julian Bond: I give WWE a tiny little bit of play for actually having a continuing storyline for one of their divas, which is a rarity nowadays. BUT it’s really REALLY dragging on now and something has to give. I think that James finally gets her revenge and gets the title back from McCool.

Winner and NEW Women’s Champion: Mickie James

Robert S. Leighty Jr: Usually in the end the heel who has been abusing and demeaning the babyface get theirs. I tend to think that’s not really going to happen here, but I am pulling for Mickie James. She’s been a true sport about this whole angle and it has quietly been the bast feud in the woman’s division since Trish and Lita bounced. I would not be shocked if McCool retains, but I’ll go with the sentimental pick.

Winner and New Women’s Champion: Mickie James

Michael Weyer: The build here has been good with the constant insults of Mickie and that should add to the match’s heat. Both ladies are capable of a good battle as I see Mickie getting the belt as final payback for all the insults and showing again why she’s WWE’s top female worker.

Winner and NEW Women’s Champion: Mickie James

MIchael Bauer: This feud is so damn juvenile, I’m surprised the WWE never tried it before. I can see Michelle retaining, but with the new “Evil Genius” group led by Punk gaining steam, you have a great heel challenger waiting in the wings. For that alone, I have to give the nod to Mickie.

Winner: Mickie James

Jeff Small: Common logic would dictate that Mickie James will win one for all the fat girls. Thankfully logic does not apply in the WWE. Can the rumors of Michelle McCool vs. Trish Stratus at WrestleMania begin?

Winner: Michelle McCool

Christian © vs Ezekiel Jackson

Stephen Randle: WWE has clearly written themselves into a corner with Christian, as he’s obviously head and shoulders above everyone on the ECW brand, but they also don’t appear to have any plans to move him off the show anytime soon. If he loses the belt here, it will all just be marking time until he wins it back, because nobody could possibly buy Jackson as a credible long-term champion when Christian is still on ECW. I think there’s no way Christian loses the ECW title in a one-on-one match with anyone on the brand right now, so we wait for the Chamber and see if ECW gets one.

Winner: Christian

Ari Berenstein: This is a huge opportunity for Ezekiel Jackson–he’s involved in the major title match for his brand and it is one of the few singles matches on this Pay Per View. Christian has been holding the fort down in ECW, pretty much stabilizing the brand and taking on a series of challengers for the title. Christian has a very consistent type of match against challengers and its going to be enough to help make Zeke look very good, even though he is still green around the edges. Still, this match, with William Regal on the outside to guide Jackson, is the perfect set-up for an upset title change on a show where I have all the other championships being successfully defended.

Winner: and NEW ECW Champion-Ezekiel Jackson

Aaron Hubbard: EZekiel Jackson is huge. I just thought I should point that out. The dude is freaking scary. Christian was quietly the most consistently entertaining champion of 2009, having great matches with everyone, from the veteran William Regal to the two-move wonder Zach Ryder to the young and exciting Yoshi Tatsu. That said, I don’t like his chances in this match. And I’m okay with that. Losing the ECW Championship gives Christian a chance to move up a bit, which he deserves. Big Zeke wouldn’t be my first choice as the new champ, but he’s not my last choice either.

Winner and NEW ECW Champion:-Ezekiel Jackson

Chad Nevett: While I don’t think Jackson has progressed enough to warrant this title shot, but I would like to see Christian move on and being the monster ECW champ could help Jackson quite a bit.

Winner and NEW ECW Champion: Ezekiel Jackson

Matt Adamson: I hope this is the opportunity for Christian to final move on beyond being a C show champion. With what appears to be a shakedown on the horizon in the WWE, it would not only be refreshing for Christian to wind up on either Raw or Smackdown, but also for some new blood to run around with a title. Jackson seems to have a lot of potential, if they give the title to him here, it’ll be an interesting test run.

Winner and NEW ECW Champion: Ezekiel Jackson

Jeremy Thomas: I think it’s too early for Big Zeke, and we already had Sheamus coming out of nowhere to win a brand title so I think this goes at least another month. Basically, this will amount to Christian and Zeke ripping into each other for a while until Christian takes advantage, then Zeke or Regal lose it and wipe Christian out in such a way as to draw the DQ. Then they go onto No Way Out Elimination Chamber where Zeke wins, opening up Christian to enter Money in the Bank and get drafted elsewhere after ‘Mania.

Winner: Christian by DQ (STILL ECW Champion)

Julian Bond: I was totally thrown off like everyone when Mr. Jackson won the #1 contender spot a few weeks ago. But now after thinking about the whole “pushing new and/or younger people” initiative that the WWE is slowly doing now with folks like Sheamus and Morrison, I think that Jackson will be the next to be heavily pushed here. After putting on great match after match for almost a half-year straight now as champ in ECW, I thinks Christian will finally drop the belt here.

Winner and NEW ECW Champion:-Ezekiel Jackson

Robert S. Leighty Jr: The only reason to take the title of Christian is if they are planning to move him to another show in the near future. While I would be all for that, I’m not sure they take the title off Christian at this point. He has been a dominant champion and whenever the strap comes off him it should be a big deal. Jackson shows some potential, and I think at some point he gets the title, but I don’t think the time is now.

Winner: Christian

Michael Weyer: Jackson has been given a good push but I just don’t see him getting the belt right now. I think WWE still wants to push ECW a bit more before moving Christian to another brand so he’ll probably retain here but still give Jackson a good rub that’ll make the rematch even better.

Winner and still ECW Champion: Captain Charisma

MIchael Bauer: Big Zeke has been made to be a very, very credible threat to Christian’s Title. Add in the fact that WWE title reigns never last this long (and how the WWE can’t stop talking about Christian being the longest reigning champion currently) and I think we are in line for a new champion. I’m just wondering who either man could face after this is done.

Winner: Ezekiel Jackson

Jeff Small: It still amazes me that the WWE booked this match instead of Christian/CM Punk. That said, this match will have the unfortunate distinction of opening the show so it will be up to Christian to get the PPV rolling. Good thing he should pick up the victory here via Kozlov-interference. Of course, a tag match will be booked then between Christian & Kozlov vs. Regal and Jackson which will lead to Kozlov turning on Christian and siding with Regal again. Woo-hoo!

Winner: Christian

Sheamus © vs Randy Orton

Stephen Randle: Anyone have the small sneaking suspicion that they might have had Sheamus beat Cena for the belt just for this? So they could transition the title back to Orton again but get around the whole “no more title shots against Cena”? It’s just something I’ve been musing about, since it’s really the only reason to even have this match. Obviously, Orton will get the cheers from the “smart” section of the crowd, so at least there’ll be some heat to the match, but I don’t see this being anything more than a decent Raw match that will be lucky if it goes ten minutes.

Winner: Sheamus

Ari Berenstein: There hasn’t been a major heel vs. heel title match in quite some time, so I actually do kind of look forward to this match just to see what happens–how the crowd reacts to either man, the role Legacy will play and so forth. Kurt Angle and Triple H managed to surprise everyone at Royal Rumble 2001 with a really good heel vs. heel match and while neither Orton or Sheamus are as over as those two men on that show, I think by the end of it this match will compare well to RR ’01.

Winner: Sheamus retains the WWE Title thanks to botched interference from Legacy

Aaron Hubbard: Blech. I have no interest in this match. I like watching Orton systematically destroy people, but Sheamus does nothing for me. Heel vs. Heel matches rarely ever work, especially when one of the guys has less heat than Michelle McCool. Honestly, I hope Atlanta is hot for Orton and cheers his every move, and I hope Orton plays to that, because otherwise this is going to SUCK. I also pray to God that Orton wins here, because if Sheamus makes it to ‘Mania with that strap it will be the worst debacle since…ever. I was about to say Yokozuna coming into ‘Mania IX as the challenger, but he was actually over.

Winner and NEW WWE Champion: Randy Orton

Chad Nevett: Sheamus still hasn’t won me over. He spent Monday continually trying to win his match with John Cena via count-out… what kind of chickenshit monster heel crap is that? But, since they seem unwilling to give him a good victory over Cena, Randy Orton will do, I suppose, because if he can beat Orton and Orton can beat Cena, it’s like Sheamus beat John Cena… right?

Winner and STILL WWE Champion: Sheamus

Matt Adamson: To say I’m not interested in this match would be the understatement of the year. To say that I believe Sheamus is anything more than a transitional champ would be a lie. I think they are going to wind up giving the title to Orton here in order to set up a decent WWE title match for WrestleMania.

Winner and NEW WWE Champion: Randy Orton

Jeremy Thomas: Normally I wouldn’t be sure about this one, because Orton going into ‘Mania as champion would be a solid reversal of how he chased it last year, but the tension surrounding Orton and Priceless is enough to change my mind. I think that, after a somewhat lackluster match, Orton finally does something that causes Ted to snap and he decks Orton, which allows Sheamus to get the win–and, I am afraid to say, will cause the opposite reaction than the ‘E expects because the crowd will boo Ted for it. Anyway, however it works out Sheamus is walking out with the belt.

Winner: Sheamus (STILL WWE Heavyweight Champion)

Julian Bond: Weird…just plain weird. Don’t really care for this heel vs heel match here, but I think that the company is slowly heading towards the eventually Orton vs Legacy feud here for Wrestlemania. So I think the Legacy interferes to accidently cost Orton the title and to piss out the Legend Killer even more.

Winner and STILL WWE Champion: Sheamus

Robert S. Leighty Jr: This should be very interesting. The WWE has been bringing Sheamus along nicely, but not sure if anyone will buy him on Orton’s level. The crowd reaction should be intriguing, but I suspect they will side with Orton. I can’t see Sheamus having his run cut off at this point. It would be kind of fitting to see Orton end his reign after a month, much like Orton’s 1st run was shelved after a month, but I just don’t see it.

Winner: Sheamus

Michael Weyer: A heel vs heel title match is a pretty cool idea that should make this stand out more. The Sheamus experiment has had mixed results as the guy is a decent worker but think he was given the big belt a bit early even though it’s refreshing seeing some new blood there. I just don’t see Sheamus going into Mania as champion is all. Orton will probably dominate and count on some interference from Legacy to get the title back and move on to Mania.

Winner and NEW WWE Champion: The Legend Killer

MIchael Bauer: Now, for as much as I don’t like seeing Sheamus with the gold, I actually think he is the lesser of two evils right now compared to Randy Orton. I say this for two reasons. First, Orton vs. X (where X is any top challenger on Raw or possible face Royla Rumble winner) has been done recently. Secondly, there is no way I want to see Orton vs. Dibaise for any gold. So, that leaves only one choice.

Winner: Sheamus

Jeff Small: Interesting dynamic here with both championship matches going against the face vs. heel standard. Of the two, this one has the easier distinction of who swaps their role (Orton will easily be the face). I suspect Sheamus will pick up the victory here leading to Orton trying to replace a member of Legacy to enter the Rumble. As for the match, I expect nothing and hopefully will be pleasantly surprised.

Winner: Sheamus

The Undertaker © vs Rey Mysterio

Stephen Randle: Mysterio has no shot and everyone knows it. Hell, they even moved on to Undertaker’s next potential opponent before they’d officially determined who would be his Rumble opponent! I suspect they’ll do a lot to try and get the crowd going, but in the end, there’s only one conclusion.

Winner: The Undertaker

Ari Berenstein: The other side of the equation–a face versus face match up, with Rey Mysterio playing the role of the ultimate underdog going up against the literal Phenom of the WWE. Undertaker is larger, more powerful, is better at submissions, more dangerous in the ring and flat out the favorite to win here. That said, Rey is all about the hope spots and I think he’ll get quite a few moments where people will get to the point where they think that maybe, just maybe he’ll defeat Taker. He won’t, but bell to bell it should be an entertaining one.

Winner: The Undertaker retains the World Heavyweight Title thanks to Batista levelling Mysterio out of the referee’s line of sight and Taker taking advantage of the situation.

Aaron Hubbard: This is the match I’m looking forward to the most on this card. I would argue that you can’t have a better David vs. Goliath match than what is here, as Rey Mysterio is the ultimate underdog and Undertaker is the best big man wrestler ever. I don’t know if they will pull out a classic, but it’s a fresh match-up and it should be interesting to see how the crowd guys. I suppose Batista interference is a given, but I think he will be thwarted before Taker wins the match.

Winner and STILL World Champion: The Undertaker

Chad Nevett: Not only do we get a heel/heel title match, we get a face/face one, too? Man, anything CAN happen at the Royal Rumble! The Undertaker wins, because, otherwise, Shawn Michaels loses his motivation to win the Rumble (and that match loses one of its main stories) and we may have to see Batista and Rey Rey wrestle more and I’m sick of that.

Winner and STILL World Heavyweight Champion: The Undertaker

Matt Adamson: The Undertaker is another superstar that I don’t see going into WrestleMania as the champ. Though I would be nuts to say that they are planning on going into WrestleMania with Rey Mysterio as champ. However, if The Undertaker is going to lose the title before Mania, I don’t think it’ll be to Rey Rey.

Winner and STILL World Heavyweight Champion: The Undertaker

Jeremy Thomas: I don’t like the way this has been booked. I get that there’s always a throwaway World Title shot at the Rumble and I understand they’re trying to build Taker’s ‘Mania match up early, but Michaels and Batista are getting more air time against Taker than the guy who’s actually wrestling him on Sunday. This conclusion is foregone; Rey Rey bounces around the ring until Taker catches him, then SPLATTO. Champion retains.

Winner: The Undertaker (STLL World Heavyweight Champion)

Julian Bond: I honestly still can’t believe that it’s only going to beat Taker vs Mysterio here instead of a Triple Threat with Batista. But I think that this will be a very good bout with Taker of course taking the win and maybe holding onto the title until Mania to face Michaels.

Winner and STILL World Champion: The Undertaker

Robert S. Leighty Jr: Another fresh, and exciting match. I like when we get matches that haven’t been beaten into the ground. Rey is the greatest underdog wrestler in history and it will be interesting to see how his style meshes with that of Taker. Taker hasn’t been that great in the ring since returning, but I’m hopeful he can bring something out for this match. At the very least Mysterio will be able to take a great shit kicking to build heart for the match before making his comeback. With that said, Taker’s not losing the title here.

Winner: The Undertaker

Michael Weyer: They’ve built this feud up pretty well over the last few weeks and the possibility of another Batista run-in to botch things up. However, seeing as how they seem intent on Taker/Michaels for Mania again, I think Rey will end up with the belt here and free Taker up while Batista is set up against Rey down the line.

Winner and NEW World Heavyweight Champion: Rey Mysterio

MIchael Bauer: With everything built up about how peoplw neecd to win the Rumble to face the Dead Man, I could see a swerve of Mysterio winning. But that would mean both World Title matches would have a less than stellar champion… unless someting were to happen at Elimination Chamber.

Winner: The Undertaker

Jeff Small: Another winter, another Rey Mysterio push. And like the rest of them, this one won’t make it past February.

Winner: The Undertaker

Royal Rumble Match
Announced participants: John Cena, Batista, Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Chris Jericho, CM Punk, Shelton Benjamin, Ted Dibiase, Cody Rhodes, The Great Khali, Yoshi Tatsu, MVP, The Miz, William Regal, Kofi Kingston, Kane, Mark Henry, Zach Ryder, Jack Swagger, Big Show, Matt Hardy, Evan Bourne, Carlito, Chris Masters (6 open spots remain at press time)

Stephen Randle: So, the obvious choices to win are Shawn Michaels, Triple H, John Cena, and Batista, and truly it’s been set up so anyone can win. Now, I have to be the only human being alive that thinks that making Shawn Michaels vs The Undertaker for the World Heavyweight Title at WrestleMania completely telegraphs the ending, because even if you believe that Shawn could end the Streak, there’s no chance he’s going to win the World title, especially for the brand that would require him to work Tuesdays. I’d assume that IF they’re serious about Shawn-Taker II, they’ll have Shawn cost him the title at No Way Out, forcing the Deadman to come after him. So I’m down to three potential winners, and of the three, Cena’s reportedly battling back issues so they’re alleviating the pressure on him, and Batista, well, he could tear a muscle next week and throw all their plans to hell. So, who does that leave to face his workout buddy on a fourth match from the end “main event”?

Winner: Triple H

Ari Berenstein: Realistically this comes down to four major storylines–Triple H wants to win to main event Wrestlemania, Shawn Michaels wants to win to cash in a shot against World Heavyweight Champion Undertaker at Wrestlemania, John Cena wants to win so he can rematch against Sheamus for the WWE Title, Batista wants to win so he can rematch against Undertaker for the World Heavyweight Title. Along the way we’ll get some interesting moments–obviously look for Miz and MVP to mix it up and likely cause each other to be eliminated, meanwhile Morrison and McIntrye will do the same. Legacy is looking like they’re heading for a break up–it may be a too cute moment, but they’re my pick for #’s 1 and 2 in the match. Jack Swagger has looked like a fool in recent weeks thanks to his over the top rope challenges backfiring on him–so the reverse psychology of that booking indicates he will be the iron man in the match. Big Show will eliminate the most wrestlers, but it will only take one man to eliminate him (HHH). Look for CM Punk to draw everyone’s ire due to his recent Straight Edge pontifications and he will play the “Shawn Michaels” card of coming oh so close several times to being eliminated. HBK will get him out. Final Four will be Triple H, Michaels, Cena and Batista. The latter two eliminate each other, the former two will have a couple minutes all to themselves before Shawn Michaels superkicks Tiple H over the top rope to win his third Royal Rumble.

Winner: Shawn Michaels

Aaron Hubbard: After last year, where there was so much shuffling of champions and storylines leading up to Wrestlemania, I have learned not to take things for granted. Everybody and their grandmother is going to pick Shawn Michaels to win the Royal Rumble and face The Undertaker at ‘Mania. I don’t think this is going to happen. HBK and Undertaker only have a few years left, and they should be spending those years having fresh matches with young talent or the occasional dream match. Last year, Taker vs. HBK was a dream match because they hadn’t wrestled in ten years and had incredible interactions at the Rumble. This year, it would simply be a good match that will likely steal the show, but does neither man any favors. Instead, I’m going with the scenario that DX is going to collide at ‘Mania, with Triple H representing Vince McMahon and Shawn representing Bret Hart. They have teased dissension between the two and given Shawn’s state right now, all it will take is Hunter eliminating HBK to put him over the edge. I predict that is exactly what will happen, with them making it to the final three, Hunter tossing out HBK and HBK helping the winner eliminate Triple H. And the winner? Only the most deserving man, and one who can have an absolute classic with The Deadman come ‘Mania.

Winner: Chris Jericho

Chad Nevett: While the logic seems to point to it coming down to four guys (Michaels, Trips, Cena, and Batista), I don’t really want to see any of them win it. None of them need the win to get into the main event at WrestleMania and I always like it more when the Rumble gives the shot to a deserving guy who just hasn’t gotten his shot yet. It seems that Money in the Bank has taken that place in the WWE, but after the last few years with the Undertaker, Cena, and Orton winning, I can see them heading in a new direction and letting a less obvious choice win it. I’d love to see Chris Jericho walk away the winner or a returning Edge may lead to a big surprise win, but that would make a feud between the two of them unlikely unless the other won a belt at Elimination Chamber. No, I see the winner being one of the young guys ready to hit the main event and headline WrestleMania and who happens to have a DVD coming out soon?

Winner: John Morrison

Matt Adamson: I have to say, I don’t really have the slightest case for anybody to win this years Royal Rumble. I’ve ruled out HBK and HHH, who I think will end up feuding due to Royal Rumble shenanigans. I know there is that rumored HBK vs. Undertaker rematch, but I think that’s just a smokescreen. I think it’ll end up being the two of them and somebody else as the last 3. I’m going to say, just for fun, Ted Dibiase, who will manage a face turn over the course of the next two month in order to go up against Orton at Mania. If I’m wrong, it’s either going to be the usual suspects or somebody who the writing team is going to have to do a great job of getting over in time for WrestleMania. I don’t think anybody that isn’t already at the top is truly primed for a major push without some top notch storytelling.

Winner: Ted Dibiase

Jeremy Thomas: It’s not often you see a Rumble where it’s tough to guess who’s going to win. We’ve got a lot of possibilities…but let me tell you who’s NOT going to win. Anyone on ECW can count themselves out. Sorry guys, just ain’t happening. Kane always looks good in the Rumble but never wins; in fact, none of the “monsters” in there will be pulling it off. That includes Big Show, Mark Henry and the Great Khali. Ted and Cody will probably cost each other the win when they start arguing, and MVP is going to have other things to do as he feuds with Miz and they both get eliminated because of it. Santino, thanks for playing. Swagger’s been made to look like a joke regarding the Rumble and he may just come close to beating Santino’s record. Bourne and Carlito are not nearly important enough to win, so they fall into the ECW rule there despite being on Raw. That brings it down to Cena, Batista, ‘H, Shawn, Jericho Punk & Kofi, and whoever they may bring in as a surprise (I doubt it’ll be Edge, for the record). You could conceivably consider Kofi and Punk dark horses, but I more see them having strong showings but losing out toward the end. Jericho will lose by virtue of D-X and the rest of Raw saying “goodbye” one more time. Batista’s arrogance will cost him his chance to win, and that brings it down to the three Raw guys. My guess is that Shawn eliminates Hunter right after Jericho’s tossed, furthering their split, and Shawn and Cena have a little time at the end, basically to see who fights the Dead Man. And I think the winner will be Cena, either cleanly or by a furious Hunter getting revenge. That sets up two money matches for ‘Mania; Cena vs. Taker and Shawn vs. ‘H. However it works out though, this should be interesting.

Winner: John Cena

Julian Bond: I am actually excited as all hell for this rumble this year cause they really isn’t a clear predicted winner. Cena maybe can win…but I think that he’s going to maybe go onto Mania to face Batista for “a title” (still sticking to my prediction!!). Batista may lose again here, but maybe win a title at No Way Out. And Triple H….I have no idea what’s up with him. So I’m guessing that HBK gets one last Rumble win and the WWE wises up to make HBK vs Taker the actual main event of this year’s Mania.

Winner: Shawn Michaels

Robert S. Leighty Jr: For the first time in a while (well, not counting 2008 with Cena’s shocking return) the Rumble seems pretty wide open. There are storyline galore wrapped up in this thing, and I’m not sure where they are going with this thing. Personally, I would love to see a returning Edge win the thing, but I’m not sure if that is happening. I will be rooting for either Jericho or Punk, but Punk has no shot. Jericho would be interesting, but I don’t think the WWE will pull the trigger there either. I was at WM last year and saw Shawn/Taker and would love to see it again this year, but I think Cena/Taker would be the better draw. HHH winning is the last thing I want to see and I’m not even a HHHater like most. I just thing it would be rather boring out of all the other options they have. For a while I thought HHH vs Michaels at WM was happening and I’ll hold out hope for that. So, I think I just talked myself into Cena vs Taker, which means I only have one way to go here:

Winner: John Cena

Michael Weyer: A pretty wide open field here and the remaining spots might shift things up (in case one is Edge). Michaels seems ready to face Taker so he’s probably out while Batista is a strong possibility to go against Rey. HHH and Cena are faves, of course but think WWE might be pulling back on yet another Mania main event with them. There is the possibility of a younger guy elevated like Rhodes or Kofi or Morrison and Jericho might pull it out. But, personally, I’ll go with a guy who’s got a great fan backing and could turn in a terrific Mania main event.

Winner: CM PUNK BABY!

MIchael Bauer: Ok, I have to base my decision for the Royal Rumble off of my other predictions, despite the fact we have another PPV to still worry about. And that makes this extra hard. Because for every scenario, it could all be screwed up by the Elimination Chamber. For example, if John Cena wins, you know he will go after Sheamus, but what if HHH wins the belt next month? Likewise, if HBK wins, you know he goes after Undertaker, but what if Batista is champion? If HHH wins, he could go either way, but can you really picture HHH back on Smackdown? Like, all of that has to be factored in, and then you still have Jericho, Batista, a possible return of Edge, and maybe another huge main event push of someone to think about. I really have no clue who to pick, but in the end, only one name really makes sense.

Winner: John Cena

Jeff Small: I can’t believe no one but Randle has picked Triple H to win this match. He’s by far the most logical person to win. First, if he costs Shawn Michaels the match, it can lead to a feud between them. Second, there’s no hot new superstar that has a readymade “boyhood dream” storyline which cancels out many of those in this match. Third, he’s Triple H and can always be expected to be in the final four. Lastly, unless the WWE wants a rematch of a TLC main event at WrestleMania, he’s the most logical opponent for Sheamus if Sheamus makes it to Mania with the belt.

Winner: Triple H

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