The road to Wrestlemania begins Sunday at the 31st Royal Rumble.  In 2015 – the last time that the rumble was in Philly – Roman Reigns left victorious, with help from The Rock, instead of the crowd favorite and underdog Daniel Bryan. With the Eagles just this season having ridden the underdog narrative all the way to the Super Bowl, will Vince McMahon give the crowd what it wants this time around, or will he once again allow his hand-picked horse in Reigns to get booed out of the arena?  Outside of the traditional Royal Rumble match, this year the WWE has gifted us with the first ever all-women’s Royal Rumble match. Sunday night will also feature an exciting undercard, including two tag team title matches and two world championship matches

This year’s card, and rumored Wrestlemania storylines makes these rumbles wide open in terms of who will be winning on both the mens and womens sides.  We at FantasyAlarm wanted to share our predictions for Sunday night. 

WWE "SmackDown" Tag Team Championship: The Usos (c) vs. Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin (2-out-of-3-falls)

Ben Scherr:  The Usos have had too good of a year to not have the belts heading into mania. Winner:  Usos

Jon Impemba: The Usos have put on some of the best matches of 2017, I see no reason for that to end here against Benjamin and Gable and I expect them to walk out with their belts in hand. Winner:  Usos

Dom Murtha:  Gable and Benjamin win the belts back from The Uso’s because as Vince McMahon just made it clear during his XFL announcement… “Even if you have a DUI you will not play in the XFL.” Considering one half of his tag champs just got one this past week, I figure he will have to follow through with some kind of punishment. Winner(s): Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin.

Michael A. Stein:  The Usos have been the most dominant team in WWE for quite a while thanks in large part to their heel turn in 2017.  For some inexplicable reason, they are faces again without much of an explanation for their change in attitude.  Gable and Benjamin have clicked as a team and should get a chance to run with the titles.  The Usos’ chase to reclaim the titles will be better served with them as the good guys.  Winner: Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin (a/k/a American Alpha 2.0)

Justin Fensterman:  Jey Uso’s ( recent DUI) legal troubles make me question whether or not The Usos will retain the titles. Benjamin and Gable have support behind them and have been nice Tweeners for the Tag Team division. The Usos heel gimmick has gotten over a ton and being the most skilled tag team on Smackdown during ‘Mania season, they’ll retain. If they don’t, it’s because the WWE is punishing Jey Uso: Winner: Usos

WWE "RAW" Tag Team Championship: Seth Rollins and Jason Jordan (c) vs. Cesaro and Sheamus

Scherr:  This match should finally end their feud with “the bar” reclaiming the titles.  The hope is that either Jordan or Rollins turns on the other one to cost them the belts.  Winner:  Cesaro and Sheamus

Impemba: Cesaro and Sheamus should take this one.  A heel turn for Jason Jordan is in the cards and I am expecting that to take place here. Winner:  Cesaro and Sheamus

Murtha:  While Rollins and Jordan are strange bedfellows, they have been fun to watch. Their storyline will undoubtedly end with a fun program of 1v1 matches, but for now I see them retaining their titles despite their differences. Perhaps they lose their belts at the next PPV and still get a grudge match at Wrestlemania 34. Winner(s): Seth Rollins & Jason Jordan

Stein:  The injury to Dean Ambrose forced WWE’s hand with this made-up tag team of Rollins and Jordan.  The slow burn to Jordan’s heel turn has worked well with the fans crapping all over him every time his music hits or he opens his mouth.  The full-blown heel turn may not happen at the Rumble, but another seed will be planted when he costs his team the championship.  WINNER: Cesaro and Sheamus (The Bar)

Fensty:  To Keep Jason Jordan’s Heel run going, Jordan will cost his team the tag team titles and The Bar will win the titles setting up a Jordan-Rollins feud. Sheamus and Cesaro have truly set the bar for the rest of the Raw Tag Team Division. Winners: The Bar

WWE Championship: AJ Styles (c) vs. Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn (Handicap Match)

Scherr:  There are plenty of ways this story can go.  I say story because Smackdown has been slow burning this Shane vs Daniel GM fallout more than the AJ vs Yep movement storyline.  The “injury” that occurred to Owens this past Monday will play into this match, and there is no need to take the belt off of AJ before Wrestlemania.  Winner:  AJ Styles

Impemba: I love AJ Styles as a champion and I think it would make sense for him to win and carry the belt into Mania to face off against the eventual rumble winner but I would not hate seeing Zayn take the belt here either.  I have been a fan of his heel turn but have also wondered if he turns on Owens at some point and think this is a good spot for that. Winner:  AJ Styles

Murtha:  Let’s think about this one logically. The WWE can’t have two guys splitting the WWE Championship headed into their biggest event of the year. Styles retains the belt here. Let’s move on. Winner(s): AJ Styles

Stein:  Styles is arguably the best overall performer in the WWE right now and deserves to hold the title into WrestleMania.  Despite this being a feud over the most prestigious championship in sports entertainment, the bigger storyline heading into this match is the tension between Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon.  One of them is likely going to turn heel, but we don’t know who it will be.  Both will make an appearance during this match and that interference is going to inadvertently give Styles the win leading to more tension between the Smackdown! Live GM and Commissioner.  WINNER: A.J. Styles

Fensty:  Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan will get involved in this match up and I think there will be a controversial pin and A.J. Styles will prevail, however, Owens and Zayn will complain and Daniel Bryan will strip A.J. Styles of the Title on the following Smackdown. Winner: A.J. Styles….Aftermath: Shane McMahon-Daniel Bryan feud ensues and Owens & Zayn try to have the decision reversed on the spot at the Royal Rumble if not Smackdown.

WWE Universal Championship: Brock Lesnar (c) vs. Braun Strowman vs. Kane (Triple-Threat Match)

Scherr:   First, Kane is in this match to take the pin before continuing his political campaign.  I would love to see Strowman win, but Vince has been wanting to pass the torch to Roman for a few years now, which should finally happen at ‘mania.  Curious to see where they place this match on the card, as it does have the potential to be a downer for the Philly crowd.  Winner:  Brock Lesnar

Impemba: I hate that Kane is in this matchup.  Maybe if it was 2001 I would believe he stands a chance but to me he just does not belong here.  Stroman deserves to carry the belt but lets be honest, the money is in Lesnar being champion heading into Mania so that’s what I am going with here.  Winner:  Lesnar

Murtha:  Just as Lesnar is pinning Kane, Strowman knocks out the ref. A furious Lesnar freaks out on Strowman… He F-5’s him twice, only to turn around to see Kane’s sprawled out right hand. A chokeslam to the champ, perfectly timed with the ref regaining his consciousness, allows Kane to seal the victory. This upset allows for a Kane vs. Undertaker showdown at WM 34 for the Universal Championship. Winner: Kane

Stein:  If you know anything about wrestling, then you know Kane has a zero percent chance of winning.  Braun Strowman has looked dominant throughout the build to this match which will likely lead to the inevitable “look good on TV, don’t win on PPV” booking that WWE relies upon.  Kane is in this match for the sole purpose of taking the pin from Brock Lesnar so as to protect Strowman from taking the loss.  There will likely be some impressive feats of strength shown by all three competitors, but the Beast is marching into WrestleMania as the Universal Champion.  WINNER: Brock Lesnar

Fensty:  Braun’s time is coming. He ripped down the Raw set a few weeks ago. Brock will find a way to retain so he can head to Wrestlemania as a Champion. Braun will hit a Power Slam on Kane and Brock will come out of nowhere and force Braun out of the ring and steal the cover. Braun will then destroy Kane after the match (and possibly Brock)  Winner: Lesnar

2018 Women's Royal Rumble: 30-woman Royal Rumble match for a Women's Championship match at WrestleMania 34

Scherr:  This is a big opportunity for the WWE to make up for their booking in the first ever women's money in the bank match last year.  There are plenty of spots left for surprises, and hoping to see Nikki Cross and the Iconic Duo make their debuts from NXT, while also some of the WWE veterans.  Due to wanting a big moments from this first rumble, I think the current roster takes a small step back to the surprises tonight.  Although I feel that Becky Lynch is the iron woman, the final four will come down to Asuka, Ronda Rousey, Stephanie McMahon, and Nikki Bella.  The McMahan’s need the spotlight in at least one rumble, but this is still Asuka’s rumble to lose.  Winner:  Asuka

Impemba: There are going to be plenty of surprise entrants here, but I think the one everybody is waiting for is Ronda Rousey.  I am expecting a final four in this matchup of Rousey, Trish Stratus, Asuka and Nia Jax. I think Asuka ends up pulling off the victory but can envision a scenario in which Stephanie gets involved to cost Rousey the match to set up a McMahon vs Rousey at WM.  Winner:  Asuka

Murtha:  Despite this loaded female roster, the fact of the matter is that huge pay per views such as the Royal Rumble and Wrestlemania are about gaining widespread notoriety, particularly beyond the WWE Universe. Without a single mainstream headliner participating in this event, it only makes sense for the rumors to be true… Ronda Rousey will win the first ever Women’s Royal Rumble. I expect a spirited effort from Asuka, Sasha, and Becky, but at the end of the day, a Ronda victory will get the WWE on Sportscenter and Good Morning America – something that it desperately needs in order to help cross promote their new venture, the XFL. Winner: Ronda Rousey

Stein:  The first ever women’s Royal Rumble match is another groundbreaking accomplishment in the evolution of women’s wrestling.  I give credit to WWE requiring eliminations to be over the top rope and to the floor since most female battle royals do not have that requirement.  There should be several surprises in this match including some dramatic returns such as Lita, Victoria, Beth Phoenix and Karma.  Ronda Rousey was also heavily speculated to be a surprise entrant and winner, but she gave an interview this week claiming she has not signed a deal with WWE and would be out of the country filming a movie.  Guess what…wrestlers lie.  Rousey will be the surprise 30th entrant and be part of the final four along with Asuka, Natalya and Nia Jax.  I expect Jax and Natalya to team up to eliminate the undefeated Asuka leaving Rousey to dump them both while they gloat. WINNER: Ronda Rousey

Fensty:  Final four women will include Becky Lynch, Ruby Riot, Asuka and Natalya. I see Trish Stratus, Lita and Ronda Rousey being surprise participants. Asuka will win the Royal Rumble. Winner:  Asuka

2018 Men's Royal Rumble: 30-man Royal Rumble match for a World Championship match at WrestleMania 34

Scherr:  The men’s rumble is wide open this year, but if you follow the updated betting odds, a winner could come from a superstar not currently entered in the rumble as more than ten spots are still open.  I like going with my gut over my head for the rumble, and my gut says that Triple-H has been in Vince’s head about Finn lately.  There’s plenty of rumors about how Vince feels about him, but the Bullet Club reunion has been given a nice push, and can always throw Nakamura in the title match through the Elimination Chamber to give us an AJ, Finn, Nakamura triple threat at Wrestlemania.  I think Ziggler returns to be the iron man of the men’s rumble, but the final four comes down to Nakamura, Reigns, Finn, and Elias.  Winner:  Finn Balor

Impemba: This could really go in a lot of directions given the roster and some of the rumored surprise entrants that could be popping in such as Bautista and Daniel Bryan whose return would seem likely to find themselves in the main event picture. I do find it interesting that Roman Reigns lost the IC title on Raw which leaves him open to winning the rumble and contending for the Raw title at Wrestlemania which seems to be his destiny.  Reigns is for sure in my final four along with Nakamura, Baron Corbin and John Cena.  I think ultimately Nakamura wins and challenges AJ Styles for the Smackdown championship at Wrestlemania. Winner:  Nakamura

Murtha:  Right off the bat we get a surprise in Philly, as Dolph Ziggler – a Superstar not seen on TV since mid-December – joins the rumble as the number one entrant. Ziggler eventually finds his way into a final four including himself, Roman Reigns (shocker), Braun Strowman, and The Miz. Strowman begins to whale on Ziggler, the flopping fish that he is, while Reigns unleashes fury on The Miz in hopes of enacting revenge on the man who took the Intercontinental Title off his waist just one week earlier. Reigns and Strowman go at it rather evenly until a surprise interference from a pissed off Brock Lesnar, who earlier in the night had his title stolen from him by the way of dirty play from Strowman. Lesnar – in his understandably enraged state – not only launches Strowman over the top rope, but he also knocks around Reigns in the process. Now outside the ring still beating on Strowman, Lesnar looks up to see Reigns talking smack to him while standing towards the apron. Lesnar jumps up to go face to face with “The Face of the Company….” Just as the staredown begins to get awkward, Lesnar quickly jumps down to the surprise of Roman Reigns. Reigns turns around only to be smacked in the face by the right boot of the suddenly awake Dolph Ziggler. A perfectly executed, Shawn Michaels-esque Super Kick launches Reigns over the top rope, giving Ziggler only the third wire-to-wire victory in Royal Rumble history (Shawn Michaels in 1995 and Chris Benoit in 2004). This accomplishes giving the Philly crowd what it wants…  A) anything but a Reigns rumble repeat in their building and B) giving an underrated crowd favorite a title shot at WM 34 – something that they screwed up two years ago with Daniel Bryan. Beyond that, the WWE can then book their dream headliner of Reigns vs. Lesnar at Wrestlemania 34, without even needing a title involved. The real winners of course will be all of us because we will then get to see Dolph Ziggler and A.J. Styles work their magic for 20-30 minutes on the biggest stage of them all come April. Winner: Dolph Ziggler

Stein:  It has been several years since WWE has put on a compelling, dramatic Royal Rumble match.  Typically, the winners are foregone conclusions and the surprise entrants have been underwhelming (except for Bubba Ray Dudley in 2015 and A.J. Styles in 2016).  There are only 17 announced names leaving 13 spots for surprises.  I predict some of the surprise entrants will include Rob Van Dam, Eric Young, Big Show and Batista.  One heavy favorite to win this match is Roman Reigns even though he is not officially listed as a participant.  After losing the Intercontinental title to The Miz last week on #Raw25, Reigns does not have a match scheduled so it would only be fitting to see him enter and try to win another Rumble at the same venue where he won in 2015.  He seems destined to clash with Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania for the Universal Championship, but that will be set up some other way.  John Cena will extract his revenge and eliminate Elias only to be followed by a showdown with the Undertaker who will be a surprise entrant.  The Undertaker will eliminate Cena setting up a match for WrestleMania, and while the Deadman stares down at Cena he will be eliminated once again by Roman Reigns.  Finn Balor and Shinsuke Nakamura will draw #1 and 2 so they can have their full entrances, and I expect them both to last the entire match into the final four joining Reigns and Randy Orton.  The end will come down to Nakamura eliminating Reigns to a thunderous ovation and setting up a classic WrestleMania showdown with A.J. Styles for the WWE Championship.  WINNER: Shinsuke Nakamura

Fensty:  IF THE TITLE MATCH IS BEFORE THE RUMBLE:  Braun Strowman comes out as the surprising 30th entrant and destroys all. Final 4 will include Braun, Roman Reigns, Elias (Who will come in early and be in the ring the longest), and Shinsuke Nakamura.

IF THE TITLE MATCH IS AFTER THE RUMBLE:  Roman Reigns wins the Royal Rumble and will be in the final 4 with Elias (Who will come in early and be in the ring the longest), Shinsuke Nakamura and John Cena:  Winner:  Stroman or Reigns

 

Fantasy Alarm Staff Predictions

Name:

SD Tag

RAW Tag

SD HC

RAW UC

W Rumble

M Rumble

Scherr

Usos

Bar

Styles

Lesnar

Asuka

Balor

Impemba

Usos

Bar

Styles

Lesnar

Asuka

Nakamura

Murtha

Gable/Ben

Rollins/Jordan

Styles

Kane

Rousey

Ziggler

Stein

Gable/Ben

Bar

Styles

Lesnar

Rousey

Nakamura

Fentsy

Usos

Bar

Styles

Lesnar

Asuka

Stroman

 

**Please share your Rumble predictions in the comment section.  We’ll select one winner who predicts both the men’s and women’s rumble correctly to win some FantasyAlarm swag. Thanks for reading!**