BY MICHAEL GOODPASTER
The Royal Rumble is one of the most important shows of WWE’s entire year. WrestleMania is their big show, obviously, but the Rumble sets that show up and is often more entertaining. Over the years the WWE has proven that the “Road to WrestleMania” will start with the Rumble. I think it really starts around Survivor Series in terms of direction, but it really takes shape for the fans around the Rumble.
I’ve always given my predictions, but this year I’m going to try to keep a “record” so to speak to see how “unpredictable” WWE is. Two predictions are easy. Alberto Del Rio is going to retain his title against the Big Show, The Rhodes Scholars will finally get the Tag Team Titles against Team Hell No. Alberto is just coming into his own and I don’t think he’ll drop it just yet despite the Last Man Standing gimmick. If they want to establish him as a new face they need to get him a big win. Team Hell No has done just about all they can with this “odd ball” pairing and should be split up. That and if the Rhodes Scholars lose any more they might have a problem regaining their pushed credibility.
The CM Punk title reign has been a long one. They keep pushing how long it’s been going on and it’s for a reason. The Rock does not need the “I ended Punk’s reign” feather in his hat, but I wouldn’t be too shocked if it happened. I think by hook or crook Punk wins this and keeps his belt. So, CM Punk retains and keeps it going into WrestleMania. The Royal Rumble should be fun and exciting. There is a lot of buzz about some surprise entrants and some comebacks. I always hope for the underdog and the surprise winner. When Sheamus won it was pretty cool and helped move him up the card. In a perfect world Dolph Ziggler, Daniel Bryan, of even Kofi Kingston would win this and go on to have an amazing match at WrestleMania with the likes of a CM Punk. Instead I feel the WWE will for sure have an established guy win it this year. I get woozy with disgust that could mean Cena wins this, but I’m going to go out on a limb and say that the The Undertaker shows up and wins it.
This leads to Taker and Punk at Mania, “Streak vs. Reign”. The Rumble itself is what people care most about. 30 men enter and 1 man wins. It’s a fun concept. I hope I’m wrong. I hope everything I expect to happen is turned on his ear and I’m left shocked and awe-struck. The count down, the surprises, the tension, and the whole energy of the Rumble is probably the coolest interactive moment for a WWE fan. I fondly remember counting down to the next entrant with rooms full of people over the years. No matter how poor the WWE product can be, the Rumble is at least good for that “vibe”. It may very well be the closest I get to getting that child-like awe and excitement of watching it as a kid. I am not huge on the WWE stories right now and it’s dreadful to sit though. That doesn’t matter. I’m still excited, but expectations often get the best of me. This is still the WWE. The John Cena possibility is always there.
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