All right fellow wrestling fans. It’s that time of year again. I’m talkin’ about time to start strolling down the road to WrestleMania. Of course the first….and maybe the most important stop on that road…..is the Royal Rumble Pay Per View. Thirty superstars in one of the most highly anticipated matches of the year. All of them with a chance to headline on the grandest stage of them all. Okay, let’s face it. They don’t ALL really have a chance here, but you can’t fault a superstar for trying. So who is going to win the big one?. That is the question. There are always the obvious choices, the not so obvious choices, and there’s always a few surprises too. Let’s take a look at a few of the possibilities.



A Little Obvious?



John Cena - I know what you’re saying. Seriously dude!?! I know, I know. Could I start off with a more obvious pick? Well like it or not, Cena winning the Rumble is a definite possibility, so I thought I would get it out of the way right off the bat. Just about every Smark out there is expecting Rock-Cena II for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania. The Rock beating Punk earlier in the night, then Cena winning the Rumble to guarantee his title shot would be the simplest way to go. Do I think it is going to be that cut and dried? I sure hope not…..but stranger things have happened in the WWE.



Sheamus​ - Whenever I am stumped in picking the winner of some big upcoming event, I look back at who won it last. In the case of the Royal Rumble that honor falls on none other than everyone’s favorite fighting Irishman (no, not Finley – lol). Sheamus had a career year in 2012 that included winning the World Title in 18 seconds at WrestleMania. In the history of the Rumble only three Superstars (Shawn Michaels, Hulk Hogan and Stone Cold Steve Austin) have won it more than once. They were all also back to back winners. Could it be time to add Sheamus’ name to that prestigious list?



Randy Orton - If you’re comparing the past year to the rest of “The Viper’s” career, then 2012 was definitely a lackluster one for the former 9-time World Champion. There are also rumors that Randy is looking to take more time off in 2013. Could just be a smoke screen to throw us off. Don’t forget, like Sheamus and Cena, Randy Orton is a former Royal Rumble winner. The thing that I really like about this pick too is that he works well as a face AND has been campaigning to turn heel. So whether the reigning champion is a “good guy” or “bad guy” when Mania comes around wouldn't really matter.

 

Not as Obvious, but Definitely Intriguing... ​



​​Dolph Ziggler​ - People from casual fans to veteran analysts (myself included) are predicting a monster year for DZ in 2013. What better way to start then by adding a guaranteed WrestleMania title shot to a resume that already includes a bodyguard, the most over female in the company, AND a Money in the Bank title shot? Or, if you don’t like the idea as Dolph as a double threat, then what if he cashes in his Money in the Bank contract at the Rumble, only to come short. But just when you think you’ve seen the last of the Show Off, he shocks everyone by winning the Royal Rumble? It could happen.



Ryback​ - Okay wait….before you shake your head no…think about this. Ryback is being pushed as this big indestructible monster, right? But so far all he has gotten is screwed out of a lot of big matches. So what if he wins the biggest one of his career at the Royal Rumble. How do this possible scenario grab ya? With his contract woes finally taken care of, The Big Show wins back the title from Alberto Del Rio earlier in the night. Then, Ryback overcomes the Shield and 26 other superstars to win the Rumble, setting up a monster vs monster match at Mania. We have seen a lot worse.



Wade Barret​ - The “Barrett Ba-rrage” looks to be in the midst of a pretty good size push these days. Barrett ended 2012 by becoming Intercontinental Champion. Then on the 20th anniversary of RAW, he managed to capture a clean, and somewhat surprising win over Randy Orton. Maybe his new push takes the former bare knuckles fighter all the way to WrestleMania 29. There are a few obvious choices for who wins the Rumble this year. Barrett probably wouldn’t be at the top of everyone’s list, but maybe a little new blood is just what the title picture needs in WWE right now.



Kane - Jesse Berberich, my buddy here at Calling All Nerds, should be happy with this pick. The Big Red Monster is in the twilight of his career in the WWE, so why not give him one more title run before his time is up. Kane can still move pretty well for a guy in his mid-forties. He has proven he can work as a face or a heel. And with Team Hell No more than likely set up to drop the Tag Titles earlier in the night to Team Rhodes Scholars, the stage is set. Kane and Daniel Bryan have had great chemistry together, and a Rumble win could also set up a solid program with his jealous former partner.

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​Probably Not...But Wouldn't It Be Cool?



Brock Lesnar - Remember him? Brought back last year to make an impact in the WWE? Those plans sort of fell flat. Maybe this is the way to change all that. Brock competed in his first Royal Rumble match back in 2003. Not only did he win the Rumble, he went on to capture the WWE title from Kurt Angle that year at WrestleMania. I know that it seems like a HHH vs Lesnar rematach is a forgone conclusion at Mania. And I love Triple H, but wouldn’t the biggest PPV of the year be a LOT more exciting if Brock was challenging Punk or even the Rock for the title? Damn right it would be.



​The Rock​ - How do you keep the main events at the Royal Rumble interesting if we all know that the Rock will be facing Cena as the WWE Champion at WrestleMania? Well what if “The Best in the World” CM Punk shocks everyone (except himself) by beating the Rock for starters? Then the fans get a double shock when the Rock’s music hits during the Royal Rumble match. The People’s Champ electrifies the crowd by overcoming a physical title match AND 29 other superstars to go on secure his spot at WrestleMania. You don’t think it can happen? IT DOESN’T MATTER WHAT YOU THINK!



The Undertaker​ - You read that right. Picture this. Twenty-nine other superstars have been announced. Some expected, some unexpected. Some obvious eliminations, some cool surprises.  Just when you think you’ve seen it all, the clock winds down for the final entrant. There is a pause. The crowd tries to figure out who it is, and then, the BELL TOLLS. The dead man returns to win the Royal Rumble. Who doesn’t pop for that? There have been rumors for months about a possible match between Punk and Taker at Mania. Why not put the streak up against the World Title? Improbable, yes. But impossible? Hmmmm.



My Prediction



In a perfect world, my Taker guess comes true. Alas, it probably won’t. I would also like to say Kane. I just have a feeling. But I am going to go with Ryback. I can see Show winning back his title from Del Rio, setting up Ryback vs Show at Mania. Not a bad start. Then Ryback finally gets his big PPV title win with an Earth Shattering Shell Shock on the world’s largest athlete. But before he can enjoy his win, the Shield attacks! And with the new champ laid out, Dolph Ziggler cashes in his Money in the Bank briefcase to become the World Heavyweight Champion. A perfect way to give Ryback a big win without the actual title run, kick off the Dolph Ziggler era AND continue to add fuel to the feud between Ryback and the Shield. Like that? Sign me up…I’m ready to book this bitch!



Jesse's Predictions



I'll keep this short. I don't want to intrude on Donald's article anymore than I already am.

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I was glad to see Kane on Donald's list. Kane was the first wrestler I ever loved as a kid, and I've always hoped for the best for the character. I remember his amazing performance in the 2001 Rumble match when he eliminated 11 men before being eliminated by Steve Austin at the end of the match. I still believe he should have won that match. I'd love to see him finally get his victory now!

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However, to be more realistic, my pick to win the Rumble this year is Wade Barret. Before he was injured late last year, I was sure he was going to come out on top of that year's Rumble. Since his return, he's been been putting solid matches and cutting great promos. I think he's more than ready for a Rumble win and a World championship match at WrestleMania.



Enjoy the Rumble everyone!