The 2020 Royal Rumble takes place this Sunday in Houston, Texas, officially kickstarting the much vaunted ‘Road to Wrestlemania’. Based on the matches announced so far, here’s what I think would be happening on the show, starting with the lower end matches to the main events: the two Royal Rumble matches.
Shorty G vs. Sheamus
Do I really need to make a prediction here? This is another push for the Irishman, at the expense of the revamped Chad Gable who “embraces” his shortness and height disadvantage. Even Vince McMahon isn’t out of his mind enough these days to have done all those vignettes and have Sheamus eat a loss in his first match back since taking time off.
The only remaining question is whether Shorty G would last longer than 12 seconds, reminiscent of Sheamus’ Heavyweight title win over Daniel Bryan a few Wrestlemanias ago. My guess is it will be longer, since WWE these days may want to try erasing that bitter episode on Bryan’s record.
Prediction: Sheamus via pinfall after Brogue Kick.
Bayley vs. Lacey Evans
This match may be hard to predict. Evans has been booked very strongly in the past few weeks feuding with the Smackdown Women’s champion and her friend Sasha Banks. In one of the bright spots in booking, WWE has managed to inject Evans’ military background and, of all things, motherhood into the storyline and make her a popular character.
Although the drastic change in her on screen character has led to a revitalization of her career, Bayley again seems to have played second fiddle to Banks as the feud has gotten more traction when it’s Evans vs. Banks, especially after the incident over Evans’ daughter.
I predict that there will be a DQ result in this match with Banks’ interference, which may lead to another title match or one with Banks for Evans at the next PPV event.
Prediction: Evans wins by disqualification after Banks interferes in the match.
Roman Reigns vs. King Corbin (Falls Count Anywhere)
This is the Big Dog’s stipulation for the match, so therefore it’s Roman’s match to lose. But with such a stipulation the Usos, Dolph Ziggler, Robert Roode, maybe even the Revival and Heavy Machinery would get involved. Otis probably should get some measure of retribution after Ziggler stepped on that cake meant for Mandy Rose.
All kidding aside, Corbin being loathed and hated on air means he’s doing his job, once you get past how much you hate his character, with the dog food segments were especially heat drawing. But this feud has been dragging on since last November, when both Reigns and Corbin first got drafted to the blue brand. It’s high time that it be put to an end at the Rumble.
Prediction: Roman Reigns wins after massive spear on Corbin through some poor commentators table.
Becky Lynch vs. Asuka
This match is being billed as Becky’s attempt to collect “one more outstanding debt,” and that is her not being able to beat Asuka. Asuka won a ladder match in late 2018 to win the Smackdown Women’s title from Becky and subsequently defended it against her in the 2019 Royal Rumble.
Last year, Asuka was still playing the fan favourite as Becky was in a more transitory role between heel and babyface, which was spurred on more by fan reaction than WWE booking. I’m confident that these two will have a stellar match, as both Asuka and Becky are both top tier performers. Becky is approaching the one year mark as RAW Women’s Champion and it’s most likely she’ll go into Wrestlemania as the defending champion.
Prediction: Lynch win via submission with Disarmer
“The Fiend” Bray Wyatt vs. Daniel Bryan (Universal Championship)
Likewise with Becky, I’m predicting that Wyatt will go into Wrestlemania as the defending Universal Champion. The feud with Bryan has been played on a more personal level, and the match will show that the former WWE champion will put up more of a fight against “The Fiend” than in previous matches. But in the end, it’s still Wyatt coming out on top.
Prediction: Wyatt win with Mandible Claw on Bryan
Women’s Royal Rumble
Royal Rumble predictions are actually quite difficult to predict, since as of this writing we only have a slice of an idea of who would be in the match, besides those who have already announced. Charlotte Flair is always a favourite, as she was the first to declare she’s entering the women’s Royal Rumble. Other names like Sasha Banks, Toni Storm from NXT UK and Io Shirai from NXT could also be possible contenders.
My pick is Shayna Baeszler, the former two time NXT women’s champion who was recently dethroned by Rhea Ripley and doesn’t look like she has any avenues upcoming to make it as champion for a third time. If Ronda Rousey doesn’t make any anticipated return at the Rumble, Baeszler can go on to face Becky Lynch at Wrestlemania.
But it’s hard to predict considering we don’t know the entire participant list, so the safest prediction is that the match will come down to a final four of Baeszler, Flair, Banks and Shirai.
Men’s Royal Rumble
For the men’s Rumble, it may be harder to predict. Yes, Paul Heyman announced that WWE Champion Brock Lesnar is entering the match at Number 1, but it’s hard to imagine that Lesnar would actually go through an entire hour and a bit in the ring. My guess is Seth Rollins and the AOP, or some other reason, would sideline Lesnar for the majority of the match.
Eventually, Lesnar would make it back in at some point, so he’ll probably end up in a final four showdown with Randy Orton, Drew McIntyre and Roman Reigns. I would much prefer McIntyre winning the match and getting his title shot at Wrestlemania, but my guess is that Reigns is being set up to win so he can go on and face the Fiend at the Show of Shows.
An average professional doing the 9-5 grind who really loves wrestling across all platforms. Here's hoping wrestlers finally get some basic workers rights in 2021.
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