'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
We are all set for WWE’s first pay-per-view of the year, Royal Rumble 2021. Apart from the traditional men and women’s Royal Rumble matches, WWE has only confirmed three other title matches for the pay-per-view. As of now, the Universal Championship, the WWE Championship, and the Women’s Tag Team Championships will be on the line at the upcoming event.
In this article, we will look at three things that should happen at Royal Rumble and two things that shouldn’t. So, without further ado, let’s begin.
#3 Should happen at Royal Rumble 2021 – Roman Reigns retains his Universal Championship
Roman Reigns will defend his Universal Championship against Kevin Owens at Royal Rumble 2021. This will be the third title match between the two Superstars since they started feuding on WWE SmackDown towards the end of last year. As confirmed by WWE, this will be a Last Man Standing match between the two Superstars.
Trending
Their first encounter was governed by TLC (Tables, Ladders, and Chairs) stipulation while their second match was inside the Steel Cage. Reigns ended up winning both these matches, thanks to crucial interferences from Jey Uso. The latter is once again expected to make an appearance and help his ‘Tribal Chief’ at Royal Rumble.
Earlier this month, Reigns and Jey Uso teamed up and brutally attacked Kevin Owens. He went missing from WWE television and in the meantime, Reigns turned his focus towards Adam Pearce. His entourage forced Pearce to enter a Gauntlet match that would determine the challenger for the Universal Championship at Royal Rumble and ensured that the retired Superstar wins the battle.
Following that, an arrogant Reigns signed the contract for their title match but was shocked to see that he had been beaten in his own game by Pearce who was working with Owens. This turn of events allowed KO an opportunity to challenge Reigns for the championship once again. Last week on WWE SmackDown, he manhandled Reigns to ensure that he sends a clear message ahead of their title match at Royal Rumble.
It is important to note that Owens got the better of Reigns when Jey Uso was not around. But that might not be the case at Royal Rumble on Sunday. While this feud has had its entertaining bits, it would be the perfect time for the creative to end it.
Allowing Reigns to retain his Universal Championship at Royal Rumble would settle an old score, and it would put an end to this rivalry without compromising anyone’s credibility. Following that, both Superstars will have an opportunity to move on to different storylines as we move closer to WrestleMania.
#2 Shouldn’t happen at Royal Rumble 2021 – Failed Money in the Banks cash-in
Will Miz cash-in his MITB contract at Royal Rumble 2021? Last year at Hell in a Cell, Miz defeated Otis to win the Money in the Bank contract. He then tried to cash-in his contract at TLC during the WWE Championship match between Drew McIntyre and AJ Styles. Although he couldn’t get his hands on the title, Miz got his Money in the Bank contract back on a technicality as it was John Morrison who had cashed-in his MITB contract.
Now, Miz has declared that he will seize an opportunity to cash-in his contract during the title match between McIntyre and Goldberg at Royal Rumble. Goldberg is expected to win the WWE Championship at the pay-per-view as it is the only title that he hasn’t won yet. It seems impossible that Miz will successfully pin Goldberg to win the title at the pay-per-view.
Therefore, one can’t help but wonder if there will be a failed MITB cash-in at Royal Rumble 2021? Despite the ‘shock’ factor, it wouldn’t be a wise decision for Miz to go through so much trouble only to have him misuse the one opportunity he has at winning the world title.
Since WWE has already waited for so long, they can wait another couple of months before Miz loses his beloved briefcase. However, if Miz ends up cashing-in his MITB contract, he should walk out of Royal Rumble with the WWE Championship.
#2 Should happen at Royal Rumble 2021 – Drew McIntyre seeks immediate redemption after losing to Goldberg
In an ideal world, Drew McIntyre would retain the WWE Championship at Royal Rumble 2021. This time last year, he eliminated Brock Lesnar with a Claymore and became the biggest babyface in the promotion. He embraced that 'good guy' image without losing his dominance, and that was something that we hadn’t seen in WWE for a while.
Unfortunately for him, McIntyre will face Goldberg, and the latter is most likely win the WWE Championship at Royal Rumble. The WWE Universe has reluctantly accepted this ever since Goldberg returned and challenged McIntyre for the title. Between losing his title to a legend and a plausible threat from a MITB cash-in, McIntyre doesn’t have odds in his favor at Royal Rumble.
Despite his loss, McIntyre can still turn things around if he decides to enter the Royal Rumble. There is no particular Superstar who has a good momentum to back him in the men’s Royal Rumble. Having McIntyre enter in this match at the very last moment will account for an interesting booking. More than anything, it will allow the creative to protect one of the Superstars who carried the promotion in the absence of its biggest stars last year.
#1 Shouldn’t happen at Royal Rumble 2021 – Charlotte Flair and Asuka lose their tag team championships
At Royal Rumble 2021, Charlotte Flair and Asuka will defend their Women’s Tag Team Championships against Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler. Charlotte Flair returned as Asuka’s partner at TLC last month, and the duo defeated Jax and Baszler for the titles. At the upcoming pay-per-view, Flair and Asuka should retain their tag team gold. It is worth mentioning that three of the four Superstars have declared themselves as the entrants in the women’s Royal Rumble match.
We have already seen Jax and Baszler as the tag team champions, and there is no reason to rush into their second reign. Instead, the creative should explore the potential growth of a partnership between Charlotte Flair and Asuka after Royal Rumble, especially when they need The Queen to remain a babyface on WWE RAW.
Their current tag team reign has already stirred up the women’s tag team division on RAW and SmackDown. There’s a possibility that Asuka will soon lose her RAW Women’s Championship to Alexa Bliss. This would be an easy booking if she still has the tag team championship. The same will be beneficial for Charlotte Flair who is currently feuding with her father Ric Flair and Lacey Evans.
#1 Should happen at Royal Rumble 2021 – Bianca Belair wins the Women’s Royal Rumble match
While there is no clear favorite for the men’s Royal Rumble match, the things are different for the women’s Royal Rumble match. WWE SmackDown Superstar Bianca Belair has received a massive push in the months leading up to Royal Rumble, and she should be the one to walk out of the pay-per-view with a huge title opportunity in her hand.
Belair is one of the strongest contenders in the entire women’s division of WWE and poses a serious threat to all the titles across RAW and SmackDown. That said, she has had to wait for a long time to enter the title picture on the main roster. This year’s Royal Rumble would be the right time to have her emerge as a credible challenger to the women’s gold.
Belair will most probably win the Royal Rumble and challenge Sasha Banks for the title match. The two Superstars will undoubtedly deliver excellent performance inside the ring. In addition to that, this storyline will allow the creative to play with all kinds of narratives, including a heel turn, an anti-hero agenda, and a huge betrayal. Things look promising for Bianca Belair and Royal Rumble 2021 could be the turning point of her WWE career.
Meet Randy Orton's lovely wife HERE
