4 Superstars who can answer Bobby Roode’s open challenge in Royal Rumble 2018

Dolph Ziggler relinquished the title and disappeared from Smackdown Live and he hasn’t returned yet. The reason he gave was that the WWE Universe was not grateful enough and he wasn’t much appreciated for his exemplary run in WWE. It came as a shock to the fans and the management alike.

Daniel Bryan started the US Title tournament and the finals of the tournament would take place in the Royal Rumble. However, due to the increasing abhorrence after the finalists were determined, the finals were preponed to the 16th January 2018 episode of Smackdown Live. The final match was between Jinder Mahal and Bobby Roode. The ‘Glorious’ one, Bobby Roode won the US title last week on Smackdown Live. Roode surpassed wrestlers like Jinder Mahal, Xavier Woods, Mojo Rawley, Baron Corbin to name a few.

After Cena, the fashion of Open challenges is very famous. Roode gave an open challenge to any wrestler in Royal Rumble 2018. These are the following wrestlers who are likely to answer the challenge in Royal Rumble.

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#1 Dolph Ziggler

Dolph Ziggler can demand a rematch

Dolph Ziggler deserves to return and win the US title because he has given his all to WWE. Finally, he has asked for what he has earned throughout these years. He won the title in a triple threat match against Baron Corbin and Bobby Roode in a minor PPV, ‘Clash of Champions’. His feud with Roode had been going on since September of last year and he answering the open challenge can be a huge possibility. If he wins the US Title in Royal Rumble PPV, then he can get a major push that can lead to his upgrade to the upper card of Smackdown Live.

Dolph Ziggler can intervene the open challenge by saying that the title is his and he has all the rights of having a rematch. The ‘Glorious’ one is a temporary US Title holder because the title is soon going to change hands.

#2 Baron Corbin

Lone wolf can revoke his rematch clause

At Clash of Champions, Corbin lost the US Title to Dolph Ziggler in a triple threat match also involving Bobby Roode ending his 70 days reign as the champion. Since then, he hasn’t applied his rematch clause. Baron Corbin can use reason to challenge Roode in his Royal Rumble match.

WWE wanted to build Corbin as the next monster or demon of the roster but Corbin lacks mic skills and also he needs to work on his in-ring skills. He still needs to work hard before he can become the top heel of Smackdown Live. The Lone- Wolf was humbled when he lost his Money in the Bank title opportunity via a laughable roll up at the hands of Jinder Mahal.

If Corbin wants to resurrect his character in Smackdown Live, he needs to win the US Title. He needs to show his dominance in the match by getting a clean win.

#3 Rusev

Rusev day will get a major push

Rusev, popularly known as Rusev Day now is a good in-ring performer but he is not getting enough opportunities. Right now, his gimmick as Rusev day along with Aiden English is getting popular but he needs a major push to elevate from his middle card persona to the upper card.Rusev, who was undefeated in 2015 was a major heel then. After his feud with Cena, he was pushed to the middle card section.

Since October 2017, he is getting major push as Rusev Day and the Universe also is liking his persona as one. Rusev and Aiden English are making a good pair but currently, Rusev is not getting a direction.If he answers and wins the open challenge of Bobby Roode, his character will get a major push and then he will uplift his character to the upper middle card. He has good in-ring skills, his popularity also has significantly grown, so he has huge chances to win the title.

#4 Jinder Mahal

Jinder Mahal can answer the open challenge to get a push

Bobby Roode defeated Mahal to become the US Champion. Mahal doesn’t have a feud going on right now. He can challenge Roode in the Royal Rumble match. Mahal was the finalist in the US Title Tournament, and he can demand a rematch in Royal Rumble 2018.

Jinder received a major push in 2017 before India tour. He remained the WWE World Heavyweight Champion for several months. He lost his title to AJ Styles and his push stopped abruptly. He may no longer be the top dog of WWE but by winning the US Title, he can definitely get the push he needs right now. His journey from a jobber to a main event superstar was due to India tour which is known to the entire WWE universe. His Pro-Indian and anti- American character in WWE, his scripted feuds and his lethargic promos proves to be a con for him and it failed to get him any push after his World Champion loss.

If he challenges Roode and manages a win against him, then he can at least uplift his character to the upper middle card and break free the strangle grip of the ‘jobber’ title that he has.