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It may be two and a half months away, but it is always hard not to get excited for the Royal Rumble. There has been a little indication of WWE's direction towards the second biggest pay-per-view of the year. Royal Rumble 2021 could play host to some fascinating match-ups. Meanwhile, the two Royal Rumble matches are among the most exciting things in WWE every year.
There could be live fans in attendance at Royal Rumble 2021
Not counting NXT's Capitol Wrestling Center, no WWE event has had live fans in attendance since the COVID-19 pandemic started affecting the United States in March. The WWE ThunderDome has done a good job of countering that, creating an atmosphere worthy of a big-time show.
However, that would not be enough for Royal Rumble. The fans give life to the titular match by counting down the timer for each entrant and reacting to them as they join the match. WWE is well aware of that fact and according to WrestleVotes, the company is working on something different for Royal Rumble.
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Despite the ThunderDome likely to last until February, WWE could go elsewhere for the Rumble. It could be special, with fans physically being a part of a WWE event for the first time since the RAW after Elimination Chamber.
With that in mind, here's a look at what could happen at WWE Royal Rumble 2021, over two months out.
#7 'The Fiend' Bray Wyatt def. Randy Orton (Non-title match)
Randy Orton may be the WWE Champion right now but the way he has been targeted on RAW since winning the title, he doesn't look likely to hold it for very long. The main reason why Orton's 14th world title reign shouldn't last long is that 'The Fiend' Bray Wyatt is coming after him.
The story that could be told between the two of them has a lot of potential, but the WWE title might hold it back. The Fiend chasing the world title is a can of worms that WWE would be smart not to open up again. Orton should finally get his comeuppance for burning Wyatt's house down.
Royal Rumble is the perfect place to pay off this angle, as it would prevent The Fiend from entering the Royal Rumble match. Meanwhile, Randy Orton's rumored WrestleMania match with Edge doesn't need the WWE title but if that's the direction that WWE wants to take, The Viper could regain it at Elimination Chamber.
A small game of hot potato with the belt would be worth it, simply to keep it away from Bray Wyatt. What happens with the WWE Championship at Royal Rumble 2021? More on that in a bit.
#6 Asuka def. Reckoning (RAW Women's Championship)
The RETRIBUTION story isn't the greatest, but the talent levels of those involved could turn things around. Hopefully, WWE does Mustafa Ali and his group some justice and they are still around making positive contributions by the time Royal Rumble comes around.
It seems like the female member of the faction, Reckoning, formerly known as Mia Yim, is about to run through the women's division. Asuka's RAW Women's Championship reign could seriously do with a well-told story with an opponent who has strong in-ring skills, with Reckoning fitting the bill.
Asuka and Reckoning could have a solid match at Royal Rumble, with some of RAW's biggest stars like Shayna Baszler, Nia Jax, and Charlotte Flair entering the Women's Royal Rumble Match.
#5 Sasha Banks def. Carmella (SmackDown Women's Championship)
On the blue side of WWE's women's division, Sasha Banks has seemingly come across her next challenger. After defeating Bayley to retain her SmackDown Women's Championship this past week, Carmella made her return and attacked The Legit Boss. She may be next in line for a title shot.
However, with Carmella having just returned, WWE should draw this feud out and not end it at TLC. It should ideally build to a big title match at Royal Rumble between Banks and Carmella, with the Champion retaining. The January event is generally known for featuring some great, albeit a little predictable, title matches.
This match would be no different, as is the case with most title matches involving Sasha Banks. Carmella would also have the opportunity to showcase herself as a vastly improved in-ring performer.
#4 Drew McIntyre def. AJ Styles (WWE Championship)
As mentioned earlier, Randy Orton might not be the WWE Champion heading into Royal Rumble so his program with Bray Wyatt does not involve the title. In fact, The Viper might lose the WWE title as soon as next week's RAW. He and Drew McIntyre are set to go at it once again, with the challenger possibly coming away victorious.
Following the WWE Draft, there are quite a few heels who could challenge McIntyre for the title. Sheamus comes to mind instantly, with his backstage interactions with the Scotsman possibly planting some seeds for a future story. However, AJ Styles would be the perfect choice to face McIntyre at Royal Rumble.
The Phenomenal One has been a part of every WWE Championship match at the January event since his debut in the 2016 Royal Rumble match. His streak could continue next year, as a match between Styles and McIntyre sounds very promising.
It would keep up with the latter's impressive run of matches during his title reign. There is also the added threat of AJ Styles' new bodyguard, Jordan Omogbehin being at ringside. If Drew McIntyre regains the WWE title, this would be an excellent addition to the Royal Rumble card.
#3 Roman Reigns def. Daniel Bryan (Universal Championship)
It seems like the next challenger for the Universal Championship will be Daniel Bryan, who was the subject of the assault from Jey Uso that confirmed his heel turn. The five-time WWE World Champion is the perfect opponent for Roman Reigns, who is on the best run of his career as the evil Tribal Chief. This feud could last until Royal Rumble.
Bryan is one of the greatest sympathetic babyfaces in WWE history, making the dynamic between him and Reigns extremely exciting. The two of them are excellent storytellers, along with the chemistry they share in the ring. Their match at Fastlane 2015 is proof of that.
Bryan and Reigns are also indirectly linked with each other, because of the issues surrounding the 2015 Royal Rumble match. Bryan's undeniable popularity led to the fans rejecting The Big Dog as a babyface at the time, dooming his main event run from the start.
This would add even more fire to the ultimate Babyface vs. Heel match. Daniel Bryan and Roman Reigns could put on an early contender for the 2021 Match of the Year at Royal Rumble. The Leader of the 'Yes' Movement wouldn't even be hurt from a defeat here.
#2 Sonya Deville returns and wins the Women's Royal Rumble Match
This may seem like an incredibly bold prediction, considering Sonya Deville is nowhere near WWE TV at this moment. She is taking some time off, following the scary incident she was involved in a week before SummerSlam. Deville last appeared at the event, losing to Mandy Rose in a 'Loser Leaves WWE' match. This is assuming she is ready to return in time for Royal Rumble.
Next year's 30-woman Royal Rumble match might be the least predictable one, with a litany of directions WWE could go in with both Women's Championships heading into WrestleMania. The door is open for Deville to make a surprise return during the Rumble and shock the world by winning it.
She has massively improved as a performer this year and a Royal Rumble victory would be just the reward for it. The former MMA fighter has a lot of potential and could challenge Sasha Banks at WrestleMania, especially since Bayley might drop slightly down the card.
If Sonya Deville cannot return by the Rumble, Bianca Belair is another solid choice to win the contest. Other contenders include Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax, who will likely play a part in each other's eliminations, as well as Charlotte Flair. Surely WWE won't book The Queen to win another Royal Rumble, right?
While they are rumored to face each other in a singles match at WrestleMania, it is extremely unlikely that either Becky Lynch or Ronda Rousey will make their return in the Royal Rumble. This leaves WWE with the opportunity to create a brand new female star at the start of next year.
Sonya Deville would be the perfect candidate, with Bianca Belair as a more than suitable back-up option.
#1 Big E wins the Men's Royal Rumble Match
Provided The Rock does not return to face Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship at WrestleMania 37, Big E should absolutely be the winner of the 2021 Men's Royal Rumble match. He has everything going for him, from in-ring talent and charisma to fan support and momentum.
There are no excuses for WWE not to push Big E, with Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods now away from him on RAW. The New Day member has begun a solo run, impressing during his feud with Sheamus. There are quite a few ways he could progress up the card, with the endgame being a Royal Rumble victory.
Big E is the best choice from WWE's current roster to dethrone Roman Reigns, with the moment possibly happening at WrestleMania. But in the slightly unlikely scenario that The Rock does return to face Reigns, the company might have a few surprises up their sleeve.
If the Royal Rumble winner has to come from RAW, we might be looking at a returning part-timer standing tall at the end of the 30-man melee. Edge and Brock Lesnar could both return for the Rumble as long as there are live fans. Either of them could realistically win it as well.
The identity of the WWE Champion might dictate whether Lesnar or Edge wins the Royal Rumble. Various Superstars like Keith Lee, Mustafa Ali, and Kevin Owens, among many others, could also have big performances in the match. However, the best option to win remains Big E.
The Royal Rumble is the ultimate star-builder, as evidenced by the rise of Drew McIntyre this year, and another one could be on his way to the top of the WWE mountain. 2021 could be Big E's year and it could start with a massive win in the Royal Rumble Match.
