Ranking the chances of the 5 Superstars who have already declared for the 2025 WWE Men's Royal Rumble

The 2025 WWE Royal Rumble draws closer by the day, and buzz for the 38th edition of the iconic PLE is steadily building. With Cody Rhodes vs. Kevin Owens and the two eponymous 30-person matches already on the card, the road to Indianapolis is well and truly underway. Things have been rather quiet on the women's end, but the Men's Rumble Match already has some confirmed entrants.

Five top names have thrown their hats in the ring, confirming their intention to try and punch their ticket to a world title match at WrestleMania 41. As a result, the 30-man gimmick match is already looking incredibly stacked. Additionally, early favorites have emerged, with certain stars' potential Road to The Show of Shows appealing to fans more than others.

Ride along with us as we attempt to rank the chances of each of the first five stars to have declared for the 2025 WWE Men's Royal Rumble Match:

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#5. LA Knight's deep involvement with the WWE United States Title makes him an unlikely choice to win the 2025 Men's Royal Rumble

The Megastar doesn't seem to be done with Shinsuke Nakamura and the US Title. [Image via WWE.com]

LA Knight was one of the first men to enter the 2025 Men's Royal Rumble, confirming what will be his third appearance at the PLE. After facing Bray Wyatt in 2023 and competing in an Undisputed WWE Universal Championship Fatal Four-Way Match in 2024, The Megastar will participate in the Men's Royal Rumble Match this year.

While he will undoubtedly be one of the most popular men in the clash, the stars don't seem aligned for him to outlast the other 29 men. The Megastar is currently deeply involved in the United States Title scene on top of a secondary attachment to the new Bloodline. His appearance is likely to end in an elimination that sets up a 'Mania match in either of those directions.

Thus, it's difficult to see him winning the 30-man match on February 1.

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#4. Jey Uso's popularity makes him a dark horse in the 2025 WWE Men's Royal Rumble match

Main Event Jey scored a massive win over Drew McIntyre on RAW's Netflix debut. [Image via WWE.com]

Jey Uso is arguably the most popular star in all of WWE today. The YEET Master has grown more and more beloved since leaving the OG Bloodline to become a solo competitor in 2023, with the last year bringing his first singles title. Main Event Jey will no doubt be looking to ascend to the next level and finally become world champion.

The Royal Rumble provides the RAW star an opportunity to set himself up to achieve that goal on The Grandest Stage of Them All. Given his otherworldly popularity, Jey is one of the few stars guaranteed to get a massive ovation should he win. He would also have a strong story heading into WrestleMania, aiming to win a world title after 15 years with the company.

Jey Uso may not be the current overwhelming favorite, but he's definitely one to keep an eye on.

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#3. CM Punk has unfinished Royal Rumble business from 2024

CM Punk was arguably the overwhelming favorite to win the 2024 Men's Royal Rumble Match. Having returned to the promotion just two months before the PLE, The Second City Saint's momentum was sky-high, and it seemed like he would finally achieve his dream of headlining WrestleMania by winning the Men's Rumble Match. Instead, Cody Rhodes won for the second consecutive year, and The Best in The World suffered an injury that ruled him out of The Show of Shows in Philadelphia.

Punk's misfortune was parlayed into magic through his iconic feud with Drew McIntyre. The 46-year-old is currently locked in a heated personal rivalry with Seth Rollins in which he drew first blood, defeating The Visionary on RAW's Netflix debut last Monday. As he gets set to walk into the 2025 Men's Royal Rumble Match, The Voice of The Voiceless will be a huge favorite to improve on his performance from last year.

However, one suspects that Rollins will have something to say about this.

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#2. Roman Reigns to set up a third consecutive WrestleMania meeting with Cody Rhodes by winning the 2025 Men's Royal Rumble?

Roman Reigns reclaimed the Ula Fala and his Tribal Chief title from Solo Sikoa in the opening match on WWE RAW's Netflix debut.

The OTC put away his successor with help from Jimmy Uso, Sami Zayn, and Cody Rhodes. The trio thwarted Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga, and Kevin Owens' attempts to help Sikoa. Four days later, Paul Heyman announced the newly restored chief's Royal Rumble entry.

Reigns' championship pedigree and Royal Rumble history immediately made him a hot favorite to win the 30-man match. The former Shield powerhouse has never finished outside the top three in the iconic match, winning it once. The 2025 edition will be his first in five years, and the Reigning, Defending, Undisputed Tribal Chief will be looking to begin the climb back to former glory.

While Solo Sikoa, Drew McIntyre, and more will have him in their sights, it's hard to see Reigns as anything other than an odds-on favorite.

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#1. John Cena is most fans' current favorite to win the 2025 Men's Royal Rumble Match

The 2025 WWE Royal Rumble will be the last of John Cena's illustrious career. The 30-man match will be the first in-ring appearance of the 16-time World Champion in his Retirement Tour, as announced by The Cenation Leader on RAW's Netflix debut. The Franchise Player will look to tie Stone Cold Steve Austin's record of three Rumble wins and earn the chance to compete for an unprecedented 17th World Title at WrestleMania 41.

While The Doctor of Thuganomics has been on a losing streak in singles matches stretching back almost seven years, he has arguably a better case to win the Rumble than any other. It's difficult to see WWE telling a better story on the Road to WrestleMania 41 than John Cena going after his 17th world title. Going by the strength of the storyline and fan demand, the Hollywood star is the most likely Rumble winner as it stands.