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The 34th edition of WWE's annual Royal Rumble pay-per-view is merely a day away now. However, it isn't wrong to say that the show's build-up has been below par compared to some of the previous events.
WWE did manage to create hype for the men's Royal Rumble match with the car-wreck of a segment to close the go-home Smackdown. The same can't be said about the women's version, which has clearly lacked the excitement and hype that it had during the first three years.
Both the World title matches, featuring Kevin Owens and Goldberg, of all people, as the challengers to Roman Reigns and Drew McIntyre, have been promoted quite well on weekly programming. That's even though Goldberg's presence in the World title picture has not been well received by the fans worldwide.
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However, given WWE's panache of surprising the fans with outstanding shows after lukewarm builds, it is impossible to already rule Royal Rumble out as a disappointing show.
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There are six matches currently scheduled to occur on this Sunday's show, including the two 30-Superstar Royal Rumble bouts. Here are the predictions for each match on the show.
Asuka & Charlotte Flair (c) vs. Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler - WWE Women's Tag Team Championships
WWE's lack of talent in the women's tag team division is clearly visible from the fact that all the performers involved in this match are bonafide single stars. None of them should be fighting for the tag team titles.
In fact, this has also meant that the RAW Women's Championship has been pushed to the sidelines as the entire focus has been on the tag team titles.
With 'Mania season right around the corner, it would be best if WWE could bring some bonafide stables or teams into the women's tag team picture.
As for the match scheduled for Royal Rumble, all signs point to a victory for Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler, and a subsequent feud between the current champions for Asuka's Women's Championship.
Charlotte is better off as a heel, and a betrayal after losing the match because of some miscommunication could be the perfect foil for their rivalry for 'Mania season.
On the other hand, Jax and Baszler could dominate the tag team division before an established team like the Riott Squad or an NXT duo could take the titles from them at WrestleMania.
Prediction: Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler regain the WWE Women's Tag Team Championships
Sasha Banks (c) vs. Carmella - WWE SmackDown Women's Championship
Even though this rivalry has been going on for more than two months now, it wasn't until last night's SmackDown that WWE added Sasha Banks versus Carmella for the Women's Championship to the Royal Rumble card.
Carmella's booking since her return in this new-heel avatar has been quite weird. Instead of being booked strongly, she lost her first pay-per-view match to Banks at TLC. With WrestleMania just around the corner, it doesn't look too bright for her this time out as well.
Carmella's sidekick Reginald is now more involved in this program than ever. He even fought Banks in an inter-gender match a few weeks ago and could play a role at the Royal Rumble.
However, it seems highly unlikely WWE would risk taking the title off The Boss, who is all but confirmed to enter 'Mania as a champion.
Prediction: Sasha Banks retains the WWE SmackDown Women's Championship
Drew McIntyre (c) vs. Goldberg - WWE Championship
Another WrestleMania, another year of Bill Goldberg, a WWE Hall of Famer somehow making his way into the World title picture again, this time at Royal Rumble.
The last time Drew McIntyre entered the Royal Rumble, he emerged not only as the No. 1 contender for the WWE Championship, but also the most over performer on the roster by eliminating Brock Lesnar.
However, this time, he goes against a guy who is protected even more than Lesnar. Had it not been for the horrendous thing that WWE did with Goldberg and The Fiend last year, it would have been a clear cut scene of McIntyre steamrolling through the former ahead of a marquee encounter at WrestleMania.
However, WWE's fantasy with legends/part-timers as World champions at WrestleMania means the Hall of Famer has as much chance of leaving Royal Rumble as the WWE Champion as McIntyre has of retaining.
The WWE Championship is the only World title that Goldberg has not won, so it won't be a surprise if WWE once again screws over a legitimate young Superstar and puts the title on Bill at Royal Rumble.
The odds are still in favor of McIntyre, but we can't completely rule out a surprise win for Goldberg for the third time in five years. One thing is for sure - the encounter will be a short affair, filled with a plethora of finishers and kick-outs.
Prediction: Drew McIntyre retains the WWE Championship
Roman Reigns (c) vs. Kevin Owens - WWE Universal Championship
Kevin Owens and Roman Reigns have a lot of history at the WWE Royal Rumble. The two long-time rivals faced each other in a No Disqualification Match for the Universal title in 2017, with a heel Owens emerging victorious over a face Reigns.
Even though they face each other for the same in 2021, the tables have turned this time. Owens is a loved babyface, and Reigns is the vicious heel champion, but the two's animosity has not changed one bit.
Their program, which started back in November, has easily been the best thing on the WWE programming, both in the ring and outside the ring, recently. The Last Man Standing match at the Royal Rumble seems to be the perfect way to end this rivalry for now.
If their previous encounters are a sign, fans are in for a slobber knocker of a contest at the Royal Rumble. Even though Kevin Owens, who has been absolutely brilliant as the underdog babyface, deserves a World title reign as soon as possible, the Royal Rumble is certainly not the time or place to start another.
Roman Reigns' Tribal Chief moniker has been the best thing on the roster recently, and his Universal title reign has added legitimacy to the championship. A loss at the Royal Rumble would halt his momentum.
Even though it would definitely benefit the Prizefighter, WWE won't risk even a single thing with the Universal Champion ahead of WrestleMania season.
Given that KO doesn't hesitate before sacrificing his body in high profile matches expect him to take a ton of beating, even at the hands of Jey Uso.
Prediction: Roman Reigns retains the WWE Universal Championship
30-Woman WWE Royal Rumble Match
The field for the women's Royal Rumble match is probably the weakest it has been since WWE introduced the match in 2018.
With the likes of Becky Lynch, Sasha Banks, and Asuka out of the picture, only a handful of WWE Superstars can be considered legit contenders to win the Royal Rumble match.
Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss have emerged as the front runners on WWE RAW's side. Flair, the 2020 Royal Rumble winner, is someone who can never be ruled out of the Women's title picture.
Still, her chances pale compared to a rejuvenated Alexa Bliss, whose recent program with Asuka has skyrocketed her chances of winning the Royal Rumble.
On SmackDown's side, the warring duo of Bayley and Bianca Belair is far ahead of the depleted roster.
With Sasha Banks as the Women's Champion, the prospect of her former best friend winning the Royal Rumble match and challenging her for the title at 'Mania is a prospect that no one would mind.
On the other hand, Belair is a star in the making and has been long rumored as Sasha Banks' opponent at 'Mania.
Add to this the surprise wild card in the name of Rhea Ripley, who seems poised to arrive on the main roster sooner rather than later. Ronda Rousey, who has been long rumored to return ahead of 'Mania season, could also actually go all the way this Sunday.
While a victory for all of them would result in stunning 'Mania rivalries, Belair seems to be the most logical option this year. The EST of WWE is one of the best performers on the roster. A Rumble win, followed by a title match at WrestleMania, would establish her as a bonafide star.
Prediction: Bianca Belair eliminates Charlotte Flair to win the Royal Rumble
30-Man WWE Royal Rumble Match
Unlike the women's Royal Rumble match, the men's bout is still a pretty open field. As many as 15 Superstars have a legit chance of realizing their dream of main-eventing WWE WrestleMania.
Daniel Bryan, AJ Styles, Keith Lee, Big E, Sheamus, Shinsuke Nakamura, Sheamus, Cesaro, Edge. WWE can have any one of these Superstars emerge as the last man standing in the Royal Rumble match.
If they did, the fans wouldn't complain about the result as each of them would result in mouth-watering World title programs for the next few months.
While Bryan, E, and Nakamura already have a history with Roman Reigns on WWE SmackDown, the same is true for Styles, Lee, and Sheamus on WWE RAW, each of whom have been involved with Drew McIntyre in the last few months.
This plethora of potential winners has increased the excitement for the show exponentially, and will definitely result in another brilliant men's Royal Rumble match.
Even the surprising names like Brock Lesnar and Goldberg, of all people, have been long rumored among the favorites, but none of the Superstars have as much momentum as Daniel Bryan.
After failing to win the match twice in 2014 and 2015, this seems to be the year Bryan finally goes all the way and restarts his long due heated rivalry with Roman Reigns.
Expect Styles and Keith Lee to play important roles in the match as well, with the former possibly as the Iron Man and the latter as the elimination machine. It should all come down to the Yes Man in the end.
Prediction: Daniel Bryan finally wins the men's Royal Rumble match
