2018 Women’s Royal Rumble Match (30-Woman Royal Rumble Match for a Women’s Championship Match at WrestleMania 34)
WWE
Predictions & Winner: The Women’s Revolution is still going strong! We got two Women’s Championships, then there were two Money in the Bank Ladder matches for the ladies in 2017. For 2018, the women of Raw and SD Live will be competing in the first ever Women’s Royal Rumble. Judging by the field of competitors revealed thus far, here’s my picks for the ones most likely to win – Asuka and Nia Jax. Yep…THAT’S IT! I honestly can’t see any of the other announced entrants in this match rising up to get the victory. But then there’s the element of surprise. And by surprise, I mean shocking names that’ll pop up and make fans like me change their pick for the winner. My gut’s telling me that a few NXT women will pop up – the iconic duo of Peyton Royce and Billie Kay, plus Nikki Cross and Bianca Belair seem the most likely.
WWE
And then there’s the rumors surrounding Ronda Rousey of all people showing up! While I’m starting to believe all the hooplah about her joining WWE for a career change in wrestling, I don’t think Dana White’s let her go completely free yet. So the chances of her showing up during this Royal Rumble match are slim to none for me. But what about the veteran surprises, you say? Victoria can still hang, so she seems like the most likely candidate to jump into the fray. Nevertheless, let me get to my pick for the winner of the first ever Women’s Royal Rumble. Asuka’s mega push will continue with her being the last woman standing. And I might sound crazy with this second prediction, but I think she’s going to take aim at Charlotte and her SD Live Women’s Championship. Now there’s a dream match for WrestleMania 34!
Brock Lesnar (c) (with Paul Heyman) vs. Braun Strowman vs. Kane (Triple Threat Match for the WWE Universal Championship)
WWE
Predictions & Winner: I’m so conflicted here. If last year’s letdown of a first time bout between Strowman and Lesnar never happened, it would have been even better if it happened here. The added element of Kane does nothing for me since he’s way past his prime and no longer a threat to anyone/anything. Nevertheless, I’m still slightly interested in seeing this match erupt into an in-ring monster mash. Lesnar tends to shine during multi-man matches (see his Royal Rumble 2015 match and last year’s SummerSlam main event for proof), plus watching Strowman wreck fools is always fun. This one’s pretty easy to predict – Kane’s obviously taking the pinfall here. He’s the extra warm body in the match that will do some damage here and there. But Kane will ultimately play the part of a veteran who’s giving back by making the champ and Strowman look better after the final bell rings. Lesnar’s definitely retaining here.
2018 Men’s Royal Rumble Match (30-Man Royal Rumble Match for a World Championship Match at WrestleMania 34)
Predictions & Winner: And now we’re getting into the real nitty gritty. The show is named after this match after all! So the 2018 Men’s Royal Rumble features some major names from both main brands, of course. Raw’s standout entrants includes John Cena, Roman Reigns, Finn Bálor, and The Miz. The Blue Brand’s best includes Randy Orton and Shinsuke Nakamura. The rest of the field should be filled out with NXT Superstars and a surprise or two (MVP got called in for Raw 25 to play cards with the APA. Wonder if WWE threw some extra cash his way for a Rumble appearance…). I’m picturing developmental talent such as Lars Sullivan, No Way Jose, Pete Dunne, and Tyler Bate being the extra bodies this Rumble needs.
WWE
Now there’s the whole matter of selecting a winner. And for me, that honor has to go to Shinsuke Nakamura. Even though there hasn’t been a strong push towards him winning, I feel as if WWE will throw us a curveball by making him the victor. You can look at Randy Orton’s leadup to the 2017 Rumble for a good example of Nakamura’s storyline treatment going into this Rumble. Doing nothing really of note, then coming out of nowhere to win the whole thing should be expected. WWE’s doing another Rumble in Philly here and we all know they don’t want a repeat of Roman Reigns’ victory the last time they were in Philly. While he’ll be in the match, I don’t see him winning. But I still get the feeling that he’ll find a way to face Lesnar for the Universal Championship at ‘Mania 34. Which leaves Nakamura to face AJ for the WWE Championship in a rematch that NJPW fans have been wanting to see. So there you have it! Another SD Live talent is winning the Rumble a year after that instance took place.
