Hello and welcome back to my blog. I'm previewing tonight's Royal Rumble. This years event plans to be the most entertaining and exciting Rumble in years. Apart from the undercard, that features some great matches, the rumble match has one of the best line ups in recent memory. I've always been a huge fan of the Royal Rumble match just due to the unexpected nature of who is coming next. As always if you have any opinions on what I'm saying or any predictions of your own please leave a comment below or follow me by clicking one of the social media links on the right hand side of the page. Let's start as I mean to go on and cover the 3 matches on the preshow:
1. Nikki Bella, Naomi and Becky Lynch Vs. Natalya, Alexa Bliss and Mickie James
This was a really thrown together match to simply have a Smackdown female representation on the card. I would have really liked to see a title match that involved all of talent. Whilst it will sufficiently cover all of the feud bases taking place on Smackdown, I really don't see this match adding more than a little light entertainment at the start of the preshow.
2. Sasha Banks Vs. Nia Jax
This has actually been an entertaining little feud that has added some diversity on RAWs womens division. Sasha is an incredible talent that should really be world champion, I understand that Charlotte is the bigger name however, Sasha along with Bayley have proven that the plucky underdog can achieve anything. Nia is a strange one for me. Whilst she doesnt fit the mould of the average women competitor she doesn't seem to be doing anything more than squashing local talent. Nia would be better used as an unstoppable monster that no other female on RAW can beat. I think that Nia will win this match, I may be wrong, but I think this will set up a 4 way match for Wrestlemania with Nia being the X factor in the match.
3. RAW Tag Team Championship: Cesaro and Sheamus (C) Vs. Gallows And Anderson
I find it odd that this match is on the preshow, I understand that they need to fill a mammoth 2 hours for the preshow tonight but, I think another Cruiserweight division match would have been a better option to fill some of the time. I also find it odd that the Smackdown Tag Team championship is not being defended at all but, thats beside the point. Cesaro and Sheamus have been a great addition to the already pretty crowded tag team division on RAW. I like that the potential of both has been noticed and rewarded with a championship and I think its testament to both of them that they were chosen to end New Days record breaking run. I assumed, along with a lot of people, that Gallows and Anderson would have ended New Days tag title run a long time ago. I feel that they've not really had an awful lot of exposure on TV. I would like to see this feud continue for a little while and that's why I think Gallows and Anderson may win the titles tonight.
As I said a Smackdown tag team championship match would have been good to seem considering there's two hours of tv to fill. I know it's a big ask but, it might have also been great to see the UK championship defended or represented on the preshow. On with the main card.
1. WWE Cruiserweight Championship: Rich Swann (C) Vs. Neville
I feel that the Cruiserweight division has been given a bad wrap of late. If you believe the internet rumours, Vince has taken over booking and feels frustrated with the lack of division. I, thankfully, don't believe any of the rumours and have been impressed with the division in general. 205 Live has been, for the most part, entertaining if not a little bit repetitive in the match booking. Neville has been a fantastic addition to the division and has added not only depth but intensity to Cruiserweight division. Rich Swann has been entertaining enough as champion but, I think his time may be up as champion. Neville may prove to be an unbeatable champion but, think of all the possible matches with Akira Tosawa, Brian Kendrick and Austin Aries that could bring a lot of attention to the young Cruiserweight division.
2. RAW Womens Championship: Charlotte (C) Vs. Bayley
This match will bring a little bit of freshness to the RAW womens division. Don't get me wrong I loved the numerous variations on Charlotte and Sasha Banks but, I'm glad its not happening for the 1000th time. Bayley has really been overlooked in the so called "Womens Revolution" I see why she was kept on NXT for a little while, to help rebuild the slightly depleted womens division but, I'm glad she is now getting a chance to prove how great she really is. Charlotte has been nothing short of dominating during her main roster stint. Whilst her last name has gotten her foot in the door her talent has really propelled her to where she deserves to be. This will be a great back and forth with Bayley no doubt being the plucky underdog that she plays ohh so well. I can't see Charlotte losing the title before Wrestlemania but, as I said previously, there will probably be a 4 way match at Wrestlemania between Charlotte, Sasha Banks, Bayley and Nia Jax.
3. WWE World Championship: AJ Styles (C) Vs. John Cena
This match has been build incredibly well. John Cena has always been polarising amongst the WWE Universe and now it seems that the creative team have been listening. Whilst I'm not going to say "Ohh this is the beginning of a heel turn" I do feel that he is now being arrogant and self important, more so than normal, almost reminiscent of when The Rock came back from Hollywood. AJ Styles has had an incredible start in his more than deserved WWE career. AJ may be the heel in this feud but, the way the story has been played he is appealing to the "Smart" wrestling fans whilst Cena will continue to play to his demographic or women and children. I don't see Cena winning the title until next months Elimination Chamber match so that he can go into Wrestlemania with the title. This match will steal the whole undercard.
4. WWE Universal Championship: Kevin Owens (C) Vs. Roman Reigns. Chris Jericho will be suspended in a shark cage.
This is a strange match. Whilst I appreciate that this title match needs a gimmick so that it can include Chris Jericho, the shark cage is a slightly strange choice. Kevin Owens has been on a hell of a run since becoming the Universal Champion and alongside Chris Jericho is the most entertaining part of RAW apart from Noam Dar saying Alicia Fox in the strangest way possible. Roman Reigns has been OK, I see why he is being pushed as he is everything that WWE look for in a face of the company type however, like Cena, WWE needs to play on his unlikeable side a little more without pushing him to a heel position. This should be a good enough match, with Reigns probably coming out on top so he can face the winner of the Rumble at Wrestlemania.
5. 30 Man Royal Rumble Match. Winner Headlines Wrestlemania.
As I mentioned at the beginning of this post I am a huge fan of the Royal Rumble. This years confirmed line up has to be one of the best in recent years. I love the mix of pay day characters like Brock Lesnar, Goldberg and The Undertaker and future champions like Sami Zayn, Baron Corbin, Bray Wyatt as well as previous winners like Randy Orton. I really would like to think that creative will invest more in the future by setting up an unlikely winnner to go on to compete for their respective brands championship however, I think one of the big names will come out on top. Look for The Undertaker or Brock Lesnar to win to set up a title match against Reigns at Wrestlemania. As for surprises I wholly expect Triple H to be an entrant only to be taken out by Rollins setting up their Wrestlemania match. Kurt Angle would be a fantastic addition even for a little period to welcome him back to the company. The fan in me would love to see Tyler Bate and Samoa Joe make an appearance and maybe even someone like Tommy End or a mystery new signing showing up to make the roof come of the Alamo Dome.
That's my thoughts on tonight's show, I hope all of you enjoy the show and remember to leave your thoughts and opinions below and follow me on social media
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