Countdown to the Royal Rumble
By SLAM! Wrestling Staff
|
  
|
There can be only one.
Yes friends, it's Rumble time again and this year's round of 30 looks as strong,
if not stronger, than any in history. You've got a good number of former world
champs already in the bout, plus a strong mix of guys who could easily enter
the title picture following tonight's match. As well, we've got four title bouts
that really could go either way.
Let's take a closer look at tonight's edition of the Royal Rumble.
|
ROYAL RUMBLE MATCH
Participants (as of Wednesday, Jan. 21)
Finlay, Mark Henry, CM Punk, R-Truth, Carlito, Brian Kendrick, Triple H,
Big Show, Vladimir Kozlov, Shelton Benjamin, Undertaker, Randy Orton, Chris
Jericho, Kofi Kingston, Rey Mysterio, Miz, Morrison, Cody Rhodes, Ted DiBiase,
Santino Marella, Kane |
|
SLAM! Predictions
Jon Waldman
To me, there are numerous possibilities that still exist here. You could have
Chris Jericho win and stick it to Stephanie by challenging Smackdown's champ
(with her trying to block it, naturally), you could have Triple H win and prepare
for the big match with Edge, or you could have Shawn Michaels be a surprise
entrant at number 30 and go to 'Mania to face his hated boss, JBL. All would
be great storylines. The one they'll likely go with, though, is Randy Orton
facing John Cena. The two have had great matches so far and the chemistry is
nothing short of awesome, plus, there's the added tension involving "the
kick".
Matt Mackinder
A friend of mine said that whoever enters at No. 23 will win based on the fact
WrestleMania 23 was held in Detroit. WWE usually saves the big guns for the
end to sweat less, work the least and get paid the most. In this case, it'll
either be CM Punk or Randy Orton. Punk's push keeps getting to historic standards
(World title, I-C title, World tag titles in six months and change, won Money
In The Bank at WrestleMania 24), but Orton should come out on top here and you
know what? Rename him "The Total Package" because Lex Luger, in my
mind, never fully lived up to that moniker.
Andy McNamara
My finalists are Triple H and Randy Orton. On a side note, Orton is saved numerous
times by Rhodes and DiBiase only to eliminate one or both of them in the end.
When it is all said and done it will be The Game going to Mania.
Mark Xamin
Having not watched WWE for the past couple of months, I'm happy to say I have
no idea who will win the Rumble this year. But let's think of this logically.
Hardy is the champ on Smackdown. Possible WrestleMania opponents for Edge, who
will likely win the belt back...Triple H. Over on Raw, Cena is the champ. Possible
WrestleMania opponents....Jericho, Orton. You have to go with one of those three.
Triple H was won the Rumble already and you've got to believe he'll be getting
the shot on SD anyways...so that leaves Orton or Jericho. Given that Orton just
punted Vince in the head on Raw and has the storyline to back up a Rumble win
(Vince can't fire him when he's earned a title shot)...I pick Randy Orton to win
the 2009 Royal Rumble.
| |
ECW WORLD TITLE MATCH
Jack Swagger vs. Matt Hardy |
| |
SLAM! Predictions
Jon Waldman
If I didn't have Hardy further down on my prediction list, I'd say he's going
to regain his belt or at least lose in a way that he'd still be in the hunt
for the gold. Instead, this has to be a clean win so Hardy can walk away from
the feud. The question then becomes, though, who will face Swagger next, and
I'm exceedingly fearful that it will be Boogeyman. Yikes!
Matt Mackinder
Ah yes. The Tuesday Night Velocity championship match that, if booked right,
will open the show and get a stellar eight minutes. Swagger doesn't have, well,
swagger and Hardy will seemingly never reach epic standards most fans think
he can attain. Afterall, he's the opposite of his brother in every possible
way, so let's push the druggie and put the good brother on WWECW. That makes
sense. Oh, and Swagger keeps the belt here, somehow. This will be the match
I decide to take a cat nap.
Andy McNamara
If WWE wants to keep the push on Swagger then he'll retain at the 2nd biggest
pay-per-view. More good can come from Swagger getting the rub at a major event
than Hardy so I'm going with Jack.
Mark Xamin
Swagger just won the title so I'll pick him to retain in some tainted fashion.
I'm not a fan of either Hardy but I do have to say Matt is a good worker, so
down the line he'll get the belt back...this just won't be his night.
|
WORLD TITLE MATCH
John Cena vs. JBL |
|
SLAM! Predictions
Jon Waldman
In order for my previously laid plan to work, Cena has to keep the belt here,
which means JBL loses, which means we either get the full-out or slow build
towards Michaels turning on his boss. I'll vote for the latter and say that
HBK inadvertently costs JBL the match (heel trip or botched double-team), giving
Cena the duke.
Matt Mackinder
Again? Boring. JBL is far past his prime and has no business being in a World
title match and one of the big four pay-per-views. Obviously, Shawn Michaels
is the wild card here. And it's also blatantly obvious even to a blind and/or
deaf person that HBK will cost JBL the match and the two will continue their
storyline until it no longer makes sense. Sounds fascinating, no?
Andy McNamara
Shawn Michaels finally betrays JBL and costs him the match allowing Cena to
keep the gold.
Mark Xamin
Cena wins with a little help from HBK, setting up HBK for JBL at either No Way
Out or WrestleMania. Either way, Cena is leaving the building with the title
in hand. The only question for me is, can they put on a show like they did in
their I Quit match a few years ago?
| |
WWE WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Beth Phoenix vs. Melina |
|
SLAM! Predictions
Jon Waldman
The double-cross by Santino and Rosa can be smelled a mile away. Like HBK and
JBL, the question is whether there's a slow build or a quick end. Given that
Beth has to be involved in the 'Mania bout, you'd assume she keeps the title
here, then probably head to WM25 against Mickie James or Gail Kim.
Matt Mackinder
Beth is wasted time and talent with Santino in her corner. He's a clown and
she is one of just two or three women, er sorry, Divas, that has a solid wrestling
repertoire. Most gals on WWE are just floozy eye candy. Not that I'm complaining;
it's just that if you're going to be in WWE, I think a lady should do what the
men do -- wrestle, backstage skits, mic chatter, etc. Phoenix wins with her
finisher -- whatever it's called -- and we see Melina's bottom lip come out
like my one year-old when he's about to pitch a fit.
Andy McNamara
Melina comes back against all odds and picks up the feel good underdog win and
the title.
Mark Xamin
Beth Phoenix is keeping that belt until WrestleMania, period. At least if they
book this smartly. So...Beth for the win.
| |
WWE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Edge vs. Jeff Hardy
|
|
WHAT YOU THINK
|
|---|
|
Who will win the WWE Championship match at the Royal Rumble?
Jeff Hardy - 50%
Edge - 50%
|
SLAM! Predictions
Jon Waldman
This is the one with the biggest question marks, since there are still theories
as to who the mystery assailant is. A lot of the signs point to Christian returning,
but the scenario I really like is Matt Hardy being behind the assault, the driveby
and the pyro, jealous over his brother's success and position in the company.
Either way would be great, and guarantee an Edge duke.
Matt Mackinder
Jeff Hardy is WWE champion, but has anyone really noticed? With his face makeup,
he looks a lot like Vampiro. Doesn't WWE do anything original anymore? You can't
beat Edge as champion, though, you really can't. Hardy might be "over"
with the crowd, but his title reign is "over" here as Edge and Vickie
Guerrero and whoever hasn't been fired yet helps the title come back to where
it belongs. Let's hope the Hardy fireworks show, er, sorry, pyro, doesn't "malfunction"
again. That would be horrible.
Andy McNamara
This one is very intriguing as the outcome will give a good read on how the
company feels about Jeff as a top guy. The winner will most likely be going
to main event WrestleMania. My heart says Edge, but my brain tells me Jeff...Hardy
retains.
Mark Xamin
Edge. Please? Jeff Hardy is god awful, I don't care what anyone says. If you
boo John Cena I don't know how you can cheer Jeff Hardy, because he's lazier,
has a history of drug abuse and has no mic skills. If Cena is the Raw champ,
then we need a heel champ going into WrestleMania...and Edge is flat-out the
best heel on the planet.
|
ROYAL RUMBLE HISTORY
|
|---|
From the SLAM! Wrestling archives:
Jan. 28, 2008: Cena wins Royal Rumble in surprise return
Jan. 29, 2007: Old guard dominates Royal Rumble
Jan. 30, 2006: Mysterio claims Royal Rumble; Cena reigns again
Jan. 31, 2005: Batista claims the Royal Rumble
Jan. 26, 2004: Benoit wins the Royal Rumble
Jan. 21, 2002: Triple H wins Royal Rumble
Jan. 22, 2001: Surprises dominate Royal Rumble
Jan. 17, 2000: Rocky wins the Royal Rumble
Jan. 25, 1999: McMahon wins Royal Rumble, Rock champ again
Jan. 25, 1998: Austin wins predictable Royal Rumble
1997-2008 Pay-per-view-reports
|
Visit the SLAM! Wrestling store!
Relive 21 years of Royal Rumble glory. Pick
up individual DVDs and boxed sets in the SLAM! Store!
-- compiled by Jon Waldman
