Austin Theory
This is what you call a “wildcard” pick. No, I do not believe Theory will be winning the Rumble, but you always have to account for those out-of-the-blue picks that may come when you least expect it. Theory is currently your United States Champion, and only Hulk Hogan won the Royal Rumble match as a champion (1990). Therefore, Theory winning would be a huge break from the norm, but can we really ever say never when it comes to WWE, especially these last few years?
Vince McMahon is (technically) back, and Theory is coming off two of the best months of his young career, by defeating Seth Rollins and Bobby Lashley and becoming the United States Champion. He won the Money In The Bank briefcase as United States Champion. Can he do the same at the Rumble?
Sheamus
Why not? The last two Royal Rumble winners (Brock Lesnar and Edge), won their second Royal Rumbles in consecutive years. Why not do three consecutive years of having a star win their second Royal Rumble?
This is your biggest long shot and I’m not holding my breath on this one. Yet in still, you really cannot rule anything out. Roman Reigns has been challenged by and subsequently conquered everyone in his path for about 3 years. But in terms of title matches, he has never gone up against Sheamus. Coming off one of the best individual years of his career from a workload standpoint, perhaps Sheamus’ years of doing the dirty work may be rewarded with a world title match against the Tribal Chief.
Sami Zayn
Longshot, perhaps. But come on. You cannot tell me you have not thought about this scenario at least once. Roman Reigns is defending his championship against Zayn’s former best friend, Kevin Owens, at the Royal Rumble. What would happen if Zayn wins the Rumble? Does he challenge the Tribal Chief? Does he relinquish his title shot, leaving Roman unopposed or with a different opponent to face?
It’s an intriguing scenario, and it would absolutely make sense, given how popular Sami’s act got in the latter half of 2022. Again, these are more longshots that may make it to the Final four but may not necessarily win. But this isn’t a scenario I would completely rule out. It would put another interesting element in WWE’s most actively interesting storyline.
Cody Rhodes
The story writes itself. Cody Rhodes makes a triumphant return at WrestleMania, outduels Seth Rollins three straight times, tears his pec, vows to come back better than ever and fulfill his dreams by winning the Royal Rumble and punching his ticket to WrestleMania. You have to think that WWE are trying any and all names to put on the biggest possible world title match at WrestleMania, but this is probably your easiest path to one of your two WrestleMania main events.
There is an interesting wrinkle, as it has been moderately reported over the last few months that WWE may consider having Roman face different opponents on both nights of WrestleMania, and that Cody could get one of the slots. Simultaneously speaking, I have a hard time believing that anyone would have a stronger case of winning the Rumble if he were to make his return there. Unless of course….
The Rock
We may not get an outright report of this, but Roman Reigns vs. The Rock is absolutely the match WWE wants for WrestleMania. It writes itself. Who is the true Tribal Chief? With The Rock’s extracurricular commitments, it’s tough to pinpoint exactly when he would even be available to build up such a match and if he would be able to commit to months of build for what many consider to be a dream match at WrestleMania. There’s also the question of how much in ring shape he would be after nearly a decade away from competing on a part-time basis.
But here is what I do know. If The Rock has secretly struck a deal with WWE, they will absolutely do everything in their power to ensure that it’s under wraps. Similar to how WWE covertly hid Edge’s return months in advance, for all we know, The Great One may already be training for a return to face Roman at WrestleMania. Whether or not this reaches fruition is a different story.
