An article written by: Josh Rushinock
Oh. Well, this is certainly new... and yet, it already feels like home.
Time to get to work.
The Royal Rumble has come a long way since its inception in 1988, in both style and substance. The first Rumble was a mere twenty men long, and most of those men were from the midcard and below. The winner, Hacksaw Jim Duggan, was given no prize beyond bragging rights, and the win did not alter his position on the card, but instead cement him as the first man in a line of the greatest of all time to win a match, with none of the benefits. Big John Studd would face the same image the next year, until finally, in 1991, Hulk Hogan would cement it as the stomping ground on the way to the main event of WrestleMania.
Even after twenty-nine years of Rumbles, however, this year's event seems to more mirror the 1992 event than any Rumble this decade. The 1992 Royal Rumble was designed and set up to crown a champion after the title was vacated by Hogan himself, after the controversial decisions revolving around The Undertaker's victory for it at Survivor Series, and subsequent loss two days later at the now infamous "This Tuesday In Texas" event. After entering at number three and surviving twenty-seven other entrants, it would be Ric Flair, the first first time winner since Big John Studd's thankless win in 1989, and would set the stage for Rumble matches for the next two and a half decades.
Now, after nearly thirty years, the Royal Rumble is once again the hub for the ultimate challenge; to survive twenty-nine other men, a one-hour gauntlet of fortitude and pure will, to walk away the WWE World Heavyweight Champion, and walk into WrestleMania with the most sought-after title in all of wrestling.
Personally, however, I have always vastly preferred the story presented by such Rumbles to heavily favor those that have not conquered the mountain before. To see the old favorites win over the new and up-and-comers always seems like a cop-out in evolving the roster and moving with the times, especially in an event like this, where it's meant to give the viewer the idea that literally anybody can win. Of course, that's simply not true, but that illusion is important to why the Royal Rumble has been such a sustainable entity.
Thus, every year, I go out of my way to pick through the card and decide on what five men could possible win their first Royal Rumble that year, list them, and explain both sides of the conversation on how they may or may not win.
From our old home at WrestleEnigma, to our new home here at QuestionableCritics, it's the same, well-thought out and opinionated pieces you've come to expect, and this is no different.
Let's get down to the nitty gritty, ladies and gentlemen.
Time to get to work.
The Royal Rumble has come a long way since its inception in 1988, in both style and substance. The first Rumble was a mere twenty men long, and most of those men were from the midcard and below. The winner, Hacksaw Jim Duggan, was given no prize beyond bragging rights, and the win did not alter his position on the card, but instead cement him as the first man in a line of the greatest of all time to win a match, with none of the benefits. Big John Studd would face the same image the next year, until finally, in 1991, Hulk Hogan would cement it as the stomping ground on the way to the main event of WrestleMania.
Even after twenty-nine years of Rumbles, however, this year's event seems to more mirror the 1992 event than any Rumble this decade. The 1992 Royal Rumble was designed and set up to crown a champion after the title was vacated by Hogan himself, after the controversial decisions revolving around The Undertaker's victory for it at Survivor Series, and subsequent loss two days later at the now infamous "This Tuesday In Texas" event. After entering at number three and surviving twenty-seven other entrants, it would be Ric Flair, the first first time winner since Big John Studd's thankless win in 1989, and would set the stage for Rumble matches for the next two and a half decades.
Now, after nearly thirty years, the Royal Rumble is once again the hub for the ultimate challenge; to survive twenty-nine other men, a one-hour gauntlet of fortitude and pure will, to walk away the WWE World Heavyweight Champion, and walk into WrestleMania with the most sought-after title in all of wrestling.
Personally, however, I have always vastly preferred the story presented by such Rumbles to heavily favor those that have not conquered the mountain before. To see the old favorites win over the new and up-and-comers always seems like a cop-out in evolving the roster and moving with the times, especially in an event like this, where it's meant to give the viewer the idea that literally anybody can win. Of course, that's simply not true, but that illusion is important to why the Royal Rumble has been such a sustainable entity.
Thus, every year, I go out of my way to pick through the card and decide on what five men could possible win their first Royal Rumble that year, list them, and explain both sides of the conversation on how they may or may not win.
From our old home at WrestleEnigma, to our new home here at QuestionableCritics, it's the same, well-thought out and opinionated pieces you've come to expect, and this is no different.
Let's get down to the nitty gritty, ladies and gentlemen.
5. Neville
From just losing the NXT Championship before the start of 2015, to debuting on the RAW after WrestleMania, all the way to his rightful place as rookie of the year winner at the Slammies, it has been a whirlwind year for the man formerly known as Adrian Neville.
From day one on the main roster, this hybrid wrestling machine from Newcastle has been turning heads with his ability to put on a terrific match with nearly anyone on the card, from top to bottom, but he still has yet to have that true, outstanding performance on pay-per-view that can and would put him head and heels above the competition. Instead, he has taken advantage of every opportunity given to scratch and claw his way up the roster through grit, determination, and several match of the year contenders on RAW with the likes of John Cena, Kevin Owens, Mark Henry, Luke Harper, Curtis Axel, Bo Dallas, and perhaps most notably, several terrific matches with recently stripped World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins.
Realistically, Neville wouldn't be anyone's first choice, but these sorts of pushes have happened after an underwhelming build in the past. Remember when Sheamus was feuding with Hornswoggle leading up to the 2012 Royal Rumble?
No?
Well, you live in a far kinder world than I, good sir and/or madame.
The point of the matter is that the Royal Rumble is a special event, one in which stars are made and broken depending on their luck and skill. It's an event where the best of any wrestler is brought out because it's absolutely must-win if you want to see the lights cast over your shadow in the main event of the biggest show of the entire year, WrestleMania. And with the WWE World Heavyweight Championship added into the fray? Perhaps that's just the proper pay-per-view moment to kickstart Neville's main event career for years to come.
From day one on the main roster, this hybrid wrestling machine from Newcastle has been turning heads with his ability to put on a terrific match with nearly anyone on the card, from top to bottom, but he still has yet to have that true, outstanding performance on pay-per-view that can and would put him head and heels above the competition. Instead, he has taken advantage of every opportunity given to scratch and claw his way up the roster through grit, determination, and several match of the year contenders on RAW with the likes of John Cena, Kevin Owens, Mark Henry, Luke Harper, Curtis Axel, Bo Dallas, and perhaps most notably, several terrific matches with recently stripped World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins.
Realistically, Neville wouldn't be anyone's first choice, but these sorts of pushes have happened after an underwhelming build in the past. Remember when Sheamus was feuding with Hornswoggle leading up to the 2012 Royal Rumble?
No?
Well, you live in a far kinder world than I, good sir and/or madame.
The point of the matter is that the Royal Rumble is a special event, one in which stars are made and broken depending on their luck and skill. It's an event where the best of any wrestler is brought out because it's absolutely must-win if you want to see the lights cast over your shadow in the main event of the biggest show of the entire year, WrestleMania. And with the WWE World Heavyweight Championship added into the fray? Perhaps that's just the proper pay-per-view moment to kickstart Neville's main event career for years to come.
4. Kalisto
The word 'underdog' is thrown around far too freely in professional wrestling. The moment a main event star, with a track record of overcoming the odds and winning unwinnable matches, is put in a situation where he may look even slightly vulnerable, the idea that he is some sort of grand underdog in a battle for his own honor is immediately implemented, and while that might sell the immediacy of the moment, it undercuts the meaning of the word, and therefore makes all people officially labelled 'underdog' seem lesser for being so.
All of the great wrestling stories that have that word attached to it in a significant way wasn't the by-factor of a purposeful push, but instead a realization of someone on a lower level getting over very quickly and suddenly, and the company saw this and took advantage of it. Mankind, Rey Mysterio, Daniel Bryan. All world-class competitors and rightful main eventers, but all also the by-product of this random happenstance that pops up every few years, the underdog turned phenomena.
Is that Kalisto's destiny? It's hard to say. While Kalisto has been over since his debut, his real sense of a following didn't appear until the near end of last year, and that was the result of a random win that sent him up the card in the WWE World Heavyweight Title Tournament. That attention, however, lead him to have a show-stealing performance at TLC and a series of self-proving matches with competitors on that level, culminating, seemingly, in his victory over Alberto Del Rio for the United States title.
Then it was taken away under twenty four hours later.
That, to everyone who saw it, seemed like an incredible farce against an extremely talented individual, and it rightfully brings up several questions, not the least of which being a simple 'why'? Could that question's answer simply be because of shows shuffling and numbers that equate to ratings in an important week for them in that regard, or is it more far-seeing? Could the reason Kalisto lost that title be that he is destined for a larger title, and a greater run with a title above even that?
No one can really know, and there's just enough evidence there to make the idea plausible, if, perhaps, not likely.
All of the great wrestling stories that have that word attached to it in a significant way wasn't the by-factor of a purposeful push, but instead a realization of someone on a lower level getting over very quickly and suddenly, and the company saw this and took advantage of it. Mankind, Rey Mysterio, Daniel Bryan. All world-class competitors and rightful main eventers, but all also the by-product of this random happenstance that pops up every few years, the underdog turned phenomena.
Is that Kalisto's destiny? It's hard to say. While Kalisto has been over since his debut, his real sense of a following didn't appear until the near end of last year, and that was the result of a random win that sent him up the card in the WWE World Heavyweight Title Tournament. That attention, however, lead him to have a show-stealing performance at TLC and a series of self-proving matches with competitors on that level, culminating, seemingly, in his victory over Alberto Del Rio for the United States title.
Then it was taken away under twenty four hours later.
That, to everyone who saw it, seemed like an incredible farce against an extremely talented individual, and it rightfully brings up several questions, not the least of which being a simple 'why'? Could that question's answer simply be because of shows shuffling and numbers that equate to ratings in an important week for them in that regard, or is it more far-seeing? Could the reason Kalisto lost that title be that he is destined for a larger title, and a greater run with a title above even that?
No one can really know, and there's just enough evidence there to make the idea plausible, if, perhaps, not likely.
3. Dean Ambrose
There is no man in the world that knows Roman Reigns as well as Dean Ambrose.
Brothers, perhaps not through genetic blood, but most certainly through blood shed, these two have been attached at the hip from the very moment they debuted on the main roster. Even after the collapse of the Shield, they have remained united and a force to be reckoned with, both individually and as a team. Any situation one should find themselves in where they may need backup, they can easily call upon the other for backup. It's a relationship incredibly rare to the wrestler as a species, but when there, it is a strong bond to break...
At least, from the outside.
Since The Shield has broken up, these two have taken different paths, despite their constant union. Dean Ambrose has had a few title opportunities along the way, but he's had to scratch and claw for those opportunities, he was never handed anything from anyone. The moment he was contending for the World Title, he was already hitting roadblock after roadblock after roadblock, The Wyatt Family, the Authority, crooked referees, constant roadblocks that kept him in the same position, no matter how hard he worked and how close he came to Main Event status.
Meanwhile, Roman Reigns has feuded successfully with the top main eventers in the company, set a record in eliminations at the Royal Rumble along with winning one, largely with the help of Ambrose. He's seen the main event of WrestleMania, number one contenderships that simply came from one match rather than having to work against The Authority, and general favoritism, all while constantly calling upon his 'best friend' to assist him in these battles.
Is it not possible that Dean Ambrose has had enough? A man's ego is a fragile thing, and to see his last chance, one he scratched and clawed for to main event Survivor Series, taken away by his best friend, only to lose it shortly after has to affect the psychology of the moment. Dean surely has thought about if he had won the match, of how he would have had to face Sheamus, of how he might've been more ready... poisonous thoughts of one's environment and failures culminating in a decision a man might one day come to regret... but perhaps might send an unusual choice into the awaiting hands of those that held him down, all along.
Of course, it's highly possible Dean hasn't even thought of these things for a moment, because he has a title of his own that he fought for and earned and is focused on keeping around his waist, and that is why he's so far up the list, because it's always unlikely to see a champion win the Rumble to go on and challenge another champion, let alone this year, with the WWE World Heavyweight Title on the line. It's beyond unlikely Dean Ambrose will become a duel champion at The Rumble... but should he lose that title before the Rumble itself?
Well, then. All bets are off.
Brothers, perhaps not through genetic blood, but most certainly through blood shed, these two have been attached at the hip from the very moment they debuted on the main roster. Even after the collapse of the Shield, they have remained united and a force to be reckoned with, both individually and as a team. Any situation one should find themselves in where they may need backup, they can easily call upon the other for backup. It's a relationship incredibly rare to the wrestler as a species, but when there, it is a strong bond to break...
At least, from the outside.
Since The Shield has broken up, these two have taken different paths, despite their constant union. Dean Ambrose has had a few title opportunities along the way, but he's had to scratch and claw for those opportunities, he was never handed anything from anyone. The moment he was contending for the World Title, he was already hitting roadblock after roadblock after roadblock, The Wyatt Family, the Authority, crooked referees, constant roadblocks that kept him in the same position, no matter how hard he worked and how close he came to Main Event status.
Meanwhile, Roman Reigns has feuded successfully with the top main eventers in the company, set a record in eliminations at the Royal Rumble along with winning one, largely with the help of Ambrose. He's seen the main event of WrestleMania, number one contenderships that simply came from one match rather than having to work against The Authority, and general favoritism, all while constantly calling upon his 'best friend' to assist him in these battles.
Is it not possible that Dean Ambrose has had enough? A man's ego is a fragile thing, and to see his last chance, one he scratched and clawed for to main event Survivor Series, taken away by his best friend, only to lose it shortly after has to affect the psychology of the moment. Dean surely has thought about if he had won the match, of how he would have had to face Sheamus, of how he might've been more ready... poisonous thoughts of one's environment and failures culminating in a decision a man might one day come to regret... but perhaps might send an unusual choice into the awaiting hands of those that held him down, all along.
Of course, it's highly possible Dean hasn't even thought of these things for a moment, because he has a title of his own that he fought for and earned and is focused on keeping around his waist, and that is why he's so far up the list, because it's always unlikely to see a champion win the Rumble to go on and challenge another champion, let alone this year, with the WWE World Heavyweight Title on the line. It's beyond unlikely Dean Ambrose will become a duel champion at The Rumble... but should he lose that title before the Rumble itself?
Well, then. All bets are off.
2. Kevin Owens
What a difference a year makes.
This time, two years ago, the man now known as Kevin Owens was on the outside looking in. While facing some of the best competition in the world, outside of WWE, he would go to WrestleMania XXX and sit in the audience and watch. He would sit down and watch the grand spectacle and wonder why he wasn't down there, in the ring, rather than up in the rafters watching with friends and competitors. He would worry about the money in his pocket, and think about how the men who he'd worked with in years past down below just in that night alone, and what he could do with just that nights salary for his family. He would make a solemn vow that the next WrestleMania he would watch would be as a talent backstage.
Fast forward to last year, and suddenly that promise seems plausible. Already well on his way to being NXT Champion after betraying his best friend on the night of his debut. The man that had watched WrestleMania from the rafters was suddenly a very different man, run by his desire to make a better life for his family, and damning anyone else who might appear along the way, including those that had backed him as a friend for years, perfectly exemplified in his betrayal of Sami Zayn. This line of thought brought him the NXT title and sent him to the main roster to represent this new company, albeit indirectly, against none other than John Cena... and defeat him, cleanly, in the middle of the ring.
Now, a year removed from his NXT debut, Kevin Owens has made his presence so visible that his very presence is feared, if perhaps slightly tainted by his trophy-hunter personae. What matters to Owens is the same that mattered to him a year ago, however, and that is the money by which he puts food in his kid's mouth, and while at this point he's made more than enough money to not concern himself with that, he wants more. He wants to be able to afford the most expensive things in life, for his kids, and he will happily commit heinous acts of chaos and mayhem in order to assure he garners the chances he needs to reach the titles that bring the most money, and while his eyes are set in the Intercontinental Title, at the moment... there is bigger game not far beyond his current sight, and you'd be a fool to think he hasn't put considerable attention into acquiring that trophy.
Kevin Owens is a prize fighter, and there is no prize grander than the WWE World Heavyweight title. Kevin Owens also has no sense of a morale compass that will prevent him from doing sick and demented things to garner that which he needs, he can and will easily chalk up his terrible acts to providing for his family, even if his own family doesn't agree with his actions. In the past, he has shown that he is a viscous and vengeful being, willing to tear apart peoples lives and the very core of a company if it so spites him... but, the question suddenly becomes in this Rumble.... is he willing to sell out to an Authority above him, that may or may not already be a considerable fan of his, in order to gain that title? Sign away his life and his own sense of personal choice in order to garner that higher paycheck?
Above all else, Kevin Owens is an individual... but it would not be a considerably unusual act for him to give his very being over to the powers that be in order to gain that higher paycheck, and that is why Kevin Owens is an incredibly likely contender for this years Royal Rumble match.
Quite simply, because he is a man on a mission with no limit to what he will do to attain that mission.
This time, two years ago, the man now known as Kevin Owens was on the outside looking in. While facing some of the best competition in the world, outside of WWE, he would go to WrestleMania XXX and sit in the audience and watch. He would sit down and watch the grand spectacle and wonder why he wasn't down there, in the ring, rather than up in the rafters watching with friends and competitors. He would worry about the money in his pocket, and think about how the men who he'd worked with in years past down below just in that night alone, and what he could do with just that nights salary for his family. He would make a solemn vow that the next WrestleMania he would watch would be as a talent backstage.
Fast forward to last year, and suddenly that promise seems plausible. Already well on his way to being NXT Champion after betraying his best friend on the night of his debut. The man that had watched WrestleMania from the rafters was suddenly a very different man, run by his desire to make a better life for his family, and damning anyone else who might appear along the way, including those that had backed him as a friend for years, perfectly exemplified in his betrayal of Sami Zayn. This line of thought brought him the NXT title and sent him to the main roster to represent this new company, albeit indirectly, against none other than John Cena... and defeat him, cleanly, in the middle of the ring.
Now, a year removed from his NXT debut, Kevin Owens has made his presence so visible that his very presence is feared, if perhaps slightly tainted by his trophy-hunter personae. What matters to Owens is the same that mattered to him a year ago, however, and that is the money by which he puts food in his kid's mouth, and while at this point he's made more than enough money to not concern himself with that, he wants more. He wants to be able to afford the most expensive things in life, for his kids, and he will happily commit heinous acts of chaos and mayhem in order to assure he garners the chances he needs to reach the titles that bring the most money, and while his eyes are set in the Intercontinental Title, at the moment... there is bigger game not far beyond his current sight, and you'd be a fool to think he hasn't put considerable attention into acquiring that trophy.
Kevin Owens is a prize fighter, and there is no prize grander than the WWE World Heavyweight title. Kevin Owens also has no sense of a morale compass that will prevent him from doing sick and demented things to garner that which he needs, he can and will easily chalk up his terrible acts to providing for his family, even if his own family doesn't agree with his actions. In the past, he has shown that he is a viscous and vengeful being, willing to tear apart peoples lives and the very core of a company if it so spites him... but, the question suddenly becomes in this Rumble.... is he willing to sell out to an Authority above him, that may or may not already be a considerable fan of his, in order to gain that title? Sign away his life and his own sense of personal choice in order to garner that higher paycheck?
Above all else, Kevin Owens is an individual... but it would not be a considerably unusual act for him to give his very being over to the powers that be in order to gain that higher paycheck, and that is why Kevin Owens is an incredibly likely contender for this years Royal Rumble match.
Quite simply, because he is a man on a mission with no limit to what he will do to attain that mission.
1. Bray Wyatt
"Anyone but you, Roman."
Bray Wyatt is a man of cryptic messages, but his most recent stance against Roman Reigns is strangely clear and decisive, that as long as he lives and breaths and wields whatever mysterious power he is granted through Sister Abigail, Roman Reigns will never meet success. Roman Reigns will never have a moments rest. Perhaps his reasoning could be called into question, as he has never made why he has specifically targeted Roman Reigns specifically clear, but his message is obvious and self-evident.
With that being said... if this was Bray Wyatt's new master plan, he has thus far failed at it.
Since Dean and Roman parted ways from The Wyatt Family, the two 'families' have gone two completely different ways, with Wyatt seemingly forgetting his self-insisted mandate to assure Roman Reigns never became World Champion, and it just so happens to be that he chose the worst possible time to change his attention at. It could be that the powers that guide Wyatt insisted that he turn his focus to the man that represented his ultimate self, or it could be that he has other masters who believed they had the field controlled. Either way, the leader of The Wyatt Family turned his head away, and Roman Reigns became champion.
Suddenly, his attention has been torn back onto his favorite play thing... and with the full power of his Family at his back, and powers outside looking to end Reigns' hot streak as well, now couldn't be a more perfect time to make sure that Roman's title reign is a short and violent one, that ends in heartbreak and a trail of broken bodies.
Out of everyone on WWE's current roster that is not injured, there are very few believable wrestlers who could walk away with a Rumble victory that has not in some way challenged for the title before, and that list is made even more minuscule when you consider those that haven't challenged for the title in some way, shape, or form yet.
Bray Wyatt is the most prominent man on both of those lists.
Since the very moment Bray has debuted, he has been put in front of the greatest performers in this company's history and has stood toe-to-toe with every single one on even footing. His promos almost always carry the majority of his feuds, and he delivers in the ring on big stages without fail. He has been presented by WWE as one of their, if not the biggest, rising star to not hold a title in the company yet and with good reason. He is a terrific character with a lot of terrific qualities backing his push.
But he also hasn't won a single feud that has mattered.
Since his feud with John Cena, a precedent has been set that Bray is the gatekeeper for the main event. Somehow, instead of focusing on him as a main draw, he has instead been treated as someone to pair with their biggest stars in order to get a win back, or keep them busy while others contend in their place, never once being considered a top star himself, beyond the job he performs. It's exactly that sort of backward thinking that has set him back a few steps as compared to where he was just a mere year ago, and it's for exactly that reason that Bray Wyatt simply has to win the Rumble,
What Wyatt needs, more than anything in the world, is legitimacy. He needs to come out on top and prove that he is the star that they have almost accidentally portrayed him to be by pairing him with their top stars. Instead of being looked at as the man that can hold a feud with the top stars, for once he needs to be looked at as the man that can, believably, be the top star. It is that glass ceiling that keeps Bray Wyatt from being all that he can be, and it is that glass ceiling that the Royal Rumble offers.
If Bray Wyatt wins the Royal Rumble, his career will be made. He will go from a lack of believability, to the main eventer for some time to come, and it is that small a gap that would do it for him, and he has proved over and over again he is ready for that spot. Therefor, rightfully, the man that should go over at The Royal Rumble is Bray Wyatt.
It's simply the only option left to him.
