WWE officially kicks off the ‘Road to WrestleMania’ with the 37th annual Royal Rumble.
The first PLE of the year takes place on Saturday, January 27, 2024, at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. This marks the second Rumble at the venue but the first with live fans in attendance since 2021.
The Royal Rumble is one of the year’s most anticipated events. The over-the-top 30-person battle royal matches are the highlight of the show. Over the years the matches have given fans some of the most memorable spots, winners and surprise entrants.
Aside from the Rumble matches, this year there are several intriguing high-stakes bouts taking place.
The full card is as follows:
- Men’s Royal Rumble match – 30-man Royal Rumble match for a Universal/World Heavyweight Championship match at WrestleMania XL
- Roman Reigns (c) vs. Randy Orton vs. AJ Styles vs. LA Knight – Fatal four-way match for the Undisputed Universal Championship
- Logan Paul (c) vs. Kevin Owens – United States Championship
- Women’s Royal Rumble match – 30-woman Royal Rumble match for a Women’s Championship match at WrestleMania XL
Let’s take a look at the matches, and who we think will leave Tampa as the winners…
Women’s Royal Rumble match – 30-woman Royal Rumble match for a Women’s Championship match at WrestleMania XL
The women’s rumble match boasts some of the biggest names in the division. The likes of Nia Jax, Becky Lynch, Bianca Belair and Bayley will all battle it out to point at the WrestleMania sign as fireworks rain down from the sky.
The star studded outing will undoubtedly feature a mix of old and new talent with a possibility of several returns. Expect to see Tiffany Stratton, Lyra Valkyria, and Blair Devenport of NXT make appearances while the debut of Jade Cargill and possibly the return of Sasha Banks could steal the show.
Prediction: Becky Lynch is a strong contender to win but she has been there and done that. Plus there is the Elimination Chamber that will provide her the chance to face Rhea Ripley in Philadelphia. There is more of a story with Bayley and her ostracization from Damage CTRL that should take priority. Slowly but surely Bayley is being ousted from the group and the Role Model winning the rumble and going for IYO SKY’s title is a great way to push it over the line. Bayley wins.
Logan Paul (c) vs. Kevin Owens – United States Championship
Logan Paul makes his first defence of the United States Championship against Kevin Owens. The former US champ battled through a gruelling tournament, defeating the likes of Austin Theory, Carmelo Hayes, and Santos Escobar to earn his title opportunity. Following the victory, Paul ridiculed Owens, which saw him get knocked out for his troubles. Paul then returned the favour by attacking Owens’ injured arm, adding further intensity to the rivalry.
Prediction: This is going to be one of Paul’s toughest matches in WWE. Owens is an innovative brawler who will take the fight to the YouTuber like nothing he has experienced before. But there are just too many benefits of WWE having the title on Paul in the lead up to WrestleMania. Logan Paul retains
Men’s Royal Rumble match – 30-man Royal Rumble match for a Universal/World Heavyweight Championship match at WrestleMania XL
This has to be one of the most hotly contested Royal Rumble matches in recent memory. CM Punk enters his first Rumble match in 10 years to take one step closer to achieving his goal of headlining WrestleMania. However, Superstars like Drew McIntyre, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther all want the same thing.
There is also the reported return of the Brock Lesnar that could very well happen at the Rumble and then there is the whole The Rock situation. Aside from his Head of the Table reference heard around the world there hasn’t been any further interaction between he and Roman Reigns. So many expect to see The Great One making his return to action in the match to challenge for the title at WrestleMania.
Prediction: Drew McIntyre and Cody will take each other out, while Gunther and Lesnar will set up their ‘Mania clash leaving Punk to win his first ever Royal Rumble match. CM Punk wins.
Roman Reigns (c) vs. Randy Orton vs. AJ Styles vs. LA Knight – Fatal four-way match for the Undisputed Universal Championship
The Tribal Chief has his work cut out for him as he battles three opponents at once with the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship on the line.
In an effort to rid himself of a challenger Reigns and the Bloodline interfered in a Number One Contenders Triple Threat match on the New Year’s Revolution edition of Friday Night SmackDown. However, the plan backfired as the blue brand’s General Manager Nick Aldis, who watched the assault from ringside, set up the Fatal Four Way match on the spot.
Prediction: Despite the solid lineup of opponents, the strongly rumoured super clash with the Rock at WrestleMania has made the outcome of this match highly predictable. Roman Reigns retains.
The Royal Rumble streams live exclusively on Peacock in the United States and WWE Network everywhere else!