Royal Rumble 2014 Discussion

[CultOfPersonality]

If you add Daniel Bryan and the Wyatts (all of em) that leaves 10. Add RVD, Bourne and Sheamus as returning guys leaves 7. Add Ryback, Sandow, Axel, Cesaro and Swagger leaves 2.

That leaves 2 spots, one for Jake The Snake Roberts, and one for an absolutely crazy blast from the past (a la Godfather, Diesel etc) OR one NXT guy, who I tip to be Alexander Rusev, as he's had wins in recent house shows.

 

[The Eighties]

Off the current roster I'd say Bryan, Bray, Rowan, Harper, Cesaro, Swagger, Sandow and The Usos. (9)

Returns should be RVD and Christian. (2)

NXT guys should be Bo Dallas and Sami Zayn. (2)

Nostalgia return Jake the Snake Roberts. (1)

They'd be the 14 I'd go for, Batista is the big return he has just been announced ahead of time due to the leak, I don't see anyone bigger being a surprise entrant as they wont want to dampen his spotlight.

I know many think Sheamus will return but I hope not, I'd rather see him come back as part of a storyline with a new focus and direction, as opposed to just coming back in the Rumble match and continuing on from where he left off.

 

[Wolf Pac]

I'll admit that I don't watch NXT, so I don't really know there. Of the current roster I'd go with The Eighties' picks, but I'm more interested in the suprise entrants.

Hopefully RVD returns in time for Wrestlemania. But I can't say that I really care about Sheamus, Evan Bourne or Christian returning. Jericho is another name that comes to mind but he returned in the 2013 Rumble, I don't think it would have the same impact as his return last year.

For nostalgia returns, Jake The Snake based on his appearance on Old School RAW. Just for shits & giggles, I'd like to see Papa Shango as an entrant in the Rumble. Last year, Charles Wright returned as The Godfather, this year he brings back his other famous gimmick. Another name from the Attitude Era, Bob Holly. He's someone that can still go from what I've heard and weren't there rumors last year that he would be going to TNA or something? Someone mentioned JBL, which is a good one. Maybe they can get Ron Simmons in as an entrant too, APA reunion in the Rumble match.

 

[L@RISANO]

As per wwe.com:
http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/2014/royal-rumble-match-26171285

The following superstars have been confirmed to be a part of this year's Royal Rumble match:

Batista
Alberto Del Rio
Big E Langston
The Miz
R-Truth
Xavier Woods
Kofi Kingston
Cody Rhodes
Goldust
Rey Mysterio
CM Punk
Fandango
Bad News Barrett
Roman Reigns
Seth Rollins
Dean Ambrose


Interesting to note that it might well be Bad News Barrett's in-ring debut as per his current new gimmick. How much of an Impact will he have during the match and going forward?
Who else will be confirmed in the next week? Who will miss out? Things are about to get interesting...

 

[Ap3x_Pr3dator13]

Daniel Bryan and Dolph Ziggler will miss out on the Royal Rumble due to their respective concussions...here's the 14 others I think will round out the field for the Royal Rumble Match:

1. Antonio Cesaro
2. Jack Swagger
3. Curtis Axel
4. Ryback
5. Damien Sandow
6. Sheamus (Surprise Return)
7. Rob Van Dam (Surprise Return)
8. Christian (Surprise Return)
9. Evan Bourne (Surprise Return)
10. Sin Cara
11. Bray Wyatt
12. Luke Harper
13. Erick Rowan
14. The Great Khali

 

[mesl]

-------99%--------
1). Batista
2). Alberto Del Rio
3).Big E Langston
4). The Miz
5). R-Truth
6). Xavier Woods
7). Kofi Kingston
8). Cody Rhodes
9). Goldust
10). Rey Mysterio
11). CM Punk
12). Fandango
13). Bad News Barrett
14). Roman Reigns
15). Seth Rollins
16). Dean Ambrose
--------(98% in)--------
17). Ryback
18). Antonio Cesaro
19). Jack Swagger
20). Damien Sandow
---------(90%)------------
21). Sin Cara
---------(75%)------------
22). Billy Gunn
23). Road Dogg
24). Jimmy Uso
25). Jey Uso
---------(60%)---------
26). Daniel Bryan
27). Chris Jericho
---------( 50%)----------
28). The Great Khali
29). Brodus Clay
30). Evan Bourne

That's my 2014 field.. If anyone withdraws (i.e. Bryan), Christian will easily slide into their place. I think the WWE would rather the size of Clay & Khali being thrown over the top rope than having a future star in Bray Wyatt being dumped over

Final 8 (Final4):. Ambrose, Big E Langston, Del Rio, Cesaro, (Batista, CM Punk, Bryan, Reigns)

Reigns to eliminate Batista
Sneaky Punk to quickly dump Reigns
Bryan to eliminate CM Punk

 

[Loganity]

I'm pulling for Punk to win the rumble this year. He deserves it to main event WM more than anybody. I'm also hoping Jake "The Snake" Roberts achieves his goal of being in the Rumble, if it happens it'll be an amazing moment. On a side note I'm psyched Ric Flair will be on the Rumble panel, should be very entertaining.

 

[thebarber]

Daniel Bryan will be in the Rumble match after he goes over Bray Wyatt, he surely wouldnt be the first person to pull double duty at the Royal Rumble. Punk will get screwed out of the Rymlbe as he is facing HHH at Mania, doesnt need the Rumble win to make that match happen, but Bryan needs the win to get his WWE Title match against Cena, which I think is the way they are going. No way Taker working Cena(both then cannot go over at Mania 30) and Lesnar too physical for the broken down Taker

 

[The Eighties]

I saw some complaints that there aren't enough big names in this Rumble and that it's too easy to predict who is going to win due to that, but has the Rumble match ever took place where you truly believed anyone but 4 or 5 guys tops would actually win the thing?

Sure it became a little harder to call when they lessened it's worth by having two titles and then in latter years having the Rumble winner curtain jerk at Mania, however even then you still didn't see a Rumble field where you believed any of a dozen guys were viable winners.

This year I'd say it's between 3 guys.

Bryan emphasized tonight that Harper & Rowan were in the Rumble thus giving him a free run at Bray in their singles match, indicating he wouldn't be in the Rumble itself. I expect the opposite will be the case and that the purpose of that line was simple misdirection. It wouldn't shock me for Bryan to lose to Bray only to go on and win the Rumble.

CM Punk has the only storyline going into the Rumble, he's #1 and it will be filled with Trips guys such as the NAO and The Shield. It's possible he overcomes the odds but it's more likely he makes it a good portion of the way through before Triple H screws him. I think they'll have to do it at least 15 minutes or more before the actual end of the Rumble as Punk getting screwed during the final 4 cheapens the win of whoever actually goes over.

Which brings us to option 3, Batista. I'm really hoping this doesn't happen as I want Kanyetista back and thus I'm praying for him to be involved in helping Randy keep the title and by the end of the next Raw we'll see Evolution reformed. However it's more probable that he simply mows through the field, wins the Rumble and faces either Brock or Orton at Mania.

 

[HBsam31]

I agree with everything The Eighties said about the possible winners. I just don't get how Bryan isn't the odds on favorite going in. Bryan could be one of the biggest Wrestlemania moments we have seen in a long time if they do this right. Winning the Royal Rumble should be the start of that. I think what will really happen though is Batista going through everyone and going on to face the champion at Mania.

 

[rge2010]

Anyone see Brock Lesnar winning The Rumble? Could be a surprise entrant...If Cena goes over Orton and gets the belt Lesnar seems like the only plausible opponent for me.

Cena vs Daniel Bryan - wont happen. Bryan wont go over Cena AGAIN

Cena vs Batista - no chance either. They fought at Mania 26 already in Batistas last Mania.

Cena vs Undertaker - not for the title!!!

Cena vs Punk - think Punk has his hands tied with Triple H.

I cannot think of anyone else.

 

[Ap3x_Pr3dator13]

2/3 of the Royal Rumble field is set according to the official Royal Rumble Preview on WWE.com:

01: Alberto Del Rio
02: Batista
03: Big E Langston
04: CM Punk
05: Cody Rhodes
06: Damien Sandow
07: Dean Ambrose
08: Erick Rowan
09: Fandango
10: Goldust
11: Jey Uso
12: Jimmy Uso
13: Kofi Kingston
14: Luke Harper
15: The Miz
16: R-Truth
17: Rey Mysterio
18: Roman Reigns
19: Seth Rollins
20: Xavier Woods

apparently, Bad News Barrett has been removed from the Royal Rumble Match and I wonder why.

 

[MCMG]

2/3 of the Royal Rumble field is set according to the official Royal Rumble Preview on WWE.com:

01: Alberto Del Rio
02: Batista
03: Big E Langston
04: CM Punk
05: Cody Rhodes
06: Damien Sandow
07: Dean Ambrose
08: Erick Rowan
09: Fandango
10: Goldust
11: Jey Uso
12: Jimmy Uso
13: Kofi Kingston
14: Luke Harper
15: The Miz
16: R-Truth
17: Rey Mysterio
18: Roman Reigns
19: Seth Rollins
20: Xavier Woods

Guys like Jericho and Sheamus will probably be there. RVD, maybe. I'm not sure about the situation with Bryan. You can probably add The Real Americans, maybe the Prime Time Players. Evan Bourne perhaps as well as some "surprise" entrants.

It's a decent field but there aren't a massive number of people who can win this. At least it isn't as obvious as last year...

If Bryan is in the Rumble he can of course win. He probably should as well. His options for Mania are great: Cena, Orton and even Lesnar could all be great matches.

Punk is the man I personally want to win the Rumble. He is yet to do so in his career and I feel it would be a better option for him heading into Mania. Punk v Orton would be great. Punk v Lesnar? Yes , PLEASE.

I definitely wouldn't rule out Sheamus. He is still a top quality superstar and can work heel or face. Add in the fact he could be a "surprise" entrant and there is potential. Sheamus vs Orton could work but Sheamus/Lesnar is, again, something that would be awesome.

Batista is the guy I think will win. I'm very underwhelmed by this but, oh well. Batista vs Lesnar is bad, Batista vs Orton is even worse. I have no burning desire to see either especially with the other options available.

Right now I would say Batista is favourite. Bryan isn't even officially entered so I'm not sure. Punk/HHH seems set. I'd prefer to see Sheamus win that Batista but I can't see that happening.

I love the Royal Rumble match and nothing will stop me enjoying it. Best match of the year.

 

[Ap3x_Pr3dator13]

the only reason I want Batista to win is because I want to see Cena/Taker, Punk/HHH and HBK/Bryan at WrestleMania and the only logical choice is Batista/Lesnar for the title at WrestleMania!! would be amazing!

 

[Hakushi]

I think 2014 RR could shake up to be the most meaningful (As it relates to the RTWM) in recent years. I don't recall so many storylines in years past being suggested to progress as this year. Of course, I know, it could end up not being so afterwardss. But Consider:
The Shield: I'm predicting the biggest fracture to date with this faction. I also expect this storyline to be big at mania.

Brock/Cena/Punk/Batista: Will probably ALL have their respective storylines much, much clearer by the end of the night.

DB: Kinda disappointed that, IMO only, The Bray vs DB feud will not go to Mania. I figure that they will already have had at least two BTB PPV matches by then.

Sheamus/Y2J/Hogan/Sting/Rock/SCSA: Although some are more realistic than others, All have at least some possibilty of showing or being surprise entrants.

The brotherhood: By the time the RR ends, we should get an idea if they head into WM as a Tag Team, or as foes.

Does the Warrior enter as a surprise entrant? If so, I'd imagine this to be a one shot; so I digress...

I'd also guess Tensai/Clay eliminate each other, giving us a filler match for mania.

Not to mention, the night after Taker appearance.

In short, maybe most "Meaningful" isn't as appropriate as most "Potenial" would be. Agree? Disagree? Let's toss some ideas out there.

 

[MCMG]

There is definitely a lot that can happen on Sunday. Obviously not everything will as they need to drag this out for about 11 weeks. There is also Elimination Chamber which will require attention.

Obviously we get the Royal Rumble winner but that doesn't even mean we know what our main-event will be. Lets say Batista wins and Orton walks out champ. We still need to wait until EC to find out who Batista faces.

I think at most we get is some returns: Sheamus, Jericho, RVD perhaps. The situation with The Shield is interesting but I don't personally see huge developments there. I think that they don't turn on each other just yet - that can wait.

 

[Ap3x_Pr3dator13]

with HBK being apart of the Royal Rumble Panel this Sunday, I hope he screws over Punk or DB which leads to HBK vs Punk or HBK vs Bryan at WrestleMania 30...I think it's gonna end up being HBK/Bryan cause I see Punk/HHH happening...I'm still hoping and praying that HBK comes back!!

I'd like to see Lesnar win the title, and go on to face Batista at Mania, and Cena should cut a promo saying there's nothing for him to do at Mania cause he failed to win the title, and then Taker appears and he stares at the Mania sign and Cena turns around and looks at the Mania sign to set up a match between them at Mania as well...this is the most UNPREDICTABLE Road to WM ever IMO!! I'm loving this!!

 

[bxbigshow]

Okay I do not watch NXT (no Hulu) so I'm not fully up to date so here is a question:

Last year before the Royal Rumble (maybe Fan Axxes) NXT held either a tournament or a battle royal that sent Bo Dallas to the main roster Rumble match. He tossed Barrett and gotten a cup of coffee the rest of the month jobbing to him on Raw/Main Event.

A) Was this NXT opportunity promoted before the weekend or was it a surprise hotshot booking decision?

B) Do you this this will happen again?

C) If yes, who Should win (your personal choice) and who WOULD win (your logical acceptance of WWE/NXT's normal booking standards)

ME? I think it should happen again although with the call up of Xavier Woods, they might not dip into the developmental well this soon. But I thought that the NXT chance should be a traditional thing for them. Almost their Money in the Bank.

From my limited experience with NXT I'd like for Adrian Neville (formally Pac) or Solomon Crowe (Sami Callahan [sp?]) only because I've seen them in the indys and/or YouTube and I think they can put on a good 10-15 minute run, especially if they're like number 9-15...

I think though that a Leo Kruger/Alexander Rusev/or Connor O'Brian might be the choice because of their size. But if I'm correct they're all heels which doesn't play well into the lucky upstart angle this chance brings.

Thoughts?

 

[Turnz05]

Should it happen?

It would be the first time in history (to my knowledge) that a team of 3 shared the same entry number. It would also be good as Corporate Kane could organize it to screw CM Punk out of winning the Rumble. Thus, also set up Monster Kane vs CM Punk for Elimination Chamber.

Also, think of the holy shit moment when The Shield come out of the crowd as a pack to surround the ring and the rest of the Rumble participants. 3 men entering at 1 moment.

Also, the first ever 32 man royal rumble. It's quirky.

 

[TJ-BITW]

Well after that CM Punk announcement of being #1, there is no doubt in my mind that he will be one of the last 4 participants. I don't know if anyone said this but I feel Triple H may just be number 30 this Rumble. For Triple H to actually screw Punk he has to enter Rumble rather taking help of Kane or Shield to setup for their much hyped match at WrestleMania or possibly Kane screws Punk and next Raw Triple H calls Kane and says 'Job well done'

I am also thinking of a scenario that Punk remains the last man in the Rumble (30-man). Punk starts celebrating himself as the winner & Triple H music hits and rolls Punk off the top rope & announces himself as winner of Rumble & PPV close there.

 

[Mighty NorCal]

Fun match this year, as there is no obvious beaten path to go down. I know the headlines have been talking about Batista, and it makes sense, but the way they have been written, I take them with a huge grain of salt. Pretty much anything could have happened, and this will reveal more about the direction they are heading rather than simply being a catalyst for it...Which is the best way for the Rumble to be

 

[HbshizzleistheHOF]

I have been thinking about the RR and I came to the conclusion that Bryan is not winning because of the concussion but not ruling out of a surprise entry by him and punk will not win because of the authority. Batista or cena will win unless cena beats orton. Which is doubtful

 

[Mitch Henessey]

Torn between Bryan and Batista as Rumble winners.

Batista needs the boost more, if WWE is planning an Orton VS Batista match. His return didn't blow the roof off of the arena. There's no guarantee the fans will rally behind him 100%, if he strolls into Mania as the #1 contender, and Orton is the most logical option for Batista's opponent at Mania. We've already seen Batista VS Cena, Undertaker, and Triple H at Wrestlemania. A match with Punk could work, but they need to turn Batista heel.

Bryan is riding a hot streak now, but we don't know how serious his concussion problems are. For all we know, WWE could do a quick finish at the Rumble, where Bryan locks Bray in the Yes Lock after the bell rings, and Bray taps out in a few seconds to protect Bryan's health. Bryan can come in at the mid to late 20's or #30, and lay low until the right moment, and win the Rumble.

Punk coming in at #1 kills his chances of winning. There's a chance he could make it to the final four, but something (maybe a distraction from Kane, or some other dirty trick from The Authority) is going to happen to further the feud with Triple H, screwing Punk out of a Rumble win.

It's a safe bet Jericho, RVD, and Sheamus will all make surprise returns, but they're not going to win. Sheamus needs to build up some momentum before he faces Orton (as a heel or face). I could picture RVD VS Orton happening in the future, but not at Wrestlemania. And WWE will use Jericho to help put someone else over (see Punk and Fandango) at Wrestlemania XXX.

If he loses the match with Orton, Cena doesn't need a Rumble win, and I'm not 100% sold on Lesnar being in the Rumble. WWE is using Big Show to give Lesnar a boost going into Mania. That's enough, and if Lesnar competes in the Rumble, they're going against his whole "I don't have to follow protocol, or prove anything to anyone for a #1 contender's spot" shtick.

 

[laodaron]

Show v. Lesnar - Winner: Lesnar, stupid match. Clean win.
Bryan v. Wyatt - Winner: Daniel Bryan, but not clean.
Orton (c) v. Cena - Winner: Orton, but not clean.
Brotherhood v. NAO - Winner: Brotherhood.
Rumble - Winner: Batista (this is looking like a terrible Rumble match, too).

 

[Zycho32]

I'm reasonably sure they don't exactly NEED Batista to win the rumble in order to get his momentum going. After all, there will be Elimination Chamber, and with the way the Orton/Authority storyline is going, they could perfectly well punish him by putting him in the chamber with Batista and Brock Lesnar and four other guys and make him defend the Title the hard way. Problem is that can't lead up to Orton/Batista at Wrestlemania as a result if Orton retains, but it CAN lead to a Batista/Lesnar feud if done right.

But I'm digressing. My predictions:

-Show/Lesnar: Lesnar wins, cleanly. Unfortunately for all involved, the ring won't implode this time around, making this more of a dull matchup.
-Brotherhood/NOA: Brotherhood wins, by CM Punk interference.
-Bryan/Wyatt: Wyatt wins, clean or not is irrelevent. Then he does some after-match injury to DB and lets the roof EXPLODE with heat.
-Orton/Cena: Orton wins, still cleanly.
-Rumble: DB is a shock entry real late despite his injury, wins. Don't rule out a surprise assist either.