Royal Rumble 2017 Staff Predictions

As the Royal Rumble, a perennial favorite of each member of the Last Word on Pro Wrestling staff draws nigh, it became clear that not one person could cover it by their lonesome. Therefore, in the same free-for-all vein of the Rumble match itself, what follows, in random order, is our collective thoughts.

Ryan Smith
Surprise Entrant: Finn Balor
There are conflicting rumors about Balor’s health, with some saying he won’t be ready for another month and others saying he’s been cleared for weeks. When the WWE had Finn Balor debut by winning the Universal Championship tournament, they made it clear they had big plans for the demon, and what plans could possibly be bigger than a Royal return?
Number 27: Brock Lesnar
As fantastic as Brock Lesnar is, he’s not someone that is going to be the iron man of the Royal Rumble. He has to get late enough that he won’t be in the ring for long, but early enough that he can wreck everyone as well.
Most Eliminations: Braun Strowman
This one is a little cheap, but as well as the Raw creative team have built Strowman to be a monster, he can’t just run in and receive the warlord treatment. Strowman will likely eliminate seven or eight people before getting thrown over the top rope by someone like Sami Zayn.
Winner:Finn Balor
The best thing about this Royal Rumble is that it’s so unpredictable. Names like Kurt Angle, the Undertaker, Samoa Joe, and even The Miz are being thrown around as potential winners. Assuming the Roman Reigns beats Kevin Owens for the Universal Championship (perhaps with help from a scorned Seth Rollins), having Finn Balor win just makes sense. In the main event of his first episode of Raw, Balor beat Reigns for the right to face Seth Rollins, having his first WrestleMania be against “The Guy” just makes too much sense.

Robby Hinson:
Surprise Entrant: Finn Balor
Number 27: Baron Corbin
Most Eliminations: Braun Strowman
Winner: Finn Balor. Before injury, Balor was pushed to the moon. After only being on the main roster for a month, Balor became the first ever Universal Champion. After having to relinquish the title due to injury, only one man has held the title: Kevin Owens. This leads to a Wrestlemania main event where Finn Balor attempts to regain the title he never lost. Balor will not be the only surprise entrant in the Rumble. I expect to see Shelton Benjamin and Samoa Joe this weekend as well as Shane McMahon entering the Rumble. I would be absolutely shocked if Kurt Angle or Kenny Omega made an appearance. Also look out for Wrestlemania match teases like Goldberg and Lesnar eliminating each other or the Undertaker and John Cena having a show down to set up a Wrestlemania showdown.

Matt Storm
Surprise Entrant: We all love surprise entrants and some have been a doozy over the past several years. From the shocking returns from injury by John Cena (2008) and Edge (2010) to returning legends like the late Roddy Piper (2008) and Mr. Perfect (2002). With 8 spots left unannounced that leaves plenty of room for surprises. My one biggest selection for who will be one of those men is Finn Balor. The former Universal Champion has been making more and more appearances in and out of WWE and looking to be chomping at the bit to return. What a moment it would be if the theatrics of his Demon King entrance began mid-match and it is something I fully expect to take place.
Number 27: The lucky position seems to be as four men entering at that number have gone on to win the match. This year I predict Randy Orton will enter at that spot and although I don’t expect him to win, I believe The Wyatt Family’s Viper will leave a lasting impact.
Most Eliminations: It’s been three years since Roman Reigns set the record of most eliminations in 2014 with twelve men being dispatched from the ring. Now is the time for that to be shattered and it will be done by Braun Strowman. Strowman has been a on a tear since he was drafted to Raw and outside of a ten minute time limit loss to Sami Zayn, he has been undefeated and essentially unstoppable. It is my prediction he eliminates 16 of the field with ease.
Overall winner: Chris Jericho
This will be the Rumble of Jericho so drink it in maaaaan!Even if he takes his sweet time heading to the ring and possibly adding whoever is already there to the LIST, Jericho is due his first ever Rumble victory in what will be his tenth appearance in the annual classic.This run which began a year ago may be his best to date in terms of in-ring productivity and another stellar re-invention of his persona. He has gone full tilt to be as memorable as possible and it will culminate in outlasting a loaded field of 29 other men.

It is entirely possible that Kevin Owens escapes with his Universal Championship in some fashion against Roman Reigns only to find himself at direct odds with his best friend. While cordial, he hasn’t been all too receptive to Jericho’s enthusiasm for such a Rumble match outcome resulting in him challenging KO for the title.That story deserves to be told leading into the grandest stage of them all and it all begins on Sunday.

Martin McConnell
Surprise: Kenny Omega because of course he is
Number 27: Undertaker. It just makes sense.
Most Eliminations: Braun Strowman
Winner: Undertaker. It makes a lot of sense for the storyline, and it’s a great way to begin the storyline for the end of his career.
Additional predictions: Tye Dillinger enters at number 10 because PLEASE WWE LET IT HAPPEN. This needs to happen. The crowd pop would be insane, and it makes so so SO much sense.

Rich Laconi
Surprise Entrant: Shinsuke Nakamura- He’s got to move up to the main roster sometime and if he drops the title to Roode, then we get one of the most charismatic entrances ever in front of a huge crowd in San Antonio.
Number 27: Undertaker-If the Dead Man is going to be in this match, it won’t be for long as all he has to do it set up his Wrestlemania match
Most Eliminations: Braun Strowman-WWE sure loves to set records and no record screams HUGE GIGANTIC MONSTER like this one. Look for Strowman to make a huge statement.
Winner: Undertaker- Taker is in his home state heading into what could be his very last Wrestlemania. Having him challenge for the title one last time and putting over whoever the champion before the last gong sounds would be a fitting farewell to one of the most storied competitors in WWE history.

Jamie Greer
Surprise Entrant: Samoa Joe. He hasn’t been seen in NXT for some time and this would be akin to Styles’ debut last year at the same event.
Number 27: Samoa Joe. Keep it till near the end.
Most Eliminations: Braun Strowman. The man is primed to be the big man for the WWE for years to come. Showing his dominance in the Rumble is one way to create that mystique.
Winner: Samoa Joe. What better way to expose Joe as the Wrecking Machine he can be than to win the Royal Rumble in his main roster debut? While Cena may win the title from AJ at the Rumble, there’s still time for AJ to win it back at Elimination Chamber in February before Wrestlemania, giving fans the WWE dream match of seeing AJ vs Joe in a WWE ring, and at Wrestlemania no less. Or if you really want to make the place explode, Samoa Joe beating Cena for the title at Wrestlemania would be a monster of a finish – and one that could explain Cena leaving for months, at the hands of the Samoan Submission Machine.
Join the conversation in the comments section! Who do you think will win? Who will you remember?