The Road to “The Granddaddy of Them All” is upon the wrestling world, it’s also the start of the hottest annual period in WWE. 2021 is quite possibly the most intriguing and uncertain year the wrestling business is about to have in a long time. For the WWE Universe, proceedings start at the 34th edition of the Royal Rumble, the event most fans anticipate aside from Wrestlemania itself. Unfortunate injuries, superstar departures, storyline shuffles and not to mention the global event happening right now makes this year’s rumble the most unpredictable yet. Let’s take a look at the possible winners, for both the men and women’s royal rumble match, and take a look at who could punch their ticket to the “Showcase of the Immortals”.
MEN’S ROYAL RUMBLE MATCH
Brock Lesnar
To not include “The Beast Incarnate”, in some way shape, or form, in this list, would be a disservice to him. Lesnar gets a nod but is one of the less likely winners because of certain factors. As reported back in August, Lesnar is currently not under contract with WWE, so that makes hopes of his entry into the match bleak. However, if he does decide to enter himself into the fray, he will be a force to be reckoned with like he always is.
Edge
The “Rated-R Superstar” made his triumphant return in last year’s rumble match to the delight of screaming Edgeheads, after close to a decade of absence. He might not have won the match but fans were just excited to see “The Ultimate Opportunist” back in the ring. Edge suffered a setback in his return to WWE after he was injured at Backlash in what was dubbed as “The Greatest Wrestling Match Ever” opposite Randy Orton. At the moment, the date of his return is up in the air, but months back it was reported that WWE wanted a main event bout between Edge and Orton for this year’s WrestleMania. Plans may have apparently changed for that since Orton is no longer holding a world championship. If healthy, Edge’s second comeback could be a magnetic one assuming WWE pulls the trigger and have him win the Rumble match.
AJ Styles
From somebody who made their return at the Royal Rumble, to someone who made one of the biggest debuts in the event’s history. AJ Styles has been solid as a rock since joining the company back in 2016. A phenomenal worker and a steady-hand, Styles always tends to excel wherever he is positioned on the card. If WWE wants to go the safe route and have someone dependable win the Rumble, AJ might be their safest bet to steady the ship. Having AJ Styles win gives WWE time to figure what they want to do going forward. Also, Styles facing off against Roman Reigns or Drew McIntyre in the main event of WrestleMania? Those are marquee matchups on most nights.
Seth Rollins
“The Smackdown Savior” has been preaching his word and doing things for the “greater good”, so to speak, all throughout 2020. The former “Architect” could most likely stake his claim to cleanse WWE of its wayward champions, and winning the Royal Rumble will be a necessary vehicle to make his prophecies come true. A showdown with McIntyre at “The Grandest Stage of Them All” would be nothing short of amazing. Or maybe Rollins wants to add to his monikers of “Kingslayer”, “Beast Slayer”, and be christened as “The Tribal Chief Slayer”. Rest assured, if Seth Rollins manages to win at this year’s event, we will never hear the end of it from the self-proclaimed Messiah of WWE.
Daniel Bryan
Bryan was the first person to declare his intentions to compete in the Royal Rumble match. In a backstage interview with Kayla Braxton, Bryan stated that it’s the only accolade he has yet to accomplish in his illustrious career. The former “American Dragon” has not been fortunate in past Rumble events, even completely missing the opportunity to compete in the match altogether in some years. Daniel Bryan entering the match at number one or the number two spot would be something fans would love to see. The Ironman that outlasted 29 other men from start to finish is a story that practically writes itself. If WWE is willing to give him the green light to win the whole thing, it will be a cinderella run no one soon forgets.
Big E
The big man is expected to have a breakout year in 2021. And there’s no better momentum-builder than winning the Royal Rumble. Big E has been red-hot lately, recently beating Sami Zayn for the Intercontinental Championship in a fantastic Lumberjack Match to cap off the year. WWE needs to capitalize on this and have him come out victorious in the match, further cementing his place among the top guys. Think of a Reigns and Big E “Winner-Take-All” Main Event on the biggest stage, reminiscent of Hulk Hogan vs. The Ultimate Warrior for both the WWE World and Intercontinental championships at Wrestlemania VI. If the company is willing to put everything into making Big E a superstar, this would be the perfect time to execute his inevitable rise.
WOMEN’S ROYAL RUMBLE MATCH
Charlotte Flair
WWE has been teasing a match between Charlotte and Asuka ever since the Queen’s comeback at Tables, Ladders and Chairs 2020. Flair helped Asuka to win the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship, now it’s time for the Empress to return the favor. It seems like the company is not quite ready to do that just yet with their recent title defenses, Asuka and Charlotte together look like a well-oiled machine. However, if they do want to go down that path they could do a John Cena and Shawn Michaels-type of angle wherein the two remain tag-team champions while squaring off at the Show of Shows. Flair might even earn the opportunity herself if WWE wants her to repeat this year.
Shayna Baszler
“The Queen of Spades” came in second last year entering at Number 30. Ousted by eventual winner Charlotte Flair, Baszler will be out for blood to avenge that loss last year, and in the process secure her main event spot at Wrestlemania. Fans assumed Bazler was well on her way to beating “The Man” Becky Lynch at last year’s biggest show, WWE might have got cold feet and pulled the plug. If the company wants to run it back and revisit the scenario, the ideal situation would be letting her walk out the victor.
Rhea Ripley
The lone NXT star on this entire list, Rhea Ripley’s whole identity screams “Megastar”. In a decision, if made, that would garner nothing but praise, Ripley is more than ready for the big-time. Ripley didn’t get to have her WrestleMania moment last year, due to the unfortunate crisis the world experienced in 2020. Most feel she deserves to win the whole affair and her body of work in NXT is more than enough proof that she can hang with the big guns that WWE has on their roster. Nothing complicated just a straightforward tale of a super popular babyface finally climbing the mountain and achieving a much-deserved opportunity of a lifetime.
Bianca Belair
“The EST of WWE” has been a revelation in the year 2020. She’s strong, quick, agile, and has the look of a Superstar. An athletic marvel to watch, Belair will undoubtedly be a champion sooner rather than later, despite professional wrestling not really being in her initial plans. She is a natural in the ring, knowing she just has a little over four years of wrestling experience is quite surprising to many not in the know. Undoubtedly, Bianca Belair will be a champion in the WWE, one way or another. If WWE wants to do something crazy but amazing, the hair-whipping force will be the lone woman standing by the end of the Women’s Royal Rumble match.
Ronda Rousey
“The Baddest Woman on the Planet” has fallen off the face of the WWE Universe since she lost the RAW Women’s Title to Becky Lynch back at WrestleMania 35. Nearing two years since we’ve seen her in the squared circle, it’s about time the former MMA superstar puts on the gloves again and run roughshod over the women’s roster. Ronda Rousey is an instant favorite to win any and every match she competes in, the possibility of her reemergence would spark fans’ interest heading into WrestleMania. No doubt, if we do see Ronda make her comeback in the 30-woman elimination match, it will be a surprise to absolutely nobody if she ends up as the last woman standing.
Bayley
A performer hot off the heels of one of the biggest individual years in wrestling, Bayley is the clear choice to win the 2021 Women’s Royal Rumble match. The reason behind this is straightforward as it sets up a rematch with her arch-rival and former best friend Sasha Banks. Quite possibly the Feud of the Year in 2020 for WWE, a headlining matchup at WrestleMania makes all the sense in the world. Most wrestling fanatics want to see it once again on the biggest stage imaginable because Sasha Banks vs. Bayley is just pure magic time in and time out. The pairing of these two ladies will go down as one of the biggest rivalries the Professional wrestling industry has ever seen. Let Bayley and Banks write another chapter in their ever-growing legend as well as cement their era-defining feud.
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