We still have 3 months left on the WWE calendar, but the buzz for the WWE Royal Rumble 2024 has started. It has recently been announced that WWE will return to Tropicana Field for their annual supershow. It will be great to see the “Thunderdome” full of fans again as opposed to television screens.
Of course, we are still a few months away from the Royal Rumble but that doesn’t mean the speculation hasn’t begun. The names of those who could win the titular match have been tossed around by just about everyone who feels the need, including this writer.
It is way too early to make these predictions but that will make the sweet taste of victory that much better when they come true in January. 27th. For now, picking just one winner might prove to be a bit too difficult so let’s look at the top three choices for the Men’s and Women’s contest.
Gunther
Gunther is destined for the main event. This past year he has been one of the best wrestlers on the roster and has brought the Intercontinental Championship back from the dead. He has put on five-star matches with various wrestlers and has established himself as one of the next big things.
At last year’s Royal Rumble, he put on a performance for the ages. Lasting well over an hour Gunther was the match’s star, only falling to eventual winner Cody Rhodes. What better way to have him ascend to the main event than by taking his performance one step further and walking away the winner?
LA Knight
LA Knight has been on a meteoric rise in WWE. This past year he has been getting the loudest pops of the night and is primed to make his way to the top of the card. His program with The Miz has, thankfully, ended, and it looks like bigger fish are on the horizon.
LA Knight has inserted himself into the John Cena and The Bloodline program. It will be a great rub for the rising star and one that could mean bigger things for him in the future. Winning the 2024 WWE Royal Rumble and starting his path towards Roman Reigns could be where WWE is headed with the man from California.
Cody Rhodes
Everyone loves a great redemption story, and none may be better than the son of a son of a plumber. When Rhodes made his triumphant return to the company many wondered if he would ascend to the main event. At WrestleMania 39 we assumed this would happen, but the company pulled the rug out from under us.
Even though he fell at ‘Mania, the prevailing belief is. that he will finally topple Reigns in Philadelphia. Winning the Royal Rumble would be the easiest way to insert himself back into the Roman Reigns saga, and to finally reach the top of the company.
Jade Cargill
View this post on Instagram
Some of the biggest news, over the past few months, was WWE signing the AEW star. It was a massive move by the federation and one that could mean huge things for Cargill. She is the exact type of wrestler that WWE loves to push. She has a great look and can be a dominant part of the women’s division.
While she will be introduced before January, the Royal Rumble would be a great place for her to announce her presence. Having her enter the match and dominate the field, on her way to victory, is exactly what WWE needs to do for Cargill to become a megastar.
Nia Jax
Yes, there was probably a massive eye roll when this name came up, but why not Nia Jax? WWE has brought her back and put her on a road of destruction. It may rub some people the wrong way, but it looks like Jax is being primed to be the monster heel she once was. Why not have her go all the way and see how things go?
Jax has a shoddy history with the Royal Rumble but next year could be time to fix that. Have her come in and cut through everyone in the ring on her way to winning the match. It would be a huge shock and get everyone talking. It might not be good talk, but hey the more eyes on the product the better.
Bayley
View this post on Instagram
This is a hail mary but why not have Bayley win the 2024 WWE Royal Rumble match She has been an integral part of the roster, for years, and a Rumble win is one of the few things that she hasn’t accomplished. She is a great wrestler, and her heel work has been great since her turn.
Iyo Sky being the champ would be something that could help to push Bayley as the Royal Rumble winner. The tension between the two has been teased and stretching their eventual split out until WrestleMania would make for great television. It could be reminiscent of the Batista and Triple H program that worked so well.
More From LWOS Pro Wrestling
Stay tuned to the Last Word on Pro Wrestling for more on this and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world, as well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world. You can check out an almost unlimited array of WWE content on the WWE Network and Peacock.
