The turn of the new year is the most exciting time of year for wrestling fans. The Royal Rumble is rapidly approaching to usher in the Road to WrestleMania. Each year, fans ponder and discuss which of their favourite superstars will return, debut and ultimately win the famous Royal Rumble match and main-event WrestleMania.
Sometimes the answer is blatantly obvious, such as Cody Rhodes’ triumph last year after returning from injury. However, Rumble fever is at its peak when various superstars could feasibly win the match. This year is one of those times.
With the Royal Rumble under two weeks away, let’s analyse the 3 superstars who are in with a chance of winning it all at Tropicana Field.
1. CM Punk
Embed from Getty ImagesThe 5-time world champion made his shocking return to WWE at the end of Survivor Series back in November. This came after months of speculation that he would return at the event held in his hometown of Chicago. The straight-edge superstar originally left the WWE and wrestling as a whole after the 2014 Royal Rumble. A return to WWE was seen as impossible especially after he joined AEW in September 2021. Punk’s return crushed the previous WWE’s social media views record at the time, garnering more than 71 million views across all social platforms.
Why it might happen
According to Sky Bet, CM Punk is the overwhelming favourite to win the 2024 Men’s Royal Rumble match. While this does not guarantee his victory, it is a strong indicator that Punk will win. After all, CM Punk winning makes the most sense business and storyline-wise. He has dominated the WWE merchandise sales chart since his return.
Since his return, it has been clear that CM Punk’s first rivalry back in WWE will be with the current WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins. This was evident on the night Punk returned to WWE. Rollins had to be held back from charging toward the returning star. Moreover, the two have been in a war of words on Raw since Punk’s return. Given the history between the two stars, there is money to be made with the two squaring off at WrestleMania.
Embed from Getty ImagesWhy it might not happen
However, what is not clear about the Punk-Rollins feud is whether the WWE World Heavyweight Championship will be a part of it. Certainly, the championship would hugely benefit from being involved in the rivalry in its first WrestleMania appearance. However, due to the preexisting buzz surrounding a potential CM Punk – Seth Rollins WrestleMania program, the title is unnecessary to build hype. Therefore, Rollins could lose the belt before WrestleMania to give another Mania match the championship-level boost it may need.
Likelihood: 8/10
The opportunity to elevate the new World Heavyweight Championship by placing it at the centre of a WrestleMania main event program should not be missed. Additionally, a Royal Rumble victory for Punk seems to be the only thing missing from his wrestling résumé. As a result, it is hard to look past Punk winning the Royal Rumble and challenging Rollins for the World Heavyweight Championship in one of the main events of WrestleMania 40. This is the most likely avenue that WWE goes down at the Royal Rumble.
2. Cody Rhodes
Embed from Getty ImagesWhile the American Nightmare won the Rumble last year, it is feasible he could repeat it. This would make Rhodes only the third superstar to ever win back-to-back Rumble matches. The other two superstars to have done this are ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels, quite an esteemed company to say the least.
Cody Rhodes has been the hottest babyface arguably in the business since his WWE return at WrestleMania 38. While his initial return run was cut short by a gruesome triceps injury, Cody returned at the Royal Rumble last year and won. He vowed to ‘finish the story’ and win the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship from Roman Reigns in the main event of WrestleMania 39 Night 2. It seemed written in the stars that Cody would leave So-Fi Stadium that night as WWE champion. However, Reigns would shockingly retain.
Cody returning at the Royal Rumble last year and winning it was an obvious decision. He was the overwhelming favourite, with the timeline of his recovery matching perfectly to the Royal Rumble event last year. Moreover, due to his prolonged absence coming so soon after his initial return, the fans were clamouring for Rhodes to return and topple Reigns.
Why it might happen
Ever since the defeat to Reigns at WrestleMania 39, it has seemed destined the two would meet again at WrestleMania 40. The simplest way to ensure this is by having Rhodes win the Rumble again. This would mean Rhodes would finally capture the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship and ‘finish the story’. It is also clear that WWE views Cody as the top babyface they have been missing since John Cena.
Embed from Getty ImagesWhy it might not happen
Unlike last year, multiple candidates could win the famous match on January 27th. In addition, winning back-to-back Rumble matches has only happened twice and has not been achieved for 26 years when Steve Austin won the 1997 and 1998 Royal Rumble’s.
Embed from Getty ImagesAnother factor to consider is that there are other ways in which Cody could win the title his father, Dusty Rhodes, never could against Reigns at WrestleMania. One way this could happen is by Cody winning a #1 Contender’s Elimination Chamber match at February’s Elimination Chamber event. This would require some creative storyline maneuvering to get Rhodes onto Smackdown but it is entirely plausible.
Likelihood: 3/10
Ultimately, Rhodes’ odds of winning the Rumble this year are considerably reduced from the previous year. The variety of options which WWE can take to ensure Rhodes and Reigns meet again at WrestleMania as well as history not being on his side are major factors in this reduction. Arguably though, the biggest obstacles in the way for Rhodes at the Rumble are the huge returns we have seen recently in WWE. One from the aforementioned CM Punk but also a certain People’s Champion.
3. The Rock
Embed from Getty ImagesAbout a month ago, this would have been seen as incredibly far-fetched. But after The Rock’s return at the January 1st edition of Raw, this could genuinely be on the cards.
The Rock versus Roman Reigns has long been a dream match for wrestling fans and the WWE themselves. This is from long before Reigns’ record-breaking run as WWE Champion. Despite the WWE’s best attempts to lure The Rock back to face his cousin at WrestleMania, they have always been unsuccessful.
WrestleMania 39 was seen as the probable last chance and most-fitting event where this dream match could take place. After all, it was held and themed around Hollywood, the place The Rock has dominated for decades now. This of course never came to fruition, as Reigns squared off against Cody Rhodes instead.
Embed from Getty ImagesThis year is markedly different, however. The Rock returned to WWE on the Day 1 edition of Raw, confronting and taking out Jinder Mahal. During that segment, The Rock made clear allusions to the Tribal Chief, saying: “When The Rock goes out to eat something in San Diego, should The Rock sit in a booth, or should The Rock sit at the bar? (Yeah, The Rock loves a bar too.) Or should The Rock sit at the head of the table?”.
Reigns reacted dismissively on Twitter.
Why it might happen
The Rock’s return broke the social media views record that CM Punk set just months before with over 171 million views. The Rock facing Reigns at WrestleMania 40 would potentially be the biggest main event in wrestling history. Therefore, from a business standpoint, The Rock winning the Rumble would be the logical decision. He is the only man who could draw more money than CM Punk.
From a storyline perspective, the Reigns-Rock rivalry writes itself. The leader of the Bloodline, Roman Reigns has decimated even his cousins to rule roughshod over the WWE for the last 4 years. The only man in WWE and his own family to not fall in line is The Rock.
Therefore, a battle between the crown jewels of the Anoa’i family to decide who is the true ‘head of the table’ would be as perfect a wrestling story as you can tell. The Rock winning the Royal Rumble is the simplest way to achieve this.
Embed from Getty ImagesWhy it might not happen
The major issue which could prohibit The Rock from winning the Royal Rumble is his acting career. While his filming schedule seems to be clear leading up to WrestleMania 40, this was also reported to be the case last year. The potential for injury is also a concern for the megastar, as he is now 51 years old. Moreover, The Rock suffered many injuries during his series of WrestleMania main events against John Cena. Those matches took place over a decade ago now, therefore The Rock will be even more susceptible to injury now. If this was to happen again, not only would filming commitments be tattered but the costs for insurance may be too high to justify him performing.
Despite this, it does seem The Rock will be facing Roman Reigns this year at some point. Although, it may not happen at WrestleMania. Reports indicate that The Rock versus Roman Reigns could happen at the Elimination Chamber event in February. This is to potentially capitalise on the fact that the event is taking place at the OPTUS Arena in Perth, Australia. If this is the plan, The Rock would likely not win the Rumble. However, as of current neither The Rock nor Roman Reigns are scheduled to appear at the event on February 24th. Plans could be subject to change as is always the case in the world of wrestling.
Embed from Getty ImagesLikelihood: 5/10
If The Rock is to fight Roman Reigns this year, it will undoubtedly be at WrestleMania. This would scupper the year-long plan for Reigns v Rhodes 2, meaning Rhodes would not be able to ‘finish the story’ for a second year running. However, the opportunity to book a once-in-a-lifetime dream match between The Rock and Roman Reigns deserves the platform of WrestleMania.
One way to get there easily is by The Rock winning the Royal Rumble, but it does not require this. After all, it is far from guaranteed that he will be at Tropicana Field on January 27th. Whereas, CM Punk and Cody Rhodes have both confirmed their entry into the Men’s Royal Rumble match. Due to the uncertainty surrounding, the Great One’s availability it is hard to say he is very likely to win it all, but if he is present at the Royal Rumble, he will surely win.
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These 3 superstars are not the only men who could potentially be triumphant on January 27th. Intercontinental champion Gunther and 2020 winner Drew McIntyre pose as intriguing alternate Rumble winners.
However, it is more than likely one of CM Punk, Cody Rhodes or The Rock will win the Men’s Royal Rumble. CM Punk is the outright favourite, but the arguments are just as strong for Rhodes and The Rock. No matter who wins, the fans will be ecstatic if either one of these fan favourites is victorious.
Image Credit: Claudia Raya on Unsplash
