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Countdown to Royal Rumble 2021

John Powell

Event Countdown

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Buzz! That familiar sound is ready to be blared 60 times Sunday night and each time it does a new participant will get the chance to pave their own road to WrestleMania. Who will join such illustrious winners as Hulk Hogan, Steve Austin, Shawn Michaels, Ric Flair, Becky Lynch, Asuka and Charlotte Flair? Here are our predictions and prognostications.

Men’s Royal Rumble Match

John Powell

Editor-in-Chief

There are a lot of rumours and speculation floating around. I am going to base my pick though purely on instinct. The most emotional story, the best story would be to have Edge win the Rumble. It would complete his return, put him on the road to another emotional match at WrestleMania. Whether he wins or he loses that match really doesn’t matter. The journey itself would satisfy fans. Winner: Edge.

Betonline.ag

The top picks are Daniel Bryan, Keith Lee, Brock Lesnar, Edge and Big E. Winner: Daniel Bryan at +125.

Matthew Byer

Contributor, Reporter

The sentimental pick will undoubtedly be the returning Edge and while that would be great to see it seems like too safe of a choice for WWE.  There have been rumours out there about WWE considering giving the win to a WWE part-timer and that it would be controversial. Now who could that be?  The Rock?  No.  The Beast Incarnate Brock Lesnar!

Dave Hillhouse

Hollywood Headlock Editor

I’m sticking with the idea that this Roman Reigns saga, whatever twists and turns remain, will continue to overshadow title matches and, yes, the Royal Rumble. Jey Uso wins on orders and with assistance from Reigns, setting up a murky Road to WrestleMania that will only draw out more attention from the family, if you smell what I’m cooking. Winner: Jey Uso.

Bob Kapur

Senior Editor

After the debacle of a closing segment on Smackdown, it looks like the final few to be in the ring will include AJ, Bryan, Braun, and Cesaro. I can see Braun and Cesaro spinning off into a feud, leaving AJ and Bryan. Omos will save AJ a number of times, but ultimately, Bryan wins and heads to YEStleMania. Winner: Daniel Bryan

Women’s Royal Rumble match

John Powell

Editor-in-Chief

There is a lot of jabber about Bianca Belair taking the win. That would be great TV for sure and there is no doubt that after all of her hard work in NXT she would deserve it. However, I think a dark horse, a surprise contestant will prevail and face Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania…again. Winner: Rhea Ripley.

Betonline.ag

The top picks are Alexa Bliss, Bianca Belair, Charlotte Flair and Ronda Rousey. Winner: Bianca Belair +150.

Matthew Byer

Contributor, Reporter

In all honesty the Women’s and Men’s Royal Rumble matches are the two I’m most concerned with from a Covid-19 perspective due to the number of participants.  I hope they put in place protocols that keep everyone as safe as possible.  With that being said a winner for this match is extremely tough to predict.  There is a great deal of young and upcoming talent that could win, but it seems likely WWE will go with an established name to setup a big WrestleMania match.  Thus, it could be a returning Becky Lynch or Ronda Rousey or an established star like Bayley.  Since I have to pick a winner I’ll go with Bayley to setup a rematch with Sasha Banks at WrestleMania.

Dave Hillhouse

Hollywood Headlock Editor

I have a feeling that “take two” of a Lynch/Rousey story on the horizon. It’s too soon for Becky Lynch to return (right? isn’t it?), and Rousey has delivered a semi-emphatic “Nah” in response to rumours that she’s making a return – which of course only elevates the chances that she might. So: Rousey.

Bob Kapur

Senior Editor

There are rumours floating around that a major name will return to compete in this one, perhaps Becky Lynch or Ronda Rousey. While I like the idea of that, I don’t think it’s likely. I want Rhea Ripley to win, because I think she’s the best female wrestler on the planet right now. But something tells me Alexa “Lady Melisandre” Bliss will win. Winner: Alexa Bliss

Roman Reigns (c) vs. Kevin Owens – Last Man Standing, WWE Universal Championship Match

John Powell

Editor-in-Chief

With the WrestleMania picture a bit blurry right will we see The Rock versus Roman Reigns? Brock Lesnar versus Roman Reigns? Edge versus Roman Reigns? John Cena versus Roman Reigns? Who knows at this point. I say no matter who, Kevin Owens is just a fill-in until the WrestleMania situation is ironed out. Winner: Roman Reigns

BetOnline.AG

Roman Reigns -800. Kevin Owens +425. Winner: Roman Reigns

Matthew Byer

Contributor, Reporter

There is absolutely no chance that The Tribal Chief is dropping the Universal Title before WrestleMania.  Thus, expect a ton of interference with the end result being Reigns retaining his championship and Owens putting up a valiant effort in a losing cause.

Dave Hillhouse

Hollywood Headlock Editor

As much as I feel that everyone involved dropped the ball on the roll-out of the new Roman Reigns, now that WrestleMania is in sight I find that I’m eager to see how it plays out. The unfortunate bystander in all of this is Kevin Owens, who is going to give a great performance, but in reality he’s just a prop for the Reigns story to evolve. Winner: Reigns

Bob Kapur

Senior Editor

In my view, Roman Reigns has been the best thing about WWE since aligning himself with Paul Heyman and adopting the “Head of the Table” storyline. As much as I’m an Owens fan, I don’t think he’s the right guy to beat Roman. Winner: Roman Reigns

Drew McIntyre (c) vs. Goldberg – WWE Championship Match

John Powell

Editor-in-Chief

Really not sure why they don’t let Goldberg wrestle a normal match. He is capable of doing so. Just make it a simple one. You have to ask yourself though…Why would they bring Goldberg back for a one-off match? Why wouldn’t they save him for WrestleMania? Winner: Goldberg

BetOnline.AG

Drew McIntyre -250. Goldberg +170. Winner: Drew McIntyre.

Matthew Byer

Contributor, Reporter

It seems quite probable that Goldberg is going to win the WWE Title and carry it into WresteMania.  After all what would be the point of bringing him back otherwise?  The only scenario where McIntyre retains is if Brock Lesnar returns causing a disqualification.

Dave Hillhouse

Hollywood Headlock Editor

Surely, McIntyre isn’t next? Another to fall in line behind Owens, Ziggler, and Wyatt? Not that McIntyre really needs to beat Goldberg to cement his champion’s status, but I think that’s the play here. Expect five minutes of finishers and a title retained. Winner: McIntyre

Bob Kapur

Senior Editor

I can’t wait to see Drew McIntyre defend the title at the Royal Rumble against Goldberg… said nobody ever. With Drew having just gone through COVID and presumably in a less-than-100% state, I expect this one will be short to save him and his lungs any wear and tear. My call: the bell rings, Goldberg rushes at Drew for the Spear, but instead gets hit with the Claymore Kick, and it’s as over as quickly as a vintage Nitro Goldberg match. Winner: Drew McIntyre

Asuka and Charlotte Flair (c) vs. Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler – WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Match

John Powell

Editor-in-Chief

With Rhea Ripley winning the Rumble, Charlotte needs to become champ so they can have their rematch at WrestleMania. Asuka and Charlotte lose here so that Asuka can lose to Charlotte before Mania. All this will only happen if Nia Jax doesn’t injure everyone and become the last woman standing. Winners: Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler.

BetOnline.AG

Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler – 200. Charlotte Flair and Asuka +150. Winners: Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler 

Matthew Byer

Contributor, Reporter

Shortly after Flair and Asuka won the Women’s Tag Titles there was a hint of Charlotte challenging the Empress of Tomorrow for the RAW Women’s Championship.  However, that was dropped fairly quickly with Flair entering a program with Lacey Evans, who may help Baszler and Jax regain the Women’s Tag Team Championship.

Dave Hillhouse

Hollywood Headlock Editor

If the teams were juggled up a bit here, I’d be much more invested; I think very highly of both Asuka and Baszler, and not much at all of Flair and Jax. Plus, the fate of the tag titles resting on a battle between two thrown-together teams leaves me cold. I do, however, believe that the tag titles will be lifted off of Flair and Asuka to free them both up for championship singles matches coming up – quite possibly against one another. Winners: Baszler & Jax

Bob Kapur

Senior Editor

The risk in this one is that if Jax and Baszler win, then Jax will be allowed to appear on every show and have a bigger pool of women to injure. But I think that will happen, and this will allow Asuka to focus on defending her singles championship. Winners: Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler

Sasha Banks (c) vs. Carmella – WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship Match

John Powell

Editor-in-Chief

Two of the most overrated superstars in the business today in a match I care nothing about. Can we put the belt back on Bayley now? Winner: Sasha Banks

Matthew Byer

Contributor, Reporter

The program between The Boss and Carmella has been going on for a few months now and it at the point that there needs to be a title change or for it to end so Banks to move on to her next challenger.  It is possible Carmella may regain the SmackDown Women’s Title at the Royal Rumble, but if so don’t look for a lengthy championship reign, but rather to quickly lose it back to Sasha Banks.

Dave Hillhouse

Hollywood Headlock Editor

Well, I was wrong about Charlotte Flair’s return bringing an immediate feud with Banks (and a quick title switch to Flair). Now, Flair has herself tied up with Asuka, and SmackDown has as much focus on Bianca Beliar and Bayley as it does on its Women’s Champion Banks. All of this adds up to this match flying under the radar and feeling like a placeholder until whatever the build to WrestleMania is to be is revealed. Nothing to see here, folks. Winner: Banks.

Bob Kapur

Senior Editor

I like the new direction for Carmella, so would like to see her carry the gold for a while. Reginald will get involved and help Carmella steal the win. Winner: Carmella
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