WWE Royal Rumble 2018 Predictions
January 28, 2018
By: Mike Tedesco of Wrestleview.com
The Royal Rumble has always been one of my favorite events of the year. I love the history of it, the action, the surprises, and the ramifications of it. This will be my second time attending the event. I’m just as excited as the first time.
This will definitely be a longer show than the last one I went to in 2015 and that could be a drag. I’ve been to a lot of long PPV events WWE has put out over the past year and it’s hard to stay excited through it all. There will inevitably be a lull in the crowd.
Last time I went, they also didn’t have to match up against the NXT show. I was at that event last night. I think it’ll be tough for the main roster to live up to that given all their restrictions. Still, I expect it to be a good night.
Here are my predictions for it.
The 2018 30-Woman Royal Rumble Match
Confirmed entrants include: Naomi, Asuka, Ruby Riott, Natalya, Sasha Banks, Bayley, Mandy Rose, Sonya Deville, Carmella, Tamina, Lana, Liv Morgan, Sarah Logan, Mickie James, Nia Jax, Becky Lynch, Alicia Fox, Dana Brooke
There sure are a lot of open spots in this match for some legends to return in this. There just simply aren’t enough women on the roster to fill up these spots. I’d expect to see an NXT call up or two. After seeing her in action last night, I’d love to see Shayna Baszler get a shot in the match. Maybe Asuka could eliminate her and jumpstart a feud that will take place down the line? I fully expect one or both of the Bella Twins to be in it, as well as Lita and Trish Stratus. I don’t really have high expectations for this match. I don’t think two Royal Rumbles going about an hour or so each on one card is a good idea. I know they want everything having equality (they sure do break their own arms patting themselves on the back over this, despite being behind the times for a woefully long time), but couldn’t they do one minute between entrants than the regular two? Anyway, I think Asuka is a slam dunk to win this match and probably eliminates Nia Jax last.
Prediction: Asuka
Smackdown Tag Team Championships – Best 2 out of 3 Falls
Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin vs. The Usos (c’s)
I’m on the same boat Adam Martin is. I didn’t think anything of the pairing of Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin when they first started, but boy did they win me over. They are such a fun team to watch. Crisp action, entertaining antics, goofy personas – it’s awesome. The Usos have had a great run, but I think they have to give the titles to the hot hand right now. It has nothing to do with Jey Uso being arrested. I’ve got to go with Gable and Benjamin here.
Prediction: Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin
RAW Tag Team Championships Match
The Bar vs. Seth Rollins and Jason Jordan (c’s)
Honestly, I’ve seen some iteration of this match-up way too many times in the last half year to even really care about this match. Seth Rollins has gone against The Bar in some form almost every week since early August. I saw him and Ambrose against them at SummerSlam. Now I have to see him and Jason Jordan against them. Granted, the addition of Jordan does make this feel fresh. Jordan has also been magnificent with his borderline heel persona. I see Rollins and Jordan retaining the titles here and hopefully moving on to a new team or breaking up soon. I’m so beyond tired of seeing Rollins against The Bar.
Prediction: Seth Rollins and Jason Jordan retain
WWE Championship – 2 on 1 Handicap Match
Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn vs. AJ Styles (c)
This looks like it could be a fun match on paper. The antics of Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn have been a lot of fun to watch. I’m sure their “friendship” will come to an end at times in this match when they fight to see who will pick up the actual pin. I’ve seen a commercial where they were kind of going back and forth with that, but on TV they’re apparently going to be co-champions. I don’t see any scenario where AJ Styles loses this match. Styles is the MVP of WWE and should go into WrestleMania as the champion.
Prediction: AJ Styles retains
WWE Universal Championship – Triple Threat Match
Braun Strowman vs. Kane vs. Brock Lesnar (c)
I’ve loved the build for this match the last few weeks and how much of a monster they’ve made Braun Strowman look. Strowman has looked amazing in the build for this. They probably did that to keep him looking strong because there is no way he’s winning tonight. Kane is there to take the pin to protect Strowman. Lesnar will take a beating, but in the end he will undoubtedly prevail.
Prediction: Brock Lesnar retains
The 2018 30-Man Royal Rumble Match
Confirmed entrants include: John Cena, Finn Bálor, Randy Orton, Shinsuke Nakamura, Elias, Baron Corbin, “Woken” Matt Hardy, Bray Wyatt, Aiden English, Rusev, Titus O’Neil, Apollo Crews, The Miz, Tye Dillinger, Big E, Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods, Roman Reigns
The Royal Rumble match is back in Philadelphia. I was at the last one when Roman Reigns won, and it was an ugly scene. I understand Reigns is the favorite again to win the match. I think differently, though. I think a Smackdown star should win because Smackdown lost the Survivor Series match and needs a moment for the brand to shine on a big show to maybe draw some more people in to watching it. There is also one match-up that I know a lot of people want to see that is WrestleMania worthy: Styles vs. Nakamura. I think it’s going to be an all Japan sweep of the Rumble tonight. If anyone in Philly complains about that outcome if it happens, then there truly is no pleasing wrestling fans. Reigns can win an opportunity in the Elimination Chamber to go to WrestleMania to inevitably face Brock Lesnar.
As for legends, after seeing the state of so many of them on RAW 25, I doubt there will be many, if any, coming in. I could see Jeff Hardy coming back. I even heard a wild rumor of Wade Barrett making a comeback. I don’t think there will be any huge names entering other than that. I highly doubt The Undertaker would show up, but you never know. It should be a fun match regardless, but I have a feeling the heat will be hurt by the first Royal Rumble and the length of this show in general.
Prediction: Shinsuke Nakamura
I used to do these predictions pieces quite frequently and consistently from mid-2014 to early-2016, so I was able to find what my record was on predictions throughout.
It’s not a bad record!
All-time Predictions Record: 97-45 (.683)
Well, those are my predictions for the show. Do you agree? Disagree? Let me know!
E-Mail – MikeyT817@gmail.com
Twitter – @MikeTedescoWV
Check back on Wrestleview.com starting at 7 PM EST for a tremendous live recap of the show provided by our Editor in Chief, the great Adam Martin.
Also check out @wrestleview for photos from the event as I will be attending!
Thanks for reading and enjoy the WWE Royal Rumble!