The highly anticipated WrestleMania season officially begins this Saturday as WWE presents the Royal Rumble in Indianapolis. This annual event is always a highlight for wrestling fans, and this year promises to deliver excitement, with the traditional men’s and women’s Royal Rumble matches leading the card. The winners of these matches will have the chance to challenge any champion at WrestleMania, set to take place on April 19 and 20 in Las Vegas.
Last year’s Rumble saw Bayley and Cody Rhodes emerge victorious. Bayley went on to secure the WWE Women’s Championship against Iyo Sky at WrestleMania, while Rhodes concluded his story in a monumental main event against Roman Reigns, filled with dramatic moments.
In addition to the two Rumble matches, this year’s card includes two championship bouts. Cody Rhodes, the reigning undisputed WWE Champion, will defend his title against Kevin Owens in a high-stakes ladder match that has intensified due to their heated rivalry over recent months. Also on the line are the WWE Tag Team Championship belts, with current champions #DIY facing off against the former titleholders, the Motor City Machine Guns, in a two-out-of-three falls matchup touted for its potential to be a show-stealer.
Experts from CBS Sports have offered their predictions on the outcomes of the matches.
For the men’s Royal Rumble, opinions are split. While John Cena was initially seen as a strong contender, conversations about CM Punk’s emerging rivalry with Cody Rhodes have shifted some predictions. Brent Brookhouse leans toward Punk winning, while Shakiel Mahjouri suggests a surprise victory for Randy Orton, setting up a WrestleMania showdown with Rhodes.
When it comes to the women’s Royal Rumble, Charlotte Flair is highlighted as a front-runner. Both pundits expect her to claim victory and anticipate a future matchup with Tiffany Stratton, providing a compelling narrative arc.
In the title defense segment, while there is hope for an upset win by Owens, Mahjouri and Brookhouse predict Rhodes will retain his championship, maintaining the momentum heading into WrestleMania. Similarly, both experts believe #DIY will keep their tag titles against the Motor City Machine Guns, emphasizing WWE’s commitment to building longer title reigns.
This year’s Royal Rumble is shaping up to be an unmissable event, filled with potential twists and dramatic storytelling. With the excitement surrounding the matches and the implications for WrestleMania, fans can look forward to a thrilling night of WWE action that promises to set the stage for the biggest wrestling event of the year.