2013 Royal Rumble Predictions

Well, it's that time of year once again.  

Time to head on the "Road to Wrestlemania".  For this writer, this is my absolute favourite event of the year as there is nothing more entertaining that the Royal Rumble match.  So, without further ado….let's try and predict this event.

(Order as listed by WWE.com)

U.S. Championship
 Antonio Cesaro vs The Miz (Pre-Show)

Oh, how the "mighty" have fallen.  The Miz with his poorly executed face turn will challenge Antonio Cesaro for the United States Championship.  While the WWE machine has really tried to make The Miz a fan favourite (including adopting Ric Flair's Figure Four Leg-Lock), he is marginal at best.  (Much like his heel persona)  The Miz does not have the traction to really captivate the crowd and it's highly unlikely that he will be able to dethrone Cesaro who has put on some of the best performances in the WWE this year.  Look for Cesaro to retain with the Neutralizer.

Winner:  U.S. Champion Antonio Cesaro.  (Retains U.S. Champion)

WWE Tag Team Championship
Team Hell No vs Team Rhodes Scholars

It wasn't all that long ago that the Tag Team scene was dismal at best, but Team Hell No has managed to put some interest back into the scene with their current title run.  (As well as strong competition with other teams in the WWE)  Even though their run has been surprisingly entertaining, Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow have more than proven that they can carry the Tag Team scene and can be entertaining while doing it.  

Winner:  Team Rhodes Scholars (New Tag Team Champions)

30-Man Royal Rumble Match

OFFICIAL ENTRANTS

• John Cena
• Sheamus
• Randy Orton
• Dolph Ziggler (has to choose between No. 1 or No. 2)
• 3MB (Heath Slater, Jinder Mahal and Drew McIntyre)
• United States Champion Antonio Cesaro
• Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett
• The Miz
• Ryback
• An NXT competitor to be determined via tournament 
• Tag Team Champions Team Hell No
• The Great Khali
• Kofi Kingston
• The Prime Time Players

What makes this match so great is the unpredictability of it.  Every year there are mystery entrants, (stars from the past or debuting stars) or a big return from a current star who may be injured.  While you can normally pencil in a few names that could potentially win, it is very difficult in a year such as this when they are multiple names who could potentially headline Wrestlemania.  

So, who wins this years edition of the Royal Rumble and gets the title shot at Wrestlemania 29?  The prediction from this writer will be Dolph Ziggler.

Why you ask?  Simple.  If Dolph Ziggler win and has two guaranteed title shots to become a World Champion, it would add more intrigue to Wrestlemania.  He could lose one of them a long the way (possibly to John Cena) or lose his guaranteed Rumble shot at Wrestlemania and then cash in "Money in the Bank" directly after.  I believe he will win as John Cena winning may be too predictable for the "smart" fans.

Royal Rumble Winner:  Dolph Ziggler

World Heavyweight Championship
 Alberto Del Rio vs Big Show

This one is another head scratcher in the sense that it is hard to predict.  ADR's title win was a surprise in a lot of ways as it looked like the Big Show would eventually face either Sheamus in another rematch or face a surging Randy Orton.  Based on the momentum that Del Rio has had and the reaction he is receiving from the crowd, there is no reason to drop the title to Big Show just yet.  This may occur at Elimination Chamber, setting up either a rematch with Sheamus or a showdown with Orton at Wrestlemania.

Winner:  Alberto Del Rio (Retains World Heavyweight Championship)

WWE Champion CM Punk vs The Rock

This may be the most difficult of all to predict as this match has had the best possible build of all.

The whole rivalry began during the 1000th episode of Monday Night Raw when CM Punk turned heel by attacking the Rock.  Ever since then, Punk has been on a mission to become the best bad guy in all of wrestling and has gone on to have the longest title reign of his generation.  The Rock's popularity has not faded in the slightest and the future Hall of Famer is on a collision course to have a dream match with the "Best in the World".

While many are predicting that the Rock will have a rematch with John Cena at Wrestlemania (to go a long with the Rock's prediction of being champion again), I do not believe he will win the championship on this night.  Expect this to be a very LONG match and for CM Punk to squeak out the win by any means necessary.

Also, I don't believe we've seen the last of the Rock challenging for the WWE Championship.

Winner:  CM Punk.  (Retains the WWE Championship)