Weekend Wristlock: 2019 Royal Rumble Predictions

This is always an exciting time of year. The Royal Rumble, in many ways is like the Money In The Bank event in that it provides a potential "fresh start" for a couple of superstars. With a guaranteed title match set for Wrestlemania for the winners, there's no shortage of intriguing ways WWE can go about this.

However, just because a superstar wins the Rumble, doesn't mean they are in line for a major push. For example, last year saw Shinsuke Nakamura and Asuka win their respective battle royals. While they both received pretty high profile title matches, neither succeeded in capturing the gold. Both proceeded to flounder in irrelevancy for the most part of the remainder of the year (with Asuka finally winning the Smackdown Women's title).

All in all, the old phrase "anything can happen in the WWE" applies perfectly to this event. With other enticing matchups on the card, let's dive deep and take a gander at what will happen, shall we?

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Winner: Rusev

Winner: Buddy Murphy

Winners: The Miz & Shane McMahon

There isn't too much to say about this matchup that I have not gone over in previous articles. If you haven't read those, I'll give you a refresher: this is a fresh pairing that is sure to provide awesome in-ring action.

Obviously, it'd be a dramatic upset if Banks won the title here. The Legit Boss definitely deserves a title run, but this just isn't her time. I have Ronda Rousey retaining here, and getting herself ready to defend her title against the Royal Rumble winner (more on that later).

If WWE hadn't announced the Women's Tag Team titles, I could easily see Bayley turning heel, and costing Banks a possible championship win. This would have set up an epic Sasha Banks vs Bayley match at Wrestlemania that should have happened next year.

There's no shame in losing to Rousey, who's been much more impressive since her debut, than most people expected.

Winner: Ronda Rousey

Between this bout, and the Universal title match, I believe the show stealer (not including the Royal Rumble matches themselves) will come from one of these two. This will be the very first meeting between the two (as far as I know), so that alone is very intriguing.

This match can go a few different ways, when you keep in mind the potential Wrestlemania matches heading forward.

Becky Lynch could recapture the title, and go on to Mania to defend it. That could open the door for another Becky/Charlotte barn burner. This, however, would be very unfortunate for Asuka, as her well deserved title reign would be cut much too short.

Instead, I have Asuka getting the victory here likely with an assist from Ronda Rousey), and moving on with the strap around her waist. It just doesn't make sense to me, that the Empress of Tomorrow got the championship at TLC, just to drop it back to Lynch shortly after.

Winner: Asuka

Winner: Daniel Bryan

The other option for match of the night is Brock Lesnar vs Finn Bálor. Lesnar has been performing exceptionally well over the last few big matches he had, with AJ Styles (Summerslam) and Daniel Bryan (Survivor Series). According to reports, Brock wanted to work with Bálor at Royal Rumble.

Those previous two matches mentioned, saw awesome selling by both Lesnar and his opponent, and a new sense of strategy to attempt to slay The Beast. While Styles almost escaped with a win, Daniel Bryan nearly submitted the Universal champion, before getting hit with an F-5.

The "extraordinary man who can do extraordinary things" should be the one to dethrone the champion. Bálor was the very first Universal title holder, obviously before his injury made him forfeit the newly won title. With all of the doubt that's been surrounding Finn recently, about the incredible odds he's facing against Lesnar, it only makes sense that he beats the odds and reclaims his championship.

Winner: Finn Bálor

I think there are only two people who have a legitimate chance at winning this thing. The hatred between Ronda Rousey and Becky Lynch is much too hot of a story to not capitalize on. It's crazy to think, but we should be thanking Nia Jax right now. Because of her "breaking Lynch's face" just before Survivor Series, we have yet to see an actual Rousey vs Lynch match. The rumors were that WWE were saving Ronda Rousey vs Charlotte Flair for the grandest stage of them all.

Speaking of Charlotte, she is the alternative option in my opinion, if Becky doesn't win it. The prospect of Flair winning the Rumble, and going one on one with Rousey or Becky (or both in a triple threat), is nearly as tempting as the other matchup I mentioned.

Final Four: Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, Ember Moon, Rhea Ripley

Winner: Becky Lynch

This is the match with a number of great potential outcomes. I have the final four superstars consisting of on face from Raw and Smackdown, and one heel from Raw and Smackdown.

I'm pretty torn between two men to get the win here. First, Drew McIntyre would be a great pick to win it if Brock Lesnar retains his Universal title against Finn Bálor. If this happens, I would absolutely love to see McIntyre dominate Lesnar and capture the gold (red, technically).

The "Scottish Psychopath" has all the looks of an elite talent, who can believably annihilate the Beast Incarnate. Another nice touch would see Paul Heyman leave Lesnar for the next "next big thing" in McIntyre.

My pick for the winner, however, is the obvious favorite to win everything. Seth Rollins has proven time and time again that he's more than capable of carrying Monday Night Raw on his shoulders on a weekly basis. Possibly the best in-ring performer currently on the WWE roster, he has the crowd behind him, good mic skills, and obviously fantastic wrestling ability.

Rollins is a guy who can win the Rumble, and have a great story to tell, no matter who the Universal champion is. If Lesnar wins, there's already a story between Brock and Roman, so Paul Heyman could talk about how The Beast Incarnate beat Rollins' Shield brother repeatedly, and claim he has no chance. If Bálor wins, there is obviously the story of Wrestlemania being headlined (hopefully), by a rematch of the very first Universal title match: Finn Bálor vs Seth Rollins (that is my early prediction).

Final Four: Seth Rollins, Samoa Joe, Drew McIntyre, Mustafa Ali

Winner: Seth Rollins

Well, those are my predictions! Like I said, there are so many possible outcomes, and I'm very excited to see what parallel WWE universe we end up in! I'd also love to hear what you guys think. Whether you agree, disagree, have any comments or questions, have at it in the comments below! Thank you all for reading, and have a great day!