2008 Royal Rumble Winner
 

So I haven't seen an actual topic about who everyone thinks is winning this year.

I think the safest choice is Taker, but I'm going to go with Kennedy instead. I think he'll win in a screwjob, then he will have to put his spot up for grabs at No Way Out in a Chamber.

I don't even know who's in it. Can someone post a list of all the confirmed contenders so far?

<font color=goldenrod>So far:

Batista
Carlito (technically not yet, but in a qualifying match Friday and the opponents aren't even named)
Hardcore Holly
Hornswoggle
John Morrison
Mick Foley
Santino Marella (see Carlito)
Shelton Benjamin (announced on ECW last night)
Snitsky
The Miz
Umaga
Undertaker</font>

<font color=goldenrod>Since I'm bored, here's a list of who I think will fill the other 18 spots:

Balls Mahoney
Big Daddy V
Bobby Lashley (possibly as a mystery return entry)
Cody Rhodes
Curt Hawkins
Elijah Burke
Finlay
Jamie Noble
Jimmy Wang Yang
Kane
Mark Henry
Mr. Kennedy
Shannon Moore
Shawn Michaels
The Great Khali
Zack Ryder
Winner of Jericho/JBL
Winner of MVP/Flair

I think they'll put Rumble spots on the line for the latter two matches to add importance to them. Obviously Flair's going over in his match (probably by DQ) and probably Jericho in his.

I also think there will be a HHH/Regal match but HHH can't be in the Rumble. He'll win the Elimination Chamber at No Way Out, so look for the winner to be from Smackdown or *laughs* ECW.</font>

are hawkins and ryder the major brothers

Ric Flair perhaps?

I'm thinking Triple H gets in "against all odds" (or winds up being a surprise entrant) and wins it from an early 20's spot.

It seems they're building to it. It's not the best guess but he's the most likely to win at this point in my eyes.

Kennedy...








































...Yeah

See, I was thinking that Flair could qualify for the Rumble, but then McMahon reminds him that if he loses ANY match, his career will be over. Do you guys think that would make it too obvious who would win?

I doubt he will even be in it.

Rob will post the winner soon, like he does ALMOST every year.

I doubt YOU will even be in it, Diesel Mac! :mad:

<font color=goldenrod>I dunno...I think back at Raw XV when he was in a 6-man tag match the announcers said that Flair's career is only on the line in singles matches. So theoretically he could be in the Rumble and still not win. I think though, since its his last Rumble...he enters fairly early and lasts until close to the end.</font>

It may not be a singles match, but he's competing on behalf of himself, ya know? It just seems like something McMahon the dickhead might do. I'd rather it not go down like that, seeing as to how I don't want to see Ric Flair in a title match at Wrestlemania (or anywhere, really), but I could still see it happening.

I've been saying for the last couple of months that I think Flair will win the Rumble so I suppose I better stick to that prediction.

Or you'll get in trouble?

Well, whoever challenges for the Raw title will probably be determined by that elimination chamber. It just makes sense. They have a better roster for that.

At this point, I think the Raw ME will be some combo of HHH, Jeff, Batista and Orton.


But, it makes sense to have the Smackdown challenger win again. This would likely mean Taker since it seems Edge/Taker is where they're headed.
That means Taker has to win two years in a row wich is kinda lame, even though I want to see Edge/Taker as the main event.

Maybe they could pull at 97 and have someone win like Kennedy or MVP, only to be ruled to have cheated or lose their title shot, since they're not neccesarily ready yet. It's what they did with Austin.

In my other fantasy booking thread I actually booked MVP to be in the final four, as well as eliminate Batista after sneaking back in the ring without refs seeing his feet touch.
But I had Taker win.
Maybe he could just win and then have it reversed.

There's no such thing as 'cheating' in the Royal Rumble unless you're actually eliminated and then crawl back in somehow. People have gotten away with that before though, haven't they?

That's the cheating I was referring to, and yes I think they have but never with any significance. In 1997, Austin was eliminated with no refs seeing and crawled back in and ended up winning it, but he lost his title shot a couple nights later because of this.

Austin in 97 - which lead to the awesome final four at In Your House.

HHH

Yeah, but didn't the same thing happen in 2000 with Rock and Big Show, but they didn't take away Rock's shot?

<font color=goldenrod>It'll never happen, but I'd love to see a guy like Shelton Benjamin win it. It accomplishes a lot:

1. Makes the Rumble more exciting and unpredictable

2. Makes ECW look a LOT better by having one of its own win.

3. Makes Shelton into a big name and legit main eventer...plus, they always hype his athletic ability on the air, so at the same time you'd have a guy who is a believable winner but who people also say "holy shit, I NEVER thought he'd win"

4. Sets the stage for the Punk vs. Shelton feud that was probably going to happen anyway. Obviously, as was the case in past years, just because ECW or Smackdown wins the Rumble the WWE Title match will still be the WM Main Event....so its not completely out of the question.</font>

Actually, given that Shelton is probably scheduled to be in the WrestleMania ECW Title Match, this is actually a better idea than it's ever been. I mean, the other realistic option is for The Undertaker to go over, and that would just be shit.

Chris Jericho is still the best choice for 2008 Rumble Winner, in my opinion. HBK vs. Y2J II, baby. Doubt that will happen, though. Too good. I actually don't think Triple H will win, even though the whole "he's not in the Rumble" might be leading to that win. Get your mind around that one.

I'm actually predicting some half-assed shit with The Undertaker and Batista tying, and while a draw was not good enough for the end of 2005, I think we could end up with our second joint Rumble winners, with Taker and Batista both being declared 2008 Royal Rumble Winner.

Taker.

HHH will in the EC match at NWO.

I think you have it right. :y:

Bobby Lashley.

Hornswoggle, obv :roll:

I really don't know if I was being sarcastic in the above post, because I could honestly see them having him win.

I would say Kennedy or HHH...cant really make a case for anyone else

It wouldn't make much sense right now (lack of build etc), but I'd love to see Matt Hardy win it. Then either go after Orton at 'Mania or go one-on-one with his brother.

The Rock had to defend it against the Big Show in a match to determine who got the Mania title shot, at No Way Out.

Shane interfered and Rock lost, so Big Show got the shot and it was slated Big Show vs HHH for the title.
The next night The Rock came out and said "if Wrestlemania is Big Show/HHH then Wrestlemania will absolutely suck"
Then I think that night he put his entire career on the line for a shot, not Big Shows, but a shot to make it a triple threat and Vince returned and he won.

Then Linda marched out the next week with Foley and made it a 4 way.

Taker for the second year, which is really kind of lame.

I'd enjoy seeing Kennedy or MVP win it outright, I can't remember the last heel Rumble winner. Also, I'd like to point out how shitty it would be if they did something along the lines of taking away the victory after Kennedy wins it, since they basically did the same thing with the Money In The Bank last year.

What stilted logic they'll actually use, I have no clue. Other than the fact the last two will be respecitively from Smackdown and Raw, possibly three with one from Smackdown, and that each one will get the title shots. It's an easy way to avoid Taker winning twice.

That ending scenario makes no sense. What's the point of trying to win if the final two just get title shots? Whats the point of a rumble? And the other title shot is going to be determined by an elimination chamber at No Way Out.

As for no logical way for Kennedy or MVP to win and then lose the title shot. Umm.....cheat. And then the next night have it reversed or have to defend it at No Way Out against the person they cheated...Taker.
It'd suck because it'd be pointless because the rub they get from "winning" the rumble would be cancelled out.

So basically...Taker is probably winning this, and the Raw challenger winning the elimination chamber.

As each day passes, I can actually see MVP winning the Rumble. He won't get the title shot at WrestleMania, but I can see MVP winning the match after knocking someone out and taking their place, and then losing the title shot to The Undertaker at No Way Out.

Anyway, here are some of my predictions for the 2008 Royal Rumble Match:

* Mr. Kennedy will look good in the match, but will get tossed by a returning Bobby Lashley, who will then go on to make the Final Four (probably second-to-last eliminated).

* Umaga will be #30 in the match.

* Hornswoggle will start the match, you just know this is happening. He will be in trouble when Finlay's number is drawn. Finlay will be thrown a few entries later, after being a hero. Overall, Finlay will spend less time in the Royal Rumble than Hornswoggle.

* While Hornswoggle is #1, Snitsky will probably be #2.

* While my pick is still technically The Undertaker, I actually think it's possible we'll get a swerve and Big Daddy V and Mark Henry will eliminate Taker in the middle of the match. I can also see The Edge Heads running in and softening up both The Undertaker and Batista during the Rumble, and tossing them, furthering the screwed angle.

* In the case that The Undertaker and Batista are both eliminated (blowing the field way open), I think we'll get a third Shawn Michaels win.

* MVP will knock someone out (I'm thinking Shannon Moore), and steal their shot in the match, pissed he could not defeat Ric Flair. MVP looks strong in the match, and even makes a few eliminations, but he is tossed out by a face like Bobby Lashley or Shawn Michaels.

* I have a feeling that Mick Foley will be eliminated by Umaga, and that the WWE may actually build to a Street Fight between the two. This will rule.

* Kane will actually have a job in carrying this match. You get a few guys every year who hang around for a while to make sure things go OK. I think Kane will be one of them, much like he was in 2001.

* Chris Jericho will toss JBL, and pissed off, JBL will enter illegally and toss Jericho. Both men will make it into the match, you see.

* Shelton Benjamin will look OK in the match, but I think he'll be tossed by Chris Jericho.

* John Morrison and The Miz just scream mid-card guys who last a while, and then get eliminated by a fresh face in the match (like The Undertaker or Batista).

* Jimmy Wang Yang will probably be tossed by MVP, don't ask why, just a feeling.

* I sense The Highlanders will be eliminated by Kane. Both of them.

* Carlito & Santino Marella will have very different roles in the match. I think Santino will be in the match earlier, and get tossed comedically, even by another heel (like Snitsky). Carlito will probably be in the match later, and I think he'll get tossed by Foley.

Just some random guesses.

Is there gonna be a free live web broadcast anywhere?

I didn't say it would make sense, but it's exactly what happened last year. And very similar to what happened the year before that.

Finlay, Jamie Noble and Cody Rhodes are in. We're up to 13, I believe.

Yes, since brand extension the final remaining participant(s) from the losing brand have become the number one contender on their show.
But this is just a matter of them being the tops on their brand, and using that accomplishment as a reason to claim the right to wrestle in that match. In all those cases, they weren't simply named number one contender. That also had to participate in matches or even a tournament to earn their shot.

I just think it'd be ridiculous to have the rules of a rumble be, last two guys standing both get a title shot. It makes you wonder why they wouldn't just leave. There'd be no winner.
It'd be like awarding a Lombardi trophy to both teams that make the superbowl. It becomes about making it, or just placing, rather than winning the damn thing.

One great thing about the rumble is to win it, you have to fuckin win it. Even if an entrant plays coward, or stays outside the ring or whatever, at some point they have to face the music and eliminate at least one man to win. It's actually the best part. The final two.
A prime example of this is Vince in 99. He HAD to get in there with Austin if he was going to win it. Sooner or later the shit hits the fan.

With 2 winners, a pussy can just hide under the ring and win a title shot at Wrestlemania, and some guy who busted his ass off eliminating 28 guys would share a victory with him.

I agree with you, and I might be wrong because I can't be bothered to go back and re-read The Optimist's post, but I don't think he supported the idea of the last two getting confirmed title shots, or even predicting it exactly like that. I got the impression that he suggested the runner-up from his brand uses that to leverage him into a match deciding the WrestleMania challenger, or something, one of the outcomes you mentioned in the past.

Just thought I'd throw it out there: I really think the Elimination Chamber at No Way Out is a stupid idea. I really do. Save it until there is a time for six men to want to kill each other. There could be one later this year, perhaps, but the longer they go before there is one, the more of a splash it will make when it is announced.

<font color=goldenrod>In so far:
Batista
Carlito
Cody Rhodes
Finlay
Hardcore Holly
Hornswoggle
Jamie Noble
John Morrison
Kane
Mick Foley
Miz
Santino Marella
Snitsky
Umaga
Undertaker

Predictions for the last 15 spots:
Balls Mahoney (comic relief entry)
Big Daddy V
Bobby Lashley (possibly as a mystery return entry)
Curt Hawkins
Elijah Burke
Great Khali
Jimmy Wang Yang
Mark Henry
Mr. Kennedy
Shannon Moore
Shawn Michaels
Shelton Benjamin (wrestling a qualifier next week, basically a lock)
Zack Ryder
Winner of Jericho/JBL
Winner of MVP/Flair</font>

Pretty accurate, I think. Only, I don't think we'll get Ric Flair in the Royal Rumble, but rather MVP upset that he lost to Flair, and taking poor Shannon Moore's place.

I also don't see Curt Hawkins & Zack Ryder in the match, officially. I think they'll run in and attack Batista and Taker, and try to eliminate them. More serious versions of the Kaientai appearances in the 2000 Rumble, in a way.

The Highlanders won a qualifying match somewhere, I believe, but the WWE is yet to acknowledge it. I don't think we'll get them in there, however, but it's something to keep in mind. I think Jesse & Festus will actually be in, though.

As for that last spot instead of the official MVP/JBL winner? I think it will go to Big Show as a surprise, or for some reason, The Boogeyman. Either him or Tommy Dreamer.

Ric Flair will win the rumble when Sid Justice eliminates Hulk Hogan. Book it.

<font color=goldenrod>Yeah you might be right...I dunno it would make sense storyline-wise for Vickie to enter Ryder & Hawkins just because it means there's a chance one of them could win (yeah right) setting up an easy WM title retain for Edge. Come to think I wouldn't be overly shocked if Batista and Undertaker got the first 2 entries (not announced ahead of time so as to give Cole a chance to bitch about how Vickie must have rigged the draw). But if Taker or Bats won the match it'd be fucking lame to have ANOTHER person winning from the #1 or #2 spot.

Jesse and Festus getting in would be funny, especially if Festus was one of the first two entrants. He can do his whole snapping thing when the bell rings and then later on he and Jesse will be eliminated and Festus will snap...so Jesse has to ring the bell to calm him back down before they go to the back.</font> :cool:

That's exactly what I see happening with Jesse and Festus. They both end up tossed at relatively the same time, but Festus cannot stop because he's only been eliminated, a decision has not been reached, so Jesse takes the bell and rings it as referees calm him down. :y:

I'm actually really hoping that The Undertaker or Batista doesn't win the match. Logic really sets up for an Undertaker win, but I think it would be much better if Ryder & Hawkins, and even Big Daddy V & Mark Henry took out Batista and Taker, playing into her evil GM mode, and they have to work out yet another way to get their title shots.

I want a somewhat surprising winner, even if they don't get the WrestleMania title shot.

Hogan (backstage with Vince, after winning the match as a surprise entry): I don't care about the title, brother! I just want my 10 points!

Vince: This isn’t American Gladiators, Terry, and it’s not NBC, which means you don’t run things...I do!:mad: And you’re getting a title shot, whether you want one or not!

Hogan: Oh, all right! As long as I win the title, I guess...but which title will you be giving me a shot at?

Vince: :shifty:...Here. Look for yourself (reaches into a small bag)
http://bsww.de/wrestler/champions/tna_hw-small.jpg

Nah. But seriously, my pick for surprise entrant (most likely at #30)/winner:

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He’ll get his revenge and cost Kennedy the match, and I’ve got them predicted as the Final 2.

I definitely see Lashley returning in the match, and I see him chucking Kennedy, but I think it will be the last quarter of the match, and not really the very end.

I think Lashley will end up eliminated by Shawn Michaels, or someone.