Royal Rumble Winner Predictions
 

It's obviously going to be an 'injured' Batista's 'SHOCK' return as he wins and faces Cena in a rematch.

How lame :'(

no they won't have the exact same thing two years in a row

I think it will be Orton or JBL

Punk could win it, but that's doubtful

It could be someone from SD but who? Triple H? Taker? eh

hopefully WM will have these 5 matches for sure:

Jeff Hardy v. CM Punk for the WWE Title

MITB of Course

Triple H v. The Undertaker

Shawn Michaels v. JBL

Orton v. Cena

Christian, who enters just after Edge clears the ring, and have Christian and him in the final two [/color]

Either Batista, Orton, or Hunter.

Bats (Cena VS Batista) Not looking forward to it (DISGUST)

I like the sound of Christian coming back and winning the Rumble but seriously I don't think it will happen. Wouldn't mind Orton winning thou, maybe with the help of the other members of The Legacy.

<font color=goldenrod>Yeah I'm thinking Orton with the help of the Legacy. The final two being Batista and Orton...Batista seems to have Orton reeling, but the other members of the Legacy come out and jump on the apron one at a time. Batista clears them all off, and then charges at Orton (still appears to be reeling), but Orton ducks and back body drops Batista out.

Then, of course, Bats gets in the main event of WM anyway.</font>

That would be nice. At least I'd be happy. Look at last year, triple threat happened.

Orton.

Looking at Orton at this point. I'd been thinking Jeff honestly.

I really really want the Royal Rumble to be for one of the world titles this year, or one of these years, but I know it's not in the cards. At least not this year.

It'd just be a nice change of pace, and it's not entirely unheard of. I think it'd be a lot of fun and make a lot of sense, to shake things up.

I honestly can't see them re-debuting Christian in the Rumble match and then have him win it. That would be a ridiculous way of putting over a talent that Vince is bound to be unsure of.

Talk about putting those eggs in one basket.

Shawn Michaels

Most likely Orton.

The voices will tell him to eliminate himself, therefore Randy Orton will not win the 2009 Royal Rumble.

If Konami Codetista returns at the 2009 Rumble I hope he pulls a Vince McMahon and tears both quads on the way to the ring. Otherwise, I hope Orton wins.

Mickey Rouke

HHH

<font color=goldenrod>tbh, with the talk about re-unifying the belts, the Rumble wouldn't be a bad time to do it. Have 30 of the top guys in the company all going for the title. It's definitely not going to happen this year, but if the single belt idea is put off till 2010 or something, that could be good.</font>

Yeah, the 1992 rumble was my all time favorite, because it was for the title and had so many big names.

I could really see Jericho winning the Rumble.

lol @ people thinking Christian will win the Rumble.

Orton or Hunter. Maybe Jericho.

Come on, last everybody said Trips and Cena came out of left field and won the damn thing.

True but its Cena lol

IF somehow there's a blue moon and Christian wins the 2009 Royal Rumble he will at best follow the Rey Mysterio route: Lose the title shot to Orton or someone and maybe get thrown in for a triple threat.

I can't see it happening though. We already got a surprise winner last year, why do it again? Plus, Christian main-eventing WrestleMania 25? No chance. Out of the current WWE roster only Triple H, Cena, Orton, Batista, Edge, HBK, Taker, Jericho and maybe Hardy should even be considered to main-event this PPV IMO.

FANTASY PICK: Matt Hardy

Edge takes title off of Jeff at the Rumble, Matt loses the ECW Championship before then.

JBL.

Last two left will be HBK and JBL.

HBK takes himself over the top rope leaving JBL as the winner. :shifty:

I wonder if Hardcore Holly will stomp on HBK's face again leading to Taker whoopin that ass.

HBK draws number 30, JBL draws number one and buys 30 off of HBK.
Money goes in the HBK Piggy Bank

HBK (Helpa Boy Keep) on Wrestling.

I was just thinking the other day -- if Christian is under contract, then the next PPV is the Royal Rumble. There's no real way to showcase him before then. I'm not saying he will win, but it wouldn't be the most surprising thing ever. Especially if Edge wins back the WWE Championship from Jeff Hardy, or something.

But, you have to look at what the WrestleMania main events are going to be, and then you just work backwards. RAW will likely have the epic match (snore) of John Cena vs. Randy Orton. SmackDown! will almost definitely have Triple H in the marquee match, either challenging or defending the WWE Championship. Given that Batista is now out of the running, I think either Triple H or his opponent at WrestleMania (Edge or Jeff Hardy) are now the best realistic picks to take the thing.

I think I'll go with Triple H. They could make a big deal about him leaving WrestleMania XXV with more WWE Championships to his name than anyone else in history. Also, if Batista was going to win, but now can't, I can see the whole "two-time winner" script being shifted over to the SmackDown! side of things.

You know it's never been done before, however Kurt tried to do it back in 2005. Jeff might just lose the WWE Championship and then enter in at Number 30---Number 30 because that seems to be the number they love now for him to win.

Cena will win, which will set up the Cena Clone Sage till Wrestlemania.

<font color=goldenrod>I really hope this year's winner comes from the middle of the pack in terms of entry number. Seems like its always someone late unless they want to give someone a rub by having them last the whole match.</font>

I say the winner is at 17. Cuz the last Wrestlemania to be held in Houston was Wrestlemania 17, what better of a number? Think about it.

25

My money's on Dolph Ziggler. Ziggy-Mania, baby!

25

Because it's WrestleMania 25.

I can't wait for Wrestlemania 31 then.

By then they'll be doing 40-man Royal Rumbles.

For their Octuple-branded PPVs, no less.

RAW, SmackDown!, ECW, WCW, TNA, AWA, nWo and John Cena Present:

E Royal Rumble 2014!

This is the man that Hunter Heyman Hindu would have win the Royal Rumble
 

This is the man that Hunter Heyman Hindu would have win the Royal Rumble

Highlight below to find out who I am talking about (you won't be disappointed :)).

ROB VAN DAM

Van Dam then challenges Jeff Hardy for the title at Wrestlemania. He enters the rumble at #30.

I remember when he entered the rumble one year at number 20 and there were four people in the ring...it's funny how WWE does inside jokes in the rumble sometimes.

4-20 if you didn't get it.

I hope number 29 wins this year. I like that number.

Also I hope Orton or JERICHO!!! wins.

Haha, I would well and truly mark out for that, Hunter Heyman Hindu. If he did return to the WWE, I say go ahead and let him end The Undertaker's streak at WrestleMania XXVI, too, seeing as he is also undefeated at WrestleMania.

Really? What's his record? I think his first Mania was in 2002, so like 4-0?

Mr. Perfect

If Stone Cold Steve Austin is going to work WrestleMania this year, why not have him win the Royal Rumble as a surprise? No one would get a better reaction than Stone Cold winning and going on to challenge for a World Title in Texas.

With Batista out of the WrestleMania title picture, John Cena vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin for the World Heavyweight Title would be pretty big. Plus Austin could enter at #30, win the thing, and make everyone mark out to a point where they don't care. That keeps the #30 thing going, and makes that final spot more important than ever, which they can use to their advantage in later years.

Austin can't wrestle a Wrestlemania main-event without it sucking donkey balls and him potentially being crippled.

I think the three Wrestlemania events should be:

Orton vs Cena for the World Title
Edge vs Jeff Hardy for the WWE Title
Taker vs HBK with Stone Cold as the special ref

You're spot on, I believe.

He defeated William Regal at WrestleMania X-8 to win the WWE Intercontinental Championship. He and Kane did lose to Lance Storm and, yes, Val Venis on the pre-show to WrestleMania XIX, but I don't think that counts. The WWE ignores those records for other occasions.

At WrestleMania XX, I think Rob Van Dam and Booker T retained the World Tag Team Championship in some sort of multi-team match. He won Money in the Bank at WrestleMania 22, and WrestleMania 23 saw him lead the ECW Originals successfully against The New Breed.

If he goes over Jeff Hardy this year, hypothetically, then that's 5-0, and Taker the following year would be 6-0 with Taker's 17 wins without loss or draw dissolved into it.

I don't know, truthfully. You hear people talk like that, but Austin has said that he could go for two more years full-time if he wanted or needed to, and Jim Ross has come out and said that Austin is in better condition now than he was when he was last wrestled in a WWE ring.

I'm sure he would be protected as hell, too.

Anyway, I'm guessing we see Edge beat Jeff Hardy for the WWE Championship soon, and Triple H wins the Rumble despite Vickie Guerrero putting all these "obstacles" in front of him, setting up Edge vs. Triple H as the final match of WrestleMania Silver, where Hunter goes over and sets the new record for most WWE Title wins with eight WWE Championships and thirteen WWE World Titles overall.

Jeff Hardy could then move into some sort of angle with either Matt Hardy or Christian, one of the two I am thinking will be behind his attack. Christian would work better initially as a face, I think, and Matt turning heel to feud with his brother would be more impactful. Jeff challenging him for the ECW Title would raise the profile of the silver belt's match, too. Jeff probably wins the title to look like the "better" Hardy, although I'm sure his reign won't be long before Matt wins it back.

On RAW, John Cena will probably face Randy Orton because there's nothing better. But fuck if it won't put me to sleep. Orton punts some guy's head in the Elimination Chamber. I think Orton would be much better off working with Ted DiBiase, or something. But yeah, the story here will probably be Orton reminding Cena that he punted him in the head last year at WrestleMania and walked out a World's Champion; he will do it again this year. Cena ends up catching Orton's foot this time around, though, trips him up, locks in the STFU, and Orton taps for the "feel good" ending. Cena becomes the much unwanted guy to bring the much wanted stability to the World Heavyweight Championship.

Just a few little WrestleMania predictions there. You leave WrestleMania XXV with John Cena, Triple H and Jeff Hardy as the company's champions -- which yes, leaves things face heavy, but I can see he face "franchises" leaving Mania with all the gold (and silver) this year.

Edge vs Triple H, has that happened yet? If not, then that's def going to be the SD main-event. I thought it already happened. I'd really like to see CM Punk vs HBK or HBK vs Taker but not sure if that will happen. I think Orton/Cena and Edge vs either Jeff or Trips will be the two title matches.

As for Austin, maybe he has gotten better but I dunno, it seems too far-fetched. Plus Austin is a smart guy who is aware of smarks and I'm sure he realizes the risk of backlash from the internet fans AND guys who've been working all year long busting their asses if he just shows up and gets the WM main-event. He should BE THERE though. That's why I think special ref or enforcer would work best. I hope The Rock makes an appearance too, but that is also far-fetched.

I think upsetting the boys would probably be the biggest thing about Austin returning and winning, truth be told. Smarks would eat it up, and really rally behind Austin if he was going against someone like John Cena (which I am still all for, even if it is away from the title...probably more so, actually). I was just throwing the idea out there.

Triple H and Edge has happened, but I think so has every other possibility for a SmackDown! main event. My thinking is that I just can't see Triple H not in the match. Even if he's not SmackDown!'s biggest face, he probably sees himself as its biggest name. I guess it's also possible that they could do Jeff Hardy vs. Triple H again, but I can't see the fans taking Triple H's side in that, and a Jeff Hardy heel turn right now would likely be a disaster. I bring that up, because I see Triple H winning the title at Mania, and the WWE trying to make a huge deal out of it. It'd work much better with Edge eating a Pedigree than Jeff Hardy.

Reasons why I *really* want a guy like Rob Van Dam to win the Rumble (as a surprise entrant) is....

A) With Batista out, the WWE needs another guy that can potentially elicit an enormous face pop.

B) RVD is a legitimate star and would get popped HUUUGE if he made a surprise return. Since RVD would (literally and figuratively) be a "fresh face" in the WWE, the WWE could really capitalize on his comeback momentum.

C) RVD and Jeff Hardy at Wrestlemania would be classic. I would have RVD go over Jeff Hardy and have the two men shake hands afterwards.

On an unrelated note - I REALLY hope that this year's MITB winner 'cashes in' on that very night. If it was up to me, I would have Randy Orton win the MITB and then challenge Cena DIRECTLY after Cena defeats ???? in the main-event.

Cena would be getting boo'd the living shit out of anyways. If Orton "surprisingly" cashed in his MITB, the fans would go absolutely ape-shit. The WWE needs massive surprises right now. Orton would get a HUGE face pop and would get an even bigger face pop if he beat Cena clean.

It would be pretty damn interesting to say the very least....atleast in my opinion.

The only problem with a Jeff Hardy/RVD main event, Heyman, is that you may end up with a completely different match for the WWE Title due to two simulataneous wellness suspensions. But in that case, you can just have an angle where Matt Hardy subs for Jeff Hardy and Tommy Dreamer steps in for RVD. There's an epic main event there. :shifty:

Mr. Money in the Bank needs to cash in after the main event one year. Maybe not this one, as it's the 25th anniversary of WrestleMania, and something like this would probably help the event be remembered solely for that happening; but maybe next year?

If someone did it this year, I'd narrow it down to seven possibilites:

1) Shawn Michaels, who could cash in the briefcase, Sweet Chin Music anyone in the WWE, and send the fans in Texas home happy. This would mean no HBK/Taker, though.

2) Chris Jericho, who bitches about having to enter the match, but does, shows off his Ladder Match prowess, and wins yet another classic one. Jericho cashing in in the main event seems like something he would do, and it's a reward for the very deserving Jericho.

3) CM Punk, who could repeat win and look like a million bucks in doing so -- especially if he left after the main event as World Heavyweight Champion, and looking on par with guys like John Cena and Randy Orton.

4) Mr. Kennedy, who I believe will be medically cleared, and someone I still believe the WWE wants to push. Kennedy winning MITB again and then cashing in that night, out of determination not to let this shot go by, could be a star-making moment for Kennedy.

5) The Undertaker, in the weirdest pick of the bunch. I could see Taker being entered into Money in the Bank by Vickie Guerrero, or something, with the intent of seeing Taker not being able to climb the ladder quickly enough, and thus losing his winning streak in his hometown. Taker manages to win the match, though, and then cashes in that night and goes up to 18-0 at WrestleMania, as well as potentially leaving SmackDown! and Vickie Guerrero behind as RAW's new World Heavyweight Champion.

6) Jeff Hardy, who if they decide to place in the match, because he is not holding a belt at the time, could win, and then cash in, and cement himself as a main event phenomenon.

7) Christian, who would look legit with a win like Money in the Bank earlier in the show, and could then cash in to really make the marketable jump to the main event.

Or, if he were signed and put in the match, Rob Van Dam could do it, too. :D

AUSTIN VS CENA would be the biggest draw since Wrestlemania 3, and I am not shitting you whatsoever.

I would mark like a little girl if Austin came back, won the Rumble, and kicked Cena's ass at WrestleMania. it would be tremendous.

Shawn could barely carry Cena at 23. There's no way Austin can do it in the shape he's in.

I don't get why you guys all want the MitB guy to cash it it at Mania. It would be shocking, yes, but strategically it would not be the best move. Why cash it it right after the new champ has just had his match when you yourself have just been involved in a ladder match with 5 or 7 other guys (depending on the year). I mean you have an entire year to pick your spot; if anything you would be just as beaten up as the new champ. Then you blow the load that night rather than have the guy walking around with the case, wondering when he's gonna do it, or having other guys challenge for it even.

That's why wrestling needs a heel character like Bobby Heenan on commentary, talking about what an idiot *insert MITB winner here* is for cashing in now...until they win and start talking about what a phenomenon they are!

Seriously, though, glory would be the only reason to cash it in at WrestleMania. The wrestler cashing in would need to believe that not only are they entitled to the WWE or World Heavyweight Championship, but that they want it at that year's WrestleMania.

Closing out WrestleMania XXV as World Champion is a pretty big thing, so I could understand why someone might be so impatient as to gamble it on facing the guy after he just wrestled a main event match.

But another thing: The Money in the Bank title shot does not need to be cashed in for physical abuse to be laid down, I assume. The MITB winner could come out, attack whoever is World Champion, and then only cash in *if* they get them in a position where there is little doubt they will go over.

Jimmy, you are a saint. Or a street. You are not a doctor. Yes, Austin's neck could be fucked. But who knows just what shape he is in?

I encourage all sharing of ideas. :y:

Personally, I hope Jeff Hardy's story heading into Mania looks like this:

Jeff Hardy is scheduled to defend the WWE Championship against Edge and Big Show in a Triple Threat Match at the Royal Rumble (yeah, I'm guessing we get three Triple Threat PPV WWE Title Matches in a row). The Hardys are still convinced that Edge attacked him from behind. Matt Hardy offers to make sure Edge doesn't make it to the Royal Rumble to get his rematch against Jeff Hardy for the WWE Title, but Jeff says he wants to handle it himself. Matt says that's fine, but he is going to look for some sort of evidence to incriminate Edge, because at one stage, Edge took Matt Hardy's professional career from him -- so Matt is going to do the same to him by getting him in trouble with the law.

At the Rumble, Matt Hardy is facing Jack Swagger for the ECW Title, and successfully defends, becoming the first to pin Swagger. After the match, Hardy says he got a phone call from police saying they found something. He wishes his brother luck, and then runs off. Jeff doesn't seem much concerned with that stuff.

Jeff is about to beat both Edge and Big Show to retain the WWE Championship, when a hooded figure attacks Jeff Hardy from behind with a lead pipe. Edge manages to get the cover, and wins back the WWE Title. A ridiculous amount of pyro and celebration takes place.

Matt Hardy confronts Jeff the following week on SmackDown!, and says that the police told him that Edge has a perfect alibi for the night -- it wasn't him. Matt says he thinks the guy who attacked Jeff at the Rumble is the same guy (no shit), and Jeff is just down about losing the WWE Title. Matt is obsessed with this, though, and said that he is not going to let the man who ruined the Hardy Party get away with this.

No Way Out sees Jeff Hardy get a WWE Title shot against Edge...in a Ladder Match! Jeff Hardy looks to have the match won, when the masked figure comes out and tips the ladder over, and again cracks Hardy with a lead pipe. Edge climbs and retains the WWE Title. The following week on SmackDown!, Jeff is pissed in the ring, just asking whoever is attacking him to come forward and admit it. Matt comes to the ring, and says that he thinks he's worked out who's done it. BAM! Matt Hardy smacks Jeff Hardy with a lead pipe concealed in his pants. "Turns out it was me." -- Matt Hardy

A Twist of Fate adds insult to injury, and the following week on ECW, Matt Hardy cuts a promo where he talks about how he was the brains behind The Hardy Boyz. He kept Jeff in line, and Jeff betrayed him by getting into drugs, and generally getting distracted. Matt talks about how Jeff's house burned down, and he gave Jeff a home. Matt talks about winning the ECW Title before Jeff won the WWE Title, but everyone making a bigger deal out of the later. Matt gloats that he still has his World Championship, and that Jeff is a flash in the pan, and needs Matt, but he is sick of carrying Jeff and getting absolutely no recognition for it. "I gave you everything...and now...I am going to take it away."

This leads to Theodore Long and Vickie Guerrero agreeing to a big ECW Championship match between the two for WrestleMania XXV, where Jeff Hardy wins the ECW Championship in feel good moment for the fans, beating his "evil" older brother. Their feud continues, however, through Backlash, where Jeff and Matt are involved in a Triple Threat for the title with someone else (perhaps Jack Swagger?). Jeff pins the third party in that match, and Matt is obviously pissed off and feeling inferior. He won't drop things, and manages to get another match with Jeff Hardy at Judgment Day...in the match that made them: Yet another Hardy Ladder Match. In this one, Jeff has Matt Hardy beat, but Hardy rests on a table as Jeff is climbing, and he looks down at the brother he now loathes. He can grab the ECW Title, but he chooses to go for a Swanton Bomb on Matt instead, but the older Hardy moves out of the way, climbs the ladder, and captures his second ECW Championship.

Matt then gloats he knew exactly what Jeff would do in that Ladder Match, and that he played him like a violin in order to win. Oh, and during all of this, Stone Cold won the Royal Rumble and put John Cena over at WrestleMania. :shifty:

I don't care how great Heenan was, if it ridiculous on screen, it will still be ridiculous coming out of Heenan.

You are absolutely right about the MiTB holder being able to cash it in after laying down a terrible beat down. The problem with that is you end up with a shitty, less than a minute title match closing out Wrestlemania, ala Wrestlemania IX. Would you have a title change ending the show? Yes. But there is a difference between a title change after a 40 minute wrestling match and a 2 minute squash. The later are the kinds of things you do on otherwise throw away PPVs or free tv to keep your ratings up. Ratings will already be up for Mania.

Austin
I would hate it if Austin won the Rumble. As good as it would be to see Austin in a match at Mania I simply cannot find any pleasure in seeing a man that is retired beat an active guy. I'd either have him face a guy like HBK or JBL - someone that wouldn't be affected by loosing to a guy fresh out of retirement.

Rumble Winner
Personally I was expecting a Jeff Hardy Rumble win and then for him to go and finally beat HHH for the WWE Title in the Main Event at Mania. Cue Matt coming down to the ring to celebrate as dual "World" champs therefore replacing the emotional climax to WrestleMania 20 between Eddie and He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named (cos we all know WWE love to erase guys from their record books).

Jeff's win at Armageddon was a huge anti-climax for me, although I appreciate that WWE were probably reluctant to bank on Hardy winning the Rumble and getting to WM without being busted for drugs.

For me I'm looking at an Orton win. It's really one of the very few things missing from his resume. He's the only one of WWE's "Ruthless Agression" debutants not to (I mean him, Cena and Batista. Obviously there were other guys that debuted in that time but they've all fallen away).

Money In The Bank
I like the idea of the MitB winner cashing in on the night. It makes perfect sense for them to wanna leave the 25th anniversary of WM as champ. Who I'd choose for this role I don't know though. I'd like to think they could build Christian to that level of overness in the short space of time that he would have returned - but I don't think they could/would.

You don't necessarily have to wrap the match up in 2 minutes though. Personally I'd like to see them step away from that route as it's been used in all but one of the MitB being cashed.

If the MitB has been through a tough match to win the thing then you'd expect that he wouldn't be able to take advantage of the worn out champ the way Edge/Punk did. Thus the match could go for a while.

Better still, if you have a face MitB winner (which you'd have to really if you wanna send the crowd home happy) they're unlikely to take advantage of the situation. They'd let the ME winner celebrate a little, come out and cut a promo, small things to give the champ a breather.

The basis is "I wanna leave the biggest show in history with that gold around my waist and as a loveable face I wanna do it in a fair match not by being sneaky".

It's easily achievable if they wanted to go that route.

That is true, but if I gave away Money in the Bank like that, I'd have either Shane or Stephanie McMahon (probably Shane, since he seems more like the "fun" one) say that seeing as MITB was cashed in so quickly, they're going to hold another Money in the Bank Ladder Match at Backlash, with the winner being able to cash in until WrestleMania XXVI.

The reason behind this is that MITB is such an intriguing concept, and if it comes to a conclusion so quickly, that is not milked.

Then I believe the face would go the RVD route and schedule the match at the next PPV or whenever they need to fill something and have it be a good match rather than something where the guy is just showing up. Anything beyond 2 minutes is an insult to the fans who have just watched both men compete in their respective matches, one involving possible internal injuries, the other a 30 minute grueling match. Neither man is going to be able to move.

I could see having two guys come down with the case and then feuding them over it.

But it's WrestleMania 25!

Why would I wait even a month to have my match at a throwaway PPV like Backlash when I could leave arguably the biggest PPV of all time (until WM50) as the World Champ. Thus securing my place in wrestling history.

But if they did move, wouldn't it look all the more impressive? For example, CM Punk could win MITB again this year (I can't think of anything better he would be doing), and John Cena could retain the World Heavyweight Championship against John Cena. Both men go through long matches -- Cena a bit longer, but his didn't involve falling off ladders.

CM Punk comes out and says "John, look, I know you've been through an epic WrestleMania main event worthy match tonight, but I say that we haven't had the main event yet. Cena, you've been through one World Heavyweight Title defense already; I've been through a hectic Ladder Match...but I'm cashing in my title shot right now!"

Cena and Punk then actually work a decent match between the two, where neither is able to get the other up for a fireman's carry to hit their finishing moves, so they try and put each other away with different moves. Eventually Punk does hit GTS, though, and walks out of WrestleMania World Heavyweight Champion.

I'd like to see a similar scenario Noid, only with Jericho and HBK.

I still think that Shawn Michaels defending the WWE Championship should have been the main event of WrestleMania XXIV. If they did a main event between the two this year, I would certainly not complain.

Man, Orton sucks.

The idea of calling him Street Jimmy made me laugh.

If TPWW were a wrestling promotion, he should adapt a stage musical greaser gimmick called "Street Jimmy," who takes nothing from no one -- "except what I wants."

And I cannot completely disagree with you sentiments about Orton. Sometimes I forget he is on the WWE roster. :-\

I didn't mean to be short-sided in my first post in the thread, but as I read more and more and the votes kept stacking up for Orton I was trying to imagine what it would or will be like if he wins. And I don't enjoy it. I mean, he's a better candidate than Cena again, Triple H again, Austin again, Batista again or JBL but in the same way he's a better candidate than Big Dick Johnson.

HBK winning is cool, I guess. I'd like to see him beat the Undertaker for it. Jericho winning would be good. Kennedy winning would be out of place, so would MVP. I don't like Kozlov, I guess he has a few supporters but that'd be a little too fast. Big Show winning would be good, he's never won a Rumble and the whole "big man" advantage never really works out like they say it does.

So.
Shawn
Jericho
Big Show

I'd love to see Jericho win the Rumble and Michaels win the WHC at the Rumble after winning this tournament. HBK/JBL wrestle at NWO to end this stupid angle, and move on to the final stanza of the Jericho/Michaels feud.

OR

Michaels wins the Rumble match and then HBK/JBL in a WM Title match vs HBK's "freedom" match. HBK beats JBL and then goes on to face John Cena at WrestleMania for the WHC. At WrestleMania, Chris Jericho wins the MITB. Cena and Michaels have a great match (hopefully Cena doesn't forget his injured leg) and HBK wins after countering the FU into SCM. HBK celebrates when all of sudden...543210...JERICHO!

Jericho and Michaels then have a classic match of their own, and Jericho wins his 3rd world title in 7 months. I'd have the obvious backlash 3way among Cena/Jericho/Michaels with Jericho retaining by beating Cena.

Steph/Shane won't give HBK a rematch at Judgement Day, but gives it to JBL. Jericho beats JBL after HBK botches interference.

At One Night Stand, JBL/Jericho/Michaels/Cena compete in Fatal 4-way gimmick match. John Cena wins the title after pinning JBL because Jericho/Michaels take each other out of the match.

At Night of Champions, John Cena vs Randy Orton for the WHC and JBL vs HBK vs Jericho vs Batista for the #1 Contender's spot at the Great American Bash. HBK and Jericho have a double pinfall finish. At the GAB, Jericho vs Cena vs Michaels for the WHC. HBK and Jericho then do the double finall finsh on Cena (ala Kane/Taker/Austin).

Vince McMahon returns in time to take back control of RAW and demands that the Jericho/Michaels rivalry must come to an end before it tears WWE apart. The World Heavyweight Championship is help up because of the double pinfall, and the title will be decided at SummerSlam.

Vince McMahon books a 60-minute Ironman match between Chris Jericho and Shawn Michaels for the World Heavyweight Championship at SummerSlam. An instant classic is born, and Shawn Michaels wins the World Heavyweight Championship.

Jericho/Michaels finally ends as Shawn Michaels begins his "last run" as he builds up to his retirement at WrestleMania XXVI.

HHH should actually when because all of us on here last year had so much confidence that he would win and go on to Mania, which he did, but did not win the Rumble. Which in turn screwed everyone on TIPSTERS!!!

Anyone that suggests Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Jericho happens at WrestleMania instantly gets rep from me. Seriously, those two are probably the best two workers at the WWE's disposal right now. I remember thinking that I really wanted to see them wrestle over the WWE Championship at WrestleMania XXIV, just for that very reason. The match would have been a classic, and it would have been a good pay-off for Jericho's return.

There is no doubt in my mind that Jericho deserves to headline WrestleMania this year, and HBK is always a good pick for someone's Mania opponent. They sort of finished their feud, but you do have these little ongoing chapters (for example, they are opponents in the same match on RAW this week). There could be some real closure to it.

Another option is for HBK to win the Royal Rumble, and then for HBK to get away from the same brand as JBL, separating one job from the other, and challenging Jeff Hardy for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania. I'm not the biggest Jeff Hardy fan, but if he is going to take the WWE Title into Mania, I cannot think of a better opponent for him this year than HBK.

It turns out I must spread some rep before giving it to you again, James.

WRESTLEMANIA XIX- HBK VS Jericho was awesome. I don't have much, but here's some more rep.

Randy f'n Orton

By the way, I am sticking to Triple H taking it for now. I've seen nothing that seems like a better fit. And I'm predicting it leads to Edge vs. Triple H.

ABdullah the Butcher is gonna win it all!

:shifty:

It's not looking good now, but I originally hoped that The Brian Kendrick would get a marathon run in the Rumble. Starting at #1 (like his mentor did once upon a time), he lasts for ages, avoiding elimination, and even tossing a few guys out. Then when the match is winding down, he gets eliminated in a big way by a much fresher guy, and his work is all for naught.

I think that would be an excellent story for him, but I can't see his stoner ass getting it now. Maybe John Morrison could get something like that?

Some other Rumble predictions:

* MVP enters, and is tossed pretty much as soon as he does.
* Santino Marella plays the cowardly smart heel, and waits outside the ring for a lot of the match.
* Umaga is #30...I keep calling this, but I think it may go down this year.
* Vladimir Kozlov is the guy who eliminates the most people.
* I can see the final two in the match being Shawn Michaels and Triple H.

<font color=goldenrod>I actually see MVP entering at #30, finally getting back his cocky swagger for one night for managing to get that number.....then he wins the Bushwhacker Luke award.</font>

Actually, that seems like a very good possibility. :y:

Just a random thought: As very, very unlikely as it would be, if the WWE went with an extremely shocking ending to the Rumble and had Santino Marella win, what would you think? Would anyone stop watching? Would anyone by intrigued?

I've always wanted to see one guy win the Rumble because of a number of factors (strategy, intelligence, luck, a little skill, etc.), when they normally wouldn't have a shot. Basically they slip under the radar and dump the "big two" guys left while they are struggling to eliminate each other. Then there's a big controversy because none of the big names that would normally headline WrestleMania believe that the company is actually going to let this "joke" cash in his title shot for WrestleMania. The winner of the Rumble comes out all pimped out in a new suit, perhaps with a woman by his side, and acting like he's "made it" as a major player, and is quite personally offended that no one is accepting him as a major star.

I'm not sure if it'd be wise to pull the trigger with something like that. But if you got a good enough performer (like a Santino Marella) and put him in that strange situation, you could certainly create intrigue. It at least gives you a reason to have two more Elimination Chambers at No Way Out.

Vince McMahon (Royal Rumble 1999)

Well, sort of. I mean, Vince McMahon winning was not likely, granted, and there was no way he was going to headline WrestleMania, but he was a massive heel at the time. His stuff with Austin dominated the shows. He's also a two-time World Champion, so it's not like he books himself to look like he's never a threat to anyone.

I was like "Two Time? I remember he beat HHH and then relinquished the belt, but when was his other run?".

Then I figured you meant when he was ECW Champion.

That belt would be an undisputed World Championship if Chris Benoit had held it and feuded with CM Punk as originally planned. Just saying.