Royal Rumble (2021) Predictions
The time is here for the Royal Rumble and there has been a lot of unanswered excitement leading up to the PPV. This could be an awesome thing or a bad thing, but it never is usually a bad thing. Anything can happen at the Royal Rumble, but it means that 2 superstars could have their careers drastically turned upside down. While the Rumble matches garner the most excitement, there are still some good matches on this card and it is possible that those performers not in the Rumble matches could show back up later in the night. Well, here we go.
*Match card is likely not in the exact order
*Predicted winners are bolded
- Women’s Singles Match: SmackDown Women’s Championship
Sasha Banks (C) vs. Carmella (with Reginald)
WWE
I feel like this feud has lost a lot of steam and really don’t see a way in which Carmella could viably win the match. Banks has been one of the best performers in the WWE since her title win and I think she will carry the belt into WrestleMania at least. I haven’t seen odds for this match and I guess the reason for that is because it wasn’t official until this weekend, but I can’t see the odds being close.
- Men’s Singles Match: WWE Championship
Drew McIntyre (C) vs. Goldberg
You never can really predict what will happen when Goldberg is involved. Just when you think one thing is going to happen, WWE does the opposite. I think McIntyre will retain tonight, but who knows? Oddsmakers seem to think the same as they have McIntyre at a -400 favorite. I have a theory about Goldberg tonight, but I may keep it to myself, we’ll see. All I’m going to say is there will be a lot of pissed off fans if he walks out a winner tonight and at the Royal Rumble, there are a couple opportunities for that to happen.
- Women’s Tag Team Match: WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship
Charlotte Flair and Asuka (C) vs. Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler
This just feels like this will be the splitting point of the Asuka/Flair super team. As odd of a pairing as Jax and Baszler are, their dynamic works and I think they could end up being one of the most dominant teams in Women’s history. I think a title change here would likely set up a match between Asuka and Flair with Asuka dropping the title. That may not be the case, but that seems like a predictable thing, especially at this particular time. Jax and Baszler are actually the favorites tonight at -200.
- Men’s Last Man Standing Match: Universal Championship
Roman Reigns (C) vs. Kevin Owens
WWE
Roman is a huge favorite tonight and that isn’t surprising, but at -2000, I feel like that is a little disrespectful to Kevin Owens. Owens has been great in this feud and has even made it somewhat believable that he could actually beat Roman Reigns. Will it happen? I highly doubt, but I have enjoyed their feud. If there is a match on the card that could go on last, I think it will be this one, but I’m not expecting it.
- 30-Woman Royal Rumble Match
WINNER: Bianca Belair
LAST 4: Bianca Belair, Rhea Ripley, Bayley, and Charlotte Flair
DARK HORSE PICK: Lacey Evans
WWE
I’m predicting this match as if I’m not expect Ronda Rousey or Becky Lynch to return. I think they have a real shot to win if they enter, but I think Bianca Belair will be your winner. She is the current favorite and her winning makes the most sense. She has been in a solid feud with Bayley over the last few weeks and I fully expect them to match up in this contest. I think Belair could be an ironwoman in this match as well. I think she will be a somewhat early entry and last all the way to the end. A few days ago, I said there were a lot of options to win the match, but I think it is very slim compared to the men’s match. There about 9-10 possibilities, but only about 4 or 5 have strong possibilities. As always, it will be an interesting match, but I think this is Belair’s moment to prove herself. Rhea Ripley is someone to keep an eye on though. She likely has had her last match in NXT, for the time being at least, and I think she will make a huge impact on either RAW or SmackDown immediately. As far as surprise entrants are concerned, other than Lynch or Rousey, I’d say look out for Trish Stratus, Eva Marie, and possibly Beth Phoenix.
- 30-Man Royal Rumble Match
WINNER: Goldberg
LAST 4: Goldberg, Brock Lesnar, Bray Wyatt, Keith Lee
DARK HORSE PICK: Samoa Joe
I’m probably overthinking this as usual, but I think this is a good possibility. Goldberg will likely have his match with the WWE Champion early on the card, which will free him up for the Royal Rumble. It has been no secret that Goldberg and Roman Reigns have had some heated discussions away from the ring and they were even supposed to have match at last year’s WrestleMania. Again, I’m probably overthinking this, but I could see it happening, which is scary. I think Brock Lesnar will probably return tonight, but is ultimately eliminated by Goldberg or Bray Wyatt. If Wyatt returns, I think he will be a dominant force in the match and will likely be eliminated by someone like Lesnar or Goldberg or at least someone who has beaten him in the past. We’ll see, and I’m interested to see what will happen tonight. The favorite is Daniel Bryan and I wouldn’t mind seeing him win, but I feel like there will be something more to this match that will essentially eliminate most of the momentum that he has carried into the match. Cesaro, Shinsuke Nakamura, AJ Styles , Big E, and Randy Orton are also guys that have had a good amount of momentum going into tonight, but we’ll just have to see how it plays out. Although The Rock has been rumored to be facing Roman Reigns at WrestleMania, don’t expect to see him as a surprise entry, but speaking of which, at the moment there are 21 confirmed entrants so far and there is possibility of some shocking entries. Look out for John Cena, Samoa Joe, and dare I say, CM Punk.
The Sports Chief Staff Predictions
A few members from The Sports Chief made some predictions for the show. Here they are.
Yacs