Tossing Salt Presents:
WWE Royal Rumble
Thoughts & Predictions
January 28, 2022
DougMaynard.com

Tomorrow night, it’s the WWE Royal Rumble, as we start on the Road to Wrestlemania. For me, this show and Wrestlemania are the two most must-see PPVs of the year and there’s special anticipation when this time of year comes around. So are you ready for me to break out the Crystal Ball, the Tarot Cards, and the Magic 8-Ball? It’s prediction time. Let’s do this.

WWE Championship Match
Brock Lesnar w/ Paul Heyman versus Lashley w/ MVP

This is the match that everyone has wanted to see, myself included, and I do not doubt that it’ll be stiff, brutal, and a fun match for all of us fans. I don’t think it’ll live up to the hype because it’s been so anticipated for so long, but it’ll still be well worth the watch. As for who wins, Lashley just doesn’t have the same Wrestlemania appeal in my eyes as Brock Lesnar does. If we’re working towards Brock versus Roman at Mania, then I could see a title loss here, but I don’t see that happening. I think it may happen after Mania as WWE steers back into the Roman versus Brock program, but for now, Brock will remain the undisputed WWE Champion.

Winner and STILL WWE Champion: Brock Lesnar w/ Paul Heyman

Universal Championship Match
Roman Reigns versus Seth Rollins

Roman versus Seth will be a great match and these guys will go above and beyond to steal the show. I do not doubt that. But in my opinion, the whole Head of the Table and Tribal Chief story needs a payoff at the biggest show of the year. For that to happen, Roman needs to keep that title belt for just a while longer.

Winner and STILL WWE Universal Champion: Roman Reigns

WWE RAW Women’s Championship Match
Becky Lynch versus Doudrop

Does anyone really think that Doudrop has a chance here? Nope, me neither.

Winner and STILL WWE RAW Women’s Champion: Becky Lynch

Mixed Tag Team Match
The Miz & Maryse versus Edge & Beth Phoenix

I would love to see Miz & Maryse win here and take that trip to the pay window, but let’s be honest here. Edge and Beth are winning, period. If Miz & Maryse lose, then it won’t hurt them a bit since they’re heels. If Edge & Beth lose, it looks bad for them. I don’t think that the Glamazon is coming back to lose.

Winners: Edge & Beth Phoenix

Men’s Royal Rumble Match
Big E, Happy Corbin, WWE Raw Tag Team Champion Chad Gable, Kofi Kingston, Johnny Knoxville, Madcap Moss, Dominik & Rey Mysterio, Omos, Randy Orton, WWE Raw Tag Team Champion Otis, Kevin Owens, WWE United States Champion Damian Priest, Riddle, Robert Roode, Sheamus, AJ Styles, Austin Theory, The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford), Sami Zayn, and Dolph Ziggler which leaves 8 slots open.

Before we get going with the predictions, let’s do a few spoilers about names that have been rumored to be appearing as surprises for the Men’s Royal Rumble match. I’ve heard Kurt Angle, Chris Masters, Braun Strowman, Shane McMahon, and of course, Bray Wyatt mentioned. The Usos and Shinsuke Nakamura are also available. Cesaro hasn’t been added yet and I suspect that WALTER, aka Gunther, is a possibility as well. As for who gets to go to Wrestlemania and face the champion of their choice, this is where it gets interesting. I want to see Cesaro win and finally get that big push to the main event at Mania. I want to see that, but I don’t think he’s considered a big star by WWE management. I’ll think I’ll go with Bray Wyatt. Bray versus Brock sounds like money to me.

Winner: Bray Wyatt

Women’s Royal Rumble Match
Aliyah, Shayna Baszler, Bianca Belair, Nikki Bella, Brie Bella, Shotzi Blackheart, WWE 24/7 Champion Dana Brooke, WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Carmella, WWE Smackdown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair, Impact Wrestling Knockouts Champion Mickie James, Kelly Kelly, Lita, Michelle McCool, Liv Morgan, Naomi, Natalya, Nikki ASH, Summer Rae, Rhea Ripley, WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Queens Zelina, Tamina and 9 more competitors to be announced.

The names mentioned that have not been announced are Asuka, Ronda Rousey, Cameron, and Melina. It’s a stacked match and there are so many talents, you have to know it’s going to be a good one. I don’t think that Impact Wrestling Knockouts Champion Mickie James will win. I think she has a good run, gets eliminated, and then the person who eliminates her can challenge her for the Knockouts Championship at Wrestlemania. Charlotte is also in the event, but I don’t think she’ll win. Instead, we see Charlotte get eliminated, and much like I’m speculating with Mickie, whoever takes out Charlotte challenges her for the Smackdown Women’s Championship at Mania. So who does that leave? I want to see Asuka win, but I think we may have her be the one who takes out Charlotte or Mickie. And the winner? She’s rowdy and she’s back. Ronda Rousey takes the win and it’s Ronda versus Becky at Mania.

Winner: Ronda Rousey

And there you go. It’s the biggest weekend of the year, so far, and I’m am so looking forward to seeing it all go down at The Rumble, tomorrow night, live on the WWE Network and Peacock. Are you watching? You should.

And with that, I’m out of here. My thanks for reading. Comments, thoughts, or any questions you may have, drop me a line. Until the next time, take care and stay good. I’ll see you at the Rumble.

Ubuntu!