(DISCLAIMER: for the sake of this blog, I’m going to not talk about the ‘questionable’ morality and laws of the country of Saudi Arabia, and all the other issues related to the event form that standpoint. I’ll just talk about the event itself in the blog, and temporarily forget all that stuff for the sake of my enjoyment of the event).
So it is finally here. After a 7 hour event just a few weeks ago we are blessed with a mere 6 hour long event emanating from the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, just north of Jeddah in the country of Saudi Arabia. It is FINALLY time for the much talked about, promoted and at times maligned Greatest Royal Rumble (SUPER) show. And my oh my what a show it could well be… I’ll try my best to run through the card and offer my thoughts and predictions ahead of what may possibly be an ever bigger show than Wrestlemania 34!
50 Man ‘Greatest’ Royal Rumble match: Pretty much every male main roster superstar not already on the card, a few legends and possibly some NXT superstars too
This match is going to be madness. FIFTY men in the same match?! Royal Rumbles aren’t usually too bad, but imagine one that is almost double the length of a regular rumble match. It’ll just be crazy, and as it stands the only prize on offer seems to be a trophy that has featured on the advertising for the match, although given how highly they’ve pushed this event you’d presume that whoever they have win the match will either be a megastar already or someone who is going to become one. I’m sure it’ll have all the usual facets of a regular Royal Rumble match; confrontations between former foes or allies, surprise returns, shock eliminations etc. but it’s going to be about an hour and a half long and that’s my main worry with the match that people watching will be so worn out. I’ve absolutely not a clue who they’re going to push, have win or be the star of the match. This match is so unique and unlike anything WWE have ever done before (as is the event as the whole) it’s very difficult to predict it at all. All I can predict with any assurance for this match is that it will be eventful, that is for certain!
Prediction: WHO THE FUCK KNOWS?! (But if I had to pick a name I’d like for Daniel Bryan. Would be poetic after he SHOULD have won the Royal Rumble in 2014 and/or in 2015).
Universal Championship: Brock Lesnar (C) with Paul Heyman v Roman Reigns – Steel Cage Match
So the result of this match will pretty much depend on Brock Lesnar’s contract and just how long his mega-money new deal will last for. Reports have varied from it being 2 years to just 2 matches that would likely take Lesnar up to Summerslam. Some have even speculated that Brock may be being kept on and as champion in order to break the previous title reign record held by CM Punk, who the WWE aren’t too high on these days. WE just don’t know. One thing we do know though is that Roman Reigns is STILL the guy, and even after his traumatic loss in the main event of Wrestlemania it looks increasingly likely that his long-anticipated coronation is still only a matter of time away. Roman surely has to win the title.The addition of a Steel Cage to the equation will only heighten the expected brutality that has become custom to a Brock Lesnar match. If Brock retains… then I really will be at a loss with WWE’s direction for their premier title and their chosen one.
Prediction: Roman Reigns
WWE Championship: AJ Styles (C) v Shinsuke Nakamura
The Wrestlemania match between these two was billed as a dream match. The build up was sub-standard, the match underwhelmed. The re-match here has turned into a grudge match. The build-up with the now heel Nakamura has been great, so this match? Could it be great? Very possibly. Certainly now both men have a real purpose going into this one, rather than just wanting to have a great match and win the championship. I’ve absolutely loved Nakamura’s character since his much publicized heel turn, he’s got a real edge to him now and his constant low blows to the uber-popular Styles will only add to his heat. I expect this, if given the chance, to be even better than there mania match. In terms of result, as is the case with the other world championship match in this card, who on earth knows… but as I don’t see both world titles changing on the same show here I’ll go for AJ to retain… but would not be surprised to see Nakamura claim the title in the not so distant future.
Prediction: AJ Styles
John Cena v Triple H
Considering this is a match-up between two of the all time greats, two of the biggest names in the company and two men who have an huge amount of history with one another, there has been absolutely ZERO build up to this showcase match. Obviously given the recent goings-on in Cena’s personal life and the fact Triple H has already been busy in Saudi Arabia promoting the event it’s easy to see why they wouldn’t have time to, and with both being part timers and not featuring on TV since Wrestlemania (when both featured prominently but ultimately lost their respective matches) there’s little context or story that can be applied to it either. It’s simply presumed that a match between John Cena and Triple H can speak for itself to both the local crowd and the worldwide audience, which in all honesty it does.
Prediction: Triple H (just… because…)
The Undertaker v Rusev – Casket Match
Now if Triple H vs John Cena has had zero in the way of a build up, this match has been the total opposite. This has arguably been one of the most talked about matches on the entire card, despite not being spoken about on regular WWE TV in storyline one bit. When first announced this match seemed an odd one indeed, but things got even weirder when after a shoot-looking interview with TMZ and some questionable twitter activity Rusev was replaced in the match with Chris Jericho. And then just as quickly (as all sorts of rumours were abound about Rusev’s future) after a tweet negating on her previous call for her husband to be removed from the Casket match by Lana, the match between Taker and the Bulgarian Brute was then back ON (still keeping up with all this?). So as of writing this is happening, why it is and why it was on then off then on again within a few days is still unclear. But just a few weeks after his last match The Undertaker is in action again and I’m not sure he has had 2 matches this close together for a number of years (not since 2015 has he wrestled 2 matches within a month), and despite more rumours speculating that he may compete more often than in recent years between now and next year’s Wrestlemania I still expect this match to be short, and one sided.
Prediction: The Undertaker
United States Championship: Jeff Hardy (C) v Jinder Mahal with Sunil Singh
Similar to the situation post superstar shake up with the Intercontinental title, the holder and home of the US Championship going forward remains unclear. So who will win this match (and also who wins the title match at Backlash) will surely parallel who is victorious in the IC title matches. So as it stands the champion here is Jeff Hardy of Smackdown, who is facing Jinder Mahal of Raw here, with the champion scheduled to face another former champion Randy Orton (of Smackdown) at Backlash. I like the idea of Jeff Hardy as US Champion, but I see much more value in a Miz v Daniel Bryan feud for the IC belt on the blue brand. BUT given who I have winning the other mid-card belt match, I’ll have Hardy to go over here and retain his title… for the time-being…
Prediction: Jeff Hardy to retain… for now…
Intercontinental Championship: Seth Rollins (C) v The Miz v Finn Balor v Samoa Joe – Ladder Match
This is a ladder match. This is involving 4 of the best competitors in WWE. This is going to be fabulous. I doubt they will end the title reign of such a big star like Rollins so soon, however their is the caveat with this and the US title match that they could still switch the 2 mid-card belts to opposing shows. Miz and Samoa Joe are now both on Smackdown so would take the IC title with them to the blue brand should they climb the ladder and retrieve it in this match. It’s also already been announced that Rollins will defend his title against former champion Miz at the upcoming Backlash ppv. But obviously this is wrestling, and nothing is set in stone so that could all change. I predict the match will be great, that I’m certain of. Even with Miz’s ongoing pursuit to become the longest reigning Intercontinental Champion of all time I feel he is destined for a chase of a much bigger prize down the line, and I also feel like as much as it would make sense for Jinder Mahal to be the evil foreigner with America’s Championship and for The Miz to carry on his IC champion glory-train and into his feud with former IC champion Daniel Bryan (who was once forced to vacate the Intercontinental Championship due to injury, so he never actually lost it nor had had a chance to reclaim it) I still think… actually… that all makes way too much sense right? Right? Miz has to take the title to Smackdown, question is does he do it here or at Backlash???
Prediction: Seth Rollins to retain… for now…
Raw Tag Team Championship: WOKEN Matt Hardy & Bray Wyatt v ‘The Bar’ (Sheamus & Cesaro)
If the 2 mid-card belts are in doubt result-wise due to who will or wont take what belt to which show, this match is surely in no doubt about who will win. Sheamus & Cesaro, now of SMACKDOWN, are surely not going to take the RAW tag titles to the blue brand right? I’m a huge fan of WOKEN Matt and his alliance with his former foe Bray Wyatt, so will be delighted if/when the two of them claim the gold. Don’t be surprised if we see an AOP run in afterwards to set up the new champions’ first title defense.
Prediction: WOKEN Matt Hardy & Bray Wyatt
Smackdown Tag Team Championship: ‘Bludgeon Brothers’ (Harper & Rowan) (C) v ‘The Usos’ (Jimmy Uso & Jey Uso)
Despite Jimmy Uso’s win over Rowan on Smackdown to counter Harper’s win over Jey last week, I still am in no doubt about this one. Who knows, maybe Naomi will come out and her neon and flashing lights will distract Rowan again and Naomi can take in the crowd adulation and celebrate with her team in the ring…………….. OH……… OH WAIT……. MAYBE NOT THEN……..
Prediction: Bludgeon Brothers
Cruserweight Championship: Cedric Alexander (C) v Kalisto
This as a match will be fine. Sure. Both are good wrestlers. Sure. Is there any story at all with this match (given Kalisto only won the right to be in this match on Tuesday)? None. You can get away with no story for Cena vs Triple H or Taker vs Rusev, as those guys are stars already. This match-up not so much. I’m certain that Murphy (after he failed his 205 weigh in last week) will run in and set up a title match at Backlash and that’ll be the main story here, but hey I suppose you have to get the Cruserweight title on the card, and as I’ve said the match will be fine, but I’d be surprised if this got many headlines after the event has concluded.
Prediction: Cedric Alexander
So there is a hugely stacked card for what promises to be, above all else, a LONG and eventful event. Wrestlemania was equally both of those so lets see what this one brings. It promises to be another amazing event, entertaining in many different ways and infuriating in others. and MAYBE… MAYBE… the coronation at long last of the “face of the company”??? …
Josh..
NobodyisReady.com 