Royal Rumble **May Contain Spoilers**

It's the start to the road to Wrestlemania and with the Rumble around the corner, who do you think will win?

Here's the card:

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I've got a slight feeling that they're gonna push Ted DiBiase with him winning the rumble and Randy Orton winning the title once again. Just like the HHH/Batista storyline years ago, they'll turn on eachother and it'll come to the showdown at WM 26.

I think (and hope) it will be Kofi. I just can't see them managing to make DiBiase credible in time for Wrestlemania, it's not even as if they're trying right now, Legacy were on a high after the DX feud but they've done nothing for weeks and all their momentum is gone.

Even though his push has sort of stalled the last few weeks, I still feel Kingston is the best option to win the Royal Rumble. Up until TLC his feud with Orton was one of the reasons I tuned in to RAW (sometimes the ONLY reason) and he's the only guy I could actually buy being given the big push. Seems to be fairly over is well.

I think Kofi will win, and Orton will win, ending in a final end-of-the-feud match at WM which Kofi wins .

Well, given the rumours of Cena's back injury I think he's a unlikely winer.

I've been thinking aout this for a while, and have it down to four people, three of whom are listed here, depending on which way they want to take it.

If they want a prove main eventer, then there's the option I've gone fore - Jericho. He's one of the biggest names to have never won it, and it would give him a chance to get back onto RAW in the current storyline.

If they want someone who has been on the verge for a while and never let them down, then it's Morrison. Jeff Hardy showed that it's still possible for tag team guys to step up to the main event a la HBK/JBL, and he'd give a fresh feud whoever he faced at Mania.

If they just want to go with whoever they're pushing now from the midcard to through us a shocker, then it's Kofi... BIG MISTAKE. Whilst there's no doubting his takent, he's not got enough credibility yet to stand at that level. Like Morrison, he needs a period going against strong guys so that he's not ust seen as flavour of the month, rather as that gys who's been ready to step up for a while.

The fourth - the shock value option - is the surprise return. At the time of TLC, they said that Edge was a couple of months away from returning, which in WWE time means about 6 weeks. I was surprised that he hadn't appeared to get involved in either Jerichos or Cena's matces then, but I could see him being a late entrant like Cena was when he won. The only thing that makes this unlikely is the one thing that ould cost Jericho - their unfinished business.

I dunno how you can say Kofi is any less credible than Morrison. Kofi's just had a feud with arguably the company's number 1 heel, even if he has lost a few key matches at this point, he still has some sort of momentum. Morrison has done nothing this past while and I feel he's wasted. Infact, his whole feud with McIntyre is about the most interesting thing he's done in months.

Edge is one I actually forgot about, seems like something the WWE would do (Cena?), but only if Jericho had to somehow win the title, as the plan seems to be Jericho-Edge at WM. I'm also sure I read somewhere Edge wont be back until after WM, and isn't his injury harder to heal than Cenas?

On another note, does anyone think we will actually get HBK-Taker II? I figured we were finally getting Cena-Taker, which would be better IMO.

There are many scenarios for this, and it's hard to really figure what's going to go down following the Rumble at this point. My likely scenarios:

HBK wins the Rumble, and gets his shot at Taker. Taker vs. HBK main event? I'm down with that.
HHH wins the Rumble, faces Sheamus. I think he's going to wrestle Sheamus for the belt anyway.
Cena wins the Rumble, ends up facing Batista after he wins the belt at Elimination Chamber. Cena vs. Batista is a money making main event, I wouldn't mind seeing it. Batista's very likely to be in the chamber match.

I honestly can't see the likes of Kofi, Jericho, Big Show, or Morrison winning it. Kofi is either going to be a MITB guy, and he'd probably win, or he could be in a big match with Cena somehow and get the rub. That'd be kinda cool. Kofi or Morrison are the 2 best candidates for MITB, in my opinion. And I think Jericho will be freed up for Edge, if he's healthy enough.

Another scenario could be Punk winning (highly unlikely), and Rey beating Taker at the Rumble or at Elimination Chamber. Very unlikely, but I think they'll go at Mania anyway.

I think the most likely will be HBK, though. And I'd have no problems whatsoever with a HBK vs. Undertaker main event.

I'd say Morrison is more credible than Kofi because only a few months ago Kofi was a midcarder who started getting pushed up the card into the Orton feud. He only has a few months of upper-card matches to his name.

Morrison, on the other hand, from his credible tag team beginnings, proved a very competent go-to guy during the Benoit saga, became a big name during the dirt sheet days and hasn't disappointed waiting for his chance and stepping up when needed over on Smackdown. He's had four or five years establishing his credentials and proving his reliability to the boss.

Why does that make a difference? Look at Punks first run or Seamus's current matches in the lower/mid card...Kingston is a couple of bad matches or a few weeks off TV from dropping out of the picture still, he's not ingrained as a credible name with the fans yet, meaning that he's either seen as being fed to a champion or a transitional champ, irrespective of how good the match is.

It's become something Vince doesn't do well now - he pushes guys to the stars straight away so the fans don't care about them. To date, Angle, Lesnar and Umaga (and to an extent Orton as he was nothinguntil he was thrust into Evolution) are the only ones who stand out as successes with this - even Punk needed to step down and switch to Smackdown to really become a major player - and most of them last one feud or so then drop back down the card again. Morrison is one of the few slow-burns he's tried since Cena. Kingston is in a positionb where maybe he could mainevent a minor PPV,but Mania is too early for him.

Garibaldi wrote:I'd say Morrison is more credible than Kofi because only a few months ago Kofi was a midcarder who started getting pushed up the card into the Orton feud. He only has a few months of upper-card matches to his name.

Morrison, on the other hand, from his credible tag team beginnings, proved a very competent go-to guy during the Benoit saga, became a big name during the dirt sheet days and hasn't disappointed waiting for his chance and stepping up when needed over on Smackdown. He's had four or five years establishing his credentials and proving his reliability to the boss.

Why does that make a difference? Look at Punks first run or Seamus's current matches in the lower/mid card...Kingston is a couple of bad matches or a few weeks off TV from dropping out of the picture still, he's not ingrained as a credible name with the fans yet, meaning that he's either seen as being fed to a champion or a transitional champ, irrespective of how good the match is.

It's become something Vince doesn't do well now - he pushes guys to the stars straight away so the fans don't care about them. To date, Angle, Lesnar and Umaga (and to an extent Orton as he was nothinguntil he was thrust into Evolution) are the only ones who stand out as successes with this - even Punk needed to step down and switch to Smackdown to really become a major player - and most of them last one feud or so then drop back down the card again. Morrison is one of the few slow-burns he's tried since Cena. Kingston is in a positionb where maybe he could mainevent a minor PPV,but Mania is too early for him.

Thats my point though. Kofi has been elevated by feuding with Orton, one of if not THE companys top heel (and a slow push from Bragging Rights is amazing by WWE's standards today IMO) meanwhile Morrison is still a midcarder. Being pushed for a few months is more than not being pushed at all.

This feud with Drew is the most Morrison has done in ages, and Drew wasn't even at Morrison's level, arguably still isn't. What else did Morrison do in 2009, except a few good TV matches and his amazing match with Mysterio on SD? Although not exactly mindblowing, Kofi's had moments such as destroying Orton's car (as much of an Austin rip-off as that was) and the boom drop through the announce table. Moments like that will stick out in the fan's mind, especially if Kofi had to challenge Orton for the title. As I already said round about that time the Kofi-Orton feud was one of the hottest things going at that point, and I don't think it'll take much to get Kofi back up to that level.

Morrison is incredibly bland as a face IMO, and not only do I not care about him, but I was losing interest in the IC title which Jericho worked so hard to make important again. I still have nightmares about the 'Mr. Ziggles' promo *cringes*. To try and elevate Morrison to the main event by 'Mania would be alot harder than Kofi, at least Kofi has SOME mic skills. Going from being beaten by Drew McIntyre to winning the Rumble would be hard to pull off.

All thinking about the dirtsheet does is remind me of how far The Miz e has came since they days and how little Morrison has. Even though I despised the man at one point I think he's one of the most entertaining guys on the RAW roster right now.

And I find Punk in the WWE massively overrated, so I can't really comment on him, although I'll admit he's came on leaps and bounds since his first run. Wouldn't you put his rise down to his heel turn and quality feud with Jeff though? And if Kofi would be a transitional champ or being fed then what the hell is Sheamus? Sheamus wasn't in the WWE much longer than Lesnar, and while Lesnar beat guys like Hogan, Taker and whatnot Sheamus beat... Jamie Noble. I'm nearly 100% positive Sheamus will drop the belt at RR (although I was also 100% positive he wouldn't be winning it in the first place, and Vinnie likes his swerves).

And while Kingston is in a position where he may be elevated, Morrison isn't IMO.

Heh sorry for the long post .

No need to apologise.

Punk's success now is down to a. his ability and b. his time feuding with Jeff and Taker, but it's also a sign of how they hadn't quite positioned him correctly before - talented as hell, but he'd only just progressed tho the big shows from ECW when he got it. This run is after he'd had a year to show what he could do on RAW.

And Morrison was used to help plug the gaps in the upper card on Smackdown due to injuries/Jericho's drafting to the tag division. The fact remains that he's organically moved to point where he had main event matches over the last year. The McIntyre feud is because he doesn't need the belt to stay over, whilst for Drew it might help. He's well established in the old post-Invasion Jericho/Edge slot where he can be guaranteed to give a good show every time, work well with anyone on the upper card and step up to main event-level feuds as and when needed.

Due to work, I've drifted in and out more over the last couple of years and only adressed that in the last couple of months, but the truth of the matter is that despite that, despite me watching more during Kofi's push than before - and I do like Kofi, hence my tip of him as option 3 - when I think of the two of them, I see Morrison as the more credible.

Part of it may be that at the moment I see Kofi getting the as part of the Orton feud as feasible - and therein lies a big advantage he has for the Rumble - If Orton takes out Seamus (who, contrary to arguing my point makes it perfectly...overpushed straight away, about as credible a champ as Hornswoggle. He was built to be a challenge for Cena in the same way they tried with Snitsky. This time they followed through but got burnt because Cena's back nixed the plan for the Rumble reatch) then they can pay off Orton v Kofi at WM. The thing is that I don't see him doing it outside that except for a month or so "honeymoon" when it ends before he slips back down.

But Morrison I could see get main events and title shots against a number of guys -Jericho, Rey, Punk, Edge would all suit him and his character, whilst Taker is extremely willing to work with the newer guys. He's worked with most of them already and had good matches, so none would be a surprise for a longer program.

That's the big thing...Kofi is a one story player at the moment, Morrison has built enough history at a strong level and with a strong character

Garibaldi wrote:No need to apologise.

Punk's success now is down to a. his ability and b. his time feuding with Jeff and Taker, but it's also a sign of how they hadn't quite positioned him correctly before - talented as hell, but he'd only just progressed tho the big shows from ECW when he got it. This run is after he'd had a year to show what he could do on RAW.

And Morrison was used to help plug the gaps in the upper card on Smackdown due to injuries/Jericho's drafting to the tag division. The fact remains that he's organically moved to point where he had main event matches over the last year. The McIntyre feud is because he doesn't need the belt to stay over, whilst for Drew it might help. He's well established in the old post-Invasion Jericho/Edge slot where he can be guaranteed to give a good show every time, work well with anyone on the upper card and step up to main event-level feuds as and when needed.

Due to work, I've drifted in and out more over the last couple of years and only adressed that in the last couple of months, but the truth of the matter is that despite that, despite me watching more during Kofi's push than before - and I do like Kofi, hence my tip of him as option 3 - when I think of the two of them, I see Morrison as the more credible.

Part of it may be that at the moment I see Kofi getting the as part of the Orton feud as feasible - and therein lies a big advantage he has for the Rumble - If Orton takes out Seamus (who, contrary to arguing my point makes it perfectly...overpushed straight away, about as credible a champ as Hornswoggle. He was built to be a challenge for Cena in the same way they tried with Snitsky. This time they followed through but got burnt because Cena's back nixed the plan for the Rumble reatch) then they can pay off Orton v Kofi at WM. The thing is that I don't see him doing it outside that except for a month or so "honeymoon" when it ends before he slips back down.

But Morrison I could see get main events and title shots against a number of guys -Jericho, Rey, Punk, Edge would all suit him and his character, whilst Taker is extremely willing to work with the newer guys. He's worked with most of them already and had good matches, so none would be a surprise for a longer program.

That's the big thing...Kofi is a one story player at the moment, Morrison has built enough history at a strong level and with a strong character

While moving to SD certainly helped I'd still say him feuding with Jeff and more importantly turning heel was the important factor, if Punk is as good as everybody makes out he should have at least been able to make his first run work as a face. Also not to be picky, but I think Taker hindered Punks progress rather than helped it. Infact as much as I don't really care for Punk I'd have rathered he stayed as champ, I mean what kind of champ barely appears on his show?

Again I have to disagree, while he certainly will steal the show with the right guy, and can move up to the SD main event I don't think he could really go any further than that at this point in time. I just feel he's gone downhill since his split with The Miz, and needs to turn heel again as his babyface run really won't get him anywhere. I really dunno how you can say Kofi is a one story man and then say JoMo deserved to win the rumble. At least Kofi's had a story. All Morrison has done recently is beat Ziggler and this feud with McIntyre, none of which excites me greatly.

I still don't see Sheamus as a valid argument. Kofi had a great run with the US title (not enough to elevate him to the main event mind you, as he barely spoke) with some good matches, and has been popular and a mainstay on RAW for a while. This at least makes him on par with Morrison, with the Orton feud being the deciding factor IMO (if that makes sense). One story if executed well enough should be enough to elevate someone to the main event, no?

It all boils down to opinion I suppose, I just think right now Kofi is in a much better position to win the rumble, even if Morrison is better in the ring.

Hmmm...I wonder if Josh Matthews may have just arsed up the Royal Rumble preview...

"Tonight Randy Orton again becomes the ....again looks to become the WWE champion"



edit: Nope


But didn't we see this two years ago? Oh...wait...that time the surprise was number 30...

Didn't think much of the undercard, but the Rumble was brilliant.

Edge really needs to hit the gym, he's lost all his muscle definition.

Terry Silver wrote:Didn't think much of the undercard, but the Rumble was brilliant.

Edge really needs to hit the gym, he's lost all his muscle definition.

I think he's looked that way for a long while now, ever since WWE started to really get serious about the Wellness Policy.

The Rumble was awesome. CM Punk is the man, it sucks that he got tossed by HHH. And Beth Phoenix eliminating Khali was amazing.

Yeah CM Punk was the shit and then HHH eliminated him as if nothing was.

The rumble itself was great but it seemed a little rushed with most of the upper/mid carders just being thrown out one by one.

I watched and was kinda disappointed by the rumble. Triple H and CM Punk both went out way too early IMO. I thought they should have kept Triple H in a little later and then had HBK eliminate him closer to the end. I hated the pace of the eliminations too. I mean Batista came in #30 and was already in the final 4. I had no problem with Edge coming back and winning, I mean yeah they did it 2 years ago with Cena and it was a great moment, but I feel like this is different as this completely suits Edge's character seizing the moment. I did think the ending was a bit weak though, you'd think Cena would put up a better fight than that. I personally thought they should've had Batista complain and distract Cena and then have Edge sneak up and eliminate and plant the seed for Batista/Cena at WrestleMania if thats what they want.

I thought the Rumble seemed a little hot and cold. Punk was great, and the lecturing had to stop when it did really to avoid it getting old, but he did go earlier than he needed to, Beth was a nice curveball, good to see a few guys from the lower card getting a little time in there and some of them certainly didn't look out of place, but the rest seemed a little by the book...

Legacy work together - check
Tag team member turns on partner - check (particularly given te tag team in question)
Plug Kane's elimination record - check
Ambush on ramp - check
Wrester eliminates himself to get big rival out - check

With Cena's injury and the rumours of Batista retiring this year, it did seem that once it came down to them that the winner was telegraphed (and, I have to agree, rushed) and unless Jericho takes a title belt at Elimination Chamber then it's also a waste of a WM match with real potential. Was also surprised given his recent work with Swagger that Santino didn't get in there, even if just for a few momoents of comedy

Garibaldi wrote:I thought the Rumble seemed a little hot and cold. Punk was great, and the lecturing had to stop when it did really to avoid it getting old, but he did go earlier than he needed to, Beth was a nice curveball, good to see a few guys from the lower card getting a little time in there and some of them certainly didn't look out of place, but the rest seemed a little by the book...

Legacy work together - check
Tag team member turns on partner - check (particularly given te tag team in question)
Plug Kane's elimination record - check
Ambush on ramp - check
Wrester eliminates himself to get big rival out - check

With Cena's injury and the rumours of Batista retiring this year, it did seem that once it came down to them that the winner was telegraphed (and, I have to agree, rushed) and unless Jericho takes a title belt at Elimination Chamber then it's also a waste of a WM match with real potential. Was also surprised given his recent work with Swagger that Santino didn't get in there, even if just for a few momoents of comedy

Santino reportedly suffered like a head injury or something on Raw last week.

Where are you getting your rumors about Batista retiring from...? I've heard nothing about it.

Ram Jam wrote:Where are you getting your rumors about Batista retiring from...? I've heard nothing about it.

The rumour has popped up in the last year or so but there hasn't been much confirmation on it actually happening.

Before he came back there were rumours and comments attributed to him about how he only had "a year, maybe two" left, which led to a lot of rumours that he'd be retiring after a big Mania blow-out

Haven't seen much WWE for a while but liked the three man wcw style commentary that they've set up, Mike Tennay Matt Striker made some great one liners, although it would have been better IMO if he remained neutral. Michael Cole completely no-sold a FU out of the ring during the rumble, which was very WCW like!

Christian was very impressive, I think he could have a run with a proper title. You never know, Edge may choose the ECW title!

Not a bad or great PPV, the rumble wasn't too bad but only CM Punk did anything re-memorable. I thought the HBK thing went on a bit too long no doubt it will lead to him getting a chance in the elimination chamber, thus making the rumble a complete waste of time.

ShowStealer wrote:You never know, Edge may choose the ECW title!

Why would he waste his time choosing a title which will cease to exist in a few weeks?

The Stig wrote:

ShowStealer wrote:You never know, Edge may choose the ECW title!

Why would he waste his time choosing a title which will cease to exist in a few weeks?

Huuuuuuh?

ShowStealer wrote:

The Stig wrote:

ShowStealer wrote:You never know, Edge may choose the ECW title!

Why would he waste his time choosing a title which will cease to exist in a few weeks?

Huuuuuuh?

WWE are getting rid of ECW and replacing it with WWE NXT. It's going to feature entirely new people, and everyone will debut there from now on, apparently.

The Stig wrote:

ShowStealer wrote:

The Stig wrote:

ShowStealer wrote:You never know, Edge may choose the ECW title!

Why would he waste his time choosing a title which will cease to exist in a few weeks?

Huuuuuuh?

WWE are getting rid of ECW and replacing it with WWE NXT. It's going to feature entirely new people, and everyone will debut there from now on, apparently.

Well that looks pretty gay. The obsession with reality and behind the scenes stuff really isn't my thing. I take it OVW will be closing down. I'll have to start paying more attention to TNA.

ShowStealer wrote:

The Stig wrote:

ShowStealer wrote:

The Stig wrote:

ShowStealer wrote:You never know, Edge may choose the ECW title!

Why would he waste his time choosing a title which will cease to exist in a few weeks?

Huuuuuuh?

WWE are getting rid of ECW and replacing it with WWE NXT. It's going to feature entirely new people, and everyone will debut there from now on, apparently.

Well that looks pretty gay. The obsession with reality and behind the scenes stuff really isn't my thing. I take it OVW will be closing down. I'll have to start paying more attention to TNA.

OVW and WWE haven't been affiliated in about 2 years.

The Stig wrote:

ShowStealer wrote:

The Stig wrote:

ShowStealer wrote:

The Stig wrote:

ShowStealer wrote:You never know, Edge may choose the ECW title!

Why would he waste his time choosing a title which will cease to exist in a few weeks?

Huuuuuuh?

WWE are getting rid of ECW and replacing it with WWE NXT. It's going to feature entirely new people, and everyone will debut there from now on, apparently.

Well that looks pretty gay. The obsession with reality and behind the scenes stuff really isn't my thing. I take it OVW will be closing down. I'll have to start paying more attention to TNA.

OVW and WWE haven't been affiliated in about 2 years.