It’s Royal Rumble Day!!
Tonight’s Royal Rumble event will feature the Raw Women’s Championship being defended as the champ for over 300 days Bianca Belair faces Alexa Bliss.
The build up for this match has seen the change in Bliss from being an ally of Belair to morphing back to her evil ways. This time including the influence of Uncle Howdy which we still don’t know the full story. More will likely unfold in the match tonight, but will this evil side of Bliss be enough to dethrone Belair before WrestleMania?
Predictions:
COLBY -This feud feels like a breath of fresh air after Bianca Belair had a number of repetitive feuds/PLE matches in 2022. While most of her reign and feuds have been enjoyable, it was certainly time to change it up heading into WrestleMania season. It was also a good call to turn Bliss when they did, capitalizing on Bray Wyatt’s return now that she’s done feuding with Damage CTRL. I’ve enjoyed her promos thus far, and what she did to Belair on the first Raw of the year should lead to the champ showing a more aggressive side here. With that being said, Belair should keep hold of the gold until WrestleMania at least.
Winner: Bianca Belair
GARY – We are beginning our road to Wrestlemania and I am excited to see what the women’s feuds will look like. I do not see Bliss walking out of the Rumble with the title but I hope we see a big step forward in the Uncle Howdy/Wyatt saga and I doubt this title match will be the only time we see Bliss at the Rumble. Bianca gets the win and I suspect will be the Royal Rumble winner’s choice of opponent.
Winner: Bianca Belair
NICK – I am really happy that heel/evil Alexa is back. And I am glad they have kept her away from the childlike gimmick and hope that continues. Personally, I would love to see Alexa as champ again. Especially in this current role. She hasn’t held a singles title in 5 years and it is way overdue now that she has such a defined character. However, we are at the spot where title changes don’t happen as much just before Mania. Bianca just surpassing 300 days makes me feel as though she will get to that year mark!
Winner: Bianca Belair
Now we have what makes this event so enjoyable and that is the Royal Rumble match! 30 women all vying for a chance to headline WrestleMania.
There are currently 12 out of 30 women confirmed for the match.
Those names are – Liv Morgan, Candice LeRae, Rhea Ripley, Raquel Rodriguez, Zelina Vega, Emma, Shayna Baszler, Bayley, Dakota Kai, IYO SKY, Xia Li, and Lacey Evans.
Predictions:
COLBY -As always, I’m so excited to see what unfolds in the annual Rumble! We’ve seen some women’s Rumbles that are heavy on NXT appearances, and some heavy on the use of legends, but this year may be even-keeled. WWE has just over 30 women on their active roster across Raw and SmackDown. From there, you can take out the two champs and a handful that are injured or inactive, and there’s still room for a few surprises.
There hasn’t been a ton of build for the match itself as the focus has been on individual stories (like Bayley/Becky) that will inevitably play a role here. Regardless, I’m predicting that Liv Morgan and Rhea Ripley will start the bout to capitalize on their previous history as both friends and rivals in 2022. Plus, both are former champions and are looking to get back in the title picture. For the #30 spot, I would love nothing more than to see Naomi make her awaited return. Heel or face, she would get a huge pop. In between those spots, I think we could see some names like Asuka, Alundra Blayze, or perhaps Texas native Roxanne Perez make an appearance.
I’m predicting the bout will come down to Rhea Ripley, Becky Lynch, Naomi, and Raquel Rodriguez in the final four. It’s an interesting combo, but I think it has all the right ingredients with Naomi as the #30 surprise, Rhea as the iron woman, Becky as the veteran and former Rumble winner, and Raquel as the up-and-coming powerhouse looking for her breakout moment. When all is said and done, I’m sticking with Rhea Ripley as the winner because Ripley vs. Belair would be an excellent addition to the WrestleMania card.
- Entries 1 & 2 – Liv Morgan & Rhea Ripley
- Entry 30 – Naomi
- Final 4 – Rhea Ripley, Becky Lynch, Raquel Rodriguez, Naomi
Winner: Rhea Ripley
GARY – This is genuinely so hard to call. I have so many women that I would like to see win this including Liv Morgan and Rhea Ripley and so many women that I hope to see come back from extended absences.
- Entries 1 & 2: Liv Morgan & Dakota Kai
- Entry 30: Asuka (darker new gimmick)
- Final 4: Asuka, Rhea Ripley, Bayley, and Becky Lynch
While Asuka does not need the Rumble to enter a feud into Mania, it is a surefire way to get her there and if she comes back with a much darker gimmick, her coming in at No.30 and establishing herself once more as the threat she is could add intrigue on the Road to WrestleMania.
Winner: Asuka
NICK – I am always excited for the Rumble match no matter what. At the end of the day, it is all about how it is booked over who is in the match. The winner is already predetermined so I just want to see a good showing. I also like how we only have 12 names revealed even tho some more can be assumed.
The build hasn’t been the best besides the little bit we have seen with Liv Morgan wanting to enter the number one position and go the distance. I really wish that WWE would focus on building new starts with matches such as the Rumble and the Money in the Bank matches. They show glimpses of it with how they did with Bianca and then Liv with the briefcase, but there’s so much more that can be done. Already established and marquee acts don’t need a Rumble win to go to Mania.
- Entries 1 & 2 – Liv Morgan & Valhalla
- Entry 30 – Asuka
- Final 4 – Rhea Ripley, Asuka, Liv Morgan, and Becky Lynch
Winner: Rhea Ripley
Check back in with Diva Dirt for the Royal Rumble Discussion Post!
