Simon RushworthRoyal Rumble 2020
Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas
Everyone’s unofficial favourite pay-per-view is back to signal the start of Wrestlemania season, as the Royal Rumble rolls into Houston. Rushonrock’s King Of The Ring Andy Spoors previews the best of the action.
Following last year’s successful outing in a baseball stadium, WWE will be looking for another home run event when they visit Minute Maid Park, home of the Houston Astros.
As with any Royal Rumble it looks likely to be a night of surprise and intrigue. With a few spots remaining in both the men and women’s Rumble matches expect some Superstars of yesteryear to make a return. For the first time in recent memory, there are no outright favourites to win either match. The confusing move of WWE Champion Brock Lesnar entering himself as number one seems to hint to a dominant showing from The Beast Incarnate. There is a strong movement behind both Drew McIntyre and Shayna Baszler, so expect big things from both.
Away from the over the top rope action, all other matches on the card look set to end their respective rivalries. Roman Reigns and King Corbin’s bloated and extended feud should, hopefully, come to a welcome end. The two have been at odds since before Survivor Series last year, their ‘falls count anywhere’ match could provide some memorable moments in their unorthodox surroundings.
Daniel Bryan gets another shot at besting Bray Wyatt’s Fiend persona in a strap match for the Universal Championship. Strap matches usually require you to incapacitate your opponent long enough to touch each corner turnbuckle in the ring. A strange stipulation that will keep the action at close quarters, something that seemingly suits The Fiend. This match should be every bit as curious as the main events of the Rumble.
Two very personal matches in the women’s division sees Lacey Evans take on Bayley for the Smackdown title and Becky Lynch defend her championship against Asuka. With the Victor of the Rumble match going on to receive a title match at Wrestlemania, we could have an idea of who might win these matches depending on the outcome of the Rumble match. If Shayna wins the event early in the programme expect a Lynch victory.
With WWE taking great lengths to show a different side to Lacey Evans, casually dropping her background in the military into conversation, it’s easy to see they are prepping the WWE Universe for big things. She has the look and real life story that could catapult her into a female John Cena style figure. Even with a heel turn, Bayley has somewhat floundered in her current title run and it’s hard to see a way to ignite her obvious talent into a captivating storyline.
This is the most important phase of the year for WWE, where fans are looking for clues to possible Mania matches. For the Superstars it’s time to step up to the plate and swing for the fences. The fact they can do that in some very apt surroundings is deliciously fitting.
Universal Champion “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt vs. Daniel Bryan
Reese: Bray Wyatt
John: Bray Wyatt
Andy: Bray Wyatt
2020 Women’s Royal Rumble Match
Reese: Shayna Baszler
John: Shayna Baszler
Andy: Ronda Rousey
Raw Women’s Champion Becky Lynch vs. Asuka
Reese: Asuka
John: Becky
Andy: Becky
Roman Reigns vs. King Corbin (Falls Count Anywhere Match)
Reese: Roman Reigns
John: King Corbin
Andy: Roman Reigns
2020 Men’s Royal Rumble Match
Reese: Brock Lesnar
John: Drew McIntyre
Andy: Roman Reigns (Hoping for a John Cena win…)
SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley vs. Lacey Evans
Reese: Bayley
John: Lacey Evans
Andy: Lacey Evans
Shorty G vs. Sheamus
Reese: Sheamus
John: Sheamus
Andy: Sheamus
United States Champion Andrade vs. Humberto Carrillo
Reese: Andrade
John: Andrade
Andy: Andrade