Royal Rumble 2017 - The Road Begins

The Road Begins – Royal Rumble thoughts and prediction, and comments on RAW and SD Live for 2017.

I want to begin by saying that the Royal Rumble has always been my favorite match, even if the PPV overall have been lacking. Survivor Series has always been my favorite PPV when it was the Survivor format.

Ever since the winner of the Royal Rumble headlines WrestleMania, the Rumble has taken on an over-important meaning. It has also taking on a lesser surprising role. Usually an established main event star wins to set up a marque match.

Rarely does a mid-card or rising star win the match in any real surprise. Rarely is it used to build a new star. One could argue Roman Reigns, but he was already being groomed for that big spot.

This year is being promoted as the biggest star-studded Rumble in history, and it just may be. That could also lead to it being a massive let down. They are already setting the stage for what seems to be moments that will see long periods of two guys facing off. That has happened in the past, and rarely serves the Rumble well.

The good news is we may also see some surprised entrants, such as Samoa Joe and other NXT stars. Despite many rumors, it would be surprised to see Kenny Omega debut, but there is always a chance we may someone new to the WWE (and not an NXT star) debut. Maybe even a legend or two.

That is part of the beauty.

RAW AND SD LIVE
RAW and SD LIVE have both done really good jobs at building up to the Royal Rumble. Not just the rumble match itself, but the overall card.

RAW has put on its best shows since the Brand Split and have been fairly consistent. Still, the show has a long way to go to reach its once glorious past. The Road to Mania my help.

SD Live has been its usual good show leading into the Rumble, even if it is coasting right now.
Despite the good build, there is still one big drawback, the big stories going into the Rumble are essentially the same ones we had going into Survivor Series.

Jericho and Owens against, Reigns and Rollins. Rollins beef with Steph and HHH. AJ Style and Cena. Brock and Goldberg. Lynch and Bliss. This should be the place to END these feuds and build new ones toward Mania.

I wrote over about the Rumble being over-important. That is true. Is it more than just the Road to WrestleMania. The Rumble, its events and its fallout, set the stage for the entire year.


The Royal Rumble Predictions

The card looks solid, even without the IC Title or US Title defended on the show. The three matches on the Kick Off Show are all Main Card Worthy and are head scratchers as to why they are on the Kick Off.
There are only four non-Rumble matches on the Main Card, meaning that a lot of time will be devoted to the Rumble. It may also lead to longer matches, or a shorter show. It also leads me to think there may be some backstage segments and maybe an unannounced match or two.

Kick Off Show
Becky Lynch, Nikki Bella & Naomi vs Alexa Bliss, Mickey James & Natty
Winners: Bliss, James & Natty

RAW Tag Team Championship: Cesaro & Sheamus (c) vs Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson
Winners, NEW CHAMPS: Gallows & Anderson

Sasha Banks vs Nia Jax
Winner: NO Contest because Banks can’t continue.

Main Card
WWE Cruiserweight Championship: Rich Sawn (c) vs Neville
Winner: Swan by DQ

RAW Women’s Championship: Charlotte (c) vs Bayley
Winner Charlotte

WWE Universal Championship, No DQ: KO (c) vs Roman Reigns (Jericho in a shark cage)
Winner: KO

WWE World Title Match: AJ Styles vs John Cena
Winner AJ styles

Royal Rumble:
Seth Rollins – yes he will somehow worm his way into the match and win.
It not, Dolph Ziggler.

Yeah, I know, Dolph is a long shot, but people would love it. Personally, it would be the best way to go.

Ace.