2020 Royal Rumble Predictions! 🤼

It’ Royal Rumble day, maybe my very favourite night on the entire pro wrestling calendar. The two rumble matches always bring excitement and surprises. And while they don’t always go exactly how fans wish they would, there’s no denying their place in the upper echelon of sports entertainment.

To get all ready for the show, I’ve tried to come up with some predictions for the Men’s and Women’s Royal Rumble matches in Houston. I’ve got three NXT performer predictions for each match, three returns for each match, and my predictions for the winner of each match.

Have a look and let me know what you think I got right and what I got wrong.

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NXT Men

★ Keith Lee

One of the most over dudes in the company right now, Keith Lee would get a great pop from the Houston crowd. At Survivor Series we saw him handle himself well with main roster superstars, and in a Royal Rumble match he’d certainly be able to toss some bodies around and look strong.

★ Matt Riddle

The original bro is athletic and quick. He’s an entertainer and a star. Let him slide into the ring, kick off his flip flops, fly around and get some shine on the big stage.

★ WALTER

He’s available because of Worlds Collide. He’s a massive mountain of a man who can stand with other big dudes. He’s the NXT Champ. Get him in there, let the hardcore fans cheer for a guy that North American fans don’t see much of and give NXT UK a little push.

NXT Women

★ Bianca Belair

She’s the #1 contender for the NXT Women’s Championship can get herself some momentum and fan love with a solid performance in the royal rumble match. I think she’s going to be a huge star, let’s see some of the future, now.

★ Mercedes Martinez

With a new WWE contract, we’re ready for her. She’s got indie cred. And it’s time for her debut. The other thing to keep in mind is that her career is closer to its end than its beginning, so there’s no use wasting time setting her up, I just want to see her get in the ring and go!

★ Toni Storm

Like WALTER, we know she’s in Houston and can put on a show. I’d love to see Storm in the ring with some main roster women and show us what she’s ready to offer in 2020.

The Returns

★ Edge

Holy hell, Houston would get loud for this. Let’s see the hall of Famer spear some people. Let’s see him flip his hair back and snarl. Let’s hear the fans. Let’s get him a part-time storyline and let’s enjoy every single second of it.

★ Kane

Would this be a surprise after his return to Smackdown the other week, no. But, the Big Red Machine is a Royal Rumble staple and if he can come in and extend his legacy a little bit, I’m okay with it.

★ Nia Jax

Nia’s gotta return from injury at some point and the Royal Rumble is the perfect time. As a surprise return entrant she doesn’t have the crazy forced story of needing to be in both rumble matches. She doesn’t have to do anything but be healthy, strong, and remind fans what she adds to the roster.

★ Paige

The pop that we’d hear for Paige would be deafening. This might all be very unlikely because of her injuries and retirement. But, if there’s a chance for her to come in and put someone over while still looking good and giving us hope that she’ll be back between the ropes again in the future, I’d love to see it.

★ Ruby Riott

Ruby could also make her injury return, and have a chance to start her true solo run. With Liv Morgan committed to her new look and Sarah Logan doing her best to make her own mark, the Riott Squad is dead and it’s time for Ruby Riott to stand tall and alone.

★ Undertaker

If we’re going to see Undertaker at Wrestlemania this spring, we might as well get the storyline started now. Do I want to see him win and headline and either win or lose the title, not really. But, if there’s a good story to be told by having him look strong and then get eliminated by someone who he can match up with at Mania, I’m in.

The Winners

★ Shayna Baszler

After one of the most dominant runs in the NXT women’s division, it’s time to see two-time champ Shayna Baszler on the main roster. And if we’re going to put her over as a powerful bad-ass, why not have her in the main event at Wrestlemania against Becky Lynch?

She’s strong, she’s mean, she’s ready, and if there’s a time for someone to come straight from NXT to the big-time spotlight, it’s now and it’s with Shayna.

★ Roman Reigns

We know that Roman Reigns isn’t always the fans’ choice for the top of the card, but there’s no denying that he’s a draw. And, since his return from another battle with Leukemia, Reigns has put in his work building the brand and bringing WWE to Fox on Friday nights.

It will not surprise me at all to see him win the 30-man Royal Rumble and go onto Wrestlemania with a shot at a title belt. If Fox wants a champion they can put on TV every Friday night, that the kids can cheer for, and that can go out and do media tours whenever it’s needed, this is the guy.