The WrestleZone staff is back to pick the winners of WWE Royal Rumble. It’s a fun card filled with what should be some exciting matches!
Check out our WWE Royal Rumble predictions below!
Buddy Murphy (c) vs. Akira Tozawa vs. Hideo Itami vs. Kalisto (Crusierweight Championship)
- Bill Pritchard: Pick: Buddy Murphy
- Tyler Treese: I’d like to see Itami get the belt, but I think the current champ manages to retain. Pick: Buddy Murphy
- Harry Kettle: Pick: Hideo Itami
- Robert DeFelice: I’m going with Hideo Itami. I really think he’s deserving of a big moment and this could be it. Also, imagine Itami vs. KUSHIDA at WrestleMania. Pick: Hideo Itami
- John Clark: Pick: Hideo Itami
- Michael McClead: Pick: Buddy Murphy
- Christopher McManus: Pick: Buddy Murphy
- Kevin Kellam: He’s crafty yet mean. He can get new challengers soon though with NXT call-ups. Pick: Buddy Murphy
Rusev (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura (United States Championship)
- Bill Pritchard: Pick: Rusev
- Tyler Treese: I don’t think he takes the belt into WrestleMania, but it makes no sense to take it off of Rusev here. Pick: Rusev
- Harry Kettle: Pick: Rusev
- Robert DeFelice: Rusev retains. Nothing special here. Pick: Rusev
- John Clark: Pick: Rusev
- Michael McClead: Pick: Rusev
- Christopher McManus: Pick: Rusev
- Kevin Kellam: This feud fell down the card fast on SD Live quick despite both competitors being able to connect with the audience individually. It’s been on TV for a while now, but it’s simply not turning the wheel over in a sustained way so having it slotted on the kick-off is appropriate. Pick: Rusev
The Bar (Cesaro and Sheamus) (c) vs. The Miz and Shane McMahon (SmackDown Tag Team Championship)
- Bill Pritchard: Pick: The Miz & Shane McMahon
- Tyler Treese: I’m all aboard the Co-Besties hype train. Pick: The Miz and Shane McMahon
- Harry Kettle: Pick: The Miz & Shane McMahon
- Robert DeFelice: I’ve heard a lot of opinions to the contrary, but I think Miz turns on Shane and starts their road to WrestleMania. The Bar retain. Pick: The Bar
- John Clark: Pick: The Bar
- Michael McClead: Pick: The Miz & Shane McMahon
- Christopher McManus: Pick: Shane McMahon & The Miz
- Kevin Kellam: They wrecked Shane and the Miz on Smackdown in one of the memorable beatdowns this week. They are not to be forgotten for being the hardest hitting team in WWE, and this bout could benefit from the company’s reported renewed interest in tag team wrestling. If The Miz and McMahon come out with the titles, they will get chased by several teams with an interesting two big personas dynamic. Pick: The Bar
Ronda Rousey (c) vs. Sasha Banks (RAW Women’s Championship)
- Bill Pritchard: Pick: Ronda Rousey
- Tyler Treese: Adore her, but Sasha has no chance in hell. Pick: Ronda Rousey
- Harry Kettle: Pick: Ronda Rousey
- Robert DeFelice: Ronda and Sasha is a no contest after Becky and/or Charlotte interfere. Pick: No Contest
- John Clark: Pick: Ronda Rousey
- Michael McClead: Pick: Ronda Rousey
- Christopher McManus: Pick: Ronda Rousey
- Kevin Kellam: The bright lights of Wrestlemania are calling Ronda Rousey, and they have been her destination since joining WWE. If “The Boss” can make it look like the title could indeed change hands, it will be a success. Rousey needs to deliver on this big stage with one of the most tenured members of the women’s division. Pick: Ronda Rousey
Asuka (c) vs. Becky Lynch (SmackDown Women’s Championship)
- Bill Pritchard: Pick: Asuka
- Tyler Treese: It makes no sense to give Asuka the belt and have her lose it immediately. However, it makes even less sense to have Lynch pick up a loss at the moment. Pick: Becky Lynch
- Harry Kettle: Pick: Asuka
- Robert DeFelice: Asuka beats Becky after Ronda interferes. Pick: Asuka
- John Clark: Pick: Asuka
- Michael McClead: Pick: Asuka
- Christopher McManus: Pick: Asuka
- Kevin Kellam: Fishy washy ending maybe? But if the Empress can reign on with the MAN jumping in the Rumble unannounced then the women’s division will grow on two folds. Pick: Asuka
Daniel Bryan (c) vs. AJ Styles (WWE Championship)
- Bill Pritchard: Pick: Daniel Bryan
- Tyler Treese: Gotta go with the Planet Champion. Pick: Daniel Bryan
- Harry Kettle: Pick: Daniel Bryan
- Robert DeFelice: Bryan barely gets by AJ Styles to retain. Pick: Daniel Bryan
- John Clark: Pick: Daniel Bryan
- Michael McClead: Pick: Daniel Bryan
- Christopher McManus: Pick: Daniel Bryan
- Kevin Kellam: His new eco-warrior persona is so over, it’s like recycling. You pay attentiont because you have to, he’s undeniably doing the most charismatic work he has since his return to action last year. Styles does not need the gold, and he could benefit from a personal issue on the road to Mania. Expect another classic from these two. Pick: Daniel Bryan
Brock Lesnar (c) vs Finn Balor (Universal Championship)
- Bill Pritchard: Pick: Brock Lesnar
- Tyler Treese: They’ve built up Finn Balor so excellent the past few weeks. It feels like it is time to crown him. So, WWE will disappoint in a way only they can. Pick: Brock Lesnar
- Harry Kettle: Pick: Brock Lesnar
- Robert DeFelice: A new champion would be fun, but I don’t think Balor gets by Brock. Brock retains. Pick: Brock Lesnar
- John Clark: Pick: Brock Lesnar
- Michael McClead: Pick: Brock Lesnar
- Christopher McManus: Pick: Brock Lesnar
- Kevin Kellam: Balor/Lesnar is so much more of a compelling match than the tired Braun/Lesnar big man slog. Lesnar’s RAW performance felt more inspired which is something that was also noticeable during his last bout with another light heavyweight in Daniel Bryan, but though Balor is the underdog here he can ‘win’ proverbially by going the distance with the Beast. Pick: Brock Lesnar
2019 Women’s Royal Rumble match
- Bill Pritchard: Pick: Becky Lynch
- Tyler Treese: Woo! I think Charlotte wins and then takes on both champions in a match that is bigger than the belts. Pick: Charlotte Flair
- Harry Kettle: Pick: Becky Lynch
- Robert DeFelice: I’m going to go with the safe bet and say Charlotte wins solo. However, if Becky gets added, then I see them being co-winners a la Bret Hart and Lex Luger. Pick: Charlotte Flair
- John Clark: Pick: Ember Moon
- Michael McClead: Pick: Becky Lynch
- Christopher McManus: Pick: Becky Lynch
- Kevin Kellam: The “Universe” loves seeing Becky Lynch mess things up, so Becky losing a title match, and making a surprise appearance in this match would really set the deck for a big showdown at ‘Mania. Pick: Becky Lynch
2019 Men’s Royal Rumble match
- Bill Pritchard: Pick: Seth Rollins
- Tyler Treese: I want to see McIntyre get it, but I’m doubtful. Pick: Braun Strowman
- Harry Kettle: Pick: Seth Rollins
- Robert DeFelice: I think this is the year a surprise entrant wins. Gun to my head, I’m picking that surprise to be Batista. Pick: Batista
- John Clark: Pick: Seth Rollins
- Michael McClead: Pick: Seth Rollins
- Christopher McManus: Pick: Seth Rollins
- Kevin Kellam: It’s Rollins’ night. Of the stars who have entered the match, he’s been hitting strides. Pick: Seth Rollins
Yearly Rankings (by total correct picks, ties settled by least amount of wrong picks):
- Robert DeFelice (16-3)
- Tyler Treese (16-11)
- Harry Kettle (15-12)
- John Clark (13-14)
- Chris McManus (12-6)
- Michael McClead (10-17)
- Bill Pritchard (7-20)
- Jasmine Olan (5-5)
- Ross W Berman IV (2-2)
Yearly Rankings (by pick percentage, ties settled by number of picks):
- Robert DeFelice (84%)
- Chris McManus (66%)
- Tyler Treese (59%)
- Harry Kettle (55%)
- Jasmine Olan (50%)
- Ross W Berman IV (50%)
- John Clark (48%)
- Michael McClead (37%)
- Bill Pritchard (25%)
Results from NXT TakeOver: Phoenix:
- Tyler Treese, Harry Kettle, Robert DeFelice, Michael McClead (4-1)
- John Clark (3-2)
- Bill Pritchard (1-4)
Events picked: NXT TakeOver: Phoenix, NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool, IMPACT: Homecoming, Wrestle Kingdom 13.
