WWE ROYAL RUMBLE: XHeadlines Staff Predicts the Outcome

XHeadlines has always been known for its strong abilities to correctly predict the outcomes of the WWE’s pay-per-view shows. One of the most shocking predictions was made by Jacob Spades when he accurately picked the winner of the 2007 Survivor Series Elimination match, even being as bold as to predict that Jeff Hardy pinning Umaga while Hardy and Triple H were the final two standing with seven eliminations. XHeadlines will no doubt continue its impressive ways as we start the new year off right with the Royal Rumble predictions. Let’s meet the participants:
Joe Balrog is the Owner and Founder of both XHeadlines and TBL Wrestling. Joe also writes a daily blog called Joe’s Journal and at one time wrote TBL’s News and Rumor Report. And every once in a while, you might catch one of his RAW Wishes reviews, though you’re more likely to catch one of his TNA Major Impact reports!
Jacob Spades is the Webmaster of XHeadlines. Jacob spent nearly four years as part of the TBL Wrestling family before undertaking the large task of overseeing Joe’s most recent project. Back in his days at TBL Wrestling, Jacob wrote the opinion column “Tricks of the Trade” reviewing several WrestleMania shows while reporting news. Now he spends most of his time assisting his XHeadlines staff while still finding time to churn our “The Crap Shoot” (a weekly RAW Review) and “Tricks of the Trade” (a PPV novelty).
Barb Pinnella has been with the TBL Wrestling/XHeadlines family for years upon years. Her contributions are regular gems and always a treat to read. Her column “Howlings” often takes a look at some of the more controversial topics behind the scenes of wrestling. Most notably, her writings of “Chris Benoit” and “B is for Bleed” get our readers fired up!
ROYAL RUMBLE CARD:
WWE Championship Match
Randy Orton (c) vs. Jeff Hardy

World Heavyweight Championship Match
Rey Mysterio vs. Edge (c)
Career Threatening Match
United States Champion MVP vs. Ric Flair
Chris Jericho vs. JBL
The 2008 Royal Rumble Match

XHeadlines Predictions:

WWE Championship Match
Randy Orton (c) vs. Jeff Hardy
Joe: Randy Orton. Jeff Hardy has done amazing things on RAW, but in the highly political WWE, he’s just a bump on the road to the WrestleMania match between Triple H and Randy Orton.
Jacob: I have to agree with you, Joe. Jeff Hardy can thank Triple H for his opportunity. I think Jeff is best used right now as a face-chaser. He’s no doubt gotten more hype than anyone I can think of in recently memory. It seems the fans of WWE no matter their age can get behind the Rainbow-Haired Warrior that is Jeff Hardy.
Barb: As much as I would love to see Jeff win this one, I don’t think the WWE is ready to pull the belt off of Randy and give it to Hardy. If Randy wins it makes it easier to continue their feud. Wait, maybe I’m wrong about that. How mad would Orton be if Jeff beat him? Yeah, really mad. Still, I don’t see Hardy getting that final push, at least not right now. But I have to say, in my opinion he deserves it. He has been so strong for the company of late.
World Heavyweight Championship Match
Rey Mysterio vs. Edge (c)
Jacob: Edge will keep his belt in a match that I feel was never built to begin with. Mysterio won the Beat the Clock Challenge, but other than that there was hardly any feuding. Edge will likely keep the belt until WrestleMania, barring another injury or major change of plans. In fact, I’d go as far as saying that CM Punk will challenge him for the World Heavyweight Championship at No Way Out. It seems they’ve already been building that fued for a few weeks now.
Joe: Edge. Mysterio (along with Hardy) will be in the Elimination Chamber match at No Way Out, so I don’t see why he’d win this match.
Barb: Rey has been Heavyweight Champion before, even though that seems like a pretty ridiculous title for him. He is a very, very talented small man, (and I am not enthralled with the big men as is Vince), but give him the WWE title if you want to put a belt on him. The Heavyweight division used to mean something. I don’t see Rey beating Edge on Sunday.
Career Threatening Match
United States Champion MVP vs. Ric Flair
Barb: It seems a given that Flair will be leaving us after Wrestlemania this year, so no way will he lose to MVP. If he does, there will be some circumstance that changes things. Besides, MVP is so cocky (good, though) that Ric needs to beat him to take him down a couple of pegs. So Flair will win this match.
Joe: Ric Flair. Since Ric is on his retirement track, he’s not going to be put out of business by MVP.
Jacob: Ditto.
Chris Jericho vs. JBL
Joe: Jericho. JBL may be one of my favorite wrestlers, but I feel like Jericho will win here which will prompt a gimmick match between the two at No Way Out.
Barb: From everything I’ve heard, JBL is still not a daily active wrestler, so I’m not sure where this feud will go. This match will be intense, though. Both men can really turn it up, and Jericho has been doing a great job getting out of his fun-loving persona and showing his serious side. Maybe because I want this, I pick Y2J to win this match-up.
Jacob: I actually see JBL winning this match. It kind of feels like the heat between these two is kind of flat, so I expect JBL to really turn it up and pull some dirty tricks to pull out a tainted victory.
The Royal Rumble Match
Barb: Wow, this is a hard one to pick, at least for me. There are several men who could quite easily fit into the title picture at Wrestlemania. We have Batista, Undertaker, Umaga (but please, no), Finley, Kennedy, Triple H and Hardcore Holly. It wouldn’t surprise me if Vince had Umaga win and go for the domination effect, but that would not make me happy. Any of the others would work for me. To be honest, even though I’ve never been quiet about my affection for The Undertaker, I would be very happy if Holly was able to make the move. I don’t think that will happen, but I’d like it. Not too helpful, huh? If I had to pin it down, I’d say either Triple H, Undertaker, or Batista.
Joe: Triple H. I hate this guy, but how can you bet against the guy who is sleeping with the Head Writer for WWE? Plus, look at the scrubs who have been added to the match so far. Snitsky, Hornswoggle, Hardcore Holly, The Miz – it’s obvious that none of these guys are going to win the big one. If I had to choose someone besides Levesque to win, I’d go with The Undertaker.
Jacob: My choice for the Rumble winner is Batista. For the record, I have Triple H as being a close 2nd. I’d like to see McMahon and Regal continue to derail Triple H’s ability to compete for the title, so I’m looking for them to cause his elimination in some fashion and continue to put obstacles in his way. With that being said, he’ll likely be one of the first two in the Elimination Chamber. Batista will go on to WrestleMania to take on Edge.