In 2005 and 2006 picking the winner for the Royal Rumble was came easy for me. Last year I picked Shawn Michaels to win the Rumble, but it was the Undertaker that left as the Royal Rumble winner, and my back to back Rumble winning streak came to an end. Well tonight I am having a hell of a time picking a winner. In fact I’m having a hell of a time picking most of the show’s winners. There are 2 matches that I am certain that I will get right, but the rest of the matches can certainly go either way. I’m a little shaky about my predictions, but I always say it’s nice when a show isn’t too predictable. So on with my picks for tonight’s show.
Chris Jericho vs. JBL
Listen, I’m not expecting a lot in the ring. I have never been a big fan of JBL’s wrestling. And that’s not because he doesn’t give his all, it’s just that his style of wrestling isn’t for me. We all know what Jericho brings to the ring and I have a feeling he’s going to be working extra hard to make this a passable match. I would have made this a street fight. This way they could have used weapons and made it brutal and bloody. It would be great if tonight’s match works and we see strong chemistry between Jericho and JBL, which would be a nice bonus. It’s definitely a toss up as far as who will win the match. Logic tells me JBL wins by cheating, but I’m picking Jericho for two reasons. One, he lost his first pay per view match since his return at Armageddon so I think losing back to back pay per view matches would stink, and two, JBL attacked him two weeks ago in such a brutal way that it’s only right that Jericho pisses off Bradshaw by pulling out a win.
Winner: Chris Jericho
United States Champion MVP vs. Ric Flair (Career Threatening Match)
Let’s face it MVP will not be retiring Ric Flair tonight. The more impressive Ric Flair’s opponents look in the ring, the better Ric Flair looks. So I would love to see MVP really shine tonight. This way not only will he make this match outstanding, but as I said Ric Flair will look so much better as well. I have no idea if these two will click out there, if they click, then this should come off entertaining, if not, then it will just be a match that shouldn’t have been booked for a pay per view, especially a major pay per view like tonight’s.
Winner: Rick WOOOOO Flair
Rey Mysterio vs. Edge (World Heavyweight Championship Match)
The winner of this match is Edge. This is a certainty. Have you noticed how they put Rey Mysterio in title matches when one major feud has ended and they are waiting to build up another one? Rey is like filler, and because of this there is NO way that Edge will lose to him. I will tell you one thing; this is going to be a fantastic match and one match that I cannot wait to see. You have two very capable guys out there and I have a feeling that this could turn out to be one of the top matches of the night.
Winner: Edge
Randy Orton vs. Jeff Hardy (WWE Championship Match)
This is the match that I am really waiting for. If Rey and Edge are going to have one of the best matches of the night, then I have to say that Hardy and Orton will end up with the match of the night. These two guys have built up one hell of a rivalry and I’m just so excited to have a Hardy brother in the title picture. I’m stoked for this one and while I’ll be honest with you while I can see a Jeff Hardy victory, I’m still not 100 percent sure that Vince is ready to have Jeff hold the WWE title. I’m sticking with Randy Orton for the win, and these two to continue at No Way Out.
Winner: Randy Orton
The Royal Rumble Match
I say this all the time, but I’m not a fan of the Royal Rumble match itself, maybe because for me it only gets interesting in the final minutes. And the final minutes should prove to be quite interesting. I’m guessing that MVP, Undertaker, Batista and maybe Hunter and Shawn Michaels along with CM Punk, if Punk is added to the match will be the remaining guys. Now don’t hold me to this because I really don’t know who will remain, but I have to say I am feeling an Undertaker win. I think Taker will win his second Rumble in a row and face Edge at Wrestlemania. And if it’s not a night for Taker, then my second choice would go to Triple H.
Winner: The Undertaker
With the show taking place at Madison Square Garden, I am expecting one very noisy and lively crowd. Thank you all for sending me your picks and please keep them coming in. Hopefully this show will rock and I will be back on Tuesday with my Rumble thoughts as well as my Raw thoughts. Maybe Tuesday I will have a column full of nothing but great things to talk about.
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