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Welcome to the first part of a two-part WWE Royal Rumble preview!
This Sunday, the 30th annual Royal Rumble event takes place in San Antonio, Texas. It’s one of the “Big Four” WWE pay-per-views (Along with Survivor Series, Summerslam, and Wrestlemania). There are many reasons why this has the potential to be one of the biggest Royal Rumble pay-per-views in history. And over these next two days, Michael Berry Sr. and I (Jeremy Karp) will give you our thoughts and predictions over every match.
Let’s begin, shall we?
1. RAW Tag Team Championship match. This match will feature the champions (Cesaro and Sheamus) facing off against Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson.
Michael’s take:
“The hope here has to be that WWE would finally start using The Club the right way and not just as enhancement talent. The issue is that there may not be a hotter tag team than Cesaro/Sheamus. The resident odd couple of the WWE, it wouldn’t make much sense to pull the belts off of Cesaro and Sheamus quite yet. The best case scenario for The Club would be a trade to Smackdown Live to reunite with AJ, or an unexpected return and heel turn of one Finn Balor.
My more down to earth prediction is Cesaro and Sheamus retain the Tag Titles, with the misuse of the Club continuing.”
Jeremy’s take:
“It was last year that Cesaro and Sheamus were bitter enemies competing in a great best-of-seven series. Now they are the hottest tag team on Monday Night RAW, and perhaps in all of the WWE. The Club has had the unfortunate fate of not knowing how to get clean wins, and it’s hurt their credibility in my book. They are legit contenders and top notch wrestlers; just because they’re heels doesn’t mean they can’t win a match fairly. And don’t expect it to happen at the Royal Rumble, with Cesaro and Sheamus retaining.”
2. Sasha Banks vs. Nia Jax
Michael’s take:
“This will not be another Nia Jax squash match, at least it better not be. The E (WWE) has invested a lot in The Boss, and this match will speak volumes in whether or not they will continue to do so. That said Nia Jax has the potential to be the next big thing in the Raw women’s division. With the move to separate Sasha and Charlotte from their epic months long feud, the obvious move here would be a Nia Jax win. This match has the potential to be a show stealer, and Nia may just be scratching the surface in a brilliant career.
Prediction: Nia Jax wins in an instant classic, perhaps with overtones of a Sasha Banks heel turn afterwards.”
Jeremy’s take:
“Sasha. Sasha. Sasha. It’s amazing how such a talented wrestler has faded down the ladder. Of course, injuries definitely have played a role in that, but it’s a shame to see it happen nonetheless. As for Jax, she has been in nothing in squash matches since Day One. And quite frankly, it’s run its course. At least when Braun Strowman is in a squash match, there’s something entertaining to take out of it.
Prediction: This match will be the biggest test of Jax’s WWE main roster career so far. Nevertheless… I see Jax winning after an attempted late rally by Banks.”
3. Becky Lynch, Nikki Bella, and Naomi vs Alexa Bliss, Mickie James, and Natalya
Michael’s take:
“This match sees the official return to Mickie James to the WWE, and this has the potential to be another show stealer. Alexa Bliss has delivered in her role as heel champion and adding Mickie James to her act is sure to help. Natalya qualifies as the third wheel for the heel side, and you have to feel for her at this rage of her career, as time wouldn’t seem to be on her side for a championship run. On the other side you have two females stars in Becky Lynch, the Lass Kicker, and Nikki Bella, who while inevitably she gets criticized as benefiting from being John Cena‘s girlfriend,no one can deny the improvement she has realized in the ring. Naomi is the seemingly third wheel in the face side, and hopefully can gain some momentum by being in this match.
Prediction: Nikki Bella pins Alexa Bliss to get the win for her team, and begin the process for a Smackdown Women’s Championship match at Wrestlemania, potentially a triple threat vs Bliss and Mickie James.”
Jeremy’s take:
“I’ve really enjoyed the evolution of the feud between Lynch, Bliss, and now including Mickie James, who has always been one of my favorite female wrestlers. Speaking of feuds, the one between Nikki Bella and Natalya has gotten personal, and because both are highly talented, a rivalry that could’ve been dead on arrival will continue on successfully. Naomi hasn’t been placed in a well-established feud yet since joining Smackdown LIVE! which gives her some good leverage in this tag team match.
Prediction: I see Bliss, Natalya, and James winning the match with Naomi getting the pin for her team, putting her back on the map.”
4. Rich Swann vs. Neville (Cruiserweight title match)
Michael’s take:
“One of the best things to come out of the new focus on the Cruiserweight division within WWE, has been the opportunity to bring those who may not have been on WWE TV, to the forefront. The other benefit would be the ability to add layers and a new heel persona to Neville, who desperately needed to be refreshed. Neville has taken the ball and ran with it, but faces a very formidable opponent in Swann. Expect this match to be high flying and exciting as per the norm form the well executed 205 Live Crew.
Prediction: Neville wins the title in controversial fashion.”
Jeremy’s take:
“I’ve stated on The Jeremy Karp Show in the past how I feel the cruiserweights have been used. To say the least, it’s been mixed. They are a great group of wrestlers, and having their own show is great to advance storylines between them. But the quality of their matches on RAW could use work. Anyway, we have Swann and Neville. While Swann is a high-flying athlete with a great vertical, Neville is an absolute wrecking machine by cruiserweight standards. He is quick, agile, and still so powerful for a man his size. And he has one of the best finishers in all of wrestling (Red Arrow).
Prediction: The finishing move I mentioned above? Yea, I expect Neville to use it and win the Cruiserweight title over Swann.
TUNE IN TOMORROW FOR PART TWO!
Also, be sure to check out The Jeremy Karp Show, every Tuesday on iTunes and Libsyn. We’re also on Facebook and Twitter!
