Yes, WrestleMania is ‘The Biggest Stage of Them All’ or ‘The Showcase of the Immortals’, but right now think of it as Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory, and Royal Rumble happens to be the Golden Ticket, which is why next Sunday happens to be one of the most important days in sports entertainment. Let’s check the card and the latest WWE odds for what is expected to be a pretty exciting evening.
2019 WWE Royal Rumble Odds, Preview & Picks
- When: Sunday, January 27, 7 PM ET
- Where: Chase Field, Phoenix, Arizona
- Brands: Raw/SmackDown/205 Live/NXT
- Live Stream: WWE Network
Brock Lesnar vs Finn Bálor (Universal Championship)
- 2019 WWE Royal Rumble Odds: Lesnar -360 / Balor +300
Brock Lesnar was supposed to face Braun Strowman, but if you attack Vince McMahon’s limo there will be repercussions. That’s what Strowman learned a few weeks ago when he ripped the door of Vince limo during Raw. The Chairman suspended him and Finn Bálor won a Fatal 4-Way Match to become the new challenger.
‘The Demon’ was the first-ever WWE Universal Champion, but an injury took all that away in a second, and Finn’s has not been the same since them. Now, this title shot looks like a reward for his commitment with the company but doesn’t look like a good one as Brock Lesnar reign should continue until Strowman is ready for a ‘Clash of the Titans’. Go with Paul Heyman’s client.
Daniel Bryan vs AJ Styles (WWE Championship)
- 2019 WWE Royal Rumble Odds: Bryan -400 / Styles +330
The new Daniel Bryan is entertaining, but the real AJ Styles is better. Bryan and Styles have been exchanging attacks for weeks, and there are several rumors about AJ Styles not being happy with his current contract (and AEW knocking on his door), but Vince is no fool, Styles has to be on WrestleMania 35 and giving him the WWE Championship is the right way to continue negotiations.
Ronda Rousey vs Sasha Banks (Raw Women’s Championship)
- 2019 WWE Royal Rumble Odds: Rousey -1600 / Banks +700
Ronda Rousey was undefeated until last Monday when she and Natalya lost to Sasha Banks and Bailey in a tag team match on Raw. Yes, Natalya was the one who surrendered, but still, is an official match and Rousey was on the losing team. That was the perfect move to sell their one on one match next Sunday, as Rousey will be looking for revenge while Banks will try to defeat Rowdy for the first time in a singles match. Is the new kid on the block against the boss, but I can’t think of a reason why WWE would want Rousey to lose before WrestleMania 35, where she’s supposed to face Charlotte and Becky Lynch.
Asuka vs Becky Lynch (SmackDown Women’s Championship)
- 2019 WWE Royal Rumble Odds: Asuka -180 / Lynch +150
Speaking of Becky Lynch, ‘The Man’ is going to face Asuka for the SmackDown Women’s Championship, a tittle Asuka won at TLC with a little bit of help by Ronda Rousey. Lynch has become a mighty force and one of the WWE Universe favorites; she definitely has to reach WrestleMania 35 as champion.
The Bar vs The Miz & Shane McMahon (SmackDown Tag Team Championship)
- 2019 WWE Royal Rumble Odds: The Bar +150 / The Miz & Shane McMahon -180
The Miz & Shane are pure entertainment, while The Bar is a more solid tag team, and let’s face it, Sheamus and Cesaro are better wrestlers.
Last Tuesday, The Bar sent a clear message by bashing The Miz & Shane through a table. Shane is recognized for being an extremist and is time for a change in the tag team division, so back the heir and his new BFF.
Buddy Murphy vs. Akira Tozawa vs. Kalisto vs. Hideo Itami (WWE Cruiserweight Championship)
- 2019 WWE Royal Rumble Odds: TBA
Buddy Murphy recognized that Alexa Bliss saved his career, and next Sunday he’ll defend his Cruiserweight Championship during the Kickoff of Royal Rumble. Both Kalisto and Akira Tozawa are former champions, while Hideo Itami is screaming for respect and this looks like the perfect opportunity to prove he’s worthy by winning the title.
Rusev vs Shinsuke Nakamura (United States Championship)
- 2019 WWE Royal Rumble Odds: TBA
The United States Championship was losing prestige until Rusev came to save the day. Don’t get me wrong, Shinsuke Nakamura is a great wrestler, but WWE hasn’t known how to develop his character, while Rusev has been waiting to prove his worth. Prepare to celebrate, one more time, Rusev Day!
Men’s Royal Rumble Match
The Big Daddy. The Royal Rumble match is the main event as it grants a golden ticket to the WrestleMania main event. One by one, 30 superstars enter the ring at equal intervals, and the last man standing inside the ring wins. Elimination occurs when a Superstar is thrown over the top rope, and both of his feet hit the floor.
Entering number 30 increases your odds, and this year No. 30 is no other than R-Truth, but he’s not going to win. Seth Rollins (+130), Braun Strowman (+440), and Drew McIntyre (+500) lead the favorites list. One of the coolest features of the Royal Rumble is that literally, anybody can come out of the back.
Recent Royal Rumble winners include Shinsuke Nakamura, Randy Orton, Triple H, Roman Reigns, Batista, and John Cena.
Participants
- R-Truth
- Drew McIntyre
- Big E
- Kofi Kingston
- Xavier Woods
- Seth Rollins
- Jeff Hardy
- Dean Ambrose
- Bobby Lashley
- Samoa Joe
- Braun Strowman
- Elias
- Baron Corbin
- Jinder Mahal
- Apollo Crews
- Andrade
- Mustafa Ali
- Rey Mysterio
- Titus O’Neil
- Randy Orton
Women’s Royal Rumble Match
Last year, Asuka won the first ever Women’s Royal Rumble Match, but things look a lot different for this edition. Charlotte Flair appears as a huge favorite (-200), followed by Becky Lynch (+150) and Alexa Bliss (+1600), is no secret WWE is planning a match between Charlotte and Ronda Rousey for WrestleMania 35, but Becky’s recent popularity has made the creative team to think it twice.
Participants
- Carmella
- Ember Moon
- Natalya
- Bayley
- Ruby Riott
- Liv Morgan
- Sarah Logan
- Mandy Rose
- Sonya Deville
- Alicia Fox
- Zelina Vega
- Naomi
- Mickie James
- Billie Kay
- Peyton Royce
- Charlotte Flair
- Tamina
- Dana Brooke
- Lana
- Nia Jax
- Nikki Cross
- Alexa Bliss
- Lacey Evans
