WWE: Is the 2024 Royal Rumble the Most Open in Years?
Throughout the last few years, the Royal Rumble match has been somewhat of a foregone conclusion. The man – or woman – that everyone expected to win the over-the-top-rope extravaganza has duly done exactly that, punching their ticket to WrestleMania in the process. But 2024 certainly looks to be different.
Three Genuine Contenders?
At present, there are three genuine contenders to win the men’s matchup, at least if the online bookmakers are to be believed anyway. They have published their prices as to who they think will win the big one in recent weeks and the two men that everyone expected to be at the top of said list were duly there. Namely, CM Punk and Cody Rhodes.
Ever since the former made his triumphant return in his hometown of Chicago at the culmination of a stellar Survivor Series premium live event, many predicted that he could well be the one to win the Rumble and head down the Road to WrestleMania. At the Showcase of the Immortals, he is expected to face off against Seth Rollins in a clash that has been years in the making. Winning the Rumble would be the perfect way to make that happen, especially as the Visionary is the current World Heavyweight Champion,
However, last year’s winner – namely the aforementioned Rhodes – is also a contender. He was expected to go on to face current Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns in the pair’s second straight ‘Mania main event. However, considering the fact that he won the match last year, he was pushed into the role of second favorite as WWE doesn’t like to have the same Rumble match winner two years in a row. In fact, no one has won back-to-back Rumbles since a certain Stone Cold Steve Austin in 1997 and 1998.
A Spanner in the Works?
And if CM Punk’s return and the company’s reluctance to book back-to-back winners wasn’t bad enough news for the American Nightmare, then the return of a certain Great One certainly was. Specifically one by the name of The Rock. But not a version of the Brahma Bull intent on slaying the likes of Austin Theory and Jinder Mahal. No. A version of the Rock that is intent on sitting at the Head of the Table.
When the Hollywood megastar uttered those words on the New Year’s Day edition of Monday Night Raw, the 15,000 fans in attendance in San Diego, California lost their minds. And it instantly catapulted him into a genuine contender to win the Royal Rumble match. In fact, he has been installed as the second favorite, pushing Rhodes down to third in the current odds list.
But fans shouldn’t get ahead of themselves for a generational clash just yet. Over the years, a number of names have been considered a favorite and haven’t even competed in the match. Sami Zayn was that man last year, listed as the second favorite to eventual winner Rhodes. Back in 2014, many expected Daniel Bryan to win the match however, he too wouldn’t even enter and the honor would go to Batista.
So with that being said, perhaps Rhodes’ mission to finish his story isn’t in tatters just yet. But don’t be surprised to hear The Rock’s iconic music hit when the clock ticks down at Tropicana Field on January 27th.
