The Royal Rumble is just 2 days away; one man (and woman) will stand tall after surviving 29 other competitors, all seeking the same thing - a title shot at Mania.
Spearheading the Netflix era of WWE by being the first PLE of the year (not counting Saturday Night's Main Event), the Rumble in Indianapolis this Saturday is sure to be filled with action, shocks, and surprise appearances.
Many will enter, but only one will be left standing victorious.
As is tradition, the Royal Rumble is the start of the Road to Wrestlemania. It is an event where any superstar can pull off the win and earn themselves a guaranteed shot at a World Championship of their choosing.
To earn the prize, competitors enter the ring at timed intervals and have to throw opponents over the top rope. If their feet touch the floor, the person is eliminated and must leave the ring.
That is the gist of the match and its rules. There are men's and women's rumbles. However, with the recent addition of intergender matches in the upcoming WWE 2K25, could we see a certain lucha libre enter the women's Rumble? We have seen women enter the men's Rumble in the past, with the likes of Chyna and Nia Jax throwing down with the men.
Maybe this year, Penta will find his way into the women's match to seek out past opponents Iyo Sky and Chelsea Green.
Before discussing our predictions, of course, we have to discuss the ringer himself, Mr. John Cena. After announcing his retirement last year, Cena has until December 2025 to win one final title, placing himself above Ric Flair for the all-time championship wins record.
Now, there are other chances throughout the year to earn a title shot, such as the Elimination Chamber and Money in the Bank. And thanks to WWE advertising Big Match John as being in the Elimination Chamber match in Toronto this March, I find it hard to believe he will win the Rumble.
In fact, I don't think Cena will win the Elimination Chamber either, but that is a conversation for another article.
Many superstars, including Seth Rollins, Drew McIntyre, CM Punk, and John Cena, have already declared for the Rumble. You can be sure that throughout the night, we could see returning stars and legends also enter in the hope of starting their year with a championship shot on the grandest stage of them all.
AJ Styles is most likely to return during the men's Rumble, and the return we predict for the women's, well, we will discuss that further down the article.
There is an outside chance we could see someone like Brock Lesnar show, which would change the entire dynamic of the WWE and would shock everyone, but with recent ongoings and accusations, it is unlikely we will get to see the beast incarnate on Saturday.
Without further ado, I'll start with our staff predictions for the 2025 men's Royal Rumble winner.
Francisco (RealSport 101 Editor)
Winner: CM Punk
I think that CM Punk will win it this year, no question. He has yet to win a Royal Rumble and is on a great run right now, heading towards a clash with one of the two title holders. We got to see a tease of this with Cody on Raw this Monday, and that is a match I now have to see! So yes, my answer is CM Punk.
Andres Aquito (Evergreen Editor)
Winner: CM Punk
Honestly, it's a predictable yet obvious choice, isn't it? You can have CM Punk and John Cena as the final two, making the crowd go wild. Having Cena lose so close to the finish line would set him up for redemption at Elimination Chamber while giving Punk his well-deserved first Rumble win.
While picking the second city saint is one of the obvious choices, and he is one of my favorite wrestlers of all time, my answer deviated from the others.
Winner: Sami Zayn
Now, calm down, and let me explain.
While there may indeed be 'better' picks to some, Sami is not just the underdog in the Rumble; he is the underdog of WWE.
After spending the best part of Roman's title run by his side as a member of the Bloodline, it is time for Sami to step out on his own. After a discussion with his former best friend Kevin Owens about a potential match at Mania (after KO proves he is the true WWE Champion on Saturday), Sami managed to kick Cody Rhodes in the face after he brawled with Owens.
Seeing the pair who came up in wrestling together headline Mania for the winged eagle belt is like poetry; seeing former Bloodline lapdog Sami in the final 2 tossing none other than the tribal chief Roman Reigns over the top rope?
Cinema.
Winner: Charlotte Flair.
There are a few standout potential candidates for the women's Rumble, but no one stands out more than the Queen—Charlotte Flair.
Charlotte has been out of action since December 2023 with a torn ACL, MCL, and meniscus requiring surgery. She is hotly rumored to appear this Saturday during the Rumble.
Charlotte will waste no time reclaiming her crown as one of history's most dominant female wrestlers. That is why my decision for the winner of the women's Rumble was quick and easy.
Francisco (RealSport 101 Editor)
Winner: Charlotte Flair.
Charlotte Flair is coming back to establish their dominance over the women's division once again. It wouldn't be WrestleMania without Charlotte Flair in it, so I expect 'The Queen' to win the Rumble and face Tiffany Stratton at WrestleMania 41.
Andres Aquito (Evergreen Editor)
Winner: Iyo Sky
Charlotte Flair's return coming back to overshadow one of the hardest-working performers in WWE this past year doesn't sit well with me. It's a tough call, given the numerous changes needed in the current WWE landscape to justify an Iyo Rumble win, but I would much rather see a match between Sky and Rhea Ripley than Flair and Tiffany Stratton at Mania.
So, who will outlast the rest and earn their shot at glory? Tune in this Saturday and watch the Royal Rumble live on Netflix to find out!