Welcome to Royal Rumble Countdown brought to you by THISENT.com and The Wrestling Heroes and Insiders Podcast aka The WHIP Show!
World Wrestling Entertainment’s annual Royal Rumble match is a variation of the traditional Battle Royal match. With a total of 30 competitors, two WWE Superstars start in the ring then every 90 seconds thereafter another Superstar enters. A Superstar is eliminated when they’re thrown over the top rope and both feet touch the floor.
The last remaining Superstar is guaranteed a championship opportunity at WrestleMania versus the current Undisputed WWE Universal Champion.
The 36th annual Royal Rumble happens live from the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on January 28, 2023.
We think Jey Uso should be its winner.
One-half of the longest reigning tag team champions in WWE history, “Main Event” Jay has long since planted the seed to dethrone his cousin, Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns. With them being successful collectively as The Bloodline, and the passing of time, maybe it’s been forgotten that The Tribal Chief’s first championship rival was Jay.
After several intense battles, Jay was forced to – and quite reluctantly – fall in line behind Reigns. But don’t think for a second the hot-headed son of Rikishi has forgotten. Oh, no. He balances two tag titles and a chip on his shoulder.
We were reminded the size of that chip on the Oct. 28, 2022, episode of Smackdown when Jey responded to a Reigns thought prompt by “Honorary Uce” Sami Zayn with, “I don’t give a damn what The Tribal Chief thinks!”
Imagine the last 3 competitors in the Royal Rumble match is Zayn and his real-life best friend/in-ring rival Kevin Owens, and Jey Uso. Sami’s relationship with Owens is a quieter point of contention following War Games at Survivor Series 2022, but it should be expected to get considerably louder on the road to WrestleMania.
As Owens continues to target Reigns, in that Rumble scenario we could see Sami eager to show his allegiance to The Bloodline. Zayn would be forced to eliminate the Prize Fighter, only to be tossed over the top rope by Jey immediately thereafter.
This would lead to an infuriated Reigns and vengeful Jey having a heated, emotional, epic championship match at WrestleMania 39.
Having learned from his defeats and watching The Tribal Chief so closely, Jey could use his experience and short fuse to end his cousin’s historic reign and become both the new champion and Head of the Table. |THIS ENT + The WHIP Show
Royal Rumble Winners: Jim Duggan (1988), Big John Studd (’89), Hulk Hogan (’90, ’91), Ric Flair (’92), Yokozuna (’93), Bret Hart/Lex Luger (’94), Shawn Michaels (’95, ’96), Steve Austin (’97, ’98), Mr. McMahon (’99), The Rock (2000), Steve Austin (’01), Triple H (’02), Brock Lesnar (’03), Chris Benoit (’04), Batista (’05), Rey Mysterio (’06), The Undertaker (’07), John Cena (’08), Randy Orton (’09), Edge (’10), Alberto Del Rio (’11), Sheamus (’12), John Cena (’13), Batista (’14), Roman Reigns (’15), Triple H (’16), Randy Orton (’17), Shinsuke Nakamura (’18), Seth Rollins (’19), Drew McIntyre (’20), Edge (2021), Brock Lesnar (2022)
Post-Credits Bonus:
Jey Uso should win WWE’s 2021 Royal Rumble
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DOUBLE BONUS: The WHIP Show with guest Toa Maivia
