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 Sami Zayn should be its winner.
One of WWE’s most popular Superstars, “The Honorary Uce” dubbed Sami Uso has found his place, and respect, amongst faction The Bloodline.
The former 2-time Pro Wrestling Guerilla World Champion, Ring of Honor Television Champion, NXT Champion, and 3-time WWE Intercontinental Champion sits seemingly in a comfortable seat beside head of the table, Tribal Chief, and Unified WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns.
That seating arrangement isn’t going to last.
Sami’s relationship with onscreen rival, real life best friend Kevin 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, we could see a Royal Rumble scenario where Sami is forced to eliminate the Prize Fighter as one of the final three contestants but not before Owns throws Reigns’ cousin and righthand Jey Uso over the top first. Sami would show his allegiance to The Bloodline by extracting his best friend.
Instead of The Bloodline celebrating Zayn for winning, they could turn on him instead. Ousting him from the group in violent fashion.
This would set up Zayn’s motivated chance to end Reigns’ historic run as champion, finally claiming WWE’s top prize at WrestleMania 39. A moment punctuated by a flood of ovation, Zayn would be too excited and elated to notice Owens lurking in the water to attack the newly crowned champion. |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)
BONUS: The WHIP Show with guest Afa Anoai Jr.
