This year’s edition of the Royal Rumble arrives amidst a curious period within the wrestling business. At this stage of the year, we’re usually waist-deep in discussion about Mania, and grumbling about how HHH is being set up in a title match at the big event. However, the beginning of 2010 has seen enormous changes behind the scenes in TNA that have made that company, the main talking point of insiders, while the WWE’s biggest coup has been to bring Bret Hart back to the fold, following an absence that he had maintained since 1997.

That said, the 2010 Rumble has been built up, in the eyes of many, very well indeed. It’s a far cry from last year, which saw the event draw a dismal buyrate, by it’s own standards, because the WWE couldn’t be arsed offering any compelling reason for fans to tune in. The fed felt that the Rumble name itself was enough of a draw. It wasn’t. Have they done enough this year? Not by my reckoning…. But for those of us who do tune in, it should be a bit of alright…

Royal Rumble Match

Two weeks ago, Raw was a show that generally, hyped up the mammoth battle royal very well indeed. The focal point of the show was DX, but it culminated in a post-match angle, that strongly put over the intent of Triple H, Shawn Michaels, John Cena, and The Big Show, in winning the PPV match. Expertly performed, this angle emphasised the significance of the bout, and how much it meant to these stars.

But what about the rest of the roster? Year after year I bemoan that regardless of how good the Rumble build is, they only establish three or four genuine contenders to win the bout. That shouldn’t be the case. It’s the one time of the year where the company can play off the fact that anyone on the roster has a shot, and for at least a month (they had close to TWO MONTHS this time round), they should all be cutting promos, and doing sit-down interviews as to why it’s so important. Throwing together dozy “Over the top Challenge Matches” doesn’t cut it. The likes of Mark Henry and Big Show may be booked to win those, but they aren’t guys who will be winning the big one. We should be seeing strong performances such as Kofi being put over Show, at this time of year, and guys like MVP and Miz being booked competitively, not to look like jobbers.

This year, the only people realistically who may win the whole thing, are HHH, Michaels, Cena, and Batista. Chris Jericho is an outside bet, alongside maybe Punk, if they‘re feeling progressive, or Edge, if he replicates Cena‘s early return from 2008. Those latter three aren’t likely.

The issue there with the, isn’t just predictability, it’s that all of those guys (Jericho aside), have all won Rumbles before.  That shouldn’t be the stale scenario we face heading to Mania- A future filled with the same guys head-lining for another year.. Despite that, there are other compelling stories at work. What about the tension amidst Legacy? I don’t see DiBiase winning, as many have felt he would, nor do I think he should. He’s been booked far too weakly over the past year to be handed a Main Event at Mania, as a baby face. Of course, that doesn’t rule out a split from Orton, or a match with his leader at the big super card, but I don’t see winning the Rumble as a means to that end. I don’t see Punk winning either- but that’s because despite being the most over heel around at the moment, he isn’t going to be in a title match at Mania. Unless of course, they’re going towards Rey/Punk, with hair, mask, and belt on the line. I can’t imagine that. The other big heel name, who is a probable contender, Jericho, isn’t likely to be booked against the champ at Mania, which rules him out for me.

Honestly, I think it comes down to whether they’re going with HHH/Michaels and Cena/Taker, or Taker/Michaels and HHH/Seamus at Wrestlemania. By the time the title bouts are done with- I imagine we will all be able to guess who’s coming out on top, a little more accurately.

With that in mind, I’ve no doubt however, that the Rumble will be an excellent contest. Aside from last year, they’ve recently, genuinely, made a great effort in booking the final moments of the match especially, and built up to an ending that rewards what amounts to an hour of the viewers attention.  The actual winner may only come down to two or three choices, but this year, the thrill will come from how they get there.

Winner: Either Triple H or John Cena

World Title Match

Undertaker© vs. Rey Mysterio

This is something a little different, and one to look forward to, despite the dilapidated bodies of both men. Nobody is giving Mysterio a shot in hell at winning, which is understandable. But if the intent is to build up steam for a Michaels/Taker rivalry, it’s possibly Rey could take the strap to the elimination chamber at least, and Batista or HBK involvement could help us towards that. I don’t expect this to go longer than ten minutes though, and I can see the fans completely siding with Taker.

Winner: Undertaker

WWE Title Match

Seamus© vs. Randy Orton

How dumb was it, to have John Cena standing tall over both champion and challenger last Monday?

As Orton is a last minute replacement for Cena here, I can’t imagine Orton taking the title. But given how often plans change in WWE, who knows?  Plus that logic would throw off all my ranting about the Rumble.  It’ll be interesting to see how these two work together, and who the crowd get behind. Wisdom and past experience would indicate that  it should be Orton, and thus he can play the Babyface, as something of a dry run for the inevitable turn. But Seamus hasn’t been entirely without support, and Orton is such a super-strong heel, it’s hard to tell. No classic I imagine, but it’s fresh at least. I have fond memories of a belting encounter from the 2001 Rumble, between Kurt Angle and Triple, when both those guys were heels, so I can see a similar dynamic here. It’s hard not to see more interference in this one, but I hope not. As much as Orton needs clean, PPV wins, Seamus needs them much more right now.

Winner: Seamus

ECW Title Match

Christian© vs. Ezekiel Jackson

Poor Christian. This probably isn’t the sort of PPV match that one could consider a reward for the tremendous work he’s been doing in the slums of ECW for the past year.

It wouldn’t shock me to see the strap come off Christian, as I imagine he’ll be in the Money in the Bank Ladder match at Mania, and will probably be drafted elsewhere this spring. But the thought of Jackson carrying the strap all the way to Mania, and having to defend it there, is hardly appetising. Given though, that I don’t see the other titles switching tonight, I’m going to go out on a limb and plump for Jackson winning the belt, and if he’s awful- dropping it at No Way Out.

Winner and New ECW Champion : Ezekiel Jackson

Women’s Title Match

Michelle McCool© vs. Mickie James

The build behind this has been absolutely horrific. The match should have heat, and it’s good in the sense that they actually have a long-term story. But the specifics of that, and the example the WWE has set, has been appalling stuff. The logical ending would have James win the title here, but I’m gonna be cynical because I can imagine her being screwed, and humiliated a while longer, to send a “message” about her interests outside of wrestling. Definitely don’t think this is the end of the feud though, and I hope I’m wrong, and James gets a solid run with the gold and a Mania pay-off.

Winner: Michelle McCool.

Overall, it should be a fascinating night of wrestling. I still maintain that the Rumble is not being built to their full advantage, but it shouldn’t prevent a few surprises, and a quality showing. The overwhelming predictability of Shawn Michaels winning (which I think would be the worst of the possible options) ensures that it’s opened up a school of thought among fans where there is no clear winner by default. The WWE can’t be that predictable, right? Or can they….?

Enjoy the Rumble tonight, and be sure to let us know what you think of the show!

Thanks for taking the time to check this out. I welcome any and all feedback and  I can be contacted at www.myspace.com/michaelwrestlingetc or simply by emailing me at Michael@ifight365.com I look  forward to hearing from you, and will be back soon!