Royal Rumble is rightfully held in high regard as one of WWE’s most thrilling pay-per-views of the year, and the 2014 edition is no exception. Featuring a WWE World Heavyweight Title showdown between longtime rivals Randy Orton and John Cena, Brock Lesnar’s first match since last August, Batista’s return after a nearly four-year absence and the incomparable Royal Rumble Match, and Sunday’s big event feels positively monumental.
But who will win and who will lose? Which Superstar will withstand the 30-Superstar over-the-top melee to main-event a WWE World Heavyweight Title Match at WrestleMania XXX? These were the debates happening on the WWE.com floor this week. Check out who we predict will come out on top this Sunday!
1.) Royal Rumble Pre-Show WWE Tag Team Championship Match
Cody Rhodes and Goldust (c) vs. The New Age Outlaws
Joey Styles: As luck would have it, McMahon Family flunky and SmackDown General Manager Vickie Guerrero distracted The Brotherhood long enough for Billy Gunn to steal a win with a handful of Cody's tights and “earn” a title match for Attitude Era stalwarts The New Age Outlaws. All that said, Cody and Darth Goldie can play dirty, too, and they’ll do so on Sunday, retaining their titles and continuing to live The American Dream. WINNERS: Cody Rhodes & Goldust
Matt Zimmer: The New Age Outlaws are back and haven’t missed a step since their return. As good as Cody Rhodes & Goldust have been since The Bizarre One’s return to WWE, Road Dogg & Billy Gunn may have an ace up their sleeves in DX teammate and WWE COO Triple H. If The Game gets what he wants, The Outlaws will have two words for The Brotherhood … new champs. WINNERS:The New Age Outlaws
Alex Giannini: What a way to kick off Royal Rumble! Sure, seeing Goldust and The New Age Outlaws on a pay-per-view brings back some awesome Attitude Era memories. Truth is, though, The Bizarre One has never looked better, and Billy Gunn & Road Dogg can still go. Throw Cody into that already volatile mix, and you get one hell of a tag team battle. With their motives still unclear and a history of title gold, The Outlaws are a dangerous threat to the champions. But the brothers Rhodes have faced down all challengers thus far, and I think they’ll pull through once again. WINNERS: Cody Rhodes & Goldust
Sean Cohen: Though Cody Rhodes & Goldust are looking to show that nothing is more important than family, I think The New Age Outlaws are going to prove to the WWE Universe that “They still got it!” and earn their sixth WWE Tag Team Championship — even if it means relying on assistance from their friends in high places. WINNERS: The New Age Outlaws
John Clapp: Regardless of which duo comes out on top, this is a victory for fans of tag team wrestling. The Outlaws’ ageless offense looks tighter than ever, and Cody Rhodes & Goldust’s teamwork is without comparison. Look for the bout’s youngest Superstar, Cody Rhodes, to be the reason that the WWE Tag Team Titles stay put. WINNERS: Cody Rhodes & Goldust.
2.) Daniel Bryan vs. Bray Wyatt
Joey Styles: Although swamp monsters Luke Harper and Erick Rowan will be competing in the Royal Rumble Match, there is nothing stopping them from using a pre-Rumble beatdown of WWE's “Yes!” man as a warm-up. I expect Daniel Bryan to get the better of The Eater of Worlds after a long period of back-and-forth brutality, only to have Harper and Rowan engulf Bryan and leave his limp carcass for bearded buzzard Wyatt to plant with Sister Abigail. WINNER (by disqualification): Daniel Bryan
Matt Zimmer: As cunning and conniving as Bray Wyatt is, he made a fatal flaw in letting Daniel Bryan into his family. Wyatt’s biggest attribute was his unpredictable nature and now Bryan, who spent two weeks with Wyatt, knows his motives, his secrets and what makes him tick. Wyatt’s poker face is rendered useless, and that puts the ball in the court of the 2013 Superstar of the Year.WINNER: Daniel Bryan
Alex Giannini: Daniel Bryan may have shed his Wyatt Family skin, and he may have delivered some comeuppance to preacher Bray inside a steel cage, but this twisted rivalry isn’t over by a long shot. I think the head of The Wyatt Family has a few macabre tricks up his sleeve (yes, even though he doesn’t have any sleeves), and with Harper and Rowan always lurking in the shadows, I think The Beard needs to watch his back. Despite the fact that Bryan is the hottest thing going today — and that I see him as the best grappler in WWE — I think Wyatt will prevail. WINNER: Bray Wyatt
Sean Cohen: Daniel Bryan has already outsmarted The Wyatt Family once before and I think he will catch The Eater of Worlds off guard again. In this unofficial “Battle of the Beards,” I foresee Bryan leaving Pittsburgh’s CONSOL Energy Center chanting “Yes! Yes! Yes!” while Bray Wyatt follows his buzzards all the way to the loser’s circle. WINNER: Daniel Bryan
John Clapp: Daniel Bryan went through hell and back just to give Bray Wyatt a taste of his own medicine. With a chance to lock horns in singles competition, I doubt The Beard will hold anything back, showing the sinister sermonizer what a true monster looks like. WINNER: Daniel Bryan.
3.) Big Show vs. Brock Lesnar
Joey Styles: With a fist like a shot put and the knowhow to KO anything with a heartbeat, Big Show is a walking weapon. In my 20-plus years in our business, however, Brock Lesnar is the most frightening man I have ever met. I’d call this a toss-up if not for one factor: Paul Heyman. The greatest manager in wrestling history is in Lesnar’s corner, and he’ll do anything to guide The Anomaly to the WWE World Heavyweight Championship — especially if it cements their legacies as future WWE Hall of Famers. WINNER: Brock Lesnar
Matt Zimmer: There is history here that dates back more than 10 years. In fact, it was Big Show who handed Brock Lesnar his first ever pinfall loss in WWE, and The Beast scored retribution when he beat the giant to qualify for the 2003 Royal Rumble Match, which he won. Now a decade later, both Superstars have improved their skills dramatically and it can go either way in my book. However, I think Lesnar’s vicious attitude gives him the edge and the victory. WINNER: Brock Lesnar
Alex Giannini: I have no idea how to predict this one. My line of reasoning goes something like this: How can you bet against Brock Lesnar in any kind of fight, right? But take into consideration the way Big Show has manhandled The Beast Incarnate of late, and it brings me pause. The look of shock on Lesnar’s face after The World’s Largest Athlete dumped him over the top rope on Raw was enough to convince me that maybe — just maybe — The Anomaly has met his match. WINNER: Big Show
Sean Cohen: In this modern day version of “Clash of the Titans,” The World’s Largest Athlete will learn that he is no match for The Beast. I predict a dreadful night for Big Show that includes the world’s largest F-5, followed by tapping out to the Kimura Lock. WINNER: Brock Lesnar
John Clapp: When Big Show denied Brock Lesnar’s double-leg takedown, the WWE Universe learned that not even The Anomaly can impose his will against The World’s Largest Athlete. The real X factor, however, might be Big Show’s jaw-jacking KO Punch. Can the 7-footer land the crushing strike, and if so, how will Brock Lesnar’s chin hold up? I’m not convinced anybody — including The Beast — can withstand Big Show’s debilitating right, if it lands. WINNER: Big Show
4.) WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match
Randy Orton (c) vs. John Cena
Joey Styles: Randy Orton defeated John Cena to unify the WWE and World Heavyweight Championships, but he didn’t pin the Cenation leader at WWE TLC. Since then, Cena has been unstoppable, both in the gym and in the ring, adding new moves like the tornado DDT. With WrestleMania XXX set to be the first live pay-per-view on WWE Network, I just don’t see any way that Cena is not the Superstar defending WWE’s top prize at what may be the most viewed WWE pay-per-view ever. WINNER: John Cena
Matt Zimmer: Competing at 100 percent against John Cena is tough enough, but when your confidence is shattered like The Viper’s is right now, the match is over before it even begins. Randy Orton has made it abundantly clear that he wants no part of the 14-time World Champion, while Cena is fighting with his heart and nothing to lose. It won’t be easy, but I see Cena walking out of Pittsburgh the new WWE World Heavyweight Champion. WINNER: John Cena
Alex Giannini: Normally, I’d say John Cena can step up in the bright lights of one of WWE’s most beloved pay-per-views. Add in the fact that Randy Orton’s attack on Cena’s father has made this an intensely personal affair, and I want to say the Cenation leader will rise above The Viper on Sunday. But I can’t. I’m just not feeling it. I think Orton will retain, and he’ll inflict further pain on his challenger.WINNER: Randy Orton
Sean Cohen: Randy Orton isn’t considered the Face of WWE for nothing, and he’s going to come through big when it matters most. When a snake feels vulnerable, it strikes first, and John Cena is going to learn that valuable lesson when he deals with the venomous Viper. WINNER: Randy Orton
John Clapp: John Cena is unspeakably furious following Randy Orton’s cowardly attack on the Cenation leader’s father, and that anger will manifest itself in a big way at Royal Rumble. I predict Cena will not only come out on top, but will also claim victory by submission in an uncharacteristic display of aggression. WINNER: John Cena
5.) The Royal Rumble Match
Joey Styles: Most of the WWE roster will compete in the match that is the brainchild of Pat Patterson. Furthermore, WWE management goes out of its way to delight the WWE Universe every year with surprise alumni entrants. Which “blasts from the past” may be looking for one more run at the title? Jake “The Snake” Roberts? Rob Van Dam? Bob Backlund? Vader? Goldberg? In the end, I think the returning Batista will succeed in making the over-the-top free-for-all his ticket back to the WrestleMania main event. WINNER: Batista
Matt Zimmer: It’s hard to bet against Batista, who has made it to the final four in every one of his Rumble Match appearances (including a win in 2005). Yet my money is on Roman Reigns. With a strong performance at Survivor Series and two pinfall victories over CM Punk in recent weeks, the young Reigns has a massive amount of momentum on his side. I believe The Shield’s numbers game will be hard to compete against and when the smoke clears, the trio’s powerhouse will stand tall and cement his place in Rumble history. WINNER: Roman Reigns
Alex Giannini: Who’s gonna win the 2014 Royal Rumble Match? I’ve got two words for ya: Roman Reigns. The Shield’s enforcer has been incredibly impressive since his dominant display at Survivor Series, and with his excellent track record under the bright lights of pay-per-views, get ready for a huge night from the black-clad heavy. The only question that remains is whether or not he’ll dump teammates Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins over the top en route to his big win. WINNER: Roman Reigns
Sean Cohen: The Royal Rumble Match will come down to one name with three syllables: Ba-tis-ta! It’s been almost four years since The Animal ran wild in WWE and once he’s unleashed this Sunday at Royal Rumble, the six-time World Champion will put the 29 other WWE Superstars on notice.WINNER: Batista
John Clapp: Without knowing the complete Royal Rumble Match lineup, this is supremely tough to call, but what is WWE’s January classic if not full of surprises? No fewer than three former Rumble Match winners are in this year’s contest, but I’m of the belief that a new name will be added to the list of winners: CM Punk. Sure, the deck’s stacked against the No. 1 entrant, but the chance to headline WrestleMania and stick it to The Authority might be all the motivation Punk needs to go the distance.WINNER: CM Punk
But who will win and who will lose? Which Superstar will withstand the 30-Superstar over-the-top melee to main-event a WWE World Heavyweight Title Match at WrestleMania XXX? These were the debates happening on the WWE.com floor this week. Check out who we predict will come out on top this Sunday!
1.) Royal Rumble Pre-Show WWE Tag Team Championship Match
Cody Rhodes and Goldust (c) vs. The New Age Outlaws
Joey Styles: As luck would have it, McMahon Family flunky and SmackDown General Manager Vickie Guerrero distracted The Brotherhood long enough for Billy Gunn to steal a win with a handful of Cody's tights and “earn” a title match for Attitude Era stalwarts The New Age Outlaws. All that said, Cody and Darth Goldie can play dirty, too, and they’ll do so on Sunday, retaining their titles and continuing to live The American Dream. WINNERS: Cody Rhodes & Goldust
Matt Zimmer: The New Age Outlaws are back and haven’t missed a step since their return. As good as Cody Rhodes & Goldust have been since The Bizarre One’s return to WWE, Road Dogg & Billy Gunn may have an ace up their sleeves in DX teammate and WWE COO Triple H. If The Game gets what he wants, The Outlaws will have two words for The Brotherhood … new champs. WINNERS:The New Age Outlaws
Alex Giannini: What a way to kick off Royal Rumble! Sure, seeing Goldust and The New Age Outlaws on a pay-per-view brings back some awesome Attitude Era memories. Truth is, though, The Bizarre One has never looked better, and Billy Gunn & Road Dogg can still go. Throw Cody into that already volatile mix, and you get one hell of a tag team battle. With their motives still unclear and a history of title gold, The Outlaws are a dangerous threat to the champions. But the brothers Rhodes have faced down all challengers thus far, and I think they’ll pull through once again. WINNERS: Cody Rhodes & Goldust
Sean Cohen: Though Cody Rhodes & Goldust are looking to show that nothing is more important than family, I think The New Age Outlaws are going to prove to the WWE Universe that “They still got it!” and earn their sixth WWE Tag Team Championship — even if it means relying on assistance from their friends in high places. WINNERS: The New Age Outlaws
John Clapp: Regardless of which duo comes out on top, this is a victory for fans of tag team wrestling. The Outlaws’ ageless offense looks tighter than ever, and Cody Rhodes & Goldust’s teamwork is without comparison. Look for the bout’s youngest Superstar, Cody Rhodes, to be the reason that the WWE Tag Team Titles stay put. WINNERS: Cody Rhodes & Goldust.
2.) Daniel Bryan vs. Bray Wyatt
Joey Styles: Although swamp monsters Luke Harper and Erick Rowan will be competing in the Royal Rumble Match, there is nothing stopping them from using a pre-Rumble beatdown of WWE's “Yes!” man as a warm-up. I expect Daniel Bryan to get the better of The Eater of Worlds after a long period of back-and-forth brutality, only to have Harper and Rowan engulf Bryan and leave his limp carcass for bearded buzzard Wyatt to plant with Sister Abigail. WINNER (by disqualification): Daniel Bryan
Matt Zimmer: As cunning and conniving as Bray Wyatt is, he made a fatal flaw in letting Daniel Bryan into his family. Wyatt’s biggest attribute was his unpredictable nature and now Bryan, who spent two weeks with Wyatt, knows his motives, his secrets and what makes him tick. Wyatt’s poker face is rendered useless, and that puts the ball in the court of the 2013 Superstar of the Year.WINNER: Daniel Bryan
Alex Giannini: Daniel Bryan may have shed his Wyatt Family skin, and he may have delivered some comeuppance to preacher Bray inside a steel cage, but this twisted rivalry isn’t over by a long shot. I think the head of The Wyatt Family has a few macabre tricks up his sleeve (yes, even though he doesn’t have any sleeves), and with Harper and Rowan always lurking in the shadows, I think The Beard needs to watch his back. Despite the fact that Bryan is the hottest thing going today — and that I see him as the best grappler in WWE — I think Wyatt will prevail. WINNER: Bray Wyatt
Sean Cohen: Daniel Bryan has already outsmarted The Wyatt Family once before and I think he will catch The Eater of Worlds off guard again. In this unofficial “Battle of the Beards,” I foresee Bryan leaving Pittsburgh’s CONSOL Energy Center chanting “Yes! Yes! Yes!” while Bray Wyatt follows his buzzards all the way to the loser’s circle. WINNER: Daniel Bryan
John Clapp: Daniel Bryan went through hell and back just to give Bray Wyatt a taste of his own medicine. With a chance to lock horns in singles competition, I doubt The Beard will hold anything back, showing the sinister sermonizer what a true monster looks like. WINNER: Daniel Bryan.
3.) Big Show vs. Brock Lesnar
Joey Styles: With a fist like a shot put and the knowhow to KO anything with a heartbeat, Big Show is a walking weapon. In my 20-plus years in our business, however, Brock Lesnar is the most frightening man I have ever met. I’d call this a toss-up if not for one factor: Paul Heyman. The greatest manager in wrestling history is in Lesnar’s corner, and he’ll do anything to guide The Anomaly to the WWE World Heavyweight Championship — especially if it cements their legacies as future WWE Hall of Famers. WINNER: Brock Lesnar
Matt Zimmer: There is history here that dates back more than 10 years. In fact, it was Big Show who handed Brock Lesnar his first ever pinfall loss in WWE, and The Beast scored retribution when he beat the giant to qualify for the 2003 Royal Rumble Match, which he won. Now a decade later, both Superstars have improved their skills dramatically and it can go either way in my book. However, I think Lesnar’s vicious attitude gives him the edge and the victory. WINNER: Brock Lesnar
Alex Giannini: I have no idea how to predict this one. My line of reasoning goes something like this: How can you bet against Brock Lesnar in any kind of fight, right? But take into consideration the way Big Show has manhandled The Beast Incarnate of late, and it brings me pause. The look of shock on Lesnar’s face after The World’s Largest Athlete dumped him over the top rope on Raw was enough to convince me that maybe — just maybe — The Anomaly has met his match. WINNER: Big Show
Sean Cohen: In this modern day version of “Clash of the Titans,” The World’s Largest Athlete will learn that he is no match for The Beast. I predict a dreadful night for Big Show that includes the world’s largest F-5, followed by tapping out to the Kimura Lock. WINNER: Brock Lesnar
John Clapp: When Big Show denied Brock Lesnar’s double-leg takedown, the WWE Universe learned that not even The Anomaly can impose his will against The World’s Largest Athlete. The real X factor, however, might be Big Show’s jaw-jacking KO Punch. Can the 7-footer land the crushing strike, and if so, how will Brock Lesnar’s chin hold up? I’m not convinced anybody — including The Beast — can withstand Big Show’s debilitating right, if it lands. WINNER: Big Show
4.) WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match
Randy Orton (c) vs. John Cena
Joey Styles: Randy Orton defeated John Cena to unify the WWE and World Heavyweight Championships, but he didn’t pin the Cenation leader at WWE TLC. Since then, Cena has been unstoppable, both in the gym and in the ring, adding new moves like the tornado DDT. With WrestleMania XXX set to be the first live pay-per-view on WWE Network, I just don’t see any way that Cena is not the Superstar defending WWE’s top prize at what may be the most viewed WWE pay-per-view ever. WINNER: John Cena
Matt Zimmer: Competing at 100 percent against John Cena is tough enough, but when your confidence is shattered like The Viper’s is right now, the match is over before it even begins. Randy Orton has made it abundantly clear that he wants no part of the 14-time World Champion, while Cena is fighting with his heart and nothing to lose. It won’t be easy, but I see Cena walking out of Pittsburgh the new WWE World Heavyweight Champion. WINNER: John Cena
Alex Giannini: Normally, I’d say John Cena can step up in the bright lights of one of WWE’s most beloved pay-per-views. Add in the fact that Randy Orton’s attack on Cena’s father has made this an intensely personal affair, and I want to say the Cenation leader will rise above The Viper on Sunday. But I can’t. I’m just not feeling it. I think Orton will retain, and he’ll inflict further pain on his challenger.WINNER: Randy Orton
Sean Cohen: Randy Orton isn’t considered the Face of WWE for nothing, and he’s going to come through big when it matters most. When a snake feels vulnerable, it strikes first, and John Cena is going to learn that valuable lesson when he deals with the venomous Viper. WINNER: Randy Orton
John Clapp: John Cena is unspeakably furious following Randy Orton’s cowardly attack on the Cenation leader’s father, and that anger will manifest itself in a big way at Royal Rumble. I predict Cena will not only come out on top, but will also claim victory by submission in an uncharacteristic display of aggression. WINNER: John Cena
5.) The Royal Rumble Match
Joey Styles: Most of the WWE roster will compete in the match that is the brainchild of Pat Patterson. Furthermore, WWE management goes out of its way to delight the WWE Universe every year with surprise alumni entrants. Which “blasts from the past” may be looking for one more run at the title? Jake “The Snake” Roberts? Rob Van Dam? Bob Backlund? Vader? Goldberg? In the end, I think the returning Batista will succeed in making the over-the-top free-for-all his ticket back to the WrestleMania main event. WINNER: Batista
Matt Zimmer: It’s hard to bet against Batista, who has made it to the final four in every one of his Rumble Match appearances (including a win in 2005). Yet my money is on Roman Reigns. With a strong performance at Survivor Series and two pinfall victories over CM Punk in recent weeks, the young Reigns has a massive amount of momentum on his side. I believe The Shield’s numbers game will be hard to compete against and when the smoke clears, the trio’s powerhouse will stand tall and cement his place in Rumble history. WINNER: Roman Reigns
Alex Giannini: Who’s gonna win the 2014 Royal Rumble Match? I’ve got two words for ya: Roman Reigns. The Shield’s enforcer has been incredibly impressive since his dominant display at Survivor Series, and with his excellent track record under the bright lights of pay-per-views, get ready for a huge night from the black-clad heavy. The only question that remains is whether or not he’ll dump teammates Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins over the top en route to his big win. WINNER: Roman Reigns
Sean Cohen: The Royal Rumble Match will come down to one name with three syllables: Ba-tis-ta! It’s been almost four years since The Animal ran wild in WWE and once he’s unleashed this Sunday at Royal Rumble, the six-time World Champion will put the 29 other WWE Superstars on notice.WINNER: Batista
John Clapp: Without knowing the complete Royal Rumble Match lineup, this is supremely tough to call, but what is WWE’s January classic if not full of surprises? No fewer than three former Rumble Match winners are in this year’s contest, but I’m of the belief that a new name will be added to the list of winners: CM Punk. Sure, the deck’s stacked against the No. 1 entrant, but the chance to headline WrestleMania and stick it to The Authority might be all the motivation Punk needs to go the distance.WINNER: CM Punk