Predicting WWE Royal Rumble 2018 Match (6 Months In Advance)

Unbelievably, the 2018 Royal Rumble is only six months away. It doesn't feel all that long ago since John Cena ended AJ Styles' incredible WWE title reign and Randy Orton won the big one, but a lot's happened since then, from unexpected title changes to amazing returns.

Though the event has seen a decline in quality in recent years, the Rumble is always one of WWE's most exciting events. Despite predictable winners and vocally unhappy crowds, there are always unusual matchups, surprise entrants and a general sense of fun that you don't find in a lot of WWE's pay-per-views.

Predicting anything in professional wrestling is a thankless task. Just a few months ago, who would have guessed that Austin Aries would leave the company, the Hardy Boyz would return in such spectacular fashion, or that Jinder Mahal would somehow become WWE Champion?

Having said that, being blindsided by the twists of fate never stopped us, not even with something as ambitious as predicting every entrant in the 2018 Royal Rumble match. Certain superstars, who could well be title holders by January, have been excluded, and while there may be some wishful thinking involved, this is hopefully a realistic idea of what WWE might have in store for us.

We only have six months until we find out!

There is no better way to start a Royal Rumble match than with AJ Styles. WWE have proven that they like to give the crowd a big pop by bringing him out early, as evidenced by his match with Shane McMahon opening WrestleMania 33, or him being the first entrant in this year's Money in the Bank ladder match. Hearing the awesome "Phenomenal" pumping out after the rules have been read would send the crowd into a frenzy.

And in at number 2...