10 HUGE WWE Royal Rumble 2020 Predictions You Need To Know
On this day, they see clearly...
Once upon a time, the Royal Rumble was sacred beyond any WWE institution. Not even WrestleMania brought together fans both lapsed and hardcore to share in the simplistic pro wrestling magic of counting down from 10 and getting a nice surprise by the end.
That dissolved in the 2010s, and was all of their own doing.
An uneven decade for the contest saw the first few pass with a frustrating lack of incident before the company placed a three-year hex on the battle royal's ability to effectively build its top star. In Batista, Roman Reigns and Triple H, the 2014, 2015 and 2016 matches left viewers feeling depressed about the 'Show Of Shows' right as the sign-pointing hype commenced. The sheer vitriol towards Reigns in particular was used to manufacture a huge pop for two-time tried and tested 2017 winner Randy Orton, but was this the lifting of the curse?
2018 was one of the best WWE shows of all time thanks to the sheer quality of the Rumble matches alone, but winners Shinsuke Nakamura and Asuka peaked there, rather than on the 'Grandest Stage'. The second double-Rumble show in 2019 produced the right winners if not necessarily quality contests to boot, not everything had yet been made right.
To the 2020s. A fresh start, or an old familiar feeling?
10. Shorty G Vs. Sheamus
Sheamus' return vignettes were extremely cathartic for those of us that had struggled with SmackDown's staggered start to life on Fox.
Taking a pop at the blue brand's propensity for stupidity (mentioning Shorty G and The Fiend Bray Wyatt in the same breath was telling, regardless of how many patient observes have stuck with the Universal Champion), 'The Celtic Warrior' prepared for his return by advising us all how p*ssed off he was with the state of things - a Hardcore Holly for the Fortnite generation.
2020 needed Sheamus more than his aching neck probably needed it, and though TAFKA Chad Gable probably won't take it too easy that part of his opponent, he'll be the one to make the tenured star still feel 10 foot tall. More's the pity too - this has pre-show fodder written all over it due to the need for both men to pull double duty, but they'll not the demotion get in the way of having a total banger.
Winner: Sheamus