WWE Royal Rumble 2017: 10 Potential Dark Horses

10. Bobby Roode

Bobby Roode has only started making serious strides towards NXT Title contention recently, but he’s made a huge impact at Full Sail University. It helps that he has the most GLORIOUS entrance music in WWE history, of course, but the viral hype aside, Roode’s run has been characterised by some first-rate old-school heel work. He’s a readymade megastar, and a real credit to the brand.

That being said, Roode was ready for a main roster run from the moment he signed with the company. Roode’s a former TNA World Heavyweight Champion, and he’s been working on mainstream wrestling television for years. He has his act down to a tee, and at 39 years old, there’s nothing left for him to learn in the business.

Debuting at the Royal Rumble makes perfect sense, particularly if he’s unsuccessful in his attempt at defeating NXT Champion Shinsuke Nakamura the night before. He’d make a fantastic top-level heel in WWE, and while it’s unlikely that WWE would give him such a huge win on his first night, they could do a lot worse. Roode was born for the spotlight, and it won’t be long before he’s in one.