WWE Royal Rumble 2018: Predicting 10 Biggest Spots
Filling the Philadelphia highlight reel.
Unpredictability is one of the Royal Rumble's biggest selling points.
WWE have always built the event around the idea that anything can happen, and anyone can win. This isn't entirely true, as the company usually telegraph the victor ahead of time, and have struggled for genuine shocks in recent years, but the Rumble's appeal endures.
The traditional 30-man battle royal is the one bout on WWE's annual calendar that always feels special. Even 'bad' Rumbles promise at least a handful of fun moments, and no matter who wins this year's bout, there'll still be plenty to enjoy. Hell, even the potential meltdown that awaits a Roman Reigns victory would please those with morbid senses of humour.
WWE have filled just 17 of the bout's 30 spots, which makes the 2018 Rumble tough to predict. Most will be claimed by full-timers, but the scope for game-changing surprises is huge, even when it comes to the outcome. The pool of potential winners is small, admittedly, but unlike the past few years, it's far from a forgone conclusion.
So who's showing up in Philly, who'll fill the highlight reel, and who's heading to WrestleMania? Let's have a crack at it...
10. Curt Hawkins As Santino
Every Royal Rumble needs a Santino Marella, a Warlord, a Bushwhacker Luke: someone who marches down to the ring, but barely has time to throw a punch before getting chucked over the top rope. Enzo Amore tasted ritual embarrassment last year, lasting just 18 seconds before Brock Lesnar took his head off with a particularly starchy clothesline. Who will it be in 2018? There are a few options, but one name stands out.
Curt Hawkins' epic losing streak surpassed 0-150 at the turn of the year. He's the ultimate jobber, and given that general incompetence has been his main character trait since returning to the company in 2016, it makes sense for WWE to put him in that spot.
Curt's lowly roster status does mean there's a strong chance he could be excluded from the Rumble entirely. In this case, Aiden English would be the best man for the job, as his participation has already been confirmed. Still, either man would do well to outdo the 1.9 seconds that Santino lasted in 2009. Surely it's got to be worth a try though...