10 Expectations Vs. Reality For WWE Royal Rumble 2021

2. The Men's Royal Rumble Is Won By...

Daniel Bryan Brock Lesnar
WWE.com

Expectation:

It has to be Daniel Bryan's year. Think of the synergy!

He was too popular in 2014. He was too popular again in 2015, where he was eliminated early in fear of him overshadowing Roman Reigns. But Roman Reigns is a heel now. The story writes itself. The sentient hand of fate shouldn't have booked Bryan to lose twice in as many weeks to Shinsuke Nakamura and Cesaro, like a senile f*ckwit, but think of the synergy!

And you know what's really interesting?

Consider the name Bryan was close to going by in 2010: Buddy Peacock. Consider also the name of the streaming service WWE just sold its pay-per-view rights to: Peacock.

"Hmmm, well it appears WWE's critics just don't understand long-term storytelling!" some mutant f*ckhead Redditor is almost certain to post.

And if it's not Bryan, what about either of the aforementioned internet favourites that have won at his expense recently? Maybe they'll finally push Cesaro! They never will in a million years because we have eight establishing precedent, but you Photoshop the Universal Title on him after he wins a 12 minute TV match, so it must be him.

Reality:

Look forward to a Haggis The Highland Cow puppet or some bullsh*t because it's probably going to be Bray Wyatt.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!