10 Reasons Why The 2019 Royal Rumble Will Be The Best Ever

2. From An Inauspicious Start...

Monday Night Rollins
WWE

Last year's Women's Royal Rumble - the first of its kind, if you recall! - took an age to get rolling.

Marred by hesitation and confusion in the opening phase, with rusty veterans and ring-ready full-timers alike overawed by the occasion, it eventually settled into something that matched the relentless hype. Trish Stratus and Asuka stole a match that the sequel should trounce in every respect. Evolution's Battle Royal accomplished more with less; the women of WWE had adjusted quickly to an unfamiliar match type, and the omens for Sunday are therefore promising.

The field, which for unfathomable reasons WWE announced ahead of time, supports this optimism. Charlotte Flair should anchor the match, to ensure a consistent level of quality - but even if she doesn't, a backdoor win provides ammunition for Becky Lynch's sharp shooting. Nia Jax remains deeply unpopular, which WWE can mine to create a strain of anxiety-driven heat. A repeat of Ember Moon's excellent Evolution showing should provide a contrast, adding to both the din and the drama, and there exists scope to create a layered story emphasising athleticism (Naomi), comedy (Carmella) and old-fashioned, cruel Rumble hope (Bayley).

WWE didn't announce every entrant, so expect some faces from yesteryear - faces that unlike their male counterparts have not weakened the currency of nostalgia.

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!