10 Ways WWE Can Guarantee Royal Rumble 2017 Sell-Out

4. Establish Some Unlikely Contenders

AJ Styles Shawn Michaels
WWE.com

Aside from the main eventers, WWE could stand to benefit from building-up a few less-heralded wrestlers as potential winners this year. The roster is absolutely stacked with talented midcarders that the fans would love to get behind for a main event push, and doing so would work wonders to freshen-up the company’s product ahead of the Rumble.

Braun Strowman is an easy pick for the match’s obligatory “monster” spot, and he’ll likely get a steady run and a hefty amount of eliminations. Someone like Rusev would benefit immensely from a dominant run too, and if a Cesaro or Sami Zayn picks-up serious momentum on the road to San Antonio, the hype train will be unstoppable.

We know that wrestlers of this ilk aren’t likely to win the match outright, but adding them to the conversation would keep fans guessing ahead of the event. Besides, can you imagine what a top four finish and a few high-profile eliminations could do for Cesaro’s career?

WWE have so many under-utilized assets on their roster, and this is one of the biggest matches of the year: such wrestlers don’t have to win, but it’d do them (and the company) the world of good to spend time in the spotlight over the next two months.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.