10 WrestleMania 38 Card Predictions After Royal Rumble 2022
Lesnar vs. Reigns, Flair vs. Rousey, and other WrestleMania 38 match picks after the Rumble.
This writer's long-held theory that even "bad" Royal Rumbles are at least watchable was stretched to the limit on 29 January, when WWE served up two of the blandest offerings in the stipulation's history.
Brock Lesnar and Ronda Rousey divided the audience's opinions as winners. Drew McIntyre's early injury return aside, the surprises were weak. The men's match, in particular, felt like a joyless procession to an inevitable conclusion, even if bigger stars showing up towards the end breathed fleeting life into it. Shane McMahon made the final three. Fan favourites Big E and Bianca Belair were bundled out like they were nothing. Formless first and second acts meant neither finish felt satisfying and, to top it off, the men's conclusion was rushed.
The audience's reaction is reflected backstage. Morale is reportedly down, with a certain participant's role seen as particularly egregious.
Nonetheless, WWE is on the Road to WrestleMania 38 now and on top of Rousey and Lesnar's title challengers, the Rumble (and its fallout) gave several ideas of the pairings WWE may look to in Dallas. With that in mind and two months to go, let's run through how Vince McMahon may choose to populate his biggest show of the year.
Starting with something fans have been waiting a long time for...