10 WWE Stars Most Likely To Win The Royal Rumble (And Why)

9. Rusev

While the record books show a loss at Survivor Series as part of Team Authority, the fact is that Rusev has never yet been pinned or made to submit in a WWE ring, by anybody. The powers that be are quietly building up the Bulgarian Brute as a force to be reckoned with. A potential dark horse to win the Rumble, then? Since his debut on mainstream WWE programming, Rusev has victories over the likes of Jack Swagger, Sheamus, Mark Henry and The Big Show, men who have 13 World Championship reigns and a Royal Rumble win between them. In addition, when he first appeared in the last Royal Rumble, it took the combined efforts of four men to eliminate him. This is some heavy credibility he has going on, but is it enough for the powers that be to put faith in him to headline Wrestlemania? Doubtful. Rusev is still quite low on the card, despite his accomplishments. There is also the quality of the match to consider, at least in terms of storyline. Rusev vs Brock would be an awesome clash of the monsters, but since they're both heels at time of writing, it would be pretty pointless. Ditto the futility of a Rollins vs Rusev matchup, although it would arguably lead to a better match. John Cena vs Rusev, however, has potential as a feud. With all the anti-american heat that Rusev has built up at the minute, it could only culminate in his eventual defeat by a real all-american. And is anyone more all-american than Mr "Salute The Troops" himself, John Cena? (Pipe down, you, Kurt Angle's still in TNA. Quit dreaming.) As interesting as that match would be, let's be realistic. That match would end in a victory for Cena, there is no question about it. However, at this point, Rusev is nowhere near the same level as Cena in terms of star power, and won't be for quite some time. While it will probably happen at some point in the future, it's unlikely that it will be at Wrestlemania for the Championship. Still, stranger things have happened.