8 Most Insane Things Happening In Wrestling Right Now (Jan 27)

4. There's Actually More Than ONE Likely Royal Rumble Winner!

braun strowman strikes sami zayn
WWE.com

When was the last time there was more than one clear-cut Royal Rumble Winner?

In 2016, the WWE Championship stipulation guaranteed that Triple H would win in order to set up his WrestleMania main event opposite Roman Reigns. Every politically protected pet project needs a transparent obstacle to overcome. In 2015, it was Reigns' turn. Every politically protected pet project needs twenty-nine transparent obstacles to overcome. In 2014, Batista emerged victorious, having done very little to earn it. The Reality Era, indeed. In 2013, Cena won LOL. In 2012, WWE went absolutely mental and built two whole men as viable winners in Chris Jericho and Sheamus. And so on. WWE rarely, if ever, positions more than two men as clear prospective winners.

2017 is the most open field ever. The drastic whims of Vince McMahon have supplanted his soul-destroying stubbornness. It seems he doesn't know what he's doing - and for once, his cluelessness has actually created intrigue. Looking towards the match with less cynicism - and it's hard not to, given that the Rumble match has become an anti-exercise in consumer relations over the last three years - the road to San Antonio has been paved with uncharacteristic nous.

As much as many, so-called discerning fans have rejected the push of Braun Strowman, his booking has been flawlessly consistent in an era otherwise known for drastic changes of heart (see: TJ Perkins, Jack Swagger).

The winner is anybody's guess, and Vince McMahon's decision. Congratulations, Braun Strowman!

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!