The Road to Wrestlemania begins here, this weekend, with the WWE Royal Rumble - an event rich in history that has seen careers launched and ended all in the same night. Previous winners include 'Hacksaw' Jim Duggan, Hulk Hogan, Yokozuna and 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin. Every year commentators marvel at how some overweight giant will never be eliminated completely forgetting that the same guy was thrown out last year, and the year before. We've seen friend turn on friend and sworn enemies team together. The Royal Rumble really does have something for everyone. With zero urgency shown in the television build up anyone would think the Rumble was a secondary PPV with zero importance to the overall picture. Tragically we'd expect this to impact on the buy rates at least from casual fans, but for those of us who have stuck with the WWE through thick and thin will be poised ready for another year of madness to kick off. Here's how I see things going down:
PRE-SHOW: ANTONIO CESARO Vs THE MIZ - UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP
I said in
my Smackdown report from this week that this match came from nowhere and to be honest I can't see it going anywhere either. It seems pointless for Miz to take the gold from Cesaro without any build up unless they have big plans for his character at the actual PPV. It also seems strange that Miz would be aligned with The Nature Boy and not have a higher billing on the card. I wouldn't expect this one to go too long . If anything it's probably the start of a mini feud over a pointless, nothing title.
Prediction: It's quite fitting that Ric Flair gave The Miz his Figure Four Leg lock because Miz applies it like a 63 year old man too. There's only one result here - Cesaro sneaks a victory setting up a series of return matches on Smackdown. This 'feud' should only serve to elevate Antonio as he takes apart a former World Champion.