WWE Royal Rumble 2014: 10 Allies Who Will Fall Out

2. Goldust and Cody Rhodes

The Rhodes brothers are on double duty this Sunday; they'll meet the New Age Outlaws to defend their Tag Team Championships in the Kick-Off program, and they are also slated for the Rumble match. While I'd be surprised and disappointed if they lose the belts to the Outlaws, it would open the door for a different kind of story later in the evening. If they are no longer champions, and both vying for a spot in the main event at Mania, Cody and Goldie may decide that brotherhood is for losers. If we work backwards from WrestleMania, which seems to be what we do a lot for the Royal Rumble, it doesn't seem unreasonable that the Rhodes brothers will turn on each other. Their having a true battle, with a storyline building up to it, would likely be a dream come true for both men (especially considering they've now accomplished the likely undreamt-of dream of being Tag champs together). The fans have so much goodwill for the ageless Goldust, but either one could turn heel and do it well. They have complementary wrestling styles that would make for an excellent match, one ol' Dusty would be proud of. But here's the sticky point: a Rhodes brothers' implosion at the Rumble wouldn't make a lot of sense, at least not yet. They have been so darn happy to tag together, showing nothing but mutual love and respect in the ring. Even if they showed some dissension during their tag match, that will be happening on the pre-show, and would need to be replayed and discussed during the main program. That would go too far in telegraphing that something might happen in the Rumble, rather than letting it happen more organically for all to see. My instincts say it won't happen, but the inevitability of a Rhodes split means that it COULD happen at the Rumble.