WWE Royal Rumble 2017: 10 Potential Dark Horses
8. Sheamus
Cesaro’s tag team partner would be a much harder pill for most fans to swallow as a Royal Rumble. He’s been great alongside the Swiss Superman, but Sheamus remains one of the most divisive men in the company. The League of Nations and his 2015 WWE Title run have obliterated what remained of his ailing popularity, and some fans will never accept him as a viable main eventer again.
That being said, Sheamus is a guy WWE turn to time and time again whenever they need to fill a gap at the top of the card. He might not be the most interesting character on the roster, but he’s a good wrestler, and a regular candidate for transitional title runs and main event feuds. Sheamus won the 2012 Rumble, and if WWE are really struggling for options in 2017 (they shouldn’t be, admittedly), there’s an outside chance he triumphs again.
Sheamus as a potential WrestleMania 33 title challenger would only end in tears, but it can’t be ruled out. Nobody expected him to scoop last year’s Money In The Bank briefcase and become champion again, but he did. He’s somebody WWE feel they can trust in big spots, and for as long as Sheamus is with the company, he’ll only be a whisper away from a massive push.