WWE Royal Rumble 2017: Predicting 12 Wrestlers Not Yet Announced
6. Rusev
2016 wasn't kind to Rusev. Just when it looked like he was recovering from his John Cena/League Of Nations-induced slump, The Bulgarian Brute ran into Roman Reigns. Months of endless bullying saw Rusev eventually defeated inside Hell In A Cell, and he has since fallen victim to Enzo Amore and Big Cass, who seem to think there's nothing wrong with parading around in front of another man's wife without any clothes on.
Rusev's past two Royal Rumbles have been ruined by Reigns. In 2015, Rusev gave fans a flash of hope by playing possum until the very end then ambushing Reigns from behind, but he was soon eliminated. Last year, Rusev entered at number two, but lasted just a minute and a half before Reigns had thrown him over the top rope.
Rusev looked great in 2015, but he's due another big performance, particularly given the way he has been booked recently. His participation should be announced relatively soon, and while he won't enter the match as a favourite, he should give a good account of himself. A strong Rumble showing could be the springboard to rebuilding Rusev in 2017, and with Reigns out of the picture this year, there's no reason he can't look like a beast again.