WWE Royal Rumble 2017: Predicting All 30 Entrants

25. Rusev

Royal Rumble 2017
WWE.com

With Dolph Ziggler enjoying a career renaissance on SmackDown, Rusev has inherited his title of "WWE's most misused performer." Running afoul of Roman Reigns has unfortunately derailed Rusev's momentum in a similar manner to his 2015 feud with John Cena, and he faces an uphill struggle to re-establish himself as a dominant force.

A good showing in the 2017 Rumble could do just that, but it's unlikely that WWE will go down this route. Reigns eliminated Rusev in under two minutes last year, he'll probably be used as a tool to put somebody else over again this year.

Odds of Winning: Slim to none.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.