WWE Royal Rumble 2018: Predicting 10 Biggest Spots

1. A Crowd-Pleasing Victory

Daniel Bryan
WWE.com

2018 needs to be a crowd-pleaser. After several years of boring winners, underwhelming surprises, and the creeping notion that WWE are well on their way to spoiling the one annual event that still feels special, a favourable outcome is an absolute must. The company can't afford another night of boos in Philadelphia, and they know it, which is why Shinsuke Nakamura is going to win the 2018 Royal Rumble.

Fans have been pining for 'The King Of Strong Style' to face AJ Styles since the day Shinsuke first walked through the door, and this is the perfect way to set it up. On top of this, almost every major betting site that covers wrestling has Nakamura listed as an odds-on favourite. They may shift ahead of Sunday, but they're usually pretty reliable, and with several sources reporting that this year's victor will come from SmackDown, it all adds up.

Think about Nakamura, the fan favourite, eliminating company-sponsored golden boy Roman Reigns to win the Royal Rumble. The crowd reaction would be enormous. It'd be exactly the kind of celebratory scene that the event used to guarantee every year, and while WWE could yet change their minds, all signs point towards Shinsuke at the moment.

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.