WWE Royal Rumble 2018: Predicting 10 Biggest Spots
9. Enter Lars Sullivan
Four of the last five Royal Rumble matches have featured an NXT participant, and after Tye Dillinger's crowd-pleasing appearance at number 10 in last year's bout, it's time for the company to go in a totally different direction
The WWE Performance Center houses plenty of acceptable candidates. The likes of Johnny Gargano or Aleister Black would pop the fans, but with both set to compete in high-stakes TakeOver bouts the night before, their inclusion is unlikely. This makes the gargantuan Lars Sullivan the obvious choice, as he isn't currently booked to compete on Saturday.
Big Lars would make a smart addition to a Rumble sorely lacking in legitimate monsters. He's green, but he has taken to his role with aplomb, and has already become one of NXT's most believable performers. With an ever-improving in-ring game, surprising levels of charisma, and excellent presence, he's set to follow in Braun Strowman's footsteps as an engaging, three-dimensional brute, and a strong Rumble run would be a great way to familiarise him with main roster audiences.
Expect him to make a similar mark to Rusev in 2014: a quick, effective rampage, brought to an end by multiple Superstars ganging up on him at once.