WWE Royal Rumble 2018: Predicting 10 Biggest Spots

9. Enter Lars Sullivan

Daniel Bryan
WWE.com

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.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. 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.