WWE Royal Rumble 2018: Predicting All 30 Entrants

7. Samoa Joe

Royal Rumble 2018
WWE.com

At time when WWE characters have never been so sanitised, Samoa Joe carries a genuine aura of intimidation, and his character work is on par with anyone else in the company. Sure, his athleticism has declined, but it's impossible to argue with his post-call-up impact.

The big man deserves a big run, but will he get it? Maybe.

Joe's summer feud with Brock Lesnar was so strong that many fans were clamouring for him to take the Universal Title at Great Balls Of Fire. There's no doubt that the crowd would buy him into him as a potential title challenger again, but he's still an outside bet, as the company tend to go for safer, more predictable Rumble winners these days.

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.