WWE Royal Rumble 2019: Predicting The 10 Biggest Spots

4. Enter The New 'Queen'

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As great as Shayna Baszler has been as the NXT women's division's alpha bully, she's ready to move on, and rising star Bianca Belair is ready for her throne.

TakeOver: Phoenix will be Belair's first real big-match test, and there's an element of risk in strapping someone who remains an unfinished product. Still, nobody will know what she's truly capable of until she's put in such a spot. WWE should therefore have her defeat Baszler the night before the Royal Rumble, establishing 'The EST Of NXT' as developmental's new ruler, and freeing 'The Queen Of Spades' for bigger things.

The main roster women's division's stylistic shift towards harder-hitting, crazier title fights necessitates new faces. WWE don't have enough Raw and SmackDown competitors capable of keeping up with Asuka, Becky Lynch, Ronda Rousey, and Charlotte Flair, and must make bolstering both brands a priority. Shayna's approach to wrestling makes her a leading candidate for one of those spots. She'd fit like a glove between the ropes, her character is fantastic, and she has accomplished everything she can down in developmental, so why not debut her with a big Rumble performance?

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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.