WWE Royal Rumble 2023: Staff Predictions and Match Card Overview
WWE Royal Rumble is one of the most exciting events of the year. 30 superstars battle it out in one to match see who will main-event WrestleMania.
WWE always brings back old wrestlers, debuts new ones, and calls some up from NXT, so the Royal Rumble has a lot of anticipation built toward it. The premium live event marks the official start of the road to WrestleMania. Fresh feuds may begin, or current ones may finally come to heads leading to a match at the showcase of the immortals.
With so much on the line, here are Vendetta Sports Media’s staff predictions for the WWE Royal Rumble.
Pitch Black Match
Bray Wyatt vs. LA Knight
Preview
LA Knight has found a new enemy in Bray Wyatt. Both men arrived at WWE around the same time, however, Wyatt targeted Knight which kicked off this feud. After multiple attacks backstage, Knight had enough and met Wyatt face-to-face. Since these two first crossed paths, they have been tormenting each other. The two will now finally meet in the ring at the WWE Royal Rumble in a Pitch Black match.
Prediction
This may sound bold, but I’m taking LA Knight to get the win. Knight has proven that he can outsmart and even get in Wyatt’s head. I think that’s exactly what he’s going to do in this match.
Another reason I think Knight is going to walk out victorious is I think we will be getting Wyatt vs. Uncle Howdy at WrestleMania 39. In order to set that up, I think Uncle Howdy is going to cost Wyatt the match.
Staff Predictions:
Mark: LA Knight def. Bray Wyatt
Dillon: Bray Wyatt def. LA Knight
Jiarmani: LA Knight def. Bray Wyatt
Michael: LA Knight def. Bray Wyatt
Garrett: Bray Wyatt def. LA Knight
Raw Women’s Championship Match
Alexa Bliss vs. Bianca Belair (c)
Preview
Bianca Belair has found her new challenger in Alexa Bliss. Bliss has had a change of attitude as of late and has taken on a dark persona.
These two women have battled before. Most recently, Belair beat Bliss on Monday Night Raw about a month ago. But Bliss didn’t handle the loss well as she brutally attacked Belair after the match. This ultimately sidelined Belair for a few weeks, but upon her return, she challenged Bliss.
Now, the pair are set to go one-on-one at the WWE Royal Rumble.
Prediction
There is no shot Belair loses the title at the Royal Rumble. The most interesting part is going to be how Uncle Howdy plays into this. Uncle Howdy has appeared near Bliss before, but there is still a lot of questions about what the relationship is.
Staff Predictions:
Mark: Bianca Belair def. Alexa Bliss
Dillon: Bianca Belair def. Alexa Bliss
Jiarmani: Bianca Belair def. Alexa Bliss
Michael: Alexa Bliss def. Bianca Belair
Garrett: Bianca Belair def. Alexa Bliss
Undisputed WWE Universal Championship Match
Kevin Owens vs. Roman Reigns (c)
Preview
Roman Reigns has been dominant these past two or three years. He’s beaten virtually everyone in the locker room, including Kevin Owens. However, Owens always takes Reigns to his limits. Furthermore, Owens knows how to get inside the head of the Tribal Chief. Now, these two are set to go to war at the WWE Royal Rumble.
Predictions
There is legitimately no chance Owens beats Reigns — and that’s coming from someone who loves Owens. Now isn’t the time to take the titles off of Reigns.
Still, there have been some interesting theories online revolving around this match. Many believe that when Owens and Reigns had their contract signing, Owens signed Sami Zayn’s name instead of his own. This is extremely intriguing, and I think there is a decent chance this happens.
Staff Predictions:
Mark: Roman Reigns def. Kevin Owens
Dillon: Roman Reigns def. Kevin Owens
Jiarmani: Roman Reigns def. Kevin Owens
Michael: Roman Reigns def. Kevin Owens
Garrett: Roman Reigns def. Kevin Owens
Women’s Royal Rumble Match
Prediction
This one is tough to decide. I think there are three really good options to win the Royal Rumble, including Rhea Ripley, Liv Morgan and Naomi. If neither one of those women win, I will be extremely disappointed.
I don’t think WWE views Morgan as a top star anymore, so I’m taking Ripley as my official pick. Ripley is one of the most deserving of a win here. She is the future of the women’s division and her catapult to stardom needs to start at the Royal Rumble.
If she wins it, it will push her to that next tier of women and establish herself as the top wrestler in the women’s division. Furthermore, I can see Ripley breaking the record for most eliminations in the women’s match also.
If any one of those three women wins, I’ll be happy. However, I think Ripley walks out of the WWE Royal Rumble as the winner.
Staff Predictions:
Mark: Rhea Ripley
Dillon: Rhea Ripley
Jiarmani: Rhea Ripley
Michael: Rhea Ripley
Garrett: Becky Lynch
Men’s Royal Rumble Match
Prediction
Similar to the women’s match, there are a few good options as well — which is what makes a Royal Rumble match good. It’s the fact that you don’t know who is going to win because there are so many good options.
I think Cody Rhodes wins the WWE Royal Rumble, though. As much as I’m rooting for Sami Zayn, I just don’t think WWE will do it. Seth Rollins is someone who absolutely deserves it as well, but I don’t think they’re going to go in that direction.
As much as I hate to say it, another option is The Rock. I love the Rock as much as the next person, but he absolutely does not need to win the match.
I think Rhodes is going to enter at No. 1 and go the distance. He may even break the record for the longest time spent in the match as well. Furthermore, I truly believe he’s the one to dethrone Roman Reigns at WrestleMania.
Staff Predictions:
Mark: Cody Rhodes
Dillon: Sami Zayn
Jiarmani: Cody Rhodes
Michael: Sami Zayn
Garrett: Cody Rhodes
NXT Call-Ups
Mark: Grayson Waller & Zoey Stark
Dillon: Carmelo Hayes & Toxic Attraction
Jiarmani: Cameron Grimes & Indi Hartwell
Michael: Carmelo Hayes & Wendy Choo
Debuts
Mark: Nick Aldis & Deonna Purrazzo
Dillon: Gable Steveson & Brianna Ray (Kylie Rae)
Jiarmani: Jay White & Kana (Asuka)
Garrett: Nick Aldis & Gable Steveson
Returns
Mark: Stone Cold Steve Austin & Chelsea Green
Dillon: Matt Cardona & Lita
Jiarmani: Robert Rhoode & Naomi
Garrett: Matt Cardona, The Rock, & Pat McAfee
