Here is all you need to know about the WWE Royal Rumble 2019 pay-per-view event.
WWE Royal Rumble 2019: The road to Wrestlemania 35 begins on the Chase Field in Arizona with WWE Royal Rumble 2019 event this weekend. The WWE Royal Rumble 2019 will feature the Men's and Women's Royal Rumble Matches, Universal Champion Brock Lesnar against Finn Balor, WWE Champion Daniel Bryan vs AJ Styles, Raw Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey against Sasha Banks, SmackDown Women’s Champion Asuka vs Becky Lynch and more.
In the Royal Rumble matches, a tradition dating back to 1988, the high-stakes free-for-all event starts with two Superstars and other Superstars enter the ring at equal intervals. Both the men and women will battle it out in the traditional 30-competitor, over-the-top-rope Royal Rumble matches with Wrestlemania championship opportunities on the line. The winners will face the champion of his or her choice on The Grandest Stage of Them All in April.
The Royal Rumble 2019: Full match card
The 30-Man Royal Rumble Match
The 30-Woman Royal Rumble Match
Universal Championship Match: Brock Lesnar (c) vs Finn Bálor
WWE Championship Match: Daniel Bryan (c) vs AJ Styles
Raw Women’s Championship Match: Ronda Rousey (c) vs Sasha Banks
SmackDown Women’s Championship Match: Asuka (c) vs Becky Lynch
SmackDown Tag Team Championship Match: The Bar (c) vs The Miz & Shane McMahon
United States Championship Match (Kickoff Match): Rusev (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
WWE Cruiserweight Championship Fatal 4-Way Match (Kickoff Match): Buddy Murphy (c) vs. Kalisto vs. Akira Tozawa vs. Hideo Itami
Here are our previews and prediction for the matches at WWE Royal Rumble 2019.
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1. Buddy Murphy (c) vs Kalisto vs Akira Towaza vs Hideo Itami
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Cruiserweight Championship — Buddy Murphy (c) vs. Kalisto vs. Akira Towaza vs. Hideo Itami (Kickoff show)
The cruiserweights have stolen the show at almost every WWE pay-per-view. This match is also expected to be the same with some great stars in action. While Hideo Itami is a rising star it seems the time for Buddy Murphy to release his title has not yet come.
Prediction: Buddy Murphy to reatain WWE Cruiserweight Championship
(Image: WWE)
2. Rusev vs Shinsuke Nakamura
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United States Championship — Rusev (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura (Kickoff show)
Rusev winning the US Championship received the biggest pop in December. The fight between the two has been personal and expect another finish with some controversy.
Prediction: Rusev to retain the US Championship
(Image: WWE)
3. The Bar vs The Miz and Shane McMahon
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SmackDown Tag Team Championship Match: The Bar (c) vs The Miz & Shane McMahon
This is a fight where the focus is less on the championship belt and more on the future of the challengers' partnership. It is expected that Shane and The Miz will turn against each other setting a feud for Wrestlemania 35.
Prediction: The Bar to retain, Shane and Miz to turn on each other
(Image: WWE)
4. Ronda Rousey vs Sasha Banks
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Raw Women’s Championship Match: Ronda Rousey (c) vs Sasha Banks
Ronda Rousey will defend her Raw Women's Championship against Sasha Banks. Banks became the No. 1 contender to the Raw women's title when she defeated Nia Jax. However, despite Banks' charisma and ability, this seems to be just a stop over before Ronda Rousey faces Becky Lynch or Charlotte at Wrestlemania.
Prediction: Ronda Rousey to retain
(Image: WWE)
5. Becky Lynch vs Asuka
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SmackDown Women’s Championship Match: Asuka (c) vs Becky Lynch
Becky Lynch will square off against Asuka for the Smack Down Women’s Championship. This could be a final opportunity for Lynch to clinch the title that helped her ascend to the status of “The Man.” However, it is very unlikely that Asuka's reign will be so short. This match could see an outside interfarrence as well.
Prediction: Auska to retain
(Image: WWE)
6. Daniel Bryan vs AJ Styles
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WWE Championship Match: Daniel Bryan (c) vs AJ Styles
WWE Champion Daniel Bryan will once again go to war with a determined AJ Styles at Royal Rumble 2019. After AJ Styles fell short in the rematch at WWE TLC, The Phenomenal One is laser-focused on reclaiming his title. AJ Styles is coming off an explosive Fatal 5-Way Match to earn the right to once again challenge Daniel Bryan at Royal Rumble 2019. However, Bryan is having the best run of his career as as champions heel and it seems unlikely to change so soon.
Prediction: Daniel Bryan to win and retain the WWE Championship
(Image: WWE)
7. Brock Lesnar vs Finn Balor
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Universal Championship Match: Brock Lesnar (c) vs Finn Balor
The universal title picture took another swerve when Braun Strowman ripped the door off of Mr. McMahon’s limo during Monday Night Raw resulting in The Chairman stripping The Monster Among Men of his Universal Title bout against Brock Lesnar. Eventually, Balor won a Fatal 4-Way match and is now the No.1 contender to face Brock Lesnar at 2019 Royal Rumble. This puts Finn Balor in an interesting spot considering he was removed from this exact match one year ago in favour of Strowman and Kane.
Prediction: Lesnar to retain the title
(Image: WWE)
8. The 30-Woman Royal Rumble Match
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The 30-Woman Royal Rumble Match Confirmed entrants: Natalya, Bayley, Ember Moon, Lacey Evans, Alexa Bliss, Ruby Riott, Sarah Logan, Liv Morgan, Mickie James, Alicia Fox, Mandy Rose, Sonya Deville, Zelina Vega, Charlotte Flair, Naomi, Tamina, Peyton Royce, Billie Kay, Dana Brooke, Lana, Nia Jax, Nikki Cross, Carmella (confirmed for the No. 30 spot)
There are still seven spots remaining, so expect some unexpected returns and surprise entrants, but it is most likely that Becky Lynch or Charlotte Flair will win the match. If Becky loses her match against Asuaka, then she will be the favourite.
Prediction: Becky Lynch ( or Charlotte Flair)
(Image: WWE)
9. The 30-Man Royal Rumble Match
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The 30-Man Royal Rumble Match Confirmed entrants: John Cena, Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, Samoa Joe, Drew McIntyre, Kofi Kingston, Big E, Xavier Woods, Apollo Crews, Baron Corbin, Elias, Jinder Mahal, Bobby Lashley, Jeff Hardy, Andrade, Rey Mysterio, Mustafa Ali, Mustafa Ali, R-Truth (No. 30).
There are still 11 spots open while John Cena is a doubt to appear. He will be one of the biggest contenders for the match if he enters. However, Drew McIntyre or Seth Rollins will be favourites to win. Braun Strowman, if he enters, will be the one to watch.
Prediction: Seth Rollins/Drew McIntyre
(Image: WWE)
10. WWE Royal Rumble 2019: Live Stream, when and where to watch
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The WWE Royal Rumble will take place on 28 January, Monday (28 January, Sunday in USA). The WWE Royal Rumble 2019 Kick Off Show will start on 28 January, Monday at 3.30 am IST. The WWE Royal Rumble 2019 Main Event will start at 5.30 am IST on 28 January, Monday. The WWE Royal Rumble 2019 will be live on on Sony Ten 1 & Sony Ten 1 HD (English) and Sony Ten 2 & Sony Ten 2 HD (Hindi) TV channels.
(Image: WWE)
