WWE Royal Rumble 2012 Results: 7 Huge New Rivalries We Could See Going Forward

As we emerge from WWE's Royal Rumble pay-per-view, one thing is for sure: there is a whole lot to talk about.

Indeed, with its screw jobs, ref bumps, run-ins, surprise victories and shock returns, the extremely newsworthy show that threw up the possibility of numerous fresh and exciting new feuds on WWE television.

With this in mind, here are the seven rivalries we can see happening as a result of this show.

Zack Ryder vs. Kane

The calamitous John Cena/Kane match at the Royal Rumble was notable mainly because poor Zack Ryder got dragged into things yet again.

Cena and Kane brawled backstage, ending Kane storming into Ryder's dressing room (it was shown earlier in the evening that an injured Zack was visiting backstage the show) and wheeled him out to the ring for a brutal tombstone. His traumatized girlfriend, Eve, could also be seen weeping hysterically at ringside.

Ryder, who surely must be re-evaluating being friends with danger-magnet Cena considering all the trouble and hassle it has brought it, ended looking like even more of a loser than he has in previous weeks.

So, after yet another savage beating at the hands of Kane, Ryder simply has to return from his back injury to get revenge on the monster who has made his life a misery in the last few months. Otherwise fans will never believe in him again and there will be simply no rehabilitating his troubled career.

Beth Phoenix vs. Kharma

After Kharma's shock return at the Royal Rumble (she managed to eliminate Smackdown star Hunico before getting eliminated herself by Dolph Ziggler), it seems blindingly clear that the first woman she should feud with is current Divas Champion Beth Phoenix.

While Phoenix has been woefully neglected by the fickle WWE writing team in recent times, her dominating victory over Kelly Kelly in the eight person tag match indicates that management has regained faith in the star and are ready to use her as a regular on television again.

Certainly out of an admittedly weak field of women (can anyone imagine tiny, stick-thin girls like Rosa Mendes or Alicia Fox taking the fight to Kharma?), the fearless, muscle-bound Phoenix is easily the best option and seems to be the only one that fans could see as capable of taking the fight to the monstrous Kharma.

Cody Rhodes vs. Mick Foley

Obnoxious heel Rhodes was on a bit of a rampage throughout the Rumble, eliminating old foes in Booker T, Santino, Jerry Lawyer, Hacksaw Jim Duggan and Mick Foley.

After lasting a very long time, Cody was eventually thrown over the top rope by No. 30 The Big Show, ending his chances at at a WrestleMania event.

With this in mind, veteran Foley may be the best person for Rhodes to enter into a grudge feud with next and would certainly tie in with Rhodes' recent attacks on the old guard.

His elimination of Foley could serve as the impetus for the hardcore legend to begin a program with the youngster. Rhodes could even start openly mocking Foley on television, as he has done with Booker T and others (even his own brother, Goldust, isn't safe from his verbal lashings).

Such a storyline may be a smart move from WWE creative and help out Cody as he attempts to navigate himself up the card.

Indeed, in Foley's past work with emerging stars like Triple H (in 2000) and Randy Orton (in 2004) he has shown an ability to get younger, more inexperienced wrestlers hugely over through his selfless and gusty performances.

Sheamus vs. Daniel Bryan

Well, this one seems like a no-brainer.

Sheamus is obviously heading for a championship match at this year's Wrestlemania and, considering how cluttered Raw's main event scene is right now, it seems unlikely he will be heading to the red brand to make use of his title shot.

It's not like a feud with CM Punk would make sense right now anyway (both are faces and there has never even been the hint of tension between them).

So we reckon Sheamus will stay right where he is on Smackdown, and challenge weaselly-heel World Champion Daniel Bryan for the gold. Certainly, the two have distinctive personalities that could make any program between them stand out.

Chris Jericho vs. CM Punk

Jericho may have come up short in his quest to win this year's Royal Rumble  but we still reckon he's headed for a battle with current WWE Champion CM Punk the near future (likely at WrestleMania).

Jericho was the last out at the Rumble as eventual victor Sheamus delivered a brutal Brogue Kick to Jericho on the apron to send the recently returned star flying to the floor. The devastating loss here could be what drives "Y2J" into becoming a full-blown heel, a character direction that has been subtly hinted at on recent episodes of Raw. 

In which case, he really will be a force to be reckoned with when he challenges babyface CM Punk for his title. 

Brodus Clay vs. Drew McIntyre

These two worked a quick, unannounced match on the show, which saw the dancing wrestler take on and soundly defeat the dour Scotsman, after Drew questioned the big man's dancing skills and ability to entertain the crowd in a promo during the show.

While fans aren't exactly salivating for a feud between these two, at least a McIntyre/Clay program would give both of them something to do and help Brodus grew his promising comedy act.  

Chris Jericho vs. Randy Orton

While Jericho is likely headed for a showdown with WWE Champion CM Punk at some point down the road—with Punk currently engaged in a grudge fued with Raw GM John Laurinaitis—Chris likely has some time to kill before then.

Maybe the increasingly heelish star could feud with Smackdown babyface Randy Orton for a while? Certainly the seeds of a potential rivalry (Jericho eliminated Orton in front of his hometown) were sown here.