WWE Royal Rumble 2013: 5 Candidates Most Likely to Interfere in WWE Title Match

Who will help CM Punk at the Royal Rumble? (photo credit: ibtimes.com)

This Sunday at the Royal Rumble, CM Punk will defend his WWE Championship and his streak against The Rock, without the help of The Shield.

This past week on Raw, Mr. McMahon announced that if The Shield interferes in the WWE title match, CM Punk would be stripped of the championship.

As soon as McMahon made the announcement, other WWE Superstars came to mind.

Why? Just because The Shield cannot interfere doesn’t mean other WWE Superstars can’t.

Here are the five most likely candidates to interfere in CM Punk and The Rock’s WWE Championship match at the Royal Rumble.

The Undertaker

Will the Undertaker return to set up this match? (photo credit: snvclub.com)

The Dead Man has not been seen since Raw 1000 and time is running out for him to begin a feud for this year’s WrestleMania.

The Undertaker should try to accomplish the feat of becoming WWE champion one more time before his career is over.

Perhaps he would like to be the one to end CM Punk’s reign.

There were rumors that WWE may build toward a streak vs. streak match at WrestleMania between CM Punk and the Undertaker.

I have already discussed why this should not happen, but if it's what WWE would like, then interference by the Undertaker would make sense.

NXT Superstars

Will we see more NXT superstars debut at the Royal Rumble? (photo credit: wwe.com)

The Shield is unable to interfere in the WWE title match or else CM Punk will be stripped of the belt.

However, what if new members to The Shield are introduced during the WWE title match?

At Hell in a Cell 2010, Husky Harris and Michael McGillicutty interfered in a match between John Cena and Wade Barrett when the Nexus were banned from getting involved.

A similar situation could occur on Sunday. Perhaps Kassius Ohno or Richie Steamboat would also like to fight and be part of the Shield of injustice in WWE.

The Shield may not be able to get involved, but future members of The Shield still can.

Brad Maddox

Perhaps Brad Maddox will give Punk an assist again. (photo credit: wwe.com)

Brad Maddox has had a strange relationship with Paul Heyman, who at times speaks fondly of Maddox and at other times does not.

Maddox has not been a referee since an October edition of Raw for a match between Vickie Guerrero and A.J. Lee. However, Maddox has offered to referee matches for Heyman.

Could we see Maddox as the referee for the WWE title match?

It would seem silly and obvious who would win if Maddox were referee, but that doesn’t mean he won’t join ringside and get involved.

Brad Maddox has also been seen at the commentary table, so it would be interesting to see if he chooses to do so during the WWE title match.

Brock Lesnar

Lesnar could finally return and join Punk and Heyman this Sunday. (photo credit: wwe.com)

It has been months since Lesnar was on WWE TV, but the closer we get to WrestleMania, the more people will talk about him.

Brock Lesnar has a history with The Rock and an interesting connection to CM Punk.

Paul Heyman has been Lesnar’s mouthpiece in both of his stints in WWE, but as we all know, Heyman now manages WWE champion CM Punk.

Wouldn’t it make sense for Lesnar to help Heyman and Punk against his old nemesis in The Rock?

Brock Lesnar needs to have a match at WrestleMania and I hope I speak for everyone when I say: I don’t want to see another Lesnar and Triple H match.

The Rock against Brock would make perfect sense, as both are part-time wrestlers.

John Cena

Could Cena get involved in the WWE title match at Royal Rumble? (photo credit: wwe.com)

John Cena is no stranger to CM Punk or The Rock and will most likely be involved in a match with one or both WWE Superstars at WrestleMania 29.

It remains to be seen the order of the matches this Sunday. If the Rumble occurs first and John Cena wins, he should almost definitely make an appearance during the WWE title match.

Even if the Rumble ends the show or Cena does not win, it would not be surprising to see Cena interfere in The Rock and CM Punk’s match.

Cena could seek revenge on The Rock for defeating him at last year’s WrestleMania or look to help the Great One in the quest to end CM Punk’s title reign.

Conclusion

How will the WWE title match end at Royal Rumble? (photo credit: wwe.com)

Regardless of the outcome of the WWE title match at Royal Rumble, WWE will look to keep CM Punk strong.

Therefore, it seems very unlikely that the match will end with a clean pin or submission.

Brock Lesnar or The Undertaker may return to begin setting up their respective matches for WrestleMania.

Another NXT Superstar could debut and help CM Punk retain his title.

The bottom line is, chances are someone will interfere, but it won’t be The Shield.

Who do you think is the most likely candidate to interfere in the WWE title match? How will the match end this Sunday? Please leave your suggestions, ideas and comments in the section below.

 

Sincerely,

Seth

 

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