WWE Royal Rumble 2015: Feuds That Will Increase Excitement Level for Event

While January's Royal Rumble pay-per-view is being largely built around the stale Brock Lesnar-John Cena feud, the card will also showcase some truly intriguing rivalries and programs. In fact, there are several storylines fans might want to keep their eyes on heading into the Philadelphia event.

Luke Harper vs. Dolph Ziggler

Credit: WWE.com

Luke Harper vs. Dolph Ziggler is currently one of the most interesting feuds in the midcard scene right now. Any time these two get into the ring together, the results are utterly fantastic. The pair's astonishing ladder match at TLC stole the show with its big bumps and great crowd heat. They also churned out a terrific match on an otherwise mediocre edition of Raw on Monday.

These two have helped bring the marginalized Intercontinental Championship back to prominence—and, ideally, fans will see them face off one last time for the belt at the Royal Rumble next month. Expect that match to be spectacular, too.

Ryback vs. Rusev

Credit: WWE.com

Per the storylines, monster heel Rusev is now feuding with new babyface Ryback. Granted, the two are unlikely to produce amazing technical matches, but there is some intrigue here. Since he debuted at the Royal Rumble earlier this year, Rusev has easily run through every hurdle placed in front of him. Sans a count-out loss at Survivor Series—which doesn't really count—he's undefeated.

Ryback, however, is possibly his best challenger to date. He exudes genuine toughness and strength in almost everything he does. Like Bill Goldberg—a wrestler he is frequently compared with—he comes off as the real deal.

For all of Ryback's flaws as an in-ring performer, he may be one of the very few people on the roster who the fans can believe has a legitimate chance at stopping Rusev's reign of terror. No doubt at the Royal Rumble we will see the two get into a very heated confrontation during the 30-man match, too.

Miz and Mizdow vs. The Usos

Credit: WWE.com

Miz and Mizdow vs. The Usos is another deeply engrossing program—mainly because of the involvement of Jimmy's wife, Naomi.

Unlike most of wrestling's soap opera-esque angles, this is rooted somewhat in the real world and not totally ridiculous: A flirtatious Miz is trying to make Naomi a music star, making her husband more than a little jealous. It's not unbelievable or far-fetched. No absurd Claire Lynch-style twists here.

The acting of everyone, particularly Jimmy, who is showing previously unseen fire and personality, has been very solid, too.

Presumably, fans will see the two clash at Royal Rumble for the belts again, and we'll get the next development in this very good angle.