WWE Royal Rumble 2017: Odds, Ranking Likely Rumble Winners After Raw, SmackDown

One of the most anticipated events on the WWE calendar is just a matter of weeks away, and right now, it's anyone's guess as to who could win the 2017 Royal Rumble match on Jan. 29.

And that's a refreshing change. In recent years, it's been fairly easy to predict who will win the pay-per-view's marquee match. With victories from the likes of Batista and Triple H in recent years, it's left WWE fans feeling a shade flat.

Could that change this year? The match features an array of talent, ranging from the company's part-time stars such as Goldberg and The Undertaker to new, exciting talent like Braun Strowman and Baron Corbin.

But which way will WWE go this time? Here's a look at the latest odds, as well as the five leading candidates to outlast 29 other Superstars as things stand.

Odds

Credit: WWE.com

All odds are courtesy of OddsShark:

• Braun Strowman 5-2
• The Undertaker 11-4
• Randy Orton 11-4
• Finn Balor 9-2
• Samoa Joe 7-1
• Chris Jericho 10-1
• Baron Corbin 12-1
• Goldberg 12-1
• Brock Lesnar 12-1
• Seth Rollins 14-1
• Bray Wyatt 14-1
• John Cena 16-1
• The Miz 16-1
• Kurt Angle 16-1
• Dean Ambrose 20-1

5. Chris Jericho

If Kevin Owens surrenders the WWE Universal Championship to Roman Reigns earlier in the night, then Chris Jericho's chances of winning the Rumble match will tumble. But right now, he has to be considered one of the favorites.

Jericho is coming into the Rumble match on the back of one of the strongest years of his career, so we have to place him near the top of the list of likely winners.

Jericho vs. Owens looks a likely bet at WrestleMania 33, so if Owens retains the belt, Jericho could easily come through the field and do something he's never done—win the Royal Rumble.

It feels only right that one of the greatest wrestlers of his generation gets the chance to say he's won the Rumble match.

4. Finn Balor

He may not have been around for the last few months, but with his expected recovery being just around the corner, hopes are high that Finn Balor can return to WWE in this month's Royal Rumble match.

And if he does return and end his exile from the company in the show's marquee bout, Balor would immediately become a clear favorite.

Given that there's not much in the way of concrete WrestleMania plans for Balor, him advancing straight through to the main event makes plenty of sense. With some of the other big names in the match already having plans locked in, someone like Balor—whose status is unclear—becomes a much more appealing winner.

Plus, fans would be delighted to see Balor return to the main event scene after a shoulder injury forced him onto the shelf.

Since he's not yet back from injury, it's only speculation that he will join the field. But don't discount Balor if he comes back on Jan. 29.

3. The Miz

If winners of the Royal Rumble were ranked on how much they deserve it, then The Miz would be in the mix.

He's coming off the hottest year of his career, and the fact he's dropped the Intercontinental Championship could suggest he's set for a move to the main event scene on SmackDown.

And given how he was heavily involved in the opening segment this past Tuesday with John Cena and AJ Styles—where he didn't look out of place—The Miz is a contender to win the match and advance to the WrestleMania main event.

Sure, there may be a couple of guys ahead of him in terms of being more likely winners, but it's impossible to rule out The Miz.

2. The Undertaker

The Deadman has sent the message out to the field that he's returning to WWE to win the Royal Rumble match—and don't bet against him coming through on his promise.

He may be 51, but The Undertaker remains a credible threat to the rest of the contenders in the field.

One more WrestleMania main event is not beyond The Phenom, either. 

It's hard to imagine a conventional elimination, which means being screwed by his WrestleMania opponent and emerging victorious are the only two realistic options for him.

However, despite The Undertaker looking like a strong contender, one Superstar looks to have an even better chance.

1. Braun Strowman

Plenty of WWE fans won't like it, but Braun Strowman has to be considered the favorite to win the Rumble and main-event WrestleMania 33.

Why? Well, of late, his push into the main event scene has gathered momentum, and the timing seems to be deliberate, with WrestleMania being just around the corner.

When Brock Lesnar invaded the opening segment of Raw on Monday night, Strowman never incurred the wrath of The Beast Incarnate. Was that a conscious effort by WWE to ensure one of its biggest up-and-coming stars didn't look weaker than Lesnar?

Couple that with the fact he got the winning pinfall in the main event later that night, and he looks untouchable as things stand. Strowman has to be the standout candidate to win the Rumble.

Who he faces at WrestleMania, however, is anyone's guess.