WWE Royal Rumble 2018: Updated Men's and Women's Battle Royal Predictions

WWE's biggest thrill ride of the year is approaching fast on the horizon—and this year the Royal Rumble pay-per-view promises to be not only as enjoyable and unpredictable as ever but also historic.

That is because for the first time in the event's 31-year history, WWE's female Superstars are joining the party and having their own Royal Rumble match.

With the event set for January 28, it's inevitable the full 30-man and 30-woman fields are yet to be completely filled. As is often the case, there will be a few surprises in the men's field WWE will try its best to keep under wraps. Expect the same in the women's match, too.

Of the competitors announced for both matches so far, though, here's a look at who the final four could be in the both bouts—as well as some tentative predictions about who could emerge victorious.

Recent form in the ring, status on the card and fan popularity have all been considered as factors for the predictions.

Women's Royal Rumble: Potential Final 4

WWE has confirmed 17 of the 30 participants for the women's match so far:

Naomi, Asuka, Ruby Riott, Natalya, Sasha Banks, Bayley, Paige, Mandy Rose, Sonya Deville, Carmella, Tamina, Lana, Liv Morgan, Sarah Logan, Mickie James, Nia Jax, Becky Lynch

Clearly one name stands out—Asuka. The Empress of Tomorrow is a near-certainty to be in the final four of the first women's Royal Rumble match, which leaves three slots to be filled alongside her.

WWE may feel holding the Money in the Bank briefcase makes the reasoning for putting Carmella in the final four somewhat non-existent. Her time will come via other avenues.

Similarly, the likes of Mickie James, Mandy Rose, Sonya Deville and Tamina don't seem ready for a major push as things stand.

WWE would be wise to place the leader of Absolution, Paige, into the mix, though. She has impressed since returning to Raw and is an ideal candidate to be in the final four. She joins Asuka in our leading quartet.

The identity of the two other women depends on what post-Rumble plans the company has for the women's division on both brands.

Perhaps this is Bayley's time to get back on track after her Raw career stalled, though her close friend, Sasha Banks, seems a smarter fit.

If WWE is going to make the first women's Rumble match go off with a bang, the final few competitors need to have as much star power and momentum as possible. The Boss makes the cut in this instance, as does an extremely popular face on SmackDown Live—Becky Lynch.

Lynch returned with a roar last week, and even when WWE appears to have little in the way of plans for her, she remains popular. She should be rewarded for that with a place in the final four.

Final Four: Asuka (Raw), Sasha Banks (Raw), Paige (Raw), Becky Lynch (SmackDown Live)

Women's Royal Rumble: Winner

The men's match is extremely difficult to call this year, but the women's match is far easier.

She remains undefeated in WWE, both on NXT and the main roster. Having Asuka stumble here, while it would not officially count as an actual loss, would be a huge mistake.

She is the most popular and promising star on the roster. Her standing means she has the potential to do what WWE has failed to do in its handling of Shinsuke Nakamura and transfer her independent scene and NXT momentum into a huge push on the main roster.

While the other three in our final four would be worthy winners, Asuka eliminating Sasha Banks last is the right move.

Winner: Asuka (Raw)

Men's Royal Rumble: Potential Final 4

Following the January 10 edition of SmackDown Live, only 11 of the 30 men's entrants had been confirmed: 

Elias, Randy Orton, Shinsuke Nakamura, John Cena, Finn Balor, Baron Corbin, Samoa Joe, Matt Hardy, Bray Wyatt, Rusev, Aiden English

And while there are many more big names—and potential winners—still to be confirmed, it is only fair to work with the names confirmed so far. So, a final four for the men appears slightly easier than first feared at this stage.

One name that unquestionably has to be there is Shinsuke Nakamura.

WWE has failed him on the main roster so far, failing to push the Japanese as highly as many fans would have hoped given his supreme in-ring ability and popularity on NXT. This is an opportunity to start putting that right. Nakamura makes our cut without a doubt.

Another big name from Nakamura's graduation class on NXT joins him in the final four—Samoa Joe.

Joe still feels as though he has so much more to give on Raw, but there is a stumbling block for any Raw star winning the Rumble.

It feels inevitable Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar are destined for a showdown for the Universal Championship at WrestleMania 34, meaning for any other Raw Superstar, the chances of winning and getting a title bout at the biggest show of the year feel slim.

Joe, however, is worthy of being in the final four, and him being eliminated by someone of note can set up a blockbuster first Mania feud for him. That person could be John Cena, for example—and there's no way WWE will have him miss out on the final four.

Cena, like Joe and Nakamura, is in our final four.

The final man should be a SmackDown competitor to keep WWE fans guessing over who will win the bout—and with popularity, momentum and potential in mind, that slot goes to Rusev.

Sure, he and Aiden English may have lost on Tuesday's tapings, but The Bulgarian Brute needs pushing; he's too good not to.

His gimmick is the most over thing on the roster, and he is overdue a championship opportunity.

WWE missed a step two years ago when they had him in the final two of the roster before being dumped out unceremoniously by Reigns. He should return to the latter stages of a Royal Rumble match once again.

Final Four: Shinsuke Nakamura (SmackDown Live), Samoa Joe (Raw), John Cena (SmackDown Live), Rusev (SmackDown Live)

Men's Royal Rumble: Winner

This is a much tougher pick than the women's match.

While Samoa Joe would be a popular winner, the aforementioned presence of Reigns likely taking up Raw's title scene puts a block on that this year. 

That means the winner will come from the blue brand, and though the company could be tempted to go with the star power of Cena, there is an altogether bigger WrestleMania match looming on the horizon: AJ Styles vs. Nakamura for the WWE Championship.

Fans will immediately question whether that requires a heel turn for either Styles or Nakamura to facilitate the match taking place—it doesn't.

Their star power and in-ring ability will get this match over, not to mention the fact it's a bout that has captured the imagination many times before in other promotions.

It feels like Nakamura's time. He's our winner as things stand.

Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura (SmackDown Live)