WWE Royal Rumble: Breaking Down the Odds of Each WWE Superstar

The Royal Rumble marks the official start of the road to WrestleMania. It is a fitting way to ring in the WWE new year with an epic 30-man battle royal to determine a Royal Rumble winner.

Entrants returning from injury winning the Rumble seems to be a recent trend, given the victories of John Cena in 2008 and Edge in 2010. Heels winning seems to be another prevalent trend, since Randy Orton and Alberto Del Rio won in 2009 and 2011, respectively.

This year, the field appears wide open. A litany of guys have a legitimate case for winning the Royal Rumble. The title reigns of CM Punk and Daniel Bryan are far from stable.

I will break down each wrestler's odds into classifications according to the likelihood of them winning. These classifications will go from the most unlikely underdogs to the heavy favorites.

Note: I will assume the wrestlers already in title matches (CM Punk, Dolph Ziggler and Daniel Bryan) will NOT participate in the Rumble.

Wrestlers with No Chance in Hell

Curt Hawkins, Epico, Heath Slater, Hunico, Jinder Mahal, Johnny Curtis, JTG, Michael McGillicutty, Primo, Ted Dibiase, Trent Barretta, Tyler Reks, Tyson Kidd, Usos and Yoshi Tatsu have no chance to win the Rumble.

Sorry, but it's true.

Wrestlers Who Will Steal the Show but Still Have No Chance

Evan Bourne: His high-flying maneuvers are in order to excite the fans.

Ezekiel Jackson: His strength will be in full display here.

Goldust: He can block Twitter followers while resting in the corner.

Justin Gabriel: see Evan Bourne.

Mason Ryan: see Ezekiel Jackson.

Wrestlers Who Have a Slimmer Chance Than You Landing a Date with Kelly Kelly

Alex Riley: I put him on here since Miz's NXT Rookies tend to do well in the WWE. Well, at least Miz's first rookie. Otherwise, he'd be in the No Chance category.

Brodus Clay: His chances of winning the Rumble are as slim as him actually appearing on Raw.

David Otunga: Maybe he can face Christian in a "Loser Gets Sued Match" at WrestleMania for the World Heavyweight Championship.

Drew McIntyre: Vince McMahon must feel embarrassed about predicting Drew McIntyre as a future world champion. Therefore, he gets moved up to the Slim Chance category.

Kofi Kingston: He seems to be a man whose car is stuck in neutral on a steep hill. That's bad news for the Boom Squad.

R-Truth: It is a conspiracy he is no longer in the main event. Little Jimmy!

Santino: His memorable second-place finish in the 40-man Royal Rumble in 2011 moves him up. I would have loved to see him win the Rumble last year!

Former World Champions Who Have a Chance but Not a Good One

Big Show: The overgrown, 500-pound bag of monkey crap can actually win the Rumble (unlike in 2000) and challenge Daniel Bryan. Otherwise, he is pegged to face former NBA player Shaquille O'Neal at WrestleMania.

Jack Swagger: Does he count as a former world champion? He could win to set up an utter wrestling clinic with Dolph Ziggler, CM Punk or Daniel Bryan. But there are several better choices to win the Rumble.

Kane: Winning the Rumble could be a tribute to his dominance in it. But it is doubtful he'll actually win the Rumble.

John Cena: If his match with Rock is for the WWE Championship, Cena can just reclaim the title at Elimination Chamber. It makes no sense for him to win the Royal Rumble.

Booker T: He responded, "WHAT DA HELL?!?!?" after he was told he won't likely win the Rumble.

Up-and-Coming Wrestlers Who Have a Very Strong Chance

Cody Rhodes: The current Intercontinental Champion can win the Rumble to set up a Champion vs. Champion match with the World Heavyweight Champion in Miami.

Dolph Ziggler: He doesn't count as a former World Champion, in my humble opinion. But he can steal the show, like he always does, with CM Punk or Daniel Bryan.

Wade Barrett: The Barrett Barrage can continue with a Rumble victory, setting up a match with former Nexus stablemate Daniel Bryan or hated rival Randy Orton.

Zack Ryder: WWWYKI

World Champions with as Good of a Chance as Undertaker Winning at WrestleMania

Alberto Del Rio: but you already know that!

Christian: His obsession with rematches and legal proceedings will make him a contender. He can put on an incredible match with Daniel Bryan or CM Punk at WrestleMania.

Chris Jericho: He has never won the Rumble in his illustrious career. "The Best in the World at What He Does" can reclaim his moniker from the "Best in the World" for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania.

Mark Henry: He can win the Rumble to reclaim the World Heavyweight Championship from a man literally half his size in Daniel Bryan.

Miz: A feud with Daniel Bryan or CM Punk for WrestleMania would be AWESOME!!!

Randy Orton: Orton is a heavy favorite to win the Rumble in his hometown of St. Louis. He will be the "surprise" entrant in the Royal Rumble.

Sheamus: Winning the Royal Rumble will cement his ascension as the top face on Smackdown.

And the Royal Rumble Winner Is Hornswoggle!!!

YES!!!

Just kidding. My real Royal Rumble winner is...

Chris Jericho

It makes too much sense for Chris Jericho to win the Royal Rumble. Therefore, my prediction will likely cost me imaginary money.

Jericho has never won the Rumble in his wonderful career. It is clear Chris Jericho is going to be a heel after irritating the fans with his bizarre return.

Chris Jericho vs. CM Punk will deliver at WrestleMania 28 for the WWE Championship. Punk will retain against Dolph Ziggler at the Royal Rumble and whoever he faces at Elimination Chamber.

The promos and the match itself would be fantastic. Chris Jericho can finally end the Royal Rumble winner's recent championship drought by winning the WWE Championship. It won't hurt CM Punk because the feud alone will elevate him.

Conclusion

Feel free to break down the odds yourself in the comments section. If any wrestler on my "No Chance in Hell" list wins the Royal Rumble, I will retire from writing on Bleacher Report forever.

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Thanks for reading!