WWE Royal Rumble 2012: Predicting Who Will Compete and If They Will Win

As the WWE leaves last year’s concept of the 40-man Royal Rumble behind, the January classic returns to its original form consisting of 30 superstars fighting for a shot to challenge for their brand's championship at this year's WrestleMania.

While the entrant list for the event’s 25th anniversary has yet to be released by the WWE, the following slide show will take a look at the potential entrant list and their chances for the Royal Rumble on January 22 in St Louis, Missouri. 

Big Show

Even with a size and weight advantage over most of the 30 superstars during his years in the Rumble, the Big Show still finds himself on the losing end of the annual January event. This year will be no different as some kind of interrupt by Mark Henry will eliminate the recent World Heavyweight Champion next month. 

Odds: Pretender

Booker T

With his ongoing rivalry against the Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes, the former six-time World Heavyweight Champion should be a lock to compete in the match and have a hand in some eliminations but I can see Rhodes eliminating Booker T at some point during the match.

Odds: Pretender

Brodus Clay

If the menacing giant ever makes his very long-awaited debut on Raw, Brodus Clay could be a force in the match next month but will likely be eliminated by the superstar that he starts a rivalry with when he debuts next Monday.

Odds: Pretender

Christian

While it’s unclear if he’ll compete in the 2012 Royal Rumble, the surprise entrant of Christian will surely get a pop from the crowd in St Louis. The former two-time World Heavyweight Champion will try to get back on track after suffering an injury in November.

Odds: Pretender

Cody Rhodes

As Cody Rhodes continues to climb the ranks of one of the longest running Intercontinental Champions in WWE history, I would expect to see his current rival Booker T to play a part in his elimination at next month’s Royal Rumble.

Odds: Pretender

Curt Hawkins

Since being drafted back to Monday Night Raw last April, Curt Hawkins has been stuck in mediocre the remainder of 2011 on the brief moments while on television so I would expect Hawkins to be a quick out in the Rumble. 

Odds: Pretender

David Otunga

Unless the former Harvard Law degree recipient can outsmart the participants in this year’s Royal Rumble, David Otunga has no shot in the match unless John Laurinaitis fixes the outcome of the Rumble which is very unlikely.

Odds: Pretender

Dolph Ziggler

After dropping the United States Championship to Zack Ryder at TLC this month, Dolph Ziggler has rebounded from the loss to jump into the middle of the WWE Title chase with CM Punk.

The Rumble could be another big step for Ziggler to be a main event talent in 2012.

Odds: Contender

Drew McIntyre

Since moving back to Smackdown this past week, Drew McIntyre might be depended on to carry the show as Randy Orton and the same can be asked of the once Chosen One in the Royal Rumble next month.

Odds: Pretender

Epico

After making his WWE debut in November, Epico has made a good impact in the tag team division with his partner Primo as the duo continue the ranks on Raw and Smackdown. But as a single competitor, the Puerto Rican will be fodder in the Rumble.

Odds: Pretender

Evan Bourne

As Evan Bourne will not have the luxury of his team Kofi Kingston to have his back in the Royal Rumble next month, the daredevil tag team champion will be fun to watch during the match until being eliminated.

Odds: Pretender

Ezekiel Jackson

Ezekiel Jackson had a good 2011 with a run as Intercontinental Champion, but he has fallen off the map in recent months which will likely end up with the former Corre member being eliminated in the later parts of the Rumble due to the size of the imposing superstar.

Odds: Pretender

Goldust

With the former Intercontinental Champion trying to push for a title vs. career match with his brother Cody Rhodes, the Royal Rumble match could be a good way to set up a rivalry between the current IC champion. The golden one will be eliminated toward the middle of the Rumble.

Odds: Pretender

Heath Slater

As this former member of the Nexus and the Corre won't have any of his former stable mates to help him, Heath Slater will be a quick out in the 2012 Royal Rumble.

Odds: Pretender

Hunico

With Sin Cara out of action due to the injury he suffered at the Survivor Series, Hunico has been bouncing around fighting different superstars since the event in November on Smackdown and Superstars with really no direction in the past few weeks.

Odds: Pretender

Jack Swagger

With the former World Heavyweight Champion teaming with Dolph Ziggler and Vicki Guerrero, the duo will likely work together in the Royal Rumble until Ziggler turns on his partner, eliminating him from the match and starting a feud with the All-American American.

Odds: Pretender

Jey Uso

If either one of the Uso Brothers team makes an appearance in the Royal Rumble, I would expect, in this case, Jey to get as much time in the match as he does on WWE television.

Odds: Pretender

Jimmy Uso

For this slide, you can just return to the Jey Uso slide for the reasoning for Jimmy.

Odds: Pretender

Jinder Mahal

Even though he is just an unabashed Muhammad Hassan 2.0, Jinder Mahal has the look of a future, big time WWE superstar. However, until he reaches his full potential, he will be just another elimination in the Royal Rumble. 

Odds: Pretender

John Cena

While it’s unclear if John Cena will take part in the Royal Rumble next month, the former WWE Champion will likely be a favorite going into the match. A possible interruption by the Big Red Machine will end up getting Cena eliminated.

Odds: Contender, but will be eliminated

Justin Gabriel

With the Corre and the Nexus in his rearview mirror heading into the New Year, Justin Gabriel is slowly making a name for himself as a singles competitor away from the two former factions, but he will not survive being eliminated in the Royal Rumble next month.

Odds: Pretender

Kane

With his return to the WWE earlier this month at the 2011 Slammy Awards, Kane made his intentions known that he wants to help John Cena embrace the hatred from the fans as they boo and chant “Cena Sucks” during events.

The Big Red Machine would likely be a threat to win the Rumble if it was any other year, but I see the focus of Kane being completely on Cena during the match and eventually costing the Cenation leader the win in the Royal Rumble.

Odds: Pretender

Kofi Kingston

Just like Evan Bourne mentioned earlier in this slide show, the high flying Kofi Kingston will be fun to watch during the match. The other half of the Tag Team Champions will certainly have a few entertaining spots during the course of the nearly hour-long Royal Rumble match.

Odds: Pretender

R-Truth

Following his return from suspension on the December 26 edition of Raw Super Show, R-Truth might not be a threat to win the Royal Rumble this year but if his former Awesome Truth partner comes near, Truth might be a physical threat to the Miz.

Odds: Pretender

Santino Marella

As the wrestling world thought a Santino Royal Rumble win was imminent last January, the former two-time Intercontinental Champion will not be as lucky this year and be eliminated much before the final two participants remain in this year’s Rumble.

Odds: Pretender

Sheamus

Even though he’s been a bit aimless in the past month or so, Sheamus overall has had an incredible 2011 which could lead to an even better 2012 as the Celtic Warrior should be a favorite in the Royal Rumble next month in St Louis.

Odds: Contender

Ted Dibiase

Without the aid of his fans “the DiBiase Posse” in tow during the Royal Rumble match, DiBiase might have a tough time in securing a Royal Rumble victory next month. But with the upturn in his career as of late, the son of the original Million Dollar Man might just equal his father with a Rumble win in the future.

Odds: Pretender

The Miz

After defending his WWE Championship at last year’s Rumble, the Miz will be the chasing down a title shot in 2012 as the self proclaimed “most must see WWE Champion in history” should be a strong candidate to win next month, that is if he can avoid R-Truth.

Odds: Contender

Tyson Kidd

While Tyson Kidd might be competitive on NXT every week, I think he will be just another victim during the Rumble this year as the former Hart Dynasty member will likely go sailing over the top rope at the hands of the Big Show or some other giant in the match.

Odds: Pretender

Wade Barrett

Following putting Randy Orton on the shelf with an injury this week, the former leader of the Nexus and Corre should be the odds-on favorite in the 2012 Rumble as the push that Barrett has got in recent weeks point to win in St Louis.

Odds: Contender

Zack Ryder

After winning the United States Championship from Dolph Ziggler earlier this month, I see the fan favorite from Long Island getting eliminated by either Ziggler or Jack Swagger during the match as the WWE probably won’t give Ryder another big time win just yet.

Odds: Pretender

What Do You Think Will Happen at the 2012 Royal Rumble?

Drop down to the comments section and let me know what you think about everything related to the event like any surprise entrants to who you think will win the 25th anniversary of the Royal Rumble next month.

Chris Humphrey is a featured columnist for BleacherReport.com. He has covered everything from college football, college basketball, UFC, NFL, NBA and the WWE in his short time writing for the website. You can become a fan of him on B/R and follow him on Twitter @_CBH_.