Most Intriguing Storylines to Track on Road to WWE Royal Rumble 2023

Survivor Series WarGames is officially done, which means WrestleMania 39 season is right around the corner.

As usual, the Royal Rumble is the first stop on the road to The Showcase of the Immortals. Even though the event is still two months away, WWE has planted some seeds for upcoming storylines.

It will be interesting to see how the company lays out the next month of programming because Survivor Series is the last pay-per-view of the year. This may have surprised some fans, but it allows WWE to take its time building to the next one on January 28.

After all, many of its storylines don’t get the proper time to develop because the company’s schedule often seems so crowded. As a result, we usually rush from one event to the next without a break to process any of the significant moments.

For that reason, it may seem too soon to talk about the Royal Rumble, but 2022 will be over before we know it.

These are the most intriguing storylines ahead of the latest iteration of the January PPV.

---

Rhea Ripley’s Return to the Title Picture

Rhea Ripley was the MVP of the women’s WarGames match on Saturday night. Her commanding performance reminded fans that she was a dynamic young star on the rise in her Survivor Series debut in 2019.

After such a tremendous showing, The Nightmare has to be a favorite to win the 2023 women’s Royal Rumble match. Her unfinished business with Bianca Belair gives her the perfect motivation to eventually challenge for the Raw Women’s Championship.

The two were scheduled to compete for the title at Money in the Bank, but the 26-year-old sustained an injury that kept her out of action for four months. This put their feud on hold, but a recent tease from the Nov. 7 episode of Raw would suggest WWE is ready to pick up where it left off.

The EST of WWE also named Ripley as an ideal WrestleMania opponent in the press conference following Survivor Series.

Some may also remember Belair eliminated the former NXT women’s champion to punch her ticket to WrestleMania 37 and secure her first title win.

Their history together could set up a great story for The Eradicator to challenge Belair at the next pay-per-view or possibly enter and win the women’s Royal Rumble match.

---

Who Could Possibly Dethrone Roman Reigns?

The biggest question heading into WrestleMania season has to be who will face Roman Reigns. More to the point, can anyone hope to end his historic reign?

The undisputed WWE universal champion has been on the most dominant run we’ve seen in the modern era. So much so, that it’s hard to imagine anyone on the current roster beating him anytime soon.

Yes, there are plenty of options for his next opponent because The Bloodline has made so many enemies, but it doesn’t seem like anyone has a realistic chance of defeating him yet.

The current feud with The Brawling Brutes would make for a fun six-man tag team match, and Sheamus could eventually challenge Reigns. Seth Rollins is technically the only man to hand The Head of the Table a PPV loss in 2022, so he’s due for a rematch a year removed from their clash at the Royal Rumble.

Meanwhile, Cody Rhodes seems like the fan favorite to climb the ladder and restore prestige to the WWE Championship. After all, The American Nightmare returned to WWE to achieve his dream of winning the big one in honor of his father.

That’s probably the best story in place, and Rhodes’ trilogy of matches with Rollins made him the hottest protagonist on Raw before his injury. He could be the best choice to win the men’s Royal Rumble match and confront The Tribal Chief.

It’s difficult to predict because the suggestions of a dream match with The Rock persist, but this could set up an unforgettable WrestleMania moment.

---

When The Man Comes Around

Many WWE fans have been desperate for a chance to cheer for Becky Lynch since her return at SummerSlam 2021. Instead, she went on an underappreciated run as a heel champion, sparking a year-long feud with Belair.

Nevertheless, viewers could rejoice as Lynch eventually redeemed herself. Belair earned her respect at this year’s Biggest Party of the Summer. As a result, she reintroduced The Man persona, which she popularized during her rise to prominence in 2018.

On Friday's SmackDown, the Irish Superstar returned as the fifth member of Belair’s Survivor Series team. It was a full-circle moment for the character because The Man is synonymous with the blue brand.

The two teamed up to take down Damage CTRL and end the women’s WarGames match. It was an excellent pay-off to the stable’s debut, Lynch’s turn, and a fitting end to this story arc.

It seems like Bayley isn't finished with Lynch yet. However, one would have to assume Lynch will head back to SmackDown and confront Ronda Rousey ahead of WrestleMania.

The women’s division on the blue brand could use someone with her star power, and she will be looking to reclaim its top prize.

---

Sami Zayn and The Bloodline

Adding Sami Zayn to The Bloodline initially produced some funny backstage segments, but most of us didn’t expect it to last. Who would have guessed it would become the hottest storyline in pro wrestling?

The Honorary Uce has been an outstanding addition to the stable because he has excellent chemistry with Reigns. His awkward humor and desperate attempts to fit in have also brought out the best in Jey Uso.

The former intercontinental champion successfully revitalized an act that was growing stale and helped them to focus on what made the uneasy alliance so compelling in 2020. The family aspect and references to Samoan culture made The Bloodline so intriguing, but its newest member’s need to belong gave it a refreshing twist.

It’s easily Zayn’s best work on the main roster. He’s more popular than he has ever been in WWE, as fans remain on the edge of their seats waiting to see what happens next.

Reigns will inevitably turn on him, but the tension between them makes this dynamic so captivating. Introducing Kevin Owens to the mix was a stroke of genius because it gave loyal viewers a reason to second-guess Zayn's decisions.

The Canadian star ultimately betrayed his longtime friend and sided with his new family. He even seemed to earn Jey’s approval. Still, this won’t end well for him, and waiting for the other shoe to drop makes for an engrossing viewing experience.

The conclusion to this storyline will play a significant role in the next few months of WWE programming.

Expect to see The Great Liberator emerge as a prominent babyface soon.