Ranking Most Likely WWE Royal Rumble Match Winners After Raw
Despite the lackluster hype for this year's Royal Rumble pay-per-view, the men's and women's matches are shaping up to be a blast, with several Superstars already having declared themselves.
Kofi Kingston was the first to throw his name into the hat for the men's Rumble followed by Santos Escobar, Seth Rollins, Austin Theory and Bobby Lashley. Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez, Rhea Ripley and others have also entered themselves into the women's match.
It typically becomes clear around this time who will be emerging in the Battle Royals. Although fans have a decent idea of who may win (and who makes the most sense), anything can change between now and January 28.
Look no further than last year's Rumble. The women's match was won by Ronda Rousey, whose return wasn't rumored until days before the PPV. Additionally, it was six days before the 2021 men's Rumble that Edge was announced as an entrant, and he wound up winning the whole thing.
As of Monday's Raw, these are the best possible picks to reign supreme in both Rumble matches, ranked from least to most likely.
4. Raquel Rodriguez
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Raquel Rodriguez has been pushed hard since debuting on SmackDown soon after WrestleMania 38 and for good reason. She had a dominant and decorated run in NXT and already has proved herself to be a breakout star in SmackDown women's division.
In addition to holding the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship with Aliyah for two weeks, she also took Ronda Rousey to the limit for the SmackDown women's title on two separate occasions. The only thing missing from her current presentation is a heel turn, a role she was much more comfortable in during her NXT stint.
Although she was unsuccessful against Rousey on the final SmackDown of 2022, she has a legitimate chance of coming out on top in the women's Rumble match in her home state of Texas.
Rodriguez can claim Charlotte Flair only won the SmackDown women's title from Rousey in such swift fashion because she weakened the former UFC star beforehand. That feud would force Rodriguez to turn heel and be the credible challenger The Queen desperately needs right now.
This would be a welcome attempt by WWE to make a new star in the women's division and give the audience a reason to care about her character.
4. Seth Rollins
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Of the many notable names Roman Reigns has defended his Universal Championship against in the last two-plus years, Seth Rollins is the sole Superstar he has unfinished business with.
The former Shield cohorts went one-on-one at last year's Royal Rumble, and Rollins' disqualification win over Reigns left fans wanting more. Despite the indecisive finish, WWE moved in a different direction with both men and a rematch never came.
Thus, The Visionary has a reason to win the men's Rumble as his golden ticket back to the main event scene where he belongs.
It makes total storyline sense and Reigns vs. Rollins is indeed WrestleMania-worthy. The only thing hurting his chances is that he won the Rumble in 2019, and WWE has run repeat victors for the past two years.
The Visionary is far from a fresh face, but he'd be deserving of top billing on The Grandest Stage of Them All if he won on January 28. His current level of popularity would ensure he wouldn't be booed for it, either.
3. Ronda Rousey
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Ronda Rousey has been conspicuous by her absence from WWE TV since losing the SmackDown Women's Championship on Dec. 30.
It's better than her sticking around and resuming her rivalry with Charlotte Flair over the title, but there's been no indication when she might be back. The Royal Rumble would the perfect place for it to happen considering that was where she returned last year as well.
Another round of Rousey vs. Flair isn't remotely necessary, but it can be teased if The Baddest Woman on the Planet wins her second straight Rumble. Ultimately, she would have to choose Raw women's champion Bianca Belair, who she has yet to cross paths with in WWE.
Rousey challenging The EST of WWE wouldn't be too logical seeing as how they're on separate shows, but a Rumble victory would allow the SmackDown star to bypass that hurdle and challenge for the title without having to switch brands (unless she wins it, obviously).
This isn't a popular choice whatsoever, nor would it be a wise one, but it's a realistic and likely outcome that fans should prepare for in case it comes to fruition.
3. The Rock
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There has been zero update on The Rock's status for WrestleMania 39 since fans last discussed the possibility in December.
Unless WWE is going to great lengths to keep his return at the Royal Rumble under wraps, it's safe to say he won't be in action at the event.
Despite that, he must still be considered a primary candidate to win the 2023 men's Rumble match.
Anything can happen between now and January 28. If WWE finds out Rock is available after all, it will presumably ditch whatever plans it has in place so it can secure him for the 'Mania main event.
The Great One would be another repeat winner if he did emerge victorious, but any negative feedback from frustrated fans online would be very much overshadowed by the raucous reaction the moment would receive live at the Alamodome in San Antonio.
If Reigns vs. Rock is to happen at WrestleMania, it would be for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship and Rock would therefore need to win the men's Rumble match. There's no other way around it, so don't discount him as a potential victor.
2. Becky Lynch
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Becky Lynch was a constant in the title picture on both Raw and SmackDown for so long that seeing her without any gold was an unfamiliar sight coming off her loss of the Raw Women's Championship at WrestleMania 38.
She has been battling to regain possession of the prestigious prize ever since and has found herself embroiled in a heated rivalry with Damage CTRL as of late. If she can beat Bayley in next week's steel cage match on Raw's 30th anniversary episode, she'll be one step closer to championship contention.
Luckily for her, the Royal Rumble is the subsequent Saturday and she is one of the odds-on favorites to win the women's Battle Royal.
Similar to Seth Rollins, she has also won a Rumble before, so another victory for The Man wouldn't be anything new. Of course, the Rumble contests aren't always meant to launch the careers of new stars, but there isn't anything particularly exciting about the story of her winning for a second time at the moment.
Regardless of the result, expect Lynch to have a strong showing and make it to the final four, if not win the whole thing to set up what would be her sixth championship match at 'Mania.
2. Sami Zayn
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WWE's gradual execution of everything involving The Bloodline and Sami Zayn over the last year has been masterful, and the eventual payoff is bound to be worth the wait.
For months, it appeared as if The Honorary Uce being booted from the group was inevitable. However, it has recently been teased on television that he may be the one to sever ties with them first instead of the other way around.
The biggest way he could prove he can survive and thrive on his own would be if he were to win the men's Rumble match and go on to challenge Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 39.
Reigns vs. Zayn has to happen at some point, but it's a question of whether WWE books it for Elimination Chamber in Zayn's home country of Canada or holds off on it until The Show of Shows on April 1-2.
Both options are appealing, but The Great Liberator isn't dethroning The Tribal Chief. That spot at 'Mania should go to someone else.
That said, there is an incredible story to be told with Zayn running the gauntlet in the Rumble and coming close to securing a title shot for himself.
1. Rhea Ripley
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Between coming into her own as a character in 2022 and the connection she's formed with the audience, Rhea Ripely is hands down the best possible pick to win the women's Rumble.
She's fared well for herself the last two years, but a lot has changed with her since joining The Judgment Day. The heel turn has been a resounding success and has led to her becoming a recurring highlight on Raw on a weekly basis.
Shortly before Survivor Series, she and Raw women's champion Bianca Belair crossed paths backstage. It could well have been a subtle build for the women's WarGames match they were both a part or, but it could also have been intended to plant the seeds for a WrestleMania match between the two.
Ripely and Belair are no strangers to each other inside the squared circle and would have no issue stealing the show on The Grandest Stage of Them All. That's even assuming The Nightmare chooses The EST, as there's a strong chance she sets her sights on Charlotte Flair and attempts to avenge her many losses to her instead.
Aside from a potential feud with Beth Phoenix that could prevent her from competing for a championship any time soon, Ripley should be headlining WrestleMania for a title on one of the two nights.
1. Cody Rhodes
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Fans already expect Cody Rhodes to win this year's men's Royal Rumble match because of how the story simply writes itself. Sure enough, he announced on Monday's Raw that he will be cleared to compete by the Rumble and will take part in the men's bout.
He made it clear upon his return to WWE last spring that his ultimate goal was to do what his father, Dusty Rhodes, never could in the company, and that's become world champion. His untimely injury halted his momentum, but now he's ready to reclaim what is rightfully his.
While predictable, Rhodes is also the most satisfying potential Rumble winner. WWE booking almost anyone else would be risky, so it's imperative the company stays the course.
The Rock vs. Reigns may be a bigger box-office hit on paper, but Reigns vs. Rhodes has greater long-term implications attached to it. They would rip it up on the mic en route to WrestleMania, and The American Nightmare being the one to finally defeat The Tribal Chief would make for a monumental moment.
WWE advertising Rhodes for the Rumble in advance was the right way to go as it allows the company to build him up as the fan favorite to win it.
No other outcome would pack as much of an emotional punch.
Graham Mirmina, aka Graham "GSM" Matthews, has specialized in sports and entertainment writing since 2010. Visit his website, WrestleRant, and subscribe to his YouTube channel for more wrestling-related content.
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