Best Subplots to Follow in Men's and Women's WWE Royal Rumble Matches

On Saturday night, WWE Royal Rumble will return to San Antonio, Texas, the city where Stone Cold Steve Austin secured his first win in the iconic stipulation match.

The Texas Rattlesnake eventually set a record as the only three-time men's Royal Rumble winner. This weekend, 30 men and 30 women will also attempt to etch their names in history and earn a spot in the main event of WrestleMania 39.

Straight away, Cody Rhodes seems like the favorite to win the men's match and challenge for the WWE Championship. Meanwhile, Sami Zayn's ongoing tension with Roman Reigns has created a groundswell of support for the Honorary Uce to be the one to dethrone The Tribal Chief.

The outcome of the women's Rumble is decidedly less predictable. Considering her recent rise in popularity, this seems like Rhea Ripley's year. The Eradicator has been on a tear since she returned to in-ring competition, but the field is wide open for anyone to step up.

Those are the main stories to keep an eye on heading into the event, but let's look at the best subplots to follow in the men's and women's Royal Rumble matches.

Rey and Dominik Mysterio's Splintered Relationship

On Thursday, WWE posted a video chronicling Dominik Mysterio's Royal Rumble training session on its YouTube channel.

It was a great way to remind fans that Rhea Ripley was very close to winning the 2021 women's match, motivating her to prevail this year. However, the clip also revealed Mysterio's plan to enter the men's Rumble, confront his father, and head to WrestleMania.

The father-and-son duo hasn't faced each other on WWE programming since Rey Mysterio left Raw to join the SmackDown roster. The masked wrestler did so because he refused to fight his son.

If he wants to survive on Saturday and attain a title shot, he will have to cross that line. This could be the last straw that sets up a one-on-one match later this year.

LIV Morgan's Fighting Spirit

2022 was a successful year for Liv Morgan. Nevertheless, the former WWE SmackDown women's champion is still determined to prove herself.

As such, she announced that she intends to make a statement as the first entrant in the women's Royal Rumble match. This seems like a reckless plan for someone hoping to pick up her first win at the event.

Still, this also fits Morgan's cavalier mindset since her loss to Ronda Rousey at Extreme Rules. The 2022 women's Money in the Bank winner has shown that she is much more willing to go the extra mile to earn respect and accomplishment.

To that end, the 28-year-old is a contender to follow in Bianca Belair's footsteps as this year's iron woman. The New Jersey native may not outlast the other 29 participants, but she could silence some of her doubters again.

The Hurt Business Reunion

For weeks, WWE has been planting the seeds for The Hurt Business to reunite on Raw.

On Jan. 9, MVP stated that he helped to get Bobby Lashley reinstated and offered to mend fences. The All Mighty declined his offer, but that didn't stop his former manager from attempting to help Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin defeat the Street Profits a week later.

On the latest episode of Raw, Brock Lesnar returned and cost Lashley his United States title match against Austin Theory. Maybe the two-time WWE champion would have fared better if he had someone watching his back.

This weekend, The Hurt Business could reluctantly work together in the men's Royal Rumble. They could remind each other that business was booming when they were on the same page.

Bayley vs. Becky Lynch

Becky Lynch has been engaged in a feud with Damage Ctrl since she returned ahead of Survivor Series WarGames.

In December, Bayley beat Lynch in the number one contender's triple threat qualifying match. However, she and her stablemates continued to be a thorn in The Man's side, using their numbers as an advantage.

On the latest episode of Raw, the Irish star tried to even the score in a steel cage match but the trio ambushed her before it could even start. Nevertheless, Damage Ctrl won't be able to unite against her over the weekend as it is every woman for herself.

Lynch wants to be the first two-time women's Royal Rumble winner, but she will have to exact revenge on Bayley first to achieve her goal. It will be interesting to see if The Role Model remains loyal to Iyo Skye and Dakota Kai. After all, it wouldn't be the first time she turned her back on a friend to be the best.

Austin Theory vs. Seth Rollins

Seth Rollins tweaked his knee during the WWE United States Championship match in the main event of the Jan. 2 episode of Raw.

Nevertheless, The Visionary returned the following week with a crutch in hand to assure Austin Theory that he will enter the men's Royal Rumble match. Rollins revealed that he isn't 100 percent yet, but he still plans to win and headline WrestleMania 39.

This will probably be their last showdown for a while. Expect the 36-year-old to wrap up his storyline with Theory and attempt to climb back into the world title picture.

If John Cena makes a surprise appearance, The Now could officially kick off a feud with him that will lead to WrestleMania. Concurrently, Rollins still has unfinished business with Cody Rhodes after their incredible trilogy of matches from last year.

The American Nightmare has been out of action since his newfound rival attacked him following his win at Hell in a Cell. It's safe to assume the two could finally settle their differences as the final two participants in the men's Rumble.