WWE Raw: Top 5 Royal Rumble 2012 Favorites

The WWE is only days away from their second-biggest PPV event of the year. Some may argue Summerslam is a bigger show, but I have always preferred the Royal Rumble.

A few days ago, I discussed the Rumble winner favorites from the Blue Brand. Topping that list were Sheamus, Wade Barrett and Randy Orton.

Now it is time to cover the Red Brand. Here are favorites to outlast 30 WWE Superstars from Raw!

5. The Miz

For the record, the WWE has not officially announced anybody for the Royal Rumble match on Raw. Only a few wrestlers from SmackDown have talked about winning the Rumble. On Raw? Nothing is set in stone.

R-Truth has no chance. Alberto Del Rio may have a good showing, but he won't win. The first name that comes to mind as a "long shot" is The Miz.

He is always right at the main-event level but not quite there. Winning the Rumble here would certainly be another feather in his cap going forward. His odds are not good, but he has to be mentioned.

4. John Cena

John Cena is always an option. Always.

It doesn't matter if he is facing Kane. It doesn't matter if he is injured. It doesn't matter.

He is the top man in the industry right now and likely will be for at least a couple more years. That is not changing any time soon. Thus, him winning the Rumble has to be a thought.

It may create some confusion moving towards his WrestleMania match with The Rock, but WWE can work around that somehow. They always find a way in the end...

3. The Rock

I am still torn on the thought of The Rock vs. John Cena being for the WWE Championship. I am not sure on that one. Very rarely do I stay neutral on a topic.

Yes, the match doesn't need the title. I understand that. Yes, it all but confirms Cena would win. That does not mean much. John Cena is going to win either way. No doubt!

We all know WWE loves surprises. You can't deny it. Even the thought of Rocky winning the Rumble creates a very interesting dynamic for Cena. He then must win the WWE title in the next month or he won't get his match with The Rock at WrestleMania 28.

It would add a huge stipulation to the biggest dream match of this generation. The Miami crowd would certainly be hyped for their hometown man to win the title once more. Rocky won't win at Mania, but the anticipation would be there.

Rocky is on a busy schedule right now. Everybody knows that. However, flying into town for a one-hour appearance at the Rumble is not out of the question. You just never know in the WWE...

2. WWE Championship Match Loser

CM Punk will be defending his WWE title against Dolph Ziggler. The special guest referee will be Johnny Ace, and you have to believe Mick Foley may be involved as well.

While Foley has next to no shot of winning the Rumble, whomever loses this title match certainly has a shot. If Punk is screwed out of the gold, there is a good reason for him to want in the Rumble hours later.

Same with Ziggler! If he loses, why call it a night? He could still go out and win the 30-man main event. I would not approve of any sort of "double duty" here, but it is a strong option.

The fact that I am even mentioning these guys just shows you how thin the Raw roster is on potential Rumble winners. Trust me, SmackDown has tons of candidates to win. Raw? Not so many.

1. Chris Jericho

Chris Jericho is the only real man I could see winning the Rumble from Raw. Honestly, the rest really have next to no chance in my mind. Jericho is a very intriguing character right now.

He has done such an amazing job since returning. It would be that much better for him to win the Rumble without even saying a word beforehand. Then he can finally have a reason to speak!

The following night of Raw, we would get to hear the victory speech. Oh, it would be great. Finally, he would let everybody know of his "plan," and the road to WrestleMania would officially be underway.

Reminder: I am now on Twitter @JustinWatry! Feel free to follow...thank you.