Predicting the 30 Participants in the Royal Rumble and Their Chances of Winning

With the 2012 Royal Rumble less than a week away, the excitement is building for one of the WWE's staple events of the year.

Which 30 men will enter the match? While some are obvious, there is always plenty of surprises who show up in the Royal Rumble and try to earn their way into the main event of WrestleMania.

Here are my predictions for the 30 superstars who will enter the match and what chance, if any, they have of bringing home the win. 

Christian

Although Captain Charisma has been out of action for a few months now, there seems to be no better time than now to bring him back into the mix on SmackDown.

Christian could be a surprise entry in the match and excite the crowd since he has been out several months with an injury. Even if he returns he's likely behind a couple guys on SmackDown, but if he shows up don't count out Christian's chances. 

Chances of winning: Possible, but not likely 

Chris Jericho

Ever since Y2J has returned to the WWE he has yet to speak a word, but he certainly has made his presence felt on Raw. 

Jericho was revealed to be the superstar behind the "It Begins" promos, and is in turn for a main event push in the very near future.

Jericho is really one of the favorites going into this match, and don't be surprised at all to see him win it and then finally speak and call out CM Punk for WrestleMania.

Chances of winning: Very good

Brodus Clay

The "Funkasurus" has been creating plenty of buzz since he finally re-debuted a few weeks ago on Raw.

There is plenty of argument both ways on whether Clay will ever be successful with this gimmick, but even if he can, it is far too early for Clay to main event WrestleMania. However, he certainly is capable of making a splash and eliminating several superstars during the match.

Chances of winning: Unlikely 

Cody Rhodes

The Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes has been on a role the last six months culminating with his feud with Randy Orton and his restoration of the classic IC title.

For months now people have speculated that Rhodes would be a favorite to win the 2012 Royal Rumble, but personally I don't think thats the direction he is headed in, at least not yet.

Rhodes will likely hold on to his IC title and carry it into WrestleMania, but once he drops the belt he will move up the card.

Chances of winning: Possible, but not likely 

David Otunga

David Otunga has been helped out character wise by becoming John Laurinaitis' lackey and he event got a chance to be in the main event of Raw last week.

Otunga could be sent into the rumble on orders from the interim GM of Raw but there is simply no way he will come out victorious.

Chances of winning: No chance 

Ezekial Jackson

Ezekial Jackson's best days seem to be behind him as he is a former Intercontinental and ECW Champion but now he his just muddling around the mid card on SmackDown.

Jackson isn't ready for a main event push, especially with his current baby face character. He is no more then a filler in this years RR match.

Chances of winning: Unlikely 

Epico

Epico gets into this years match because he is one half of the current WWE Tag Team Champions.

Although he clearly won't win, the RR could be good for helping set up a future feud with whoever the WWE brings on to challenge Epico and Primo next for their titles.

Chances of winning: No chance 

Drew McIntyre

Drew McIntyre finally returned to television recently with a new angle on SmackDown that he has been under performing and that if he does not pick it up soon he will be fired.

While the push is nice I think some people are overreacting saying he is a dark horse to win, he never has got a main event push before and there's no way he will make the jump from being on Superstars to being in WrestleMania in just a few short months.

Chances of winning: Unlikely 

Heath Slater

The "One Man Southern Rock Band" Heath Slater is nothing more then a jobber in his career right now as evidenced by him losing to Hornswoggle on SmackDown a couple weeks ago.

It would be nice for Slater to get into an angle with his former tag team partner Justin Gabriel but he has no chance if he ends up getting into the rumble.

Chances of winning: No chance 

Hunico

Since losing the battle of the Sin Caras, Hunico has been slowly building himself up as a viable singles competitor. 

Hunico seems to be getting in a feud with Ted DiBiase on SmackDown, and seems to have the potential for a IC or US title reign in his near future.

He could be a future main eventer, and crazier things have happened then Hunico winning the rumble but it certainly would be shocking.

Chances of winning: Possible, but not likely 

Jack Swagger

Swagger finally broke out of his losing ways, when he beat Zack Ryder for the United States Championship on Raw last Monday.

Swagger needed to win soon to be taken seriously once again as a viable threat, and WWE has shown before that they believe in Swagger as a main event talent. However, there are several guys on the list who seem to benefit more from winning it than him right now.

Chances of winning: Possible, but not likely 

Jinder Mahal

Jinder Mahal has been getting plenty of TV time lately as he has entered into mini feuds with both Ted DiBiase and Sheamus. 

Unfortunately for Mahal he just can't seem to generate enough heat with his foriegner gimmick. It remains to be seen how far WWE will push Mahal, but him winning the royal rumble is highly unlikely.

Chances of winning: Unlikely

Goldust

Goldust is the last man I have on my list of 30 men who I'm predicting will be entered into the royal rumble match.

I originally had John Cena down for this spot, but Cena already has his match for WrestleMania so it wouldn't make any sense for him to compete in the Royal Rumble.

Goldust has been setting up for a potential feud with his brother Cody Rhodes before he retires and having him enter the rumble would be a good way to reintroduce his character. Eliminating Cody would also go a long way in furthering that feud. 

Chances of winning: No chance

Justin Gabriel

Finally, Justin Gabriel seems to be getting back into the mix on SmackDown as he has taken the new role of protecting Hornswoggle.

While it's not ideal, this at least allows Gabriel to show off in the ring like he did this last week in his match with Cody Rhodes.

Gabriel will not win the RR match, but you know he is good for one or two cool spots at the very least.

Chances of winning: Unlikely 

Kane

Kane is second all time in Royal Rumble eliminations, so he will likely make his presence felt in this years match.

Since he has returned with his mask Kane has been haunting both John Cena and Zack Ryder, and if he is able to come out on top in that feud he could have his sites set on the WWE Championship.

CM Punk vs. Kane would be an interesting match but I don't think that's the direction WWE wants to go for WrestleMania.

Chances of winning: Possible, but not likely

Kofi Kingston

Now that he is no longer a tag team champion since his partner Evan Bourne was suspended, Kofi Kingston will likely go back into singles competition.

I actually like Kingston as a dark horse in this match. He has had a great career but has never received a WWE Championship reign. He could be one of those underdog baby faces that come out of nowhere to win like we saw with Rey Mysterio in 2006.

Still though Kingston won't be a favorite by any means in this match.

Chances of winning: Possible, but not likely 

Mason Ryan

Mason Ryan looked like he was going to be getting a push towards the United States Championship a few months ago, but that push instead went to Zack Ryder and Ryan has been nowhere to be found since.

It's no secret Vince McMahon loves big guys like Ryan and people believe he is in line for a big push in the near future. 

But the fact remains he is very green in the ring and I don't see the WWE taking that big of a chance on Ryan at this point in his career.

Chances of winning: Unlikely 

Primo

Primo's slide is very similar to his tag team partner Epico.

The reason both of them are on this list is because they are the champions, but they have zero chance of winning this match.

Chances of winning: No chance 

R-Truth

I really dreaded R-Truth coming back to TV as a babyface after his suspension, but I actually have been very impressed with Truth's performance since his return.

His obvious feud with The Miz has still been entertaining and Truth is on fire on the mic.

Truth won a four man battle royal with Sheamus, Wade Barrett, and Miz on Raw last week teasing him as a possible favorite for the Rumble.

I think he will make it far but he needs to finish his feud with Miz first and I don't think he will be in line for a title push right now but you never know. 

Chances of winning: Decent

Mick Foley

When Mick Foley said on Raw he wanted to be in the Royal Rumble match this year it drew a huge pop from the crowd. There is very little chance Vince McMahon will ignore that and chances are good you'll be seeing Mick Foley (at least some version of him) in the match next Sunday despite protests from John Laurinaitis. 

Foley gave David Otunga that Mandible Claw on Raw and then got assaulted by Laurinaitis to close out the show.

Foley's entrance in the match would be a surprise but him winning would be a true shocker. Still though maybe the WWE thinks Foley should get one more title match before he hangs it up for good, so you never know.

Chances of winning: Possible, but not likely 

Randy Orton

All the ingredients are there for The Viper to pick up a win at the 2012 Royal Rumble.

It's in his hometown of St. Louis, he has been out of action with injury for a month, and he has been away from the title for several months now.

Orton has been really doing a nice job of putting others over the last few months but still he is the top name on the blue brand and a win at the Rumble would be a surprise to no one.

Chances of winning: Very good 

Rey Mysterio

Rey Mysterio has been out of action for a long time now and a return at the Royal Rumble would certainly garner a big pop from the crowd.

Mysterio is a former RR champion and has to be taken a serious threat to win it if he does return. Most people believe Mysterio will face Sin Cara at WrestleMania, but the WWE has shown before they love giving popular superstars who have been out of action for a while the win at the rumble so I think Mysterio has a serious chance if he can come back from injury in time to participate. 

Chances of winning: Decent

Santino Marella

Santino so close to pulling off the stunning victory at the Rumble last year, but this year I don't expect him to be as successful.

Marella is nothing more then a comedic act right now and while it is fine and serves its purpose, I don't see him lasting very long in the rumble.

Chances of winning: No chance 

Sheamus

Other then Randy Orton and Chris Jericho there may not be any superstar who has a better chance of heading to WrestleMania than the "Great White" Sheamus.

Sheamus has not received a title push since turning face but he still has been on a hot streak rarely losing at all.

Sheamus is very over with the crowd and I don't think it would be surprising at all if creative believed in him enough to give him his shot at the title at the grandest stage of them all. 

Chances of winning: Very good

The Miz

The Awesome One has been losing momentum since he and R-Truth broke up. 

He had a title shot at TLC but came up short, now he is feuding with R-Truth but seems to be getting the lower end of that feud.

Still, The Miz is a championship level heel. He main evented WM last year, so it would be foolish to look past him as a threat in the Royal Rumble this year. 

Chances of winning: Decent 

Ted DiBiase

Ted and his DiBiase posse have been on a little bit of a roll since returning to TV a few months ago.

He defeated Jinder Mahal in their mid card feud and got the best of Hunico in a flag match last week. DiBiase may be in line for an Intercontinental Championship run in his near future. 

However he isn't in the main event picture right now and I don't see him having a real chance at the Royal Rumble.

Chances of winning: Unlikely 

Triple H

Triple H is a wild card selection for an entrant in the Royal Rumble this year.

He had a run as the GM of Raw a few months ago, an angle with CM Punk, and an eventual match with Kevin Nash at TLC which he came out victorious.

It would not be surprising to see The Game in the match this year as it would certainly get a big pop from the crowd and add to the intrigue of the match.

I believe Trips and The Undertaker will face each other again this year at WrestleMania so the RR could be where that feud re-ignites. 

Chances of winning: Possible, but not likely 

The Undertaker

The Undertaker has been out of action for a while now and since he was not the man behind the "It Begins" promos, chances are he will be returning to TV very soon, possibly at the Royal Rumble.

Like I mentioned in the Triple H slide, I think those two will face off at WM so expect The Game and The Phenom to both enter the match late and square off with each other. 

Undertaker probably won't be getting a title shot though so him winning would be very surprising.

Chances of winning: Possible, but not likely 

Wade Barrett

Wade Barrett has been on a role since he began the "Barrett Barrage" and his first World Title reign seems to be coming in the very near future. 

The next time a face champion emerges, Barrett could be first in line for a title match and it's entirely likely that could come at WrestleMania.

Barrett will go into this match as one of the favorites, and he will have a real chance of scoring his first career Royal Rumble victory. 

Chances of winning: Decent 

Zack Ryder

Long Island Iced Z Zack Ryder is the final man on this list as a selection to participate in the Royal Rumble match.

Ryder remains one of the most popular superstar in the brand, despite losing the United States Championship to Jack Swagger on Raw last week.

Ryder seems to be headed towards a feud with Kane or maybe a lengthy one with Swagger to get his championship back.

The crowd would certainly go crazy if Ryder came out victorious but I don't think WWE believes he is ready for a WrestleMania title match just yet.

Chances of winning: Possible, but not likely 

*Edit- After this weeks Raw Zack Ryder has been written off TV with a broken back so it does not look like he will be in the Royal Rumble match.

Final Predictions

For the record here is my predictions for the Top 10 most likely Royal Rumble winners.

1. Chris Jericho

2. Randy Orton

3. Sheamus

4. Wade Barrett

5. R-Truth

6. The Miz

7. Rey Mysterio*

8. Christian*

9. Kane

10. Kofi Kingston 

The asterisks are based on whether either of them actually are in the match since they are both currently injured. Thanks for reading.