Royal Rumble 2012: Daniel Bryan Will Retain the World Heavyweight Title

The obvious choice for the World Heavyweight title at Royal Rumble 2012 is Mark Henry, setting up Randy Orton vs. Henry at WrestleMania 28.

But we should know by now that the WWE doesn't like predictability. That's why it appears hesitant to build giants, instead throwing numerous surprises into the mix.

The WWE has had its opportunities to build its giants with the latest crop of wrestlers. There are burgeoning stars like CM Punk and Wade Barrett, but if they were to be giants they would have been already. In the WWE, you almost expect there to be upsets these days...which frankly doesn't make them upsets at all.

As Henry gets set to face Daniel Bryan and the Big Show on Sunday at Royal Rumble, he appears to be a prime challenger for Randy Orton. But the very fact that he's a prime challenger makes me believe that he won't come out on top. That would just be too easy, too simple, too ordinary for the WWE.

But, we must also remember that Bryan is an interesting challenger for Orton as well. Bryan's been a tremendous wrestler recently in his heelish role, creating a great chemistry with showmanship. His new character is exciting, and I honestly believe he could be a better character against Orton, mixing things up and creating the kind of spark the WWE loves.

Bryan also has the makeup to create plenty of drama against Henry, as he showed in SmackDown on Jan. 20, in which he provoked the lumberjacks to interfere in their lumberjack match.

It would be hard for me to envision Henry simply getting dominated on Sunday. In fact, I see him doing most of the punishing to rouse the audience. But, in the end, I expect him to fall suddenly, in true "upset" fashion, shocking the crowd and paving Bryan's way to WrestleMania 28.

Bryan has the persona and unpredictability the WWE loves, and it will all come crashing down on Henry's head at Royal Rumble 2012 when he leaves still the World Heavyweight Champion.