Royal Rumble 2012 Predictions: Key Eliminations and Biggest Pop

The Royal Rumble is my favorite WWE pay-per-view, but it's really all about the first to go, the winner and the wrestler that gets the biggest ovation when his number is called. That is usually what you remember about the event. It works perfectly with storylines to allow surprise appearances and gives perfect place to the unexpected.

Thirty WWE superstars in one event; it's always awesome. This year's Rumble won't likely be any different, and here are my predictions for each of those aforementioned moments of the event:

First Eliminated

R-Truth, the very athletically-gifted performer, who is void of an intriguing angle, won't have a long stay in the Rumble. He has gone from the happy, dancing rapper to a certified psycho, and now he's an ultra paranoid philosopher. I think he needs to shed the Lil Bow Wow braids to be taken seriously as a psychopath. Now he just looks like a disgruntled backup dancer spewing ridiculous rhetoric. 

He will be the first wrestler sent to the showers. I'm predicting he is eliminated by The Miz. This makes sense as they are former tag team partners, and Truth just defeated the Miz on Monday night.

As far as in-ring action, these two can make a very exciting feud and a nice undercard event at WrestleMania.

The Biggest Pop

This will come the moment Chris Jericho's music plays. He is still immensely popular; just take a listen to this ovation when Y2J returned on Raw:

Jericho is the rare star whose popularity supersedes heel and bay face status. He won't win it, but he will light up the aisle when he comes running to the ring. Look for his elimination to launch him into the feud that'll be featured in WrestleMania.

The Winner

The Undertaker. Yes, I'm predicting he not only returns, but that he also wins the event. He will also be in the running for biggest pop. Undertaker will likely come in somewhere near 15th or 20th. That way he has a decent showing but not too much action, considering he hasn't had much if any work in a year.

This of course will set up the Undertaker in the main event at WrestleMania. He'll be looking to go 20-0 at the industry's biggest showcase. Could it be against Brock Lesnar? We'll have to wait and see, but for now, I got the Taker to win the Rumble.