WWE Royal Rumble 2012: Predicting an Unpredictable Event

Tonight is the 25th anniversary of the Royal Rumble event, and the show is one of the most unpredictable ones I’ve seen in years.

Whether it’s the Rumble itself, the many factors in the title matches or Kane making John Cena embrace the hate, tonight’s event should be an epic one.

WWE presents its first pay-per-view of the year, and and with it being the start of the road to WrestleMania, WWE looks to start things with a bang!

Here are the matches and who I think will come out on top.

John Cena vs. Kane

Throughout the month of November, videos were airing that hyped the return of Kane. Each one featured his old mask falling to the ground engulfed in flames.

In the final video, Kane appeared with his mask on and everyone’s suspicions seemed to be correct. Then, on the December 12th edition of Raw, the Big Red Monster made his return during the John Cena/Mark Henry main event. Everyone was expecting Kane to go after Henry, but he surprised the WWE Universe when he attacked John Cena instead.

The Big Red Monster soon revealed that he was after Cena because the face of the WWE needed to “embrace the hate.” If he didn’t, then he would live the rest of his life in denial and people would suffer.

Three weeks ago, the psychotic Kane decided to go after Cena’s friend Zack Ryder. While he failed in dragging him under the ring and blowing him up, he succeeded in injuring the Long Island Iced Z the following week.

That injury put John Cena over the edge.

Mr. Rise Above Hate certainly embraced that hate when he destroyed Jack Swagger later on in the night. Before Cena was to squish Swagger’s head between the steel steps, Kane appeared and was glad to see Cena in that state of mind.

This past Monday on Raw, Kane took things a step further.

John Laurinaitis booked Ryder in a Falls Count Anywhere match against Kane and the monster dismantled the former United States champion. Ryder was left more injured than ever before thanks to a chokeslam through the stage.

Cena was shocked and disturbed by what Kane did, and after Ryder was loaded into the ambulance, he gave his best angry face.

John Cena has embraced the hate and that could spell trouble for Kane.

Of course, that is exactly what Kane wanted. Cena is in a state of mind he’s never been in, and that could leave the face of the WWE vulnerable to the insane Kane.

This match could go either way.

Cena could win and outright end the feud, Kane could win and the feud will continue to the Elimination Chamber or, my personal favorite, the match will end in a no-contest.

I think that these two superstars will beat the hell out of each other to the point where the referee will have to stop the match. At the Elimination Chamber, both will be in the WWE Championship chamber match where their feud will end.

Winner: No-Contest

Daniel Bryan vs. Big Show vs. Mark Henry: Steel Cage Match for the World Title

At the Tables, Ladders and Chairs pay-per-view in December, Mark Henry lost the World Heavyweight Championship to the Big Show. The World’s Largest Athlete’s nine-year quest for the title was finally fulfilled!

It was only fulfilled for 45 seconds, though.

As Big Show celebrated his victory, Daniel Bryan cashed in his Money in the Bank contract and managed to defeat him for the title.

Big Show was quite upset, but he got two rematches.

For two weeks in a row, Bryan has had to face the Big Show and retained his title both times in questionable fashions. He got Big Show disqualified one week when he taunted Henry enough to push him down, then steered the World’s Largest Athlete towards A.J. Lee, squashing the 95-pound Diva.

With A.J. all but dead, the match was stopped and Bryan retained his title due to a no-contest.

Teddy Long punished the champion’s actions by booking him in a lumberjack match two weeks ago against the World’s Strongest Man. Much like his past two title defenses, Daniel Bryan weaseled his way out with the title.

This time around, Bryan provoked the lumberjacks enough to start a huge brawl while he snuck away with his title. The match was a no-contest and Bryan retained once again

Before the show went off the air, Teddy Long punished Bryan again by booking him in a triple threat match inside of a steel cage against both Big Show and Mark Henry for tonight’s Royal Rumble.

On this past Friday’s SmackDown, Teddy Long made Big Show vs. Mark Henry and that too ended in a no-contest. Mark Henry just collapsed and seems to have been legitimately injured. Bryan took advantage of Henry being down and out and attacked Big Show with a chair.

The attacks didn’t last long, as Big Show was able to hit the chokeslam.

Daniel Bryan is in big trouble tonight, and his title reign is in serious jeopardy.

With Mark Henry potentially injured, he may be a big question mark tonight. If it is a legit injury, it makes me wonder if he’ll be able to compete and, if he is, how much is he going to be able to perform.

I can see Big Show winning this match. He’s been with WWE for over a decade and has been quite loyal to the company. His 45 seconds as champion is a bit of a spit in the face, and WWE needs to do right by him.

I can also see Daniel Bryan retaining here. He has become a hell of a champion, both in the ring and on the mic. Cutting his title reign short could be a bad idea.

I’m torn here, but I’m going with the Big Show. I think he’ll win the title but then lose it back to Bryan at the Elimination Chamber PPV.

Winner and New Champion: The Big Show

CM Punk vs. Dolph Ziggler: WWE Championship with John Laurinaitis as Referee

Throughout the month of December and January, Dolph Ziggler has had CM Punk’s number. While he has kept the momentum due to questionable or cheap victories, the fact remains that Ziggler has multiple wins over the WWE champion.

Not only does Punk have to worry about his challenger, he as a referee that he can’t trust.

When Punk won the WWE Championship at Survivor Series, John Laurinaitis tried many things to get the title off of him, including a triple threat match tables, ladders and chairs match at the TLC PPV.

The WWE champion has been disrespecting and embarrassing the WWE executive and interim Raw general manager for months, but Laurinaitis has never shown that Punk was getting to him.

Two weeks ago, Laurinaitis, who will be the special referee in this match, was asked outright, “Are you going to screw CM Punk?" Laurinaitis then proudly responded with, “You’re damn right I will.”

Punk could be in big trouble, but he received a bit of a saving grace this past Monday. Laurinaitis got a fax stating that the board of directors were worried about his actions and that his job performance would be evaluated by the man he replaced, chief operating officer Triple H.

Laurinaitis quickly apologized to everyone, but Punk wasn’t buying it and delivered a GTS to Mr. Excitement.

Ziggler than snuck in and hit a Zig Zag on the champion.

This match can go either way. Laurinaitis could screw Punk and Ziggler will be the new champion, or he could attempt to screw him over, but it’ll backfire, resulting in Punk retaining.

Of course, there’s always the chance that Laurinaitis will call the match right down the middle due his performance review on Monday and we’ll get a legit winner.

I think Laurinaitis will tease screwing Punk over, but he’ll ultimately call it right down the middle.

Winner and Still Champion: CM Punk

The Royal Rumble Match

Here we have one of the most unpredictable matches in professional wrestling.

Tonight is the 25th anniversary of the event, and the winner gets to co-main event WrestleMania this year with the Rock and John Cena. Much like years past, this match promises shocking moments, surprise entrants and overall unpredictability.

From Wade Barrett and Sheamus to Randy Orton and Chris Jericho, there are many favorites to win the match.

No matter who wins this year’s annual event, they have an uphill battle ahead of them. For the past four years, the winners of the Royal Rumble have lost at WrestleMania. Can the winner this year break that unfortunate streak? I sure hope so!

WWE has been hyping that everyone is eligible in this year’s Rumble. Does that mean Kane or John Cena can enter after they beat the hell out of each other? Will any legends appear for one final shot at glory?

No matter who appears, it should be another exciting year for the Royal Rumble match.

As for the winner, it’s hard to say. Quite a few superstars have been gaining a lot of momentum over the past month or two and it could be anyone. I have a feeling, though, that the Royal Rumble will be the end of the world as we know it.

Winner: Chris Jericho