WWE Royal Rumble 2014: Matches That Would Make the PPV Must-See

While the annual Royal Rumble match is undoubtedly the event's main selling point, the rest of the card needs to be taken care of, too.

In fact, if executed correctly, the pay-per-view's other bouts can serve as additional incentive for fans to purchase the show.

It can also be a good safety net in case the Rumble match doesn't deliver in terms of quality.

What matches will the WWE's creative team schedule for January 26? Let's take a closer look.

In terms of just how important they would be to the show, here are the best five bouts the booking team could produce.

5. AJ Lee vs. Brie Bella

from WWE.com

AJ Lee, been Divas champion for ages.

After a lengthy run with the Divas Championship, it's time for AJ Lee to drop her title, and Brie Bella may be the best candidate in an admittedly thin field.

Brie isn't exactly Manami Toyota in the ring, but the Total Divas star has worked incredibly hard to improve as a wrestler—and it shows.

Where better to perform a title switch than at one of the biggest WWE events of the year? Such a high-profile card would be the proper place for Lee to end what would be close to a record-breaking run. 

4. Mark Henry vs. Damien Sandow

from WWE.com

"Good Santa" Mark Henry takes on "Bad Santa" Damien Sandow on Raw.

Following on from their shockingly fun Good Santa vs. Bad Santa bout on Monday's Raw, could Damien Sandow and Mark Henry be on the verge of a possible feud?

Could that feud perhaps culminate in a bout at the Royal Rumble?

Such a development would aid both men. Sandow has been floundering terribly ever since he unsuccessfully failed to cash in his Money in the Bank title shot on John Cena, and the creative team doesn't seem to have a clue what to do with the recently returned Henry. 

3. Goldust and Cody Rhodes vs. Big Show and Rey Mysterio

from WWE.com

Are these men set to clash at the Royal Rumble?

Having tangled with The Shield on television and pay-per-view too many times to count, tag team champions Cody Rhodes and Goldust now need fresh opponents for their belts.

Who better than the newly formed tag pairing of Rey Mysterio and Big Show?

The two teams have interacted heavily in the past few weeks, which is another possible indication that the four may be headed for a clash at the Royal Rumble next month. 

2. Dean Ambrose vs. Big E Langston

from WWE.com

Dean Ambrose works out backstage

Yes, believe it or not, Dean Ambrose is still the United States champion.

Easy to forget, isn't it?

He's held that belt since May, and it's hardly been a focal point. In fact, it's often come off as an afterthought.

With this in mind, maybe it's time for Ambrose and intercontinental champion Big E Langston to unify their belts. Preferably in a bout at the Royal Rumble.

Hey, it worked for the world titles. Does the WWE even need two secondary belts, anyway? 

1. Randy Orton vs. Daniel Bryan vs. John Cena

from WWE.com

Orton stands tall on Raw two weeks ago.

Recent WWE television has been strongly indicating that John Cena and Randy Orton are set for a rematch of their TLC bout on January 26.

However, don't be too surprised if the WWE throws the hugely popular Daniel Bryan in the mix, too. After all, it would make sense.

The inclusion of Bryan would help freshen up what would otherwise be another stale Orton/Cena match—and help the bout's in-ring quality considerably, too.

Additionally, it would help placate the large and extremely vocal subset of wrestling fans who feel adamantly that the former ROH star should be in main events, and not languishing in the midcard.