WWE Royal Rumble 2014: Biggest X-Factors to Watch at Massive PPV

It's one of the hottest pay-per-views of the year for WWE, and the Royal Rumble is always a show that rarely disappoints in terms of drama.

In truth, it is the show that really kicks off the road to WrestleMania, as we find out who one-half of the main event at the Showcase of the Immortals will consist of with the culmination of the Rumble match. That will be intensified even more this year considering the championships have been unified.

There are a whole host of Superstars that could have a massive impact on the pay-per-view and kick-start some huge rivalries leading up to WrestleMania 30.

With that in mind, let's take a look at some of the people who could play a defining role on one of the biggest nights of the year for the WWE.

7. Brock Lesnar

Photo courtesy WWE.com

Boy, did Brock Lesnar return to Raw in style this past week.

The Beast absolutely dismantled Mark Henry to announce his return to the WWE with true gusto—and also announced he is on the title hunt for WrestleMania.

Whilst Brock is unlikely to be involved with the actual Royal Rumble match, he is no doubt an X-Factor at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view due to his ability to cause havoc wherever he shows up throughout the show.

If he fights Mark Henry on the undercard, it will add a solid match to a card that is so often dominated by one match. The potential for Lesnar to leave his mark on the actual Rumble match cannot be ruled out, either.

6. The Authority

Photo courtesy WWE.com

These days, you cannot rule out The Authority leaving its mark on a pay-per-view, particularly a main event.

With the news breaking this week that Randy Orton will defend his newly unified title against John Cena, what are the odds on Triple H and Stephanie McMahon once again aiding Orton toward a safe title defence?

After all, they didn't get involved at Tables, Ladders and Chairs, when Orton beat Cena clean to become the first WWE World Heavyweight champion.

It does seem of late that The Authority has been a lot more inactive than it was in the opening few months of this compelling storyline. That could well change at the Royal Rumble.

5. CM Punk

Photo courtesy WWE.com

You can never rule out CM Punk playing a key role at a pay-per-view show, and that is intensified this time around by the fact he will no doubt be in the Royal Rumble match.

If he is involved, Punk is surely amongst the front-runners to be the last man standing and earn the main event at WrestleMania. However, with talk increasing of a battle with Triple H at WrestleMania 30, perhaps Punk's big involvement of the night could be the resumption of that rivalry?

Or perhaps Punk will finally win the Royal Rumble, a feat that has eluded him throughout his entire career.

Whatever the case, you can bet CM Punk will be very much involved in Pittsburgh later this month.

4. Batista

Photo courtesy WWE.com

The Animal is returning to WWE in the days prior to the Royal Rumble, and the solitary Raw that he will be appearing on prior to the pay-per-view will give us a big clue as to what Batista's plans are with the company.

Could he be the man who will win the Royal Rumble and go on to main event WrestleMania in his first few months back with the company?

Or does he have another target in mind? Whatever the case, Batista's involvement with the Royal Rumble will make absolutely brilliant viewing.

If he is in the Royal Rumble match, he will surely come close to winning it all.

His return is just another addition to what is shaping up to be fantastic few months for the WWE.

3. Bray Wyatt

Photo courtesy WWE.com

Right now, the WWE has stumbled across one of their most compelling storylines of the past few years.

The Daniel Bryan vs. Bray Wyatt issue seemed to be going nowhere fast—like other Superstars Wyatt has feuded with, many expected the rivalry just to die off.

Therefore, credit to creative for a massive swerve on Monday's edition of Raw, when Bryan aligned himself with Bray.

That leaves Bray with a huge role to play in this Royal Rumble show. Will he turn his back on his newest family member at the show, or will he help him to win the actual Rumble?

The latest development in this storyline makes you feel that Bray Wyatt is finally starting to live up to the hype in the WWE.

2. Roman Reigns

Photo courtesy WWE.com

For months, people have been speculating as to when the members The Shield will finally split and go their own way.

Not that anyone wants that to happen, because the trio haven't gone past their sell-by date—far from it, in fact. They have been a credit to the WWE in their first year together.

But with WrestleMania just around the corner, it seems like the end is nigh. That was intensified on Raw this past week, when fractions between the group seemed as evident as they ever have before.

Roman Reigns had a defining moment in his career at Survivor Series when he cleaned up the opposition team with a series of devastating spears. Could the Royal Rumble be the next step in his career?

It certainly seems possible. The Rumble is the kind of match where Reigns will thrive, and it provides a perfect backdrop for the members The Shield to finally go their own way.

Expect Reigns to play a colossal role in the makeup of the Royal Rumble 2014.

1. Daniel Bryan

Photo courtesy WWE.com

No matter what the hype is over Batista potentially returning to win the Royal Rumble, Daniel Bryan is still the guy to get the job done in many people's eyes.

Without the events of the last week on Raw, he would have still been high up on the list of potential X-Factor Superstars for the pay-per-view. Since then, though, he has become even more compelling to watch.

Will "Daniel Wyatt" turn on his new family at the Royal Rumble? Will he go on and be the last man standing despite a potential swerve from Bray Wyatt and company?

The options for the paths Daniel Bryan could take at the Royal Rumble are fascinating. There are so many of them, and they could make or break the future for Bryan.

That is why Daniel Bryan is the biggest X-Factor of the 2014 Royal Rumble.