WWE Royal Rumble 2014: PPV Will Kick Off Strong WrestleMania Season

The Royal Rumble is traditionally the pay-per-view that kicks off "WrestleMania season." And most of the time, it tends to deliver—the show launches WWE into the peak time of the year with a real bang.

2014 looks to be no different, as the WWE's current roster and storylines are shaping up nicely ahead of the Royal Rumble, with some big swerves and surprises surely in the pipeline at the show. That will only crank up the interest and hype ahead of WrestleMania season and will leave the majority of WWE fans wanting more each and every week.

WWE's Latest Storylines Make for Strong Card

There are two or three storylines that back up my argument.

Take, for example, The Shield. Their split has been threatened for a lengthy period now, with several teases over the past few months leaving us guessing at what will happen next. Surely the Royal Rumble will be the moment where the trio implode and go their own ways? If they do, it adds yet another compelling twist to what is certain to be a strong few months for the WWE.

Photo courtesy WWE.com

A potential matchup between two—or even all three—members of the group would add yet more intrigue and fascination to what appears to be an absolutely brilliant card for WrestleMania 30. There is so much hype behind Roman Reigns that he could literally end up feuding with anyone at the marquee event.

Then there are Daniel Bryan and Bray Wyatt.

Will their storyline come to a head at the Royal Rumble with Bryan turning face once more? If he does do it at the Rumble, then the feud will surely continue to the Elimination Chamber and perhaps even WrestleMania. Few saw the swerve coming with Bryan joining The Wyatt Family, which means few may see the next twist coming, too.

The pop Bryan is likely to receive from the crowd in Pittsburgh if he eliminates Bray from the Royal Rumble match would be staggering. It would create yet more momentum for the two competitors moving forward. Aligning Bryan and Wyatt has turned out to be an ultimately smart move from creative, and it has made Wyatt a star, something I discussed last week.

Returning Stars Only Increase 'Mania Momentum

Whilst those storylines involving the likes of Bryan and The Shield are exciting enough, the Royal Rumble will be blessed with some genuinely big returns this time around.

Batista is arguably the biggest and most high profile of those returnees, and there is genuine potential for him to go on and win the Royal Rumble for a second time. He has already been teasing his return by exchanging Twitter posts with Alberto Del Rio—whether that is a tease for a possible rivalry is anyone's guess.

The Animal's prolonged absence from the WWE increases the momentum behind his return.

Although Brock Lesnar has been back a while before the actual Rumble pay-per-view, the show will be the first time we see Lesnar in a match. His first two appearances on Raw since his comeback have been enjoyable, but his match with Big Show will be the first time he will be active in the ring since his return.

Throw names like Chris Jericho and Sheamus out there—two more who could well return at the Rumble—and you have another reason to believe that the Rumble will kick off WrestleMania season with a real bang.

There is one final thing to consider. The card at Wrestlemania 30 looks set to be absolutely packed with top matches. If Randy Orton goes on to beat John Cena and ends their current feud at the Royal Rumble, it means Cena will spend 'Mania further down the card—something which will only increase and improve buyrates for the show and the WWE Network.

The WWE's top guy being three or four matches down from the main event would be the biggest indicator of all that this WrestleMania season could be the strongest ever.