WWE Royal Rumble 2015: Smart Builds for PPV's Top Feuds

As a major stepping stone on the way to WrestleMania, WWE writers absolutely have to focus on making the hype and promotion for next month’s Royal Rumble pay-per-view as successful and engrossing as possible.

If this pay-per-view doesn’t go smoothly, it may taint the whole WrestleMania buildup entirely. That's the last thing WWE CEO Vince McMahon wants.

With this in mind, let’s have a look at just how WWE can best script its top feuds heading into the Philadelphia show.

John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar

WWE has a tough task in the upcoming weeks. The company has to make the Brock Lesnar vs. John Cena match—their fourth singles bout on pay-per-view since 2012—an appealing prospect for fans.

It will be difficult but not impossible: The key might be for WWE to continue to promote the title bout as likely the last showdown ever between the pair.

Wisely, the company has already started marking it as the “Final Chapter” on promo videos for the event, and it needs to keep stressing this.

Bookers also have to emphasise the idea that Lesnar vs. Cena is one of wrestling’s most legendary feuds and that the Royal Rumble will provide the must-see conclusion to their long program. Even if most fans don’t really see Lesnar-Cena this way, it will give the match a much-needed “historical” feel and appeal to potential network buyers.

Ideally, WWE will also try to get Lesnar on television more. The Beast Incarnate sending in taped interviews just isn’t going to cut it anymore. The champion needs to be on the flagship show on a regular basis from now until the pay-per-view. His presence is vital. 

Roman Reigns vs. The Big Show

Roman Reigns returned to WWE programming at TLC—and proceeded to head into a program with The Big Show. No doubt the two will have a showdown in the 30-man Royal Rumble match.

Credit: WWE.com

WWE needs to use this short-term program to build up Reigns. The former Shield member should absolutely come out of every encounter looking as strong as possible. If Reigns is going to get to the next level, it is extremely important that fans realize they can have faith in the blossoming star to soundly defeat main event heels.

Reigns should also be the one who eliminates Big Show from the Royal Rumble, possibly en route to winning the bout.

Ryback vs. Rusev

In an intriguing booking move, Rusev and Ryback began feuding recently. Give credit to Ryback, thanks to physical charisma and his monster aura, as he truly does feel like Rusev’s biggest and most major test to date.

The two probably aren't destined to have great singles matches, but that doesn't mean this can’t be a great feud.

Credit: WWE.com

Hopefully, WWE writers will script the pair to have various pull-apart brawls and fights heading into a major confrontation in the Royal Rumble match. Don’t book them in a singles match, at least for a few weeks. As noted, it probably wouldn't be any good, and it would take the edge off this promising feud.  

If the bookers play their cards right, the eventual Rusev-Ryback showdown could be a major highlight of the Battle Royal.