WWE Royal Rumble 2015 Matches: Best Subplots to Follow in Battle Royal, Bouts

The Royal Rumble match often serves as a catalyst that sets the table for WrestleMania.

Similar to an hour-long creative meeting, the Royal Rumble is several weeks of television crammed into a Battle Royal. Subplots drive Royal Rumbles just as much as surprise entrants. With every elimination comes the birth or continuation of a major feud.

WWE's first pay-per-view of the year is essentially advertised as a two-match show. Each year, the Rumble works in concert with a WWE Championship match to create a compelling card. However, multiple storylines develop within the Royal Rumble match.

It's hardly fair to credit only two matches with making this event special.

There's no question pertaining to which match is the biggest bout on the show. But the most intriguing subplots exploit budding tension between both allies and enemies.

5. The Many Questions About John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar vs. Seth Rollins

The Triple Threat main event for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship will rival the Royal Rumble match in importance.

Not only is it the biggest bout, but there are also subplots galore that make the title match a must-watch event. Is Brock Lesnar really on his way to turning babyface? Will Seth Rollins finally cash in his Money in the Bank contract?

Will John Cena tie Ric Flair as a 16-time world champion?

A real-life subplot that servers as the elephant in the room is Brock Lesnar's looming free agency. Lesnar is not signed past WrestleMania, and rumors are circulating that he may return to mixed martial arts, per Marc Raimondi of MMAFighting.com.

Lesnar's unknown future may play a role in him losing the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.

4. Damien Midow vs. Miz

Since fans began rallying behind Damien Mizdow while booing Miz, there has been budding tension between the entertaining duo.

A silent stunt double at first, Mizdow has been much more talkative. Most notably, he was in a combative segment with Miz on the most recent edition of SmackDown.

Miz continues to mistreat Mizdow by dismissing him just as his act starts catching on. The Royal Rumble provides a platform for a fun spot between Miz and his stunt double. If Miz tosses an opponent out, will Mizdow toss Miz out as well only to jump out of the ring himself?

The tandem is still a relatively fresh act but probably shouldn't remain together past WrestleMania. The Royal Rumble is the perfect time to begin their feud.

3. Erick Rowan, Dolph Ziggler and Ryback vs. The Authority

Erick Rowan, Dolph Zigggler and Ryback are back from being fired, which was really just a two-week timeout.

Now announced for the Royal Rumble, they'll likely have the deck stacked against them by The Authority. The Authority may force one of the Cena Super Friends to start the Royal Rumble. Perhaps a bounty will be placed on each of them to be eliminated.

Rowan is the only one of the three who did not qualify for the Royal Rumble after losing to Luke Harper on SmackDown. A frustrated Big Red could crash the Rumble and turn heel.

With animosity between the two sides still present, WWE must find ways to incorporate this feud in the Royal Rumble.

2. A Shield Reunion?

An actual reunion of The Shield, per se, is unlikely. But it is likely the three members of former faction could wind up in the Royal Rumble competing against one another.

While Seth Rollins has not been announced for the match, it's possible The Authority affords him another opportunity to compete. This becomes more of a possibility if he fails to successfully cash in his Money in the Bank contract. 

Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns figure to have major roles in the Royal Rumble match. Should Rollins fail to capture the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, he'd be a glaring omission.

A final three featuring The Shield alums would be eye candy to wrestling fans, especially in a "smart" city like Philadelphia.

1. Roman Reigns vs. The Yes Movement East

The biggest prevailing subplot in the Royal Rumble match is whether WWE is ready for Roman Reigns to main event WrestleMania.

Months ago, Dave Meltzer of The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reported Reigns' rumored WrestleMania feud would culminate with a match against Brock Lesnar.

The Yes Movement is once again firmly behind Daniel Bryan at the threat of a potential rebellion. Reigns is in a similar role to Batista. This will be the most hostile environment for Reigns to date.

But with Bryan actually competing in the Royal Rumble, WWE has the opportunity to spin him off into a different feud. 

As cursed of a year as Bryan had in 2014, he has had better luck on the West Coast as of late. Bryan publicly supported the San Francisco Giants, who went on to win the World Series. Bryan's hometown Seattle Seahawks miraculously rallied to clinch a spot in the Super Bowl.

It bodes well for Bryan that WrestleMania 31 will be held in Santa Clara, California. But it's anybody's guess whether he'll leave the Eastern Time Zone with another WWE World Heavyweight Championship opportunity.

Is it time for the Yes Movement to step down and give somebody else a shot? Click here for more!

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