WWE Armchair Booking: How to Maximize Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal

WWE has an opportunity to make the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal not just another WrestleMania match but instead a means to boost careers and provide lasting images.

The keys to accomplishing that  who enters that bout, who WWE showcases throughout and who emerges the winner. The Battle Royal needs to be bursting with surprises, thrills and catharsis.

The focus, on Monday night at least, was on how powerful and dominant Mark Henry and Kane are, even at this stage of their careers. Those aren't the men on whom WWE should be shining the spotlight. There's little excitement at the prospect of either one of them winning the second-ever Battle Royal in Andre's honor.

Rather than highlight the roster's elder statesmen, the match should elevate Curtis Axel, propel Damien Mizdow and celebrate Sheamus' return.

The Entrants

As WWE lists on its website, there are currently 17 wrestlers entered into the upcoming bout. One name fans expect to be added is Sheamus, as WWE has been airing vignettes to promote his return.

Throwing The Celtic Warrior in the mix adds to the match's star power. Excitement at seeing the former world champ in action for the first time since November would benefit the Battle Royal. 

He's not just another participant; he's a favorite to win it.

To round out the field, WWE should look to its own developmental brand. Bringing in a name from NXT would be fun. This should be the moment WWE calls up Adrian Neville.

The in-ring dynamo would add electricity to the action, make a grand entrance on the main roster and begin his next feud in the course of the match.

Have him dropkick Goldust off the apron and then assist on another elimination. He'll duck out of the way as Kane charges at him, pulling down the top rope and watching The Director of Operations hit the floor. Kane could then pull Neville out of the ring and wallop him.

A story in which Neville looks to prove himself worthy of the main roster with the corrupt Authority watching over him would then be ready to be told. 

In addition, WWE should have one surprise entrant not on the roster make his way into the fray.

Call up Rob Van Dam. Have him get a big pop as he enters the match. He'll be a fun surprise and give the Battle Royal another former world champion to enhance its prestige.

The Action

The Battle Royal can be a display of Sheamus' rage and power and can make it quite clear that he has come back as a heel.

Have him work alongside the babyfaces at first, but get more intense and less trustworthy as the match progresses. In this scenario, he and The Prime Time Players form an alliance, if briefly.

The Celtic Warrior then Brogue Kicks both Darren Young and Titus O'Neil. 

Credit: WWE.com

Sheamus should go on a rampage, not necessarily eliminating a whole host of foes but certainly leaving them woozy. Going this route would give him momentum aplenty as he rejoins the roster and would also make his eventual elimination that much more meaningful. 

Axel needs to shine as well.

His AxelMania shtick has caught on, making him the most compelling he has ever been. Playing this up is smart.

He can poach other folks' eliminations. In this case, just as The Miz is about to push Ryback over the top rope, Axel runs in and shoves The Big Guy. Axel over-celebrates that moment, just as he does when he takes advantage of Adam Rose and Zack Ryder slugging it out on the ring apron.

Axel clotheslines both to the floor and begins to mimic Hulk Hogan in the center of the ring, posing for the crowd.

Credit: WWE.com

Beyond just being a bit of fun, this angle would feed into his delusional character. He can brag about his exploits for weeks to come.

The Winner

Mizdow needs to win this to make the most of his ongoing story with The Miz. After suffering The Miz's abuse for so long, it will be a tremendous sight to see him finally stand up to his boss and celebrate a huge win.

WWE has already implanted the ideal subplot to make that happen. The Miz threatened on Monday's Raw that if Mizdow didn't make sure he won the Battle Royal, he would be fired.

Early on in this scenario, Mizdow does as he's told. He saves The Miz from Erick Rowan and knocks out Ryback with a Skull Crushing Finale so that The Miz can then get the elimination. 

As the field shrinks, Mizdow clearly thinks about attacking The Miz from behind, but doesn't. 

Credit: WWE.com

Instead, the two of them pound on Sheamus' leg until he's sufficiently weakened. They team up to toss Sheamus out of the ring, leaving just Axel, Van Dam, Mizdow and The Miz.

Axel tears off his shirt Hogan-style and starts punching all his opponents. The three foes all grab him at the same time and fling Axel over the top rope.

The former IC champ has a hissy fit on the outside.

Meanwhile, Mizdow takes a kick to the mouth to protect The Miz. That allows The Miz to sneak up on Mr. Monday Night and eliminate him.

The Miz then orders Mizdow to eliminate himself. He refuses. The Miz barks at him, telling him that he will be nothing without him.

Mizdow glares at him, seemingly deciding what to do before rearing back and knocking The Miz out with a right hand. Mizdow lifts the limp Superstar and flips him to the outside.

He celebrates as The Miz seethes. WWE ends the Battle Royal with a memorable moment of rebellion and heads into Extreme Rules and beyond with a great feud to work with.

Victory continues to come Mizdow's way as he beats The Miz at every turn, energized by freeing himself, thrust into the next stage of his career by being the second man to win the Andre the Giant Battle Royal.