WWE Royal Rumble 2016: Superstars Who Will Surprise in Battle Royal

WWE's Royal Rumble 2016 pay-per-view is quickly approaching, and for the first time in over two decades, the WWE World Heavyweight Championship will be up for grabs in the Rumble match on Jan. 24 in Orlando.

As a result, the Rumble seems more unpredictable than it has in years, with a wide variety of potential candidates who can win it.

What makes the Rumble so special is its uncertainty. WWE typically pushes the narrative that anyone can win it, and although the winner of the bout is heavily foreshadowed in the weeks preceding the event, fans never know what (or who) to expect at the January extravaganza.

Take 2002's Royal Rumble, for example. Maven, despite having just arrived on the scene fresh off the first season of Tough Enough, pulled off the shocker of the century when he eliminated The Undertaker.

Which Superstars will exceed expectations and possibly go the distance with their performances in this year's Rumble?

Kalisto

Credit: WWE.com

In the matter of a month, Kalisto has skyrocketed to the top of fans' lists of Superstars to keep an eye on in 2016. Following his breakout performance at WWE Tables, Ladders & Chairs, he went on to score several big wins over The New Day and Alberto Del Rio, culminating in a United States Championship victory on Raw.

It's been apparent since his arrival at NXT two years ago that despite his small size, Kalisto is destined for big things in WWE. He can easily connect with crowds, and his in-ring ability is nothing short of incredible.

He can go far this year if WWE allows him to, and coming off his huge title win on Monday night, the company would be wise to follow it up with a strong showing in the 2016 Royal Rumble match.

The former NXT Tag Team champion has yet to be officially named an entrant in the match, and even if he clashes with Del Rio in a championship rematch at the event, it's likely he would pull double duty. If so, he could last longer than fans expect him to.

It's almost improbable that he would follow in the footsteps of fellow masked marvel Rey Mysterio from a decade earlier and win it from the No. 2 seed, nor should he for the sack of repetition. But a surprise elimination of a top-tier talent (maybe a member of The League of Nations) would surely cement him as a star on the rise.

Neville

Credit: WWE.com

Neville went under WWE's radar shortly after his main-roster debut last spring. He wasn't involved in anything of note for many months, but his luck changed for the better when he was voted the 2015 Breakout Star of the Year by the WWE Universe in December.

Since then, he has experienced a career resurgence with a win against Kevin Owens and a handful of tag team victories. He has been building momentum these past few weeks, making him one to watch in the Royal Rumble match.

Although his mic skills still need work, his in-ring ability has never been questioned. He has proved over the last year that he can hang with the best of them, which is why he shouldn't be underestimated when he shares the ring with a slew of Superstars ranging from Roman Reigns to Brock Lesnar.

Similar to Kalisto, his small stature may work to his advantage. He has received the least amount of attention of anyone on the road to the Rumble, certainly making him a sleeper pick for the matchup.

There is next to no chance he'll come close to winning the annual Battle Royal, but he can have a fun run for himself if he enters at an early number and avoids elimination the same way he's able to defy gravity.

Titus O'Neil

Credit: WWE.com

Over the course of his career, Titus O'Neil has competed in his fair share of Royal Rumble matches, but none of his Rumble outings were particularly memorable. In fact, he lasted a whopping four seconds in last year's installment, one of the shortest stints in Rumble history.

However, he has managed to find his stride as a singles competitor of late. He has beaten Stardust on multiple occasions since the start of the year and looks to be a lock for the 2016 Rumble match.

If he does participate in the bout, look for him to assert his dominance over the other combatants. He has been shining on his own, and the Rumble match is the perfect opportunity for him to make an impact with WrestleMania right around the corner.

O'Neil's talents and crazy charisma have been marginalized for far too long, but it isn't too late to start pushing him as a force to be reckoned with. Fans will immediately invest in the former Florida Gator if he stands out from the rest of the pack in the Rumble.

He may not be a popular candidate to do well in the Rumble, but if the past month has been any indication, he has a bright year ahead of him—and it will begin with a showcase of his skills next Sunday in Orlando.

Graham Mirmina, aka Graham "GSM" Matthews, is a journalism major at Endicott College. Visit his website, Next Era Wrestling, and "like" his official Facebook page to continue the conversation on all things wrestling.

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