WWE Royal Rumble 2017: Updated Match Card Predictions After Roadblock

Before Roadblock: End of the Line slid into our collective rear-view mirror, it offered glimpses of the future, of what to expect at WWE Royal Rumble 2017 and WrestleMania 33.

Sunday's Raw-exclusive event planted a number of seeds for future showdowns, some of which will fill the Royal Rumble card. Kevin Owens emerged from the pay-per-view with his Universal Championship in hand but found himself at the mercy of two men likely to pursue him at the Royal Rumble on Jan. 29.

Neville made it clear at Roadblock what his next goal is. And the Sasha Banks vs. Charlotte Flair rivalry wrapped up dramatically. WWE is likely not done making history after that climactic title tilt, though.

Goldberg and Brock Lesnar have already announced their intention to enter the Battle Royal at the Royal Rumble PPV. But where does everyone else fit in? What of AJ Styles and Dean Ambrose from SmackDown? 

The following is a look at what matches to expect at the Rumble, projecting where Raw and SmackDown's stories are headed following Roadblock's conclusion.

Rich Swann vs. Neville (Cruiserweight Title)

After months of warming the Raw bench, Neville made an emphatic statement at Roadblock.

After Rich Swann successfully defended the Cruiserweight Championship against Brian Kendrick and TJ Perkins at Roadblock, Neville marched out. The Man Who Gravity Forgot beat down both Swann and Perkins, showing off a darker side of himself.

That act was a clear sign that Neville is set to join the cruiserweight division and seek out Swann's title.

Neville's attack will no doubt leave Swann looking for payback. The company then booking Neville against the champ is highly likely. That move would be a shot in the arm for both the division and Neville.  

The Royal Rumble PPV could use this electric showdown as a grab-your-attention opener. 

Women's Battle Royal

2016 has been a groundbreaking year for the women's division, as WWE booked a series of firsts. Sasha Banks and Charlotte Flair battled in the first women's Hell in a Cell, Falls Count Anywhere and at Roadblock, the first women's Iron Man match on the main roster. 

Chances are, the company continues that trend next year.

A handful of women have entered the Royal Rumble, but it makes sense for WWE to take things several steps further. An all-female version of the annual Battle Royal would make for another historic achievement and allow WWE to showcase a major chunk of the women's division at one time.

Champs Alexa Bliss and Flair could sit back and watch as their peers battle it out for a championship opportunity at WrestleMania.

WWE would then be able to go in a number of directions with Becky Lynch, Bayley, Eva Marie, Natalya, Nia Jax, Mickie James and others all battling each other. The winner would choose what champion they want to challenge, allowing the company set up either a SmackDown or Raw WrestleMania bout.

The Miz vs. Dean Ambrose (Intercontinental Championship)

The Miz's career year has seen him elevate the Intercontinental Championship and morph into one of WWE's top heels. That's enough to net him a high-profile match at the Royal Rumble.

His feud with Dolph Ziggler now over, The Miz is bound to find a new foil. He and Dean Ambrose have crossed paths a lot of late, possibly a sign of things to come. A compelling story between them seems to be brewing on SmackDown.

The Lunatic Fringe's chase of Styles' WWE title looks to be done for the moment. Battling The Miz would be a smart next step for him.

And it would be a familiar spot for Ambrose. He defended the IC title against Owens at the 2015 Royal Rumble before entering the Battle Royal later that night. 

Kevin Owens vs. Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins (Universal Championship)

Owens survived against Reigns at Roadblock, but only with Chris Jericho's help. In response, The Big Dog teamed up with Rollins to send both heels crashing through tables.

WWE is bound to move on from this story soon to start building toward Reigns and Owens' respective WrestleMania matches, but there's a good chance Reigns gets one more crack at the Universal Championship.

Raw's authority figures could set up this Triple Threat match as a means to punish Owens for cheating so often and to help even the odds against him. Rollins and Reigns' tenuous alliance would make for an intriguing story. 

But this Royal Rumble clash would ultimately serve as a transition.

Signs point to Jericho and Owens splitting from each other and feuding all the way to WrestleMania. Rollins will presumably soon be hunting down Triple H in earnest. Until then, Owens will have to face two-thirds of what used to be The Shield.

AJ Styles vs. Undertaker (WWE Championship)

The Rumble itself boasts the star power of Goldberg and Brock Lesnar. To help fill the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, WWE is likely to call on The Deadman for its big title bout.

Undertaker vs. Styles is the ideal meeting of the past and the future. The clash of in-ring styles would make for tremendous action. And it would be a career-marking showdown for The Phenomenal One.

Plus, WWE could set up a John Cena-Undertaker championship  match for WrestleMania by allowing The Deadman to dethrone Styles.

Styles has already vanquished Ambrose several times over. He's beaten Cena again and again. The champ is in need of fresh opposition. Booking him against Undertaker is a no-brainer.

This collision would help make the 2017 Royal Rumble a massive show.