WWE Royal Rumble 2017: Titles Most Likely to Change Hands at Major Event

With new champions crowned on the final episode of WWE SmackDown this year, it opens the possibility for more changes in the next few months—which will likely begin at next month's Royal Rumble pay-per-view.

Some of the company's biggest titles will be defended at one of the most important shows of the year, and as WrestleMania season approaches, some changes are likely to take place.

Will John Cena cap a return to WWE by taking the WWE Championship away from AJ Styles? Can Kevin Owens hang on to the WWE Universal Championship when he takes on Roman Reigns?

And what about the company's midcard titles? Are they set for new owners just weeks out from WrestleMania 33?

Here's a look at the titles most likely to change hands on Jan. 29 at the Alamodome in San Antonio. 

SmackDown Tag Team Championships

Arguably the biggest surprise of the final SmackDown of 2017 was American Alpha winning the SmackDown Tag Team Championships.

The Four Corners Elimination match saw The Wyatt Family succumb to a shock defeat, as many expected it to go on a lengthy run as champions.

Suddenly, the whole complexity of the tag division on the blue brand has changed. And while it's not impossible for Jason Jordan and Chad Gable to keep the belts for a prolonged period, another change is probably likely before that happens.

So at the Royal Rumble, expect a rematch between American Alpha and The Wyatt Family—and don't be surprised if Bray Wyatt, Luke Harper and Randy Orton win.

That could then lead to American Alpha having a crowning moment at WrestleMania 33, which would make sense, given that it's likely to hold up the tag division for the next few years.

But for now, it may have to take a step back for that to happen.

Raw Tag Team Championships

Judging by the action on this past Monday's Raw, it looks like The New Day is drifting out of contention to win the Raw Tag Team Championships back.

Its latest defeat to Sheamus and Cesaro leaves the tag division on Raw in a state of flux. It's unlikely the trio will keep coming back for match after match with the current champions—and with a few other teams jostling for position beneath them, it could be the catalyst for real change.

Realistically, do the current champions have a long-term future with the belts? While it would be great to see them have an extended run, it seems likely that this is a precursor to the two splitting up in spectacular fashion.

So at the Royal Rumble, it's probably wise to expect some level of change. Whether it's a temporary one—such as The New Day—or a permanent one—such as a team like Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson ascending through the pack—remains to be seen.

But of all the championships to be defended at the Royal Rumble, Raw's tag titles seem likely to find their way into new hands.

WWE Universal Championship

So far, Kevin Owens' run with the WWE Universal Championship has yet to get going. Expect WWE to pull the trigger on it at the Royal Rumble.

With Chris Jericho dominating the spotlight in his relationship with Owens, coupled with too many defeats on a regular basis for the current universal champion, Owens' standing looks weaker and weaker by the week.

And rather than try to correct it, the more likely option for WWE here is to crown Roman Reigns as the new champion ahead of the start of WrestleMania season.

Reigns is going to continue to be pushed as one of Raw's biggest stars, and having him win the Universal Championship next month will continue that trend.

Sadly for fans of the current champion, it looks like KO's inaugural world-title reign could be over.