WWE Royal Rumble: 10 Matches We Need to See in January's PPV

On January 30, WWE begins its 2011 pay-per-view schedule with Royal Rumble, which begins their Road to WrestleMania.

As we wait patiently for one of the most anticipated nights in the entire year, let's make our belated Christmas wish list with ten matches that we would all (or at least I would) like to see at the January PPV.

A Legitimate Royal Rumble Match

This is a major gripe with me every single year at the Royal Rumble.

After trying to research it and talking with fellow wrestling fans, I cannot recall another Rumble match that actually enforces the advertised 90 seconds in between entries to the match.

Participants should technically wait a minute and a half before coming out. However, Rumble matches typically revolve around certain storylines and entries could enter within half of the time.

Keep it honest, guys. Book the spots around the time, not the time around the spots.

A Tag Team Title Match

Not since 2004, when Ric Flair and Batista defended their World Tag Team championships against The Dudley Boyz, has there been a tag team title match at Royal Rumble.

With the tag team division in dire straights, perhaps Santino and Kozlov could defend against a few teams of strong mid-carders thrown together.

If they take enough of a beating, it could make for easy reasoning as to why they may not last long in the Royal Rumble match, if they show at all. It can also be a great way to build credibility by having a competitor have good showings in both matches that night.

A World Title Match That Goes on Last

In 2006, the card was mixed up a little bit with Kurt Angle defending his World Heavyweight Championship against Mark Henry in the last match of the evening.

In fact, Rey Mysterio's victory in the Rumble match was before Angle/Henry and John Cena won the WWE Championship from Edge.

It's always been too predictable to have the Royal Rumble winner end the show, as he stands alone in the ring. Don't even get me started on the cheesy shot with the Royal Rumble winner pointing to the WrestleMania sign and pyro going off.

A Return That Doesn't Win Rumble Match

I understand that this is more of a request than a match, but let me explain.

We all enjoy seeing the returns within the Royal Rumble match, especially when someone returns early from injury. Edge and John Cena have done just that in two of the last three years.

The problem is that when we see a regular member of the roster return, especially one that is a main eventer already. With murmurs of Triple H or Chris Jericho possibly returning at Royal Rumble, this worries me.

When the music hits and we all mark over the return, one idea seeps into our heads: "He's going to win, isn't he?"

Rematch for Intercontinental Championship from TLC

It was a pretty good match at the TLC pay-per-view, but the result left something to be desired.

For those who did not see it, Kofi Kingston and Jack Swagger both had their hands on the Intercontinental Championship during their Ladder match. The title fell and Ziggler fell on it, leaving to a title defense on a technicality.

Ziggler is now the longest-reigning champion currently in WWE. Dating back to 2004, Ziggler's reign is the fifth longest in that span at 152 days (as of 12/27/10). With him taking John Cena to the limit twice last week, Ziggler may be ready for the jump to the main event, especially on a Smackdown brand strapped for good heels.

Daniel Bryan vs Alex Riley

A matchup between The Miz's NXT Rookies.

Daniel Bryan will likely need an opponent for his United States Championship, and I don't see why Riley couldn't fit the bill. It's hard to say who Bryan's top contender is and Riley has had decent showings against the likes of Randy Orton, John Cena and John Morrison. Why not take Riley at least moderately seriously and have him get a title shot?

By the way, as I was writing this, Daniel Bryan was winning on RAW and the RAW GM had an e-mail. I thought I would have to change this slide until I saw that it was just an excuse for The Miz to beat up Jerry Lawler.

Complimentary Matches to Rumble Match

I love continuity in case you haven't caught on yet.

I love when the beginning of the night affects the end of the night. This is why I am hoping for something along the lines of the 2003 Royal Rumble, which was also in Boston, Massachusetts.

The night began with Big Show vs Brock Lesnar for a spot in the Royal Rumble match. Lesnar won the match, entered the Rumble at No. 29 and won the Royal Rumble. Which superstar do I have in mind for this treatment? I'll say who later on...

Epic Divas Title Match

The Divas division seems to be heating up lately. The champion, Natalya, has to contend with a recently-heel Melina, Lay-Cool, Alicia Fox and even faces such as Eve and Beth Phoenix.

We may all enjoy having the "bathroom break match," when the women come out during a pay-per-view. However, we all secretly want a good Divas match about as much as Rex Ryan would like to give you a foot massage.

Throw a bunch of them together in a good match. Although, please don't make it a Divas battle royale. It's so lame to see women fall under the ropes and be considered eliminated.

Cody Rhodes vs Big Show

I wasn't really sure what the "Dashing" Cody Rhodes/Big Show altercation was about at TLC, but it isn't an isolated incident anymore.

I suppose this is the new story that they have for Cody and that Rhodes is the new young talent that Big Show will make look good.

Perhaps a match between these two could lead to a moment where Big Show suffers some injury and his Rumble chances diminish? Maybe Rhodes has a shocking elimination by taking out Show?

John Cena Double Booked

I normally place pictures that are pretty accurate to what I am saying. However, I saw this and couldn't resist, so sue me.

John Cena will be in Boston, his home city, for Royal Rumble. Cena is your run-of-the-mill "I'm gonna get beat up and still look very strong" kind of superstar.

Since I doubt that Cena is going to be winning the Rumble, the only way to sell that to the kiddies is to make him get beat up before the Rumble match.

Perhaps he begins the night fighting for a spot in the Rumble, wins, and gets beat up by Nexus or something. A weak Cena comes out strong, but loses in the end. Children go home crying and I stay content as a wrestling fan for a little longer.