WWE Royal Rumble 2011: The Most Likely Winners

The 2011 Royal Rumble is less than two weeks away and the WWE has thrown us a curve ball announcing that there will 40 competitors this year.

Never mind the extra bodies in the ring, the number of potential winners is still in single digits. The superstars in this list have the potential to make a good to great storyline heading into Wrestlemania.

John Cena

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BURBANK, CA - NOVEMBER 30: Pro-wrestler John Cena arrives at the Inagural 'Arby's Action Sports Awards' held at Center Staging on November 30, 2006 in Burbank, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

Alright, let's get the obvious one out of the way.

John Cena, the superman of WWE as most people say, will always be a "favorite" when he participates in Rumble matches. This year is no different.

WRESTLEMANIA SCENARIO #1: The Miz retains the WWE Championship at the Rumble and Elimination Chamber. Cena then announces he's challenging the Miz at Wrestlemania 27.

Chances of happening: Very Likely

WRESTLEMANIA SCENARIO #2: The Miz retains the WWE Championship at the Rumble but loses the belt to CM Punk at Elimination Chamber. Cena then challenges Punk to continue the feud with him and the "new" Nexus.

Chances of happening: Maybe

CM Punk

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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 15: CM Punk wrestles Shelton Benjamin during WWE Smackdown at Acer Arena on June 15, 2008 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Gaye Gerard/Getty Images)

CM Punk winning the Rumble is dependent on Cena winning the WWE Championship at Elimination Chamber. He will be heavily "favoured" to win the Rumble though, as he will most likely have Michael McGillicutty, Husky Harris, David Otunga, and Mason Ryan watching his back.

WRESTLEMANIA SCENARIO: Exact opposite of Cena's 2nd scenario

Chances of happening: Least likely of all these possibilities

Triple H

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LAS VEGAS - SEPTEMBER 19: WWE wrestler Triple H poses in the ring after Floyd Mayweather Jr. defeated Juan Manuel Marquez in a unanimous decision at the MGM Grand Garden Arena September 19, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

It would not be the first time he returned at or near the Rumble and won it.

WRESTLEMANIA SCENARIO #1: Triple H last eliminates Sheamus to win the Rumble. Sheamus goes on to win the WWE Championship at Elimination Chamber. They then face off at Wrestlemania 27 to find out who is the true "King of WWE"

Chances of happening: It would be a good story if he won, but I don't see it happening. Although, this match will happen regardless of ifs for a title.

Alberto Del Rio

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If WWE wants to push Del Rio higher than he already is, then having him win the Royal Rumble would do it. The only thing keeping Del Rio from winning the Rumble is that WWE might want him to wait a couple of months after Wrestlemania to hold the World Heavyweight Championship.

WRESTLEMANIA SCENARIO: Edge retains the title until Wrestlemania, Del Rio rips apart Canadian culture, thus making it personal for Edge. Christian could also get involved in this feud and make it a triple threat match at 'Mania.

Chances of it happening: Not very likely

Christian

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It's quite simple, the IWC wants it, the WWE Universe wants it, every wrestling fan from Canada wants it. This year is Christian's best chance to win the Royal Rumble. He has the big return angle going for him. He also possesses the greatest storyline possibility of everyone on this list.

WRESTLEMANIA SCENARIO: Christian wins the Rumble, Edge holds onto the World Heavyweight Championship through Elimination Chamber. Christian then announces that he is using his Royal Rumble title shot to face Edge at Wrestlemania. They team up, although it's an uneasy partnership. Both Edge & Christian remain babyfaces. They try to one up each other in the weeks leading up to Wrestlemania 27.