WWE Royal Rumble: Will We See an "Experimental" Title Match Again?

Hardcore Holly. Mark Henry. Mr. Kennedy. Umaga. Jeff Hardy. Dolph Ziggler.

The WWE Royal Rumble is the next PPV event on the schedule. Every fan all over the WWE Universe is sure to begin picking and choosing "favorites" for the 30 Man Royal Rumble.

That is usually one of the best matches of the year, and I certainly look forward to it every January. However, the WWE and World title matches on the show are usually just as interesting.

You see that list of names above? All of those men got WWE or World title matches at a certain point in time where they had no business main eventing the show. The names may be looked at differently now, but they were strange back then.

In 2004, Holly challenged Brock Lesnar for the WWE title. Yes, our house was filled with jokes during that epic seven-minute match.

In 2006, Mark Henry fought Kurt Angle to close the show for the World Title. This had no business ending the night. The Rumble always should. WWE missed the boat here, but I guess they really wanted that ring destroyed.

In 2007, Mr. Kennedy faced Batista for the World title. Again, he had no business in the main event. You look at his career now at the end of 2011? Yeah.

Also in 2007, Umaga challenged John Cena for the WWE title. I actually did not have a problem with this, but it certainly was an experiment to have Umaga face Cena at such a huge event.

In 2008, Jeff Hardy fought Randy Orton for the WWE title. Again, I did not have too much of an issue with this little "test run" for Hardy, but I never believed for one second he was going to beat Mr. RKO!

Finally, we come to the 2011 edition. Thankfully, WWE came to their senses and had The Miz defend his title against Orton, not the then-No. 1 contender, John Morrison. They dodged a bullet there. However, the Blue Brand featured Dolph Ziggler challenging Edge for the World title.

Now, it seems like a good decision. A year ago? It was a little out of left field. Again, I think it was a "test run" to see how Ziggler would handle the main event scene. He obviously passed with flying colors (got a quick World title reign) and is now one of the more talented WWE Superstars on the entire roster.

That brings us to this upcoming year. On Raw, we have CM Punk as the WWE Champion. On Smackdown, Daniel Bryan is the World Champion. One could argue that is already a risk in itself leading up to Wrestle Mania.

With that being said, who could WWE "experiment" with to challenge these two guys?

Honestly, I would have said Brodus Clay vs. Punk a few weeks ago, but that ship has sailed. Del Rio and Miz do not count as "experiments." Perhaps Dolph again challenging for a title at the Rumble?

I really would avoid a face vs. face match, but the heel side on Raw looks pretty thin right now. Lastly, I would certainly not rush the 1-2-12 story into the Rumble. That is more for a WrestleMania match.

For Smackdown? Again, I am struggling to find somebody. Big Show, Randy Orton or Mark Henry do not count as "experimenting." Maybe somebody like Cody Rhodes or even Wade Barrett to face off against Bryan?

Let me know below who you may experiment with in the title pictures at Royal Rumble!

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