The excitement surrounding WWE’s Royal Rumble 2024 kicks off in Indianapolis on Saturday, January 27. It marks the start of what’s set to be an exhilarating WrestleMania season. The Royal Rumble is one of WWE’s most anticipated events of the year, with fans eagerly awaiting the thrills and surprises that always come with it. This year’s Royal Rumble promises to be no exception, and it is shaping up to be a night full of drama, athleticism, and jaw-dropping moments.
Two Royal Rumble Matches Await
As tradition dictates, the Royal Rumble event will feature two main Royal Rumble matches – one for the men and one for the women. Both matches offer a unique opportunity for the winner to challenge any champion of their choosing at WrestleMania. The stakes are high, as the winners of the Royal Rumble match get a direct path to WWE’s biggest event of the year, taking place in Las Vegas on April 19 and 20.
The Winners of Last Year’s Rumbles
Reflecting on last year’s Royal Rumble, Bayley and Cody Rhodes emerged victorious in the two respective Rumble matches. Bayley, who triumphed in the women’s match, would go on to win the WWE Women’s Championship against Iyo Sky at WrestleMania. Meanwhile, Cody Rhodes fulfilled his redemption arc in a headline match against Roman Reigns, an unforgettable main event that was filled with twists, turns, and run-ins.
The Card for This Year’s Royal Rumble
This year’s Royal Rumble event might have fewer matches compared to previous editions, but what’s on offer promises to be equally thrilling. Along with the men’s and women’s Rumble matches, there will be two other high-stakes bouts that have fans on the edge of their seats. Cody Rhodes, the current undisputed WWE Champion, is set to defend his title in a ladder match against Kevin Owens. Their rivalry has intensified over recent months, making this one of the most personal and anticipated matchups of the night.
In the other major title match, the WWE Tag Team Champions, #DIY, will defend their titles in a two-out-of-three falls match against former champions, Motor City Machine Guns (MCMG). This highly anticipated tag team battle is expected to steal the show, offering a mix of high-flying action, technical wrestling, and pure intensity. Fans are eager to see which team will walk away victorious.
Women’s Royal Rumble Match (image via Getty)Expert Predictions for the Royal Rumble Matches
With so much intrigue surrounding the event, let’s get into the predictions made by CBS Sports experts for each match on the Royal Rumble 2024 card.
Men’s Royal Rumble Match
When it comes to the men’s Royal Rumble match, the question of who will emerge as the winner has fans guessing. For a long time, John Cena was considered a frontrunner for the match. However, the momentum has shifted recently, especially after CM Punk’s confrontation with Cody Rhodes, which has generated significant buzz in the wrestling world. Many now believe that Punk vs. Rhodes could be the central story WWE should build toward. Punk’s involvement has sparked renewed excitement, while Cena’s lack of presence has dampened interest in his victory.
While Cena could still theoretically win, the odds seem to be leaning in favor of a more compelling storyline involving Punk and Rhodes. Punk is predicted to win the Royal Rumble, with Cena potentially earning his spot at the Elimination Chamber. Some experts, like Brent Brookhouse, are siding with Punk for the win, as they believe he will bring a fresh storyline to the forefront. Meanwhile, others like Shakiel Mahjouri predict a surprise return from Randy Orton, who could win the Rumble to set up a potential showdown with Rhodes at WrestleMania.
Women’s Royal Rumble Match
In the women’s Royal Rumble, Charlotte Flair is a standout favorite. Given her stature in the WWE and her undeniable legacy, Flair’s inclusion in the Rumble seems like the most natural choice for a victory. Her potential matchup with Tiffany Stratton at WrestleMania is already generating buzz, and it’s clear that WWE sees this as an opportunity for a passing-of-the-torch moment. Despite Flair’s dominance in the women’s division, there’s a growing belief that Stratton is ready to step up and take her place.
Experts like Brookhouse and Mahjouri both predict Charlotte Flair will win the women’s Royal Rumble match. They believe that Flair’s star power and her future clash with Stratton will serve as the perfect storyline to lead into WrestleMania. While there may be other competitors with compelling storylines, Flair’s experience and track record make her the most likely winner of this match.
Cody Rhodes vs. Kevin Owens (image via Getty)Undisputed WWE Championship – Cody Rhodes vs. Kevin Owens (Ladder Match)
In one of the most eagerly awaited matches of the night, Cody Rhodes will defend his Undisputed WWE Championship against Kevin Owens in a ladder match. This match has all the elements of a classic wrestling feud: personal rivalry, high stakes, and the thrilling chaos that comes with a ladder match. Kevin Owens, who has been relentlessly pursuing the title, would love nothing more than to pull off an upset and dethrone Rhodes.
However, WWE seems committed to keeping the title on Cody Rhodes for the time being. Experts like Mahjouri believe that while Owens deserves the title, WWE will opt to keep the title on Rhodes, who has been positioned as one of the top stars in the company. With this being a ladder match, Owens may have an opportunity to win by exploiting the chaotic nature of the bout, but Rhodes is still expected to come out on top. Some experts, such as Brookhouse, believe that Owens could win and that Rhodes would reclaim the title before WrestleMania, adding unpredictability to the storyline. However, most experts agree that Rhodes will retain the title on this occasion.
Cody Rhodes Royal Rumble (image via Getty)WWE Tag Team Championship – #DIY vs. Motor City Machine Guns (Two-Out-Of-Three Falls Match)
The WWE Tag Team Championship match between #DIY and Motor City Machine Guns is set to be one of the night’s most exciting bouts. With two world-class tag teams facing off in a two-out-of-three fall match, fans can expect a thrilling contest that will showcase the best in tag team wrestling. While Motor City Machine Guns are former champions with a great deal of experience, most experts predict that #DIY will retain their titles.
Both teams have had stellar runs in the tag team division, and the two-out-of-three falls stipulation only adds more excitement to this matchup. Experts like Mahjouri and Brookhouse believe that WWE will not take the titles away from #DIY so soon into their reign. Despite MCMG looking strong throughout the match, #DIY is expected to win, though there’s a strong possibility that interference from other teams could play a role in the outcome.