Royal Rumble preview
Predictions for tonight’s WWE pay-per-view:
30-man Royal Rumble match: It’s a pretty safe bet that Triple H and The Undertaker will be challenging for their respective brand’s world title at WrestleMania XXIV, so therefore one of them will win the Rumble. The one who doesn’t go over tonight will likely triumph in the Elimination Chamber match next month at No Way Out to earn a title shot. I’m guessing that the final three men in the ring tonight will be Triple H, Undertaker and Batista. I’m going with The Undertaker, last year’s winner, to make it two in a row. As of late, Triple H has had to overcome one obstacle after another in his quest to wrestle for the title at WrestleMania, so it makes sense that he’ll have to get through one more obstacle — the Elimination Chamber. I think Umaga, Shawn Michaels and Mr. Kennedy also could be in the final mix tonight, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Shelton Benjamin got a low number and stayed in for a long while.
WWE champion Randy Orton vs. Jeff Hardy: A few weeks ago, it seemed like a no-brainer that Orton would go into WrestleMania as the champion. Hardy, however, has become the hottest act in the company, and it is conceivable that he could win the title. The buildup to this match has been fantastic, highlighted by Hardy’s death-defying moves and Orton’s attack on Jeff’s brother, Matt. I would like to see Hardy win the belt, but my hunch is that it’s not happening. I think Orton keeps the title, possibly setting up a rematch – perhaps a ladder match – at No Way Out. With it all but certain that Triple H will be facing the winner of this match at WrestleMania, the wrestler who goes over tonight probably will be the one that Triple H feels is the best opponent for him. My gut feeling is that Hardy’s push was designed to ultimately make Orton look stronger as a champion for turning back Hardy’s challenge. Then, when Triple H defeats Orton for the title, he will have beaten a credible champion. If Triple H does win the title from Orton at WrestleMania, the stage then would be set for Hardy to face Triple H for the title, while the returning John Cena goes after Orton.
World heavyweight champion Edge vs. Rey Mysterio: Edge will retain the title in what has the potential to be a very good match. The only question is whether this is a one-and-done title program, or if Mysterio will get a rematch at No Way Out.
JBL vs. Chris Jericho: I expect an inconclusive finish, possibly a double-disqualification to keep the feud going. It will be interesting to see if JBL has any ring rust.
Ric Flair vs. MVP: It would be a big feather in MVP’s cap to be the man to retire Flair, but it’s highly unlikely. “The Nature Boy” will defeat MVP and live to fight another day.
Comments
I think Hardy could win the belt and go on to face Triple H. Hardy winds tonight, and tomorrow night on Raw makes a speech were he turns into the egomanical heel. Triple H then takes the next two months to beat some sense into him. If Hardy loses, I think he is pretty much guarenteed to be your "Money-in-the-Bank" 2008 winner. As far as Flair, he has to lose at WM. Maybe even in a title match.
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: I agree that if Hardy doesn't win the title tonight or next month, he will win Money in the Bank at WrestleMania.
Posted by: paul | January 27, 2008 10:08 AM
royal rumble,royal shrumble. just wanted to say how nice it was to watch tna impact replay last night.hope wwe doesn't try to sign shark boy away from us.
Posted by: jack in hebron | January 27, 2008 10:14 AM
I would like to see Hardy headline wrestlemania, so I see him winning tonight and having Mr. Kennedy win the rumble. Instad of going for the wwe championship he goes for Edge's title. HHH wins the elimination chamber and gets hardy at mania. Also I hope tonight there isn't any let me hide outside the ring and jump in at the end
Posted by: Brock | January 27, 2008 12:15 PM
Kevin, first of all, thanks for the great interviews with RVD and Jeff Hardy this week. Your blog is definitely becoming a must-read.
You're dead-on about the buildup to Orton/Hardy. I'll be ordering the PPV tonight, and I haven't bought a show since the first Joe-Angle match in TNA (I believe it was Genesis '05). I'm usually a sucker for the Rumble match (a great concept that's always well booked), but the two world title matches, the presence of Flair, and the curiosity of Jericho/JBL create the possibility of one of the best Royal Rumble cards ever. I hope we're right about that.
As the icing on top, I've read elsewhere that former "American Gladiators" host Mike Adamle is joining WWE as of tonight's show. He'll be interviewing the wrestlers tonight, and in the future will be doing "a little bit of everything" on RAW. It's nice to see WWE pick up a talented veteran for once, instead of some green diva or dorky white guy who doesn't know a wristlock from a wristwatch, to quote Gorilla Monsoon and others.
Posted by: Kevin in Columbia | January 27, 2008 12:59 PM
Don't bother Jack. Kevin is in WWE's pocket. Constantly excuses their useless drivel while mocking TNA due to his Russo hatred (well deserved I admit). BTW, everything I've heard says Flair beats Vince at Wrestlemania and then retires. Probably to a life of dropping his pants at local bars.
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: For the record, Ring Posts merely reflects my opinion. I have no agenda. And I don't hate Russo (I hate his style of booking). When WWE does something I don't like (such as Teddy Long and Kristal's wedding, Hornswoggle McMahon and Jonathan Coachman as Smackdown color commentator, just to name a few), I don't hold back. I also compliment TNA when they do something I like (Global Impact, the Thanksgiving episode, the women's division, etc.). If I was "in WWE's pocket," there is no way the RVD interview would have ever seen the light of day. Anyway, when it comes to opinions, there is no right or wrong and it's OK to disagree. It's actually more fun to disagree.
Posted by: eric | January 27, 2008 3:59 PM
or !?!?!?
Orton retains the belt and at WM it's the legend killer vs the nature boy with Orton dropping the belt and Natch retiring/losing to Hardy or HHH the next night on Raw.
any shot at this dream scenario (at least for me)
Posted by: Anonymous | January 27, 2008 5:43 PM
I'd like to see Hardy go over Orton tonight and win the title. The Undertaker winning the Rumble itself, possibly by eliminating HHH. Edge retains over Rey Mysterio possibly thanks to outside interference. And, I'd love to see Flair go over MVP clean for the US title.
Tomorrow night on Raw we have Jeff forced to vacate the IC title and the elimination chamber match announced for No Way Out with the winner getting the IC title and a shot at the WWE champ at Wrestlemania.
Then, at No Way Out, we could have Orton win the title back from Hardy. Hardy's short reign would cement him in the upper echelon and Orton winning it back suggests he's a better champion than people give him credit for. HHH win the elimination chamber (for the vacated IC title), Edge and CM Punk either go one on one or have then involved in a handicapped tag with the Edgeheads and Rey involved in the mix and have MVP and Flair lock up once more, with Flair winning by countout or DQ or have some sort of non-result.
Finally, at WrestleMania we get HHH vs Orton (title vs title) with HHH coming out on top and vacating the IC title, setting up an IC title tournament for the summer. We'd also have Edge vs Taker; not sure how WWE would want to book the outcome, but I'd love to see the Taker have another run with the gold. We'd also get MVP vs Flair again with MVP going over and retiring the Nature Boy. This would add more braggadociousness to MVP and set him up for the resumption of his feud with a returning Matt Hardy. We could also finally see CM Punk regain the ECW title from Chavo.
We could also have Michaels vs Kennedy at WrestleMania; perhaps in some sort of gimmick match and have Jeff win the Money In The Bank match and set up a later match with HHH. We could also see Miz & Morrison vs Jesse & Festus or maybe Jimmy & Shannon for the tag belts with Holly & Cody vs Cade & Murdoch for the other tag belts.
Posted by: Bowch | January 27, 2008 7:31 PM
Hey Kevin,
Here in Japan they are showing adverts for Randy Orton vs Jericho in Tokyo on the 11th or 12th of feb for the belt. But of course that could all change.
Posted by: Taka | January 27, 2008 9:48 PM