Royal Rumble 2008 preview

The Royal Rumble, while considered one of the “Big Four” WWE Pay-Per-Views, is really, in my eyes, one of the big two. The Royal Rumble starts the 8 to 10 week ‘Road to Wrestlemania.’ For more than the last decade, the winner of the Royal Rumble is guaranteed a championship match at Wrestlemania and this year is no different. There are 5 matches, including the Rumble, and 24 identified Rumble participants… I will give you my preview for the event.

Chris Jericho vs. John “Bradshaw” Layfield

JBL returned from almost a two-year absence from the ring to interfere in Jericho’s WWE title match. Having two returning wrestlers in a feud really does nothing for either on of their mojos, but they’re both great competitors and great at what they bring to the table.

Jericho and JBL are two of the best mic workers and the two of them have some how carved an intriguing match despite an incredibly rushed feud.

I’m a huge Jericho mark, so I’m hoping he goes over here, but something really gives me a bad feeling here. I’m expecting a JBL disqualification to give Jericho the victory…













Career Threatening Match: Ric Flair vs. United States Champion MVP

Ric Flair will go over another peak superstar here, though, this time, I think he’ll get a submission victory after inference from Matt Hardy to setup MVP vs. Matt Hardy at Wrestlemania. Thankfully MVP has enough juice so that a loss here won’t kill his momentum.
















World Championship Match: Edge vs. Rey Mysterio

There is zero chance Rey Rey wins this match, but they’re two great workers and it’ll be a great match. Edge hits the Spear after interference from the Edge-Heads.

WWE Title Match: Randy Orton vs. Jeff Hardy

I’m surprised how well this match has been built up and how excited I am to see it. Orton has been a solid Champ and I expect him to make it through this match to job to the Rumble winner at Wrestlemania. Hardy has all the mojo in the world with him right now and he deserves to go over here, but it won’t happen… if it does, the roof of MSG will come off. Orton will over by pinfall…
















Royal Rumble match

Usually, wrestlers in World Title matches don’t participate in the Rumble, but other wrestlers on the card usually will, so I’m surprised MVP, Flair, Jericho and JBL aren’t listed as Rumble participants. In those 6 slots, two names will come out of no where, 2 will be surprises and 2 will make sense… I’m guessing Sgt. Slaughter and IRS will be the names coming out of no where, the Big Show and The Rock will be the surprises and CM Punk and Matt Hardy will be the two logical slot fillers. If I get one of those right, I’ll be happy.

Now, the 24 listed participants, in reverse order of how good I believe their chances are to win the Rumble:

No Chance in Hell
24. Tommy Dreamer
23. Chuck Palumbo
22. The Miz
21. Santino Marella
20. Hardcore Holly
19. Jamie Noble

Legends
18. Mick Foley
17. Kane

Guys They Won’t Push Correctly
16. Snitsky
15. Mark Henry
14. Carlito
13. Shelton Benjamin
12. Cody Rhodes
11. Big Daddy V

Irish people
10. Hornswoggle
9. Finlay

With the Right Push, It’d Make Sense
8. Umaga
7. The Great Khali

Former Darlings, One Last Shot
6. John Morrison
5. Mr. Kennedy

Contenders
4. Batista
3. Shawn Michaels
2. The Undertaker

Married to the Princess… and Winner of the 2008 Royal Rumble
1. Triple H
Triple H will win the Rumble, his second, to only further cement his “place in history.” God, I hate Triple H… but I cannot wait for the Rumble. Expect a review Monday…