Triple H

Top 10 Most Likely Royal Rumble Winner in 2008

With the Royal Rumble just around the corner, we examine the list of candidates who can win the match and go on to Wrestlemania.

CM Punk Blanket & Pillow

Royal Rumble 2008 Wrestlers now have three chances at getting a title shot at Wrestlemania. They can win the Royal Rumble and choose who they want to challenge. A wrestler can also win the Elimination Chamber match at No Way Out in February. They can also get the spot by winning the Money in the Bank match at Wrestlemania itself. Even though WWE has oversaturated things, the Royal Rumble match itself is still important. A lot of times, fans will choose their favorite wrestler to win the Royal Rumble without actually taking into consideration whether or not the wrestler is big enough of a star to headline Wrestlemania. There's not that many wrestlers out there that are big enough to headline Wrestlemania. The winner of the Royal Rumble will either be an established superstar or a midcarder who has so much momentum that WWE has no choice but to push him. We're also assuming that WWE sticks with Randy Orton, CM Punk, and Edge as the three main champions going into Wrestlemania. It's too late for a title change this close to Wrestlemania.

The Candidates

Here's the list of guys who are most likely to win the 2008 Royal Rumble.

• Batista - He had a great performance at Wrestlemania last year.
• Bobby Lashley - His comeback will be huge if he wins the Royal Rumble.
• Chris Jericho - He still has some momentum from his return.
• JBL - Yet another guy with momentum from a comeback.
• Mr Kennedy - WWE really wants to push this guy.
• Rey Mysterio - He's gearing up for another main event push.
• Ric Flair - He's unlikely to win unless they use it as a storyline for him.
• Shawn Michaels - They might give him one last hurrah.
• Triple H - He's always a candidate for a Wrestlemania main event spot.
• Undertaker - This could be his final Wrestlemania.

Out of this group, Mr Kennedy is the only guy that hasn't won the main title before. However, WWE really does want to push him. They've tried a few times, but each time they tried, something outside of the ring prevents it from happening.

If WWE really wanted to give Ric Flair a proper sendoff, then they might have him winning the Royal Rumble this year. Chances are, though, they're satisfied with him finishing off his career with the retirement storyline he has going now.

You'll also see big monsters like Mark Henry, Big Daddy V, Snitsky, and the Great Khali having impressive showings in the middle portion of the match. The Royal Rumble usually does a good job of making big wrestlers look more impressive than they really are.

Closing Thoughts

If we were forced to choose someone this year, we'd go with the Undertaker again.

Ron Killings

Reports state that WWE is very close to signin Ron Killings. He still has a few friends in WWE that were pushing for the company to bring him back from TNA.

Rob Van Dam

Rob Van Dam recently launched his new project. It's called RVD TV, which is basically a video service on his website that allows fans to keep up with him.

Rikishi

Even though the departure was on amicable terms, TNA has very little interest in bringing Rikishi (aka Junior Fatu) back to the company.

Reports state that a handful of people backstage were disappointed that Triple H didn't fight harder to have Ric Flair win their match on Raw recently.

Rhino

Rhino has been working out in preparations of his in-ring return. He should be appearing on TNA television within the next few weeks.

Several reports have stated that TNA and Rick Steiner have parted ways. Scott Steiner will be pushed as a singles wrestler once again.

Randy Orton

Randy Orton has been doing a much better job with his backstage reputation as of late. It's a smart move if he wants to keep that belt around his waist.

ODB

ODB's skyrocketing popularity has basically forced TNA into turning her into a babyface. She's expected to get a nice push in the women's division soon.