The Royal Rumble

[Chris Casino]

This is my 2nd favorite PPV of the year, WRestlemania being the first, and I was curious who you guys thought would win this year. Looking at the list of names confirmed thus far I'm going to have to say.....

Undertaker.

Yeah I know it's a safe bet since there are already plans for Batista vs Undertaker at WM23 but I still peg the deadish man to win!

In case you're curious the participants thus far are.....

1. Shelton Benjamin
2. Chris Benoit
3. Carlito
4. Tommy Dreamer
5. Kenny Dykstra
6. Edge
7. Finlay
8. Ric Flair
9. Chavo Guerrero
10. Jeff Hardy
11. Matt Hardy
12. Hardcore Holly
13. Kane
14. King Booker
15. Chris Masters
16. Shawn Michaels
17. The Miz
18. Johnny Nitro
19. Randy Orton
20. Montel Vontavious Porter
21. CM Punk
22. Sabu
23. Sandman
24. Kevin Thorn
25. Undertaker
26. Rob Van Dam
27. Viscera

[Ryan Ro [NAPW]]

Taker's never won a Rumble, I'd have zero problem with him winning it.

They're (BLEEP)ing idiots if they job his WM streak to Batista, who is over 40 and falling apart. I mean draw money with Batista while he's around but the streak, if it ever ends, should be used to get over somebody who's going to become a long-term main event star.

As much as I think Taker really needs to put over people way more than he does, I'm personally in favor of his streak remaining intact til he retires though lol. *shrugs*

Of that list I could see Shawn winning it and wrestling Cena at WM, since their HHH/Cena plans got kiboshed. I doubt we'll see Cena/Umaga main eventing WM, heh. Edge would be nice but last year was the best time for Edge/Cena at WM, instead Cena got the belt back at the Rumble. (BLEEP)er.

I'm a huge Rumble fan, even more than WM. I'm going to have to see if the rest of the card is any good though. Kennedy/Batista fills me with apathy. I do have some interest in seeing Cena/Jamalga last man standing. A lot of the really great mid-card is in the rumble, will we see double duty this year? I kinda miss guys doing that, wrestling on the card then coming into the rumble.


The one thing that makes the Rumble too predictable is the Wrestlemania title shot. That narrows the list down sharply. However, in booking NAPW's Sole Survivor, I consider: If it's not for a title shot, then what is it for?

If the title shot is not on the line, then anybody could legitimately win it. It could be a guy who needs a rub but isn't ready for a world title reign yet. He wins the Rumble, he looks good, he can brag about it and it gives him some credibility especially if the Final Four include some top guys.

OTOH. Taking away any prize for winning makes the Rumble seem less important. It's still a big match the WWF has made into an institution, but without the title shot it seems somewhat meaningless. It's not, and the proper booking would make it still a big deal, but having the title shot really does give the wrestlers some SERIOUS motivation to be in the match and win. Yes the winner is somebody who can main event WM, not a random guy, but...

without the title shot why are people really in it? The motivation becomes suspect. People would still like to win, sure, but the HUGE golden carrot of the title shot makes it REALLY important.

What do you guys think? How else could the RUmble be booked? If we come up with a good idea I might use it for this year's Sole Survivor. Right now it will be for an NAPW title shot.

Cheers!

[Nightmare]

I play Undertaker on SD!vsRAW and SDvR 2006, and always win 'em.

If I was 'taker, I'd kick some monkey balls.

[Stone Zellor]

No Val Venis? Could they at least put him in Intercontinental title contention? Come on, he's a former CMLL Heavyweight Champion - he's got skills ... too.

Out of that list though, I see Undertaker, Shawn or King Booker winning. And CM Punk getting jobbed out early, again.

Also, Finlay will be last four.

And, last but not least, they shouldn't end Taker's streak. Never ever.

[Simply Beautiful]

I would really like someone shocking to win, the last guy you'd expect. Vince would only have to do it once, and then from here on out you can throw all Rumble speculation out the window.

Deep down, I want Kane to win. He's never, ever, gotten that monster push he deserves. He suffered through the shitty gimmicks (Isaac Yankem?), and he's super over, all year round. He deserves the push, in my opinion.

Another thing I'd like to see is one of the OTHER CHAMPIONS being a surprise entrant and winning it, leading to a title unification match at WM. That would be a smoking hot feud, in my opinion, but it would have to be a heel champ...that's where the problem comes in, all three champions are faces. I guess save that one for a rainy day?

Who do I think will actually win?

Rany Orton. He's young, he's over as a heel, and he's talented, even if he does sit in rest holds a bit much. I don't think he does, I read it in an article however, so I'm gonna watch out for that.

[Nightmare]

Didyouknow?

Mick Foley wrestled as Cactus Jack, Dude Love, and Mankind all in one Royal Rumble?

I thought you did, no matter.

He should have been Mick Foley, too. Then he would have won. ;D

[Stylin' Kyle Roberts [REBEL]]

He wasn't wrestling as Mick Foley back then.

["Superstar" Deathrow]

To many I would like to see win it.

CM just cause it'd be great
Undertaker - No reason he's been there since i was like 8
RVD- he is the whole F'N show an RVD 4:20 says I just smoked your ass. "wasn't allowed to wear that shirt to school more than twice an now work hates it. (BLEEP)s"
Dreamer- Dude is well just dude. we all know he is the heart an soul of ECW. an he can do whatever he wants to. just give him a damn push. he'd take Foley,Funk, Danzig, Mondo an others all their way in a sickness match,
HBK- Well hes an obvious win boring
Masters- as sad as Luger's tie
Orton- Would be good but give him a better push some how
Holly- loved the guy for about 12 years now; we all know he truly is a tough guy. "just ask those he's trained" man deserves something.
One of the hardy boys- might be interesting. but who knows.

thats my picks. it'll probably come down to like hacksaw or something. maybe bob backlund will run in snap an stare at his hands with fake bruises again.