The Royal Rumble, she is
upon us! This weekend, the WWF presents one of its most anticipated
PPVs of the year. This year's show packs a little bit more mystery
and (possible) surprises than some of the previous years due
to rumours about potential wrestler debuts and/or returns, as
well as the fact that very little mention has been made as to
the number that each wrestler has drawn for the actual Royal
Rumble match. Over the last few years a few key numbers (like
#1 and #2 or #30) have been announced before the event, but so
far this year we only know that X-Pac will be the 30th and last
participant to enter the Royal Rumble. Here is the full list
of the 30 participants for the Rumble match:
|
The Rock |
The Big Show |
Kane |
X-Pac |
|
Test |
Val Venis |
D-Lo Brown |
The Godfather |
|
Rikishi Phatu |
Big Bossman |
Prince Albert |
Al Snow |
|
British Bulldog |
Viscera |
Rodney |
Joey Abs |
|
Gangrel |
Mideon |
Steve Blackman |
Crash Holly |
|
Edge |
Christian |
Taka Michinoku |
Sho Funaki |
|
Scotty Too Hotty |
Grand Master
Sexay |
Mosh |
Thrasher |
|
Mark Henry |
Stevie Richards |
|
|
Based on that line-up,
you have to pick the Rock or the Big Show (who happen to be currently
feuding) as the two favourites to win.
Another match that's getting
a lot of attention these days is the match that will pit Kurt
Angle against a mystery opponent. Several names have been tossed
around, but I hear that that mystery man will likely be one of
these three competitors: Tazz, Ken Shamrock or The Undertaker.
Out of these three, I think Shamrock looks to be the one most
likely to appear, with Tazz expected to debut this Monday live
on Raw rather than at the Rumble. But anything can happen.
Of course you can't forget
about that big main event, when Triple H will defend the WWF
title against Cactus Jack in a "Street Fight Rules"
match. The build-up for this match has been excellent, capped
off with a Cactus piledriver to Triple H on top of the broadcast
table on Smackdown! last Thursday night. This one could really
go either way, but when taking into consideration that it'll
be held in the arena Cactus loves best (Madison Square Garden)
in the year that Mick Foley could potentially retire, I think
he'll come out as the new champ.
The Intercontinental title
will be on the line at the Rumble in Triple Threat fashion when
current title co-holders Chris Jericho and Chyna do battle along
with Hardcore Holly. The Jericho/Chyna situation is pretty well
known, but Holly is relatively new in this mix. I'm sure all
the Jericholics out there are hoping that Y2J will *finally*
hush the critics by walking out as the sole holder of the IC
belt.
In what could be the sleeper
match of the night, the Hardy Boyz will do battle with the Dudley
Boyz in a Tag Team Tables Match. Both teams have utilized tables
well in recent matches on Raw and Smackdown!, but those were
singles matches featuring a member of one team against a member
of the other. This one will include all four wrestlers, and when
you combine the Hardys' risk-taking style with the Dudleys' reputation
for being hardcore, you've got the makings of a classic.
Here's the rest of the
Royal Rumble card for Sunday night:
* Tag Titles: The New Age
Outlaws vs. The Acolytes
* Miss Royal Rumble Swimsuit Competition:
- featuring Terri, Jacqueline, Tori, Ivory, BB, Miss Kitty and
Mae Young
On a sidenote regarding
that swimsuit competition, the WWF has announced that Tori will
replace Luna in the event. That could change again before showtime,
and I'm not sure why the change was made. Although speaking for
guys everywhere, I'm glad it was.
Also, it was announced
on Smackdown! that Edge will be one of the judges of this competition.
It'll be interesting to see if Edge's status as an engaged man
will play a part in this, since on Smackdown! all of the women
in the competition were all over Edge trying to sway his decision
before the Rumble. If that happens at the Rumble, maybe Val Venis
(whose sister is marrying Edge both in real life and in WWF storylines)
will come out to voice a complaint, or maybe Edge's fiance (tentatively
scheduled to be portrayed by Canadian fitness model Trish Stratus)
will make an appearance.
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