By Jake Barnett

2012 WWE Royal Rumble Preview and Predictions

Disclaimer: These previews are based on no insider knowledge, which should be obvious based on the accuracy of previous preview article I have written.

Match 1: John Cena vs. Kane. I think the John Cena vs. Kane scenario has been completely cliché and ridiculous. However, one thing it has done well is allow John Cena to finally put a storyline to his slogan about “Rising Above Hate”. So far he’s failed to do that, and I guess the PPV will be his opportunity to rise above or “Embrace the Hate” as Kane has begged him to do. Online fans have been begging for a change is Cena’s character for some time, and we are seeing the beginning stages of it. My guess is this feud will follow both men into the Elimination Chamber, so I expect this match to end in some sort of shenanigans.

Prediction: Kane wins via DQ or No Contest

Match 2: Daniel Bryan vs. Mark Henry vs. Big Show in a Cage Match for the World Heavyweight Championship: This match has the potential to steal the entire show if these men can translate their excellent verbal interactions into a great match. They have also been having this match at various house shows across the country since Bryan won the World Heavyweight Championship back at TLC. The strong performances leading into the PPV by all three men make this one fun to analyze, because I could really see it going in a lot of directions from a story perspective. I expect Bryan to manage to escape the cage on Sunday, but I’m really not sure how it goes down. My guess is his feet touch the floor just as Big Show is about to get a pin on Mark Henry.

Prediction: Daniel Bryan retains by escaping the cage.

Match 3: CM Punk vs. Dolph Ziggler w/ Special Guest Referee John Laurinitis for the WWE Championship: I have been surprised by how much this CM Punk vs. Johnny Ace story has held my interest. Johnny Ace is truly brutal on the microphone, but his monotone delivery has worked as a foil for Punk’s confident and tenacious rants against the establishment in the WWE. Dolph Ziggler has not really been the focal point of this feud, which is a shame, but I don’t think there is any doubt he will be one of the top heels in the company for years to come. I am confident we will see an excellent wrestling match with Punk getting the victory with an assist from Mrs. Foley’s baby boy.

Prediction: CM Punk wins by pinfall and retains the WWE Championship

Match 4: The Royal Rumble Match: The Rumble match defines chaos and this is one where we should expect the unexpected. I think Chris Jericho’s one sentence hype for the Royal Rumble was probably the best hype we’ve seen for this match, and I expect him to be the winner. Randy Orton is another strong possibility with the show being in his home town, but I think Jericho’s momentum is too strong, and the possibilities with him and Punk at WrestleMania are too good to go with an Orton victory here. We’ll also have some guest appearances and the “every Superstar is eligible” moniker to contend with, so there are always opportunities for surprises, but I think this Rumble is Jericho and I think that bodes well for the WrestleMania card.

Prediction: Jericho wins the Rumble, and it’s the end of the world as we know it. (insert tired REM joke here)

Questions, Comments or Concerns? Send them to me at barnett.jake@gmail.com or on twitter @barnettjake.

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