2012 Royal Rumble Predictions

Daniel Bryan vs. Mark Henry vs. The Big Show – Steel Cage Match

This seems like the perfect way for Daniel Bryan to keep his title in my opinion.  I think that’s exactly what will happen.  Bryan has made a habit of running away from both the Big Show and Mark Henry and that’s basically the point of a Steel Cage match.  I think that at some point Henry and Show will take each other out, allowing Bryan to escape the cage and keep his title.

CM Punk vs. Dolph Ziggler – John Laurinaitis, Special Guest Referee

Everyone expects Johnny Ace to screw CM Punk out of the title at the Rumble, that leads me to believe it won’t happen.  I do think he will try to screw over Punk, despite his wake-up call on Raw Monday night, but to no avail.  I have to imagine Triple H will get involved in this match in some way, but don’t be surprised   Besides Punk needs the title to bolster and upcoming feud I will talk about later.

John Cena vs. Kane

I know every time Cena faces a ton of adversity it seems like he always wins, but that isn’t always the case.  Last year the Miz repeatedly got the better of him leading up to their match at Wrestlemania, but still won the match.

I think this will be similar.

I strongly believe that WWE planted the seed for a Zack Ryder/ John Cena feud and that this is Kane’s last big push.  So Kane will win the match and continue to be the monster.  This will set up Kane vs. The Undertaker at Wrestlemania.  The Undertaker will come back to vanquish his brother and rid the WWE of this monster.

I think their is at least a reasonable chance that Ryder makes his presence known during this match, or on the other hand maybe the Undertaker.

Either way a clean victory for either seems pretty unlikely.

I know a lot of people see a Cena heel turn but I just don’t know.  It seems too easy.  He doesn’t need to be a heel to face the Rock, and the WWE just invested heavily in the RISE ABOVE HATE campaign.

Royal Rumble Match

It’s Jericho.  Jericho will be feuding with CM Punk in my opinion and this is his end of the world as you know it reference. I know it’s the obvious choice but I think WWE is going to give us another surprise.  I have a hunch that we will see the return of Brock Lesnar in the rumble.  That is my first guess.  If not Lesnar than Batista.  Someone will be back.

The Miz enters at #1, and I think he makes a strong showing, but he isn’t going to win it.

Other things I think will happen.  Randy Orton returns and eliminates Wade Barrett.

Christian shows up but obviously doesn’t win.

The Goldust and Cody Rhodes feud really picks up.

Mick Foley is able to eliminate a few, but he doesn’t make it too long.  Just long enough to make it a nice feel good family ordeal.