This Friday, WWE presents the Greatest Royal Rumble event from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia at King Abdullah Sports City stadium. The event is a part of a 10-year strategic multi-platform partnership between WWE and the Saudi General Sports Authority. In addition to the historic 50-man Royal Rumble match, all 7 men’s championships will be on the line.
Ahead of Friday’s WWE Network special (airing Friday at 12pm ET), several of our top staff members have come together for a new ’roundtable predictions’ feature we’ll be doing for big shows moving forward. For this inaugural installment, Brad Davis, Jon Fuentes and Ian Carey give their expert analysis and predictions for the Greatest Royal Rumble.
As always, hit up the Comments section of this article and share your own predictions.
Greatest Royal Rumble Card
- Cedric Alexander vs. Kalisto (Cruiserweight Title)
- The Bludgeon Brothers vs. The Usos (SD! Live Tag Titles)
- Sheamus & Cesaro vs. Bray Wyatt & Matt Hardy (RAW Tag Titles)
- Jeff Hardy vs. Jinder Mahal (U.S. Title)
- Seth Rollins vs. Finn Balor vs. The Miz vs. Samoa Joe (Ladder Match For I-C Title)
- A.J. Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura (WWE Title)
- The Undertaker vs. Rusev (Casket Match)
- John Cena vs. Triple H
- Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns (Steel Cage Match For Universal Title)
- 50-Man Royal Rumble
WWE GREATEST ROYAL RUMBLE STAFF PREDICTIONS
WWE Cruiserweight Championship
Cedric Alexander vs. Kalisto
Brad Davis: This one really could go either way and I could see WWE wanting to open the show with an exciting title change. That said, I’ve really enjoyed Cedric’s work over the past few months and he’s a good champion to lead the cruiserweight division in this new era. I’m picking Cedric to retain. (Prediction: Cedric Alexander)
Jon Fuentes: Cedric has been doing some amazing work inside the ring lately. His match against Ali was phenomenal and he has been a good champion for 205 Live thus far. I think he retains after opening up the show with a great match against Kalisto. (Prediction: Cedric Alexander)
Ian Carey: Cedric Alexander should take this one. On 205 Live lately, Buddy Murphy is being built up as the top contender for Alexander. The story that Murphy missed weight is being given to push the match back, however. I just don’t see it likely WWE pulls the plug on Murphy vs Alexander by giving Kalisto the title win here. (Prediction: Cedric Alexander)
CONSENSUS: Cedric Alexander (3-0)
SmackDown Live Tag-Team Championship
The Bludgeon Brothers vs. The Usos
Brad: I could see either team winning, but the Bludgeon Bro’s are still being solidified as a top team on SmackDown, so I pick them to retain. (Prediction: The Bludgeon Brothers)
Jon: WWE likely wants to give the Saudi Arabian crowd an exciting show, and several title changes will do exactly that. The Usos have a tough mountain to climb if they want to overcome The Bludgeon Brothers, but I see them pulling it off and recapturing the SDL Tag Team Titles. (Prediction: The Usos)
Ian: I’m taking the Bludgeon Brothers here as it feels as though Harper and Rowan finally have the confidence of WWE’s creative team. A mildly interesting tidbit to this match is that Naomi has been involved in this storyline the last couple of weeks but won’t be in Jeddah. Harper and Rowan have been taunting Naomi and the Usos on social media as well. (Prediction: The Bludgeon Brothers)
CONSENSUS: The Bludgeon Brothers (2-1)
RAW Tag-Team Championship
Sheamus & Cesaro vs. Bray Wyatt & Matt Hardy
Brad: Woken Matt and Bray are one of the hot new acts on the RAW brand. Sheamus and Cesaro have proven themselves to be worthy champions, but I expect Matt and Bray to capture the gold and solidify their new DELIGHTFUL union with two gilded leather accessories. WONDERFUL! (Prediction: Bray Wyatt & Matt Hardy)
Jon: Sheamus and Cesaro are over on SmackDown Live and I think that’s a good spot for them. Matt and Bray are just hitting their stride and having some titles around their waist will certainly help. I’m picking Matt and Bray to start their title reign here, and it will be DELIGHTFUL! (Prediction: Bray Wyatt & Matt Hardy)
Ian: Bray Wyatt and Matt Hardy should win this match and take the titles with them to the Woken Universe. Something tells me the Raw tag-team championships might be defended sometime soon in a Final Deletion style match. Perhaps a sequel to “Tag Team Apocalypto” could be upcoming. Also, the Bar just got drafted to Smackdown, so its not clear what would happen to the Raw tag titles if they won in Jeddah. (Prediction: Bray Wyatt & Matt Hardy)
CONSENSUS: Bray Wyatt & Matt Hardy (3-0)
WWE United States Championship
Jeff Hardy vs. Jinder Mahal
Brad: Ever since Jinder Mahal’s WWE Championship reign, I’ve been part of the camp that believes he was much better suited for a US Championship reign. He was a good heel champion, but the top title in the company just wasn’t believable. I predict Jinder captures the gold, setting up potential feuds with RAW’s top mid-card babyfaces. (Prediction: Jinder Mahal)
Jon: Again, expecting some title changes to occur heavily and Mahal getting the United States Title back would definitely be a big shocker. I’m picking Mahal to get the cheap win thanks to some assistance from Sunil Singh at ringside. (Prediction: Jinder Mahal)
Ian: This is a tough one. Jinder and the United States championship seem like a good fit. Foreign Menaces and the patriotic US title tend to work well, as was the case with Rusev. While I’m not that confident in this pick, I’m going to say Jinder Mahal regains the US title at the Greatest Royal Rumble. Also, I think the remaining Singh brother might get involved. (Prediction: Jinder Mahal)
CONSENSUS: Jinder Mahal (3-0)
(Ladder Match) WWE Intercontinental Championship
Seth Rollins vs. Finn Balor vs. The Miz vs. Samoa Joe
Brad: This is the match I’m most looking forward to on the entire card. With the United States Championship on RAW and two SmackDown Live stars competing in this match, it seems obvious that either The Miz or Samoa Joe will be walking out with the gold. The Miz will be working with Daniel Bryan on SmackDown (and probably aligning himself with Big Cass) – and that program doesn’t need a championship. Samoa Joe as the badass IC champion on SmackDown seems right – I’ve got Joe winning his first championship on the main roster here. (Prediction: Samoa Joe)
Jon: If Jinder Mahal is taking the United States Title back to Monday Night RAW, then the Intercontinental Title needs to go back to SmackDown Live. With that being said, Samoa Joe seems like the perfect candidate to capture the gold, and win the first singles title of his WWE career on the main card. This is going to be a tremendous match, and could likely steal the show. (Prediction: Samoa Joe)
Ian: My money is on the Miz here. Miz is only 20 days away from breaking Pedro Morales’ record as most days spent as IC champion, though he needs to win the belt back first. It seems likely that the IC title will end up on Smackdown when all is said and done so that the Miz can either hold it or chase it. That means either Joe or Miz are winning it in Jeddah. Joe is scheduled to face Roman Reigns at Backlash which makes it seem less likely he’ll have the IC title come then. (Prediction: The Miz)
CONSENSUS: Samoa Joe (2-1)
WWE Championship
A.J. Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
Brad: It was surprising that Nakamura came up short against Styles at WrestleMania, but his post-match heel turn refreshed his character and added a new dimension to this feud. I predict Nakamura captures the championship here. (Prediction: Shinsuke Nakamura)
Jon: To some, Styles and Nakamura’s initial clash at WrestleMania was underwhelming, but expect these two to blow the roof off the place this time around after hearing the criticism. Nakamura is now a heel and has been doing a great job of getting heat on himself these past few weeks. I expect Nakamura to win the WWE Title here and continue his great feud with The Phenomenal One for a few more weeks. (Prediction: Shinsuke Nakamura)
Ian: Shinsuke Nakamura will leave Saudi Arabia as the new WWE Champion. It seems likely that the turning point in this match will be Nakamura using his newly adopted heelish tactics. His CHAOS stablemate, Toru Yano, will be proud. (Prediction: Shinsuke Nakamura)
CONSENSUS: Shinsuke Nakamura (3-0)
Casket Match
The Undertaker vs. Rusev
Brad: Perhaps the most obvious outcome on the show, this one is all about the Saudi Arabian fans getting a chance to witness The Undertaker in person. The casket match stipulation allows for The Undertaker to compete in a match with enough smoke and mirrors to not overtax his body. Expect Rusev to rest.. in.. peace. (Prediction: The Undertaker)
Jon: This match will likely be a short one as WWE simply wants to give the Saudi Arabian crowd a taste of The Deadman. Undertaker will certainly be going over on Rusev here. (Prediction: The Undertaker)
Ian: The Undertaker will bury Rusev at the Greatest Royal Rumble but this will be fun. Perhaps Chris Jericho will decide to get involved seeing as he was at one time scheduled to be in the match. Rusev could go with the tactics Yokozuna used in his casket match with Taker at Royal Rumble in 1994, that seemed to work well. (Prediction: The Undertaker)
CONSENSUS: The Undertaker (3-0)
John Cena vs. Triple H
Brad: It’s still amazing to me that WWE booked this match and has done virtually nothing to build it up or add backstory. Triple H wrestling a singles match is a big deal and this one was rumored for WrestleMania 34 before Ronda Rousey came into the fold. John Cena gets the feel-good win. (Prediction: John Cena)
Jon: A bit of a random pairing, however, it gives fans in Saudi Arabia a match from the past that they never had the opportunity to see live when these two were in their prime. Cena has been losing a lot lately, and maybe that will have a big payoff down the road. If that’s the case, I see Triple H getting the win here and Cena continues his difficult losing streak. (Prediction: Triple H)
Ian: I completely forgot this match was taking place. Has either Cena or Triple H cut a promo regarding it? John Cena should win this as there’s little reason to put Triple H over and Cena has lost a lot of matches lately. (Prediction: John Cena)
CONSENSUS: John Cena (2-1)
(Steel Cage Match) WWE Universal Championship
Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns
Brad: In the days leading up to WrestleMania, Vince McMahon made the call that New Orleans’ Superdome was not the time or place to put the title on Reigns. While it’s not guaranteed – the 75,000 fans at King Abdullah Sports City should be a lot more forgiving of a Reigns title win. Roman Reigns slaying the beast and being crowned Universal Champion over Brock Lesnar has been in the works for years. I’m not convinced that the concept has been scrapped all together, I think this is where it goes down. Roman Reigns gets the win. (Prediction: Roman Reigns)
Jon: I have lost all hope for this feud. If WWE truly wanted to put the Universal Championship on Roman Reigns, WrestleMania was the place to do it – regardless of the crowd’s reaction. Everyone is expecting Reigns to win here thanks to the dirt sheets and speculation, and Vince has likely heard the rumblings. I think Lesnar retains here and we remain confused and scratching our heads as to who the hell is gonna take the title off this man – and when? (Prediction: Brock Lesnar)
Ian: While many of us want to believe WWE has pulled the plug on Roman, it’s unlikely that has happened. Roman will win here and go on to have a lengthy run with the title. (Prediction: Roman Reigns)
CONSENSUS: Roman Reigns (2-1)
50-Man Royal Rumble Match
Brad: The Greatest Royal Rumble will almost certainly have a winner that the crowd can be excited about. If there’s one man who encompasses pure joy and excitement, it’s Daniel Bryan. The visual of 75,000 fans going nuts with a Yes! chant to close the show is too good to pass up. Bryan gets the win and takes home the prestigious Greatest Royal Rumble trophy. (Prediction: Daniel Bryan)
Jon: This is going to be a fun match to watch, especially if they’re following the traditional Royal Rumble format of a Superstar coming out every few minutes rather than starting the match with 50 men in the ring. Daniel Bryan is one of the biggest stars in the world, and having a huge YES! chant in Saudi Arabia will certainly be something for the highlight reel. Bryan gets the win here and gets some major hype heading into his feud with Big Cass as we approach Backlash. (Prediction: Daniel Bryan)
Ian: To me, I think this match comes down to Daniel Bryan and Braun Strowman. I’m going to give the edge to Strowman as I think Vince McMahon will want to showcase one of his larger-than-life superstars at this spectacle of an event. WWE must know they owe the fans a Daniel Bryan Royal Rumble win at some point, however, I just think its more likely they save that for the 2019 Rumble in Phoenix. (Prediction: Braun Strowman)
CONSENSUS: Daniel Bryan (2-1)
What do you think of our Greatest Royal Rumble predictions? Let us know by sounding off in the Comments section.
