WATCH: 'First Johns who can take a punch' - Cooper amusingly becomes Tim Tszyu's punching bag
Cooper Johns hadn't done fitness in twelve months - but was put to the test against one of Australia's best fighters!
Opinion
The first WWE pay-per-view of the year begins with the traditional Royal Rumble event being held at the home of the Houston Astros, Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas this Monday Morning (Australian time).
The 33rd edition of the Royal Rumble shapes up to be a must-see event with two Royal Rumble matches. “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt puts his Universal Championship on the line against Daniel Bryan. Becky Lynch and Asuka battle for the Raw women’s championship in a rematch from last year’s Royal Rumble. Plus Lacey Evans looks to win her first championship in WWE as she challenges Bayley for the Smackdown women’s championship.
So who is going to headline Wrestlemania 36? Comment down below on who you think will win the Royal Rumble and why.
Men’s Royal Rumble
After Paul Heyman made the announcement that Brock Lesnar would enter the Royal Rumble at no.1, this year’s men’s Royal Rumble has a big twist to it. There have already been 25 confirmed entrants, with all coming from RAW and Smackdown – so the remaining five spots are going to come most likely from NXT or even a surprise return with rumours of Edge returning to the ring and obviously CM Punk as well.
Roman Reigns comes into this year rumble as favourite with Drew McIntyre, Brock Lesnar and Kevin Owens in the mix.
Winner: Roman Reigns
Is this the most painful #RoyalRumble Match elimination ever?@KaneWWE certainly thinks so. pic.twitter.com/Hp6CBcvOEK
— WWE Network (@WWENetwork) January 22, 2020
Women’s Royal Rumble
The third edition of the Women’s Royal Rumble has a lot to gain and could set up a few surprises. A lot of rumours have been going around with a potential Ronda Rousey return to the ring and also NXT’s Shayna Baszler going into the rumble as heavy favourite according to the bookies has a lot of fans wondering. Among the other contenders are Charlotte Flair and Sasha Banks.
Winner: Sasha Banks
WWE Universal Championship match: “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt (c) vs Daniel Bryan
After Daniel Bryan brought back the ‘yes movement’, he has earned himself another shot against Bray Wyatt for the Universal Championship. Bryan has gone old school with his look going back to his days in the independent scenes so could that help him defeat The Fiend?
Winner: “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt
Raw Women’s Championship match: Becky Lynch (c) vs Asuka
After last year’s match between the pair for the Smackdown Women’s Championship, it’s Becky Lynch with the title and, after a huge build up for this match, will she have the confidence to defeat Asuka for the first time in her career?
Winner: Becky Lynch
.@BeckyLynchWWE battles @KairiSaneWWE on #RAW and #TheMan is absolutely READY for @WWEAsuka this Sunday at the #RoyalRumble! pic.twitter.com/Nmp8dWhxO8
— WWE (@WWE) January 21, 2020
Smackdown Women’s Championship match: Bayley (c) vs Lacey Evans
Bayley has had a strong title run to close out 2019. Meanwhile, Lacey Evans has broken through in popularity for the right reasons as she keeps improving week by week. Lacey Evans is still looking for her first championship reign in WWE, while Bayley looks to remain Smackdown Women’s Champion.
Winner: Bayley
Roman Reigns vs Baron Corbin in a Falls Count Anywhere match
These two have been feuding for months now and for what seems to be the final match in this rivalry for a while. In a recent Smackdown event, Reigns defeated Robert Roode and he was therefore allowed to pick the stipulation for this match which will be Falls Count Anywhere. In a baseball field with thousands in attendance, this is definitely a good spot to have this stipulation in.
Winner: Baron Corbin
United States Championship match: Andrade (c) v Humberto Carrillo
Andrade defeated Rey Mysterio to win the title and also recently in a ladders match on Raw. Humberto Carrillo came from the crowd after a month absence from WWE television. Humberto Carrillo is looking to make him pay for his actions in his return to the ring at Royal Rumble.
Winner: Andrade
.@WWEGable REFUSED to back down from @WWESheamus on #SmackDown! pic.twitter.com/wqO4kAvImL
— WWE (@WWE) January 19, 2020
Shorty G vs Sheamus
Sheamus has returned to WWE television after missing a majority of 2019. Sheamus had already set his sights on Shorty G and, after a week, it was confirmed the two are going to have a one-on-one match at the Royal Rumble.
Winner: Sheamus