'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABQb/2gAIAQEAAAAAjFf/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD/9oACAECEAAAAB//xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAE/9oACAEDEAAAAF//xAAiEAABAwMDBQAAAAAAAAAAAAACAQMEABQiBQcREhUXcdP/2gAIAQEAAT8Af2umyJcRJPbAdtehlGDMRQWBzU8MiLmvBupFldQh9SD+df/EABURAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAB/9oACAECAQE/AK//xAAWEQADAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQL/2gAIAQMBAT8Aln//2Q=='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Royal Rumble is around the corner and predictions of who is going to win it have already begun surfacing. The Royal Rumble match-type is one of the most exciting matches in WWE, and the winner of the competition gets a chance to face the world champion of his choice.
The Royal Rumble PPV always creates a buzz, whether it is the surprise entrants or the winner or incredible spots in the match.
While Royal Rumble is all about unpredictability, there are several things that we can still predict. Here we look at the top five superstars who are destined to win next year's Royal Rumble.
#5 Samoa Joe
Samoa Joe has had a pretty decent year. Although he could not capture the Universal Championship, he was booked very well against Brock Lesnar. The whole build-up for the match proved that WWE's creative team think highly of him.
The "Joe" chants have also picked up among the fans. While the rumours are that he will be the one to dethrone Roman Reigns as the IC champion, he still has a good chance to win the Rumble considering how well he did in his feud with Lesnar.
#4 Finn Balor
The last few weeks have been tough for Balor. He got decimated by Kane, was barely used in the Survivor Series match and was choked out by Samoa Joe, clean. The reports of Vince Mcmahon feeling he is not over enough with the fans has put his main event status in jeopardy.
However, it will be stupid to think that Balor is not a main event calibre guy. He has the support of Triple H and despite all these reports surfacing, I do believe that major things are yet to come for Finn and this Royal Rumble could be the defining moment for him.
#3 Shinsuke Nakamura
Shinsuke Nakamura has had a rough year so far. Despite a fantastic debut and getting big wins over Orton and Cena, his push was derailed in favour of "The Modern Day Maharaja", Jinder Mahal. However, WWE does know that there is money in an AJ Styles vs Shinsuke Nakamura match.
AJ Styles is already the WWE Champion, and the best way to put Nakamura into the title scene is by having him win the Rumble and challenge Styles at Wrestlemania. It seems a little too much of a happy ending, though.
#2 Roman Reigns
Roman Reigns is arguably the strongest contender to win the Royal Rumble again, if not for one other 'big' wrestler. Brock Lesnar vs Roman Reigns seems all set for Wrestlemania. Like it or not, Reigns' major push will come sooner rather than later.
The Big Dog is almost set to dethrone Brock Lesnar as the Universal champion. However, there is one guy who might have a better chance to win the Royal Rumble...
#1 Braun Strowman
Braun Strowman has had a monstrous year so far. He has improved significantly over the last year; from squashing jobbers to 'monster-handling' Brock Lesnar, Braun has come a long way. Braun Strowman is all set for big things as a match with Triple H.
One thing that puts Braun over Reigns is the crowd appeal; Strowman is over with almost the entire crowd. He is a big guy that fans cheer and that is unique in the WWE. Reigns winning the Rumble is probably too obvious and might not go well with the fans.
So, WWE might just pull the trigger on Strowman to beat Lesnar, which he should have done at No Mercy.
