Royal Rumble 2018
Here is the current card for WWE’s Royal Rumble. It will be held January 28, 2018 in Philadelphia.
WWE Universal Title Triple Threat Match: Brock Lesnar vs. Kane vs. Braun Strowman
WWE Title Match: AJ Styles vs. Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn
WWE US Title Tournament Finals: Jinder Mahal or Xavier Woods vs. Bobby Roode or Zack Ryder or Mojo Rawley
Men’s Royal Rumble Match: Elias, Randy Orton, Shinsuke Nakamura, John Cena, Finn Balor, Baron Corbin, 24 other wrestlers TBA.
Women’s Royal Rumble Match: Asuka, Naomi, Ruby Riott, Natalya, Sasha Banks, Bayley, Paige, Mandy Rose, Sonya Deville, Carmella, Tamina Snuka, Lana, Liv Morgan, Sarah Logan, 16 other wrestlers TBA. (The only women who have not yet officially declared who are on Raw or Smackdown are: Nia Jax and Dana Brooke)
Facebook Mixed Match Challenge
These are the teams slated for Mixed Match Challenge that will be streamed on Facebook on January 16, 2018 at 10 PM EST after SmackDown Live:
Braun Strowman and Alexa Bliss
Bobby Roode and Charlotte Flair
Rusev and Lana
Jimmy Uso and Naomi
Finn Balor and Sasha Banks
Apollo Crews and Nia Jax
Titus O’Neill and Dana Brooke
War Machine & Ricochet on the way
According to Dave Meltzer, War Machine and Ricochet will be joining the WWE as the first signees of 2018. It’s unclear as to when or how both will make their debuts but with the Rumble fast approaching, one or both may wind debuting as surprise entrants like AJ Styles did.
Bobby Lashley returns?
Bobby Lashley is possibly returning to the WWE according to Dave Meltzer. Lashley has had a successful tenure with TNA/Impact Wrestling but his future is unclear, which has led to speculation to his return. Bobby debuted in the business with the WWE in 2004 and won his first title United Statates Title) in 2006 against JBL. He was released in 2008 after a solid run and many say that the exit was ugly. In addition to finding success in pro wrestling outside of the WWE, Lashley entered the world of mixed martial arts and is considered to be one of the top fighters in the current generation of the sport. Should Bobby return in the near future, a dream matchup between him and Brock Lesnar would have the makings of a classic. Brock’s contract technically expires in April but due to clauses within the pact, he could stay as long as August.
Rich Swann update
Rich Swann and his wife, Vanessa Riggs (Su Yung), appear to have reconciled. The couple was involved in a very documented domestic dispute that saw Rich arrested on December 9 in Gainesville, Florida. Rich was released from custody and it appears that Vanessa will not pursue pressing charges. Since the incident, Rich was suspended from the WWE in accordance to its zero tolerance policy regarding domestic violence convictions. According to pwmania.com, the WWE is leaning towards releasing Swann since it’s believed within the organization that the incident wasn’t isolated. Rich’s prospects are further dimmed since there were enough independent witnesses for the State of Florida to move forward to try to prosecute him. Other people within the industry who’ve known the couple know that the two have had a troubled and explosive relationship and those observations certainly had to have reached management within the WWE.
Candice LaRae coming to WWE
Candice LaRae, wife of NXT’s Johnny Gargano, is expected to sign with the WWE soon. She competed in the Mae Young Classic and advanced to the quaterfinals before losing to tournament runner-up Shayna Baszler.
Sports Illustrated Top 10 Wrestlers of 2017
Sports Illustrated released its Top 10 Wrestlers of 2017 and Kenny Omega topped the list. AJ Styles came in second. Roman Reigns came in third. John Cena ranked fourth. Braun Strowman ranked fifth. Kevin Owens ranked seventh to round out the WWE’s presence on the list.
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