2022 has begun and although it might not have been the first big show of the year for WWE due to Day 1, January means it's Royal Rumble time. It might feel like talk of WrestleMania starts earlier every year, but the road to WWE's biggest show of the year doesn't truly begin until Royal Rumble arrives. Two 30-person matches to decide challengers for two of WWE's biggest titles and a number of other things within and outside of those two matches that will begin to set the stage for The Show of Shows.
This year's Royal Rumble will air live from The Dome in St. Louis as WWE continues to try and have all of its biggest shows take place inside stadiums. The main card will begin at 8 pm EST on Saturday, January 29, 2022, or if you want to catch the kickoff show then you'll need to tune in at 7 pm. Fans in the US will be able to watch both through the WWE Network on Peacock, while those of you elsewhere can watch this year's Royal Rumble through the regular WWE Network.
Brock Lesnar vs. Bobby Lashley for the WWE Championship
It's finally happening. After years of lobbying for a dream match against Brock Lesnar, Bobby Lashley is finally getting the chance to face The Beast Incarnate. This match feels like it came about by chance. Lesnar was never supposed to be in the WWE Title match at Day 1, but was entered at the last minute and won. Lashley and Lesnar clashed a few times in that match and the following night, The All-Mighty earned the chance to face Lesnar for the title.
The only thing this match guarantee is anarchy and chaos. Think the relatively short but action-packed match Lesnar had with Goldberg at WrestleMania 33. Both men are going to come out swinging and that doesn't make for 30-minute epics. When the dust eventually settles, Lesnar will still be champ and will likely hold the title until at least WrestleMania.
Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins for the Universal Championship
Since Lesnar is now tied up with WWE Title duties, and Roman Reigns has no interest in unifying the titles, The Tribal Chief needed a new opponent for Royal Rumble. Easier said than done since he has pretty much gone through everyone on SmackDown. That's why Adam Pearce had to pull from Raw's talent pool, and he went with Seth Rollins. The two former Shield brothers will battle it out for the Universal Title at Royal Rumble.
Reigns will have surpassed Lesnar's record for most days as Universal Champion by the time he faces Rollins. That might mean WWE is ready for him to lose and for the title to find a new home. While that's possible, it's still more likely Reigns will retain at Royal Rumble and his dominant run will continue.
The Men's Royal Rumble Match
30 men, a shot at one of WWE's World Titles in the main event of WrestleMania on the line. It's both the hardest and most straightforward way to the main event of WrestleMania. Enter the match, throw your opponents over the top rope to eliminate them, and make sure you're the last one left to win. It sounds simple, but with 29 other men trying to do the same thing it quickly becomes incredibly difficult.
Predicting the winners of the Royal Rumble matches differs in difficulty from year to year. The matches where a handful of different Superstars could realistically win are always the best, and this might well be one of those years. If WWE is moving towards a Drew McIntyre versus Roman Reigns WrestleMania rematch, then The Scot could win this one. If it's looking to strap the rocket to someone, then maybe this could be Riddle's year.
The Women's Royal Rumble Match
The Royal Rumble is the most anticipated match of the year for a lot of fans. That's why the news that a women's Rumble was being added to the calendar was welcomed with open arms. The women's match has been a staple of the PPV ever since 2018, and the same rules from the men's match apply. The winner earns themselves a shot at a title at WrestleMania. Either the Raw or SmackDown Women's Championship.
The women's Rumble might well have two frontrunners too, although neither is nailed on to win, much like the men's match. Liv Morgan is likely the favorite among fans as her quest to finally overcome the odds continues. That may well depend on the return timeline of Bayley. The injured Superstar has been teasing she will be back soon, and the Rumble match feels like the perfect place for that to happen.
Beth Phoenix and Edge vs. The Miz and Maryse
Beth Phoenix announced she would be stepping back from her announcing duties in NXT the same week Edge was confronted by The Miz and Maryse on Raw. That understandably got fans' wheels turning, leading them to believe Phoenix was readying herself for an in-ring return. Turns out those fans were right, and for the first time ever, Phoenix and Edge will team together in WWE.
This match will be fascinating to watch unfold, and not one many fans would have had on their bucket lists when Edge returned. Various styles clashing in the ring, and two wrestlers who haven't competed for a while. It's been more than three years since Maryse's last match, and two and a half since the last match for Phoenix other than her appearance in the 2020 women's Royal Rumble. As for the winners, Phoenix and Edge almost definitely have to take this one.
Becky Lynch vs. Doudrop for the Raw Women's Championship
Becky Lynch is starting to feel pretty unbeatable. Neither Bianca Belair nor Liv Morgan has been able to get it done, and when the two bickered over which of them deserves another shot, Doudrop entered the fight. The Scottish Superstar proceeded to beat both of them for the chance to face Lynch herself, and at Royal Rumble, Doudrop will get her shot at The Man.
As for whether Doudrop will be the one who gets the job done, that seems unlikely. While it's a breath of fresh air to see WWE pushing her even after Eva Marie has gone, putting the title on Doudrop right now feels a little early. It's a huge match for her at this point though, and one that will continue her ascent even if she loses.