WWE Royal Rumble 2019: 5 Early Candidates To Win Women’s Rumble

Natalya

At one point, a popular idea floated around by members of the WWE Universe was Natalya turning on Ronda Rousey in order to push for a reign with the Raw Women’s Championship. “Nattie” won the SmackDown Women’s Championship in heart-warming fashion at SummerSlam 2017, but she has yet to make a play for the Raw Women’s Championship since joining the “Red Brand” after WrestleMania 34.

Rousey and Natalya have been the closest of friends on Raw over the past several months, and there hasn’t been any indication of friction or hints of a possible break-up down the road. But in WWE, best friends always turn on each other, with Charlotte and Becky being two noteworthy examples of this type of story-telling.

Although Natalya vs. Rousey might not seem like as big of a ‘Mania main event as Charlotte vs. Rousey, perhaps Ronda has some pull and would like to work with someone she may be the most comfortable with. Plus, Nattie has an even more extensive legacy in wrestling than Charlotte and has been at the heart of women’s wrestling in WWE for a decade.

On the surface, Natalya seems like a boring selection, and I doubt WWE would go in this direction. But Natalya’s heel work is seriously underrated, and her chemistry with Rousey could lead to an instant classic in the main event of WrestleMania, which is a spot that would be fitting for Natalya, given all that she’s accomplished.

There are probably better choices for the second Women’s Rumble winner, since I like seeing younger wrestlers win big matches like this. But Natalya is such an unselfish person who puts over so many others in the ring that I absolutely smile if she had her moment (and eventually turned on Rousey).