WWE Royal Rumble 2019 Predictions: Will It Be Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, Or Both?
By Kyle Boris
Source: WWE.com
Cruiserweight Championship: Buddy Murphy(c) vs. Akira Tozawa vs. Kalisto vs. Hideo Itami
Kyle: This will easily be Buddy Murphy’s toughest test to date. Not only is he facing three incredibly capable opponents, but he also can lose his championship without getting pinned. This is a cause for concern, but I ultimately think Murphy will be prepared for everything coming his way as he picks up the huge victory and continues his reign as champion with WrestleMania on the horizon.
Prediction: Murphy pins Kalisto
Joe: I’m so tempted to say that WWE will throw a curveball here, partially because I wouldn’t be surprised to see Buddy Murphy move up to the main roster in 2019 after Mustafa Ali’s successful transition to SmackDown Live. Surely, Cruiserweight Championship gold isn’t far away for Hideo Itami, but it’s doubtful that his big win comes here. A Fatal Four-Way seems like as good of a place as any for Murphy to lose the championship, but I have faith in “The Juggernaut”.
Prediction: Buddy Murphy
Chris: This should be a fun match, but given the still-lukewarm reactions the fans still give the 205 Live show, it could easily be forgotten by the end of the night. That isn’t a knock on these guys — they’re all great workers — but the Cruiserweight division has been fighting an uphill battle for legitimacy since the first day they appeared on RAW and now its almost as if that show doesn’t exist in the WWE canon. Anyway, I don’t see WWE putting the belt back on Kalisto, nor Akira Tozawa. Hideo Itami would be a fun choice, but I don’t think the writers will move the title from one heel to another. Therefore, I will pick Buddy Murphy to retain.
Prediction: Buddy Murhpy pins Kalisto
Bryan: Seems like a title change may be incoming just based on the fatal four way stipulation. Murphy has been killing it, but maybe it’s time to freshen things up a bit. Gotta watch out for any kind of involvement from Cedric Alexander, but I have a feeling Hideo Itami could get the W here — but he won’t pin Buddy.
Prediction: Hideo Itami
Patches: Probably the most unpredictable match of the night except for the Royal Rumble matches themselves, this could steal the show on Sunday. Murphy has been a spectacular champion, but 205 Live needs to shake things up without Mustafa Ali there to be their “heart and soul.” Hideo Itami has had things go poorly for him left and right since coming to WWE, but this is his moment. Itami makes either Tozawa or Kalisto “Go 2 Sleep,” and that sets up the path for Itami and Murphy moving forward.
Prediction: Hideo Itami by pinfall
Joe Anthony Myrick: The Cruiserweight Championship Fatal Four Way is expected to be a fun title match. However, I don’t expect it to be anything more than that. Don’t expect a title change. Just another mainstream showcase for the far-too-underground Cruiserweight division. Buddy’s title is safe.
Prediction: Buddy
Jesse: Buddy Murphy asked for some competition and he will be receiving it in the form of this 4 way. The men on the 205 Live brand always bring flair to the ring and this match will be no exception.
My dark horse here is Hideo Itami. If the brass behind the scenes is as high on Murphy as I think, this could be a spot where he drops the title and moves to one of the two main rosters. They could have Itami pin Tozawa in this scenario and Murphy is free to appear on RAW or Smackdown one of the following two nights. While one can dream about him moving up, where would he fit in? At least Mustafa Ali is proving to everyone that you can make a transition from the Cruiserweight division. That being said, I’m not convinced Murphy will move up just yet. He will retain via pinfall in a show-stealing match.
Prediction: Murphy by pinfall