WWE Royal Rumble 2020 early match card predictions
By Mark Justice
Andrade (c) (w/Zelina Vega) vs. Humberto Carillo [United States Championship]
When Rey Mysterio was United States Champion, Andrade and Humberto Carillo battled in the finals of gauntlet match to earn the number one contender’s spot for the United States Championship. However, the result of that match was inconclusive, thanks to Andrade planting Carillo on the concrete pavement outside the ring with a Hammerlock DDT.
Now that Andrade dethroned Rey Mysterio to become the new United States Champion, Humberto Carillo should be next in line for the championship. Andrade is currently scheduled to defend his United States Championship against Rey Mysterio in a ladder match next week on Raw and it is foretelling that he will retain the championship in this ladder match to solidify his title run.
For the past two weeks on Raw, both Rey Mysterio and Ricochet have made continuous references to what Andrade did to Humberto Carillo outside the ring, which are key signs that Carillo could make a return from ‘kayfabe’ injury to challenge Andrade for the championship at WWE Royal Rumble 2020. If this championship match occurs, WWE should implement 50:50 booking and have Andrade retain his championship against Carillo at the PPV since he lost to him two times already and has not attained his win back.
Prediction: Andrade
Shinsuke Nakamura (c) (w/Sami Zayn and Cesaro) vs. Braun Strowman [Intercontinental Championship]
The rivalry between Shinsuke Nakamura and Braun Strowman does not really have a storyline but it does have a track record. Based on recent weeks’ competition, Braun Strowman has pinned Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura on two separate occasions: (1) in a six-man tag match with The New Day three weeks ago, and (2) grudge match against Nakamura last week.
Clearly, Strowman is getting an Intercontinental Championship opportunity at WWE Royal Rumble 2020. Although his momentum was ruined a long time ago, Strowman’s first main roster single championship victory is well overdue.
Nakamura’s Intercontinental Championship reign has run its course, and it’s time for a new champion. Strowman is not necessarily the ideal candidate to dethrone Nakamura (*cough* Sami Zayn is the ideal candidate) but he needs this victory as a consolation prize for the poor booking he has been susceptible to in his entire career.
Prediction: Braun Strowman