WWE Royal Rumble 2021 Full Match Card Predictions

Big E (c) vs. Sami Zayn [Intercontinental Championship]

According to the leaked results of the Christmas SmackDown episode, Big E dethroned Sami Zayn to become the new Intercontinental Champion in a lumberjack match. While it is nice to see Big E win his second Intercontinental Championship during the biggest singles push of his career, there was minimal build up to this title win and many fans expected Big E to focus on breaking into the main event scene and competing for the Universal Championship instead.

This victory also hurt Sami Zayn in the process, especially since he was making the championship more prestigious than most championships in the WWE. The mid card is intended for superstars like Sami Zayn, not Big E., at this point in time. Nonetheless, a rematch will very likely take place without distracting lumberjacks at this PPV to solidify Big E’s reign. Big E will inevitably retain the championship against Zayn because he will evidently not lose that championship anytime soon.

However, there is a silver lining to this title win. In a similar manner to how Seth Rollins built himself back up as a main event player with his memorable Intercontinental Championship run in 2018 before slaying Brock to win the Universal Championship at WrestleMania 35 in 2019, Big E can do the same here in his similar pursuit to win the Universal Championship at either WrestleMania 37 in 2020 or even WrestleMania 38 in 2021.

If this is the path WWE is willing to take with Big E, it would be neat to book Big E to retain the Intercontinental Championship against Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 37 and hold onto the championship all the way to WrestleMania 38 to challenge Rollins’ Shield brother, Roman Reigns, for the Universal Championship and finally put an end to Roman’s reign of terror. While this may be too good to be true, there’s nothing wrong with logical speculation.

It has been reported that Vince McMahon did not have plans for Big E to fight Reigns at WrestleMania 37, so this speculative year-long idea could be the alternative and probably be a blessing in disguise to give E more time to build himself up for a victory over Reigns rather than going straight at it prematurely and disappointedly losing to Reigns at WrestleMania 37. For now, it’s best to just enjoy Big E’s current reign and witness his journey to a well-deserved top spot.

Prediction: Big E

Bobby Lashley (c) (w/MVP) vs. Riddle (w/Jeff Hardy) [United States Championship]

As mentioned earlier, Riddle is reportedly set to battle Bobby Lashley for the United States Championship at the Royal Rumble. Riddle has pitched ‘business’ ideas, such as ‘bro-like’ snow cones and doughnuts, to MVP to set up this rivalry. Ever since WWE Raw became the next episode of Shark Tank, Riddle has found his way into the U.S. title picture somehow with Hardy as his new tag partner in a team called ‘Hardy Bros’ with a finishing maneuver called ‘Broetry in Motion.’

This sounds like a blatant, petty shot at AEW’s ‘Matt’ Hardy, but that’s besides the point. Hardy should not be teaming up with Riddle since he has zero chemistry with Riddle and is clearly an impeccable singles superstar with years of experience who should be in matches with talent who are on the verge of being elevated to the main event scene. A tag team involving Riddle and Gulak in what was formerly called ‘Catch Point’ would have been even more suitable.

Nonetheless, it seems that Riddle will have Hardy at ringside to help him fend off any interferences from MVP whilst he battles Bobby Lashley for the United States Championship. As said earlier, Riddle won’t win because he is already being set up for a future tag team championship opportunity with Hardy. Meanwhile, Lashley can move on to a formidable opponent, such as Keith Lee (preferably) or Sheamus, on the road to WrestleMania 37.

Prediction: Bobby Lashley