WWE: 5 feuds the company could create in the 2021 Royal Rumble matches

The first stop on the road to the “Showcase of the Immortals”, the Royal Rumble, is finally here, though this year’s Rumble will look noticeably different without the fans packing out the arena. Despite all the hurdles COVID-19 has brought the WWE, they’ve been able to control their own narrative and that of their superstars. While the Royal Rumble matches will crown winners the WWE wants over, sans authentic crowd noise, many storylines will take place throughout. Thus the inklings of the WrestleMania card will take form.

These are the scenarios the 34th Royal Rumble matches should look to create.

The Hurt Business vs. Cedric Alexander

First thing’s first, I hate this. It’s way too early to implode the Hurt Business, especially at a time when they hold the United States and Raw Tag Team Championships. But teases of dissension have been building in recent weeks. Instead of letting this faction thrive and torment Monday Night Raw’s top babyfaces, they’ve been dropping matches and pointing fingers at each other. Despite winning tag team gold together, Shelton Benjamin and Cedric Alexander have been at odds, with Alexander looking for gamesmanship over the veteran in an effort to prove he is better than his tag partner.

MVP has been doing what he can to seal the cracks in the ship, but all signs point to a shakeup. To arrive there Alexander has to do something bigger than bickering with Benjamin. He has to eliminate Lashley from the Royal Rumble. Through his attempts to assert himself in the faction, he may get a similar exit akin to Randy Orton in Evolution. Orton turned out fine; hopefully, Cedric will as well.

Shayna Baszler vs Nia Jax

This duo exceeded expectations in terms of remaining together as long as they have. However, the pairing has kept both superstars from meaningful singles runs. Remember how strong Shayna Baszler was booked last year? Not only did she set a Royal Rumble record for eliminations (tied for eight with Bianca Belair), but she also took out the entire field in the Elimination Chamber a month later. A roll-up pinfall loss to Becky Lynch at WrestleMania thwarted all of that momentum. Winning tag-team gold with Nia Jax even seemed like a demotion, especially considering Jax was on the cusp of a feud with Charlotte Flair after putting her on the shelf.

These two started off at war and like clockwork, the WWE made them an odd couple. While they’re dominant together, they don’t elevate one another as a tag-team. There has been jealousy teased from Jax which could mean she’ll make the first move. The opposite needs to happen in the Royal Rumble match. Baszler needs to lock in a Kirifuda Clutch and throw her partner over the top rope in dominant fashion. Let’s get back to the menacing Shayna in a feud with Jax that, once won, will thrust her back into the world title picture.

Kofi Kingston vs Mustafa Ali

It’s strange to think that “KofiMania” was two years ago, such a historic time in wrestling. This matchup is just starting to blossom from the seeds planted in 2019. Yes, the Retribution gimmick is treading water on Monday Night Raw, but the circumstances that led to Kofi Kingston’s crowning moment is the purpose behind Mustafa Ali’s motives. Fueled by the anguish of losing his moment at the top. Meanwhile, Kingston was at the top of the mountain, and everyone knows how that got derailed.

A war of words on social media has exasperated the tension in the air. One should eliminate the other in the Royal Rumble, costing them their opportunity for a world title shot and building toward an eventual match that could possibly steal the show on night one or night two of WrestleMania. This feud also gives Retribution much-needed purpose and could put Ali in the spotlight.

Charlotte Flair vs Rhea Ripley

Run it back! We all know this is coming. Ripley’s star dimmed after dropping the NXT Women’s Championship to Charlotte Flair back at Wrestlemania 36, but not enough for her to lose her spotlight. An elimination angle here would be a perfect setup for Ripley to avenge that loss. Something will eventually give with Flair and Asuka being Women’s Tag Team Champions as well. History is on the side of Charlotte turning on her partner, and as much as fans would hate for “The Queen” to get another title reign, Ripley’s story would come full circle by dethroning Charlotte at WrestleMania 37.

It was always only a matter of time before Ripley got back on track. She’s destined to be a champion on Raw or SmackDown in the future. Going through Flair to do so would establish Ripley as one of the top stars early on either brand.

Randy Orton vs Edge (part 3)

Randy Orton has built enemies throughout the roster, though his biggest of 2020 has been hiding in plain sight. While Orton isn’t exactly out of The Fiend’s crosshairs, he’s due for a rubber match with the “Rated R Superstar”. The Royal Rumble may line up perfectly for Edge to be cleared from his tricep injury suffered at Backlash. Also, despite being burned by Alexa Bliss, the plan is still for Orton to compete in this year’s Rumble. While Orton is constantly looking over his shoulder for The Fiend, he should be met by Edge.

The pop will certainly not top Edge’s surprising return at last year’s Royal Rumble, though the nostalgia will remain. Orton’s list of problems will continue to grow if the Royal Rumble match makes this moment happen, with the culmination of their rivalry rightfully taking place at WrestleMania. The only thing left to determine is if the two will battle for a title.

Bonus Royal Rumble scenario

Bianca Belair vs Sasha Banks

This scenario is hinging on Bianca Belair winning the Women’s Royal Rumble. Sasha Banks has successfully defended her title multiple times, which was previously her Achilles heel. Now to take it up a notch, the Boss needs more viable contenders. That’s where “The EST” comes in and provides Banks with her biggest challenge and a match that could really tear the house down. Sounds like Belair is ready for the challenge.

“Everything I have approached in WWE I do it looking for a purpose. When I think about a dream match, Sasha Banks would definitely be at the top of my list. And to think about headlining WrestleMania with Sasha Banks, that would be more than just a match. It’s more than having a great match with an effort to tear the house down. Nah, that’s top-level representation that will go down in the history books for multiple reasons. It gives me goosebumps. That would be a dream come true not just for me, but for many people. That would be a very special night, and I can’t even explain what it would mean to me.” -via Sporting News