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WWE Royal Rumble 2021 is all set to take place tonight live from the WWE ThunderDome at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. Arguably one of the most anticipated nights of the year for any wrestling fan, this would be the first time that Royal Rumble would take place without live fans in attendance.
WWE has announced six matches for the card, including two Royal Rumble matches, one for the men and the other for the women. There are no clear favorites for each of those matches and with a lot of spots yet to be announced, fans are in for at least a few surprises, if not more.
So, to get you ready for the pay-per-view, here is the preview of WWE Royal Rumble 2021 with everything you need to know before the show. Be sure to comment down and let us know your predictions for tonight. Who's winning?
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#6 Roman Reigns (c) vs. Kevin Owens for the Universal Championship in a Last Man Standing match at Royal Rumble
The Universal Championship will be on the line in a Last Man Standing match at Royal Rumble tonight as Roman Reigns will defend his title against Kevin Owens. Initially, Reigns was supposed to take on Adam Pearce at the pay-per-view, however, the entire 'card is subject to change' plan worked well for Pearce, and he made KO the opponent of Reigns.
Roman Reigns has already defeated Kevin Owens more than once recently, even though with the help of Jey Uso. Truth be told, Reigns once again heads into this match as the favorite to be the Last Man Standing and retain his Universal Championship at Royal Rumble.
However, the match is sure to be a great one and could see interference from the likes of Jey Uso, or even Apollo Crews, who recently teased an alliance with The Tribal Chief. Another possible interference could be from Jimmy Uso, who could either come back and join hands with Roman Reigns or betray him and help Kevin Owens.
#5 Drew McIntyre (c) vs. Goldberg for the WWE Championship at Royal Rumble
WWE Hall of Famer Goldberg is all set to challenge WWE Champion Drew McIntyre for his title at Royal Rumble tonight. Goldberg returned at the RAW Legends Night, confronting McIntyre and setting up this huge match. If Goldberg's recent record is considered, Drew McIntyre's championship reign is in danger at WWE Royal Rumble 2021.
In an exclusive interview with SK Wrestling, Drew McIntyre claimed that he is going to end Goldberg's streak of returning to WWE and winning a world title.
"No matter what anyone might think or anyone might say about Goldberg, look at what's happened every time he's returned to the company. He keeps himself in shape, he's an animal, he's explosive, he ran through Brock Lesnar, won the Universal Championship, he ran through The Fiend and won the Universal Championship. He's on a new streak where he comes back to the company and he wins the title and so I'm looking to end that new streak he's on right now. He comes back, he can fight me at the rumble but with all the respect in the world for him, and it hurts me to say it, but Goldberg I'm going to have to kick your head off and beat you because you ain't winning my title. I'm ending the streak."
There are so many ways this match could end. However, putting the WWE Championship on Goldberg might not be the best idea, considering the massive negative reaction on social media that the company has received since making this match. The best way forward at Royal Rumble tonight is for Goldberg to put over Drew McIntyre, helping him solidify his title reign.
Interestingly, there have been speculations that whoever loses the WWE Championship match between McIntyre and Goldberg could go on to enter the Royal Rumble match later in the night, and possibly even win it, setting up a WrestleMania clash against Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship.
#4 Asuka and Charlotte Flair (c) vs. Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax for the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship
Asuka and Charlotte Flair will defend their WWE Women's tag team titles at Royal Rumble tonight against former champions, Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler. This match could go either way but there are massive chances that the losing team ends up exploding and turning on each other at Royal Rumble.
The pairing of Jax and Baszler has been fun but it is time for them to go their separate ways. The same goes for Asuka and Charlotte, especially because Asuka hasn't had a proper feud for the RAW Women's Championship for a long time now. Charlotte Flair has teased coming after the RAW Women's title, however, Alexa Bliss has also emerged as a possible contender who Asuka can feud with on the Road to WrestleMania 37.
#3 Sasha Banks (c) vs. Carmella for the SmackDown Women's Championship at Royal Rumble
SmackDown Women's Champion Sasha Banks will defend her title against Carmella at WWE Royal Rumble 2021 tonight. Carmella's return with her new 'untouchable' gimmick hasn't been going so well and even though the addition of the sommelier Reginald has been interesting, it is unlikely that Carmella will walk out of Royal Rumble as the new SmackDown Women's Champion.
Sasha Banks deserves a long reign with the title and in all likeliness, she'll walk into WrestleMania 37 as the SmackDown Women's Champion, possibly defending her title against the winner of the 2021 women's Royal Rumble match. More on that in the next slide.
#2 Women's WWE Royal Rumble 2021 match
Tonight would feature the fourth annual women's Royal Rumble match. Starting in 2018, so far Asuka, Becky Lynch, and Charlotte Flair have won the match in the last three years. The thing with this year's women's Royal Rumble match is that there is no clear favorite, which makes it even more interesting for fans to tune in.
As of the writing of this match, only 13 participants have been announced for the match, leaving 17 spots open for possible surprise entrants and returns. In the last three editions, several legends and WWE Hall of Famers have entered the women's Royal Rumble match and it would be interesting to see who shows up tonight.
From SmackDown, Bianca Belair is speculated by many to win this year's Royal Rumble match, setting up a clash against Sasha Banks at WrestleMania 37. From RAW, Alexa Bliss could be the one to tap into her dark side and emerge victorious at Royal Rumble. However, another interesting pick is that of former NXT Women's Champion Rhea Ripley, who isn't officially announced for the match but is reportedly done with NXT and on her way to the main roster.
The name of Ronda Rousey and Becky Lynch has also popped up recently as potential surprise entrants in the match, but reports suggest that neither of them is scheduled for Royal Rumble tonight. WWE has also already announced that Natalya will enter the match at No. 30, leading to speculations that someone could attack her and take her place.
#1 Men's WWE Royal Rumble 2021 match
Just like the women's match, the men's 2021 Royal Rumble doesn't have any clear favorite. As many as 21 participants have already been announced for the match, leaving only nine empty spots for possible surprise entrants.
From Friday Night SmackDown, the likes of Intercontinental Champion Big E and Daniel Bryan are speculated by fans to win the Royal Rumble match this year and challenge Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship at WrestleMania 37. From Monday Night RAW, the likes of Braun Strowman or even Keith Lee could win the match and challenge Drew McIntyre for the WWE Championship.
WWE has already announced that Randy Orton and Edge will be entering the Royal Rumble this year at No. 1 and No. 2 respectively, in what should be some intense first few minutes. One of these two could very well end up being the iron man of this year's Royal Rumble match.
As for the surprise entrants, reports suggest that Seth Rollins is likely to return at Royal Rumble tonight. There have also been speculations of Brock Lesnar returning, but he has reportedly not signed a new contract with WWE. There are also chances that 'The Fiend' Bray Wyatt might return tonight. It should also be noted that WrestleVotes has reported that a controversial finish is being discussed for the men's Royal Rumble match.
Sound off in the comments section and let us know who are you rooting for to win the men's and women's Royal Rumble match this year?
Ex WWE writer blasts Liv Morgan HERE
