Royal Rumble predictions: Who will win the Rumble and championship clashes?

But who will win the big Rumble and championship clashes? And what will it mean for Mania? SunSport runs down the matches from the main show and predicts how the action will go down:

Men’s Royal Rumble Match

Background: It’s the most anticipated match of the year, with 30 men battling to throw each other over the top rope and earn a spot in the main event of WrestleMania.

This year’s entrants include John Cena, Seth Rollins, Drew McIntyre, Rey Mysterio, Randy Orton, Samoa Joe, Jeff Hardy, and more – plus a few surprises.

SunSport Predicts: Seth Rollins has been Raw’s hardest-working babyface for the best part of a year and would be the perfect challenger for Brock Lesnar at Mania.

So Rollins has to be our pick to win it. Unless the men’s Rumble gets a surprise entry from The Man of course…

Women’s Royal Rumble Match

Background: WWE stages its second ever women’s Royal Rumble match, with the winner also getting a title shot at Mania.

Entrants include Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss, Nia Jax, Bayley, Lacey Evans, Natalya, Carmella, Ruby Riott, and more.

SunSport Predicts: While the women’s division is better than ever, there are few legitimate headline contenders in the match – this has to be a win for Charlotte Flair.

It’s the only major accolade she hasn’t won in WWE and she deserves a spot at WrestleMania after months of top work in the ring and on the mic.

Universal Championship Match – Brock Lesnar (c) v Finn Balor

Background: Original challenger Braun Strowman was removed from the match after he totalled Vince McMahon’s limousine.

Finn Balor then picked up a hard-fought victory in a fatal 4-way match to take Braun’s spot and set up a David v Goliath type-battle against Brock.

But Balor fell victim to Brock’s F-5 when the pair came face-to-face on Raw this past week.

SunSport Predicts: Balor’s recent push has been so effective that WWE has got us on the ropes about the outcome of this one – Balor feels like a legit contender for the first time in years.

And after the success of Brock v Bryan at Survivor Series, we’re expecting more gripping big man v little man action from this clash.

But it makes sense that Brock will retain and carry the belt into WrestleMania, before “The Beast” reportedly heads back to UFC.

WWE Championship Match – Daniel Bryan (c) v AJ Styles

Background: This has mostly been a war over hot dogs and t-shirts, as the New Daniel Bryan has scolded AJ for shilling fattening foods and plastic merch.

The pair have come to blows at the merch stand and at ringside, including a segment this week that saw Vince McMahon almost get caught in the middle.

Bryan had the last word when he nailed Styles with a running knee, but can the Phenomenal One hit back and take the title this Sunday?

SunSport Predicts: AJ’s hot dogs and tees might be a crime against the planet, but it would be a crime against pro wrestling if Bryan lost the belt to Styles here.

Bryan’s promo work has put him in a league of his own. The character – an environmentalist, vegan heel – is current and completely original.

WWE should ride the momentum by having Bryan retain and face a fresh challenger at WrestleMania.

Raw Women’s Championship Match – Ronda Rousey (c) v Sasha Banks

Background: Ronda handpicked Sasha as her opponent at Royal Rumble – but Ronda may have got more than she bargained for with Banks.

Sasha has shown flashes of her heelish Boss character, first telling Ronda she’s going to teach her to “lose with dignity” – a dig at Ronda’s UFC losses – and then handing Ronda her first WWE defeat in a tag match this week.

SunSport Predicts: We’re happy to see the enormously talented Sasha Banks back in the spotlight – and she’s proved she can deliver when given the chance to step up.

But WWE will likely save Ronda losing the title for a bigger moment at WrestleMania – don’t count out interference from any of Sasha’s old Four Horsewomen buddies Becky Lynch or Charlotte Flair, who both have a score to settle with Ronda from TLC.

SmackDown Women’s Championship Match – Asuka (C) v Becky Lynch

Background: Asuka won the title at TLC after Ronda Rousey got involved and pushed both Becky and Charlotte off a ladder.

Becky earned a rematch when she beat Charlotte and Carmella in a triple threat on SmackDown and came to blows with Asuka this week in a pull-apart brawl.

SunSport Predicts: With plans seemingly pointing towards a Becky v Ronda match at WrestleMania (or perhaps a three-way involving Charlotte), it makes sense that Asuka will retain her championship.

But the question is, how will it happen? Will Charlotte continue to stir things up by getting involved? Or will Ronda Rousey interfere in Becky’s business yet again?

SmackDown Tag Team Championship Match – The Bar (c) v The Miz & Shane McMahon

Background: After their (sort of) combined win the the Crown Jewel tournament, Miz campaigned to create a “Best in the World” tag team with Shane McMahon.

They secured a title shot and literally rubbed cake in The Bar’s face – but received a brutal beating from Sheamus and Cesaro this week.

SunSport Predicts: Vince doesn’t book Shane in throwaway matches, so unfortunately for Sheamus and Cesaro this will almost certainly be a win for Miz and the Boy Wonder.

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