On Sunday, January 31st, the WWE will be live from the ThunderDome in St. Petersburg, Florida, for the 34th edition of their annual event – the Royal Rumble.
The Royal Rumble first started in 1988 and quickly became one of the WWE’s four main annual PPV events. Behind WrestleMania, the Royal Rumble is the second most popular WWE event due to the excitement of each battle royal. It also marks the start of WrestleMania 37 season.
In addition to the men’s and women’s Rumble matches, there will be three world title matches as well. Roman Reigns will defend his Universal Title against Kevin Owens, Drew McIntyre will put his WWE title up against Goldberg, and the women’s tag-team titles will also be up for grabs.
WWE betting sites have released odds on the Royal Rumble PPV. Let’s walk that aisle, enter the battle royal, and see if we can eliminate all of the other competitors with our winning predictions.
This Royal Rumble betting preview was published prior to the January 29th episode of SmackDown. There’s a chance that the events of this week’s SmackDown could affect the current Royal Rumble betting odds and even add a match or two to the show.
An illustrious accolade to have on the résumé 🤩
Not everyone wins a #RoyalRumble… pic.twitter.com/SvsslCObb6
— WWE on BT Sport (@btsportwwe) January 25, 2021
Women’s Tag Team Title Match
- Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler (-200)
- Asuka & Charlottle Flair (+150)
This will be a rematch from the TLC PPV in December 2020 where Charlotte and Asuka defeated Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler for the tag titles. Jax and Baszler won the belts at Payback four months prior, by defeating Sasha Banks and Bayley.
In addition to the sites for entertainment betting, many pro wrestling media outlets believe that the champs will lose the belts on Sunday.
The popular thinking here is that Flair and Asuka don’t need the tag titles as they’re already involved in individual feuds. Furthermore, they really didn’t even need the belts in the first place. Their title reign has done nothing to elevate the belts or the women’s tag team division.
Also, most pundits believe that Flair will somehow wrestle the RAW women’s title away from Asuka and defend it at WrestleMania 37.
The women’s tag team division would be better off with Jax and Baszler holding the belts once again as they’re a credible heel duo that could be used to elevate other teams like Mandy Rose and Dana Brooke who they previously had an ongoing feud with.
Although there’s no value with this wager, take the challengers to come away with the tag titles and become champs for the second time. They would become the third duo to hold the women’s tag titles twice joining Banks & Bayley and Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross.
Women’s Tag Team Title Match –Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler (-200)
Universal Championship Match
- Roman Reigns (-1500)
- Kevin Owens (+575)
These betting odds have seen a dramatic shift over the last week. Roman Reigns went from -800 odds to massive -1500 betting favorite. Kevin Owens went from +425 odds to a large +575 underdog.
These two men have had a feud over the last few months that saw Kevin Owens lose in a championship match against Reigns at TLC. Jey Uso interfered and helped his cousin Roman Reigns retain the title.
It appeared that the WWE was heading in a different direction following that PPV event, but they deceived the WWE Universe and found a way to sneak Owens back in for another title shot.
On the January 8th episode of SmackDown, Reigns had beef with executive Adam Pearce and some of the booking decisions that were being made. Reigns question Pearce’s motivation behind the recent booking decisions and declared he had a problem with him.
Eventually, Pearce was thrown into a #1 contender’s gauntlet match that also featured Rey Mysterio, Daniel Bryan, King Corgin, Sami Zayn, King Corbin and Shinsuke Nakamura. After interference from Reigns and Uso, Pearce was placed on Nakamura for the win.
That meant Pearce had earned the right to become the next challenger to the Universal Championship. They would end up signing a contract for a Last Man Standing match. Following the signing, Pearce faked a knee injury.
Pearce pointed out a stipulation in the contract that stated if he was injured prior to the match, he would be able to choose a replacement. So, Pearce chose Kevin Owens. Thus, we have a rematch from TLC between Owens and Reigns.
Since joining up with Paul Heyman last August, Reigns has been the top act in the WWE. The Big Dog, turned Tribal Chief and Head of the Table, is the most compelling storyline in all of WWE.
So, there’s absolutely no reason to believe that he will lose any time before WrestleMania 37. In fact, I would be surprised if he even lost at WM 37. I see this being a long title reign for the Tribal Chief. And a storyline that could culminate in a match against The Rock at some point.
There were rumors of The Rock vs Reigns at WM 37, but due to the pandemic the WWE wants to hold off on that event until they could have a full stadium once again.
As for betting on this match, you have to take Reigns to win. There’s no value for his wager and Kevin Owens isn’t worthy of a flier. If you can find a prop bet as to Jey Uso helping Reigns then hop all over that as well.
Universal Championship Match –Roman Reigns (-1500)
WWE Championship Match
- Drew McIntyre (-300)
- Goldberg (+200)
On RAW, we have the WWE Championship up for grabs as Drew McIntyre takes on Goldberg. The WWE felt that there were no other viable contenders for McIntyre, so they brought back Goldberg.
During the Legends Night episode of RAW on January 4th, Goldberg returned to the ring and confronted McIntyre. Although he praised McIntyre’s success, Goldberg claimed that Drew didn’t have enough respect for the legends including himself.
This resulted in a war of words between the two. At first, McIntyre wasn’t interested in this match as he said it would be like fighting his dad. On the January 11th episode of RAW, Goldberg and McIntyre once again came face to face.
This time Goldberg pushed McIntyre, which prompted the champ to accept the challenge and put his title on the line at the Royal Rumble PPV.
The Spear x Claymore collab you didn’t see coming! #RoyalRumble #WWERaw @DMcIntyreWWE @Goldberg pic.twitter.com/smFT6kMEVn
— WWE (@WWE) January 26, 2021
WWE is building up a storyline of how Goldberg has never won the WWE Championship. He’s been a two-time Universal Champion defeating The Fiend last year before dropping the belt at WM 36 to Braun Strowman after Reigns opted out due to covid.
At first, the WWE Universe was disappointed in Goldberg becoming the next challenger. The reception for this storyline was met with blowback from the fans.
However, after McIntyre was out for two weeks due to covid, the disappointment from fans died down. But, so did any interest in the match.
The WWE has two choices for the creative direction for this match. They can have Goldberg win just like he did against The Fiend and Brock Lesnar or they can have Drew McIntyre win and build him up even more.
The online betting sites believe that McIntyre will win this match. Most WWE media outlets agree. The smart play is taking McIntyre for this bout, which I agree with. However, Goldberg is worthy of a flier as he’s already pulled off two big upsets in the past when many though he wouldn’t win.
The WWE needs McIntyre to be the star heading into WM 37 and not a 54 year old Goldberg. Let’s just hope that the WWE creative brass sees that as well. Another Goldberg title reign is pointless and will not elevate anyone else.
WWE Championship Match –Drew McIntyre (-300)
Women’s Royal Rumble Match
There are dozens of betting options available for this match. The following is a partial list:
- Bianca Belair (+150)
- Alexa Bliss (+300)
- Charlotte Flair (+400)
- Rhea Ripley (+550)
- Ronda Rousey (+700)
- Bayley (+800)
- Becky Lynch (+800)
- Sonya Deville (+1000)
- Shayna Baszler (+1400)
- Nia Jax (+2000)
- Paige (+2000)
- Asuka (+2500)
- Carmella (+2500)
- Io Shirai (+2500)
- Lacey Evans (+2500)
- Lana (+2500)
- Mandy Rose (+2500)
- Peyton Royce (+2500)
- Sasha Banks (+2500)
- Trish Stratus (+2500)
- Eva Marie (+3300)
- Liv Morgan (+3300)
- Nikki Cross (+3300)
- Ruby Riott (+3300)
- Toni Storm (+3300)
- Candice LeRae (+4000)
- Naomi (+4000)
- Natalya (+4000)
The first women’s Royal Rumble match was held in 2018 and it was won by Asuka who went on to challenge Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania 34.
Watch the first-ever Women’s #RoyalRumble Match in its entirety ▶️ https://t.co/fXJCQOd5wA
Courtesy of @WWENetwork pic.twitter.com/AKAR7djTji
— WWE (@WWE) January 29, 2021
The 2019 winner was Becky Lynch who put her stamp on pro wrestling at WM 35 by defeating both Ronda Rousey and Charlotte Flair for both women’s world titles.
Last year, Charlotte Flair won the RR and went on to defeat Rhea Ripley for the NXT women’s title at WM 36. It was the first time that a Royal Rumble winner chose to fight for an NXT title instead of one of the “main brand’s” world titles.
The Betting Favorites to Win
Bianca Belair (+150)
Bianca Belair has become the odds on favorite to win the women’s Royal Rumble with a strong second half of 2020. She’s clearly one of the best in-ring worker for any women’s roster and has all of the tool to become a major player.
Belair needs that final push to breakthrough into superstar status and a Royal Rumble win would fit that bill. Belair commented on what it would mean to win the Rumble this year:
“Winning this year would mean everything. That’s something that would bring a feeling that I can’t even put into words. The answer is just a feeling. It’s a feeling like everything you put into being a WWE Superstar it’s all making sense, it’s all coming together. This would be your ticket to get to WrestleMania. Everybody’s dream is to have a match at WrestleMania, so winning this Rumble would mean the world to me. The expectation are high for me this year being that I tied for the most eliminations at eight and I lasted over 30 minutes and everyone is like how is she gonna top (that) this year? And, I think how could I possibly top this year other than winning.”
Alexa Bliss (+300)
Alexa Bliss has seen a complete transformation with her on-air character over the last year. Ultimately, she transformed into an associate of The Fiend, which has somehow given her supernatural abilities.
Bliss has been involved in a storyline with Randy Orton ever since Orton feuded with The Fiend late last year and lit him on fire.
Although Bliss is worthy of winning this match, it feels like she doesn’t need to win it. Bliss is already “over” and in a top storyline.
She doesn’t need the push from a RR win to elevate her. Bliss is a multi-world champ with a strong gimmick right now. I would avoid her for this bet.
Charlotte Flair (+400)
The 2019 winner is once again one of the betting favorites and rightfully so. “The Queen” is arguably the greatest female wrestler of her generation and will undoubtedly go down as one of the best, if not the best women’s wrestler of all-time.
She will be one of the final four wrestlers at the end of this match. But, would the WWE have Flair win for a second time especially at the expense of other deserving candidates?
Rhea Ripley (+550)
Speaking of deserving candidates, is there anyone more deserving than Rhea Ripley? One could argue that Belair is just as much, if not more deserving, but Ripley is every bit a superstar in the making as Belair.
In fact, Ripley should’ve already been on the main roster especially after her feud with Flair last year at WM 36. Instead, she was kept on NXT where there’s nothing left for her to accomplish.
It seems as though the WWE doesn’t know what to do with Ripley right now. She was supposed to be called up recently, but those plans were nixed.
Now, there’s a strong chance that she enters the Royal Rumble, but there also some speculations that the WWE could hold her back until closer to WM 37.
As a fan of Ripley, it’s frustrating to see WWE’s yo-yo handling of her future.
Ronda Rousey (+700)
The biggest rumor and hope is that Ronda Rousey returns to the WWE as a surprise entrant into the Royal Rumble.
Rousey fueled speculation of a return when she shared her odds to win the RR match online as a way for people to make money.
Best way to make a profit since r/wallstreetbets did that stuff with GameStop I don’t understand #RoyalRumble2021 pic.twitter.com/c4yxcO3fEV
— Ronda Rousey (@RondaRousey) January 27, 2021
Unfortunately, reports are circulating that Rousey won’t show up at the Rumble. Charlotte Flair recently said in an interview that the WWE doesn’t need Rousey. I would disagree.
The WWE needs all of the big names they can get especially after a down year in the ratings combined with the disappointing storylines.
Would it make sense to have Rousey return only to lose the RR match?
Becky Lynch (+800)
I can’t see how Lynch would return to the WWE at the Royal Rumble considering she gave birth on December 4th to her baby girl. It’s not enough time for Lynch to get back to competitive shape. Plus, I don’t see Lynch risking covid exposure right now with such a young infant at home.
It would be nice to see Lynch back in a WWE ring, but I don’t see that happening until WM 37 at the earliest. As of now, reports are that Lynch won’t be at the Royal Rumble.
The Best Betting Value
Asuka (+2500)
The 2018 winner is a credible option to win again especially since she is carrying two world titles right now. With that said, it’s hard to imagine that the WWE will have Asuka win. If she’s in the RR, I would expect her to be eliminated by Charlotte Flair which sets up a feud moving forward.
Sasha Banks (+2500)
The SmackDown women’s champ has yet to win the RR unlike her peers Lynch and Flair. Although she’s just as talented, I doubt this will be her year. In fact, I can see her being eliminated by Bayley or Belair.
A Bayley elimination would stoke the flames of their previous feud. A Belair elimination could set up a feud moving forward whether or not Bianca wins the RR match.
Are There Any Longshots Worth Considering?
The one wrestler with the biggest odds that is credible enough to win the women’s Rumble match, but won’t, is Natalya (+4000). She’s a fantastic worker, but always seems to come up short when in big situations like a title match or a battle royal.
I find it amusing that betting sites listed names like Kelly Kelly (+10000), Lita (+10000), and Stephanie McMahon (+15000). None of these ladies will even be in the match.
But, since it’s the Rumble and surprise entrants are an annual occurrence, BetOnline decided to give us these names.
Who Wins the Women’s Royal Rumble?
Personally, I want to see Rhea Ripley win this match. But, all signs are pointing towards Belair winning the battle royal and going on to challenge Sasha Banks at WM 37. Roll with the betting favorite while the odds still have value.
Women’s Royal Rumble Match –Bianca Belair (+150)
Men’s Royal Rumble Match
There are dozens of betting options available for this match. The following is a partial list:
- Daniel Bryan (+100)
- Edge (+250)
- Brock Lesnar (+600)
- Keith Lee (+700)
- Big E (+900)
- Drew McIntyre (+1000)
- Shinsuke Nakamura (+1000)
- The Rock (+1000)
- Goldberg (+1200)
- Roman Reigns (+1200)
- AJ Styles (+1400 )
- Bray Wyatt (+1400)
- Seth Rollins (+1400)
- Jey Uso (+1600)
- CM Punk (+1800)
- Braun Strowman (+2000)
- Cesaro (+2000)
- Sheamus (+2200)
- Adam Cole (+2500)
- John Cena (+2500)
- Kevin Owens (+2500)
- Matt Riddle (+2500)
- Aleister Black (+3300)
- Andrade (+3300 )
- Bobby Lashley (+3300)
- Finn Balor (+3300)
- Karrion Kross (+3300)
The Betting Favorites
Daniel Bryan (+100)
Daniel Bryan has emerged as the betting favorite to win the men’s Royal Rumble match. Can you believe that he’s yet to win this battle royal before?
He came close in 2014, but was eliminated by Roman Reigns who would win it in 2015. In addition to their ongoing battles on SmackDown, a win by Bryan this weekend could play on the past RR encounters with Reigns.
YES! YES! YES! @WWEDanielBryan will enter the 2021 Men’s #RoyalRumble Match. #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/03umfuQc8d
— WWE India (@WWEIndia) December 26, 2020
Further adding fuel to the speculations of Bryan winning is that he’s been rumored to face Roman Reigns at WM 37 as The Tribal Chief needs a credible opponent.
Bryan certainly deserves a RR win to cement his WWE legacy. But, will he get it?
Edge (+250)
This past week, Edge announced that he would enter the Royal Rumble. If you recall, Edge made a surprise appearance last year that created a huge buzz within the WWE Universe.
Edge wants to make another run at winning a title and he could become a legitimate contender for the WWE Championship as they really have nothing for McIntyre beyond Goldberg.
Edge won the 2010 RR match, but ended up losing to Jericho at WM 26.
Brock Lesnar (+600)
Lesnar had arguably the most dominating performance in the history of the Royal Rumble last year when he eliminated everyone in his way. That was until McIntyre surprised everyone by eliminating Lesnar to set up a feud for the title at WM 36.
McIntyre won that match and we haven’t seen Lesnar since then. In fact, Lesnar is not even under contract with the WWE anymore. That’s not to say that the WWE couldn’t hammer out a deal with Lesnar this weekend for his return to the Royal Rumble.
Brock Lesnar accomplished this during last year’s #RoyalRumble, while @BraunStrowman accomplished it at the Greatest Royal Rumble. pic.twitter.com/L8aeRzqJAk
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) January 25, 2021
With that said, most outlets are reporting that Lesnar won’t be there on Sunday. And, the WWE doesn’t really need him for this year’s RR match. They have enough potential surprises that will make this match almost as compelling as last year’s match.
Keith Lee (+700)
Lee has been conspicuously absent on RAW the last two weeks especially after two straight weeks of being prominently featured.
On January 4th, he lost a world title match to McIntyre. On January 11th, he broke a turnbuckle in the ring and feuded with Sheamus. Since then, Lee has been absent.
There are no reports of injuries or discipline. So, this could be nothing more than keeping him fresh for the Royal Rumble.
Last year, Lee had a strong showing before being eliminated. He certainly is a candidate worthy of a RR win. However, I just don’t see it happening this year.
Lee has already feuded for the WWE world title and I don’t see him being in one of the two world title matches at WM 37.
Big E (+900)
Big E is on a roll and will be a RR winner soon. The only question is whether it will be this year or next year.
Big E is destined to become a world champ and has the support of his peers along with the WWE Universe. With that said, it’s too soon to feud him with Roman Reigns. The Tribal Chief will undoubtedly win a title match over Big E in the near future.
If the WWE waits until next year, Big E could be poised to become world champ at WM 38.
The Best Betting Value
Bray Wyatt (+1400)
The Fiend is certainly a wrestler that could win the Royal Rumble. With that said, there’s no point having him win right now. He’s already “over” and doesn’t need to win the Royal Rumble to elevate him further. Plus, an Orton match at WM 37 seems to be his fate this year.
Karrion Kross (+3300)
If the WWE really wants to fast track a new superstar then Karrion Kross would be the man. He’s destined for big things in the WWE as he already has the look inside and outside of the ring that the WWE desires.
A Royal Rumble win could easily elevate him to a main event superstar, which the WWE desperately needs these days.
Are There Any Longshots Worth Considering?
After eliminating betting options like Vince McMahon (+25000), Shane McMahon (+12500) and The Undertaker (+8000), the biggest longshot with any chance at winning the RR is Tyson Fury (+5000).
Can you imagine if they have Fury win the men’s RR match and then have Tyson go on to fight Drew McIntyre at WM 37? The two men have already bantered back and forth through the media last year. A Scotsman vs a Brit would be huge.
Who Wins the Men’s Royal Rumble?
Ultimately, this Royal Rumble comes down to two men: Daniel Bryan and Edge.
If the WWE wants to handle this smartly, they can have Edge focused on eliminating Orton and ending up getting thrown out instead. That would give him a feud for the next month before turning his attention towards McIntyre for the WWE title at WM 37.
With that said, this Royal Rumble should come down to one man – Daniel Bryan. His win makes so much sense not only for the storyline purpose, but also for his legacy as a professional wrestler.
I’m going with Bryan to win this Royal Rumble match and then pick Roman Reigns as his opponent for WrestleMania 37.
Men’s Royal Rumble Match –Daniel Bryan (+100)
Rick Rockwell
As a longtime freelance writer, avid sports fan, former athlete, and experienced sports bettor, Rick Rockwell has risen up the ranks at GamblingSites.org to become the self-professed “King of the Blog” in his first year with the site. …
