Expert picks, location, date, PPV preview, card, matchups, and predictions for the 2025 WWE Royal Rumble.
On Saturday, one of the WWE calendar’s highlights will take place in Indianapolis.
WWE’s Royal Rumble in Indianapolis on Saturday marks the beginning of the WrestleMania season. This year is no exception to the fact that it is one of the most anticipated WWE events of the year.
There will be a Royal Rumble match for both men and women, as is customary. At WrestleMania, which will be held in Las Vegas on April 19 and 20, the winners will have the opportunity to fight any champion for their championship.
After every other participant has been sent over the top rope and struck the floor with both feet, you must be the last person remaining in the ring to win the match.
Cody Rhodes and Bayley prevailed in the two Rumble bouts last year. At WrestleMania, Bayley defeated Iyo Sky to win the WWE women’s title. In a thrilling main event matchup with Roman Reigns that included numerous run-ins, Rhodes ultimately wrapped up his tale at the same moment.
This year’s winner will have the opportunity to compete for the world heavyweight title, which is currently held by Gunther, or the undisputed WWE title, which is now held by Rhodes, in the men’s divisions. The victor of the women’s division will then have the opportunity to compete for the WWE women’s title, which is currently held by Tiffany Stratton, or the women’s world title, which is currently held by Rhea Ripley.
In addition to the two Rumble matches, there are just two matches in this year’s Royal Rumble, but both seem exciting on paper.
In a ladder match, Rhodes will defend his title against Kevin Owens, a friend who has since turned into an adversary. Over the past six months, the two have intensified their enmity, and now they square off in one of the most famous gimmick fights in wrestling history.
WWE tag team champions #DIY will defend their titles against previous champions Motor City Machine Guns in the other title event on the card. There is a two-out-of-three falls contest between #DIY and MCMG that could steal the event.
Let’s examine the predictions made by CBS Sports analysts for each match on Saturday’s schedule, which starts at 6 p.m. ET.
Predictions for the 2024 WWE Royal Rumble.
Men’s Royal Rumble Match: Up until Monday night, I was reasonably confident that John Cena would prevail. It became evident that Punk vs. Rhodes is the story WWE should be telling as often as possible when CM Punk and Cody Rhodes got into a heated argument. Naturally, Cena’s momentum has entirely stalled after his fairly uncomfortable promo on January 6th, which kicked off his huge return for his last run, and he hasn’t been seen since. Although Rhodes and Punk have me thrilled, his absence has killed my interest in him. Of course, he might still win the Rumble and increase his appearances between the Rumble and WrestleMania. Give me Punk to win and Cena to punch his own ticket at Elimination Chamber—a total reversal of what I predicted only a few weeks ago. I believe WWE wants to capitalize on the long-standing rivalry between Punk and Cena, and the fight will probably come down to those two men in the end. Pick: Brent Brookhouse’s CM Punk wins the Royal Rumble.
I assumed Cena would win the Rumble when I woke up this morning, but I’m starting to change my mind. For the struggling veteran looking for one final taste of glory, a direct route to WrestleMania is too convenient. Although Orton isn’t promoted for the Rumble, I have a sneaking suspicion that he will win unexpectedly to force Rhodes to face him at WrestleMania. Orton can match “Stone Cold” Steve Austin’s three Rumble victories, but he won’t match Cena’s world title record. Select: The winner of the Royal Rumble is Randy Orton. Shakiel Mahjouri
Women’s Royal Rumble Match: It’s difficult not to choose Charlotte Flair to win here because she’s such a plug-and-play choice for the biggest WrestleMania events. Additionally, it makes too much sense to ignore the inevitable matchup with Tiffany Stratton. Even though Flair will be around for as long as she wants, Stratton vs. Flair feels like a possible passing of the torch moment. Before a fantastic WrestleMania encounter, there will be lots of captivating storytelling since they are wrestlers that are sufficiently similar yet different in the decades in which they began the sport. Pick: Brookhouse’s Charlotte Flair wins the Royal Rumble
This year’s women’s Rumble competitors don’t really stand out. One of the best ways to raise Tiffany Stratton’s profile is to book Flair alongside her for WrestleMania. Flair may just emerge from injury triumphant since she can be relied upon to perform well in crucial matchups. Pick: Mahjouri’s Charlotte Flair wins the Royal Rumble
Undisputed WWE Title — Kevin Owens vs. Cody Rhodes (c) (Ladder Match): I hope the upset is pulled off by Owens. In addition to being a gripping plot surprise, it would be difficult to watch Owens lose three straight uncontested WWE title battles. Rhodes will remain the champion, according to WWE. I believe WWE is being cautious by keeping the championship on him, even though I don’t think it would harm him to lose and regain it before WrestleMania. Pick: Mahjouri’s Cody Rhodes keeps the title
I was going to choose this one with my heart rather than my mind because it doesn’t really matter if you’re right or incorrect when predicting wrestling matches, and if you’re banking on scripted entertainment, you’re braver than I am. With big titles recently, WWE has only lost the title once before swiftly reclaiming it, when Bron Breakker lost the intercontinental title to Jey Uso, who regained it less than a month later. Long title reigns in the WWE are welcome to return, but occasionally a little more drama in the form of uncertainty would be nice. According to that perspective, Rhodes should reclaim the title before WrestleMania, and Owens should triumph on Saturday. There are enough escape hatches in a ladder match for outside interference to cause that loss at a low cost. However, Paul Levesque hasn’t actually used that strategy to secure significant titles, and Punk’s conversation with Rhodes on Monday centered on how the demands of being a champion will keep wearing Rhodes down until he eventually loses it at WrestleMania. Less than a week later, you erase the narrative and don’t have that interaction. Pick: Brookhouse’s Cody Rhodes keeps the title
WWE Tag Team Championship—Two-Out-of-Three Falls Match: #DIY (c) vs. Motor City Machine Guns: Removing the #DIY titles is premature. Bravo to WWE for allowing two elite tag teams enough opportunity to demonstrate their abilities. Anticipate the Motor City Machine Guns to appear formidable but lose the previous season by dishonest means. Choose: #DIY keep the titles — Mahjouri
Although it makes sense that WWE won’t take the belts away from #DIY so quickly, I’m eager to see what these two teams can accomplish in a two-out-of-three falls scenario. In order to help the champs in the third fall, Pretty Deadly probably gets involved. This match between two skilled tag teams is going to be amazing, regardless of how predictable the result seems. Choose: #DIY keep the titles Brookhouse
