Royal Rumble 2010: World Heavyweight Championship Match

Deadman vs Underdog

This will be the best singles match of the night. These are two best wrestlers of all time, there is no doubting that and there is no doubt that these two are future Hall of Famers.

The lead up to this match has been interesting, to say the least. 'Taker has been slightly absent from TV and House Shows, he was probably sitting at home watching the #1 Contenders Match when "he" took out Rey and Batista and then his music sounded, a couple of weeks ago, thinking "What? Oh No Not Another Fake Undertaker!"

Batista has been a strange addition to this feud, with his vendetta against lil Rey Rey. His character has evolved as people have really settled into the fact that his music means you "boo!", that might be why they have had him running through the crowd and doing lots of backstage segments. Batista could be one of the biggest heels of 2010, just depending if he can improve his in-ring heel psychology.

Anyway, I digress, the World Heavyweight Championship will be up for grabs and really this will be the thing I least care about in this match, because when at the top of a solid SmackDown card every week is an ever evolving Mysterio vs Batista feud, who seriously needs the Demon of Death Valley. Unless you need a couple more Pay-Per-View Buys.

I don't really know what to think of the lead up into this match that's really why this preview has been so rubbish, I personally am at odds with this feud; but it hasn't needed to be so solid, yeah, there have been good promos here and there, but I mean, remember what this match is again. In finishing I have to say that I liked the end on the run-in Friday Night SmackDown, with Rey and Shawn Michaels (again another HoF'er not far off) and the Undertaker interference, overlapping with the Taker Streak Storyline.

Anyway to be honest, I really don't mind who wins tonight, best odds are on the deadman to be walking out of the Royal Rumble and into Elimination Chamber as the World Heavyweight Championship.

Royal Rumble is Sunday, 31st January 2010 Live on Pay-Per-View at 8pm ET/5pm PT/1am GMT.

Royal Rumble 2010: WWE Championship Match

The Viper vs. The Milkman

This is my first one of these so lets make it a good one. Sheamus the Celtic Warrior vs. Randy Orton. Well rewind a few months and no one would have believed that this would ever happen. But as they always say 'anything can happen in the WWE!'

Well this match came about after about two years of people seeing the same three people in the main event picture on RAW one way or another usually together: Randy Orton, Triple H and John Cena. Vince for once listen to the fans and went for a young new champion in Sheamus. However, some fans were not happy with that, they moaned that it should have been Bourne or Kofi. Well the old saying goes you can please some of the people all of the time and all of the people some of the time but you can't please all of the people all of the time. Personally I like Sheamus as champ but I am bias because he is from Ireland and I am from England and we hate the Irish slightly less than the Americans (joke although most stereotypes would have you believe this.)

Orton vs. Sheamus is a Heel vs. a Tweener. WWE would rather Orton was fully heel but the people just love to cheer him. This match could be a classic or it could suck majorly. This depends on Orton's temperament and the crowds reaction and believe it or not the commentary. How this story is told is perhaps more important outside the ring by the commentary team as both Sheamus and Orton are good workers.

The 'smart money' is on Orton according to many people because he is the safe hands the veteran going into Wrestlemania. But given the right opponent at Mania and the right under card joint main event I don't see why he cannot be trusted with the match. Personally, I want to see the Celtic Warrior Sheamus to win. Just to prove that Vince can put faith in a non-veteran to win at a big four.

Royal Rumble is Sunday, 31st January 2010 Live on Pay-Per-View at 8pm ET/5pm PT/1am GMT.

Royal Rumble 2010: ECW Championship Match

Biblically Extreme

I mean, really, who had Big Zeke winning the ECW Homecoming (unless you read the results from the house shows), which I have to credit WWE for, with a massive gap between PPVs and apparently no number 1 contender (thanks Shelton, you won't be needed anymore, don't worry here's Vance Archer) this concept did a good job and gave some interesting brand overlap, well kinda, the ratings say something else.

Personally, this is the match that I am least looking towards (Methos might disagree), I haven't seen anything really wrestling solid from Jackson, i.e. not just squash matches, personally I think that he wouldn't be anywhere without Master Regal. Regal showed again two Tuesdays ago on ECW what a great wrestler he is with a fantastic 15+ Minutes Match with ECW Champ Christian.

But with the Road to Wrestlemania starting at the Royal Rumble, I wouldn't be surprised if Big Zeke actually wins the title and that Christian gets involved in some sort of controversy. Last Year was the same with Jack Swagger beating Matt Hardy in January and Matt Losing the Rematch at last year's Rumble and as they say the rest is history.

I'm sorry that this preview is short but I don't think the Guyanese Goliath should win, really because I'm not his biggest fan, I'm almost sorry for Christian that he has to wrestle him at all let along at a Big Four Pay-Per-View. (It really does day something that I wrote nearly 3 times more for the Women's Championship Match)

Royal Rumble is Sunday, 31st January 2010 Live on Pay-Per-View at 8pm ET/5pm PT/1am GMT.

I Am The One!

It's January and that means one thing, the Royal Rumble. 30 men, 1 ring. The winner gains a world title shot at Wrestlemania. The question is who will be 'the one?' But before that I think it is important to look at why the Royal Rumble appeals so much. Well firstly I think it is the uniqueness of the match. I mean a Battle Royal is one thing but the Royal Rumble has the combatants enter one at a time at timed intervals meaning you get more bang for you buck. Another aspect that make the Royal Rumble special is the surprise or random competitors. Who can forget when Drew Carey enter the Royal Rumble in 2001? The fact the Rumble happens once a year adds to hype. The stakes of the match make it that whole much more special. Now once the boring bit of this article has been done it is time to look at some of the entrances and their likelihood of winning or how much I want them to win.

• Dolph Ziggler Despite my partners bromance with Mr Ziggles he is yet to be entered into the Rumble this year and if his current run of form is to be counted he won't be. Personal preference to win: 0/10 Likelihood to win: 0/10 

• The Miz The Awesome One just cannot be stopped at the moment and his improved ability has astounded everyone but as the current U.S Champ and still behind main event status I do not believe he will win the Rumble although would love to see the face on the fans if he did. Personal preference to win: 8/10 Likelihood to win: 2/10 

• Kane The Big Red Monster is entering his 12th consecutive Royal Rumble and holds the record for the most eliminations in one Rumble (11) but has never won the match. I don't believe WWE will give this Mr. Reliable the Wrestlemania headline spot but it would be popular with the fans. Personal preference to win: 7/10 Likelihood to win: 3/10 

• Triple H The Cerebral Assassin has won the Rumble before and has headlined Wrestlemania too. But this year it does not seem to be his year. He is currently one half of the Tag Champions and he is teaming with Shawn and so him becoming champ will have to be put on hold. Personal preference to win: 5/10 Likeilhood to win: 4/10 

• Shawn Michaels Could he do it? Maybe, but I don't know if WWE will do Taker vs. HBK again one year later, but anything can happen right? I would suggest that maybe DX could implode in the Rumble rather than HBK win. Personal preference to win: 5/10 Likelihood to win: 4/10

• Vladimir Kozlov Again he has not been entered into the Rumble but I hope that he could win just to see the fans faces. Personal preference to win: 8/10 Likelihood to win: 0/10 (2/10 if entered) 

• Goldberg Atlanta, Georgia host this years Rumble could this be one of the surprise entrance and could he take the title and beat the World Champion at Mania? Personal preference to win: 5/10 Likelihood to win: 0/10 (3/10 if entered) Likelihood to appear: 5/10 

• Gillberg 'If you can't be first be next' if Goldberg is not available or even if he is, perhaps the WWE could reintroduce Gillberg for one night only. Personal preference to win: 3/10 Likelihood to win: 0/10 (0/10 if entered) Likelihood to appear: 5/10 

• Edge The Rated R Superstar is on the shelf at the moment and unless the reports have been fabricated to prevent spoilers it seem unlikly the Rated R Superstar will appear but if he does I think he could go all the way. Personal preference to win: 7/10 Likelihood to win: 0/10 (8/10 if entered) Likelihood to appear: 2/10 

• CM Punk 'I need a Hero' one of the lines from one of the Rumble's themes songs. Is the Straight Edge Saviour 'The One' I would suggest that he could be the hot pick and with a Face title match from Smackdown it could build a great Mania match. Personal preference to win: 9.5/10 Likelihood to win: 9/10 

• Chris Jericho Y2J has 'never ever' won the Rumble but this year I think he could do it, why? Just to spite HBK, just to prove he is better than HBK. The only thing that might prevent this is his recent alcohol arrest. Personal preference to win: 9.5/10 Likelihood to win: 8/10 

• Big Show Having been split with Y2J, Big Show win the Rumble. Perhaps, but like Andre the Giant big men rarely do well in the Rumble and this could count against him. Personal preference to win: 6/10 Likelihood to win: 4/10 

• William Regal The first person to win the Rumble and challenge for the ECW title? OK I know it is unlikely on all fronts but I thought I would show my support for my fellow countryman. Personal preference to win: 8.5/10 Likelihood to win: 2/10 

• Booker T 'Can you dig it, Sucker?' Now that he has left T*A maybe no is his time to return to WWE just leave the King outfit at home please. Personal preference to win: 1/10 Likelihood to win: 0/10 (1/10 if entered) Likelihood to appear: 1/10 

• Kofi Kingston 'Boom Boom Boom' Kofi is on a roll. But will WWE show one last leap of faith? Maybe. Kofi could be the dark horse of the Royal Rumble especially if Orton wins his match, but only time will tell. Personal preference to win: 5/10 Likelihood to win: 5.5/10 

• Boogeyman 'I'm the Boggeyman and I'm coming to gettcha' No! Personal preference to win: 1/10 Likelihood to win: 0/10 (1/10 if entered) Likelihood to appear: 0.5/10 

• Batista Sick of being screwed over Batista is angry and you wouldn't like him when he is angry and if your name is O'Dea you wouldn't like him full stop. But with the Smackdown main event as is he could be a good shout. Personal preference to win: 1/10 Likelihood to win: 6.5/10 

• John Morrison Another dark horse in the Rumble he could easily win it if WWE show a leap of faith. They did it with Sheamus why not JoMo? Personal preference to win: 7.5/10 Likelihood to win: 5/10

• Jack Swagger The All American American has lost momentum since leaving ECW and has never looked like picking it up and I doubt the Rumble will change this. Personal preference to win: 3/10 Likelihood to win: 1/10 

• Evan Bourne (See Swagger minus the All American American bit) OK that was a joke but sums up Evan Bourne. Personal preference to win: 3/10 Likelihood to win: 1/10

• Goldust Yet to be entered into the Rumble but I do hope the Bizarre One get his shot, even if he is unlikely to win it is always good to see him in the Rumble. Personal preference to win: 3.5/10 Likelihood to win: 0/10 (0.5/10 if entered) 

• Bret Hart Unlikely to enter into the match because he wants to fight Vince I would have thought but who knows? Anything can happen in the WWE. Personal preference to win: 1.5/10 Likelihood to win: 0/10 (0.5/10 if entered) 

• Montel Vontavious Porter With his focus being on The Miz I think this year's Rumble is out of MVP's reach but who knows? Personal preference to win: 1/10 Likelihood to win: 0.5/10

• John Cena 'The Champ...' is not here. I hope he doesn't win the Rumble and WWE have to particularly hyped him to win, but this is Cena so he is always in for a shout. Personal preference to win: 0.25/10 Likelihood to win: 4/10 

Well those are my thoughts so we will have to see what happens on January 31st and who will be the 'One.'

Royal Rumble 2010: Women's Championship Match

Oink, Oink..... But Seriously

Be thankful people, this might be one of the best divas feuds in a long time and is a serious contender for the best divas match for 2010. Mickie and Michelle are two of the best two women in wrestling right now, no doubt. Mickie James has time and time again shown why she is one of top and best loved women in the WWE, looking for her 5th Women's Championship this Sunday. Michelle has evolved as a wrestler over her career in the WWE and with the exceptions of some unfortunate injuries, she has held her spot as one of this companies best heels. And she isn't a let down in the ring either, you just have to look back to when she won the championship from Melina at last year's The Bash, which was the best and roughest women's match of 2009.

This feud has actually been building for longer than I originally remembered from even before the European Tour in November, when during a match between Mickie and Natalya, Michelle McCool and Layla cut up everything in Mickie's bag whilst Natalya had her in the Sharpshooter, that was over 2 months ago, when was the last time you saw a WWE Divas Feud that has had that longevity and still is a as fresh as when it started. I was a bit annoyed to find out that these to had a match at WWE TLC, which I obviously can't remember. But truly time has been on their side, it has been 6 weeks since that PPV, you just don't get that with the Tri-Branded WWE PPVs anymore (with the exception of Wrestlemania); they have had the time they needed to build a solid program between these two, between matches.

Now if you think about it WWE have been very cleaver, this is such a simple feud, all it is about is bullying for the simple reason that she might be a little bigger than the others, but is she really, she might weigh a bit more than the others, but the audience doesn't necessarily know that. Yeah she might not be inch perfect in places but she isn't fat, I mean have you looked at the size of Western Civilization recently, we're fat b*****ds. To be honest if WWE wasn't PG right now, it would be more probable that they were calling her a country "slut", you need to do some research on that point.

During this feud since TLC there has been very little wrestling, McCool, for example, since Christmas has only been in one match, the one against Layla as "Piggy" James this past Friday on Smackdown. But this isn't a bad thing, not in this feud at least the quality of promos have been fantastic and the fans would rather see that than a divas tag match with Maria (no offense, doll), Michelle is gold on the mic, along with Maryse, she is one of the female Chris Jerichos, don't forget she was a teacher, she has that way with words.

There have been three other very interesting people in this feud, mainly on the side of Michelle, the first being Beth Phoenix, with her decision in whether to be a part of the bullying or not and stand up for Mickie. I would say that it's good psychology by WWE, but to be honest it is very run of the mill WWE heel/face turn if you think about it. Second is Layla, who has formed a great heel stable with McCool, Lay-Cool (straight from Matt Striker's mouth). Those two are great together and have perfect charisma. They tired to pair Alicia Fox with Michelle during mid-2009 but the fire wasn't really there, but for Layla, this feud and being Michelle's partner in crime is exactly what she needed, she wasn't getting far in dancing matches versus Eve, whilst being cheered on by the boys from the hood. Third is the amazing Matt Striker, he has added to the outnumbered feel against Mickie in this feud, cheering on Team Lay-Cool and backing up every action and thing they said. Sometimes watching Mickie/Lay-Cool segments on Smackdown can be like watching old Raw is War episodes with super heel commentary from Jerry Lawler and I love it. "Puppies!"

Believe me I have come to appreciate this feud and they will not disappoint this Sunday.

Royal Rumble is Sunday, 31st January 2010 Live on Pay-Per-View at 8pm ET/5pm PT/1am GMT