Royal Rumble Predictions from Cletus

Here's my picks for the Rumble.  I'm picking this PPV in the most straightforward manner possible, nothing too surprising here.  I'd love for WWE to throw us a few curveballs, but I'm not sure that I see that happening. 

Royal Rumble (2009) Predictions from http://www.fourdown.org/WWE_Royal_Rumble_2009
http://www.fourdown.org/users/cletus42o

*** The Royal Rumble Match

My Prediction: Randy Orton

Randy Orton seems to be the most likely person to win the Rumble this year.  I'll be okay with him winning, though I'd love to be surprised!

*** Match for the WWE Championship
Edge vs. Jeff Hardy (c) 

My Prediction: Edge, Pinfall, Yes - interference

I'm thinking this will be the only title change on the show.  I wouldn't be surprised to see Christian help Edge get the win, kicking off the Hardy/Christian feud.  Not sure where that will leave Edge and the WWE title, but we'll find out!

*** Match for the World Heavyweight Championship
JBL vs. John Cena (c) 

My Prediction: John Cena, Pinfall, Yes - interference

I would actually rather see JBL get the win with help from HBK to take the title, just because at this point, HBK vs JBL seems to be the best thing happening on Raw.  I'm not too keen on a Cena vs Orton match at WrestleMania, but I think that's the easy road for WWE creative to take, so I think that's the road they'll take (as usual).

*** Match for the ECW Championship
Matt Hardy vs. Jack Swagger (c) 

My Prediction: Jack Swagger, Pinfall, No - no interference

Would be silly to make Swagger's run so short.  Matt's done good things for the ECW title - time for him to move on up.

*** Match for the Women's Championship
Melina vs. Beth Phoenix (c) 

My Prediction: Beth Phoenix, Pinfall, Yes - interference

I'm thinking Phoenix will be turning face to battle Santino & Rosa at WM25, so I see Rosa helping Beth pick up the win (since that storyline is just starting, really).  I think it's too soon to have Rosa accidentally cost Beth the title, but they could go that route.  (and then have Rosa beat Melina for the title, leading to Rosa & Santino kicking Beth out)

*** Rumble: Who will be the first person eliminated from the match?

My Prediction: Mystery Wrestler

Too hard to call this one!  (but that's why it's a 10 point question)  I went with the odds and picked Mystery Wrestler.

*** Rumble: Who will score the most eliminations?

My Prediction: Triple H

Since he'll be the first entrant, he's got the most time to score eliminations.

*** Rumble: Will either the first or second entrant into the Rumble match be a part of the final four?

My Prediction: Yes, one of the two men will be a part of the final four

I'm sure Triple H will be around the entire match.

*** Rumble: Will Santino last at least a minute in the match before being eliminated?

My Prediction: Yes

I made this question around the possibility of Santino being the guy who enters and is immediately eliminated in seconds.  I think it's still a strong possibility, but I'm going to go with him lasting a little bit longer.  I think they could do some good comedic stuff with him in the match for 5-10 minutes.

*** Rumble: Who will eliminate The Undertaker?

My Prediction: Vladimir Kozlov

Just a hunch.  Main eventers like Undertaker don't usually get eliminated by multiple people, it's usually a one-on-one thing to help build towards Mania..  and Kozlov seems the most likely person to be feuding with Undertaker next.  (though I'd prefer HBK/HHH to be facing Taker at WM...)

*** Rumble: Who will eliminate Chris Jericho?

My Prediction: Triple H

Perhaps leading to Jericho/HHH at Mania?  I could live with that, for sure.

*** Rumble: Will Shawn Michaels take part in the match?

My Prediction: No

I don't think he'd be winning it, so it'd be silly to put him in as a surprise to lose.  Though Michaels is definitely one of my favorite wrestlers in the Rumble environment..  (and I was FURIOUS when Jericho eliminated him right off the bat way back in..  like 2003 I think it was)

*** Will Shawn Michaels get physically involved in the World Heavyweight Championship match?

My Prediction: Yes, he will get physically involved with John Cena

Tough one to call!  I could easily see him missing Cena and hitting JBL, costing JBL the match.  Either way, this is a question I will be excited to get the answer to.

*** Will Christian and/or Rob Van Dam make an appearance at the PPV?

My Prediction: Yes, Christian will make an appearance

I think Christian will appear in the Edge/Hardy match.  I'll be disappointed if he doesn't, really.  As far as RVD goes, I would pop like no other for that, but I'd rather him come back full time.

*** How many titles will change hands at Royal Rumble?

My Prediction: 1

Edge winning it from Hardy.

*** Which match will be the final match of the PPV?

My Prediction: The Royal Rumble Match

Actually, I may change this.  I think a Cena win might close out the PPV.  I'll have to think about it.