WWE holds its annual Royal Rumble event Sunday night. The first major step on WWE’s road to WrestleMania, the event features the 30-man Royal Rumble match, in which the winner earns a world title shot at WrestleMania.
The card is as follows:
WWE Royal Rumble Match:
Confirmed Participants: John Cena, Triple H, Shawn Michaels, CM Punk, Ted DiBiase, Cody Rhodes, MVP, The Miz, Kofi Kingston, R-Truth, Zack Ryder, Big Show, Carlito, Batista, Chris Jericho, Matt Hardy, Shelton Benjamin, The Great Khali, Yoshi Tatsu, Chris Masters, William Regal, Kane, Mark Henry, Jack Swagger, Evan Bourne
WWE World Heavyweight Championship:
Undertaker (c) vs. Rey Mysterio
WWE Championship
Sheamus (c) vs. Randy Orton
ECW Championship
Christian (c) vs. Ezekiel Jackson
Women’s Championship
Michelle McCool (c) vs. Mickie James
— Regarding WrestleMania, the plan calls for Shawn Michaels vs. Undertaker and Triple H vs. Sheamus. Assuming WWE plans to keep the belts on Sheamus and Undertaker through ‘Mania, one would assume that either HHH or HBK will win the Rumble match tonight, with the other acquiring a title shot at WWE Elimination Chamber.
At press time, most believed it would be Triple H getting the win, as doing so would create more suspense and intrigue for Michaels’ effort to win a rematch with the Undertaker. There had, at one point, been an idea of the two tying for the victory Sunday, but it is not clear that finish gained much traction.
— Gregory Helms’ name was recently removed from the Royal Rumble list. One would assume the removal was due to reports surrounding his arrest Wednesday.
— In media interviews, John Morrison has been giving strong indications that he will be in the Rumble match Sunday.