WWE Royal Rumble 2025 predictions, preview – NZPWI Roundtable

by David Dunn

February 1, 2025

WWE Royal Rumble 2025 predictions, preview – NZPWI Roundtable

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The Road to WrestleMania officially begins this weekend with the 38th-annual Royal Rumble, and 2025 boasts one of the most star-studded fields yet.

Held in front of 65,000-plus fans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, the 30-Man Royal Rumble is filled with a who’s who of WWE Superstars.

At the top of that list is John Cena, entering his self-imposed final year as a pro-wrestler, and thus his final Royal Rumble Match. Having won the 2008 and 2013 Rumbles, Cena knows better than anyone what it will take to outlast 29 other competitors and earn a shot at a record-breaking 17th world title.

“It would take a miracle,” Cena said during Raw’s Netflix debut. “I got a better chance at winning an Oscar.”

With his last singles win in 2018, Cena admitted he wasn’t a contender any more.

“With a streak like that, the only way I’d get a championship match is win the Money in the Bank Briefcase, or survive the Elimination Chamber. You’d have to win the Royal Rumble… crazy idea, but maybe I can win the Royal Rumble!”

“It sounds impossible,” he continued, “but if you know anything about me, nothing’s impossible. The only time we say never around here is when we say Never Give Up.”

A world title showdown at WrestleMania 41 in the bright Las Vegas lights calls to more than just Cena. Former Royal Rumble winners Drew McIntyre, Rey Mysterio, Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, and Shinsuke Nakamaura are all hoping to repeat history.

CM Punk has more motivation than most. Injured during the 2024 Royal Rumble Match, a win for Punk would afford him the one omission from his Hall of Fame-worthy resume, a WrestleMania main event. And perhaps a chance for a final in-ring interaction with Cena along the way?

“I feel spoiled that I get to witness whatever journey he’s about to embark on,” Punk told The Pat McAfee Show. “I selfishly am looking forward to [Sunday]. Hopefully there’s a moment where me and him can have a moment.”

There will be moments, there will be memories, but there will only be one winner. Who’s going to WrestleMania?

WWE Royal Rumble Card:

Undisputed WWE Championship, Ladder Match:
Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Kevin Owens
30-Man Royal Rumble:
Bron Breakker vs. Carmelo Hayes vs. Chad Gable vs. CM Punk vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Jey Uso vs. John Cena vs. LA Knight vs. Logan Paul vs. Penta vs. Rey Mysterio vs. Roman Reigns vs. Sami Zayn vs. Seth Rollins vs. Shinsuke Nakamura vs. ???
30-Woman Royal Rumble:
Bayley vs. Bianca Belair vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Ivy Nile vs. Iyo Sky vs. Liv Morgan vs. Lyra Valkyria vs. Naomi vs. Nia Jax vs. Raquel Rodriguez vs. ???
WWE Tag Team Championship, 2-out-of-3 Falls Match:
DIY (c) vs. Motor City Machine Guns

NZPWI Roundtable: WWE Royal Rumble 2025

Undisputed WWE Championship, Ladder Match:
Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Kevin Owens

Steve McCleary (78% accurate in 2024):
This is the hardest PLE to call in years. I don’t feel 100 per cent on any of my picks, but betting on The American Nightmare to retain his title has worked for me so far. Despite the increase in his brutality, I can’t see Owens breaking his Rumble-title-shot curse even now.
Winner: Cody Rhodes

Grady Hooker (73% accurate in 2024):
This is going to be a bloodbath. These two will tear each other apart to come out with both championships. I’m leaning towards the champion retaining, as I often do when it’s a tight race.
Winner: Cody Rhodes

David Dunn (68% accurate in 2024):
Looking back over the last couple of years, Rhodes seems to deliver in ladder matches, while Owens tends to choke at Royal Rumble…
Winner: Cody Rhodes

AJ Murtagh (58% accurate in 2024):
I think this rivalry is at boiling point and these two will tear each other apart. When the dust settles, I believe that Cody will come out on top, but I wonder what price he’ll have to pay for it.
Winner: Cody Rhodes

Sammy G (53% accurate in 2024):
Owens is unhinged in the best way! His campaign of pain before Saturday Night’s Main Event and (false-)reign of terror since the event have been a thing of beauty. The fact they’re even hanging both belts for this match is special, but in the end, only one man can walk out with them, and the gut says Cody.
Winner: Cody Rhodes