CM Punk, John Cena, and Roman Reigns: Why They Shouldn’t Win the 2025 Royal Rumble

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The Royal Rumble is rapidly approaching, and I’m buzzing with anticipation! Although WrestleMania holds its own charm, the Rumble stands out as the most thrilling night of the year for me as a wrestling enthusiast. This year, the suspense is heightened because the outcome is anybody’s guess. The men’s and women’s Rumbles are anyone’s game, and there are compelling arguments to be made for numerous heavyweights to emerge victorious. I have some ideas about the ladies’ matches, but the more I ponder over the gentlemen, the more perplexed I become. CM Punk, John Cena, and Roman Reigns are frequently mentioned as potential winners, yet there are compelling reasons why each could lose.

It’s important to note that CM Punk, John Cena, and Roman Reigns are all strong contenders for this year’s Rumble due to their popularity and potential to headline WrestleMania. However, each one comes with a significant issue that could make their victory in the Rumble challenging. Let’s discuss these issues.

This year, many people are rooting for John Cena to have a major victory, as they eagerly anticipate his success. He has stated that this will be his final Rumble, and whatever transpires at his last WrestleMania is expected to be significant. During the first Raw on Netflix, he even delivered a promo announcing his entry into the Rumble. Most fans, myself included, believe he’ll be involved in a title match at ‘Mania. These indications suggest that he might win the Rumble, and the betting market seems to agree. However, I am not fully convinced about that outcome.

A large number of WWE’s promotions for Elimination Chamber have heavily featured John Cena. He occupies the main spot on the poster, and there’s even a special poster suggesting this could be his last appearance in Toronto. This seems to indicate that he will be participating in the Elimination Chamber, as winning the Rumble wouldn’t require him to do so. Furthermore, while winning the Rumble would create an exciting moment, a more compelling narrative could involve him losing the Rumble and then spending the following month leading up to Elimination Chamber discussing his need to win the Elimination Chamber to secure another title shot. Since his return from Hollywood, Cena has consistently lost matches, and many of his promos have been about self-doubt. A more engaging storyline could involve him losing again but getting close enough to regain confidence in himself.

As a movie critic, I’ve got to say, there’s a lot of buzz surrounding CM Punk taking the Rumble title this year. He’s been vocal about his dream of main eventing WrestleMania, and it’s been a recurring theme on WWE television. With his injury and second-place finish at last year’s Rumble, the plot seems to be unfolding quite naturally. If he does win, he’d square off against Cody Rhodes, finally making it to the main event. It sounds like a winning scenario, doesn’t it? But I have to admit, there’s a loose end that WWE hasn’t addressed yet, and that leaves me with some doubts.

Previously, when CM Punk became part of the original Bloodline squad during Survivor Series, WWE subtly hinted that Paul Heyman, Roman Reigns’ manager, owed a significant debt to Punk for future favors. This wasn’t casually mentioned; it was emphasized as a crucial plot point expected to unfold later. If CM Punk emerges victorious in the Royal Rumble and challenges Gunther or Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania, it seems unlikely that Paul Heyman or Roman would be involved. However, this favor issue might resurface after the WrestleMania season, which is a considerable wait. I believe a more probable scenario is Punk losing the Royal Rumble match and then engaging in a fight against Roman at WrestleMania with this debt hanging over everyone.

This discussion leads us to Roman. Despite the immense popularity of Cody Rhodes, it’s evident that he is the most captivating figure in WWE who isn’t a returning movie star. He has announced his participation in the Rumble, and it appears Triple H, Bruce Prichard, and their team might be eager to crown him with a title sooner rather than later. Winning the Rumble could also hold significant emotional value for Roman, as he was met with harsh boos from disgruntled fans following his victory in ’15. This time, however, he is receiving the loudest cheers of his career, suggesting a more positive response from the audience.

If Paul Heyman’s manager hints that he’ll face Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania if he wins the Rumble, it’s questionable whether fans are eager for these two to headline three consecutive WrestleManias. It might be too repetitive, even with new storylines and promos. Despite Roman Reigns’ current popularity, a win here might not be the desired outcome by fans.

It’s possible that any of these three celebrities might take the Rumble title this year. While I’m not implying they shouldn’t be in contention, the points I’ve raised could make this an opportunity for someone less expected to shine.

Drew McIntyre is currently giving his best performances yet throughout his career, and there’s been talk that WWE might give him a significant boost this year. There’s speculation that The Rock won’t participate in ‘Mania this year, but if he does enter the Rumble, he has a high chance of winning, leading to a main event spot at ‘Mania. Seth Rollins is widely recognized as WWE’s most consistent performer over recent years, and after experiencing multiple losses in crucial matches, it seems WWE might be ready to acknowledge him on a grand scale. Jey Uso has been selling more merchandise than any other talent within the company, and his ring entrances are currently the most popular in the industry. Brock Lesnar is expected to make a comeback eventually, and when he does, he’ll likely pose an immediate threat to claim every title available. These alternative scenarios are all plausible possibilities.

Though there seem to be warning signs, it’s possible that the favorite could still emerge victorious. Or, WWE might take us by surprise with an unconventional pick. Frankly, I can’t predict what will happen, and that’s precisely why this Rumble has me more thrilled than I’ve felt in a while!

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2025-01-17 19:38