WWE Royal Rumble preview & predictions: Will John Cena win his last Rumble?

Image: WWE

The following is an opinion-based preview that reflects the view of the author and not the website.

The 2025 edition of the WWE Royal Rumble takes place this Saturday from Indianapolis and should be a fun show. 

Most years, the Rumble matches themselves are not difficult to predict. However, that’s not the case this year as there are numerous routes WWE could go with the men’s and women’s matches. 

There are just two non-Rumble matches on the card this year. Kevin Owens vs. Cody Rhodes for the undisputed WWE title will be a great match, albeit one where the winner is not in doubt. Then, there will be a best two out of three falls match between #DIY and the Motor City Machine Guns, a dream match I’m sure Triple H wished had happened on an NXT TakeOver show at some point. 

Below are predictions, betting odds, and previews for each match for Saturday’s Royal Rumble (6 PM Eastern start time on Peacock domestically/Netflix internationally):

Men’s Royal Rumble match

According to Las Vegas, John Cena is a -110 favorite to win the match. This is likely due to rumors that WWE wants Cena vs. Rhodes at WrestleMania this year with the story that Cena would have the chance to win his 17th World title. In storyline, he’d break Ric Flair’s record. (In reality, who knows how many times Flair won and lost the World title?) Regardless, that’s the story. WWE doesn’t need Cena to win the Rumble to get that match, though. There’s always the Elimination Chamber in Toronto as well. 

According to the betting odds, the next favorite is Seth Rollins at +175. Rollins and Gunther had a promo segment together on Monday, so perhaps Rollins vs. Gunther is the plan for Mania. If so, Rollins winning is possible, but I don’t see it happening. 

The third favorite at +210 is CM Punk. I don’t know about that as Punk’s already got his “path to WrestleMania.” We know Paul Heyman owes him a favor which could also have something to do with Mania. Punk winning the Rumble to get what he wants at this stage feels unnecessary. 

Roman Reigns is a +300 favorite. I’m a little surprised Roman isn’t a bigger favorite, but perhaps the thinking is that Reigns vs. Punk is the plan for Mania and the story doesn’t need the Rumble to get there. 

There’s a significant drop off in the odds from all of those guys to the fifth favorite: The Rock. His odds are listed as +1200. He doesn’t need a Rumble win to have a big match at Mania, and I’m not even sure he’ll be in the match to begin with.

Jey Uso is listed as a +2500 favorite. Under no circumstances do I think betting on wrestling is a good idea, but if I did, I might consider putting a little money on Uso here. All that’s left to make him a perennial main eventer and World champion is simply putting him in that role. The guy seems pretty freakin’ popular as he is someone the fans have watched put in the work, grind, and develop into one of the most popular wrestlers in the world today. 

Similar to Sami Zayn vs. Drew McIntyre, there is a story with Uso and Gunther where Uso can’t seem to get a win over the reigning World Heavyweight Champion. Albeit, that is also the case with Gunther and most other opponents. With their last match at Saturday Night’s Main Event, Gunther is 3-0 against Uso right now. I can see Uso winning the Rumble, challenging Gunther, and then finding that fighting spirit deep within himself to overcome an obstacle that had previously bested him. And it would undoubtedly make Rikishi happy. 

As for my prediction, the smart money says John Cena, but my gut says Jey Uso. 

Prediction: Jey Uso

Women’s Royal Rumble match

Charlotte Flair is the betting favorite to win at -200 odds. I believe she will do just that and start a dominant heel run as WWE Women’s Champion on SmackDown.

I’m surprised that Triple H has yet to book a Four Horsemen-style heel group led by Flair in the women’s division, and I wonder if this is the start of him doing that. One thing I know about his booking is that he loves a good heel stable protecting a World champion. Look at the Undisputed Era in NXT, Imperium in NXT UK, The Bloodline, Judgment Day, Damage CTRL, not to mention his own role in Evolution. It’s his grilled cheese sandwich of creative comfort. His biggest influence in wrestling is the heyday of the Horsemen, and now he’s got Ric Flair’s daughter to play with. There are other daughters of the Four Horsemen out there WWE could bring in for this, but despite being a tremendous wrestler, Tessa Blanchard comes with a lot of baggage.

The next highest favorite is Bianca Belair at +180. The plan is likely for Belair vs. Jade Cargill at WrestleMania, so I don’t know how her winning the Rumble would lead to that. 

IYO SKY is listed at +325, but I don’t see what Mania match that would build to. Triple H always books her strong, though. 

Becky Lynch is listed at +500 and I’m a little surprised her odds aren’t better. But with two babyface champions right now, there might not be a story for Becky with either of them. I expect her to return in the Rumble, but I don’t know if she will win. 

Alexa Bliss is listed as a +1000 favorite. Oddly enough, all the reports about WWE and Bliss being in a contract dispute lead me to believe she’s returning Saturday. Leaking red herring reports seem to be a tactic of this WWE regime unless you believe the deal for CM Punk’s 2023 return at Survivor Series did all come together at the last minute. 

Other possible returns include Asuka, Jordynne Grace, Nikki Bella, Lynch (as mentioned above), and possibly Trish Stratus or Lita. 

Prediction: Charlotte Flair

WWE Tag Team Champions #DIY defend against the Motor City Machine Guns

I’m surprised we are getting this match on the PLE rather than a SmackDown, but I’ll take it. #DIY are listed as -500 favorites which is high to me. I think the idea is that with MCMG having just lost the titles to #DIY, it seems early to regain them. Triple H might want this rivalry to go on longer, perhaps forever, so I don’t see it as out of the question that MCMG get the titles back and they keep trading them back and forth.

No matter who wins, this should be a fun match. #DIY retaining seems more likely, though.

Prediction: #DIY retains

Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes defends against Kevin Owens in a ladder match

Rhodes is listed as a -4000 favorite and barring an injury or accidental belt grabbing, that is what will happen. 

I think Rhodes, Owens, and WWE’s creative team deserve a lot of credit for just how entertaining this story has been even though no one believes Owens has a realistic chance of winning the title. Owens’ heel turn throughout this angle has been brilliant and similar to Drew McIntyre, his path to the dark side began with people forgiving Roman Reigns. How the storylines have all connected to that in recent years has been fun to watch play out. 

Rhodes will win. We all know that, but it’ll still be fun to watch.

Prediction: Cody Rhodes retains