Backstage News On Vince McMahon Handling Creative At WWE Royal Rumble
A new report from PWInsider indicates that extremely thorough examinations and meticulous changes are being done by Vince McMahon as the hours to WWE Royal Rumble tread closer.
It was noted that aspects like who will be coming out first in each of the Rumble matches, both the men's and women's, are being considered over again. The same is being done for who will be the final remaining participants in each match.
Though last year's plans for the Rumble matches were locked in days in advance, this has been a longer, more complicated creative process. McMahon is said to still be settling on the creative direction he wants.
There have apparently been talks of adding talent from other matches on the card to the Men's Rumble, though, that idea is still going back and forth. One idea pitched is for Brock to somehow end up in the men's Royal Rumble, something WWE's MVP actually predicted could happen during a recent interview.
There was also a big push this week for Randy Orton to go far in the match because his hometown, St. Louis, is the sight of this year's Rumble. Another pitch included Riddle and Orton going far together, teasing what could happen if they were the final two.
The finish to the Women's Royal Rumble is also still under consideration, as they did another run-through earlier today after their rehearsal last night.
It was noted that every decision at this point, as always, depends on the whims of Vince McMahon, and Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns has been teased as where the WrestleMania main event is headed for months now.
You can see the current card for tonight's show below:
30-MAN ROYAL RUMBLE MATCH
Johnny Knoxville, Austin Theory, Rey Mysterio, Dominik Mysterio, Montez Ford, Angelo Dawkins, Sheamus, WWE United States Champion Damian Priest, AJ Styles, Big E, Kofi Kingston, Sami Zayn, Madcap Moss, Happy Baron Corbin, Kevin Owens, Omos, Dolph Ziggler, Robert Roode, Randy Orton, Riddle, RAW Tag Team Champion Otis, RAW Tag Team Champion Chad Gable, Ricochet, Rick Boogs, WWE Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura, 5 Superstars TBA
30-WOMAN ROYAL RUMBLE MATCH
SmackDown Women's Champion Charlotte Flair, Rhea Ripley, Nikki A.S.H., WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Bella, WWE Hall of Famer Brie Bella, Shotzi, Natalya, Michelle McCool, WWE 24/7 Champion Dana Brooke, WWE Women's Tag Team Champion Carmella, WWE Women's Tag Team Champion Queen Zelina Vega, Impact Knockouts Champion Mickie James, Tamina Snuka, Kelly Kelly, Aliyah, Summer Rae, Naomi, Shayna Baszler, WWE Hall of Famer Lita, Liv Morgan, Bianca Belair, Sasha Banks, Sonya Deville, 7 participants TBA
WWE TITLE MATCH
Bobby Lashley vs. Brock Lesnar (c)
WWE UNIVERSAL TITLE MATCH
Seth Rollins vs. Roman Reigns (c)SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos are banned from ringside.
RAW WOMEN'S TITLE MATCH
Doudrop vs. Becky Lynch (c)
MIXED TAG TEAM MATCH
WWE Hall of Famers Edge and Beth Phoenix vs. The Miz and Maryse