12 Potential Royal Rumble 2022 Winners

The Royal Rumble is one of the biggest and most anticipated WWE pay-per-views of the year. Since 2018, thirty men and women have battled it out in the squared circle with the aim of surpassing 29 other competitors to earn a championship match in (ideally) the main event of WrestleMania. The Royal Rumble is always full of surprises, and its unpredictability makes it special and different from any other PPV in WWE.RELATED: 10 Early Predictions For WWE WrestleMania 38Whether it's the surprise return of a former star or an unexpected Royal Rumble win, the show is always memorable and it unites wrestling fans from all over the globe. The event also kicks off the road to the Grandest Stage of Them All, and it gives us an idea of who the next world champion might be. The current WWE roster boasts a lot of talented wrestlers, and each one of them has the potential to accomplish this incredible feat. Here's an early look at which male and female superstars could emerge victorious in their respective Rumble matches.Updated on December 23, 2021, by Andrew Kelly: It’s crazy how the landscape of WWE can change in just a few months but seeing how the field of potential Royal Rumble winners has changed from just October to December is striking at how much releases and booking have affected WWE. In October, there were several names such as former NXT Champions Keith Lee and Karrion Kross, who could have conceivably been built up and groomed for a potential Rumble victory, but just two short months later, they aren’t even in the company.The field is wide open when it comes to the Rumble matches, with no clear favorites in sight thus far, with WWE’s newly introduced Day 1 PPV being added to the calendar, which could shake things up hugely on the way to the Royal Rumble. Anyone from every World Title match up and down the card could be a potential winner, so it is a hugely intriguing show with Rumble and Wrestlemania ramifications.

12 * Big E

It is true that Big E is the current WWE Champion, but that could change at Day 1, or anytime before the Rumble. Having a face winner of the big match chasing the championship that was either theirs previously or they’d never won before, is always a thrilling ride for a babyface challenger.

If he drops the belt to either Bobby Lashley or Seth Rollins, WWE could set up an entertaining arc that sees Big E trying to prove himself good to enough win the belt outside of a Money in the Bank cash-in, and that his win wasn’t just luck.

11 * Liv Morgan

Over the last couple of months, Liv Morgan has developed into a popular babyface, challenging Becky Lynch for the Raw Women’s Championship, and even main eventing Raw. She has done well under the spotlight, and another setback against Lynch could see her find another way back to the title, through the Rumble.

There are plenty of big names on the roster who could be more likely winners, but this could make Morgan a star, like how it boosted Bianca Belair the year previous. Instead of choosing a dependable name, picking Morgan would elevate a new name into the history books.

10 * Sami Zayn

After shockingly becoming number one contender to Reigns’ Universal Championship, only to be ambushed by Brock Lesnar and beaten in seconds in his title match, Zayn could be an interesting pick for the Rumble, and could even set up the main event babyface turn that many clamored for after his debut and NXT run.

Whether it be against Lesnar or Reigns, Zayn has issues with both, and whilst he isn’t too convincing as a heel challenger, turning face could be the best way to turn him into a main event talent.

9 * Bianca Belair

Belair won the 2021 Royal Rumble, and although having repeat winners isn’t always the most popular choice, it may be something that Belair needs to salvage her main event status. She was on top of the world as Smackdown Women’s Champion, until Becky Lynch returned to squash her in less than a minute, which was a terrible choice.

Winning the Rumble and avenging her loss against Lynch would be a good story, one which pleases fans and puts that bad booking in the rear-view mirror, or she could even face Charlotte Flair in a huge match.

8 Bobby Lashley

'The Almighty' Bobby Lashley has had an impressive run in WWE since the start of the Pandemic Era. Not only did he win the WWE Championship earlier this year, but he also successfully defended it at WrestleMania 37 against Drew McIntyre. He lost the title to Big E as a result of the latter cashing in his Money in the Bank contract to capture the gold. Lashley is a major star, and he has the credibility to win the Royal Rumble match. He could end up challenging Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship at 'Mania, provided that Roman will still be the champion when that time comes.

*Lashley has been presented as a force to be reckoned with on Raw, and even if he doesn’t pick up the WWE Title at Day 1, he is still a very serious contender when it comes to Wrestlemania.

7 Alexa Bliss

Alexa Bliss is one of the most successful female wrestlers in WWE history. She's the first woman to win both the Raw and SmackDown Women's Championships. She has also held the WWE Women's Tag Team Title as well as the women's Money in the Bank contract, but she has never won a Rumble match. 2022 could end up being her year. The Goddess is currently on a hiatus from WWE, and it's possible that she could return with a new gimmick. It'd be best if she dropped the voodoo BS and reverted to her old character.

*Bliss has remained absent from TV, and a big return for the Rumble could be what WWE is waiting for, with a different gimmick and big win being what she needs to restart her career.

6 Brock Lesnar

Brock Lesnar knows what it's like to win a Royal Rumble match, as he came out victorious in his first attempt back in 2003. Last year, The Beast Incarnate made history by becoming the first person to compete in the Rumble as the reigning WWE Champion. He was eliminated by Drew McIntyre, who then outlasted 28 other stars to win the bout then defeat Lesnar in the main event of WrestleMania 36 to win the title. The Conquerer was unable to defeat Roman Reigns at Crown Jewel, so he could get another shot at the Head of the Table by winning next year's Rumble match.

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*Lesnar is set to face Reigns at Day 1, with signs pointing towards Paul Heyman having involvement in the finish again. If Reigns and Heyman are setting up a huge swerve, then Lesnar winning the Rumble to get his revenge seems like a likely option for WWE.

5 Rhea Ripley

Rhea Ripley has had a great run so far on the main roster, and things could only get better for her. She's currently part of a tag team with Nikki A.S.H, and they're the reigning WWE Women's Tag Team Champions. Ripley, however, is better off on her own and she has "star" written all over her. It'd be awesome if she won the Rumble and faced either show's champion. Regardless of who she would go up against, they'd put on a banger.

* After her Raw Women’s Title reign, Ripley has found herself wandering aimlessly around the card, and if WWE doesn’t change things around soon, she won’t be a viable or realistic choice for the Rumble.

4 AJ Styles

AJ Styles has accomplished a lot throughout his career in WWE. He's a Grand Slam Champion, has battled many top stars such as John Cena, The Undertaker, Brock Lesnar and Chris Jericho. One thing he has never done though, is win the Royal Rumble match. He made his official WWE debut at the 2016 event as a fan favorite and is currently in a tag team with Omos on Monday Night Raw. Styles is one of the best wrestlers in the entire industry right now, and he knows how to put on a good bout. Adding a Royal Rumble win to his long list of accolades would be a big accomplishment for him.

* Styles looks to be in a position to feud with Omos, likely to put the younger man over. Styles’ spot in the main event scene could be finished, so he seems less likely of an option as time goes on.

3 Bayley

Bayley is currently out of action due to injury, and fans are early awaiting her return to WWE. It'd be absolutely perfect if she made a comeback at Royal Rumble and won the entire match. The crowd will go crazy for her and she'll have the opportunity to challenge for the title that she couldn't challenge for due to her injury. Bayley is the first-ever women's Grand Slam Champion, and the only thing she hasn't done is win a Royal Rumble match. She has held every title in the company as well as the Money in the Bank contract and a Slammy Award. This could be her opportunity to add one more W to her long list of accomplishments.

* Bayley has yet to return to WWE, so a grand return could create a timeless moment, and facing either Becky Lynch or Charlotte Flair would be a big match between top names.

2 Shayna Baszler

The Queen of Spades is capable of hurting anyone who crosses her path, as we have seen with Nia Jax and Eva Marie. She single-handedly eliminated every participant in the women's Elimination Chamber match last year, and she could do the same in the Royal Rumble match. If she draws #20, she could easily take on everyone else. Whoever the champion will be come WrestleMania, Shayna Baszler won't have mercy on any of them. She could be the future Raw or SmackDown Women's Champion.

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* For a short time after her split with Nia Jax, Baszler looked as though she was being booked as a monster heel, but it is now clear that she is nothing more than a lackey for Sonya Deville. She seems very unlikely at this stage to be the victor.

1 Sasha Banks

'The Boss' Sasha Banks is another female WWE Superstar who has done it all. Well, almost. While she did main event WrestleMania, and has held multiple titles, she's missing one big win, which is the Royal Rumble match. She's had fantastic matches with stars such as Bayley and Becky Lynch, and she's one of the faces of the company. Sasha Banks was unable to recapture the SmackDown Women's Title at WWE Crown Jewel, so she could get another opportunity by winning the 30-woman match. She could even end up headlining WrestleMania once again.

* Sasha Banks is currently spending time outside the title scene, and without the Rumble on her resume, she looks to still be a strong favourite.