With the Royal Rumble event just 12 days away, the WWE has only revealed six of the 30 entrants for the over-the-top-rope Royal Rumble Match, but 24 others will join the fray eventually.
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Following Monday Night RAW, the field currently consists of Roman Reigns, Daniel Bryan, Rusev, Bray Wyatt, Dean Ambrose and Bad News Barrett.
With less than two weeks until the most exciting match of 2015, Sports World News will count down the chances each of the six men have of winning the bout and going on to face the WWE World Heavyweight Champion in the main event of WrestleMania 31.
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Our countdown will start with the least likely person and continue on to the Superstar with the greatest chances of survival against 29 other men at the Royal Rumble on Jan. 25 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
6) Bad News Barrett: Out of all the guys announced thus far, Bad News Barrett appears to be the least likely to win the match. It's not that he isn't talented, but he just returned from yet another injury and is the reigning Intercontinental Champion, making it appear doubtful that he'll be the last man standing on Jan. 25. Barrett has also shown a knack of being injury prone, so it's doubtful the WWE will put the pressure of headlining the biggest show of 2015 on his shoulders.
5) Dean Ambrose: "The Lunatic Fringe" has lost a lot of momentum over the last couple of months, putting his odds of winning the 30-man match in question. Ambrose not only lost his Hell in a Cell match to Seth Rollins in October, but he has been on the losing end far more times than the winning side during his current feud with Bray Wyatt. It's uncertain what the WWE has planned for Ambrose as he's still booked as a top babyface, but never seems to win big matches as of late. This is one of the biggest bouts of the year, so it's doubtful he'll escape Philadelphia as the No. 1 contender for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.
4) Bray Wyatt: The WWE is looking to once again push the "Eater of Worlds," and that is why he's looked so dominant in his feud with Ambrose. The rumors now call for Wyatt to take on The Undertaker at WrestleMania 31 if the "Deadman" is up to returning after losing The Streak and getting injured at the hands of Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania XXX. The WWE wants Wyatt to look strong for that bout and it is possible that he could win the Rumble Match then somehow lose his title shot, but that seems an unlikely route for the WWE to go. The WWE will make Wyatt look like as much of a threat as possible in the Rumble Match and he may even make it to the Final Four, but he will not ultimately go on to face the champion at WrestleMania 31 unless the WWE gives up on 'Taker and decides to put Wyatt in the title picture.
3) Rusev: The reigning United States Champion is almost certain to make a big impact in the Rumble Match, but will the mighty Russian escape with a win? It's highly plausible that the WWE continues Rusev's monster push, but they have an out in this match as he doesn't have to be pinned or made to submit, so his unbeaten record would stay intact if he lost. There are rumors that Rusev will battle John Cena at WrestleMania 31 and it is plausible the WWE could go the route of having Rusev win the 30-man match and Cena defeat Seth Rollins and Brock Lesnar in the Triple Threat title match to make that happen, but it's uncertain if they'd be willing to flip the script that much. While Rusev will make a huge splash in the Rumble Match, he'll ultimately fall short and continue to stay unbeaten en route to his rumored clash with Cena.
2) Daniel Bryan: Bryan has one of the best chances of winning the Rumble Match, but WWE management may not be on his side. Last year, a groundswell of support caused the WWE to change its plans for WrestleMania XXX and crown Bryan as the champion. Bryan then was forced to undergo neck surgery and subsequently lost feeling in his right arm following the procedure, causing the WWE to strip him of the gold. Since Bryan never lost the belt and the WWE Universe is huge on him, it is possible the WWE will have him win the 30-man match. There are reports that some backstage feel as though Bryan is not a main event caliber talent, so it's possible he will be stifled at the Royal Rumble. Bryan's return could once again change the plans of the WWE, but it remains to be seen.
1) Roman Reigns: It seems to be almost a lock that Reigns will win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship from Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 31 after winning the Royal Rumble Match. It has been reported since the split of The Shield last June that Reigns is being groomed to become the next WWE World Heavyweight Champion and No. 1 guy. The WWE is high on Reigns despite his lagging skills on the microphone and have done all they can to put him over. The former Shield member has even taken acting lessons to improve his mic skills while Vince McMahon has personally written his promos (not that they've been great). While last year was an example of the WWE changing its plans for the "Show of Shows" on the fly, the company will likely stick with its plans this year due to how high the brass is on Reigns. Despite a two-month injury stunting his growth from September-December, it appears the WWE is way too high on Reigns to think about anyone else winning the Rumble Match.
The 28th annual WWE Royal Rumble takes place live from the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on Jan. 25.
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