The WWE made a historic announcement on RAW, but it may do more harm for the long-term storytelling than good.
Vince McMahon revealed at the end of the show that the 30-man Rumble Match will be for Roman Reigns' WWE World Heavyweight Championship, rather than the usual stipulation of the winner going on to face the title-holder at WrestleMania 32.
Possible Surprise Entrants For 30-Man Royal Rumble Match
This is just the second time in Rumble Match history that the richest prize in the game will be up for grabs. The first time came in 1992, when Ric Flair won the vacant belt.
Though the announcement added some intrigue to the bout initially, it also ruined the match's tradition of setting up the biggest match of the year. The WWE has done a great job of turning Reigns' mega push into something the fans can enjoy, mostly by implementing McMahon into the storylines, but now they might be taking his mega push too far.
Bold Predictions For WWE In 2016
Reigns now seems poised to yet again overcome the odds to win the 30-man match for the second year in a row. He was met with boos when he won the Rumble Match in Philadelphia last time around, and the Orlando, Fla. crowd may meet him with the same disdain come Jan. 24.
Judging by the field announced for the match so far, Reigns seems destined to escape the predicament with the gold intact. As of Tuesday, The Big Show, Curtis Axel, Ryback, The Wyatt Family and Chris Jericho have been announced for the bout, not exactly Superstars who seem poised to win the WWE's biggest title.
With the WWE World Heavyweight Championship tied up in the Rumble Match itself, it also hampers the undercard for the event as well. Given that Reigns has just won the belt, it's unlikely he'll drop it so quickly with WrestleMania season on the horizon.
There are 20 more spots open, and the likes of John Cena and Brock Lesnar could add some intrigue, but right now the big announcement appears to be a huge booking mistake, compromising the fun of the Rumble by making it all about one man as opposed to 30.
The WWE is bucking tradition, and despite the high stakes of the gold being on the line, the 2016 Royal Rumble might not live up to the lofty expectations the event has created with its past success.
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