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WWE Royal Rumble 2018: 5 signs a SmackDown superstar will win

By David Austin Bumpus

NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 23: Randy Orton enters the ring at the WWE SummerSlam 2015 at Barclays Center of Brooklyn on August 23, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by JP Yim/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 23: Randy Orton enters the ring at the WWE SummerSlam 2015 at Barclays Center of Brooklyn on August 23, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by JP Yim/Getty Images) /
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DUESSELDORF, GERMANY – FEBRUARY 22: Braun Strowman arrives during to the WWE Live Duesseldorf event at ISS Dome on February 22, 2017 in Duesseldorf, Germany. (Photo by Lukas Schulze/Bongarts/Getty Images)
DUESSELDORF, GERMANY – FEBRUARY 22: Braun Strowman arrives during to the WWE Live Duesseldorf event at ISS Dome on February 22, 2017 in Duesseldorf, Germany. (Photo by Lukas Schulze/Bongarts/Getty Images) /

4. Braun Strowman is in the Universal title match

This one seems silly, but it’ll make complete sense when you hear me out: Braun Strowman being in the Universal Title match with Brock Lesnar and Kane is a huge sign toward a SmackDown win in the Royal Rumble match.

On RAW, it seems as if there are only two real chances for them to win the match, barring any shocking returns. Roman Reigns has seemingly been in line for a WrestleMania title match forever, and Strowman has been on a reign of terror on Monday nights over the last few months. Outside of them, not much else is going on as far as true stars on the brand (no offense, Finn Balor).

With Strowman pre-occupied with the Universal Title match, he likely won’t be competing in the Royal Rumble itself. It’s not completely impossible for him to not be competing, but after a match with two other monsters, destruction will probably take a toll on everyone involved. I see something big happening to take Strowman out of the fray for the night, with Kane taking the pin to rule out both from the Rumble itself.

After all of this, the plan becomes clear. Strowman doesn’t take the pin to look weak against Lesnar, and he doesn’t have to enter the Royal Rumble to get eliminated and look even worse in that setting. After that, Reigns won’t be winning the Rumble (as I’ll get into later), and RAW seems to be left in the dust.

Meanwhile, guys like Randy Orton, Shinsuke Nakamura and John Cena can fill in the void left by Strowman, and SmackDown‘s hopes for the spotlight increase even more.