WWE Royal Rumble 2017: 5 Matches we must see
Although the Royal Rumble match itself is arguably the biggest draw for the show, the annual Royal Rumble PPV in January still needs other high-profile matches to deliver a strong showing. These matches are crucial to the overall reception of the PPV, and it would be a smart decision by WWE to provide fans with a stacked card, in case the Rumble match itself underwhelms, like in previous years.
With the upcoming 2017 Rumble taking place in the Alamodome, which can hold up to 70,000 fans, WWE needs to entice fans with tantalising matches in order to pack the stadium. With the current plethora of talent WWE possesses on both brands, there are a variety of incredibly appealing matches that could be booked for the PPV.
For WWE to deliver one of the best Rumble PPVs in years, in front of 70,000 at the Alamodome, here are 5 Matches We Must See at the Royal Rumble 2017, including dream matches, best friends turned enemies and a debuting star.
#5 Roman Reigns vs. Samoa Joe (United States Championship):
Even though some may criticise Roman Reigns’ in-ring talent, there is no denying he wrestles stellar matches when booked with the right opponent, and Samoa Joe would certainly get the best out of Reigns.
Assuming the Big Dog is still United States Champion by late January, a sure-fire way of creating intrigue for the Rumble would be to announce that Reigns, will be hosting an open challenge at the PPV for his championship. Instead of debuting in the Rumble match, Joe would instead answer Reigns’ challenge, which would guarantee a huge pop.
The two men’s hard-hitting, powerful in-ring styles would culminate in a show-stealing bout, and if Joe were to beat Reigns clean on his main roster debut, it would immediately cement him as a star on the main roster.
Looking at WWE’s previous two Wrestlemanias, Reigns will most likely be positioned back in the main event scene by April, and putting Joe over clean on his debut would be a perfect way for Reigns to finish his United States Championship reign.
Although Joe’s fans may want to see him catapulted into the main event scene of WWE straight away, a clean debut win over the Roman Empire for the United States Title would be an awesome introduction for the Samoan Submission Specialist.