Anticipation is rising for Saturday’s WWE Royal Rumble Premium Live Event, and it’s become quite evident who the audience prefers to see claim victory on tonight’s SmackDown. So far, eighteen men have been announced for the Royal Rumble, including notable names like Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton, Bron Breaker, and Brock Lesnar.
Several of these wrestlers appeared on Friday’s SmackDown in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where one competitor clearly didn’t receive much support from the local crowd. Cody Rhodes kicked off the show by expressing his eagerness to win the Rumble for a third time, reminding fans that he has already won twice before. However, his promo was met with loud “no” chants and frequent boos from the audience, who seemed more enthusiastic about Randy Orton possibly taking the win, especially after Orton’s interference with Rhodes. Although Orton pointed out that he’s not the only two-time Rumble winner in the match — which received some backlash — it seems Roman Reigns is the favorite among Saudi fans. When CM Punk asked the crowd at the Royal Rumble Kickoff Show who they expected to win, they responded with chants of “OTC,” cheering for Reigns, who hasn’t appeared on WWE television since Survivor Series but is set to compete in the upcoming event.
In addition to the Royal Rumble buzz, Rhodes hinted at a potential WrestleMania 42 match against CM Punk if he wins on Saturday. Rhodes mentioned that throughout his career, he has often chosen unconventional paths, suggesting that challenging Punk— the current World Heavyweight Champion — would make the most sense. Although both Rhodes and Punk returned to WWE after their time in AEW, they haven’t faced each other yet, but their possible rivalry has been hinted at multiple times. Punk even shared a nostalgic Instagram screenshot from a past promo event featuring both of them, sparking excitement among fans.
Fan Take: This buzz surrounding Cody Rhodes, Roman Reigns, and CM Punk highlights the intense fan engagement that keeps WWE storylines compelling. The outcome of the Royal Rumble and the teased Rhodes vs. Punk matchup could significantly shape WWE’s narrative landscape heading into WrestleMania, making it an exciting time for wrestling enthusiasts.
