2009 Royal Rumble Favorites?

While not all names have been released yet for the 2009 Royal Rumble, let's examine some of the scenarios and possibilites as the big event approaches. It'll be 30 men competing, each drawn randomly and entering at intervals until the 30th man has entered. The final man in the ring after all others have been tossed over the top rope is the winner. That man moves on for a title shot, most likely at Wrestlemania against the title holder of their respective brand. It's unknown yet if that will continue this year, or the winner gets a free choice of which title to fight for at Wrestlemania.

The match itself is comprised of superstars from Raw, Smackdown and ECW brands. While the ECW has been a part of the match since just 2007, the brand has yet to produce any winners or even finalists. Will that trend change in 2009? No names have been released from ECW, but most likely stars such as DJ Gabriel, Ricky Ortiz, Finlay, The Miz and John Morrison find their way into the match. Depending on what happens in the Jack Swagger vs. Matt Hardy ECW title match this coming Tuesday, expect the loser of that match to be in the Rumble as well.

We already know that familiar names such as Triple H, Rey Mysterio, Undertaker, and Big Show will all be a part of the Rumble. None of these superstars seems likely to win the event, as HHH, Mysterio and Undertaker have all been past winners. Of them, Undertaker might be a favorite still, but possibly he's moving to a new feud with Umaga on Smackdown (the two haven't feuded yet). Currently HHH, Rey & Big Show's storylines seem to favor mid-card matches, such as Rey vs. Knox, Big Show vs. Edge, and Kozlov vs. Triple H. Possibly Edge interferes to cost Big Show his spot after Big Show abandoned Edge on Smackdown a week ago. So we may see those feuds continue in the Rumble and lead to some of the eliminations. Randy Orton, Chris Jericho, Kofi Kingston and Shelton Benjamin have also been named, but none seem likely as headlining a Wrestlemania title match at this point. Shelton is currently US Champion, and usually current title holders don't win. No disrespect to Jericho but 2008 was his year and now he will be giving way to another star. Orton seems to be involved in more of a tag team feud, and might be headed towards another tag team title reign with Cody Rhodes.

Last year's Rumble saw a big surprise finish, as the #30 entrant was John Cena, someone the fans thought was out of action. There's a rumor floating around as well that we see another surprise entry this year, and that it will come from the returning superstar, Christian Cage. Cage has left TNA Wrestling behind and will be making his way back to WWE. The consensus rumor seems to point towards Christian coming to Smackdown where he will be eventually facing Jeff Hardy for the WWE Title. That match may even come at Wrestlemania 25, which would give strong possibility to these rumors becoming true.

A Batista return would be a major surprise, but not far-fetched either. They made sure to let fans know his injury came at his Pay-Per-View match against John Cena. The same match in which Cena sustained a neck injury that sidelined him. It's almost as if they're creating a leadup to another match, highlighting the return of an injured Batista. A Batista Royal Rumble return and victory may seem unlikely, but again never rule anything out with WWE.

And what about Shawn Michaels? Should the JBL vs. Cena title match occur before the Rumble, and in the very slight chance JBL becomes new heel champion, wouldn't a Shawn Michaels win seem more likely at the Rumble? JBL claimed that Michaels would not be in the Rumble, but nothing's ever set in stone. JBL has basically been ordering Michaels to do his bidding, and keeping Michaels out of the title picture. But we all heard Michaels say he's a Wrestlemania headliner, and what better time than that to extract revenge on his boss, JBL?

Feel free to share your own thoughts on who may win the 2009 Royal Rumble below!