2011 WWE Royal Rumble Matches, Participants & Predictions

Wrestling fans are quite familiar with what Sunday, January 30, 2011 has in store for the WWE Universe. This marks the date of the 2011 WWE Royal Rumble and will feature the biggest Rumble of them all, with a total of 40 participants in the match. The winner of the match gets to headline Wrestlemania 27 by competing for the World Heavyweight or WWE Championship.

Here's some other Rumble articles you may find helpful as we head into Sunday's event:

2011 WWE Royal Rumble Predictions for all Matches - More insight into the scheduled matches for Sunday's Rumble PPV!

How to Watch WWE Royal Rumble - Online Live Feed Info

WWE 2011 Royal Rumble airs Live Sunday Night - Focus on Oklahoma's ties to the Rumble (Jim Ross & Jack Swagger)

Royal Rumble History Lessons - Includes a look at previous winners and some native Virginians who were part of Royal Rumbles in the past.

Now time for the 2011 predictions for this exciting sports entertainment PPV event. Below you will find the Royal Rumble participants (almost all 40 have been revealed), as well as predictions for the winners of the scheduled matches. It's likely that WWE will toss another few bouts onto their card as the Pay-Per-View arrives.

2011 Royal Rumble Participants (alphabetical):

Alberto Del Rio
Big Show
Chris Masters
CM Punk
Daniel Bryan
Darren Young
David Hart Smith
David Otunga
Drew McIntyre
Ezekiel Jackson
Heath Slater
Husky Harris
Jack Swagger
John Cena
John Morrison
JTG
Justin Gabriel
Kane
Kofi Kingston
Mark Henry
Mason Ryan
Michael McGillicutty
Primo
R-Truth
Rey Mysterio
Santino Marella
Sheamus
Ted DiBiase
Tyson Kidd
Vladimir Kozlov
Wade Barrett
William Regal
Yoshi Tatsu
Zack Ryder

Predictions for this match have been wide-range all over the internet, with some speculating a returning Triple H may be the third surprise wrestler to enter and win the Rumble in about 5 years time. However, John Cena, Rey Mysterio, CM Punk and Wade Barrett also present compelling choices, with their storylines or experience factor. Alberto Del Rio seems like a good new pick for this match. His win would put him in the spotlight at Wrestlemania 27, as WWE has seemed to push Del Rio a lot on Raw and Smackdown over the past few months.

Predicted Winner: Alberto Del Rio; 3 Potentials: John Cena, Triple H, CM Punk; Darkhorse: John Morrison

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Team LayCool vs Natalya
WWE Divas Championship
2-on-1 Handicap Match

With this being a 2-on-1 handicap match, the odds are surely stacked against Natalya. Unless Beth Phoenix or another diva saves the day, it's likely that Layla and Michelle will find a way to cheat and reclaim their divas gold. Michelle is more likely to score the pin and then the two divas will start a new program after the next Pay-Per-View with Beth Phoenix to bring us to Wrestlemania 27. How about a Fatal Fourway at WM27, with Beth vs Natalya vs LayCool and the championship on the line? Sounds like an entertaining match.

Predicted Winner: Team LayCool wins the Divas Championship.

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Randy Orton vs. The Miz
WWE Championship Match

There's been some great buildup for this match, making it seem like "The Viper" is going to strike and get his revenge, hitting the RKO on Miz. He hasn't done it on any of the TV shows, and if he does, it could mean a championship win. However, those promos between John Cena and The Miz on Raw seem to indicate Miz is going to find a way to retain the championship and defend it against Cena at Wrestlemania 27. Orton may get his RKO either close to the ropes or on the outside of the ring, making it less effective for a victory.

Predicted Winner: The Miz retains the WWE Championship.

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Dolph Ziggler vs. Edge
World Championship Match

In this match, Edge's "Spear" finisher has been banned by Vickie Guerrero. However, it seems more than likely that Edge will rename his move "The Spear 2" or something clever to still get away with using it, finding a smart loophole. Edge has been a major attraction for fans at Wrestlemanias over the past years, and with rumors he will look to retire in the possible near future, expect him to headline WM27 as the champion, possibly bowing out to Alberto Del Rio there.

Predicted Winner: Edge retains the World Heavyweight Championship.

Results coverage will be posted here at WWE Characters the Blog starting after 8PM EST Sunday night, with full results posted just around 11PM EST. Enjoy!