Rumor: Daniel Bryan’s Status, Men’s & Women’s Royal Rumble Winners

While in recent days, Daniel Bryan’s name has been among those listed in the betting favorites to win this Sunday’s Royal Rumble match, Bryan still has not been medically cleared to wrestle again and his status is not expected to change any time soon, according to this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Speculation on Bryan’s involvement in the match has grown since his name started to appear on betting lists as a favored winner. While it is possible he could enter the match, the Observer’s Dave Meltzer stated that the chances of him actually winning are slim to none. Meltzer also stated Bryan winning would defeat the purpose of WWE’s usual long term plans for Royal Rumble winners.

In regards to the men’s Royal Rumble match, WWE is currently rumored to be leaning on either Roman Reigns or someone from SmackDown like Shinsuke Nakamura as the potential winner. If WWE goes forward with the idea of Reigns winning this year’s Elimination Chamber match, that will leave the door open for this year’s Rumble winner to be from the SmackDown brand. It would also make it the second year in a row the winner was from SmackDown with Randy Orton winning last year’s Royal Rumble match.

In regards to the women’s Royal Rumble match, WWE is currently rumored to be leaning towards either Asuka or Nia Jax as the potential winner. Meltzer reported that WWE is still keeping Ronda Rousey’s official status for the match a big secret internally while Rousey herself stated in a recent interview with TMZ she will not be appearing at this Sunday’s event.