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| Photo credits: WWE.com |
The Royal Rumble event is drawing near, and it heralds one of the most exhilarating matches of the wrestling calendar—the Royal Rumble itself. It's not just the event's proximity to WrestleMania that makes it thrilling; it's the anticipation built around the 10-second countdown and the electrifying surprise of each successive wrestler's entry into the match.
However, the thrill of these surprises has waned over the years due to WWE's practice of pre-announcing wrestlers participating in the Royal Rumble. Often, a significant portion—up to 25 out of 30 participants—are known well in advance.
One might argue that this approach guarantees at least a handful of surprises during the match. Yet, the reality often falls short, and it undercuts the excitement. What I advocate for—and I suspect many fans share this sentiment—is to return to the roots of the Royal Rumble, where every entrant is a genuine surprise.
Imagine the same level of excitement when a regular wrestler, a wrestling legend, a recent free agent signing, or someone returning from an injury appears—each entrance a revelation. WWE could achieve this by refraining from having wrestlers declare their intentions to participate in the Royal Rumble.
Practically speaking, WWE doesn't require wrestlers to declare their entry. Fans already assume that any superstar not involved in a major match will likely be in the Royal Rumble. Hence, pre-announcing participants doesn't significantly boost promotional efforts since the match itself is the main attraction, irrespective of who participates.
I acknowledge that there are narrative reasons for certain wrestlers to declare their intentions, especially top-tier stars like Cody Rhodes or CM Punk. In these cases, it makes sense for the storyline. However, the need to reveal participants like Bobby Lashley beforehand might not be justified by the tradeoff—losing the genuine surprise factor of the match.
Maintaining secrecy regarding participants until the event would undoubtedly elevate the excitement and suspense surrounding the Royal Rumble. I firmly believe this sentiment resonates with a significant portion of the WWE fanbase.
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