Ranking the 10 Most Likely Men’s and Women’s WWE Royal Rumble 2023 Winners

Ranking the 10 Most Likely Men’s and Women’s WWE Royal Rumble 2023 Winners

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Rhea Ripley is a favorite for the women’s Rumble, coming off as more dangerous than just about any other female star in WWE right now.Credit: WWE.com

The 2023 Royal Rumble will be an important moment for WWE as the first step on The Road to WrestleMania 39.

This is a time when new stars can emerge and begin a journey toward gold or veterans can get a big break when it matters most.

This year, the field for the men’s and women’s matches is wide open. While there are some obvious standouts, with Rhea Ripley and Cody Rhodes making their intentions known for the Rumble, no one is a certainty.

Roman Reigns will likely remain world champion until WrestleMania 39, while Bianca Belair and Charlotte Flair will likely also hold on to the women’s titles until then. This sets up for many exciting matches for The Show of Shows on April 1-2 and beyond.

Here are the top 10 likeliest winners of the men’s and women’s Royal Rumble matches.

Women’s 10-6: Naomi to Shayna Baszler

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10. Naomi

While everyone has been talking about Sasha Banks’ move to New Japan Pro-Wrestling as Mercedes Moné, her former tag team partner, Naomi, remains a question mark. She is a two-time SmackDown women’s champion who could make an immediate impact upon return.

9. Liv Morgan

It feels like such a long time ago that Liv Morgan was SmackDown women’s champion, but it was just three months ago. The fan favorite needs a reset, and she’s got the credibility to pull off a major upset in the women’s Rumble match.

8. Alexa Bliss

The Goddess will face Bianca Belair at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view for the Raw Women’s Championship, but she is still conflicted. She may need a bit longer to truly defeat The EST of WWE, making her a possible candidate to win the women’s Rumble match.

7. Lacey Evans

While there are some clear stories to tell with Charlotte Flair as SmackDown women’s champion, there is a tale left to be told between The Queen and Lacey Evans. The Sassy Southern Belle may not be ready, but it’s an easy story to tell given their history.

6. Shayna Baszler

The Queen of Spades has been stuck behind Ronda Rousey over the past few months, but The Baddest Woman on the Planet looks to be on hiatus. This is a perfect time to push one of best women’s wrestlers in WWE to get revenge for her friend.

Men’s 10-6: Austin Theory to Bobby Lashley

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10. Austin Theory

WWE has done some great work rebuilding Austin Theory in recent months, including his recent United States Championship victory. He has a much clearer road to a world title now than before, but it’s probably not quite time for him just yet.

9. Gunther

The Ring General may be the scariest big man in wrestling right now. He hasn’t lost a singles match on television since his main roster debut in April 2022, defeating everyone in his way. He may be too important as intercontinental champion to go bigger just yet.

8. Finn Bálor

The Judgment Day are finding their stride as a unit and challenged The Usos recently on Raw. That could be the foundation of a feud between the group and The Bloodline, with Finn Bálor challenging a familiar rival in a new way.

7. Drew McIntyre

The Scottish Warrior was one of Reigns’ best opponents in 2022, and he seemed ready to dethrone The Head of the Table. He would be a believable challenger for Reigns, even if he seems more focused on tagging with Sheamus at the moment.

6. Bobby Lashley

Lashley vs. Reigns is a great match WWE has relied upon before, and fans are ready for it again. However, the timing may not be quite right for WrestleMania 39 as The All Mighty is still working on the reformation of The Hurt Business and is not finished with Brock Lesnar.

Women’s No. 5: Asuka

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Asuka is one of WWE’s best performers and can be relied upon at any time. She has history with Charlotte Flair that could be explored once more, but the bigger contest at this moment would be against Bianca Belair.

The EST of WWE needs a challenger who can match up to what she has done the last two years at WrestleMania. She has had back-to-back classics with Sasha Banks and Becky Lynch.

The Empress of Tomorrow is a rare talent who can keep that high standard. With the right story, Belair and Asuka would steal the show.

Asuka has been left behind as Alexa Bliss continues her heel evolution. She needs a fresh start that helps the 2018 women’s Rumble winner regain the spotlight.

She is at best a dark-horse candidate, but that doesn’t mean she would not make the most of being the first woman to win the Rumble twice.

Men’s No. 5: ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin

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WWE wants a big match for Roman Reigns in Hollywood. So, who better than The Texas Rattlesnake, arguably the greatest star in WWE history?

“Stone Cold” Steve Austin stole the show at WrestleMania 38 with his shocking return to the ring that included bumps no one thought he would take again. He came off like a retirement match.

However, Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select reported on Monday that the 58-year-old recently received “a huge money offer” to face Roman Reigns.

This doen’t mean it will happen at WrestleMania, but the timing could be hinting at a return for the veteran. He is the only man to win three men’s Rumble matches, and he could add one more to extend his record.

Reigns vs. Austin may not have the obvious story of other matches for Reigns, but there is something to be said for the excitement of two generations clashing at this level.

Women’s No. 4: Raquel Rodriguez

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Few fit the label of Royal Rumble dark horse better than Raquel Rodriguez. She has been slowly but surely rising up the ranks on the main roster, and WWE has protected her along the way.

She proved in NXT that she could lead a brand, but that same leader has not quite appeared on the main roster. This could be the chance for a huge surprise win that pushes her forward.

While multiple women are at a higher spot on the roster right now, SmackDown needs more stars. Rodriguez has the talent to prove herself in this moment.

She and Charlotte Flair have no history yet, giving plenty of story to tell all the way to WrestleMania.

This can be a passing-of-the-torch moment, allowing Big Mami Cool to take a place alongside Bianca Belair and Rhea Ripley in a new era of female Superstars.

Men’s No. 4: Seth Rollins

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Seth Rollins has been a staple of WWE television for decade now, and he has never been hotter. Even when he won the 2019 men’s Rumble, he was overshadowed. If he won it this year, no one would eclipse him.

The Visionary has found his personality in a way that has elevated his entire presentation. He is completely in his element, which makes him a serious threat to Roman Reigns.

While Reigns vs. Rollins has been done, their last match was inconclusive. But the 36-year-old is the only man to defeat The Head of the Table in singles action since August 2020, even if it was by disqualification.

If WWE wants to separate the WWE and universal titles, Rollins has more than earned the right to represent Raw at the top.

That can begin with him winning the men’s Rumble, though there are other ways to get the belt on him while giving someone fresh the big win on Saturday.

Women’s No. 3: Bayley

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Bayley has found her calling as the leader of Damage CTRL. She has elevated Dakota Kai and Iyo Sky swiftly to the top of the women’s roster. However, she has not been able to pick up the big win she needs for herself.

What better way to rectify that than have her win the women’s Rumble match? The Role Model is, arguably, the biggest modern female star in WWE not to have won the famed Battle Royal.

Bayley has plenty of history with Charlotte Flair, and the two would have a memorable fight in their new roles. The Queen cannot ask for a better rival on the current roster.

While two others could be seen as easier bets to win the women’s Rumble on Saturday, Bayley would benefit the most from a victory in terms of solidifying her legacy.

The Role Model has a group behind her that can push her over the top. If she doesn’t win this year, will she get a better chance in the rest of her career?

Men’s No. 3: Sami Zayn

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No one has been better than Sami Zayn in 2023. The same is true for much of 2022.

The Canadian has elevated The Bloodline and Roman Reigns to new heights, bringing a sense of cinematic drama to the group that had been missing previously.

Everyone is waiting for the moment when The Head of the Table turns on The Honorary Uce, but Zayn has continued to survive by garnering goodwill from other members of the family.

If he won the men’s Rumble, though, that could be the impetus to push Reigns over the edge. It is a fantastic story that the fans will be rooting for.

While there are more likely winners, even popular babyfaces may be booed if Zayn loses. It is possible that he won’t be in the match at all just to avoid the crowd reaction for him losing.

However, if he is included in the men’s match at the weekend, Zayn’s rise to the top would be a story for the ages.

Women’s No. 2: Becky Lynch

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Becky Lynch is the biggest female star in wrestling once again. She spent a couple years allowing others to rise up the ranks, but there is still no one quite like The Man.

She has charisma that cannot be ignored, and she will likely be the truest fan favorite throughout the women’s Rumble. It would be an easy win to give The Man her second Rumble victory and become the first woman to do so.

While her feud with Bianca Belair has ended, she has an eternal rivalry to explore with Charlotte Flair. Also, if Bayley won either championship before WrestleMania, she and Lynch have plenty of story left together.

In every year from now until she retires, The Man will be a favorite for the women’s Rumble. She is going to always get a major spot on The Grandest Stage of Them All.

It’s difficult to bet against Lynch, but here is still one other woman better set up to win this year’s contest.

Men’s No. 2: The Rock

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Fans have been fantasy-booking Roman Reigns vs. The Rock for almost a decade. As the two most prominent members of the Anoa’i family, they can both lay claim to the title of Tribal Chief.

The time has never been right for this contest, but this could be the year if The Brahma Bull is willing to step into a ring one more time.

If The Rock appears in the men’s Rumble, he will win. However, he does not need the victory to challenge The Head of the Table.

WWE could well have The Tribal Chief lose one, or both, of his world titles so that those championships can be defended separately from the biggest money match WWE can provide.

However, the company could not possibly deliver a better headline for the Royal Rumble than “The Rock Returns to WWE and Wins the Men’s Royal Rumble.”

Women’s No. 1: Rhea Ripley

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Rhea Ripley has been waiting for this moment.

She was the runner-up in the 2021 women’s Rumble and made the top five the year after. She has been a strong presence on the main roster but is still awaiting her big moment.

Her biggest moment to date was losing the NXT Women’s Championship to Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania 36, a great bout that lacked the crowd it deserved. That could be rectified following a Ripley win on Saturday.

A match between The Eradicator and Bianca Belair needs to happen since the two are the standard bearers of their NXT class. While they have clashed previously, it has not been often and certainly not on a major stage.

A bout was originally set for Money in the Bank last year, but the Australian was not medically cleared and never got her title shot.

Ripley has so much momentum that she could legitimately enter and threaten to win the men’s Rumble as well. While that won’t happen this year, the time is most definitely right for her to win the women’s match.

Men’s No. 1: Cody Rhodes

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No one in recent wrestling history has made a bigger impression working hurt than Cody Rhodes.

Walking into a Hell in a Cell main event with a torn pectoral, he fought through real pain to defeat Seth Rollins in WWE’s match of the year for 2022.

This moment has kept The American Nightmare top of many minds throughout his recovery process. Even a day after HIAC, the WWE Universe was booking him to return in the men’s Royal Rumble and win it all.

At this moment, no one is a more obvious choice to take the victory. Rhodes has yet to lose a match since returning to WWE. If he wins this one, he will look unstoppable.

WWE has rarely been good about building up a talent with this much dominance. This helps the perception that he is the rare man who can genuinely defeat the all-powerful Reigns.

The only thing standing in Rhodes’ way is the possibility of better stories. Will fans accept Reigns vs. Rhodes over Sami Zayn or The Rock, even Seth Rollins?

Rhodes can complete his journey to solidifying his family legacy any time, while there may be better stories to tell right now.

He may be aided by the possibility of separating the world titles since he will absolutely challenge for one of them if Reigns loses a belt before WrestleMania 39.