Royal Rumble preview

Read on for my ideas for booking tonight's WWE Network special event.
-- Kickoff:
- Rusev vs. Shinsuke:
One of these guys is a young, rising act with a lot of potential accolades ahead of him. The other is more or less wrapping up his career with a big money WWE run. Rusev takes this.

- Murphy vs. Kalisto vs. Hideo vs. Akira:
I think Akira would be the freshest direction here.

-- Royal Rumble:
- Bar vs. Miz/Shane:
Miz and Shane win BUT on Smackdown Live, as they're celebrated, UE shows up to Shock The System, attacking the champs, calling it a joke that the division is headlined by those two. This sets us on the road to Bar/Miz/Shane vs. UE at WM35. Move the Bludgeon Brothers to Raw if we have to see that gimmick again.

- Asuka vs. Becky:
WWE booked themselves into a corner here. They're basically setting fans up to boo Asuka, or at least view her as a fluke. The best I've got here is Nikki Cross running wild with a kendo stick for the DQ and to put her in the mix. Asuka and Nikki fight to the back.

- Ronda vs. Sasha:
I love Sasha, but no reason for Ronda to lose here instead of WM.

- Bryan vs. AJ:
No reason for Bryan to lose it here.

- Brock vs. Finn:
Honestly, have Finn shock Brock and set up a triple threat with Lesnar and the Rumble winner at WM35. Time for some change.

- Men's Rumble:
As much as I love the idea (credit to Justin LaBar) of Becky taking R-Truth's spot and winning as "The Man," there's a different path to get Becky in the mix at WM35. Seth wins this; he's earned it.

- Women's Rumble:
Charlotte is all set to win when Becky Lynch attacks Carmella for the 30th spot and eliminates Charlotte herself. This audience will not be pleased if Becky isn't part of the title picture. However, on Smackdown Live, the McMahons inform Becky she wasn't a legal competitor and as such, Charlotte is the winner. Becky then faces Nikki Cross at Elimination Chamber to determine the other women's title competitor at WM35. She wins and we get Ronda vs. Charlotte vs. Becky. Asuka and Nikki get the other match.

More wrestling coming up.