CHEAP HEAT: BREAKING DOWN THIS YEAR'S WWE ROYAL RUMBLE

by Matt Loede, Let's Wrestle

The lull that has been the WWE for about the past four weeks is coming to a fast end, as finally on Sunday we are back at it on PPV with the first PPV of the year - the Royal Rumble. Many will debate, and rightfully so, that the Rumble is the second biggest PPV of the year, and in my opinion it is. Along with WrestleMania it is the only other PPV to have been released in box set form in terms of all the years of the event. Plus add that the event is the only one that gives the Rumble winner an automatic WrestleMania title shot, and you see why it's held in high regard.

This year is no different, as 30 wrestlers will do battle in one match to determine a WWE title match, with there being about 4-5 guys out of the 30 that have a legit shot at winning the match. Plus add to the card a red-hot program with Jeff Hardy and Randy Orton for the WWE belt, and you see why many will be plopping down $40 on Sunday night to take in this 3-hour epic. With that, here are the 24 men that are currently entered in the Rumble match, with 6 more to come:

Hardcore Holly, Hornswoggle, John Morrison, The Miz, Umaga, Snitsky, Kane, The Undertaker, Mick Foley, Batista, Finlay, Jamie Noble, Cody Rhodes, Shelton Benjamin, Carlito, Santino Marella, Shawn Michaels, Mark Henry, Mr.Kennedy, The Great Khali, Triple H, Tommy Dreamer, Chuck Palumbo, Big Daddy V.

While the final six wrestlers are unknown for the match, the one big rumor that keeps popping up is that The Big Show will be a surprise add. You have to wonder if they are going to add a few legends - guys like Sgt. Slaughter, Ricky Steamboat, IRS (Mike Rotunda), and maybe even Ted Dibiase. We shall see as far as that goes, but in the end, trust me, there will be 30 men in the event.

As far as favorites for the event, here are the five that appear as the heavy favorites to win and go on for a main event title match at WrestleMania 24:

Triple H - Has been playing that role of "face that gets screwed every week" role, which right off the bat makes him a favorite. Also with a Mania title match coming up, this is an obvious spot for him to earn it.

The Undertaker - Last year's winner is once again a favorite, as he is headed for a showdown with Edge at Mania, meaning that he either wins here, or at the No Way Out main event elimination chamber match.

Batista - The rumored main event for Mania for sometime was he and Triple H, and that could still happen. For it to do so, the big man would need to win here or the above mentioned No Way Out main event chamber match.

Shawn Michaels - This is the time of the year it seems that Michaels really steps it up, and last year he was the fan's choice to win the match, and lost it in the end to Taker. While I don't see him in a Mania title match this year, never say never.

The Big Show - It would be a shocker, but what a way to make a quick impact on the company than to come in, win the Rumble, and then go on for a title match at Mania. Farfetched in my opinion from happening, but it would be one that no one (expect me here I guess) would think could happen.

So that's the rundown for that match, as for the rest of the card, it breaks down like this:

Jeff Hardy vs Randy Orton for the WWE Title - By far the hottest feud Orton has had in sometime, and it's mostly due to Hardy. This match has the makings of a classic, and more than one person is on board that Hardy is going to walk out with the belt.

Rey Mysterio vs Edge for the World Heavyweight Title - Has all the looks and feel of a title filler match for Edge before he moves on to the Undertaker. Mysterio has "been there, done that" as far as the title goes, and there are no plans on him taking it back anytime soon.

Ric Flair vs MVP - Another in the series of matches where Flair's career is on the line. These two had a great segment last week in MVP's "Lounge" on SmackDown, and this match should be pretty good. Look for a cheap count-out or DQ win by Flair to keep his career going.

Chris Jericho vs JBL - A match I thought for sure we'd wait to see at Mania, and I am still under the belief that this is the first of many times they will go at it, with a rematch for sure to be at Mania. At lest this feud has more heat than the one that Y2J had with Randy Orton.

* The big news that broke Wednesday is that former ECW Champion Bobby Lashley wants out of the company. He has been on the shelf for the past few months with an injury, and word is he wants out for a variety of reasons, one of which is because the company released his real-life girlfriend, Kristal Marshall, after her refusal to do a storyline with Edge awhile back. This is a bad move for Lashley, who was given his chances on a silver platter during his WWE tenure. Look for the company to give him his release shortly.

* There is a rumor and report floating around that WrestleMania 26 will be held at the University of Phoenix Stadium, where next weekends Super Bowl will be held. There have been folks in Glendale and Phoenix lobbying for the event to come there for the past few months, and the Arizona Republic picked up on the vibe of the WWE bringing the event there in a story last weekend. The theme of the event would be "Destruction in the Desert."

* Now as far as the location of WrestleMania 25, it's basically a lock that the event will take place at Madison Square Garden. In Jim Ross' latest blog, he said that while he can't say for sure, he said that he was fairly certain of where the big event next year would be held. It will be interesting to see if it actually happens, as even though it would be the fourth Mania at MSG, the company has been trying to keep the mega-event placed in larger stadium venues, like Ford Field or Safeco a few years back.

* Paul London has a foot injury, and will be on the shelf for awhile but is expected to be back and will reform his team with Brian Kendrick.

* If you haven't noticed, the past few weeks they have been laying the foundation for the eventual Playboy spread for Maria, who suddenly this past week dropped her "ditzy" role and now seems like she's just a normal diva. The storyline will have her "boyfriend" Santonio Marella balking at her being in the magazine, and in the end her finally breaking away from him to do the shoot.