Braun Strowman is The National's pick to win the 50-man Royal Rumble at the Greatest Royal Rumble in Jeddah on Friday. Image courtesy of WWE
Braun Strowman is The National's pick to win the 50-man Royal Rumble at the Greatest Royal Rumble in Jeddah on Friday. Image courtesy of WWE
Braun Strowman is The National's pick to win the 50-man Royal Rumble at the Greatest Royal Rumble in Jeddah on Friday. Image courtesy of WWE
Braun Strowman is The National's pick to win the 50-man Royal Rumble at the Greatest Royal Rumble in Jeddah on Friday. Image courtesy of WWE

Roman Reigns beats Brock Lesnar as Braun Strowman wins the 50-man rumble: WWE Greatest Royal Rumble predictions


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The Greatest Royal Rumble takes place on Friday from 8pm UAE time at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Saudi Arabia.

Ahead of the WWE's first Network Special in the Middle East, here is a look at the card and some predictions on who will triumph on the night in Jeddah.

Braun Strowman to win the 50-man Royal Rumble

Why? This is very hard to call. When asking WWE superstars in the build-up to this step into the unknown the general reaction has been "I don't know" and "It is nuts".

The one definite prediction is this will be the longest rumble ever and will likely go at least 75 minutes.

This will likely be a win for a babyface and in my mind that comes down to Strowman or Daniel Bryan.

Bryan will remain super over regardless, so I see him coming close but being eliminated by Big Cass to extend their feud on SmackDown.

Strowman to eliminate Cass last to stand tall and be winner of the inaugural Greatest Royal Rumble.

Roman Reigns to win the Universal title from Brock Lesnar in a steel cage match

Why? This is Reigns' time. It has to be. It was a major shock he did not win the title at WrestleMania and it is hard to see where Reigns goes if he does not win here.

The Jeddah crowd are likely to be very receptive to Reigns and it should make for a great moment when he finally dethrones Lesnar and ends the Beast's reign, which has lasted more than one year.

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Read more on WWE in Saudi Arabia

Mark Henry Q&A on the Greatest Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia: It is like WrestleMania

Everything you need to know about The Greatest Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia

Samoa Joe on the WWE's Greatest Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia: 'It is going to be one wild brawl'

The Undertaker's return and Reigns' title hopes: Talking points ahead of the Greatest Royal Rumble

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AJ Styles to retain via disqualification the WWE World Heavyweight Championship against Shinsuke Nakamura

Why? This is another WrestleMania rematch and the rivalry should be more intense then it was in New Orleans following Nakamura's low blow.

This is still early in the feud and Styles is likely to leave Saudi Arabia still carrying the belt.

This may well continue the story of Nakamura's frustration at Styles having his number. Styles is about to win and Nakamura hits another low blow to avoid being pinned.

Yes, he does not win the title, but he avoids being pinned and continues his turn to the dark side with his unsporting behaviour.

John Cena to beat Triple H in a singles match

Why? This is a rematch of their 2006 main event at WrestleMania 22 and this, if given time, could be a great match.

There has been no TV build to this so this is an open match that is essentially an one-off.

Under those circumstances it is hard to go against Cena, given he is more of a regular performer than Triple H these day, so Cena to stand tall in a fun brawl.

The Undertaker to beat Rusev in a casket match

Why? This is the biggest certainty of the night. The Undertaker is winning. No doubt at all.

The Deadman looked in good shape in New Orleans at WrestleMania 34 as he ran through Cena in quick time, and this is likely to be another fast match too as Rusev, despite his popularity, will be no match for his more experienced opponent.

Seth Rollins to retain the Intercontinental title against Finn Balor, The Miz and Samoa Joe in a ladder match

Why? This could steal the show. All four men are terrific in the ring and this should be a spectacular affair.

Given Rollins has just won the belt it seems unlikely he drops it here. Balor is the only other realistic winner, given the other two are now on SmackDown.

But Rollins stands tall to maintain his impressive run of form in 2018.

Jeff Hardy to retain the United States title against Jinder Mahal

Why? This seems to be a giveaway result with Mahal now on Raw and the US title with Hardy on SmackDown.

Mahal winning is not an impossibility but he is likely to face Reigns in the coming months for the Universal title. Hardy has some great feuds ahead with the likes of Randy Orton and Samoa Joe so he is not losing here.

Bray Wyatt and Matt Hardy to win the vacant Raw Tag Team titles against Cesaro and Sheamus

Why? Woken Matt Hardy remains hugely popular with the WWE Universe, even though his booking has been questionable at times.

The partnership with Wyatt is fairly new and the jury is out on how successful they are going to be.

But winning the tag titles here would be a big help. Sheamus and Cesaro are now on SmackDown and that has likely given away the ending to this match, with those two now likely to challenge for the SmackDown belts in the coming months.

The Bludgeon Brothers to retain the SmackDown Tag Team titles against the Usos

Why? Harper and Rowan obliterated the Usos and The New Day to win the titles at WrestleMania.

The Usos may well win them back, but this feels far too early in the feud for this to happen and this should be a dominant win for the defending champions.

Cedric Alexander to retain the WWE Cruiserweight title against Kalisto

Why? Again, Alexander has just begun his reign as Cruiserweight champion and it would be a major shock if he lost here.

A competitive match, but Alexander retains and goes on to look for more competition on the 205 brand.

The Greatest Royal Rumble can be watched on Abu Dhabi Sports 1 and Abu Dhabi Sports 6 on Friday evening, with the action starting from 8pm UAE time.