WWE’s first “premium live event” of 2023 will be the Royal Rumble, an annual event that dates back to 1989. The first Rumble aired on the USA Network and was intended to usurp viewers from the Bunkhouse Stampede, a pay-per-view promoted by their rival WCW.
The Royal Rumble won the day, and in the following years, it became one of WWE’s most popular and anticipated pay-per-views. Now the Rumble airs on the WWE Network and is referred to as a PLE – premium live event.
This is because all content aired on the network is available for a monthly subscription through NBC’s Peacock app, with no additional cost required to watch the Royal Rumble.
The concept of the match is simple. 30 wrestlers participate, but it only starts out with 2 combatants in the ring. Every 90 seconds, another wrestler enters the squared circle. The only way to get eliminated is by being tossed or flipped over the top rope and onto the floor.
The final man standing wins the Royal Rumble and earns a chance to wrestle for the world championship at the next WrestleMania.
Wrestling betting sites have posted 2023 Royal Rumble odds that include all known participants plus a few potential surprise guests.
2023 Royal Rumble Odds To Win – Men
- Cody Rhodes -150
- Sami Zayn +175
- The Rock +190
- Seth Rollins +1000
- Roman Reigns +1200
- Stone Cold Steve Austin +1400
- Bobby Lashley +1600
- Drew McIntyre +1600
- Brock Lesnar +1800
- Solo Sikoa +2000
- Kevin Owens +2200
- Jey Uso +2500
- Matt Riddle +2500
- Logan Paul +2500
- Gunther +2800
- Finn Balor +2800
- Austin Theory +3300
- Omos +3300
- Bron Breakker +3300
- A.J Styles +4000
- John Cena +4000
- Edge +4000
- Bray Wyatt +5000
- Jimmy Uso +5000
It is rare to find a favored wrestler listed with a negative moneyline with a field of competitors this large. However, that is the case here with Cody Rhodes, who is expected to return from a several-month-long hiatus due to a torn pectoral muscle.
Pro wrestling gamblers will need to wager $1.50 on Cody Rhodes’ odds to win at entertainment betting sites just to net a dollar in gains.
A few retired WWE Superstars are included in the above list, with betting odds that place them near the top of the pack.
Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson is busy preparing for the relaunch of the XFL on February 18th, but entertainment prop bets for the Royal Rumble place him as the third most likely wrestler to win.
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin has been rumored as a potential WrestleMania opponent for undisputed heavyweight champion Roman Reigns, but there’s been no word on an appearance tomorrow.
As we said earlier, a win at the Rumble earns a shot at a title, so it actually makes sense to have Austin go over. A wager of $1 on Stone Cold’s +1400 odds to win will earn gamblers cash payouts of $15.
Rhea Ripley is the projected winner of the women’s Royal Rumble with an even moneyline.
The Universal Championship belt is also on the line tomorrow, and Roman Reigns is an overwhelming favorite to retain the strap and defend it against the Rumble winner at WrestleMania.
Universal Championship Betting Odds
- Roman Reigns -700
- Kevin Owens +400
Royal Rumble Betting Odds – BetUS
Source – Uproxx
