Royal Rumble: Becky Lynch Hints At WrestleMania Opponent, Questions Over Nakamura Contract

Royal Rumble, the World Wrestling Entertainment’s (WWE) first pay-per-view of the year, got underway at Chase Field in Phoenix on Sunday with both the women and the men involved in the battle royal looking to book their place at the main event in WrestleMania.

Charlotte Flair was favorite to win the women’s Royal Rumble match and set up a potential clash with Ronda Rousey for the Raw women’s title at WrestleMania, but in a sudden twist of events, one-time friend turned arch enemy Becky Lynch entered the match after Lana’s injury and record a shock victory.

Lynch had earlier in the night lost to Asuka in their battle for the SmackDown women’s title, but she clearly had other plans as a place in the main event at WrestleMania is one that is most coveted on the night of the first pay-per-view.

The Irish woman, who has been the face of the promotion in recent months, was quick to hint at what awaits on April 7. And there is no doubt that she will look to finally get her hands on Raw women’s champion Rousey with whom she had built an intense rivalry before an injury took away a chance for them to face each other at Summer Slam.

Lynch admitted after her shock win that it was the “biggest night of her life” and made it clear that she will become the first woman to main event WWE’s flagship pay-per-view later in the year. The former SmackDown women’s champion was delighted at her victory and thanked the WWE Universe for supporting her on her journey.

“It’s the biggest night of my life and what this means going forward is not wasted on me for a single second,” Lynch told ESPN after winning the women’s Royal Rumble match. “The responsibility that it means and it means that I’ve changed the damn business and we’re going to main event WrestleMania because believe me when I say that I’m going to be the first woman to main event WrestleMania."

“And that all started here tonight in front of 50,000 people screaming my name and millions of people around the world edging me on and my God that means the world to me and if I could go out and hug every single one of them right now I would,” she added.

Meanwhile, Shinsuke Nakamura was given a big push on the night after he beat Rusev to reclaim the United States championship. The Japanese wrestling star, according to Forbes, could be reaching the end of his contract and WWE will be keen to ensure he re-signs with the promotion rather than looking at other options.

It remains unclear when his contract is coming to an end with many reports suggesting that it could be at the end of January. And with the emergence of All Elite Wrestling (AEW), who are backed by Pakistani-American billionaire Shahid Khan, the pro-wrestlers have multiple options to choose from especially since the new promotion are willing to offer big money deals like the WWE.