WWE Royal Rumble 2016: Match-by-match predictions for the show

It's that time of the year again, folks.

It is late January, there is snow on the ground (in the northeastern United States at least), which only means one thing: It is time for the Royal Rumble.

For the 29th time, the most famous battle royal in wrestling will take place, but with a bit of a twist. For only the second time in history, the Royal Rumble will decide the WWE World Heavyweight championship.

Despite all of the hype that usually surrounds WWE's No. 2 event, WWE hasn't left the fans all that happy with the result the last two years.

While WWE is hoping the fans do not revolt for the third year in a row, it is now time for me to give my very, very valuable predictions:

WWE World Heavyweight championship (Royal Rumble match) – Names that have been announced for the match as of this writing: Roman Reigns (c), Brock Lesnar, Chris Jericho, Bray Wyatt, Luke Harper, Braun Strowman, Erick Rowan, Sheamus, Stardust, Dolph Ziggler, Ryback, Big Show, Curtis Axel, Kofi Kingston, Big E, Xavier Woods

That list is 16 names long, which is slightly more than half of the 30-man field.

There will be at least two more names added before the match because of the pre-show, which leaves 12 spots that no one outside WWE knows for sure.

The scuttlebutt amongst the fans is that one of those spots may go to Triple H, who has not been seen on WWE television since Tables, Ladders and Chairs back on Dec. 13. Yes, I know he was at NXT Takeover: London a couple of days later, but as far as the main shows, Triple H has been nowhere to be found.

Everyone believes that Triple H will finally return in the Royal Rumble in an effort to thwart the man that put him on his impromptu hiatus, Roman Reigns. Whether that will actually happens, no one knows for sure.

The same goes for the surprise most fans are hoping for, AJ Styles, who is expected to join WWE in some way at some point in the near future. But no one knows exactly when. The fans hope that he will be debut Sunday. Again, whether that happens is unknown.

In my eyes, neither will matter in the long run, as I believe Reigns will win the Royal Rumble for the second year in a row, retaining his WWE World Heavyweight title in the process.

I believe that will happen for two reasons. Firstly, all of these odds that have been stacked against Reigns almost make him an even bigger favorite.

Although he will begin the match in the No. 1 spot, you can almost be assured that Reigns will be among the final four left in the ring. Odds are stacked against babyfaces for them to overcome. I believe that will be the case here.

Secondly, Reigns' current run as champion is barely a month old, as he won the title back on Dec. 14. While it makes logical sense to thwart the babyface's efforts to retain only to build him back up for a title win at WrestleMania, WWE essentially already told that story at the end of last year.

Reigns won the title fair and square at Survivor Series, only for Sheamus to cash in Money in the Bank and take it away from him only five minutes later. Reigns received title shots on consecutive nights before getting the big title victory in Philadelphia.

Having the babyface chase the title usually makes for riveting television, but to attempt to tell that story again with a lot of the same people doesn't seem like a good idea, as the reaction more than likely be tamed the second time around. That's because the fans just got through this not that long ago.

On top of that, I think it hurts Reigns to have him lose it this quickly. If WWE is really trying to establish Reigns as its next top star, having him win and lose the title multiple times within three or four months won't help him any.

What he needs right now is a lengthy title run to cement him as the top star. Playing hot potato with the title would only halt Reigns' momentum. You could always attempt to restart his momentum, but it won't quite have the effect it did the first or even the second time. If Reigns were to lose and win it again at WrestleMania, that would be his third title victory since November.

I just don't see how that helps him.

Prediction: Roman Reigns RETAINS the WWE World Heavyweight championship

WWE Intercontinental championship – Dean Ambrose (c) vs. Kevin Owens

This is a match that should get a significant amount of time due to its stipulation and the fact that it is taking place at the Royal Rumble, which typically has very few matches.

With a good amount of time, two talented performers like Kevin Owens and Dean Ambrose should be able to tear the house down in Orlando.

With that said, I believe Owens has to win this encounter. WWE is severely lacking when it comes to viable heels and Owens is one the company could definitely use heading into WrestleMania. These big stars have to go against someone worth watching and Owens with a lot of momentum seems like a strong candidate to me.

Plus, I believe Owens does more for the Intercontinental championship than Ambrose. That's not meant to be a knock against Ambrose, but I believe Owens is far better with a title than he is without one. Owens is a prize fighter after all and giving him a prize also gives him something else to brag about.

Prediction: Kevin Owens WINS the Intercontinental championship

WWE Divas championship – Charlotte (c) vs. Becky Lynch

This has undoubtedly been the best divas storyline in a long, long time.

I believe it has elevated both Charlotte and Becky Lynch and I think that their match Sunday will get a good amount of time given the fact that it's happening at the Royal Rumble.

I know most expect Charlotte to walk into WrestleMania as the Divas champion, but I think Lynch will take the title home here.

It's not even about me believing that Lynch has been on fire lately. It's really about me thinking WWE can't afford to have her come up short yet again. Charlotte has already beaten Lynch twice and I think Lynch needs to win here to give her some credibility. A loss here may hurt that credibility.

Lynch doesn't need a lengthy title run. Heck, she could lose it as soon as Fastlane, but I believe a victory on this night is definitely needed.

Prediction: Becky Lynch WINS the Divas championship

WWE United States championship – Alberto Del Rio (c) vs. Kalisto

WWE has completely botched this feud with its dreaded 50/50 booking, but despite that, this should still be an entertaining match.

If WWE is really serious about building new stars, Kalisto has to win the title to show that his initial title win wasn't a fluke.

Prediction: Kalisto WINS the United States championship

WWE Tag Team championship – The New Day (c) vs. The Usos

I feel like I've seen these teams go at it in some capacity 100 times in the last month. It may have only been 88 times, but that's still a lot.

I see no reason to take the titles off The New Day, so I'm going with them to retain.

Prediction: The New Day RETAINS the Tag Team championships