Read our pinstickers guide to the Royal Rumble - live on Sky Box Office this weekend.
The Royal Rumble returns this Sunday, live on Sky Box Office from 1am. The WWE's first pay-per-view of 2008 at Madison Square Garden, New York, contains one of the company's most famous and loved bouts - The Royal Rumble Match.
For those who don't know, 30 Superstars take part in the match. A random draw is made prior to the match for each Superstar's position in the Rumble. Two begin the match in the ring and then another Superstar enters the ring at 90 second intervals. The only way a Superstar can be eliminated is if they are thrown over the top rope and have both feet land on the floor outside the ring. The last Superstar remaining is deemed the Royal Rumble winner and will go on to headline Wrestlemania as the number one contender for one of the WWE's World Titles.
24 out of the 30 spaces have already been filled for this year's Rumble and the line up is as impressive as ever. Four of the entrants have already won the Rumble before and with a list containing previous WWE Champions and current title holders this could be the most wide open contest in WWE history.
With that in mind, Sky Sports' Wrestling expert Richard Parr dissects the "runners and riders" in this year's Rumble match, giving you some fantasy odds along the way, as to who might be on the Road to Wrestlemania XXIV.
Triple H - Odds 11/4*
'The Game' almost didn't make it for this year's Rumble. The 2002 winner lost his opportunity when he was disqualified against Ric Flair on New Year's Eve. It was a match where Triple H had to win otherwise he would not be allowed to enter the Royal Rumble.
Vince McMahon gave 'The King of Kings' one last opportunity this past Monday when he had to defeat three opponents in an over-the-top rope gauntlet match. By eliminating Snitsky, Mark Henry and finally William Regal, Triple H cemented his place in what will be his 6th Royal Rumble match.
After missing last year's Wrestlemania with a torn quadricep, the 11-time Champion will be focused more than ever to reclaim a headline role at Wrestlemania 24 in Orlando.
The Undertaker - 7/2
The Phenom returns to defend his Rumble crown after winning last year's match at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. Taker's previous attempt at the Rumble, prior to his victory, was in 2003 where he was the runner-up to Brock Lesner. Despite this good record one of the images synonymous with the Rumble and The Undertaker is when he was eliminated by Tough Enough winner and rookie Maven in 2002.
The Undertaker's age could prove a factor if he is drawn an early number but if he has any number in the twenties don't be surprised to see the man from Death Valley to become the fourth man to win two Rumbles in a row.
Batista - 5/1
Batista returns to the Royal Rumble Match for the first time since 2005 - the year he won it. That victory was when Batista's stock was beginning to rise meteorically in the WWE. With his main-event status guaranteed Batista went on to defeat his one-time ally Triple H for his first World Heavyweight Championship at Wrestlemania 21.
Today, Batista is a Three-time World Heavyweight Champion and one of the most dominating forces in the WWE. His ability and experience has improved dramatically over the last three years and it would be surprising if this man was not in one of the Main Events at this year's Wrestlemania, particularly if you remember his match against the Undertaker last year. Has a very good chance at Madison Square Garden.
Shawn Michaels - 6/1
Only three men have ever won the Royal Rumble two years on the trot and The Heartbreak Kid is one of them, winning it in 1995 and 1996. Those victories maybe from another era but Michaels came extremely close to winning it for a third time last year - being the last man to be eliminated.
In a dramatic and exciting scene Michaels faced off against The Undertaker as the last two men in the Rumble. Unfortunately for Michaels he was not able to roll back the years of the mid-nineties and was eliminated by The Phenom. After coming so close in 2007 Michaels will have once again have the thirst to go out and not only entertain but this time win.
Umaga - 8/1
Arguably the quickest and most ferocious "Big-Man" in WWE history Umaga has all the attributes to win The Royal Rumble at his first attempt. By defeating the first ever Royal Rumble winner, Hacksaw Jim Duggan, The Samoan Bulldozer was the first to qualify for this year's pay-per-view.
It will be very difficult to eliminate the former Intercontinental Champion. It is likely it will take a group effort to get him over the ropes or an attack from behind. If he doesn't win it, he could come very close.
Mr Kennedy - 9/1
This will be Mr Kennedy's first Royal Rumble appearance and it could turn out to be a debut victory. In recent months Kennedy has had a see-saw win-loss record but one big victory could be the momentum the Green Bay star needs - and it may begin at the Rumble.
Having been the first Superstar to have been given a place in the Rumble it may end up like giving a Wrestlemania Main Event place away.
The Great Khali - 10/1
The Great Khali made an instant impact in his first Rumble appearance last year by eliminating seven opponents before The Undertaker ended the Punjabi's hopes of a debut victory.
It is very likely Khali will make just as much an impression at Madison Square Garden. Similarly to Umaga it could be very difficult to eliminate Khali and may take a mammoth joint effort by a large group of WWE Superstars or maybe just the Undertaker again.
Kane - 14/1
This will be Kane's 10th consecutive appearance in the Royal Rumble and it could be his lucky year. Although he has never won the Rumble 'The Big Red Machine' does hold the record of 11 eliminations in one Rumble when in 2001 he was runner-up to Stone Cold Steve Austin.
It is unlikely he will break his own record with such a stellar line up but with the competition wide open Kane could break his Rumble duck.
Mick Foley - 16/1
Mick Foley returns for his fourth Royal Rumble after a five year absence from the competition. Mrs Foley's baby boy is the only Superstar to have had three attempts at the same Rumble when in 1998 he entered as Cactus Jack, then as Mankind and finally as Dude Love.
However with Foley only having wrestled a part-time schedule over the last five years it may prove difficult for him to win his first Rumble. His ability to withstand pain will be useful but may not be enough to win the match.
Hornswoggle - 40/1
Now normally you wouldn't even consider somebody like Hornswoggle as having any chance at all of winning the Royal Rumble. But one thing is heavily in his favour - his last name is McMahon - meaning anything could happen. And who knows, Mr McMahon's treatment of tough love may have just paid off on his illegitimate son.
More realistically, Hornswoggle's alliance with Finlay could pay massive dividends for the former Cruiserweight champion. His trickery and speed could be advantageous but his size will likely be his downfall. Anything can happen in the WWE but this is very unlikely.
Others - 30/1
The Royal Rumble is as open as the Grand National and any entrant could be victorious. With current WWE Tag Champion's John Morrison and The Miz, World Tag Team Champion's Hardcore Holly and Cody Rhodes, Finlay, Snitsky, Big Daddy V, Mark Henry, Shelton Benjamin and Carlito all in the mix it could be anybody's Rumble at MSG. Plus you never know which past and present Superstars will make surprise returns.
*All odds have been created for fantasy purposes and are not real odds and can not be used to bet with.
