The Royal Rumble is not only the beginning of the Road to WrestleMania, but it's all one of the biggest events on the WWE calendar in its own right.

The annual tradition dates back to 1988 and has evolved significantly over time. When Jim Duggan won the first Rumble, he was not guaranteed a title shot and was competing against only 19 other competitors.

The usual setup now involves 30 Superstars, with the winners getting a shot at the top title of their choosing at WrestleMania. Since 2018, the women's division has had its own Rumble match every year.

This year's lineup is stacked with multiple former world champions competing in the men's and women's matches along with several potential surprises.

Let's go through each match on the card and offer some predictions.

Cody Rhodes vs. Kevin Owens

The Undisputed WWE Championship will be on the line in a Ladder match when Cody Rhodes defends the title against Kevin Owens. However, it won't be the only belt hanging above the ring.

The classic Winged Eagle version of the WWE Championship, which KO has been holding hostage since December's Saturday Night's Main Event, will also hang high above the ring.

While Owens is not officially a champion in any capacity, he feels he should be the rightful champion instead of The American Nightmare. Therefore, is keeping the older title he stole at SNME to right a perceived wrong.

No matter what, one man will leave Lucas Oil Stadium with both belts as the one and only undisputed WWE champion.

Owens is one of those guys that WWE can put a world title on at any time, and fans would be fine with it because he has a track record of great performances and a huge following. However, this is not going to be his night.

Rhodes has already planted the seeds for a couple of potential matches at WrestleMania, and it doesn't seem likely that WWE would book a title change before the biggest event of the year.

Owens will be on the Mania card somewhere, potentially against Sami Zayn, if WWE decides to reignite the feud. Therefore, it makes more sense for Rhodes to retain while The Prize Fighter moves on to a different challenge.

Prediction: Cody Rhodes retains

DIY vs. Motor City Machine Guns

If there is one match that is going to make fans of high-flying, fast-paced action happy, it's the 2-out-of-3 Falls match for the WWE Tag Team Championships between DIY and The Motor City Machine Guns.

Ever since they arrived on the scene, Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin have been putting on fantastic performances against every team WWE has thrown at them.

A feud with DIY has been building since Johnny Gargano tried to buddy up with his former friends. Tommaso Ciampa played his part perfectly as a fed-up partner until they sprung their trap and captured the belts.

Now, it will take two falls to prove which team is better, so a quick, cheap win is out of the question for the heel team of DIY.

Sabin and Shelley did not have a long title run and a game of hot potato with the tag belts is not out of the question, but it just doesn't feel like the right time.

If WWE wanted to really push MCMG, they would regain the belts at WrestleMania in a multi-team match against some of the best WWE has to offer, but that means they have to lose this weekend first.

Prediction: DIY retains the tag titles

Women's Royal Rumble

As of Friday monring, 10 women had been announced to compete in this year's Rumble.

Nia Jax, Charlotte Flair, Bayley, Naomi, Bianca Belair, Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez, Lyra Valkyria, Iyo Sky and Ivy Nile have all staked their claim for a spot in the match, but that still leaves 20 open spots.

WWE has plenty of women on the main roster who can fill those openings, but at least a few will likely be given to surprise returns, debuts and NXT Superstars.

Becky Lynch

Becky Lynch is one woman who is almost guaranteed to show up this weekend. She is back with WWE in an official capacity but has yet to make her on-screen return. This feels like the right time to set her up for a spot at WrestleMania, even if she is not the winner.

Jordynne Grace

While she has made several appearances in NXT and last year's Rumble, Jordynne Grace would also be counted among the surprise entrants because this would be her official debut as a WWE Superstar following her signing with the company.

Nikki Bella

Recently, the possibility of Nikki Bella returning to WWE has been a hot topic of discussion. If there was ever a time to do it, The Rumble would be the perfect spot. She has maintained her popularity since leaving the company and would likely be greeted with a warm reception when the music hits for her entrance.

NXT Superstars

The list of potential women in NXT who could show up is long because the division is currently stacked with talented performers both new and familiar.

Recent signees like Giulia and Stephanie Vaquer seem like obvious candidates, as do Cora Jade and Roxanne Perez. But there are also names like Kelani Jordan, Fallon Henley, Sol Ruca, Lash Legend and Jakara Jackson, who are also possible entrants.

Other than the winner, we have a few other predictions to offer:

• Charlotte and Becky will enter at No. 1 and No. 2.
• Grace will enter early and last until the final four.
• If Perez is in the match, she and Bayley will eliminate each other.
• Jax will have the most eliminations.
• At least one Hall of Famer will appear, such as Mickie James, Lita, Trish Stratus, or Molly Holly. 
• Our prediction for the winner is Lynch.

Men's Royal Rumble

The men's Royal Rumble has so many potential winners that it may be the most unpredictable Rumble match in years. 15 competitors have already been announced for the show.

John Cena, CM Punk, LA Knight, Jey Uso, Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, Drew McIntyre, Rey Mysterio, Sami Zayn, Shinsuke Nakamura, Logan Paul, Penta, Chad Gable, Bron Breakker and Carmelo Hayes make up half the field.

Just like in the women's Rumble, the other 15 spots can be filled by current main roster stars, people from NXT, legends, people from TNA and debuting Superstars.

Joe Hendry

Say his name and he appears. The current TNA world champion is a likely candidate to appear in the Rumble after his run in NXT last year was met with critical acclaim. With WWE and TNA recently announcing a partnership, his participation is even more likely. He may even bring the TNA title with him like Mickie James did with the Knockouts Championship.

Oba Femi

NXT has several potential stars who would be great choices to enter the Rumble, but Oba Femi, being the current NXT champion, gives him a leg up. He would be an intimidating and destructive force in the match before a few people eventually teamed up to eliminate him.

Trick Williams

Ever since he lost the title to Femi, it has only felt like a matter of time until Trick Williams makes his way to the main roster. Whether he joins forces with Melo again, reignites their feud, or just keeps his distance, Williams would be a fun addition.

Malakai/Aleister Black

The status of Malakai Black's contract with AEW is unclear right now, but a recent video from Brody King, Julia Hart and Buddy Matthews indicated he is no longer aligned with their group. If he is actually done with AEW, there is a strong possibility that he will re-sign with WWE and appear in the Rumble. Hopefully, WWE will give him back his awesome NXT entrance.

Other than the winner, we have a few other predictions to offer:

• Rey Mysterio and Dominick Mysterio will enter at No. 1 and No. 2.
• Rey and Penta will have a confrontation of some kind.
• Cena or Punk will enter at No. 30.
• Owens will enter the match after having lost to Rhodes earlier in the show, possibly by attacking someone on the way to the ring and taking their spot. 
• Jacob Fatu will eliminate Reigns.
• If Melo and Williams are both in the match, they will eliminate each other.
• Pat McAfee, Corey Graves or Wade Barrett will go from announcing the Rumble to being in it for a short time. 
• Our Prediction for the winner is Cena.

What do you think is going to happen at this year's Royal Rumble?