The Road to WrestleMania kicks off tonight in historic fashion with more Rumble than ever, featuring both the 30-Man Royal Rumble Match and the first-ever 30-Woman Royal Rumble Match. But, of course, when 30 male Superstars slug it out for an opportunity to battle for a World Championship at WrestleMania 34, only one competitor can punch the ticket.

Who will it be? Legendary wrestling journalist Bill Apter (author of "Is Wrestling Fixed? I Didn’t Know It Was Broken") joins the WWE.com editors in giving their picks for who they think will walk out of the 2018 Men’s Royal Rumble Match.

(Note: Predictions are drawn from the Superstars who officially entered Royal Rumble Match as of Friday, Jan. 26.)

JOHN CENA
When I looked at the current list of entrants in the 2018 Men’s Royal Rumble Match, it didn't take me long to find that one male competitor I believe will reign supreme.

Looking back through the event's history, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin holds the record for winning the most Royal Rumble's (1997, 1998, 2001). 

John Cena continues to prove he loves a near impossible challenge. I believe tying Austin's record is his most focused goal, and then, of course, to again main event at WrestleMania. With a ring filled with rising talent and those with years of experience, he is one who can change direction at any moment, making him the most dangerous person in the battle. — BILL APTER

THE MIZ
Let’s face it: 2018 is The Miz’s year. After wrapping The Marine 6: Close Quarters, The A-Lister relentlessly pursued Roman Reigns’ Intercontinental Championship until Raw 25, where he managed to conquer The Big Dog and begin his eighth “awesome” reign with the workhorse title. The calculating and inarguably talented Superstar brings his title and a heap of momentum to the 30-Man Royal Rumble Match where, with or without the aid of The Miztourage, he’ll find a way to once again earn his place in the main event of WrestleMania. — JAMES WORTMAN

ELIAS
Say what you want about the man’s music, but Elias should be taken seriously at the 30-Man Royal Rumble Match in Philadelphia.

There are some heavy hitters such as John Cena and Shinsuke Nakamura in the all-out free-for-all, but don’t underestimate Elias. The WWE Universe saw what the songsmith is capable of on Raw 25 when he smashed his guitar over the back of The Leader of the Cenation.

Elias is a rock-solid singer and songwriter, but he’s also a physically impressive competitor. Don’t be surprised if Raw’s resident musician makes a name for himself this Sunday before going on to perform in the main event at WrestleMania. I walk with Elias. — SCOTT TAYLOR
 

FINN BALOR
Inaugural Universal Champion Finn Bálor has been singularly focused on regaining the title that he helped usher into existence and that was cruelly ripped from him less than 24 hours after he won it. The Men’s Royal Rumble Match presents the Bálor Club leader his next chance to secure that golden opportunity. There’s no denying Bálor has more swagger in his step since reuniting with Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson. Besides his renewed confidence, the enigmatic Irish Superstar also possesses stamina for days — the type of limitless energy that can help him go the distance in WWE’s annual over-the-top-rope tradition. — JOHN CLAPP

SHINSUKE NAKAMURA
True, The King of Strong Style has kept a relatively low profile of late, so he might not be the first guy you’d expect to go the distance in the Men’s Royal Rumble Match. But the intangibles he’s possessed from Day One are still there. He’s got the inherent skills and the competitive drive. He’s lingered in or around SmackDown LIVE’s main-event scene since his debut. And having come up short a couple of times in big title matches, he has the benefit of experience on his side. Plus, from a wish-fulfillment perspective, there’s almost no WrestleMania prospect more salivating than AJ Styles defending the WWE Championship against Shinsuke Nakamura. They brought the house down at Money in the Bank by gently nudging a ladder out of the way. The Superdome might not survive if they were to actually lock up. — ANTHONY BENIGNO

BARON CORBIN
Baron Corbin excels when there’s chaos in the ring. After all, he won the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal in his WWE debut, and he’s a former Mr. Money in the Bank.

The Lone Wolf even had an impressive showing in his Royal Rumble Match debut, lasting 32:39 in 2017, throwing out Braun Strowman and showing no fear in the face of The Undertaker.

The 6-foot-8 Lone Wolf has the size, the bad temper and the opportunistic nature to dominate a Rumble Match, and he’s poised to end the 2018 edition as the last man standing. Good luck stopping him. — JEFF LABOON
 

TYE DILLINGER
The beauty of the Royal Rumble Match is its unpredictability. Every longtime WWE Universe member has the same childhood memory on the day of the over-the-top extravaganza: Anxiously awaiting the start of the Rumble and truly believing that everyone had the chance to main event WrestleMania if they could just outlast the pack. Thus, enter Tye Dillinger.

The Perfect 10 has gone through a gamut of ebbs and flows since first appearing on the main roster during the Royal Rumble Match last year. Yes, at times the former NXT-standout has struggled, but he’s also had shining moments, including his debut on SmackDown LIVE or his thrilling series of matches with AJ Styles for the United States Title. So, no, Dillinger does not enter this year’s 30-man melee as the favorite, but he’s certainly got a chance … and that’s the beauty. — RYAN PAPPOLLA
 

RUSEV
The Bulgarian Brute will march into Philadelphia and crush the competition while cementing his spot in a championship match at WrestleMania (RusevMania?) Rusev has the perfect combination of strength, speed and agility necessary to survive the every-man-for-himself melee. Behind the power of The Super Athlete’s crushing kicks, this Rusev Day will be an especially joyous one, as the Royal Rumble becomes the Rusev Rumble! — BOBBY MELOK
 

KOFI KINGSTON
Survival is the name of the game in the Royal Rumble, and who has perfected the art of survival any better than Kofi Kingston in the annual January dance? The Houdini of the over-the-top extravaganza, Kofi has dazzled the WWE Universe by avoiding elimination via walking on his hands, pogo-stick chairs and death-defying leaps from the barricade back to the ring. This time, he won’t just turn in a jaw-dropping feat or two to momentarily stave off elimination; he’ll avoid elimination altogether.

The Dreadlocked Dynamo, who just celebrated his 10-year anniversary in WWE, will be backed up by Xavier Woods and Big E, who will also roam the squared circle during the 30-man melee. As perhaps the most united trio in WWE history, The New Day will watch each other’s backs at every turn, a strategy that could perhaps give us an all-New Day final three. And that ain’t booty. — JON CHIK