Have CM Punk and The Rock Changed WWE Royal Rumble 2024 Betting Odds?

It’s finally January, which means that the most notorious betting event in all of wrestling is on the horizon - the Royal Rumble. Taking place on January 28th at Tropicana Field in Florida, this year’s lineup is proving to be one of the most unpredictable in recent history.

Prior to the Survivor Series Premium Live Event in November 2023, Cody Rhodes appeared to be the odds on favorite, giving him the clear path to go and ‘finish his story’ against Roman Reigns at Wrestlemania. The likes of Gunther and LA Knight were also in the mix.

Since then, two mammoth-sized spanners were thrown into the works to shake things up - CM Punk, and Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson.

So with their inclusions, how are the Royal Rumble betting markets looking now?

CM Punk Odds On Favourite

It was unfathomable to think that CM Punk would ever make a return to WWE after his acrimonious departure in 2014. Although it was speculated that The Best In The World might return at Survivor Series, nobody *actually* believed it would happen, yet here we are.

When we talked about wrestling betting back in October 2023, CM Punk wasn’t even on Paddy Power’s list. Now, he’s the sportsbook’s odds-on favorite:

Unibet has similar thinking, listing Punk at -230, The Rock at +175, and Cody Rhodes at +500.

The Rock Looking More Realistic

Every year at Royal Rumble, The Rock’s name is always mentioned as a long shot. Fans have long clamoured for The Great One’s return, without ever really believing it might actually happen. However, the last few months have been particularly interesting.

After a cameo appearance on Friday Night Smackdown in late 2023 during the SAG-AFTRA strike, The Rock recently appeared on the first Monday Night Raw of 2024, signalling an intention to challenge his cousin, and reigning world champion, Roman Reigns.

The Rock vs Roman Reigns has been one never-before-seen dream match that has been touted for years, which The Rock himself claimed was originally scheduled to happen at Wrestlemania 38. If this is indeed the year for Rock vs Reigns, a win for Dwayne Johnson at the Royal Rumble might just be the way to set that up…

MJF Debut?

Another new name to crop up on these odds lists is current AEW star Maxwell Jacob Friedman - MJF. The 27-year-old has long since talked up the bidding war of 2024, eluding to the fact that his AEW contract expires this year and he would be more than happy to listen to an offer from WWE.

MJF recently lost his AEW World Championship to Samoa Joe, leaving the door open for a potential switch. Paddy Power give MJF odds of 12/1 to win the Rumble, with SkyBet offering odds of 16/1. Many high profile stars have returned or debuted at the Royal Rumble - could the Salt of the Earth be next?

Women’s Royal Rumble

On the women’s side of things, here are the odds that Unibet are offering:

With Charlotte Flair out of action for the next nine months, Bayley is currently the odds on favourite across the majority of sportsbooks, with SkyBet giving odds of 10/11 and Paddy Power offering 5/6 . Bayley is currently a close ally of current Women’s Champion Iyo Sky, but tensions have been forming between the pair in recent weeks. Becky Lynch is never too far away from people’s thinking, coming in second favourite behind Bayley. THat’s three of the Four Horsewomen accounted for…

Sasha Banks Return?

That leaves the door open for a return for Sasha Banks! Currently wrestling as Mercedes Mone, Banks left WWE in December 2022 in controversial circumstances. However, the 31-year-old hasn’t found a permanent home with any other promotion, with injuries keeping her on the sidelines for some time. With Triple H running the show in WWE rather than Vince McMahon, a return is as likely now as it ever has been.

Jade Cargill Debut?

Since WWE announced the signing of Jade Cargill in September 2023, fans have been eagerly awaiting her debut. As of yet, Cargill is yet to wrestle for the company despite making appearances backstage. Would you put it past Cargill to debut in the Rumble and win the whole thing?

AJ Lee Return?

Now that CM Punk has finally come back to WWE, the chances of his wife - and former champion - AJ Lee making an appearance in the Royal Rumble are higher than ever. Unibet are even offering +3000 odds for her to win the match, with SkyBet offering 16/1 and Paddy Power giving odds of 25/1.