WWE Wrestlemania XXX: Chris Jericho? Rob van Dam? The Miz? Who will win the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal?

Hulk Hogan revealed the 30-man Battle Royal (AP)

When the immortal Hulk Hogan strutted down the Monday Night Raw ramp, in Memphis, two weeks ago to announce the Andre the Giant Memorial over the top-rope 30 man Battle Royal, this presented the WWE superstars with a fantastic opportunity. What it also did was create a huge stir among internet bloggers as to who could be competing in the match, Chris Jericho has recently hinted a return to the company and speaking to Y2J for his podcast, Talk is Jericho, Rob van Dam openly said that he would like to be involved in the events 30th anniversary.

Since the Royal Rumble the fans have been expecting the WWE hierarchy to pull a rabbit out of the hat, with the rabbit being more returning superstars to help add some much needed gloss to this year’s event. The Rumble saw the return of Batista and Kevin Nash but that was all the WWE Universe got. Since then the company have brought back Hogan as the host of this year’s Mania but have lost CM Punk, after the Straight-edge superstar left the company following disputes with its bigwigs over the direction of his character.

Something needed to be done and the Andre the Giant battle royal has given WWE an opportunity to redeem themselves. But, more importantly, what it could do when looking to the future for the company is provide a platform for a rising, or current superstar to establish or re-establish themselves in the business.

The match offers a unique opportunity to current underused talent to be involved in the biggest wrestling event of the year. As has been the case in Wrestlemania’s gone by, WWE has struggled to give every member of the roster a slot on the card, year after year many talented superstars miss out on a Wrestlemania pay day and are left to sit in the locker room and watch on as their workmates perform on the grandest stage of them all. This Mania will be different, the battle royal, or a second Rumble, will give superstars like Dolph Ziggler, The Miz, Kofi Kingston and Antonio Cesaro a chance to have their Wrestlemania moment and quite possibly put themselves in the title picture. The prospect of a Jericho or an RVD returning is a nice thought but if fans want to watch former superstars then they should subscribe to the WWE Network. It is important that WWE use this event to invest in their future, bringing back past superstars will boost ratings but WWE is a monster that has got to a point in its existence where it can do as it pleases without worrying about the consequences from its audience.

The Andre the Giant battle royal provides a chance for all those superstars who sit in the back and feel they aren’t being used well enough, to go out and show the likes of Triple H and Vince McMahon what they are missing. Whoever wins will most certainly be subject of a significant push as the WWE calendar starts again and here are ten superstars that we think could be in contention to win the match.

1. Dolph Ziggler

Dolph Ziggler is arguably too talented to not have a title round his waste. He is a fan favourite and his in ring ability constantly impresses. Winning the Andre the Giant Memorial battle royal would be a huge step in reigniting the Show Offs career and would put him in the world title picture once again.

2. The Miz

The self-proclaimed awesome one stated on Monday night Raw to Wrestlemania host Hulk Hogan and the rest of the world that he would win the Andre the Giant memorial battle royal. The Miz has had a bit of a stop start career since losing the WWE Championship back in 2011 and this match provides the perfect opportunity to restart his journey to the top.

3. Alberto Del Rio

Del Rio is a superstar that is arguably too talented to not be involved in a championship match at Wrestlemania. He is a former Royal Rumble and Money in the Bank winner and has held the WWE and World Heavyweight championships, winning the Andre the Giant Trophy would just add to his list of successes during his time with the company.

4. Cody Rhodes

Cody Rhodes is in a similar mould to Randy Orton. He is a second generation superstar and has been competing for WWE for a long time now. Without any notable title pushes Rhodes, a superstar who is bursting with raw talent, could be due one and winning the Andre the Giant Memorial Trophy could be the perfect platform for him

5. Big-E Langston

Big-E is one of the rising stars in WWE today and the current Intercontinental champion. He is a strong, quick and agile heavyweight and is one of the biggest competitors in the match. He has a huge future ahead of him and could be a surprise winner of the trophy.

6. Kofi Kingston

Kofi is another superstar that hasn’t really been involved in a title push in the past and is another one that could be put into the category of being too good to be competing in the match. During his appearances in Royal Rumble matches he has produced a number of memorable moments; can he perform more acrobatics and be the winner of the Trophy?

7. Sheamus

The Celtic Warrior has fought for world titles at Wrestlemania before but this year he finds himself in the middle of a mediocre feud with the veteran Christian. He was one of the last three competitors in this year’s Royal Rumble match and expect him to produce another strong performance in the battle royal.

8. Fandango

After making his Wrestlemania debut last year, beating the legendary Chris Jericho, Fandango hasn’t really reached the heights in WWE he would have hoped for. He is another one of the middle card wrestlers that will be hoping to use this battle royal as a springboard to better things.

9. 3MB

What have the Three Man Band actually done during their time in the WWE? Apart from be a team of glorified jobbers of course. In their ranks they do possess the talent needed to win big matches. Drew McIntyre was once Vince McMahon’s tip for the top. Could one of him, Heath Slater or Jinder Mahal become the shock winner of the Battle Royal?

10. Big Show

The Big Show is a fan favourite and has been with the company for a long time. He has had several title runs and some memorable rivalries. The World Largest Athlete is the biggest competitor, perhaps in the favourite, in the match and a victory could see him have one last run at the title.