The 2017 Royal Rumble is set to be the biggest one yet with the event happening at the 65,000-seater Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. According to the latest rumors, Finn Balor is set to win the 2017 Royal Rumble and earn a shot to regain the WWE Universal Championship back at WrestleMania 33.
The Demon King became the first-ever WWE Universal Champion at SummerSlam but he ended up vacating the title the next night on Monday Night Raw. It was revealed that he suffered a shoulder injury and he was set to undergo surgery.
Balor underwent surgery in late August and he is set to return after four to six months, depending on how his body recuperates. He also had a special stem cell injection treatment for his shoulder in September and he is already undergoing rehabilitation at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando.
There were several reports that Balor would be back this December at the Roadblock pay-per-view since he is being advertised for the event. However, he told people during the Wizard World Comic Con that he would not be back at Roadblock but expect him to be healthy in 2017.
"I can 100% guarantee - what date is Roadblock? December 18th? I will 100% guarantee that I will be home with my family and friends at Christmas. I will be back in 2017," Balor said as transcribed by Screen Geek.
Now that the former WWE Universal champion has confirmed his status, there are new rumors regarding a possible return at the Royal Rumble. According to WWE Leaks, Balor is the favorite to win the Rumble in San Antonio next year.
It will be the perfect return for The Demon King since he would become the No. 1 contender for the WWE Universal or World Championship. He can choose to face WWE World champion A.J. Styles at WrestleMania 33 in a dream match for many but Styles is set to defend it against John Cena.
Balor is a member of the Raw roster and it is a great story if he can regain the WWE Universal Championship at WrestleMania 33. Kevin Owens is currently feuding with Roman Reigns with an eventual match up with Chris Jericho happening next year.
Balor vs. Owens already happened before at NXT but this time, it will be a different story. It is the former champion trying to get back the title he never lost at the Grandest Stage of Them All. Check out the video below to see Balor relinquish the WWE Universal Title on Raw.