Additional Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter
It was noted on RAW last week that the winner of the Jeff Hardy vs. Triple H match at Armageddon will get a WWE title shot at the Royal Rumble. This match is crucial because it will set off several major storylines for the next few months.
As things have been laid out, Triple H is set to win the title from Randy Orton, probably at the Royal Rumble. If that’s the case, then Triple H will be going over Hardy at Armageddon. And Orton is likely retaining his title against Jericho.
The plan after that is for Triple H to wrestle Batista at WrestleMania. There is major talk of doing this match at Mania. Plans originally called for Triple H to take on Orton at the big show, but WWE is going in a different direction.
It is not known if Batista is winning the Royal Rumble, but it would make the most sense because the Rumble winner can face any brand’s champion at Mania. Seeing how Batista is on SmackDown and Triple H is on Raw, then Batista would pretty much have to win the Rumble because it wouldn’t work with the Elimination Chamber at No Way Out as that match will be limited to wrestlers on the same brand. The unselected champion will have six of the wrestlers on his brand face off in the Elimination Chamber with the winner getting the other championship shot at WrestleMania. It looks like that is going to be a SmackDown brand match with Batista having lost his World Heavyweight belt by then.