The Royal Rumble is going down in Tropicana Field tonight, and fans are likely to see many surprises. Although Brock Lesnar’s name has come up in some troubling ways over the past couple of days, we have the latest update on his status.
Brock Lesnar’s Royal Rumble Status
Brock Lesnar hasn’t been seen on WWE television since SummerSlam, where he lost to Cody Rhodes. The Beast Incarnate then decided to put Cody over in a big way as he raised his hand to the Ford Field crowd in Detroit.
Sean Ross Sapp reported on Fightful Select that, as of earlier this week, Brock Lesnar was slated to be at the Royal Rumble event. It is currently unknown if those plans have changed after he was strongly alluded to in Janel Grant’s lawsuit.
We’ve confirmed that as of earlier this week, Brock Lesnar was scheduled to travel to Tampa for the Royal Rumble. We aren’t sure if that has changed,
Brock Lesnar Update Doesn’t Look Good For Royal Rumble
PW Insider provided an update on Brock Lesnar’s situation. It was noted after noon that, as of the report, the Beast Incarnate had not started traveling to the Royal Rumble event yet.
It is now the belief that Brock Lesnar has been pulled from their Royal Rumble, because of how he was involved in the Janel Grant’s lawsuit against Vince McMahon.
The terminology one source used was that Lesnar had been “withdrawn” from tonight’s event and the belief was that a WWE NXT talent would be used in Lesnar’s place tonight.
It is also believed that Vince McMahon would have used Lesnar, no matter what. Then again, this whole situation is to blame on Vince. Since TKO is running the show now, Lesnar may not appear at the Royal Rumble at all. It is unclear who that may change his WrestleMania plans.
The latest on Brock Lesnar ahead of the #RoyalRumble tonight:
‘As of this morning, Lesnar had not traveled to Florida for the event. The word making the rounds at last night's SmackDown was that Lesnar, who was at one point slated to return for WrestleMania season, would not be… pic.twitter.com/QiKYHMyNNQ
In the blockbuster lawsuit from Janel Grant, it was noted that Vince McMahon allegedly used her as a bargaining chip to secure a contract renewal. The Superstar in question was not named, but they were referred to as a former UFC Heavyweight Champion.
In March 2020, McMahon began sharing sexually explicit photographs and videos of Ms. Grant (including pornographic content he recorded) with other men both inside and outside the company, including with members of the television production “tech” team, executive(s), 4 producer(s), and a world-famous athlete and former UFC Heavyweight Champion with whom WWE was actively trying to sign to a new contract (and ultimately did sign that contract).
Aftermath of the Allegations
TKO reacted to the lawsuit against Vince McMahon, and they made it clear that they are going to take action. These allegations took place prior to Endeavor’s takeover of the company, but this is a matter that they are taking seriously.
“Mr. McMahon does not control TKO nor does he oversee the day-to-day operations of WWE. While this matter predates our TKO executive team’s tenure at the company, we take Ms. Grant’s horrific allegations very seriously and are addressing this matter internally.”
Vince McMahon Resigns
Vince McMahon resigned from WWE on Friday night, while making it clear that he will defend himself against these allegations. WWE CEO Nick Khan then sent out an email to everyone in the company to inform them of Mr. McMahon’s resignation.
“I wanted to inform you that Vince McMahon has tendered his resignation from his positions as TKO Executive Chairman and on the TKO Board of Directors. He will no longer have a role with TKO Group Holdings or WWE.”
The Royal Rumble event is going down at Tropicana Field on January 27th, and the big day is upon us. Big names are expected for the event, and now we know where The Undertaker is.
The Undertaker’s Current Whereabouts
The Undertaker wrestled his final contest at WrestleMania 36 as he faced AJ Styles in a Boneyard match. Although the Deadman hasn’t competed since then, he has made a few appearances on WWE television.
The WWE Hall of Famer may not be publicly announced for the 2024 Royal Rumble event, but he is around. Sean Ross Sapp noted on Fightful Select that Taker is in Tampa.
The Undertaker is in Tampa.
Michelle McCool’s Royal Rumble Status
You never know who will show up at the Royal Rumble. Since we’re speaking about The Undertaker, that brings up a natural question about his wife, Michelle McCool. She already noted on Twitter/X that WWE didn’t send her an invitation for the big match.
This year’s WWE Royal Rumble could be a historic night for the company, for many reasons. Not only are there huge rumors about The Rock’s return, but this huge event is also going down one day after Vince McMahon resigned from the company after a bombshell lawsuit brought a slew of terrible accusations to the forefront.
SE Scoops will have ongoing coverage of the 2024 Royal Rumble event. Keep checking back for constant updates as we provide the biggest headlines from this year’s event.
It was recently reported that Brock Lesnar is returning to WWE television very soon. With the Royal Rumble coming up, that brings a natural idea that he may re-emerge at Tropicana Field.
Sean Ross Sapp has now reported on Fightful Select to confirm that Brock Lesnar is expected for the January 27th pay-per-view event. Everything is subject to change, but Lesnar is slated to be at the Royal Rumble.
That being said, Lesnar was slated for a return prior to the recent Vince McMahon lawsuit. The former Universal Champion’s name was brought into the controversy, and that may force a change for things.
This week, Fightful learned that Royal Rumble was originally discussed as a potential target. This was reiterated to Fightful Thursday, but it was noted that in light of Lesnar’s implied inclusion in the Vince McMahon lawsuit, that may change.
In March 2020, McMahon began sharing sexually explicit photographs and videos of Ms. Grant (including pornographic content he recorded) with other men both inside and outside the company, including with members of the television production “tech” team, executive(s), 4 producer(s), and a world-famous athlete and former UFC Heavyweight Champion with whom WWE was actively trying to sign to a new contract (and ultimately did sign that contract).
Reactions to Vince McMahon Allegations
TKO Group Holdings already stated that they plan to take action internally regarding this matter. This is in spite of the fact that these allegations took place prior to Endeavor’s takeover.
With the Royal Rumble coming up on Saturday, and so much going on in WWE, it’s easy to see that this will be a very busy weekend for everyone involved. SE Scoops will have continued coverage for more breaking news concerning Vince McMahon’s latest controversy as well.
WWE’s Royal Rumble event is set to go down at Tropicana Field on January 27th, and the pro wrestling world can’t wait to see how Triple H books his first Rumble without Vince McMahon’s creative oversight. Now, we have a couple possible spoilers about whom to expect during one of the big matches.
The Women’s Royal Rumble match
Mike Johnson from PW Insider reported that Sonya Deville and Jade Cargill could be potential entrants in the upcoming women’s Rumble match. Both of them are reportedly scheduled to be at the Royal Rumble event, but there’s no assurance that they will actively participate in the Rumble match.
Sonya Deville has been on the mend from a torn ACL, focusing on her recovery. Her inclusion in the Rumble match would mark a significant return for Deville, adding anticipation to her comeback in the wrestling scene.
Jade Cargill Has Been Training Hard
Jade Cargill is undergoing training at the Performance Center, gearing up for her WWE in-ring debut. While her participation in the Rumble match is not confirmed, fans are eager to see how her training translates into her first official WWE match.
I asked around specifically about Jade’s status for the Royal Rumble match this Saturday. Although I did not pull down any concrete spoiler on her participation, one tenured member of the creative team told me that, “I’ve heard lots of things regarding Jade Cargill.”
As the 2024 Royal Rumble event approaches, the potential involvement of Sonya Deville and Jade Cargill add an element of unpredictability to the women’s Rumble match, keeping the excitement high for wrestling fans.
Another Possible Royal Rumble Surprise
Trinity finished up her time with TNA Wrestling. She also gave a heartfelt speech after her final television taping event for the company. Her WWE return has been reportedly in line for several weeks. That being said, Naomi’s return is also expected for the Royal Rumble event.
That being said, the Women’s Royal Rumble match could include some big surprises this year, with The Glow, Deville, and Jade Cargill’s names in the situation, anything can happen.
Two-time WWE Hall of Famer Booker T is ready to lace up his boots one more time for this weekend’s Men’s Royal Rumble match.
The 2024 Royal Rumble event will take place this weekend from Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. The show will be the 37th annual Royal Rumble event and the seventh to feature a Men’s and Women’s match. On his Hall of Fame podcast, Booker made his case for why he should be in the match.
“I’m in the best shape of my life, y’all. I’ve been training, I’ve been hitting the gym harder than I’ve ever hit it before. I’m serious, man. I’m serious on this. So if they need an extra man, if they need me to make that walk just one time going down in St. Petersburg, Florida, oh yeah, man. I will be ready, willing and able to get the job done, guys.”
Booker went even further, saying he’s not taking any phone calls unless it has a 203 area code, the code for Stamford, CT, where WWE’s headquarters are located. The former World Champion added that he’ll already be in St. Petersburg for the show, as he’ll be part of the kick-off panel.
Booker T in the Royal Rumble Match
After joining the WWF following the demise of WCW, Booker’s Rumble debut would come in the 2002 match. The ‘favorite’ Superstar of Mr. McMahon at the time, Booker entered at #30 but his time in the match would be woefully short-lived. Booker has appeared in a total of 9 Royal Rumble matches. He has a total of 11 eliminations to his name and has lasted in the match for a combined time of 42:57.
WWE Royal Rumble 2024
Here is the card for the WWE 2024 Royal Rumble PLE as it currently stands:
Men’s Royal Rumble match (Confirmed entrants: Cody Rhodes, CM Punk, Shinsuke Nakamura, Bobby Lashley, Drew McIntyre, GUNTHER, Chad Gable, Otis, Akira Tozawa, Kofi Kingston, Damian Priest)
Women’s Royal Rumble match (Confirmed entrants: Bayley, Becky Lynch, Bianca Belair, Nia Jax, Maxxine Dupri, Ivy Nile)
Roman Reigns (c) (with Paul Heyman) vs. Randy Orton vs. AJ Styles vs. LA Knight (Undisputed WWE Universal Championship)
Logan Paul (c) vs. Kevin Owens (WWE United States Championship)
Who else should the WWE Universe expect during this week’s Royal Rumble Premium Live Event…
TNA Wrestling presented their Hard to Kill event on Saturday, and a few titles changed hands. After Jordynne Grace won the Knockouts Title from Trinity, many assumed that reports about Naomi’s WWE return were on the money. That comeback may have to wait.
Trinity Fatu’s Current Status
Following her loss of the Knockouts Title to Jordynne Grace at Hard To Kill, some speculated that Trinity’s time with TNA Wrestling had concluded. Contrary to expectations, reports now suggest that her return to WWE might not be imminent.
PW Insider noted that Trinity had additional scheduled dates with TNA Wrestling, and she did not fulfill her commitment on Sunday. This may push her WWE comeback even further.
We are told Trinity had several more dates with the promotion and did not finish up yesterday at TV, where she wrestled Jordynne Grace.
In the past, WWE typically prefers to bring in talent after they wrap up commitments with another television-prominent promotion. They don’t really like to share talent on television, and it’s a rarity that they will even allow a Superstar to do anything else for another company.
TNA Wrestling’s Morale is Good
The report from Mike Johnson further noted that morale within the promotion reportedly experienced a boost after these events, coinciding with the official reintroduction of the TNA brand at Hard to Kill.
It was also noted that Kazuchika Okada’s return to the company after many years was a “healing” moment. This comes after he had been treated so poorly by the previous administration so many years ago.
Trinity may still be WWE-bound, but it appears she has a few more dates with TNA Wrestling to go. Nothing is 100% until contracts are signed, so she may just decide to stick around with the freshly re-branded company, because that option is likely there for her as well.
Matt Riddle was released from WWE in September last year, and he is already filling up his 2024 with dates. He will not have a match against Brock Lesnar, but that also wasn’t going to happen while he was with WWE, either.
Matt Riddle & Brock Lesnar’s Story
The history between Matt Riddle and Brock Lesnar has been a popular narrative for pro wrestling fans, but the match never took place. The two had a backstage confrontation during the 2020 Royal Rumble, which garnered notable attention.
In that Royal Rumble backstage encounter, Brock Lesnar let Matt Riddle know that he had no interest in facing him. Although they eventually briefly worked together, Riddle didn’t get the marquee match he wanted. Now, The King of Bros has alleged that Lesnar intentionally sandbagged his chances of winning the Royal Rumble match.
During an interview on Signed by Superstars, Matt Riddle alleged that he was initially told he would win the 2022 Royal Rumble, but then he claimed that Brock Lesnar refused to cooperate and insisted on winning the match himself.
“I believe — you know, it’s sports-entertainment — that I was told at one point, yeah, I was gonna win the (Royal) Rumble and everything else, and then what was it? Bobby Lashley beat Brock Lesnar because somebody came in and hit him with the belt or what have you. Then Brock came in, didn’t wanna do business with everybody, said he was winning, and then he won, and then none of the producers… nobody stood up to him, and they let him do it. I didn’t either, I didn’t either. I’m like, f*ck man, I’m just here.”
Matt Riddle is very firm on the idea that Brock Lesnar harbored animosity towards him. This belief has spurred discussions among fans, especially considering the Royal Rumble incident.
The anticipation leading up to the 2022 Royal Rumble suggested that Matt Riddle had significant momentum, leading many fans to believe it could be his moment to finally break into the main event picture with a WrestleMania main event match. That was not in the cards for the Original Bro.
Matt Riddle’s WWE Release
Matt Riddle’s release from WWE was marked by a series of internal issues, culminating in an incident at JFK Airport while returning from WWE’s final live event in India. He had a lot of internal infractions before that.
Despite prior support from management, Matt Riddle exhausted his chances as they found themselves unable to stand behind him any longer. The Original Bro had recently rejoined the company after an extended hiatus for rehab.
After jumping back into the indies, Matt Riddle is already securing numerous dates. His upcoming first-time-ever match against RVD in March and his anticipated return to MLW are all promising prospects. Matt Riddle won’t be hard to find after his WWE tenure is over, even if Brock Lesnar wants to track him down.
The WWE Royal Rumble is approaching on January 27th, and that will always spark speculation about potential returns. Rey Mysterio may be out of action with an injury, but he is eyeing a return at Tropicana Field.
Rey Mysterio Gives Positive Injury Update
Rey Mysterio is currently in recovery after undergoing knee surgery a few weeks ago. His absence from television was prompted by an attack from Santos Escobar. In reality, this was a planned procedure, because Mysterio needed to get this work done on his knee.
Unfazed by this physical setback, Rey Mysterio is determined to make a swift return to the ring. While speaking to Baker Banter, Mr. 6-1-9 mentioned actively engaging in physical therapy and expressed optimism about being back in action for the Royal Rumble.
“I’m really working hard on my physical therapy,” Mysterio stated. “I just had knee surgery, thanks to Santos Escobar, and his time will come eventually. I do hope that I can return for the Rumble, if not shortly after that. I am working very hard to make my return as soon as possible.”
Rey Mysterio Speaks on Seth Rollins
If Rey Mysterio can win the 2024 Royal Rumble match, he may elect to take on Seth Rollins for his WWE World Heavyweight Title at WrestleMania 40. Myserio has seen Seth Rollins operate, and he had a unique take on The Visionary’s career metamorphosis in WWE.
“Seth Rollins, to me, he’s like a chameleon. He disguises himself as many characters. He had beef with a lot of Superstars because he does carry the World Title. But now that CM Punk is on board, it’s like he pushed all the rivals that he had on [in] his site and is now focused strictly on one person. Personally, I respect Seth Rollins. I enjoy watching his work, and I appreciate that he was Dominik’s godfather. He was the first superstar to step in the ring with Dominick [SummerSlam 2020] and trusted Dominik. So at that time, Dominik and I were very close and that makes me feel full of respect towards Seth Rollins. But in the ring right now, he’s a crazy man.”
Rey Mysterio also inked a new deal with WWE, along with his son, Dominik Mysterio. While it is believed that Dominik’s contract is a full five-year deal, many believe that Rey Mysterio only inked a three-year agreement. Either way, that will ensure that WWE fans have years to come for that father/son storyline to finally circle back to each other.
Kevin Owens is currently one match away from securing a WWE United States Title shot at the Royal Rumble. Owens wants to take that title from Logan Paul in a big way, but first, he must sanitize it.
Kevin Owens’ WWE SmackDown Story So Far
Kevin Owens was moved to the blue brand following Jey Uso’s switch to Monday Night RAW. Owens then engaged in feuds with Austin Theory and Grayson Waller, where he was able to knock both of them out backstage with one swift punch.
The Prizefighter also had strong words for Logan Paul before his match against Santos Escobar. The seeds were planted for KO vs The Maverick a while ago, and it appears that is WWE’s direction.
Logan Paul As WWE United States Champion
Logan Paul is really living it up as WWE United States Champion. He posted photos of himself wearing nothing but his title. He has also cuddled up with it in bed.
One thing Logan Paul made clear is that Triple H requested that he not do the nasty while wearing his title belt, which is hasn’t admitted to doing yet. Still, Kevin Owens isn’t taking any chances.
Logan Paul opened up in a YouTube vlog about how Triple H once asked him not to have sex in his WWE hardware. He promised The Game that he wouldn’t.
“I don’t think you understand. I just took a shower with this belt on. I ran a 5K earlier with this belt on. This belt never leaves my body waist. I f*ck in this belt. This belt means everything to me. Cut that out, bro. Just because the WWE, they did say that I can’t f*ck in the belt. When I won the belt, they said [laughs]. I swear, Triple H, he came up to me, he said, ‘Logan, congratulations on the belt. One thing we’ve been really cautious about here in the organization is making sure our athletes are not f*cking in their belts, so if you could just refrain from f*cking in your belt,’ and I gave him my word. Next thing you know, I’m clapping cheeks in this f*cking 40-pound piece of metal. You gotta cut all of that out.”
Kevin Owens’ Promise For WWE US Title
During a conversation with Kayla Braxton after SmackDown this week, Kevin Owens expressed his displeasure with Logan Paul’s actions involving the United States Championship. Owens then stated his intention to use sanitizer on the title to clean it after winning it.
“Once I go through Santos [Escobar], the ultimate face to punch, Logan Paul. You know what he’s been doing with the US Title since he’s won it? Just repulsive, just gross. He’s a man of very low moral fiber, right? I can’t wait to take that title back, put it in my bathtub, and I’m not gonna take a bath with it. I’m just gonna put so much Clorox, hand sanitizer, whatever is needed to clean that thing. Then I’ll take it and will restore the prestige it deserves, and that’s about it. That’s my plan.”
Logan Paul’s matches in WWE have impressed everyone so far. Each time he’s been booked, The Maverick brought it. That helped him gain popularity on WWE television, and locker room respect came with it. He is still a hated heel that fans would love to see take a Stunner from Kevin Owens.
WWE is gearing up for the road to WrestleMania, and the event is set to kick off on January 27th at the Royal Rumble in Tropicana Field. Although we still have over a month until they really put the wheels in motion, other wheels on the road have provided a glimpse at what is to come.
Brock Lesnar’s Current WWE Situation
Brock Lesnar’s last appearance on WWE television took place during the SummerSlam, where he faced Cody Rhodes. Ultimately, Lesnar was defeated by The American Nightmare, and he praised Rhodes in an impromptu post-match celebration. The Beast Incarnate’s absence has persisted since that event in Detroit’s Ford Field.
Despite Brock Lesnar’s current absence from WWE television, promotional materials featuring him for WrestleMania 40 were spotted on the back of a WWE production truck. This observation is noteworthy considering the proximity of the Royal Rumble next month, adding an intriguing layer to Lesnar’s potential involvement in upcoming events.
Exclusive Details About Brock Lesnar’s WWE Future
I was told by a tenured source within WWE after SummerSlam that Brock Lesnar won’t be back to wrestle for the rest of 2023. Now that we are closing out December, it seems that came to pass.
The Royal Rumble event is the next big event on WWE’s schedule. I could not get a definite confirmation that Brock Lesnar will be a part of the January 27th Royal Rumble event, but it was not denied to me, either.
I was told that Brock Lesnar is slated to be on the WrestleMania 40 card. That being said, WWE is obviously gearing up for a big night in Philadelphia for the Beast Incarnate. His opponent is another question, as a lot of things are shifting within WWE right now, especially after CM Punk’s return. So, nothing is locked into place yet.
I was able to confirm, as I previously reported, that Roman Reigns’ plan for WrestleMania 40 has not changed, but anything is possible until it is “locked in.”
UPDATE: Allegation Involving Brock Lesnar
In the blockbuster lawsuit from Janel Grant, it was noted that Vince McMahon allegedly used her as a bargaining chip to secure a contract renewal. The Superstar in question was not named, but they were referred to as a former UFC Heavyweight Champion.
In March 2020, McMahon began sharing sexually explicit photographs and videos of Ms. Grant (including pornographic content he recorded) with other men both inside and outside the company, including with members of the television production “tech” team, executive(s), 4 producer(s), and a world-famous athlete and former UFC Heavyweight Champion with whom WWE was actively trying to sign to a new contract (and ultimately did sign that contract).
Mick Foley gave his all for fans’ entertainment, losing teeth and an ear in the process. Right now, he is doing his best post-WWE, but the gleam of hope that he will return still lingers in the air.
WWE’s yearly Royal Rumble event stands out as one that usually includes excitement and numerous surprises. Despite WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley surprising fans with some post-retirement appearances, it seems Foley won’t feature in the 2024 Royal Rumble PPV.
During WWE The Bump on December 12th, 2023, Mick Foley was asked about the possibility that he might grace Tropicana Field for the 2024 Royal Rumble event. Mrs. Foley’s Baby Boy was quick to shut down any hope that fans will see him mix it up on January 27th.
“On Royal Rumble, people get together and celebrate. It really makes people happy. So I’ll be tuned in, and maybe I’ll be…no, here’s the thing; I would have to lose 70 pounds just to be in terrible shape, so I am not going to be there.”
Mick Foley’s Royal Rumble History
Mick Foley’s last official WWE match was in 2012 as part of the 30-Man Royal Rumble match, which Sheamus won. So, he’s obviously not foreign to the idea of a Royal Rumble surprise. Still, Foley will sit this one out.
Mick Foley made history in 1998 by enteringthe Royal Rumble as three different characters. Those days are in the past, but he certainly appreciates the fact that fans would love to see him wrestle again.
We will have to see when Mick Foley shows up on WWE television again. You can never say never, but it appears that he is satisfied with how things have turned out for him at this point. You can check out The Bump below.
WWE is experiencing a booming period in their company’s history right now. It’s no new occurrence to see that they have broken another record after a big event. They are also setting a very high bar for the 2024 Royal Rumble event in Tropicana Field on January 27th.
During Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer discussed the Royal Rumble’s ticket sales, noting their impressive performance and projecting a gate of close to $8 million. He added that the company aims to establish a record for the largest paid attendance or the second-largest for the Royal Rumble.
”Royal Rumble is doing great in ticket sales, I don’t know the number but they are projecting a gate of close to $8 million. I think they’re looking for the largest paid attendance or second largest, you know the Alamodome one year ago. They’re looking at 50,000 people for this one. It’s gonna have to be 50,000 sold now, but that’s what they’re hoping for, especially with the announcement of Punk in the match.”
WWE established the largest attendance record for the Royal Rumble last year at the Alamodome, with 51,338 people present. With all of the hype they’re putting toward this show, it stands to reason that they will break a new record in 2024.
The WWE Royal Rumble Premium Live Event is scheduled for January 27, 2024, at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. The event is generating significant anticipation, with big ticket sales already recorded more than a month before the show.
We will have to see how many fans WWE can pack into Tropicana Field. The company knows that venue well, as it played host to a ThunderDome setup during the pandemic. Of course, those events had zero live fans in attendance, meaning that this stop by Tropicana Field will mean so much more.
We will have complete coverage of the Royal Rumble, and everything leading up to the big event over the next month, here at SE Scoops.
The 2014 Royal Rumble was the last WWE match that CM Punk has wrestled in. He was taken out early by Kane, and then he walked out of the company. Things have changed, but the Royal Rumble is still an incredible test for any Superstar.
CM Punk expressed that walking out of WWE was one of the toughest choices he had ever made. He declared that his future was beginning in Cleveland, aiming to rectify past mistakes.
CM Punk informed Adam Pearce that he is now the newest RAW Superstar, stating, “CM Punk is home.” Following this announcement, Seth Rollins entered the scene to engage in a promo confrontation with Punk.
After Seth Rollins cut a promo in CM Punk’s face, the Second City Savior took a moment to let those words settle. Then, Punk said that Rollins gets one free pass to disrespect him.
CM Punk then told Seth Rollins that he is entering the Royal Rumble, and when he wins, he just may come after Rollins’ WWE World Heavyweight Title.
We will keep our eye on this story here at SE Scoops. So far, the 2024 Royal Rumble has Cody Rhodes and CM Punk in the match, both entrants could have WrestleMania main events ahead of them.
Cody Rhodes made his big return to WWE at Royal Rumble. After staying away from wrestling for 7 months, the American Nightmare picked things up right where he left off. He won the battle royal to earn a shot at the Undisputed World Championship at WrestleMania 39. His return, however, wasn’t free of criticism. Many fans thought that it would have been better to keep his comeback a surprise.
The former AEW star addressed this criticism during an interview with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour. Rhodes explained why he preferred the way things went down, saying that he wanted to call his shots:
“The Rumble was about, in my opinion, as a character that people like on the show, and I’ve been a character on shows that they don’t like but as someone currently, they like and vibe with and I really love and like them. I wanted to call my shot.
Calling your shots sometimes makes it obvious. Like ‘oh, hey, they’re making it seem like he’s gonna win the Royal Rumble.’ I wanted to call my shot because I still believe in those type of wrestlers. The type I grew up with, who said something and did it. That doesn’t happen that often in wrestling.”
‘It Just Felt Good’: Cody Rhodes
Cody Rhodes noted how he has been talking about winning the world championship since he returned to the company. He mentioned that many fans wanted his return to be a surprise, but the wrestling veteran explained that he felt good sharing the story of his return with fans:
“I’ve been telling you since WrestleMania, this is what I want. I want to win this championship that my dad never got his hands on. Then I want to start a whole new chapter. I’m wrapping up something that started in 1978, seven years before I was born. 77 maybe actually, but I want to wrap this up, and then wrap that part up for me. Then start a whole new chapter. I kind of stand by that.
There was a lot of people like ‘maybe it should have been a surprise.’ [I’m like] ‘Yeah, that might have been really cool.’ But it just felt good about telling them ‘Hey, I’m coming back’ It was really nerve-wracking and anxious. Watching those vignettes, because they’re not vignettes. It’s real surgery footage and real PT footage at my gym. I didn’t want to let anyone down and I felt like I didn’t.”
Last year, Cody Rhodes shocked the wrestling world when he jumped ship from AEW to WWE. He made his return after 7 years at WrestleMania 38.
He famously wrestled with a torn pectoral at the 2022 Hell in A Cell before having surgery. Rhodes returned at this year’s Royal Rumble to enter the Rumble match at #30. He battled with Gunther to win the Rumble and become the #1 contender for Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 39.
Matt Hardy’s Comments
(via AEW)
On the latest episode of The Extreme Life of Matt Hardy, Hardy said he was “very proud of him.” He reflected on their time together during in Jacksonville during the Pandemic Era. Due to spending so much time at Daily’s Place and “filming Dark until 2 AM”, Hardy and Rhodes spent a lot of time together.
“It was cool, man. I thought Cody killed it when we first came into WWE. I think him leaving AEW and going to WWE — the first major jump from an AEW to WWE deal — I think it’s good for business. I think it’s good for interest, I think it’s good for wrestling fans, I think it’s good for the entire biz, just in general.”
“So I was very happy for him to come back and I was happy that he won the Royal Rumble. And I think he’s the guy that should have won the Royal Rumble. I like that direction. And I’m really interested to see what him and Roman are going to do at Mania.”
WrestleMania 39 takes place in Los Angeles on April 1 and 2.
Royal Rumble was one of the biggest nights of his career for Cody Rhodes. He was making his return from a gruesome injury after months and he went on to pick up one of the biggest wins of his career. In the heat of the moment, however, Rhodes committed what he calls a ‘cardinal sin’ in the wrestling business.
The winner of the 2023 Men’s Royal Rumble recently appeared on After The Bell podcast. Speaking about his performance at the PPV, Rhodes revealed that he did not know where the hard cam was:
“I did commit what I’d call kind of a cardinal sin in the wrestling game. My dad would be really irked if he knew this. I did not walk the arena earlier in the day. I did not walk the ramp. I did not get in the ring. I was very much held behind doors. Because of that, I will admit I had no clue and I still have not figured it out. I didn’t know where the hard cam was.”
“Okay, Welcome Back”: Cody Rhodes
Cody Rhodes explained that his father the late great Dusty Rhodes would have not been too happy knowing this detail. It ended up not mattering in the end per Rhodes because the cameras managed to capture the best moment of the night:
I tried. Then at a certain point, I just figured I had found it but then the sign was that way and I figured ‘Nope that can’t [be it]’. So I really was just looking to get all [corners] ‘Let’s just get all fours.’ That was one of those [reminding moments] ‘Okay, welcome back.’ Because that’s something you absolutely have to cover.
That’s part of being a professional. Put your face to the camera and here I am claiming to be one of the world’s top professionals [not knowing]. I would have got a kick in the ass from the old man, and my brother for that matter, but it didn’t [matter in the end]. In the case of WWE, there’s 1000 cameras who captured every second of it. They got to capture the sweetest second of it and that’s when Gunther went over the top rope.”
Bobby Lashley couldn’t help but ‘dunk’ on Brock Lesnar after eliminating him from Saturday night’s men’s Royal Rumble match.
Lashley cut a promo on SmackDown and warned the entire WWE Universe that he plans on being the last man standing in San Antonio. As he was speaking, Lesnar emerged from the crowd and viciously attacked the Almighty with an F5. The Beast declared his entry into the Rumble, setting the stage for another clash between these two heavyweights.
Having won Rumble in 2003 and 2022, Lesnar was considered one of the favorites the moment he was announced as a participant. In the hours leading up to the Rumble, Lashley warned WWE Superstars to stay out of his way.
He wrote, “I’m getting rid of Brock tonight, and THEN I’ll take care of the rest of you!”
Lashley Eliminates Lesnar
Brock Lesnar entered the Royal Rumble at #12 and went on a rampage. He flung Chad Gable, Santos Escobar and Angelo Dawkins out of the ring with ease. The next entrant into the Rumble was Bobby Lashley at #13. Two combustable forces like this do not co-exist for long. It all came to ahead when Lashley stunned the Alamodome by eliminating Lesnar.
As you can see below, Lesnar did not handle it well.
On Sunday morning, Lashley took a moment to mock Lesnar on Twitter. He told the former UFC Heavyweight champion to kiss his ass. It’s one thing to talk trash to Brock Lesnar. It’s another thing to antagonize him when he’s already riled up.
Saturday night “The Road to WrestleMania” officially kicked off with the Royal Rumble.
The men’s Royal Rumble match saw a guest spot from Booker T along with the returns of Edge and Cody Rhodes. GUNTHER also set a record for the longest time in a Royal Rumble match.
This week on Top Rope Nation, SEScoops Site Manager Ryan Droste is joined by Jesse Velasquez of the Unplugged Wrestling Podcast to review Saturday night’s WWE Royal Rumble event.
Each week, the video version of Top Rope Nation streams live to the SEScoops YouTube channel. You can join the live streams by subscribing to the channel and turning on notifications so you never miss a live broadcast. This will include a regular weekly edition of Top Rope Nation (typically Thursday nights), as well as reviews of all major WWE and AEW PLE/PPV shows.
On episode 282 this week, every match on the Rumble card is covered. Plus, Ryan and Jesse have a conversation about where the Bloodline, Roman Reigns, and Sami Zayn storyline ranks all-time. Also, what does Sami Zayn’s popularity mean for Cody Rhodes and the build to WrestleMania?
You can watch the show via the embedded YouTube video at the top of this page. Additionally, you can listen to the audio-only podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever podcasts are found. You will also find an embedded audio player below.
Natalya made a surprise return to WWE at in the 2023 Women’s Royal Rumble match. The second-generation Superstar had not publicly declared for the match. She’s been out of action since November after undergoing nasal surgery to move her dislocated nose “back to the center” of her face.
As the daughter of WWE legend Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart, Natalya regularly wears pink and black as an homage to the Hart Foundation, his classic tag team with Bret “Hit Man” Hart.
It wasn’t a big surprise to see her rocking the ‘Hart colors’ at the Royal Rumble. On Sunday, the 2-time Women’s Champion revealed her Rumble ring attire was extra special, with deep ties to her father’s legendary tag team.
Natalya’s Royal Rumble Ring Gear
In a post on Twitter, Natalia revealed that her Rumble gear was designed by the same person who (along with her sister) is responsible for the Hart Foundation wearing pink and black in the first place.
“The costume designer who made this outfit for me, Julie, also designed the very first ever Hart Foundation gear with her sister, Terry,” she wrote. They were the ones who came up with the concept of The Hart Foundation wearing pink and black.”
She also wore a skull cap, a look coined by her father during the Hart Foundation’s tag team title reign in 1990. As seen below, you can see the inspiration behind this latest look.
The costume designer who made this outfit for me, Julie, also designed the very first ever Hart Foundation gear with her sister, Terry. They were the ones who came up with the concept of The Hart Foundation wearing pink and black. ?? pic.twitter.com/fyxKs535M8
Natalya has been a member of WWE’s main roster since April 2008. As a senior member of the women’s locker room, she has a ton of experience to offer some of Raw and SmackDown’s more recent additions.
Mentoring aside, Natalya is not over the hill by any means. Just last year, she challenged then-SmackDown Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey at WWE’s Money in the Bank premium live event. Rousey got the win, but Natalya showed she can still compete at the highest level.
Ripley now has a one-way ticket to a main event match at WrestleMania Goes Hollywood. She’ll get to choose whether she challenges Bianca Belair for the Raw Women’s Championship or SmackDown women’s champion, Charlotte Flair. She’s already held the Raw Women’s title, a factor that could play into her decision.
WWE held a press conference after the Royal Rumble. Several Superstars including Cody Rhodes, Bray Wyatt fielded questions from members of the wrestling media. Ripley was all smiles when she spoke, telling the room that she’s planning to celebrate in a big way.
“The Judgment Day, we get pretty wild when we party,” she said. “There’s a lot of things that go down, I might get in trouble if I say anything. There’s definitely gonna be a good old Judgment Day party. Dom Dom’s gonna get rowdy, Priest is definitely gonna get rowdy and Finn Balor is gonna get rowdy, and I’m gonna celebrate, I don’t care.”
Update on Rhea Ripley After Winning the Royal Rumble
On Sunday, Ripley posted a photo on Twitter showing off the scrapes and cuts she sustained on the way to her big win. This is nothing compared to what happened to Sonya Deville, but you can see she didn’t make it out unscathed.
Rey Mysterio did not appear in the men’s Royal Rumble match, despite WWE having creative plans for him in the match.
Mysterio was scheduled to enter the Royal Rumble at #17. His music hit, but the lucha libre legend was nowhere to be found. The following entrant was his son, Dominik, who came out wearing his father’s signature mask. He removed the mask and tore it up as he made his way to the ring to officially enter the match.
What unfolded on television was not what WWE had planned for the Mysterios at the Rumble, but the company was forced to call a last-minute audible due to Rey sustaining an injury the previous night.
Rey Mysterio Update After the Royal Rumble
Rey Mysterio was injured during his match against Karrion Kross on Friday’s SmackDown, according to Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio. Mysterio defeated Kross on SmackDown, which was taped from the Sames Auto Arena in Laredo, Texas.
“[Rey Mysterio] was going to be in the Rumble, that spot was changed,” said Meltzer. “I think they were actually supposed to do some teases with him to set up a WrestleMania match [against Dominik].”
Rey Mysterio won the 2006 WWE Royal Rumble, so he would have been a formidable contender, even at this late stage in his career.
With Rey unable to compete, WWE’s creative team instead came up with what we saw on television, and the idea that the Judgment Day attacked Rey Mysterio and prevented him from participating.
We’ll be looking into the nature of Rey Mysterio’s latest injury and will provide an update when we get more information. The extent of his condition may dictate whether or not he’s healthy enough to face his son Dominik at WrestleMania Goes Hollywood.
WWE Superstar Sonya Deville suffered a nasty gash above her left eye in Saturday night’s Women’s ‘Royal Rumble’ match.
Deville entered the Rumble at #27, an advantageous spot that most entrants would be happy to receive. She eliminated a few people, including Indi Hartwell and Zoey Stark, before getting kicked in the head and tossed out by Asuka.
Early Sunday morning, Deville checked in on social media to let her fans know she’s alright, and to show off the full extent of her injury.
Sonya Deville’s Royal Rumble Injury (Graphic)
As seen below, she suffered a huge cut on her eyebrow that likely required several stitches to close up. She’s taking the setback in stride and says, “I’m a beast!”
The 2023 Women’s Royal Rumble match was ultimately won by Rhea Ripley of Judgment Day. Ripley now who heads to WrestleMania Goes Hollywood, where she’ll face either Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair or SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair.
Saturday’s WWE Royal Rumble premium live event concluded with the latest chapter of the ongoing saga of Sami Zayn and the Bloodline (Results).
After months of tension, the storyline that many have likened to Scorsese-level cinema culminated with Zayn interrupting a Bloodline beatdown on Kevin Owens, hitting Roman Reigns with a steel chair and being left for dead by Reigns, Solo Sikoa and Jimmy Uso. As for Jey Uso, well, he’s a bit conflicted.
To see what happened after the Royal Rumble went off the air, watch the footage above, courtesy of the What a Vlog Youtube channel.
Roman Reigns made his latest title defense as the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion against Kevin Owens, a rematch two years in the making. However, it was the post-match angle that had people talking.
The title match at Saturday’s WWE Royal Rumble premium live event featured a back and forth affair to start things off. Although Owens got the upper hand after hitting a back splash on the floor, Reigns took over with a slower pace.
Owens did manage to hit a frog splash off the apron to the floor before getting back into the ring where Reigns connected with a powerbomb for 2. Reigns missed a spear, leading to a superkick and swanton bomb by Owens for 2. Owens missed a moonsault and Reigns hit a spear for 2. There was a referee bump. Although Zayn got a chair as Reigns asked him to do so, Owens managed to hit a stunner for 2. Reigns speared him through the barricade, bounced Owens’ head off the steel steps and hit a spear for the win.
Post-match, The Bloodline beat down Owens. Zayn pleaded with Reigns to top the attack. Reigns wanted Zayn to hit Owens with the chair. Zayn hit Reigns in the back. Reigns, Solo and Jimmy Uso beat down Zayn, but Jey walked out.
In recent months, Owens has been a thorn in the side of Reigns and The Bloodline. At Survivor Series: WarGames, Owens was on the opposite team, although he fell short thanks to Sami Zayn.
At the 2021 Royal Rumble event, Owens and Reigns battled in a Last Man Standing bout, but dealt with interference from The Bloodline and other factors, eventually leading to his loss against “The Tribal Chief.”
