The winner of this year’s Men’s Royal Rumble match is Cody Rhodes. He outlasted the likes of Logan Paul, GUNTHER, and Seth Rollins in the Final Four at the WWE Royal Rumble pay-per-view event.
GUNTHER and Sheamus started off the match. The Miz was out next followed by Kofi Kingston, and Johnny Gargano. Sheamus eliminated Miz with the Brogue Kick before Xavier Woods made his entry. Karrion Kross was out at #7. Chad Gable was #8 followed by Drew McIntyre, who eliminated Kross. Santos Escobar was next out then Angelo Dawkins.
Brock Lesnar was the #12 entrant where he eliminated Dawkins, Gable, and Escobar. Bobby Lashley was the #13 entrant. Lashley eliminated Brock with a clothesline. Lesnar hit an F5 to Baron Corbin before he left ringside. Seth Rollins was #15 then Otis. Rey Mysterio was #17, but he didn’t come out. Rollins eliminated Lashley. Dominik Mysterio walked out with Rey’s mask. Elias came out then was eliminated and Finn Balor entered the bout where he eliminated Gargano. Booker T came out at #21 before he was eliminated by GUNTHER. Damian Priest was out at #22 then Montez Ford. Edge came out at #24 where he eliminated Balor and Priest before Balor eliminated Edge, who was trying to toss out Mysterio. Austin Theory was #25. Bet Phoenix returned to attack Rhea Ripley.
Omos was #26 followed by Braun Strowman, who eliminated Omos. Ricochet was #28. McIntyre and Sheamus was eliminated by GUNTHER. Logan Paul came out at #29 and Cody Rhodes was the final entrant. Paul and Ricochet did a spring board double clothesline spot from one side of the ring to the other. Theory eliminated Ricochet. Rollins hit the stomp to Theory before Rhodes clotheslined Austin to the floor. Paul eliminated Rollins the Rhodes tossed out Paul. GUNTHER worked over the pec of Rhodes before Rhodes eliminated him.
Rhodes has earned the right to be in one of the main events of WrestleMania 39 and will have his choice to go after one of the top titles in the company, as a result of beating out 29 other stars.
Royal Rumble List of Entrants
Pat McAfee returned to the announce table before the match. Here’s a list of the entry of superstars who competed in this fan-favorite match:
Royal Rumble always brings in many surprises and there is a lot of chatter about which stars may or may not show up at the PPV from Alamodome this year.
Fightful Select provided some update on the names fans are expecting to see on the show tonight including The Rock, Ronda Rousey and more.
Switchblade Jay White is expected to leave NJPW at the end of his deal. As of now however, he is still under contract which likely means he won’t be at Royal Rumble.
When asked about a potential surprise appearance at the show, Matt Cardona said “In San Antonio the day before the Rumble? What am I, a mark?”
Doudrop who has been out of action since last September is in town and taking part in media events. She has been training for an in-ring return for a month.
Ronda Rousey wasn’t originally expected to be part of the Royal Rumble after losing the SmackDown women’s title to Charlotte Flair back in December.
Several people with connections to the company ‘swear The Rock is showing up.’ His latest Instagram post on the other hand, suggests that it’s not likely.
There are Uncle Howdy outfits set for use during the show. Bo Dallas, who has been the rumored name behind the character is also in town.
People have speculated that Pat McAfee could be returning from his hiatus. There is one talent who claims to have heard his name being mentioned for Rumble.
Which surprise appearance would you like to see at Royal Rumble this year? Let us know in the comment section below.
We’re just hours away for the 2023 WWE ‘Royal Rumble’. Keep it locked to SEScoops tonight for our Royal Rumble Results & Live Discussion. Chat with other readers in the comments section while watching one of WWE’s biggest events of the year.
Ahead of tonight’s show, here are some last minute news and notes:
Royal Rumble Attendance
The Royal Rumble takes place from the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. This is the third time the Alamodome has hosted the event, following 1997 and 2017.
On Friday’s WWE ‘SmackDown,’ commentator Michael Cole mentioned they’re expecting over 50,000 fans in attendance. According to Wrestletix, the venue is configured to accommodate 44,868. As of Saturday morning, 44,417 tickets had been distributed, with 451 still available and 1,411 seats on the secondary market (StubHub, etc.)
This show has generated a lot of excitement, so this will likely be a legitimate sell-out when all the walk-up sales are accounted for.
WWE presented the 2023 ‘Royal Rumble’ on Saturday, January 28 from the AlamoDome in San Antonio, Texas.
The show begins and our commentary team of Michael Cole and Corey Graves welcome us to the show LIVE from the AlamoDome in San Antonio, Texas. It’s time for our opening contest of the evening…the Men’s Royal Rumble match!
Before our match begins, Pat McAfee’s music hits and McAfee is back in WWE! McAfee isn’t competing in the match but will join Cole and Graves on commentary!
Men’s Royal Rumble Match
Gunther makes his way to the ring and the Intercontinental Champion is the number one entrant into the match. As the case usually is with these two, heavy strikes are exchanged early and often. Gunther tosses Sheamus over the top rope but Sheamus rakes the IC Champion’s eyes and leaps back into the ring. Time is up and The Miz enters at number three. Miz runs around the ring, Sheamus chases after and tosses Miz back into the ring, where he and Gunther light Miz up with chops to the chest. The timer is up and former WWE Champion, Kofi Kingston enters the fray. All four men are separated off in pairs and number five is ready to come in and it’s former NXT Champion, Johnny Gargano. Sheamus tosses Miz onto the apron and starts cracking him in the chest with his patented forearms to the chest. Number six enters the mix and it’s Xavier Woods! Everyone’s down except Kingston and Woods and instead of going after one another, they start dancing. Gunther and Sheamus have had enough and start attacking both members of the New Day. Number seven enters the match and it’s Karrion Kross.
The newest member of the match goes after both Kingston and Woods but runs into a massive chop by Gunther. The buzzer sounds and the eight member of the match is Chad Gable. The leader of Alpha Academy is going after everyone and he and Woods engage in some mat wrestling and it’s time for number nine to enter the mix and it’s Drew McIntyre! The former WWE Champion slams Gargano into Gable and is attacked from behind by Kross. McIntyre sends Kross over the top rope and launches him to the floor with a boot to the face and Kross is eliminated! The timer runs down and number 10 is Santos Escobar! Everyone is attacking one another and number 11 is Angelo Dawkins! Gunther sends Woods over the top rope and onto the floor with a boot to the face and Woods is eliminated! Number 12’s music hits and it’s two-time Royal Rumble winner, Brock Lesnar! ‘The Beast Encarnate’ launches Escobar, Dawkins, and Gable all out of the ring.
Lesnar comes face-to-face with Gunther and the time expires to reveal number 13 as Bobby Lashley! Lesnar attacks Lashley, who drills Lesnar with a spear and launches Lesnar out of the ring and Lesnar is eliminated! Number 14 is Baron Corbin but Lesnar attacks Corbin before he even enters the ring and he may be out of this one before ever officially entering. Number 15 is Seth Rollins! The ‘Architect’ sends Corbin into the ring and immediately tosses him right over the top rope and Corbin is eliminated! Number 16 is Otis! Not much action takes place and number 17 is Rey Mysterio! Rey never comes out and it looks like something may have happened to the former Rumble winner. Back in the ring, Rollins sends Lashley out of the ring and ‘The Almighty’ is eliminated! Number 18 is revealed as Dominik Mysterio and he comes out with Rey’s mask and rips it in half before coming down to the ring. Sheamus and McIntyre toss Otis over the top rope and Otis is eliminated!
Number 19 is revealed as Elias! Sheamus nails Elias with a Brogue Kick and he and McIntyre toss Elias out of the ring and Elias is eliminated! Number 20 is Finn Balor! Balor goes after anyone possible and he and Dominik eliminate Gargano! Number 21 is Texas-native and WWE Hall of Famer, Booker T! Booker takes out both members of The Judgment Day and does his patented spinarooni! Number 22 is Damian Priest and each member of The Judgment Day are in the match (sans Rhea Ripley). Number 23 is Montez Ford! The Judgment Day quickly eliminated Ford and number 24 is Edge! The WWE Hall of Famer goes after his rivals in The Judgment Day. Edge eliminates Priest and Balor and he comes face-to-face with Seth Rollins. Balor and Priest sneak back in and toss Edge over the top rope and Edge is eliminated! Number 25 is Austin Theory! Edge, Balor, and Priest start fighting up the ramp, Rhea Ripley comes down and attacks Edge but Beth Phoenix comes down and she and Ripley start going at it. Officials come down and break up the fight and number 26 is Omos! Braun Strowman enters as number 27! Some big boys are now in the mix and here we go! Omos and Braun exchange heavy blows in the center of the ring and Strowman launches Omos over the top rope and Omos is eliminated!
Number 28 is Ricochet! Sheamus and McIntyre try to eliminate Strowman but Gunther knocks McIntyre down from behind and tosses him onto the apron but Sheamus makes the save. Gunther launches both McIntyre and Sheamus out and both are eliminated! Number 29 is Logan Paul! Everyone attacks Paul, Ricochet tosses Paul to the apron but Paul nails Ricochet with a Buckshot Lariat to remain in the match! Strowman slams Paul, Ricochet follows up with a standing shooting star press and number 30 is Cody Rhodes! ‘The American Nightmare’ makes his way down to the ring and the fans in attendance is going crazy! Rhodes eliminates Dominik and everyone else starts going to work on each other. Paul and Ricochet stand on opposite top turnbuckles and hit each other with simultaneous flying cross-bodies and the crowd is in a frenzy! What a move! Paul, Ricochet, Gunther, and Rhodes are the final four! Rhodes and Rollins toss Theory are out and it’s down to Gunther, Rollins, Paul, and Rhodes! Rollins and Rhodes both go after Gunther, who entered at number one and here we go! Rollins plants Gunther with a pedigree and Rhodes and Rollins are now face-to-face! Paul comes back into the ring and dumps Rollins out and Rollins is eliminated! Rhodes tosses out Paul and it’s down to number one, Gunther and number 30, Rhodes!
Gunther drills Rhodes with a chop to the chest and injured right pectoral. Rhodes goes for a Disaster Kick but Gunther catches Rhodes and slams him down to the mat. Rhodes and Gunther are on the top turnbuckle and Gunther drills Rhodes with a super-plex down to the mat! Both men struggle to their feet, Rhodes pumps up the crowd and the San Antonio crowd is in a frenzy for Rhodes! Gunther is sent over the top rope and onto the apron but Gunther forces his way back into the ring. Cody sets Gunther up in the corner and nails him with his brother Goldust’s patented Shattered Dreams! Gunther tosses Rhodes over the top rope and onto the apron the applies a sleeper hold! Rhodes drags Gunther over the top rope but falls back into the ring. Rhodes plants Gunther with Cross Rhodes and sends Gunther out of the ring! Rhodes wins!
Winner – Cody Rhodes
Bray Wyatt vs. LA Knight – Pitch Black Match
The bell sounds, the lights go out and the blacklight appears. Bray’s sporting some face paint that’s glowing, as is Knight’s trunks, armbands, and kneepads. Bray launches Knight across the ring then to the outside. Knight sends Bray into the steel steps but Bray launches Knight into the crowd and starts disassembling the commentary table. They both go through the table, Knight escapes into the ring and Wyatt chases after him. Knight tries to hit Bray with a kendo stick but Wyatt catches and plants him with Sister Abigail for the 1-2-3 and the win!
Winner – Bray Wyatt
Bray continues the attack post-match. They fight through the crowd and Bray locks-in the Mandible Claw. Uncle Howdy appears above Bray and launches himself off of a platform and crushes Knight through the table and pyro goes off as Bray stands there with his theme song playing while human Firefly Funhouse puppets appear behind Bray for quite a visual!
The announced attendance for tonight’s show is 51,338 members of the WWE Universe inside of the AlamoDome in San Antonio, Texas.
Bianca Belair (C) vs. Alexa Bliss – RAW Women’s Championship
Bianca launches Alexa to the corner and immediately goes to work on the challenger. Alexa latches onto Bianca and starts going to work but Bianca slams her face-first into the mat. Alexa plants the champion with a DDT and goes for the cover but Bianca lifts the shoulders at two. Alexa slides and kicks Bianca but the champion comes roaring back and nails Alexa with a standing moonsault and goes for a cover of her own but Alexa lifts the shoulders at two. Bianca scoops and nails Alexa with the K.O.D. for the win!
Winner – Bianca Belair (C) (and STILL RAW Women’s Champion)
After the match, we see another creepy video package featuring Uncle Howdy and Alexa looks on as we head to a commercial break.
Women’s Royal Rumble Match
Rhea Ripley and Liv Morgan are numbers one and two, respectively and here we go! Rhea gets control early, Liv fights back and number three is Dana Brooke! Number four is revealed as Emma! Dana, Liv, and Emma gang up on Rhea as the timer expires and number five is Shayna Baszler! Number six is Bayley! Everyone’s paired off in the ring and number seven is B-Fab! Ripley immediately tosses B-Fab out of the ring and B-Fab is eliminated! Number eight is the NXT Women’s Champion, Roxanne Perez! Number nine is Dakota Kai! Number 10 is IYO SKY and now all of Damage CTRL are in the match! Damage CTRL eliminate Brooke and Emma and number 11 is Natalya! Number 12 is Candice LeRae! Baszler and Natalya are eliminated by Damage CTRL and number 13 is NXT’s Zoey Stark!
Number 14 is Xia Li! Damage CTRL is controlling (pun intended) the match and they eliminate Candice LeRae. Number 15 is Becky Lynch! Becky grabs Bayley and they brawl outside of the ring, but neither were eliminated. Damage CTRL help Bayley out and they gang up on Becky. Number 16 is Tegan Nox! Liv and Tegan help out Becky to even the odds against Damage CTRL and number 17 is Asuka! The former Royal Rumble winner reveals her former gimmick ‘Kana’ facepaint! Asuka eliminates Tegan and number 18 is Piper Niven! Doudrop is no more and she’s gone back to her former Piper Niven name! Number 19 is Tamina! Piper and Tamina come face-to-face and they start throwing hammers on one another. Tamina drops Piper with a super-kick and Damage CTRL takes Tamina down. Number 20 is Chelsea Green!
Ripley quickly tosses Green over the top rope and Green has been eliminated! Becky tosses both Dakota and IYO out of the ring and Bayley tosses Becky out but Liv Morgan pops up behind Bayley and now Bayley has also been eliminated! Number 21 is Zelina Vega! Zelina plants Rhea with a Code Red, Piper tries to eliminate her, Zelina shoves Piper back and points at the WrestleMania 39 sign. Xia Li goes to the apron and she and Zelina brawl on the apron but Zelina trips her to the outside and gets back into the ring to safety. Zelina crack Piper with double knees to the face and number 22 is Raquel Rodriguez! Raquel slams everyone around the ring and number 23 is Michin (AKA Mia Yim)! Number 24 is Lacey Evans! Number 25 is Michelle McCool! Michelle was in shown in the crowd earlier with she and The Undertaker’s children and she jumps over the railing and gets into the ring! Michelle eliminates Tamina and number 26 is Indi Hartwell from NXT!
Number 27 is Sonya Deville! Sonya eliminates Zoey Stark. Lacey eliminates Zelina and number 28 is Shotzi! Sonya eliminates Indi Hartwell and number 29 is Nikki Cross! Number 30 is the returning Nia Jax! Everyone gangs up on Nia but Nia knocks everyone down and starts wrecking house. Ripley plants Nia with Riptide and everyone in the match tosses Nia out of the ring and Nia Jax has been eliminated! Raquel eliminates Lacey Evans. Asuka eliminates Sonya Deville, Ripley eliminates Michelle McCool, Michin eliminates Shotzi, and Piper eliminates Michin. Raquel eliminates Piper Niven and now focus her attention onto Ripley but Ripley tosses Raquel and Raquel Rodriguez has been eliminated. Liv Morgan tosses Nikki Cross out and we’re down to our final three of Rhea Ripley, Liv Morgan, and Asuka.
Ripley and Liv are brawling on the apron, Asuka rushes over, Ripley brings her down to the apron and here we go! Asuka spits green mist into Liv’s eyes, Rhea trips Asuka to the mat, Liv trips Rhea, but Rhea’s feet haven’t touched the floor and Rhea drops Liv to the floor with a head scissors and Rhea wins!
Winner – Rhea Ripley
Roman Reigns (C) (with Paul Heyman & Sami Zayn) vs. Kevin Owens – Undisputed WWE Universal Championship
Reigns nails Owens with a running shoulder block to start. Owens trips Reigns to the mat and starts unloading punches to a downed champion. Owens tosses Reigns to the corner and crushes him with a cannonball. Owens launches Reigns to the outside, where he plants Reigns with a senton before tossing Reigns back into the ring. Back in the ring, Reigns chokes Owens with the middle rope and goes for the cover but Owens lifts the shoulders after a two-count.
Reigns and Owens go shot for shot until Owens flattens Reigns with a swanton bomb from the top rope and goes for the cover but Reigns lifts the shoulders after a two-count! Another back and forth ensues until Reigns cracks Owens with a spear and goes for the cover but Owens kicks out! Owens goes for a stunner but Reigns shoves Owens into the referee. Owens plants Reigns with a pop-up power-bomb and goes for the cover but there’s no referee! Reigns hits Owens with a low blow and tells Sami Zayn to grab a steel chair. Zayn pauses for a moment but grabs a chair…Owens spins Reigns around and drills him with the stunner, then goes for the cover but Reigns kicks out! The champion nails Owens with a Superman Punch then goes for the cover but Owens kicks out! Reigns tosses Owens to the outside and drills him with a spear through the barricade. Reigns tosses Owens face-first into the steel steps two times right in front of Sami Zayn before tossing the challenger back into the ring. Reigns clocks Owens with a spear, then a cover and gets the 1-2-3 for the win!
Winner – Roman Reigns (C) (and STILL Undisputed WWE Universal Champion)
After the match, Jimmy Uso. Jey Uso, and Solo Sikoa come down to the ring. Jey is about to put a lei on Sami Zayn but Roman stops him and says there’s still some business to attend to first. The Usos beatdown Owens and set him up in the corner with a steel chair around his neck. Solo lines Owens up and nails him with a corner splash as Sami watches on. Paul Heyman hands Reigns two pairs of handcuffs and The Usos handcuff Owens to the ropes while still down in the corner. The Usos trade-off several super-kicks to a handcuffed Owens. Reigns grabs a chair and shouts at Owens and lines Owens up for a chair shot but Sami steps in front of Reigns and says he doesn’t need to do it. Reigns hands Sami the chair and tells him to hit Owens. Sami looks hesitant and even subtly points the chair towards Reigns. Roman gets in Sami’s face and tells him that it’s time to take Owens out.
Sami takes Reigns out with the chair and tells The Usos that he’s sorry and the crowd is going WILD! Jimmy Uso takes Sami out and the beatdown commences. Solo spikes Sami and Reigns is back up and directing The Bloodline to continue their attack. Jey hasn’t joined the attack yet and the rest of The Bloodline direct Jey to take Sami out but Jey rolls out of the ring and leaves. Back in the ring, the attack continues and Reigns is just walloping Sami with chair shot after chair shot after chair shot. There are deafening ‘F*** you Roman!’ chants throughout the AlamoDome and Reigns rips apart a lei and ‘The Honorary Uce’ shirt on top of Sami’s motionless body in the center of the ring. Jimmy delivers one final super-kick on Owens and The Bloodline, sans Jey Uso, exit the ring to a massive chorus of boos from the San Antonio, Texas crowd in attendance.
The Bloodline exits the ring and the show goes off-the-air.
The Rock has been long rumored for a match against Roman Reigns. Despite recent discouraging updates, people have been holding on hope for the Great One to make surprise appearance somewhere on the road to WrestleMania. His latest post however, suggests that he won’t be showing up at least at Royal Rumble.
The Great One recently shared a video on his Instagram account. The footage shows him shooting a scene for his upcoming Christmas movie late on Friday night:
“2 am on a Friday night and we’re still going strong. May not look very sexy right now but in our Christmas movie, this will become a thing of beauty.”
Red One is an upcoming Christmas action movie featuring The Rock, Chris Evans and J.K. Simmons among others. The film is said to reimagine the holiday mythology but the plot for it has not been revealed yet.
The Rock vs Roman Reigns?
It’s been established before that The Rock cannot risk taking part in active competition while shooting a movie. The risk of potential injury can cause the insurance costs to skyrocket and put financial pressure on the producers. During an active shooting session, even a non-wrestling appearance seems out of question.
The Rock had been the frontrunner for ending Roman Reigns’ record-breaking championship reign for long. People expected this match to take place at WrestleMania 39. These plans seem to be off the table after the former world champion informed WWE that he won’t be able to get in shape for a match in time.
Would you like to see The Rock making an appearance on the road to WrestleMania if he doesn’t wrestle Roman Reigns? Let us know your thoughts in comments.
This week on Top Rope Nation, SEScoops Site Manager Ryan Droste is joined by Pro Wrestling Torch Assistant Editor Zack Heydorn to preview 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. That means that the crew will be live this Sunday morning to review the Royal Rumble.
On episode 281 this week, every match on the Rumble card is previewed (with predictions). Plus, Ryan and Zack also look at the rumors of appearances by The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin at the Royal Rumble. Will it happen? Should it? A great discussion.
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.
WWE Royal Rumble takes place this Saturday from San Antonio, Texas. This will be the 36th Royal Rumble event for the company; it originated as a standalone PPV event in 1988. This is the fourth time that the Rumble has been held in San Antonio (1997, 2007, and 2017).
SEScoops correspondents Andrew Ravens, Tyriece Simon, and Ryan Droste have assembled to provide our official WWE Royal Rumble predictions.
WWE Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair vs. Alexa Bliss
Andrew Ravens: Bliss has been a fine title contender, but I’m not sure anyone takes her seriously as a threat to Belair’s protected reign as champion. That may hurt the reaction from the live crowd in the match, although I don’t rule out some interference by Uncle Howdy. (Prediction: Bianca Belair)
Tyriece Simon: This match is interesting because different stories are happening with this rivalry. We have Belair defending her title against Bliss. However, we also have Uncle Howdy helping or distracting Bliss. I expect Uncle Howdy to be involved with Bliss somehow at the Royal Rumble. Regardless, Belair should win the match and end the feud this weekend. (Prediction: Bianca Belair)
Ryan Droste: Associating Bliss with this Wyatt nonsense again isn’t good in my book. Absolutely dreadful television. Do we really need “Uncle Howdy” involved in two stories? Please, make it stop! There’s no way that Belair should lose here, so I’ll go with the champ to retain. (Prediction: Bianca Belair)
Consensus: Bianca Belair
Bray Wyatt vs. LA Knight (Pitch Black Match)
Andrew Ravens: No one knows what to expect from this match other than maybe being a street fight in a dark arena where you barely see the competitors brawl. What is likely is the fact that Wyatt is nearly a lock to win the match, and it would be a mistake to beat him in his first televised match. (Prediction: Bray Wyatt)
Tyriece Simon: This rivalry has been fun to watch. LA Knight has stepped his game up, and WWE is behind him. Bray Wyatt has reminded me of people of just how great he is. Wyatt should win the match decisively, but I hope Knight has some highlight moments in the match. (Prediction: Bray Wyatt)
Ryan Droste: Nothing makes me want to change the channel faster than this latest incarnation of Bray Wyatt. The Fiend was responsible for some of the worst television segments to ever air on a WWE program, and we’re toeing that line again here with “Uncle Howdy.” I had hoped that his return would equate to better storytelling and television than when we last saw The Fiend. Unfortunately, that has not been the case. There’s no way they beat him here, though. (Prediction: Bray Wyatt)
Consensus: Bray Wyatt
WWE Undisputed Universal Champion Roman Reigns vs. Kevin Owens
Andrew Ravens: Although this should be a fun match, Owens isn’t winning the title here. WWE has done a great job of building him up as a worthy contender, and it’s nice to see him back into the fold as a worthy challenger for the top title in WWE, but he won’t win here. (Prediction: Roman Reigns)
Tyriece Simon: The story of The Bloodline vs. Kevin Owens has been so good. Owens winning the match would be well deserved, as he has lost to Reigns numerous times for the title. However. The champion will win this match. I expect Sami Zayn to get involved in the match to try to help Reigns. Reigns will stand tall at the end, but The Bloodline and Owens story will continue past Royal Rumble. Another thing for fans to look out for is if the match will be the main event. If this match is the main event, I can see an angle happening after Reigns wins. If Rhodes wins the Royal Rumble match earlier in the night, the Rock could still show up to set up a match at WrestleMania. I can see a scenario where the Bloodline beats down Owens, and The Rock comes out to make the save to end the show, which could set up a confrontation with Reigns. I don’t want The Rock involved, but I can see it happening if they want him for WrestleMania. (Prediction: Roman Reigns)
Ryan Droste: To state the obvious, the Bloodline, Kevin Owens, and Sami Zayn are responsible for what has been, far and away, the best WWE television for many months now. I’m looking forward to this match as Reigns and Owens have delivered big at the Rumble twice before, and I expect this to be the same. It would be completely asinine to beat Reigns here, though, and there’s no way it happens. (Prediction: Roman Reigns)
Consensus: Roman Reigns
Women’s Royal Rumble Match
Andrew Ravens: This is a real pick em, but I will side with Rhea Ripley. She makes the most sense to get the win here as she’s pushed as a top star and I could see her take the Raw Women’s Title away from Bianca Belair at WrestleMania with a program that could last months. (Prediction: Rhea Ripley)
Tyriece Simon: The build for this year’s Women’s Royal Rumble has been underwhelming. WWE has different storylines happening in the women’s division, so it has taken away from building the Women’s Royal Rumble match. With that said, Rhea Ripley will win the match. She is the most featured talent in the match, but she is also an opponent Belair has yet to face for the title and has unfinished business with Charlotte. Ripley had a great year in 2022 with The Judgement Day, and I can see WWE giving her the opportunity for a WrestleMania title match. (Prediction: Rhea Ripley)
Ryan Droste: The obvious answer here is Rhea Ripley. The question is whether they go with the obvious (and right) call or try to get cute and change things just to do so. I hope they stick with the obvious and put Ripley over. (Prediction: Rhea Ripley)
Consensus: Rhea Ripley
Men’s Royal Rumble Match
Andrew Ravens: Cody Rhodes is a heavy favorite to get it done here, and unless WWE wants to swerve fans, I believe he is the man that will win the bout. It makes too much sense unless there is another road to the WrestleMania main event for him. I see Rhodes challenging Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Title at Mania and will pick him to win. (Prediction: Cody Rhodes)
Tyriece Simon: The winner has to be Cody Rhodes, right? WWE has shown video packages for the last couple of weeks to promote his return at Royal Rumble this Saturday. Rhodes is seemingly the favorite to win the Rumble, but another option exists. You have to also factor in The Rock if they did get him for WrestleMania 39. They have the Royal Rumble poster with the lighting images, he has a natural story with Reigns, and the company has wanted The Rock to have one last match at WrestleMania for some time. I hope this isn’t the case, so I’m going with Rhodes. However, I’m not entirely assured that WWE won’t pull a swerve. (Prediction: Cody Rhodes)
Ryan Droste: Feels like a contest between two men, Sami Zayn and Cody Rhodes, unless a big surprise is planned (The Rock, Steve Austin). The way that Rhodes has been built, it almost feels like he has to win it. Once again, they might try to swerve the audience since it is so obvious. Then again, the obvious choice in the past has often been the correct winner (Michaels in ’96, Austin in ’98, Austin in ’01, Batista in ’05, McIntyre in ’20 and many others). I’ll go with Cody.
WWE Superstars Karrion Kross and Scarlett were planning to start a family last year until a fateful call from Chief Content Officer Triple H put that on hold.
It might have surprised fans when WWE decided to release Kross and Scarlett on Nov. 4, 2021. The couple had great success in NXT, with Kross winning the NXT Championship twice. However, WWE had different creative plans for them on the main roster by separating them and changing Kross’s character. Ultimately, Kross’s first run with the company didn’t work out, and both talents found themselves as free agents last year.
(via WWE)
While in free agency, Kross and Scarlett could work together and compete for different independent wrestling promotions. In their time away from WWE, the couple decided they wanted to start a family. However, when Triple H called Kross about himself and Scarlett returning to the company, he and his wife halted their plans.
In an interview with My San Antonio, Kross spoke about the call from Triple H to return. MY San Antonio’s Nick Talbot transcribed the following quotes.
“He called us up and he said, ‘Do you want to come home?” And I responded, “Well, like, yeah.’ And then he was like, ‘All right. Here is my next question. Can you be here in a day and a half?’ And we’re like, ‘That’s pretty fast.’ You know, we had all these different bookings and different things going on.”
We had our lives planned out. I mean, and people don’t even know this, we’re thinking about maybe even having a kid, you know, or thinking about starting a family. And we looked at each other – and her and I have always been telepathic, even before we were married or dating — so, we just kind of gave each other a look and we knew what page we’re on. And we’re like, ‘Yeah, we can do that.
– Karrion Kross
WWE.com
Karrion Kross Plans for Royal Rumble 2023
Kross will compete in his first Royal Rumble event this weekend. He is looking forward to his first Royal Rumble appearance and hopes to have an impressive performance. “In a perfect world, I’d like to set some sort of record. I’d really like to do it,” said Kross(h/t Nick Talbot). He also shared in the interview that he hopes he could enter at number one.
“You know what, if I could, I would come out number one. I would love to do that. To be able to go out there and demonstrate your grit and how much fight you actually have. I need to have the opportunity to get in front of that many people and fight them all at once. I live for stuff like that,” said Kross(h/t Nick Talbot).
Before competing at the Royal Rumble, he will have to compete against Rey Mysterio on the Jan. 27 episode of Friday Night Smackdown. Since his return on Aug. 5, 2022, Kross has only lost one match to former WWE Champion Drew McIntyre. A decisive win by Kross this Friday could indicate how WWE will utilize him in the Royal Rumble match.
Rhea Ripley wants to follow in the footsteps of her childhood hero Beth Phoenix by competing in a men’s Royal Rumble match.
Ripley is a member of The Judgment Day faction, along with Finn Balor, Damian Priest and Dominick Mysterio. While the female members of wrestling factions have typically been portrayed as eye candy, Ripley is arguably the enforcer of the group. Over the past several months, the former Raw and SmackDown Women’s champion has gone face-to-face with several male Superstars, including Luke Gallows, Solo Sikoa and Akira Tozawa.
WWE introduced the annual women’s Royal Rumble match in 2018, but Ripley sees a chance to make history and emulate one of her childhood heroes by testing herself against the men. During a recent interview with WrestleBinge, Ripley says she’s ready to make history.
“I would most definitely love to enter the Men’s Royal Rumble. I would love to.”
– Rhea Ripley
Several competitors including Phoenix, Chyna and Nia Jax have competed in the men’s Rumble. However, Ripley is open to the idea of participating in the men’s and women’s Rumbles on the same night, a feat that would etch her name in the history books.
Elsewhere in the Wrestlebinge interview, Ripley spoke about her admiration for Beth Phoenix. She was a huge fan of the ‘Glamazon’ while growing up and related to her muscular body type. She would be honored to ‘fill those shoes’ and help advance the women’s evolution by showing she’s not limited to competing with other women.
We may very well see Rhea Ripley in a men’s Royal Rumble one day. As of this writing, she is entered – and the odds-on favorite to win – the women’s Rumble match.
The 2023 WWE Royal Rumble premium live event takes place this Saturday, January 28.
WWE is gearing up for its next premium live event Royal Rumble, later this month.
Every year, fans look forward to seeing who will be in the Royal Rumble matches for both the men and women from the active roster and those returning to the company and legends.
The 2023 PLE won’t be any different, as it’s believed several wrestlers will be returning at the show.
The Names
According to Mike Johnson of PWInsider.com, Edge and his wife, Beth Phoenix, are slated to be at the event. Neither has been on WWE television since the injury angle with Phoenix at the 2022 Extreme Rules PLE, where they were laid out by Judgment Day.
The report noted that Doudrop, who recently stated that she’s been dealing with an illness, is expected to be back in time for the show and will return to the Raw brand.
As far as other return possibilities go, Johnson noted that “Logan Paul is absolutely being talked about in regard to an appearance at the Rumble as well, as long as his knee is rehabbed and he’s ready to go.”
Paul’s recovery from injury was said to be going “better than expected, “as there has been speculation about him returning as soon as the Rumble. He last wrestled Roman Reigns at Crown Jewel in November.
WWE fans are looking forward to the Royal Rumble, as the event will take place on January 28, 2023, at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.
However, the most interesting part apart from the battle royale is the anticipation over a new and unique match type called the “Pitch Black” match. While details about the match remain scarce, a recently released commercial has only added to the excitement.
The 15-second ad for the Royal Rumble shows the arena going dark, accompanied by the tag line “When It’s The Pitch Black Match” and the promise that “Anything can happen.”
The mysterious stipulation match appears to be a cross-promotional tie-in with Mountain Dew and their Pitch Black soft drink.
WrestlingNews.co was first to report the details about creative pitching a ‘Pitch Black match’ for the Royal Rumble. One source within the company believed that the match could potentially be for Bray Wyatt. The company is taking care to not overexpose Bray Wyatt in the ring, as they want his appearances to feel extra special. This strategy has previously been employed by WWE in regard to Wyatt’s portrayal of the character The Fiend, as he wrestled on a limited schedule. WWE likely wants Wyatt to appear as a strong and formidable opponent via this strategy.
In addition to the Pitch Black match, Royal Rumble will also feature a Hell in a Cell match between “Demon” Finn Balor and “Brood” Edge, as well as the return of a fan-favourite persona.
Apart from that, WWE’s Royal Rumble event will also feature the traditional Royal Rumble matches for both male and female wrestlers. But that’s not all – the Royal Rumble will also feature a defence of the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship by Roman Reigns.
WWE’s Royal Rumble premium live event is over two months away, but the event is already a blockbuster success for the company.
WWE has announced the 2023 Royal Rumble has garnered the largest box office gate in the event’s 36-year history.
The event takes place Saturday, January 28 from San Antonio, TX at the AlamoDome.
$5 Million+ Gate
Over the weekend, the Royal Rumble surpassed $5 million in ticket sales. The previous record for ‘largest Royal Rumble gate’ was set in 2017, the last time the Rumble was held at the AlamoDome.
Wrestletix provided an update on Royal Rumble ticket sales on November 18. As of that date, 30,361 tickets had been distributed and the stadium was configured to accommodate 33,874 fans. If you’re interested in attending the 2023 Royal Rumble, tickets are still on sale at SeatGeek.
As we’ve seen in recent years, WWE will hold two Royal Rumble matches on January 28th (one for men, one for women). The winners of the Rumble matches will earn the right to challenge the champion of their choice at WrestleMania 39.
Record-Setting Business
WWE has been on a roll this year, setting box office records left and right. 2022 saw new box office records set for WrestleMania, Extreme Rules and Crown Jewel.
This latest milestone for the 2023 Royal Rumble puts WWE in a great position headed into the new year. WrestleMania 39 is scheduled for April 1 and April 2 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. Back in August, the company announced over 90,000 tickets were sold within the first 24 hours, more than any event in WWE history and a 42% increase over first-day sales for WrestleMania 38 at AT&T Stadium in Dallas.
WWE’s upcoming Royal Rumble Premium Live Event is likely to be another sell-out show judging by the ticket sales.
The 2023 Royal Rumble will take place on January 28, at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.
The show will be the 36th Royal Rumble event, and the sixth to feature both a men’s and women’s Rumble match.
Tickets
So far, no matches (other than the two titular matches) have been announced for the show, and no participants have been named for either Rumble match.
That hasn’t stopped fans from purchasing tickets however as WrestleTix noted on Patreon the show has sold 30,157 tickets.
The venue will reportedly be set to a capacity of 33,874 seats, meaning there are 3,717 seats left to purchase.
WWE initially planned a smaller capacity, but added more rows of seats last week.
Favorites
Even with the show still 80 days away, there has been plenty of speculation about the Men’s Rumble match.
The winner will earn a guaranteed title shot against the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion at WrestleMania 39, which is expected to be current-champion Roman Reigns.
One popular name being considered a favorite by fans is Cody Rhodes, who returned to WWE in April and vowed to become a WWE World Champion.
Bray Wyatt, who returned to WWE last month at Hell in a Cell 2022, is also being considered a favorite by fans.
It has been reported that WWE is planning Reigns vs. The Rock at WrestleMania 39, which will take place in Los Angeles.
The Rock won the 2000 Rumble match, and if victorious this year, would break the record for the longest gap between Rumble victories.
Cody Rhodes triumphantly returned to WWE back at WrestleMania 38 earlier this year, where the American Nightmare was quickly featured as one of the company’s biggest stars and top babyfaces. He went on a miraculous win streak in that time, including victories over Kevin Owens and an insane trilogy with new United States champion, Seth Rollins.
Unfortunately for Rhodes he would hit a roadblock. Prior to his Hell in a Cell showdown with Rollins at the beginning of June he tore his pectoral muscle while weight training, leaving him with a bruise that the entire WWE Universe would see as he still competed at Hell in a Cell in a critically acclaimed matchup. Once the injury occurred several reports surfaced stating that he would be on the shelf anywhere from 6-8 months.
Ahead of Schedule
Rhodes is recovering from his injury well, and is even slightly ahead of schedule from his original timetable, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. It is mentioned in the report that he has been working alongside WWE Hall of Famer Diamond Dallas Page during this time, and has been taking it easy with upper body weights.
As for a return…the Royal Rumble is said to be “looking good,” but there is also some speculation on him returning in time for Day 1 as that event is in his childhood hometown of Atlanta. Either way WWE will be attempting to keep it a secret so there can be a surprise pop whenever it does happen.
Rhodes told the WWE Universe when he returned that his goal is to do what his father, the great Dusty Rhodes couldn’t do in WWE, which was hold a world title.
WWE has announced the location for next year’s Royal Rumble premium live event. After hosting a record 6 stadium shows this year, the world’s leading pro wrestling organization is wasting no time booking huge venues for next year.
The 2023 WWE Royal Rumble will take place Saturday, January 28th from the Alamodome in San Antonio, TX. This will be the third time the Alamodome will host the Royal Rumble, including 1997 (winner: Steve Austin) and 2017 (winner: Randy Orton).
WWE has confirmed the signature event will once again be headlined by Men’s and Women’s Rumble Rumble matches, with the winners earning championship match opportunities at WrestleMania Hollywood.
In a press release sent in to SEScoops, Mayor Ron Nirenberg says he’s thrilled to bring one of WWE’s most exciting spectacles back to San Antonio. WWE’s major shows bring tens of thousands of tourists into town. Nirenberg touted the “incredible economic boost” and community outreach events that the Rumble will bring.
Royal Rumble tickets go on sale Friday, September 30 at Ticketmaster.
WWE fans are still reeling from Cody Rhodes’ epic return at WrestleMania 38, and the incredible winning streak he has been on that have set him as one of the top stars in the company.
The American Nightmare unfortunately hit a setback in his quest for a WWE world title when he tore his pectoral muscle, and is expected to be out of action until next year.
Rhodes last wrestled against Seth Rollins in the main event of the Hell in a Cell premium live event, where he picked up a huge victory.
When Will Cody Rhodes Return?
Rhodes is (unsurprisingly) set for a big push whenever her returns, according to Andrew Zarian from the Mat Men Pro Wrestling podcast. Despite the big shakeup with WWE management, Rhodes is still slated to be a centerpiece act in the lead-up to WrestleMania 39.
Although we do not yet have a solid timeline for Rhodes’ recovery, the company is working under the assumption that he’ll be back in time for the 2023 Royal Rumble.
Since returning to WWE, Rhodes has made his intentions clear. He hopes to accomplish what his father Dusty never did: win the “big one” in WWE.
Despite being an AEW original, Rhodes never reached the top of the mounting there either. He did challenge for the AEW World Championship at Full Gear 2019, but lost to Chris Jericho. Per the stipulation of that match, he would never challenge for the AEW World title again.
Keith Lee is grateful for the moment he shared with Brock Lesnar at the 2020 Royal Rumble.
The majority of the 2020 Royal Rumble match was controlled by Brock Lesnar. The Beast eliminated twelve competitors, back to back, by himself. Number 13 was the brand new NXT North American Champion Keith Lee. The moment that stood out to everyone was how shocked and impressed Brock was by the size of Lee. Lee then rocked Lesnar with a shoulder tackle which left him in shock. This showdown, no matter how short it was, was one of the most memorable parts of the match.
Keith Lee’s Royal Rumble Moment With Brock Lesnar
The new AEW superstar recently appeared on Talk Is Jericho. Lee told the story of finding out he’d be a part of the match and what his experience was like working with Brock.
The Limitless One explained, “He’s [Brock Lesnar] always been so cool with me. it’s not something you expect based on specific stories and what have you. The reality was, I didn’t even know I was in the Rumble until like two hours before. They bring in a bunch of people. I’m like, ‘I don’t want to be in the way,’ your back is against the wall, and then you find out you are on. ‘Here we go,’ I don’t know what’s going on and then they start sorting out everything and there is a meeting because the Rumble is basically built around Brock. I got to chat with him and we sorted things out.
They wanted a moment and I think that moment was probably between myself and Riddle, but he had at that time, so they gave it to me. We didn’t really do a lot. Just from the walk…here’s what made it, this Rumble happens and everyone has these ideas and Brock’s like, ‘Cool, awesome, sure thing,’ then the bell rings and he’s just chucking people. ‘Whatever you said you wanted to do doesn’t matter because I don’t remember or I don’t care.’
I’m backstage and I’m like, ‘That’s not what they said, that’s not what they said. I’m gonna have to fight him because I’m not about to lose my shit [laughs].’ My walk, I had gotten taped up because Undisputed ERA jammed my ankle the week prior. I’m so adrenaline hype because I’m gonna fight this guy. I’m walking out, not selling a thing. The walk wasn’t about the Rumble, it was about, ‘I might fight this guy.’
I get there and it’s like, ‘Oh, he wants to work. Okay! We’ll make it a show.’ You can feel it. He’s selling me coming down and I’m like, ‘That guy did more for me in four seconds than anybody can.’ I knew right then, ‘Let’s make this thing last. Take 40 seconds and stare at each other. Let him make the first move and follow.’ It was awesome. Paul (Heyman) is brilliant at what he does.
All of it made it a special three minutes. Him and Roman did that and made potential massive matches down the line and….oh well.”
Current Plans For Lee & Lesnar Respectively
Lee was a part of the November 4, 2021 WWE releases. He signed with AEW following his debut on the February 9 edition of AEW Dynamite. Keith defeated Isiah Kassidy, in his debut, to qualify for the Face of the Revolution Ladder Match on March 6 at Revolution.
Lesnar is scheduled to face Roman Reigns in a Winner Takes All, Title vs Title, Unification Match for the WWE and Universal Championships. The match will take place in the main event of Night 2 of WrestleMania 38.
H/T to Jeremy Lambert & Gisbert Guzzo of Fightful for the transcription
Former WWE Superstar and IMPACT Knockouts Champion Mickie James recently discussed her involvement in the WWE Royal Rumble match back on Saturday 29th January.
Speaking on her GAW TV show alongside SoCal Val and Victoria, Mickie revealed a moment in the match that she was not a big fan of.
“I didn’t love that at all [Melina being eliminated after 53 seconds],” Mickie began. “I did love that, you know, her entrance, people did exactly what we knew they were going to do. They erupted, like ‘holys**t’, it was so good to see her back.
“She hadn’t been in WWE for over a decade, so I think that was amazing to see her get teared up, and, it was awesome” the IMPACT Knockouts Champion continued.
Mickie James on Melina Elimination
“I didn’t love the whole she got eliminated first, no I didn’t love that because obviously as I wanted to be able to be in there with her and tangle it up, and I want her to have those moments with some of the other girls, you know.
“I know it was special for Sasha, and I know Sasha, I know it was special for Sasha to be in there with her” James concluded.
It has not been revealed if WWE is planning on bringing Melina back for any more segments or matches going forward. Right now, it appears as though it will be a one-off for the former WWE diva.
WWE held their annual Royal Rumble event this weekend from The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis, Missouri, and now the producers for all six of the matches on the card have been revealed.
The following people were responsible for putting together the matches at the Royal Rumble, per Fightful Select:
Michael Hayes and Petey Williams produced the Universal Championship match between Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns
Finlay, Shane Helms, Molly Holly, Pat Buck, and Michael Hayes produced the Women’s Royal Rumble Match.
Royal Rumble 2022 Producers
Pat Buck and Shawn Daivari produced The Raw Women’s Championship match between Becky Lynch and Doudrop
Michael Hayes and Jason Jordan produced the WWE Championship match between Brock Lesnar and Bobby Lashley
Adam Pearce and Kenny Dykstra produced Edge and Beth Phoenix vs. The Miz & Maryse
Abyss, Jamie Noble, Shawn Daivari, and Adam Pearce produced the Men’s Royal Rumble Match.
Many believe that the Women’s Rumble match outshone the Men’s match on the 4+ hour card, and it is interesting that there were completely different agents working on both.
Molly Holly would of course appear in the match itself as well as produce what happened on the night. Holly was attacked by Nikki A.S.H. shortly before he entered the ring, and would be eliminated by the former WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion shortly after.
IMPACT Knockouts Champion Mickie James made a historic appearance as part of the 30-woman Royal Rumble match on Saturday night.
James became the first woman in the contest’s history to appear whilst representing the top title of another promotion.
Following the contest, James spoke to Megan Morant about representing IMPACT Wrestling at the WWE Premium Live Event.
Mickie James Makes History at the Royal Rumble
“Unbelievable, unbelievable,” James began, explaining how it felt. “If you would’ve said to me that this moment would be happening right now, I would’ve said you’re insane. And here we are.
“We went out there and made history. I mean obviously, I wanted to win, I had my sights set high because obviously the winner goes on to WrestleMania, and I wanted that moment, but just to go out there as WWE family, as Mickie James – the legend, but also as Mickie James… ‘Hardcore Country’ Mickie James, something that the WWE Universe never saw, and to represent Impact as the Knockouts World Champion…
“I thought I did a great job, I had a heck of a showing and I’m sorry guys, I didn’t win, but in my heart the world won because we just broke down one of the biggest ceilings you’ve ever seen, and we did it for the ladies! You know what I mean?”
WWE Royal Rumble aired live from The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis, MO. Roman Reigns put the Universal Championship on the line against Seth Rollins with The Usos barred from ringside for the match. Brock Lesnar defended the WWE Championship against Bobby Lashley. The winners of the men’s and women’s Royal Rumble matches tonight will earn a title shot at WrestleMania.
Royal Rumble Results
Seth Rollins def. Roman Reigns via DQ (Reigns is still Universal Champion)
Ronda Rousey won the women’s Royal Rumble match
Becky Lynch def. Doudrop to retain the RAW Women’s Championship
Bobby Lashley def. Brock Lesnar to become the new WWE Champion
Edge & Beth Phoenix def. The Miz & Maryse
Brock Lesnar won the men’s Royal Rumble match
Here are the takeaways from this year’s Royal Rumble:
The Universal Title Match Ended In A DQ
Roman Reigns defended the Universal Championship against Seth Rollins in the first match of the night. Seth Rollins made his entrance to The Shield theme and was wearing the old gear in an awesome moment. Reigns was absolutely furious as he waited for Rollins to get into the ring.
Seth ducked under a Clothesline and laughed in Roman’s face. Reigns threw Seth to the corner but Rollins battled back and stomped the Tribal Chief to the mat. Rollins connected with a Slingblade and Clotheslined Roman out of the ring. Seth followed it up with a couple Suicide Dives.
Back in the ring, Rollins went for a springboard move but Reigns caught him with an uppercut to the face. Seth rolled to the ropes and Roman hit him with the Drive By. Rollins then hit a massive Powerbomb through the announce table and rolled Roman back into the ring. Rollins climbed to the top rope and hit a Frog Splash but Reigns somehow kicked out at two.
Roman went for a Spear but Rollins countered with a boot to the face. Seth delivered a Buckle Bomb to Reigns and then the Stomp for a two count. Rollins set up for a Stomp again but Reigns popped up and hit a Clothesline. The Universal Champion regrouped and started unloading punches to Seth’s face.
Reigns hit a Powerbomb of his own for a near fall and started trash talking Rollins. Seth laughed in Roman’s face and Reigns got angry. Reigns wildly started swinging and Rollins got him in a Triangle submission in the center of the ring. Roman showed off his strength and broke the hold by Powerbombing Seth to the mat.
The Universal Champion launched Seth into the ring post and Rollins tumbled out of the ring. Reigns followed him out there and launched Seth into the timekeeper’s area. Roman launched Rollins into the steel steps before the action returned to the ring. Roman hit the Superman Punch and went for the cover but Rollins was able to kick out at the last moment.
Rollins rolled out of the ring but Roman went after him and hit a Spear. Reigns quickly rolled Seth into the ring and geared up in the corner. Roman went for another Spear but Rollins countered into the Pedigree for a close two count. Rollins went for the Stomp again but Reigns blocked. Roman went for a Uranage but Rollins blocked it. Reigns hit Seth with a Spear but Rollins was laughing at it.
Seth held out his hand for a fist bump and said “I’ll always love you” while continuing to laugh in Roman’s face. Reigns got Rollins in the Guillotine choke and Seth looked out. Referee Charles Robinson lifted Seth’s hand up to check on him and Rollins’ hand landed on the ropes. Roman wouldn’t let go of the hold to end the match in a DQ. Reigns beat Seth down with a steel chair after the match.
Ronda Rousey Returned & Won The Women’s Royal Rumble
30 superstars competed in the women’s Royal Rumble match tonight. The winner will get a shot at the RAW or SmackDown Women’s Championship at WrestleMania.
Sasha Banks was the first entrant in this year’s women’s Royal Rumble.
Melina returned and got a great reaction from the crowd. Banks and Melina traded words before Melina went for a kick. Sasha caught her and quickly threw Melina over the top rope for the first elimination. Sasha then did the splits in the ring to taunt Melina.
Tamina entered the rumble third and Banks greeted her with a Dropkick to the face. Banks followed it up with Double Knees off the apron and rolled Tamina into the ring. Sasha tried to eliminate Tamina but she was able to hold onto the ropes.
Kelly Kelly entered the rumble at #4 and danced around after hitting a Splash. Tamina leveled her with a Clothesline. Kelly Kelly got Banks trapped in the ropes but Sasha countered and eliminated her. Banks laughed in the ring as the countdown began.
Aliyah was #5 and Banks unloaded some punches. Sasha went for another quick elimination but Aliyah escaped. Aliyah got in some punches of her own before Tamina slapped her in the face. Aliyah ducked under a Clothesline and battled with Tamina in the corner. Sasha broke it up and hit Aliyah with a knee to the face.
Liv Morgan entered the rumble at #6 and sprinted to the ring. Morgan tried to eliminate Banks before delivering a Dropkick to Tamina. Liv pointed to the WrestleMania sign as Banks hit Aliyah with Three Suplexes in a row.
Queen Zelina was the 7th entrant and came to the ring as Tamina was on the verge of elimination. Zelina ripped Morgan and Sasha away from Tamina and then got Banks to the apron. Queen Zelina came out of nowhere with a running kick and Banks was eliminated. The crowd wasn’t a fan of this.
Bianca Belair got in the match at #8 and booted Tamina into the ring post. Belair hit a Suplex and launched Liv over the top rope. Liv held onto the ropes and got back into the ring.
Dana Brooke was the 9th entrant to the rumble match and Reggie accompanied her to the ring. Dana carried Zelina to the ropes but Tamina broke it up. Dana hit a Dropkick and then a Splash onto Belair. Dana planted Liv with a Neckbreaker but Zelina slammed her to the canvas.
Michelle McCool was the 10th entrant to the women’s Royal Rumble match. Michelle sent Dana Brooke over the top rope but Reggie caught her. McCool hit her finisher and delivered a big boot to Dana’s face. McCool then eliminated Dana Brooke. Tamina hit McCool from behind and bashed her into the turnbuckle.
Sonya Deville entered the match at #11 but didn’t get in the ring right away. Sonya took a seat at the announce table instead.
Natalya entered at #12 and Liv Morgan attacked her right away. Natalya booted Morgan in the face and then battled with Bianca Belair. Natalya tried to eliminate Tamina and Belair at the same time but Bianca held onto the ropes and Tamina was eliminated.
Cameron entered the match at #13 and strutted to the ring. Cameron hit Aliyah with a Codebreaker and sent Liv Morgan to the corner. Sonya got up from the announce table and went right after Cameron. Deville bashed Cameron’s face into the turnbuckle and brought her over the top rope and to the apron. Sonya bashed Cameron into the ring post and she fell to the floor for the elimination.
Naomi was #14 and checked on Cameron before getting into the ring. Naomi went after Deville and tackled her to the mat. Naomi connected with a springboard Dropkick and threw Sonya over the top rope. Naomi booted Deville in the face and she fell to the floor for the elimination. Natalya tried to eliminate Naomi but she held onto the ropes.
Carmella was the 15th entrant in the women’s Royal Rumble match. She decided not to get into the ring as well.
Rhea Ripley entered at #16 to a great reaction. Ripley dragged Carmella into the ring but Queen Zelina attacked Ripley from behind. Natalya then leveled Ripley with a Clothesline. Ripley battled back and eliminated Zelina & Carmella at the same time with a Dropkick. Ripley booted McCool in the face and then hit Belair with a Dropkick. Ripley delivered a headbutt to Natalya and a slam to Aliyah.
SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair entered the rumble at #17. Flair hit Natalya with a big boot and then gave Aliyah the wedgie of a lifetime while eliminating her. Charlotte almost eliminated Naomi but Sonya showed up and knocked Naomi to the floor for the elimination. Naomi chased Deville to the back.
Ivory returned and entered the match at #18. Ivory cut a promo before the match and said that everyone in this match were lost little girls and she wanted to see women. Rhea Ripley promptly eliminated Ivory and taunted her.
Brie Bella entered the match at #19 to a great reaction from the crowd. Brie did the “yes!” chant in a cool moment and tried to send Natalya over the rope. Natalya escaped and tried to eliminate Brie but she was able to hold on.
Impact Women’s Champion Mickie James entered the rumble at #20 and was wearing the belt. McCool booted Mickie in the face before she could get into the ring. Mickie battled back and eliminated McCool.
Alicia Fox entered at #21 and hit Liv with a Dropkick. Fox connected with an Enziguri on Rhea and then a kick to Mickie James. Alicia slammed Natalya to the mat as Flair and Belair battled in the corner. Rhea lifted Alicia up and sent her to the apron. Liv and Rhea tried to eliminate Fox but she held onto the ropes.
Nikki A.S.H. was #22 and Rhea Ripley stared at the entrance ramp. Nikki showed up from behind and got Ripley over the top rope. Rhea held on and got back into the ring. Nikki backed away and rolled out of the ring under the bottom rope. Charlotte hit Ripley from behind and bashed her face into the turnbuckle. Nikki got back into the ring and battled with Alicia Fox.
Summer Rae was the 23rd entrant in this year’s women’s Royal Rumble match. Summer went after Natalya with a flurry of punches but Natalya shrugged them off. The two traded slaps in the middle of the ring before Summer dropped Natalya with a spin kick. Charlotte hit Rae with a Clothesline and posed for the crowd. Natalya grabbed Summer by the hair and threw her over the top rope for the elimination. Charlotte tried to eliminate Natalya but she held onto the ropes.
Nikki Bella entered the rumble at #24 to a big pop from the crowd. Nikki hit Natalya with a Spinebuster but got booted in the ribs by Belair. Bianca went for a Suplex but Brie broke it up. The Bella Twins slammed Bianca face-first to the mat and then eliminated Alicia Fox.
Sarah Logan returned at #25 and attacked The Bella Twins. Liv Morgan had tears in her eyes and shared a moment with Logan. The Bella Twins attacked them both and quickly eliminated Sarah Logan. Nikki and Liv battled to the apron and Brie booted Morgan to the outside. Brie held up a loser sign at Liv as she looked on from the floor.
Lita entered at #26 to an awesome reaction. Lita sent Mickie James to the corner and then over the top rope to the apron. Mickie tried to get back into the ring but Lita hit her with a DDT. Mickie tumbled to the floor for the elimination. Lita and Charlotte Flair had a stare down and traded chops in the middle of the ring.
Molly Holly was #27 and Nikki A.S.H. attacked her during her entrance. Nikki sent Molly Holly into the steel steps before ripping the cape off. Nikki then eliminated Molly Holly and posed in the ring.
Ronda Rousey entered the match at #28 to a massive pop from the crowd. Rousey beat Nikki A.S.H. down and sent her and Nikki Bella to the apron. Ronda got a choke on both of them and then eliminated A.S.H. Brie Bella then turned her back on Nikki Bella and eliminated her. Rousey attacked Brie and hit her with some jabs in the corner of the ring.
Shotzi entered the rumble at #29 and hit a Crossbody on Ripley & Belair. Shotzi hit Charlotte with a kick to the face and tried to eliminate Lita but she held on. Rousey eliminated Brie Bella and beat Rhea Ripley down in the corner. Lita slammed Shotzi to the canvas as Ronda was now beating Bianca Belair down. Ronda tried to eliminate Belair but Ripley broke it up. Ronda beat them both down in the corner as the countdown began.
Shayna Baszler was the final entrant in the women’s Royal Rumble match. Shayna teamed up with Rousey and started hitting people with Suplexes. Baszler slammed Lita to the mat and dragged her to the ropes.
Shayna caught Natalya with a knee to the face and stared at Ronda Rousey. The two then circled each other but Charlotte Flair attacked Shayna. Ronda got distracted with Natalya and sent her to the apron. Rousey booted Shotzi in the face and then eliminated her.
Belair eliminated Natalya but she got back into the ring. Rousey then sent Natalya over the top rope again. Lita hit the Twist of Fate on Charlotte Flair but then Ripley drove her to the corner. Charlotte then hit Lita with a running boot to eliminate her.
Rousey and Ripley battled again and Flair knocked them both to the apron. Ripley launched Ronda into the ring post but Charlotte eliminated Ripley with another running boot. Bianca tried to eliminate the SmackDown Women’s Champion but Flair held onto the ropes.
Bianca planted Shayna with a Spinebuster but she battled back and locked in the Kirifuda Clutch. Belair escaped but Flair sent them both over the top rope. It was now down to Charlotte Flair and Ronda Rousey. Charlotte charged but Ronda was ready and sent her over the top rope. Ronda Rousey won the 2022 women’s Royal Rumble and earned a title shot at WrestleMania.
Becky Lynch defended the RAW Women’s Championship against Doudrop tonight at Royal Rumble. Doudrop dominated early and leveled the champ with a shoulder tackle. Becky Lynch rolled out of the ring to regroup for a moment. Lynch caught Doudrop with a kick but she shrugged it off. Doudrop set up for a Vader Bomb but Becky rolled out of the ring again. Doudrop showed off her strength and booted Becky into the barricade.
Back in the ring, Doudrop hit a Senton and Lynch rolled to the outside again. Becky rested against the steps and Doudrop took the opportunity to go for a Cannonball. Lynch got out of the way and Doudrop crashed into the steps. Lynch took advantage and stomped on Doudrop in the ring.
Doudrop tried to battle back but Becky got her in a Sleeper Hold in the middle of the ring. Doudrop eventually escaped and charged but Lynch got out of the way. Doudrop crashed into the turnbuckle and Lynch followed it up with a Leg Drop. Doudrop battled back and leveled Becky with a Clothesline and then a Body Slam. Doudrop connected with a Senton and went for the cover but Becky kicked out at two.
Doudrop went for a Splash but Becky got out of the way. Lynch then applied the Dis-Arm-Her in the middle of the ring and started booting Doudrop in the face at the same time. Doudrop wouldn’t stay down and planted Becky with a Powerbomb for a near fall. Doudrop hit a Cannonball in the corner of the ring and went for the cover but Lynch was able to kick out at two. The pyro that had gone off previously had apparently caused the WrestleMania sign to catch fire during this match.
— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) January 30, 2022
Lynch hit a Senton off the top rope on Doudrop but couldn’t keep her down for a three count. Doudrop hit a series of headbutts and knocked Becky to a knee. Doudrop went for a Suplex but Lynch held onto the ropes and broke free. Doudrop grabbed Lynch by her hair and dragged her up.
Becky hit a Jawbreaker and then a Leg Drop while Doudrop was draped across the top rope. Lynch went for the cover but Doudrop again was able to kick out at two. Lynch went for the Man-Handle Slam but Doudrop countered into a slam for a two count. Lynch attacked Doudrop while she was climbing the turnbuckle and hit her with the Man-Handle Slam for the pinfall victory. Becky Lynch is still the RAW Women’s Champion.
Lashley Won The WWE Title After Roman Reigns Interfered
Brock Lesnar defended the WWE Championship against Bobby Lashley tonight at Royal Rumble. Paul Heyman and MVP were ringside for the match. Lashley & Lesnar locked up in the middle of the ring to start the match. Both couldn’t get an advantage and backed away before locking up again. Brock hit a German Suplex and Lashley got right back up as Brock laughed in the corner.
Lesnar and Lashley circled each other before locking up again. Lashley hit Lesnar with a German Suplex and Brock almost landed on the top of his head. Lesnar laughed it off and delivered two German Suplexes to Lashley. Bobby got up and had blood coming out of his mouth.
Lashley attacked Lesnar with some punches but Brock battled back. Lesnar went for the F5 but Lashley escaped and hit a Spear. Lashley didn’t go for the cover and opted to hit another massive Spear that sent Lesnar tumbling out of the ring. Lashley followed him and went for another Spear but Brock got out of the way and Bobby crashed through the barricade. Lesnar pointed to his brain to indicate how smart he was and set up for an F5.
The challenger escaped and shoved Lesnar into the ring post. The action returned to the ring and Lashley charged. Lesnar got out of the way and Bobby crashed into the ring post. The Beast set up for another German Suplex but Lashley held onto the ropes. Brock booted Bobby away from the ropes and delivered a few powerful German Suplexes.
Lashley tried to get up using the ropes and Brock planted him with another German Suplex. MVP offered some advice as Lashley stumbled to his feet. Brock went for the F5 but Lashley spun free and got Lesnar in the Hurt Lock in the middle of the ring. Lesnar broke the hold by driving Lashley to the corner but the referee got trapped against the turnbuckle. Lesnar then hit the F5 but Lashley’s legs hit the referee and he fell out of the ring in a rare double ref bump. Lesnar went for the cover but there was nobody to make the count and the match continued.
Universal Champion Roman Reigns got into the ring and hit Brock Lesnar with a Spear. Roman stuck out his hand and Paul Heyman gave him the WWE Championship. Reigns hit Lesnar with the title and left with Paul Heyman. Lashley covered Lesnar and won the WWE Championship.
The Miz & Maryse faced Edge & Beth Phoenix in a mixed tag team match. Beth chased Maryse around to begin the match. The Miz tagged in and Edge beat him down. Maryse distracted Edge and Miz capitalized with a Neckbeaker. Miz kept Edge isolated for the next couple minutes as Beth Phoenix got pissed. Beth grabbed a steel chair but through it to the floor. Edge capitalized on the distraction and planted Miz with the Edgecution.
Edge booted Miz out of the ring and crawled towards Beth Phoenix. Maryse desperately tried to stop Edge but he reached the corner. Beth tagged in and unloaded some strikes on Maryse before dragging her around the ring by the hair. Phoenix connected with a Backbreaker and went for the cover but Miz broke it up at two. Beth bumped Miz form behind and he turned around with a smirk on his face. Miz demanded Edge tag in but Beth lifted him up and drove him to the corner. Beth hit Miz with some punches but Maryse attacked her from behind with the brick as the referee wasn’t looking. Maryse went for the cover but the brick wasn’t enough to keep The Glamazon down.
Maryse applied the Camel Clutch as Edge tried to fire up the crowd. Beth battled to her feet and lifted Maryse up in the Electric Chair. Maryse escaped and both superstars hit a Clothesline. Edge tagged in and slammed Miz to the mat for a two count. Edge climbed to the top rope but Maryse distracted him. Beth knocked Maryse off the apron and then Powerbombed Miz off the top rope. Edge followed it up with an Elbow Drop off the top rope for a near fall.
Maryse attacked Beth outside the ring and sent her into the steel steps. Edge got a crazed look in his eye and set up for the Spear. The Miz slowly made his way to his feet but Maryse distracted Edge for a moment. Edge went for a Spear but Miz jumped over him. Edge crashed into the turnbuckle and Maryse then caught him with a Hurricanrana off the top rope. Maryse knocked Beth out of the ring as Miz planted Edge with the Skull Crushing Finale for a two count. Miz and Maryse went for a double Skull Crushing Finale but Beth broke it up. Beth hit Maryse with a Spear and then the Grit Couple hit Miz with a double Spear. Edge and Beth planted Miz and Maryse with the Glam Slam for the pinfall victory.
30 superstars competed in the men’s Royal Rumble match in the main event the show. The winner of the Royal Rumble match will get a title shot at WrestleMania.
AJ Styles was the first superstar in the match. Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura entered the match at #2. Styles and Nakamura battled for a couple minutes before Austin Theory entered the rumble at #3. Michael Cole noted that Theory vowed to win the rumble to impress Vince McMahon.
Theory hit AJ with a Dropkick and tried to eliminate Nakamura. Shinsuke held onto the ropes and Styles snuck up from behind. Theory held onto the ropes and stomped AJ down in the corner.
Robert Roode entered at #4 and hit Theory with a Spinebuster. Roode and Styles had a stare down and a “TNA!” chant broke out in a cool moment. AJ went for the Styles Clash but Roode was able to block it. Styles sent Roode over the top rope for the first elimination of the night. Nakamura went for the Kinshasa but Theory countered into a slam.
Ridge Holland was the 5th entrant and rushed to the ring. Ridge hit Theory with a chop block and followed it up with a Suplex. AJ Styles booted Nakamura to the floor and the IC Champion was eliminated.
Montez Ford entered at #6 and quickly tried to eliminate Styles but the Phenomenal One held onto the ropes. Montez hit Theory with a beautiful Dropkick and threw him over the top rope. Theory desperately held onto the bottom rope as Styles tried to boot him to the floor. Ridge Holland connected with a Powerslam on Montez Ford and then a Back Body Drop to Styles.
United States Champion Damian Priest was the 7th superstar to enter the Royal Rumble match. Damian tried to eliminate Styles but AJ held on. Priest hit Austin with a Backbreaker and got him on the ropes. Theory held on and slid back into the ring.
Sami Zayn entered at #8 and opted to stay away from the action in the corner. Montez Ford went after Sami but Zayn knocked him to the apron. Ford held onto the ropes and got back into the ring as Priest beat Sami down in the corner.
Johnny Knoxville entered at #9 and some of the Jackass cast accompanied him to the ring. Johnny tackled Sami and hit him with some punches. Knoxville pointed at the WrestleMania sign and Styles got in his face. Knoxville hit him with a forearm to the face and Styles dropped the Jackass star with some strikes. Montez Ford climbed to the top rope and hit Knoxville with a Frog Splash. Ridge carried Johnny to the apron and put him there. Sami took the opportunity to hit Knoxville with the Helluva Kick for the elimination. AJ then eliminated Sami from behind.
Angelo Dawkins was #10 and rushed the ring. Angelo punched Damian in the face and stomped AJ to the canvas. Angelo tried to eliminate Styles but he once again was able to hang onto the ropes.
Omos entered at #11 and marched to the ring as all the superstars stared at him. Omos hit Ridge with a shoulder tackle and swatted Austin Theory out of midair with ease. Omos eliminated Dawkins as Montez climbed to the top rope. Omos dared him to jump and then caught him with a Chokeslam over the top rope for the eliminate. Austin Theory tried to attack Omos but he slammed him down. Omos launched AJ Styles into the ring post and let out a primal scream. Styles fell to the floor as Omos grazed Ridge with an uppercut.
Ricochet was the 12th superstar in the rumble and hit Omos with a springboard Dropkick. Omos was unbothered and slammed Ricochet to the canvas. Omos shoved his boot in Ridge’s face until Austin Theory attacked him. Ricochet joined in but Omos kept fighting everyone away. Omos hit Ricochet with a chop that knocked him down before hurling him across the ring.
One half of the RAW Tag Team Champions Chad Gable entered at lucky #13. Omos glared at Gable as he made his way to the ring. Gable huddled everyone up to try and get Omos out of the match. Damian charged but everyone held back. Omos leveled Damian with a Clothesline before casually shoving him over the top rope for the elimination.
Everyone else then tried to eliminate Omos from behind but he held onto the ropes. Dominik Mysterio entered at #14 and joined in on trying to eliminate Omos. Styles leaped in with a Phenomenal Forearm to send Omos over the top rope for the elimination. Dominik and Theory battled in the corner. Theory tried to get Mysterio out but he was able to hang on.
Happy Corbin entered at #15 and went after Dominik. Corbin planted Austin Theory with a Chokeslam and then sent Ricochet over the top rope for the elimination. Dolph Ziggler was the 16th superstar to enter the rumble. Ziggler hit Happy Corbin with a Superkick and beat him down in the corner. Corbin battled back before launching Dominik over the top rope for another elimination. AJ Styles eliminated Austin Theory as the countdown began.
Sheamus entered at #17 as Styles hit Ridge with a Pele Kick. Styles Clotheslined Ridge over the top rope for the elimination. Sheamus got into the ring pissed off and went right after AJ to avenge his friend. Sheamus hit a knee to the face but Gable attacked him from behind. Sheamus planted Gable with the Irish Curse Backbreaker and sent AJ to the apron. Sheamus clubbed AJ across the chest several times.
Rick Boogs entered at #18 and went right after Gable. Boogs perched Gable up on the top turnbuckle before slamming him to the mat. Boogs lifted Gable up with one arm and threw him over the top rope for the elimination.
Madcap Moss was the 19th superstar in the rumble and teamed up with Happy Corbin. Boogs lifted Ziggler up and tried to eliminate him but Dolph held onto the top rope. Styles hit Corbin with a Pele Kick and battled with Moss. Corbin hit Styles with a Backbreaker and then Madcap Moss eliminated AJ Styles. Riddle entered the match at #20 and came to the ring on his scooter.
Moss and Corbin attacked Riddle but Boogs broke it up. Happy Corbin hit Boogs with a Clothesline and Moss sent him to the apron. Corbin then hit Boogs in the face and he fell to the floor for another elimination for Corbin. Madcap Moss stomped Riddle down to the canvas as the countdown began.
Drew McIntyre made his return and entered the Royal Rumble at #21. McIntyre marched to the ring and stared at Corbin & Madcap Moss as they in storyline caused his injury. McIntyre leveled Riddle with a Clothesline before getting his hands on Madcap Moss. McIntyre eliminated Moss and then tossed Corbin over the top rope as well. Drew rolled under the bottom rope and attacked Corbin & Moss outside the ring. Drew planted Moss with a Suplex before bashing Corbin with the steel steps. McIntyre then Suplexed Moss onto the steps.
Kevin Owens entered the match at #22 and traded punches with McIntyre in the entrance way. McIntyre brought Owens into the ring but Kevin turned the tables and planted him with a Powerbomb. Owens hit Ziggler with a Senton before going after Sheamus. Riddle went for a kick but Owens caught him and booted him in the knee. Riddle grabbed his knee in pain and fell to the canvas.
Rey Mysterio was the 23rd superstar to enter the match. Mysterio hit Sheamus with a Crossbody and then almost eliminated Riddle but he held onto the ropes. Owens hit Rey with a Stunner but turned around into some punches from Sheamus. McIntyre and Sheamus briefly renewed their friendship to stomp the hell out of Owens in the corner.
Kofi Kingston entered the rumble at #24 and went after Kevin Owens in the corner. Owens tossed Kofi to the apron but Kingston battled back. Kofi went for a springboard move but Owens shoved him off the ropes. It appeared that Kingston was supposed to catch himself on the barricade without his feet touching the floor. Unfortunately, Kingston’s feet hit the floor and he was eliminated.
Otis entered at #25 and promptly hit Riddle with a Suplex. Otis slammed McIntyre and posed for the crowd. Former WWE Champion Big E entered the match at #26 and hit Owens with a Belly to Belly Suplex. Big E delivered a Suplex to Riddle before dancing over Owens in the middle of the ring. Big E hit Owens with a Splash and fired up the crowd. Sheamus caught Big E with the Brogue Kick before hitting Rey with a Backbreaker.
Bad Bunny was the 26th entrant and got a great reaction from the crowd. Sheamus charged but Bad Bunny hit a Crossbody off the top rope. Bad Bunny hopped around before Owens went after him. Owens went for a Stunner but Bad Bunny escaped and hit Kevin with a Hurricanrana. Riddle posed with Bad Bunny but it backfired. Bad Bunny planted Riddle with a Canadian Destroyer but Sheamus leveled him from behind. Sheamus went for the Brogue Kick but Bad Bunny ducked and Sheamus tumbled over the top rope for the elimination.
Rey hit a 619 and Bad Bunny eliminated Ziggler. Bad Bunny tried to eliminate Rey but he held onto the ropes. Otis eliminated Rey as Shane McMahon made his return as the 28th entrant in the Royal Rumble. Shane McMahon blocked a Stunner and sent Kevin Owens over the top rope for the elimination.
Randy Orton was the 29th superstar to enter the Royal Rumble match. Orton hit Big E with an RKO and then eliminated him. Riddle leaped off of Otis’ back and planted McIntyre with an RKO. RK-Bro then eliminated Otis and posed in the ring.
Brock Lesnar was the final superstar to enter the Royal Rumble match. Lesnar planted Orton with a Suplex and then did the same to Shane. Brock eliminated Orton with a Clothesline and circled Bad Bunny.
Lesnar chuckled and lifted Bad Bunny up for the F5 before eliminating him. Lesnar planted Shane with another Suplex before sending Riddle over the top rope. Brock awkwardly eliminated Shane McMahon and it was down to Lesnar & McIntyre.
McIntyre leaped onto Lesnar but The Beast caught him. Brock went for the F5 but McIntyre escaped. Drew went for the Claymore but Lesnar dodged it. Brock then hit McIntyre with the F5 over the top rope for the elimination. Brock Lesnar won the 2022 Royal Rumble match.
The 2022 WWE Royal Rumble premium live event takes place Saturday night, January 29th from St Louis, Missouri at The Dome.
The Road to WrestleMania begins at the Royal Rumble. The card is stacked and WWE is about to kick the year’s top storylines into high gear.
SEScoops staff members Fernando Quiles, Andrew Ravens and I have gotten together to provide our official Royal Rumble Predictions.
But first, SEScoops correspondent Ella Jay did an in-depth preview for the Women’s Royal Rumble match on the latest episode of Women’s Wrestling Focus.
Royal Rumble Predictions:
Edge & Beth Phoenix vs. The Miz & Maryse
Andrew: Another month, another match involving Edge and Miz against each other. To WWE’s credit, at least they didn’t run back another single match, but got straight to the point. If WWE wants to extend this feud then the heels could go over. As much as I hope WWE moves on from this feud, I can’t see WWE beating Miz in back-to-back matches so have Maryse and Miz go over before booking a third and final match.
Prediction: The Miz and Maryse
Fernando: I’ve gone back-and-forth with this one. A loss in this situation doesn’t hurt anybody although Miz would lose to Edge in back-to-back PPVs with another defeat. Edge will be due for a big singles match at WrestleMania and I can see Miz sharing the ring with another celebrity at the big event. Ultimately, I’m gonna go with Beth pinning Maryse in her return match.
Prediction: Edge & Beth Phoenix
Michael: This match is somewhat of a guilty pleasure. It’s a little corny with the warring couples but most of the participants can really go in the ring and I think they will all rise to the occasion. I don’t see Beth Phoenix coming out of retirement to lose and WWE should want to keep Edge strong in this stage of his career so he can still be featured at the top of cards as a singles wrestler.
Andrew: No one is giving Doudrop a chance here to win the match. I wouldn’t be surprised to see if WWE runs this match back for next month’s Elimination Chamber match, but Lynch isn’t losing the title before Mania and especially not to do Doudrop.
Prediction: Becky Lynch
Michael: Becky Lynch isn’t losing to Doudrop. She’s in the upper echelon of box office draws on the entire roster and she’s on the fast track to big things at WrestleMania 38. Doudrop’s booking on the main roster has been questionable, despite her in-ring abilities. This is a chance for Doudrop to make a statement with a strong showing on the biggest stage of her career. However, Becky is getting her hand raised.
Prediction: Becky Lynch
Fernando: Becky and Doudrop had a pretty good segment on the go-home episode of Monday Night Raw. Doudrop has done her best to make herself appear to be a viable threat to Becky’s championship but we all know the outcome here. I’m just hoping that this match ends up being a banger, which both wrestlers are more than capable of doing. It’ll boil down to how this one is booked. Becky will move on to a massive WrestleMania match.
Michael: The Women’s Royal Rumble has more intrigue this year than the men’s. It’s looking like at least a third of the participants will be legends from the past. Most of these blasts from the past have no chance of winning, but only a handful of competitors have a chance at winning anyways, legends or not. We’ve seen the reports that Ronda Rousey is rumored to be at the Royal Rumble. She could win the Rumble to set up a big WrestleMania match against Becky Lynch. However, I think WWE uses this as a chance to reset Bianca Belair and push her back to the top tier after her big push faltered last year around SummerSlam. Bianca Belair makes history and becomes the first person to win the Women’s Royal Rumble back-to-back.
Prediction: Bianca Belair
Fernando: There’s been a lot of buzz about a potential return for Ronda Rousey. Before the hoopla, I would’ve guessed that Bianca Belair would win her second straight Royal Rumble and go on to avenge her SummerSlam loss to Becky Lynch. With Rousey now potentially in play, there’s only one prediction to make here.
Prediction: Ronda Rousey
Andrew: Before this week, I would say that Bianca Belair is the clear-cut favorite and still could be if Ronda Rousey doesn’t show up during the match. Belair, Rousey, and Charlotte Flair are really the top favorites in my mind. WWE could hold off on plans for Rousey so I will stick with my Bianca pick that will send her to WrestleMania.
Prediction: Bianca Belair
Consensus: Bianca Belair
Universal Champion Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins
Andrew: This should be the best normal match of the night as these guys have worked together a lot both as a tag team and against each other. There is no chance Reigns loses the title here as WWE has much bigger plans in place for him, but fans can still sit back and watch a classic this match could be.
Prediction: Roman Reigns
Fernando: It’s hard to see this match not being a banger. When it comes to the bright lights, Reigns and Rollins are absolute pros. They also have great chemistry whether they’re teaming together or facing each other. Seth will likely get the babyface treatment from the crowd here but I doubt Reigns is eating a pin before WrestleMania. Get ready for a slew of near-falls, however.
Prediction: Roman Reigns
Michael: These work so well together. Rollins and Reigns will deliver a match worthy of the stadium they’ll be fighting in. Roman Reigns is the top dog in WWE and Seth Rollins is not the man to dethrone him. Once again, WrestleMania fantasy booking comes into play. Reigns is on a collision course with Brock Lesnar an Rollins isn’t knocking this thing off course. Roman Reigns stands tall when all is said and done in what I predict will be match of the night. Believe that.
Fernando: This match has been years in the making and may have never happened if Roman Reigns wasn’t pulled from the Day 1 event, allowing Brock to capture the WWE Championship. I’m hoping this is a fast-paced hard-hitting match similar to Lesnar vs. Goldberg. It doesn’t have to go long, it just has to be exciting. I think Lesnar drops the WWE Title due to interference from either Reigns or The Usos.
Prediction: Bobby Lashley
Michael: I won’t believe this match is really happening until both men are standing in the ring together. The phrase dream match gets thrown around a lot, but Lashley has been talking about wanting to face Lesnar for so long now. This is Lashley’s moment and I see him scoring a career-highlight victory over Brock Lesnar. A win for Lashley would mean much more for Lashley and Lesnar doesn’t need the WWE Championship for the big showdown with Reigns. Bobby Lashley gets his moment
Prediction: Bobby Lashley
Andrew: A title change will happen. WWE doesn’t want to do title vs. title for Reigns and Lesnar at Mania so Lesnar has to drop the title at some point. While the case for Big E to be the man to beat Lesnar can be made, if WWE wanted to go in that direction they wouldn’t have had him eat the pin at Day 1 nor not book Big E vs. Lesnar at the Royal Rumble. Lashley is the second most credible guy on the Raw roster to beat Lesnar so have Lashley take the title and allow Lesnar to move on.
Prediction: Bobby Lashley
Consensus: Bobby Lashley regains the WWE Championship
Michael: The Royal Rumble is one of the most anticipated matches of the entire year. I’m looking forward to seeing the creative spots and surprise appearances WWE has planned. My personal pick would be for Big E to win and get a true ‘chase’ storyline for the WWE Championship. However, I think we’re going to see Brock Lesnar pull double duty, enter and win the Royal Rumble after dropping the WWE title earlier in the night.
Prediction: Brock Lesnar
Fernando: This is going to be a boring prediction but one I can easily see coming to fruition. I don’t believe both Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar will successfully defend their world titles. I only see one of them walking out of Royal Rumble with gold and WWE isn’t having Roman lose before WrestleMania. My prediction is The Bloodline costs Lesnar the WWE Title in his match with Bobby Lashley. This will give WWE an excuse to throw him in the Rumble match and win it.
Prediction: Brock Lesnar
Andrew Ravens: My lock here is Brock Lesnar, who isn’t confirmed for the match just yet as he’s facing Lashley on this show. I still stand by my theory that Lesnar will drop the title here so why not have him come back strong and win the rumble match as the #30 entrant in the bout, which will no doubt get a big pop. This would allow WWE to get to their plans at WrestleMania.
Royal Rumble is a PPV of surprise appearances. Reports suggest that this year it will include the return of another star who hasn’t been in quite some time.
Former WWE star Aksana is in St. Louis and is scheduled to appear in the Women’s Royal Rumble match, according to PWinsider.
Aksana
Aksana in WWE
Aksana signed a developmental contract with WWE in 2009. She trained at Florida Championship Wrestling held the FCW Divas Championship once during that run.
She made her main roster debut in October 2011 in a Divas Halloween costume battle royal. She was never a major character on WWE television. She did, however, have a brief on-screen relationship with Cesaro. She also had short-lived tag team with Alicia Fox named Foxsana.
The Lithuania native never won a championship on the main roster.
Aksana was with WWE for almost 5 years before getting released in June 2014. She’s been away from the wrestling world since her release.
Legendary play-by-play announcer Jim Ross would rather see a fresh talent win this year’s men’s Royal Rumble match than an already-established main eventer.
The Road to WrestleMania will officially begin this Saturday night (Jan. 29). The 2022 Royal Rumble event (see betting odds here) will be held inside The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis, Missouri.
Besides the two Royal Rumble matches, the event will also include three world title matches. WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns will put his gold on the line against Seth Rollins. Brock Lesnar’s WWE Title will be at stake against Bobby Lashley.
The third world title match will see Becky Lynch put the Raw Women’s Championship up for grabs against Doudrop.
A Fresh Face?
During an episode of his Grilling JR podcast, Jim Ross shared his belief that a new star can be born by winning the men’s Royal Rumble match.
“One of those new young guys, I’m not sure. I’d say it’s a great opportunity to make somebody, so to speak. If they use that philosophy, I’m thinking one of their young studs is gonna be victorious just to get a fresh start, new winner, all that.
“We could go through all the top guys that are in it, there are tons of em’ that could theoretically and realistically win the damn thing. But I think if I were WWE and I were Vince, this is an opportunity that I would take to make some talent.”
Stick with SEScoops this Saturday as we’ll be providing coverage of the WWE Royal Rumble event. We’ll be sure to update you on the Rumble match winners and any title changes should they occur.
Please H/T SEScoops with a link if you use any quotes from this article
Bad Bunny earned the respect of his peers and the fans with his WWE run last year and latest reports suggest that he is set to make his return as soon as this Saturday at the Royal Rumble PPV.
According to RingSideNews, a tenured member of the creative team has confirmed that the Puerto Rican singer and songwriter is “in the Rumble.”
The Grammy-winning artist has said only positive things about his previous stint with WWE. The site notes that ‘Bad Bunny is always looking to do more with WWE.”
The music star who has been a lifelong wrestling fan took the opportunity to participate in the industry last year. He made his debut at the Royal Rumble PPV itself.
He initially performed his single ‘Booker T’ during the show. Bad Bunny later got involved in a segment with The Miz and he ended up delivering a top rope dive to Miz and John Morrison during the PPV.
This interaction quickly turned into a storyline that led to the rap star teaming with fellow Puerto Rican talent Damian Priest to defeat The Miz and Morrison at WrestleMania 37.
Bunny received praise for his work ethic from a number of wrestlers. The news of his return is an exciting development. It will be interesting to see if he sticks around for another program after the show as well.
