This is the official card for the Royal Rumble, which will be held at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Sunday, January 28, 2018. It will air on pay-per-view and on the WWE Network at 7 PM EST/6 PM CST.
WWE Universal Title Triple Threat Match: Brock Lesnar (c) vs. Kane vs. Braun Strowman
WWE Title Triple Threat Match: AJ Styles (c) vs. Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn
WWE Raw Tag Team Title Match: Seth Rollins & Jason Jordan (c) vs. Cesaro & Sheamus
WWE Smackdown Tag Team Title 2-out-of-3-Falls Match: The Usos (c) vs. Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin
Men’s Royal Rumble Match Participants: Elias, Randy Orton, Shinsuke Nakamura, John Cena, Finn Balor, Baron Corbin, “Woken” Matt Hardy,
Bray Wyatt, Rusev, Aiden English, Titus O’Neil, Apollo Crews, other wrestlers TBA.
Women’s Royal Rumble Match Participants: Naomi, Asuka, Ruby Riott, Natalya, Sasha Banks, Bayley, Mandy Rose, Sonya Deville, Liv Morgan
Sarah Logan, Carmella, Tamina, Lana, Nia Jax, Mickie James, Becky Lynch, Dana Brooke, Alicia Fox, other wrestlers TBA
Royal Rumble debuts!?
According to a report from PWInsider, former Impact Wrestling World Champion, Ethan Carter III (EC3) was sighted at the WWE Performance Center this past Tuesday. There had been whispers for some time that EC3 would not resign with Impact after his contract ended and now it appears that the rumors are true. He could be a possible Royal Rumble entrant or a possible NXT, Raw, or SmackDown roster addition. The possibility of him appearing at the Royal Rumble is strong as EC3 was scratched from the card of Renegade Wrestling Revolution, which is based in Houston, Texas. He was slated to appear at next event, which is scheduled the same day as the Rumble.
According to a report from Fightful.com, former Impact Wrestling Knockouts Champion Laurel Van Ness aka Chelsea Green is expected to sign with WWE. The move would mark her return to the WWE. She was Daniel Bryan’s physiotherapist during her last stint. The Maniacal Bride and Impact parted ways amicably and she could debut in the Royal Rumble. She is currently in a relationship with Zack Ryder.
Ronda Rousey officially signed with the WWE this past Tuesday. The former UFC bantamweight women’s champion has long been speculated to be joining the WWE in a Horsewomen vs. Horsewomen storyline that culminates at Wrestlemania 34. The consensus is that she’ll likely debut at the Royal Rumble.
This is the current card for NXT Takeover: Philadelphia. It will be held in Philadelphia on January 27, 2018 and will air exclusively on the WWE Network at 8 PM EST/7 PM CST
NXT World Championship: Andrade “Cien” Almas (C) vs. Johnny Gargano
NXT Women’s Championship: Ember Moon (C) vs. Shayna Baszler
NXT World Tag-Team Championship: Kyle O’Reilly & Bobby Fish (C) vs. The Authors Of Pain
Extreme Rules Match: Adam Cole vs. Aleister Black
Roman Reigns doping?
Roman Reigns made headlines as he was named as a client of Richard Rodriguez in a request for discovery in his upcoming federal trial. Rodriguez made headlines last February when he was arrested at his Iron Addicts Gym in Miami for running an international steroid production and distribution ring. Actors Mark Wahlberg and Josh Duhamel were also disclosed as being clients by Rodriguez. According to Rodriguez, there are forty-seven other prominent clients. This is even more newsworthy since Roman was suspended for violating the WWE’s Wellness Policy in June 2016. While the results aren’t officially released, it was reported that Adderall was what Roman tested positive for. The Big Dog denied Rodriguez’s claim in a statement issued Wednesday.
Hulk Hogan returning?
Hulk Hogan and Jimmy “The Mouth of the South” Hart were sighted at a wrestling event in Phoenix and the Hulkster looked to be in great shape judging by his Instagram pic. Hogan has been rumored to be returning to the WWE and with the 25th anniversary of Raw fast approaching, speculation grew that much more. The Hulkster stated in a recent interview with the Associated Press that he’d like to return to the WWE but that he didn’t know if they’d want him back. He also claimed that Triple H wanted him back. A recent statement (“At this time, WWE remains committed to its decision”) given by the WWE after the interview indicated that a reunion isn’t on the radar, at least for now. Hogan is rumored to be making an appearance at Raw 25.
Bret Hart & Kevin Nash to miss Raw 25 but additions are on tap
Mick Foley is not expected to be present for Raw 25 because he’ll be on a family vacation. Kevin Nash will not be at the anniversary because he is still recovering from knee surgery. Bret Hart will not be able to appear as well because he is preparing to have hand surgery. Mike Johnston of PWInsider, has reported that Jonathan Coachman, Jeff Hardy and Mark Henry will appear at Raw 25.
Goldberg to be inducted by who!?
According to Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Paul Heyman is currently planned to induct Bill Goldberg into WWE’s Hall of Fame for WrestleMania 34. According to Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Goldberg has reportedly been in talks with NJPW to do a few big shows this year. It’s not likely to happen in the near future, since the WWE’s HoF inductees are signed on for short-term deals. Given the immense success of the Kenny Omega and Chris Jericho matchup, it’s a given that this or other matches will be coming down the pipeline.
The story behind Cass and Carmella’s breakup
The breakup of Big Cass and Carmella was one of the biggest stunners of 2017. The surprise is because the two had been together since their days in NXT. According to Ms. Money In The Bank on Total Divas, the split stemmed from their difference stances regarding marriage and strain from Cass’s recovery from knee injury. The former couple made headlines last year when they purchased a home together.
WWE on Jey Uso’s arrest
Details about Jey Uso’s arrest have surfaced. Jey was arrested Sunday for failing a sobriety test after being pulled over after showing signs of driving under the influence in Texas. The WWE released the following statement to F4WOnline: “Joshua Fatu (Jey Uso) is responsible for his own personal actions. We are investigating the matter and awaiting information from local law enforcement officials.” WWE has a zero tolerance policy for things like this and he could be fired.
WrestleMania 35 site announcement
The site for WrestleMania 35 is expected to be announced within the next week.
MVP and more to return for Raw 25
MVP is slated to return for Raw 25 after a seven-year hiatus. Lillian Garcia is also slated to return for the anniversary. William Regal, Harvey Wippleman and Howard Finkel have been added to the roster of faces from the past.
Alberto Del Rio campaigning to return!?
Alberto El Patron (Del Rio) has raised eyebrows by saying in an interview with Spanish news site Medio Tiempo that he met with and apologized to Triple H and Stephanie McMahon for attacking him and that he wants to return to the WWE before retiring. Del Rio has mentioned that he’s planning on retiring sometime next year. This is assuming that he doesn’t reup with Impact Wrestling after his current deal ends. Things took an even more curious turn when he said that Paige was why he’s attacked the WWE on social media, general public, and multiple interviews since he left the WWE. He said that he told Triple H and Stephanie that he believed her and that he was defending her. The full interview can be checked out at MedioTiempo.com.
