This year’s Royal Rumble is historic. For the first time the women of WWE will have a REAL Royal Rumble event. There will be a Monster, Demon, and Beast *Oh, My!* match. A chance for Co-Champions and the men’s Royal Rumble takes a back seat.
WWE Heavyweight Championship match.
The historic Royal Rumble show starts of with one half of the “YEP” movement. Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn vs AJ Styles for the WWE Heavyweight Championship. This a chance that the BBF’s Kami can become Co-Champions. In this handicap match K.O and Sami will have to tag each other out. In which favors AJ in the beginning. AJ easily handles each of his opponents. Until K.O throws AJ in to a barrier. “Kami” start to jit great tag team moves on AJ. However the resilient AJ finds ways to counter his opponents. Whether its a quick roll up or a calf crusher to KO’s previously injured leg. Near the end of the match, AJ & Sami trade good old hard elbows in the middle of the ring. Sami desperately reaches for a tag to KO, but looks to barely miss. AJ throws Sami out of the ring. KO enters the ring and sets up AJ for the pop up power bomb. AJ counters & retains the title.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCWHjcLfU_A&w=640&h=360]
Smackdown Tag Team Championship Match. Two out of three falls.
The Usos vs Shelton Benjamin/ Chad Gable face off in a multiple fall match. The 1st fall took awhile to happen. Both teams felt each other out. Which led to an all assault of moves from Jey Uso flying over the ropes in succession to take out Benjamin then Gable on opposite sides of the ring. Benjamin and Gable try to get a pin with numerous tag team combos, but fail to score a pin. The Usos feed Gable a super kick, followed by a splash. The Usos then score a double super kick and a pin on Gable for the 1st fall.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDHESupW43k&w=640&h=360]
Wow! That was great! Now on to the 2nd round. Immediately Gable and Benjamin separate the Usos. Hit their power bomb/Flying clothesline combo. They try the combo move again only to have Jimmy pull a schoolboy roll up on Benjamin. Gable missed with a top rope break up. The Usos scored a quick 2nd fall. Which left me very confused. There was a Gable/Benjamin tag that was ignored, and this miss. Was it a botch? Was this planned? Either way the ending was a surprise.
Men’s Royal Rumble match.
I was not expecting this. The match which is the namesake of the PPV has now begun. I expected this to either close the night or be the 2nd to last match. But here we go!
A video package kicks things off. JoJo announces that a legend will help provide commentary. It is none other than Jerry The King Lawler.
The 1st contestant is introduced… by Aiden English. Yes, it is time for RUSEV DAY!!
The 2nd contestant is… Finn Balor!
Both men trade blows until the clock counts down and the 3rd contestant is Rhyno! As you would expect, all this is fluff until the next contestant. Baron Corbin enters. Corbin goes on a run. However Finn throws him out. Setting off Corbin in to a rampage. Taking out everyone and not being a part of the Rumble anymore.
WWE, Walk With Elias.
Heath Slater’s music hits! Before Slater can even take 5 steps towards the ring. Corbin lays him out on his way to the locker room. There is a breather for the match until #6 arrives. The man that everyone wants to walk with… Elias! Everyone is down and out. So Elias has time to strum a song for the crowd.
Before Elias can finish, contestant #7 enters. Cien Almas! Fresh off his amazing NXT championship match. Number’s 8 and 9 consisted of Bray Wyatt and Big E from New Day. All the while Slater is beaten from the contestants on the way to the ring. Except for Big E, he offers pancakes.
Tye Dillinger’s music hits. A quick cut to the backstage reveals KO/Sami attack Tye and taking his place is Sami. The usual for this type of match continues. With Slater finally makes it to the ring with #11 Sheamus’s help. In which he is immediately eliminated by HEATH SLATER! Maybe setting a new record!
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOj06EZSo8s&w=640&h=360]
The King Of Strong Style.
Xavier Woods enters at #12. Now there is two members of New Day in the Rumble. As you expect, they launch a few tag team moves. The clock counts down to reveal Apollo Crews. Yup, that’s all I have to say about that. His entrance was nothing but fluff for #14. SHINSUKE NAKAMURA!!!
The king of strong style clears the ring with his stiff shots. The crowd continues to sing his theme song after it is no longer playing. Numbers 15-17 is compromised of Cesaro, Kofi Kingston, & Jinder Mahal. The New Day is now at full strength.
Which really never matters. #18 the Kingslayer Seth Rollins. The match continues with Kofi yet again finding a creative way back in to ring. This time involving pancakes and a cheerleader type launch. Woken Matt Hardy is in at #19. Bray & Matt stare each other down. Then decide to work together. Which can be a scary thought.
#20 is John Cena. A chorus of boos follows. Following Cena is the HURRICANE! Our 1st nostalgia surprise. Aiden English, Adam Cole (BAY-BAY!), Randy Orton, Titus O’Neil, The Miz round out the next group of contestants.
A surprise and a given.
The true surprise happened.. REY MYSTERIO JR!! Rey looks very fit and starts a spot fest. After the fan service #28 enters. Roman Reigns. Again a chorus of boos fill the place. Will we see another shove it down our throats push from the WWE? Seth and Roman start to tag team and clear a few mid cards. Then Roman turns on Seth. Throwing him out and getting some payback from WrestleMania. Goldust enters and a mild surprise Dolph Ziggler.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBVo8dfqTBc&w=640&h=360]
Down to the final 6
Roman, Cena, Orton face off against Finn, Shinsuke, & Rey. A nice mix of stars. They start another spot fest. Roman throws out Orton. Finn throws out Rey. It’s now down to the “old” stars Cena and Roman vs the “new” stars Shinsuke and Finn. Roman, Cena take out Shinsuke, and Finn. Leaving Roman and Cena face to face. As the crowd chants “You both suck!”. Now is time to note that Finn is this Rumble’s Iron Man. As soon that is mentioned, Cena takes out Finn. Cena then starts to hit his famous move set on Roman. Before he can finish Shinsuke eliminates Cena!! Leaving Roman vs Shinsuke.
King of Strong style vs Big Dog
Now here it is. Shinsuke vs Reigns. The crowd is going nuts for Shinsuke. He responds with yelling “COME ON!!” at Roman. The two exchange blows. Shinsuke dangerously applies a triangle hold to Roman while hanging on the outside of the ropes. Roman pulls him back over for a power bomb. Reigns sets up for spear and Shinsuke counters. Shinsuke sets up for a Kinshas and Roman hits spear. The hope prevailed. Shinsuke hits a Kinshasa winning 2018 Royal Rumble!! He is asked which title match he wants at WrestleMania. Shinsuke replies “AJ STYLES!!”. There we have it folks. The WWE dream match we have been waiting for.
Raw Tag team Championship match.
Yep. WWE pulled this. The crowd at an all time high. Then subjected this match. Not that is was a bad match. It was just booked in the wrong place. The crowd from the arena and at home watching was dead. No one cared. We all were thinking about Shinsuke vs AJ Styles at WrestleMania. So in a nutshell. Seth Rollins tried to do his best, Jason Jordan got cocky. The Bar knocks Jason Jordan silly. Seth continues to fight. Jordan tags himself in, then tags himself out. The Bar wins. *crickets*
WWE Universal Heavyweight Championship match. No disqualifications Match
The Monster Braun Strowman, The Demon Kane, and The Beast Brock Lesnar converge in this slobber knocker match. The action is fast and furious as Braun starts taking out both Kane and Lesnar. Braun hits Lesnar in the face with a stiff knee. Kane followed with a chokeslam to Lesnar. The champion quickly responded with a stiff punch to Braun face. Lesnar brings a chair in the ring and the Monster punches it into Lesnar’s face. Braun makes it outside and grabs the steel steps, lays out Kane, and Lesnar. THen the Beast is thrown into the barricade by Braun like a ragdoll. Later on Lesnar hits Suplex City on Braun. The Monster quickly gets up and Powerslams the Champion into a table. Braun hits a 2nd powerslam on Lesnar. Kane gets into the action by ramming Braun into a table propped in the corner.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOCXOnDvdeg?list=PLqIVmFaHA8Brr61sZg16n651ofrfbxEex&w=640&h=360]
The action spills outside as Braun preps an announcer’s table for Lesnar. The champion takes over and hits a F-5 on Braun, putting him through the table. Lesnar then throws another announcer’s table over Braun, burying him. The Monster stands back up and kicks Lesnar head first into the steel steps. Braun ggets Lesnar into the ring and hits three consecutive powerslams. In which left a window open for Kane to hit Braun with a steel chair. Kane sets up Lesnar for a Tombstone piledriver. Lesnar counters with a F-5, and pins Kane. Great match with the three biggest guys in the company.
Women’s Royal Rumble match.
The historic 30 women Royal Rumble kicks off with Stephanie McMahon introduced as a special commentator. She followed by WWE Ambassador Maria Menounos as the special ring announcer. The first ever contestant for the women’s Royal Rumble is The Boss Sashsa Banks! The 2nd contestant is Becky Lynch. The two battle it out leading to Riot Squad’s Sarah Logan to enter at number 3. Mandy Rose enters at number 4. The quartet duke it out leading into the 5th contestant.
A return of a legend… LITA! After missing out on Raw 25, Lita makes her return to the WWE. All four ladies gang up on Lita. With Lita fighting back. Number 6 is announced and it is The Pirate Princess Kari Sane. The NXT darling takes control of the Rumble and hits two of her amazing flying elbow drops. Tamina enters at number 7.
Lita starts to clean house with Twists of fates on everyone. She even hits a Litasualt, but is eliminated by Tamina. Dana Brooke enters in at number 8. Following Dana was Torrie Wilson, number 9. Sonya Deville, number 10. Liv Morgan, number 11. Molly Holly enters at number 12 with a nice reaction.
“Excuse me!”. Another “Rusev Day”.
Lana is number 13 and the crowd chants “Rusev Day!” Followed by Michelle McCool at number 14. McCool actually surprised me looking great in the ring. She toward over most of the competition. Ruby Riot is number 15. Leading up to number 16 to interrupt, Vickie Guerrero. The former General Manager did not wrestle. Instead, she screeched out her famous line “Excuse me!!”. Garnering the attention of the ladies in the ring. They shortly toss her out.
Carmella enters in at number 17. Natalya Follows in at number 18. Kelly Kelly enters in a fitting Number 19. Since that was her age when she started with the WWE. Number 20 was Naomi. Legend Jacqueline enters at number 21. Followed by Nia Jax at number 22.
Nia Jax completely clears the ring. Not eliminating everyone, but clears it. Looking very strong she stood alone awaiting the next contestant. Ember Moon! The NXT women’s champion enters in at number 23. Fighting with a bad arm from her previous championship match the night before. Ember takes it to Nia.
Attention shifts to Naomi as she gets creative like Kofi Kingston. Naomi walks the barricade to rolling chair. Uses her hands to make towards the steel steps and return to the fight. Only to have Nia quickly throw her out for her efforts.
It seems no one can stop Nia. Until number 24 music hits. No it isn’t Asuka. It is the Glamazon Beth Phoenix! One of the youngest WWE Hall of Famers takes it to Nia. Both trading displays of power. Natalya reenters the ring helping her life long friend, Beth. As the two tag team and throw Nia through the middle rope. The two shared an in ring hug, before Natalya turned in Beth and threw her out.
The Empress arrives.
The Empress Of Tomorrow, Asuka entered at number 25. Huge crowd pop as she runs down to the ring. Asuka quickly goes after Ember Moon. The two has shared great matches in NXT. They both quickly counter each other moves. With Ember finally hitting the Eclipse on Asuka.
Mickie James enters at number 26. Nikki Bella enters at number 27, with the crowd chanting “John Cena Sucks!”. This lead to Carmella mocking Nikki’s husband. Carmella is then tossed out by Nikki. At number 28 Brie Bella makes her return to the chants of “YES!”. Number 29 is Bayley.
The crowd is getting anxious for the last entrance. They start chanting “Ronda Rousey!”. However the music of the last contestant is none other the greatest WWE’s Diva’s Champion of all time. Trish Stratus!! Making her return Trish hits a double Stratusfatication on the Bellas before facing off with Mickie James. The crowd erupts with the two facing off.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96V4Guw71HE?list=PLqIVmFaHA8Brr61sZg16n651ofrfbxEex&w=640&h=360]
Nia reenters the ring and proceeds to take the brunt of the reaming women’s attacks. The Bellas finally eliminate Nia. The ladies start to celebrate. This quickly led to Sasha tossing out Bayley. Sasha then turns her attention towards Trish. The two exchange words with Sasha tossing out Trish.
The final four.
Sasha, Asuka, and the Bella twins are left. The Bella twins eliminate Sasha. Brie now finds herself on the outside of the ropes. Nikki decides it is time to betray her and pushes her off the apron. Leaving the Epress and Mrs Cena for the final bout. Asuka is nearly eliminated, but pulls herself back in. She lands a kick to Nikki’s leg and wins the inaugural Women’s Royal Rumble!
Enter Ronda Rousey.
Asuka is standing in the ring flanked by champions Charlotte and Alexa Bliss. As Asuka is about to announce on her decision for her first ever WrestleMania title match. “Bad Reputation” hits. This means only one thing… Ronda Rousey has entered the WWE universe! She makes her way down to the ring, points to the WrestleMania sign. Ronda then goes to shake Asuka’s hand and the Empress slaps it away. Rousey leaves smiling, pointing to the WrestleMania sign again. That is the end of the historic Royal Rumble.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61G3tDZQNhg&w=424&h=238]
Did the Rumble deliver?
With a resounding yes! Aside with the poor booking of the Raw Tag Team match. This Royal Rumble will go down as one of the best Rumbles ever. At first I had a problem with the Men’s Rumble being lackluster. However, towards the end I ended being marking out to the match. I understood that the Men’s Rumble HAD to play second fiddle to the Women’s Rumble. Anything else would have been a travesty. As for the women’s first ever Royal Rumble match. Bravo ladies. Bravo. Not only did they pull off a great match. They made a match that will be remembered forever. Inspiring a new generation of young girls and showing them it can be done in the WWE.
