WWE Royal Rumble PPV results
January 26, 2014
Pittsburgh, Pa.
Report by James Caldwell, PWTorch assistant editor

Rumble PPV Undercard

The Royal Rumble PPV opened with a video package focusing on the John Cena vs. Randy Orton issue heading into their WWE World Title match and the Royal Rumble match, which focused on C.M. Punk, Batista, and Alberto Del Rio.

In-ring: Big reaction for Daniel Bryan's music kicking off the show. Out came Bryan to a chorus of "Yes!" chants, then Bryan fired up the crowd doing "Yes!" all the way down to ringside. Then again in the ring. After Michael Cole, JBL, and Jerry Lawler hyped the show, Ricardo Rodriguez was shown sitting ringside at the Spanish announce table.

"Yes!" continued until the Wyatts's interruption played. On the video screen, Bray Wyatt noted they're here. As the Wyatts came out, Cole introduced a video replay from two weeks ago when Bryan dumped the Wyatts and returned to being Daniel Bryan. Back to ringside, Bray was shown sitting in his rocking chair while Luke Harper and Erick Rowan stood over him. "Daniel Bryan" chants greeted Bray as he entered the ring. The ref checked with both men for a while before finally calling for the bell.

1 -- DANIEL BRYAN vs. BRAY WYATT (w/Luke Harper and Erick Rowan)

Dueling chants of "Daniel Bryan" and "Yes!, Yes!" greeted the wrestlers as they started the match. Bryan started with "Yes!" kicks before Bray came back with a running elbow to the face. Bryan tried to fight back with knee strikes, but Harper ran interference to give Bray control. So, Bryan bounced the ropes and flew down at Harper with a suicide dive.

Ringside, Rowan tried to get at Bryan, but the ref saw him, so he tossed them from ringside. Rowan and Harper freaked out, but Bray calmed them down and said he can handle this. Bray pow-wow'ed with his Family members, then turned around and ate a flying splash from Bryan.

Back in the ring, loud "Daniel Bryan" chants greeted Bryan as he flew off the top with a cross-body splash on Bray for a two count. Bryan wanted a top-rope move, but Bray chopped him across the chest, sending Bryan flying down to the floor. Bryan hit the ground hard, prompting Cole to bring up Bryan's "rumored" concussion situation. On the outside, Bryan shoved Bray into the ring steps, sending Bray flying across the floor.

Back in the ring, Bryan kicked Bray in the leg, then continued the assault with repeated "Yes!" kicks. Bryan followed with a Dragon screw legwhip, then applied a leg submission. Bryan then transitioned into a Curb Stomp, drawing oohs from the crowd. Bryan continued the assault with kicks to the injured leg, putting Bray on the mat. But, on the ring apron, Bray yanked Bryan left-arm-first into the ring apron, giving him temporary control.

On the outside, Bray ran Bryan head-first into the ringpost, prompting the announcers to discuss Bryan's concussion situation. Bray then delivered a running butt splash to Bryan's gut, which WWE replayed from an angle to make it look good. "Why didn't you help him?!" Bray shouted toward the crowd.

Back in the ring at 11:00, Bray taunted Bryan, who fought back with kicks. But, Bray went back to attacking the head/neck area. Cole called Bray a nut, to which JBL added: "He's an effective nut." Bray added to the point by going to the corner, fixing his britches, hanging upside down, and doing the Crab Walk across the ring to deliver a corner clothesline. The crowd tried to rally behind Bryan, then Bryan avoided a running elbow drop from Wyatt.

At 14:00, Bryan ducked a clothesline and started to mount a comeback while still selling the effects of the head injury. Bryan then snapped off a top-rope huracanrana that sent Bray flying across the ring. But, Bray kicked out of a pin attempt. Bryan tried to follow with his trademark Flyin' Bryan offense, but Bray cut him off with a big elbow strike to the chest. Bray tried to follow, but Bryan sent him over the top rope to the floor.

On the outside, Bryan measured Bray for a running Tornado DDT that planted Bray into the floor mat. Back in the ring, Bryan dropkicked Bray, then kipped up a la Shawn Michaels, hyping the crowd. Bryan did "Yes!" kicks, then measured Bray for a corner dropkick. Bryan delivered another, then went for a third, but Bray came out of the corner with a huge inside-out clothesline, but Bryan kicked out just before three.

At 18:30, Bray went for Sister Abigail, but Bryan rolled through into a quick roll-up for a nearfall. Bryan followed with the Yes! Lock center ring, but Bray bit Bryan's hand to escape. The referee reprimanded Bray, who ignored him before fully escaping. Bray took Bryan to the top turnbuckle, where Bryan responded with headbutts. Bryan then wanted a diving headbutt, which he turned into a splash just trying to fall onto Bray.

At 20:20, Bryan got up doing "Yes!" chants, then wanted the running knee, but Bray rolled out of the ring. Bryan tried to follow with a suicide dive, but Bray caught Bryan in mid-air and smashed him into the barricade with Sister Abigail. Bryan sold as if he was knocked out with the concussion situation. Bray then rolled Bryan back into the ring, where Bray delivered Sister Abigail again. It was good for the pin and the win.

Post-match: Harper and Rowan returned to the ring to celebrate with Bray Wyatt.

WINNER: Bray Wyatt at 21:30. Easily Bray's best WWE TV match, great chemistry from both wrestlers, and a big victory for whatever WWE sets up for Bray at WrestleMania. Meanwhile, Bryan had his "out" for losing with the concussion situation. Whether Bryan goes on to win the Royal Rumble match later tonight remains to be seen. Very good opening match with a hot, invested crowd. (****)

Backstage: Renee Young brought in Paul Heyman, who cut off Renee before she could say much. Heyman said Brock Lesnar will challenge the winner of Randy Orton vs. John Cena, then hyped Lesnar's attack strategy against Big Show tonight.

Ringside: Former WWE Raw guest host Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger was shown sitting on the front row. Next to him was an exuberant individual sporting a big, bright yellow Hulkamania t-shirt. That wasn't very subtle about Hulk Hogan.

All-Star Panel: Josh Mathews brought in Ric Flair, Shawn Michaels, and "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan to discuss matters. Asked about the Daniel Bryan match, Michaels said he sees the future of WWE in Daniel Bryan and Bray Wyatt. Michaels said he was wrong about Bryan winning, but he will put his money on Daniel Bryan in the future. Ric Flair spoke next that he's backing Brock Lesnar tonight. Duggan hyped Big Show to "ho! ho!" chants from the crowd in the background.

In-ring: Big Show was introduced to the ring for the next match. After a video replay of the Show vs. Brock Lesnar feud, Lesnar's music played back in the arena. Lesnar, face-burned, came out dressed in his Jimmy John's gear as Paul Heyman walked nearby.

2 -- BROCK LESNAR (w/Paul Heyman) vs. BIG SHOW

Lesnar hit the ring and abruptly attacked Show before the bell sounded. From ringside, Heyman slid a chair into the ring. Lesnar bashed Show with the chair as Lawler said this tells him that Lesnar doesn't want to fight Big Show. Show eventually slid out of the ring clutching his hand as Lesnar danced around in the ring, indicating he's ready now. Show started to slide back into the ring, but Lesnar jumped him. Lesnar followed with a chair shot to the side.

Heyman started to present Lesnar with a second chair, but Lesnar ignored him, so Heyman hid it. Weird. Ref Chioda yanked the first chair out of the ring, so Heyman slid the second chair to Lesnar, but Big Show KO Punched Lesnar in the face. During this, the ref called for the opening bell to start the match, but Show could not capitalize because of his injury.

On the floor, Big Show smashed Lesnar, then rolled him back into the ring. Back in the ring, Show cussed out Lesnar, then delivered right hand jabs to Lesnar's gut. Show went for a second KO Punch, but Lesnar ducked and put Show on his shoulders. Lesnar balanced himself, then delivered the F5 center-ring. Lesnar covered Show for the win.

Post-match: Lesnar left the ring, then retrieved another chair as Heyman walked around with Lesnar. Lesnar quietly slid back into the ring, where he bashed Show's lower body with the chair. And again. Show slid to the floor to recover, where Lesnar bashed him with the chair a few more times. Make it several more times.

Heyman then tossed another chair to Lesnar, who bashed Show with it again. The referee decided this was the time to intervene, but Lesnar chucked him across the ring. Lesnar then grabbed another chair and bashed Show with it. Lesnar's "conscience," Paul Heyman, did not call this off, so Lesnar kept bashing Show. Lesnar then chucked the chair into the ring and watched as Show tried to recover on the floor. Lesnar had enough and left the ringisde area with Heyman as Show clutched his arm, selling injuries.

After a replay of Lesnar's attack, WWE cut back to Big Show being tended to by the ringside medic. WWE followed Show slowly, slowly recovering to his feet and walking up the entrance ramp while clutching his arm.

WINNER: Lesnar at 2:01. A necessarily short match due to Show being injured going into the match. The pre-match attack gave Show his "out" and reinforced Lesnar as a dangerous heel picking up a needed win. And, the pre and post-match attacks stretched this segment out to the length of what WWE mapped out for the match. (n/a)

Somewhere: The Shield talked into a handheld camera. Dean Ambrose said Shield has proven to be the most dominant force in history, which also means they don't make friends. So, they have 27 enemies tonight in the Royal Rumble match. Roman Reigns chimed in that they will fall one by one until the three of them remains. Seth Rollins said when it comes down to the three of them, then it's every man for himself. Rollins said The Shield will stand united after it's all over. Reigns then bragged about his Rumble number. Ambrose wanted to hear it, but Reigns told him to go first. They had a slight disagreement before Rollins calmed them down and said the only number that matters is three for The Shield.

Backstage: Renee Young brought in WWE World Hvt. champion Randy Orton to discuss his title defense against John Cena. Orton, like Heyman, cut off Renee and said he will beat Cena tonight, then send Cena to the back of the line. Renee brought up everyone gunning for his title, including Bray Wyatt now in the picture. Orton laughed off Batista and Lesnar as good, but not great. Orton called Bray a "Duck Dynasty reject" and not Face of WWE material. Orton also listed Bryan and Punk, continuing to plant seeds for the Elimination Chamber match.

WrestleMania video package: WM30 is 70 days away.

Announcers: Cole set the stage for the WWE Title match between Randy Orton and John Cena up next.

END OF FIRST HOUR. SECOND HOUR CONTINUES AT PWTORCH.COM...

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