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KELLER’S WWE ROYAL RUMBLE REPORT
FEBRUARY 1, 2025
INDIANAPOLIS, IND. AT LUCAS OIL STADIUM
STREAMED LIVE ON PEACOCK (U.S.) & NETFLIX (Internationally)
Commentators: Michael Cole, Wade Barrett, Pat McAfee
Ring Announce: Alicia Taylor
Attendance: WrestleTix reported that 67,589 tickets had been distributed right before showtime. The arena has a capacity of 70,000 spectators when configured for football.
-Michael Cole introduced the show as they showed an aerial view of Indianapolis, Ind. They cut to the interior of the venue which looked awesome and big time. They showed Cody Rhodes backstage with his title belt, smiling but looking like he had a lot of weight on his shoulders. Kevin Owens showed up in a golf cart with tape over “Staff” and then tape spelling “KO.” They showed Gunther arriving with his World Hvt. Title. Then they showed C.M. Punk in the empty stadium earlier. Then Seth Rollins walking down ring steps in an all-cherry red outfit. The showed Bayley in the empty stadium earlier taking a selfie. They showed Naomi and Bianca Belair backstage next with their tag titles. Then they showed Paul Heyman and Roman Reigns. Cole noted it’s the first time in five years he’s been in the Rumble because he as the champion the previous five years.
-Stephanie McMahon made her ring entrance and circled to look at the full stadium. She said it was an incredible honor to be in the “amazing city of Indianapolis.” She talked about the event streaming on Peacock (U.S.) and Netflix (internationally). She said WWE keeps growing and thanked fans for making it the biggest Rumble in history.
-An introductory video package aired with Pat McAfee gushing about Indiana and Indianapolis and the stadium.
-They went to Cole, Pat McAfee, and Wade Barrett at ringside. Cole threw to whom he called the greatest WWE ring announcer today Alicia Taylor. (After his weird shout-out to Vic Joseph at the exclusion of Corey Graves and Booker T last month, and now this, is he sending messages to those he excludes? Lilian Garcia, in this case.)
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(1) WOMEN’S ROYAL RUMBLE
(1) Iyo Sky
(2) Liv Morgan
As Iyo came out, Barrett said he was afraid he had some bad news for her and called her the unluckiest women in WWE. McAfee was more optimistic, saying she could go on a run. The bell rang 13 minutes into the hour. Sky dazzled with early offense including some flips to celebrate. As she played to the crowd, Cole said she wants the championship back. Liv nearly eliminated her, but Sky hung on and then springboarded back into the ring. Liv ducked and went for Oblivion, but Sky blocked that and nearly eliminated Liv.
(3) Roxanne Perez
Perez got to shine here as the announcers talked about her background.
(4) Lyra Valkyria
Lyra’s top strap broke early. She had to try to refasten it as she threw Sky. Liv then attacked her. She had help getting it fixed from a ringside attendant. Fans cheered when she returned to action.
(5) Chelsea Green
(6) B-Fab
(7) Ivy Nile
Fans chanted “You suck!” to the beat of Nile’s music. Nile delivered a double German suplex on Green and Perez. Liv and Sky worked together to try to eliminate B-Fab.
(8) Zoey Stark
(9) Lash Legend
ELIMINATION #1: B-Fab (via Chelsea)
Chelsea was delighted herself. WWE has an info bar at the bottom of the screen with notes on how many were active, how many were eliminated, and facts on wrestlers as they make their entrance.
(10) Bianca Belair
Belair got in a flurry of offense, including punching away at a stack of wrestlers in the corner. She then delivered a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker on Liv when she charged. She then suplexed Lash Legend, kipped up, and danced a bit. She presssed Iyo and tried to drop her to the floor, but Iyo hung on to the top rope.
(11) Shayna Baszler
Cole said she is one of the most prolific wrestlers in WWE history including being tied for the most eliminations in one Rumble at 8, tied with Bianca and Nia Jax.
ELIMINATION #2: Valkyria (via Stark). Stark signaled to Valkyria that she was coming after her title.
(12) Bayley
As Bayley came out, Cole listed Hulk Hogan, Steve Austin, Shawn Michaels, and Cody Rhodes as the only back-to-back Rumble winners, noting Bayley could join this list if she won.
(13) Sonya Deville
Cole noted all three members of Pure Fusion Collective are in the Rumble now. They worked together including against Belair. Legend tried to take them on, but they dropped her. Cole noted Chelsea was sitting in front of their announce table and resting. He asked if she was eliminated. She said she called a time out. (They really need a 30 second countout rule or something because it is just silly wrestlers can sit out extended periods and avoid elimination.)
(14) Maxxine Dupri
With everyone else down, PFC surrounded Maxxine. She looked worried, but then others popped up and went after PFC. Maxxine pulled her straps down and did a reverse caterpillar.
ELIMINATION #3: Nile (via Maxxine)
ELIMINATION #4: Maxxine (via PFC as Maxxine was celebrating)
(15) Naomi
Naomi got in a series of spots before PFC triple-teamed her. Sky landed a moonsault on Deville. Belair and Naomi eliminated Niule
ELIMINATION#5: Stark (via Naomi & Belair)
ELIMINATION#6: Baszler (via Bayley)
ELIMINATION#7: Deville (via Sky)
Those three eliminations nearly overlapped each other, but on different sides of the ring.
(16) Jaida Parker
Cole talked about her being an NXT wrestler making her first Rumble appearance. Barrett talked about her background.
ELIMINATION #8: Legend (via Chelsea)
(17) Piper Niven
Chelsea begged Belair and Naomi not to go after her. She bowed out through the ropes to the ring apron, then asked Piper Niven to hurry up. It’s a long trip. Green stood behind Niven as soon as she entered the ring, then rolled under the bottom rope. Niven caught Naomi and slammed her. She splashed both Naomi and Belair at once and then landed a turning sidewalk slam on Bayley. She gave Iyo a uranage. Naomi nearly eliminated Chelsea, but she hung onto the top rope. Niven charged, and Naomi moved, so Niven knocked Chelsea to the floor at 34:00.
ELIMINATION #9: Chelsea (via Niven by mistake)
(18) Natalya
Cole said she’s been part of every women’s Rumble and is second all-time for cumulative time in the Rumble. Natalya tossed Perez over the top rope, but Perez stayed on the ring apron.
(19) Jordynne Grace
Cole said it’s her second Rumble appearance. He said unlike last year, she’s now officially part of WWE. She got in some spots as one wrestler after another charged at her.
ELIMINATION #10: Jayda Parker (via Grace)
Grace then gave Niven a Death Valley Driver. Fans chanted “Holy shit!” Naomi and Graced hugged. Cole noted they have a history in TNA. Belair pulled them apart and looked upset. She tried to eliminate Grace, but she landed on the ring apron. Belair and Naomi worked together against others.
(20) Michin
(21) Alexa Bliss
Bliss got the biggest pop yet. The graphic noted it was her first appearance sine January 2023 and it’s her fourth career Royal Rumble. Cole and McAfee said they thought she wasn’t coming back. Barrett told Cole to stop reading the dirt sheets. Bliss and Bayley went at it as fans chanted, “Welcome back!” She played to the cheering crowd. Cole said she is “so happy to be back.” Natalya tried to eliminate Bliss.
(22) Zelina Vega
Zelina gave a nasty Code Red to Grace that looked like a borderline dangerous landing
(23) Candice LeRae
(24) Stephanie Vaquer
Cole said it was Vaquer’s first Rumble. Barrett talked up her background and in-ring style. She went after Bayley’s knee with a dragon screw. Cole noted Bayley’s had a history of knee injuries.
(25) Trish Stratus
Fans popped and chanted “This is awesome!” as Trish was showcased. Niven knocked Trish down.
(26) Raquel Rodriguez
Cole noted that Liv finally has an ally. There were 16 active in the match at this point, so the ring as busy. Raquel powerbombed Liv onto Natalya.
ELIMINATION #11 (Natalya via Liv with a Code Breaker on the ring apron)
Raquel looked down at Natalya and laughed. Bliss knocked Liv down and nearly eliminated her, but Liv gave her a Code Breaker on the ring apron with help from Raquel.
ELIMINATION #12 (Bliss via Liv)
(27) Charlotte Flair
Charlotte came out in a red robe and pyro blasted. She wore a knee brace. Charlotte clotheslined wrestlers who chaged at her and then chopped away at Bayley. Perez went after her and she chopped her. Then she chopped Belair and then Grace. She gave a boot to the face to charging Grace.
ELIMINATION #13 (Michin via Charlotte)
McAfee said the energy was different since Charlotte arrived. Charlotte climbed to the top rope after eliminating Mchin and dove onto Grace and Vaquer. Grace and Vaquer set up a delayed double-vertical suplex on Charlotte, but Charlotte turned it into a DDT and then pounded her chest. Niven avoided a Charlotte boot and then knocked her down. Charlotte then dumped Niven to the floor.
ELIMINATION #14 (Niven via Charlotte)
(28) Giulia
Guilia kneed Grace off the ring apron.
ELIMINATION #15 (Grace via Giulia)
Vaquer and Giulia stared at each other, then agreed to work together. A brawl broke out with NXT wrestlers battling WWE wrestlers.
(29) Nia Jax
Fans booed as Jax made her way out. Jax just yanked Zelina off the the ring apron as she was vulnerable.
ELIMINATION #16 (Zelina via Jax)
Jax smiled as she entered the ring and eyed the crowd. Trish smiled and greeted Jax mid-ring. Candice tried to get involved, but Trish tossed her over the top.
ELIMINATION #17 (Candice via Trish)
ELMINATION #18 (Trish via Jax after help from Candice at ringside)
(30) Nikki Bella
As heavily-rumored, Bella made her return in this match as the final entrant. Cole said it’s her first time in WWE in over three years. The graphic noted it’s her third career Rumble. She squared off with Jax as soon as she entered the ring. Everyone else stood and surrounded Jax, who looked worried for the first time. They swarmed Jax, but she shoved them all off and then let out a huge yell and raised her arms. Bella did some push-ups. Perez did some next to her. Nikki slapped her and then dumped her with a fireman’s carry to the ring apron. Perez held on and kicked Nikki.
Vaquer and Iyo battled on the ring apron. Perez tried to kick Sky to the floor, but Sky held on. Vaquer dangled near the floor. Liv and Raquel went after them. Naomi and Velair joined in. Naomi dumped Liv to the ring apron. Five women were on the ring apron. Jax came up behind them and caused several eliminations
ELIMINATION #19: Vaquer
ELIMINATION #20: Belair
ELIMINATION #21: Sky
ELIMINATION #22: Naomi
ELIMINATION #23: Raquel
ELIMINATION #24: Morgan
It came down to Giulia, Perez, Charlotte, Nikki, Bayley, and Jax.
Perez and Giulia battling Charlotte on the ring apron.
ELIMINATION #25: (Giulia via Perez)
ELIMINATION #26: (Bayley via Nikki who was aiming for Jax)
ELIMINATION #27: (Nikki via Jax)
Charlotte chopped away at Jax. Perez attacked Charlotte’s knee, then wrapped it around the middle rope. Jax charged, but Perez moved. Perez then leaped at Jax, who hoisted her onto her shoulders. Jax tried to dump her, but Jax went over instead.
ELIMINATION #28: (Jax via Charlotte)
Charlotte kicked Perez in the face to knock her to the floor.
ELIMINATION #28 (Perez via Charlotte)
WINNER: Charlotte in 71:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: A sufficiently entertaining match. I liked building up to a lot of wrestlers in the ring over time for the sake of a lot of late excitement, but it can limit the excitement in the lead-up. For people not familiar with some of the NXT wrestlers, they might have been less invested. The returns of Trish and Nikki added some nostalgia and special attraction vibes. Charlotte winning is probably the “right” thing given the lay of the land, but it’s also going to feel like “been there, done that” situation for a lot of fans who, thanks to ambivalent booking and stale robotic promos from her over the years. Grace and Jax had real standout memorable spots late, while the early portion of the match was built around Chelsea and PFC in the spotlight, plus the big pop for Alexa Bliss.)
-They showed Godfather, Mickie James, Godfather, and Kurt Angle at ringside.
-They showed Drew McIntyre and Sami Zayn preparing backstage.
-They showed Notre Dame football coach Marcus Freeman and actor Stephen Amell in the crowd.
-A video package set the stage for the tag title match.
(2) DIY (Tomasso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano) vs. THE MOTOR CITY MACHINE GUNS (Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley) – Two out of three falls match for the WWE Tag Team Titles
The bell rang 42 minutes into the hour. Sabin knocked Ciampa and Gargano into the announce desk a minute in. The announcers talked about J.D. McDonagh’s injuries and noted he was hospitalized after completing his match earlier in the week on Raw. Shelley thought Gargano tagged in, but he pulled his arm away from Ciampa yet entered the ring anyway. Shelley focused on Gargano, so then Ciampa caught Shelley with a knee and got a very early pinfall. Barrett called it genius.
FIRST FALL: DIY in 4:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: If matches with teams of this caliber ever ended in the first five minutes, this would be fine, but there’s no reason the only time a pin happens this quickly is when there’s a best-of-three falls format. The first fall should, on average, last as long as the average regular match, and everything after could reasonably have faster falls due to fatigue and wear-and-tear.)
DIY landed a double-team move for a near fall by Gargano on Shelley at 5:00. The ref missed a not-tag to Sabin thanked to a Ciampa distraction. Barrett touted DIY’s dirty tricks. Gargano scored a near fall on Shelley after a double-team move. Barrett said he hasn’t seen officiating that bad since the last Kansas City Chiefs game. McAfee said he thought some things were going on with the Chiefs-Bills game himself, even as a Chiefs fan.
Shelley kicked Gargano mid-air on a sling-shot spear. A fan held up a sign that said, “Wade Barrett eats well-done steak with ketchup.” Sabin rallied against Gargano.
Sabin dove onto Ciampa and Gargano at ringside.
Back in the ring, Shelley and Sabin landed their Skull & Crossbones on Gargano for the pinfall.
SECOND FALL: MCMGs at 9:00.
Shelley and Sabin eventually double-teamed Gargano. Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford attacked Shelley and Sabin in all black outfits leading to an easy pin by Ciampa on Shelley. Ciampa had a bloodied bridge of his nose and Ciampa had a bloody mouth.
WINNERS: DIY in 14:00.
-Afterward, Dawkins and Ford attacked DIY with a crutch at ringside. Barrett said this made no sense. Cole said the Profits wants the tag titles, so they took out Sabin & Shelley first, but they realized that it was DIY who attacked them.
(Keller’s Analysis: So mixed signals that can lead to fan ambivalence since the Profits made an unjustified attack on Sabin & Shelley to cost them the belt. I’m not a fan of positioning wrestlers who act like the Profits to be cheered, so we’ll see what happens next. If they’re self-interested heels, it’s fine, I suppose, but it’s a really cheap way to end a title match even if the surprise return of the Profits is supposed to make up for it.)
(3) CODY RHODES vs. KEVIN OWENS – Ladder match for the WWE Title
Owens came out first wearing his “The Canadian Dream Son of a Securities Systems Technician” t-shirt. Cody then made his ring entrance. McAfee oddly said Cody has perfect teeth and perfect hair. Barrett called him the WWE Golden Boy. (Are they trying to turn fans against him?) Taylor did formal ring introductions before the belts were hung on the bar and raised above the ring. Cole said Cody is the hunted, no longer the hunter. Barrett said there is almost a joy in the process of climbing the mountain, but a whole different type of pressure at the top. He said he wants to known as the workhorse and tireless ambassador for WWE. Barrett said the pressure is taking a toll. (This is why I questioned showing Cody goofing off with Cole body surfing with fans on Smackdown last night because it works against the story they’re telling this week that Cody has the weight of the world on his shoulders and is showing signs of wearing out.)
The bell rang 19 minutes into the hour. Cole recited KO’s perspective and said KO has become delusional. They brawled at ringside early. Cody tried to suplex KO onto the ladder, but Owens broke free and slammed Cody onto the ladder’s support brace. KO then bashed Cody with the detached brace. They brawled into the crowd. (Cole twice had a chance to say they were fighting in the “WWE Universe” but instead referred to “the fans” and “the crowd.”) KO shoved Cody into the camera filming them. Cody punched KO in the face. KO threw Cody onto the ring barricade and shoved him to the floor at ringside.
KO rammed Cody into the announce desk. Fans chanted, “We Want Tables!” Instead, KO pulled a ladder out from under the ring and bridged it on the ring apron and announce desk. Cody fought back, though, and rolled into the ring and eyed the ladder and the belts. He set up the ladder, but KO reentered the ring and hit Cody with a step ladder several times. KO slammed Cody onto the step ladder. Barrett said KO has the perfect physique for absorbing punishment. He compared him to Mick Foley. Cole said he saw Foley chatting with KO earlier. KO climbed the ladder. KO bench pressed the ladder to throw KO off balance.
The ladder tipped over and Cody rolled to ringside. KO went after him at ringside. Cody reached under the ring and pulled out another ladder. KO took the ladder and slid it into the ring. Cody suplexed KO onto the ladder in the ring. A minute later, KO mocked Cody’s dad Dusty and did a Bionic Elbow gesture before hitting him with a metal support bar from the ladder. Cody backdropped KO onto a tall ladder that was opened and leaning on its side. Fans chanted, “Holy shit!” (Because they hadn’t done a bunch of stunt bumps up to that moment and merely briefly sold the effects if at all, that move had real impact.)
Cody set up and climbed the ladder. KO pulled Cody off the ladder and powerbombed him onto a ladder bridged in the corner. Barrett said when it comes to bones vs. steel, there is only one winner. KO climbed the tall ladder. Cody pulled him down. KO gave Cody a fisherman’s buster off the second rope onto a bridged ladder. The ref checked on Cody. Fans chanted “Holy sh–!” again. Nick Aldis came to ringside to check on KO who was grabbing his neck. Pete Williams and two referees joined in. Sami Zayn then came out to checked on KO. Aldis moved over to check on Cody along with Jason Jordan. Sami checked on Cody too.
KO stood and set up a stunner, but Cody countered into a neckbreaker. When Cody approached a ladder, KO grabbed his boot. Cody slid to ringside and slammed KO against the announce desk and the ringpost. Cole said KO was “busted open.” Cody fired up while standing on the announce desk. They showed Sami watching. KO gave Cody a low blow. He set up KO for a package piedriver, but countered and gave KO an Alabama Slam off the announce desk onto a bridged ladder, which broke in half. KO landed on his shoulders and head and ended up upside down.
Cody entered the ring and climbed the ladder and then pulled down the belts to win. Cole called it one of the most courageous performances of KO’s career.
WINNER: Cody in 25:00 to retain the WWE Title.
-As Cody celebrated, they showed KO being tended to by medics at ringside. KO looked like he had been through war. Cole said he hates to be callous, but KO brought all of this upon himself due to his bitter jealousy. Cody stood on the announce desk over KO who was being tended to by Sami who looked emotiona over KO’s condition.
(Keller’s Analysis: A strong example of a Cody-style stunt match where every big spot was spaced out, sold sufficiently, and memorable as a result.)
-Cole announced the launch of Evole which premiers March 5 on Tubi with a weekly series dropping every Wednesday. He said it’ll feature wrestlers who hope to some day make it to NXT and maybe Raw or Smackdown some day.
-Cole touted a crowd of 70,347 as the camera panned the stadium.
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(4) MEN’S ROYAL RUMBLE
(1) Rey Mysterio
As Rey came out, Cole called him a living legend who first competed in a Rumble in 2003.
(2) Penta
Cool match-up to start the Rumble. Cole said Penta has taken the world by storm and he has no fear. The bell rang 4 minutes into the fourth hour. Fans stood and applauded as they approached each other mid-ring, then cheered when they shook hands. Penta didn’t let go and had a few extra words fro him. They traded catch phrases and then engaged. Rey head scissored Penta onto the ring apron. Both almost tumbled to the floor. That’d have been a heck of a shocking double-elimination. Penta caught Rey leaping off the top rope and again tried to eliminate him. Penta’s boot touched the match, maybe two. Barrett said he thought it was one boot. McAfee called for a replay. Refs at ringside signaled it was one boot. Penta knocked Rey off balance and he landed on his head on the mat.
(3) Chad Gable
Cole said this is an interesting story since Gable has enlisted the help from Dom who sent him to a Luchador expert. Gable knocked Rey over the top rope. Rey held on and neither boot touched. The crowd got nervous. Cole noted that Gable’s idol, Kurt Angle, was in attendance. Penta launched Rey onto Gable on the mat.
(4) Carmelo Hayes
(5) Santos Escobar
Escobar landed a 619 on Rey. Fans booed as Escobar showboated. Penta went after Escobar, but Escobar gave him a Mexican Destroyer. Rey then gave Escobar a 619 and tossed Escobar over the top. Escobar held on. Carmelo threw Rey over the top, but Rey hung on. Penta tossed Carmelo over, but he hung on. Gable then threw Penta over the top, but he hung on. All four returned and surrounded Gable, then attacked him. Then they turned on each other. Fun sequence.
(6) Otis
Cole said things went from bad to worse for Gable. Gable interrupted a Caterpillar. McAfee said, “He didn’t want to see Otis’s worm.” (There was a juvenile joke there, but McAfee continues to insist on calling the Caterpillar by the former name the Worm.) Gable gave Otis a German suplex. Otis popped up and put a celebrating Gable in a torture rack.
(7) Bron Breakker
The first or second realistic potential winner (accounting for Penta as an underdog potential winner). Breakker attacked Carmelo and tossed him out.
ELIMINATION #1: Carmelo (via Breakker)
Breakker then took down Gable and Otis and Rey. When Escobar lifted Penta, Breakker speared Escobar. Cole said Breakker making a name for himself in his second Rumble.
ELIMINATION #2: Escobar (via Breakker)
Cole was tracking Breakker’s eliminations total.
(8) Akira Tozawa iShowSpeed
As Tozawa came out, Carmelo attacked him from behind. Raw G.M. Adam Pearce checked on him and two officials helped him to the back. They followed Tozawa to the back where Dr. Levesque determined immediately Tozawa was concussed or something and he couldn’t compete. Levesque named iShowSpeed as his replacement. iShowSpeed was hanging out at Gorilla. He acted shocked, but ran to the ring to entrance music that was all cued up.
ELIMINATION #3: Otis (via iShowSpeed and Breakker)
iShowSpeed played to the crowd and did a standing backflip. Breakker gave him a spear that appeared to have potential of killing him. Breakker then lifted him up, pressed him above his head, and tossed him over the top rope. Otis caught him and overhead tossed him over the announce desk.
ELIMINATION #4: iShowSpeed (via Breaker)
(9) Sheamus
Sheamus got in moves on Penta and Rey. Breakker backdropped Sheamus and went for a spear, but Sheamus gave him a Brogue Kick. It didn’t quite connect. Barrett said it hit the shoulder, but connected enough. Sheamus slapped Gable.
(10) Jimmy Uso
Cole said it’s his third Rumble match. Jimmy got in some crowd-pleasing spots.
(11) Andrade
He landed moves against several wrestlers right away and then played to the crowd.
(12) Jacob Fatu
Cole said he called him the dark horse candidate to win. He took down a couple wrestlers, then squared off with Penta. Fatu punched him when he started yelling his catch phrase again. He then gave Penta and Rey a double-Samoan drop.
ELIMINATION #5: Gable (via Fatu)
ELIMINATION #6: Rey (via Fatu)
ELIMINATION #7: Andrade (via Fatu)
Breakker stood behind Fatu, breathing heavily. Jimmy superkicked Fatu.
(13) Ludwig Kaiser
Cole imagined Kaiser winning the Rumble and choosing to face Gunther. Kaiser ran to ringside, but then paused and strutted around ringside before entering. Barrett said he’d hit the brakes if he saw Fatu in the ring. Cole said, “You can sit out there all night.” (It’s one thing to have ridiculous rules in a match, and it’s another thing to draw so much attention to them.) Kaiser entered the ring and Penta immediately tossed him out. Cole wondered if it was a record for shortest in-ring time. That sets up a Kaiser-Penta match.
ELIMINATION #8: Kaiser (via Penta)
Penta dropped Breakker over the top rope, but he held on.
(14) The Miz
Miz slid under Breakker and backdropped him over the top rope, but Breakker held on. Miz gave Jimmy a Skull Crushing Finale. Penta attacked Miz. Miz took Penta down with a huracanrana. Fatu then went after Miz. Miz springboarded at Fatu, but Fatu caught him and gave him a Samoan Drop. A “Fatu! Fatu!” chant broke out and then turned into a countdown.
(15) Joe Hendry
They showed fans reacting with joy when Hendry’s music played. Cole said, “The TNA Champion is here!” He noted it is his first Royal Rumble match. Barrett said he became a social media sensation in the last 12 months. Barrett called him an overnight success and said it took him 15 years. Hendry slammed Miz. Fatu took Hendry down. Cole said Fatu showed Hendry “it’s a different world here.” Sheamus then had words with Fatu.
(16) Roman Reigns
Fans roared as Reigns’s music played. He came out with Paul Heyman. Heyman tried to keep pace with Reigns as he made his long journey to the ring. Miz went after Reigns as he entered, but Reigns ducked and speared him, then eliminated him.
ELIMINATION #9: Miz
ELIMINATION #10: Sheamus
Hendry went after Reigns, but Reigns speared him and tossed him out easily. The downside of working with WWE is they can book your champion to look like that.
ELIMINATION #11: Hendry
Breaker squared off with Reigns. Breakker speared Reigns hard. Breakker tried to toss out Reigns, but Reigns reversed him and tossed him out.
ELIMINATION #12: Breakker (via Reigns
Jimmy stood over Reigns, smiling. Fatu came up behind Jimmy and eliminated him.
ELIMINATION #13: Jimmy (via Fatu)
Fatu and Reigns squared off. Cole said, “You are looking at a future WrestleMania main event.” Fans chanted, “Holy shit!” Fatu and Reigns exchanged big swings. Reigns gave Fatu a spear.
(17) Drew McIntyre
Drew approached Reigns and said he was awaiting this moment. They exchanged big swings. Fatu then hit Reigns from behind and stomped away at Reigns. Drew punched Penta to keep him down, then squared off with Drew. Drew and Fatu smiled and stomped away at Roman. Only those four were active: Reigns, Drew, Fatu, Penta. Fatu gave Penta a running hip attack.
(18) Finn Balor
Balor came out to new entrance music and thus zero pop. Cole said it’s his fourth Rumble and he lasted 57 minutes once. Balor and Drew stomped on Reigns. Penta went after Balor. Balor gave Penta a sling blade and tossed him over the top rope. Fatu turned on Drew. Roman went after Fatu, then stomped on Balor.
(19) Shinsuke Nakamura
Nakamura came out wearing his U.S. Title belt. Penta gave Fatu a Mexican Destroyer. Balor backdropped Penta over the top to eliminate him. That seems to set up a Penta-Balor match at some point.
ELIMINATION #14: Penta (via Balor)
(20) Jey Uso
Jey came out through the regular entrance. Cole said, “Jey’s serious tonight.” Jey went after Balor right away, then battled Nakamura. Jey backdropped a charging Nakamura over the top rope to the floor.
ELIMINATION #15: Nakamura (via Jey)
(21) A.J. Styles
Styles got a nice crowd pop as he made his return. Styles went after everyone in the ring as fans chanted his name. Cole said, “What an all-star match.” Styles squared off with Fatu. “A.J., meet the Werewolf,” said Cole. Styles landed a Pelé kick. Fatu backdropped Styles.
(22) Braun Strowman
“That’s one big S.O.B. coming into the Royal Rumble!” exclaimed McAfee. Strowman lifted and tossed Fatu over the top rope to the floor. Fatu threw a fit. Cole asked, “Where are the damn cops?!”
ELIMINATION #16: Fatu (via Strowman)
Styles, Drew, and Balor attacked Strowman. Reigns kneeled and watched from the corner. He stood and was about to join in when John Cena’s music played.
(23) JOHN CENA
Cena came out in Indianapolis Colts blue with a horseshoe on his branded t-shirt. They showed Fatu glaring at the ring. Cena ducked a charging Strowman who crashed to the floor.
ELIMINATION #17: Strowman (via Cena)
Cena tossed Balor over the top. It appeared Braun was supposed to catch him, but he dropped him and then yelled out an expletive. Drew charged at Roman, but Roman speared him. Cena then eyed Reigns. Cole said it was shades of Summerslam from a couple of years ago. Then C.M. Punk’s theme played. That stopped the Reigns-Cena confrontation as attention turned to Punk. “This just keeps getting better,” said Cole.
(24) C.M. Punk
Reigns and Cena eyed Punk as he entered, with Styles and Jey and Drew down in opposite corners, not part of this “moment.” They stared at each other as the countdown reached zero.
(25) Seth Rollins
They are really playing up the deep pool of top tier stars in this Rumble by having them all gather at this stage sequentially. Seth slide into the ring and immediately tackled Punh. Cena and Reigns then fought into a corner. Styles and Drew got up. Drew went after Punk as Styles fought Jey. There were overlapping dueling chants.
ELIMINATION #18: Balor (via Cena)
(26) Dominik Mysterio
“Talk about a buzzkill!” exclaimed Cole. Perfect timing for Dom here. Barrett said Dom has a chance, even if it’s a small one, and he’d love for him to pull off the unimaginable. Dom leaped off the top rope and frog splashed Cena. He then went for a vertical suplex on Reigns, but Reigns resisted and gave him a Samoan Drop. Dom on his back and the corner offered Reigns a handshake. Reigns punched away at him.
(27) Sami Zayn
Cole said Sami has to win this match to earn a title match at WrestleMania, since he didn’t get involved with Cody vs. KO earlier and help KO win.
(28) Damien Priest
Priest gave Dom a South of Heaven and tossed him easily over the top rope to the floor. Fans cheered.
ELIMINATION #19: Dom
(29) L.A. Knight
Knight leaped off the top rope and landed an elbowdrop on Cena. Knight then gave Styles a neckbreaker Jey and Knight exchanged strikes, leading to a “Yeah! Yeet” alternating fans chants. Knight slammed Jey and strutted. Cole shouted over to Heyman and asked what the favor is he owes Punk.
ELIMINATION #20: Sami (via Jey)
(30) Logan Paul
Logan flipped into the ring and clotheslined Seth and Styles at once. He gave Jey a neckbreaker. Knight stalked Logan. As Drew tried to toss out Jey, Priest shoved Drew to the floor.
ELIMINATION #21: Drew (via Priest)
Knight and Logan battled on the ring apron. Logan held on and then leaped onto the announce desk, avoiding landing on the floor. Barrett said that just makes people hate him more.
ELIMINATION #22: Priest (via Knight)
ELIMINATION #23: Knight (via Styles)
Logan leaped from the ringside barricade to the ringside steps and then re-entered the picture by disrupting a springboard by Styles, knocking him to the floor.
ELIMINATION #24: Styles (via Logan)
Final Six: Cena, Reigns, Punk, Seth, Logan, Jey. They paired off and battled: Logan-Reigns, Punk-Seth, Jey-Cena. Punk gave Logan a GTS. Seth kicked Punk. Seth gave Jey a Pedigree. Cena lifted Seth for an AA, but Reigns hit Cena with a Superman Punch. Seth stomped Cena and then Punk. Seth peripherally saw Reigns staring at him. Seth slowly stood and they turned to each other. It was played like a big moment. Cole said everyone was on their feet. Seth said he isn’t getting another WrestleMania main event. They poked and then shoved and then punched each other. Seth avoided a Superman Punch and went for a Pedigree. Reigns lifted Seth onto his shoulders and tried to dump him. Seth slipped out and superkicked Reigns. He charged with a clotheslined, but Reigns ducked and tried to dump Seth over the top. Seth held on. Punk eliminated both.
ELIMINATION #25: Seth
ELIMINATION #26: Reigns
Logan then tossed Punk over the top rope.
ELIMINATION #27: Punk (via Logan)
Seth then gave Reigns a stomp at ringside as Seth and Reigns blamed each other for the double elimination. Seth and Punk fought and were pulled apart by referees.
It came down to Logan, Jey, and Cena.
Seth stalked Heyman who hid behind the announce desk. Seth then ran over and gave Reigns a stomp on the steps. Cole said Seth has lost it. Referees pulled Seth away from Reigns. Seth finally turned and walked toward the back. Punk stood and looked fuming mad mixed with disappointment. Punk walked over to Heyman who was on his knees checking on Reigns. Cole said it was one of the most emotional moments he’s ever been part of.
Jey, Cena, and Logan began to stand finally. Fans chanted “Yeet!” Everyone processed the possibilities at this point. Jey and Logan exchanged mid-ring punches as Cena leaned in the corner, looking in rough shape. Jey landed an enzuigiri. Cena avoided a Jey splash in the corner. Cena then crushed Logan and Jey in the corner. He then lifted both of them for an Attitude Adjustment and carried them to mid-ring. Jey slipped out and superkicked Logan off of Cena. Cena then clotheslined Logan over the top rope.
It came down to Cena and Jey. “What a moment!” said Cole. Cena and Jey squared off and soaked up the moment as the crowd buzzed. Cole was hoarse by this point as he called Cena giving Jey his signature offensive series. Cena signaled You Can’t See Me and did his Five Knuckle Shuffle. Jey came back with a superkick and nearly dumped Cena. Cena resisted and then Jey superkicked him instead. Cena kicked Jey to the mat, but Jey speared Cena after they each ran the ropes. “What a scene, what a moment,” said Cole.
Jey tried to toss Cena, but Cena turned and threw Jey over the top, but Jey hung on. Jey ducked a charging Cena. They were each on the ring apron doing battle. Cole had almost nothing left. (Joe Tessitore should run out like a replacement ref after a ref bump.) Jey superkicked Cena, who played up almost dropping to the floor. Cena then lifted Jey and let out a yell, but Jey kicked Cena to the floor to win. Cole declared Jey “really is the main event at WrestleMania.” Cena aggressively re-entered the ring and approached Jey, but then hugged and congratulated him. As pyro blased, Cole called it one of the biggest uipsets in Royal Rumble history.
WINNER: Jey Uso.
(Keller’s Analysis: Wow. That’s a really, uh, interesting choice. Jey is popular, but he just lost to Gunther and so a World Title match at WM will be a repeat of a match that felt like the blowoff? Hmmm. It’s hard to imagine Jey challenging Cena. But perhaps there’s a title change before WrestleMania or a three-way or four-way.)
JOIN US LIVE ON YOUTUBE TONIGHT FOR THE VIDEO-FORMAT OF OUR LIVE WWE ROYAL RUMBLE POST-SHOW…
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