Rousey, Lesnar win at underwhelming event
It was a terrific night time to be a previous UFC winner at a pretty predictable and typically underwhelming Royal Rumble that felt like the reverse of almost everything the function was intended to be.
Ronda Rousey returned from a just about a few-yr hiatus to earn the women’s Royal Rumble and Brock Lesnar, who lost the WWE championship previously in the night, entered the men’s match at No. 30 and punched his ticket to WrestleMania at The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis on Saturday night time.
The Royal Rumble applied to be about new stars ascending to get their WrestleMania likelihood and or more mature expertise completing journeys to mountain prime for the initially time. On Saturday night, WWE experienced two established major eventers — and probably part-timers — win Royal Rumbles they certainly did not require to in buy to get their respective match at WrestleMania at AT&T Stadium in April. It was all portion of a night time that just seemed to be missing its common charm. At the very least the door is nevertheless open for Bianca Belair and Large E to be in title matches at Mania.
Below are five takeaways from the 2022 Royal Rumble:
Indignant Beast
Lesnar is no lengthier the WWE champion, but he’s a now a two-time Royal Rumble winner and on a collision training course with Common champ Roman Reigns at Mania.
The moment the former UFC heavyweight champion entered the match it felt like a forgone conclusion he’d be the winner. WWE did give us Lesnar and a returning Drew McIntyre as the last two in a callback to the 2019 rumble and the Beast hit Lousy Bunny with an F5. It was part of a stable complete to a mainly anti-climatic match — the most significant shock entrant was Shane McMahon.
Omos looked remarkable, doing away with 3 people and offering a chop to Ricochet that sounded like it would caved his chest. It took 6 gentlemen, like a traveling Styles – his previous tag crew partner – to reduce the large 7-footer.
Johnny Knoxville’s visual appearance in the Royal Rumble was a lot less ha-ha than expected. The ridiculously dressed “Jackass Forever” star took down Sami Zayn, took a flurry of strikes from A.J. Kinds and a Frog Splash from Montez Ford. It was his storyline nemesis Zayn who removed him in a swift, enjoyable segment. He wasn’t the only movie star entrant has Undesirable Bunny entered at No. 27 and eliminated Sheamus and hit a Canadian destroyer on Riddle. He carries on to seem like a practical wrestler when he’s in the ring.
WWE didn’t give us Rey and Dominik Mysterio in the ring together immediately after developing up some possible father-son drama in the leadup. One particular of the largest shockers may have been Mad Cap Moss reducing No. 1 entrant Models. They at some point received theirs as McIntyre — who has a legit neck harm — eliminated the two Moss and Content Corbin, who took him out in storyline at Day 1. It’s possible the major shock of all was Kofi Kingston was not able to nail his yearly keep-in the Rumble spot as his toes hit the floor when he was pushed from the major rope. It was symbolic of a match that just appeared to miss the mark. Wherever was Finn Balor?
The women’s Royal Rumble match felt incredibly rushed — but it was even now far better than the men’s outing mainly because it did inform some stories. It did produce one particular of the winners individuals were being hoping for when Rousey returned at No. 28 to finally get rid of SmackDown women’s champion Charlotte Aptitude to punch her ticket to a likely match amongst the two at WrestleMania.
Effortless times were hardly ever presented a likelihood and others weren’t presented a time to breathe. Sasha Financial institutions entered as No. 1 in whole Sailor Moon garb, but was eradicated very, incredibly, rapidly by Queen Zelina right ahead of Belair entered the match at No. 8 – substantially to the chagrin of the crowd. The two previous WrestleMania headliners were being denied a moment in the ring.
Sonya Deville came down at No. 11 in her jacket so she couldn’t be attacked, but went to the commentary desk and not into the ring till she arrived in to do away with a returning Cameron, Naomi’s former Funkadactyls mate. Naomi, who has had her issues with Deville because August, was up coming and immediately removed her. Deville did appear again to pull Naomi off the arpon to get her out of the match, but anything occurred so rapidly.
The crowd was not invested in this match for extensive stretches, primarily just after Financial institutions was eradicated. Outside of a number of moments from Belair and Rhea Ripley, it felt like couple of performers were being truly showcased or presented storylines to construct off of.
Impact Knockouts winner Mickie James did arrive by means of the “forbidden door” with the belt close to her waist and her “Hardcore Country” concept to a significant pop. Nikki A.S.H. came from the other aspect of the ring to try to get rid of former tag companion Ripley, who experienced a several choice text for her under her breath. Nikki later attacked Mighty Molly ahead of she entered the ring since there can only be one particular superhero and promptly eliminated her. The Bellas spoiled a Riott Squad reunion immediately after Sarah Logan returned just after a extensive hiatus from WWE.
A person amazing second was the return of Ivory in her Ideal to Censor apparel, talking about wanting to thoroughly clean matters up in WWE ahead of becoming swiftly eliminated by Ripley. Lita and Charlotte Aptitude experienced a solid face-to-facial area trade. When it was enjoyment to see a range of the legends, obtaining not a single performer occur up from NXT feels egregious.
Even with all that, WWE received the moment it hoped for with Rousey, who arrived out in all black with “Baddest” across her chest in its place of her regular “Rowdy Roddy” Piper influenced equipment. The previous Uncooked women’s winner appeared great, pulling off a pretty wild arm bar above the top rated rope with Belair and even bought to workforce up with buddy Shayna Baszler, who was in the last four with her and Flair.
Like anything in this match, Rousey and Flair’s interaction for the finish consisted of The Queen missing a kick and Rousey flipping her about the top rope to a roar from the crowd. Hope these two to probably meet again at WrestleMania, even with Becky Lynch retaining the Raw women’s title in opposition to Doudrop in a extremely good match. They advised the story of Big Time Becky wanted to pull out each individual stop to defeat Doudrop, applying a Manhandle Slam from the next rope to secure the 1-2-3.
Un-ending Touch
Seth Rollins compared to Roman Reigns experienced every thing but a good quality finish
Rollins beautifully continued the brain games, getting into the ring to The Shield’s tunes and dressed in entire Defend garb and even shipped a Shield bomb to Reigns as a result of the announce desk. He and most of the audience considered he experienced Reigns conquer after a Buckle Bomb and then a Stomp, but the Tribal Chief was just equipped to get his arm up in time. The frantic paces turned methodical in Reigns’ favor right up until Rollins countered a spear with a Pedigree top to another late kickout from the Head of the Desk. There was a small little bit of a Batman-Joker emotion to this story with Rollins laughing at Reigns every single time he really should have been beaten down.
This unbelievable match was booked to an exceptionally awkward and anti-climactic end. Reigns put Rollins in the guillotine choke. The challenger was equipped to get near the ropes and appeared to have passed out prior to totally achieving them. Referee Charles Robinson lifted Rollins’ hand and it grabbed the robe as it fell again down. Reigns refused to crack the maintain and dropped the match through disqualification, but held his title.
The Common winner then snapped, beating Rollins down with chair shot following chair shot – which includes a symbolic 1 to the back – as he was heavily booed. I realize the story WWE is trying to inform in this article, Reigns’ “God Mode” is not as solid as it after was and Rollins deserved the beating for his conceitedness and past actions. Reigns blamed Rollins for not allowing him acquire the keep off. Even now, WWE’s lack of ability and reluctance to ebook clear or decisive finishes in significant shell out-per–view matches is mind boggling and the group there allow them hear it.
Heyman Hustled
Bobby Lashley 1, Brock Lesnar — many thanks to Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman.
Lesnar and Lashley’s extended-awaited clash began with a German suplex contest which introduced out a great seem of appreciation from The Beast immediately after he went traveling the 1st time. Lashley, who skipped Lesnar going by means of the barricade in a connect with back again to Working day 1, hit his opponent with two spears ahead of Lesnar turned the tide to choose him to Suplex Town. When Lesnar went for the F5 the to start with time, Lashley countered with the Hurt Lock – but backed his opponent into the referee. He then strike the formal even though offering an F5. Lesnar had Lashley pinned but no just one to count to three, so WWE guarded him a little bit.
Then it took place. Reigns sent a spear to Lesnar out of nowhere and was specified the WWE championship by Heyman. He smashed Lesnar above the head with it and still left with his Unique Counsel back again at his facet. Lashley crawled onto Lesnar and pinned him to be reunited with the WWE championship immediately after getting rid of it to Huge E in September. The Heyman change was probable the complete to the match Reigns and Lesnar were supposed to have at Working day 1 right before the Tribal Main contracted COVID-19. Lashley is very likely headed to defending his title within Elimination Chamber or struggling with its winner next. WWE has some time now to determine it out.
Grit beats It
This combined tag match was mostly every little thing we considered it would be. Maryse functioning from Beth Phoenix and The Miz executing almost everything he could to protect her. They even had Maryse strike Phoenix with the brick she made use of on Uncooked, so there was some tale continuity in this article.
What wasn’t predicted and was refreshed was permitting the males and women of all ages get physical with just about every other as often as they did. Phoenix power bombed The Miz and one particular level and Maryese hit a best-rope hurricanrana on Edge. There was even a level exactly where it seemed like the It Couple could gain after Miz hit Edge with a Skull Crushing Finale. Instead it ended with Edge and Phoenix hitting a double spear to Miz and then both equally delivering simultaneous Glam Slams and pins for the 1-2-3. Let’s hope this is not the last we have viewed above Phoenix for a whilst.
Greatest Winner: Roman Reigns
Most significant Loser: Sasha Banking institutions
Best Match: Seth Rollins vs. Roman Reigns
Predictions: 5-1
Quality: C-