Rousey, Lesnar win at underwhelming event
It was a good evening to be a former UFC winner at a quite predictable and primarily underwhelming Royal Rumble that felt like the reverse of all the things the party was meant to be.
Ronda Rousey returned from a almost 3-year hiatus to gain the women’s Royal Rumble and Brock Lesnar, who dropped the WWE championship before in the night, entered the men’s match at No. 30 and punched his ticket to WrestleMania at The Dome at America’s Centre in St. Louis on Saturday night time.
The Royal Rumble used to be about new stars ascending to get their WrestleMania chance and or more mature talent completing journeys to mountain top rated for the 1st time. On Saturday night, WWE experienced two set up principal eventers — and likely aspect-timers — gain Royal Rumbles they definitely didn’t want to in order to get their respective match at WrestleMania at AT&T Stadium in April. It was all element of a night that just appeared to be lacking its standard appeal. At minimum the doorway is however open up for Bianca Belair and Huge E to be in title matches at Mania.
Here are five takeaways from the 2022 Royal Rumble:
Offended Beast
Lesnar is no lengthier the WWE champion, but he’s a now a two-time Royal Rumble winner and on a collision system with Universal champ Roman Reigns at Mania.
The moment the former UFC heavyweight winner entered the match it felt like a forgone summary 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 strike Poor Bunny with an F5. It was element of a solid finish to a generally anti-climatic match — the largest surprise entrant was Shane McMahon.
Omos appeared outstanding, eradicating 3 individuals and providing a chop to Ricochet that sounded like it would caved his chest. It took six gentlemen, which include a traveling Designs – his former tag crew husband or wife – to eradicate the substantial 7-footer.
Johnny Knoxville’s visual appeal in the Royal Rumble was significantly less ha-ha than expected. The ridiculously dressed “Jackass Forever” star took down Sami Zayn, took a flurry of strikes from A.J. Designs and a Frog Splash from Montez Ford. It was his storyline nemesis Zayn who removed him in a quick, enjoyable section. He wasn’t the only movie star entrant has Lousy Bunny entered at No. 27 and removed Sheamus and hit a Canadian destroyer on Riddle. He carries on to appear like a practical wrestler when he’s in the ring.
WWE did not give us Rey and Dominik Mysterio in the ring jointly soon after setting up up some potential father-son drama in the leadup. Just one of the most significant shockers may possibly have been Mad Cap Moss eliminating No. 1 entrant Types. They sooner or later bought theirs as McIntyre — who has a legit neck damage — eliminated the two Moss and Content Corbin, who took him out in storyline at Working day 1. Maybe the most significant shock of all was Kofi Kingston wasn’t ready to nail his once-a-year keep-in the Rumble place as his toes strike the flooring when he was pushed from the best rope. It was symbolic of a match that just appeared to miss out on the mark. Where was Finn Balor?
The women’s Royal Rumble match felt particularly rushed — but it was continue to superior than the men’s outing due to the fact it did tell some stories. It did provide a single of the winners people ended up 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 most likely match amongst the two at WrestleMania.
Straightforward times ended up in no way presented a likelihood and other individuals weren’t given a time to breathe. Sasha Financial institutions entered as No. 1 in complete Sailor Moon garb, but was eradicated pretty, pretty, immediately by Queen Zelina right ahead of Belair entered the match at No. 8 – much to the chagrin of the crowd. The two previous WrestleMania headliners have been denied a instant in the ring.
Sonya Deville arrived down at No. 11 in her jacket so she could not be attacked, but went to the commentary table and not into the ring right up until she arrived in to remove a returning Cameron, Naomi’s previous Funkadactyls mate. Naomi, who has had her issues with Deville considering the fact that August, was subsequent and swiftly eliminated her. Deville did come back again to pull Naomi off the arpon to get her out of the match, but anything occurred so rapid.
The crowd was not invested in this match for very long stretches, particularly just after Banking companies was eradicated. Outside the house of a few moments from Belair and Rhea Ripley, it felt like few performers ended up genuinely showcased or offered storylines to construct off of.
Influence Knockouts champion Mickie James did arrive by the “forbidden door” with the belt close to her waistline and her “Hardcore Country” theme to a significant pop. Nikki A.S.H. came from the other side of the ring to check out to eradicate previous tag spouse Ripley, who experienced a handful of preference phrases for her below her breath. Nikki later attacked Mighty Molly right before she entered the ring for the reason that there can only be one superhero and speedily eradicated her. The Bellas spoiled a Riott Squad reunion following Sarah Logan returned soon after a prolonged hiatus from WWE.
One particular neat minute was the return of Ivory in her Correct to Censor apparel, conversing about wanting to cleanse points up in WWE prior to staying promptly eliminated by Ripley. Lita and Charlotte Flair experienced a stable face-to-facial area exchange. Even though it was fun to see a variety of the legends, obtaining not just one performer appear up from NXT feels egregious.
Even with all that, WWE got the minute it hoped for with Rousey, who came out in all black with “Baddest” across her upper body rather of her normal “Rowdy Roddy” Piper encouraged gear. The previous Uncooked women’s champion seemed good, pulling off a rather wild arm bar in excess of the best rope with Belair and even acquired to crew up with buddy Shayna Baszler, who was in the remaining 4 with her and Flair.
Like all the things in this match, Rousey and Flair’s interaction for the finish consisted of The Queen missing a kick and Rousey flipping her about the best rope to a roar from the crowd. Expect these two to probably meet again at WrestleMania, even with Becky Lynch retaining the Raw women’s title in opposition to Doudrop in a quite solid match. They advised the story of Huge Time Becky required to pull out each individual prevent to defeat Doudrop, making use of a Manhandle Slam from the 2nd rope to secure the 1-2-3.
Un-ending Contact
Seth Rollins vs . Roman Reigns had all the things but a high quality finish
Rollins superbly continued the brain video games, entering the ring to The Shield’s music and dressed in entire Defend garb and even sent a Protect bomb to Reigns by the announce table. He and most of the audience thought he had Reigns conquer right after a Buckle Bomb and then a Stomp, but the Tribal Chief was just capable 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 one more late kickout from the Head of the Desk. There was a minor bit of a Batman-Joker feeling to this tale with Rollins laughing at Reigns every time he must have been beaten down.
This extraordinary match was booked to an extremely awkward and anti-climactic complete. Reigns set Rollins in the guillotine choke. The challenger was ready to get in the vicinity of the ropes and appeared to have passed out in advance of fully reaching them. Referee Charles Robinson lifted Rollins’ hand and it grabbed the gown as it fell back down. Reigns refused to break the maintain and misplaced the match by way of disqualification, but saved his title.
The Common winner then snapped, beating Rollins down with chair shot immediately after chair shot – together with a symbolic just one to the again – as he was closely booed. I understand the story WWE is trying to convey to here, Reigns’ “God Mode” is not as powerful as it the moment was and Rollins deserved the beating for his arrogance and past steps. Reigns blamed Rollins for not allowing him take the hold off. Nevertheless, WWE’s lack of ability and reluctance to reserve cleanse or decisive finishes in significant pay-per–view matches is thoughts boggling and the crowd there permit them listen to it.
Heyman Hustled
Bobby Lashley 1, Brock Lesnar — many thanks to Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman.
Lesnar and Lashley’s long-awaited clash started with a German suplex contest which brought out a great search of appreciation from The Beast right after he went flying the initial time. Lashley, who missed Lesnar likely by means of the barricade in a phone back to Working day 1, strike his opponent with two spears in advance of Lesnar turned the tide to consider him to Suplex Metropolis. When Lesnar went for the F5 the initial time, Lashley countered with the Harm Lock – but backed his opponent into the referee. He then strike the official although delivering an F5. Lesnar had Lashley pinned but no one to depend to 3, so WWE guarded him a little bit.
Then it transpired. Reigns shipped a spear to Lesnar out of nowhere and was supplied the WWE championship by Heyman. He smashed Lesnar about the head with it and remaining with his Unique Counsel again at his side. Lashley crawled on to Lesnar and pinned him to be reunited with the WWE championship just after dropping it to Massive E in September. The Heyman change was likely the end to the match Reigns and Lesnar had been supposed to have at Day 1 just before the Tribal Chief contracted COVID-19. Lashley is probable headed to defending his title inside Elimination Chamber or struggling with its winner up coming. WWE has some time now to figure it out.
Grit beats It
This blended tag match was typically every thing we assumed it would be. Maryse functioning from Beth Phoenix and The Miz carrying out everything he could to defend her. They even had Maryse hit Phoenix with the brick she made use of on Raw, so there was some story continuity below.
What wasn’t envisioned and was refreshed was permitting the gentlemen and females get physical with just about every other as generally as they did. Phoenix energy bombed The Miz and a single issue and Maryese hit a top rated-rope hurricanrana on Edge. There was even a place the place it appeared like the It Pair could gain following Miz strike Edge with a Skull Crushing Finale. In its place it finished 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 us hope this is not the past we’ve viewed more than Phoenix for a whilst.
Largest Winner: Roman Reigns
Largest Loser: Sasha Banking institutions
Finest Match: Seth Rollins vs. Roman Reigns
Predictions: 5-1
Quality: C-