It was a wonderful evening to be a previous UFC winner at a very predictable and typically underwhelming Royal Rumble that felt like the opposite of anything the event was meant to be.
Ronda Rousey returned from a practically three-calendar year hiatus to acquire the women’s Royal Rumble and Brock Lesnar, who dropped 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 Middle 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 finishing journeys to mountain top rated for the 1st time. On Saturday evening, WWE had two recognized major eventers — and likely portion-timers — gain Royal Rumbles they actually did not will need to in get to get their respective match at WrestleMania at AT&T Stadium in April. It was all portion of a night that just appeared to be lacking its regular allure. At least the doorway is even now open for Bianca Belair and Major E to be in title matches at Mania.
In this article are 5 takeaways from the 2022 Royal Rumble:
Indignant Beast
Lesnar is no longer the WWE winner, but he’s a now a two-time Royal Rumble winner and on a collision class with Universal champ Roman Reigns at Mania.
The minute the previous UFC heavyweight champion 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 remaining two in a callback to the 2019 rumble and the Beast hit Negative Bunny with an F5. It was section of a strong end to a mostly anti-climatic match — the most significant surprise entrant was Shane McMahon.
Omos seemed extraordinary, doing away with 3 individuals and offering a chop to Ricochet that sounded like it would caved his chest. It took six males, such as a traveling Models – his previous tag group associate – to eradicate the substantial 7-footer.
Johnny Knoxville’s appearance in the Royal Rumble was fewer ha-ha than anticipated. The ridiculously dressed “Jackass Forever” star took down Sami Zayn, took a flurry of strikes from A.J. Variations and a Frog Splash from Montez Ford. It was his storyline nemesis Zayn who eliminated him in a brief, fun phase. He was not the only superstar entrant has Poor Bunny entered at No. 27 and eliminated Sheamus and hit a Canadian destroyer on Riddle. He carries on to seem like a feasible wrestler when he’s in the ring.
WWE didn’t give us Rey and Dominik Mysterio in the ring jointly after setting up up some probable father-son drama in the leadup. A single of the most important shockers could have been Mad Cap Moss eliminating No. 1 entrant Types. They finally received theirs as McIntyre — who has a legit neck personal injury — eliminated both of those Moss and Pleased Corbin, who took him out in storyline at Day 1. Possibly the major surprise of all was Kofi Kingston wasn’t in a position to nail his annual remain-in the Rumble spot as his feet strike the floor when he was pushed from the prime rope. It was symbolic of a match that just seemed to miss the mark. Wherever was Finn Balor?
The women’s Royal Rumble match felt exceptionally rushed — but it was nevertheless better than the men’s outing mainly because it did explain to some tales. It did deliver one of the winners people ended up hoping for when Rousey returned at No. 28 to finally get rid of SmackDown women’s champion Charlotte Flair to punch her ticket to a most likely match involving the two at WrestleMania.
Uncomplicated times were under no circumstances presented a prospect and others weren’t offered a time to breathe. Sasha Banking institutions entered as No. 1 in complete Sailor Moon garb, but was eliminated extremely, quite, promptly by Queen Zelina appropriate just before Belair entered the match at No. 8 – a great deal to the chagrin of the crowd. The two former WrestleMania headliners were denied a instant in the ring.
Sonya Deville came down at No. 11 in her jacket so she couldn’t be attacked, but went to the commentary table and not into the ring right until she arrived in to remove a returning Cameron, Naomi’s former Funkadactyls mate. Naomi, who has had her challenges with Deville considering that August, was next and swiftly eliminated her. Deville did come back to pull Naomi off the arpon to get her out of the match, but every little thing happened so quick.
The crowd was not invested in this match for long stretches, specifically immediately after Banks was eliminated. Outside the house of a handful of moments from Belair and Rhea Ripley, it felt like handful of performers were really showcased or provided storylines to construct off of.
Impression Knockouts champion Mickie James did occur through the “forbidden door” with the belt about her midsection and her “Hardcore Country” topic to a major pop. Nikki A.S.H. came from the other facet of the ring to test to eradicate previous tag lover Ripley, who had a couple of option words for her under her breath. Nikki afterwards attacked Mighty Molly ahead of she entered the ring mainly because there can only be one superhero and rapidly eliminated her. The Bellas spoiled a Riott Squad reunion immediately after Sarah Logan returned following a extensive hiatus from WWE.
One particular great minute was the return of Ivory in her Suitable to Censor apparel, conversing about seeking to cleanse matters up in WWE ahead of currently being immediately eliminated by Ripley. Lita and Charlotte Aptitude experienced a stable confront-to-encounter trade. Though it was entertaining to see a amount of the legends, owning not 1 performer come up from NXT feels egregious.
Even with all that, WWE obtained the second it hoped for with Rousey, who came out in all black with “Baddest” throughout her chest rather of her common “Rowdy Roddy” Piper impressed equipment. The previous Uncooked women’s winner appeared great, pulling off a fairly wild arm bar more than the best rope with Belair and even bought to staff up with buddy Shayna Baszler, who was in the last four with her and Aptitude.
Like anything in this match, Rousey and Flair’s conversation for the complete consisted of The Queen lacking a kick and Rousey flipping her more than the top rated rope to a roar from the group. Be expecting these two to possible meet up with yet again at WrestleMania, even with Becky Lynch retaining the Raw women’s title against Doudrop in a really strong match. They instructed the tale of Huge Time Becky essential to pull out each cease to beat Doudrop, utilizing a Manhandle Slam from the 2nd rope to safe the 1-2-3.
Un-ending Contact
Seth Rollins compared to Roman Reigns experienced every thing but a quality finish
Rollins superbly continued the brain games, moving into the ring to The Shield’s songs and dressed in whole Protect garb and even sent a Defend bomb to Reigns through the announce desk. He and most of the audience assumed he experienced Reigns defeat soon after a Buckle Bomb and then a Stomp, but the Tribal Chief was just able to get his arm up in time. The frantic paces turned methodical in Reigns’ favor until Rollins countered a spear with a Pedigree main to a different late kickout from the Head of the Table. There was a small little bit of a Batman-Joker experience to this tale with Rollins laughing at Reigns each and every time he must have been crushed down.
This unbelievable match was booked to an really awkward and anti-climactic complete. Reigns set Rollins in the guillotine choke. The challenger was ready to get in close proximity to the ropes and appeared to have handed out right before fully achieving them. Referee Charles Robinson lifted Rollins’ hand and it grabbed the gown as it fell back down. Reigns refused to crack the hold and shed the match by way of disqualification, but stored his title.
The Universal champion then snapped, beating Rollins down with chair shot after chair shot – which include a symbolic just one to the back again – as he was heavily booed. I understand the tale WWE is attempting to tell right here, Reigns’ “God Mode” isn’t as strong as it at the time was and Rollins deserved the beating for his arrogance and earlier steps. Reigns blamed Rollins for not allowing him choose the keep off. Still, WWE’s incapacity and reluctance to reserve cleanse or decisive finishes in massive fork out-per–view matches is head boggling and the group there allow them hear it.
Heyman Hustled
Bobby Lashley 1, Brock Lesnar — thanks to Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman.
Lesnar and Lashley’s long-awaited clash commenced with a German suplex contest which brought out a great seem of appreciation from The Beast immediately after he went traveling the initially time. Lashley, who skipped Lesnar going by the barricade in a call back again to Day 1, strike his opponent with two spears prior to Lesnar turned the tide to just take him to Suplex City. When Lesnar went for the F5 the first time, Lashley countered with the Damage Lock – but backed his opponent into the referee. He then strike the formal even though providing an F5. Lesnar had Lashley pinned but no a single to rely to three, so WWE protected him a bit.
Then it took place. Reigns shipped a spear to Lesnar out of nowhere and was offered the WWE championship by Heyman. He smashed Lesnar above the head with it and left with his Distinctive Counsel back at his aspect. Lashley crawled on to Lesnar and pinned him to be reunited with the WWE championship just after dropping it to Large E in September. The Heyman turn was likely the complete to the match Reigns and Lesnar were meant to have at Day 1 ahead of the Tribal Main contracted COVID-19. Lashley is possible headed to defending his title inside Elimination Chamber or dealing with its winner following. WWE has some time now to determine it out.
Grit beats It
This mixed tag match was typically everything we assumed it would be. Maryse managing from Beth Phoenix and The Miz executing everything he could to secure her. They even experienced Maryse hit Phoenix with the brick she made use of on Uncooked, so there was some tale continuity right here.
What was not envisioned and was refreshed was permitting the guys and gals get physical with each other as usually as they did. Phoenix electric power bombed The Miz and a single level and Maryese strike a major-rope hurricanrana on Edge. There was even a issue in which it seemed like the It Pair could gain following Miz strike Edge with a Cranium Crushing Finale. As an alternative it ended with Edge and Phoenix hitting a double spear to Miz and then each delivering simultaneous Glam Slams and pins for the 1-2-3. Let’s hope this isn’t the final we’ve found around Phoenix for a even though.
Biggest Winner: Roman Reigns
Major Loser: Sasha Banking companies
Very best Match: Seth Rollins vs. Roman Reigns
Predictions: 5-1
Quality: C-
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