Why WWE Royal Rumble 2016 Was Phenomenal

Hi, I’m Justin Watry. You may remember me from such classic columns as “WWE WrestleMania 28: Sheamus Should Defeat Daniel Bryan in Less Than a Minute” and “WWE Should Send John Morrison Down to FCW Right Now.”

Back on the Denver Broncos bandwagon…

Reader Feedback

Mike Axelrod: haha, he’s a genius at writing headlines.

I only write the content. We have been over this a million times. The headline picture, title, and promotion used for the column is ultimately not up to me.

Can I borrow your virginity?: The last 2 Rumbles have sucked. So anything they do Sunday has to be better than the last couple years.

Let me guess – because Daniel Bryan didn’t win, right?

Yeah.

With the benefit of hindsight now in January 2016, the 2014 AND 2015 Royal Rumble matches look good actually. Once you get past all predictable knee jerk whining and crying over Daniel Bryan, you realize pretty quickly that things turned out for the better.

Gobbly goober: Love the traditional generic article image.

Wasn’t me. I just write the column, like always.

Bobby: Had I known this was a Watry article, I wouldn’t have clicked on it. But I read it anyway, and I enjoyed it. It was a quick, easy read and nothing crazy stupid was said. I don’t know if I will go out of my way to read his next article, but maybe I will stop avoiding them like the plague.

Thanks man. I don’t say anything “crazy stupid.” I call it like I see it and have done so for eight years now. Pretty accurately might I add.

Bubbles: I’m praying Rollins makes a surprise return and brings AJ, Anderson, Gallows, and Balor with him

Um, that can’t happen on Sunday…due to a bunch of reasons. Some logical and some legally. Maybe in a few months?

Brokenosmoke: Sorry to point out the ‘WWE is so telegraphed these days’.. In the ‘oh so amazing’ attitude era…

1999 – won by a 53 year old non wrestler
2000- won by obvious favourite The Rock
2001- won by obvious favourite returning Stone Cold
2002 – won by obvious favourite returning HHH

Yep. I wrote a column about this (on another website). Funny how soon fans forget that the Rumble has been predictable for nearly 20 years now. Just go year by year. You see the Rumble has never been about providing a truly shocking winner. Again, a swerve for the sake of a swerve is pointless folks.

Gangsterjiggs: Hey justin I finally googled and read that wrestlemania 28 column from bleacher report that you use every week when you introduce yourself. Just curious as to why you keep bringing it up every week? I assumed it must have been your proudest work but found it to be a very short piece of writing that didnt say too much at all other than cena/rock and jericho/punk having more in depth fueds at the time. Honestly just curious as it wasnt even published on this site. Also kudos to your abilty to write an interesting column headline, I have to say I always find them to be the best part of your columns.

WWE told us for over a month that Sheamus was going to defeat Daniel Bryan in less than a minute at WrestleMania 28 for the World Title. I correctly sniffed the situation out beforehand and wrote about it. Just like these days, I was called every name in the book and lambasted for my supposed “trolling clickbait headlines.”

As I suspected, Sheamus then went out and beat Bryan for the World Title in less than a minute. Some readers later apologized to me; most did not and just continued the insults (something that still happens to this day).

Fun fact: I was originally going to say Sheamus would win the World Title in less than 30 seconds but later changed it to less than a minute…

AG Awesome: I’ve seen several people predict HHH as #31. I’m not opposed to the idea but it may be unnecessary. I’m hoping that regardless of who wins the rumble, we get Lesnar, HHH, and Reigns in a triple threat match at mania. I think the story for all three guys fit that type of match and I feel it will really deliver in the ring.

No, no, no. No triple threats!

BODConscience: That comeback to magnus needed work.

Magnus? I must be missing something…

Axl CDC: “Hi, I’m Justin Watry.” Oh, OK. Goodbye, then.

You clicked. I win. Enjoy the comment section.

Onto the column…

Usually, I write my column in advance and/or know my topic days ahead of schedule. This time around, I knew I had Monday off and obviously was well aware of Sunday night being the WWE Royal Rumble. Thus, it was decided I would write something up hours before RAW and discuss the previous night’s pay-per-view. Instead of using the tired “Good, Bad, & Ugly” format, I will simply talk about each match and compare it to my prediction. Easy enough? Let’s get to it.

Pre-Show Match

What I predicted: Since this is for two spots in the Royal Rumble match, I am picking two solo competitors – Mark Henry and Jack Swagger. Very little reason for them to be teaming, except that they work better as solo guys. Weird to think about, but that fits the stipulation…right?

What happened: This was the right move. I only question it because later on, neither guy did anything. Mark Henry has bee talking about possibly retiring this year, so give him a moment or two. Yeah, Braun Strowman took out all the Attitude Era monsters in the Rumble, but build to that then. Have a quick staredown with Henry and have his elimination moments later. Same with Jack Swagger. I am a fan of his. He could probably ‘go’ with Brock Lesnar and hang in there a little bit (a little bit…). Not Sunday though. Lasted barely 15 seconds. Oh well.

United States Championship

What I predicted: I DISLIKE hot potato title changes as much as the next person and much prefer long-term champions. However, every once in awhile, you have to switch things up. Give Kalisto and Alberto Del Rio until WWE Fast Lane to go back and forth over the US Title. Then pick one guy, preferably Kalisto, and have them as champ for the next six months.

What happened: Bingo! All the fans that jumped the gun (as usual) and were whining and crying about Kalisto losing the United States Title can (again) settle down. He will be fine, just like Alberto Del Rio. I figured the belt was going to go back and forth for awhile, and it was a topic I wrote about a lot in my Jay’s Ways column. Now the key is sticking to ONE champion after WrestleMania 32 and building him up. Kalisto is one of my big breakout stars of 2016, so he is an excellent choice.

IC Championship

What I predicted: I will pick Dean here even if I think Owens winning thanks to some Y2J help is the better option, but really – does it even matter?

What happened: Another correct prediction even though my personal choice was probably Kevin Owens reigning as IC Champion again. A great Last Man Standing match between the two but like I said in my PPV preview…does it really matter? I do not say that in a negative way but as a good thing! Both men are succeeding regardless of being IC Champ or not. Dean Ambrose has the (assumed) feud with Chris Jericho impending, while Kevin Owens has both AJ Styles and Sami Zayn on the horizon if WWE wanted. IC Champion? Again – does it really matter?

Divas Championship

What I predicted: I will be hard headed and believe Sasha Banks is the one to defeat Charlotte for the title at WrestleMania 32. Stubborn thinking and all, it feels like this championship reign has to last until then. Sorry Becky Lynch, that means you have to lose again.

What happened: Chalk up another one in the Watry Win column. While everybody else was up in arms over the (false) misuse of Sasha Banks, I kept the faith that WWE knew exactly what they were doing. She came out to confront Charlotte at the Royal Rumble, and the live crowd lost it! Big moment there, that is absolutely the money match for the women at Mania. That sucks for Becky Lynch, but that is how it goes sometimes. She will get her time to shine. She will. That just isn’t right now.

That being said, the Charlotte/Becky bout at the Rumble was really well done and given plenty of time to get the fans invested. It is pretty silly at this point to NOT see the clear advancements made in the “Divas Revolution.” Seriously, where the division was years ago compared to the Royal Rumble 2016? Yeah, it is working folks…

WWE Tag Team Championship

What I predicted: I can see why WWE is interested in Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson as a tag team. My only fear is we get the Hype Bros. Ugh. Long story short, The New Day beat The Usos.

What happened: Yep, time for some new blood indeed. The New Day retained (duh!), and now we wonder what they will be doing for WM season. Outside of Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson, anybody have a clue? I have no idea what is next for the tag team division.

WWE World Championship Royal Rumble

What I predicted: I have come around to the idea of Triple H screwing Roman Reigns at the way end, but I will play it safe and predict Roman Reigns. Would WWE really have their new main event star have two back to back short title reigns and then win it back for a third time at WM? Brock Lesnar, from my information, will be facing Bray Wyatt at Mania. Personally, I hope not, but that is the information I got weeks ago, so he will get tossed out by The Wyatt Family (after they were already eliminated earlier). Lesnar is way beyond feuding with them, especially at a Mania but whatever. That leaves us with the current story line surrounding The Authority trying to mess with the champion. Reigns victory or not, he is the man right now and will be the focus come WrestleMania 32.

Believe THAT!

What happened: Should have just stuck with my gut reaction and predicted the Triple H victory. Ultimately, I played it safe and went with Roman Reigns and was wrong. The huge hangup for me was now when he regains the WWE World Title AGAIN, it will be the third since Survivor Series. A lot of quick, short reigns (no pun intended). As for HHH winning at #30 last night, we knew it was coming in some form or fashion. The question was always if he would actually get the belt himself or help somebody else beat Roman.

Hey, if you want something done right, do it yourself…

Now we see Triple H is the new WWE World Champion on the Road to WrestleMania. Pretty amazing when you think about it. It fit logically with the story line being told and actually came off pretty well. I can tell you I watched the PPV with a casual wrestling fan, and he was shocked by the final ten minutes and was into the action for the entire ending. Mission accomplished WWE.

Here are my other thoughts on the Rumble:

– Phenomenal debut for AJ Styles. Perfect placement in the Royal Rumble to immediately get the fans into everything, loved the unique music, the way he walked out, etc. About as good as one can imagine. For years, fans have wondered how he would do in WWE. Well, he passed his first test (debuting). Now it will come down to delivering each and every week in front of new fans that may or may not know you. He had the benefit of being in Orlando for the Rumble, and since it was a big WWE PPV, you know the diehards invaded the city as well. He lasted nearly 30 minutes and was treated as a major star right from the beginning.

– Oh, look. Curtis Axel.

– Chris Jericho was an interesting entrant. Yes, the former World Champion lasted a long time, but did he really do anything noteworthy? As mentioned, I watched the Rumble with a casual wrestling fan, and those are the people who make up the majority, so their opinions carry the most weight. He repeatedly kept asking why Jericho was still in there or why he was just laying in the corner. Really didn’t even notice it until that was pointed out to me. Sure enough, Y2J entered early and stayed late. Huh.

– There is your annual Kofi Kingston spot. Yawn! Either be creative next year or move on…

– R-Truth is funny. Sorry, he is.

– Stardust is STILL a thing? Come on Cody Rhodes, do not waste 2016. Please. Pretty please!

– Notice Braun Strowman took out Kane, Big Show, and later on Mark Henry. Very symbolic of what WWE is trying to do. For what it matters, my casual wrestling fan I watched with was in awe of his size and seemed surprised when even The Beast Brock Lesnar took him down.

– Speaking of Brock Lesnar, I have been saying for weeks now that word was he was going to face Bray Wyatt at WrestleMania. Been writing about it for awhile now, and seeing them interact last week on Raw and then more at the Royal Rumble was very disheartening. I hoped against hope the information was bad, and they were NOT going to feud. Hopefully, this all gets finished at Fast Lane. No offense, but Brock Lesnar in front of 100,000 fans at WM32 should not be wrestling Bray Wyatt. That would mean Bray wrestles John Cena, The Undertaker, and now Brock at three consecutive WrestleManias. Wow…

– I loved the Sami Zayn/Kevin Owens portio of the bout. Been predicting for months now that these two will square off at Mania. If Owens is not going to focus on AJ Styles, please call up Sami Zayn and give these guys 15 minutes to wrestle. Guaranteed to be a classic. Could even be the ‘hot’ opener of the PPV.

– Enjoyed the Royal Rumble “One Vs. All” concept for the most part. All the heels trying to screw Roman Reigns out of the title belt only for him to come back. Vince and Stephanie McMahon would get their way in the end though.

– Smart move making Triple H and Dean Ambrose as the final two. The casual wrestling fan that watched with me was adamant that Reigns would win when it got down to the last three. Of course, a second later he was wrong and even admitted his foot was in his mouth. Still, WWE knew fans would be bonkers for Ambrose going against The Game. With Reigns, I don’t know how the reaction would be. Sure enough, hook, line, and sinker. It was Reigns’ best friend who fell victim to HHH as the final man eliminated. Ouch! One of the better Rumbles with a high energy conclusion.

All Roman Reigns could do is watch and realize he was no longer WWE World Champion. His bitter enemy was.

Good story telling and a fitting way to end a top notch WWE pay-per-view. The Road to WrestleMania 32 is underway, and with the card starting to take shape, it looks to be great. Add in The Rock, The Undertaker, and more legends and celebrities! Yes, everything is indeed bigger in Texas…

Self-Promotion

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