wrestling / TV Reports

411’s WWE Royal Rumble 2019 Report

January 28, 2019 | Posted by Scott Slimmer
Royal Rumble Seth Rollins

Becky Lynch wins the Women’s Royal Rumble Match, and Seth Rollins wins the Men’s Royal Rumble Match.

Welcome to 411’s WWE Royal Rumble 2019 Report. We are LIVE in beautiful Phoenix, Arizona. Tonight’s Kickoff Show panelists are Jonathan Coachman, Booker T, Beth Phoenix, and Jerry “The King” Lawler. David Otunga and Shawn Michaels will be joining the panel later in the show. We start off with a video package for Ronda Rousey vs. Sasha Banks. Backstage, Drake Maverick announces that he’s spoken with Mr. McMahon, and Rezar will be teaming with Scott Dawson in a non-title match against Bobby Roode and Chad Gable tonight.

Next up is a video package breaking down past Royal Rumble matches by the numbers. R-Truth and Carmella interrupt the panelists to announce breaking news. Truth says that he and Carmella will both be entering #30 in their respective Elimination Chamber Matches. Carmella decides not to correct him but does announce that they will be throwing the largest dance break in history after they both win their matches tonight. We move on to a video package for Brock Lesnar vs. Finn Balor followed by a video package for Daniel Bryan vs. AJ Styles.


Kickoff Show Non-Title Tag Team Match
Bobby Roode & Chad Gable vs. Rezar & Scott Dawson w/ Drake Maverick

Roode and Dawson start the match, and Roode quickly takes control before making the tag to Gable. Dawson goes for a backslide pin, but Gable flips over and hits a crossbody from the second rope for a two count. Dawson reluctantly makes the tag to Rezar, and Rezar immediately choke slams Gable. Rezar continues to work over Gable, but Dawson tags himself into the match and hits a Northern Lights suplex for a two count. Dawson locks in a rear head vice, but Gable breaks free and goes for a sunset flip, but Dawson tags Rezar before the cover. Rezar whips Gable to the corner and makes the tag to Dawson. Dawson hits a snap suplex and makes the cover for a two count. Gable and Dawson trade punches and chops in the middle of the ring, but Dawson tags Rezar before Gable can make it to Roode. Gable traps Rezar in an arm bar over the top rope, and that gives Gable enough time to finally make the hot tag to Roode as Rezar tags Dawson. Roode hits Rezar with a blockbuster, but Dawson catches Roode with an O’Connor roll for a two count. Roode and Gable toss Rezar out of the ring, but Dawson rolls up Roode for another two count. Roode tags Gable, and Gable heads up top for a neckbreaker / moonsault combination that gets the three count.

Match Result: Chad Gable defeats Scott Dawson with a neckbreaker / moonsault combination.
Match Length: 6:55
Slimmer’s Rating: **

David Otunga and Shawn Michaels join the Kickoff Show panel for the second hour of the show.


Kickoff Show United States Championship Match
Rusev (Champion) w/ Lana vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
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Rusev starts strong and muscles Nakamura to the corner. Rusev levels Nakamura and makes a quick cover for a one count. Rusev hits a standing elbow drop and two suplexes before clotheslining Nakamura over the top rope. Rusev heads to the outside and tries to whip Nakamura into the steps, but Nakamura leaps the steps and then jumps off them with a flying kick to Rusev. Nakamura whips Rusev into the barricade before rolling him back into the ring. Nakamura uses his boot to choke Rusev in the corner and then hits a running corner knee for a two count. Rusev fights back to his feet and regains control with a standing drop kick. Rusev and Nakamura slug it out in the middle of the ring before Rusev hits Nakamura with a fallaway slam. Rusev connects with a spin kick and gets a two count. Nakamura rolls to the apron, and Rusev punches him to the floor. Rusev goes for a suicide dive, but Nakamura catches him with a kick between the ropes. Nakamura heads back into the ring but eats another stiff kick from Rusev for another two count. Rusev calls for the Accolade, but Nakamura escapes and hits a low running knee for a two count of his own. Nakamura sets up for Kinshasa, but Rusev tries to counter with a Machka Kick, but Nakamura avoids contact. Rusev hits a double ax handle and successfully connects with the Machka Kick. Rusev goes for the Accolade, but Nakamura catches Rusev in a triangle. Rusev gets his feet under him and lifts Nakamura, but Nakamura transitions into a guillotine. Rusev starts to fade, but he powers Nakamura into a vertical suplex. Rusev takes Nakamura up top and sets up for a superplex, but Nakamura slips between Rusev’s legs and drops Rusev face-first on the top turnbuckle. Nakamura hits the Landslide and gets a two count. Nakamura tries to remove one of the turnbuckle pads, but Lana alerts the referee. Nakamura gets in Lana’s face, but Rusev tries to make the save. Nakamura slides out of the way at the last moment, and Rusev inadvertently knocks Lana off the ring apron. Rusev is instantly concerned about Lana’s well-being, and Nakamura uses the distraction to hit Rusev with a Kinshasa and get the three count.

Match Result: Shinsuke Nakamura defeats Rusev with the Kinshasa.
Match Length: 10:14
Slimmer’s Rating: **¾

We move on to a recap of last night’s NXT TakeOver: Phoenix, and Shawn Michaels announces that Halftime Heat will return next week during the big game. Aleister Black, Velveteen Dream, and Ricochet will face Tommaso Ciampa, Johnny Gargano, and Adam Cole in a six-man tag team match.


Kickoff Show Fatal 4-Way Cruiserweight Championship Match
Buddy Murphy (Champion) vs. Kalisto vs. Akira Tozawa vs. Hideo Itami
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Itami starts the match by rolling to the outside while Murphy, Kalisto, and Tozawa trade rollups in the ring. Tozawa goes for the octopus on Murphy, but Murphy counters into a back breakers. Kalisto catches Murphy with a hurricanrana, and then Tozawa launches himself off Kalisto and kicks Murphy of the apron. The action spills to the outside, and Itami returns to the ring to take the high ground. Murphy joins Itami in the ring, but Itami takes control of Murphy with a volley of stiff punches and kicks. Itami stomps a mudhole in Murphy in the corner and tries to suplex Kalisto over the top rope, but Murphy pulls Kalisto off the apron and onto his shoulders. Tozawa takes out Murphy and Kalisto with a suicide dive between Itami’s legs, and once again Itami has the high ground in the ring. Murphy heads back into the ring, but Itami quickly dumps him back to the outside. Kalisto monkey flips Tozawa off the apron and onto Murphy. Kalisto connects with a kick to Itami over the top rope and follows up with the Mexico City Twister for a two count. Murphy and Tozawa head back into the ring, and Tozawa hits a missile drop kick to Murphy from the top rope. Tozawa heads back up top, but Itami crotches him on the top turnbuckle. Itami sets up for the GTS ’18, but Tozawa counters into a hurricanrana that sends Itami to the outside. Tozawa connects with a suicide dive to onto Itami, and Murphy then launches Kalisto onto both Tozawa and Itami. Murphy hits the ropes and follows up with a dive onto all three of his opponents. Murphy and Kalisto head back into the ring, and Kalisto catches Murphy with a spike hurricanrana for a two count. Kalisto heads up top, but Murphy kicks him in the head. Tozawa chops Murphy and heads up top for a diving crossbody, but Murphy rolls and lifts Tozawa, but Tozawa counters into an inverted hurricanrana. Itami breaks up the pin and makes a pin of his own, but Kalisto breaks up Itami’s pin. Kalisto hits Salida Del Sol on Itami, but Murphy breaks up the pin. Murphy and Itami slug it out, but Murphy eats a double super kick from Kalisto and Tozawa. Murphy goes after Tozawa but eats a stiff shot to the jaw. Murphy levels Kalisto, but Kalisto rolls out of the ring. Itami goes for the GTS ’18, but Murphy counters with a leaping knee shot. Murphy hits Murphy’s Law, and that’s enough for the three count.

Match Result: Buddy Murphy defeats Hideo Itami with Murphy’s Law.
Match Length: 12:06
Slimmer’s Rating: ***½


Smackdown Women’s Championship Match
Asuka (Champion) vs. Becky Lynch
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Asuka and Lynch lock up to start, and Lynch muscles Asuka to the ropes. They lock up again, and Lynch catches Asuka in a standing side head lock. Asuka breaks free and levels Lynch with a standing drop kick. Lynch shoves Asuka and ducks a spinning back fist. Lynch levels Asuka and begs Asuka to fight her. Lynch goes for an early Dis-arm-her, but Asuka breaks free. Asuka goes to work with leg kicks and lands a kick to the back for a one count. Asuka slaps Lynch and goes for a kick, but Lynch catches the leg. Lynch drops Asuka with a running shoulder tackle, and Asuka rolls out of the ring. Lynch goes for a baseball slide to the outside, but Asuka slides back into the ring and connects with a hip attack that knocks Lynch off the apron. Asuka goes for a penalty kick from the apron, but Lynch avoids contacts and knocks Asuka to the floor. Lynch slams Asuka’s face into the apron, but Asuka regains control and slams Lynch’s shoulder into the apron. Lynch fights back and delivers a Bexploder into the barricade. Lynch rolls Asuka back into the ring and makes the cover for a two count. Lynch locks in an arm bar, but Asuka breaks free and creates distance with quick kicks from her back. Asuka misses a hip attack and gets caught in the ropes. Lynch works over Asuka in the ropes, but Asuka locks in the Asuka Lock between the ropes. Lynch pulls Asuka to the corner and locks in the Dis-arm-her between the turnbuckles. Lynch heads up top and dives at Asuka, but Asuka counters with a mid-air knee to the face. Lynch whips Asuka to the ropes, but Asuka leaps to the second rope and spins into a kick to Lynch. Asuka follows up with a German suplex and a hip attack for a two count. Asuka heads up top and goes for a missile drop kick, but Lynch side steps her. Asuka catches Lynch with an arm bar and tries to transition into the Asuka Lock, but Lynch makes it to the ropes. Asuka and Lynch slug it out on the apron and Asuka goes for a German suplex off the apron, but Lynch blocks. Lynch goes for a Bexploder off the apron, but Asuka blocks. Asuka hits something that looks sort of like a cradle neckbreaker off the apron, and the impact was nasty, no matter what it was. Asuka and Lynch both make it back into the ring before the referee’s count of ten, and Asuka connects with a sliding kick for a two count. Asuka and Lynch trade shots in the middle of the ring, but Asuka levels Lynch with a roundhouse kick. Asuka heads up top, but Lynch hits a springboard kick to Asuka up top. Lynch joins Asuka on the ropes and hits a super-Bexploder for a looong two count. Lynch drags Asuka to the corner and heads up top. Lynch goes for a diving leg drop, but Asuka rolls out of the way. Asuka goes for the Asuka Lock and then the Dis-arm-her, but Lynch counters into the Asuka Lock. Asuka rolls Lynch into a pinning predicament, so Lynch breaks the hold. Lynch locks in the Dis-arm-her, but again Asuka rolls her into a pinning predicament for a two count. Asuka locks in the Asuka Lock and then flips forward into a bridge, similar to a Cattle Mutilation. Lynch can’t break free, and this time she has no choice but to tap.

Match Result: Asuka defeats Becky Lynch with a bridging Asuka Lock.
Match Length: 17:12
Slimmer’s Rating: ****


Smackdown Tag Team Championship Match
The Bar (Champions) vs. The Miz & Shane McMahon
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McMahon and Sheamus start the match, and McMahon immediately tackles Sheamus. Sheamus rolls out of the ring to strategize with Cesaro, and then Miz and Cesaro both tag into the match. Miz goes for a quick Skull Crushing Finale, but Cesaro takes control with punches and a slam. Cesaro connects with a European uppercut in the corner before making the tag to Sheamus. Sheamus whips Miz to the ropes and then knocks McMahon off the apron. Miz corners Sheamus and lands a volley of kick, but Sheamus muscles Miz across the ring to set up Cesaro for a cheap shot. The action spills to the outside and try to slam Miz through an announce table, but McMahon makes the save. McMahon positions Cesaro on an announce table and heads up top, but Sheamus pulls Cesaro off the table before McMahon takes flight. McMahon readjusts and connects with a diving clothesline to Sheamus from the top. Looks like Cesaro got the tag at some point, and Cesaro is now working over Miz in the middle of the ring. Cesaro tags Sheamus, and Sheamus locks in an overhead wrist lock. Miz fights back to his feet, but Sheamus dumps Miz gut-first onto the top rope. Sheamus goes to work with Ten Beats of the Bodhrán and then tags Cesaro. Cesaro locks in a head vice, drags Miz to the corner, and tags Sheamus. Miz catches Sheamus with a rollup pin but only gets a two count. Sheamus regains control and kicks Miz to the corner. Miz fights back to his feet, but Sheamus still manages to tag Cesaro. Cesaro eats a big back body drop, and Miz finally makes the hot tag to McMahon as Cesaro tags Sheamus. McMahon levels Sheamus with a back elbow shot and follows up with a DDT for a two count. McMahon positions Sheamus in the corner to set up for the Coast to Coast. Cesaro tags himself into the match, but McMahon levels Cesaro and positions him in front of Sheamus in the corner. McMahon heads to the adjacent corner and goes for the Coast to Coast, but Cesaro leaps to his feet and catches McMahon’s legs. Cesaro swings McMahon, but when he’s finished, McMahon locks in a triangle. Cesaro starts to fade, but Sheamus makes the save. Miz dumps Sheamus to the outside but eats a clothesline when he heads to the outside himself. Sheamus gets the tag and hits a double team White Noise for a two count. Cesaro gets the tag and holds McMahon for a Brogue Kick, but Miz pushes Cesaro so that he takes the Brogue Kick. Miz levels Sheamus with a Skull Crushing Finale, and McMahon heads up top for a Shooting Star Press to Cesaro for the three count.

Match Result: Shane McMahon defeats Cesaro with a Shooting Star Press.
Match Length: 13:23
Slimmer’s Rating: ***½


Raw Women’s Championship Match
Ronda Rousey (Champion) vs. Sasha Banks
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Rousey starts with a quick arm drag, but Banks answers with an arm drag of her own. Banks goes for another arm drag, but Rousey counters into a one-leg monkey flip. Rousey locks in a standing side head lock and goes for the Three Amigos, but Banks counters the third suplex into an attempted Bank Statement. Rousey counters into an attempted arm bar, but Banks grabs the ropes. The action spills to the outside and Banks ducks a punch, causing Rousey’s arm to slam into the ring apron. Banks hits a suicide dive and rolls Rousey back into the ring for a two count. Banks slams Rousey into the corner and follows up with double knees to the chest and then double knees to the face for a two count. Rousey briefly regains control with an arm drag, but Banks fights back with a boot to the face. Rousey hits a running elbow and gets a two count. Banks hits double knees to Rousey’s injured arm and then slams her head into the top turnbuckle. Banks uses her boot to choke Rousey again the top turnbuckle, but Rousey avoids a double knee shot. Rousey goes for Piper’s Pit, but Banks counters into an arm bar. Rousey rolls Banks into a pinning predicament, but Banks transitions into the Bank Statement. Rousey breaks free and hits Piper’s Pit. Rousey charges at Banks and locks in a triangle over the top rope. Rousey heads up top, but Banks crotches her on the top turnbuckle. Banks joins Rousey up top and hits a superplex for a two count. Banks immediately goes back to the arm bar, but Rousey gets her legs under her and lifts Banks. Rousey slams Banks to break the hold and get a two count. Rousey goes for the arm bar, but Banks tosses Rousey to the outside. Banks goes for a suicide dive, but Rousey catches Banks and rolls into an arm bar on the outside. Rousey rolls Banks back into the ring and peppers Banks with quick jabs to the body. Banks catches a kick, but Rousey hits the ropes and levels Banks with a leg lariat for a two count. Rousey goes for a gut wrench suplex, but Banks dumps Rousey into the corner. Banks hits a double stomp to Rousey’s injured arm and goes for the Bank Statement, but she can’t quite lock it in. Banks transitions to a Fujiwara arm bar, but Rousey roll to her feet and counters into a gut wrench powerbomb. Rousey once again hits Piper’s Pit, and this time she bridges into a pin for the three count.

Match Result: Ronda Rousey defeats Sasha Banks with Piper’s Pit.
Match Length: 13:47
Slimmer’s Rating: ***¼


Women’s Royal Rumble Match
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Lacey Evans is #1, and Natalya is #2. Evans whips Natalya to the ropes and goes for a hip toss, but Natalya blocks. Evans shoves Natalya, but Natalya clotheslines Evans to the apron. Evans flips back into the ring and takes Natalya up top. Evans goes for a powerbomb, but Natalya counters into a hurricanrana. Mandy Rose is #3. Rose goes right after Natalya and tries to flip her over the top rope, but Natalya levels Rose. Natalya drops Rose onto Evans and hits a double basement drop kick. Natalya locks in a double Sharpshooter as we find out that Liv Morgan is #4. Morgan charges at Natalya, and Natalya immediately eliminates her. Evans and Rose briefly team up against Natalya, but Evans quickly turns on Rose. Mickie James is #5. James catches Evans with a neck breaker and hits Rose with a back elbow shot. James tries to hurricanrana Rose out of the ring, but Rose blocks. Ember Moon is #6. Moon goes after James as Evans and Rose again double team Natalya. Billie Kay is #7. Natalya continues to try to dump Evans as Kay refuses to get into the ring. She says she’s waiting for Peyton Royce before she’ll officially enter the match. Nikki Cross is #8. Cross attacks Kay outside the ring and then heads up top and dives onto all five women in the ring. Cross cleans house and tosses Evans over the top rope, but Evans holds onto the top rope to avoid elimination. Rose grabs Cross by the hair, but Cross breaks free and levels her. Kay finally enters the match, but Cross immediately makes her regret that decision. Peyton Royce is #9, and she immediately saves Kay from Cross. Kay holds Cross so that Royce can level her with a spinning kick. Evans goes after James as the IIconics work over Moon. Tamina is #10. Tamina cleans house and connects with a top rope splash to Cross. Tamina eliminates Mickie James. Xia Li is #11. Tamina whips Li to the corner, but Li leap frogs her and answer with a modified Trouble in Paradise. Sarah Logan is #12. The only two eliminates so far have been Liv Morgan and Mickie James, so the ring is starting to get very crowded. Logan tries to eliminate Moon, but Moon hangs onto the bottom rope by her toes. The IIconics eliminate Cross. Charlotte Flair is #13, and I think business is about to pick up. Flair charges into the ring, and most of the women in the ring go right after her. Flair suplexes Evans and then quickly eliminate but Kay and Royce. Flair levels Li with a big boot and then knocks her off the apron with another big boot for the elimination. Kairi Sane is #14. Flair eliminates Tamina and then faces off with Sane. Sane delivers a volley of chops to Flair, but then Flair shows her how it’s really done. Sane heads up top and delivers an Insane Elbow to Logan. Sane teams up with Natalya to eliminate Logan, but Natalya immediately turns on Sane. Maria Kanellis is #15. Flair works over Kanellis in the corner, but Kanellis fights back with a double bulldog to Flair and Evans. Flair spears Kanellis as Moon works over Kanellis in the corner. Naomi is #16, and she immediately goes after Rose. Naomi drags Rose to the apron, lands a kick, and dumps her off the apron for the elimination. Rose pulls Naomi off the apron, but Naomi hits a hurricanrana and handstands over to the barricade to avoid elimination. Naomi walks across the barricade and leaps to the ring steps, still avoiding elimination, but Rose pulls her off the steps to finally eliminate her. Naomi and Rose brawl at ringside as Flair eliminates Evans. Candice LeRae is #17. Moon greets LeRae with a gut buster as Flair and Natalya brawl in the corner. Alicia Fox is #18. Kanellis tries to form an alliance with Fox, and she seems to agree. Fox and Kanellis work over Sane, but the alliance breaks down when Kanellis stomps on Fox’ sequined hat. Fox throws a temper tantrum and then tosses Kanellis to the corner. Kanellis heads up top, but Fox shoves her to the outside for the elimination. Kacy Catanzaro is #19. Catanzaro hits a sweet handstand slingshot hurricanrana that sends Fox to the apron, but Fox avoids elimination. Zelina Vega is #20, and she makes her way to the ring wearing Street Fighter II Vega’s mask and claw. Vega goes right after LeRae to renew their rivalry from NXT. Ruby Riott is #21. Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan have both already been eliminated, but they accompany Riott back to the erring. The Riott Squad pull Flair under the bottom rope, so Flair has not been eliminated. The Riott Squad attack Flair outside the ring and then pull Fox out of the ring as well. Vega slides out of the ring and heads under the ring to hide. Riott formally eliminates Fox and then LeRae. Dana Brooke is #22. Brooke goes after Catanzaro and hits a sit-out powerbomb. The Riott Squad drag Brooke to the outside as Ruby Riott eliminates Sane. Sane hit the ground face-first and HARD there. The Riott Squad continue to assault Sane on the outside, but Io Shirai is #22. Shirai saves Sane from the Riott Squad, heads up top, and moonsaults onto all three members of the Riott Squad. Shirai and Ruby Riott square off in the ring and brawl to the apron as Vega briefly checks the action from under the ring skirt. Rhea Ripley is #24, and business is once again about to pick up. Ripley charges into the ring and immediately levels moon. Brooke dumps Catanzaro to the floor, but she lands on her back and avoids letting her feet hit the floor. Catanzaro handstands to the ring post, wraps her legs around the post, and lifts herself back into the ring, but Ripley quickly eliminates Catanzaro despite her gymnastic heroics. Sonya Deville is #25. Brooke levels Deville and follows up with a handstand splash. Brooke connects with an enzuigiri to Ripley, but Ripley dumps Brooke to the apron and then lands a forearm shot to eliminate her. Vega again checks the situation from under the ring, but HORNSWOGGLE IS UNDER THE RING AS WELL!!! Hornswoggle chases Vega into the ring, where Ripley quickly eliminates her. Hornswoggle chases Vega back up the ramp, thus concluding tonight’s moment of randomness. Alexa Bliss is #26. Moon and Natalya team up against Ripley as Bliss dumps Deville to the apron. Bliss eliminates Deville. Bayley is #27. Bayley hits Bliss with Bayley to Belly, but Riott dumps her face-first into the middle turnbuckle. Bayley fights back and quickly eliminates both Riott and Ripley. Bayley goes after Natalya as Flair squares off with Bliss and Moon works over Shirai. Lana is #28. Lana very slowly hobbles to the ring after severely injuring her ankle when she got knocked off the apron during Rusev’s Kickoff Show match. Medical staff attend to Lana as Moon continues to try to eliminate Shirai. Nia Jax is #29. Have I already used “business is about to pick up”? Jax attacks Lana on the ramp and then cleans house in the ring. Shirai goes for a moonsault, but Jax catches her and launches her to the outside for the elimination. Natalya lifts Jax, but she can’t get her over the top rope. Jax retaliates and eliminates Natalya. Carmella is #30. Carmella enters the ring, but HERE COMES BECKY LYNCH!!! Lynch argues with Fit Finlay and convinces him to let her take Lana’s spot in the Rumble. Lynch charges into the ring and immediately starts brawling with Jax. Lynch levels Flair and goes to work with the ground and pound offense. Lynch heads up top and hits Jax with a missile drop kick. Moon and Bliss brawl on the apron, but Bliss gets the best of the exchange and eliminates Moon. Carmella and hits Bliss with a Bronco Buster. Carmella hits Bliss with a super kick, and then Bayley buckle bombs Bliss. Carmella and Bayley team up and eliminate Bliss. Jax squares off with Lynch, but Flair connects with a big boot to the back of Jax’ neck. Carmella heads up top and goes for a diving crossbody, but Flair catches her and rolls through. Flair heads up top and Carmella goes for a hurricanrana, but Flair dumps her to the ring apron. Carmella heads back into the ring, but Flair quickly eliminates her. The final four are Flair, Bayley, Jax, and Lynch. Jax goes for a Samoan Drop, but Flair hits Jax with a big boot, and Jax dumps Bayley for the elimination. The final three are Flair, Jax, and Lynch. Flair and Lynch brawl in the corner, but Jax splashes them both. Flair lifts Jax onto her shoulders but can’t get her over the top rope. Lynch is on the outside, but she hasn’t been eliminated. Flair dumps Jax to the apron, and Lynch pulls her off the apron for the elimination. It’s down to Flair and Lynch. Lynch starts to walk up the ring steps, but Jax knocks her back to the floor, and Lynch tweaked her knee on the landing. Lynch can barely stand, and Flair is damn near giddy in the ring. Lynch heads into the ring and says that she can go. Lynch squares off with Flair, but she’s only got one good leg. Flair chop blocks the injured knee and then wrenches on it. Flair ties up Lynch in the tree of woe and then stomps on the injured knee. Flair grabs the leg, but Lynch hits a desperation enzuigiri. Lynch whips Flair to the apron, but Flair takes out the leg from the apron. Flair goes for a big boot, but Lynch low bridges the top rope. Flair tumbles to the apron, and Lynch knocks her to the floor to win the match.

Match Result: Becky Lynch wins the Royal Rumble Match, last eliminating Charlotte Flair.
Match Length: 1:11:26
Slimmer’s Rating: ****¼


WWE Championship Match
Daniel Bryan (Champion) vs. AJ Styles
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Bryan and Styles lock up and then brawl in the corner. Bryan grabs an arm and leverages Styles down to the mat. Styles fights up and levels Bryan with a shoulder tackle. Styles grabs a side headlock and drags Bryan to the mat. Bryan breaks free but gets caught with a deep arm drag. Bryan rolls to the outside and bides his time before climbing back into the ring. Bryan traps Styles in the corner and lands a stiff chop before peppering Styles with chops and jabs in the opposite corner. Bryan hits the ropes and charges at Styles, but Styles catches him with a big back body drop. Styles locks in a rear chin lock, but Bryan breaks free. Styles charges at Bryan in the corner, but Bryan dumps him chest-first onto the top of the ring post. Styles tumbles to the outside, and Bryan whips him shoulder-first into the ring post. Bryan rolls Styles back into the ring and punts the injured shoulder. Bryan traps Style’s injured arm on the mat and goes full Baszler, stomping it into a horrific position. Styles regains his vertical base and hits a sunset flip, but Bryan kicks out at two. Bryan locks in a short arm scissors, but Styles gets a boot on the bottom rope to break the hold. Bryan gets the full mount and pounds on Styles’ face. Bryan charges at Styles, but Styles catches him with a standing drop kick. Styles grabs Bryan by neck and now pounds on Bryan’s face. Styles charges at Bryan in the corner, but Bryan drop toe holds him face-first into the middle turnbuckle. Bryan goes back to work with kicks to Styles’ injured shoulder and follows up with a running drop kick to the face. Bryan hits a dragon suplex and makes the cover for a two count. Bryan takes Styles up top and goes for a top rope hurricanrana, but Styles blocks and sets up for a super Styles Clash, but Bryan kicks Styles to the outside. Styles climbs back up onto the ring apron and Bryan goes for a spear, but Styles side steps him, and Bryan tumbles to the outside. Styles heads to the outside and hits a gorgeous moonsault reverse DDT off the barricade. Styles rolls Bryan back into the ring and goes for a springboard 450, but Bryan gets his knees up. Bryan locks in the LeBell Lock, but Styles counters into the Calf Crusher, but Bryan makes it to the ropes. Bryan fights back with an enzuigiri and then goes to work with the Yes! kicks. Styles ducks the final shot, but Bryan lands a follow-up kick to the shoulder. I’m not sure if it’s the relatively methodical pace of this match or just being tired after the Women’s Royal Rumble, but the crowd is all but dead right now. Styles and Bryan head up top, but Bryan slides between Styles’ legs and crotches Styles on the top turnbuckle. Bryan heads back up top and goes for a super belly-to-back suplex, but Styles flips over and lands on his feet. Styles locks in the Calf Crusher and then rolls it into a pinning predicament for a two count. Styles and Bryan trade backslide attempts, and Styles takes control with a brainbuster. Styles goes for the Phenomenal Forearm, but Bryan was too close to the ropes and kicks Style’s arm as he was trying to springboard. Styles hits the Pelé kick, but here comes Erick Rowan. Rowan is wearing jeans and a flannel, not his normal ring gear. Rowan stands at ringside as Styles and Bryan brawl in the ring. Bryan goes for an enzuigiri but inadvertently takes out the referee. Styles hits the Styles Clash, but Rowan comes into the ring and face palm choke slams Styles. Rowan heads out of the ring, and the referee comes back to life in time for Bryan to cover Styles for the three count. After the match Rowan joins Bryan in the ring and furthers the assault on Styles. Bryan and Rowan head back up the ramp together.

Match Result: Daniel Bryan defeats AJ Styles after a face palm choke slam from Erick Rowan.
Match Length: 24:34
Slimmer’s Rating: **¾


Universal Championship Match
Brock Lesnar (Champion) w/ Paul Heyman vs. Finn Balor
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Balor attacks Lesnar as quickly as he can when the bell rings. Balor kicks Lesnar to the corner and hits a double stomp to the back. Balor again kicks Lesnar to the corner, but Lesnar gets hits hands on Balor and belly-to-belly suplexes him out of the ring. Lesnar whips Balor into the barricade and delivers a belly-to-belly suplex on the outside. Lesnar sets up a for a power slam through the announce table, but Balor floats over and shoves Lesnar gut-first into the corner of the announce table. Balor again shoves Lesnar gut-first into the corner of the announce table, and it looks like Balor is targeting Lesnar’s historically vulnerable intestines. (There’s a phrase I never thought I’d type…) The action returns to the ring, and Lesnar drives his shoulder into Balor’s gut in the corner before hitting another belly-to-belly suplex. Balor fights back with a Sling Blade, but Lesnar levels Balor with a vicious clothesline. Lesnar tries to gut wrench Balor, but his abs give out on him. Lesnar goes for the F5, but Balor counters into a DDT for a two count. Lesnar rolls to the outside, and Balor connects two consecutive dives to the outside. Balor launches and connects for a third time before Lesnar finally rolls back into the ring. Balor heads up top and hits the Coup de Grâce, but Lesnar kicks out at two and immediately locks in the kimura. Balor can’t escape, and he has no choice but to tap. After the match, Brock hits Balor with three German suplexes and a F5 for good measure.

Match Result: Brock Lesnar defeats Finn Balor with the kimura.
Match Length: 8:35
Slimmer’s Rating: ***


Men’s Royal Rumble Match
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Elias is #1. He’s about to start his latest composition when he’s interrupted by #2… JEFF JARRETT. Elias says it’s nicely to finally be interrupted by someone who brings something to the table. Elias offers to duet with Double J before the match, but instead he cheap shots Jarrett. The match officially begins, and Elias brawls with Double J in the middle of the ring. Elias levels Jarrett with a clothesline and then smashes his guitar over Jarrett’s back. Elias easily tosses Double J for the first elimination of the match. Shinsuke Nakamura is #3. Nakamura ducks a clothesline and connects with a single leg drop kick. Nakamura delivers Good Vibrations in the corner but eats a back elbow shot. Elias walks the top rope and hits a diving arm drag. Kurt Angle is #4. “You suck! You suck! You suck!” German to Elias! German to Nakamura! Belly-to-Belly to Elias! German to Nakamura! Angle dumps Elias to the apron but can’t eliminate him. Big E is #5. Belly-to-Belly to Nakamura! Another belly-to-belly to Nakamura! Big E gyrates and hits Nakamura with a running splash. Big E dumps Nakamura to the apron but doesn’t eliminate him. Angle Slam to Big E! Nakamura connects with a corner kick to Angle and eliminates him. JOHNNY GARGANO IS #6. JOHNNY WRESTLING IS IN THE ROYAL RUMBLE! Tornado DDT to Big E! Elias tries to eliminate Gargano but instead eats a slingshot spear. “NXT! NXT! NXT!” Jinder Mahal is #7. Mahal charges down to the ring, accompanied by the Singh brothers. Mahal slams Gargano and tries to do it again, but Gargano floats over and eliminates Mahal. Big E drags one of the Singh brothers into the ring, shoves a few pancakes down his throat, and delivers the Big Ending. Samoa Joe is #8. Joe levels Big E, Elias, and Nakamura in short order. Gargano heads up top and dives at Joe, but Joe just walks away. Joe eliminates Big E. Curt Hawkins is #9. Hawkins charges into the ring but quickly heads back to safety on the outside. Hawkins returns to the ring and gets caught in the Coquina Clutch. Seth Rollins is #10. Rollins dumps Elias onto the apron and then breaks his grip on the ring post for the elimination. Titus O’Neil is #11. O’Neil puts on the brakes to avoid once again sliding under the ring, but he notices that Hawkins has been hiding under the ring. O’Neil chases Hawkins into the ring, but Hawkins miraculously eliminates O’Neil, only to have Joe immediately eliminate Hawkins as well. Kofi Kingston is #12. Kingston goes after Joe as Rollins brawls with Nakamura. Mustafa Ali is #13. Ali goes right for Joe and lands a series of mounted punches. Ali taunts Nakamura but eats a boot. Nakamura heads up top, and Ali connects with a massive drop kick to send Nakamura to the outside for the elimination. Dean Ambrose is #14. Ambrose and Rollins brawl, and Ambrose slams Rollins’ face into the top turnbuckle. Rollins dumps Kingston to the outside, and Kingston lands on his back. They’re saying only one foot hit the ground, but I’m pretty sure they both made contact. Kingston rolls along ringside with his feet on the apron until he can get to the steps and head back into the ring. Johnny Gargano gets eliminated. No Way Jose is #15, but Joe tosses him in less than a second. Drew McIntyre is #16, and he hits Jose with the Glasgow Kiss on his way to the ring. Claymore Kick to Rollins! Claymore Kick to Ambrose! Xavier Woods is #17, and Kofi Kingston is still in the match as well. Kingston again gets dumped, but Woods make sure his feet don’t hit the floor. Kingston and Woods head into the ring, but McIntyre officially eliminates them both. PETE DUNNE IS #18. There are no words for how much I love watching Pete Dunne. Everything he does makes me happy. Joe goes for a belly-to-back suplex, but Dunne flips over and connects with a kick to Joe’s head from behind. Dunne takes down McIntyre before working over Ali and Ambrose. Andrade is #19. Andrade faces off with Dunne and plants him with a DDT. Andrade tries to eliminate Ambrose as McIntyre tries to eliminate Rollins. Apollo Crews is #20. Rollins tries to eliminate McIntyre as Joe goes after Dunne. ALEISTER BLACK IS #21. Ali catches Black with a kick to the gut and goes for a moonsault, but Black kicks him out of the air with a bicycle kick. Ambrose tries to lift Black, but Black floats over and hits Ambrose with the Black Mass. Ambrose tumbles out of the ring and is eliminated. Shelton Benjamin is #22. Benjamin levels Crews with a spinning kick and then connects with Pay Dirt to Dunne. MUSTAFA ALI ELIMINATES SAMOA JOE!!! Baron Corbin is #23. Corbin hits Ali with Deep Six but can’t eliminate him. Corbin successfully eliminates Crews as Black and McIntyre brawl. Jeff Hardy is #24. Hardy hits Black with the low double leg drop, but Corbin blocks a Twist of Fate. Dunne tries to rip Black’s fingers off his hand, and Black has to pop a few of them back into place. Corbin eliminates Black, and McIntyre eliminates Dunne. Rey Mysterio is #25. Mysterio goes for a springboard crossbody, but Corbin catches him in mid-air and counters into a back breaker. Andrade hits Mysterio with a sit-out powerbomb as Ali and Benjamin battle in the corner. Bobby Lashley is #26, accompanied by Leo Rush. Lashley charges at Rollins, but Rollins low bridges the top rope and quickly eliminates Lashley. Lashley pulls Rollins out of the ring but does not eliminate him. Lashley tosses Rollins onto the German announce table and then dumps him through the adjacent announce table. Braun Strowman is #27. Strowman heads into the ring and immediately eliminates Corbin and Benjamin. McIntyre eliminates Hardy but can’t get Strowman all the way to the floor. Dolph Ziggler is #28, and he immediately eliminates McIntyre with a super kick. Strowman levels Andrade with a clothesline. Randy Orton is #29. Orton gets into the ring and stares down Strowman. Orton goes for the RKO, but Strowman counters into a slam. Strowman, Andrade, Ali, and Mysterio hit a sweet Tower of Doom, and it’s a miracle Ali is still alive. Orton and Strowman tumble to the outside but have not been eliminated. R-Truth is #30. NIA JAX ATTACKS R-TRUTH! JAX TAKES TRUTH’S SPOT IN THE MATCH! Jax drops an elbow on Mysterio and stares down Ali. Jax head butts Ali and Samoan drops him over the top rope for the elimination. Orton stares down Jax and goes for the RKO, but Jax blocks. Jax tells Mysterio to hit the 619, but she cuts him off and goes for another Samoan drop. Ziggler hits Jax with a super kick, Mysterio hits Jax with the 619, and Orton hits Jax with the RKO. Mysterio and Orton dump Jax to the apron, and Mysterio kicks her to the floor for the elimination. Orton hits Mysterio with the RKO and eliminates him, but Andrade immediately eliminates Orton. The final two are Andrade and Ziggler, but I’m not sure I saw Strowman get eliminated. Yep, here comes Strowman, and he levels both Andrade and Ziggler with a double clothesline. Strowman flattens Andrade in one corner and Ziggler in the adjacent corner. Rollins is also still on the outside, so the final four are Andrade, Ziggler, Strowman, and Rollins. Strowman heads to the outside and retrieves Rollins. Andrade, Ziggler, and Rollins team up against Strowman, and Rollins connects with a diving splash. Strowman gets back to his feet and eliminates Andrade. Strowman dumps Ziggler and Rollins to the apron and then shoves Ziggler to the floor for the elimination. The final two are Strowman and Rollins. Rollins drags Strowman to the apron, and they brawl on the apron. ROLLINS WITH THE STOMP ON THE APRON FOR THE ELIMINATION!

Match Result: Seth Rollins wins the Royal Rumble Match, last eliminating Braun Strowman.
Match Length: 57:59
Slimmer’s Rating: ***½

article topics :

Royal Rumble, Scott Slimmer