Last night WWE delivered the 32nd annual edition of Royal Rumble PPV. We crowned two Rumble match winners from men and women’s division. Plus, multiple championships were on the line in a number of never-before-seen matches. Here are the outcomes from these matches that took place at the Chase Field Arena in Phoenix, Arizona.
WWE UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP
Rusev (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
A shocking title change took place at Royal Rumble kick-off. Rusev and Nakamura were at each other in a brutal encounter. Nakamura went to tear the turnbuckle as his opponent was down. Lana got into the apron trying to inform the referee. Rusev came from the back to attack Nakamura but he hit Lana, accidentally. Then a cheap shot from the back gave the US title back to Nakamura.
WWE SMACKDOWN WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP
Asuka (c) vs. Becky Lynch
It turned out to be a hell of a match to kick off the main show of Royal Rumble. The match continued outside for a bit as Becky hit an exploder on Asuka on the outside. Asuka connected with the hip attack inside the ring and went for a powerbomb off the apron. But Becky countered it to take advantage. She hit an exploder off the top rope only to get a two count. Asuka locked in the Asuka Lock whereas Becky countered again with the dis-arm-her. But ultimately Asuka prevailed forcing Becky to tap out with a new modified chokehold version.
WWE SMACKDOWN TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
The Bar (c) vs. The Miz and Shane McMahon
Shane McMahon jumped into Sheamus to start the match before Cesaro took control by delivering an uppercut on Miz. Shane attacked The Bar and set Cesaro for a jump from the announce table. But Sheamus interjected and took the jump-shot from Shane. Back inside the ring, Shane missed the coast to coast and Cesaro locked in the swing. Miz interfered as Sheamus hit his partner with a Brogue Kick! Shane followed up with a shooting star press for the victory and become new tag team champions at Royal Rumble.
WWE RAW WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP
Ronda Rousey (c) vs. Sasha Banks
The Champion started the match with her usual flurry of strikes before trying the arm-bar. Sasha Banks went outside and dodged a punch sending Rousey’s fist into the ring post. A hurt Ronda ate a suicidal dive from Sasha who sent her right into the steel steps. Ronda received punishment from Sasha into her right hands throughout the match before locking in the arm-bar outside the ring. Back into the ring, Sasha locked in the Bank Statement but Rousey hit a series of Piper’s Pit to retain her championship at Royal Rumble.
WOMEN’S ROYAL RUMBLE
Candice LeRae, Casy Catanzaro, Rhea Ripley, Io Shirai, Maria Kanellis were the surprise entrants at this year’s Royal Rumble match. Hornswoggle also made a shocking appearance eliminating Zelina Vega. Nia Jax took control of the match entering at number 29. But Becky Lynch entered replacing an injured Lana to confront her. This was the moment of the night as Becky went right after the face-breaker. She eventually eliminated her after which Nia hurt Becky Lynch with a cheap shot. But Becky went on to eliminate Charlotte Flair with a valiant effort to come as the winner of the match.
WWE CHAMPIONSHIP
Daniel Bryan (c) vs. AJ Styles
Daniel Bryan in full control of the earlier part of this Royal Rumble title match. He hit Styles with a dragon suplex followed by a series of YES kicks. AJ Styles managed to come back by suddenly locking in the Calf Crusher. Bryan almost tapped out until Styles released the lock and went for a Phenomenal Forearm. The referee took the shot and went down. Eric Rowan came out of nowhere to deliver a chokeslam as the referee was not watching. Bryan pinned Styles easily to retain his title.
WWE UNIVERSAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Brock Lesnar (with Paul Heyman) (c) vs. Finn Balor
Finn Balor tried to start the match with quick moves but Brock Lesnar caught him with multiple German suplexes. Balor shoved him into the announce table to injure the midribs. But Lesnar went right back on the attack with the suplexes. Balor countered with a Sling Blade only to receive a vicious clothesline. Balor still came back hitting a Coup De Grace on Lesnar who kicked out at two. The champ was right back with the Kimura Lock to which Balor tapped out allowing Lesnar to retain. Lesnar delivered a beatdown on Balor before leaving Royal Rumble.
MEN’S ROYAL RUMBLE
Jeff Jarrett was the biggest surprise of this match who entered at number two. Kurt Angle entered at number four to get eliminated by Nakamura. Another series of surprise entrants followed with the likes of Pete Dunne, Johnny Gargano, Aleister Black. Samoa Joe dominated the match before Mustafa Ali eliminated him. Rey Mysterio also brought high flying offenses into the match before digesting an RKO.
Braun Strowman brutalized everyone entering at number 7 at Royal Rumble. Seth Rollins eliminated to digest a vicious attack from Bobby Lashley. But he fought back and remained in the last two spots alongside Strowman. A Curb Stomp on the ring apron allowed Rollins to win the whole Royal Rumble match.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQYXNkO8P3I