Welcome to KB’s Previous College (and New College) Opinions. I’ve been reviewing wrestling exhibits for over ten years now and have reviewed over 5,000 exhibits. Each Monday, Wednesday and Friday, I’ll be posting a brand new evaluation right here on Wrestlingrumors.web. It could possibly be something from fashionable WWE to old style to indies to something in between. Observe that I charge utilizing letters as an alternative of stars and I don’t charge matches underneath three minutes as actually, how good or unhealthy can one thing that quick be?
Royal Rumble 2017Date: January 29, 2017Location: Alamodome, San Antonio, TexasAttendance: 52,020Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves, Byron Saxton, Mauro Ranallo, John Bradshaw Layfield, David Otunga, Tom Phillips
It’s form of wonderful how a lot this present has been forgotten in nearly a yr. Aside from AJ Kinds vs. John Cena, I can barely bear in mind a single factor about this present. I do know who gained the Rumble and who had been a number of the larger stars within the match however the remainder is form of a blur, which isn’t a great signal for what I’m in for right here. Let’s get to it.
The aisle is loopy lengthy and would require a cart to convey a number of the wrestlers to the ring throughout the Rumble. There’s one thing cool about that, on each fronts really.
Kickoff Present: Naomi/Nikki Bella/Becky Lynch vs. Alexa Bliss/Mickie James/Natalya
This may be the “throw all of the Smackdown girls into one match” match. Oh and dang I forgot how silly the 4 particular person announcers’ sales space on Smackdown was. It’s nearly as silly as having a 50,000 particular person dome and having a match an hour and a half earlier than the present begins as a result of THE PLACE IS FREAKING EMPTY! Like is anybody going to not watch this present on the Community if there isn’t a match occurring the 2 hour pre-show?
That is primarily about Becky vs. James/Bliss and the remainder are there as a result of….effectively as a result of the writers don’t know the right way to write singles matches for the ladies and nonetheless don’t do that day. For a secondary story, Natalya and Nikki are feuding as a result of Natalya is jealous so she mentioned that Cena won’t ever marry Nikki. You recognize these are combating phrases.
Nikki and Natalya begin issues off with Natalya doing You Can’t See Me. Meaning a slap to the face and there are so few folks being so quiet that you would be able to hear what the ladies are saying. Bliss is available in and will get caught with a facebuster for 2. It’s off to Naomi for half of a double dropkick with Nikki’s half not even coming shut. Nikki and firm hit a triple suplex to ship them outdoors, adopted by a dive from Naomi as we take a break.
Again with Becky clotheslining Natalya and hitting a working forearm within the nook. They head outdoors with Mickie getting in an inexpensive shot to drop Becky, permitting Natalya to snap a suplex to essentially take over. Again in and Becky will get pushed into the nook once more, permitting Bliss to choke a bit. Mickie provides a tough kick to the face because the announcers argue over whether or not or not dishonest is sensible.
A Michinoku Driver vegetation Becky however Natalya can’t get Suplex Metropolis (Her phrases. Effectively Lesnar’s phrases, although JR mentioned it about 13 years earlier.). As an alternative it’s a double clothesline so Naomi can are available in and clear home. The nonetheless dumb wanting dancing kicks drop Bliss as all the things breaks down. A kick to the top units up the break up legged moonsault to present Naomi the pin on Bliss at 9:39.
Score: C-. The dearth of a crowd both of their seats or actually on this one damage it rather a lot however the work wasn’t horrible. The ladies’s division had gotten so a lot better by this level that you could possibly belief them to exit and have a match like this, although the tales should be stronger. I’m actually having a problem caring about Nikki by no means attending to marry her dream husband and full her fairy story story however I’m not precisely the audience.*
Kickoff Present: Uncooked Tag Crew Titles: Sheamus/Cesaro vs. Anderson and Gallows
Sheamus and Cesaro are defending and there are two referees as a result of some screwy finishes as of late. The gang is MUCH higher now, making the place appear like there’s an precise viewers for the present. Cesaro dropkicks Anderson on the bell for 2 and a gutwrench suplex will get the identical lower than thirty seconds in.
Gallows hundreds up an inexpensive shot from the apron however the second referee catches him, making the gimmick really work. Sheamus grabs a Regal Roll into Cesaro’s leaping double stomp for 2 extra however Anderson is again up with a kick to the face to take over. It’s off to Gallows, who’s shortly kicked down so the champs can take him into the nook. This has been principally one sided thus far however Gallows will get in a backdrop for a breather. Not that the followers appear to look after essentially the most half although.
A giant boot knocks Sheamus off the apron and we take a break. Again (after the business has been minimize from the Community) with Cesaro suplexing Gallows and rolling over to convey Sheamus again in. The ten forearms to the chest have Gallows in hassle and a high rope clothesline will get two. Tremendous White Noise will get the identical however Gallows shoves Sheamus away and makes the recent tag to Anderson.
The second referee gained’t permit some dishonest so Swiss Dying provides Cesaro two. A 619 and a excessive crossbody give him the identical however Anderson kicks him down once more. Sheamus breaks up the Magic Killer and a referee eats a Brogue Kick. The second referee is available in to see Cesaro put Anderson within the Sharpshooter, solely to have Gallows break it up with a kick to the face. All the things breaks down once more and it’s a Magic Killer for Sheamus, adopted by a rollup with tights to pin Cesaro at 10:28.
Score: C+. Good energy struggle right here with each groups hitting one another fairly laborious. That’s all this wanted to be, although I might go for including a special fashion in there. Energy vs. energy isn’t going to work all that effectively in the long run however no less than they’d a great match right here. These title adjustments didn’t actually matter although because it was all going to vary when the Hardys got here again. Nobody knew that but although and no less than we had one thing good right here.
Kickoff Present: Nia Jax vs. Sasha Banks
Nia injured her a month or so in the past and tonight is about revenge. Sasha doesn’t have her knee brace on as Nia drives her into the ropes and simply shoves off a headlock. A rope stroll springboard goes simply as badly as Banks can’t get something going early on. Jax runs her over and we take an early break.
Again with Sasha attempting a standing Financial institution Assertion and having it damaged up with ease. Jax grabs a Brock Lock and swings Banks round till a rope will be grabbed. Sasha lastly avoids a cost to ship Jax into the submit, adopted by the highest rope double knees for 2. Sasha comes up holding her knee although and the pop up Samoan drop places her away at 5:13.
Score: D+. This was only a step above a squash and actually solely served to maintain Nia round. Banks goes to be nice after a loss like this whereas Nia nonetheless doesn’t have the large defining win (which might nonetheless be the case a yr later). There was no want for this to be on pay per view although and it might have simply been accomplished on Uncooked. That’s by no means a great signal.
And now, an almost 4 hour present. I do know I say this rather a lot however I’m nearly gassed simply watching that Kickoff Present. There’s actually no have to do it this manner, particularly when you’ve got the horrible empty stadium for the primary match.
Fully commonplace opening video, although they do play within the cool “Keep in mind the Rumble” tagline to point out off loads of the well-known clips. If there’s one factor WWE does effectively, it’s look again at their very own historical past. The remainder of the matches get a while as effectively with every one having one thing to recollect as effectively.
Uncooked Girls’s Title: Bayley vs. Charlotte
Charlotte is defending and nonetheless has by no means misplaced a singles match on pay per view. Bayley will get wrestled down to begin as Charlotte grabs a entrance facelock. The followers appear break up right here regardless of giving Bayley a heck of a response on her entrance. Charlotte heads outdoors for no obvious purpose, permitting Bayley to seize her by the hair and snap her over the center rope (principally a Stunner) to take over. A headscissors will get two and it’s already time to hit the stalling.
Bayley makes the error of going outdoors and will get kicked into the steps as she doesn’t have a lot of a solution for Charlotte’s energy sport. Again in and Charlotte slams Bayley’s face into the mat a number of occasions however makes certain to throw in a fast pose (that’s the Aptitude in her). We hit the chinlock with Charlotte’s hair falling over Bayley’s face, giving us a fairly odd visible of Bayley as a blonde. A knee drop will get two on Bayley and Charlotte is getting aggravated at Bayley sticking round.
Yet one more kickout off a neckbreaker makes the frustration even worse so Charlotte does her determine 4 necklock into the face vegetation on the mat. The flips to ship Bayley again first into the mat make it even worse as Charlotte is totally dominant thus far. Charlotte stops to mock Bayley although and a heck of a slap cuts the champ off. A battle of the chops goes to Charlotte (effectively duh) however Bayley bounces out of the nook with an armdrag. A springboard crossbody (with a number of too many bounces) drops Charlotte once more and a leaping spinning Downward Spiral (not unhealthy) does it once more.
The highest rope elbow (which appeared superior on affect) will get a really shut two and you may really feel the gang breathe on the kickout. Charlotte (who may be bleeding from the mouth) kicks the knee out although and the Determine 4 goes on. The referee catches her grabbing the ropes although and each girls are down. Charlotte is up first however her moonsault solely grazes knees to present Bayley two. Bayley goes up however will get shoved off to the ground in a heap. As she will get again in, Pure Choice onto the apron retains the title at 13:01.
Score: B-. Bayley was combating right here however got here up quick, which is precisely how her character must go. For some purpose WWE didn’t fairly get this and as an alternative put the title on her two weeks later in a nothing Uncooked match, ignoring the thought of constructing her up as an underdog. Charlotte was her regular superior self right here and that makes for a enjoyable match, although the long run didn’t go the way in which it ought to have. At the very least the primary match was strong although.
The shark cage is lowered. This would possibly require a proof.
We recap the Uncooked World Title match. Roman Reigns had come near taking the title from Kevin Owens however Chris Jericho interfered to value Reigns the match. Subsequently it’s time for a rematch with Jericho in a one man cage (the shark cage) above the ring. Jericho is after all fearful of heights so this ought to be enjoyable. It could be a greater concept in the event that they hadn’t accomplished it in NXT not too lengthy earlier than this.
Uncooked World Title: Roman Reigns vs. Kevin Owens
Owens is defending and that is No DQ. Jericho takes his candy time entering into the cage (as he ought to) and continues to be not in even when Reigns comes out. The Canadians strive some double teaming and knock Reigns into the cage all, solely to have Reigns struggle them off (and the followers are actually, REALLY not happy) and ship Jericho into the cage to get us going. The cage is raised like an attractive pinata (Jericho’s very correct time period for himself) and Owens jumps Reigns from behind.
They waste no time in combating out to the ground after which into the gang with Reigns hitting him within the ribs with a metallic stand. Again to ringside with Owens being bounced off the German announcers’ desk however coming again with a whip into the steps. Owens pulls six chairs from beneath the ring and units up 4 at ringside, two by two. A monitor shot to the ribs units up the Cannonball in opposition to the barricade and Owens continues to be over like free beer in a frat home.
With Reigns down, Owens units up two extra chairs on high of the 4 he already had. Yet another is positioned on high however after all the powerbomb and suplex makes an attempt don’t work to stop a damaged again. Again in and Reigns sends him shoulder first into the submit earlier than loading up a desk. That’s sufficient to make the followers cheer Reigns (I’m as shocked as you’re) however a Backstabber provides Owens two.
One other Cannonball, with Owens mocking Reigns’ spear pose, is countered right into a powerbomb. The apron dropkick rocks the champ once more as this has been higher than I used to be anticipating thus far. They’re beating one another up fairly effectively and it’s fairly entertaining, regardless of Jericho being a non-factor thus far. They head outdoors with Reigns getting superkicked onto a desk, establishing a frog splash from the highest to the ground in a giant crash.
That’s solely good for 2 (effectively duh) so Owens dedicates a chair shot to Jericho and will get one other close to fall. A chair is wedged into the nook as a result of wrestlers by no means be taught a factor. Owens scores with a superkick and manages to ship Reigns into the chair as I’m undecided what to suppose. It’s not like that’s by no means labored earlier than nevertheless it’s about as uncommon as Jericho consuming crab truffles and goat’s milk.
With that not working, Jericho tosses Owens some brass knuckles however Reigns blocks the Superman Punch. Roman’s Superman Punch will get two and a Samoan drop by the chair is nice for a similar. You’d suppose being pushed THROUGH A CHAIR could be a giant time match however since that is fashionable wrestling, one thing that large is now only a common transfer. It’s the worth you pay for all the large spots and violence.
Roman places one other desk within the nook earlier than one other Superman Punch will get two. A spear is countered right into a Stunner of all issues however Reigns kicks out once more. We proceed the Austin homage with a mudhole stomping and a Cannonball (not a lot Austin) as Owens is getting pissed off. That makes him do one thing dumb, like attempting a superplex by that pile of chairs.
Reigns breaks that up and Superman Punches Owens by the pile as an alternative for a really loud crash. A powerbomb places Reigns by the announcers’ desk however right here’s Braun Strowman to beat the heck out of Reigns. Roman is shipped into the submit, adopted by the working powerslam by the desk within the nook to retain Owens’ title at 23:27.
Score: B+. This was higher than I used to be anticipating and whereas it appears like an identical ending to Randy Orton vs. John Cena from Royal Rumble 2015, it’s nonetheless a great way to maintain the title on Owens in the meanwhile. That they had an excellent energy brawl and Owens retaining is the correct transfer, particularly with the feud with Strowman getting a giant increase. Jericho was barely an element and that’s a great factor on condition that they had been about to separate within the close to future.
To essentially fill in time, we’re doing a countdown of the thirty biggest moments in Rumble historical past, beginning with 30-16 (or 30-15 as Cole places it). Effectively form of because the checklist is definitely 30 information, which is form of Rumble By The Numbers.
30. Bret Hart was the primary entrant
29. 870 folks have entered
28. 3 girls have entered and every has eradicated no less than one man
27. 23 folks have gained, which means 98% of the entrants are losers
26. 4 Rumbles have been in Texas
25. California and Florida have held 5 Rumbles every
24. 507,102 followers have seen the Rumble
23. Rey Mysterio lasted longer than anybody ever at 1:02:12
22. Edge gained the Rumble in 7:37
21. Santino Marella was eradicated in 1 second
20. The longest time in a single Rumble with out successful is Bob Backlund with 1:01:10
19. HHH has spent essentially the most time within the Rumble with 4:06:08.
18. 46 Corridor of Famers have competed
17. 9 Corridor of Famers have gained
16. Mick Foley entered the Rumble 3 occasions in 1998
Uncooked boss Stephanie McMahon mocks Uncooked underling Mick for Strowman interfering when Smackdown bosses Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan are available in. They roll the tumbler so Sami Zayn can are available in and decide his quantity, which after all takes a while. Earlier than Sami can open his ball, Dean Ambrose is available in trying to find churros. He will get a quantity however is off to take a nap till he’s due within the Rumble. After going to a crowd shot of watching this within the area (erg), Sami will get #8.
Austin Aries joins commentary for the Cruiserweight Title match.
We recap Wealthy Swann vs. Neville. Swann is the Cruiserweight Champion however Neville has declared himself the King of the Cruiserweights. That’s fully correct and it’s time for Swann to take a heck of a beating and quit a title that doesn’t belong to him. That is about as apparent of an ending as you’re going to get. They throw in some historical past between the 2 with Neville mentoring Swann each in Japan and right here in America. That’s higher than nothing and greater than I might count on from a match like this, even when Neville successful is just about assured.
Cruiserweight Title: Neville vs. Wealthy Swann
Neville is difficult and stops himself from doing his regular entrance as a result of the followers don’t deserve it. That’s a pleasant contact and makes him really feel completely different as an alternative of the identical man who simply occurs to be a villain now. Feeling out course of to begin till Swann flips over Neville and misses a dropkick.
Neville will get despatched outdoors for a dive however is ok sufficient to drive Swann proper into the nook. A missile dropkick units up a jackknife cowl for 2 and Neville stands on Swann’s head. Neville desires to know if that is it and will get crucifixed for 2. Again up and Neville forearms the heck out of Swann for 2 extra and we’re off to the chinlock. The comeback is sufficient to have Neville take him outdoors for some whips into the barricade.
Again in and Neville comes up the highest, diving straight right into a superkick to the jaw. That one appeared superior and each guys are down. One other kick to the jaw and an excellent hurricanrana units up a Phoenix flip dive to the ground to place Neville in hassle. They head again inside with Swann hammering away earlier than getting two off one thing like a Warrior splash.
Neville isn’t down sufficient that he can’t crotch Swann on high. He can also’t hit the superplex however settles for a tough superkick to stagger the champ. Wealthy’s spinning kick to the top will get two as Neville will get his foot on the ropes. Swann once more takes too lengthy to rise up high, permitting Neville to superplex him into the Rings of Saturn for the faucet to make Neville champion at 13:29.
Score: B-. They had been beating the heck out of one another in a greater than common match. As an alternative of getting Neville squash him in comparatively quick order, Swann received in some offense, solely to ultimately not be adequate to beat the King of the Cruiserweights. This was entertaining, however Neville goes to want some higher challengers.
We recap AJ Kinds vs. John Cena. Kinds defeated Cena twice in a row final yr, together with with one clear pinfall. Then Cena mentioned he needed to problem the champion on the Rumble and since he’s John Cena and one title shy of tying Ric Aptitude’s file, the match was made.
Smackdown World Title: AJ Kinds vs. John Cena
Cena is difficult and has the black shorts on right here so you realize it’s a giant night time. AJ scores with a kick to the leg so Cena clotheslines him to the apron. Cena will get in a number of proper fingers however fees right into a boot within the nook to let AJ take over. Again to again knee drops have Cena in hassle however AJ stops to yell on the crowd. A 3rd knee, this time with a You Can’t See Me, misses and Cena is true again with a backdrop.
AJ sticks the touchdown on an AA although and there’s an enziguri to place Cena down once more. There’s a hurricanrana and Cena doesn’t appear to know what to do with Kinds. The working seated forearm provides AJ two extra however Cena punches him within the face. The Shuffle is damaged up although and AJ grabs a wheelbarrow facebuster to place Cena down once more. AJ hits the Phenomenal Blitz, solely to have Cena hit that arduous working clothesline for a breather that he makes use of when he wants a breather.
Now the Shuffle connects nevertheless it’s method too early for the AA. AJ grabs a torture rack right into a spinning powerbomb for 2 extra and we get a little bit of a pause. They’re doing a great job right here of going with the slower tempo to construct issues up right here, which is precisely what they need to be doing.
The Phenomenal Forearm misses and it’s an AA for 2. One other laborious working clothesline provides Cena two extra however he fees right into a Pele to the shoulder. Now the Forearm connects for 2 extra as they’re even within the close to falls off the finishers. AJ begins firing off the laborious kicks to the chest and Cena doesn’t seem to be he’s respiration very effectively. One too many kicks earns him an electrical chair right into a faceplant although and Cena is true again into it.
They slug it out with JBL describing AJ as blocking each punch together with his face. Apparently that’s nice sufficient to reverse a proper hand into the Calf Crusher however after all Cena reverses into the STF to a pleasant spherical of applause. At the very least they respect some wrestling talents. In some way AJ reverses that into an STF of his personal however Cena powers to his toes. As an alternative of an AA although, it’s off to a Determine 4 on the champ (as a result of we should reward Aptitude, although it’s applicable right here).
AJ pulls himself up although and tries a cross armbreaker, which after all is countered right into a powerbomb for 2. Cena goes up high for the Fameasser however will get powerbombed out of the air. Now the Kinds Conflict is nice for 2 because the followers are feeling the close to falls (as they need to with the match selecting WAY up in a rush). Code Purple provides Cena two extra, adopted by AJ’s fireman’s carry backbreaker for a similar.
One thing like a swinging Huge Ending (known as a cutter by Mauro) provides Cena two extra so it’s time for the large weapons. Cena busts out the tremendous AA…….for 2. You’ll be able to see the look of disbelief on Cena’s face and now the followers aren’t certain what to suppose. The Kinds Conflict provides AJ his personal close to fall however Cena counters the Phenomenal Forearm into again to again AA’s for the pin and the title at 24:01.
Score: A. This took its time to construct up and it’s the most effective matches of 2017. Cena utilizing uncooked energy to begin however ultimately studying what AJ was going to throw at him and adapting made for a terrific story. He couldn’t win with the mega energy transfer both, ultimately having to counter AJ to beat him. That builds on their earlier matches and it’s a basic match consequently.
Cena celebrates. JBL: “Man that was good!” Yeah just about. Cena heads into the gang and fingers the title to a Make-A-Want child as a result of he’s that superior.
We take a look at Seth Rollins invading Takeover: San Antonio to name out HHH, who value him his spot within the Rumble. HHH mentioned Rollins must be cautious what he wished for. Fear not although as STEPHANIE will likely be on Uncooked tomorrow night time to cope with Rollins. I’d be terrified too.
Jerry Lawler comes out for commentary on the Rumble.
Again to the Rumble by the Numbers.
15. Solely 16 of the 30 potential numbers have gained
14. 7 winners are from 1-10
13. 4 have been from 11-20
12. 19 have been from 21-40
11. 27 is the fortunate quantity
10. 1 and a couple of have produced 4 winners
9. 1 and a couple of have been the ultimate two entrants twice (1995 and 1999)
8. Just one particular person has gained from the identical quantity twice (Batista at #28)
7. Kane has entered essentially the most Royal Rumbles
6. Kane has essentially the most profession eliminations
5. Roman Reigns has essentially the most eliminations in a single match
4. The World Title has been on the road twice
3. Three males have been runner up twice (Cena, Huge Present, HHH)
2. 5 males have gained twice (Cena, HHH, Hogan, Shawn Michaels, Batista)
1. Solely Steve Austin has gained three Rumbles
Royal Rumble
Two minutes intervals and it’s Huge Cass in at #1, which means Enzo Amore will get to do the complete entrance. We’re simply that fortunate I suppose however the followers are nonetheless consuming it up at this level. Since all the things is larger in Texas, it will make sense for Huge Cass to win right here tonight. We hear about a number of the larger names however Cass goes to toss all of them out as a result of Cass is like HBK in 1995. Chris Jericho is in at #2 as his unhealthy luck within the Rumble attracts proceed (that is his third time as #2).
Cass tosses him down with a fall away slam however an early Empire Elbow misses. The Partitions are damaged up and it’s Kalisto in at #3 after solely ninety seconds. A springboard dropkick staggers Cass and an everyday one drops Jericho. Cass can’t powerslam Kalisto and it’s some kicks to chop Cass down once more. Mojo Rawley is in at #4 as we’re not even three minutes and fifteen seconds in but. Corey: “Smackdown Stay’s resident blithering fool.” Lawler: “That’s an insult to blithering idiots”.
Cass takes Rawley into the nook whereas the opposite two are down on the apron. Jericho breaks 4 hours within the Rumble to present him the all time file as Jack Gallagher is in at #5. The size of the aisle actually turns into a problem right here as Jack takes perpetually to get to the ring. As soon as there although he cleans home with the umbrella, together with a low blow to a posing Jericho. One heck of a toss sends Kalisto to the mat and it’s Mark Henry in at #6.
Everyone seems to be down when his music hits however Gallagher has sufficient time to rise up and stomp on Jericho by the point he will get there. Gallagher’s headbutt simply annoys Mark so he tosses Jack by the ropes (not an elimination). Jack does his Mary Poppins dive with the umbrella and is promptly eradicated. Braun Strowman is in at #7, taking twenty 5 seconds from the beginning of his music to get to the ring. Jericho hides on the ground (Jericho: “HE’S HUGE!”) as Strowman removes Mojo, Cass, Kalisto and Henry, the latter after a battle of the giants.
Sami Zayn is in at #8 and is silly sufficient to cost into the ring and slug away as quick as he can. Sami stops a cost with a boot however tries a suplex for some purpose. Strowman misses a cost into the submit however comes proper again with a working splash within the nook as Huge Present is #9 (to a VERY sturdy response, oddly sufficient).
We get the large, lengthy stroll to the ring the place Sami is down within the nook and Jericho continues to be on the ground. Strowman clotheslines Present down with out a lot effort however a chokeslam cuts him down. Jericho picks now to return again in and is promptly punched down, leaving the giants to elevate one another up for failed slam makes an attempt. Strowman manages to muscle Present out although and is the one one standing. The debuting Tye Dillinger is #10 (within the good (ten) entrance), giving us Jericho, Strowman, Zayn and Dillinger. Tye goes straight at Strowman with forearms and left fingers as Sami will get as much as assist him slug away on the big.
They get suplexed down with out a lot effort although and it’s James Ellsworth in at #11. He and Carmella run to the ring (in a relationship that was by no means defined) however don’t get in, permitting Tye and Sami to tug Strowman to the apron. Dean Ambrose is in at #12 and tips Ellsworth into charging in on his personal the place Strowman eliminates him in all of ten seconds. That’s higher than I used to be anticipating. Dean will get in however can’t do a lot with Strowman (effectively duh) however Tye and Sami get again as much as assist Dean out. That earns all of them working clotheslines within the nook and it’s Baron Corbin in at #13.
Meaning 4 on one on Strowman, who shrugs all of them away. Strowman dumps Tye however Sami grabs him by the beard for a breather. A Helluva Kick rocks Strowman and Corbin removes the monster after a star making efficiency. Dean hits a fast Soiled Deeds on Corbin however doesn’t attempt to get rid of him. Dean by no means was the neatest man on the planet.
Kofi Kingston is in at #14 and the countdown is on to the cool save. Kofi will get knocked into the ropes and Corbin does his slide beneath the ropes right into a clothesline on Dean. The Miz is in at #15 (fortunately with Maryse), giving us Jericho (STILL on the ground), Sami, Ambrose, Corbin and Miz in the intervening time.
A Cranium Crushing Finale drops Dean however Miz doesn’t go for the elimination. Deep Six cuts Miz off as the gang oddly dies for a bit. For no logical purpose, Kofi climbs to the highest of the submit however will get knocked down onto his chest. He nonetheless manages to hold on although and scores with Hassle in Paradise on Corbin. Sheamus is in at #16 and it’s time for some powerslams. Miz backs away from Sheamus however will get caught within the ten forearms to the chest. Jericho will get again up and is promptly Brogue Kicked down.
Huge E. is in at #17 and it’s a fast stomach stretch on Miz, permitting for some spanking. If that’s what he’s into I suppose. The ring is getting too full and Rusev (with a damaged nostril) makes it even worse at #18. Proper fingers have Dean in hassle however nobody is critically near being eradicated.
Sheamus will get in a tough knee on Miz and it’s Cesaro in at #19. It’s an early Swing to Miz and a second to Sami. Jerry: “Use him as a weapon!” Ambrose and Kofi are swung as effectively, adopted by Huge E. and Corbin however Rusev saves Sheamus from the identical destiny for some purpose. You would possibly discover loads of names being swung and that’s as a result of there are WAY too many individuals within the ring.
Xavier Woods is in at #20, giving us Jericho, Zayn, Ambrose, Corbin, Kingston, Miz, Sheamus, Huge E. Rusev, Cesaro and Woods. We’re two thirds of the way in which into the match and over half of the individuals are nonetheless in. New Day beats Sheamus up and Woods has to avoid wasting Kofi from an elimination at Miz’s fingers. A pair of trainers rock Miz however he’s not going wherever but. Bray Wyatt, with the lights going out, is in at #21 and the Fireflies popping out throughout the match is a cool visible.
Miz will get the discharge Rock Backside and home is cleaned till Woods stares Wyatt down in a name again to Woods being frightened of Bray. Woods is shipped to the apron and Kofi is put there subsequent to him. Huge E. saves his buddies from Cesaro and Sheamus as Apollo Crews is in at #22. Crews’ standing moonsault hits Miz as that is wanting like an everyday battle royal fairly than the Rumble. Huge E. pulls Woods and Kofi again inside however Sheamus and Cesaro do away with all three of them without delay to let the ring breathe a bit. Sheamus tries to dump Cesaro however Jericho runs in to do away with each of them. Effectively the ring is actually emptier in a rush.
Randy Orton (of the Wyatt Household as a result of causes) is in at #23 with a fast RKO to Corbin and Rusev. Sami goes up high for some purpose and dives proper into one other RKO. Dolph Ziggler is in at #24 and superkicks abound. The followers are begging for Goldberg to return in and do away with a few of these folks however need to accept Luke Harper at #25. We have now 5 spots left and Goldberg, Undertaker and Brock Lesnar nonetheless to go. Harper removes Crews however stops for a staredown with Orton. Wyatt has to play peacekeeper till Harper clotheslines Bray down. Orton breaks up Sister Abigail on Bray with an RKO because the ring is simply too full once more.
Brock Lesnar is in at #26 and now we are able to do away with some folks. Ziggler and Ambrose are tossed with ease and it’s Suplex/F5 Metropolis. Everyone seems to be down and the followers need Goldberg at #27. As an alternative it’s Enzo Amore in at #27 and I’ll let you determine what occurs. Graves: “THIS MAY BE THE GREATEST MOMENT OF MY LIFE!!!” Brock throws some suplexes till Goldberg is in at #28 for the large showdown. A spear and a clothesline do away with Lesnar in all of fifteen seconds, gorgeous each the gang and commentary without delay. Sami eats a Jackhammer and Orton/Wyatt take a double spear.
Goldberg is the one man standing and it’s Undertaker in at #29 to a ROAR. Fortunately he seems within the ring as an alternative of doing the ridiculously lengthy stroll down the ramp. Cole: “THIS IS A MOMENT!” Effectively these are what matter greater than the rest. Corbin and Rusev break up the showdown and are promptly eradicated. A spear takes Undertaker down however Goldberg turns his consideration to get rid of Harper, permitting Undertaker to dump him. Undertaker chokeslams a number of folks and it’s Roman Reigns at #30 (think about the booing) to present us Jericho, Sami, Miz, Wyatt, Orton, Undertaker and Reigns.
Meaning one other staredown and Reigns wins the slugout. The followers are LIVID and name this BS till Undertaker stops the Superman Punch with a chokeslam. Undertaker dumps Miz and Zayn like they’re nothing however takes too lengthy calling for a Tombstone, permitting Reigns to dump him. That earns Reigns a glare to arrange the Wrestlemania most important occasion.
Jericho is useless so Reigns tosses him with out a lot effort, giving Jericho essentially the most meaningless hour run in Rumble historical past. Reigns is left alone with Orton and Wyatt with the double teaming beginning briefly order. The hanging DDT vegetation Reigns however Superman Punches get Roman out of hassle. Wyatt is eradicated nevertheless it’s an RKO and a clothesline to ship Orton to Wrestlemania at 1:02:08.
Score: D. And that’s being fairly beneficiant. There are tons of issues right here, however we’ll begin with all of the midcarders who had been round perpetually and did nothing. Listed here are a number of the individuals who weren’t going to win however had been within the match for no less than twenty minutes every:
Sami Zayn (47:12)
Dean Ambrose (26:55)
Baron Corbin (32:39)
Miz (32:44)
Rusev (22:31)
These 5 names mixed for one elimination. That’s a loopy period of time to principally do nothing. In the event that they’re not going to be elements (and none of them had been as they had been nearly all glorified cannon fodder), don’t depart them on the market go clog up the ring. It doesn’t do Sami any good to be on the market for 45 minutes and do nothing, similar to it doesn’t assist Miz to be there for half an hour so folks can beat on him. Jericho was a possible winner and stayed in there over an hour (spending loads of it on the ground) however what good is an hour keep if he’s tossed out like he’s nothing after a mere two eliminations?
That brings us to the second drawback: the three large names. This match was constructed round Goldberg, Brock Lesnar and Undertaker (the three of them and Cena are useless middle on the submit) they usually mixed to do away with TEN folks (over a 3rd of the eliminations) regardless of being within the match for much less time mixed than any of the 5 names talked about above. None of them made the ultimate 4 however they cleared the way in which for the grouping. That’s some actually unhealthy planning and an absence of drama, particularly when it makes everybody left look life afterthoughts. Let one among them be there as a dragon for the winner to slay on the very least.
Throw in an absence of significant surprises (Reigns was the one title of worth not introduced upfront) and no nostalgia to be seen (however we wanted Apollo Crews and Dolph Ziggler to mix for ten minutes within the ring and never do away with anybody) and there was little or no to care about for the most important a part of the Rumble. Strowman stuff was enjoyable, however after him there was a FIFTEEN MINUTE stretch with no eliminations. This was a really deliberate out Rumble and managed to show one of the vital entertaining matches of the yr into one thing extremely boring.
General Score: C+. It says rather a lot when the Royal Rumble is the one unhealthy factor on the present. Aside from that, the worst match is…..I suppose the ladies’s match? This present was fairly superior however the Rumble itself was such a multitude that it brings the remainder of the present method down. This was a great present that chilly have been nice and I do not know how they thought that was the correct concept with the Rumble. That ought to often be an important factor on the present nevertheless it felt like one thing they threw collectively right here, which actually misses the purpose. Repair the Rumble and it’s a basic. As it’s, it’s simply good.
Thomas Corridor has been a wrestling fan for over thirty years and has seen over 50,000 wrestling matches. He has additionally been a wrestling reviewer since 2009 with over 5,000 full exhibits lined. You could find his work at kbwrestlingreviews.com, or try his- Amazon creator web page with 30 wrestling books. Get the newest and biggest in skilled wrestling information by signing up for our each day e mail e-newsletter. Simply look beneath for “GET EXCLUSIVE UPDATES” to enroll. Thanks for studying!
REVIEW: Royal Rumble 2003: When The Rumble Doesn’t Imply As A lot
