WWE Royal Rumble 2020 Review
The 33rd annual Royal Rumble is in the books! This event is always anticipated each year and and this PPV was no different as we had some interesting matches to look forward to. Not to mention the two Royal Rumble Matches involving 30 Men and 30 Women! Let's not waste anymore time and jump straight into the event!
Pre-Show: Sheamus Vs. Chad Gable
Good match as these guys were very competitive against one another. I honestly thought Gable wasn't gonna have much of a fight but he proved me wrong by bringing the fight to Sheamus. Sheamus was brutal with his strikes as he looked to knock Gable's head off with some of his kicks and punches. One thing about this match I really enjoyed was whenever Sheamus attempted to hit the Brogue Kick, Gable would reverse it into an Ankle Lock! After a few Ankle Lock attempts, Sheamus got out of the final attempt and finally nailed Gable with the Brogue Kick for the pinfall victory!
Pre-Show: Andrade (C) Vs. Humberto Carrillo (United States Championship)
Not a bad match honestly. Humberto came in with great speed as he looked to slow down Andrade's momentum, while not slowing down in the process. Humberto a few times did look to have the match won with roll ups and lucha style maneuvers, but Andrade was not going to let that happen as he came back with vengeance. Andrade did dish out some interesting submission holds that I thought would make Humberto tap out and that would've been an interesting ending to the match. Humberto came back with his big offensive ariel attacks then tried to set up for some sort of leg attack, but Andrade somehow rolled him up and secured the pin! Andrade retained the United States Championship and Humberto had a good effort in trying to win the title.
Roman Reigns Vs. King Corbin (Fall Counts Anywhere)
Fun match to kick off the main show! Reigns made promise that he was gonna kick Corbin's ass all over the stadium and that was definitely the case. Corbin did take control for half of the match, damaging Roman's attempt to put him away in quick fashion. The two would then brawl outside of the ring as Corbin slammed Roman through one of the announce tables then the fight would continue through the crowd. Roman started to gain control again til out of nowhere Robert Roode and Dolph Ziggler pounced on him and this gained Corbin some advantage. This didn't last long too as The Usos came out to even the odds by brawling with Roode and Ziggler! Jey Uso at one point was overwhelmed by Roode and Ziggler til up from the stands, Jimmy Uso jumps down on all of them! Roman and Corbin would continue to brawl as there were porter potties nearby and Roman took this time to stuff Corbin in one of them and tipped it over! The two would finally end up by the third base line and after a few minutes of brawling, Roman would finally Spear Corbin and pinned him for the three count! Roman Reigns picks up the win in what was a fun opener and celebrated with the crowd after a big win. Now hopefully, THIS ends their feud!
30 Women Royal Rumble
The 3rd annual Women's Royal Rumble Match! This match overall was fun for what it was. A mixed of NXT talents along with Hall of Famers and WWE alumnus appeared in this match, so here were the number entrants in the exact order:
1. Alexa Bliss
2. Bianca Belair
3. "Mighty" Molly Holly
4. Nikki Cross
5. Lana
6. Mercedes Martinez
7. Liv Morgan
8. Mandy Rose
9. Candice LeRae
10. Sonya Deville
11. Kairi Sane
12. Mia Yim
13. Dana Brooke
14. Tamina
15. Dakota Kai
16. Chelsea Green
17. Charlotte Flair
18. Naomi
19. Beth Phoenix
20. Toni Storm
21. Kelly Kelly
22. Sarah Logan
23. Natayla
24. Xia Li
25. Zelina Vega
26. Shotzi Blackheart
27. Carmella
28. Tegan Nox
29. Santina Marella
30. Shayna Baszler
Yes, Santina Marella was in the match. Shayna Baszler went to work when she came into this match. Actually, both Baszler and Bianca Belair had the most eliminations with 8 eliminations a piece. This fact was pointed out by none other than Ben Hercik. Shayna Baszler especially eliminated almost everyone then it came down to herself and Charlotte. After a few minutes of a struggle, Charlotte shockingly was able to dump out Shayna to become the 2020 Women's Royal Rumble Winner! Even though not many people picked Charlotte, her win did generate buzz and she will go on to compete for either the RAW or Smackdown Women's Championship at Wrestlemania 36.
1. Alexa Bliss
2. Bianca Belair
3. "Mighty" Molly Holly
4. Nikki Cross
5. Lana
6. Mercedes Martinez
7. Liv Morgan
8. Mandy Rose
9. Candice LeRae
10. Sonya Deville
11. Kairi Sane
12. Mia Yim
13. Dana Brooke
14. Tamina
15. Dakota Kai
16. Chelsea Green
17. Charlotte Flair
18. Naomi
19. Beth Phoenix
20. Toni Storm
21. Kelly Kelly
22. Sarah Logan
23. Natayla
24. Xia Li
25. Zelina Vega
26. Shotzi Blackheart
27. Carmella
28. Tegan Nox
29. Santina Marella
30. Shayna Baszler
Yes, Santina Marella was in the match. Shayna Baszler went to work when she came into this match. Actually, both Baszler and Bianca Belair had the most eliminations with 8 eliminations a piece. This fact was pointed out by none other than Ben Hercik. Shayna Baszler especially eliminated almost everyone then it came down to herself and Charlotte. After a few minutes of a struggle, Charlotte shockingly was able to dump out Shayna to become the 2020 Women's Royal Rumble Winner! Even though not many people picked Charlotte, her win did generate buzz and she will go on to compete for either the RAW or Smackdown Women's Championship at Wrestlemania 36.
Bayley (C) Vs. Lacey Evans (Smackdown Women’s Championship)
I'm sorry but this match was just boring. Fine action, but following the Women's Rumble killed the match vibe. Lacey did bring the fight to Bayley as she dedicated the match to her daughter who actually was front row with her father/Lacey's husband. Bayley was kind of ruthless here and that at least made her look like a force to be reckoned with as champion. Lacey attempted to end the match with a Moonsault but Bayley kicked her just in the knick of time, and that suddenly was enough to pin Lacey for the three count! Bayley retains the Smackdown Women's Championship in what like I said, was a boring match.
The Fiend (C) Vs. Daniel Bryan (Strap Match; Universal Championship)
Now this match was very good! Somehow, Daniel Bryan and The Fiend turned a Strap Match into a very entertaining one. Both guys did exactly what they set out to do and that's beat the crap out of each other with that strap to their advantage. The Fiend brought great pain to Bryan by damaging his back with the strap, welching the hell out of him and leaving marks in the process. Bryan was tough as nails as he didn't stay down for long and fought back even by repeatedly low blowing Wyatt on the announce table. Bryan would knock Wyatt down and somehow got to perform the Labelle Lock, but he added the strap to the hold and that looked more brutal! Wyatt got out of it then Bryan attempted to hit the Running Knee but Wyatt in mid air caught him with the Sister Abigail for a close near fall! Wyatt then became angry and dared Bryan to hit him more with the strap. Bryan would do so but Wyatt no sold any of it, then applied the Mandible Claw and after a minute of scuffling Bryan had passed out and Wyatt got the win! The Fiend Bray Wyatt retained the Universal Championship in what was a good, brutal Strap Match!
Becky Lynch (C) Vs. Asuka (RAW Women’s Championship)
This match was all stiffness and action! Becky Lynch came into this event with the one goal in mind and that's to defeat Asuka, and she definitely wasn't gonna go soft on her as she set out to compete this goal. Asuka was aggressive as expected since she wanted to win the title and defeat Becky at the Rumble for a second year in a row. Both women executed some brutal moves and so on, but the main spot of the match was when Becky and Asuka were on the apron and Becky decided to hit the Bexplorer off the apron to the floor! That looked like it rocked Asuka a bit. Match would continue and Asuka attempted the Asuka Lock a couple of times but Becky would escape them. Asuka became frustrated then turned to her green mist for a way to win, but Becky somehow dodged it and applied the Dis-Arm-Her for the submission win! Becky Lynch retained the RAW Women's Championship in what was a good battle and she got to finally defeat Asuka after a one year wait!
30 Men Royal Rumble
Man this match was really entertaining! Started off with a big disadvantage for most of the entrants, but got to pick up along the way. The match entrants in correct order:
1. Brock Lesnar
2. Elias
3. Erik Rowan
4. Robert Roode
5. John Morrison
6. Kofi Kingston
7. Rey Mysterio
8. Big E
9. Cesaro
10. Shelton Benjamin
11. Shinsuke Nakamura
12. MVP
13. Keith Lee
14. Braun Strowman
15. Ricochet
16. Drew McIntyre
17. The Miz
18. AJ Styles
19. Dolph Ziggler
20. Karl Anderson
21. Edge
22. King Corbin
23. Matt Riddle
24. Luke Gallows
25. Randy Orton
26. Roman Reigns
27. Kevin Owens
28. Aleister Black
29. Samoa Joe
30. Seth Rollins
Brock Lesnar absolutely dominated the match by eliminating 13 competitors, until he got to Keith Lee and he was stopped in his tracks. Lesnar would then eliminate Lee and Braun Strowman then dealt with Ricochet. Drew McIntyre then came in the after a standoff, Lesnar was low blowed by Ricochet then McIntyre Claymore Kicks Lesnar out, eliminating him!! Match goes on well then gets even better when the #21 entrant came out, The Rated R Superstar EDGE!!!! Edge looked great physically as he got in the ring and Speared everyone in sight! That was the definition of a Royal Rumble moment right there. Match then goes on then at the end, it all came down to Roman Reigns and Drew McIntyre. These two former rivals brawled for a shot at the big time and Roman for sure looked to had the match won, but fortunately that wasn't the case! One Claymore Kick and Drew sent Roman over the top rope and onto the floor! Drew McIntyre wins the 2020 Men's Royal Rumble and is rightfully going to headline Wrestlemania 36!!
Show Rating: 8/10
1. Brock Lesnar
2. Elias
3. Erik Rowan
4. Robert Roode
5. John Morrison
6. Kofi Kingston
7. Rey Mysterio
8. Big E
9. Cesaro
10. Shelton Benjamin
11. Shinsuke Nakamura
12. MVP
13. Keith Lee
14. Braun Strowman
15. Ricochet
16. Drew McIntyre
17. The Miz
18. AJ Styles
19. Dolph Ziggler
20. Karl Anderson
21. Edge
22. King Corbin
23. Matt Riddle
24. Luke Gallows
25. Randy Orton
26. Roman Reigns
27. Kevin Owens
28. Aleister Black
29. Samoa Joe
30. Seth Rollins
Brock Lesnar absolutely dominated the match by eliminating 13 competitors, until he got to Keith Lee and he was stopped in his tracks. Lesnar would then eliminate Lee and Braun Strowman then dealt with Ricochet. Drew McIntyre then came in the after a standoff, Lesnar was low blowed by Ricochet then McIntyre Claymore Kicks Lesnar out, eliminating him!! Match goes on well then gets even better when the #21 entrant came out, The Rated R Superstar EDGE!!!! Edge looked great physically as he got in the ring and Speared everyone in sight! That was the definition of a Royal Rumble moment right there. Match then goes on then at the end, it all came down to Roman Reigns and Drew McIntyre. These two former rivals brawled for a shot at the big time and Roman for sure looked to had the match won, but fortunately that wasn't the case! One Claymore Kick and Drew sent Roman over the top rope and onto the floor! Drew McIntyre wins the 2020 Men's Royal Rumble and is rightfully going to headline Wrestlemania 36!!
Show Rating: 8/10
