The Road to WrestleMania is finally here. Royal Rumble featured four big showdowns, as well as the Men and Women’s Royal Rumble matches. Becky Lynch defended her RAW Women’s Championship against Doudrop, Bobby Lashley faced Brock Lesnar for the WWE Championship, and The IT Couple took on The Grit Couple as The Miz and Maryse battled Edge and Beth Phoenix. First up, Seth Rollins fought his former Shield stablemate and WWE Universal Champion, Roman Reigns. It was amazing to see a full arena at the Royal Rumble for the first time in two years. Without further ado, let’s freaking go.

Quick Results

Seth Rollins defeated Roman Reigns via DQ. ***

Ronda Rousey won the Women’s Royal Rumble match. ****

Becky Lynch defeated Doudrop via pinfall. ***½

Bobby Lashley defeated Brock Lesnar via pinfall. ***½

Edge & Beth Phoenix defeated The Miz & Maryse via pinfall. ***

WWE Universal Championship Match: Seth Rollins vs Roman Reigns (C)

There have been few people to get inside Roman Reigns’ head, but Seth Rollins has been one of them. Fighting in his Shield attire was the final attempt to unsteady the mind of The Tribal Chief, and it appeared to work as the match got started. Rollins caught the champ with a sling blade and clotheslined him over the ropes, following up with a couple of suicide dives. Rollins looked to keep up the momentum, but Reigns hit an uppercut as Rollins jumped off the second rope. Reigns booted Rollins in-between the second rope from the floor outside. Rollins was able to drop Reigns through the announce table with a Shield Bomb. Back in the ring, he nailed a frog splash, but Reigns kicked out. Rollins continued the assault with a Buckle Bomb and a stomp, but Reigns kicked out at the last minute. This was such an explosive start to the night. I honestly thought Rollins was going to do it there and then. He looked great, and was completely unphased, however, Reigns floored him with a huge clothesline. Reigns lost it and started to pound on Rollins with some big forearms. He hit a powerbomb, but Rollins kicked out. Reign’s got annoyed as Rollins kept laughing at him and went for some more strikes, but Rollins caught him in a submission. Reigns got out and drove Rollins into the turnbuckle, then launched him over the barricade outside. He continued the assault by throwing Rollins into the steel steps.

Back in the ring, Reigns hit the Superman Punch, but Rollins kicked out. Outside the ring, Reigns hit a spear, then threw Rollins back inside. He went for another, but Rollins countered into a Pedigree, however, Reigns kicked out. Rollins went for the stomp, but Reigns countered and hit another spear. Rollins continued to laugh at the champ. Reigns locked in the guillotine tight. Somehow, Rollins grabbed the bottom rope. It didn’t matter, as Reigns refused to let go, giving the referee no other option but to call for the bell. I’m not going to lie, that’s a massively disappointing result. It should have been a clean victory if Reigns was going to win. Rollins looked sharp throughout and he deserved to win. I get it played to Reigns losing his cool with Rollins incessant mind games, and it mirrors the moment Rollins turned on The Shield, but still. The fans started chanting, “Roman sucks” as the WWE Universal Champion left the ring to grab a steel chair. He smashed the chair across Rollins’ back time and time again, then left the ring only to grab another steel chair. Reigns started again, beating Rollins with the chair and smiling as he did it. Reigns eventually left the ring, as Rollins was laying in the ring, beaten and destroyed.

Women’s Royal Rumble Match

No. 1 – Sasha Banks

No. 2 – Melina

Wow, Sasha Banks started the match against Melina. Melina looked great as she entered the ring, but Banks booted her in the face and eliminated her straight away.

No. 3 – Tamina

Sasha attacked Tamina outside, then hit a bulldog and two Meteoras in the ring.

No. 4 – Kelly Kelly

Kelly Kelly came in strong, but Tamina stopped her in her tracks. Kelly Kelly went for a hurricanrana hold on Sasha Banks over the ropes, but ended up getting booted out of the ring.

No. 5 – Aliyah

Aliyah dropped Sasha Banks and Tamina. Banks tried to eliminate her, but she broke free.

No. 6 – Liv Morgan

Morgan went after Aliyah and almost eliminated Banks until Tamina attacked her from behind. Morgan dropkicked Tamina off the turnbuckle, then stomped down Banks and Aliyah in the corner. Banks hit the Three Amigos on Aliyah.

No. 7 – Queen Zelina

Zelina almost got thrown out by Banks, but Tamina stopped her. As Banks stood on the apron, Zelina knocked her out. I can’t believe it. Banks is out of the Royal Rumble.

No. 8 – Bianca Belair

Belair deadlifted Zelina twice and hit a suplex. She almost eliminated Morgan, but she held on.

No. 9 – Dana Brooke

Brooke went straight after Aliyah, but Zelina stopped her and almost got eliminated herself. She hit a spinning neckbreaker on Morgan as Belair was trying to get rid of Aliyah.

No. 10 – Michelle McCool

McCool knocked Dana Brooke off the apron, but Regis caught her. McCool took out Zelina, then eliminated Brooke. Tamina attacked McCool from behind.

No. 11 – Sonya Deville

Deville went straight to the announce table and sat down to commentate instead of joining the match. In the ring, Morgan and Belair tried to throw Tamina over the ropes as Aliyah fought McCool.

No. 12 – Natalya

Morgan and Natalya battled as Belair grabbed Natalya and tried to throw her out. Tamina and Belair tumbled over the ropes. Belair held on, but Tamina was eliminated.

No. 13 – Cameron

Deville entered the ring and went straight after Camron due to her friendship with Naomi. Deville smashed Cameron’s head into the ring post and sent her to the outside, eliminating her.

No. 14 – Naomi

Naomi went to check on her friend, Cameron, then headed straight for Deville. Naomi hit a leaping kick on Deville, then booted her off the apron. With Deville eliminated, Naomi hit a stunner on Natalya.

No. 15 – Carmella

Carmella took her time getting into the ring as McCool was almost eliminated.

No. 16 – Rhea Ripley

Yes, it’s time for some brutality. Ripley went straight for Carmella and threw her into the ring. Zelina, Carmella, and Natalya teamed up to attack Ripley. Ripley dropkicked Carmella and Zelina off the apron to eliminate them in style. She picked up Aliyah and threw her into the mat.

No. 17 – Charlotte Flair

She’s as arrogant as they come, but Flair can back it up. I really hope she gets thrown over the ropes, though. She eliminated Aliyah and almost did the same to Naomi. Deville grabbed Naomi’s hands and pulled her outside, meaning she was out of the match.

No. 18 – Ivory

She has a right to censor, but does she have a right to enter the Rumble? Hell, yes. She came out with a microphone and called them all lost little girls until Ripley got rid of her. Fair play to Ivory as she still had hold of the mic. Haha, brilliant.

No. 19 – Brie Bella

Brie looked in fantastic shape. She imitated her husband’s “Yes” chants, then tried to get rid of Natalya. Natalya broke free and tried to eliminate Brie, albeit unsuccessfully. Belair and Ripley worked together to get rid of Flair.

No. 20 – Mickie James

How cool is this? It was equally amazing to see her with the Impact Knockouts Championship around her waist. Before she could get in the ring, though, McCool went straight after her. Thankfully, James eliminated her with a hurricanrana.

No. 21 – Alicia Fox

Fox entered the ring as Charlotte was trying to get rid of Natalya.

No. 22 – Nikki A.S.H.

Ripley waited for Nikki, but she came in from behind and almost threw her over the ropes. Ripley went after her, but Nikki escaped under the ropes. Flair attacked Ripley from behind.

No. 23 – Summer Rae

Summer Rae was back after five years and she went straight for Natalya. They traded slaps across the face until Rae hit a wheel kick. Flair then attacked her from behind. Natalya threw Summer Rae over the ropes while Flair tried to get rid of Natalya.

No. 24 – Nikki Bella

Nikki hit knees into Belair and Natalya’s face. The Bella Twins dropped Belair with a double face plant. The Bellas eliminated Alicia Fox as they turned their attention to Liv Morgan.

No. 25 – Sarah Logan

No freaking way. Oh boy, this was awesome. I guess Vinnie Mac didn’t want her joining Ruby in AEW. Morgan looked emotional as she smiled at Logan, but the Bellas eliminated Logan followed by Morgan. Boo. I really hoped Morgan might win this one.

No. 26 – Lita

The Goddess has returned. Lita wasted no time taking out the Bellas and Nikki A.S.H. She battled Mickie James and DDT’d her through the ropes to eliminate the Knockouts Champion. Lita and Flair traded strikes.

No. 27 – Molly Holly

As Molly came to the ring, Nikki attacked her out of nowhere, then launched her into the steel steps. Nikki screamed, “there can only be one superhero” into Molly’s ear, then eliminated her over the ropes.

No. 28 – Ronda Rousey

Thank the Gods. “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey is back and she looked amazing. She beat the hell out of Nikki Bella and Nikki A.S.H. She eliminated Nikki A.S.H. as Brie got rid of her sister by accident.

No. 29 – Shotzi Blackheart

Shotzi cross-bodied Ripley and Belair as Rousey eliminated Brie Bella.

No. 30 – Shayna Baszler

Baszler went after Ripley, then took out everyone else. Rousey eliminated Blackheart as Belair got rid of Natalya. She came back into the ring, but Rousey threw her back outside. Lita hit the Twist of Fate on Flair then a hurricanrana on Ripley. Flair booted Lita off the apron to eliminate her from the match. Rousey locked in the triangle choke on Ripley. Ripley and Rousey were on the apron. Ripley pushed Rousey into the post as Charlotte Flair booted Ripley off it to eliminate her. Flair, Belair, Baszler, and Rousey were left. Flair eliminated Belair and Baszler from out of nowhere as they battled by the ropes. Flair charged at Rousey but got thrown over the ropes to see Ronda Rousey win the 2022 Women’s Royal Rumble match.

What a result. I hoped she’d return. She looked in great shape, too. Now give us Rousey vs Becky Lynch at WrestleMania.

RAW Women’s Championship Match: Doudrop vs Becky Lynch (C)

Not going to lie, it’s great to see Doudrop wrestle at such a big stage, however, now Ronda Rousey is back, there’s no way she was going to win this. Doudrop started off confidently, using her power to overwhelm Big Time Becks. Despite being a force of nature, Becky managed to outsmart her. She moved out the way as Doudrop hit a cannonball into the steel steps. Back in the ring, Lynch put her in a chin lock. Lynch transitioned out of a body slam into a sleeper hold, but Doudrop managed to escape. Lynch hit a shotgun dropkick off the top rope then stomped her down. Doudrop hit a standing senton and almost got the win. She went for a basement crossbody, but Lynch moved and locked in the Disarm-Her. She transitioned into an armbar, but Doudrop deadlifted her into a powerbomb, nearly getting a three-count once again. Doudrop hit a cannonball in the corner and went for the pin, but Lynch kicked out. Lynch lifted her knees up to block Doudrop’s splash, then connected with a Molly-Go-Round, however, Doudrop kicked out the pin. Lynch hit a leg drop on Doudrop who was balancing on the top rope. Doudrop almost got the win after driving Lynch into the mat with a sit-down fact plant. Lynch was able to pick up the victory with a Manhandle Slam from the second rope. A pretty decent match. Doudrop fought hard to try and win, but Lynch, unsurprisingly, got the win.

WWE Championship Match: Bobby Lashley W/ MVP vs Brock Lesnar (C) W/ Paul Heyman

It didn’t take long for Lesnar to land a German suplex, but Lashley returned the favour with one of his own. Lesnar then hit two German suplexes in quick succession. Lashley speared Lesnar twice after evading an F5. Lashley went for a spear as Lesnar rested against the barricades, but he moved out of the way. Back in the ring, Lesnar hit five more German suplexes. Lesnar went for the F5, but Lashley reversed into the Hurt Lock. Lesnar escaped and hit the F5, but the referee got in the way. Lesnar went for the pin, however, there was no referee to count it. From out of nowhere, Roman Reigns speared Brock Lesnar, then stared down Paul Heyman. Heyman gave the WWE Championship to Reigns who smashed it over Lesnar’s head. Lashley covered Lesnar to pick up the win. I was not expecting that at all. Bobby Lashley is once again WWE Champion. What has Heyman done? Going forward, this is going to get very interesting.

Edge & Beth Phoenix vs The Miz & Maryse

Maryse began by running away from the Glamazon. She tagged in Miz and he went at it with Edge. Maryse grabbed Edge’s hair which distracted him, allowing Miz to knock him over the ropes. Miz booted Edge’s chest and landed a backbreaker and neckbreaker combo. With the ref distracted, Maryse slammed Edge across the face. Back in the ring, Edge nailed a DDT on Miz, then tagged in Phoenix who beat the hell out of Maryse. She hit a spinning side slam on Maryse and started to stomp down Miz in the corner. From behind, Maryse hit her back with her purse and went for the pin, but Phoenix kicked out. Maryse locked in a Camel Clutch, but Phoenix got out. Miz and Edge tagged in. Maryse distracted Edge again, but Phoenix knocked her off the apron. Phoenix powerbombed Mix as Edge landed an elbow drop, but Miz kicked out. Maryse pulled Phoenix off the apron and pushed her into the steel steps as Edge landed a flapjack. The ref checked on Miz which allowed Maryse to hit a hurricanrana on Edge. Miz hit a Skull Crushing Finale but only got a two-count. The IT Couple went for a double Skull Crushing Finale, but Phoenix broke it up and they hit a double spear. They then hit a double Glamazon Slam to pick up the victory. It wasn’t a bad match, but it felt more like filler. Regardless, Edge got a victory so I’m happy.

Men’s Royal Rumble Match

No. 1 – AJ Styles

No. 2 – Shinsuke Nakamura

Here we go. It’s time for the Men’s Royal Rumble match. AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura started things off.  Nakamura was impressive from the start, using some impressive kicks to wear down Styles. Styles landed a forearm and stomped Nakamura down in the corner.

No. 3 – Austin Theory

I love Austin Theory. He went from vanilla Superstar to entertaining in and out of the ring. He tried to eliminate Nakamura, but Styles attacked Theory from behind.

No. 4 – Robert Roode

Roode hit a spinebuster on Nakamura and Theory, then went after Styles. Styles punched Roode off the apron to eliminate him. Theory landed a spinning backbreaker on Nakamura.

No. 5 – Ridge Holland

Nakamura got eliminated by Styles as Holland took down Styles and Theory. He hit a big uppercut on Theory and tried to eliminate him, but Styles attacked him.

No. 6 – Montez Ford

Ford almost eliminated Styles. He hit a big dropkick on Theory and threw him over the ropes, but Theory held on. Ford hit a Step-up Enzuigiri on Holland.

No. 7 – Damian Priest

Priest dropped Theory with a backbreaker. Styles and Theory tried to get rid of Priest, but he escaped and tried to throw Theory out.

No. 8 – Sami Zayn

Ford attacked Zayn, but almost got eliminated in the process. Styles went after Ford, as Priest battled Zayn and Holland fought Theory.

No. 9 – Johnny Knoxville

This was amazing. Knoxville took down Zayn with a double leg takedown. Styles let Knoxville chop him, then Styles knocked down the Jackass star. Ford hit a frog splash on Knoxville, Holland went to eliminate him, however, Zayn got rid of Knoxville instead. Holland got annoyed and eliminated Zayn as a result.

No. 10 – Angelo Dawkins

Dawkins stomped down Styles in the corner, but he fought back.

No. 11 – Omos

Omos eliminated Dawkins, then threw out his partner Ford. He then launched Styles into the ring post and beat the hell out of Theory.

No. 12 – Ricochet

Everyone went after Omos, but he fought back against them all. He chopped Ricochet’s chest and knocked him to the mat.

No. 13 – Chad Gable

Gable came in and told the other Superstars he had a plan to get rid of Omos. Priest attacked Omos, but he clotheslined Priest to the mat. Omos then eliminated Priest. Holland, Styles, Ricochet, Gable, Theory, and Ricochet all tried to toss Omos over the ropes.

No. 14 – Dominik Mysterio

Styles finally managed to eliminate Omos. Theory attacked Dominik in the corner with some stomps.

No. 15 – Happy Corbin

Corbin attacked Holland, then Ricochet. He chokeslammed Theory and eliminated Ricochet. Corbin almost got rid of Styles, but he held on.

No. 16 – Dolph Ziggler

Ziggler was next, entering his 15th Royal Rumble. He ate a headbutt from Corbin. Corbin hit a Deep Six on Mysterio, then threw him over the ropes. Styles was able to eliminate Theory.

No. 17 – Sheamus

Styles eliminated Holland right in front of Sheamus. Sheamus went after Styles, then hit a backbreaker on Gable. Sheamus hit his signature chops on Styles.

No. 18 – Rick Boogs

Boogs tried to knock Gable over the ropes. He tossed him over the ropes with a one-handed military press.

No. 19 – Madcap Moss

Moss helped Corbin to beat down Sheamus. Moss then went after Styles as Boogs pressed Ziggler, but couldn’t eliminate him. Corbin landed a chokeslam backbreaker as Madcap Moss eliminated Styles. No freaking way.

No. 20 – Matt Riddle

Riddle hit a German suplex on Moss. Boogs stopped Moss and Corbin from attacking Riddle. Moss tossed Boogs over the ropes, and Corbin knocked him off the apron.

No. 21 – Drew McIntyre

McIntyre is back after his neck injury, and he went straight for the two who caused it. Riddle ran at him, as did Ziggler, but he knocked them down. Moss and Corbin attacked him, but McIntyre eliminated Moss, then did the same to Corbin. He left the ring and attacked both of them. He smashed the steel steps on Corbin and Moss’ skull. He smashed Corbin again, then slammed Moss onto the steel steps.

No. 22 – Kevin Owens

Owens and McIntyre fought at ringside. In the ring, Owens landed a pop-up powerbomb on him, then a cannonball on Ziggler. Owens stomped on Riddle’s feet as McIntyre and Sheamus traded blows.

No. 23 – Rey Mysterio

Mysterio came in guns blazing, almost eliminating Riddle. Owens hit a stunner on Mysterio as McIntyre and Sheamus beat him down.

No. 24 – Kofi Kingston

Kingston went straight for Owens. He jumped on the top rope, but Owens pushed him off onto the barrier. I’m not sure it was supposed to go down the way it did, but Kingston was eliminated.

No. 25 – Otis

Otis attacked Owens, then slammed McIntyre. Ziggler fought Riddle as Sheamus and Mysterio went at it.

No. 26 – Big E

The former champion hit a belly to belly on Owens and Riddle, then a splash on Owens. Sheamus landed a Brogue Kick on Big E and two backbreakers on Mysterio.

No. 27 – Bad Bunny

Oh, dear. Bunny cross-bodied Sheamus off the top turnbuckle and a hurricanrana on Owens. He landed a Canadian Destroyer on Riddle. He then eliminated Sheamus. This is ridiculous. Does anyone genuinely care about Bad Bunny? Mysterio hit 619 on Ziggler, then Bunny eliminated him. Owens hit a stunner on Bunny. Otis then eliminated Mysterio.

No. 28 – Shane McMahon

Man, I love Shane-O-Mac. He went after Owens then Riddle. Owens superkicked McMahon but ended up getting eliminated by him. McIntyre tried to toss McMahon over the ropes as Big E and Otis tried to get rid of Riddle.

No. 29 – Randy Orton

Orton hit an RKO on Big E, then eliminated him with the help of Riddle. He RKO’d Otis, as Riddle did the same to McIntyre. RKBro eliminated Otis.

No. 30 – Brock Lesnar

Wow, OK. Lesnar is the final entrant and he went berserk. He decimated everyone with belly-to-belly suplexes. He eliminated Orton and hit Bunny with an F5 and eliminated him. Thank you, Brock. Lesnar threw Riddle over the ropes, then clotheslined McMahon over the top rope. McIntyre and Lesnar stood face-to-face as the final two men. Lesnar ended up throwing McIntyre over the ropes to become the winner of the 2022 Men’s Royal Rumble.

I love Lesnar to bits, but surely would he be facing Reigns at WrestleMania anyway? Someone else could have won. McIntyre, Big E, Rey Mysterio, Kevin Owens. The ending was a little disappointing, to be honest. It wasn’t a bad event, but I would’ve liked to have seen someone else pick up the victory. Regardless, the Road to WrestleMania is well underway.

Match of the Night: Women’s Royal Rumble match

Superstar of the Show: Ronda Rousey

Overall Rating: ***½

All pictures and videos courtesy of WWE