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Ronda Rousey Signs Full-Time Deal With WWE

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Asuka eliminated Nikki Bella to win the first ever women’s Royal Rumble match. After the match, RAW Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss and SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte got in the ring. Asuka looked at them both when Rousey’s music hit.

Ronda pointed at the WrestleMania sign hanging in the Wells Fargo Center. Rousey went to shake Asuka’s hand but Asuka slapped it away. Rousey laughed and then pointed at the WrestleMania sign once again.

Rousey exited the ring and high-fived fans in the crowd. Rousey then approached the announce table where Stephanie McMahon was the guest commentator for the women’s Royal Rumble. Rousey and Stephanie shook hands and then Rousey made her way up the entrance ramp as the Royal Rumble went off the air.

It was then announced on social media that Ronda Rousey has come to terms with on a full-time contract with WWE. This has been rumored for a long time but Rousey has finally made her way to WWE and will no doubt be a factor at WrestleMania 34 this April.

Rousey made the following comments to ESPN about signing with WWE:

“This is my life now. First priority on my timeline for the next several years. This is not a smash-and-grab; this is not a publicity stunt.

“When I first met with Triple H, I told him, ‘There are other things I can do with my time that’ll make way more money, but I won’t enjoy nearly as much.’”

“It’s funny — it’s kind of like acting, in that it was something I always wanted to do but I never thought was in the cards for me. And now that I realize I really do have this opportunity, I feel like my 6-year-old self would totally kick my ass if I didn’t take it.”

Women’s Royal Rumble 2018: Full List Of Entrants & Eliminations

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Order Of Entry:

  1. Sasha Banks
  2. Becky Lynch
  3. Sarah Logan
  4. Mandy Rose
  5. Lita
  6. Kairi Sane
  7. Tamina
  8. Dana Brooke
  9. Torrie Wilson
  10. Sonya Deville
  11. Liv Morgan
  12. Molly Holly
  13. Lana
  14. Michelle McCool
  15. Ruby Riott
  16. Vickie Guerrero
  17. Carmella
  18. Natalya
  19. Kelly Kelly
  20. Naomi
  21. Jacqueline
  22. Nia Jax
  23. Ember Moon
  24. Beth Phoenix
  25. Asuka
  26. Mickie James
  27. Nikki Bella
  28. Brie Bella
  29. Bayley
  30. Trish Stratus

Order Of Elimination:

  1. Mandy Rose by Lita
  2. Tamina by Lita
  3. Lita by Becky Lynch
  4. Kairi Sane by Dana Brooke
  5. Dana Brooke by Torrie Wilson
  6. Torrie Wilson by Sonya Deville
  7. Sarah Logan by Molly Holly
  8. Sonya Deville by Michelle McCool
  9. Liv Morgan by Michelle McCool
  10. Molly Holly by Michelle McCool
  11. Lana by Michelle McCool
  12. Vickie Guerrero by Sasha Banks & Becky Lynch & Michelle McCool & Ruby Riott
  13. Michelle McCool by Natalya
  14. Becky Lynch by Ruby Riott
  15. Jacqueline by Nia Jax
  16. Kelly Kelly by Nia Jax
  17. Ruby Riott by Nia Jax
  18. Naomi by Nia Jax
  19. Beth Phoenix by Natalya
  20. Ember Moon by Asuka
  21. Carmella by Nikki Bella
  22. Mickie James by Trish Stratus
  23. Nia Jax by Nikki Bella & Brie Bella & Trish Stratus & Bayley & Asuka & Natalya
  24. Bayley by Sasha Banks
  25. Natalya by Trish Stratus
  26. Trish Stratus by Sasha Banks
  27. Sasha Banks by Nikki Bella & Brie Bella
  28. Brie Bella by Nikki Bella
  29. Nikki Bella by Asuka

Winner: Asuka

 

6 Takeaways From WWE Royal Rumble 2018

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The 2018 Royal Rumble aired live from the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Kickoff Show Results:

  • Kalisto, Lince Dorado & Gran Metalik defeated TJP, Jack Gallagher & Drew Gulak
  • The Revival defeated Gallows & Anderson
  • Bobby Roode defeated Mojo Rawley

Both the RAW & SmackDown Tag Team Championships were defended tonight. AJ Styles defended his WWE Championship in a Handicap match against Sami Zayn & Kevin Owens. Brock Lesnar put his Universal Championship on the line against Kane and Braun Strowman in a Triple Threat match. The road to WrestleMania also officially began as both a women’s and men’s Royal Rumble took place. The winners of the Royal Rumble matches now have a title shot at WrestleMania 34.

Here are takeaways from WWE Royal Rumble 2018:

AJ Styles Is Still WWE Champion After Controversial Finish

wwe championship styles owens zayn royal rumble

The Handicap match for the WWE Championship kicked off Royal Rumble 2018. AJ Styles put his title on the line against both Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn. If Owens & Zayn win, they will become the first ever co-WWE Champions.

The Philly crowd chanted “AJ Styles” right when the match started. AJ and Owens started off the match as Sami was on the ring apron. Owens immediately tagged in Sami and then Zayn tagged Owens back in before Styles could confront them. Owens took a kick to the midsection and then jogged across the ring to tag in Zayn.

Styles went for a roll-up but Sami kicked out. Zayn then tagged in Owens once again and Styles shouted “come on!”. AJ put himself between Owens and Zayn so that Owens couldn’t tag out. Owens proceeded to roll out of the ring, run to the corner, slide back into the ring and tag in Zayn.

AJ hit Sami with a Dropkick and Zayn once again tagged out. Owens charged at AJ and knocked him to the corner. Owens stomped on AJ for a few times and shouted “and that is why this is my show!”. Owens tagged Sami back in and he continued to beatdown AJ in the corner.

Styles battled back and hit a couple of chops but Sami responded with a Back Body Drop for a two count. Owens tagged in and launched AJ into the turnbuckle. The action spilled out of the ring and Owens launched AJ into the barricade. Back in the ring, Owens hit a Double Stomp on AJ’s chest and tagged Sami back in.

Zayn connected with a couple of jabs and taunted AJ a bit for applying a Chin Lock. AJ backed Sami into the corner but Owens tagged himself back in. AJ punched Sami off the ring apron and hit Owens with a couple of chops. Owens lifted Styles up in the electric chair and dropped him face first to the canvas for a two count.

Owens applied a Headlock but AJ broke the hold with a couple of elbows to the ribs. Owens went for the Cannonball in the corner of the ring but AJ got out of the way. Owens landed on his leg that he injured on SmackDown this past Tuesday. Owens quickly tagged Sami Zayn back in the match. AJ delivered a Hurricanrana off the top rope to Sami Zayn.

Owens tagged back in and walked directly into a Pele Kick from the WWE Champion. Owens tagged out and Sami went for the Helluva Kick but Styles was ready. AJ booted Sami in the face, went for a Moonsault off the second rope, landed on his feet and transitioned into a reverse DDT. Owens tagged back in and AJ locked in the Calf Crusher in the middle of the ring as Sami Zayn was knocked to the floor outside the ring.

Sami slid back into the ring just in time and broke the hold before Owens tapped out. Owens went for a roll-up but AJ kicked out. Owens charged at Styles but AJ got out of the way and Owens crashed into the ring post. Sami tagged himself back in and Owens hit a cheap shot Superkick to Styles on the ring apron. Sami planted Styles with a Blue Thunder Bomb for a two count.

Zayn hit AJ with a couple of chops in the corner and then perched Styles up on the top rope. AJ broke free and slammed Sami into the middle turnbuckle. Owens went for another cheap shot on the apron but AJ was ready and knocked him to the floor. AJ then connected with the Phenomenal Forearm to Sami and went for the cover but Owens broke it up at the last second.

AJ and Sami traded punches to the face. AJ got the better of the exchange and lifted Sami onto his shoulders. Sami went for the tag but couldn’t tag Owens. AJ then launched Sami out of the ring and Owens attacked AJ from behind with a Superkick. Owens went for a Pop-up Powerbomb but Styles countered into a roll-up for the pinfall victory.

After the match, Owens and Zayn approached Shane McMahon backstage. They demanded that Shane not let a referee cost them another match. Sami asked if Shane saw it and Shane replied with a big grin on his face, “yep”. Shane then walked away as Owens lost his mind.

It looks like this storyline is continuing on SmackDown. Sami and Owens have a legitimate complaint here, as Zayn clearly never tagged out. This match was more entertaining than I thought it was going to be. I figured there would be some kind of controversial finish. I’d rather it had been this than Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan arguing ringside and distracting from the match.

The Usos Easily Retained Their Titles

the usos gable benjamin royal rumble

The Usos defended their SmackDown Tag Team Championships against Shelton Benjamin & Chad Gable in a 2 out of 3 falls match.

Jimmy Uso controlled the match early and hit Gable with a couple of chops in the corner. Benjamin tagged himself in and Jimmy Uso didn’t realize it. Gable hit a chop block to Jimmy’s knee and then Shelton slammed it into the ring post. Shelton targeted his attack on Jimmy’s knee and locked in a submission hold in the middle of the ring. Gable tagged in and continued to attack the knee.

Benjamin tagged back in and continued to stomp on Jimmy’s knee. Gable and Benjamin kneed Jimmy in the face and then sprinted across the ring and kneed Jey off the apron. Benjamin posed for the crowd for a moment and this allowed Jimmy some time to regroup. Jimmy connected with an Enziguri and finally tagged Jey into the match.

Gable tagged in and was immediately knocked out of the ring. Jey threw Shelton out of the ring as well and then leaped onto both of them outside the ring. The action returned to the ring and Jey climbed up to the top rope. Jey missed with the Splash but landed on his feet. Benjamin kneed Jey in the face from outside the ring and then Gable hit a Tiger Suplex for a two count.

Benjamin tagged back in and went for the tandem Powerbomb off the top. Jimmy Uso broke it up but Gable connected with a Dropkick that knocked him to the corner. Shelton then Powerbombed Jey onto Jimmy in the corner and connected with Paydirt to Jey Uso for a two count. Both Usos were thrown out of the ring and Chad Gable delivered an awesome Moonsault onto them outside the ring.

Back in the ring, Gable went to cover Jimmy Uso but the referee told him that was the wrong Uso. Gable then got hit with two Superkicks and a Splash from Jey but somehow still kicked out. Jimmy and Jey then hit a double Superkick on Chad Gable and picked up the first pinfall victory. The Usos now lead 1-0.

Benjamin got back intot he ring and launched Jey Uso into the ring post. Gable and Benjamin beatdown both Jimmy and Jey. Gable and Benjamin connected with the tandem Powerbomb to Jimmy Uso outside the ring. Back in the ring, Gable hit an overhead kick and tagged in Benjamin. Gable climbed to the top rope but Jey Uso rolled up Shelton for the victory. The Usos won the match 2-0 and are still SmackDown Tag Team Champions.

I was really looking forward to this match. Unfortunately, it wasn’t nearly as good as I thought it was going to be and the ending felt random. I wanted to see Gable & Benjamin at least be built up as a legit team on SmackDown. Getting swept by The Usos doesn’t accomplish that.

The Right Superstar Won The Men’s Royal Rumble

mens royal rumble

The men’s Royal Rumble started just before the second hour of the PPV. The winner of the match will go on to get a title shot at WrestleMania 34.

#1. Aiden English came down to the entrance ramp and performed a song about Rusev Day. Rusev then came down to the ring as the first entrant in the 2018 Royal Rumble. The crowd chanted “Rusev Day!” as Rusev entered the ring.

#2. Finn Balor was the second entrant in the 2018 Royal Rumble.

Balor and Rusev tried to eliminate each other for a bit. Balor hit Rusev with a Dropkick.

#3. Rhyno was the third Superstar in the Royal Rumble. The crowd chanted “ECW!” as he marched towards the ring. Rhyno and Rusev traded punches. Rhyno got the advantage and connected with a Belly to Belly Suplex. Rhyno then planted Balor with a Suplex as well. Rusev connected with a spinning kick that knocked Rhyno to the mat.

#4. Baron Corbin was the fourth entrant in the 2018 Royal Rumble. Corbin leveled Rusev with a Clothesline but was slammed to the mat by Rhyno. Rhyno set up for the Gore but Corbin countered it into a Deep Six. Corbin then eliminated Rhyno. Finn Balor eliminated Baron Corbin from behind. Corbin lost it and attacked Rusev and Balor outside the ring. Security tried to restrain Corbin but it didn’t work out too well.

#5. Heath Slater was the fifth entrant in the rumble but walked right into a Clothesline from Corbin. Baron finally walked backstage as Slater, Rusev and Balor were on the floor outside the ring.

#6. Elias was the sixth entrant in the rumble and came down to the entrance ramp with his guitar. Elias strolled down the entrance ramp while strumming his guitar. He took a brief break and booted Slater in the face. Elias brought his guitar into the empty ring and stated that the countdown clock will not start until he is done giving the crowd the performance of the year. Elias’ song was interrupted by the countdown.

#7. NXT Champion Andrade “Cien” Almas was the seventh entrant in the rumble. Almas competed in an unreal match against Johnny Gargano last night at NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia and retained his NXT Championship. Almos delivered the running knees to Elias but Elias responded with a Clothesline.

#8. Bray Wyatt was the eighth entrant in the rumble. Before getting into the ring, he slammed poor Heath Slater into the barricade. Heath had still not been able to make it to the ring at this point. Bray leveled Balor with a Clothesline in the ring. The crowd chanted “Rusev Day!” as Rusev finally started to get back into the ring. Bray Wyatt wouldn’t let him and punched him off the ring apron several times.

#9. Big E drew number 9 and came down to the ring. Big E mushed some pancakes in Slater’s face before getting into the ring. Rusev and Elias teamed up and knocked Big E to the canvas.

#10. Tye Dillinger was the tenth entrant to the 2018 Royal Rumble. Dillinger didn’t make it to the ring because he was attacked by Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn backstage. Sami Zayn came down the entrance ramp and threw Heath Slater into the barricade again. Sami Zayn then entered the ring.

#11. Sheamus and his mohawk were the eleventh entrant in the Royal Rumble. Sheamus threw Slater in the ring and then slid into the ring himself. Heath Slater then Clotheslined Sheamus over the top rope and eliminated him. The crowd chanted “yes!” as Sheamus was embarrassingly eliminated by Heath Slater on his birthday. Slater celebrated for a moment before being hit with a Sister Abigail by Bray Wyatt. Bray then eliminated Slater.

#12. Xavier Woods was entrant number twelve and came down to the ring and teamed up with Big E.

#13. Apollo Crews drew unlucky number thirteen. Balor battled Almas in the corner and traded chops with him. Balor then connected with a Double Stomp on Bray Wyatt in the ring.

#14. Shinsuke Nakamura entered the rumble at number fourteen. Nakamura attacked a few Superstars in the ring as the crowd sang Shinsuke’s theme for a minute. They then transitioned into a loud “Nakamura!” chant. Shinsuke draped Sami Zayn across the top rope and kneed him in the chest. Sami Zayn tumbled out of the ring and was eliminated.

#15. Cesaro was the fifteenth entrant in the men’s Royal Rumble. Cesaro hit a flurry of uppercuts to Rusev in the ring.

#16. Kofi Kingston entered at number sixteen. Apollo Crews was eliminated by Cesaro after being hit with an uppercut on the ring apron.

#17. Former WWE Champion Jinder Mahal was number seventeen. Mahal attacked Woods upon entering the ring and Jerry “The King” Lawler declared Mahal as his pick to win the rumble. Mahal eliminated Woods and then eliminated Big E moments later.

#18. Seth Rollins was the eighteenth entrant in the 2018 Royal Rumble. Rollins planted Elias with a Slingblade and then delivered another to Finn Balor. Cesaro tried to eliminate Rollins but Seth countered and used his leg strength to launch Cesaro out of the ring to eliminate him. Kofi was thrown over the top but one of his feet landed on Woods. Big E then proved a plate of pancakes for Kofi to place his foot on. Jinder tried to block Kofi from getting back in but Woods and Big E launched Mahal over him in a ridiculous spot. Kofi then connected with a kick that sent Mahal over the top rope and Jinder was eliminated. Big and Woods threw pancakes at him. Almas then launched Kofi over the top to eliminate him.

#19. Matt Hardy was entrant number nineteen. Wyatt and Hardy started working together and eliminated Rusev. Wyatt and Hardy started trading punches. Wyatt and Hardy’s brawl caused them both to eliminate each other at the same time.

#20. John Cena was entrant number twenty. The rest of the Superstars attacked Cena once he got into the ring. Elias went for the Drift Away but Cena countered it into an Attitude Adjustment that sent Elias over the top rope and to the floor.

#21. The Hurricane was entrant number twenty-one! He faced off with Cena and was quickly eliminated. The crowd booed Cena after he eliminated Helms. The Hurricana slipped on some pancakes but recovered to pose outside the ring.

#22. Aiden English came down to the ring as entrant number twenty-two. Dueling “lets go Cena!” and “Cena sucks!” chants broke out in the crowd.

#23. Adam Cole was number twenty-three and got a great reaction from the crowd. Adam Cole competed in an awesome Extreme Rules match against Aleister Black last night at NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia. Finn Balor eliminated Aiden English.

#24. Randy Orton was entrant number twenty-four. Orton planted Almas with an RKO and eliminated him. Almas was in the Royal Rumble match for almost thirty minutes.

#25. Titus O’Neil was number twenty-five. Cole and Rollins tried to eliminate Nakamura but Shinsuke was able to break free.

#26. The Miz was number twenty-six in the Royal Rumble. The Miz came down to the entrance ramp with the IC Title and raised it in the air. He then handed it to Bo Dallas and sprinted to the ring. The Miz slammed Cena and Rollins to the mat and hit a series of It Kicks to both of them. Cena went for the AA but The Miz countered into a Skull Crushing Finale. Rollins connected with a Superkick to The Miz.

#27. Rey Mysterio made his return as entrant number twenty-seven. Mysterio booted Cole in the face and slung him into the middle turnbuckle. Rey Mysterio wrapped his legs around Cole and slung him out of the ring to eliminate him. Mysterio hit the 619 on The Miz.

#28. Roman Reigns was entrant twenty-eight and came down to the ring to a chorus of boos from the crowd. Reigns punched everyone in the face and then stared at The Miz. Roman leveled Miz with a Clothesline and then beat him down in the corner of the ring. Reigns eliminated Titus O’Neil. Reigns tried to eliminate The Miz but Dallas and Axel came down to the entrance ramp and saved him. Rollins hit The Miz with the Curb Stomp as Reigns Superman Punched The Miztourage off the apron. Rollins and Reigns Powerbombed The Miz over the top rope onto Axel and Dallas. Reigns then eliminated Seth Rollins and Seth made his way to the back with a smirk on his face.

#29. Goldust was entrant twenty-nine. Goldust escaped an Attitude Adjustment and hit Cena with an Atomic Drop.

#30. Dolph Ziggler was the final entrant in 2018 Royal Rumble. Dolph sprinted to the ring and leaped onto John Cena. Dolph escaped an AA and delivered a Superkick to Cena. Goldust planted Dolph with a Powerslam. Ziggler knocked Goldust to the ring apron and then Superkicked him out of the ring. Dolph hit Shinsuke with a Zig Zag and then geared up for a Superkick.

Nakamura knocked Ziggler to the ring apron and Balor connected with a forearm that knocked Ziggler out of the ring and he was eliminated.

It was now down to Reigns, Balor, Nakamura, Orton, Mysterio and Cena. Mysterio hit Reigns with a 619 and Orton planted Nakamura with an RKO. Roman Reigns hit Orton with a Superman Punch and then eliminated him. Mysterio connected with a double 619 to Reigns and Cena. Finn Balor caught Mysterio from behind and eliminated him.

It was now down to Finn Balor, Nakamura, Cena and Reigns. The four Superstars stared at each other in the ring. Cena punched Nakamura and Reigns beatdown Balor in the ring. Cena and Reigns circled each other in the ring as the crowd chanted “you both suck!”. Nakamura and Balor attacked Cena and Reigns to the delight of the crowd.

Balor and Nakamura circled each other as the crowd cheered. Nakamura draped Balor up on the top rope and kneed him in the chest. Balor didn’t fall out of the ring and knocked Nakamura to the canvas. Shinsuke got up and booted Balor in the head.

Cena and Reigns got back up and the crowd booed as they knocked Nakamura and Balor to the mat. Cena and Reigns traded punches. Cena connected with a shoulder tackle but Roman responded with a Samoan Drop. Reigns geared up for the Superman Punch but Cena avoided it and planted him in the ring. Cena went for the Five Knuckle Shuffle but Balor planted him with a Slingblade. Balor Dropkicked Cena and Reigns and then hit Nakamura with a Slingblade. Shinsuke went for the Kinshasa but Balor countered it with a Double Stomp. Cena eliminated Balor from behind and the crowd booed.

The crowd chanted for Nakamura as Reigns and Cena teamed up on him. Reigns connected with a shoulder tackle on Reigns and then slammed him to the mat. Cena hit the Five Knuckle Shuffle on Reigns. Roman responded with a Superman Punch. Reigns booted Nakamura out of the way and geared up for a Spear. Reigns went for it but Cena caught him with an Attitude Adjustment. Shinsuke Nakamura knocked Cena to the apron and connected with a Kinshasa to eliminate him.

We were now down to Roman Reigns and Shinsuke Nakamura. The entire crowd chanted for Shinsuke as the two Superstars stared at each other in the ring. Nakamura dared Reigns to charge at him. Reigns obliged and the two Superstars traded punches. Reigns hit a Superman Punch that knocked Nakamura to the mat. Reigns tossed Nakamura over the top rope but Shinsuke caught himself on the apron. Nakamura locked in a Triangle submission on the ropes but Reigns showed off his power and lifted him back into the ring. Reigns then planted Nakamura with a Powerbomb and both Superstars fell to the canvas.

Reigns got up first and set up in the corner for a Spear. Nakamura countered it into a knee and then hit another knee off the second rope. Shinsuke went for the Kinshasa but Reigns countered it into a massive Spear. Nakamura and Reigns sprinted off the ropes and Shinsuke hit a Kinshasa. Nakamura then launched Roman Reigns over the top rope to win the 2018 Royal Rumble.

After the match, Shinsuke Nakamura announced that he wanted to face AJ Styles for the WWE Championship at Wrestlemania 34.

This was a very entertaining Royal Rumble match. I found the stuff with Heath Slater hilarious and the annual Kofi escaping elimination was great this year.

I was completely flipping out at the end of the match because I thought Reigns was going to win it. The right Superstar won and now we get to see AJ Styles versus Shinsuke Nakamura at WrestleMania. I simply cannot wait to see that match. Reigns might very well wind up in a match for the Universal Championship anyway.

Jason Jordan Cost His Team The Titles

jordan rollins rumble

Jason Jordan & Seth Rollins defended their RAW Tag Team Championships against Sheamus & Cesaro.

Rollins and Cesaro started off the match in the ring. Rollins hit a couple of Arm Drags and followed it up with a Back Drop. Cesaro and Sheamus took control of the match. Cesaro dragged Jordan off the apron and threw him into the ring post.

Booker T started arguing with everyone on commentary and honestly nothing he said made any sense. Doctors came down to the ring to check on Jason Jordan. Sheamus and Cesaro spent the next few minutes beating the hell out of Rollins. Booker T said Rollins was on Gilligan’s Island right now because Jordan was injured. Graves pointed out that there were a bunch of people on Gilligan’s Island.

Jordan was still lying on the floor outside the ring. Sheamus and Cesaro teamed up for a Backbreaker on Rollins. Sheamus went for the cover but Seth kicked out at two. Sheamus charged at Rollins but Seth got out of the way and Sheamus crashed into the post.

Rollins hit Cesaro with a Blockbuster off the second rope. Rollins hit a Suplex and rolled through and went for a Falcon Arrow but Cesaro escaped. Rollins then hit the Falcon Arrow anyway for a two count.

Sheamus tagged back in and battled Rollins on the top rope. Cesaro joined the party and started punching Rollins in the face. Rollins knocked them both to the canvas and followed it up with a Frog Splash onto both of them.

Jason Jordan finally made his way up the steps and tagged himself in. Jordan held his head and wobbled a bit. Jordan tagged Rollins back in and proceeded to take a seat on the steps.

Sheamus hit Rollins with a Brogue Kick. The Bar teamed up and slammed Rollins to the mat for the pinfall victory. Sheamus & Cesaro are the new RAW Tag Team Champions.

https://twitter.com/WWE/status/957803993681428480

The crowd was dead for this match after the men’s Royal Rumble. This match was also predictable as everyone knew Rollins & Jordan weren’t going to stick together for long. This storyline will continue on RAW tomorrow night between Jordan and Rollins. I’d like to see The Revival built up again in RAW’s tag division.

Brock Lesnar Is Still Universal Champion

lesnar strowman kane

Brock Lesnar had a giant smile on his face before the match and taunted Kane before the bell rung.

Lesnar drove Kane to the corner to start off the match. Strowman hit a ridiculous Dropkick that knocked Lesnar to the mat. Strowman threw Kane out of the ring. Kane got back in the ring as Strowman and Lesnar were trading knees. Strowman caught Lesnar in the hand and Brock responded by punching him right in the face. Kane Chokeslammed Brock and then grabbed Braun’s throat.

Lesnar hit Kane with a chair. Strowman punched the chair out of Lesnar’s hand and then threw Brock out of the ring. Strowman followed him out there and launched Brock into the barricade. Strowman grabbed a couple of tables and brought them into the ring. Strowman set up a table in the corner of the ring and Kane grabbed Braun by the throat. Strowman then grabbed Kane by the throat and Chokeslammed him to the mat.

Brock hit three German Suplexes in a row but Braun shrugged them off and hit Lesnar with a Running Powerslam through a table in the ring. Strowman went for a cover but Kane broke it up. Kane then shoved Strowman to the corner and Braun awkwardly fell through the table. Kane then Chokeslammed Strowman. Lesnar hit Kane with an F5 but Strowman broke up the pinfall attempt.

Strowman then showed off insane strength and German Suplexed Lesnar and Brock fell out of the ring. Braun cleared off the German announce table but Brock lifted Braun up onto his shoulders and delivered an F5 through the table. Lesnar then flipped another announce table onto Strowman.

Kane grabbed Lesnar by the throat but Lesnar countered with an F5 through the announce table. Strowman got up and stared at Lesnar. Brock couldn’t believe it. Strowman threw Lesnar back in the ring and hit the Running Powerslam. Strowman hit another one and Kane came into the ring and blasted Strowman with a steel chair. Strowman was knocked out of the ring and Lesnar battled with Kane. Braun hopped up on the ring apron but Lesnar shoved Kane into him. Lesnar then hit an F5 to Kane for the victory.

After the match, Strowman got back into the ring and shouted at Lesnar that he never beat him.

This match went pretty much how everyone thought it would. Lesnar retained in a quick and chaotic match and Kane took the pinfall. It was a fun match, but not all that memorable. I’m looking forward to seeing a new Universal Champion in a couple of months.

The Women’s Royal Rumble Was Full Of Surprises

womens royal rumble 1

The first ever women’s Royal Rumble match was the main event of the PPV. Maria Menounos introduced Stephanie McMahon as the guest commentator for the match. RAW Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss and SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair came down to the ringside area for the match.

#1. Sasha Banks was the first entrant to the Royal Rumble and came down to the ring in Wonder Woman attire.

#2. Becky Lynch was the second entrant to the Royal Rumble. Becky connected with a couple of Arm Drags and then transitioned into an Arm Bar. Sasha broke free and the two Superstars connected with a double Clothesline at the same time.

#3. Sarah Logan was the third entrant in the rumble. Logan went right after Becky Lynch and stomped on her. Logan launched Sasha Banks across the ring and followed it up with a big headbutt. Logan then beatdown Becky in the corner.

#4. Mandy Rose was the fourth entrant in the rumble. Rose went right after Sasha Banks and Corey Graves declared that she was his pick to win the match.

#5. Lita was the fifth entrant of the rumble and the crowd went crazy. Lita, Sasha and Becky had a staredown in the ring. Becky and Sasha teamed up on Lita but she fought them off. Mandy attacked Lita from behind but Lita once again battled back. Mandy Rose booted Lita in the face from the ring apron and took a second to pose. Lita then booted Mandy off the apron and she was eliminated.

#6. Kairi Sane was the sixth entrant in the women’s Royal Rumble. The Mae Young Classic winner knocked Becky and Sasha to the canvas. Sane geared up in the corner and sprinted across the ring and elbowed Lita in the face. Sane leaped off the top rope and leaped onto Sarah Logan. Sane connected with a Neckbreaker to Banks and then climbed to the top and hit her awesome finisher Elbow Drop.

#7. Tamina came down to the ring as the seventh entrant and walked into a DDT from Lita. Lita then hit a Twist of Fate to Sasha Banks and then another one to Becky Lynch. Lita climbed to the top and Moonsaulted onto both Banks and Lynch. Tamina missed with a kick as the crowd chanted “you still got it!” at Lita. Lita then eliminated Tamina but Becky Lynch came up from behind and eliminated Lita.

#8. Dana Brooke came down to the ring as the number 8 entrant. Dana got in some offense and then eliminated Kairi Sane to the shock of the crowd.

#9. Torrie Wilson was the ninth entrant in the rumble and got a great reaction from the crowd. Torrie slammed Dana face first into the mat and Clotheslined Banks. Sarah Logan connected with a massive Dropkick to Torrie and then booted Dana in the face. Torrie then eliminated Dana Brooke.

#10. Sonya Deville was the number 10 entrant in the Royal Rumble match. Deville went right after Banks and beat her down in the corner. Sonya kneed Logan in the midsection and then attacked Torrie Wilson. Deville eliminated Torrie and the crowd booed. Becky attacked Deville from behind.

#11. Liv Morgan was the eleventh entrant in the women’s Royal Rumble. Liv went after Banks and slammed her face first into the mat a couple of times. Morgan and Logan tried to eliminate Sasha but she hung on to the ropes.

#12. Molly Holly made her way down to the ring as number twelve and the crowd gave her a great reaction. Molly eliminated Sarah Logan quickly and then booted Banks in the face. Molly climbed to the top rope and flipped onto Sasha Banks.

#13. Lana was the thirteenth entrant in the rumble. The crowd greeted her with Rusev Day chants. Deville and Liv Morgan teamed up to beatdown Lana. Lana connected with a slap to Deville and then tackled Liv Morgan.

#14. Michelle McCool was the fourteenth entrant in the rumble. Michelle booted Lana and then knocked Morgan to the canvas. Michelle perched Deville up on the top rope and then eliminated her. McCool then eliminated Liv Morgan but Molly Holly attacked her from behind. McCool then eliminated Molly Holly. Lana attacked McCool from behind but Michelle wound up eliminating her with ease. McCool eliminated four Superstars with ease.

#15. Ruby Riott was number fifteen and she was also almost eliminated by Michelle McCool. Sasha Banks dragged Michelle to the ring apron but didn’t eliminate her.

#16. Vickie Guerrero was number sixteen and came down to the entrance ramp while shouting “excuse me!”. Vickie got into the ring and continued shouting “excuse me!” on the microphone. Vickie said that when she speaks, all of them must listen. Everyone started staring at Vickie and Vickie tried to run away. They all teamed up to throw Vickie out of the ring to eliminate her.

#17. Carmella was number seventeen and came down to the ring with her briefcase. Vickie grabbed the briefcase and struck Carmella with it before making her way to the back.

#18. Natalya was the eighteenth entrant in the women’s Royal Rumble match. Natalya dropped her jacket on Carmella. Carmella got back up and knocked Natalya to the floor outside the ring. Carmella finally was able to get into the ring and booted Riott in the face. Carmella drove Becky to the corner but Becky battled out and connected with a Suplex.

#19. Kelly Kelly was number nineteen in the women’s Royal Rumble. Natalya tried to eliminate Kelly Kelly but she held onto the ropes. Kelly Kelly and Michelle McCool battled in the ring. Kelly Kelly took McCool down with Headscissors and then Natalya eliminated McCool.

#20. Naomi was number twenty and came down to the ring and hit the Rear View to Kelly Kelly. Naomi then booted Sasha in the face. Becky hit a Dropkick to Naomi off the top rope. Becky then Suplexed Natalya and Carmella. Ruby Riot then eliminated Beckly Lynch from the rumble.

#21. Jacqueline was number twenty-one and got a great reaction from the crowd. Jacqueline leveled Carmella with a Clothesline and then delivered another one to Ruby Riott. Jacqueline and Natalya teamed up and tried to eliminate Kelly Kelly but she held onto the ropes.

#22. Nia Jax was number twenty-two and eliminated Jacqueline and Kelly Kelly right away. Nia then lifted Ruby above her shoulders and dropped her across the top rope. Jax shoved Riott and Ruby was eliminated. Nia knocked Naomi to the ring apron and shoved her onto the recently eliminated Superstars. Naomi hopped onto the barricade and wasn’t eliminated.

#23. NXT Women’s Champion Ember Moon was number twenty-three. Moon had her arm bandaged up from her battle with Shayna Baszler last night at TakeOver. Nia threw Ember across the ring as Naomi walked on the barricade. Naomi hopped onto a chair and started crawling with her hands to the steel steps. Naomi hopped onto the steps and climbed to the top rope. Naomi went for a Crossbody but Nia caught her and threw Naomi out of the ring to eliminate her.

#24. Beth Phoenix was number twenty four and the crowd greeted her with “this is awesome!” chants. Beth tried to lift up Nia but couldn’t do it. Beth then lifted her onto her shoulders but Nia broke free. Natalya got back into the ring and teamed up with Beth to attack Nia. The two knocked Nia through the second rope and out of the ring. Beth and Natalya shared a hug in the ring. Natalya then punched Beth in the face and threw her over the top rope to eliminate her. Carmella attacked Natalya from behind.

#25. Asuka was number twenty-five. Ember Moon confronted her as the crowd chanted “NXT!”. Moon delivered a one-armed Eclipse to Asuka. Asuka then quickly eliminated Ember Moon and attacked Carmella in the corner.

#26Mickie James was number twenty-six in the women’s Royal Rumble. Mickie connected with a Neckbreaker to Banks. Mickie connected with another Neckbreaker to Natalya. Asuka tried to eliminate Carmella but Carmella held onto the ropes.

#27. Nikki Bella was number twenty-seven and came to the ring to a great reaction. She battled with Carmella for a bit and then eliminated her. Asuka attacked Nikki from behind and Sasha joined in.

#28. Brie Bella was number twenty-eight and came down to the ring to an awesome reaction. The crowd chanted “yes!” as Brie and Nikki teamed up.

#29. Bayley entered the women’s Royal Rumble match at number twenty-nine. Bayley got in some offense but Asuka attacked her from behind and knocked her to the mat.

#30. The final entrant to the women’s Royal Rumble was Trish Stratus. Trish knocked Bayley, Asuka and Sasha Banks to the mat.

Stratus connected with a double Stratusfaction to the Bella twins. Trish and Mickie then had a stare down int he ring as the crowd chanted “yes!”.

Trish Stratus eliminated Mickie James but Nia Jax got into the ring and leveled her with a shoulder tackle. Everyone teamed up and attacked Nia. Jax fought them off for a bit but eventually the rest of the Superstars were able to eliminate her.

Sasha Banks eliminated her best friend Bayley and had a smile on her face in the ring. Natalya knocked Stratus to the canvas and locked in the Sharpshooter. Stratus was able to break the hold but the damage was done. Stratus knocked Natalya to the apron and then booted her in the face and Natalya fell to the floor and was eliminated.

Banks and Stratus started taunting Sasha. Trish went for a Stratusfaction but Banks caught her and eliminated her. Banks turned around and Asuka was waiting for her. The crowd chanted “Asuka is gonna kill you!” as the two stared at each other. Banks knocked Asuka to the mat and the Bella twins started stomping on Asuka.

Banks connected with a running knee to Asuka and Brie & Nikki beat her down in the corner some more. Sasha went for Double Knees on Asuka but the Bella twins caught her and threw her out of the ring to eliminate her. Banks lasted around 55 minutes in the match.

Brie and Nikki tried to eliminate Asuka but she fought them off. Asuka then delivered kicks to them both as the crowd chanted “yes!”. Asuka threw Brie to the ring apron. Nikki leveled Asuka with a shoulder tackle. Nikki slammed Asuka to the mat and then punched Brie off the ring apron to eliminate her.

Asuka shouldered Nikki in the midsection and then climbed to the top rope. Asuka connected with a Dropkick that knocked Nikki to the mat.

Nikki connected with a kick off the second rope and both Superstars fell to the mat. Nikki lifted Asuka up onto her shoulders and threw her onto the ring apron. Nikki connected with a punch but Asuka held onto the ropes. Nikki charged at Asuka but Asuka caught her and used her leg strength to drag Nikki over the top rope and to the apron. Nikki punched Asuka in the face and Asuka fell to the mat. Asuka then booted Nikki’s legs out from under her and Nikki fell to the floor and was eliminated. Asuka won the first ever women’s Royal Rumble.

Asuka pointed at the WrestleMania sign as Charlotte and Alexa Bliss got in the ring. Charlotte and Alexa raised their titles as Asuka stared at them.

Ronda Rousey came down to the entrance ramp to a great reaction from the crowd.

Rousey got into the ring and pointed at the WrestleMania sign as the crowd chanted “holy sh**!”. Rousey tried to shake Asuka’s hand but Asuka slapped it away.

Rousey then exited the ring and shook hands with Stephanie McMahon outside the ring. Rousey waved to the crowd and walked up to the entrance ramp. It was then announced on social media that Ronda Rousey has signed a full-time contract with WWE.

Well, that was awesome. I’m pumped to see Ronda Rousey in WWE and I’m also glad Asuka won the first women’s Royal Rumble. The two Royal Rumble matches were great and overall the PPV was very entertaining.

Men’s Royal Rumble 2018: Full List Of Entrants & Eliminations

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Order Of Entry:

  1. Rusev
  2. Finn Bálor
  3. Rhyno
  4. Baron Corbin
  5. Heath Slater
  6. Elias
  7. Andrade Almas
  8. Bray Wyatt
  9. Big E
  10. Sami Zayn (stealing Tye Dillinger’s spot after Owens & Zayn attacked him backstage)
  11. Sheamus
  12. Xavier Woods
  13. Apollo Crews
  14. Shinsuke Nakamura
  15. Cesaro
  16. Kofi Kingston
  17. Jinder Mahal
  18. Seth Rollins
  19. Matt Hardy
  20. John Cena
  21. The Hurricane
  22. Aiden English
  23. Adam Cole
  24. Randy Orton
  25. Titus O’Neil
  26. The Miz
  27. Rey Mysterio
  28. Roman Reigns
  29. Goldust
  30. Dolph Ziggler

Order Of Elimination:

  1. Rhyno by Baron Corbin
  2. Baron Corbin by Finn Bálor
  3. Sheamus by Heath Slater
  4. Heath Slater by Bray Wyatt
  5. Sami Zayn by Shinsuke Nakamura
  6. Apollo Crews by Cesaro
  7. Xavier Woods by Jinder Mahal
  8. Big E by Jinder Mahal
  9. Cesaro by Seth Rollins
  10. Jinder Mahal by Kofi Kingston
  11. Kofi Kingston by Andrade Almas
  12. Rusev by Matt Hardy & Bray Wyatt
  13. Bray Wyatt by Matt Hardy
  14. Matt Hardy by Bray Wyatt
  15. Elias by John Cena
  16. The Hurricane by John Cena
  17. Aiden English by Finn Bálor
  18. Andrade Almas by Randy Orton
  19. Adam Cole by Rey Mysterio
  20. Titus O’Neil by Roman Reigns
  21. The Miz by Roman Reigns & Seth Rollins
  22. Seth Rollins by Roman Reigns
  23. Goldust by Dolph Ziggler
  24. Dolph Ziggler by Finn Bálor
  25. Randy Orton by Roman Reigns
  26. Rey Mysterio by Finn Bálor
  27. Finn Bálor by John Cena
  28. John Cena by Shinsuke Nakamura
  29. Roman Reigns by Shinsuke Nakamura

Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura 

After the match, Nakamura announced that he will challenge AJ Styles for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 34.

Superstar Pulled From Women’s Royal Rumble Match Due To Injury

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RAW General Manager Kurt Angle announced on Sunday night that Alicia Fox has been pulled from tonight’s historic Women’s Royal Rumble match due to injury.

With Alicia Fox no longer cleared to compete, only 17 out of the 30 participants have been confirmed for the Women’s Rumble.

The nature of her injury has been been revealed, but Angle stated that Fox’s condition will prevent her from competing in Mixed Match Challenge as well. As a result, Goldust will select a new partner.

What’s strange is that Alicia Fox has been active on social media all weekend and expressing excitement for the Women’s Rumble. On Saturday, Alicia Fox posted a photo on Instagram with a caption stating that she was “#Royalrumble ready.”  On Sunday morning, just hours before Angle’s announcement about her injury, she posted another photo on Instagram after getting her makeup done backstage for tonight’s PPV.

Alicia Fox has since confirmed the news with the following message:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BegwU5kn6tM/

WWE Royal Rumble 2018 Results

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WWE’s Royal Rumble 2018 took place at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA.

Royal Rumble kickoff show:

– Renee Young, Peter Rosenberg, Jerry Lawler and Dave Otunga welcome us to the kickoff show and run down tonight’s card. Alexa Bliss comes out to briefly replace Otunga and talk about how excited she is for tonight.

– Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn are backstage getting ready for a “social media lounge” interview later in the kickoff show.

– Sam Roberts is outside with some fans who are waiting in line to get in the arena.

– Jason Jordan approaches Seth Rollins backstage and tells him it’s an honor to be his partner, and tries to get Rollins pumped up for their match tonight. Jordan says his dad didn’t just throw them together for no reason, he knew they’d be great. Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin walk in and tease Jordan, but they embrace and catch up. Jordan and Shelton meet, and Shelton tells him a bit about his history with Angle. They trade some chirps and there seems to be some tension between them as Jordan walks off.

– The crowd is coming in the still-mostly-empty Wells Fargo Arena, and a six-man cruiserweight tag match is up first to start things off.

– We see a video package looking back at Hacksaw Jim Duggan’s Royal Rumble win.

Kalisto, Lince Dorado and Gran Metalik vs. TJP, Jack Gallagher and Drew Gulak: The crowd is still being seated here, but the ones who are seated seem to be reacting to the match. Dorado fires up early on and hits a series of moves on TJP, finishing with a standing moonsault for a two count. The babyfaces stay in control as Dorado dumps both TJP and Gulak outside. Kalisto, Dorado and Metalik all go up to the top rope, and they all moonsault at the same time onto different heels standing at ringside. Back in the ring, TJP gets the upper hand on Dorado when he dropkicks him out of mid-air. Gulak comes in and takes Dorado into the corner where he stomps on him. Gallagher hits a cheap shot behind the ref’s back as Gulak clears the babyface apron. Gallagher comes in now and works on keeping Dorado grounded. Gallagher starts working over Dorado’s knee until Gulak tags back in. TJP tags in shortly after and continues working on Dorado’s knee. Dorado comes back with a sunset flip powerbomb for a two count. TJP gets back up and dumps Dorado into the corner. Gallagher tags in for more knee holds on Dorado. Gallagher goes up to the middle rope, but Gulak starts yelling at him not to fly. Gulak misses the headbutt and Dorado gets the tag to Metalik. Metalik springboards in and hits an arm drag and then a chop on Gulak. Metalik leaps up onto the middle rope then hits a dropkick on Gulak. Back up to the top rope, Metalik walks the rope and hits a flying elbow on Gulak. Kalisto gets the tag and kicks both Gallagher and Gulak, then springboards off the ropes and hits a stunner on both of them. The heels fall outside and Metalik hits a suicide dive on them. He throws Gulak back in the ring where Kalisto covers for a 2 count. TJP tags himself in, but Kalisto quickly hits the Salida Del Sol for the three count.

Winners: Kalisto, Lince Dorado and Gran Metalik

– Sami and Owens are backstage fielding questions in the social media lounge.

– Charlotte briefly joins the pre-show panel to discuss the Rumble tonight.

The Revival vs. Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson: Anderson and Dash start off, and they fight into the Revival corner where Dawson tags in an takes over. Anderson fires up with a dropkick, then tags in Gallows for a double team backdrop. Dawson rolls outside for a breather. Back in the ring, Dash tags in and hits a cheap shot to the eyes of Gallows. Dash unloads in the corner but Gallows fights out and fires back with body shots of his own. Gallows cleans house and both Revival members tag a breather at ringside. Back in the ring, Anderson is in and Dawson gets the upper hand on him. Dash tags in and starts working over Anderson’s knee. Anderson finally comes back with a spinebuster for a two count. Dawson takes out Gallows at ringside, then he slides in the ring and The Revival double teams Anderson for the win.

Winners: The Revival

– JBL and Alundra Blayze join the pre-show panel. JBL and Blayze have some banter and Blayze tells him to shut it, then makes fun of his shoes. We see Anderson limping up the ramp behind them selling the knee injury.

– Bobby Roode comes out to defend his U.S. Title, and cuts a promo about being the solve survivor in the U.S. Title tournament. He asks who his mystery opponent will be tonight, then looks to the stage.

U.S. Title Match: Bobby Roode (c) vs. Mojo Rawley: Mojo runs down for the surprise entrance and takes control early on. Mojo overpowers Roode and drops him, and works on keeping Roode grounded. Roode fights his way back up and goes for the Glorious DDT early on, but Mojo escapes and hits a spinebuster on Roode. Mojo taunts Roode and slaps him upside the head a couple of times. The fight spills outside and Mojo whips Roode into the barrier before taking him back inside. Back in the ring, Mojo charges at the corner but Roode blocks with an elbow to the face. Roode keeps the momentum going with some strikes and a neckbreaker. Roode follows up with a Blockbuster for a two count. Roode goes for the Glorious DDT, but Mojo escapes once again and drops Roode. Mojo talks trash to Roode, and Roode hulks up and hits a spinebuster for a two count. Mojo hits a backdrop and throws Roode into the ring post. Mojo charges, but Roode blocks it and hits a variation of the DDT out of the corner for the win.

Winner & still U.S. Champion: Bobby Roode

– Ric Flair joins the pre-show panel now where he discusses Charlotte, NXT, and his match against MVP at the Royal Rumble before.

WWE Royal Rumble 2018:

– We see an opening video focusing on the Strowman/Kane/Lesnar feud, and shows us some previous WrestleMania footage to highlight the “road to WrestleMania.”

– Tom Phillips welcomes us to the arena, he’s joined by Byron Saxton and Corey Graves. The WWE Championship match is up first!

WWE Championship: AJ Styles (c) vs. Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn: This one is under handicap match rules. Owens and Zayn trade frequent tags and try to get in AJ’s head before even touching. AJ finally gets a hold of Owens and drops him. Owens rolls outside, runs around the ring, slides back in, and tags in Zayn. Zayn and AJ lock up, then they run the ropes and AJ plants him with a dropkick. Owens comes back in and finally starts to get in some offense on AJ. He takes AJ into the corner and tags in Zayn, who stomps a mud hole in AJ in the corner. Owens briefly takes AJ outside and whips him into the barricade, then back in the ring Zayn continues to work on AJ. AJ starts to fire up and Owens tags back in. AJ gets a shot on Owens, then leaps up to the top rope, but Owens catches him and hits an electric chair drop for a two count. Owens goes for a cannonball on AJ in the corner, but AJ rolls out of the ring and Owens crashes. Zayn tags in and looks for a tornado DDT, but AJ gets out and hits him with right hands. AJ climbs up and hits a Frankensteiner on Zayn off the top. Owens tags back in and AJ drops him with a Pele kick. Both men are down. Zayn gets the tag and charges, but AJ catches him with a boot to the face. AJ goes up top and hits the moonsault inverted DDT. Owens comes in but AJ hits an elbow to the face. AJ drops Zayn, then puts Owens in the Calf Crusher. Zayn breaks it up. Zayn picks up AJ, but AJ drops him with a series of strikes. Owens rolls up AJ from behind for two. Owens charges, but AJ dodges and Owens crashes into the ring post. Zayn comes back in and hits the Blue Thunder Bomb for a two count. Zayn takes AJ in the corner and slaps him across the face. Zayn takes AJ up top, but AJ slides out and drops Zayn. AJ hits the Phenoenal Forearm on Zayn, but Owens breaks up the pin. Zayn and AJ trade strikes in the middle of the ring, and Zayn tries to get the tag but AJ throws him outside. Owens runs in and superkicks AJ behind the ref’s back. The ref turns around and sees AJ and Owens fighting, but doesn’t seem to throw Owens out. AJ reverses a Pop Up Powerbomb into a pin, and rolls up Owens for the three count. AJ is declared the winner, even though Owens didn’t appear to be the legal man.

Winner & still WWE Champion: AJ Styles

– We go backstage where Zayn and Owens immediately confront Shane McMahon about the finish of their match. They repeatedly ask Shane if he saw what just happened. Shane says “yep,” and walks off.

SmackDown Tag Titles: The Usos (c) vs. Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin: This one is a best-two-of-three falls match. Benjamin and Gable take control of Jimmy early on using frequent tags. They work over Jimmy’s knee despite his efforts to kick them off. Jimmy finally comes back with an enziguri on Benjamin, and both men are down. Jey unloads with strikes on Benjamin, then knocks Gable off the apron. He throws Benjamin outside and follows up with a suicide dive. Jey runs back in the ring and runs through the ring for a suicide dive on Gable on the other side of the ring. Back in the ring, Jey hits a flying cross body on Gable for a two count. Benjamin hits a knee through the ropes, and Gable comes back with a suplex with a bridge for a two count. Benjamin tags in now. Gable hits a missile dropkick on Jimmy, then Benjamin powerbombs Jey into Jimmy in the corner. They send the Usos outside, then Gable hits a moonsault off the top onto the Champions at ringside. Back in the ring, there seems to be some confusion over which Uso is the legal match, which leads to Gable taking a superkick. Jimmy hits a splash off the top for a two count. A blind tag leads to The Usos scoring the first pinfall on Gable via a rollup. Benjamin and Gable come back with a double team powerbomb onto Jey Uso at ringside, and Uso’s head hits the ringisde floor hard. Back in the ring, Gable hits a kick to Jimmy and drops him. Benjamin comes in and looks for a suplex on Jimmy, but Jimmy reverses into a roll-up pin for the quick three count. That’s two falls for the Champions, and The Usos run up the ramp and Gable and Benjamin are shocked at the Usos stealing the win. The Usos are given their Tag Title belts, and Gable and Benjamin look on in disbelief.

Winners & still Tag Champs: The Usos

– Jerry “The King” Lawler comes out to join the commentary team for the Royal Rumble match up next. Aiden English comes out first to the stage and gets a big Rusev Day chant. English introduces Rusev, who will be #1.

Royal Rumble match:

Finn Balor is in at #2, and the Rumble has officially begun. Rusev overpowers Balor early on and slams him down with a hip toss. Rusev tries to throw Balor outside, but Balor escapes. Rhyno comes in at #3 and he hits the ring and drops Rusev immediately. Rhyno goes to throw Balor outside, but Rusev hits Rhyno from behind. Rusev hits a spinning heel kick on Rhyno, then turns his attention to Balor. Baron Corbin comes in at #4. Corbin rights into in the ring and starts laying people out. Corbin hits the Deep Six on Rhyno and throws him out. Balor runs up behind Corbin and throws him over the top. Rhyno and Corbin have been eliminated. Corbin is not happy, and he pulls Corbin outside and whips him into the barricade. Corbin pulls Rusev out and hits the Deep Six on him on the floor. Heath Slater enters at #5, but Corbin clotheslines him down on the ramp. Referees and trainers finally haul Corbin backstage. Corbin and Rusev are still in the match, but they’re recovering from the beating at ringside. Elias enters at #6, and he comes in with his guitar and cuts a promo on the headset. Elias kicks Slater down on the way to the ring. Elias gets in the ring by himself and says the clock is stopped so he can sing a song. He starts singing a song trashing Philadelphia, but the clock counts down and NXT Champion Andrade Almas comes out at #7. He hits Slater on the way to the ring, then slides in and starts brawling with Elias. He drops Elias with an elbow, then hits the running knees in the corner. He goes for the hammerlock DDT, but Elias gets out and clotheslines him down.

Bray Wyatt comes in at #8 and starts dropping people in the ring. He uppercuts Almas down then chokes him on the ropes. Rusev tries to come back in the ring (he’s not eliminated), but Wyatt keeps punching him down. Big E enters at #9, and before getting in the ring he picks up Slater and shoves pancakes in his mouth. Big E hits the ring and hits a belly to belly on Wyatt. Rusev drops Big E with a kick to the head. Tye Dillinger’s music hits for #1, but he doesn’t come out. We see backstage that Owens and Zayn are beating down Tye. Zayn says he has an idea, and runs off. Zayn comes down to the ring, and hits Slater from behind. Sami hits the ring, but it doesn’t seem he’s an official entrant. The announcers now seem to indicate Zayn really is part of the Rumble. Sheamus is in at #11, and he throws Slater in the ring on his way in. As soon as Sheamus gets in the ring, Slater immediately clotheslines him outside. Sheamus is shocked at ringside as Slater celebrates in the ring. Slater turns around into a Sister Abigail from Bray, then Bray throws him outside for the elimination. Xavier Woods is out at #12. Woods hits the ring and starts brawling with Bray, then he links up with Big E to double team Sami Zayn. The New Day members also double team Elias, then they start brawling with Rusev.

Apollo Crews is in next at #13, then Nakamura is in at #14. Nakamura goes right for Zayn and drops him with a kick, then he drops Rusev with an elbow to the face. Nakamura and Crews start going at it now. Nakamur turns his attention back to Zayn, and hits the knee in the corner then eliminates him. Cesaro is in at #15 and he hits the ring and immediately starts handing out European uppercuts. Kofi comes in at #16. Cesaro eliminates Crews with a European uppercut on the apron. Jinder Mahal is in at #17 and he starts giving out suplexes and knee drops. Woods charges at Jinder in the corner, and Jinder back body drops Woods to the outside for the elimination. Jinder and Big E brawl out to the apron, and Jinder hits a big boot on Big E. Big E falls down to the floor for the elimination, and Jinder climbs back through the ropes. Seth Rollins is in next at #18. Rollins comes in with flame print pants and starts dropping people in the ring. Rollins monkey flips Cesaro to the outside. Jinder throws Kofi outside next, but Kofi’s foot lands on Woods’ body, so he’s not eliminated. Big E puts a plate of pancakes under Kofi’s foot next, so since both feet didn’t hit the ground, Kofi isn’t eliminated. Kofi tries to get back in the ring, but Jinder blocks his path. Big E and Woods launch Kofi into the ring over Jinder’s head in a cool acrobatic move. Kofi hits the Trouble In Paradise on Jinder for the elimination, then Big E and Woods throw pancakes at Jinder at ringside. Kofi gets thrown out next for the elimination, then Matt Hardy comes out at #19. Matt and Bray seem to temporarily work together, and they eliminate Rusev. Matt hits the Side Effect on Almas next, then Matt and Bray come face to face. Matt and Bray start pummeling each other with right hands, then they brawl over the top rope and eliminate themselves from the match.

John Cena is in at #20. He hits the ring and everyone immediately starts beating on him and stomping on him. Elias grabs Cena and goes for his finisher, but Cena escapes and eliminates him. The #21st entrant is Hurricane Helms. Helms hits the ring and poses next to Cena. Helms goes for the chokeslam on Cena, but Cena escapes and throws Helms outside. Aiden English is in at #22, and he gets a Rusev Day chant. Adam Cole is in next at #23. Balor throws English outside for the elimination. Randy Orton is in at #24 and he hits the RKO on Almas, then eliminates him. Titus is in at #25 and he starts brawling with Cena. Titus tries to eliminate Adam Cole, but Nakamura kicks titus from behind. Titus fires back with a chop to the chest of Nakamura. The Miz is out next at #26, with Axel and Dallas by his side. Miz hits a DDT on Rollins, then one on Cena. Miz does the Yes Kicks, but misses one and Cena grabs him. Cena goes for the AA, but Miz escapes and hits the Skull Crushing Finale on Cena. Rollins hits a superkick on Miz and drops him.

Rey Mysterio comes in at #27 and immediately hits a hurricanrana on Balor. Rey starts dropping people and hitting kicks. Rey eliminates Adam Cole, then hits the West Coast Pop on Miz. Rey then hits the 619 on Miz. Roman Reigns is out at #28. Reigns starts dropping everyone who comes near him with uppercuts. Miz charges at Reigns but Reigns drops him with a series of clotheslines. Reigns then hits a series of clotheslines on The Miz in the corner, then eliminates Titus. Reigns tries to eliminate Miz next, but Dallas and Axel hit the apron and save him. Reigns superman punches Axel and Dallas off the apron. Rollins drops Miz then hits the curb stomp on him. Rollins and Reigns team up for the double powerbomb on Miz, and they powerbomb him onto Axel and Dallas at ringside. Reigns then immediately throws Rollins outside for the elimination. Goldust is in at #29 at immediately starts brawling with Orton. Goldust turns his attention to Cena and drops him with an uppercut. Entrant #30 is Dolph Ziggler.

Ziggler hits a superkick on Cena (which visibly missed by maybe a foot) and then tries to eliminated him. Ziggler superkicks Orton, then Goldust grabs Orton with a spinning powerslam. Ziggler comes back with a superkick on Goldust, then eliminates him. Nakamura and Zigler start brawling by the apron, and Balor hits a running forearm on Ziggler for the elimination. Cena hits an AA on Balor, then Rey hits a 619 on Reigns. Nakamura misses a kick on Orton, and Orton drops him with an RKO. Orton goes for an RKO on Cena, but Cena escapes it. Reigns hits a superman punch on Orton and eliminates him. Rey hits a dropkick on both Cena and Reigns, then hits a double 619 on them. Balor comes up from behind and throws Rey to the outside. It’s down to Cena, Reigns, Balor and Nakamura.

Reigns and Cena drop Balor and Nakamura, then Reigns and Cena come face to face. Nakamura and Balor fire up and start beating on Cena and Reigns. Now Balor and Nakamura come face to face. Nakamura hits the running knee on Balor, but Balor fires back with a flying kick. Balor drops Nakamura with a running elbow to the face, but Nakamura answers with a kick to the face. Balor and Nakamura go back and forth, until Cena and Reigns get up and clothesline them down. Cena and Reigns start trading punches, then Reigns drops him with a Samoan Drop. Cena hulks up and suplexes Reigns. Cena goes for the Five Knuckle Shuffle, but Balor interrupts with a sling blade. Balor also drops Reigns and Nakamura. Balor sets up Nakamura in the corner, but NAkamura stops him with a boot to the face. Nakamura charges at Balor, but Balor stops him with a double foot stomp and he appears to land on Nakamura’s throat. Cena immediately throws Balor outside for the elimination. Cena and Reigns start double teaming NAkamura now, then Cena turns his attention to Reigns. Cena hits the suplex and goes for the Fuve Knuckle Shuffle, and he hits it. Reigns hits the superman punch on Cena, then goes for the spear, but Cena reverses into the AA. Nakamura comes up behind Cena and goes for a suplex, but Cena gets out. Cena tries to eliminate Nakamura, but Nakamura puts Cena out to the apron. They fight near the apron, then Nakamura hits a running kneed to the face of Cena to eliminate him. It’s down to Reigns and Nakamura.

Reigns and Nakamura start brawling in the middle of the ring until Reigns drops him with a superman punch. Reigns throws Nakamura out to the apron, then Nakamura kicks Reigns in the head from the apron. Nakamura puts Reigns in a triangle choke over the top rope, but Reigns reverses into a powerbomb in the ring. Reigns goes for the spear, but Nakamura blocks with a knee. Nakamura hits a kick, then a flying knee off the middle rope. Nakamura goes for the Kinshasa, but Reigns stops him with a spear. Reigns is slow to get up, then he goes to eliminate Nakamura but fails. Nakamura ducks a shot and runs the ropes, and hits the Kinshasa on Reigns. Nakamura throws Reigns outside for the elimination, and Nakamura has won.

Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura

– After the match, Renee Young gets in the ring and asks Nakamura now that he’s won the Rumble, which champion does he want to face at WrestleMania: Brock Lesnar or AJ Styles. Nakamura answers AJ Styles, then poses on the corner and points to the WrestleMania.

– Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon are backstage celebrating Nakamura’s win, while Stephanie McMahon and Kurt Angle look disappointed. They trade some banter, and Stephanie says this is all about making history tonight, and she thinks everyone will be pleasantly surprised.

– We see a new KFC commercial featuring Ric Flair dressed as the Colonel.

RAW Tag Team Titles: Seth Rollins & Jason Jordan (c) vs. The Bar: Sheamus and Cesaro get in control of this one early on and they take turns beating on Rollins in the opening moments. Rollins comes back with a kick to the head of Sheamus. Rollins looks for the tag, but Cesaro pulls Jordan off the apron and throws him into the ring post. Sheamus misses a kick on Rollins in the ring and sheamus falls outside. Rollins follows up with a suicide dive on Sheamus and Cesaro. Sheamus turns it around on Rollins at ringside, then takes him in the ring where he and Cesaro double team him. Jordan is still down at ringside, and now at trainer is down checking on his head after taking a shot to the ring post. Jordan waves off the trainer as Cesaro works over Rollins in the ring. Sheamus and Cesaro go for a double team powerbomb on Rollins, but Rollins reverses and sends the challengers out to ringside. Rollins wants the tag, but Jordan is still at ringside selling the blow to his head. Cesaro charges at Rollins but Rollins lays into him with strikes. Rollins hits the sling blade and the blockbuster on Cesaro, then hits a running forearm shot. Rollins hits a suplex, then goes for the Falcon Arrow but Cesaro escapes. Rollins goes for it again and does connect this time. Rollins hits a superkick and covers, but Sheamus breaks it up. Sheamus takes Rollins up top and looks for the White Noise, but Rollins elbows him away. Rollins also knocks down Cesaro, then he hits a frogsplash off the top onto both of them. Jordan finally tags himself in, but as soon as he steps in the ring he starts really selling the head injury, then he tags Rollins back in. Rollins is exhausted, but he gets in the ring while Jordan sits on the ring steps selling a concussion. Rollins hits Cesaro, but then Sheamus boots him in the face. The Bar follows up with the double white Noise for the win.

Winners & new RAW Tag Team Champions: The Bar

– We see a promo video for the Universal Championship, and that’s up next.

WWE Universal Championship: Brock Lesnar (c) vs. Braun Strowman vs. Kane: Paul Heyman grabs the mic away from Jojo during the introductions to do Brock’s intro. Lesnar immediately backs Kane into the corner off the opening bell, but then Strowman grabs him and rams Lesnar in the corner. Strowman bats Kane away, then hits a running dropkick on Lesnar. Strowman hits a stiff knee to Lesnar’s head, and Lesnar gives him a receipt in the form of a very stiff punch to the side of the head. Kane and Lesnar start going at it, and Lesnar goes outside. Strowman drops Kane, then Lesnar comes in and nails Strowman with a chair. Strowman comes back and punches the chair into LEsnar’s face. Strowman throws Lesnar outside, then drops Kane. Strowman gets some tables and throws them in the ring. Kane gets up and grabs Strowman by the throat, but Strowman comes back and hits a chokeslam of his own. Lesnar runs in the ring and hits a German suplex on Braun. Lesnar follows up with a series of Germans. Strowman gets up and shakes it off and comes right back with a running powerslam on Lesnar through a table. Strowman goes for one on Kane, but Kane escapes and pushes Strowman through the table. Kane follows up with a chokeslam on Strowman and pins, but Lesnar breaks it up. Lesnar decks Kane and pins, but Strowman breaks it up with a German suplex off the ground on Lesnar. The fight spills outside and Lesnar hits an F5 on Strowman through an announce table. Lesnar then flips the other announce table on top of Strowman. Kane runs up and goes for a chokeslam on Lesnar, but Lesnar gets out and hits an F-5 on Kane onto the announce table. The announce table doens’t break at first, but the tablet he landed on did. The table breaks a couple seconds after Kane lands on it. Strowman now gets up from the other table wreckage and he drops Lesnar into the ring steps. Lesnar takes BRock in the ring and hits a running powerslam on him, but he doesn’t pin. He hits another one on Lesnar, then gets up again. Before Strowman can hit it again, Kane hits Strowman repeatedly with a steel chair. Strowman falls outside, then Lesnar decks Kane. Strowman gets on the apron, but Lesnar knocks him off then hits the F-5 on Kane onto a steel chair. Lesnar pins Kane for the three count.

Winner & still Universal Champion: Brock Lesnar

– We see a trailer for the new Andre The Giant special on HBO in April. Back at ringside, the announce tables are being cleaned up while Michael Cole says he wonders what Andre would have thought of that match.

– We see a promo video featuring Stephanie McMahon’s women’s Royal Rumble announcement. That match is up next.

Women’s Royal Rumble match:

Jojo does the rules for the match, then she hands the mic to Maria Menounos who introduces Stephanie McMahon. Maria also talks about how these women deserve this match and how proud of them she is. Alexa Bliss and Charlotte come down to ringside for a closer look. Sasha Banks is #1, and Becky Lynch is #2.

Becky starts off with a headlock on Sasha , then Sasha misses a backstabber attempt. Becky hits some arm drags on Sasha, then they clothesline each other down. #3 is Sarah Logan. Sarah hits the ring and starts trying to throw out Becky. Sasha comes at Sarah, but Sarah drops her with a headbuutt. #4 is Mandy Rose, and she immediately goes after Sasha. Rose tries to eliminate Sasha, but Sasha fights away with elbows to the head. Lita is out next at #5. Sasha and Becky double team Lita, but Lita fights back with kicks and a double clothesline. Rose gets back up and fights with Lita in the corner, then Lita hits a monkey flip on her. Rose gets on the apron and hits a knee on Lita, but then taunts to the crowd and Lita shoves Rose outside for the elimination. Kairi Sane is out next at #6. She hits the ring and hits a double spear on Becky and Sasha. She hits a running forearm on Lita, then a flying forearm off the top on Sarah. She takes down Sasha then hits a neckbreaker. She follows up with a flying elbow on Sasha, then hits one on Becky. Tamina is in next at #7. Tamina hits a superkick on Kairi, then Sasha, then Becky. She hits a forearm shot on Logan, then Lita grabs Tamina and hits a DDT on her. Lita hits a Twist of Fate on Sasha. Lita hits a Twist of Fate on Becky next, then she goes up top. Lita hits a moonsault off the top onto Becky and Sasha at the same time. Tamina hits a kick on Lita, but then Lita throws Tamina outside for the elimination. Becky runs up behind Lita and eliminates her. Dana Brooke is in next #8, and she eliminates Kairi, who falls down onto the ring steps. Torrie Wilson is in at #9 and she hits an X-Factor on Sasha Banks. Torrie takes Dana into the corner and fights with her there, while Becky and Sasha fight in the other corner. Torrie dumps Dana outsie for the elimination, then Sonya Deville comes in at #10.

Sonjya hits the ring and starts hitting knees on Torrie Wilson and Becky. Sonya catches Torrie in the corner and throws her outside for the elimination. Molly Holly is out next at #11 and she starts handing out suplexes. She eliminates Sarah Logan, then hits the Molly Bomb on Sasha. Michelle McCool is out next, and we get an “Undertaker” chant from the crowd. McCool start cleaning house and eliminates Sarah Logan, Molly Holly, Lana, and Liv Morgan. Ruby Riott is out next. Sasha and McCool fight on the apron, but neither fall outside. “Excuse Me,” Vickie Guerrero is out next at #16. Vickie screams in the ring on the mic, and the other girls in the rumble gang up on her an throw her outside.

Carmella is in next at #17, but on the way in, Vickie steals her Money In The Bank briefcase and hits Carmella with it from behind. McCool appears to be going for a Styles Clash on Sasha, but they go for a powerbomb instead. Natalya is out next at #18, but Carmella attacks her at ringside. Carmella finally gets in the ring and starts dropping people with superkicks. Carmella and Becky have an awkward exchange that doesn’t really lead to any move, then Carmella kicks Ruby in the face. Kelly Kelly is in next at #19. Natalya tries to throw Kelly Kelly outside, but it doesn’t happen. Sasha kicks Natalya, then Kelly Kelly hits a very slow hurricanrana on McCool. Naomi is in next at #20. Becky goes up top and hits a missile dropkick shortly after Naomi enters, and Naomi rolls out to ringside for a breather. Becky hits t-bone suplexes on Natalya and Carmella. Ruby comes up behind Becky and eliminates her. Jacqueline is out next at #21.

Jacqueline starts dropping people and then starts working on Kelly Kelly. Nia Jax is in next at #22, and she immediately eliminates Jacqueline and Kelly Kelly. Nia throws Ruby into the turnbuckle, then turns around into a kick from Naomi. Naomi goes for a hurricanrana, but Nia throws her down. Nia dumps Naomi to the apron, then knocks her out to ringside, but Naomi lands on some other women and then sits on the barricade, so her feet never hit the floor. Ember moon is in next at #23. She starts going at it with Nia and hits a springboard kick. Naomi is now walking on the barricade, over to an office chair by the timekeeper area. Naomi uses the chair to get over by the ring steps then climb back in the ring. She comes off the top at Nia, but Nia catches her and throws her outside for the elimination. Beth Phoenix is out next at #24. Beth and Nia start trading punches in the middle of the ring. Nia misses a shot in the corner, and Beth goes for a Samoan drop but can’t get Nia up. Beth finally gets Nia up, but Nia elbows her and gets down. Natalya runs back in and teams up with Beth on Nia. They knock Nia out through the middle ropes, then Beth and Natalya hug. Natalya then slaps Beth and throws her outside for the elimination.

Asuka is in next at #25, and Carmella screams and runs outside when she sees her. Asuka goes at it with Ember Moon then eliminates Moon. Mickie James is out next at #26. Mickie hits a splash off the top on Asuka, then a neckbreaker on Sasha. Mickie and Natalya now go at it in the corner, while Carmella nad Sasha fight in the other corner. Nikki Bella runs in and starts dropping women left and right. She hits a springboard kick on Natalya, then Carmella attacks Nikki from behind and stomps on her in the corner. Carmella hits the bronco buster in the corner on Nikki, then they fight over to the apron. Nikki drops Carmella’s neck across the top rope to eliminate her. Nikki is getting ganged up on in the ring now, and Brie Bella enters at #27 for the save. She drops everyone and starts hitting running knees. The Bellas hit a double suplex on Natalya, then work on eliminating her. Bayley is in nect at #29.

Bayley comes in strong and starts dropping everyone. Asuka finally stops her with a spinning heel kick to the face. #30 is Trish Stratus who is out to the ring next. Trish hits a Thesz Press on Natalya and starts pummeling on her. Trish now turns her attention to the Bellas and start chopping them. Trish then hits a double bulldog on the Bellas. Trish charges Bayley in the corner, but Bayley blocks her with a boot. Trish goes back and hits a hurricanrana off the top on Bayley. Trish and Mickie face off now and start trading blows in the middle of the ring. Mickie goes up top, but Trish kicks her down to the outside for the elimination. Nia runs in and drops Trish with a clothesline, then the other women start ganging up on Nia. Nia fights them off, but Asuka and Trish come back and double team her with kicks. The BElla Twins then both try to pull Nia outside from the apron, then the other women join in and all push Nia outside together. Sasha then grabs Bayley from behind and throws her outside for the surprise elimination.

Natalya looks for a Sharpshooter, but she ends up getting eliminated by Trish. Sasha and Trish now face off, and Trish decks her. Sasha comes back and eliminates Trish, then turns around into Asuka. They start going at it, then Sasha tries to throw her outside in the corner. The Bella Twins come over and they start ganging up on Asuka, but the Bella Twins turn on Sasha and throw her outside. The Bella go to double team Asuka, but Asuka fires back at them with strikes, then hits a series of kicks on each of them. Brie is out on the apron, and Nikki hits an elbow to the face to eliminate her. Brie looks shocked at ringside, and Nikki turns around into a shot from Asuka. Asuka goes up top and hits a missile dropkick on Nikki. Nikki comes back with a springboard kick, and both women are down. They fight out to the apron, and Nikki punches Asuka down on the apron. Nikki walks over to her, but Asuka kicks her leg out from under her, and Nikki falls down to the floor for the elimination.

Winner: Asuka

After the match, SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte, and RAW Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss both get in the ring on either side of Asuka. Before Asuka can pick which Champion she wants to face, Ronda Rousey comes out on the stage to interrupt. Rousey walks down to the ring nd points at the WrestleMania sign, then goes to shake Asuka’s hand. Asuka slaps her hand away, then Rousey points at the sign again.

Ronda Rousey walks over to Stephanie McMahon and shakes her hand, although Stephanie is very hesitant, They shake, and Rousey walks to the back to close the show.

Possible Spoilers On Entrants For Women’s Royal Rumble

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Ahead of tonight’s first-ever Women’s Royal Rumble Match, Nikki and Brie Bella are both backstage at the Royal Rumble event at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, according to PWInsider.

During an episode of Total Divas that aired a few weeks ago (and filmed back in the summer), there was a tease that the twin duo could return to WWE television at this time. There was a scene where Nikki and Brie sat down with WWE Senior Director of Talent Relations Mark Carrano about their future in the company. The result of the conversation was that they would return to WWE for the Royal Rumble and be a part of storylines through WrestleMania 34 in April.

The Bella Twins’ brother JJ was also spotted in Philadelphia, which indicates they’re being filmed for Total Divas as well.

Nikki last wrestled at WrestleMania 33, where she and John Cena beat The Miz and Maryse in a Mixed Tag Team Match. After the match, Cena legitimately proposed to Bella, which she accepted. Two days later, Nikki announced via Instagram that she would be taking time off from wrestling.

Brie last wrestled in April 2016 on the WrestleMania 32 Kickoff, where she pinned Naomi in a 10-Diva Tag Team Match. After giving birth, she has said that she be open to wrestling again.

The Bella Twins were among the female legends honored by WWE last Monday on Raw 25.

Stephanie McMahon Says She Would Love To Wrestle Again, WWE Stars Talk Women’s Royal Rumble Match

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– During an interview at a Make-A-Wish event last Monday at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York City, Stephanie McMahon said she would love to return to the ring.

“I would love to do it,” Stephanie said when asked if she would like to return to the ring. “I think anytime I have the opportunity to be physical in the ring, it’s a privilege for me. So if, you know, the storyline and our audience demands it, then, of course, I’m going to give it to them.”

The Commissioner of Monday Night Raw also discussed tonight’s Royal Rumble event, her match with Brie Bella at SummerSlam 2014, Raw 25, Ronda Rousey and more.

– Natalya, Carmella, and Bayley are guests on the latest edition of Chasing Glory with Lilian Garcia as they discuss the first-ever Women’s Royal Rumble Match. Becky Lynch is also on the show as Lilian Garcia’s co-host. You can listen to the interview on PodcastOne or iTunes.

Former Women’s Champion Won’t Be In The Royal Rumble, Hulk Hogan Remembers Andre The Giant

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– Former WWE Women’s Champion Gail Kim will not compete in tonight’s first-ever Women’s Royal Rumble Match.

In response to fan speculation on Twitter that she could appear as a surprise entrant, Kim replied “Hell no.” She will actually be in Dallas, Texas for a Royal Rumble viewing party.

Kim again said she won’t be in the match after a fan said he hoped to hear her first WWE theme song. She said that song was good, but hated her song during her second run with the company.

Kim also named some female WWE legends she would like to see in the match.

– Saturday marked the 25-year anniversary of the passing of Andre the Giant. On the night of January 27, 1993, he died in his sleep of congestive heart failure in a hotel room in Paris, France. He was in Paris to attend his father’s funeral.

In this post on Instagram, Hulk Hogan remembers his friend.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BeeX6mRAV3y/

Kenny Omega Reacts To Being Attacked By Cody Rhodes

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Earlier today at New Japan Pro Wrestling’s (NJPW) New Beginning Jay White defeated Kenny Omega to become the new IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion. Following the match Adam Page challenged White by taking the title from him, before Omega took it back and handed it to White again. Cody Rhodes then hit the ring, along with more Bullet Club members, and began to argue with “The Cleaner.”

Cody said Omega wasn’t being a leader before hitting Omega with the Cross Rhodes. Page held Omega while Cody got a chair to hit him with. Koto Ibushi then came out for the save and chased everyone off. Ibushi and Omega hugged before heading to the back. Check it out here:

Shortly after everything transpired, Omega took to Twitter to react to everything and teased ‘a new beginning’:

5 Star Wrestling Announce Full Card for First FreeSports Taping (2/1) feat. Rey Mysterio, Jack Swagger, Rob Van Dam and John Morrison

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UK promotion 5 Star Wrestling has announced the full card for their first taping on the FreeSports channel. The company has issued the following press release for the event emanating from Liverpool’s Echo Arena on February 1st:

When we created the 5 Star Wrestling brand, we set ourselves some extremely ambitious targets. We wanted to work with the biggest and best stars from around the world, to put on huge events in front of the largest possible audiences and above all else, we wanted to finally bring LIVE wrestling to prime-time UK television.

It is with great pride that we announce a MULTI-YEAR DEAL to broadcast all future 5 Star Wrestling events LIVE on British TV, 7pm-10pm every Thursday night, starting February 1st LIVE from the Liverpool Echo Arena.

This is set to be a truly historic night featuring the 5 Star debut of the iconic Rob Van Dam!

FreeSports is a brand new channel here in the UK that can be found for FREE on FreeView, Sky, FreeSat, BT, TalkTalk TV and very soon on Virgin Media, making 5 Star Wrestling programming available in over 22 million homes across the country.

For those who aren’t in on Thursday nights, every episode of 5 Star Wrestling will repeat multiple times per week on FreeSports and we’ll be making them available via various catchup services as well as right here on our Facebook page and over on our YouTube channel.

The full announced card is as follows:

  • 5 Star Championship Match – Rob Van Dam vs John Morrison (c)
  • Tap or Snap Championship Match: Submission Elimination Match – Mark Haskins vs BT Gunn vs Nathan Cruz vs Joey Axl vs Flash Morgan Webster
  • The Legendary Rey Mysterio vs Liverpool’s No.1 Zack Gibson 
  • Eddie Ryan vs Jake Hager (WWE’s Jack Swagger) 
  • 5 STAR TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT – SEMI FINAL
    Carlito & Chris Masters vs Adam Maxted & Charlie Sterling
  • 5 STAR TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT – SEMI FINAL
    El Ligero & Jody Fleisch vs Big Grizzly & Dave Mastiff
  • Moose vs Rampage Brown
  • Jack Jester vs ‘The Primate’ Jason Prime
  • Brian Cage vs The Darewolf PJ Black

DEFIANT Wrestling #7 Now Available on YouTube feat. Zack Sabre Jr vs Mike Bailey

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DEFIANT Wrestling has released their seventh weekly programme for free on their YouTube channel. The ongoing series features some of the very best talent from the UK scene and beyond and this week’s show is no different.

This episode features an outstanding main event between Zack Sabre Jr and Mike Bailey for the DEFIANT Internet Title as well as Millie Mckenzie and Xia Brookside facing off to decide the new #1 contender to Kay Lee Ray’s Defiant Women’s Title.

You can check out the full show below:

Major UK Tag Tournament Finals Set for Birmingham’s NEC Arena

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UK Promotion Fight Club: Pro has announced that Night 3 of their Dream Tag Team Invitational Tournament will be held at the iconic Birmingham NEC Arena. This is the biggest event that the company has held and another major indication that the UK wrestling boom is not going away anytime soon.

Nights 1 and 2 of the Tournament are scheduled to be held in Wolverhampton and Manchester respectively and the currently announced teams for the tag team extravaganza are as follows:

  • The Chosen Bros (Matt Riddle & Jeff Cobb)
  • Best Friends (Chuck Taylor & Trent Beretta)
  • The Lucha Brothers (Penta El Zero M & Rey Fenix)
  • Aussie Open (MArk Davis & Kyle Fletcher)
  • Moustache Mountain (Trent Seven & Tyler Bate)

Tickets for the events are available to purchase via the tweet below:

Seth Rollins Has New Theme Music (Audio)

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RAW Superstar Seth Rollins had new theme music at Saturday night’s WWE live event from Baltimore, Maryland.

Rollins and Jason Jordan will defend the RAW tag team championships tonight at the Royal Rumble against Sheamus and Cesaro.

You can hear a clip of Rollins’ new entrance theme here:

Kurt Angle Tweets Royal Rumble Poster Featuring Ronda Rousey, Ex-WWE Champ Says He Wasn’t Invited To RAW 25

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– Monday Night RAW General Manager Kurt Angle may have just given away a major spoiler for tonight’s Women’s Royal Rumble match. The WWE Hall Of Famer posted the following blurry poster for the Women’s Rumble, featuring former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey – who has been speculated for the event for some time now:

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bef_r23hzUv/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=embed_ufi_control

The poster looks to be a fake but WWE actually retweeted Angle’s post on Twitter rather than telling him to take it down. We’ll keep you updated….

Sports Illustrated recently caught up with former WWE Champion Rob Van Dam who revealed he didn’t receive an invite from the company to return at RAW 25. He also said he prefers wrestling sporadically on the independent circuit compared to working for WWE:

“I know some people can’t understand that, but I’m wrestling overseas and I’m wrestling way less matches,” said RVD. “I don’t enjoy the road life or WWE’s really hectic schedule.”

PROGRESS Announces Australian Tour

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PROGRESS Wrestling has announced that they will be heading to Australia on a three date tour this April.

The highly rated UK promotion has been building their portfolio of events outside of British shores with shows taking place in the United States, Main Europe and beyond over the past year and now they are set to invade one of the hottest wrestling territories in the world.

The company will be co-hosting the events with local Australian independent promotions EPW, PWA and Melbourne City Wrestling, the dates scheduled can be seen below:

17th April – Perth – PROGRESS x

18th April – Sydney – PROGRESS x

20th April – Melbourne – PROGRESS x

WWE Royal Rumble: Final Card, Live Coverage Tonight

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History will be made tonight as WWE presents the 2018 edition of the Royal Rumble. In addition to 4 big championship matches, this year’s event will feature the first-ever Women’s Royal Rumble match.  Here is the final card:

Triple Threat for the WWE Universal Title
– Kane vs. Braun Strowman vs. Brock Lesnar (c)

2-on-1 Handicap Match for the WWE Title
– Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens vs. AJ Styles (c)

30-Man Royal Rumble Match
Confirmed participants include:

John Cena, Finn Balor, Randy Orton, Shinsuke Nakamura, Elias, Baron Corbin, Matt Hardy, Bray Wyatt, Aiden English, Rusev, Titus O’Neil, Apollo Crews, Kofi Kingston, Big E, Xavier Woods, Tye Dillinger, WWE Intercontinental Champion The Miz and Roman Reigns.

30-Woman Royal Rumble Match
Confirmed participants include:

Asuka, Ruby Riott, Liv Morgan, Sarah Logan, Sasha Banks, Nia Jax, Bayley, Naomi, Natalya, Sonya Deville, Mandy Rose, Mickie James, Tamina Snuka, Lana, Carmella, Becky Lynch, Dana Brooke, Alicia Fox, TBA

Guest Commentator: Stephanie McMahon
Guest Ring Announcer: Maria Menounos

RAW Tag Team Title Match
– Sheamus and Cesaro vs. Seth Rollins and Jason Jordan (c)

2 of 3 Falls for the SmackDown Tag Team Titles
– Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin vs. The Usos (c)

Kickoff Show

– WWE United States Champion Bobby Roode hosts his first-ever “Glorious US Open Challenge”

– Tag Team Match: The Revival vs. Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson

– Cruiserweight Match: Kalisto, Gran Metalik & Lince Dorado vs. TJP, Drew Gulak and Jack Gallagher

Join us here later tonight for our WWE Royal Rumble Live Coverage. 

Another Former Impact Star In Philadelphia

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Saturday night’s NXT Takeover: Philadelphia event saw the WWE return of EC3 and the on-screen debuts of Ricochet, War Machine and Candice LeRae.

With tonight’s Royal Rumble pay-per-view just hours away, another familiar face rumored to be WWE bound revealed on Twitter that he is in town today.

Former Impact Wrestling star Rockstar Spud posted the following photo of Ben Franklin bridge in Philadelphia, a not-so-sutble indication that he’s in Philadelphia, site of tonight’s Rumble pay-per-view.

Spud has been rumored to be joining 205 Live in the coming weeks. With Daniel Bryan’s announcement that a General Manager for 205 Live will be announced on Tuesday, there’s a good chance that Spud will be filling that role.

There’s really no reason to believe that Spud will be participating in the Royal Rumble match, but he could be making his WWE television debut as soon as this week.

https://twitter.com/RockstarSpud/status/957301278496968704

EC3 Returns At NXT Takeover, Ricochet, War Machine & Candice LeRae Debut

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Several of WWE’s newest signees were in attendance for Saturday night’s blockbuster NXT Takeover: Philadelphia event.

EC3, Trevor “Ricochet” Mann and the War Machine tag team were all shown sitting at ringside throughout the broadcast.

Candice LeRae made a surprise appearance during the main event to even the odds when her husband Johnny Gargano was being attacked by Andrade “Cien” Almas and his manager Zelina Vega.

EC3 was interviewed backstage about his return to WWE after 5 long years, which you can check out below.

Update On Bobby Lashley’s Next Move

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We’ve got an update on the status of former ECW/ TNA World Champion Bobby Lashley. On the latest episode of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer noted that Lashley is no longer negotiating with New Japan Pro Wrestling.

After talking with people within both NJPW and Impact Wrestling, the belief is that Lashley is heading back to WWE.

Also, it should be noted that there has been talk of Lashley possibly working with Universal Champion Brock Lesnar after WrestleMania 34. Although  

Lesnar’s contract expires in April, it’s expected that the sports entertainment company will extend the deal going through August, which would allow WWE the opportunity to promote a Lesnar vs. Lashley match. 

Brock Lesnar Called Out By WWE UK Champion

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On a night which had Paul Heyman introduce NXT TakerOver: Philadelphia, Pete Dunne called out Brock Lesnar, as well as everyone else in WWE.

Since winning the WWE UK Championship, Pete Dunne has been a dominant force in professional wrestling.  Samoa Joe described him as an ambassador for British wrestling, and someone that has made a significant impact which resonates throughout many.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WukMTB6SOeo

Dunne expanded saying that the UK Title is his world – whatever, or whoever is next, he plans to remain UK Champion.

When asked about what 2018 holds for him, Dunne explained that he’s going to “continue to put the UK on the map” and that the UK division will represent the best sports entertainment in the world.

On being asked about who he would like to face, Pete Dunne just said “anyone and everyone” before also dropping Brock Lesnar’s name as a worthy opponent.

Check out the full video below:

Opinion:

I can easily see Pete Dunne on NXT, RAW, SmackDown Live, it’s just a matter of time.  One of the questions will be: What happens with the UK title when Pete Dunne moves onto bigger things?  Is it incorporated onto NXT?  Or does it remain a separate division that exists but doesn’t…?  Big things are ahead for Dunne, but the structure and fine details haven’t been revealed as of yet.

NJPW The New Beginning in Sapporo Night Two Results: A Shocking Ending, Two Title Matches

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Night two of NJPW’s The New Beginning in Sapporo event goes down today (Jan. 28) at 1 a.m. ET.

In the main event, IWGP United States champion Kenny Omega defends his gold against Jay White. Plus, IWGP Junior Heavyweight tag team champions The Young Bucks put their titles on the line against Roppongi 3K.

Also featured on the card will be Kazuchika Okada, Tetsuya Naito, Cody, Kota Ibushi, and many more.

 

Peep the live results below:

Singles Match: Juice Robinson vs. Katsuya Kitamura

Juice got a headlock in early. Kitamura was able to muscle his way out of the hold. Juice’s shoulder block attempts went nowhere. He chopped the big man and stomped him in the corner.

Kitamura connected with a powerslam. He went for a spear, but was thrown to the corner padding. Juice nailed a cannonball in the corner followed by a snap suplex for a two-count.

Juice bounced off the ropes and Kitamura nailed him with a one-armed spinebuster. He hammered away with forearms. Kitamura laced into his opponent with chops. Juice leaped over Kitamura’s spear attempt and hit the spinebuster for a near fall.

Kitamura hit the spear for a two-count. He looked for the Jackhammer, but Juice hit him with a knee to the head. He cracked him with his signature punch and lariat. Kitamura kicked out, but fell to Pulp Friction.

Winner: Juice Robinson

Eight-man Tag Match: Syota Umino, Ryusuke Taguchi, Tiger Mask, & Jushin Thunder Liger vs. Taka Michinoku, El Desperado, Taichi, Yoshinobu Kanemaru

Taguchi was suckered in early it seemed by Taichi’s girlfriend. El Desperado stepped on Taguchi’s chin with the ref’s back turned. Taguchi nailed Taichi with a hip attack and tagged in Liger.

Liger nailed the Shotei on Suzuki-Gun members. Tachi threw Liger into the ring post and choked him with his mic stand. El Desperado and Taka tried unmasking Tiger Mask on the outside.

Liger nailed El Desperado with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker and tagged in Tiger Mask. El Desperado was hit by the Tiger Driver, but Taka broke up the pin and went to unmask his opposition.

There was a hilarious moment where Taka was knocked off the apron and he yelled “sh*t!” Umino was tagged in and he nailed Taichi with forearms. He followed that up with a missile dropkick assisted by his entire team.

Taichi ripped off his pants before nailing Umino with a lariat. He kicked his opponent in the head, but his pin was broken up. Taichi landed one more kick for the three-count.

Winners: Taka Michinoku, El Desperado, Taichi, Yoshinobu Kanemaru

After the match, Suzuki-Gun ripped off the mask of Tiger Mask. Taichi’s girlfriend then stomped on Taguchi’s crotch. Another hilarious moment occurred when Taguchi crawled to Taichi’s girlfriend and tripped her. He then told Kevin Kelly that Suzuki-Gun “broke my ass.”

Tag Match: Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano vs. Yujiro Takahashi & Leo Tonga

Yano and Tonga got things started. Yano sent Tonga to the outside, but got rammed into the barricade. Yujiro struck Ishii with his walking stick. He was tagged in and went to town on Yano.

Yano hit the inverted atmoic drop and tagged in Ishii. Yujiro was countering Ishii at first, but was hit with a German suplex. Tonga went in and was suplexed for his efforts. Yujiro tried engaging in a slap battle with Ishii, who chopped him in the corner.

Yujiro did his signature biting the finger, but Ishii responded by biting his opponent’s finger as well. With Yano and Tonga in as the legal men, Yano ripped off the padding in the corner. He ended up eating a big boot. Tonga clotheslined Ishii.

Tonga hit Yujiro with a big boot by accident in a failed double team attempt. Yano lowblowed Tonga with the ref distracted and rolled him up for the win.

Winners: Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano

Eight-Man Tag Match: Tomoyuki Oka, Manabu Nakanishi, Hiroyoshi Tenzan, & Togi Makabe vs. Chase Owens, Tanga Loa, Tama Tonga, & Bad Luck Fale

Tama Tonga and Tenzan got the action started. Tonga lured Tenzan into a shoulder block battle with a dropkick. Tonga mocked Tenzan with Mongolian chops, but he paid the price going for a headbutt. Tenzan then showed Tonga how it’s done with the real Mongolian chops.

The action spilled into the crowd and the Bullet Club had a clear edge. Inside the ring, Loa nailed Nakanishi with a scoop slam. Bullet Club had their way with Nakanishi in the corner.

Nakanishi lifted Fale over his shoulder and was able to tag in Makabe. The former IWGP heavyweight champion took out the Bullet Club members on the apron briefly. He did his signature punches in the corner on Fale, but was ganged up on. Makabe ran into a Samoan drop.

Oka was tagged in and nailed Owens with an overhead belly-to-belly suplex. He then hit a gutwrench suplex, but Tonga made the save. Oka went for a Boston Crab, but Owens reversed into an inside cradle.

Owens eventually hit the package piledriver for the three-count.

Winners: Chase Owens, Tanga Loa, Tama Tonga, & Bad Luck Fale

Tag Match: Toa Henare & Michael Elgin vs. Minoru Suzuki & Takashi Iizuka

Of course, Suzuki and Iizuka attacked their opponents before the bell rang. Suzuki threw Henare over the guardrail. Henare hit a flying forearm on Suzuki. He was trapped in Suzuki’s armbar over the top rope.

On the outside, Iizuka attacked Elgin with a chair and choked him with it. Henare was able to get back in the ring at the count of 11. Suzuki threw him right back to the outside and members of Suzuki-Gun stomped on Henare. Iizuka was now the legal man.

Henare had his fingers bitten by Iizuka. He finally hit a shoulder tackle and tagged in Elgin. He clotheslined Iizuka in the corner and nailed a German suplex. Elgin was on the wrong end of an inverted atomic drop and Suzuki was in.

He ran into a powerslam. Elgin and Henare double teamed Suzuki. Henare conencted with a Samoan drop for a two-count. The fact that it was a near fall made Suzuki angry. He locked in the sleeper hold into some slaps. He forced the tap with the heel hook.

Winners: Minoru Suzuki & Takashi Iizuka

After the match, Elgin and Iizuka brawled in the crowd. Back in the ring, the rest of the Suzuki-Gun members stomped on Henare. Togi Makabe had seen enough and cleaned house with his chain. Suzuki left the ring and held up his IWGP Intercontinental title on the ramp. Makabe stuck up the middle fingers.

Six-Man Tag Match: Kushida, David Finlay, & Kota Ibushi vs. Marty Scurll, Hangman Page, & Cody

Cody made sure that Kevin Kelly knew the winners get paid more than the losers. Some nice technical work on display by Kushida against Scurll. “The Villain” had issues escaping Kushida’s grasp on his arm. He raked the eyes of his opponent, but his taunting cost him.

Finlay was in the ring and he worked on the arm of Scurll. Cody attacked Finlay from behind. Finlay shoved Scurll into Cody. With Finlay on the outside, Hangman Page landed his shooting star press off the apron.

Cody taunted Ibushi and paid for it when Finlay reversed his submission. Ibushi and Cody were the legal men. They engaged in a striking battle. Ibushi had his kick caught and received a dragon screw.

Cody teased doing Cross Rhodes on Ibushi off the apron as he did at Wrestle Kingdom 12, but Kushida made the save. Ibushi stomped on Page’s back and nailed Scurll with a moonsault.

Cody nailed Cross Rhodes on Kushida and Page followed it up with Rite of Passage for the three-count.

Winners: Marty Scurll, Hangman Page, & Cody

10-Man Tag Match: Gedo, Will Ospreay, Yoshi-Hashi, Hiroki Goto, & Kazuchika Okada vs. Bushi, Hiromu Takahashi, Tetsuya Naito, EVIL, & Sanada

Chaos wasted little time going after Los Ingobernables de Japon. Yoshi-Hashi ripped Naito’s shirt and stepped on it. He hammered away on Naito in the corner. The teamwork of LIJ finally slowed down Yoshi-Hashi.

The rest of LIJ brawled with Chaos in the crowd, while Naito choked Yoshi-Hashi with his shirt.  Hiromu missed a dropkick and Yoshi-Hashi capitalized with a back kick. This allowed him to tag in Ospreay. He landed a standing shooting star press on Hiromu for a near fall.

Hiromu countered Ospreay’s handspring into a German suplex. Goto and Evil were now in the ring. Evil went for a fisherman buster, but he was countered. Okada was tagged in and landed a back elbow.

Sanada was now in against Okada. The champion hit him with a DDT. The two exchanged forearms after Okada taunted him with foot slaps to the back of the head. Sanada connected with a dropkick followed by a backdrop.

Okada connected with a dropkick and tagged in Gedo. Naito interrupted Gedo’s pin attempt on Sanada. Eventually, Sanada locked in Skull End on Gedo to force the submission.

Winners: Bushi, Hiromu Takahashi, Tetsuya Naito, EVIL, & Sanada

After the match, Yoshi-Hashi charged in and attacked Naito. Chaos and Young Lions held him back. Naito continued to act like he didn’t have a care in the world and posed with his LIJ team.

Sanada grabbed a mic to respond to Okada’s attack last night. Okada teased going into the ring, but was held back by Young Lions.

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Title Match: The Young Bucks (C) vs. Roppongi 3K

Yoh and Matt Jackson got the title bout started. Matt looked for the sharpshooter early, but couldn’t lock it in. Sho and Nick were now legal. Matt hit a neckbreaker on Sho on top of Nick’s knee. Roppongi 3K double teamed Nick in the corner and sent him to the outside.

Sho and Yoh went for dives, but ate superkicks instead. Nick ended up hitting the dive with Matt holding the top rope down. The Young Bucks chased Rocky Romero and went for a powerbomb on the ramp. Sho and Yoh made the save. Matt did a front flip on Sho and Yoh off the ramp.

The Young Bucks powerbombed Yoh on the apron. Matt went for a powerbomb, but sold a back injury from the dive off the ramp. Nick and Matt did a double dropkick. Matt was sent flying to the outside and his back landed on the ring apron.

Sho was tagged in and he nailed Nick with a forearm. Sho then landed a headscissors on Nick. Matt was tagged in and he ate a German suplex for his efforts. Sho landed a backstabber on Matt and Yoh charged in with a running kick.

Sho and Yoh hit 3K on Nick on the outside. Yoh locked in the Boston crab on Matt, who was able to reach the ropes. Sho and Yoh hit a double superplex for a near fall. Yoh nailed Sho with a kick by accident. Nick took out the challengers with a crossbody.

Nick landed a German suplex on Sho on the apron. He went to the top rope and went for a frog splash on Sho, but ate the knees. Nick landed two superkicks on Yoh and a knee to Sho.

Matt held Yoh between the ropes and Nick landed a 450 splash for a near fall. Nick assisted Matt in getting Yoh up for a powerbomb in the corner. He got it and Nick was there for the kick.

Matt locked in a sharpshooter, but his own back was giving out. Yoh got to the rope, but Nick hit the swanton. Matt was forced to let go of the hold due to his back pain.

Matt went for the sharpshooter again, but Yoh got the inside cradle for the pinfall. We have new champions.

Winners And NEW IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions: Roppongi 3K

IWGP United States Heavyweight Title Match: Kenny Omega (C) vs. Jay White

They tied up and neither man could get an edge. Omega did his typical light slap before walking away slowly. White faked out Omega and hit his own slap. The champion nailed White with a big boot.

White dropkicked Omega to the outside. The challenger landed a forearm off the apron. Omega went for his springboard off the guardrail, but White countered with the Saito suplex. White removed the padding on the floor.

The challenger landed a scoop slam on the exposed floor. White chopped the champion, but took some as well. White was rammed into the corner going for a third straight suplex. Omega countered another suplex attempt. Omega landed his steamroller followed by the moonsault for a two-count.

White landed a running uppercut in the corner and then connected with the Saito suplex. Omega landed a hurricanrana and executed his Terminator dive. Omega landed Aoi Shoudou, but failed to connect with the V-Trigger. White countered with a complete shot and a German suplex.

Omega leaped and connected with the V-Trigger as White bounced off the ropes. He hit another knee that sent both men off the apron. Omega powerbombed the challenger on the chairs in the crowd. White barely beat the count.

The champion hit the snap dragon. He went for another one and got it. White denied a third attempt, but Omega hit a wheel kick. He went for the One-Winged Angel, but White’s body went limp.

Omega had White’s arms trapped on the ropes and nailed him with the V-Trigger. He landed the double underhook piledriver for a two-count. The champion blasted the challenger with two hard knees, but White laughed. On the third knee, White got the shoulder up.

White countered the One-Winged Angel, but he barely had the energy to make it effective. White found a second win and his Saito suplexes had more power behind them. He landed a snap sleeper suplex. He then hit the Kiwi Crusher for a near fall.

White went for the Blade Runner, but Omega fought out of it. Omega went for a strike but was countered by the Blade Runner. The champion barely got the shoulder up. Omega countered a second Blade Runner attempt with the reverse hurricanrana. One last V-Trigger led to a One-Winged Angel attempt, but Jay White reversed it into the Blade Runner for the three-count. A shocker in Sapporo!

Winner And NEW IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion: Jay White

After the bout, Hangman Page grabbed the United States title and looked to challenge Jay White. Omega grabbed the title and gave it to White. Cody ran down and got in Omega’s face over the situation.

Omega shoved Matt Jackson down inadvertently and apologized. He appeared to talk things out with Hangman Page and Cody, but he was nailed with Cross Rhodes. Hangman Page held Omega and Cody grabbed a chair. Marty Scurll tried to stop it when Kota Ibushi ran down for the save.

The show ended with Omega and Ibushi embracing. The Golden Lovers are finally back together at least for one night.

5 Takeaways From NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia

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NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia aired live from the Wells Fargo Center on the WWE Network. Andrade “Cien” Almas defended his NXT Championship against Johnny Gargano. Ember Moon defended her NXT Women’s Championship against Shayna Baszler. Undisputed Era’s Bobby Fish and Kyle O’Reilly put their titles on the line against The Authors of Pain. Velveteen Dream battled Kassius Ohno and Adam Cole faced Aleister Black in an Extreme Rules match.

Here are 5 takeaways from NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia:

Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly Escaped With The NXT Tag Team Championships

bobby fish oreilly aop nxt philadelphia

The Authors of Pain attacked Undisputed Era before the match started. Rezar beatdown Fish for a minute when the match started and Bobby quickly tagged out. Rezar knocked O’Reilly to the mat and connected with a series of punches. O’Reilly broke free and rolled out of the ring. Fish joined him and the tag champs regrouped by the barricade.

Fish tagged in and booted Rezar in the midsection. Rezar lifted Fish up and drove him into the corner. Akam tagged in and continued the beatdown on Fish. O’Reilly tagged in and was greeted with a Flapjack from Akam. O’Reilly and Fish rolled out of the ring again but AOP sprinted after them. AOP launched Fish into the steel steps and then face first into the barricade.

AOP teamed up on O’Reilly in the ring and beat him down. Akam seemed to tweak his knee during the exchange. Bobby Fish saw it on the outside and connected with a kick to his injured knee. Fish then sprinted across the ring and tackled Rezar through the ropes and the two Superstars fell to the floor outside the ring.

Fish and O’Reilly teamed up on the injured Akam and beat him down in the corner of the ring. Bobby Fish hung up Akam’s injured knee on the ropes and then connected with a series of kicks. Akam launched Fish across the ring but O’Reilly connected with a chop block to Akam’s knee from behind. Akam tried to tag out but O’Reilly prevented it by applying a Knee Bar.

Akam broke free and finally was able to tag in Rezar. O’Reilly charged at Rezar but Rezar was ready and planted him with a Spinebuster. Rezar lifted up O’Reilly but Bobby Fish leaped onto his back. Rezar showed off his ridiculous strength and connected with a Fallaway Slam to O’Reilly and crushed Bobby Fish as he fell to the canvas. O’Reilly drove his knee into Rezar’s shoulder and tagged in Fish.

O’Reilly and Fish teamed up and beatdown Rezar in the corner. Bobby Fish connected with an absurd Exploder Suplex that sent the gigantic Rezar flying out of the ring. Rezar booted Fish in the face and turned O’Reilly inside out with a massive Clothesline. Akam tagged in and hobbled his way towards Fish.

Bobby Fish locked in a Sleeper Hold on Rezar as O’Reilly had Akam trapped in a Knee Bar. Rezar threw Fish on top of O’Reilly to break both holds and all four Superstars fell to the mat. Dueling chants of “Undisputed!” and “AOP!” broke out in the crowd. O’Reilly booted Akam on his injured left leg a couple of times. Akam caught him and hit an overhead Suplex. Akam Clotheslined Fish off the ring apron and then Powerbombed O’Reilly into the turnbuckle.

Rezar sprinted into the ring and booted Fish in the face. AOP went for the Super Collider but O’Reilly countered into a Hurricanrana that sent Akam into Rezar. Rezar tumbled out of the ring and O’Reilly rolled up Akam for the pinfall victory.

This match started off slow and the crowd was quiet for the first few minutes. However, the match really picked up and the crowd responded. The match turned out to be very good and I’m expecting a long run with the tag titles for Undisputed Era. I’m always impressed watching Akam and Rezar perform in the ring. I think they are a great team and Paul Ellering’s menacing face in the background pacing around the ring always adds to the match.

Velveteen Dream Outlasted Kassius Ohno

ohno dream nxt philadelphia

Velveteen Dream vowed to knock out Kassius Ohno in under 30 seconds and came down to the ring in shorts like a boxer. Before the match he put in a custom mouthpiece that a shirtless man was holding on the entrance ramp on a pillow. The crowd started counting and Dream connected with a massive right hand that knocked Ohno to the canvas. Dream started celebrating like he won the match and Ohno leveled him with a massive elbow that sent Dream’s mouthpiece flying.

Ohno followed it up with a big boot but Dream responded with a Spinebuster. The crowd chanted for Velveteen as he connected with a series of jabs. Dream knocked Ohno to the mat and danced over him. Dream connected with some kicks to the midsection while shouting at Ohno to quit. Dream locked in a Chin Lock but Ohno quickly got out of it.

Dream beatdown Ohno in the corner and taunted him. Dream booted Ohno in the face a couple of times but Ohno shrugged them off. Dream applied another Chin Lock and started booting Ohno in the midsection again. Dream got Ohno back in the Chin Lock in the middle of the ring. Ohno battled out of it and countered Dreams attempt at a Suplex and slammed him to the mat.

Ohno hit Dream with a big boot and followed it up with a running Senton. Ohno hit the Cyclone Kick and went for the cover but Dream kicked out at two. Dream hit a Superkick and then hit a DDT that wound up looking like an awkward Sister Abigail for a two count. Ohno tried to leap onto Dream but Velveteen caught him and hit an ugly looking Death Valley Driver. Ohno hit the rolling elbow for a two count.

Dream struggled to lift Ohno again but connected with a big time Death Valley Driver. Velveteen Dream then climbed to the top rope and hit the Purple RainMaker Elbow Drop for the pinfall victory.

This was a decent match. There wasn’t much build for it and there were definitely a few rough-looking moments towards the end. The sky is the limit for Velveteen Dream and I’m guessing 2018 is going to be a big year for him in NXT.

Ember Moon Survived A Grueling Match With Shayna Baszler

ember moon shayna baszler

Ember Moon defended her NXT Women’s Championship against Shayna Baszler. Shayna has been attacking members of the women’s division in NXT since joining the roster. Baszler stated that you have to stir up waters to catch fish and that Moon is the big fish in the pond.

Moon controlled the match early and dove Baszler to the corner. Shayna knocked Ember to the mat with a smile on her face. Moon booted Baszler in the face three times in a row and knocked her to the mat. Baszler rolled out of the ring to regroup but Moon didn’t feel like waiting around. Moon hit a ridiculous Suicide Dive and knocked Baszler to the floor.

Back in the ring, Shayna took control and booted Moon in the face for a two count. Baszler stomped on Ember Moon’s extended arm like she did to Dakota Kai a couple of weeks back on NXT. Baszler then focused her attack on Moon’s injured arm and locked in an Arm Bar. Baszler beatdown Moon in the corner and started to taunt the NXT Women’s Champion.

Moon hit Baszler with a slap to the face and followed it up with a punch that knocked Baszler to the mat. Ember connected with a springboard Crossbody for a two count. Ember Moon connected with the Eclipse but landed on her injured left arm and screamed in pain on the mat. Ember was in so much pain that she couldn’t go for the pinfall and the referee called for the medical staff to come to the ring.

Ember wanted to continue the match and grabbed Baszler by the hair. Shayna quickly locked in an Arm Bar but Moon got her foot on the bottom rope to break the hold. Shayna dragged Moon back to the middle of the ring and lockdd in the Arm Bar again. Moon rolled through but Baszler wouldn’t let go of the hold. Moon escaped into a pinfall and covered Baszler to retain her title.

Shayna Baszler attacked Ember Moon after the match and choked her out ont he entrance ramp. Mauro Ranallo shouted that he lost a lot of respect for Baszler here and hopes NXT GM William Regal fines her.

https://twitter.com/WWENXT/status/957434698124242944

The last few minutes of this match were a roller coaster ride. I thought Moon was going to tap out but she battled through the pain and was able to escape with a victory. This was a good showing by Baszler too. She is quickly becoming one of the more despicable characters on NXT and was able to get the crowd to hate her even more after tonight.

Adam Cole & Aleister Black Tore The House Down

adam cole aleister black nxt takeover

Ricochet was shown in the crowd before the match.

Adam Cole faced Aleister Black in an Extreme Rules match tonight at NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia. The crowd chanted “this is awesome!” before the match even started. Black knocked Cole out of the ring and flipped across the ring before taking a seat in the middle of the ring.

Cole got pissed off and grabbed a chair from timekeeper’s area. The crowd chanted “ECW!” as Cole brought it into the ring. Black ducked under the chair shot and booted Cole in the leg. Black stole the chair from Cole and Cole rolled out of the ring. Black took a seat on the chair and waited for Cole to get back into the ring. Black threw the chair out of the ring and then launched Cole over the top rope. Black booted Cole in the face outside the ring but Cole connected with a knee to the midsection.

Cole threw Black into the barricade and threw a trash can into the ring. Cole then grabbed a kendo stick from under the ring as Black grabbed one of his own. Both Superstars got into the ring with a kendo stick and stared at each other. Black threw his kendo stick out of the ring and dared Cole to charge at him. Cole laughed and called Black stupid. Black avoided two swings by Cole and knocked him to the mat. Black went for a springboard Moonsault but Cole blasted him in the chest with the kendo stick while he was in midair.

Adam Cole started to taunt Black and then planted him with a Backstabber as the kendo stick was pressed against Aleister’s face. The crowd chanted “get the tables!” and Adam Cole obliged and grabbed a table from under the ring. Cole set up the table outside the ring but took his sweet time doing so as Black recovered in the ring.

Black and Cole battled on the turnbuckle. Black hopped down and slammed Cole on top of the trash can in the ring. Black connected with a running knee strike to Cole’s face for a two count. Black grabbed another table from under the ring and set up next to the other one outside the ring.

Cole battled back and set up a ladder in the corner of the ring. Cole connected with an Enziguri and then beatdown Aleister in the corner. Cole took a break to pose and shouted “Adam Cole bay-bay!”. This allowed Black to lift him up onto his shoulders and Aleister walked across the ring and slammed Cole on top of the ladder.

Black charged at Cole again but Cole hit him in the ribs with a chair. Black missed with a kick but connected with a Double Stomp to Adam Cole’s midsection. Black started climbing up the turnbuckle and Cole threw the steel chair at him. Black caught the chair but Cole hit him with with a Superkick and Black fell through the two tables next to the ring.

Cole dragged Black into the ring and went for the cover but Black kicked out at two. Cole set up two steel chairs back to back and walked towards Black. Aleister popped up and lifted Cole in a Fireman’s Carry and dropped Cole onto the chairs (ouch!). Cole grabbed a chair again but Black sprinted across the ring and booted the chair into Cole’s face.

Bobby Fish and Kyle O’Reilly came down to the ring and attacked Aleister Black. They dragged Black by his legs to the announce table next to the ring. Mauro and Percy got out of the way as Fish and O’Reilly got set to slam Black through the table. SAnitY joined the party and attacked Fish and O’Reilly. Killian Dain hit a giant Suicide Dive that took everyone out besides Black and Cole.

Cole went over to Black and tried to Suplex him off the barricade through the table. Black blocked it and connected with Double Knees off the barricade and through the table. Black brought Cole back into the ring but Cole somehow hit a Superkick out of nowhere and both Superstars fell to the mat. Cole grabbed a steel chair and shouted “I am going to end you!” and charged at Aleister Black. Aleister was ready and connected with the Black Mass for the pinfall victory.

Wow. What an awesome match this was. The kendo stick spot was ridiculous where Cole bashed Black in the chest while he was in the middle of a Moonsault. Cole being dropped on top of the two chairs in the ring looked awesome. Black’s Double Knees off the barricade through the announce table was also amazing. This is one of those matches that I will definitely go back and watch a few times in the future. The crowd was electric for it and the match rose to the occasion. Wrestling is at it’s best when the crowd is on the edge of their seat for every single move. This match had that and it was really fun to watch.

Andrade “Cien” Almas Retained His Title In An Incredible Match With Johnny Gargano

almas gargano nxt takeover

EC3 was shown in the crowd before the match.

Andrade “Cien” Almas came down to the ring with a mariachi band and a mask. Almas took off the mask halfway down the entrance ramp. Almas and Vega raised their fist in the air in the ring and Vega shouted words of encouragement at him. Johnny Gargano’s music hit to a loud pop from the crowd.

The crowd chanted “Johnny Wrestling!” as the match started. Almas leveled Gargano with a shoulder tackle. Almas went for a Hammerlock DDT but Gargano tried to counter it into the Gargano Escape. Almas rolled out of it and the two Superstars stared at each other as the crowd cheered.

Gargano connected with a Dropkick an followed it up with an Arm Drag. Gargano transitioned into an Arm Bar in the middle of the ring as the crowd chanted “Johnny Wrestling!” again. Almas escaped and sent Gargano to the corner. Gargano Clotheslined Almas out of the ring. Almas missed with a Moonsault off the apron but landed on his feet. Gargano went for a Cannonball off the apron but Almas got out of the way and Gargano crashed to the floor right in front of his wife, Candice LeRae in the crowd.

The action returned to the ring as Almas focused his attack on Gargano’s back. Almas slowed the match down and controlled the next few minutes. Gargano finally was able to fight back for a moment but Almas tied him in the ropes. Almas went for a Double Stomp but Gargano got out of the way. Gargano connected with an Exploder Suplex that sent Almas flying into the turnbuckle.

Gargano slammed Almas face-first to the mat for a two count. Johnny then hit a slingshot Spear through the ropes for another two count. Almas connected with a Facebuster and went for the cover but Gargano kicked out at two. Vega shouted at Almas to stay on Gargano from ringside. Almas climbed up to the top rope and went for a Moonsault but Gargano rolled out of the way. Almas landed on his feet and went right into a standing Moonsault that landed on Gargano as we was rolling away. Almas went for the cover but Gargano was able to kick out.

Gargano connected with a Superkick for a two count. Gargano and Almas connected with punches at the same time and both Superstars fell to the canvas. Almas connected with a knee to Gargano’s face and then perched him up on the top rope. Almas went for the DDT that defeated McIntyre at WarGames but Gargano wiggled out of it. Gargano then hit a ridiculous Superkick between Almas’ legs and into his face.

Gargano went for a Sunset Flip Powerbomb but Almas escaped and hit Double Knees. Almas went for Double Knees again but Gargano got out of the way. Almas hit a Tornado DDT for a two count. The entire crowd stood up chanted NXT as the two Superstars were on the mat. Almas lifted Gargano up in a Fireman’s Carry on the apron but Gargano broke free.

Johnny connected with an Enziguri and followed it up with a slingshot DDT on the ring apron. Gargano brought Almas back into the ring and went for the cover but Andrade kicked out at two. Almas hit a Jawbreaker and an elbow that knocked Gargano to the corner. Vega shouted at Almas to remain on the attack. Almas charged at Gargano but Johnny got up and hit a big time Clothesline. Gargano then slammed Almas into second rope. Vega distracted Gargano and Almas hit a Dropkick. Gargano connected with a kick of his own for a two count.

Almas connected with a Double Stomp on Gargano while he was hung up between the ropes. Almas then bashed Gargano into the ring apron and brought him back to the ring. Almas connected with Double Knees to Gargano’s face for another two count. Almas slapped Gargano in the face and grabbed him by the hair. Johnny connected with a couple of punches and dropped to a knee after every one out of exhaustion.

Johnny connected with a Superkick and followed it up with an absolutely insane inverted Hurricanrana. Johnny then locked in the Gargano Escape in the middle of the ring as the crowd erupted. Almas tried to break free but Johnny wouldn’t let go. Vega grabbed Almas’ arm and the referee got distracted. Almas then raked Johnny’s eyes to break the hold.

Almas went for the Hammerlock DDT but Gargano blocked it and knocked Almas out of the ring. Gargano hit a Suicide Dive but Zelina Vega hit Gargano off the apron with a Hurricanrana than sent Johnny into the steps. Almas planted Gargano with the Hammerlock DDT in the middle of the ring and went for the cover but Gargano somehow kicked out. Vega tried to attack Gargano outside the ring but Candice LeRae attacked her and chased her backstage. The crowd chanted “thank you Candice!” as Gargano climbed to the ring apron.

Gargano connected with a slingshot DDT and went for the cover but Almas kicked out. Johnny locked in the Gargano Escape in the middle of the ring. Almas was able to get his foot on the bottom rope to break the hold. Almas shoved Gargano into the ring post on the apron. Almas then hit Double Knees into the ring post and the crowd gasped in shock. Almas then planted Gargano with the Hammerlock DDT for the pinfall victory.

After the match, Tommaso Ciampa attacked Gargano from behind while he was on the entrance ramp with Candice LeRae. Ciampa hit him with a crutch and stood over him. The crowd chanted “a**hole!” as Ciampa walked backstage.

This match was special. I thought Adam Cole and Aleister Black stole the show but this match wound up being even better. The energy in the building was unreal for this match and the entire crowd was ready to see Johnny Gargano become NXT Champion. This was a match of the year candidate and it is going to be tough to top it. Mauro kept comparing Gargano’s popularity and story to Daniel Bryan’s and that is accurate. It is obviously on a much smaller scale right now but he definitely connects with the crowd.

I love the pairing of Andrade “Cien” Almas and Zelina Vega. Zelina has completely turned his career around and she has made Almas seem much more legitimate. He looks like a champion now. He has always had the incredible in-ring skill to become one, but Vega as his manager has just put him over the top as a character. She’s great on the microphone and her getting involved in his matches is awesome.

NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia was shaping up to be a decent show. However, the final two matches on the card were great. The main event between Gargano and Almas was special. That is the best way to describe it. A review post or a video doesn’t do it justice. Find the time to watch this match as soon as you can if you missed it. As a wrestling fan you will not regret it. There might be some exciting moments tomorrow at the Royal Rumble with surprise entrants or whatever. I’m confident in saying that nothing is going to top tonight’s main event at the PPV tomorrow.

NXT TakeOver Philadelphia Results & Discussion (1/27)

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NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia aired live from the Wells Fargo Arena in Philadelphia, PA.

WWE NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia Results

– The show opens up with a video package hosted by Paul Heyman. We see footage of Heyman in the empty arena cutting a promo for tonight’s show, and he references the history of wrestling in Philadelphia. Heyman says tonight they take over, overthrow the system, and will give you a reason to join the NXT revolution.

– Maruo Ranallo welcomes us to the Wells Fargo Arena, and he’s joined by Percy Watson. Nigel Guinness is out with a cold.

NXT Tag Team Title Match: The Authors of Pain vs. The Undisputed Era: Paul Ellering is out with Akam and Rezar. This one starts off with Akam and Rezar in control. The fight spills out to ringside where Bobby gets dropped hard on the floor. Back in the ring, they double team Kyle, and Akam seems to injure his knee in the process. Fish hits a superkick cheap shot on Rezar, then Kyle throws him outside. Fish tags in and beats on Akam in the corner, then exchanges frequent tags with O’Reilly to keep the advantage over Akam. O’Reilly is the legal man now and he works on Akam’s bad knee. Akam reaches the ropes, and Fish tags in to continue the beat down. They hit a double team kick on Akam, then continue working on the knee. Fish hits a springboard senton on Akam for a two count, then hits more kicks to the bad knee. Fish goes to punch Rezar off the apron, but Rezar no-sells it. Fish turns around into a back body drop from Akam, then Rezar and O’Reilly get the tags. Rezar runs in and cleans house with big boots. He throws O’Reilly outside, then hits a gorilla press slam on Fish. Spinebuster to O’Reilly, then Rezar pummels on him. Rezar goes for a fallaway slam on O’Reilly, but Fish jumps up on his back for a sleeper. Rezar hits the fallaway slam anyway, and crushes Fish behind him on the mat. Rezar looks for a powerbomb, but Kyle reverses into a front face lock. Rezar throws him off, and Kyle comes back with a kick and a knee to the face. Kyle tags in and they double team Rezar with repeated kicks. Fish tags in and hits a suplex for a two count. They go to double team Rezar again, but this time he fights them off. He boots Kyle down and hits a lariat on Bobby. Everyones in the ring now, and Fish hits a running knee to the face on Rezar, and O’Reilly locks Akam in a knee bar on his bad knee. Rezar throws Fish off of him onto O’Reilly, breaking up the knee bar. It comes down to Akam an O’Reilly, and O’Reilly hits a series of kicks. Akam fires up and hits a suplex, then some knee strikes. He clotheslines Fish off the apron, then powerbombs kyle into the turnbuckle. He hits a series of knees to the face on O’Reilly, then Rezar hits a big boot on Fish. The Authors go for the Super Collider, but Akam loses his balance due to the bad knee and O’Reilly hits a hurricanrana on him. The hurricanrana sends Akam bumping into Rezar and knocking him outside, then O’Reilly rolls up Akam from behind for the three count.

Winners: The Undisputed Era

– Bobby Fish and Kyle O’Reilly celebrate up the ramp with the NXT Tag Titles. Paul Ellering gets in the ring, and he’s not happy.

– War Machine is shown in the crowd at ringside.

Velveteen Dream vs. Kassius Ohno: They circle each other and Ohno goes to take down Dream with a single-leg, but Dream stays up. They fight into the corner, and Dream hits a right hand to Ohno that knocks him down. Dream starts celebrating and jumping up and down because he dropped Ohno, but Ohno gets back up. Ohno hits an elbow to the face, then boots Dream to the outside. They fight back into the ring, and Dream comes back with a spinebuster. Dream hits a series of punches on Ohno and throws him down in the corner. Dream continues to beat on Ohno and keep him grounded. Dream starts hitting some kicks but Ohno no-sells them. Dream takes Ohno down with a double axe handle off the top, then stomps on him. Ohno starts fighting back, and they start trading uppercuts and forearm chops. Ohno hits a chop, a kick, an elbow, and running big boot, then a running senton splash. Ohno hits a cyclone kick for a two count. Dream comes back with a superkick and a DDT for a two count. Dream comes flying off the top rope, but Ohno stops him with a kick. Dream barely hits a Death Valley Driver, after appearing to almost accidentally drop Ohno. They get up and Ohno fires back with an elbow to the face for two. Ohno misses an elbow and Dream hits a rolling Death Valley Driver. Dream goes up top and hits the flying elbow for the win.

Winner: Velveteen Dream

– We see a shot of the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, and then a shot of Maria Menounos sitting at ringside.

– Johnny Gargano is shown backstage in his locker room with his family.

NXT Women’s Championship: Ember Moon (c) vs. Shayna Baszler: They trade holds and strikes in the opening moments until the referee separates them. Baszler kicks out Moon’s leg and beats her down on the mat. Moon comes back with some dropkicks as fans rally behind her. Shayna goes outside for a breather, and Moon hits a dive on her on the floor. Back in the ring, Shayna comes back with some knees and a kick. Baszler controls the match now and works on Moon’s bad arm and shoulder. Moon comes back with the Eclipse off the top, but she lands on her bad arm and is selling an injury, so she doesn’t pin. Trainers come up on the ring apron to check on Moon, and Moon tells them she can continue. Moon gets up, but Baszler pulls her into an arm bar. Moon gets her leg to the rope. Shayna wrestles Moon away from the rope and re-applies the arm submission. Moon uses her legs and reverses the arm bar into a pin, and Moon scores the three count out of nowhere.

Winner & still Champion: Ember Moon

– After the match, Shayna attacks Ember on the ramp. Shayne puts Moon in a choke from behind and chokes her out on the ramp. She finally lets go and leaves, as referees check on Moon.

– Ricochet is shown sitting at ringside.

Extreme Rules: Aleister Black vs. Adam Cole: Black sends Cole out to ringside early on. Black backflips off the ropes in the ring and sits down, and Cole grabs a steel chair from ringside. Cole gets back in the ring and Black kicks the chair away from him. Cole rolls outside again to regroup. Black unfolds the chair and sits on it in the ring while Cole is at ringside. Black takes the fight to Cole at ringside and hits an elbow to the face. Cole comes back with a shot against the ring apron, then throws Black into the barricade. Cole takes some weapons out from under the ring and throws them in the ring. Black regroups and grabs a kendo stick, and Cold grabs a kendo stick too, as they both get back in the ring. Black drops his, and dares Cole to come at him. Cole swings and misses, and Cole hits a series of strikes to the face. Black goes for a Lionsault, but Cole hits him with the Kendo Stick in mid-air. Cole chokes him with the kendo stick, then hits a back stabber for a 2 count. Cole rolls outside and grabs a table from under the ring, then sets it up at ringside. Back in the ring, Cole takes Black up to the top rope. Black fights him off, and throws Cole into the ring. Black follows up with a running knee strike for a two count. Black rolls outside now and grabs a table, and he sets it up right next to the other one at ringside. Black grabs a ladder next, but Cole kicks it into Black. He sets up the ladder in the corner of the ring, then pummels on Black in the other corner. Black comes back with an electric chair drop into the ladder. The ref says something into his ear piece as trainers come check on Cole off-camera, and fans boo. They get up and Cole hits Black with a chair in the mid section. Black comes back with some strikes on Cole, then climbs to the top rope. Cole gets up and throws a chair at Black, and Black catches it, then Cole superkicks it into his face. Black falls off the top rope, down through the tables at ringside. Cole grabs Black and carries him back in the ring, then sets up some unfolded chairs. He sets up the chairs with the backs facing each other. Cole picks up Black, but Black grabs him and hits a Death Valley Driver onto the chairs. Black then knees a chair into Cole’s face and pins, but Fish and O’Reilly run in and interfere. They double team Black at ringside and leave him laying. Sanity runs in for the save and they start brawling with Fish and O’Reilly all over ringside. Cole rolls outside and picks up Black, and he goes to suplex him through the announce table off the fan barricade. Black fights Cole off and knocks him down, then hits the flying double knees on Cole through the table. Back in the ring, Cole hits a superkick on Black, and both men are down. Cole goes for a chair shot, but Black gets up and hits the Black Mass for the three count.

Winner: Aleister Black

– Fish and O’Reilly help Cole to the back as Black recovers in the ring.

– Mauro and Percy promote an appearance by Triple H on Facebook Live after the show tonight. WWE staffers are picking up the table pieces around them.

– EC3 is shown sitting at ringside.

WWE NXT Championship: Andre “Cien” Almas (c) vs. Johnny Gargano: Zelina Vega is at ringside with the Champion, and Mike Rome does the official ring introductions. Almas and Gargano lock up off the opening bell and Almas gets the upper hand early on. Gargano takes control and hits a dropkick. Almas gets up and grabs Gargano by the hair and drops him, then works on keeping him grounded. Gargano hits a boot on Almas, then clotheslines him outside. Gargano goes to follow up with a suicide dive, but the Champion dodges it and gargano crashes on the floor. The fight spills out to ringside where Almas stays in control. Back in the ring, Almas continues to control most of the action and he sets up Gargano in a Tree of Woe in the corner. Almas goes up top for a double foot stomp, but Gargano evades it and Almas crashes down. Gargano gets up and hits some elbows to the face. He drops Almas and is getting fired up. Almas tries to dump Gargano outside but he lands on the apron. Almas charges, and Gargano jumps through the ropes with a spear for a two count. They trade strikes and fight up to the top rope in the corner. Almas looks for a superplex, but Gargano slides out through the legs, then superkicks Almas. Gargano holds Almas up on the middle ropes, and he goes up for a sunset flip powerbomb, but Almas reverses it. Almas follows up with running double knees in the corner, then he goes for another shot but Gargano dodges. Almas ends up coming back with the inverted DDT and pins, but Gargano kicks out at two. Almas takes Gargano out to the apron and looks for the hammerlock DDT, but he can’t execute it. Gargano gets in the ring and kicks Almas in the head on the apron. Gargano follows up with a slingshot DDT onto the apron, and both men crash down to the ringside floor. Back in the ring, Almas comes back with a jawbreaker. They trade punches in the middle of the ring until Almas hits an elbow that stuns the challenger. Almas takes a breather then charges at Gargano but Gargano stops him with a boot. Gargano hits a DDT then drops Almas in the corner. Almas comes back with a dropkick and a small package pin for a two count. Gargano follows up with superkicks for a two count of his own. Almas drops Gargano in the corner and puts him in the tree of woe, then hits the double foot stomp. Almas throws Gargano into the LED screen on the side of the ring, then back in the ring. Almas follows up with the running double knee strikes in the corner for a two count. Almas and Gargano both slowly get up and trade punches. Gargano hits a superkick out of nowhere, and then a reverse hurricanrana. Gargano catches Almas in the crossface on the mat. Zelina distracts the ref, and Almas uses the distraction to rake Gargano’s eyes and break the hold. Gargano dumps Almas out to ringside and follows up with a suicide dive. Gargano throws Almas back in the ring and Almas distracts the ref, while Zelina Vega hits a hurricanrana on Gargano that sends him into the ring steps. Almas rolls outside and drags Gargano back in the ring, then hits the hammerlock DDT. Almas pins but Gargano gets the shoulder up at two, and the crowd goes nuts. Zelina goes to attack Gargano again, but Gargano’s wife hops the barricade and beats down Zelina, then chases her out of the arena through the crowd. Gargano crawls back up on the apron and Almas walks over to him. Gargano kicks him in the head, then hits a slingshot DDT in the ring for a two count. Gargano immediately locks in the Gargano Escape on the Champion, but Almas gets his foot on the rope. They roll out to the apron, and Almas shoves Gargano into the ring post. Almas follows up with the running knees to the face on Gargano up against the ring post on the apron. Almas pulls Gargano up over the turnbuckle and hits the draping hammerlock DDT for the three count.

Winner & still NXT Champion:

– After the match, Zelina Vega re-appears and celebrates the win with Alma before they head to the back. Gargano’s wife comes back and walks him to the back. Before they make it back, Tommaso Ciampa comes out and nails Gargano in the back with a crutch. Ciampa walks off as referees come to check on Gargano, and NXT goes off the air.

Undertaker & Michelle McCool Spotted In Philadelphia, Big Cass At WWE Reading Event

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– The WWE always likes to bring in some big names for the Royal Rumble each year, and it seems that they’ve brought in one of the biggest for tomorrow night. PWInsider is reporting that both The Undertaker and Michelle McCool are in Philadelphia for the Royal Rumble.

It’s possible that the couple is just there for McCool’s appearance in the women’s Royal Rumble, as WWE did reach out to her for an appearance. As for The Undertaker there’s no word yet on if he’ll be competing in the men’s Royal Rumble. Here is a photo and video of Taker and McCool in Philadelphia earlier today:

– Big Cass appeared alongside NXT Women’s Champ Ember Moon, Mandy Rose, Dana Warrior, and No Way Jose at the WrestleMania Reading Challenge in New Orleans this week as they read to over 300 students for National Reading Day. Here are some photos: