CM Punk will be a part of the 2025 Men’s Royal Rumble match, bringing an exciting favorite to the contest. Punk declared his intention following this week’s episode of WWE Raw, the debut episode of the red brand on Netflix.
Here’s everything you need to know about CM Punk’s Royal Rumble legacy and what his entry means for this year’s event.
CM Punk Confirms His Entry for 2025
Punk announced the news in a post-show promo at the WWE RAW on Netflix premiere. The Best in the World shared that not only does he plan on winning the Men’s Royal Rumble, but that he’ll be winning gold this year.
For any WWE Superstar, being the 30th and final entrant into a Royal Rumble match is a win in and of itself. After all, the #30 spot is mathematically the best position to be in and has produced winners including John Cena, Triple H, The Undertaker, and Cody Rhodes. But we’re not here to talk about the winners.
While #30 has produced plenty of winners, entering last is far from a guaranteed Rumble victory. Over the decades, we’ve seen plenty of #30 entrants be eliminated as quickly as they entered.
Here are some Superstars who squandered their coveted spot as the #30 entrant.
The Warlord (1992)
Despite his size, The Warlord had some terrible luck in the Royal Rumble match.
Until Santino Marella broke the record in 2009, the Warlord’s name was synonymous with having the shortest stint in a Royal Rumble with 2 seconds at the 1989 Rumble. Well two years later, the Warlord had better luck, but still had an abysmal performance. Lasting 1:43, Warlord scored no eliminations in the 1991 Rumble before being eliminated for the third time in his career by Hulk Hogan.
Adam Bomb (1994)
When Adam Bomb made his way to the ring as part of the 1994 Royal Rumble, Vince McMahon on commentary declared “ADAM BOMB IS GOING TO WIN THE ROYAL RUMBLE!” Now mind you, the match still had Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, and Lex Luger all in the bout.
As you’ve figured out by now, Bomb didn’t live up to McMahon’s declaration as he was flattened and thrown out by the bigger stars in 4:55.
Duke ‘The Dumpster’ Droese (1996)
Nobody believed that Duke Droese would be headlining WrestleMania 12 by winning the 1996 Rumble.
We can’t help but wonder what the fans in Fresno’s Selland Arena felt when Duke Droese was the final participant in the 1996 Royal Rumble match. Seriously, did a single person think it’d be Bret Hart Vs ‘The Dumpster’ at WrestleMania 12?
Droese eliminated nobody before being thrown out by Diesel and Kama after 1:10.
Vader (1998)
Once a top star of Japan and WCW, Vader’s WWF run did not do the superheavyweight justice. Never was that more evident than the 1998 Royal Rumble match, in which Vader lasted just 2:15.
His sole elimination saw Vader throw out comedy cameo The Honky Tonk Man, making it clear that the powerhouse was not meant to be taken seriously as a possible winner.
Chyna (1999)
The first woman to enter a Royal Rumble match, Chyna did score a single elimination in the 1999 match, which is more than what most people on this list can boast.
But at 35 seconds, it felt like WWE wanted Chyna out of the match as quickly as she came in.
Booker T (2002)
Booker T’s Royal Rumble debut would be a bad night for the former WCW World Champion.
Perhaps the biggest name who joined WWF after WCW’s 2001 demise, Booker T had a rough start in the promotion. While he was Vince McMahon’s pick in the 2002 Rumble match, Booker would last just 33 seconds before being tossed out. It’d be a long time before the talented wrestler would be treated as a main eventer.
Rey Mysterio (2014)
8 years on from his 2006 win, Rey Mysterio entered to a chorus of boos in the 2014 Rumble match.
One of wrestling’s most beloved heroes, Rey Mysterio’s entrance as the #30 entrant in 2014 was quite a shock to behold.
Simply put, fans wanted Daniel Bryan, and Rey’s arrival snuffed out their last hope. Rey lasted 2:10 and scored 0 eliminations, making his role seem even more egregious.
Dolph Ziggler (2018)
Dolph had vacated the U.S. title weeks before his lackluster role in the 2018 Men’s Rumble match.
After surrending his newly-won U.S. title in late 2017, fans were curious as to what was to come for Dolph Ziggler. For months, Ziggler was nowhere to be seen, until he returned to programming as the #30 entrant in the 2018 Men’s Rumble match.
Unfortunately for the Show-Off, his return was entirely anti-climactic, and he would be eliminated in 2:01 by Finn Balor. Ziggler’s only elimination would see him toss out the cameoing Goldust, who lasted longer in the match than Dolph himself.
Nia Jax (Men’s 2019)
Nobody expected R-Truth, the original #30 entrant in the 2019 Men’s Rumble to win, but the decision to replace him with Nia Jax was entirely bizarre.
The following sequence which saw a bunch of male Superstars hit their finishers on Jax wouldn’t help matters either, especially as some fans online seemed too eager to watch her get ganged up on. Jax would eliminate Mustafa Ali before being dumped out herself at 3:09.
Nia Jax (Women’s 2023)
Four years on from her bizarre entry into the Men’s Royal Rumble, Nia Jax made a surprise return to WWE during the 2023 Women’s Rumble.
Her big return is probably best remembered for WWE displaying graphics with her name over ten seconds before her return. Jax eliminated nobody in her 1:57 stint in the match.
The WWE Royal Rumble is one of the most iconic events in pro wrestling. Its history is filled with incredible moments, unforgettable surprises, and legendary winners.
However, not every winner has lived up to the hype. Let’s take a look at some of the best and worst Royal Rumble winners ever.
Stone Cold Steve Austin is the undisputed king of the Royal Rumble. With three wins under his belt, Austin’s victories solidified his status as one of the greatest superstars in WWE history. His 1997 win is particularly memorable, as he cheated to secure his spot, igniting his legendary feud with Bret Hart.
2. Shawn Michaels (1995, 1996)
Shawn Michaels’ back-to-back Royal Rumble wins showcased his athleticism and charisma. His 1995 victory, where he entered at No. 1 and lasted until the end, is one of the most iconic performances in the event’s history.
3. Ric Flair (1992)
Ric Flair’s 1992 win was more than just a victory…it was a masterpiece. Entering at No. 3, Flair lasted over an hour to win the vacant WWE Championship. His performance remains a benchmark for endurance and quality in the Rumble.
4. Becky Lynch (2019)
Becky Lynch’s 2019 victory was a groundbreaking moment for women’s wrestling. “The Man” capitalized on her momentum to headline WrestleMania 35, making history as part of the first-ever women’s main event.
The Worst WWE Royal Rumble Winners
1. Vince McMahon (1999)
The 1999 Royal Rumble winner was none other than WWE’s chairman, Vince McMahon. While it made for an entertaining storyline, his victory over Steve Austin felt like a missed opportunity to elevate another superstar.
2. Alberto Del Rio (2011)
Alberto Del Rio’s win in the largest Royal Rumble match (40 entrants) was met with lukewarm reactions. His victory did little to boost his career or create lasting memories
3. Batista (2014)
Batista’s 2014 win came at the expense of fan-favorite Daniel Bryan, sparking a major backlash. While Batista’s legacy is undeniable, this victory felt like the wrong choice for the WWE Universe.
4. Big John Studd (1989)
As one of the earliest Royal Rumble winners, Big John Studd’s 1989 victory lacked the stakes and excitement of later editions. It’s a largely forgotten moment in WWE’s illustrious history.
The WWE Royal Rumble has long been a stage for epic comebacks and shocking surprises. Over the years, fans have witnessed some of the most electrifying returns in wrestling history during this annual event. Let’s dive into the best WWE Royal Rumble returns ever, ranked by their impact and crowd reaction.
5. Mr Perfect shows up in 2002
Mr. Perfect made a notable return to WWE during the 2002 Royal Rumble, captivating fans with his presence after a long absence. Entering as the 25th participant, he quickly made an impact by showing that he could more than keep up years after his heyday.
His performance was impressive enough to see him reach the final three competitors in the match, setting the stage for a return to regular television for the former Intercontinental Champion.
4. Christian Returns to aid Edge
In 2021, Christian made a surprise return at the Royal Rumble, marking his first official match since 2014. This moment was particularly emotional as he reunited with Edge in the ring, creating a nostalgic atmosphere for long-time fans of both superstars before both would head to AEW in the years following.
3. Rey Mysterio returns in 2018
Rey Mysterio made a stunning return to WWE during the 2018 Royal Rumble, entering as the 27th participant. His comeback was unexpected and popped the audience huge, marking a significant moment in his career after being away from WWE for several years.
What really added to the impact was how Rey’s number 30 entrance at the 2014 event was marred by boos, mainly because he wasn’t Daniel Bryan, so this was a great return.
2. John Cena’s Miraculous 2008 Comeback
John Cena’s return at the 2008 Royal Rumble stands out as one of the most memorable moments in WWE history. After suffering a torn pectoral muscle that was expected to sideline him for months, Cena made an astonishing comeback just three months later.
As the 30th entrant, Cena’s music hit, and Madison Square Garden erupted in a deafening roar. The shock and excitement of his unexpected return, coupled with his eventual victory, solidified this as one of the greatest Royal Rumble moments ever.
1. Edge’s Emotional 2020 Return
Nine years after being forced to retire due to neck injuries, Edge made an unforgettable return at the 2020 Royal Rumble. The crowd’s reaction was nothing short of electric as the Rated-R Superstar stepped into the ring for the first time since WrestleMania 27 in 2011.
Edge’s comeback wasn’t just a nostalgic moment; it reignited his career and led to several high-profile feuds, making it one of the most impactful returns in Royal Rumble history and our pick for the greatest return in Royal Rumble history.
Oba Femi captured the WWE NXT Championship during this week’s New Year’s Evil show, and the Ruler also made history in the process. Femi dethroned Trick Williams to win the gold in a triple-threat match that also included Eddy Thorpe.
With his win, Femi has become the fifth Black WWE NXT Champion. This means that WWE has now crowned more black NXT Champions than have ever held the WWE Championship. Femi follows in the footsteps of former champions Big E (2012), Keith Lee (2019), Carmelo Hayes (2022), and Trick Williams (2022). WWE has crowned four black WWE Champions: The Rock, Kofi Kingston, Bobby Lashley, and Big E.
Femi’s win was also only the 2nd time in WWE history that a brand’s main title changed hands between two black men. The only time this previously happened came in late 2021 when Big E won the WWE Championship from Bobby Lashley.
Here is how WWE NXT Champions break down by nationality:
Nationality
No. Of Champions
Champions
American
13
Seth Rollins, Big E, Bo Dallas, Samoa Joe*, Tommaso Ciampa, Johnny Gargano, Adam Cole, Keith Lee, Karrion Kross, Bron Breakker, Dolph Ziggler, Carmelo Hayes, Trick Williams
English
1
Adrian Neville
Canadian
4
Sami Zayn*, Kevin Owens, Bobby Roode, Ethan Page
Syrian
1
Sami Zayn*
Irish
1
Finn Balor
Samoan
1
Samoa Joe*
Japanese
1
Shinsuke Nakamura
Mexican
1
Andrade ‘Cien’ Almas
Dutch
1
Aleister Black
Russian
1
Ilja Dragunov
Scottish
1
Drew McIntyre
Nigerian
1
Oba Femi
Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Oba Femi, as the new NXT Champion is ready to carry the silver brand into a new era in 2025.
The Rock made his first-ever appearance in WWE NXT this week, where he shared his love for WWE and teased that his issues with Cody Rhodes aren’t over yet. The Final Boss is hardly the first surprising name to have shown up in WWE’s developmental brand:
CM Punk
CM Punk has been keeping a close eye on NXT since his return but competed for the brand in a dark match in 2012. In a meeting of the internet ‘darlings’, Punk teamed with Seth Rollins to defeat Kassius Ohno and Antonio Cesaro.
Chris Jericho
Appearing on the May 1, 2013, episode, Chris Jericho bested Bray Wyatt in the main event of WWE NXT. Wyatt would arrive on the main roster later that year and the pair would feud in 2014.
Sheamus
Already a former World Champion, Sheamus defeated Luke Harper in July 2013 during the Celtic Warrior’s first-ever match in NXT. Nine months later, Sheamus returned to the brand to defeat Aiden English.
John Cena
Cena made an appearance for NXT in 2023, but also appeared for the gold brand back years earlier. A segment with Enzo Amore and Big Cass ended with Cena delivering an AA to Damian Sandow, but as this was a dark segment, fans at home couldn’t see John.
Team Hell No
After appearing on the game-show edition of NXT in 2010, Daniel Bryan returned to the gold brand alongside Kane on the November 28, 2012, episode. Team Hell No retained their tag titles on the night against Johnny Curtis and Michael McGillicutty.
Christian
Years before he was waging war on deceased fathers, Christian hosted a post-show edition of the peep-show after an October 2013 WWE NXT. This unlikely segment saw the unlikely guest of World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio and ended with Rusev standing tall over Del Rio.
Too Cool
The first-ever NXT TakeOver event saw Scotty 2 Hotty and Grandmaster Sexay surprise fans in tag-team competition. The pair challenged then-champions The Ascension but failed to capture the gold.
Batista
Batista’s 2014 run didn’t go as WWE planned as the fans rejected the Animal in favor of Daniel Bryan, ultimately turning Batista heel. That same year though, Batista won fans back after an NXT taping. After Bo Dallas suggested the pair team up as ‘Bo-tista’ the Animal rejected the idea with a Batista Bomb to the delight of the crowd.
Dark Match, a new horror movie starring AEW’s Chris Jericho, will land on the popular horror streaming service Shudder later this month. A description for the film reads:
A wrestling company lands a lucrative gig in a remote town, only to find themselves at the mercy of a cult leader with sinister intentions.
Jericho will play the role of ‘Prophet’ but isn’t the only notable name attached. The film boasts a star-studded cast, including Ayisha Issa (Transplant), Steven Ogg (The Walking Dead, Westworld), Sara Canning (The Vampire Diaries), Michael Eklund (The Call), and Jonathan Cherry (Goon). Lowell Dean (Wolfcop) is attached as writer and director.
A wrestling company lands a lucrative gig in a remote town, only to find themselves at the mercy of a cult leader with sinister intentions.
Dark Match will mark the latest big-screen role for Jericho, who’s first foray into horror acting came in 2009’s Albino Farm. In 2022, Jericho played ‘Burke’ in Terrifier 2 and reprised the role for the film’s sequel last year.
Jericho’s love of horror has also extended into his pro-wrestling career, with his ‘Painmaker’ character during his New Japan run blending elements of horror and the macabre. While Jericho has shared his goal to develop the character and create a Painmaker movie, little has been heard about this project in recent years.
Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Chris Jericho as the wrestling legend continues to show his entertaining chops both in and out of the ring.
Corey Graves has returned to the NXT Commentary booth.
The new calendar year comes with a lot of big changes for WWE including a shake-up to their existing commentary teams.
This change apparently includes Corey Graves who made his return to the NXT brand during Tuesday’s New Year’s Evil special. He joined Vic Joseph and Booker T on commentary for the show:
Corey Graves originally started his broadcast career in NXT back in 2014, after he was forced to retire from in-ring competition due to concussion-related issues. He was promoted to the main roster as part of the 2016 Draft.
Graves had most recently been assigned to the SmackDown brand alongside Michael Cole. Cole was shifted to the Raw brand with the show’s Netflix premiere on January 6, being accompanied by the returning Pat McAfee.
The Raw commentary team of Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett on the other hand, were moved to SmackDown, leaving Graves’ status up in the air.
It’s unknown if Graves will be sticking around the Black & Silver brand or if his appearance at the NXT special was a one-night thing.
In recent years we have seen a number of main roster stars having extended runs with the brand and it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Savior of Misbehaviour becomes the first commentator to do so as well.
The 26-year-old challenged for Trick Williams’ title in a triple threat match also featuring Eddy Thorpe at New Year’s Evil from Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California. This came after he won the Men’s Iron Survivor challenge last month.
The ending of this bout saw Williams setting Femi up for a Trick Shot but the Nigerian star moved out of the way. The move instead connected to Thorpe who was holding a chair he had brought in the ring. This allowed Femi to deliver a huge powerbomb to Williams for the pin.
The event marks the end of Trick Williams’ second run with the title at 98 days. He had won the title by defeating Ethan Page at NXT’s CW debut episode.
Femi wasn’t the only new champion crowned during the latest episode. Giulia also finally defeated Roxanne Perez to win the NXT Women’s Championship in the opening match of the show. The new champion came out on the ramp to pose with Femi at the end of his match, signalling the start of a new era for the brand.
Apart from this, Lexis King also finally became the new official holder of the Heritage Cup tonight. He defeated Charlie Dempsey in a sudden death round for the title.
Fans can expect to see Becky Lynch back in the ring in the future as the former Women’s Champion has reportedly signed a new deal with WWE. Sources confirmed to Fightful Select that Lynch and WWE reached an agreement for her return, though this does not mean she’ll be back on TV immediately.
Lynch attended some Netflix-related events ahead of Raw’s debut on the streaming juggernaut this week, though told people she was there simply to support the company. Lynch’s husband Seth Rollins headlined the show in a loss to CM Punk.
Lynch was also featured in promotional material for the red brand’s debut on Netflix, but did not have a role on the show. It’s been reported that she was supposed to confront Rhea Ripley after the latter’s Women’s World Championship win, but that plan was nixed. Instead, The Undertaker appeared and shared a moment with Ripley in a huge endorsement of the Australian star.
Becky Lynch’s previous WWE contract expired in June 2024, though reports at the time stated that WWE officials were optimistic that she’d be back in due time. With the 2025 Women’s Royal Rumble match drawing near, fans can look forward to seeing The Man come around, potentially as a surprise entrant in the 30-Woman match.
Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Becky Lynch, as her return to WWE programming and the ring doesn’t appear to be a question of if, but when.
The Rock was part of this week’s WWE NXT, during which he teased that his issues with Cody Rhodes are far from over.
The Final Boss appeared during a segment with Ethan Page, who was seen confronting Ava. The Rock interrupted Page’s complaints and addressed him directly about breaking Je’Von Evans’ jaw. In classic Rock fashion, he warned Page that “payback’s gonna be a b***h.”
The Rock made it clear that Ava is the real boss in NXT, adding that if Page wants to stay on The Rock’s good side, he needs to respect Ava. Later, Ava and The Rock shared a heartfelt on-screen moment with Ava saying it was special to have her father around.
Later in the night, The Rock cut a promo and mentioned Cody Rhodes, referencing his recent supportive gesture toward the American Nightmare during the RAW Netflix debut. Addressing skeptics, he assured fans that he was thinking several steps ahead and urged them to trust the journey he’s taking them on.
Despite the show’s time constraints, The Rock joked that they could “go all night.” He dropped an unscripted f-bomb but quickly apologized for it before ending the night by thanking the fans for their passion and emphasized their importance to NXT.
The Rock’s comments about Cody Rhodes come as a relief to fans of his popular heel run of 2024, many of whom took issue with Rock and Rhodes being fine with each other on Raw. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on The Rock, as despite what was said during the red brand’s debut on Netflix, the Brahma Bull may not be finished with the American Nightmare after all.
LA Knight has emerged as one of WWE’s most popular stars, experiencing a breakout year in 2023 that began with a storyline involving the late Bray Wyatt. His charisma and connection with the audience led to increasingly loud reactions from fans, prompting WWE to elevate his role on the roster.
Knight’s momentum continued to build through a feud with The Miz and an endorsement by John Cena, culminating in a high-profile challenge for the Undisputed WWE Championship against Roman Reigns at Crown Jewel 2023. While Knight fell short in his quest for the title, fan support remained unwavering, solidifying his position as a top star.
In an interview with WittyWhittier, Knight reflected on what led to his sudden surge in popularity:
“Short answer, I don’t know. I really don’t know. Because, I mean, if you look at everything that was going on at the time when that rise really started happening, the only thing I could really attribute it to was just taking advantage of some of the time that I had when I was doing the whole deal with Bray Wyatt. But at the time, still, it was kind of like, ‘We don’t know about this guy.’ But it seems like once I got out of that, I didn’t really have any direction. For months, there was nothing happening with me. But somehow in that time is when, ‘Oh, wait a minute. I think we kind of like this guy.’ I don’t know what it was, but clearly, I must have been making the most of my time. Because I wasn’t doing a damn thing. So something was hitting. I don’t know what it is, and I can’t attribute it to anything.”
In 2024, Knight captured his first championship in WWE, defeating Logan Paul for the United States Title at SummerSlam. However, his reign ended at Survivor Series: WarGames, where Shinsuke Nakamura dethroned him. Knight will have an opportunity to reclaim the title in a rematch on this week’s SmackDown.
Ric Flair has reassured fans that he has no intention of stepping back into the wrestling ring for another match. While recently appearing on the Five Star Podcast, Flair was asked whether he thought he could still compete in a match. His confident response—“Hell yeah, I do”—sparked speculation about a possible return.
The comments caught the attention of WWE Superstar Bronson Reed, who jokingly questioned people wanting to see him hit his finishing move, the Tsunami, on Flair, implying it could be life-threatening for the wrestling legend. In response, Flair took to social media to put the rumors to rest and clarify his stance:
“No Return To The Ring Ever! Thankful For The Great Health And The Conditioning That Would Allow Me To. Bronson Reed Couldn’t Tsunami Me On His Best Day!”
Flair wrestled his final match on July 31, 2022, teaming with his son-in-law, Andrade El Idolo, to defeat Jay Lethal and Jeff Jarrett. The bout, promoted as Flair’s retirement match, drew concern from fans due to his age and his health condition, which includes having a pacemaker.
Flair’s performance in the match appeared hindered at times, and he later attributed his struggles to dehydration caused by his strict diet and weight management during training. Despite his confidence in his current health and conditioning, Flair has made it clear that his days in the squared circle are over.
Giulia is the new WWE NXT Women’s Champion. During the first episode of NXT TV titled New Year’s Evil, broadcast from the Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall in Los Angeles, California, Giulia challenged Roxanne Perez for the championship.
The match served as the opening contest of the show, which aired on the CW Network. As the referee approached a 10-count during a crucial moment in the match, Cora Jade intervened, placing Perez back into the ring. Giulia also managed to re-enter the ring just in time, eventually securing the victory.
Roxanne Perez entered the bout as champion, having held the title for an impressive 273 days. The history between Perez and Giulia had been building for months. At No Mercy, Perez successfully defended her title against Jaida Parker, only to be confronted afterward by the debuting Giulia.
Later, during the premiere of NXT on the CW Network, Perez once again retained her title against Giulia, with interference from the returning Cora Jade playing a pivotal role. This tension culminated in a tag team match at Halloween Havoc, where Perez and Jade teamed up against Giulia and Stephanie Vaquer but ultimately suffered a loss.
Now, with her victory at New Year’s Evil, Giulia stands tall as the new NXT Women’s Champion.
John Cena explores what it truly means to be invisible in McDonald’s latest ad. The commercial humorously reflects on Cena’s iconic catchphrase, which has since become a meme, with fans pretending not to be able to see him in photos.
In the ad, Cena acknowledges the enduring joke, admitting that it “has gone too far” as he jokes about being “invisible for 20 years now.” While he initially found the meme amusing, the ad concludes with a reflective Cena stating, “I’m invisible.” The unique commercial for McDonald’s McValue range showcases Cena’s acting range, balancing humor and seriousness effortlessly.
Though fans may “not see” Cena in the ad, the WWE legend will be impossible to miss in 2025. On this week’s Raw, Cena launched his farewell tour by officially entering the 2025 Men’s Royal Rumble match. A victory in the 30-man contest would make Cena only the second wrestler in history, alongside ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin, to win the Rumble three times. It would also guarantee him a World Championship match at WrestleMania 41.
Both in and out of the ring, John Cena remains a towering figure in entertainment so it’s no surprise that McDonald’s wanted to collaborate with the 16-time World Champion. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest updates as Cena embarks on what promises to be an emotional farewell tour.
John Cena is officially entering the 2025 Royal Rumble. During the WWE RAW on Netflix premiere, Cena declared his intention to not only participate in the Royal Rumble but to win the match, setting his sights on WrestleMania 41.
Here’s everything you need to know about Cena’s Royal Rumble legacy and what his entry means for this year’s event.
John Cena Confirms His Entry for 2025
At the WWE RAW premiere on Netflix, John Cena addressed the crowd in Los Angeles, kicking off his farewell tour. In an emotional moment, Cena reflected on his career, thanked his fans, and highlighted his connection to the city. He revealed that his goal for 2025 is to “make moments,” and winning the Royal Rumble is at the heart of that ambition. Cena stated:
“I’m not just going to the Royal Rumble; I’m going to WIN the Royal Rumble!”
This declaration immediately sent shockwaves through the WWE Universe, with fans speculating about the potential opponents Cena might face at WrestleMania if he succeeds.
John Cena’s Royal Rumble Career Highlights
Cena has participated in eight Royal Rumbles, boasting an impressive track record:
Event
Entrant Number
Time in Match
Finishing Position
Eliminations
Eliminated By
Notable Moments
2003
18
19:42
9th
0
The Undertaker
Attacked by Rob Van Dam before entering, cutting his time short.
2004
28
07:34
6th
1
Big Show
Had a brief but impactful run before being eliminated by Big Show.
2005
25
15:28
2nd
4
Batista
Reached the final two; eliminated simultaneously with Batista, leading to a match restart.
2008
30
08:29
Winner
4
–
Surprise return from injury; last eliminated Triple H to win.
2010
19
22:12
4th
2
Edge
Eliminated heavyweights before Edge ended his run.
2011
22
34:17:00
5th
7
The Miz
Achieved his highest eliminations in a single Rumble; eliminated by The Miz, who wasn’t even in the match.
2013
19
26:10:00
Winner
4
–
Won his second Royal Rumble, earning a main event spot at WrestleMania 29 against The Rock.
2018
20
28:33:00
3rd
3
Shinsuke Nakamura
Came close to winning, but Nakamura eliminated him to secure victory.
Career Totals Across Royal Rumbles
Total Entries: 8
Wins: 2 (2008, 2013)
Cumulative Time in Match: 2 hours, 42 minutes, 25 seconds
Eliminations: 25
Average Time Per Entry: 20 minutes, 18 seconds
Best Finish: Winner (2008, 2013)
Worst Finish: 9th (2003)
Additional Records and Highlights
Elimination Leader: Cena holds a record of 7 eliminations in the 2011 Royal Rumble, his best in a single match.
Memorable Eliminations: Cena has taken out numerous top stars, including Kane, Triple H, Batista, and Edge.
Consistency: Cena’s average finish is within the top four, showcasing his dominance in the Royal Rumble format.
Sheamus believes the pandemic era led to the resurgence of his career.
The Celtic Warrior is today recognized as one of the best in-ring talents of WWE. His physical matches with names such as Gunther and Drew McIntyre over the past year have led to a renewed appreciation for the former WWE Champion among fans.
This wasn’t always the case, however. After his initial success in the company, there was a long period where the Irish star was perceived as just another wrestler on the WWE roster.
Talking about this career resurgence in a new interview with Chris Van Vliet, Sheamus explained how the pandemic era proved to be vital for him. According to him, it was the time which helped him get comfortable in his own skin:
“I definitely felt during the pandemic I really came into my own skin. I really felt like I had an opportunity to kind of recreate myself and show people what I was really about. And that’s I think where the whole physicality came from. You know how it was; nobody is physical in the ring as I am and then that’s where we went into the banger era of Sheamus.”
Sheamus made his main roster debut in June 2009 and he was already a WWE champion by December. The wrestling veteran went on to win 4 more world titles over the next 5 years. Then came a period of relative decline however, as the 46-year-old was relegated to mostly mid card feuds and tag team matches over the next decade.
The WWE star discussed how becoming the WWE champion so quickly led to locker room heat for him. He also credited his time teaming with Cesaro as the period that reignited his passion for the business:
“I became the WWE champion really quickly and people just hated that. A lot of talent hated that too. But it’s been a long journey, and I’m like, sometimes you kind of feel where’s this going. But I think the whole part where it really came together was when I started tagging with Cesaro, and we became The Bar that best of seven series, that’s where I really got my passion back.”
The former Champion also talked about his 2009 title win in much more detail during the interview and revealed who was the other talent WWE had considered for the spot.
The Netflix premiere episode of WWE Raw saw The Tribal Chief finally reclaiming the Ula Fala after defeating Solo Sikoa. The Great One even showed up after the bout to acknowledge his cousin and the two shared a hug at the show.
Despite all the pleasantries, the question of a potential match was asked to Roman in the post-Raw press conference. Reigns was asked if he would like to tease the bout and The Head of The Table said that he would just let people speculate about it:
“I don’t have to tease anything, you guys do it for us. We’re just going to let the Internet do its thing. [Saying yes or no], that would defeat the whole purpose of this. The Internet won’t do its thing if I said yes or no. So, we’ll see.”
Apart from this, Roman Reigns was also asked about John Cena calling him the greatest of all time. The former WWE Champion claimed that he’s too busy to be thinking about such things. Reigns noted how the whole thing is really subjective but also discussed how John Cena is a very smart man and reminded everyone that his metrics prove Roman to be the goat.
The future of Solo Sikoa is another big question coming out of the show. After the New Bloodline leader failed to prove his dominance over the Original Tribal Chief, it’d be interesting to see how his faction members react to his loss.
Sheamus shocked the wrestling world by capturing the WWE Championship in late 2009, but the Celtic Warrior wasn’t the promotion’s only option for Raw’s top spot. Speaking on the Insightpodcast, Sheamus revealed the surprising name who could have taken his place.
“I went with John, and we had a couple of matches on a European tour… There was a throw up between me or [Jack] Swagger to go with.”
Sheamus’ meteoric rise culminated in winning the WWE Championship in a Tables Match against John Cena at WWE TLC, just 166 days after his televised debut. This rapid ascent marked the third-shortest time a wrestler had gone from debut to World Champion, trailing only Ric Flair in 1992 and Brock Lesnar in 2002.
Jack Swagger, meanwhile, would not capture a world title until 2010, when he won the World Heavyweight Championship by cashing in Money in the Bank. Swagger’s reign was brief, and he never regained the same level of success in WWE before his release in 2017.
Today, Sheamus remains a dominant force in the ring, focused on winning the Intercontinental Championship—the only title he needs to achieve Grand Slam status. Stay tuned to SEScoops for updates on Sheamus, who continues to show no signs of slowing down.
CM Punk would be open to main eventing WrestleMania but it’s not the end goal for him in wrestling anymore.
Being in the main event of the Show of Shows is one of the few achievements in wrestling that has always eluded Punk. The frustration of part-time wrestlers getting the spot over him was one of the major reasons for the Straight Edge Star quitting the company back in 2014.
Now that he is back with the promotion with a completely new management team at the helm, a lot of people believe that the timing is just right for the former AEW Champion to main event WrestleMania 41 from Las Vegas.
CM Punk was asked about the possibility of it during the post-Raw on Netflix premiere press conference. The former World Champion first claimed that he doesn’t feel the need to solidify his status in wrestling with a WrestleMania main event anymore:
“While I think you’d be foolish to say that it doesn’t matter, I would also feel it’s foolish to hold me to the same ideas and things that I said 10, 12 years ago. A lot of other people think that maybe I need to main event WrestleMania to — I don’t know, solidify anything I’ve ever done? Like, I never could have come back here and had a Hall of Fame career, right?”
Though according to Punk, it’s a feat that still scares him and so he would not be shying away from the opportunity if it comes his way:
“So to me, yeah. If that opportunity arises, I’m not going to shy away from it. Because it scares the hell out of me, frankly. And I think if your dreams don’t scare you, I think you need to find different ones, bigger ones. Main eventing the first Raw on Netflix is a pretty big deal though, so nobody else can say they did that.”
Apart from this, CM Punk was also asked about a potential match with John Cena or The Rock in 2025. Punk noted that his focus is on winning a championship in 2025, but he would not say no to either of these matches cause they come with a big paycheck.
The frosty reception Hulk Hogan received at WWE Raw’s debut on Netflix is hardly the first time those at a WWE event have booed the Hall of Famer. Taking to X, former WWE ring announcer Samantha Irvin shared that whenever Hulk Hogan impressions sprouted during commercial breaks, those at WWE shows made their views clear on the Hulkster.
In the commercial breaks we would sometimes do a “Hulk Up Cam”…. and let me tell you something brother- they would be booing lol
Hogan appeared to promote his Real American Beer, the official beer sponsor of Raw and WWE programming moving forward. Despite speaking about his passion for WWE and the fans, those inside Los Angeles’ Intuit Dome had no love for the controversial two-time WWE Hall of Famer.
Hogan’s name has been linked to controversy for years, with several wrestlers accusing him of politicking and hurting the careers of others for his own gain. In 2015, Hogan was fired from WWE after racist comments surfaced in a leaked video. In the footage, Hogan expressed opposition to his daughter dating Black men, repeatedly used a racial slur, and admitted to being “a racist, to a point.”
More recently, Hogan faced backlash for his ties to Donald Trump. In 2024, the wrestler sparked controversy by making ‘jokes’ about using wrestling moves on Kamala Harris. Hogan later attributed the comments to being under the influence of his Real American Beer, stating it was “the beer talking.”
Hogan has been promoting this month’s Saturday Night’s Main Event, after being completely committed from last month’s event. With the January 25, event coming to Texas, a state that endorsed the President-Elect, it remains to be seen what kind of response the Hulkster will receive.
Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque isn’t shying away from what WWE represents in its new era, after the promotion first-ever Raw as part of Netflix. Before the historic episode, WWE debuted a cold open video package featuring Levesque using insider wrestling terminology such as “shoot,” “face,” and “heel.”
The use of these terms sparked a debate online with fans both for and against using insider lingo. On the post-show media scrum, Levesque reflected on the reaction to his verbiage.
“The reaction seems like we did a good job with it. That was the intent, to capture the emotion and let people know, we’re not hiding what we do.”
Levesque has no intention of “insulting anybody’s intelligence” by perpetuating the notion that professional wrestling is a completely legitimate sport. Under his leadership, WWE is embracing its identity as an “art form” designed to resonate with both loyal fans and newcomers.
“It was all part of trying to capture that and say, ‘If you’ve watched, watch this and hopefully we honor what you love. If you’ve never watched this, watch this, we’ll explain to you what we are.'”
These terms had previously been banned by Vince McMahon, and their inclusion further demonstrates that WWE has moved on from its previous head. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on WWE’s new era, an era that will be more honest about the inner workings of the wrestling business.
John Cena kicked off his farewell tour during the historic WWE Raw on Netflix, during which he declared himself for the Men’s Royal Rumble match. At the post-show press conference, the 16-time WWE World Champion shared his intentions for his final year in the ring to be a celebration of all facets of his wrestling journey.
“Hopefully, by the end of all this, if you want to see a certain facet of the 23 years I’ve been in the business, hopefully you can get that little sprinkle.”
Over the years, Cena has embodied numerous personas, beginning as ‘The Prototype’ in OVW before making his main roster debut on SmackDown in June 2002. After a rocky start as a generic babyface, he found his footing as the brash Doctor of Thuganomics, eventually evolving his character into the multifaceted performer fans know today.
When asked if his role as Peacemaker might make a surprise appearance during his farewell tour, Cena acknowledged the character is owned by DC Comics but added, “never say never.”
While John’s days in the ring are numbered, the WWE icon remains fiercely loyal to the promotion that thrust him to superstardom. On the press conference, Cena made clear that his ‘farewell’ to the ring will not be a goodbye to WWE.
“I’m going to retire, but they will have to fire to get me to stop being a part of this place.”
John Cena is slated to participate in major WWE events throughout 2025, including the Royal Rumble, Elimination Chamber, and WrestleMania 41, before officially retiring from in-ring competition. Fans can look forward to an emotional year ahead as one of WWE’s greatest icons bids farewell to the squared circle.
John Cena’s Retirement Tour: Stars Vying to be a Final Opponent
On the December 2, episode of WWE Raw, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods turned on Big E, ending a friendship that fans had seen blossom over a decade. Since then, Kingston and Woods have had plenty to say about their former friend on TV and online, and now Big E himself has weighed in.
During the WWE Raw on Netflix Premiere Post-Show, Big E was asked for his take on his so-called ‘brothers.’
“These are not the two men that I stood side by side with for the last ten years. This version of those two, I don’t recognize.”
Big E doesn’t care for this “current direction” for Woods and Kingston, which he said is nothing more than “whining, complaining, b*tching, and moaning.” Nevertheless, the former WWE Champion is intrigued to see where the New Day goes from here.
“Clearly, we’ve moved in different directions. I’m excited or interested to see what they do with their careers because right now it’s just kind of spinning.”
Big E is unfortunately still not cleared to compete, though fans remain hopeful to see him back in the ring and get payback on his treacherous former allies. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Big E in this post-New Day chapter of his career.
CM Punk put both the WWE World Champions on notice after the WWE Raw on Netflix premiere from Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California went off air.
The Straight Edge Star defeated Seth Rollins in their first singles match in over a decade in the main event of the show. Punk picked up the victory after delivering two GTS to his opponent.
Jackie Redmond interviewed the former World Champion after the Netflix broadcast ended. She asked the WWE star what to expect from him in 2025. CM Punk claimed that he’ll be coming for all the gold in 2025. The former AEW star named both Gunther and Cody Rhodes before declaring his entry into Royal Rumble:
During the promo, Punk also dedicated his Netflix victory to New Found Glory guitarist Chad Gilbert and TNA star Chris Bay. Gilbert has been dealing with cancer while Bay has been out of action after suffering a serious neck injury in October.
Punk wasn’t the only name who declared his entry into the Rumble during the night. John Cena also officially kicked off his retirement tour at the show and declared himself for the upcoming battle royal.
Apart from this, the Raw Netflix premiere featured names such as The Rock and Hulk Hogan. It also saw a surprise appearance from another WWE Hall of Famer. You can check out more about it here.
