For over two decades the Royal Rumble has been one of the most highly regarded shows of the year, second only in popularity to WrestleMania. The unpredictability of the Rumble match itself, the beginning of the road to WrestleMania and the formation of key storylines destined to headline that show have seen this annual tradition become a highly anticipated, must see event.
So why then is everyone up in arms over this year’s offering?
The Ascension vs. The New Age Outlaws
What Happened? Making their PPV debut, The Ascension avenged their Raw beating at the hands of Road Dogg and Billy Gunn, dismantling the veteran tandem quickly and with relative ease.
Winners: The Ascension via pinfall (Fall of Man)
Thoughts: The gulf in quality in the booking and general handling of talent between the main shows and NXT is always painfully apparent when superstars make the leap, and The Ascension are the next in a growing list to fall victim to Vince McMahon’s antediluvian style. Beating a barely functioning team of fifty year old part timers, wrestling their first match since a three minute mauling at the hands of The Shield last year, is not the best way to showcase their potential as a division dominating duo.
And some still wonder why superstars are now reluctant to move away from NXT.
★★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆
Tag Team Championship
The Usos © vs. The Miz & Damien Mizdow
What Happened? The team of The Miz and Damien Mizdow continue to read from a different playbook. Fast becoming resentful over his “Stunt Double’s” rise in popularity, The Miz on multiple occasions refused to co-operate with Mizdow, making things a lot easier for the defending champions. Despite Mizdow’s best efforts, his team were unable to recapture the gold.
Winners and STILL champions: The Usos via pinfall (Splash)
Thoughts: Hilarious and show stealing originally, the antics of The Miz and Mizdow have fast become repetitive and stale. Facing off against a team they have been paired with too many times recently also only helps highlight this further, and also exposes the tag team division as one in desperate need of fresh blood.
★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆
The Bella Twins vs. Paige & Natalya
What Happened? Feuding over something from Total Divas (I don’t watch it. Sorry!), the revitalised Bella Twins dominated the newly paired former Divas champions Paige and Natalya. The sisters showed that they have seemingly repaired their fractured relationship and now look stronger than ever thanks to their performance in this lopsided match.
Winners: The Bella Twins via pinfall (Running forearm)
Thoughts: Whoever decided three tag team matches in a row needs to be evaluated. Two tag squash matches sandwiched between a mediocre title bout is not one’s idea of a strong opening for one of the year’s top shows. Gripes aside The Bella Twins seem to be making some subtle improvements to their existing skillsets. Love them, or hate them, the WWE’s favoured Divas have quietly become excellent wrestlers. It’s just a shame that they have completely failed to explain how or why Brie so easily forgave her sister’s reprehensible actions from the summer.
★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆
Triple Threat Match for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship
Brock Lesnar © vs. John Cena vs. Seth Rollins
What Happened? Making his first title defence since September, megastar monster Brock Lesnar faced his toughest challenge to date in the form of a ultra determined challengers John Cena, and Seth Rollins. Punishing from start to finish, all three hit multiple finishers on each other and tore up the ring and surrounding area as the battle spiralled out of control. Showing his unearthly toughness as champion, Lesnar survived being smashed through the barricade and announcers table, and came back to retain the strap by finally pinning a battered and fatigued Rollins.
Winner and STILL champion: Brock Lesnar via pinfall (F5)
Thoughts: Just what the doctor ordered...and a whole lot more. This Triple Threat instant classic will go down as one of 2015’s best matches, and also reminded us why we miss the WWE World Heavyweight championship so much. All three men gave it their all; Rollins once again showing his incredible athleticism and Lesnar bringing his ferocity and hard hitting, unique style. Hell, even John Cena put in a superior performance, throwing in what appeared to be a NEW MOVE! An awesome match, one of the best Triple Threat contests of all time...and a match that saved the card...albeit temporarily.
★★★★★★★★★☆
The 2015 30 Man Royal Rumble Match
What Happened? After his record smashing performance last year, Roman Reigns went one better this year by winning the 30 man contest and setting up a main event title showdown at the biggest show of the year. Weathering the combined storm of corporate stooge Kane, the undefeated Rusev and even the Big Show, Reigns received a little help from The Rock as he speared and superman punched his way to the main event of WrestleMania.
Winner: Roman Reigns, last eliminating Rusev
Thoughts: Unlike most I don’t have a problem with Daniel Bryan being eliminated early. He’s probably still not 100%, and like it or not, he’s just not the guy WWE wants. Bryan clearly doesn't have a problem with this or he would have left a while ago. This year’s Royal Rumble match will go down as one of the event’s worst for a whole bunch of other reasons. No Randy Orton, the mistreatment of Dean Ambrose and Dolph Ziggler, the bizarre placement of superstars, the unnecessary, disappointing and completely thunder-stealing appearance from The Rock. Even the pyro failed to go off on two separate occasions after The Rock finally permitted his fellow Anoa'i family member an opportunity to bask in his career defining moment.
The Philadelphia crowd had reasons to be aggrieved...as did we all, and incredibly this was even worse than last year’s dud of a show, but the writing has been on the wall for months now. love it or hate it, the WWE will do what they feel is right for the future direction of their product. They need a new franchise player...and they obviously feel that the 29-year old Reigns is the right guy to take the company forward. It’s just a shame that the execution overall was so shambolic.
★★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆
Overall: On a night where the pressure was high to erase the memories of a poorly received previous Rumble, the WWE once again fumbled the ball. Vince McMahon’s stubbornness, while obviously well intentioned as the company thinks and plans long term, is causing significant problems in the here and now with reports coming in that WWE Network subscriptions have taken a nosedive in the wake of the show. An incredible Triple Threat match and a well received Bubba Ray Dudley return were lone highlights on an evening where the WWE once again failed to give the fans what they want. No, not Daniel Bryan; a consistent and organically functioning product.
Moment of the Event: Seth Rollins’ Randy Savage-esque elbow drop through the announcers table.
Event MVP: Brock Lesnar
Show Rating: ★★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆
