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How To Compete With WWE: A Business Plan

This is how to compete with the WWE, in business plan form.

Published

6 years ago

on

Fertitta Brothers UFC WWE

Could someone compete with WWE? Rey Cash puts together a true to form business plan that addresses the obvious, and not so obvious, moves someone needs to make to compete with Vince McMahon.

For nearly 40 years, World Wrestling Entertainment has been the preeminent wrestling organization in the world.  They’ve ascended to heights no other company could ever dream of, all the while defeating their closest competition so forcefully, that it’s been nearly 15 years since there has even been a viable number two.  What has Vince done so well that nobody else, sans Eric Bischoff and Ted Turner for 83 weeks, could replicate to this level?  How is the WWE is much stronger than everybody else?  Or, maybe the question should be, why is nobody else able to be as strong as the WWE?

Those two questions are some that fans spend days debating.  There’s no denying that there is an air of WWE fatigue; I mean, they’re their own competition!  And while plenty of other companies have taken the de facto mantle as the number two wrestling organization in the world, nobody has gotten as close as WCW did in the late 90s.  So, how do we change that?  What will it take for another wrestling company to legitimately compete with the WWE?

First, before we even begin to think of how that’s possible, we have to acknowledge a few things.  Realistically, competing with WWE is a fairly futile idea.  It’s not impossible, but highly improbable.  WWE controls the entire market share for professional wrestling.  The reason that they can get 2 separate $1 billion deals is because for 25+ years, they’ve had a consistently top drawing show on two separate nights without taking a week off.  Every major American star of the past 40 years has spent some time in the WWE world.  It’s truly the juggernaut of its industry.

So, what a company would have to achieve before they can even think about competing is to steal some of the market share of the wrestling industry, have at least 25 years of consistent top-level business, and create at least 5 home-grown world-wide stars.  And this is the bare minimum they’d need to achieve to be considered on the same playing field.  WWE has created stars who the entire world knows, such as Hulk Hogan, Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock, John Cena, The Undertaker, Dave Bautista, and to a lesser extent, guys like Ric Flair, Triple H, and of course, Vince McMahon himself.  A new company would have to do the same so that when fans think of that wrestler, they think of their respective company.

So, let’s break down what a company could do in the mean time to compete.  I’ve come up with 12 things that a new company can do to make a dent in the market share and to start to become a viable number two in a fairly quick amount of time.  Now, this is akin to fantasy booking, but I tried to be ultimately realistic in all of my ideas.  This will be fairly long, so bear with me.

Hire a Hollywood director and/or producer to run the production

One of the major things that sets WWE apart from other companies is their production.  It’s impeccable.  It’s head and shoulders ahead of all of the competition.  The graphics, the set designs, the video packages…all of it has set a precedent of how we expect to view wrestling.  This is the very first step for a new company to start to compete.  Having a Hollywood producer or a director will allow for a professional vision and a different lens, all to make the product look the absolute best and hopefully different than the WWE.

Hire a mix of former wrestling people and Hollywood writers for the creative team

I realize that this infuriates some die-hard fans, but wrestling is and always has been an entertainment entity.  So, while what happens in the ring can largely be sport, the storylines and plots have to be entertainment based.  So, while the WWE has too many Hollywood writers and other companies have none, a perfect mix is the desired goal.  So, I’m thinking of maybe Jim Cornette, Dave Lagana, and Jake Roberts, and Max Landis, Freddy Prinze Jr., and Seth Green on the Hollywood sign.  The key is a mixture of different styles and ideals, and you want writers who are fans of the business.  I’d also have two wildcard writers involved.  That way, maybe you could get some buzz by hiring an actual fan with a writing background, or you could have a place for a current wrestler or something of the like.  For the record, I have a head booker in mind, but I’ll mention that person later.

EMBRACE the casual fan…

This will also infuriate the die-hard wrestling community, but casual fans are what takes a wrestling company from a small Indy organization to a global powerhouse.  Every company has patrons who will support no matter what or will never support no matter what.  It’s the 80-10-10 rule.  10% of people will love you regardless, 10% will hate you regardless; the goal is to cater to that 80%.  This is why the WWE is king, and all of the other companies are struggling to reach their level.  WWE has billion-dollar deals in America, high paying deals in other major countries, has its own wrestling network with a free first month for new subscribers, and storylines that are catered to create buzz among casual fans.  The casual dollar is what can help grow the company into a powerhouse.

…but CATER to the die-hard fan…

While everything I said in the prior paragraph is true and paramount to competing at the highest level, you have to cater to your main base.  This is the part where a good portion of the fan base is disgruntled.  Raw and Smackdown are largely catered to the mainstream, while NXT and 205 Live are catered to the core.  The problem is, however, that NXT and 205 Live openly referred to as lower tiered shows than the flagship programs.  Enter the new company.  You have to aim to get the casuals, but you have to grow and keep your core first.  WWE has a 70-year head start on growing a fan base; we’re trying to do this in a matter of years.  So, grow the die-hards with the hope of training the casuals to want what the die-hards do.  It’s a tough ask, but it’s necessary for the goal in mind.

…and Embrace the Internet

 We’re in a different time in the world.  The Internet is king.  Now, if a company doesn’t have a presence on the Internet or social media, then you’re fighting from behind.  Think about how once WWE started their network, how many other companies then were forced to create their own.  It’s not even a matter of copycatting; it’s a necessary business move.  So, use what’s available to you.  The Internet, while massively used, is still largely untapped in this market.  Use social media to your advantage.  Have live shows for the Internet.  Find a way to make your own niche within this market.  It will only help.

Have a good mixture of known stars and up and coming wrestlers with potential

If what we’ve talked about so far is the foundation or the bread of the sandwich, this is the meat.  The prior 5 points are moot without a fantastic roster.  And with this being the most talented and talent rich time in history, it shouldn’t be hard to achieve this.  Now, nobody in this section is obviously going to be one of the 5 world wide stars overnight, or ever.  That’s fine.  This is building a base to grow to that point.  This is also a perfect spot for The Elite.

If the rumors are true that they’re considering starting their own company, those 6 men would be the perfect front men for a venture like this.  They’re known in the wrestling community, have a tremendous buzz, are massively talented in the ring, and have aspirations on par with the company.  I’d also pick some younger, lesser known talent to build up the roster and grow.  Off the top of my head, I’m thinking of people like Shane Strickland, Maxwell Joseph Friedman, David Starr, Austin Theory, Joey Janella and Penelope Ford, Jordynne Grace, Shotzi Blackheart, and others similar to them.  You want to have the best wrestling roster possible.  That matters.

Build or team up with a top-level training center

The WWE Performance Center is revolutionary.  What Triple H has done is create a talent recruitment and training department that wrestling has never seen.  Now, WWE wrestlers are trained like the top-level athletes they are.  To be at their level, this is practically a necessity.  Much like college football programs compete with each other through their locker room and football facilities, wrestling organizations will start doing the same.  Now, building your own may not been necessary if you can find an existing one and team up with it.  That brings me to point number 8…

Make connections with other companies, both in and out of pro wrestling

WWE has the market share on professional wrestling.  But they don’t have the market share on sports or entertainment individually.  They’ve controlled their own section of the world, but what if we expanded that world?  Now, at the beginning, I said that this would be akin to fantasy booking, but I was going to try to keep it realistic.  So, if I’m the owner of this company, and I want to move up the timeline of competition to be the number one wrestling organization in the world, you can’t just focus on wrestling.  What I would do is create a new multi-sport organization.  I’d start the new wrestling company, I’d buy Bellator and make a stake in Mixed Martial Arts, and I’d create a new boxing organization.  I’d not just try to take over pro wrestling; I’d takeover combat sports in general.  That is a fight Vince is not ready for.  Also, I’d buy a smaller wrestling organization as a developmental federation.  So now, you have a top-level professional wrestling, mixed martial arts, and boxing organizations.  They can all train the same, and even cross promote and compete.  This is a juggernaut that is possibly the haymaker that could rock Vince.

Hire at least three (3) needle movers

This point is the one that will get the most publicity.  This is where you make your statement to the world that you’re seriously in this for the long haul.  Everything we’ve done so far has build the foundation, created the base, and expanded the scope.  Now, we need to have the front men to lead the organization.  And when I say needle movers, I mean people who are known in the mainstream and will draw interest and viewership instantly.

So, to start off my needle movers, the first guy I’m picking is Chris Jericho.  Now, this is a fairly obvious pick seeing as Jericho has become one of the hottest commodities in wrestling.  With a top-level rock band, a popular podcast, and an expansive television resume, Jericho is the perfect guy to be the wrestling face of the company.  I wouldn’t even have him wrestle.  He can be the face of the organization.  The host or authority figure, so to speak.

Secondly, I’d hire the MMA fighter Jon Jones.  Jones is a wrestling fan and has a checkered past with the UFC.  He’s still young enough to be an asset in the wrestling business as a performer, and he still has a lot to give in the MMA realm.  I’d sign him to a dual deal, where he’d fight in Bellator and wrestle in our organization.

And my third needle mover will be his natural and arch rival.  I would hire Brock Lesnar, with Paul Heyman coming in as my head booker.

I can hear the audible groans now at the mention of Lesnar’s name.  Hear me out.  The goal is to become a viable wrestling organization in the quickest way possible, and steal some of the market share that WWE has.  Brock Lesnar is the biggest name is pro wrestling that currently wrestles.  The only two men who are close are John Cena, who is a part-timer now, and Roman Reigns, who is battling leukemia for the second time.  Both men bleed WWE.

Lesnar has shown that he’s simply in it for the money.  You don’t think that he’d salivate at the thought of a great pay day, being able to wrestle and fight in a top organization as he pleases, and being able to fight the one guy he’s always wanted to fight?  On top of that, his advocate (in storyline and real life) is the head booker?  It’s almost a perfect deal.  Now, with these three men, four if you count Heyman, you have a real idea of what the landscape can possibly be.  I truly believe we’ve built something sustainable that can compete.

Be ready to not make a real profit for at least 5 years, possibly 10

Have you ever heard the economic expression, “There’s no thing such as free lunch?”  The meaning of that is that everything costs money, even if it’s free.  So, with what we’ve built, there’s a cost.  We didn’t choose the long game like most companies do.  We’re trying to make a difference immediately.  Because of this, we’re having to make a ton of moves nobody else has ever attempted to make before.  We have a Hollywood director and/or producer running our production, we have a very knowledgeable but highly paid creative team, we’ve bought other organizations, we’re cultivating a top-level training center, and we’ve built a roster with the best we can get, including three of the highest paid competitors on the market.  The payment for all of that is not expecting a profit immediately.

The point of any business is to make money, yes.  That’s why we have Bellator and the boxing organization.  The wrestling company will make money too.  But we’ll inevitably be in the red for at least 5 years.  And that’s for one singular goal – being a viable alternative to the WWE.  We want to compete on their level.  And that money is one that comes with billions of dollars in possible revenue.  The money is out there in wrestling.  We’re trying to get the absolute most possible.  So, we have to take a hit in the hopes and goal of breaking though to another level of profit and success down the line.

With these goals, this business plan, and this mindset, you’ll need an owner who has the 3 P’s of business – they’re passionate, proven, and patient.  Not a lot of business owners are wiling to follow a business plan such as this, and don’t subscribe the 3 P’s.  I’ve come up with one though.

The perfect owners for this venture are The Fertitta Brothers.

The Fertitta Brothers are the guys who, along with Dana White, took the UFC from an organization who couldn’t have shows in more than half of the United States to a global powerhouse.  They own and manage Zuffa Inc., and recently they sold the majority of their shares in the UFC to WME.  So, I’m choosing them because they’re patient – they watched UFC grow from a small-time organization that was ostracized to the biggest MMA organization ever, they’re proven – they sold their majority shares in UFC for $4.2 billion, and they’re passionate – they’re huge fans of the sport and we’re mainstays in the crowd.  They have the perfect mix of capital and know-how to take this venture from a business plan to reality.

Cultivate a sport style to match the organization

 I’m a sports entertainment fan, through and through.  I don’t care as much about a wrestler’s move set as much as I do about their entertainment factor.  I can acknowledge, however, that there is a group of fans that is the opposite.  On top of those fans, we’ve built an organization that houses 2 major legitimate sporting companies.  So, to match that and to create an alternative to the WWE, we need to cultivate a sport style.  What I mean by that is we will have weight classes and defined divisions – heavyweight (225 lbs. to 265 lbs.), cruiserweight (205 lbs. to 225 lbs.), and light heavyweight (205 lbs. and below) for the men and lightweight (135 lbs. to 155 lbs.), bantamweight (115 lbs. to 135 lbs.), and strawweight (115 lbs. and below) for the women.  We’ll also have an openweight championship that anybody can compete for, regardless of weight class or gender, and it will be defended with no rules.  There will also be a tag team championship, that can also be competed for by anybody.

Part of the reason of buying an MMA and boxing company is the hopes of cross over appeal and competition.  So, people like Chael Sonnen and Rampage Jackson who are currently signed to Bellator can fight and possibly wrestle, while somebody like Jake Hager (a.k.a Jack Swagger) can wrestle and possibly fight.  This will be helped by the weight classes.  It also allows for the company to make each weight class championship on an even playing field.  And more than anything, it will set us apart from WWE.

Buy a TV Channel

We’re at the end of this business plan, and this idea is the least likely, but it’s the final ace in the hole.  Vince McMahon owns the award-winning WWE Network.  It’s excellent in every way, except that it’s a pay service Internet network.  If Vince owned a real TV station, he’d be in a different stratosphere.  That’s our goal.  It’s not a necessity, but if we can buy a television station, we can not only house our own content, but we an also charge what we want in advertising and get rights fees for other content on our channel.  Imagine having the premier combat sports organization in the world with the premier combat sports television channel in the world!  We can even buy FITE TV and put its content on actual television.

I know this has been a long journey, but competing with Vince McMahon and the WWE takes this long of a business plan.  He’s created an empire for a reason.  No other person in history has had the mind to mix business and wrestling as well as he has.  So, with all of the 12 ideas we’ve come up with here, we bridge that gap instantly.  Now, we’re not only on the hook with wrestling.  We have a premier organization with numerous companies and prospectively, a television channel.  You’re instantly in WCW territory with the possibility of competing directly with Vince for the market share.

Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta?  You’re welcome.  I’ll be waiting for my consultation fee.

FIN

@itsreycash

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Greg DeMarco’s 2025 WWE Royal Rumble Results, Review & Reaction

We are firmly on the Road to WrestleMania, starting with the Royal Rumble! Greg has his initial thoughts and reactions for everyone’s favorite event!

Published

3 weeks ago

on

February 2, 2025

By

2025 WWE Royal Rumble stadium

We are firmly on the Road to WrestleMania, starting with the Royal Rumble! Greg has his initial thoughts and reactions for everyone’s favorite event!

It’s the first Royal Rumble in an NFL stadium (thanks to the WWE calendar change), and both Rumble matches feature a star-studded line-up that makes it much harder than you’d think to pick a winner. I was lucky enough to attend one Royal Rumble live, 2019, and it’s always the best way to set the stage for WrestleMania.

Always great to see Stephanie McMahon kicking off a show–the more Stephanie, the better. Apparently we’ve managed to pack 70,000 fans into Lucas Oil Stadium, and if you didn’t know, Pat McAfee loves him some Indianapolis.

With each match you’ll see my picks, in my traditional “Who Should Win?/Will Will Win?” format. I made them in this week’s solo edition of The Greg DeMarco Show, which you can listen to here:

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Women’s WWE Royal Rumble Match

Greg’s predictions from earlier in the week:

  • Who Should Win: Bianca Belair
  • Who Will Win: Bianca Belair

Last year’s winner was Bayley, entering at #3, and she went on to defeat Iyo Sky for the WWE Women’s Championship at WrestleMania 40.

  • Iyo Sky enters #1, and I do love the elevated platform–it’s not really a stage, but it does enhance the overall feel of the show. Old school fans will remember the entrance from Montreal watching Prime Time Wrestling.
  • I feel like Liv Morgan always enters these matches early. I also didn’t realize she’s been in all 8 Women’s Royal Rumble matches.
  • I do love the “ticker” across the bottom of the screen with stats and info during the entrances. Very ESPN, very “Wrestling As A Sport” to me.
  • Gotta say I was hoping for the black canvas (I’m biased), but I’ll always take grey over light blue.

  • We even get “Active” and “Eliminated” in the ticket? I am REALLY digging this.
  • Lyra Valkyria enters to very little reaction–she’s a fantastic talent but has not connected on the main roster.
  • Lyra with the early wardrobe malfunction and we are already slightly derailed, kudos to everyone for getting it together.
  • Interesting to have the secondary champions enter back-to-back, and Indianapolis doesn’t seem to care much about her, either. Maybe I was wrong about this crowd, and maybe my criticism of Lyra was premature.
  • Chelsea thinking she’s dumped everyone and pointing to the sign is a great piece of business.
  • B-Fab enters at #6, and I would assume she has the lowest chance of winning of anyone in the field.
  • Man, B-Fab is still very NOT good.
  • Ivy Nile enters #7, the 5th straight entrant who has zero chance of winning this thing.
  • Also, we are still without an elimination, but probably 10 “hanging on the rope” spots already.
  • Ivy Nile is already more over in Indy than the Intercontinental and United States Champions.
  • Zoey Stark, complete with Barry Windham’s “Stalker” facepaint, enters eighth to continue our run of women with zero chance of winning.
  • Lash Legend enters at #9, and I have a feeling she’s about to win this crowd over.
  • LASH POINTED TO THE SIGN.
  • “Get her on the Fever” – Pat McAfee.
  • Chelsea Green gives us our first elimination, of B-Fab.
  • Bianca Belair enters at #10, really hurting my chances of being right.

  • The crowd definitely picked up with Bianca being in the match.
  • BIANCA IS A MACHINE.
  • Shayna Baszler enters #11, reminding me she works for WWE. Which is sad, I really thought she’d have a hell of a run in WWE.
  • Bayley is #12, and we still have quite the group in this match. Personally I don’t see Bayley being a back-to-back winner.
  • Sonya Deville is in at #13 to complete the PFC trio in this match. I’m sure that’ll work out well for them!
  • Iyo Sky is so good, she saved Sonya’s knee spot and I am sure no one noticed.
  • Maxxine Dupri in at #14, another non-winner, but to her credit she only keeps getting better.
  • With 12 women thill in this match, I have a feeling we’re getting Nia Jax or Charlotte Flair soon to give us a bunch of eliminations.
  • Ivy Nile out, followed by Maxxine Dupri, and the countdown is on!
  • Naomi brings the halfway point with her, entering at #15.

  • All of PFC is gone, and nothing of value is lost (from this match–they are valuable as people).
  • Jaida Parker, entering at #16, comes in to a better reaction than half of the field. Miss Parker has a hell of a WWE career ahead of her.
  • Chelsea Green is so damn good at what she does.
  • And here comes Piper Niven at #17.
  • Will Piper somehow eliminate Piper?
  • Yes – the answer to that question is yes.
  • Naalya enters at #18, her eighth Royal Rumble. She’s a little over 20 minutes away from 3 cumulative hours in Rumble matches.

  • FANTASTIC reaction for Jordynne Grace–that has to raise some eyebrows among leadership.
  • JORDYNNE GRACE IS A STAR.
  • Michin in at #20, as we are up to 10 eliminations.

  • Wade Barrett, Michael Cole, and Pat McAfee crapping all over the wrestling newz sites is amazing.
  • And you can tell Alexa Bliss is THRILLED to be back.
  • Zelina Vega in at #22 to not win the Royal Rumble.
  • HUGE SPOT for Zelina Vega and Jordynne Grace.
  • If you happen to rewatch this match, watch Bayley very closely. It’s a look inside the business–she’s basically an agent in the ring.
  • Candice LeRae enters at #23, and I am reminded that she’s the WWE Women’s Speed Champion. I also wonder if they’ve started piping in crowd noise for these entrances.
  • Of note, we haven’t closed a Royal Rumble PLE with the Women’s Royal Rumble Match since the first one in 2018.
  • Of the 10 women eliminated so far, 6 of them entered #4-5-6-7-8-9.

  • LET STEPHANIE VAQUER HER WIN YOU COWARDS. (Personal opinion, she’s the best women’s wrestler in the world.)
  • #25 already–we are trying to make up some time.
  • Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaand it’s Trish Stratus.

  • Kinda wanted Jordynne Grace to toss Trish Stratus right there.
  • Piper Niven just kncoked the SH*T outta Trish!
  • Raquel Rodriguez in at #26, and we have 4 more entrants left.
  • Nia, Charlotte, and…..Becky? Nikki? (Bella, that is.)
  • The crowd is NOT HAPPY about Alexa Bliss’ elimination.
  • #1-3 all still in the match.
  • Charlotte Flair and her new face at in at #27.

  • Love Wade Barrett pointing out that Charlotte got pyro. I hope Roman gets his, too.
  • Took Charlotte forever to get her robe off, apparently.
  • Like I’m supposed to believe Jordynne Grace can’t suplex Charlotte Flair?
  • Charlotte definitely brought some fire to this match.
  • Giulia getting almost no reaction is surprising given the reaction of some other NXT talents.
  • Iyo and Liv approaching an hour in the match, along with Roxanne Perez.

  • Nia Jax enters at #29, leaving a surprise for #30? Becky Lynch?
  • Good for Nikki Bella! And she gave someone in the crowd one hall of a souvenir.
  • And now it’s time for the “World vs Nia” spot.
  • Forget Superkick It’s an APRON PARTY.
  • Roxanne Perez just snuck back in without being eliminated.
  • Given who is left, it does seem like this is Charlotte’s match to win.
  • ROXANNE PEREZ IN THE FINAL THREE?

  • LOLCHARLOTTEWINS

Winner of the 2025 Women’s Royal Rumble Match: Charlotte Flair

I don’t love the decision to have Charlotte Flair win the Women’s Royal Rumble Match after being gone for over a year, but she IS Charlotte Flair. This should shock nobody. I know Charlotte Flair is a dream match opponent for Tiffany Stratton in the eyes of many, and if she were to put Tiffany Stratton over at WrestleMania, then I will eat my words and say it was worth it.

Hell of a performance for Roxanne Perez, I haven’t seen the tally yet but I do wonder if she broke the record for longest time in one Rumble.

I could go for a Slim Jim meat stick right about now.

2 Out of 3 Falls Match for the WWE Tag Team Championships
The Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) vs. #DIY (Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano, champions)

Greg’s predictions from earlier in the week:

  • Who Should Win: DIY (but it doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things)
  • Who Will Win: DIY (but it doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things)

(I won’t be live tweeting or doing a bulleted list for these two matches, likely just the two Rumbles.)

Had to laugh seeing the drone in front of Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin during their entrance.

DIY wins 2 falls to 1, making my prediction accurate. That is small change, though. I liked the match for what it was, but it’s a reminder of Charlotte Flair vs. Ronda Rousey from WrestleMania 38–great match, wrong setting. This was an arena match, not a football stadium match. Yes, that DOES matter. Setting is a huge part of pro wrestling.

NXT Black and Gold will always hold a place in my heart, but part of what made that what it was was the crowd. This wasn’t the crowd for this match. Plus it got around 15 minutes, which is about right for a 1-fall match featuring these four. On TV, counting commercial breaks, these guys get 25-30 minutes.

The Street Profits got involved, eventually attacking everyone. I fully expect a WWE Tag Team Championship Ladder Match at WrestleMania, with DIY, MCMG, the Street Profits, and possibly Pretty Deadly and Angel/Humberto. This was really just the beginning–it was just misplaced on this card.

Winners AND STILL WWE Tag Team Champions: DIY

Michael Cole did also inform us that Roxanne Perez is the new record-holder for longest Royal Rumble performance. Score one for the good guy (me, from my tweet above).

Ladder Match for the WWE Championship
Kevin Owens vs. Cody Rhodes (champion)

Greg’s predictions from earlier in the week:

  • Who Should Win: Kevin Owens
  • Who Will Win: Cody Rhodes

Love that Kevin Owens took down the Winged Eagle Championship during SmackDown last night, and entered with it. Granted, Cody Rhodes has his, too. But KO has a certain  edge to him when carrying that title.

This match was brutal, and whatever they are paying Kevin Owens isn’t enough. Cody Rhodes was beating on KO as a heel would, but he’s a babyface? I know everyone wants “Homelander” Cody, but really he might be more like “Patrick Bateman” Cody. Either way, as great as Cody is (and he is great), there is one missing element. At this point, it’s obvious to me that Cody is the worst babyface in the company. Look at him: THE MAN IS A HEEL.

While I’m glad Cody is fully out of The Bloodline’s shadow, he just needs to beat John Cena at WrestleMania, turn heel, and truly hit his stride. And I want true heel Cody. Chicken sh*t, goons, the whole thing.

Winner, AND STILL WWE Champion: Cody Rhodes

You gotta think Sami Zayn not stopping Cody Rhodes from winning will be a major sticking point for Kevin Owens. Seems like we’ll get Sami vs Kevin at WM41.

Men’s WWE Royal Rumble Match

Greg’s predictions from earlier in the week:

  • Who Should Win: Jey Uso
  • Who Will Win: John Cena

Last year’s winner was Cody Rhodes, entering at #15, and he went on to defeat Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Women’s Championship at WrestleMania 40.

  • Rey Mysterio (Jr) enters at #2, and it’s obvious that gone are the days where randoms would enter at #1 and #2.
  • I believe I said on my podcast (if not, I meant to) that Penta would need to enter #1 or #2 so he can have his pyro.

  • I really hope we get a Lucha Underground reference on commentary.
  • LET PENTA WIN YOU COWARDS! (I know, it didn’t work for Stephanie Vaquer.)
  • PENTA IS A STAR.
  • I do appreciate how they didn’t fight on the apron, instead just got right back into the ring.
  • Chad Gable in at #3, and all we need is for Dominik Mysterio to be #4.
  • That spot looked NASTY, I hope Chad Gable’s knee is okay.
  • Carmelo Hayes in at #4, and I am reminded that we likely get Trick in this match.

  • I know they have a temporary alliance at the moment, but Chad Gable vs. Carmelo Hayes would be an absolute BANGER.
  • KING CUERNO vs PENTAGON JR! #IYKYK
  • That spot was far too similar to what we saw in the Women’s Rumble.
  • Otis in and had some fun.
  • BRON BREAKKER IS A MACHINE.
  • The crowd reaction to Bron Breakker tells me the WWE might make even MORE money in the future.
  • What if Breakker won this match? He won’t, but What If?
  • If not for WWE, I wouldn’t know who IShowSpeed was.
  • Honestly, nothing wrong with what they did with IShowSpeed there.
  • Sheamus enters at #9, and I assume we will see some Beats Of The Bowery.

  • This is the most normal Sheamus’ hair has ever looked.
  • Crazy that this is only Jimmy Uso’s 3rd Royal Rumble.
  • Big Jim definitely got a bulk discount on his new gear. I wonder how many color combos he got???
  • Andrade in at #11, and Wade Barrett points out what I’ve been thinking–why run to the ring?
  • Jacob Fatu enters at #12 and gets his pyro. The rocket ship has been strapped, pal.
  • Ludwig Kaiser enters at #13 and no one not named (Greg DeMarco Show co-host) Patrick O’Dowd cares.
  • Kaiser immediately dumped by Penta, and he’ll probably lose to him on Monday’s Raw, too.

  • We lost Michael for a minute there.

  • I’d actually forgotten that we’d likely get a Joe Hendry appearance, so they got a little pop out of me.
  • I acknowledge you, my Tribal Chief.

  • Roman Reigns vs. CM Punk would be one hell of a match at WrestleMania, just sayin’.
  • Showdowns like Roman Reigns and Bron Breakker is what the Royal Rumble is all about.
  • SPEAR TO ROMAN.
  • That might have been the greatest spear ever.
  • After Joe Gendry and Roman Reigns, Drew McIntyre gets very little reaction entering at #17.
  • Drew McIntyre with the very silky smooth hair tonight.
  • Finn Balor in at #18 and we have our second drone sighting of the night.
  • Something is wrong with Pat McAfee’s headset. Hell of a showing by Penta, by the way.
  • Jey Uso in at #20 to a HUGE pop.
  • LET JE YWIN YOU COWARDS.
  • Poison Rana by Jey???
  • Let’s hope AJ Styles can stick around for a bit this time. (Not necessarily in the Rumble, but in general.)

  • I’d be okay if Braun shaved his head again.
  • Jacob Fatu can literally do ANYTHING and it makes sense.

  • CM Punk, John Cena, and Roman Reigns all in the ring all at the same time? YES PLEASE.
  • Now add in Seth Rollins? This is the greatest Royal Rumble of all time.
  • The current field: Seth Rollins, CM Punk, John Cena, AJ Styles, Jey Uso, Drew McIntyre, and Roman Reigns. That is ABSURD.
  • The only man who can follow all that talent is indeed Dominik Mysterio. This is about to be amazing.
  • Imagine if Dom wins. I mean, just imagine it.
  • With the addition of Sami Zayn, the storylines in this Rumble right now are insane.
  • Damian Priest, who is probably challenging Shinsuke Nakamura at WrestleMania, enters at #28.
  • Two more to go. Any surprises?
  • LA Knight, who I forgot was in this match, enters next.
  • I kinda expect him to move to Raw in this transfer window.
  • Ah yes, Logan Paul. I also forgot he was on this.
  • We’ve had a Nic Nemeth and now a Ricochet reference tonight. I love when you’re WWE, and you are comfortable talking about (almost) ANYBODY.

  • He didn’t, by the way. Opportunity missed.
  • Final 6: Roman Reigns, Jey Uso, John Cena, CM Punk, Seth Rollins, Logan Paul… STAR. STUDDED.
  • Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins – the WrestleMania Main Event we never got.
  • YESSS!
  • Brilliant spot to have Logan Paul eliminate CM Punk.
  • Final 3: John Cena, Jey Uso, and Logan Paul. Two of my picks are left.
  • The action on the outside between Rollins, Roman, and Punk drives home how important the Rumble is to the competitors.
  • And then there were 2: my Who Should Win vs. my Who Will Win.
  • Please God let Jey Uso win this thing.
  • (And that’s not a slight against John Cena.)
  • YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!

Winner of the 2025 Men’s WWE Royal Rumble Match: Jey Uso

Just like the sign said: EAT. SLEEP. YEET. MANIA. I am so damn happy for Jey Uso. You can tell John Cena was as well, along with Michael Cole. And probably everyone in the entire company. Jey Uso is the success story.

As for the match? Well obviously this is a knee jerk reaction, but eff it–this is the best Royal Rumble Match they have ever put on. The early action was fun and exciting. But from the time Joe Hendry’s music hit to the moment Jey Uso pushed John Cena off of the apron, this match was insane. I think Roman Reigns coming in at 16 was a huge part of that. Once Roman is in the match, you are watching to see a) what he does, and b) if he’ll get eliminated. CM Punk eliminating Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns was beautiful, and then Logan Paul tossing CM Punk was even better. If that leads to Rollins vs. Reigns and Logan vs. Punk at WrestleMania, you can take my money.

My money is a Peacock membership, which is automatically charged. But still. Take it.

If John Cena wins it’s still probably the best Royal Rumble Match of all time. But Jey Uso winning makes that an undisputable fact.

Overall Thoughts on the 2025 WWE Royal Rumble

  • The Women’s Royal Rumble was decent to good. Loved Roxanne getting the Iron Woman treatment, but in the end it’s another chapter of LOL Charlotte Wins.
  • I need to rewatch DIY vs MCMG because I was on the phone when my son called. Maybe I will enjoy it more on a second viewing.
  • The ladder match was brutal but the end result was expected. Cody is still missing something, and I think that something will continue to be missing until he turns heel. He’s just overshadowed by too many of the other babyfaces.
  • The Men’s Royal Rumble Match was the best Royal Rumble match they have ever put on. Great action in the early half, and from 15 (Joe Hendry) on, it was amazing. The storyline movement with CM Punk, Roman Reigns, and Seth Rollins was (here’s that word) cinema, and having the most over wrestler in the company not named Roman Reigns win, and doing so by eliminating the odds-on favorite, was perfect. I’m biased because Jey Uso was my pick, but it was the perfect ending to what was probably as close to perfect as a Rumble match has been since 1992.

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TheChairshot.com PRESENTS: WWE Crown Jewel Immediate Reactions

Join DJ and Tunney for their immediate reactions to WWE Crown Jewel. For the latest, greatest and up to datest, ALWAYS #UseYourHead and visit THECHAIRSHOT.COM

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Join DJ and Tunney for their immediate reactions to WWE Crown Jewel. For the latest, greatest and up to datest, ALWAYS #UseYourHead and visit THECHAIRSHOT.COM

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About Chairshot Radio Network

Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!

 MONDAY – Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY – Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

WEDNESDAY – The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling) 

THURSDAY – Keeping the news ridiculous… The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE’s PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS…IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O’Dowd’s 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

 

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About Chairshot Radio Network

Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!

 MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling) 

THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

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SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast 

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

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