It’s Royal Rumble Weekend! How many WWE/NXT matches take the Top 5 slots? Andrew gives us the breakdown.

Well it’s been one week since the last article, and just like Birchmount Stadium is still home of the Robbie, we keep the hits coming. Last week, we had another slam dunk runaway vote, SmackDown Live: Andrade vs Rey Mysterio, won with the greatest of ease.

So will we have another slam dunk to round out January, and bring us to our first Monthly vote of 2019…or will this one finally be hard? Let’s find out.

5. Royal Rumble: Women’s Royal Rumble

Snippet Mitchell’s Coverage:

28th out is Lana! The Ravishing Russian hurt her ankle at the start of the night because of what happened in the United States Championship match, but she’s going to tough it out. Charlotte fights off Natty and Alexa while Ember rocks Shirai. Lana limps but this match might be over before she arrives. Charlotte CHOPS Natty while Ember hauls Shirai. Referees check on Lana while Natty chops Charlotte back. Alexa goes after Bayley while Shirai holds on as Ember scrapes at her. Shirai manages to get a foot up and kick Ember away. Lana still hasn’t entered the ring and now 29th is on their way out. It’s Nia Jax!

The Irresistible Force also has a lot of luck on her side as she’s second-to-last. And she kicks Lana just for good measure! Nia stomps the bad leg then gives her a shin breaker! Nia leaves Lana behind to go after the women in the ring. Bayley bumps Charlotte on buckles again and again while Ember and Alexa fight in another corner. Nia kicks Natty then Shirai then clobbers Charlotte and headbutts Ember. Bayley hops on but is thrown out. Alexa runs but into a big clothesline! Shirai climbs up and moonsaults, but is caught and tossed! Nia ELIMINATESShirai! Fans boo but Nia just soaks it up.

Natty throws hands on Nia but Nia throws Natty to a corner. Nia runs but misses in the corner, and somehow Natty gets her up! But Nia slips out to throw Natty out and ELIMINATE her! Bayley tries again but it’s just her alone, Nia knocks her away. And finally, Carmella appears as Ms. 30! The FABULOUS Princess makes her way out while Nia and Ember fight. Carmella runs, dodges and manages to headscissor Nia! She kicks Nia again, but Ember whips. Carmella dropkicks Ember but gets run over by Nia! Nia has her pick and goes after Alexa.

But wait, since Lana never got to be Ms. 28, Becky Lynch comes out! Becky wants a spot, but Fit Finlay says she can’t. Becky says this was a 30 Woman Rumble, right? So she’ll be the new 28th! Finlay allows it, here comes The Man!! Nia can’t believe it, but the fans are loving this! Becky stares down the #Facebreaker and starts throwing hands!

Charlotte goes after Becky and throws her, but Becky stays in. Becky hits Charlotte away and now they brawl! Nia throws Becky but Becky survives again. Charlotte grabs Nia but gets elbowed away. Nia runs into Becky’s kick, then Becky climbs up. Nia hits Charlotte with a Samoan Drop but Becky hits Nia with a missile dropkick! Alexa rocks Ember with the right, but Ember hits her back with a strike fest! Alexa kicks then runs but into a flapjack! Ember drags Alexa up and throws her over. Alexa holds on and drags Ember over with her hair! Carmella goes after Charlotte while the goddesses brawl. Alexa has a guillotine on Ember but Ember holds on for dear life.

Ember and Alexa brawl more, Ember hits Alexa with a right. Alexa hits back, choke grip and a boot, but Ember still holds on. Becky and Bayley brawl in the background as Alexa STO’s and ELIMINATES Ember! Alexa mocks Ember before going after Carmella. Carmella feeds Alexa a boot then a fabulous mudhole. Carmella moonwalks to bronco buster! She drags Alexa up but Alexa gets her with the choke grip! Carmella SLAPS Alexa, then ducks. They each dodge a hit, but the FABULOUS Kick rocks Alexa. Bayley lifts Alexa, buckle bomb! Bayley has history with Alexa to settle and she scoops. Carmella helps Bayley to ELIMINATE Alexa! But then Nia runs them both over!

Becky goes after Nia again, but Nia wants to use that Face Breaker. But Charlotte boots Nia! Carmella adds a FABULOUS Kick, and then Bayley climbs for a Macho Elbow! Carmella gives Becky a complete shot while Charlotte throws Nia with an exploder. Charlotte scoops Carmella but Carmella slips out to throw her down by her hair. Carmella climbs up top and leaps onto Charlotte! But Charlotte rolls through for a backbreaker! Charlotte climbs up now, but Carmella goes after her. Charlotte kicks her away but Carmella comes back with a right hand. Carmella handsprings, but Charlotte blocks the steiner! Charlotte drags Carmella up and tosses her over, but Carmella kicks Charlotte back. Carmella is safe as she mocks the “WOO~”, but Charlotte still throws her over.

Nia is out there so Carmella FABULOUS kicks her. Charlotte boots and ELIMINATES Carmella! But Bayley goes after Charlotte! Charlotte shoulders back, slingshot roll up, but Bayley rolls through to knee Charlotte! Bayley throws forearms and whips Charlotte, but Charlotte reverses, Bayuley uses that to dropkick Nia! Bayley gives Charlotte a neckbreaker! Nia scoops Bayley but Bayley fights back. Charlotte boots Nia but ELIMINATES Bayley!

The final three are Charlotte, Becky and Nia! Fans give a standing ovation but are strongly behind Becky. The three circle, but Charlotte goes after Becky! Nia gets them both with a corner splash! Nia focuses on Charlotte but Charlotte tells her to stay out of her fight. Charlotte boots but Nia headbutts. Nia scoops Charlotte but Charlotte holds ropes. Charlotte fights back and boots Nia again. Nia staggers but Charlotte boots her more. Charlotte tries to fireman carry Nia, but can’t keep her as she has to dump Nia down. Both Charlotte and Nia slowly stir while Becky is safe on the floor. Charlotte tries again and gets Nia up. She puts Nia on the apron but Nia headbutts Charlotte. Becky yanks Nia off to ELIMINATE her! The final two are the Queen and the Man!

Charlotte allows Becky to return, but then Nia blasts Becky down! Becky’s still in the match but she clutches her leg now. Charlotte grins, because this makes it that much easier for her. Becky forces herself to stand and fans cheer her on. Charlotte almost laughs, because this match might as well be hers. Phoenix still rallies for Becky as she hobbles and rushes in. Becky doesn’t care about the bad leg, she insists she can go. She dares Charlotte to bring the fight, and Charlotte grimaces. Charlotte goes right at the leg! She drives knees into Becky’s knees over and over! And then twists it with a toehold! Becky fights with her other leg but Charlotte kicks the bad one and sends Becky rolling. Charlotte scoops Becky into a Tree of Woe to kick the knee more.

Becky hobbles up but Charlotte goes to throw her out. The two fight, Becky enziguris! Charlotte wobbles, Becky throws her! Charlotte stays on the apron but Becky throws hands! Becky almost has Charlotte but Charlotte kicks out the bad leg! Charlotte throws Becky with an exploder! Becky manages to stand but Charlotte runs in, only for Becky to dump her back out! Clothesline ELIMINATES Charlotte!! Becky wins!!

Winner: Becky Lynch

Rating: ****

4.  SmackDown Women’s Championship: Asuka (c) vs Becky Lynch

From Mitchell’s Coverage:
Introductions are made, the belt is raised, and fans are thunderous as we begin! Becky and Asuka stare down before circling. They tie up and go around the rings. Asuka shoves Becky away and the two go again. Fans duel as Becky gets a headlock. Asuka fights out but Becky bumps shoulders. Auska comes back with a dropkick and Becky’s reeling! Becky steadies herself as Asuka talks trash in Japanese. Becky shoves Asuka but dodges a back hand! She rocks Asuka with a right then trash talks in English. Becky runs but Asuka follows. Asuka’s dropkick misses but Becky knocks her down. Becky dares Asuka to fight her! Asuka swings but Becky gets the arm. Asuka rolls and Becky throws European Uppercuts. Becky tries again but Asuka blocks and counters with kicks. Asuka trips Becky to kick her down. Cover, TWO!

Asuka toys with Becky but both women grin. Even as Asuka kicks Becky in the mouth! Becky gets mad now, and grabs that leg to throw forearms! Becky mule kicks then runs, but Asuka follows. They speed up and Becky hits Asuka down with forearms! Fans fire up while Asuka bails out of the ring. Becky dares her to return, but Asuka takes her time. Becky decides to slide out but Asuka slides in. Asuka hip attacks Becky down! Becky rolls around the corner but Asuka goes to the apron. Asuka kicks but Becky dodges. Becky’s up and boots Asuka off the apron! Becky fetches Asuka up and into the apron, and bumps her off. The ref counts but Becky refreshes at 5. Asuka drags Becky back out to throw forearms of her own! Asuka bumps Becky off the apron, then kicks her around.

The ref counts again but Asuka throws Becky into the LED apron board! Asuka refreshes the count at 6, but it’s Becky who throws her with a becksploder! Both women are down and the count rises again. Becky drags up and in at 7, covers, TWO! Becky keeps her cool while fans continue to duel. She drags Asuka up and into a corner to stomp a mudhole! Fans like the fire even as Becky backs off at 4. Becky drags Asuka up to club her down. She bumps Asuka in a corner then snap suplexes her out. Cover, TWO! Becky keeps on Asuka with an armbar, but Asuka endures. Fans rally up as Becky wrenches back hard. Asuka stands but Becky wrangles her back down. Becky wants her signature but Asuka slips out. Asuka fights Becky off with fast feet, then blocks a kick to give a kick!

Asuka runs but Becky dodges the hip attack! Becky fires off EuroUppers against the ropes! The ref backs Becky off, but Asuka comes back with an ASUKA LOCK in the ropes!! Asuka lets go at 4 but fans are dueling again. Asuka runs in at Becky, but hits the post! Becky hops up to get around, for a DISARM-HER in the ropes! Becky lets go at 4 but the damage is done. Asuka is down, Becky takes aim, leaping ax handle into Asuka’s knee strike! Both women are down but stirring. Fans cheer as the two start brawling. Becky hits but Asuka fires up. Becky whips but Asuka goes up and hits back with a dropkick! Asuka runs in at Becky for a BIG hip attack! Asuka wants a German but Becky elbows. But Asuka hits a back hand, and the German Suplex! Asuka runs, another hip attack! Cover, TWO!!

Asuka keeps her focus while fans rally up. Becky stands while Asuka climbs. Asuka aims and leaps, but Becky dodges the dropkick! Becky pumphandles for a body slam! Cover, TWO!! Asuka escapes and Becky is shocked! Becky goes after Asuka but gets caught to an armbar! She makes it a cover, TWO and ASUKA LOCK returns! Asuka and Becky roll, ropebreak! Becky and Asuka end up on the apron, and Asuka headbutts. Becky forearms and now they brawl again! Asuka blocks a kick to fire off on Becky’s back! Asuka wants a German but Becky holds on for deal life! Becky elbows free of Asuka, and wants another Becksploder! Now Asuka holds on for dear life, and turns things into a Fisherman Neckbreaker to the floor! Both women crash and burn but are somehow okay to continue.

Asuka returns at the count of 7, but Becky’s in at 9! Only for Asuka to hit the sliding kick! Cover, TWO!? Becky survives and Asuka can’t believe it. Asuka grits her teeth as she and Becky go back to each other. Fans duel as the two start brawling again. Becky and Asuka throw big palm strikes, and start hitting harder as they stand. Asuka hits from both sides! Becky blocks the backhand and wants the arm! Asuka whips but Becky reverses, only for Asuka to come back with a heel kick! Cover, TWO! Both women go back to each other, but Asuka gets the facelock. Becky slips out and gets to a corner. Becky dodges Asuka to then jump kick her! She throws forearms and climbs up to join Asuka, but Asuka hits back.

Asuka adjusts but Becky comes back for more. Becky grabs Asuka, SUPER BECKSPLODER! Cover, TWO!! Asuka lives and Becky is again in shock. Becky drags Asuka to a drop zone as fans declare “This is Awesome!” Becky climbs up but Asuka dodges the leg drop! ASUKA LOCK AGAIN!! Becky flails and reaches but Asuka STEALS the Disarm-her! Becky rolls and STEALS the Asuka Lock! Asuka endures her own hold and rolls around, to make it a cover! TWO, roundhouse! Asuka drags Becky up but Becky drags Asuka down! She gets the DISARM-HER!! Asuka crawls, claws, but Becky drags her away. Asuka rolls to a cover, TWO! Becky rolls Asuka, TWO! Takedown into the Asuka Lock! Becky resists but Asuka has her! They roll but Asuka makes it Cattle Mutilation! Becky taps, Asuka wins!!

Winner: Asuka via Bridging Inverted Guillotine

Rating: ****

3. NXT Takeover Phoenix: NXT Championship: Aleister Black vs Tommaso Ciampa (c)

From My Review:
This was a damn good match. Ciampa worked over the plant leg heavily to try and take away the Black Mass. Seth Rollins could learn some things from Aleister Black, since he actually sold a busted up leg well and for the entire match. Two nice wrinkles I picked up were Mauro’s commentary about Tommaso calling himself Tommy Sports Entertainment, and asking if Aleister will end…Tommy, yes Tommy End, we get it. The second wrinkle was hearing Nigel call his own move when Ciampa hit a Rope Hung Cutter onto the apron, but Nigel called it Tower of London. Also, Ciampa had a beautiful transition from a roll up, into a Draping DDT and then a Fairy Tale Ending, but that wasn’t the finish. So what hurt this match to me were two things, another ‘exposing the concrete’ spot shortly after Gargano did the same thing and too damn many false finishes. When Black hit Black Mass, it made sense for Ciampa to be able to roll to his side, since it took time for Black to crawl over to Ciampa. But 4 Fairy Tale Endings? Really? And the fourth one coming after Aleister almost pulled off a miracle Black Mass, but his leg gave out and it just looked awkward. The finish to this match really took it down a peg, but it’s still damn good.

Winner: Ciampa via Fairy Tale Ending

Rating: **** 1/4

Honorable Mentions:

WWE SmackDown Live: 2 out of 3 Falls: Rey Mysterio vs Andrade Almas
Rating: *** 3/4
Royal Rumble: WWE Universal Championship: Brock Lesnar (c) vs Finn Balor
Rating: *** 3/4
NJPW Fantastica Mania: Volador Jr vs Caristico
Rating: *** 1/2
ROH TV 383: NO DQ Match Beer City Bruiser vs Silas Young
Rating: *** 1/2
Impact: Rich Swann vs Hijo del Vikingo
Rating: *** 1/2
Royal Rumble: Raw Women’s Championship: Sasha Banks vs Ronda Rousey (c)
Rating: *** 1/2
NJPW Fantastica Mania: Ginbae Mask & Gokiburi Mask vs Dragon George & Sweet Gorilla Maruyama
Rating: *** 1/2
Royal Rumble: Cruiserweight Championship 4-Way: Hideo Itami vs Buddy Murphy vs Kalisto vs Akira Tozawa
Rating: *** 1/4
Royal Rumble: SmackDown Tag Team Championships: The Bar (c) vs Shane McMahon & The Miz
Rating: *** 1/4
WWE Raw: Bayley & Sasha Banks vs Natalya & Ronda Rousey
Rating: ***
WWE SmackDown Live: Miz w/Shane vs Cesaro w/Sheamus
Rating: ***
Royal Rumble: WWE Championship: AJ Styles vs Daniel Bryan (c)
Rating: ***
Impact: Dez & Wentz vs Desi Hit Squad
Rating: ***
WWE Raw: Raw Tag Team Titles: Bobby Roode & Chad Gable vs The Revival
Rating: ***
Royal Rumble: Men’s Royal Rumble
Rating: ***

2. NXT Takeover Phoenix: NXT North American Championship: Johnny Gargano vs Ricochet (c)

From My Review:

Well now, great match. A few awkward moments here and there, but all in all, both Gargano and Ricochet put on a hell of a show. Ricochet’s movie stunt Wall Run Backflip off the post onto Gargano was impressive. The way he just shrugged off distance or difficulty of jumping over the turnbuckles and post to dive onto Gargano, just all great. Gargano exposes the cement as a callback to his Ciampa feud, but doesn’t go through with it right away. Then, he’s pushed to the brink, shoved Ricochet into the post whilst on the apron, as a callback to his match against Andrade, and eventually hits a Brainbuster on the exposed floor. Impressive match, but one big takeaway is that Ricochet really needs to tone down the excessive flips, especially since that’s mostly why he lost and when he got caught by Johnny, plus the misses felt obvious, so they didn’t add anything to the match.

Winner: Gargano via Slingshot DDT

Rating: **** 1/2

1. NXT Takeover Phoenix: NXT Tag Team Championship: Undisputed Era (c) vs War Raiders

From My Review:
War Raiders come out with Viking war horns, dark lightning and soldiers as the crowd starts to bustle before eventually appearing and going into their normal theme. With such a big entrance, I’m not surprised they won, hell I picked them in the staff picks. But this match was tremendous. Era started off quick and basically had this match feeling like a Tornado/Lucha match with the amount of times all four men were involved in the action. Hansen kicked out of the High/Low tandem finish, Raiders pulled out most of their moves though. Thor’s Hammer, Rowe’s Powerbomb/Bodyslam combo, Hansen’s Back Handspring Double Elbow, just a lot of good stuff. The matched flowed well, Raiders showed resiliency and Undisputed Era stuck to the gameplan of trying to just use speed and double team maneuvers to get an upper-hand. Just damn damn good.

Winner: War Raiders via Fallout

Rating: **** 3/4

Thoughts:

Well given that Royal Rumble basically turned into another chapter of Becky Lynch’s ascent to being the best character in WWE, I can’t purely judge things off of “best match”. Yes I stand by my ranking, and I loved the War Raiders/Undisputed Era match, but my vote is going to, SmackDown Women’s Championsho: Asuka (c) vs Becky Lynch.

Asuka has proven to be able to put on great matches when given time, be it in NXT with Ember Moon, Bayley, Nikki Cross, etc. On top of her Mania match last year with Charlotte. So not only for this being an impressive match technically, Asuka looked great, Becky wasn’t hurt much by the loss since she bounced back in fabulous fashion. Rumble was great, and I’ll have a review up later tomorrow, since it’s late in the AM after the show and I need sleep since I was out with people watching the show.

Anyway, we really got some great stuff to pick from this week, Use Your Head, and let me sleep.