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Andrew’s WWE Raw & SmackDown Live Ratings & Review Notes (2/4 & 2/5/2019)

How did Raw and SmackDown rate out this week?

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A week after technical difficulties caused a skipped article, Andrew brings us his breakdown of WWE Raw and SmackDown Live!

Well last week there was no article because my TV and internet are both Verizon FiOS, and FiOS decided to blackout in my area from 1pm Monday until like 11am Wednesday. So that makes it hard to review things in a timely fashion with work and technical difficulties.

But we’re back this week, maybe the week off helped? Maybe it was like a pallet cleanser?

No?

Same old crap?

Eh…let’s find out.

Raw Ratings:

  • Ronda Rousey vs Liv Morgan: Rousey wins via Arm Bar – * 1/2
  • Ronda Rousey vs Sarah Logan: Rousey wins via Arm Bar – *
  • Raw Tag Team Championship #1 Contenders Fatal 4 Way: Heavy Machinery vs Lucha House Party vs The Revival vs The B-Team: Revival win via Shatter Machine – ** 1/2
  • Sasha Banks & Bayley vs Nikki Cross & Alicia Fox: Bayley wins via Roll Up – * 3/4
  • Jeff Jarrett w/Road Dogg vs Elias: Elias wins via Drift Away – ** 1/2
  • Finn Balor vs Lio Rush: Balor wins via Coup de Grace – ** 3/4
  • EC3 vs Dean Ambrose: EC3 wins via Jacknife Cradle – *
  • Braun Strowman & Kurt Angle vs Drew McIntyre & Baron Corbin: McIntyre & Corbin win via DQ – **

 

Review Notes:

Becky and Stephanie start the night out with a highly divisive promo. Many people seem confused at Becky’s actions, but it’s a beautiful wrinkle in her character. The Man is afraid of no tangible object; a fight, a Heavy Machinery concoction, man or woman…but intangible things cause fear. The way her voice wavered a little, and how quickly she was answering back to Stephanie, was all fear. Fear that the McMahon family are looking for an angle to screw her, and fear that Doctor Jail will force her out of yet ANOTHER opportunity. This is great, differentiates Becky from the other anti-corporation figures of the past and makes me love her even more. Everyone has fears of things they can’t control, even The Man.

Ronda has a forced promo next, sure “Ice Up and Pop Advil” or whatever she said was a good line, but the words felt rehearsed. It would’ve been a good promo from Heyman or Samoa Joe, but Ronda, it’s just odd.

Granted then she takes her frustrations out on two-thirds of the Riott Squad, and sure, they happened. Liv is a better character than she is wrestler, but there’s still something enjoyable about watching her work. Forgettable matches though.

Couple promos, only memorable thing was Nikki Cross making sense about her being judged and not accepted by anyone, except the other weird girl. Don’t Cross the Fox was a cute line as well.

The tag match…happened. Two joke teams, a worthless Lucha thing and the only legitimate tag time…and I was supposed to believe or care that someone not named The Revival were winning? Come on now.

Zack Ryder can’t spell his name and neither can WWE. Hooray lovable losers!

Kurt Angle heads to the ring to give an assumed retirement speech. Drives us down memory lane without falling asleep at the wheel, but Corbin and McIntyre interrupt, attempt to beat down Angle, but Braun Strowman shows up on Angle’s side. The Monster who was always in his face for competition, challenging him and fought against him…suddenly goes respectful babyface. Yeah no. The Braun character is dead to me, I don’t care.

Foxy and Cross jump Banks and Bayley before the match starts. So the match that we all thought was a slam dunk, became almost in doubt, if you were dumb. The beatdown lasted a while, but after the commercial break Bayley is in the ring and Sasha looks dead on the outside. Long and short, this is a Bayley handicap match, save for one save by mostly dead Sasha. So good for the Boss & Hug Connection?

Apollo says he’s got Angle’s back, but then gets stared down by Rezar and Drake Maverick, so he must’ve just left the building in fear of Rezar.

Jarrett and Road Dogg sing “With My Baby Tonight” again after a weird mish mash of Road Dogg era promos, but that’s fine since Jarrett is a weird reference of different versions too. Elias shows up, a nice verbal spar and a solid match afterwards. Jarrett and Elias was the highlight of the Men’s Rumble, and I’m alright with this for now.  Dogg and Jarrett do get the best of Elias, even after Elias gets the win, so this ain’t over yet.

Dana Brooke is apparently not loud enough to break through Natalya’s magical ear buds. So hooray a miscommunication proving ground match next week. Noticeable thing to me was the Nattie did something different with her hair (to cover the ear buds before the punchline obviously) but it’s actually a better look for her, keep it.

Injured Balor is apparently not taken seriously by Lashley. So he changes the match to being against Lio Rush instead, beats on Finn pre-bell, interferes before being kicked out and then yea, Finn wins in an alright match. The one cool move Lio had was missed by the camera, so it was alright save for a few psychology nit picks. But I guess seeing Finn as the bigger guy was…different.

Paige shows up! *goes to the bathroom*

Moment of Bliss! Alexa is doing her flirty thing with EC3, sure. Before Ethan can talk, Nia interrupts, then Dean interrupts her interrupting. Alexa plays flabbergasted well. Dean gets in a few amusing questions, but it leads to EC3’s debut match (Where are EC1 &2 being the best line of the show). As for the match, the crowd was dead, in the moment when they were supposed to rally EC3 up from a hold, they chanted for Ambrose. EC3 gets a Jacknife Cradle, Ambrose doesn’t even try to kick out and EC3 acts like he just won the Super Bowl. This match was a boring waste of time…similar to the Super Bowl…so…okay maybe that comparison worked too well.

Mojo is the man in the mirror. The promo had some passion, he’s shown glimpses of something…just can’t ever seem to hold it.

Main event time, it was…fine. Corbin and McIntyre tried to control Angle so Braun couldn’t get in, when he finally did, they held their own. Braun actually needed to tag out, but then we get the most moronic application of the tag team rules ever. Braun is told if he hits McIntyre while not the legal man, he’ll be disqualified. DISQUALIFIED FOR HITTING THE OTHER PERSON JUST BECAUSE YOU WEREN’T TAGGED?! Next week tags aren’t legal unless you hold the rope, then to follow that, if you throw your opponent over the top rope, that’s a disqualification too. WELCOME TO ASININE BULLSHIT BOOKING!

 

Overall Score: 4.5/10

The wrestling wasn’t inspired, the main event ending ruined what could’ve been an alright match. Hell the only real bright spot was Becky’s opening promo cause it gave the character depth and a chance to give Ronda space to breath and not be so overshadowed by The Man. I also shouldn’t understate Elias/Jarrett, but that wasn’t so much a bright spot, as much as, I just enjoyed the whole thing for personal reasons.

So this episode was close to average purely because only the ending of the main event really bothered me, the rest put me to sleep.

 

SmackDown Ratings:

  • Shinsuke Nakamura & Rusev vs Gallows & Anderson: Rusev wins via Machka Kick – ** 1/4
  • Randy Orton vs Mustafa Ali: Ortion wins via RKO – ***
  • Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville vs The IIconics vs Carmella & Naomi: Rose wins via Moneymaker – * 1/2
  • Daniel Bryan vs Jeff Hardy: Hardy wins via DQ due to Rowan interference – **

Review Notes:

Charlotte opens up the show, showing us Becky’s Monday promo and then chiding her afterwards. Becky shows up under the Wrestlemania sign in the crowd and walks down. Charlotte tries to get in a dig with the “First you took my dad’s saying and now Roman Reign’s entrance”, but no one cared about her and all popped for Becky. Becky was allowed into the ring, stared down Charlotte before HHH came out and basically reiterated what Stephanie said. Becky lent a little more credence to her actions by stating she doesn’t trust them, Trips basically said it doesn’t matter how she feels, she has to get cleared. Becky takes the “How’s Stephanie” jab, so Hunter starts going off about he thinks the injury is fake and she just wants an excuse to get out of the fight and play martyr cause she’s scared of Ronda. Becky slaps Hunter and they stare off for a bit before Becky smirks and walks off. Becky is still the best thing the WWE Main Roster has going for it.

The odd pairing of Rusev and Nakamura, faces off against The Good Brothers, because, well they’re friends with R-Truth. The match was alright, but Lana screaming at Shinsuke to get up and get back into the ring, and physically helping him back to his feet was interesting. Not sure if Lana will piss off Shinsuke eventually and cause him to lay out Rusev (or Lana for that), or if she’ll somehow push him and maybe Shinsuke tries to get her to manage him too, so then Rusev versus Shinsuke for Lana’s services could be a thing. I don’t love the last idea, but it just popped into my head as I’m writing this, so…hooray stream of consciousness.

Now I’m marginally biased when it comes to Randy Orton. Yes he’s very calculated, some of his matches are slow or boring, but generally he’s always a solid hand. This match with Ali was a great storytelling match. Ali looked like a real threat, got around a few Orton classic moves, including his Back Body Drop through an announce table that usually happens whilst playing Fling the Singh.  Ali also avoided one RKO, just to fall victim to another when he was setting up for the 054. Solid match, plus Samoa Joe running in to choke out Randy was good to lead to Elimination Chamber.

Daniel Bryan is a face in Washington state, cause they’re a bunch of west coast hippie vegans weirdos too. So he panders, they pop, hemp belts and whatever. Don’t get me wrong, this evil Captain Planet, Vegan Christ Superstar, whatever you want to call it, is a great character. I just can’t really say he said anything with weight or merit, so it all blended in as white noise to me.

A tag match that no one really cares about, at least finishes correctly since Mandy & Sonya are probably the least credible team in the eyes of the public. Yes the IIconics aren’t much more successful, but at least they’re protected by that aura of bestie power that gives them enough reason to have an edge as a tag team.  Yes, I’m also a sucker for an Australian accent, but that doesn’t sway anything here really.

Andrade and Zelina talk smack about Rey, so I’m very happy that’s not dead in the water. More Andrade vs Rey! We still have 25 matches to go!

Daniel and Hardy never really get to the next gear. The action was solid, they both had moments to shine. Jeff hits the Swanton, but before we see if Daniel kicks out or not, Rowan pulls him out and Bryan gets DQ’d for interference. So both main shows have DQ finishes for the main events, but SmackDown decides to have Joe and the rest of the Elimination Chamber participants show up for a big donnybrook.  That doesn’t make it better, but the crowd pops for Styles and what not, so they prolly went home happier.

 

Overall Score: 6.5/10

Well, WWE added to the Becky story which I love, so hopefully that helped to smooth over any odd interpretations of her character. SmackDown, even with a slightly below their average show, was still quite enjoyable and easy to digest. The Nakamura and Rusev angle is probably the most interesting new thing with the Lana aspect. So aside from us all knowing Elimination Chamber will be fun with everyone involved, it’s nice to have a lower card story that has some intrigue. Plus Andrade/Rey got furthered and it was mentioned the McMiz TV will have the Usos on next week. So even if they weren’t on, SmackDown does a solid job at keeping all the players visible somehow. Hell even Asuka had a video package.

So yea, WWE has a slightly below average week, but nothing terrible.

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Opinion

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!

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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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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)

FRIDAY – DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

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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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)

FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

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


Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!

All Shows On Demand


Powered by RedCircle


Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
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