Opinion

WWE Week in Review: March 18-24, 2019

Creeping closer to WrestleMania, coupled with the finish of the Cruiserweight Tournament and a Fatal 5 Way after Ciampa’s injury. So much going on in WWE. How did Tiffany assess it all?

Published

6 years ago

March 25, 2019

TiffanyMC

Creeping closer to WrestleMania, coupled with the finish of the Cruiserweight Tournament and a Fatal 5 Way after Ciampa’s injury. So much going on in WWE. How did Tiffany assess it all?

RAW

Here, in lovely Indiana where I hang my hat, we have a mini-season during the late winter/early spring called ‘Pothole/Chuckhole Season’. It’s where even the best kept road can suddenly turn into a minefield and every driver finds themselves trying to decide which hole in the ground is least likely to completely wreck their tires.

The road to WrestleMania is a well-kept one, but even it has its share of potholes and RAW hit one in a big way this week, but it’s a little too soon to declare that the wheels are off.

Opening: The start of RAW, even if it was Lesnar and Heyman, was reasonably promising. Heyman’s schtick is so repetitive I could say it in my sleep, but McIntyre’s appearance was new, as was the brutal beatdown that Rollins gave McIntyre with the chair. Best part was Lesnar’s reaction, he may have underestimated Rollins, but I don’t think he was after that.

Finn Balor and Braun Strowman vs Bobby Lashley and Lio Rush: I was extremely ‘meh’ about the whole Balor/Strowman vs Lashley/Rush match. These ‘surprise’ partner things are rarely a surprise and Strowman doesn’t have much going on right now anyway. The one interesting thing about this match, other than watching Lio Rush get the snot beat out of him, was the fact that Lashley left Rush to his fate. Given that Lashley and Rush have been having issues with each other lately, I’m sure Rush isn’t going to be impressed with Lashley’s abandonment.

Moment of Bliss: For once, Moment of Bliss wasn’t an absolute, cringe-inducing, ‘OMG, make it stop!’ segment it usually is, but it’s clear that WWE is doing everything it can to cram every single superstar on the roster on the Mania card SOMEHOW, like booking Elias as the musical guest instead of someone like Flo Rida, or Kid Rock. I’m calling it now: The REAL headliner will interrupt Elias.

The thing that bugs me most about Elias’ ‘announcement’ is that Elias isn’t that big of a deal. He had some momentum after Dean Ambrose turned heel, but that didn’t last. If you want further proof, look who he was up against: No Way Jose, who hasn’t even been on Main Event for months. Not exactly a wow-inducing act.

Speaking of Jose: What in the world is going on with Heavy Machinery? They went from destroying the tag division to leading a conga line. Did I miss something here?

Kurt Angle Retirement Announcement: For once, I’m in the majority who are PRAYING that the Kurt Angle/Baron Corbin match at WrestleMania is a joke. Maybe not a good joke, but a joke nonetheless. After all Angle has done and accomplished, his final match is going to be up against Baron Corbin? I’m guessing that Vince is going to troll us at WrestleMania and Kurt’s opponent will either be John Cena, or Vince is going to break out the oilcan and the Ensure and get the Undertaker to do the honors. Either would be preferable to Corbin.

I did love the Angle/Gable match. It’s clear that WWE wants to send Kurt out as the hero he is and it’s also clear that the guys he’s fighting are honored to get in the ring with him, which makes this even better.

I LOVED the Revival and Apollo Crews ignoring and mocking Corbin and hope it’s a sign that Corbin is NOT Angle’s final match.

Divas of Doom Reunion: I’ve said before that I was getting frustrated with the fact that Sasha and Bayley hadn’t really defended the Women’s Tag Team Titles anywhere but on RAW, despite the fact that the selling point of only having one set of Tag Titles was that they were going to be defended on all of WWE’s shows. I’m glad that they’re FINALLY going to be going to SmackDown and having a match with the IIconics, who should’ve been first in line for the titles after Elimination Chamber.

I’m still hoping that Trish and Lita will get a shot at the tag titles, but I’m so happy that Beth Phoenix and the Divas of Doom are back and looking better than ever, I’ll shelve that other match hope for later. I’m not impressed by the inclusion of the Samoan Dynasty, but since they’re the only other ACTUAL Women’s Tag Team on RAW, I guess there’s no way around it.

I really hope Phoenix gets a match before WrestleMania just to re-acclimate herself to the ring again, but I loved watching Sasha vs Nattie, even if the Samoan Dynasty ruined a great match just because.

I don’t know what’s up with Mojo Rawley and I don’t care.

Ricochet vs Jinder Mahal: Since Aleister Black is in Amsterdam on his honeymoon, Ricochet was left to try and get something out of Jinder Mahal, with Singh Brothers in tow. Ricochet did a pretty good job of that and still got the win and showed he can stand on his own without Black.

Warrior Award: I know a lot of people were disappointed that Roman Reigns didn’t win the Warrior Award, but since the Warrior’s initial idea was to honor unsung heroes in the company, Sue Aichinson getting the award makes sense.

Seth Rollins: I love that Seth said that his match against McIntyre was for Reigns and Ambrose, who were not there this week. Seth seemed to have realized that his brutal beatdown of McIntyre had made an impression on Lesnar, which he desperately needs.

Ronda Rousey vs Dana Brooke: I HATED the Rousey/Brooke Match! For all the build, Dana should’ve been given more of a shot than what she got. I get that it’s to build Rousey as a nasty badass going into WrestleMania, but it sucks that Dana was basically sacrificed to do it.

Apollo Crews: I really enjoyed Crews vs Corbin and hope it means that Corbin will NOT be Angle’s final opponent. Plus, it give Crews some much needed momentum, which he’s been missing since the end of Titus Worldwide.

Batista Interview: I have no idea no idea why Batista is mad at Triple H and his interview on Monday didn’t make the situation clearer. Considering how many title reigns Batista had during his first run in WWE, he can hardly say Triple H held him back or down or whatever. Batista came across as a spoiled brat that made you want to see Triple H beat the shit out of him just so he’ll shut up.

Seth Rollins vs Drew McIntyre: I loved Rollins/McIntyre, especially because Rollins proved that he could hang with big men on his own, something that a lot of people were doubting after the Royal Rumble. I wasn’t impressed with Lesnar being petty and costing Seth the match since it still looks like he’s not taking Rollins as seriously as he probably should.

SmackDown

The Road to WrestleMania has been a lot less clear for SmackDown on many fronts and the path didn’t seem any clearer as the Blue brand went off the air.

Opening: Miz kicked off the show, and cut a great promo. Miz usually isn’t good in the babyface role, but he hit it out of the park on Tuesday, even if saying he had to earn his dad’s love sounds like something he should be talking about with a therapist.

Boss-Hug vs IIconics: I’m so happy that Sasha and Bayley FINALLY made it to SmackDown and faced the IIconics in such a great match, that I can’t be mad at HOW the IIconics got the win on Tuesday or that Lacey Evans showed up again. It looks like the IIconics are going to WrestleMania!

Rey Mysterio: Rey Mysterio’s promo and the announcement that he’s facing Samoa Joe for the United States Championship was great, but the reveal of his son, Dominic, which most WWE fans of the early 2000s remember as a little boy caught in a custody battle between Mysterio and Eddie Guerrero, was enough to make anyone feel REALLY old.

The Kevin Owens Show: The brawl between Charlotte and Becky was really good and helped heat up the RAW Women’s feud, which has cooled off just a little since Fastlane. Owens played the pot-stirring host very well, while still managing to stay a babyface, which is not natural for him. This RAW Women’s Championship match is going to be WILD.

AJ Styles: I’m still not on board with the Styles/Orton match. It just feels too forced and petty. If anyone should have the advantage in this, it’s Styles, who has wrestled all over the world with some of the best the world had to offer, while Orton has only wrestled in WWE.

Daniel Bryan: I get that Daniel Bryan is a heel, but him calling Kofi Kingston a B+ player is eye-roll inducing. It’s not like Bryan has been setting the world on fire lately.

Gauntlet Match: I think we all knew Vince was going to pull something to keep Kofi from winning the gauntlet match, but the bigger story is the conversation this storyline and the real-life incident involving Jimmy Uso and Naomi with a police officer, over the treatment of People of Color in everyday life interactions with white people. I’m not going to judge Vince McMahon, the human being, by the actions of Mr. McMahon, the character, but the conversation Mr. McMahon’s treatment of Kofi Kingston is more interesting than the wrestling storyline, in my opinion, and it’s a conversation that we need to be having.

I also found it very interesting how the babyface SmackDown locker room seems to have banded together behind Kingston, wanting him to get his shot and makes for an interesting question about what happens next week.

205 Live

Mike Kanellis vs Akira Tozawa: My hopes that Mike Kanellis is going to be a super over underdog babyface seemed to have been dashed on Tuesday since he and Maria put away Akira Tozawa in that fantastic opener for 205, but I’m still thrilled that Kanellis seems to be getting a push.

Cedric Alexander: I really enjoyed this interview. Alexander really needled Nese and Murphy, raising questions about what would happen if Nese won the #1 Contender match. Love Nese’s assertion that he’s not a sidekick despite being Murphy’s lackey for the past several months.

Lucha House Party: I like Lucha House Party, but news of their return has me pretty ‘meh’, though them going against Gulak, Gallagher, Carrillo sounds interesting.

Tony Nese vs Cedric Alexander: I LOVED this match! I wasn’t sure it was going to live up to the hype, but Nese and Alexander really tore it up. I was surprised that Nese won, but I’m very happy since Nese would be a breath of fresh air to the title picture. Murphy turning on Nese was definitely NOT a surprise, but it ends the question of what will happen if the Body Guys have to face each other for the title: It’s going to be a fight at WrestleMania.

NXT UK:

Pete Dunne: Well, it seems WWE is finally going to get Pete Dunne vs WALTER out of the way, thank god. I’ve been over this build for awhile and I’m glad that we’re finally getting it.

Women’s Division: I like Toni Storm, but I haven’t warmed up to her as much I would like to. There’s just something about her in the ring that I don’t get, she always acts like she has no idea what’s going on. However, I loved her promo on Jinny and am happy that they’re probably going to have this feud going into WrestleMania.

Rhea Ripley’s reaction to Xia Brookeside is hilarious when you remember that Brookeside came VERY close to beating Ripley a few times, so this match will be interesting to watch.

Eddie Dennis vs Ligero: The Headmaster from Hell is back and he vented his rage on poor Ligero in a hellacious match that I’m not sure Ligero was quite ready for. Any hope that the time away would help Dennis’ attitude seem to have been dashed because he beat the Leeds Luchador from pillar to post, though Ligero put up quite a fight. I pity whoever gets in Dennis’ way now.

Amir Jordan and Kenny Williams: I’m totally stoked to see the Lucky Bad Boys talking about going for the tag titles, even if Jordan is more enthusiastic about the idea than Williams.

The Hunt vs Sam Stoker and Lewis Howley: There’s not a whole lot to say about this match except that the Primate and the Wild Boar are going to be trouble for whomever gets in their way, as poor Stoker and Howley found out. Ouch.

Kassius Ohno vs Ashton Smith: Kassius Ohno has only been in the UK a week and he’s already having more success than he had in NXT US. The match against Ashton Smith was extremely good and let Ohno show off his skills. I don’t blame Smith for being skeptical of Ohno’s ‘respect’, but I don’t think Ohno KOing him was the way to show his goodwill.

Gallus: I like seeing Gallus figuring out why they’re having not great luck lately rather than singling someone out for blame or blaming their opponents. I’m interested in seeing how Gallus gets back on top, which I’m sure they’re going to do.

Tyler Bate vs James Drake: This was a really good match to try and get Mustache Mountain back in the tag title picture. Both guys are CRAZY talented and it was nice to see them one on one without their partners and since Bate got the win, Mustache Mountain are still in the title picture, so everyone wins.

NXT

Opening: Ever since it was announced that Ciampa was going to be out because of a neck injury, I’d been wondering how they were going to write him out and they did it exactly right. Triple H knows what it’s like to have career threatening injuries and the promo about the dreams that bring people to NXT were fantastic.

I’m happy that Gargano is going to keep his title shot, even if he’s going to have to wait to kick Ciampa’s ass a little longer and the names in the Fatal Five Way are exactly who should be in the picture.

Promos: The first round of promos were pretty standard. I can’t say anyone really jumped out to me as being the star of the segment, but I liked Forgotten Sons keeping the Dusty Rhodes Classic storyline going, even with everything else being kind of topsy-turvy.

Tommaso Ciampa: I’m not a huge Ciampa fan, but it sucks to see any superstar laid up, especially knowing how serious neck injuries are. Hopefully, Ciampa will heal quickly and be raising hell on NXT soon.

More Promos: We got to hear from the contenders of the Fatal Five way. The promos were pretty standard for everyone involved, and nothing really stood out as a pipe bomb.

Sky Pirates: Our THIRD promo segment was about the Fatal Four Way. Bianca Belair’s mental gymnastics game continues to be quite impressive, but it doesn’t change the fact that Io Shirai should be facing Baszler for the title because she earned the shot fair and square, while Belair whined and complained over not getting a rematch she wasn’t owed.

Fatal Five Way: I loved this match SOOO much, it mostly made up for having to sit through a show that was almost nothing but promos. Actually, if the whole show could’ve been this match, I would’ve been happy. I wasn’t even mad that Adam Cole won, even though I was rooting for Aleister Black. Cole and Gargano will have an AMAZING match in New York and I look forward to seeing it!

Overall Thoughts: This was an okay week for WWE on the Road to WrestleMania. RAW hit several potholes, but the other shows did a much better job.

I’m not a fan of petty!Lesnar, but if it means Seth got Lesnar’s attention, so be it.

I find it interesting that the video with the most views was Dean Ambrose coming to Rollins’ aid after RAW went off the air.

SmackDown didn’t have any REAL surprises. I’m not sure who actually thought Vince wouldn’t pull anything in the gauntlet match, but I wasn’t surprised by the outcome. I did love the solidarity between the babyface locker room and New Day, Tuesday will be interesting.

205 and NXT UK were both really good. I love that Tony Nese is the #1 Contender and I’m dying to see the promos between him and Murphy.

Love that Kanellis is FINALLY being taken seriously because he’s a great talent that needs to be utilized better.

I really would like to see whatever show NXT was supposed to be before Ciampa had surgery because an hour long show of four promo segments and ONE match got boring QUICKLY.

Again, this was a good week for WWE, but RAW REALLY needs to straighten up because SmackDown is pulling ahead in terms of WrestleMania building.

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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!

Published

2 months ago

February 2, 2025

Greg DeMarco

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.

If @whoislaniee‘s rendition of the Star Spangled Banner is any indication, we are in for one hell of a night with one hell of a crowd!

— Big Daddy Greg 🤡 (@gregdemarco44) February 1, 2025

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:

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.

Roxanne Perez has “Iron Woman” written all over her entering at #3. #RoyalRumble

— Big Daddy Greg 🤡 (@gregdemarco44) February 1, 2025

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.

And here’s my pick to win the Women’s #RoyalRumble, Bianca Belair. At #10? Doesn’t look good for me!

(Seth Rollins won his from #10, I believe.)

— Big Daddy Greg 🤡 (@gregdemarco44) February 1, 2025

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.

Naomi is a former women’s champion and had an amazing WrestleMania moment back in Orlando–why does Michael Cole keep saying 2024 was her breakout year? #RoyalRumble

— Big Daddy Greg 🤡 (@gregdemarco44) February 1, 2025

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.

If anyone “deserves” a Royal Rumble win, it’s Natalya. #RoyalRumble

— Big Daddy Greg 🤡 (@gregdemarco44) February 1, 2025

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.

BUT THE INTERNET TOLD ME ALEXA BLISS WASN’T GONNA COME BACK DUE TO A CONTRACT DISPUTE. #RoyalRumble

— Big Daddy Greg 🤡 (@gregdemarco44) February 1, 2025

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.

Great reaction for Stephanie Vaquer–Indianapolis seems to be an NXT crowd. #RoyalRumble

— Big Daddy Greg 🤡 (@gregdemarco44) February 2, 2025

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.

Honestly, did we need Trish Stratus? #RoyalRumble

— Big Daddy Greg 🤡 (@gregdemarco44) February 2, 2025

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.

Listen, I’m going to hell, but Charlotte Flair’s entrance reminds me of when JR returned from his stroke. Lay off the plastic surgery. #RoyalRumble

— Big Daddy Greg 🤡 (@gregdemarco44) February 2, 2025

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.

Giulia eliminated Jordynne Grace, which makes me think Jordynne might be spending some time in NXT. #RoyalRumble

— Big Daddy Greg 🤡 (@gregdemarco44) February 2, 2025

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?

This company obviously believes in Roxanne Perez. #RoyalRumble

— Big Daddy Greg 🤡 (@gregdemarco44) February 2, 2025

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.

Why was Mickie James in the crowd, and not IN THE MATCH??? #RoyalRumble

— Big Daddy Greg 🤡 (@gregdemarco44) February 2, 2025

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.

That little ladder is HILARIOUS. #RoyalRumble

— Big Daddy Greg 🤡 (@gregdemarco44) February 2, 2025

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

Cody Rhodes is gonna buy Kevin Owens a lot of cigars, booze, or meat. Whatever that man wants. #RoyalRumble

— Big Daddy Greg 🤡 (@gregdemarco44) February 2, 2025

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 am so happy for Penta in the WWE. #RoyalRumble

— Big Daddy Greg 🤡 (@gregdemarco44) February 2, 2025

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.

Trick Williams’ #RoyalRumble entrance is gonna be ICONIC.

— Big Daddy Greg 🤡 (@gregdemarco44) February 2, 2025

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.

Gotta play the hits, pal. (Sheamus.) #RoyalRumble

— Big Daddy Greg 🤡 (@gregdemarco44) February 2, 2025

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.

Here comes the most underappreciated wrestler in WWE history, @mikethemiz. #RoyalRumble

— Big Daddy Greg 🤡 (@gregdemarco44) February 2, 2025

We lost Michael for a minute there.

The fact that Joe Hendry’s fact on the ticket is “Say His Name And He Appears” is amazing.

Great pop for him, too.

And Michael Cole references Nic Nemeth! #RoyalRumble

— Big Daddy Greg 🤡 (@gregdemarco44) February 2, 2025

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.

☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️ #RoyalRumble

— Big Daddy Greg 🤡 (@gregdemarco44) February 2, 2025

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.)

All these megastars, and Jacob Fatu might be the most over guy in the match right now. #ROYALRUMBLE

— Big Daddy Greg 🤡 (@gregdemarco44) February 2, 2025

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

JOHN CENA’S SOCKS!
JOHN CENA’S SOCKS!
JOHN CENA’S SOCKS!#RoyalRumble

— Big Daddy Greg 🤡 (@gregdemarco44) February 2, 2025

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.

If I’m WWE, I have Logan Paul wait until the final two before jumping back into the ring. #RoyalRumble

— Big Daddy Greg 🤡 (@gregdemarco44) February 2, 2025

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!

IT’S JUST YOU, UCE! #RoyalRumble

— Big Daddy Greg 🤡 (@gregdemarco44) February 2, 2025

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

Published

5 months ago

November 2, 2024

PC Tunney

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