Opinion

Chris’s Grades & Analysis For WWE 205 Live 7/23/19

After weeks of humiliation from his wife and consecutive losses,Mike Kanellis reached his boiling point after obliterating his opponent.

Published

6 years ago

July 26, 2019

Chris King

After weeks of humiliation from his wife and consecutive losses,Mike Kanellis reached his boiling point after obliterating his opponent. Mike disrespected the General Manager of 205 Live Drake Maverick and said he wanted to kick his ass the GM had heard enough and brought the fight to his disgruntled employee. Maverick later accepted Mike's challenge via social media. Will the two men come to blows again tonight?

After weeks of humiliation from his wife and consecutive losses,Mike Kanellis reached his boiling point after obliterating his opponent.

Mike disrespected the General Manager of 205 Live Drake Maverick and said he wanted to kick his ass the GM had heard enough and brought the fight to his disgruntled employee.

Maverick later accepted Mike’s challenge via social media. Will the two men come to blows again tonight?

Chris’s Grades:

Backstage Promo From Drake Maverick:

Drake has kept his cool long enough and last week when Mike bad-mouthed his wife, he exploded in rage. I am loving this storyline as Drake “the man” is appearing for the first time on 205 Live, but I’m not sure if this is going to help Mike Kanellis at all. After weeks of humiliation from his pregnant wife and losing consecutively, this all feels like another loss for him.

If Mike’s new character is a running joke each passing week, why the hell did he stay in WWE? Seriously though, what’s the big pay-off for this developing and hard to watch storyline?

Grade–B+

Lucha House Party (Kalisto and Gran Metalik) VS Humberto Carrillo and Raul Mendoza:

WHAT A MATCH!!! Seriously all four Lucha Libre superstars tore the house down, from counters and unique sequences and high-flying action. This was everything and more 205 Live has to offer, the veterans looked to shut down the young and up-and-coming newcomers with old-school wrestling tactics. However, it was the new blood that came up with an impressive victory tonight! I can’t wait to see the rematch down the road.

Grade–A+

Bollywood Boyz Backstage Promo:

After back-to-back weeks of getting outsmarted by The Brian Kendrick and Akira Tozawa, the Singhs feel disrespected. Especially after Tozawa’s win last week and taking their Boscar award. They will now do battle next week in a tag team match. I want to make one more mention here, Samir and Sunil are incredible heels that get under your skin. It makes you want to knock them out, that’s how you know their characters are working. No longer just lackeys for The Modern Day Maharaja Jinder Mahal!.

Grade–B

Oney Lorcan VS Tony Isner:

Lorcan is fun to watch with his speed and agility always coming into play. This was nothing more than a display of how dominating the crazed Lorcan can be. A mere stop in the road until he gets into the cruiserweight championship title scene.

Winner: Oney Lorcan, Grade–B

Drew Gulak’s Threatening Promo:

A vindictive and vicious Cruiserweight Champion in a dark room delivered another stellar bone-chilling promo. This is the Drew Gulak that we should have gotten all along, like a shark smelling blood anxiously waiting for a challenger and his next victim. Gulak will remain on top of the division, and he doesn’t care who he must obliterate to stay WWE Cruiserweight Champion!

Grade–A

Drew Gulak VS Isiah “Swerve” Scott:

This was a hard-fought battle between the student and the prideful and arrogant teacher. Drew Gulak continues to evolve into a raging beast who is capable of almost anything to hurt his opponents. The champion was perfect in methodically targeting Swerve’s injured hand to ensure the victory.

The young up-and-coming star was out to prove to his mentor, that he’s grown significantly in the squared circle. He did that and much more showing off his speed and agility and keeping Gulak on his toes and all times. There was a dozen of near-falls and great unique counters that brought the WWE Universe to their feet. If Swerve was a little more experienced, his “Swerve” (pun intended) aka confidence would be perfect to go up against the NXT Champion Adam Cole!

Winner: Drew Gulak, Grade–A

Chris’s Show Grade–A

Analysis:

The show opens up with a recap of Mike Kanellis weeks of frustrations and the physical altercation between Drake Maverick and himself last week.

Backstage promo from General Manager of 205 Live Drake Maverick. A remorseful Drake says he crossed the line last week but as a man, he felt justified. Drake announces that Mike’s not here tonight, but he’s going to get his title shot and the opportunity to “kick his ass!” Drake then drops a bombshell that next week it will Drake Maverick vs. Mike Kanellis in an Unsanctioned Match!!

We go live as Vic Joseph and Aiden English welcome us to Miami, FL, and announce tonight’s episode is competition night with NXT superstars crossing over! Starting the night off right high-flying action that makes the cruiserweight division must see! Lucha House Party (Kalisto and Gran Metalik) vs. Humberto Carrillo and NXT’s Raul Mendoza.

The bell rings and Kalisto and Raul start things off. They tie-up and Raul applies a wristlock, Kalisto escapes with a cartwheel into his own to reverse the pressure. Raul locks in a headlock, Kalisto scoops him and tilt-o-whirls out and escapes again! Lucha Libre at its finest ladies and gentlemen! Both competitors are tearing it up and the WWE Universe is on fire! Tag here comes Metalik and Carrillo to show the crowd what they can bring to the table, they both enter with handsprings!

Tie-up and Carillo gains some offense but Metalik reverses…back to Carillo headlock, off the ropes and backflips and Metalik does the same. The competitors shake hands…nope Metalik kicks him and scoops Carillo down. Quick tags by The Lucha House Party to cut off the ring as they school the newcomers. One highlight of the match is when Kalisto tags in Metalik and he uses his back for Metalik to land a missile dropkick! Raul is back in now, firing on all cylinders… clothesline into a dropkick. Irish Whip into the corner and Raul slides through the middle rope, and walking the ropes to hit a dropkick! Raul hits a ferocious enzugiri for a near-fall!

The finish comes with Carillo and Metalik fighting in the corner, Raul hits another enzugiri on Kalisto and wipes him out with a corkscrew splash outside. Metalik climbs up and lands a backflip into knees… Carillo up now and lands his jaw-dropping twisting corkscrew splash for the 1-2-3!

We head backstage where The Bollywood Boyz are talking about The Brian Kendrick and Akira Tozawa parading through Miami with “their” Boscar award. They say “For weeks Kendrick and Tozawa we’ve been playing your games, but next week we play ours!” Next week it will be Kendrick and Tozawa vs. The Singh Brothers in a tag team match.

We get a stellar video of another crossover superstar from NXT Isaiah “Swerve” Scott. They show highlights of his matches in NXT while proclaiming that Swerve means confidence!

We get a recap of Chad Gable/Jack Gallagher II from last week, if you haven’t watched it yet, stop reading and go check it out! Seriously GO WATCH IT! Jack Gallagher sent out a tweet following their outstanding match claiming “The Best of Jack Gallagher is still yet to come!”

The aim of performing at the highest level is not to be good just once, but to build upon each experience. As positive as the response to my contest against Mr Gable was, I assure you, the best of Jack Gallagher, and @WWE205Live, is still yet to come.
👑🐝🇬🇧#205Live pic.twitter.com/laaX835C9w

— Gentleman Jack Gallagher (@GentlemanJackG) July 23, 2019

I want the trilogy and so does the WWE Universe, perhaps a Two-out-of-Three Falls Match? Make it happen HHH!

Here comes The Fury of 205 Live Oney Lorcan and his opponent Tony Isner is already in the ring. The bell rings as Isner lands some right hands right of the gate, but it’s short-lived as Lorcan takes over with some nasty-looking chops. Lorcan with a hard whip into the corner, followed by three running uppercuts!. Crazed look by Lorcan signals the end as he hits the Half-and-half for the 1-2-3!

Ahead of tonight’s main event, the Cruiserweight Champion Drew Gulak gave another threatening promo. Claiming he sent out a challenge to anyone on the roster last week, and since nobody answered he’s facing someone from NXT. Many may have forgotten that Gulak trained Swerve and taught him the ropes, but that’s not the Drew Gulak he’ll be facing tonight!

Next week Mike Kanellis will face Drake Maverick in an Unsanctioned Match if Mike wins he will earn himself a title shot at the WWE Cruiserweight Championship!

Here comes Isiah “Swerve” Scott, followed by the champ. The bell rings and Gulak blasts Swerve with a missile dropkick right into the corner, snapmare takedown into a headlock. Swerve escapes into a wristlock and Gulak headscissors out. A slap from the ruthless champion and a stalemate. They interlock with both men jockeying for position, and Gulak throws him into the ropes to the outside. After consecutive sequences of waistlocks and wristlocks and flipping escapes Swerve blasts the veteran with a dropkick and send Gulak outside.

Gulak back in now and he shoves Swerve back to assert his dominance and tosses Swerve outside but he handsprings through. Gulak slides in…Swerve appears to escape but cartwheels into a splash! Swerve on offense and drives Gulak into the corner, breaks at the five-count. Swerve with a takedown and joint manipulation pulling the fingers back. Gulak waistlocks back to his feet, Swerve escapes… nope Gulak pulls him back, back elbow and a devastating right hand Two! The young up-and-coming superstar is taking it to his former mentor with only one hand now as he blasts the champ with knife edge chops in the corner. A “Let’s Go Swerve” chant breaks out!

Swerve lands some stiff kicks to the body of Gulak, but the champ goes right after the injured hand to and punches Swerve outside. Gulak drives him into the barricade stomach-first, takes him to the announce table and lands a thunderous slap to the chest before driving him onto the hard apron. The ruthless champion is done playing around, as he lifts Swerve up into a Crucifix Bomb into the ring post! Rolls him back in two-count. Gulak locks in a single leg submission all-the-while stomping his boot on Swerve’s head. Gulak Irish Whip into the corner reversed but Swerve can’t capitalize and gets blasted with an elbow. Gulak climbs out and turns Swerve inside out with a ferocious top-rope flying lariat, Two!

The WWE Universe is rallying Swerve back to his feet, Gulak with hard strikes now sends him to the corner. The champ lifts him up again for the crucifix bomb, but Swerve flips out…jawbreaker Gulak is in the corner and eats an elbow, following by a middle-rope spinning uppercut Two! Gulak goes up top and Swerve steiners him crashing to the mat. The fan-favorite is feeling it now, Swerve runs and delivers a killshot calf kick, another near-fall! The second week in a row the WWE Universe is chanting “THIS IS AWESOME!” Gulak back to the injured hand and locks in the Dragon Sleeper, Swerve gets his foot under the rope for a break.

Both competitors are up, Gulak goes up and over the ropes…Swerve with a right hand followed by a shortkick through the ropes. Swerve to the apron, Double-Stomp to his former mentor. Climbs up to the top and lands THUNDEROUS DOUBLE-STOMP, another near-fall! Both competitors back up, Gulak with a strike to the chest…off the ropes and catches Swerve in mid-air for a roll-up, 1-2-nope!

Gulak runs right into a tilt-o-whirl slam into an armbar. Swerve can’t use the right hand to clinch it in, Gulak now with joint manipulation on the injured hand. Swerve with slaps to the face, the vindictive champion fires back with some of his own…High Angle Suplex and then the Cyclone Crash Neckbreaker for the 1-2-3!

That’s the show folks!

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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

3 weeks 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

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4 months ago

November 2, 2024

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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