Opinion

News From Cook’s Corner 4.20.20: The Comeback

After an 8-year hiatus, the News From Cook’s Corner is back, courtesy of your friend Steve Cook!

Published

5 years ago

April 20, 2020

Steve Cook

Hi, hello & welcome to News From Cook’s Corner! I’m Steve Cook, and after eight years it feels like now is as good a time as any to get back to what I do best: ramble on about wrestling news.

For those of you that weren’t reading my stuff eight years ago, let me explain.

Back in the olden days, the Internet wrestling writing space was largely populated by things called “news reports”. There was rarely news broken in these columns, they were driven by the personality of the writer. Guys like Chris Hyatte, Rick Scaia and too many others to name became the Internet equivalent of your more knowledgeable friend down the street you talked the rasslin with. Whether they actually knew more than the average reader or not was debatable, but they were good with words. They presented things in an entertaining way that kept people coming back for more.

News From Cook’s Corner was my version of that. 411 had a ton of them in the mid 2000s from the likes of Larry Csonka, Stephen Randle and too many others to mention here. Greg DeMarco joined us along the way. Good times were had by all.

Until they weren’t.

During one of my 411 sabbaticals, it was decided that the “news report” was a thing of the past. People no longer wanted to read 3,000 words of wrestling talk. They wanted newsbites or a hot take. Maybe a list. Something short & sweet. The people didn’t want anything more.

Which was fine with me. Lists are fun, and the idea of doing some less than 100 people long was appealing. And fortunately I had developed into enough of a writer that I could get more than 1 paragraph out of a given topic. I’m pretty happy with most of what I’ve produced since 2017 here and elsewhere. The idea of going back to the old way? I wasn’t really interested. Until I started keeping up with the Wednesday night cable ratings, and noticed what the heck people were watching on a week to week basis.

Some would call it “the news”. I would not.

In fact, it’s pretty darn comparable to what we were doing back in the day. People not qualified to talk about news talking about news and passing off their terrible opinions as news. It seems to work for them, why can’t it work for us again?

Let’s find out…

WWE News

Everybody knows that there’s a number of banned terms that you can’t say on WWE programming. I’m sure there’s more than seven, or I’d rip off the old George Carlin bit. Of course, a bunch of new terms like “coronavirus”, “covid-19” & “ramen noodle moonsault” have recently made the list, but there’s one that might surprise you a little bit: “Roman Reigns”. This was mentioned in the Wrestling Observer according to the web sites, and I can confirm that I have not heard the Big Dog’s name spoken on recent WWE programming. I haven’t seen it all, maybe Roman was mentioned on Main Event or NXT UK. However, I can tell you that Roman Reigns was not mentioned on Raw, SmackDown, NXT or The Big Show Show in the last couple of weeks.

I understand why. We have no idea when Reigns will be able to return to television. He pulled himself off WrestleMania due to concerns over the virus, and nobody in their right mind blames him for that. He’s had previous issues with his immune system, and his wife has just given birth to two kids. That guy doesn’t need to be traveling to Orlando right now. It’s impossible to say when things will be normal enough for Reigns to make that trip, or to somewhere else where WWE may end up hosting shows.

WWE Smackdown Roman Reigns

Hence, there’s no real reason to mention Roman Reigns on television right now. He won’t be feuding with Braun Strowman over the Universal Championship any time soon, or doing anything else on WWE programming. If Roman’s not there, why bring him up? There’s a lot of reasons to get mad at WWE right now, but this is one case where they can actually be defended. No reason to build up somebody or something that they have no idea when they can present it.

Here’s WWE’s upcoming taping schedule after this week, where they’re still doing things live:

Saturday, April 25; two episodes of SmackDown will be taped (airing May 1 and May 8)
Monday, April 27; two episodes of Raw will be taped (one for that night and the other will air the following week on May 4)
Wednesday, April 29; two episodes of NXT will be taped (one is for that night, the other will air on May 6)
Monday, May 11; one episode of Raw will be taped for that night and one episode of SmackDown will be taped for May 15
Tuesday, May 12; one episode of Raw will be taped for May 18 and one episode of SmackDown will be taped for May 22
Wednesday, May 13; two episodes of NXT will be taped (one is for that night, the other will air on May 20)
Monday, May 25; two episodes of Raw will be taped (one for that night, the other will air on June 1)
Tuesday, May 26; two episodes of SmackDown will be taped (one will air on May 29, the other will air on June 5)
Wednesday, May 27; two episodes of NXT will be taped (one is for that night, the other will air on June 3)
Monday, June 8; one episode of Raw taped for that evening and another episode of SmackDown taped for June 12
Tuesday, June 9; one episode of NXT will be taped for June 10
Monday, June 15; one episode of Raw taped for that evening and another episode of SmackDown taped for June 19
Tuesday, June 16; one episode of Raw taped for June 22 and another episode of SmackDown taped for June 26
Wednesday, June 17; two episodes of NXT will be taped (one is that night, the other will air on June 24)
Monday, June 29; two episodes of Raw will be taped (one for that night and the other will air on July 6)
Tuesday, June 30; two episodes of SmackDown will be taped (one for July 3 and one for July 10)
Wednesday, July 1; two episodes of NXT will be taped (one is for that night, the other will air on July 8)

List courtesy of a lot of places, namely Pro Wrestling Sheet.

This whole situation with whether WWE’s taping their shows or doing them live or whatever has been a bit of a mess. People like to make fun of ol’ Dave Meltzer when he goes to the “plans change” explanation for why something didn’t play out on TV exactly the way he said it would. Here’s the reason why I’ve never been one of those people: Plans change all the time in WWE. This taping/live deal is a perfect example. One day, Vince is like “we gotta bring everybody in to tape a bunch of stuff”. The next day it’s “WE GOTTA DO EVERYTHING LIVE, PAL! GET ME DESANTIS ON THE PHONE!”. That’s why I’m 99.9% sure this taping schedule won’t play out the way it’s currently being reported. Vince will change his mind, in fact, he probably already has twice by the time this gets posted.

I do like this idea of holding Money in the Bank matches at Titan Tower. It seems like The Office on meth. If nothing else it should make things a bit different. The only thing that makes me a bit uneasy is the “climb the corporate ladder” tag line. If I was WWE I wouldn’t be leaning into the “heartless corporation” thing, but maybe that’s just me.

AEW News

To be honest, AEW flew a bit under the radar last week with all the WWE stuff going on. Their biggest news was the announcement that Double or Nothing will still take place on May 23rd, just not in Las Vegas. All I can say is good luck getting people to spend $49.99 on an empty-arena show. I know AEW has their diehard fans that will purchase every show no matter what, and the company could certainly use the revenue boost, but I don’t see this going very well. They’re going to have to lower that price or stick it on B/R Live for free or something.

Also, is it just me, or does AEW need to do a better job of promoting their other stuff? Dark barely gets mentioned on Dynamite, and I just learned this past weekend that Being the Elite has had some matches featuring AEW’s California crew. Maybe I’m just an old fart and the kids are all over this stuff already, but I don’t think advertising this stuff on TNT would hurt anybody.

Cody Rhodes AEW Dynamite Miami Vice

My favorite Netflix show recently, like everybody else in the world, is Tiger King. (The Big Show Show runs a close second.) It turns out that Cody Rhodes has a bit of a loose connection to the show, as he had heard about Carole Baskin killing her husband and feeding him to tigers years ago. Not that we’re sayin-oh hell, yeah, we’re saying Carole Baskin killed her husband and fed him to tigers. Everybody else is saying it, why not us too? And who knew that Chris Jericho was onto something deeper when he started talking about “Cody Exotic” a couple of weeks ago?

The above was an example of a completely useless news item, but it gives me an excuse to mention Tiger King. Hey, sometimes you have to entertain yourself.

Dustin Rhodes’ match with Kip Sabian this week on Dynamite has huge implications. Not only is it part of the TNT Championship Tournament, but the Natural has gone on record saying that he’ll retire if Sabian can beat him.

Shocking clip from the next episode of “Road To”:

“If I cannot beat that son of a B***h, I will retire.” – @DustinRhodes on his TNT Championship Quarterfinal match up with @theKipSabian

Road to the TNT Championship drops this Monday, April 20th at 7/6c – https://t.co/ovL0W5rMeS pic.twitter.com/eReOzl5wVR

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEWrestling) April 18, 2020

Guys, I hate to say it, but we might not be seeing much more of Dustin Rhodes in an AEW ring. Even if he manages to beat Kip on Wednesday, that just means he’ll be facing Lance Archer in the semifinals of the tournament. There wouldn’t be a better message for Archer & Jake Roberts to send Cody, the man they’ve targeted for destruction, than his brother’s head on a silver platter.

I haven’t seen anybody report that Dustin’s wrapping up his in-ring career, but why else would this become a story point? If Dustin’s still wrestling full-time through the next few months, I’ll be wrong, and that’s great because I love watching Dustin Rhodes matches in 2020. It just feels like an AEW without Dustin active in-ring is where we’re heading.

Other Wrestling News

I’ve been critical of ROH’s parent company, Sinclair Broadcasting, in the past. I’ve certainly not been the only one to criticize their business practices. At the same time, I’ve always believed in giving credit when it’s due, and Sinclair has been doing ROH employees right during this time where they’re not able to work a bunch of previously scheduled shows. They’ve been doing non-employees right as well. Katie Lea reported on Twitter that she had been paid for a ROH show she was scheduled to work that was cancelled. Reportedly, wrestlers & staff have been paid for all ROH shows scheduled in April & May.

New Japan Pro Wrestling is paying their wrestlers their regular salary & benefits. Other promotions are doing their best to take care of their wrestlers as well. I don’t know if they insist on branding their wrestlers as “family” or not, but they at least haven’t thrown their employees under the bus. That in itself qualifies as “news” these days, does it not?

Finally, Dr. Wagner Jr. made his triumphant return to AAA this past Saturday night at their Lucha Fighter empty arena event. He had been away for three months and was rumored to be going independent. Nobody else being able to run shows probably put a dent in those plans. The highlight: he has a new theme song!

Yeah, I don’t know where they found the WCW Slam Jam musicians, but I am here for it.

Plugs!

Expect me to pop up four times a week here at The Chairshot until I run out of things to talk about. It’s not like wrestling news has slowed down, so that probably won’t be a problem…

I talked about how WWE Superstars are having an easy time at the airport.

I hyped up Zelina Vega’s Boys..

Two top 5 columns: Howard Finkel Moments & Wrestling Doctors.

In podcasting news, I appear on the 411 on Wrestling every Thursday morning talking NXT, AEW & whatever else happened that day. Also doing some retro stuff with them…on Sunday I talked WrestleMania XX & Backlash 2004 with Larry Csonka & special guest @VPenguin!

Oh, and follow me on Twitter @stevecook84. I’d rate myself a perfectly average tweeter.

Thanks for reading! I want to close by giving a special thank you to Greg DeMarco for suggesting this. Hopefully it won’t get him in too much trouble.

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

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Related Topics:AEW Cody Dr. Wagner Jr Dustin Rhodes Featured Featured Big Roman Reigns WWE

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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

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Published

5 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