Opinion

Mishal’s Top 5 Most Bizarre WWE Pay-Per-Views

In preparation for a Money In The Corporate Bank pay-per-view, Mishal takes a look at the worst of all time?

Published

5 years ago

May 5, 2020

It’s almost impossible to keep track of all the WWE & wrestling shows I’ve seen in my almost 2 decades watching wrestling to this point. The business is always active, always evolving & always throwing so much content at you that it’s next to impossible to ever think you’ve seen enough professional wrestling yet.

Considering the number of choices someone like WWE is giving us nowadays, I always find myself watching or wanting to talk about the greatest moments, matches, or things that most people already widely discuss, but what about the oddities? What about the bizarre?

I think at a time like this where there is so much of your day to fill due to all the blank space that I’ve actually had time to sit down and delve into the truly bizarre parts of the wrestling business, in particular, some shows that I’ve come across that are so bizarre I’d need a lot more time to properly talk about them in-depth, but I thought this article would be a solid start.

For this list, I chose to focus more on shows I’ve either seen or ones that have happened within my own time of watching professional wrestling rather than simply put a show on here that I don’t have full knowledge over. Each show here is ‘bizarre’ in its own unique way, whether than be the name, idea, matches, execution, or something totally out of the ordinary that we aren’t used to seeing normally. Here at 5 of the most bizarre WWE shows of all time.

Honorable Mentions:

Backlash (2017)
D-Generation X: In Your House (1997)
Breaking Point (2009)
Wrestlemania II (1986)
Crown Jewel (2018)

Fatal-4-Way (2010)

WWE’s Fatal-4-Way is a show I’ve never quite understood, not because any of the matches on the card were outright dreadful in any way, but because the idea behind this show is so bizarre to me as a marketable idea. On paper, the very idea around a show based on the Fatal-4-Way match is acceptable enough, however, is it really a match type that’s marketable or actively popular within the wrestling community at all is the real question we need to ask. Unlike matches like Money in the Bank, Elimination Chamber, Hell in a Cell or the Royal Rumble, the idea of a Fatal-4-Way match possessed nothing spectacular about it, not a single selling point to paying customers to sink their teeth into beyond it being a match with four people wrestling in it. There have been countless great ones throughout WWE history, it just isn’t a match fans fawn over to see more of, let alone have a show based around it. While their strategy remains to be a confusing one, it’s a pretty obvious way for the company to test the waters at the time since they were transitioning into a new era of newer stars & a newer fanbase to cater to.

The show itself was nothing to be ashamed of though, in fact, I’d honestly say it was one of the strongest of 2010, a genuinely great show that outshined middling expectations going into it. Both the World title matches delivered the goods in their respective 4-Way matches while furthering the current storylines they were working around, Kofi Kingston & Drew McIntyre put on a stellar opening contest over the Intercontinental Championship, The Hart Dynasty beat The Usos in a fine encounter & Evan Bourne (the now Matt Sydal) pinned Chris Jericho in one of the more underrated PPV matches of that year. During a time where a lot of fans craved newer talent gaining a spotlight, this show did just that and highlighted the newer crop of their roster. It’s honestly a solid card that just seems forgotten because of how random the overall concept of the show was, utilizing a gimmick that doesn’t really have much of an ‘it’ factor to it.

Compared to my other selections, I’d say this was the strongest of the bunch. As odd of an idea as it is on paper, there’s still a lot to admire.

Great Balls of Fire (2017)

What I’d pay to be a fly on the wall of the board room meeting where the creative team & WWE management decided that a show called ‘Great Balls of Fire’ would be a good idea to market towards their audience.

This entire show, the build-up to it, the marketing campaign & even the show’s own hysterical production design all seem like one big rib to the WWE fanbase, the biggest troll that the company has ever delivered. It still amazes me to this very day that a show like this even exists, or was taken seriously at one point, even the fact that I woke up at 1 am to sit through this show baffles me when I reflect on it. WWE is an entertainment juggernaut, amongst the biggest in the entire world right now & I truly understand the need to try to innovate and constantly experiment with new ideas to potentially foster into something larger, but what was the endgame with this show?

As ridiculous as the show’s actual name is, the fact that Jerry Lee Lewis’ classic song of the same name as the show itself was used as the official theme song is extraordinary to me, simply extraordinary.

However, I’ll proudly admit that the show ended up being far above what I expected, in fact, it was a fairly loaded card that even featured a personal dream match of mine finally coming to fruition. Headlined by Brock Lesnar defending his Universal Championship against Samoa Joe, WWE did a pretty solid job in putting together a card that was more than just being represented by a show name so ridiculous you wouldn’t bother investing your time or interest in it. Lesnar vs Joe wasn’t necessarily a spectacular match but did its job in giving fans something on the show to truly take notice of. Alongside the main event, we had Roman Reigns attempt murder in a chaotic Ambulance Match against Braun Strowman, Alexa Bliss defend her title against Sasha Banks in a great little match, The Hardys face Cesaro & Sheamus in a slow-paced but really well executed 30-minute Iron Man Match, Neville battle Akira Tozawa over the Cruiserweight Championship & Big Cass mauled his former partner Enzo Amore in one of that year’s most effective angles up until that point.

It still stands as one of the most bizarre decisions WWE has ever made, but Great Balls of Fire is a show I’d highly recommend checking out if you have the time. At the very least you’ll laugh at how absurd the show looks every time the stage is in the background.

Wrestlemania 2000 (2000)

To this day, Wrestlemania 2000 stands as the only Wrestlemania in history to not feature one basic, straightforward, down the middle singles match on its card.

In the midst of a Hardcore Battle Royal, 4 Tag Team matches, a Triangle Ladder Match & a Fatal-4-Way main event the only thing closely resembling a singles match was a ‘Catfight’, which ranks amongst my least favorite ‘matches’ in Wrestlemania history. The issue with this card is that the overreliance on multip-person bouts can lead to show being far too overcrowded & active, resulting in a lack of storytelling a show as big as Wrestlemania needs to truly be memorable. There was just simply too much happening on this show at stages that exhausted me simply watching it on television, despite this being at one of the peak periods of WWE programming as the Monday Night Wars were still being waged on primetime television.

When looking at the actual card, the only real standout was the Triangle Ladder Match between The Dudleys, The Hardys & Edge and Christian which isn’t just a revolutionary match that changed the way the industry looked at gimmick matches, but the importance of tag team wrestling as an entire concept. It embodies what Wrestlemania is and what it should feel like to watch, on top of having phenomenal storytelling from everyone involved in it, as well as the right men coming out on top. WWE sadly crammed the rest of the card with too much dead weight to really discuss, particularly the remaining tag team contests which did nothing to excite me, although the Hardcore Battle Royal, while an incredible mess, is one of the few bright spots of the show due to how absurd the flow of the match is with its breakneck pacing.

Sadly the ultimate nail in the coffin for me was the show’s main event, a star-studded Fatal-4-Way match between Triple H, The Rock, Mick Foley & Big Show, each with a member of the McMahon family in their corner to battle over the WWE Championship. The match itself had pretty solid action, but as I mentioned earlier shoved far too much into the match itself to really land the ending it went for. Balancing not just the retirement of Mick Foley, the rise of Big Show, a plethora of McMahon family drama that just dragged on at points but it sadly sacrificed all of this in favor of having the company’s biggest star at the time, The Rock capture the WWE Championship in what should have been the conclusion to your biggest show of the calendar year.

Wrestlemania 2000 is a pretty solid example that signifies the importance of one-on-one contests, that allows for breaks in between matches with abundances of talent involved in them. As crazy as a show as this can be, it was just so much to digest at points that it becomes overwhelming to watch, with such an intense focus on the spectacle of Wrestlemania that it’s just absurd at times, especially considering that this show wasn’t even held in a larger venue than what we’re now accustomed to.

With Wrestlemania’s getting seemingly longer by the year & WWE seemingly always wanting to shove the maximum amount of talent possible onto a card, this show should be a bleak reminder that sometimes quantity just doesn’t equal quality.

December to Dismember (2006)

What hasn’t been said about ECW’s December to Dismember that hasn’t already been said by any living, breathing professional wrestling fan?

It’s highly regarded amongst the very worst shows in company history, stands as the show with the lowest buyrate in company history, lead to the creative departure of Paul Heyman, gave us changes to the ECW brand that no fan at the time wanted & put the nail in the coffin for the revival of one of wrestling’s most incredibly unique products back in the day. More than anything, it was a slap in the face to anyone who cherishes the world of Extreme Championship Wrestling, a brand pioneered by echoing the voices of its fans with its rowdy, violent, brutal & over-the-top product that to many was seen as a ‘rebellion’ against the norms we were so used to in the industry.

This show missed the mark on almost every beat. It succeeded at dismantling whatever integrity the ECW brand name had left under the WWE banner & killing what had the potential to be a pretty solid show if creative reigns had actually understood what made a product, a brand like ECW tick in the first place. None of the heart was there, the wrestling was watered down to the very thing it was designed not to be, not a single storytelling beat worked because of how absurd aspects of the product were & it just felt too corporate for the average fan, who craved something authentic considering what ECW represented.

Probably the most insulting thing was that prior to this actual show back in 2006, the company only announced 2 official matches, the opening & main event matches, both of which were fine enough but did nothing to satisfy what WWE marketed this brand as. In terms of highlights, the tag team contest between The Hardys and M&M worked, everything else, however, was just a joke in most people’s eyes, an insult almost. Littered with bizarre ideas that seemed like how someone like a Vince McMahon would interpret the ECW product in modern-day, most of this show was too cringe-worthy to take seriously and was met with either silence or boos from fans depending on where you look at on the show. Even the ‘Extreme’ Elimination Chamber that headlined the show was booked in a manner that was so backward to what ECW is at its core that you’d think whoever was in charge had no knowledge of the product whatsoever, and that may have been the case in reality.

I can probably say it’s a show you can watch to laugh at, however, if you’re an ECW fan like myself, this was such a frustratingly bizarre experience that it’s hard to think the WWE would follow through with something like this at a point in time.

Summerslam (2004)

There is no WWE show that will ever represent the notion of ‘bizarro world’ much like Summerslam 2004 did. Being held in Toronto, Canada this was a show unlike any other I’ve personally ever seen in my life so far, one of the craziest, strangest experiences this industry probably has to offer.

Going into this show there was nothing really controversial or out of the ordinary on the card, it was all pretty standard, well booked & carried a lot of potentially great wrestling to put on display with it being one of the companies ‘Big 4’ in their calendar year. It featured a loaded card headlined by Chris Benoit defending his title against Randy Orton & JBL defending his title against The Undertaker, both matches featuring newly bred main event stars taking on seasoned veterans. And while you’d expect the standard, solid show from a card like this, what played out on live television is something that has to be seen.

On that evening the crowd in Toronto lost their minds entirely. It’s a crowd that I can’t quite explain or understand since not only does what they did make no real sense but not being in the audience, is something I can’t make a fair judgment on myself. Rather than playing into the storylines that the company had built up heading into their summer season, the live crowd hijacked the show and almost every match on the card, particularly within the latter half of the show. The crowd booed whomever the company had built up to be cheered, harassed their hometown hero in Edge during his first title defense in his hometown, heckled referee Earl Hebner to no end, turned on stars halfway through their matches, did a Mexican wave during title matches & never really let the show foster into its own thing. While it did admittedly ruin some of the stories the stars tried to tell, it was ridiculously entertaining to watch as an experience.

Probably the saddest part was that the show did have some highlights outside of the rabid live audience, namely a superb Wrestlemania XX rematch between Eddie Guerrero & Kurt Angle, a really fun Six-Man tag team match, as well as a technically fabulous main event between Chris Benoit & Randy Orton. It was probably the remainder of the card that sinks this shows standing and resulted in what the crowd became since nothing else really stood out in my mind due to some really odd booking decisions, especially everything surrounding a Triple H & Eugene (yes, Eugene, of all people) which went well past its limits in terms of timing. And while the match itself is a bit of a snoozefest to get through, witnessing the crowds dissensions into madness during the WWE Championship match between JBL & Undertaker is one of the funniest things the company has put on to this day.

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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

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

4 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