Opinion

#ThankYouTaker Top 5: The Undertaker’s Greatest Moments

With his retirement official, Mishal takes a look at his Top 5: The Undertaker’s Greatest WWE Moments.

Published

5 years ago

June 26, 2020

Mishal Shuhaiber

The Undertaker Top 5 Moments Chairshot Edit

With his retirement official, Mishal takes a look at his Top 5: The Undertaker’s Greatest WWE Moments.

We’re less than a week removed, but the announcement still lingers in the minds of anyone who’s been a wrestling fan for the last decade, or further than that.

In a year filled with controversy, tragedy & heartbreak, wrestling fans had to finally swallow the one day of their lives as fans that they’d for so long dreaded to experience, even contemplate for that matter, that being the inevitable retirement of the greatest character to ever enter a wrestling ring, The Undertaker himself, Mark Calloway. For many, myself included, The Undertaker was WWE to us, he had been a staple of the industry for so very long that picturing the wrestling scene without him would be borderline insulting to anyone considering how even when you were in doubt, the man would always come around when the time called for it. He was the last of a dying breed, one of the few left standing after The Attitude Era faded away & ushered in a new era of younger, fresher faces, somehow withstanding change with a gimmick that never seemed to age.

His farewell through the excellent 5-episode documentary series ‘The Undertakers Last Ride’ was reality smacking every wrestling fan in the face, that sooner or later every legend from the previous generation has his day & rides off into the sunset, much like anyone we hold dear to us. I personally appreciated the more personal, up-close look at the life of a man who for so long was just a character before anything else, this glance made everything feel so real, and understand that the time couldn’t have been better for an announcement like this.

Announcing his retirement in the manner that we got was unexpected, at least in the way I pictured him going out to some extent, but all of it felt oddly picture perfect. Despite the smaller scale, following a personal look into the lives of both The Undertaker & Mark Calloway, this all came across as what it was intended to be, ‘The Deadman’ going out just like he said, on his very own terms & nobody else’s. It all felt right, perfectly placed & pushing aside the aspiration fans had to see him go out in a more fashionable style, resulted in a goodbye that was humbling while leaving the door slightly opened should Vince McMahon ever come around to his door again.

I won’t get into the debate already occurring about if The Undertaker is ‘truly’ retired since, in this business, anything & everything is possible under the correct circumstances. What I will do, is take this very surreal time to talk about the moments that, to me, defined The Undertaker for the legend he has now cemented himself to be.

Consider this article a miniature tribute of sorts, one looking at the moments that engraved him in not just my mind, but so many millions who have followed him since 1990. Rather than go the standard root of listing endless matches, this article is all about the moments & which ones engraved The Undertaker into the history books for generations to come.

5. 1-0 – WrestleMania VII

Undertaker’s victory over Jimmy Snuka at WrestleMania VII is less about the overall quality of the match, which was nothing to write home about, and more about the significance of this victory in the wider context of things all these years later. At the time Undertaker was a one of a kind figure in an industry already on the brink of change, bringing his unique aura & persona to the ring like nobody around him could, which gave every match or segment involving him a feeling unlike any other.

WrestleMania VII was the beginning of what to this day, is amongst the most iconic winning streaks across any sport, period. Undertaker’s win over Jimmy Snuka was decisive, emphatic & made a mark that would end up running two decades, amounting a list comprising of some of the most iconic in the entire industry. Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Ric Flair, Edge, Batista, CM Punk, Randy Orton, Kane, Diesel, Sycho Sid & a dozen others all threw caution to the wind & took their chance to try and defeated ‘The Deadman’ on the largest stage the industry had to offer, but one by one they fell victim to the WWE’s most respected talent to grace a ring in any capacity.

Eventually, as history showed, The Undertaker much like every other WWE superstar, was mortal, with his streak coming to a shocking conclusion at WrestleMania XXX in a moment that, in my opinion, stands as the most shocking in company history. While the decision to end Undertaker’s streak does have its critics, the thing it displayed more than anything was that over time it wasn’t about an undefeated streak, but about preserving a character that has withstood the test of time in a business that so frequently rejects those from previous generations. The streak may have come to an end in 2014, but The Undertaker as a character lived on far beyond that, and for many was the defining trait to lead him to where he stands in the eyes of fans today.

4. The Deadman Rises, Again – WrestleMania XX

I feel like this particular choice is more of a personal one considering how little attention this match or the events leading up to it are discussed nowadays. But witnessing The Undertaker return in full form at WrestleMania XX was simply surreal.

In the months leading up to this match, we had witnessed his burial at the hands of his brother Kane, setting the stage for a colossal return & a rematch between the two ‘Brothers of Destruction’ on the very grounds they did battle almost a decade prior. Similar to his match with Bray Wyatt, The Undertaker remained absent for virtually all of the build to this match, instead of taunting his ‘brother’ face-to-face, opted to intimidate him with his vintage mind games, vignettes teasing the 2nd coming of the original Deadman himself & a teaser appearance at the 2004 Royal Rumble that remains incredible to this day, thus leaving much of the build on Kane himself to carry forward.

The result of all this build amounted to the long-awaited return of the original Undertaker, and not his ‘American Badass’ counterpart we’d been watching for the last five years. Built-up by an incredibly nostalgic entrance, the return of Paul Bearer at his side & a refreshed character thrust into an entirely new generation, what we got was exactly what it needed to be. The match was nowhere near the quality of their WrestleMania match years prior to this but was never meant to be, The Undertaker, The Deadman, The Demon of Death Valley, he was back and better than ever.

While I wouldn’t consider it one of the best of his career by any stretch from an in-ring perspective, it was a pivotal moment that took The Undertaker back to his roots, but also showed that his gimmick is one of the select few that will always have a place in any era of the business.

3. The American Badass arrives – Judgement Day 2001

The most important aspect of any iconic figure in entertainment is to always flow & change with the times to some degree. Changing up your character or story is the best way to adapt to new environments, something professional wrestling is always becoming accustomed to considering how rapid the fanbase changes over such short spaces of time.

When The Undertaker showed up at Judgement Day 2001, his gimmick was something I remember being fairly divided on despite being a lot younger than I am now. Losing the core of his previous take on the character was a big knock to me, stripping away a certain aura that made him unique, little did we know this character came along with his own brand of uniqueness. ‘The American Badass’ felt like a more grounded Undertaker, probably one you could sit down to have a drink with before he beats you into a pulp.

His interference during the main event between The Rock & Triple H sent the live crowd that evening into a complete frenzy, not just because of his return after months out of action but the absolute awe of what he returned as, nothing like what the fans were used to seeing in the slightest. Sporting a motorcycle, bandana, sunglasses but retaining the dark coat & mystique we knew him for, Undertaker seemingly reinvented himself in a matter of seconds with the acceptance of everyone. This gimmick wouldn’t be short-lived either, resulting in multiple title wins & some of the most physically enduring matches of the man’s career as a whole. It seems like the wrestling community is always a bit divided on what we got this day back in 2001, but it’s a moment I’ll remember for as long as I can.

2. Going out on top – WrestleMania 36

My personal stance on this match has obviously shifted following the actual ‘Last Ride’ series & what it means within the context of the show, but I can’t think of a better way for a wrestler, especially one on the calibre of The Undertaker, to go out to. Considering the circumstances that not just this match but the entire company were under at that point in time with COVID-19 turning the entire planet upside down, it’s a miracle that this ended up being as good as it did once it debuted on the night of WrestleMania this past year.

Besides being an incredibly entertaining brawl on its own, the match stands as one of the most creative in company history. Its presentation alone is surreal when you really look into what the match was pitched as, being forceable changed from your standard wrestling match both Undertaker & AJ Styles clashed within the confines of something no fan imagined in their head. In terms of character work, it’s amongst the best of Undertaker’s entire career. Combining every version of his legendary character into one confined package, from ‘The American Badass’, ‘The Deadman’ & most importantly, Mark Calloway himself. In a way, the match felt like a tribute to everything the character has represented for close to three decades and delivered in style.

As far as closing out a career goes in the wrestling industry, you couldn’t ask for a better sendoff. Having it done in front of a live audience of tens of thousands of fans would have been preferable to most of us, considering the legacy he holds in our minds, but doing it against one of the very best wrestlers alive today in AJ Styles is arguably the highest note possible to achieve at this stage in a career that’s accomplished virtually everything there is to accomplish.

Not only is this going to set a new bar for how WWE presents future matches across the board but sent Undertaker out doing what he strives to do, pressing the business forward.

1. The ‘End of an Era’ – WrestleMania XXVIII

No moment in the history of professional wrestling, at least within this modern era, will ever replicate how much this one meant to so many different clusters of wrestling fans.

To me, wrestling is all about moments like these. Ones that will stand forever, that feel earned & signify something bigger than just another match on a card, but something we’ll pass onto whoever follows the business next.

WrestleMania XXVIII was a special night, for everyone. It was an evening packed with dream matches signifying different things to different fans, the main event that stands as the biggest buyrate the sport has seen to date & a match that quite literally marked the ‘End of an era’ (until WWE ruined that moment roughly six years later, but let’s not speak of that). Placing this match inside Hell In A Cell was the icing on the cake, pitting not just two of the most iconic stars the industry has ever seen against one another, but in a match that both made famous over the course of their legendary careers.

Undertaker vs Triple H was one of the very few WrestleMania matches I would consider ‘elite’, a category for the very best in all aspects of what it’s trying to sell to audiences. From the action, storytelling, high spots, frantic live audience or Jim Ross providing some of the best lines of his career, everything about this is what wrestling personifies. What made this event even more special, was what occurred following that unprecedented 21-0 record solidifying itself, seeing Undertaker, Triple H & Shawn Michaels stand side-by-side in front of a crowd of almost 80,000 fans take one final bow before going behind the curtain, thus closing one of the most important chapters in the history of professional wrestling.

When it comes down to the moments we’ll remember The Undertaker most fondly for, it’s hard not to chuck this to the top of the list. It was his 4th straight WrestleMania performance worthy of a 5-star rating, capturing him at the peak of his career & having him stand next to two men that helped him craft his best work in the ring without question. I understand this topic is up for debate, but it’s hard to get any better than this.

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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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Published

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