Opinion

Mishal’s Top 5 Matches In WWE Extreme Rules History

With WWE Extreme Rules right around the corner, Mishal takes a look at the Top 5 matches at WWE’s annual “extreme” themed card!

Published

5 years ago

July 3, 2020

Mishal Shuhaiber

Brock Lesnar John Cena WWE Extreme Rules Chairshot Edit

With WWE Extreme Rules right around the corner, Mishal takes a look at the Top 5 matches at WWE’s annual “extreme” themed card!

WWE always claims that Extreme Rules is the one night of the year that the WWE ‘goes extreme’, the one night of the year where ‘anything goes’, where the stipulations come out in full force, weapons are scattered all over the place & the superstars of WWE go the furthest lengths to inflict as much pain on their fellow rivals as possible. It serves as the perfect release for fans bored of the standard wrestling cards we get most of the time across the business and allows for a release from much of the pent up aggression we can sometimes feel.

Extreme Rules, not just as a stipulation but as a show concept is an ideal way to either build or cap off the biggest feuds on your programming. From blood feuds to long-winded ones that are in need of closure the event allows for a solid amount of creativity that other events can’t always implement due to certain stipulations requiring a specific time & place, which is why this event can be so vital to the fanbase as a whole.

Over the years the event has been somewhat slept on by many people, primarily because the past few renditions of the show haven’t exactly been all that memorable. Nor has it lived up to the mantle of being ‘extreme’ per se. A lot of this could be directed to the shift in programming being increasingly more family-friendly over the years, but a part of me thinks this is out of sheer laziness on the creative team’s behalf.

When the show has reached its peak though, it can be downright fantastic, providing matches that are constantly overlooked.

And since the latest edition is right around the corner as we speak, let’s take a little glance at the 5 best matches in the history of the Extreme Rules pay-per-view.

Honourable Mentions:

Hornswoggle vs El Torito (Extreme Rules 2014)
On paper, the ‘WeeLC’ match should have been a colossal failure, but the fact that WWE succeeded in executing this match as well as it ended up being is something I’ll always praise them for. Fully embracing the ludicrous gimmick at play in ways nobody pictured this is one of my personal favourite guilty pleasure matches of the decade. It’s packed with action, insane spots & blows me away everytime I see it.

Edge vs Jeff Hardy – World Heavyweight Championship Match (Extreme Rules 2009)
One of the most criminally overlooked ladder matches in recent memory. Considering the amount of history between the two, Hardy’s incredible babyface run over the course of the two years leading up to this & the heights they went to in order to finally see Hardy realize his dream was worth every minute of this underrated classic.

The Miz vs John Cena vs John Morrison – WWE Championship Match (Extreme Rules 2011)
Not a lot of people talk about this match, probably because a particular moment from this evening (which I’ll touch on in a bit) overshadowed its genuine brilliance. Being held inside a Steel Cage can be somewhat of a restriction to most competitors, but Cena, Miz & Morrison used their surroundings perfectly alongside their individual character traits to craft an enthralling main event. Even though the finish was slightly predictable, this one still holds up all these years later.

CM Punk vs Randy Orton (Extreme Rules 2011)
While it wasn’t at the highest point of CM Punk’s career, his 2011 rivalry with Randy Orton resulted in some genuinely fantastic matches, this being the best of them. Unlike their standard match at WrestleMania prior to this one, this was packed with brutality, intensity & a much-needed example of just how good Punk was at the time despite coming up short. What followed Punk shortly after this is far more noteworthy than the match itself, but this is still amongst the best Last Man Standing matches in recent mem

Roman Reigns vs AJ Styles – WWE Championship Match (Extreme Rules 2016)
More than just a fantastic main event, this was the closest we’ll get to seeing an Attitude Era-Esque match in a modern professional wrestling setting. Reigns & Styles have chemistry that not enough people talk about, their matches are put on at a ridiculous pace, endless amounts of big moves but more importantly understand how to play off one another to perfection. This was a wild main event, that never slowed down & established AJ Styles as a big name just months into his WWE career.

Top 5 Matches In WWE Extreme Rules History

5. Rey Mysterio vs Chris Jericho – Intercontinental Championship Match (Extreme Rules 2009)

In careers packed with history, some of the industry’s most iconic moments, incredible matches against a whos who of talent & an ability to only grow better with age, Rey Mysterio & Chris Jericho are some of the very rare talents we as fans get to see come along. Regardless of who their opponent is, the night of the week or the event, you know you’re in for something special when either man walks out into the squared circle to do battle.

Their 2009 feud, is in my opinion, the most overlooked of either man’s career to this point (although the work they’re doing in both AEW & WWE at the moment, respectively is superb). It was a feud that started on the simple premise of try to be the better man but soon transformed into Jericho’s obsession with trying to unmask Mysterio from the mask that is more or less who he is at that stage in his career. This was the 2nd match in an already intense feud, stipulated under ‘No Disqualification’ rules to allow each man to do their worst, and it resulted in an unsung classic of how to execute professional wrestling storytelling.

Many will place the Jeff Hardy & Edge main event from the 2009 event above this one but there’s something about the chemistry between Jericho & Mysterio that always draws me in. Neither man seems to miss a beat when they’re mixing in the ring together, with near-flawless pacing that replicates their work years prior in WCW during the company’s most successful days. This particular match was the perfect blend of aggression, unhinged cruiserweight action & storytelling, leading to a finish that at the time was gloriously wicked considering what it represents to the wider wrestling community, and still does. Considering this isn’t even the best match of their feud that year is a testament to the work rate these two have when performing but is still a match I highly recommend since many forget just how incredible their work in 2009 ended up being.

4. The Shield vs Evolution (Extreme Rules 2014)

Talk about dream matches for the ages. In 2014 there wasn’t a single match that was more talked about than when The Shield stepped up to the reformed, newly improved Evolution, in their first match together in just about a decade following their split years prior.

At this time there were few things in wrestling more prestigious than Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose (the now, Jon Moxley) & Roman Reigns, a faction of wrestlers so immensely talented that they turned anything they touched into pure gold. Whether they were winning championships, stealing the show regardless of their place on the card or dismantling every WWE legend there is to name at that time (The Undertaker, The Rock, John Cena, Kane, Big Show, Mark Henry, Randy Orton to name a few), the three young men had a reputation for being the very best, most dangerous group of talent the business had on offer across the board. And it was tough to argue that position, they demanded it if anything. It was this reputation that made this the landmark occasion it was, a collision between wrestling’s past & wrestling’s future in a match we never thought we’d see with our own eyes.

To put it simply, it was special.

Despite being held under traditional tag team rules, this was war if there ever was one. It started off a little bit slow but over time built to the brawl you were expecting it to be, delivering all the goods you’d want from six men who have a reputation for their insane physicality in the ring. What this match did more than anything was display each mans individual set of skills that made them special. From Batista’s brute strength, Triple H’s brutality, Randy Orton’s snake-like offence, Seth Rollins incredible agility, Dean Ambrose’s lunacy or Roman Reign’s no-nonsense brawling, it highlighted everyone & turned this into a platform for the three younger men to bounce off of. More than anything else this was about cementing The Shield as the standard-bearers for how a faction in professional wrestling should both look & feel, and with it being one of their final matches together I can’t imagine a higher note to go out on.

3. Christian vs Alberto Del Rio – World Heavyweight Championship Match (Extreme Rules 2011)

As beautiful as professional wrestling can be, you don’t always ‘feel’ every big moment you see. Extreme Rules 2011, was one of those rare moments where everyone cried tears of joy.

Following the heart-breaking retirement of the ‘Rated R Superstar’ Edge, the Ladder Match between Edge’s real-life best friend Christian & Alberto Del Rio could not have come with higher stakes behind it. Not only was the match for the now vacant World Heavyweight Championship, but it would also mark the first time either man would claim a World Championship in WWE since their respective debuts. Del Rio at the time was one of the company’s golden boys, a heel that was always billed close to the top of the card in some manner & was riding a solid wave of momentum prior to this match. Christian, on the other hand, was a star always thrust back from reaching ‘The Big One’ in WWE, even though he holds one of the most consistent track records a wrestler could want, always stealing the show regardless of what or who he was up against.

As you’d expect from the stakes, this was a masterful contest that stands as one of the best of either man’s career. Both men have always had chemistry in the ring that few can boast is as good, but this struck a different chord with fans. Packed with jaw-dropping action, brutality throughout, incredible high-spots, the drama you’d expect from any championship match & a level of experience from Christian that helped take this up to another level, it was the kind of big match fans pay money for. Easily the height of the matches emotions came towards the end, as Del Rio was about to clinch a victory was distracted by a surprise appearance from Edge himself who appeared from out of nowhere to assist his outnumbered best friend to a victory that had the arena shaking from the rafters with excitement.

Professional wrestling rarely writes moments as beautiful & as genuine as this one ended up. Despite the circumstances, this is the kind of storytelling fans live for.

2. Sheamus vs Daniel Bryan – World Heavyweight Championship Match (Extreme Rules 2012)

In terms of being ‘extreme’, I can’t say this meets the standard. However, in terms of being a straightforward, brutal, exhausting wrestling match, this excels above & beyond even the ability of both Daniel Bryan & Sheamus that you’ve come to expect. Even though the match itself wasn’t contested in a particularly brutal setting, one without cages, weapons, tables or a variety of items to use, the condition of both men coming out of this looked like they’d been through a plane crash. 2-out of-3 Falls matches have a tendency to be long-winded & exhausting, this might be the best of them that the WWE has presented over the last decade or so.

In front of a molten Chicago crowd, yearning for the new rising star Daniel Bryan and his newly coined ‘Yes!’ chant to take over following an explosive WrestleMania, the atmosphere for this threw me back to the old days of ECW. This didn’t feel like your standard WWE match, the pacing & action was punishing, much more than other matches of this kind & the fans only aided. A rabid audience that just wanted to see a fantastic wrestling match & nothing else, and they got what they desired in spades. This match was everything their WrestleMania XXVIII (and even their scrapped XXVII) encounter should have been in retrospect, despite that matches successes. It was a star-making performance for Daniel Bryan, who was slowly ascending up the company ranks despite some hesitancy from the ‘higher-ups’ & a reminder to fans of just how good of a natural brawler Sheamus is when he’s allowed to be who he is, a pure warrior.

While it may not stand at the most ‘extreme’ contest on this list or in the chronology of the Extreme Rules event, it stands amongst the best matches the event has ever seen & a match that deserves more attention than it seems to get. Regardless of your preferences, this is a match I’d go as far to call simply essential.

1. John Cena vs Brock Lesnar (Extreme Rules 2012)

When it comes to WWE’s PG-era of programming, it’s going to be very difficult to get anymore ‘extreme’ that John Cena & Brock Lesnar got in 2012.

Their epic main event came off the heels of one of the most remarkable returns in company history when Lesnar returned the night after WrestleMania XXVIII in Miami, where Cena was on the receiving end of an F5 that set the stage for a rematch between the two almost a decade after their previous outing against one another. Lesnar came into this the ultimate outsider, a monster with no chains, completely unhinged & one with no respect for those around him, which was the perfect setup to collide against the very face of WWE in John Cena, off a heartbreaking loss to The Rock just weeks prior.

More than just being a collision between two bonafide box office draws, this match was unlike any other you’ve likely ever seen. In fact, this wasn’t even a wrestling match, it was a fight, an incredibly brutal one for that matter. Nothing about this fell under the traditional structure of a WWE main event, everything about it was brutal, methodical, hard to watch & punishing by blending Lesnar’s MMA background against his ridiculous agility for a man his size. The result was a near 20-minute beatdown of Cena into a bloody pulp, hurling him around the ring, clobbering him in ways never seen before & tearing the ringside area apart to inflict as much punishment as possible. For a re-introduction to Brock Lesnar after all his years away from the sport, it couldn’t have been done better. The final result is still a divisive one for many fans, myself included, who see Cena’ victory as a colossal mistake, but that doesn’t take away from the sheer brutality this managed to convey, especially with many doubting the levels it reached considering the company guidelines.

It may not be a ‘mat classic’, but in terms of story & spectacle, you’d struggle to find anything as jaw-dropping as what these two men on this night in Chicago. As many times as I’ve seen this, it holds up remarkably well to this very day & was an early warning of just how chaotic the next few years of Brock Lesnar would come to be in WWE. Besides being a phenomenal event, it was everything the Extreme Rules mantle should represent.

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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