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Tiffany’s Take: Why Just Turning Wrestlers Heel Doesn’t Work

Turning heel doesn’t always work. Tiffany takes a look at some times it did, and other times where it hasn’t.

Published

5 years ago

on

Johnny Gargano Candice LeRae Heels

Turning heel doesn’t always work. Tiffany takes a look at some times it did, and other times where it hasn’t.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve found myself diving into the archives of the WWE Network and watching shows from the Territory days, back when faces were faces, heels were heels, kayfabe was alive and well, and the marks were in the majority. One thing I noticed was that when a top babyface turned heel or vice versa, it was usually for a reason and something usually came out of it, if not a title reign, then a run at the title. It was also used to refresh a character that seemed to be going nowhere. There was USU+ALLY a purpose and plan behind those changes…usually being the operative word.

Has that changed since those golden days?

Well, yeah.

Nowadays, any time a wrestler is perceived as getting stale, or just doesn’t seem to be doing anything, the IWC wants them to turn heel because heels get the best promos, and seem to be cooler, but I would argue that unless whoever is booking/writing has a definite plan for how they want things to go, and is willing to stick to it, turning a wrestler heel is basically pointless and the same can be said for turning a heel face.

Let’s look at some heel turns that worked and some that didn’t.

Hulk Hogan

Why It Was Needed: By 1996, Hogan’s uber-good guy gimmick had pretty much run its course and his sports-entertainment style of performing was not working in WCW, which still retained its NWA/Southern-style wrestling way of performing. Plus, WCW was Ric Flair’s yard, and even though Hogan did win the WCW World Heavyweight Championship, he was not the beloved Face That Runs The Place that he’d been in WWF.

Did It Work?: I would say it did. Hogan was in DESPERATE need of a new gimmick and embracing the dark side, after teasing it in 95, probably saved his career. It allowed the fans, who had gotten tired of Hogan’s gimmick, to openly boo him. In 1999, he would return to being the red and yellow babyface, and the fans loved it.

The Rock

Why It Was Needed: To put it bluntly, the Rocky Maivia gimmick had fallen as flat as cheap champagne. In 1996, wrestling fans had seen Hulk Hogan turn heel, and wrestling was starting to get edgier, even if we weren’t fully into the Attitude Era just yet, so an 80s throwback was not going to work with 90s wrestling fans.

Did It Work?: Well, saying yes, would be a HUGE understatement. Rock’s career was made by ditching Rocky Maivia and becoming The Rock and the fans loved it because he could talk trash with the best of them and was more entertaining as a heel. Of course, Rock would turn face after about a year, but he was more of a tweener and his status with the fans meant that the fans still embraced him.

Stone Cold Steve Austin

Why It Was Needed: In my opinion, this wasn’t needed. Even after losing a year of his career to health problems, Austin was every bit as over as he’d been in 1999. I can see the argument that the Austin vs McMahon feud had run its course, but it seemed to be done more for shock value than a genuine plan.

Did It Work?: No. The fans didn’t want to boo Stone Cold Steve Austin, and even when he formed the Two Man Power Trip with Triple H, and it got over, the fans never really embraced it, even when Austin seemed to have been driven insane by his need to keep the WWF Championship.

Sammy Guevara

Why It Was Needed: It’s hard to say. I wasn’t familiar with Guevara before AEW, but the promos he cut about being tired of hearing how full of potential he was, made him seem like the best kind of heel: A heel with an ax to grind. He was hungry and eager to prove himself and Cody being condescending, even if he didn’t mean to be, and getting the win, only seemed to fuel him.

Did It Work?: I would say so. Before audio of him saying some really appalling things about Sasha Banks, Guevara was easily one of the most entertaining parts of Inner Circle, and he and Jericho were a great tag team.

Dean Ambrose

Why It Was Needed: Dean Ambrose had returned from a nearly nine month absence due to a torn triceps injury that lead to a bout with MRSA that nearly killed him with a new look and a more hard-nosed attitude, which caused clashes with Rollins and Reigns, who wanted their goofy Lunatic Fringe back.  Plus, it could be argued that the funny, goofy Dean Ambrose had run its course.

Did It Work?: No, for several reasons. 1. Fans still loved Ambrose and had cheered the new attitude he’d come back with in July 2018. 2. The timing of the turn was TERRIBLE, Roman Reigns had just announced that he was taking a leave of absence due to a recurrence of the leukemia he’d fought in his twenties. Fans didn’t want to see the Shield completely shatter, but the higher ups in WWE decided to go ahead with it anyway. 3. No one seemed to have figured out how to do this turn right. Instead of Ambrose just being a badass, he was turned into a fussy germaphobe that got a shot in his ass on national TV and wore a gas mask to the ring.

Seth Rollins

Why It Was Needed: I can’t say that the turn was NEEDED, but it was clear that someone had decided that it was better to end the Shield right after their huge win over Evolution rather than let them risk going stale and left the fans wanting to see the Shield reunite.

His most recent heel turn was needed because the face run had gotten stale, and being a heel seems to suit Rollins more.

Did It Work?: Yes, in both cases. Seth Rollins was easily the most hated heel during both his heel runs. In 2014/15 and 2016, seeing the former rebel turn sell-out fighting against his rebellious former friend, made for great TV.

In his current run, Rollins has been able to show how much he’s grown as a character and embracing the fans’ dislike of him due to his opinions and almost constant push.

Shawn Spears

Why It Was Needed: After being a middle/low card character best known for being able to count to ten, Spears really needed a new gimmick to make people forget about the Perfect 10 and get to show his real in-ring abilities.

Did It Work?: Yes and no. Yes, Spears got a LOT of heat for attacking Cody, who had brought him in, though it could be said that Cody referring to Spears as a ‘good hand’, which is the wrestling equivalent of saying ‘he’s got a great personality’, was a good catalyst for turning a new leaf. However, Spears hasn’t been interesting enough, even with the legendary Tully Blanchard as his manager, to really go far with it.

Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae

Why It Was Needed: I can’t say Gargano’s turn was needed, but LeRae had been suffering of a lack of direction, basically being relegated to the Big Sister of the NXT Women’s Division, while finding herself abandoned when she needed help.

Did It Work?: These two are an example of a heel turn not accomplishing much. After an initial hot moment, Gargano and LeRae are basically still where they were when they were both faces: Mid-Card and nowhere near the title picture. LeRae has managed to keep some of her heat, but it’s clear that there really are no plans to really use the turn to put her in line for a title shot.

Dakota Kai

Why It was Needed: Kai may have been a fan favorite, but she’s an immensely talented performer in a promotion full of them and she definitely could’ve used a fresher gimmick after being gone for so long and a run at the title.

Did It Work?: Much like LeRae, this heel run hasn’t done a lot for Kai. She’s got more heat, and is helping get Raquel Gonzalez over, but she’s basically still where she was as a babyface, which is very disappointing.

Britt Baker

Why It Was Needed: While Baker was great as a babyface, the gimmick didn’t seem to suit her, especially after the LIT promo she cut on Bea Priestley after a botch by Priestley caused a concussion and complications that nearly cost Baker her wrestling and dental careers and seeing her get more and more annoyed at others getting title shots instead of her was fun.

Did It Work?: I would definitely say so. Baker has embraced being a heel and is clearly having a blast doing it. Even a leg injury hasn’t kept her from wreaking havoc on TV. Her feud with Big Swole, that was sidelined due to the Coronavirus outbreak, is a highlight of Dynamite.

Shawn Michaels (Rockers) 

Why It Was Needed: It had been clear for awhile that HBK was the breakout star of the Rockers and it was time for him to go off on his own since it had become clear that WWF had no intention of putting the WWF Tag Team Championship Belts on the Rockers in a way that counted.

Did It Work?: Well, HBK is a two-time Hall of Famer, a multi-time champion, Mr. WrestleMania, and an inspiration to generations of fans, so…yeah, you could say that it worked.

Becky Lynch

Why It Was Needed: Despite easily being the most over babyface in the SmackDown Women’s Division, Lynch just couldn’t seem to get to the next level, mostly because WWE didn’t really seem to want to do anything with her over Charlotte Flair.

Did It Work?: Honestly, this is a tough one to call. Lynch turning on Charlotte Flair at SummerSlam 2018 actually made her even MORE popular than she had been before. So, in terms of a successful heel turn, the answer is ‘no’, in my opinion. However, in terms of reviving her career and making her into a STAR, the answer is a DEFINITE ‘yes’ as she was the face of WWE before taking time off to have her baby.

Bayley 

Why It Was Needed: Bayley was always really popular in NXT, where her kid-friendly gimmick was a huge hit, but it had fallen flat on the main roster where tweeners/heels like Sasha Banks and Alexa Bliss were more popular.

Did It Work?: Oh yeah. It can’t be argued that heel!Bayley is WAY more interesting to watch than face!Bayley was, add in heel!Sasha Banks and you have the most entertaining pair on SmackDown right now.

Sasha Banks

Why It Was Needed: Even though Sasha is over no matter what she does, she seemed to struggle as a babyface before going back to being a heel, which she always excelled at.

Did It Work?: Hell yeah. Banks came back from her sabbatical last year, fully embracing her true form as a heel and getting Bayley to turn heel too has made them the highlight of Smackdown.

Alexa Bliss

Why It Was Needed: In NXT, Alexa Bliss’ face character, sparkly, cute, fairy-ish, wasn’t getting her anywhere. She was in the mid-card and losing to any one of the Horsewomen.

Did It Work?: Bliss is definitely an example of someone really finding their stride as a heel character. As the vicious Goddess of WWE, she won both the SmackDown and RAW Women’s Titles multiple times and helped get Nia Jax and Ronda Rousey over as babyfaces. However, her more tweener run with Nikki Cross has been very entertaining.

These aren’t the only ones, of course, there have been TONS of turns over the years, many of them just by Big Show, but the one factor all the successful ones had, as I stated before, there was a plan in place for how it was going to go and the person doing the turning got something out of it. Just turning someone to refresh a stale gimmick isn’t enough, there needs to be a reason and there has to be a plan. This isn’t a strictly WWE thing, AEW has had some turns that really didn’t work out. The person turning also needs to FEEL it. If a wrestler is having fun being a heel, the audience will come around if they weren’t into it at first.

It can also be said that the same holds true for turning a heel face: there needs to be a plan in place or the fans will get bored of it and you’ll be right back where you started. Also, the wrestler needs to feel it or the fans won’t buy it. Just turning isn’t enough, for the wrestler or the fan.

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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

on

February 2, 2025

By

2025 WWE Royal Rumble stadium

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.

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:

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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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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?

  • 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.

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.

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

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 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • We lost Michael for a minute there.

  • 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.

  • 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.)

  • I’d be okay if Braun shaved his head again.
  • Jacob Fatu can literally do ANYTHING and it makes sense.

  • 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.

  • 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!

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

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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

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About Chairshot Radio Network

Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!

 MONDAY – Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY – Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

WEDNESDAY – The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling) 

THURSDAY – Keeping the news ridiculous… The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

FRIDAY – DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY – The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY – The Front and Center Sports Podcast 

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE’s PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS…IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O’Dowd’s 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

 

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About Chairshot Radio Network

Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!

 MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling) 

THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast 

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!

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