Opinion

Mishal’s Top 5 WWE SummerSlam Events

Mishal takes a look at the Top 5 WWE SummerSlam events, does your favorite “Biggest Party Of The Summer” make his list?

Published

5 years ago

August 5, 2020

Mishal Shuhaiber

Mishal takes a look at the Top 5 WWE SummerSlam events, does your favorite “Biggest Party Of The Summer” make his list?

”The biggest party of the summer” is right around the corner. Summerslam has always been an event that comes along at the perfect time of the year, right as everyone is in the midst of their summer holidays, right before schools go back for those of us that attend, right before the work year fluxes back into its chaotic self & for wrestling fans, marks the turning point in the year as Wrestlemania season begins to draw closer & closer.

This year’s event feels different, like every other event we’ve seen since mid-March. Summerslam 2020 doesn’t feel like the celebration it usually does at this time of year, maybe due to the state of the business, product & the fact that we’re in the midst of a global pandemic. As a result, Summerslam feels ‘smaller’, and rightfully so with the event being held from the WWE’s Performance Centre this year, much like Wrestlemania was. Rather than be an event that constantly surrounds itself on the spectacle it drags along with it like so many years prior, this year it feels like the company needs to rely more on its actual storytelling, which admittedly hasn’t been the best.

In the past, however, Summerslam has had its fair share of incredible moments that stand as amongst some of the finest in the history of the business to this very day. Summerslam may not be on the level of Wrestlemania, but it holds its place in company history as a historically significant event, one packed with iconic moments, classic matches that stand the test of time & shows that have created stars that continue to be the box office stars we know them to be.

And since there’s no better time to do so, I figured taking a dive into the shows deep history couldn’t be done at a better time than now, with the show just weeks away from going on the air.

So with this article, I’ll be looking at the 5 best shows in the history of Summerslam history. When it comes to making decisions around these lists I consider a wide variety of elements, the historic value, how it caters to the product at the time, its legacy & just how well booked the card is from top to bottom. At the end of the day, this list is my own subjective opinion & any other suggestions or comments are always welcome.

But for now, let’s take a look at the best that Summerslam has to offer.

Honourable mentions: WWE SummerSlam

Summerslam 2014 – If there’s one thing everyone can credit WWE for during the 2014 edition of Summerslam, it was that they dared to book their top commodity, the very face of their brand, in the most decisive squash match in recent wrestling memory. John Cena’s loss to Brock Lesnar grows more iconic with every viewing & never loses its impact no matter how long ago it seems now. The rest of the card is fine but underwhelming. Featuring a solid opening contest, slightly underrated Lumberjack Match, Roman Reigns’ first major singles match & a Stephanie McMahon performance that is nowhere near as bad as you’d imagine it to be.

Summerslam 2001 – Sadly marred by the underwhelming booking of the infamous WCW vs WWE feud, this event is still one everyone can have a blast with. Both main event matches between Steve Austin & Kurt Angle, as well as Booker T & The Rock are excellent in their own right, upgrading a show that is really a victim of the talent it juggles below its main matches. Most of the WCW drafted talent at the time fail to enhance the large chunk of matches they’re involved in, which always results in a lack of tension for any contest against company originals. It’s certainly worth watching for a bonkers crowd & some quality action, but will always be held back by the stories it carried along.

Summerslam 1998 – An all-around fun show that like others in this section, is essentially carried by two marvellous headline matches which featured four of the Attitude Era’s flagship stars. The main event between Steve Austin & Undertaker was an insane, physical match following the very standard formula of that period in time, but it was really the ladder match between Triple H & The Rock that was the standout in my eyes. It was a match that established the two as the future of the business, displaying their chemistry additionally which lead to a match that far exceeds the expectations considering the stipulation. Even though the rest of the card doesn’t really have much to say (aside from a solid Shamrock vs Hart match), it still holds your attention due to a tonne of entertainment value.

Summerslam 2000 – Another Summerslam event with headline matches so ridiculously good it lifts a show above the weaknesses lurking elsewhere. Carried by a brilliant WWE Championship Match, death-defying Tables, Ladders & Chairs Match, a technical masterpiece of a 2-out of-3 falls match & Shane McMahon damn near killing himself in his bout against Steve Blackman. Elsewhere on the show, there is your fair share of entertainment, just nothing that felt like it stood out significantly due to its booking or overall quality. It’s one of those shows that most fans I know would place higher on their list, but sadly isn’t one of those that I hold to that high a standard as opposed to others on this list.

Summerslam 2005 – The most ridiculously over-the-top Summerslam you can find. Everything about this was all about the excess, from a hilariously over-the-top main event, a ladder match for the custody of a child, an opening match that you could blink and miss, a John Cena/Chris Jericho match that would mark the final match for Jericho for the next two years & brutal World Heavyweight Championship bout that pulled out all the stops. While we usually remember this for the main event that’s essentially a meme at this point, it’s severely underrated.

Mishal’s Top 5 WWE SummerSlam Events

5. Summerslam 2009

Summerslam 2009 holds a personal spot in my heart. It was the first event I’d ever watched live at the age of 13 & is still a show that ages wonderfully as time has moved on. While by no means perfect due to a few hiccups, it’s a show that fully lives up to the hype of being ‘The Biggest Party of the Summer’, offering all the spectacle, action & larger-than-life moments you’ve come to expect from an event such as this one. For a show set in Hollywood, this is just as dumb & ridiculously fun as you’d expect in the heart of the entertainment industry.

While most people generally regard the TLC main event between Jeff Hardy & CM Punk as the highlight, it was really the tag-team match between Legacy & the return D-Generation-X that I find myself revisiting so often. Not to take away from the main event, but it’s something about the spectacle of that tag team match, the early days booking of DX upon their return & incredible in-ring action that elevates it to arguably my favourite match the group has ever been involved in. Additionally, there’s plenty of action on the side to drool over as Rey Mysterio’s excellent match against Dolph Ziggler over the Intercontinental Title shines bright, Jeri-Show defend their Tag Team Titles against Cryme Tyme, MVP faces Jack Swagger in a match that is a solid waste of time & Randy Orton battles John Cena in one of the most wonderfully overbooked matches you could find out there, featuring a cameo from Ted Dibiase’s real-life brother that I cannot quite wrap my head around.

If it weren’t for a dreadful match between Kane & The Great Khali, as well as an 8-second ECW Championship Match between Christian & William Regal that did nothing for anyone involved this could be in the Top 3 range of this article, sadly it sits right at the tip of the very best these events have dished out.

4. Summerslam 1992

Isn’t it astonishing how iconic this show is almost three decades removed from when it first occurred?

Summerslam 1992 is special, and it’s very difficult to deny its importance. Despite apparently being a nightmare to set up at the time due to the events scope, audience & oversees location, few shows boast the magnitude this one does. Boasting over 80,000 fans, they were treated to what many (myself included) consider the greatest match in the history of Summerslam between Bret Hart & British Bulldog over the Intercontinental Championship, a match that doesn’t age a single day. It’s a technical masterpiece in everyway, telling an emotional homecoming story, a battle between two best friends & further displaying how the Intercontinental Championship truly was the workhorse title of the 1990s, the fact that it headlined an event of this size is simply astonishing. Even the pop that Bulldog receives following his sudden victory stands as one of the loudest in professional wrestling as a whole, one of the most genuinely enthralling moments the sport has ever bared witness to.

Supporting their incredible effort is a near 30-minute war between Randy Savage & Ultimate Warrior over the WWF Championship that is sadly forgotten about due to its questionable ending, but never takes away from being a damn fine wrestling match before the final bell. Much like other shows, however, this one falls victim to its undercard, which is a bit of mess. While the opening match between Legion of Doom & Money Inc. is pretty great, the rest of the show is either a hit or miss depending on your stance. Most matches fall flat due to stale in-ring action or booking that has no place on a card or show of this size. If the undercard had received a little more attention in its final presentation this could end up being one of the best shows of all-time & while it still bares historcial significance, its quality isn’t always to be praised.

3. Summerslam 2013

Imagine if WWE infused every show they had with this much emotion behind it. Summerslam 2013 isn’t without its flaws, but my goodness does it evoke a lot out of anyone who passionately follows the product.

In particular the three headline matches of the card are a wrestling fans dream, everything you could possibly want a main event-level match to be. John Cena & Daniel Bryan have only wrestled once on PPV together, but the chemistry they put on display makes me clammer for multiple trilogies between the two, and considering Cena wrestled this with a serious tricep injury, it’s all a wonder as to what they could achieve should Cena be at 100% of his potential. Christian & Alberto Del Rio deliver one of the most underrated matches of the last decade or so over the World Heavyweight Championship, exemplifying just how brilliant both men are whenever they enter a ring. But the gold medal goes to Brock Lesnar & CM Punk, who put on to this day, the match I consider Brock’s finest since his WWE comeback in 2012. Each match combined story, action & spectacle in different & unique ways to deliver fans with something for everyone, which is exactly what this business is all about.

Nothing about the midcard is outwardly terrible (bar an Inferno Match that had no business opening the show), but none of it is all that memorable to me. Summerslam has an act of excelling with its main matches, but generally underdelivering on its supporting matches, or vice versa. Matches like Cody Rhodes vs Damien Sandow had solid stories going in, just never told them in a manner that makes them memorable. It’s a tough task too considering how brilliant the previous matches mentioned truly are in their own right.

Thankfully we have the ending of the show, which started the build to one of the greatest moments of the modern-era just months later.

2. Summerslam 2011

There’s no other way around it, Summerslam 2011 is just a good old fashioned, excellent night of professional wrestling from top to bottom. It’s a near perfectly booked show, without a single bad match in sight, every match either serving a purpose to a wider story or furthering the story of every character involved & most importantly, delivering on excellent action across the board without compromising anyone.

The level of quality this card excudes is rare in todays professional wrestling landscape, because it’s a card that never reaches too far, always feels focused, tight & accomplishes exactly what it wants you to feel. While I give WWE a hard time for overbooking much of their product, this one almost perfectly tells the story it wants to without ever breaking momentum.

John Cena & CM Punk collide in the highly anticipated sequel to their Money in the Bank classic over the WWE Championship, Randy Orton & Christian put on the match of the night in a No Holds Barred Match over the World Heavyweight Championship, Sheamus & Mark Henry beat each other to a pulp at the height of Henry’s career, Wade Barrett displays just how overlooked his talents truly were under the WWE banner, the women are actually given some time to shine even to the smallest of degrees due to the time they were handed & the show ends on a note that leaves you with dozens of questions. It’s exactly what a pay-per-view should be about, leaving you wanting more the next night once it’s all over with & injecting you with that sensation of the unknown, which is hard to accomplish in the days of the internet.

A lot of fans may disagree with me placing this over the 2013 edition, but few shows are this much fun to watch for me personally.

1. Summerslam 2002

And here we have it, the grandaddy of Summerslam events, the standard bearer for Summerslam & one of the very few professional wrestling shows I’d go as far to call virtually perfect.

Everything on this show absolutely rules, and I don’t just mean rules, I mean almost every match on here has the potential to be on some kind of ‘best of’ list. There isn’t a single bad thing on this show, whether it be the matches of the segments that break apart the broadcast, it somehow all works as this beautiful piece of professional wrestling history that you could consider an absolute masterclass in how to book a show.

Summerslam 2002 does everything a show needs to do to be significant in the annals of wrestling. It puts forward the future, shines light on the past, crafts interesting storylines that could carry on for months, provides incredible in-ring action that is almost unmatched & sets up the company for what would become my favourite period in wrestling history as the brand split was soon to become fresh in fans minds with RAW & SmackDown on the verge of forming their own shows.

Simply taking a look at the card itself is overwheling just based on the Wikipedia page. The Rock battling on Brock Lesnar just months after his debut for the WWE Championship, Shawn Michaels & Triple H clashing in one of the most personal, brutal matches in company history, Rey Mysterio & Kurt Angle cramming 30-minutes worth of content into a 10-minute adrenaline rush, Edge & Eddie Guerrero giving us a preview of some of the classics they would end up having, RVD & Chris Benoit facing off in an underrated gem of a contest, Ric Flair & Chris Jericho going toe-to-toe in a match more people need to watch, the Un-Americans colliding with the ever-bizarre team of Booker T & Goldust, heck even Undertaker had a match with Test that wasn’t the mediocre piece of work you’d expect it to be on paper.

It’s a show that never stops giving, ever. Summerslam 2002 is, and always will be my favourite professional wrestling show without question, oozing quality like no other event, setting up talent that are iconic to this very day, providing some of the best professional wrestling action you can find anywhere on the planet & becoming on of the few shows I could watch every single day without ever growing bored of it.

Regardless of what you’re expecting, if this thing doesn’t blow you out of your seat, get your head checked.

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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