Opinion

The First Ever Year End Mitchell Medal Mania!

Let’s remember what was GOOD about 2020!

Published

4 years ago

December 31, 2020

Steven Mitchell

I’m practically GIVING these away! (Okay not really)

It’s as obvious as the sun in the sky that 2020 has been an awful year for many different reasons. But as the year is ending, I want us all to look back and remember the things that were actually GOOD! Specific to wrestling, of course.

As with when I gave the first ever “Mitchell Medal” to AEW for winning the first year of the Wednesday Night War, these medals aren’t outright for “The Best [category]” winner or even “The Worst [category]” winner here. These will be for the people, moments and more that were worth honoring. And speaking of, the first medal of Mitchell Medal Mania goes to the Wednesday Night War itself!

Mitchell Medal for Year-Defining Achievement:
The Wednesday Night War

Wednesday Night War Mitchell Medal

Yes, I’m just reusing the same image. The Wednesday Night War started in 2019 but the obvious majority of it was in 2020, and both NXT and AEW were doing incredible work the entire time because of it. AEW was mostly just trying to establish themselves in the world of wrestling, but they were also trying to stick it to WWE. There was counter programming from both sides in those attempts to outdo the other, and the real winners were all of us, the fans. The second year of the “war” is already through its first quarter, but both companies are definitely keeping their momentum going. I already can’t wait to give out another medal to year two’s winner.

Mitchell Medal for Innovation and Improvisation:
WWE Money in the Bank 2020

Mitchell Medal MITBOTR

Something that was also year-defining but in a horrible way was, of course, COVID-19. And many, many, many people were worried about our American wrestling companies continuing on to entertain us, or at least attempt to in some cases. But one thing that WWE definitely does well is pull off improvising.

Now, WrestleMania 36 did great in following the philosophy of, “The show must go on,” and had two nights capped off with great moments, including two different yet equally amazing cinematic matches. The Boneyard Match and the Firefly Fun House Match definitely deserve awards, but I’m giving one to MITB 2020 because how both the Men’s and Women’s MITB matches went to new levels by becoming a cinematic crossover extravaganza. There were gags, special guest appearances, and even a massive food fight. Things may have worked out very differently for each winner, such as Asuka immediately becoming Raw Women’s Champion from Becky Lynch’s maternity leave while Otis was slowly robbed of everything he had in WWE, but the event itself was good stuff, as I rated it 8.5 out of 10.

Mitchell Medal for Brutally Raising the Bar:
NXT UK Championship – WALTER VS Ilja Dragunov

Mitchell Medal NXT UK

The Moscow Madman promised us his match with the Ring General would “redefine violence,” and did it ever! It was certainly the best match Walter has had since joining NXT UK, the best match Dragunov had since joining NXT UK, probably the best match that title has seen in its short life. It was NXT UK’s perfect follow-up to NXT USA’s Halloween Havoc, because there was blood and bruising rarely seen, but not in such a way that it was outright horrifying or unsettling. It was good, old fashioned fighting, in the way that only pro-wrestling can do. Dragunov sold it like he actually needed medical attention afterwards, elevating both himself and Walter together in that match.

I still question if Walter retaining was the right move, but maybe it was to set Dragunov up for a heroic journey back up from the bottom to become the man that truly and definitively dethrones Walter from the top of the brand. He hadn’t been seen for over a month on the brand because to be honest, he believably could’ve been recovering that entire time. Then, his promo from December 17th was quite the surprise. A reinvented Dragunov? I can’t even fathom it.

Mitchell Medal for Historic Achievement:
Kota Ibushi

Mitchell Medal Kota Ibushi G1

As you can tell from the image, this is specifically for The Golden Star’s win at G1 Climax 30. He achieved two different accomplishments this year in regards to NJPW’s premier singles tournament: first, he went three in a row for G1 Climax finals appearances with 28, 29 and 30; second, he went back-to-back in winning the G1 Climax 30 Finals, as pictured on the medal. That is astounding, because it shows NJPW has acknowledged Ibushi’s incredible athletic talent.

Of course, Ibushi also made history this year at Power Struggle by being the first G1 Climax winner ever to lose his Right to Challenge contract. This was probably so that Ibushi wasn’t an invincible juggernaut going into WrestleKingdom 15, since World Tag League x Best of the Super Juniors was a long period of downtime for him. But at the same time, Tetsuya Naito used the fact that WK15 was another two-day event to give Ibushi his shot at the IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental Championships anyway. We’re just days away from that, so who knows if Ibushi wins the titles so that he gets his revenge on Jay White on January 5th. If he does, he might end up winning another Mitchell Medal for just general badass awesomeness.

Mitchell Medal for Unique Facial Expression:
Kenny Omega

Mitchell Medal Omega Face

Smug, vindicated, and perhaps a bit bored. These were perhaps just a few of the emotions on the face pictured there, from the night Kenny Omega CRUSHED Sonny Kiss in the opening round of the AEW World Title Eliminator Tournament. It is such a great expression, it needed to be celebrated and remembered. It and that first long winded introduction for Omega also signaled the beginning of The Cleaner returning to his true form, and how he would win the entire tournament to be Jon Moxley’s challenger, and the battle they had for AEW “Winter is Coming” that turned into a shocking title change and crossover project with Impact Wrestling! And the start of all that, in my mind, will be signified by that face right there.

Mitchell Medal for Perfect Pacing:
Hangman Adam Page

Mitchell Medal Hangman Page

No, “pacing” is not for how Hangman drinks. Though I’m sure real-life Adam Page drinks at a much more moderate and responsible rate than kayfabe Hangman does. I’m talking about the pacing of Hangman’s story ever since AEW started as a company. Honestly, this could even apply to Hangman’s entire career from the moment I first saw him in ROH as BJ Whitmer’s sidekick. Hangman has fought his way up from that, to establishing himself through NJPW and the Bullet Club, to joining The Elite and helping create AEW.

Then there’s basically everything he’s done in AEW. He battled Chris Jericho but lost in that inaugural championship match. He teamed with Omega out of neither of them having much, and turning it all into an AEW World Tag Team Championship reign, that then became a heart wrenching loss and break-up. That break-up then became a stellar 1v1 at Full Gear, which again, Omega won. And having it framed around how he drinks, without it being too real or depressing, has worked perfectly for him in drawing us fans in.

While Cody Rhodes was first to do a story of, “If I don’t win this world title now, I’ll never challenge for it!” far too early, and while the Young Bucks did their own as year two of AEW got started, Hangman Page is on the right track to do that story right. If he were to do go past AEW Revolution in February, and perhaps the third round of summer events in 2021, and then, for the third-ever AEW All Out, he says “If I don’t win this title now, I’m never challenging again,” THAT would be the perfect way to do it. His struggles have been THE perfectly executed, perfectly paced story telling I have seen perhaps ever.

Mitchell Medal for Breakout Badass:
Shotzi Blackheart

Mitchell Medal Shotzi is Badass

Shotzi Blackheart first showed up in NXT on January 15th in the Women’s Championship Contender Battle Royal, and immediately made an impression as she took it to established veterans and was the one to eliminate two-time NXT Women’s Champion, Shayna Baszler. Shotzi would then build momentum slowly but surely, got to have a very unique entrance riding in on the toy tank she’s pictured there with, and would get high profile rival after high profile rival. Also RIP Shotzi’s original tank, 1/29/20 – 11/4/20. Her new tank from WarGames 2020 is awesome, though.

Shotzi also got another unique and impressive distinction by being the host of the first ever NXT Halloween Havoc! Shotzi killed it right down to her costumes, though I still wish she got to do more then. And it was the part she played in Candice LeRae’s story that night that then propelled them both into this year’s TakeOver: WarGames, which had a tank on the logo because it was all about Shotzi! Shotzi being the team captain of a team that had Ember Moon, Rhea Ripley and Io Shirai, that itself is huge!

The match was great stuff, but sadly Team Shotzi didn’t win. Perhaps Shotzi would have become too powerful if her team won in Shotzi’s first WarGames, even though Rhea and Candice won their match when it was just two of them. But with 2021 literally just a day away, Shotzi is going to make it her year.

Mitchell Medal for Masterful Storytelling:
The “Tribal Chief” Roman Reigns story

Mitchell Medal Tribal Chief

I for one definitely acknowledged Roman Reigns as the Tribal Chief, the head of the table, etc. for what he’s been doing since he returned at SummerSlam this year. He did as his first new shirt said, “Wreck Everyone & Leave” in a very Stone Cold way, but then immediately started morphing his character by revealing he had Paul Heyman as his “Special Counsel.” Then adding in Jey Uso, who became singles wrestler because Jimmy was injured, things took on amazing new depth we hadn’t yet seen from either of them. Clash of Champions, Hell in a Cell, and even Survivor Series all had outstanding builds and incredible matches because of both Roman, Jey, and Drew McIntyre.

Jey increased his own character development after Survivor Series, that brutality against Otis and Kevin Owens, great stuff. And then we got Roman VS Kevin at TLC in a TLC match, and they did a great job teasing us into thinking Kevin was going to win, because he was so close to getting the belt with both hands at one point. Honestly, how much better could they have done? Everything about this story has been superb, and you’d have to be a complete anti-WWE type to not like this.

Another Mitchell Medal for Masterful Storytelling:
Bayley and Sasha Banks

Mitchell Medal Bayley and Banks

This one should be as obvious, maybe even more so, than the Reigns story. Bayley and Sasha were always on again, off again frenemies, and as you can see in the picture, they reunited shortly after WrestleMania 36 with the mission to win all of the gold in WWE. They succeeded short of one of them having the NXT Women’s Championship (and technically NXT UK’s title would be on the table, too), and then they found a way to steer things back to them being enemies, but with Bayley going Heel instead of Sasha and having a great Hell in a Cell match in which Sasha became the third-ever Women’s Grand Slam Champion. Whether fighting against each other or together, Bayley and Sasha are definitely going down as two of the greatest women in this generation, and they’re still in their primes.

Mitchell Medal for Incredible Musical Promo:
Chris Jericho & MJF, “Me and My Shadow”

Mitchell Medal Y2J MJF

The Dinner Debonair did not disappoint! In fact, it blew all expectations out of the water and is the most unique segment this year and from the last several years. And “musical” isn’t just for the fact they were singing. It was like something out of a musical, as in a play or film with singing and dancing. Chris Jericho and Maxwell Jacob Friedman are both charismatic and entertaining, it was only natural that they’d interact in AEW, but their entire story together has continued to go above and beyond. But specifically, this segment was like the catalyst that really got things going, and there’s just not enough I can really say about it.

Mitchell Medal for Legacy and Longevity:
Chris Jericho

Mitchell Medal: Chris Jericho

And of course, Jericho himself gets a medal all his own for what he’s done in AEW. That picture right there is of course from the hilarious moment during his feud with Orange Cassidy where actual orange juice is dropped on him, The Inner Circle, and Jericho’s supposed $7000 white suit jacket. While Jericho continued to transform his character by becoming a team leader, while he continued to be hilariously obnoxious, and while he reveled in fans singing along with his theme song, Judas, Jericho also made sure to do the best thing any 30 year veteran of pro-wrestling could do, and that is put the new generation over.

He and Jungle Boy went to the end of a 15 minute time limit. He of course founded the Inner Circle, the avenue upon which newer stars like Sammy Guevara, Santana and Ortiz could shine, and of course he put Cassidy over in their eventual blow-off, the first-ever Mimosa Mayhem match. And of course, Jericho’s work with MJF has been incredible, as the previous medal indicates. Jericho is perhaps the actual GOAT of his generation because he’s stuck with pro-wrestling, he’s never gotten stale, and he’s apparently modest enough behind the scenes to know who the gems of this generation are and shines them up even more. Jericho wanted fans to say it all along, and fans have been saying it more lately, so I’ll say it, too: #ThankYouJericho, here’s a PNG file I made, hope you like it. Actually, he kinda looks like the MGM lion, doesn’t he?

Another Mitchell Medal for Legacy and Longevity:
The Undertaker

Mitchell Medal Thank You Taker

While The Undertaker didn’t do a lot this year, I did mention the Boneyard Match being a great cinematic match for WWE, and a great farewell for him as far as “in-ring” action. This year was also his 30th anniversary, as the WWE made sure we understood with Survivor Series 2020. If that tagline of #TheBestoftheBest was for nothing else, it was for him, as we all bid him a #FinalFarewell on the exact night that was his 30th anniversary. Taker’s legacy, 11/22/1990 to 11/22/2020, is filled with memorable moment after memorable moment, and I think those fans who have only been aware of Taker for the last 5 years can understand how momentous that final night was. Though it was said so much leading up to that night, let’s say it again truly one last time: #ThankYouTaker.

Mitchell Medal for Someone We All Miss:
Jon Huber, aka Brodie Lee, aka Luke Harper

Mitchell Medal Brodie

There has already been a great outpouring from fans, wrestlers and promotions for a man we lost over the holidays and far, far too soon. It only made sense to honor him further with the last but far from least Mitchell Medal. A great wrestler, a great presence backstage and a great man up and down, with AEW even changing their year-end plans to give him a proper tribute show where kayfabe was put aside for just a lot of fun matches best featuring those who knew him, worked with him, and loved him. On behalf of the fans, including us fans here at The Chairshot, #ThankYouBrodie.

So there you have it. A baker’s dozen of medals for 2020, a great start to what might become a tradition, though maybe not yearly. It might become even more frequent that that if more awesome things happen and I just can’t wait to talk about them for the whole year. Only time will tell. I hope you guys like the ones given out here, and feel free to comment about wrestlers, moments, etc. that happened in 2020 that you felt should’ve been recognized.

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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

2 months 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

5 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