Opinion

Rey: Perspectives in Wrestling

Rey Cash looks at the current wrestling landscape & tries to make sense of things by looking at the different perspectives involved: company, fan, & wrestler.

Published

4 years ago

August 4, 2021

Rey Cash

Rey Cash looks at the current wrestling landscape and tried to make sense of things by looking at the different perspectives involved: company, fan, and wrestler.

There has never been a more confusing time in my wrestling fandom than right now.

On paper, this should be the best time in the wrestling business since the late 90s. We have two easily accessible, viable, thriving wrestling companies with shows spanning 4 nights a week (not counting Pay-Per-Views). We have the best Independent scene maybe ever, only rivaled by the post WCW world with the beginning of places like Ring of Honor and Pro Wrestling Guerrilla. Wrestlers are more accessible than ever, with a good portion of them interacting with fans on social media and the majority willing to do more interviews than any other time in history. We should be in a good place.

Clearly, you know that’s not the case. The wrestling part? That’s pretty damn solid. In fact, except for the controversies and criticisms of Monday Night Raw, most fans would say the wrestling is regularly excellent. What’s gotten almost unbearable is the rhetoric surrounding wrestling, and that’s starting to affect the entire wrestling world.

I’d like to break this down a bit, but we’re going to have to look at this with a LOT of nuance, because as we’ve learned in wrestling, nothing is tangible and everything is controversial.

The most appropriate place to start would be with the sudden and shocking releases that the WWE has made multiple times over the past 18 months. With WWE reporting record revenue over the past few years, the multiple billion dollar television deals, and most recently, leasing the WWE Network to Peacock for another billion dollars, the idea of WWE releasing wrestlers under the guise of “budget cuts” feels callous, unnecessary, and downright disrespectful. And even if there is truth to that claim (which there is), it’s still a horrible thing to do to your talent in a pandemic landscape. To make matters worse, WWE didn’t just “trim the fat” as they used to do once upon a time. Regularly and currently used wrestlers were surprisingly released. Top stars were released. People in ACTIVE storylines were released.

WWE is a business first and foremost. They’ve never lied about that, and it’s never been more apparent than now. And as much as we want them to be all about the wrestling, that’s not their primary goal. Vince realized 40 years ago that wrestling alone wasn’t going to get him where he thought he and his company should be. So, he slowly moved away from the regular tropes of “traditional” wrestling. He called his performers “superstars”. He called his product “sports entertainment”. Eventually, thanks to a lawsuit from the World Wildlife Fund, he changed his company’s name directly to include the word entertainment. He also took his company public, which greatly expanded his reach, his bank account, and his company’s scrutiny. See, the WWE and Vince’s FIRST priority is not to the fans or even to its wrestlers and employees. It’s to its shareholders. As a publicly traded company, they have a fiduciary responsibility to that stock price and the people who own shares. And this is where so much of the disconnect between company business and fan understanding begins. We don’t control the bottom line of the WWE as much as we think, we’d like, and we do with almost every other wrestling organization.

Now, this fact sucks from a fan perspective. As a fan base, we’ve been taught that what we want is what matters. We’ve been taught that our cheers or our boos have a direct line to what the company does. The more a character is supported, the stronger he or she is pushed. And for every other company, this may be true for the most part. But every company isn’t the WWE and doesn’t have the structure that they have. John Cena was the first “guinea pig” for this phenomenon. John did record business for the WWE during his run. Houses sold out, merchandise was sold at a ridiculous rate, ratings were strong, and Pay-Per-View numbers were really good. But the adult fan base couldn’t stand him. They audibly booed him and complained about him online, claiming that Vince wasn’t listening to the fans. So, think about this conundrum. WWE, a business, is doing fantastic business with a particular wrestler on top. The fans, who are the consumers, aren’t happy with that certain wrestler as the main star. Somebody must be spending that money on tickets and merchandise and Pay-Per-Views for the business markers to be what they were. What should WWE do? Listen to the fans or listen to the bottom line?

I do want to be clear that I don’t believe that it is a fan’s job to care about the business dealings of a company that they support. I do, however, think it’s their job to understand that their personal desires can and sometimes will deviate from the business dealings of that company. For fans and those critical of WWE, that last part is imperative. I hated that WWE released the wrestlers. It bothers me in a very serious way and is something I’ll never forget in my fandom of theirs. I also understand that while I don’t like the reasons, it doesn’t mean that they are any less legitimate.

This brings me to the fan’s perspective. I’ve touched on it a bit in my previous paragraphs, but to say that fan rhetoric these days is terrible is an understatement of massive proportions. There has always been an anti-WWE sentiment since they bought WCW. World Championship Wrestling was everything that the WWE (then WWF) wasn’t. WCW came from the lineage of the NWA and was always a wrestling focused company. Even with WCW focused on the older stars of the time, they still focused on the Cruiserweight division and those top stars were looked at as “WWE guys”. Also, WCW was a southern staple that made it big, whereas the WWE was the fancy company in New York. Most importantly, older fans will always harbor an abhorrence for Vince McMahon for buying his father’s company and killing the territories to create his national powerhouse.

In the spirit of WCW, we’ve seen the rise of All Elite Wrestling. AEW is owned by Tony Khan, a child of the Attitude Era and a wrestling die hard fan who had the capital (his father owns the Jacksonville Jaguars and Fulham FC) and the passion to create the biggest wrestling company since WCW folded. AEW has filled a place that anti WWE fans, those who felt unfulfilled with the WWE, or fans willing to follow something new were begging for. Khan’s company is built largely off the backs of the top stars of the Independent scene, legends of the current day that had never had their name in the marquee of the WWE’s world. That, added with some major WWE defections and Legends, started a revolution of sorts. Most importantly, the structure of the company is one that delivers on what fans want desperately – influence. The cheers and boos of the AEW crowd play a major part in the creative decisions of the company. Speaking of creative, AEW offers a large sense of creative control to their wrestlers. Performers create their own promos, pitch and portray their own characters, and structure their own matches. There is a genuine feeling of synergy between the company and the fans.

The interesting thing about this can be seen in the business side of the company. AEW is privately owned, as opposed to WWE being publicly traded. Shad Khan, the father of Tony Khan, is a multi-billionaire, but unlike the McMahons, all of their money isn’t and will never be in wrestling, which breeds a different level of risk between the companies. In fact, Tony has mentioned that their company is currently running at a loss, with continuing to employ the wrestlers that they do and making a sizable investment in a video game division. They’ve partnered with Warner Media and TNT for two cable TV shows and have outworked their contract deal twice to get better, more lucrative ones. AEW is here to stay and has shown that they are a legit alternative. Because of this, there is a good portion of the fanbase that is begging for AEW to beat and end the WWE’s reign on top of the wrestling world. There’s also a desire of all of the talent that WWE apparently is misusing to go to AEW on their own volition, even though AEW has had clear issues using the number of wrestlers that they have contracted regularly (AEW currently has more wrestlers under contract for their one current show than WWE does on their three main shows total).

Let’s dive into this idea of fans believing that wrestlers are being misused, and let’s use an example. Bray Wyatt, who has been a WWE main stay and a top talent since his debut, was shockingly released this week. Bray, who hadn’t been seen since the Monday after WrestleMania 37, was reportedly waiting for the right creative direction for him to come back as he was released. Immediately, there was an understandable expression of support, shock, and anger. And there was a large belief that Bray was misused. Now Bray Wyatt is a former WWE Champion, has been a major player in the WWE, has been a part of some of the most memorable moments of the current era, and has feuded with and beaten some of the biggest names in WWE history. He’s also been one of the most creative wrestlers possibly ever. His characters, his promo skills, and his ability to reinvent himself will be looked at as legendary. Have there been moments where it felt as if his character wasn’t put in the best situations? Yes. Has it felt at times like he could’ve and should’ve done more? Absolutely. However, the world misuse ignores all of the positives he gave to us. And since WWE is unlike AEW and is extremely unilateral in their creative direction, we have to give WWE some of that credit as well.

On this past week’s Monday Night Raw in Chicago, which is the first live show since Bray was released, there were chants of “We Want Wyatt” at times throughout the show. Ronda Rousey, a former WWE superstar and MMA legend who’s notoriously had issues with the fan relationship in WWE, tweeted:

This is coupled with the fact that Bray has had the unfortunate honor of winning multiple “Worst” awards on the fan voted Wrestling Observer Newsletter, and you could often find a large contingent of IWC fans vocal about their disdain for Wyatt and his characters. So, can we say he was misused if there was a group of fans who didn’t give him a chance and didn’t enjoy him? And does Ronda have a point, given that growing contingent of contempt for the character could’ve possibly led to Wyatt not being considered untouchable?

I’ve seen you same “fans” chanting #WeWantWyatt last night chanting “We want beach balls” over @WWEBrayWyatt performing. If the @wwe treated him like he was expendable it was because you ungrateful idiots did first

— Ronda Rousey (@RondaRousey) August 3, 2021

This leads me to the perspective of the wrestlers themselves. Mickie James, who recently was given her own release coupled with a heartless act of sending her remaining things back to her in a trash bag, had her own thoughts on Bray’s release. She tweeted:

This isn’t against Alexa. I love her. She’s an incredible performer who is killing it in a role she was given. She always does. We as artists take every role we’re given & turn it into gold. He, she, they both did that. Like it/not. Facts are facts. So sorry if that offends you.

— Mickie James~Aldis (@MickieJames) July 31, 2021

It’s completely understandable for Mickie to have disdain for WWE given the way she was treated upon her exit, as well as seeing so many of her contemporaries lose their jobs. Her tweet, however, was off base on so many ways, and that is evident in her follow up tweet, seen above

In one breath, she claims that Bray came up with a gimmick that WWE didn’t know how to book correctly and just gave it to another person, then she says that the wrestlers are artists that take what they’re given and turn it into gold. So if Bray came up with it and WWE didn’t know how to book it right, shouldn’t some of the blame be on Bray? And she tried to walk back her shot at Alexa, but the tweets still felt unnecessary and selfish. This is just a small example of how vocal the wrestlers of today have become. Whether good, bad, or indifferent, wrestlers in 2021 are more than willing to let their true thoughts be known. It doesn’t matter if it’s about a fan, a company, or even another wrestler. We’ve seen such movements as #TimesUp and #SpeakingOut be pushed primarily by wrestlers, as well as the growing concern of wrestler use in the companies.

The perspective of a wrestler is the most salient. They are, in fact, the life blood of this business. The way that they feel and interact is the most relevant opinion in the business. So, it’s simultaneously apropos and hilarious that wrestler opinions on the current happenings between WWE and AEW. There are so many wrestlers disgusted and dis-enamored with WWE’s business practices and creative woes. And there are another group, particularly Malakai (formerly Aleister) Black and Tyler Breeze who feel the opposite. Both wrestlers were recently released from the company but look back on their time fondly and have been very vocal about how wrestlers should be more accountable for their fates with the company. Tyler, in particular, has talked about how wrestlers know what they’re getting into with signing with the company, and how it’s their job to be ready when called upon but to not complain when they’re not used.

Ultimately, everything is conjecture. Wrestling is a subjective art built on the backs of deceiving fans. Every company has one person who chooses who wins and loses, and the fan response can be looked at a million different ways. The only concrete, factual evidence is the business returns. Once again, it’s not the job of a fan to care about this, but it explains a lot about the ideology of the companies and in turn, the feelings and opinions of the fans and the wrestlers. WWE may be at an all time low among IWC support, however they’re the most successful they’ve ever been. This tells me that they’ve tapped into and doubled down on the fan bases that they know support them and have stopped caring about the fan bases that criticize their product, particularly the IWC. TV ratings are lower now than they’ve ever been, however, Peacock subscriptions, YouTube views, and social media interactions are some of the highest in the entire entertainment industry. This tells me that the fan base is consuming the product in a much different way than usual. WWE has released a ridiculous amount of wrestlers in such a small amount of time, while reporting record revenue on their investor calls. This tells me that WWE is trying to remain profitable in the eyes of their stockholders, and Nick Khan’s influence has changed how and what they value regarding their talent.

All of these differing perspectives normally make for a beautiful convergence of wrestling viewpoints. Unfortunately, there is so much vitriol in the air at the moment. What used to be a fantastic hobby is turning into a cesspool of hatred, bias, and egocentricity. There will always be bad things that happen in this business. This is an unfortunate truth, however, this business has also shown a resilience that most mediums wish for. If we can all get out of our own preconceptions and remember why we’re fans and what place we all play in this ecosystem, I feel like we can get back to wrestling nirvana. As things currently are, however, we’re on the verge of wrestling hell.

FIN

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!

All Shows On Demand

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Up Next

Cook’s Top 5: Bobby Eaton Tag Team Partners

Don't Miss

News From Cook’s Corner 8.2.21: Whole World In My Hands

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.

About Chairshot Radio Network

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!

All Shows On Demand

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Opinion

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