Did you watch the 2022 WWE Royal Rumble? Greg did too, and here are his reactions and ratings!

One of the most popular events of the year—possibly THE most popular—took place this Saturday night in St. Louis. It’s the WWE Royal Rumble, 2022 edition, and it’s the start to wrestling’s most wonderful time of the year: the Road to WrestleMania!

Who kickstarts their journey to Dallas?

We had two monumental world title matches, and two pivotal Rumbles. Surprises, and so much more as we have come to expect from the Royal Rumble.

Quick note: I watched the Royal Rumble later Saturday night, on a delay. I managed to stay relatively spoiler free. The following items were the only ones spoiled for me:

• Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins started off the show
• Ronda Rousey returned during the Women’s Royal Rumble (which I predicted anyway)
• The Riott Squat, in some form, was in the Rumble and eliminated by the Bella Twins

Quick note #2: I am writing this review as I watch the event, so you’re getting real-time reactions. I tend to focus more on storylines than in-ring action. If you want that, read Mitchell’s review, and watch the show!

Now then, let’s take a look at my reactions to the 2022 WWE Royal Rumble!

Universal Championship Match
Roman Reigns (champion) vs. Seth Rollins

More of the traditional stadium set-up for WWE, which I don’t love as much as the two baseball stadium events we got in recent years. Still looks amazing, a WrestleMania-like feel for this event, which is nearly parallel to WrestleMania itself for so many.

Not shocked at this match kicking things off—and honestly any match order wouldn’t shock me tonight due to the storylines intertwined on the men’s side, and the changed necessitated by Roman Reigns’ COVID diagnosis keeping him off WWE Day 1 in Atlanta.

Seth Rollins’ brilliance is on full display early on, making The Shield entrance after Friday’s Smackdown established that Roman’s biggest weakness is the end of The Shield in 2014. Pat McAfee following Rollins’ lead and isn’t afraid to talk about “Mox” when telling the Shield story, as you can’t have The Shield without Dean Ambrose.

Also, props to Samantha Irvin, who just got called up to Smackdown a couple of short weeks ago, and now she’s doing a stadium show.

Match notes:

• Great mental jockeying to start, and a wonderful suicide dive by Seth
• Rollins in Shield gear and Reigns in Shield pants gives me amazing memories
• SHIELD BOMB! (I know it’s a simple powerbomb, but still—it’s the story)
• Kudos to Michael Cole for also bringing up Dean Ambrose with that spot
• Phoenix Splash and The Stomp early!
• Pat McAfee is still a national treasure with his commentary, “The GOAT vs. The Visionary” and “Curtains” in a callback to his Michael Vick interview earlier in the week
• The crowd hates Reigns? But they love the OOOH AAAAH before the Spear
• PEDIGREE
• This is a WrestleMania main event caliber performance by both men, and it’s opening up the Royal Rumble
• And now we have a Triple H reference—we’re literally getting the entire Shield story tonight
• Reigns didn’t even block half of those head kicks
• Amazing Spear, and Rollins is LAUGHING
• And he wants a FIST-BUMP! Rollins is brilliant
• I do wonder if this ends with Roman getting over The Shield, and fully putting it to rest
• DQ??? DQ??? DQ???
• Shit bag ending if it sticks
• Roman still can’t beat Seth, so that part makes sense
• Note: everything happening after the bell still counts in my match rating
• Roman with the exact replica of the Rollins CHAIRSHOT that ended the Shield
• I know he ain’t coming, but this is the perfect spot for Ambrose/Moxley if he were still with the company
• There is still so much story left in Reigns vs Rollins
• Roman with another chair assault on Rollins before finally leaving

Result: Seth Rollins wins vis disqualification, Roman Reigns retains the Universal Championship

Match Rating: ****

We were headed towards a five-star match for my entertainment value. Brilliant performances all around, starting with Rollins’ entrance. The ending obviously hurts the match, but it’s all about the story, and I am happy that this story isn’t over.

Women’s Royal Rumble Match

Now, I have no idea who closely my bullet points will follow this, as it’s a lot of entrances and not a ton of story, usually, in these matches. Sasha Banks, who returned last night on Smackdown, enters #1. Melina at #2 is a surprise, usually we don’t get legends in that spot.

Match notes:

• Melina, 42, still crushes the splits in her entrance. 👊
• Is Sasha going on a Brock-like run?
• Tamina enters #3, and Sasha isn’t even letting her in the ring
• I really wanted Sasha to dump her right there—but I don’t care for Tamina
• Kelly Kelly now enters at #4, Tamina not dumped so we’re at 3
• Aaaaaand Kelly Kelly absolutely sucks
• Hell of a bump by Kelly Kelly in her elimination, I will give that credit
• #5 is Aliyah, or I guess Aliyah 3:17
• Nice of Sasha Banks to Thesz Press herself (now is a good time to point out that Aliyah made her wrestling debut in 2013
• Liv Morgan in at #6, which seems too early for her unless she is getting the “long run” rub tonight
• Bad timing on the Eddie Guerrero trio suplex spot, happening during the countdown
• #7 is Queen Zelina, who I will assume no one has picked to win
• Zelina eliminates Sasha Banks??? Very early exit for The Boss
• Bianca Belair in at #8 to get the crowd back into it after the letdown of Sasha’s elimination
• #9 is Dana Brooke, and no one cares…
• Dana Brooke does not enter with the 24/7 Championship, let’s see if she complains when Mickie James gets to enter with the Impact Knockouts World Championship
• Still really surprised Sasha Banks went out so early
• #10 is Wife Du Taker, Michelle McCool
• Hate seeing Michelle McCool being pushed as a world beater in this spot, even worse that she hits the Styles Clash
• #11 is The (Other) Boss, Sonya Deville; Sonya’s gear is amazing with the jacket
• I honestly hope Deville waits until the end before getting in the ring (presumably against Ronda Rousey)
• #12 is Natalya…yay
• Tamina out, thankfully
• Bianca Belair saving herself, no need for her to be out
• #13 is Cameron, and I am so happy she’s getting the Brodus Clay entrance theme
• I really hope Sonya dumps Cameron, then sits back down with the jacket on
• #14 has to be Naomi next, right?
• YUP!
• Deville is out, and the story has been told
• Aaaaaaand we’ve hit the boring stage after Carmella enters at #15
• #16 brings the energy back to the match, in Rhea Ripley
• Natalya’s spinning lariat does nothing for me—it’s almost like the spin takes away the power
• And at #17, we have The Queen, Charlotte Flair; business should pick up now from a storyline perspective
• Sonya Deville eliminating Naomi is amazing, almost as good as when Mandy Rose did it in 2019
• #18 is Ivory, AND she has a live mic
• Eliminated and she’s still talking! That’s a 60 year old woman, delivering in her spot. Well done, Ivory!
• #19 is our first Bella twin, Brie Bella
• YES! chants, as expected
• #20 is Mickie James, with Impact Knockouts Championships AND lower third including her championship! Bravo, Scott D’Amore, bravo!
• Amazing pop for Mickie, too
• And at #21, they found Alicia Fox!
• #22 is the oddly heel Nikki A.S.H.
• 30-minute run so far for Liv Morgan, which now makes sense
• #23 is Summer Rae, WWE “legend”
• Summer Rae is out, thankfully—hopefully we can forget that ever happened
• #24 is Nikki Bella, much bigger pop than Summer Rae (lol)
• I can admit, I have missed Nikki Bella
• #25 is the answer to that Riott Squat question from earlier, Sarah Logan
• Welcome back, Sarah?
• And there goes Liv…she had a good run
• Fans are unhappy, maybe #26 is Ronda?
• Nope, it’s Lita. And that works!
• That’s it for Mickie, but let’s not forget that history was made tonight
• #27 is Mighty Molly D.S.H. (Definitely A Super Hero)
• Nikki attacks! This obviously makes sense
• #28? RONDA ROUSEY
• Could have been #30, but this works
• Brie eliminates Nikki—love it
• #29 is Shotzi Blackheart, who we all forgot existed because Ronda Rousey is here
• Shayna Baszler gets #30 for the second time in her career
• I’d love to see Ronda and Shayna as the final two
• Charlotte eliminates Lita, making that match less likely now
• Our final four: Bianca Belair, Charlotte Flair, Ronda Rousey, and Shayna Baszler
• If Ronda eliminates Charlotte just to challenge her at WrestleMania, it seems to make Charlotte’s involvement in this just a silly addition
• POINT TO THE SIGN, DAMMIT
• Night 1 main event, Charlotte vs Ronda? Or WrestleMania 35 triple threat rematch?

Result: Ronda Rousey wins, last eliminating Smackdown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair

Match Rating: ***

It’s really hard to rate a Royal Rumble. Great in spots, slow in others. Mickie’s entrance was a highlight for me, and based on the reaction, Ronda Rousey winning was the right call. Kudos to WWE for revealing some “surprise” entrants while keeping others in their back pocket.

Raw Women’s Championship Match
Doudrop vs. Becky Lynch (champion)

This should be a win for Becky where Doudrop stands out. Hopefully she can drop that stupid name after this.

Match notes:

• I can already tell they put Doudrop in a tough spot, following Ronda Rousey winning the Women’s Royal Rumble
• Doudrop may have knocked Becky out with that roll into the corner

Result: Becky Lynch wins with a Super Manhandle Slam, and retains

Match Rating: ***

I didn’t take detailed notes as I wanted to watch this one to see if Doudrop had a breakout moment. I don’t feel like she did, honestly. This match was also hurt by it’s placement. This was the best spot for the mixed tag team match.

WWE Championship Match
Bobby Lashley vs. Brock Lesnar (champion)

Lashley enters in WrestleMania white, and this feels HUGE already. Brock Lesnar’s entrance still provides goosebumps. He’s the final boss, and that might never change.

Match notes:

• Happy Hype Brock is the best Brock
• I expect a short, heavyweight UFC fight
• Dueling German Suplexes!
• I love when Brock Lesnar is impressed with his opponent. That, for me, will always be Keith Lee’s best moment in WWE
• Bob DESTROYED the ringside barrier
• Brock’s dominance stopped by an F5 reversed into a Hurt Lock!
• And there’s the ref bump. SHENANIGANS TIME!
• Roman Reigns with the SPEAR
• And Paul Heyman gives him the championship!
• Now we were fixing the storylines

Result: Bobby Lashley pins Brock Lesnar to win the WWE Championship

Match Rating: ***1/2

Great heavyweight fight, and while it ended in shenanigans, those were needed. We are back to where we were supposed to be: Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania.

The Miz & Maryse vs. Edge & Beth Phoenix

Everyone seems to be having a blast with their entrances. Also of note, we only had Michael Cole and Pat McAfee for the opening match, everything has been the Raw crew. I bet we get Cole & McAfee for the Men’s Royal Rumble match.

Match Result: Edge & Beth Phoenix win with tandem glam slams

Rating: ***

Nothing spectacular, but nothing offensive. This was fun, but I can’t imagine we get another match out of his feud unless it’s on television—or in Saudi Arabia.

Men’s Royal Rumble

Alright, by this point you know the drill. AJ Styles at #1? Could the chic pick go Broadway tonight? And AJ with the Shawn Michaels pose??? Foreshadowing? Shinsuke Nakamura enters at #2, and these two are very familiar with each other. Michael Cole saying “Boogz is in the Rumble a bit later on” to take away some of the surprise. Not that Boogz’ entrance matters, but still.

Match notes:

• Does Pro Wrestling Illustrated still list the Intercontinental Champion as the defacto #1 contender?
• Hair Club Theory enters at #3…meh
• #4 is Robert Roode, who I will forever call Bob Roode thanks to Pat McAfee
• TNA chants for Roode vs Styles!
• And Bob is out
• #5 is “and look who’s here” Ridge Holland
• 90 seconds later we get Montez Ford, and we’ve hit a lull
• Montez is amazingly athletic
• Shinsuke entered with the Intercontinental Championship, Mickie James entered with the Impact Knockouts Championship, Damian Priest did NOT enter with the United States Championship
• #8 is El Generico himself, Sami Zayn
• #9 is Johnny Knoxville, exactly where you’d expect him
• HE POINTS TO THE SIGN
• Knoxville’s stay was short lived, as was Zayn’s—did exactly what it needed to do
• #10 is Angelo Dawkins
• Omos, who Christopher Platt somehow thinks will win this thing, enters at #11…far too early for a giant to enter is he’s going to win
• #12, Ricochet, remains one of the most exciting members of the entire roster
• #13 is Chad Gable, and he DOES get to wear his belt (don’t ask me to explain this)
• So much for Damian Priest getting the long run
• #14 is Eddie Guerrero’s son, Dominik Mysterio
• And OMOS IS OUT! Sorry Platt…
• #15 is Happy Baron Corbin, who sucks
• He does get to eliminate Ricochet, which sucks as well
• #16 is Dolph Ziggler, and this is his fifteenth Royal Rumble??? Damn!
• Austin Theory gets recognized for being in 20+ minutes…can we go ahead and read his DMs?
• Nevermind, he’s out
• Sheamus in at #17, and I had no idea his Rumble win was also in St. Louis
• Rick Boogz, who apparently has his own theme song, is #18
• One-handed military press eliminated Chad Gable, off camera
• This seems like a good spot for Kofi Kingston
• Welp, it’s Madcap Riddick Moss, at #19
• AJ Styles is eliminated by…Madcap Moss? Are we getting Styles vs. Corbin at WrestleMania???
• #20 is Matt Riddle, and we gotta assume he’s eliminating Randy Orton, right?
• Well I’ll be damned, it’s Drew McIntyre at #21
• McIntyre eliminates the Happy duo, and then attacks them
• #22 is Kevin Owens, and he and McIntyre brawl in the aisle for some reason
• We get Rey Mysterio and the cover of WWE 2k22at #23
• It’s a New Day for #24, Kofi Kingston—let’s see what his moment is this year
• You know, Kofi would make a great winner
• Interesting elimination for Kofi, maybe that’s the end of his amazing saves?
• Otis enters at #25, with belt
• “Otis who is first in class and last in class in the Alpha Academy…down to a knee”
• #26 is Big E, a potential winner? After his move back to Smackdown, I am skeptical…
• Amazing sell on that Brogue Kick by Big E
• #27, Bad Bunny is here! (WWE shouldn’t have posted on Instagram that he was here)
• Louis doesn’t seem to be familiar with Mr. Bunny
• That Bunny Destroyer was ALL Riddle
• The requisite celebrity elimination for Bad Bunny comes at the expense of Sheamus
• SHANE MCMAHON
• …at #28
• I said Kevin Owens would get the celebrity match at WrestleMania, but it seems like he’s getting the Shane McMahon match at WrestleMania instead
• Randy Orton at #29, leaving #30 as a surprise (unless I am forgetting someone, which I probably am)
• And just like that Big E is out???
• We’ve got to betting Lesnar at #30 now, right?
• Yep, we are.
• #30 is official Brock Lesnar, a pissed off Brock Lesnar
• This won’t last long
• And just like that, it’s Brock Lesnar and Drew McIntyre in the final two
• The crowd is silent, just waiting for Brock to win
• It was all academic, and Brock Lesnar is headed to WrestleMania

Result: Brock Lesnar eliminates Drew McIntyre to win the Royal Rumble

Match Rating: ***

That was a Royal Rumble. Nothing special, honestly. Lesnar wins, no RK-Bro break-up, a nasty bump for Kofi Kingston seems to end his spot prematurely, Shane McMahon surprise, but Brock Lesnar’s entry made it all but obvious.