Tag: Royal Rumble

WWE Announces Host City For Royal Rumble 2025, Future SummerSlam & WrestleMania

Wrestling fans in Indianapolis, Indiana, will have plenty to look forward to in the coming years, as WWE is bringing three of its tentpole events to the city. According to a press release put out by the company and the Indiana Sports Corp on Monday morning, the 2025 Royal Rumble and future WrestleMania and SummerSlam shows will emanate from the city as part of a unique partnership.

The first event to hit Indianapolis will be next year’s Royal Rumble, which is scheduled to take place from the Lucas Oil Stadium. No dates have been confirmed for the other premium live events at the time of this writing, but everyone involved is excited about WWE bringing three of its biggest shows to the city.

“We are excited to bring this groundbreaking partnership to Indianapolis and our state,” said Patrick Talty, President of Indiana Sports Corp. “For over four decades, our city’s sports strategy has brought in millions of visitors and priceless hours of international brand-building media coverage. This partnership with WWE continues to push that strategy forward in new and exciting ways. We look forward to welcoming the WWE Universe to our community and state and showing them all that Indy has to offer.”

The company will host “Raw,” “SmackDown,” and “NXT” live events across Indiana in the forthcoming months, but no dates have been confirmed yet. Similarly, WWE and the Sport Corp plan on introducing a collaborative program that will ensure the city benefits from the partnership after the announced shows are over.

While some of the announced Indianapolis shows remain shrouded in secrecy, other cities are already bracing for WWE’s biggest events. WrestleMania 41 has been confirmed for Las Vegas and SummerSlam 2026 is scheduled to emanate from the U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Kevin Owens Reportedly Worked WWE Royal Rumble Match With Injury

After outlasting seven other competitors in a fierce tournament, Kevin Owens was rewarded with a title match against United States Champion Logan Paul at the 2024 Royal Rumble. Unfortunately for Owens, his title pursuit didn’t go quite as planned as the referee caught him using a pair of brass knuckles, resulting in a disqualification victory for Paul. Additionally, a new report has also indicated that Owens worked through an injury during this premium live event performance.

According to the Wrestling Observer, Owens challenged Paul while battling a fractured foot. Owens’ injury was reportedly sustained during his last match, which occurred on the January 5 episode of “WWE SmackDown” against Santos Escobar. While Owens remained out of in-ring action in the weeks following, he was involved in several physical on-screen segments with Paul, such as their brawl at the WWE Performance Center, in the lead-up to their title match. 

As of this writing, it remains unknown if Owens’ injury will cause him to miss any television time. In the wake of his loss, though, Owens appeared in a digital exclusive (via WWE’s YouTube channel), making it clear that his issues with the “The Maverick” were far from finished.

Paul took possession of the United States Championship in November by defeating WWE Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio at WWE’s Crown Jewel event in Saudi Arabia. Following Paul’s victory, WWE announced that his first challenger would be determined through a number one contenders tournament, with the winner (which later turned out to be Owens) earning themselves a title shot at the Royal Rumble event.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Bron Breakker Is ‘Grateful’ For 2024 Royal Rumble Experience, Ready To Prove Himself On WWE Main Roster

Before he gears up for the finals of the 2024 Men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic at “WWE NXT” Vengeance Day, Bron Breakker received an opportunity to compete in the 2024 Men’s Royal Rumble match, entering the field from the number 20 spot. During his five-minute outing, Breaker eliminated four men, including “The Nigerian Giant” Omos, Jimmy Uso, and Finn Balor, before he was thrown over the top rope by Dominik Mysterio. While he didn’t win the match, Breakker remains thankful for the experience, vowing to also enact some revenge on The Judgment Day faction.

“I feel very grateful right now, I feel this is what an opportunity tonight was for me to make a statement and I thought I did that tonight 100%,” Breakker said during a WWE digital exclusive. “Things didn’t go my way, but I’m not done with the Judgment Day by any means.”

As a two-time “NXT” Champion, Breakker has proven to be a major player in WWE’s developmental territory, but after competing in his first Royal Rumble match, Breakker feels he is now ready to establish himself on WWE’s main roster. “I think tonight I proved that I belong on the main roster,” Breakker said. “This is my home now, and I’m ready for the work. I’m ready to prove to my peers and to the people and to everyone out there who believes in me that this where I belong, this is what I was born to do. And I’m here, I’m ready to go.”

 As of now, it remains to be seen if Breakker’s Royal Rumble appearance will produce an official main-roster call-up. Given his statements, though, Breakker seems poised to step up to the challenge if so called on.

Source: Wrestling Inc. with credit to WWE

Backstage News On The Deal Between WWE-TNA For Jordynne Grace At The Royal Rumble

TNA Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace made an appearance during the 2024 WWE Royal Rumble pay-per-view event, entering at #5 during the women’s Royal Rumble match.

According to a report from Fightful Select, WWE had previously reached out to outside companies about working with some of their talent. Just last weekend, WWE reached out to TNA about Grace’s appearance. TNA officials were more than happy to allow Grace to work the event, and she had a physical and some blood work done on Monday. She wound up flying to Florida on Thursday to take part in the rehearsals.

According to several WWE sources, TNA Wrestling and Grace were “easy to deal with” during the process.

Source: eWn

Backstage News On Brock Lesnar’s Replacement In WWE Royal Rumble Match

After a sex trafficking lawsuit was filed against Vince McMahon and WWE, Brock Lesnar’s return to WWE TV at the 2024 Royal Rumble had to be canceled.

Lesnar, a former WWE/UFC Heavyweight Champion, was the only one who fit the bill regarding the lawsuit naming a former WWE/UFC Heavyweight Champion.

Instead, Bron Breakker stepped in and took Lesnar’s place in the match, which was eventually won by Cody Rhodes.

Dave Meltzer is reporting that Breakker was not initially scheduled for the men’s Royal Rumble match but executed all the spots that Lesnar was supposed to perform.

Source: eWn

WWE Royal Rumble 1/27/2024 (Results)

30-WOMAN ROYAL RUMBLE MATCH:

  1. Natalya
  2. Naomi
  3. Bayley
  4. Candice LeRae
  5. TNA Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace
  6. Indi Hartwell
  7. Asuka
  8. Ivy Nile
  9. Katana Chance
  10. Bianca Belair
  11. Kairi Sane
  12. Tegan Nox
  13. Kayden Carter
  14. Chelsea Green
  15. Piper Niven
  16. Xia Li
  17. Zelena Vega
  18. Maxxone Dupri
  19. Nia Jax
  20. Shotzi
  21. Becky Lynch
  22. Alba Fyre
  23. Shayna Baszler
  24. Valhalla – R-Truth mistakenly tried to enter the Women’s Royal Rumble
  25. Michin
  26. Zoey Stark
  27. Roxanne Perez
  28. Jade Cargill
  29. Tiffany Stratton
  30. Liv Morgan

Winner: Bayley

UNDISPUTED WWE UNIVERSAL CHAMPIONSHIP – FATAL 4-WAY
Roman Reigns (c) def. AJ Styles, LA Knight and Randy Orton

UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP:
Logan Paul (c) def. Kevin Owens by DQ

A member of Paul’s friendship group then appears over the barricade, but security gets rid of him. Austin Theory and Grayson Waller then appear and try to talk to security, with Theory slipping Paul his brass knuckles, but KO gets a roll-up. That doesn’t work, but Owens pulls the brass knuckles off Paul and nails a KO punch of his own. He starts pinning the champion, but the official sees he has the weapon and that leads to a disqualification. 

30-MAN ROYAL RUMBLE MATCH:

  1. Jey Uso
  2. Jimmy Uso
  3. Grayson Waller
  4. Andrade
  5. Carmelo Hayes
  6. Shinsuke Nakamura
  7. Santos Escobar
  8. Karrion Kross
  9. Dominik Mysterio
  10. Carlito
  11. Bobby Lashley
  12. Ludwig Kaiser
  13. Austin Theory
  14. Fin Balor
  15. Cody Rhodes
  16. Bronson Reed
  17. Kofi Kingston
  18. Gunther
  19. Ivar
  20. Bron Breakker
  21. Omos
  22. Pat McAfee
  23. JD McDonagh
  24. R-Truth
  25. The Miz
  26. Damian Priest
  27. CM Punk
  28. Ricochet
  29. Drew McIntyre
  30. Sami Zayn

Winner: Cody Rhodes

An emotional Cody Rhodes celebrates his second consecutive Royal Rumble victory. Rhodes points at the WrestleMania 40 sign as pyrotechnics go off. A dejected CM Punk watches on from ringside. Rhodes then turns and points at Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns, who is still in the luxury box. Paul Heyman hands Reigns his title, and Reigns holds the title up.

WWE Reportedly Working On An “Off The Wall Surprise” For Tonight’s Royal Rumble

According to a new report from Fightful Select, WWE is said to be currently working on an “off the wall surprise” for tonight’s Royal Rumble in St. Petersburg, Florida.

The report further notes that WWE contacted other wrestling promotions about potentially using their talent in the men’s and women’s Royal Rumble Matches on tonight’s show.

WWE Royal Rumble 1/27/2024 (Card)

WWE Royal Rumble PLE Saturday, January 27, 2024 from Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. The pre-show starts at 7:00 PM EST while the main card starts at 8:00 PM EST

CARD

30-MAN ROYAL RUMBLE MATCH:
Participants: Bobby Lashley, CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, Damian Priest, Drew McIntyre, Gunther, Kofi Kingston, Shinsuke Nakamura, Chad Gable, Otis, Akira Tozawa, R-Truth, Santos Escobar, Carlito, Austin Theory, Grayson Waller, Jimmy Uso and TBA

30-WOMAN ROYAL RUMBLE MATCH:
Participants: Bayley, Becky Lynch, Bianca Belair, Nia Jax, Maxxine Dupri, Ivy Nile, Zelina Vega, Alba Fyre, Shotzi, and Mia Yim and TBA

UNDISPUTED WWE UNIVERSAL CHAMPIONSHIP – FATAL 4-WAY
Roman Reigns (c) vs. AJ Styles vs. LA Knight vs. Randy Orton

UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP:
Logan Paul (c) vs. Kevin Owens

WWE Appears To Confirm Nia Jax’s Return With New Merchandise

Nia Jax’s return at the 2023 WWE Royal Rumble pay-per-view event doesn’t appear to be a one-off, with a new piece of merchandise being released for the former RAW Women’s Champion.

Jax returned to WWE as the #30 entrant in this year’s Women’s Rumble match, after being released from the promotion in November 2021.

After her shocking return, WWE released a new shirt for Jax, using her moniker as the ‘Irresistible Force.’

Source: eWrestlingNews

WWE Royal Rumble 1/28/2023 (Results)

WWE color commentator Pat McAfee made his return last night during the 2023 Royal Rumble. He joined the commentary team which featured Corey Graves and Michael Cole.

30-MAN ROYAL RUMBLE MATCH:

Entry Order:

  1. Gunther
  2. Sheamus
  3. The Miz
  4. Kofi Kingston
  5. Johnny Gargano
  6. Xavier Woods
  7. Karrion Kross
  8. Chad Gable
  9. Drew McIntyre
  10. Santos Escobar
  11. Angelo Dawkins
  12. Brock Lesnar
  13. Bobby Lashley
  14. Baron Corbin
  15. Seth Rollins
  16. Otis
  17. Rey Mysterio – Nevered entered the Rumble, he was apparently taken out in the back by his son Dominik
  18. Dominik Mysterio
  19. Elias
  20. Finn Balor
  21. Booker T
  22. Damian Priest
  23. Montez Ford
  24. Edge – After he was eliminated, Edge chases Priest and Balor back up the ramp and they begin brawling until Rhea Ripley comes out and helps. However, as she turns around Beth Phoenix appears and hits Rhea with a spear and the brawling continues until officials break it up.
  25. Austin Theory
  26. Omos
  27. Braun Strowman
  28. Ricochet
  29. Logan Paul
  30. Cody Rhodes

Winner: Cody Rhodes

MOUNTAIN DEW PITCH BLACK MATCH:
Bray Wyatt def. LA Knight

After the match, Wyatt then ends up with some form of mask on his face with a completely different look than before, and he stalks Knight. He uses the kendo stick to hit Wyatt on the head but he just walks through it as the blows don’t register. Wyatt eats a trio of shots to the head but he doesn’t flinch as hey head through the fans, and Wyatt grabs Knight and locks in the Mandible Claw. 

Uncle Howdy is then shown above Wyatt on a platform, and he launches himself off the top of the platform, crashing through Knight underneath as the area explodes. Above him are the puppet characters who look down and watch everything.

RAW WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP:
Bianca Belair (c) def. Alexa Bliss

After the match the lights flicker and a playground is shown with various Wyatt related logos. Uncle Howdy asks her if she feels in charge, and Bliss is then shown looking scared inside the ring.

30-WOMAN ROYAL RUMBLE MATCH:

Entry Order:

  1. Rhea Ripley
  2. Liv Morgan
  3. Dana Brooke
  4. Emma
  5. Shayna Baszler
  6. Bayley
  7. B-Fab
  8. Roxane Perez
  9. Dakota Kai
  10. Iyo Sky
  11. Natalya
  12. Candice LeRae
  13. Zoey Stark
  14. Xia Li
  15. Becky Lynch
  16. Tegan Nox
  17. Asuka
  18. Piper Niven
  19. Tamina
  20. Chelsea Green
  21. Zelina Vega
  22. Raquel Rodriguez
  23. “Michin” Mia Yim
  24. Lacey Evans
  25. Michelle McCool – She was sitting in the crowd
  26. Indi Hartwell
  27. Sonya Deville
  28. Shotzi
  29. Nikki Cross
  30. Nia Jax

Winner: Rhea Ripley

UNDISPUTED WWE UNIVERSAL CHAMPIONSHIP:
Roman Reigns (c) w/Paul Heyman and Sami Zayn def. Kevin Owens

After the match, all of The Bloodline appear. Jey Uso wants to honor him but Reigns says no and he wants them to attack Owens more which The Usos do as they beat down on Owens, hitting the 1D. They then trap Owens’ head into a chair as Solo Sikoa charges into the corner with a hip attack. The Usos then handcuff Owens to the top rope, leaving him helpless as they continue the attack with superkicks. 

Reigns then gets set to hit Owens with a chair but Zayn gets in the way and he tells Roman it is beneath him as it is enough. Instead, Reigns hands Zayn the chair himself, and he then steps infront of him and Zayn teases hitting Roman but he doesn’t. Reigns then pushes Zayn several times as he screams in his face, but Zayn then uses the chair…on Reigns! He apologizes to Jey, and then Jimmy Uso nails him with a superkick and begins a beatdown himself. Sikoa then hits the Samoan Spike to him as Reigns instructs them to keep attacking him and they beat him down as Jey watches on. They hen want more Jey to get involved, but he simply leaves the ring as he cries and walks away from The Bloodline. Reigns then takes out his frustration with a chair on Zayn himself.