Tag: Royal Rumble

WWE Royal Rumble 1/29/2022

DATE: January 29, 2022 8:00 pm
LOCATION: The Dome at America’s Center, St. Louis, Missouri
AVAILABLE ON: Peacock, WWE Network (outside of the U.S.)

30-MAN ROYAL RUMBLE MATCH
Johnny Knoxville, Austin Theory, AJ Styles, Rey Mysterio, Dominik Mysterio, Montez Ford, Angelo Dawkins, Sheamus, WWE United States Champion Damian Priest, Big E, Kofi Kingston, Sami Zayn, Madcap Moss, Happy Baron Corbin, Kevin Owens, Omos, Dolph Ziggler, Robert Roode, Randy Orton, Riddle, RAW Tag Team Champion Otis, RAW Tag Team Champion Chad Gable, 8 Superstars TBA

30-WOMAN ROYAL RUMBLE MATCH
SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair, Impact Knockouts Champion Mickie James, Rhea Ripley, Nikki A.S.H., WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Bella, WWE Hall of Famer Brie Bella, Shotzi, Natalya, Michelle McCool, WWE 24/7 Champion Dana Brooke, WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Carmella, WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Queen Zelina Vega, Tamina Snuka, Kelly Kelly, Aliyah, Summer Rae, Naomi, Shayna Baszler, WWE Hall of Famer Lita, Liv Morgan, Bianca Belair, 9 participants TBA

WWE TITLE MATCH
Bobby Lashley vs. Brock Lesnar (c)

WWE UNIVERSAL TITLE MATCH
Seth Rollins vs. Roman Reigns (c)
SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos are banned from ringside.

RAW WOMEN’S TITLE MATCH
Doudrop vs. Becky Lynch (c)

MIXED TAG TEAM MATCH
WWE Hall of Famers Edge and Beth Phoenix vs. The Miz and Maryse

WWE’s Medical Update On Sasha Banks Says She Will Miss The Royal Rumble

WWE provided an update on former Women’s Champion Sasha Banks earlier today, confirming reports that she is dealing with a foot injury. The full announcement can be seen below:

“Sasha Banks injury update

Sasha Banks suffered a foot injury Sunday evening at a WWE Live! event in Fayetteville, NC. After seeking emergency medical attention, it was determined nothing was broken. Sasha underwent an MRI and it was discovered she has a bruised calcaneus bone. She is at home recovering and undergoing physical therapy. She is expected to be out of action for 6-8 weeks. Stay locked in to WWE Digital for the latest updates.”

With the timeline provided, Banks is expected to miss the upcoming premium live event, WWE Royal Rumble 2022, taking place on Saturday, January 29. Stay tuned for updates on Banks’s status.

Banks wrestled SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair at last Sunday’s WWE live event in Fayetteville, NC, and appeared to hurt her leg or knee while taking an over-the-knee backbreaker. She kicked out of a pinfall but stayed on the mat while the referee checked her out, before they went to the finish with Flair getting the win after a Natural Selection. Banks was then helped to the back.

Banks posted an update for fans later that night, writing, “I’m good [fist emoji] Thank you for the love always. [heart emoji]”

It looked as though WWE may have been building towards Banks vs. Flair at Royal Rumble, as the two have been wrestling both on television in tag matches and at live events. However, if WWE’s report holds true, Banks will miss the Rumble and as noted, Flair will be appearing as the SmackDown Women’s Champion in the rumble. If she wins, Charlotte claims she will choose her own challenger for WrestlerMania this year.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Impact Wrestling Knockouts Champion Mickie James Announced For WWE’s Royal Rumble

Impact Wrestling Knockouts Champion Mickie James will compete in the upcoming 2022 WWE women’s Royal Rumble match.

Mickie James is about to walk through the forbidden door … and straight into the 2022 women’s Royal Rumble match.

During this week’s edition of WWE SmackDown Charlotte Flair revealed the names of several women who are set to compete in this year’s women’s Royal Rumble match — including Impact Knockouts Champion Mickie James, who was released by WWE in April of last year.

But it gets weirder … on top of announcing that Mickie would be in the Rumble, Impact Wrestling was actually mentioned on air. At one point, SmackDown color commentator Pat McAfee referred to Mickie as “the Impact Knockouts Champion.”

Soon after, both WWE and Impact referenced one another in tweets announcing Mickie’s participation in the Rumble, while Impact’s EVP Scott D’Amore congratulated WWE for finally walking through the forbidden door.

The other participants announced for the women’s Royal Rumble match are as follows:

Charlotte Flair, Rhea Ripley, Nikki A.S.H., Nikki Bella, Brie Bella, Shotzi, Natalya, Michelle McCool, Dana Brooke, Carmella, Queen Zelina Vega, Tamina Snuka, Kelly Kelly, Aliyah, Summer Rae, Naomi, Shayna Baszler, and Lita. The match will feature 30 competitors in total meaning there are still 11 more participants to be announced.

As you might recall, Mickie James was released by WWE back in April, allegedly due to budget cuts necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mickie James returned to Impact after a six-year absence during the company’s Slammiversary pay-per-view back in July. Her relationship with the company first began way back in 2002 when it was called TNA. She signed for WWE in 2003 but returned to Impact in 2010. The legend kicked off her fourth reign as Impact Wrestling Knockouts Champion with a win over Deonna Purrazzo at Bound For Glory last October.

The 2022 Royal Rumble Premium Live Event will take place on Saturday, January 29, 2022, at The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis, Missouri.

Source: TheSportster

WWE Confirms Johnny Knoxville For The Royal Rumble

Jackass star Johnny Knoxville is headed to the 2022 WWE Royal Rumble pay-per-view.

Knoxville took to Instagram to announce that he wants to win the 30-Man Royal Rumble Match later this month. Knoxville said he’s not impressed with the current WWE roster, taking shots at Big E and WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns.

Knoxville captioned his Instagram video with, “Happy New Year’s Day and love to everyone. I have a big announcement that I have been dying to get off of my chest. I spent a lot of times over the holiday thinking about how i wanted to start off my 2022, and I decided I want to do it kicking ass and taking names. And the best way to do that i feel is making a run for the Rumble, that’s right @WWE’s Royal Rumble. Training starts today, not that I will need a lot of it because I have seen the WWE’s current roster and it’s laughable to think anyone can throw me over the top rope. LAUGHABLE! I will be channeling my wrestling heroes like @therock, Abdullah the Butcher and the great Gorilla Monsoon. The way I’m looking at it I am giving myself a %100 chance of winning. What chance do you think I have? Sincerely, Johnny Knoxville, World Champ #roadtowrestlemania #royalrumble #wwe #jackassforever”

WWE responded to Knoxville’s Instagram video and wrote, “Good luck @johnnyknoxville!!”

Knoxville noted on the Jackass World Twitter account that winning the Rumble Match is one of his New Year’s Resolutions for 2022.

WWE ran Knoxville’s video during the inaugural WWE Day 1 pay-per-view, and seemingly confirmed him for the Royal Rumble pay-per-view later this month.

Knoxville’s Rumble appearance appears to be another promotional crossover for the Jackass Forever movie, which will be released on Friday, February 4. WWE ran a similar promotion last month as Knoxville, Chris Pontius and other members of the Jackass crew made a special appearance on the December 10 edition of SmackDown on FOX.

Knoxville’s last WWE TV appearance came on the October 4, 2010 RAW show when he was the guest star to promote Jackass 3D.

Knoxville will not be the first celebrity to compete in the 30-Man Royal Rumble Match as WWE Celebrity Wing Hall of Famer Drew Carey made an appearance in the 2001 bout.

The 2022 WWE Royal Rumble will take place on January 29 from The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis, Missouri.

https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1477483868651352064
https://twitter.com/jackassworld/status/1477369464970567681

WWE Is Considering Moving Royal Rumble For The First Time In Its History

WWE is reportedly considering having 2022’s Royal Rumble in February for the first time in the event’s 34-year history, according to a new report from Fightful (via Cultaholic).

The report states that there have been internal discussions about moving the event to February. There could be a number of reasons for doing so. Perhaps most notably the reports that WWE will be holding a PPV on New Year’s Day in 2022 is the biggest factor. Moving the Rumble would prevent there from being two major shows in the same month.

If WWE does move forward with its plan to have the Rumble in February, it will be the first time the PPV has taken place outside of January in its history. The Royal Rumble has been a staple of the WWE calendar ever since it was first introduced in 1988. The latest it has ever taken place in the past is January 31 in 2010 and again this past January.

As for where exactly next year’s Royal Rumble will go down, that is yet to be announced. However, the same report from Fightful detailing the potential change in month also states that St. Louis, Missouri is the frontrunner right now. That has reportedly been the favored destination of WWE officials for a while with Seattle also being considered.

Royal Rumble is one of the biggest events of the year. The one that marks the start of the road to WrestleMania as the two Rumble winners book their spots in respective title matches. While moving the Rumble closer to WrestleMania would mean overloading that part of the year somewhat, it would also reduce the chance of the Rumble winners getting stale before they get to their title matches. It has already been confirmed that WrestleMania 38 will take place on April 3, 2022, in Dallas, Texas.

Source: TheSportster

Christian Talks Future Plans After Royal Rumble Return

Former WWE World Heavyweight Champion Christian made an unexpected in-ring comeback during Sunday’s 30-Man Royal Rumble match, entering at the #24 position.

The return was particularly shocking since Captain Charisma told The Wrestling Inc Daily podcast last year that there is “zero chance” of him returning to the ring for another match. Although Christian had a brief match on RAW against Randy Orton last June, this was his first real in-ring action since March 2014.

After the 2021 Royal Rumble went off the air, Christian caught up with WWE Network for a backstage interview.

“It was surreal [to be in the ring after 7 years] to be honest with you,” said Christian. “I didn’t know what to expect. You know its funny, everybody has a plan until you get hit. And that’s exactly what happened to me. I got hit once and I was like, ‘ok, its on.’ This is what I was born to do, so I felt like I was home.”

Christian said he went to great lengths to keep his comeback a secret.

“I was playing coy all day in the locker room since nobody knew what was going on. It was a fun surprise.”

When asked to react on his best friend and former tag team partner, Edge, winning the men’s Rumble match, Christian said, “If I couldn’t win it, I’m glad he did.”

What’s next for Christian? “All I was ever promised was one more match. That could be it,” he said.

See below to watch the interview:

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Torrie Wilson, Victoria And Other Legends Make Surprise Appearances In Women’s Royal Rumble, NXT Stars In The Rumble

The 2021 Women’s Royal Rumble match saw a number of female superstars from yesteryear make surprise appearances.

Both Jillian Hall and former WWE Women’s Champion Victoria entered the match at the 8 and 10 spots, respectively, each resurfacing in WWE for the first time in over a decade.

WWE Hall of Famer Torrie Wilson entered the match at number 17. This was Wilson’s second Royal Rumble bid, as she previously entered the match in 2018.

Alicia Fox also competed in her second Royal Rumble match tonight, with her first appearance coming in 2019.

Mickie James entered the rumble at number 19.

There was some entrants from NXT. Rhea Ripley, Toni Storm, Santana Garrett, Dakota Kai and Ember Moon.

Christian, Kane, Carlito And More Make Surprise Appearances In Men’s Royal Rumble Match

The 2021 Men’s Royal Rumble saw a number of WWE legends make surprise appearances during the match.

Carlito entered the match early on, making his first in-ring WWE appearance in over a decade. Fans will remember the former WWE Tag Team Champion was announced for the recent Legends Night edition of Monday Night RAW, but ultimately did not appear on that show.

Legends like Kane and Hurricane popped up late into the match. This was Kane’s 20th appearance in a Royal Rumble, further extending his record. Former World Heavyweight Champion Christian made an unexpected entrance at the #24 position. While Christian technically had a brief match against Randy Orton on a June 2020 edition of RAW, this was Captain Charisma’s first real physical in-ring action since 2014. Christian’s return comes less than a year after he said there was “zero chance” that he would wrestle again.

NXT’s Damian Priest was the lone entrant from the black and yellow brand. The Archer of Infamy has been rumored for a main roster call-up for a while now, so it will be interesting to see if he pops up on RAW or SmackDown this week. The former North American Champion was previously scheduled for a blue brand debut at the turn of the new year, but it never came to fruition.

Making their returns to active competition were Seth Rollins and Braun Strowman, who entered the match and 29 and 30, respectively. Rollins had been off WWE TV since “sacrificing” himself during the men’s elimination match at Survivor Series, while Strowman had been inactive since being “indefinitely suspended” last November.

2021 WWE Royal Rumble Results

MEN’S ROYAL RUMBLE
Edge wins the Royal Rumble

ENTRANTS
1. WWE Hall of Famer Edge
2. Randy Orton
3. Sami Zayn
4. Mustafa Ali
5. Jeff Hardy
6. SmackDown Tag Team Champion Dolph Ziggler
7. Shinsuke Nakamura
8. Carlito
9. Xavier Woods
10. WWE Intercontinental Champion Big E
11. John Morrison
12. Ricochet
13. Elias
14. Damian Priest
15. The Miz
16. Riddle
17. Daniel Bryan
18. Kane
19. King Baron Corbin
20. Otis
21. Dominik Mysterio
22. WWE United States Champion Bobby Lashley
23. “The Hurricane” Shane Helms
24. Christian
25. AJ Styles
26. Rey Mysterio
27. Sheamus
28. Cesaro
29. Seth Rollins
30. Braun Strowman

ELIMINATIONS
1. Jeff Hardy (by Dolph Ziggler)
2. Sami Zayn (by The New Day)
3. Xavier Woods (by Mustafa Ali)
4. Mustafa Ali (by Big E)
5. Carlito (by Elias)
6. Elias (by Damian Priest)
7. The Miz (by Damian Priest)
8. John Morrison (by Damian Priest)
9. Dolph Ziggler (by Kane)
10. Ricochet (by Kane)
11. Kane (by Damian Priest)
12. Shinsuke Nakamura (by King Corbin)
13. Otis (by King Corbin)
14. King Corbin (by Dominik Mysterio)
15. Dominik Mysterio (by Bobby Lashley)
16. Damian Priest (by Bobby Lashley)
17. “The Hurricane” Shane Helms (by Big E, Bobby Lashley)
18. Bobby Lashley (by Riddle, Daniel Bryan, Big E, Christian)
19. Big E (by Omos)
20. Rey Mysterio (by Omos)
21. Cesaro (by Braun Strowman)
22. Sheamus (by Braun Strowman)
23. AJ Styles (by Braun Strowman)
24. Daniel Bryan (by Seth Rollins)
25. Riddle (by Seth Rollins)
26. Braun Strowman (by Edge)
27. Christian (by Edge)
28. Seth Rollins (by Edge)
29. Randy Orton (by Edge)
Winner: Edge

WWE UNIVERSAL CHAMPIONSHIP (LAST MAN STANDING MATCH)
Roman Reigns (c) with Paul Heyman defeated Kevin Owens

WOMEN’S ROYAL RUMBLE
Bianca Belair wins the Royal Rumble

ENTRANTS
1. Bayley
2. Naomi
3. Bianca Belair
4. Billie Kay
5. Shotzi Blackheart
6. WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Shayna Baszler
7. Toni Storm
8. Jillian Hall
9. Ruby Riott
10. Victoria
11. Peyton Royce
12. Santana Garrett
13. Liv Morgan
14. Rhea Ripley
15. Charlotte Flair
16. Dana Brooke
17. WWE Hall of Famer Torrie Wilson
18. Lacey Evans
19. Mickie James
20. Nikki Cross
21. Alicia Fox
22. Mandy Rose
23. Dakota Kai
24. Carmella
25. Tamina Snuka
26. Lana
27. Alexa Bliss
28. Ember Moon
29. WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Nia Jax
30. Natalya

ELIMINATIONS
1. Shotzi Blackheart (by Shayna Baszler)
2. Jillian Hall (by Billie Kay)
3. Billie Kay (by Liv Morgan and Ruby Riott)
4. Toni Storm (by Rhea Ripley)
5. Victoria (by Shayna Baszler)
6. Santana Garrett (by Rhea Ripley)
7. Ruby Riott (by Bayley)
8. Liv Morgan (by Peyton Royce)
9. Dana Brooke (by Rhea Ripley)
10. Peyton Royce (by Charlotte Flair)
11. Torrie Wilson (by Shayna Baszler)
12. Bayley (by Bianca Belair)
13. Alicia Fox (by Mandy Rose)
14. Mickie James (by Lacey Evans)
15. Dakota Kai (by Rhea Ripley)
16. Mandy Rose (by Rhea Ripley)
17. Nikki Cross (by Carmella)
18. Carmella (by Tamina Snuka)
19. Alexa Bliss (by Rhea Ripley)
20. Lacey Evans by (by Shayna Baszler)
21. Ember Moon (by Nia Jax)
22. Naomi (by Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler)
23. Tamina Snuka (by Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler)
24. Shayna Baszler (by Nia Jax)
25. Nia Jax (by Lana)
26. Lana (by Natalya)
27. Natalya (by Bianca Belair)
28. Charlotte Flair (by Bianca Belair and Rhea Ripley)
29. Rhea Ripley (by Bianca Belair)
Winner: Bianca Belair

WWE SMACKDOWN WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP
Sasha Banks (c) defeated Carmella

WWE CHAMPIONSHIP
Drew McIntyre (c) defeated Goldberg

WWE WOMEN’S TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP (KICKOFF)
Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler defeated Charlotte and Asuka (c) to win the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles

The WWE 24/7 Title changed hands three times at tonight’s WWE Royal Rumble pay-per-view.

The first title change saw Alicia Fox capture the WWE 24/7 Title from R-Truth. This came during the 30-Woman Royal Rumble Match as Truth hit the ring and was pinned by Fox after some comedy. This was Fox’s first reign with the title. Fox was then eliminated by Mandy Rose, and rolled up at ringside by Truth to begin his 47th 24/7 Title reign. Fox and several male Superstars then chased Truth away through the crowd.

Truth later interrupted the Kickoff panel, which featured Peter Rosenberg, Charly Caruso and others looking back at what had happened during the pay-per-view at that point. Rosenberg tricked Truth into thinking John Cena was nearby, and then hit him with a low blow to get the pin. Rosenberg then celebrated his first-ever WWE 24/7 Title reign, and ran off as Truth recovered.

Truth had been champion since winning the title back from Angel Garza on the Legends Night edition of RAW on January 4.

WWE Royal Rumble Sunday Programming Line-Up Revealed

WWE has announced a full line-up of new programming for Royal Rumble Sunday.

A livestream of Royal Rumble Matches from the last decade will begin at 9am ET on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter. The Ultimate Royal Rumble event will then begin at 2pm ET on the WWE Network, YouTube, Facebook and Twitter, featuring Sam Roberts, Evan Mack and Matt Camp constructing the most epic Rumble Match of all-time.

The “La Previa” Spanish Royal Rumble pre-show will begin at 3pm ET on the WWE Network, YouTube, the WWE Español Facebook, the WWE Español Twitter, the main WWE Instagram, and the WWE Español Instagram. A special edition of The Bump will begin at 4pm ET on the WWE Network, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram Live, and Twitch. The Bump will feature WWE Hall of Famers Bill Goldberg and Hulk Hogan, Daniel Bryan, Josiah Williams, and NXT UK Superstar Sam Gradwell with Blackpool grime rapper Millie B.

The Royal Rumble Kickoff pre-show is scheduled to begin at 6pm ET on the WWE Network and all WWE social platforms, including TikTok. There is no word yet on who will be featured on the Kickoff panel. The actual 2021 WWE Royal Rumble pay-per-view is scheduled to begin at 7pm ET on the WWE Network.

There will be a WWE Watch Along livestream that also begins at 7pm ET on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter. The Watch Along will feature The Bella Twins, Tegan Nox, Sam Roberts, Vic Joseph, the cast of The Bump, RJ City, Queen of the Ring: Alex Pagan, Superfan Mike Brown, and WWE Hall of Famers Diamond Dallas Page and Rikishi, among others.

Source: Wrestling Inc.