The Royal Rumble is Sunday; as I do for each of the big 4 WWE supercards every year, here's a preview.
Universal Title: Brock Lesnar (c) vs. Finn Bálor
WWE Title: Daniel Bryan (c) vs. AJ Styles
Smackdown Women's Title: Asuka (c) vs. Becky Lynch
RAW Women's Title: Ronda Rousey (c) vs. Sasha Banks
Smackdown Tag Titles: The Bar (Cesaro and Sheamus) (c) vs. The Miz and Shane McMahon
1. So, Brock's got the RAW strap; it's his second run, he squashed Strowman in that Saudi Arabia debacle in November after Reigns had to vacate the belt with his leukemia returning. They were building to a Strowman rematch - but just a couple weeks ago backed out of it and moved Balor into this spot. That's a dramatic upgrade for potential match quality; Brock/Bryan had a very good match at Survivor Series that could be the model here. Brock will keep this belt and I'm optimistic we'll get a good match out of this.
-that's what happened, 3 1/2 stars, Brock keeps in a sub 10 minute sprint.
2. Danielson's the lineal WWF Champion; he turned heel on AJ last November and took the belt. Danielson's doing a eco-lefty gimmick which..is working, I guess...in that people aren't cheering for him and he's selling it as hard as he can. I'm not the target audience to boo a man who says rapacious billionaires like Vince McMahon are destroying the planet. But he's an all time great performer and is interesting despite taking Juice Robinson's old NXT shtick. He and AJ have had a strong in-ring program and I'm hugely optimistic about this one. I don't know that I have a strong sense of how they book this one; I don't think they can carry this program to Mania - I'll say Danielson keeps the belt and we'll see who gets elevated to take him on next (Mustafa Ali? Is that a Wrestlemania match? Lot of heels on Smackdown - Orton/Joe/Nakamura/Danielson)
-methodical, screwjob finish, Danielson keeps, 3 1/4 stars
3. Asuka took Becky's title in a three way in December; this should be good, both are good workers; I think we're building to a Becky/Charlotte/Rhonda WM main event; so that would probably mean a Becky loss here (maybe Charlotte interference) and then they do the Bret/Lex Rumble finish.
-best match on the show proper (I gave the same rating to the Junior pre-show match but preferred it) Asuka taps her out, 3 3/4 stars
4. Rousey's a big star and, while green, is pretty good in the ring. She took the RAW belt at Summer Slam over Alexa and will keep it here over Sasha- and this should also be a good match.
-as expected, Ronda keeps in a 3 1/2 star match
5. The Smackdown tag belts have only been around since 2016, as I say during each of these previews -- there are no lineal WWF tag champs, which would be infuriating if WWF programming facilitated any interest in that kind of thing. Sheamus and Cesaro have held the titles since taking them from the New Day in October - they're good (Cesaro's better than that) but, like most of the main roster, are pretty stale (if All Elite is able to start a legitimate wrestling war it's the best thing that could happen for main roster WWE programming). I have virtually no time for the Miz and absolutely no time for Shane - they've hot shotted them into a tag team and I assume they win the belts here in an okay match.
-as expected, a 2 ish star title switch
So - that's pretty good - and when you add the two Rumble matches (does Reigns return and win? Is it a lay-up for Strowman?) which are good even when they aren't -- and when you add the two pre-show matches (Nakamura v. Rusev for the US Title and a 4 way for the junior title which includes Kenta) that should range from good to very, very good - I mean, it's a show to look forward to.
-Becky won the women's Rumble; all Rumble matches are good...this was the lowest end of good
-Rollins won the men's Rumble, it was fine
-Murphy kept the in the best match of the night, the 4 way on the pre-show
-Nakamura regained the US Title, screwjob finish, it was just a match
-they threw together a tag match you can avoid
Here's every match in Royal Rumble history ranked. Ratings are mine, times are approximate, it's possible I've missed something. If AJ/Bryan doesn't crack the all time top 10, that's a disappointment.
1. 1 '03 WWF Title: Kurt Angle d. Chris Benoit 20 min 5
2 '15 WWF Title: Brock Lesnar d. Seth Rollins/John Cena 23 min 4 1/2
2 '15 WWF Title: Brock Lesnar d. Seth Rollins/John Cena 23 min 4 1/2
3. ’00 WWF Title HHH d. Cactus Jack 27 min 4 ¼
4 ’01 IC Ladder: Chris Jericho d. Chris Benoit 19 min 4 ¼
5. '17 WWF Title: John Cena d. AJ Styles 24 min 4 1/4
6. '16 IC Falls Count Anywhere: Dean Ambrose d. Kevin Owens 21:30 4 1/4
7 ’04 Rumble Match: (Chris Benoit) 61:30 4
8 ’92 WWF Title: Rumble Match (Ric Flair) 62 min 4
9. '18 Rumble Match (Shinsuke Nakamura) 65:30 4 min
10 '14 Bray Wyatt d. Daniel Bryan 22 min 4
11. '17 RAW Title: Kevin Owens d. Roman Reigns 23 min 4
12 ’91 Rockers d. Orient Express 19 min 4
13 ’95 WWF Title: Diesel draw Bret Hart 27 min 4
’ 14. '10 Rumble Match (Edge) 49:30 3 ¾
4 ’01 IC Ladder: Chris Jericho d. Chris Benoit 19 min 4 ¼
5. '17 WWF Title: John Cena d. AJ Styles 24 min 4 1/4
6. '16 IC Falls Count Anywhere: Dean Ambrose d. Kevin Owens 21:30 4 1/4
7 ’04 Rumble Match: (Chris Benoit) 61:30 4
8 ’92 WWF Title: Rumble Match (Ric Flair) 62 min 4
9. '18 Rumble Match (Shinsuke Nakamura) 65:30 4 min
10 '14 Bray Wyatt d. Daniel Bryan 22 min 4
11. '17 RAW Title: Kevin Owens d. Roman Reigns 23 min 4
12 ’91 Rockers d. Orient Express 19 min 4
13 ’95 WWF Title: Diesel draw Bret Hart 27 min 4
’ 14. '10 Rumble Match (Edge) 49:30 3 ¾
15. '00 Tables Hardys d. Dudleys 10:30 3 ¾
16. ’94 Tags: Quebecers d. Bret/Owen 16:30 3 ¾
17. ’04 WWF Title: HHH draw HBK 22:30 3 ¾
16. ’94 Tags: Quebecers d. Bret/Owen 16:30 3 ¾
17. ’04 WWF Title: HHH draw HBK 22:30 3 ¾
18 '11 World: Edge d. Dolph Ziggler 20:30 3 ½
19 ’02 WWF Title: Chris Jericho d. Rock 19 min 3 1/2
20 ’98 WWF Title: Casket Match: Shawn Michaels d. Undertaker 22 min 3 ½
21 ’07 WWF Title: Last Man Standing: John Cena d. Umaga 22:30 3 ½
22 ’99 WWF Title: I Quit Match: Rock d. Mankind 22 min 3 ½
23 ’93 WWF Title: Bret Hart d. Razor Ramon 18 min 3 ½
24 ’11 Rumble Match (Alberto del Rio) 69 min 3 1/2
25 ’90 Rumble Match (Hulk Hogan) 59 min 3 ½
26 ’97 Rumble Match(Steve Austin) 50:30 3 ½
27 '18 Women's Rumble (Asuka) 59 min 3 1/2
28. '17 Cruiser Title: Neville d. Rich Swann 13 min 3 1/2
29. '18 WWF Title: AJ Styles d. Owens/Zayn 16 min 3 1/2
19 ’02 WWF Title: Chris Jericho d. Rock 19 min 3 1/2
20 ’98 WWF Title: Casket Match: Shawn Michaels d. Undertaker 22 min 3 ½
21 ’07 WWF Title: Last Man Standing: John Cena d. Umaga 22:30 3 ½
22 ’99 WWF Title: I Quit Match: Rock d. Mankind 22 min 3 ½
23 ’93 WWF Title: Bret Hart d. Razor Ramon 18 min 3 ½
24 ’11 Rumble Match (Alberto del Rio) 69 min 3 1/2
25 ’90 Rumble Match (Hulk Hogan) 59 min 3 ½
26 ’97 Rumble Match(Steve Austin) 50:30 3 ½
27 '18 Women's Rumble (Asuka) 59 min 3 1/2
28. '17 Cruiser Title: Neville d. Rich Swann 13 min 3 1/2
29. '18 WWF Title: AJ Styles d. Owens/Zayn 16 min 3 1/2
30 ’01 WWF Title: Kurt Angle d. HHH 24:30 3 ¼
31 ’13 WWF Title: Rock d. CM Punk 23:30 3 ¼
32 ’93 IC Shawn Michaels d. Marty Jannetty 14:30 3 ¼
33 ’05 Edge d. Shawn Michaels 18:30 3 ¼
34. '18 Smackdown Tags: Usos d. Gable/Benjamin 14 min 3 1/4
35 ’09 WWF Title: Edge d. Jeff Hardy 19:30 3 ¼
36 '16 WWF Title Rumble Match (HHH) 61:30 3 1/4
37 ’12 Rumble Match (Sheamus) 55 min 3 ¼
38 ’05 Rumble Match (Batista) 51:30 3 ¼
39 ’03 Rumble Match(Brock Lesnar) 53:30 3 ¼
40 ’00 Rumble Match(Rock) 52 min 3 ¼
41 ’01 Rumble Match(Steve Austin) 62 min 3 ¼
42 ’06 Rumble Match (Rey Mysterio) 62 min 3 ¼
43 ’07 Rumble Match (Undertaker) 56:30 3 ¼
44 ’89 Rumble Match(John Studd) 64 min 3 ¼
45 ’98 Rumble Match (Steve Austin) 55:30 3 ¼
46 ’08 Rumble Match (John Cena) 51:30 3 ¼
47 '14 WWF Title: Randy Orton d. John Cena 21 min 3 1/4
48 ’10 World: Undertaker d. Rey Mysterio 11 min 3 ¼
49 ’11 WWF: Miz d. Randy Orton 20 min 3 ¼
50 ’05 World: HHH d. Randy Orton 21:30 3 ¼
51 ’07 Hardys d. MNM 15:30 3 ¼
37 ’12 Rumble Match (Sheamus) 55 min 3 ¼
38 ’05 Rumble Match (Batista) 51:30 3 ¼
39 ’03 Rumble Match(Brock Lesnar) 53:30 3 ¼
40 ’00 Rumble Match(Rock) 52 min 3 ¼
41 ’01 Rumble Match(Steve Austin) 62 min 3 ¼
42 ’06 Rumble Match (Rey Mysterio) 62 min 3 ¼
43 ’07 Rumble Match (Undertaker) 56:30 3 ¼
44 ’89 Rumble Match(John Studd) 64 min 3 ¼
45 ’98 Rumble Match (Steve Austin) 55:30 3 ¼
46 ’08 Rumble Match (John Cena) 51:30 3 ¼
47 '14 WWF Title: Randy Orton d. John Cena 21 min 3 1/4
48 ’10 World: Undertaker d. Rey Mysterio 11 min 3 ¼
49 ’11 WWF: Miz d. Randy Orton 20 min 3 ¼
50 ’05 World: HHH d. Randy Orton 21:30 3 ¼
51 ’07 Hardys d. MNM 15:30 3 ¼
52 ’12 WWF Title: CM Punk d. Dolph Ziggler 14 min 3
53 ’01 Tags: Dudleys d. Edge/Christian 10 min 3
54 ’08 WWF Title: Randy Orton d. Jeff Hardy 14 min 3
55 ’92 Owen/Anvil d. Orient Express 17 min 3
56 ’95 Tags: Bob Holly/123 Kid d. Tatanka/Bam Bam Bigelow 15:30 3
57 ’02 Rumble Match(HHH) 69:30 3
58 ’94 Rumble Match: (Bret/Lex) 55 min 3
59 ’93 Rumble Match: (Yokozuna) 66:30 3
60 ’91 Rumble Match (Hulk Hogan) 65 min 3
61 ’96 Rumble Match(Shawn Michaels) 59 min 3
62 ’99 Rumble Match (Vince McMahon) 56:30 3
63 ’95 Rumble Match (Shawn Michaels) 39 min 3
64 ’09 Rumble Match (Randy Orton) 58:30 3
65 '14 Rumble Match (Batista) 55 min 3
66 ’13 Rumble Match (John Cena) 55 min 3
67 '15 Rumble Match (Reigns) 59 min 3
68 '17 Rumble Match (Orton) 3
69 ’88 Rumble Match (Jim Duggan) 33:30 3
70 ’02 IC: William Regal d. Edge 10 min 3
71 ’04 Eddy Guerrero d. Chavo Guerrero 8 min 3
72 ’13 World: Last Man Standing: Alberto del Rio d. Big Show 17 min 3
73 ’09 ECW: Jack Swagger d. Matt Hardy 10:30 3
74 ’96 Tags: Smoking Gunns d. Bodydonnas 11 min 3
75 ’03 Tags: Dudleys d. Regal/Storm 7:30 3
54 ’08 WWF Title: Randy Orton d. Jeff Hardy 14 min 3
55 ’92 Owen/Anvil d. Orient Express 17 min 3
56 ’95 Tags: Bob Holly/123 Kid d. Tatanka/Bam Bam Bigelow 15:30 3
57 ’02 Rumble Match(HHH) 69:30 3
58 ’94 Rumble Match: (Bret/Lex) 55 min 3
59 ’93 Rumble Match: (Yokozuna) 66:30 3
60 ’91 Rumble Match (Hulk Hogan) 65 min 3
61 ’96 Rumble Match(Shawn Michaels) 59 min 3
62 ’99 Rumble Match (Vince McMahon) 56:30 3
63 ’95 Rumble Match (Shawn Michaels) 39 min 3
64 ’09 Rumble Match (Randy Orton) 58:30 3
65 '14 Rumble Match (Batista) 55 min 3
66 ’13 Rumble Match (John Cena) 55 min 3
67 '15 Rumble Match (Reigns) 59 min 3
68 '17 Rumble Match (Orton) 3
69 ’88 Rumble Match (Jim Duggan) 33:30 3
70 ’02 IC: William Regal d. Edge 10 min 3
71 ’04 Eddy Guerrero d. Chavo Guerrero 8 min 3
72 ’13 World: Last Man Standing: Alberto del Rio d. Big Show 17 min 3
73 ’09 ECW: Jack Swagger d. Matt Hardy 10:30 3
74 ’96 Tags: Smoking Gunns d. Bodydonnas 11 min 3
75 ’03 Tags: Dudleys d. Regal/Storm 7:30 3
76 '16 US: Kalisto d. Del Rio 11:30 3
77. '17: Women's Title: Charlotte d. Bayley 13 min 3
78 ’97 WWF Title: Shawn Michaels d. Sid 14 min 3
79 ’89 Haku d. Harley Race 9 min 3
80 ’97 IC: HHH d. Goldust 17 min 3
77. '17: Women's Title: Charlotte d. Bayley 13 min 3
78 ’97 WWF Title: Shawn Michaels d. Sid 14 min 3
79 ’89 Haku d. Harley Race 9 min 3
80 ’97 IC: HHH d. Goldust 17 min 3
81 ’06 Jr.: Gregory Helms d. Kash, Funaki, Noble, Nunzio, London 7:30
82 ’88 Jumping Bomb Angels d. Glamour Girls 14 min
83 ’89 Hart Foundation/Duggan d. Dino Bravo/Rougeaus 16 min
84 ’96 WWF Title: Undertaker d. Bret Hart 29 min
85 ’08 World: Edge d. Rey Mysterio 12:30
86 ’88 Ricky Steamboat d. Rick Rude 17 min
87 ’00 Taz d. Kurt Angle 3 min
88 ’02 Ric Flair d. Vince McMahon 15 min
89 ’98 IC Rock d. Shamrock 11 min
90 ’05 WWF Title: JBL d. Big Show/Kurt Angle 12 min
91 ’06 WWF Title: John Cena d. Edge 14
92 ’97 Vader d. Undertaker 13 min
93 ’13 Tags: Hell No d. Rhodes Scholars 9:30
94 ’93 Steiners d. Beverlys 10:30
95. '18 RAW Tags: Sheamus/Cesaro d. Rollins/Jordan 13 min.
96 ’07 World: Batista d. Ken Kennedy 10:30
97 ’90 Ronny Garvin d. Greg Valentine 17 min
98 '16 Women: Charlotte d. Becky 11:30
99 ’10 ECW: Christian d. Ezekial Jackson 12 min
100 ’88 Islanders d. Young Stallions 14 min
101 ’02 Tags: Taz/Spike Dudley d. Dudleys 5 min
99 ’10 ECW: Christian d. Ezekial Jackson 12 min
100 ’88 Islanders d. Young Stallions 14 min
101 ’02 Tags: Taz/Spike Dudley d. Dudleys 5 min
102 '16 Tags: New Day d. Usos 11 min
103 ’12 World: Cage: Daniel Bryan d. Big Show/Mark Henry
104 ’00 IC: Chris Jericho d. Chyna d. Bob Holly 7:30
105 ’08 JBL d. Chris Jericho 9:30
106 ’10 US: Miz d. MVP 7:30
107 ’97 Garza/Aguayo/Canek d. Estrada/Metal/.Guerrera 11 min
108 ’04 WWF Title: Brock Lesnar d. Bob Holly 6:30
109 '18 Universal Title: Lesnar d. Kane/Strowman 11 min
110 '15 Tags: Usos d. Miz/Mizdow 9:30
111 ’03 Brock Lesnar d. Big Show 6 min
112 Euro: '99 Sean Waltman d. Gangrel 6 min
113 ’98 Vader d. Goldust 8 min
114 ’95 IC Jeff Jarrett d. Razor Ramon 18 min
115 ’99 IC: Ken Shamrock d. Billy Gunn 14:30
116 ’04 Jr. Rey Mysterio d. Jamie Noble 3:30
117 ’91 Boss Man d. Barbarian 14 min
118 '14 Brock Lesnar d. Big Show 2 min
119’92 IC: Roddy Piper d. Mountie 5:30
120 ’08 Ric Flair d. MVP 8 min
121 ’98 Mini/Mosaic/Nova d. Battalion/Torito/Tarantula 8 min
122 ’97 Ahmed Johnson d. Farooq 9 min
123 ’96 Ahmed Johnson d. Jeff Jarrett 6:30
124 ’10 WWF: Sheamus d. Randy Orton 12:30
125 ’07 ECW: Bobby Lashley d. Test 7:30
126 ’04 Tags: Evolution d. Dudleys 4:30
127 ’03 World Title: Scott Steiner d. HHH 18:30
128 ’09 World John Cena d. JBL 15:30
129 ’99 Boss Man d. Road Dogg 12 min
130 ’90 Hacksaw Duggan d. Big Boss Man 10:30
131 ’91 Ted DiBiase/Virgil d. Dusty/Dustin 10 min
132 ’00 Tags: New Age Outlaws d. Acolytes 2:30
133 ’94 Tatanka d. Bam Bam Bigelow 8
134 ’94 IC: Razor Ramon d. IRS 11:30
135 ’96 IC: Goldust d. Razor 14:30
136 ’89 Rockin Robin d. Judy Martin 6:30
137 ’11 Women: Eve d. Natalya/Layla/Michelle McCool 5 min
138 '15 Bellas d. Page/Natty 8 min
139 ’12 Bellas/Beth/Natalya d. Kelly/Eve/Alicia/Tamina 5:30
140 ’02 Women: Trish d. Jazz 4 min
141 ’09 Women: Melina d. Beth Phoenix 6:30
142 ’92 Tags: Natural Disasters d. LOD 9:30
143 ’98 Tags: LOD d. New Age Outlaws 8 min
144 ’91 Mountie d. Koko 9
145 ’05 Casket: Undertaker d. Heidenreich 13:30
146 ’91 WWF Title: Sgt. Slaughter d. Ultimate Warrior 12:30
147 ’06 World: Kurt Angle d. Mark Henry 9:30
148 ’93 Bam Bam Bigelow d. Big Boss Man 10 min
149 ’95 Undertaker d. IRS 12:30
150 '15 Ascension d. New Age Outlaws 5:30
151 ’01 Women: Ivory d. Chyna 3:30
152 ’99 Women: Sable d. Luna 4:30
153 ’12 Brodus Clay d. Drew McIntyre 1 min
154 ’06 Boogeyman d. JBL 2 min
155 ’90 Bushwackers d. Rougeaus 13:30
156 ’12 John Cena draw Kane 11
157 ’90 Brutus Beefcake draw Lanny Poffo 11 min
158 ’92 Beverlys d. Bushwackers 15 min
159 ’10 Women: Mickie James d. Michelle McCool :30
160 ’03 Torrie Wilson d. Dawn Marie 3:30
161 ’06 Women: Mickey James d. Ashley 7:30
162. '94 WWF Title: Yokozuna d. Undertaker 14:30
103 ’12 World: Cage: Daniel Bryan d. Big Show/Mark Henry
104 ’00 IC: Chris Jericho d. Chyna d. Bob Holly 7:30
105 ’08 JBL d. Chris Jericho 9:30
106 ’10 US: Miz d. MVP 7:30
107 ’97 Garza/Aguayo/Canek d. Estrada/Metal/.Guerrera 11 min
108 ’04 WWF Title: Brock Lesnar d. Bob Holly 6:30
109 '18 Universal Title: Lesnar d. Kane/Strowman 11 min
110 '15 Tags: Usos d. Miz/Mizdow 9:30
111 ’03 Brock Lesnar d. Big Show 6 min
112 Euro: '99 Sean Waltman d. Gangrel 6 min
113 ’98 Vader d. Goldust 8 min
114 ’95 IC Jeff Jarrett d. Razor Ramon 18 min
115 ’99 IC: Ken Shamrock d. Billy Gunn 14:30
116 ’04 Jr. Rey Mysterio d. Jamie Noble 3:30
117 ’91 Boss Man d. Barbarian 14 min
118 '14 Brock Lesnar d. Big Show 2 min
119’92 IC: Roddy Piper d. Mountie 5:30
120 ’08 Ric Flair d. MVP 8 min
121 ’98 Mini/Mosaic/Nova d. Battalion/Torito/Tarantula 8 min
122 ’97 Ahmed Johnson d. Farooq 9 min
123 ’96 Ahmed Johnson d. Jeff Jarrett 6:30
124 ’10 WWF: Sheamus d. Randy Orton 12:30
125 ’07 ECW: Bobby Lashley d. Test 7:30
126 ’04 Tags: Evolution d. Dudleys 4:30
127 ’03 World Title: Scott Steiner d. HHH 18:30
128 ’09 World John Cena d. JBL 15:30
129 ’99 Boss Man d. Road Dogg 12 min
130 ’90 Hacksaw Duggan d. Big Boss Man 10:30
131 ’91 Ted DiBiase/Virgil d. Dusty/Dustin 10 min
132 ’00 Tags: New Age Outlaws d. Acolytes 2:30
133 ’94 Tatanka d. Bam Bam Bigelow 8
134 ’94 IC: Razor Ramon d. IRS 11:30
135 ’96 IC: Goldust d. Razor 14:30
136 ’89 Rockin Robin d. Judy Martin 6:30
137 ’11 Women: Eve d. Natalya/Layla/Michelle McCool 5 min
138 '15 Bellas d. Page/Natty 8 min
139 ’12 Bellas/Beth/Natalya d. Kelly/Eve/Alicia/Tamina 5:30
140 ’02 Women: Trish d. Jazz 4 min
141 ’09 Women: Melina d. Beth Phoenix 6:30
142 ’92 Tags: Natural Disasters d. LOD 9:30
143 ’98 Tags: LOD d. New Age Outlaws 8 min
144 ’91 Mountie d. Koko 9
145 ’05 Casket: Undertaker d. Heidenreich 13:30
146 ’91 WWF Title: Sgt. Slaughter d. Ultimate Warrior 12:30
147 ’06 World: Kurt Angle d. Mark Henry 9:30
148 ’93 Bam Bam Bigelow d. Big Boss Man 10 min
149 ’95 Undertaker d. IRS 12:30
150 '15 Ascension d. New Age Outlaws 5:30
151 ’01 Women: Ivory d. Chyna 3:30
152 ’99 Women: Sable d. Luna 4:30
153 ’12 Brodus Clay d. Drew McIntyre 1 min
154 ’06 Boogeyman d. JBL 2 min
155 ’90 Bushwackers d. Rougeaus 13:30
156 ’12 John Cena draw Kane 11
157 ’90 Brutus Beefcake draw Lanny Poffo 11 min
158 ’92 Beverlys d. Bushwackers 15 min
159 ’10 Women: Mickie James d. Michelle McCool :30
160 ’03 Torrie Wilson d. Dawn Marie 3:30
161 ’06 Women: Mickey James d. Ashley 7:30
162. '94 WWF Title: Yokozuna d. Undertaker 14:30
