After a good NXT Takeover show, I was cautiously optimistic about the Royal Rumble. It’s my favourite WWE show, but I’ve been disappointed the last few years. Could this year be the improvement I’m hoping for? I was excited for the women’s Royal Rumble – I’ve really enjoyed the women of WWE since The Four Horsewomen broke out in 2015. Plus, if there is anything better than a Royal Rumble, it’s two Royal Rumbles right?
The opener, WWE Champion AJ Styles vs Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn (3/5) was better than I thought it was going to be. I’m not a fan of handicap matches at all, but I thought that this one was one of the best I’ve seen. There were some really good, quick sequences and I really liked the ‘controversial’ ending with the phantom tag.
I found myself being disappointed with the The Usos vs Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin 2 out of 3 falls match (3.5/5). I really enjoyed the match, I was just disappointed there wasn’t more of it. I understand that, they tried to change the standard formula of the 2 out of 3 falls match, but I really like 2 out of 3 falls matches and tag team wrestling…I wanted a long, epic match!
The men’s Rumble match (3/5) was an improvement on the last few year’s Rumble matches, but I can’t say it blew me away. For all the good comedy moments and guest stars, there were uninspired stretches once the likes of Cena, Reigns and Orton came in. Nakamura winning made sense, but it was predictable. I’m not sure what I want from the Rumble any more though…a surprise winner? More surprise entrants? I’m always a fan of the Rumble match, but I think it’s lost it’s spark recently. Maybe something radical (for example, a Rumble match with no previous world champions in?) could change that?
The Bar’s Tag Team Title win over Seth Rollins and Jason Jordan (3/5) was more storyline than match, as Jordan left Seth to fight the match alone after sustaining a head injury. I though this was fine – nothing memorable, but it got over the idea than Jordan let Seth do all the work and pushed towards the split of the team.
Brock Lesnar vs Braun Strowman vs Kane (3/5) was just there for me. I enjoy watching Braun smash people, tables, objects etc but I knew Brock wasn’t losing so there was no drama for me. I want to see Brock vs Braun one on one for the title at ‘Mania, but I know it’s going to be Roman Reigns vs Lesnar. A shame, because as ridiculous as some of the Braun stuff is, it’s pretty entertaining.
I thought the women’s Rumble match (4/5) was fantastic. Sure it was scrappy in places, but nostalgia and energy carried the match. The action never slowed down and there was lots of big spots and moves, It might be more difficult to have such a good Rumble match in 2019 without being able to depend on nostalgia and the novelty factor wearing off. I’ll be honest, upon first viewing I wanted to give the women’s rumble 5/5, but I had a think about it and re-watched the match again, once I’d calmed down. I think that, once I got over the surprises and watching old and new wrestlers collide, the match lost a little bit of it’s luster. Still, a great effort and a superb main event.
Overall, I’ll give Royal Rumble 2018 3.25/5. I’m both pleased and surprised with that score. I was expecting to be disappointed with Royal Rumble 2018, but I was pleasantly surprised. A good Rumble and a decent Rumble is more than I hoped for, plus some alright action across the card meant it was better than most of the WWE shows I watched last year. At this rate, we might even get a good Wrestlemania…
I thought both Rumbles this year were great! I felt actual tension in the men’s one as there were genuine moments in which I though Cena or Reigns might be given the win. The women’s had a few too many “legend cameos” for my liking, but I understand why that had to be done. Plus Steph on commentary…
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I enjoyed them both but I definitely found the women’s rumble more fun. Probably because I’m pretty jaded with the men’s roster….I’ve no interest in Cena, Reigns or Orton winning another Rumble so that section at the end felt like a slog….
I liked the legend cameos in the women’s rumble, even if the quality varied a lot! It was good to see Trish, Molly and Mickie in there and mixing it with the new generation. My only negative about the women’s rumble was just seeing how Bayley has become an afterthought – her matches with Sasha in 2016 are two of my favourite matches ever…those seem like distant days now….
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The Rumble was great this year. I enjoyed it all except for the Raw Tag match.
I’m happy that Nakamura and Asuka won the rumbles. We finally get Styles v Nakamura at Wrestlemania.
I wanted Rusev to win but unfortunately the biggest of Rusev days will have to wait a little longer.
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I thought the Raw Tag match was ok, but yeah I could have done without it.
Nakamura and Asuka were great picks and I’m looking forward to ‘Mania more now it’s Styles Vs Nakamura. Watch WWE make it a three way with Corbin now 😀
I wanted Rusev to win too…was a bit sad when he went. I also now want Aidan English to sing when I enter a room too! Still, there will be other Rusev Days…
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Oh god don’t give Vince any ideas. You know he’ll do something like that.
There will be more Rusev Days to come. Today is Rusev Day.
HAPPY RUSEV DAY!!!
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Happy Rusev Day!
Yeah, you’re right – don’t give Vince ideas! I’m still amazed Corbin got elinimated from the Rumble so quickly….I had braced myself for a good half an hour or so of Corbin!
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I like Corbin. He’s got a lot of potential. Just hope that WWE know it too and use it.
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Hmm…never been a fan of him. I think he’s fine as long as he’s not in a ring 😀 to be fair, I saw him on UpUpDownDown and he picked Road Rash 2 as his game to play so I respect his gaming choices!
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My respect for the man has gone up. Road Rash 2 is a great game.
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He knew what he was doing too, wasn’t just a random game selection. I was impressed, he seemed a pretty cool guy to be honest.
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Yeah you’re pretty accurate. I liked Shinsuke winning but somehow it was a bit of a let down…granted way better than Reigns winning.
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Thanks, not used to being told I;m accurate!
I enjoyed Nakamura’s win but as you say, it was a bit of a let down. I think it’s because it was predictable. I’d love a Rumble with 5 or 6 potentials winners, with a frantic final four. As least Reigns didn’t win – I can never rule him out until he’s eliminated!
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Hopefully Reigns doesn’t win tonite. He’s a great wrestler and all but I just can’t ever get excited for him winning.
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I can understand that – he’s already won the title and beaten the odds several times, there’s no excitement there.
I’m halfway through watching the show at the moment though and I’m 99.8% positive he wins though 🙄
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I won’t spoil anything for ya.
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Thanks! I’ve caught up now – did you watch Elimination Chamber?
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Yeah it wasn’t bad. Just ridiculously predictable.
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Agree, kinda spoiled it a bit for me to be honest
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Well at least FastLane will be awesome haha.
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I like your optimism…the thought of Roode Vs Orton isn’t grabbing me…
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Anyone vs. Orton is painful.
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I laughed at that! I don’t mind Orton, but I think he’s only ever as good as his opponent. I like Roode, but don’t think he’s getting anything amazing out of Randy.
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I can’t even watch Smackdown anymore. Roode was good but not great in NXT. Probably better off as a heel. I’m just so done with Orton in anything at this point.
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I thought Roode was ok in NXT but the battles with Nakamura did nothing for me. I liked his matches with Roderick Strong and in my opinion, that is who he should have lost the NXT Title to.
As I said, I don’t mind Orton, but I feel like there is nothing left for him to do and the writers just shoe horn him into things. Personally, I’d have him turn heel and feud with Styles, it’s something different.
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Yeah the better story was with Strong, I hear ya. I could take Orton as part of like a disruptive heel faction where he’s not the main guy. Use him to build up the next star. Let him be the Flair of Evolution.
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That’s a good idea, let Orton be the elder statesman and build others up before he calls it a day. I give him a few more years at most- he’s done everything he could ever do and has had injuries.
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