Men's Royal Rumble

(11 Entrants Announced - Kofi Kingston, Santos Escobar, Ricochet, Austin Theory, Seth Rollins, Bobby Lashley, Baron Corbin, Rey Mysterio, Gunther, Cody Rhodes, Omos)

Women's Royal Rumble

(4 Entrants Announced - Liv Morgan, Candice LeRae, Rhea Ripley, Raquel Rodriguez)

WWE Undisputed Championship Match

Roman Reigns (c) vs. Kevin Owens

WWE Raw Women's Championship Match

Bianca Belair (c) vs. Alexa Bliss

Mountain Dew Pitch Black Match

Bray Wyatt vs. LA Knight

There's no bigger PPV from my experience. Not only because it's the Royal Rumble but because it usually coincides with Australia Day, so it's always a topic of conversation among lapsed fans and an easy way to organise a catch-up. With the event taking place on a Sunday LIVE on the WWE Channel, there's more reason now than ever to check it out.

Interesting decision to announce Cody's return ahead of time. Ever since John Cena made his big return in 2008, the WWE have really enjoyed their shock returns and using the match to bait fans. I still think we'll see a couple of surprises on the show, but it's important that they build the match up and present some winners ahead of time. I've always felt like with the Royal Rumble, it's important to make a case for at least five wrestlers ahead of time. It's a career-defining match with plenty of history it needs that buzz.

Somebody chat me up on a Mountain Dew Pitch Black match? Is this like that Beware of Dog PPV?

Cody winning the rumble will be so fucking boring because it is so damn predictable. He should have been a surprise and come out at number 3.

Kevin vs Roman though should be pretty good. Just sucks we all know it will be a gimmicky finish with Sami involved.

Women's royale will be super interesting as there is no real clear winner. Also, give the women a gimmick match and they tend to excel with it.

Pitch black matches always tend to suck.  Only one I enjoyed was Shadow WX vs Mike Samples and that is because Shadow lit himself on fire for the finish and they did some sick spots with light bars.

The way the matches normally work is all lights dim until the ring is barely lit or lit with light gimmicks.  Modern takes been using blacklights.  Usually like last man standing street fights as well since the gimmick is, it is too dark to really see anything so anything goes, and it goes until someone cannot continue.  It is a gimmick that is almost always bad though because part of the darkness stuff is the fans often cannot see shit and are never into it.  I presume WWE will do this like a cinematic match given Bray's gimmick.  I expect Howdy and the return of the Fiend since the Fiend's gimmick was low lights as well.

I've grown to love The Rumble. Years ago, I hated it and thought it was one of the most boring matches imaginable. WWE has done a great job at making this really entertaining.

Is Cody going to win it? 6 months ago, I would have thought so. Today, Sami has got to be a fluke favourite to win it.

I'd throw a shoe at the TV if it's Brock or Da'Wanye returning and winning it to set up Brock/Rock v Reigns.

Cody and Sami the final two. Cody wins. Instant top heel.

Just kidding. Sami should win. It's what's best for business the Tribal Chief storyline.

Jan 18, 2023 4:01:52 GMT NATH45 said:

I've grown to love The Rumble. Years ago, I hated it and thought it was one of the most boring matches imaginable. WWE has done a great job at making this really entertaining.

Is Cody going to win it? 6 months ago, I would have thought so. Today, Sami has got to be a fluke favourite to win it.

I'd throw a shoe at the TV if it's Brock or Da'Wanye returning and winning it to set up Brock/Rock v Reigns.

The Rumble turned a corner for me in 2001 when they started to lean more into the sports entertainmenty side of it instead of working it like a battle royal. It's been up and down in recent years, last year's was infamously disappointing but I remember enjoying the 2021 Edge & Christian reunion. Hopefully they pace things out and don't use too many subordinates.

I haven’t been so excited for the royal rumble match in years. Maybe it’s because they are showing it at my work so myself, sandylea and my friends are planning to make it a day of it there but I’m really unsure as to who is winning. Even though I forget last year’s rumble was no bad I wrote a fan fic just to re-book it :lol:

I agree with NATH45 that Cody doesn’t feel like a guarantee anymore.
If he was built up for months and defeating everybody in his path I’d be more in favour for it but after being out for months it’s like he is old news. Not Cody’s fault but just the way it goes unfortunately.

Not sure Sami will even be in the match. I see him involved in the Roman match instead.

Only way I see Cody vs Roman at WM is if both Cena and Rock say no. Otherwise he wins the Rumble and does the match before WM and loses. Sami gets his match eitherway and the other night is Roman vs Rock/Cena.  Sami / Roman is the draw now, not Cody / Roman.  And honestly, I would not be shocked in the least if Sami beats Roman to extend a program between the two well into the year.  Even Roman got to know, this Sami angle is pure fire.

Peacock question. If I get Peacock do I have to watch the RR live or can I watch it whenever? The RR is my favorite WWE event and I would like to watch it, but I will not be able to watch live.

The Rumble has more than one Royal participant.

Bubba ran a poll on twitter for who people want to win and it is dead split between Cody and Sami. And they really should do Sami and Roman for WM, and save Cody for Summer Slam. Let Cody run the roster until then.

Cody vs Roman will be a good match, but Sami vs Roman will be a great match as fans are so invested in this story.

I'm hyped for this, gonna watch it live. So yeah this will be fun.

Outside of Wyatt/Knight, I'm looking forward to everything on this show, especially since I love the Rumble match itself.

While I don't think any surprise entrants will win the Royal Rumble, I do feel the women's rumble match would be perfect for it, or at the very least, I assume people would be more accepting of it anyways. Like I dunno, I wouldn't have a problem with either Lita, Trish Stratus, or hell even Eve Torres or Michelle McCool winning and putting over a current female talent at WrestleMania.

Has Edge returned yet? Cause if not, I'll bet he'll be a surprise entrant in the men's Rumble match, gunning for Balor.

First time I really am hyped for WWE since Wrestlemania and the return of Austin. Ever since the women got their own Rumble this has been the cannot miss WWE show. So curious if anyone from Japan appears since Kairi is IWGP champ and HHH loaned out Nakamura recently. Would love for Maki to appear in the women's rumble, complete with singing her entrance song. Great person to carry the slow period at the start. And HHH really should be moving to lock her down before Tony does.  She is the next Asuka.

CM Punk Return....debunked

Punk is still under contract to AEW.

I assume after the AEW stunt the door is closed to Punk in WWE. Not the fight but trashing the company at a media event. To WWE that would be the same old Punk that lead to lawsuits.

And DAMN, Seth burning him hard.

Pulling for a Seth win. Roman never beat him last time and Seth’s on the run of his career. There can be a longer story had for Cody’s coronation. Can either have him beat Seth at Summerslam or wait and have him do the Rumble to Mania run although not necessarily against Seth at Mania.

I’d also love to see Alexa win because it would just be such a disruptor to Wrestlemania season. She’s been booked strongly enough again that she actually looks like a threat to win, but I think it’s a given Bianca is winning.

I’ve thought quite a bit about this and I’m going for Sami. Bit of a 180 but it’s the big story and it’s hot at the right time. I think you can also argue that you could milk Cody’s chase a bit more and that this would be a bit cheap for Cody to just win, and I tend to lean that way. Obviously if they threw enough money at the Rock, he’s going to win anyway. So it’s going to be fascinating to see what happens.

Jan 28, 2023 18:36:10 GMT kingoftheworld said:

I’d also love to see Alexa win because it would just be such a disruptor to Wrestlemania season. She’s been booked strongly enough again that she actually looks like a threat to win, but I think it’s a given Bianca is winning.

I can get behind this 100%. Do I think it will happen? No, at least not this year anyways. It would be a nice cap on her Hall of Fame career though and let's face it unless she messes up big time, she'll definitely be going in one day.

Edit: Shit I misread that, for some reason in my head, I was reading it as you wanting Alexa winning the Rumble (which would be awesome). Either way, I think Bianca will win, however, I'm def down for Alexa winning her fourth Raw women's championship.

Jan 28, 2023 18:44:41 GMT Todd said:

I’ve thought quite a bit about this and I’m going for Sami. Bit of a 180 but it’s the big story and it’s hot at the right time. I think you can also argue that you could milk Cody’s chase a bit more and that this would be a bit cheap for Cody to just win, and I tend to lean that way. Obviously if they threw enough money at the Rock, he’s going to win anyway. So it’s going to be fascinating to see what happens.

My thought too on Cody.  It is too fast for him to come back, win the Rumble and win the title.  They need to sell his chase.  Really build it up over time until people behind him the way they are with Sami.  And they cannot do that between now and WM IMO.  

There is a real fun crash booking scenario that could play out if Russo were back.  Have Cody win the rumble and face the champ at WM Night 2.  Then Roman and Sami get a match for night 1 for the title. Sami gets a fluke win, becomes champ, then faces Cody, who prepared for Roman.  Roman then screws Sami out of the title, leaving Cody to become champ.  Be fun in an ECW sort of way but fans would scream.

Are we getting Lesnar v Lashley tonight?

Jan 28, 2023 18:22:54 GMT Jake said:

CM Punk Return....debunked

What the fuck is Seth Rollins wearing and why does he look like a redneck dweeb?

Jan 28, 2023 19:36:45 GMT Jake said:

Are we getting Lesnar v Lashley tonight?

No.

Both men have been announced for the Rumble.

Jan 28, 2023 19:44:37 GMT Big Pete said:

Jan 28, 2023 19:36:45 GMT Jake said:

Are we getting Lesnar v Lashley tonight?

No.

Both men have been announced for the Rumble.

Oh well, that's good.


I've just had a horror thought, if Vince is back in control of creative or such other things, what if he pushes for (I know he's my display picture) Theory to win the rumble? And to then dethron Reigns

In a dream world, I would go fucking nuts if Hayter appeared in the Women's Rumble.

Jan 28, 2023 19:56:26 GMT Jake said:

Jan 28, 2023 19:44:37 GMT Big Pete said:

No.

Both men have been announced for the Rumble.

Oh well, that's good.


I've just had a horror thought, if Vince is back in control of creative or such other things, what if he pushes for (I know he's my display picture) Theory to win the rumble? And to then dethron Reigns

Report are Vince is not involved at all in the wrestling side.  He is all about the business side now and selling the company.  He trusts HHH will keep things running, so he can focused completely on the business stuff.  In a weird way, they kind of just swapped jobs.

Would I lose my mind over seeing CM Punk in the Rumble? Absolutely.

Would he last a year in WWE? Absolutely not.

On Punk, how can one guy be straight edge and still look like he's been on the pipe since childhood. The man looks terrible.

Hopefully my man, Zack Ryder/Matt Cardona makes an appearance tonight.

Jan 28, 2023 21:28:43 GMT Jake said:

Hopefully my man, Zack Ryder/Matt Cardona makes an appearance tonight.

Prefer to see him over Punk at this point.  Would not be shocked if this is return to WWE as well.

Rock posted a pic from a movie set.  This is what Ronda did to throw off people.  This time people are pointing out the tactic.  Could very well see Rock win to face Roman on night 2 of WM.