@The Dome at America’s Center, St Louis, Missouri

We may only be in January but WWE already has two Live Premium Events (PPV events) in the can. A lukewarm reception to their opening gambit, Day One, placed a heavy burden on Sunday’s Royal Rumble to perform and live up to the lofty fan expectation the event carries.
But history hasn’t always dictated the Rumble lives up to the hype. In fact, looking back over the last decade or so, there arguably isn’t another event that draws the ire quite as vociferously.
A stellar back-catalogue of events, unrealistic fan fantasy booking and an unwritten rule to expect the unexpected combine to create a pressure cooker of hope that, frankly, no PPV can ever live up to.
Strip back the Rumble to its purpose and it of course acts as the vehicle to take us on the road to WrestleMania. But dig a little deeper and there’s the opportunity to progress or start multiple rivalries throughout the match. Tag teams can fracture, Herculean efforts create legends and showdowns you thought only existed in your imagination can come to fruition. It just takes some clever writing and let the live audience do the rest.
So did 2022’s effort fulfil those objectives? Was this the year the WWE Universe was left content or was it another opportunity lost? As always, Andy Spoors is here to weigh in on the good, the bad and the indifferent both the Rumble and its fallout had to offer…

Rollins and Reigns Revel At The Rumble

With the steeped and well documented history of Rollins and Reigns in WWE, there were few that expected anything less than a great match between the two. From their days in The Shield together all the way through to their stellar character work in the last couple of years, it was a given. Surely?

Kicking off the show, the former brothers in arms put on a classic. Rollins emerging from within the WWE Universe to the sound of The Shield’s entrance music pumped life into the packed Missouri crowd.

Always one for getting inside his opponent’s head, Rollins looked every inch the main event Superstar he has been throughout his career. After a couple of years out of the championship picture it is refreshing to see The Architect back where he belongs. Back where he thrives.

Here, against a Reigns well and truly at his peak, Rollins seemed to thrive. Not as a face or heel but a ‘tweener’. Playing to the crowd, but never veering too far away from his skeezy, slimy character, he provided the perfect foil for the champion.

After being goaded throughout the match, the look of contempt and eventual disdain for his ex-teammate was fantastically portrayed. Reigns getting himself disqualified to keep hold of his title, all while making Rollins look strong in defeat was realistically the best outcome fans could hope for on this occasion. Especially as Reigns’ work would be far from over for the night…        

Lesnar Loses But Brock Bounces Back

Since his return to WWE, Brock Lesnar has been in inspired form. Showcasing a wry sense of humour and personality unseen since the early days of his career, the WWE Universe has been lapping up the new look Beast.

Straight into a feud with Roman Reigns, the rivalry has been about more than just the Universal Championship. At times the third player in their game of domination, Paul Heyman, has been the biggest point of intrigue.

Lesnar and Reigns have faced off against each other on seven different occasions, both winning three (the seventh was interrupted by Seth Rollins cashing in his Money In The Bank to claim the win).

At the Royal Rumble, Lesnar faced off against a determined Bobby Lashley to defend his WWE Championship. Winning the title at the beginning of the month under somewhat controversial circumstances, Lesnar could have been accused of looking past his challenger.

Lashley, however, looked as focussed as ever. It is a match he has described on multiple occasions as a dream. When winning the title last year, Lashley was questioned about whether he would want to face off against the Beast Incarnate and insisted he was ready to go. The pre match hype video beautifully showcased the similar journeys both men have endured to get to the match.

In typical heavyweight style, the match wasn’t a wrestling clinic but an absolute slugfest. It was to be the spectre of his rivalry with Roman Reigns and the nefarious antics of Paul Heyman that would ultimately decide the outcome however.

With the referee accidentally taken out of commission as Lesnar hit his F5 finisher, Reigns and Heyman pounced. The former blasted the Champion with a spear before levelling him with his own WWE Championship belt. As the Universe looked on in shock, Lashley took advantage of the situation to reclaim the championship with Lesnar seemingly none the wiser.

A constant thread throughout the night, Lesnar would appear as not only the last entrant to the Rumble but the winner too. Sure, it sets up the main event for the biggest show, but with a long running story already in place, was this the wrong decision? Absolutely. This was a prime opportunity to set up another huge match or a young talent to make a name for themselves for years to come. Sadly, short-term planning appears to have reigned supreme once again… 

Ronda Returns!

As promised, the Royal Rumble match always supplies its own raft of surprises. 2022 was to be no different as Ronda Rousey returned from having a baby to win the entire match. Since her last match (marking her solitary loss in the company) at WrestleMania 35, the former UFC star’s return to the ring has been the subject of much rumour and speculation.

News broke that Rousey looked set to return at the Rumble a couple of days before the event, but the ovation she received was still monstrous from those in attendance. Impressive, as the MMA fighter hadn’t endeared herself to WWE or wrestling fans in general with some less than positive talk about the industry since her departure.

A steady flow of women’s legends from WWE’s yesteryear ensured the match was not only fun, but nostalgic from start to finish. Melina starting proceedings against Sasha Banks, Lita continuing her proclaimed comeback and Impact Knockout Champion Mickie James making a big impression were just a few of the more enjoyable moments on offer.

James’ appearance, in particular, should not be downplayed as it marked the first time another wrestling promotion’s championship has been on display in WWE. Maybe the ‘forbidden door’ will continue to creak open and unleash a flood of dream matches between WWE Superstars and rival promotion’s wrestlers?

Another talking point for women’s wrestling was pointed out by the hardcore legend Mick Foley upon the conclusion of the PPV, as it was noted that a total of 12 mums featured over the course of the night. Social media discussions have flown about in recent months concerning discrimination against female wrestlers when reaching a certain age or starting a family.

On the evidence presented in the Royal Rumble, neither age nor being a mother should stop Superstars from performing on the biggest stage. The only thing that matters is talent and how entertaining a Superstar is inside the ring.   

What of NXT?

Conspicuous by their absence, WWE’s developmental brand were nowhere to be seen. With the raft of releases from the roster last year and the shift to focus on developing talents instead of bringing in ready to go ‘indie darlings’, this came as a shock to many.

Slotting in amongst 30 other Superstars could have been an ideal opportunity to showcase the top talent already on display in the Capitol Wrestling Center. Names like Bron Breakker, Raquel Gonzalez, Tommaso Ciampa and Cameron Grimes all could have made a name for themselves on one of the biggest stages in wrestling.

It can only be assumed that NXT is truly a developmental brand that is being kept completely separate from the main roster. For all the criticism NXT has taken over the past few months, the standard and storylines have both improved. New stars are finding their feet. The albatross of those that came before them is slowly being lifted week by week.

That’s not to say all is well in the CWC as another round of backstage releases removed some stalwarts of the brand. The reputation and respect commanded by William Regal will be nigh on impossible to replace, so it is with great interest that we watch our favourite brand moving forward.

Mania Takes Shape

Ahh yes, once again we find ourselves on the infamous and well worn road to WrestleMania. As Ronda and Brock pointed up at the huge Mania sign (that ominously caught fire and melted due to the surrounding pyrotechnics) all wrestling fans start to piece together their fantasy card for April 2 and 3.

With two nights to fill, there is plenty of opportunity for Superstars to find themselves featured on the ‘Show of Shows’. The Raw after the Rumble saw Lesnar confirm that his champion of choice, to no-one’s surprise, will be Roman Reigns. It sets up the pair’s third WrestleMania main event match and fans could be forgiven for feeling a sense of deja-vu setting in.

The next time WWE presents a premium live event, the company will be in Saudi Arabia for Elimination Chamber. Already announced, Bobby Lashley will defend his championship against Austin Theory, Brock Lesnar, AJ Styles, Riddle and Seth Rollins: a mouthwatering match with a fantastic mix of experience and talent. But the trip itself comes at an awkward time for WWE.

At the time of writing, Elimination Chamber serves as the final major event before WrestleMania, leaving WWE six weeks to heat up around 12 matches/rivalries. That’s a lot of work but not impossible.

With Rousey still to choose her opponent and Hall Of Famer Lita challenging Becky Lynch for the Raw Women’s Championship, the pieces are still very much moving. When you bill the two night extravaganza as ‘the most stupendous two night WrestleMania’ surely you have to deliver…