Royal Rumble 2019 Review

Sunday, January 27th, 2019
Chase Field
Phoenix, Arizona

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Another top notch preview package is shown and it almost makes you forget that most of their TV programming has been completely forgettable. Almost.

Live shot of the stadium looks impressive. It is dark enough to where it looks like it is full, but any way you look at it, there are still a lot of people on hand. I absolutely love that they are entering the ring by coming out of the dugout with a minimal actual set. Very unique look and I definitely dig it.

Smackdown Womens Championship Match
Asuka vs. Becky Lynch
Every match on this card has a lot of potential and this one could rule. I am not reviewing the pre-show (at least at this time), but the 205 Live match is absolutely worth checking out. Lynch seems to be embracing the Stone Cold comparisons, as the beginning of this match reminds me a lot of Austin. Asuka seems to be gaining her confidence back, as she looks so much better than she did in her feud with Carmella. I am not saying anything groundbreaking, but they really need to get rid of the 2 hour pre-show. The crowd already is a little flat and we are about 8 minutes into the show. Asuka tries to put on the Asuka Lock, but Lynch is able to roll to the ropes. Asuka showing some good fire tonight, as they battle on the side of the ring. Asuka does a jumping fisherman DDT of some sort and both women are down. The crowd is getting into it, but the sound is coming across as distant. Lynch hits a super Exploder Suplex and it's still not enough. They trade submission moves, but shockingly Asuka gets the submission victory with a variation of Cattle Mutilation. I have to say, I am very surprised. Could this be leading to Becky winning the Royal Rumble? Either way, really strong opener.

Match Rating: ***3/4 (out of 5)

Smackdown Tag Team Championship Match
The Bar vs. Shane McMahon & Miz
The Miz/McMahon partnership is something that seems strange, but admittedly I haven't seen any of their segments together. Shane explodes as soon as the bell ring and takes down Sheamus. I like the Bar together, but I think the time is right for one more shot at solo success. Worst case scenario, you throw him with another tag team partner and Cesaro will make it work again. On the other side, what a mistake it was putting Miz on Raw after he was having a career year on Smackdown that should have led to him being champion over there. The chemistry between the two teams seems a little off in the early moments here. The Bar attempt to put Miz through the table, but Shane makes the save. Now the Miz has Cesaro held in place for Shane's flying elbow, but Sheamus makes the save. Shane decides to go for a flying clothesline to Sheamus. Got some pretty good height on that one. During the replay, I am reminded that Golden Crisp has to be one of the more random sponsors WWE has had as of late. I'm also surprised that they even still make that cereal, as you would think a cereal whose mascot is called "Sugar Bear" would be frowned upon. What do I care? I actually like it. Back to the action and The Bar are all over the Miz, while Shane looks like he is already blown up in the corner. Shane goes or his coast to coast and Cesaro catches him and goes into the airplane spin. Awesome. Shane hits the Shooting Star Press and we have new tag team champions. Shane came super close to pulling a Lesnar there. That couldn't have felt good for Cesaro.

Match Rating: ***

48,193 is announced as the attendance. That actually looks close based on the eyeball test, but it's really hard to see which seats are empty.

Raw Womens Championship Match
Ronda Rousey vs. Sasha Banks
I am pretty shocked that they aren't doing one of the Rumble matches in this spot. You would think they would want to space those out a little more. Both competitors look good as we get started here. Of the early wave of NXT call ups, I thought Sasha was the most sure thing to be a huge superstar. Charlotte kind of took that spot, but Banks to me still can get there if they handle her right. Sasha does some nice work on Rousey's right arm. Rousey goes for a submission on the ropes and we almost have a mess up, but they barely save the spot. Banks goes for a suicide dive, but Rousey catches her and puts her in the arm bar. Sasha taps, but it doesn't count since it is outside the ring. Banks has been really impressive here. It's clear she knows this is her moment. Rousey then takes her and slams her like a rag doll. Roll through and hits Piper's Pit for the pinfall victory. They do kind of an odd respect handshake, but then Sasha flashes the boss hand sign and walks away while Corey Graves continues to rip on her. There were a few hiccups, but it had a big fight feel and it was an entertaining match.

Match Rating: ***1/4

Womens Royal Rumble Match
Lacey Evans makes her debut at #1, which is a perfect spot for a heel to debut at. Natalya is #2. Don't worry, I won't enter in every entrant. Natalya does a double Sharpshooter to Lacey and Mandy Rose. Liv Morgan surprisingly gets the Bushwacker elimination spot. I have to say, in regards to Evans it actually may be a blessing that she didn't get a ton of exposure in NXT. Sometimes the characters are almost too developed, that it doesn't feel as fresh when they make it to the main roster. Ember Moon enters at #6 and she is my pick to be the marathon performer this year. It's safe to say this one is off to nowhere near as good of a start as last years very good Women's Rumble. Tamina is #10 and the crowd goes silent. Oh man, Nikki Cross and Tamina are squaring off and I don't think I could imagine a matchup I'd rather see less. I really don't know how Tamina has lasted as long as she has in this company, even with her family ties. This match is in desperate need of a spark. Xia Lis is the first "surprise" entrant and they hype her as the first Chinese female to ever perform in WWE. Her and Tamina botch a spot and for the love of all that is sacred, please eliminate Tamina. Charlotte is in at #13 to hopefully save this match and in a way she does, as she eliminates Tamina. Naomi gets the Kofi spot, by scaling the guardrail and jumping on the steps. Mandy Rose then does the heel move and knocks her off the step to continue their feud. Candice LeRae also makes a surprise entry this year. This match is still in need of a spark. Maria attempts to make friends with Alicia Fox and in typical Rumble fashion it lasts all of 30 seconds. This spot is not getting over...at all. Kacy Catanzaro is #19. She has a load of potential despite being so small. Zelina Vega is in next. We are finally getting some interesting talent in there, hopefully we can have a strong ending. Ruby Riott enters and is accompanied by the rest of the previously eliminated Riott Squad. Meanwhile, Zelina goes under the ring for the Jerry Lawler spot. It can't be understated how petite Catanzaro is. Dana Brooke absolutely destroys her with a sit down powerbomb. Io Shirai is in and hits a moonsault to the outside. Catanzaro now does a Kofi spot and walks on her hands back into the ring. Rhea Ripley gets the heel elimination this time around. They show Zelina Vega under the ring again and this time Hornswoggle pops out and chases her back into the ring and eventually all the way to the back. Alexa Bliss gets probably the biggest pop so far of the match. Bayley gets the lucky 27 spot and also gets a solid pop. They definitely back loaded this one in terms of actual contenders. It's nice to see them give Bayley a few eliminations. Lana comes out limping selling her injury from the pre-show. Lana doesn't make it to the ring before Nia Jax comes out and Nia annihilates her. Carmella is #30 as previously announced. Lana is still in the aisle and now Becky Lynch comes down to try and take her spot. Fellow Irish native Findlay says have at it and the crowd approves. Ember Moon and Alexa Bliss do a nice sequence on the outside of the apron that leads to Moon being eliminated. The pace has really picked up as near the end. Carmella has improved quite a bit since losing the title. Bayley is really bringing it tonight with a fine performance, but is eliminated with what looked like a painful elimination. We are now down to Nia Jax, Becky Lynch and Charlotte. It would be such a Vince move to have Nia win here. Charlotte lifts Nia up on her back and nearly drops her on her head. She goes for it again and Nia catches herself on the apron, but Lynch pulls her out and down to the right final two competitors. Nia knocks Lynch off the stairs and she is selling a knee injury. Charlotte goes crazy and attacks the knee and is playing a full blown heel with her facial expressions. Lynch ducks a kick and eliminates Charlotte to become #1 contender. The first half of the match was not good, but the last 20-30 minutes were much, much better.

Match Rating: ***

New Day naturally does the Golden Crisp promo spot. We are reminded that WrestleMania is only 70 days away and somehow there are still 2 more pay per views between now and then.

WWE Championship Match
Daniel Bryan vs. AJ Styles
It will be interesting to see how long this and Balor/Lesnar get with the show seemingly running long. Then again, all of the modern day shows run long. How long are fans in attendance expected to sit in their seat and be enthused? The crowd already seems fatigued and we still have two more big matches left. AJ sporting a bloody nose early on, as Bryan is working the left shoulder. Bryan dumps Styles on his head with a Dragon Suplex in a vicious looking spot. Both guys are doing a good job of turning their offense up a notch, while still keeping it at a more methodical pace. Both men are down and Erick Rowan comes down? Styles Clash, but Rowan comes in and chokeslams Styles to no reaction. Daniel Bryan gets the pinfall and retains the title. I have to say that was a bit of a disappointment, especially with such a flat finish. Also, is this the end of the Bludgeon Brothers?

Match Rating: ***1/4

They hype the return of Halftime Heat, which is something I welcome, especially with the match that was chosen.

Universal Championship Match
Brock Lesnar vs. Finn Balor
Is there a logical reason why Balor is not the Demon for such a huge matchup? Balor attacks right away and takes it to Lesnar, but all it takes is one suplex for Lesnar to gain control. Lesnar must have some respect for Balor, as he is actually selling for him. Although you could argue he actually is selling for the corner of the table that he was rammed into. Balor counters the F5 into a DDT and gets a nearfall. Balor hits the Coup de Grace, but it's not enough. Then out of nowhere, Lesnar gets him in the Kimura and that's it. Good match with a sudden ending that they love to do in these Lesnar matches. After the match Lesnar attacks Balor with a few German Suplexes and a F5 for good measure.

Match Rating: ***1/2

Men's Royal Rumble
Elias is #1 because naturally that's the only way he gets to perform for us. Just in case the show wasn't long enough, we needed another few minutes of stalling before what will be close an hour long match. Even Corey Graves agrees. #2 is Jeff Jarrett and let's just say whoever decided he should wear his old outfit should be fired. This segment is as long as the Balor/Brock match. Why? Elias eventually smashes him with the guitar and eliminates him. Didn't see that coming. Kurt Angle is another "surprise" competitor, although I think everyone expected this. Watching him wrestler now gives me anxiety, as he looks like he really shouldn't be in there. For the sake of research, I timed a few entries and they are definitely on Titan Time. #6 is Johnny Gargano! Big E blows his spot with Gargano, so naturally Vince has soured on him already. Remember when Jinder Mahal was the champion? Safe to say that ship has sailed as he is eliminated by Gargano. It really is a shame that Samoa Joe wasn't on the roster sooner. So in terms of kayfabe, how is it explained that Curt Hawkins is given a spot in the Royal Rumble? Now Hawkins is going under the ring. There's an NXT All Star Team in there right now with Rolins, Gargano, Joe and Nakamura. Titus teases tripping on his way in, but then sees Hawkins under the ring and chases him into the ring, which leads to Hawkins eliminating Titus. As Hawkins celebrates, Joe tosses him. I am fully expecting Mustafa Ali to possibly make it to the final four tonight as he enters at #13. It's time for the Kofi spot as he rolls across the ring apron. I really wish they wouldn't do that with the womens match as well. Here's your reminder that No Way Jose is still on the roster, as he gets the Bushwacker spot. Last year they did such a nice job with making both Rumbles feel different. This year, not so much. Xavier Woods is on his way down and he and Kofi do a bizarre spot that they almost screw up that then leads to them being eliminated. So that happened. #18 is Pete Dunne! Now we get Andrade, who is really coming into his own and among my current favorites. Will Apollo Crews ever get over? The men's Rumble is going all in on NXT competitors this year as Aleister Black is now in there. Pretty surprising early elimination for Dean Ambrose. Good to see Shelton in the match, as he still feels underused, but what else is new for his WWE career? And now Joe with a surprising early elimination. Baron Corbin is going to attempt to kill this match with his lack of every redeeming quality you would want in a performer. Lashley is eliminated in less than 10 seconds and then takes it out on Seth Rollins. He's not even interesting when he's angry. Hey, it's the guy who "confirmed" he wasn't scheduled for the Rumble, Dolph Ziggler. He gets his revenge on McIntyre by eliminating him. Tower of Doom spot with Strowman, Ali, Rey and Andrade. I feel like the time is right to pull the trigger on R-Truth. Just as I type that, Nia Jax attacks him from behind and she is now taking his spot. Again, let's not do the same spot in both Rumbles next year. Ali gets eliminated by Jax. Ziggler superkicks her, which leads to a 619 into an RKO. I gotta say, I didn't think they'd go this route. This all leads to JBL saying he loves it. Rey then finally gets her eliminated, which leads to Orton elminating Rey and Andrade eliminating Orton. We are down to Ziggler, Andrade, Strowman and Rollins. Not the final four we were expecting. They have reminded us that Strowman won the Greatest Royal Rumble 47 times tonight. They must have known that we were all trying to forget that show ever happened. We are down to Rollins and Strowman, the two favorites to win it. Rollins with the curb stomp and the victory!

Match Rating: ***1/2

That was a loooong show, but everything on it was good, with the exception of the first half of the womens Rumble match. It lacked an all time classic match from making it a top tier show, but this was definitely a good start to the WWE year.

Overall Rating: 82%