SHOWN IN CLUB 69 FLIRTS
JANUARY 31, 2020
FROM 11PM
CONFIRMED MATCHES
Men's Royal Rumble match: Daniel Bryan became the first man to declare he would take part in the Royal Rumble match, and plenty of names should follow in the coming weeks. Of course, as with every year, there will be plenty of surprise entrants, so we will not know the entire 30-man field ahead of the event. But, you can expect most of those who appear regularly on Raw and SmackDown to join the field. Participants: Edge, Dolph Ziggler, Sami Zayn, Mustafa Ali, Jeff Hardy, Cesaro, Otis, Shinsuke Nakamura, Sheamus, AJ Styles, Jey Uso, John Morrison, The Miz, Bobby Lashley, Daniel Bryan, Big E, Randy Orton + 13 TBA
Women's Royal Rumble match: For just the fourth time, the women will have their opportunity to earn a title shot by participating in a Royal Rumble. The first women's Royal Rumble took place in 2018, with Asuka winning the match but failing to defeat Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania to win the Raw title. Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair won the following two years, both going on to win titles at WrestleMania. The Raw and SmackDown locker rooms should begin declaring for the Rumble in the coming weeks. Participants: Nia Jax, Charlotte Flair, Bayley, Bianca Belair, Mandy Rose, Dana Brooke, Peyton Royce, Shayna Baszler, Alexa Bliss, Liv Morgan, Ruby Riott, Tamina + 18 TBA
Universal Championship -- Roman Reigns (c) vs. Kevin Owens (Last Man Standing): Reigns took issue with WWE official Adam Pearce -- a former five-time NWA champion -- booking a match between Kevin Owens and Jey Uso after Reigns beat Owens in two matches for the universal championship. Reigns and Paul Heyman pulled strings to get Pearce entered into a gauntlet match to determine Reigns' challenger at the Royal Rumble. Uso and Reigns then attacked Shinsuke Nakamura, the last man standing in the match, before placing Pearce on top for the three count and the victory. The situation ultimately backfired when Pearce signed the contract for a Last Man Standing match only to then immediately be "injured" while walking, immediately naming Owens as his replacement at the event.
WWE Championship -- Drew McIntyre (c) vs. Goldberg: While McIntyre had active storylines with Keith Lee and Sheamus, WWE appears set to pull the trigger on another Goldberg return. McIntyre beat Lee on Legends Night in an incredible match, but the post-match moment was immediately interrupted by Goldberg, who issued a challenge for Royal Rumble on the premise that McIntyre has no respect for the legends who came before. McIntyre accepted the following week, accusing Goldberg of putting words in his mouth.
Women's Tag Team Championship -- Asuka & Charlotte Flair (c) vs. Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler: Baszler and Jax weren't ready to walk away after losing the titles to Asuka and Flair at TLC. The match is also largely a product of a women's tag division that has no other challengers ready for a major pay-per-view title shot. Dana Brooke, Mandy Rose and Lacey Evans have all been involved in issues with the four women in the match and could play into how the action plays out.
SmackDown Women's Championship -- Sasha Banks (c) vs. Carmella: Banks and Carmella have had issues since Carmella attacked the champion in her return to action. Banks has already survived the challenge of Carmella once, but gave her another opportunity at the title on the condition that she got to wrestle Carmella's sommelier Reginald in a singles match. Banks defeated Reginald, and as promised, Carmella will now get her opportunity at the Royal Rumble event.
HIGHLIGHTS
RESULTS
Women's Tag Team Championship -- Charlotte Flair & Asuka (c) vs. Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler (Kickoff Show): Flair and Asuka got things off to a good start, with Flair handling Baszler before Asuka took the fight to Jax. Baszler and Jax eventually took over by isolating Asuka and wearing her down while an anxious Flair paced on the ring apron. Flair eventually got the hot tag and ran through Baszler before hitting a double Natural Selection and scoring a near fall. Ric Flair's music hit, leading to a distraction that almost allowed Baszler to score a roll-up on Charlotte. Lacey Evans then interrupted from ringside, including pulling Charlotte's arms out while she was in the Figure Eight. Ric handed Evans something to load her fist and hit the Women's Right when Charlotte locked in the hold again, setting up Jax to pin Charlotte after a leg drop for the win to capture the titles. The match was fine, but the ending was entirely predictable and the tag titles continue to be more prop than valuable asset. Jax & Baszler def. Flair & Asuka (c) via pinfall to win the titles
WWE Championship -- Drew McIntyre (c) vs. Goldberg: McIntyre hit Goldberg with the Glasgow Kiss dropped him with a spear before the match started, taking the action outside where Goldberg threw him into the ring steps before spearing him through the barricade. McIntyre eventually made his way back into the ring for the bell to ring, starting the match. McIntyre hit a Claymore seconds later, but Goldberg kicked out. Goldberg followed with two more spears for his own near fall. McIntyre again kicked out after a Jackhammer. McIntyre hit another Claymore, scoring the pin and retaining the title. After the match, Goldberg nodded, told McIntyre "You passed the test," and the two shared a handshake and hug. The match was short, as expected, and followed the "Goldberg Formula," for better or worse. For a match nobody really wanted to see, it was as inoffensive as possible, if unspectacular. McIntyre (c) def. Goldberg via pinfall to retain the title
SmackDown Women's Championship -- Sasha Banks (c) vs. Carmella: Banks was one step ahead early, but interference from Reginald allowed Carmella to take over the action outside put Banks on the defensive. Carmella continued to blast away at Banks with elbows and forearms and Banks began grabbing at her knee after hitting a meteora, allowing Carmella to continue running the match. Carmella threw Banks from the ring, where she was caught by Reginald. After Banks hit a huricanrana on Reginald, he was ejected from ringside, but Carmella hit Banks -- and the floor -- face-first on a suicide dive. Banks started rolling but Carmella countered a frog splash by getting her knees up and then locked in the Code of Silence to nearly force a submission. Moments later, it was Banks who got the submission with the Banks Statement, retaining her title. Carmella is a limited worker in some ways, but when she is working heel against a very good wrestler like Banks, she can more than hold her own playing into nastier offensive tendencies. Not everything here was smooth, but Banks is so good and Carmella good enough that there was plenty to like. Banks (c) def. Carmella via submission to retain the title -- Grade: B
Women's Royal Rumble: Bayley and Naomi started as No. 1 and 2, respectively. There were no eliminations before Bayley had to deal with her rival in No. 3 entrant Bianca Belair. After coming out at No. 4, Billie Kay settled in at the announce table rather than enter the ring before the first NXT entrant of the night, Shotzi Blackheart. Contestants continued to pile up as no eliminations were scored until Shayna Baszler dumped Blackheart for the first elimination of the match. Former superstar Jillian Hall was the first true surprise entrant of the night, forming an alliance with Kay to form "Billie and Jilly." Victoria also made her return, entering the match at No. 10. Participants continued to pile up in the ring with eliminations hard to come by before Hall was finally the second woman out, followed by Kay and the match settled into a more familiar rhythm after Rhea Ripley entered the match and she and Baszler began to clear out the ring.
Ric Flair's music hit -- with Charlotte already in the ring -- though Ric was only there to escort Lacey Evans to the ring, wearing the same robe as Charlotte wore earlier in the night. Charlotte and Evans battled immediately before an angry Flair turned her attention back to the rest of the participants. Mickie James also made her return, coming in at No. 19. Another return came at No. 21 with Alicia Fox, but R-Truth's music hit right after and he announced he was at the wrong Royal Rumble before being pursued by 24/7 title seekers, only to be pinned by Fox to win her the 24/7 belt.
Ripley continued to impress, scoring several eliminations. Belair also continued hanging around despite her No. 2 entry into the match. In the near-elimination spot, Naomi was thrown from the ring but landed on her back with her feet in the air, she then used Belair to climb her way back into the ring. Alexa Bliss entered at No. 27 and as she was preparing to transform as in recent weeks, Ripley eliminated her from behind. Nia Jax entered and she and Baszler went on a run of eliminations to thin the field late before brawling with each other and Jax eventually eliminated Baszler and was the eliminated by Lana before Natalya entered in the No. 30 spot to complete the field.
The final four in the match came down to Natalya, Belair, Flair and Ripley. Belair eliminated Natalya first and then Ripley and Belair teamed up to knock Flair from the match, leaving Ripley and Belair as the final two women in the match. The two battled back and forth in an extended segment with several near eliminations before Belair managed to knock Ripley from the ring with a clothesline to win the match. This was a bit of a rocky match at parts, many of the bigger issues being matters of production than in-ring, though some stretches dragged a bit. Belair is a great choice to win and coming down to Belair and Ripley showed how bright the future of the women's division is for WWE going forward. Belair also set a record for longest entry in a women's Rumble match. Bianca Belair won the women's Royal Rumble in 56:49
ORDER OF ENTRY ORDER OF ELIMINATION
Bayley Blackheart (Baszler)
Naomi Hall (Kay)
Bianca Belair Kay (Morgan)
Billie Kay Storm (Ripley)
Shotzi Blackheart Victoria (Baszler 2)
Shayna Baszler Garrett (Ripley 2)
Toni Storm Riott (Bayley)
Jillian Hall Morgan (Royce)
Ruby Riott Brooke (Ripley 3)
Victoria Royce (Flair)
Peyton Royce Wilson (Baszler 3)
Santana Garrett Bayley (Belair)
Liv Morgan Fox (Rose)
Rhea Ripley James (Evans)
Charlotte Flair Kai (Ripley 4)
Dana Brooke Rose (Ripley 5)
Torrie Wilson Cross (Carmella)
Lacey Evans Carmella (Ripley 6)
Mickie James Bliss (Ripley 7)
Nikki Cross Evans (Baszler 4)
Alicia Fox Moon (Jax)
Mandy Rose Naomi (Jax 2)
Dakota Kai Tamina (Jax 3)
Carmella Baszler (Jax 4)
Tamina Jax (Lana)
Lana Lana (Natalya)
Alexa Bliss Natalya (Belair 2)
Ember Moon Flair (Belair 3)
Nia Jax Ripley (Belair 4)
Natalya Winner: Belair (56:49)
Men's Royal Rumble: No. 1 entrant Edge attacked No. 2 entrant Randy Orton before Orton even made it to the ring. They continued to brawl around ringside until Sami Zayn entered at No. 3 and took out the leg of Edge, helping Orton work him over. Mustafa Ali joined in on the attack at No. 4, with Edge facing increasingly long odds until Jeff Hardy entered to help even things up.The first elimination came when Dolph Ziggler entered the match and immediately eliminated Jeff Hardy. Carlito was the first surprise entrant, coming into the match at No. 8. Orton was shown being helped to the back by officials, limping after the attack of Edge. Damien Priest was the first NXT star to make his way into the match, coming in at No. 14 and making his first appearance in a Royal Rumble. The Miz destroyed Bad Bunny's DJ booth on his way to the ring, leading Bunny to walk to the ring, distracting Miz and John Morrison and allowing Priest to eliminate both. Bunny then hit a crossbody from the top rope to the outside on Miz and Morrison. Daniel Bryan, one of the favorites coming into the match, made his entrance at No. 17. Kane returned at No. 18, chokeslamming many of the current entrants and eliminating Dolph Ziggler and Ricochet before being tossed by Priest.
Bobby Lashley made a big entrance, running through Dominik Mysterio and Priest, eliminating both before a big showdown with Big E that saw both men brawl and exchange counters before the surprise entrance of The Hurricane, who was quickly tossed by Lashley and Big E. With Edge still in the match, Christian entered the match at No. 24. Christian helped Riddle, Bryan and Big E eliminate Lashley. Big E was eliminated from the match when Omos reached into the ring and pulled him to the floor. Omos also eliminated Rey Mysterio, giving some big help to AJ Styles.
Seth Rollins made his return at No. 29, his first match since Survivor Series, after which he took time off to be with Becky Lynch for the birth of their child. Braun Strowman was the final entrant into the match. Strowman went on a run of eliminations, bringing the final six to Rollins, Riddle, Edge, Christian, Bryan and Strowman -- although Orton had not actually been eliminated when he was taken to the back. Rollins eliminated Bryan after hiding out on the outside of the ring and then eliminated Riddle to bring the match down to Strowman, Rollins, Edge and Christian. Edge and Christian worked together to eliminate Strowman and Edge eliminated Rollins, seemingly winning the match, but Orton ran back into the match and hit an RKO. Orton's attempt to eliminate Edge backfired, however, as Edge reversed and tossed Orton to the floor, winning the Rumble from the No. 1 spot, lasting more than 58 minutes to win his second Royal Rumble. This dragged far less than the women's Royal Rumble earlier and didn't feel like it relied on as many gimmicky surprise entrants, though there were some. Edge was an interesting choice and told a great story as he's taking one more ride to WrestleMania and a shot at a world championship. Edge wins the Men's Royal Rumble match. Edge won the men's Royal Rumble
ORDER OF ENTRY ORDER OF ELIMINATION
Edge Hardy (Ziggler)
Randy Orton Zayn (Big E)
Sami Zayn Woods (Ali)
Mustafa Ali Ali (Big E 2)
Jeff Hardy Carlito (Elias)
Dolph Ziggler Elias (Priest)
Shinsuke Nakamura Miz (Priest 2)
Carlito Morrison (Priest 3)
Xavier Woods Ziggler (Kane)
Big E Ricochet (Kane 2)
John Morrison Kane (Priest 4)
Ricochet Nakamura (Corbin)
Elias Otis (Corbin 2)
Damian Priest Corbin (D. Mysterio)
The Miz D. Mysterio (Lashley)
Riddle Priest (Lashley 2)
Daniel Bryan Helms (Lashley 3)
Kane Lashley (Bryan)
King Corbin Big E (n/a)
Otis R. Mysterio (n/a)
Dominik Mysterio Cesaro (Strowman)
Bobby Lashley Sheamus (Strowman 2)
Hurricane Helms Styles (Strowman 3)
Christian Bryan (Rollins)
AJ Styles Riddle (Rollins 2)
Rey Mysterio Strowman (Edge)
Sheamus Christian (Rollins)
Cesaro Rollins (Edge 2)
Seth Rollins Orton (Edge 3)
Braun Strowman Winner: Edge