WWE Royal Rumble 2022 Review: Rowdy Beast
The 35th annual Royal Rumble Premium Live Event (PLE) had the potential to be one of the best wrestling shows of 2022. Featuring two exciting Rumble matches, a Shield reunion, a family feud and a dream match, the WWE Universe had their hopes up for an exciting Jan. 29 night from The Dome at America’s Center.
The result? Two “part-time” competitors winning the Rumble and a disappointed WWE Universe (at least on the internet).
However, I am not the internet. I’m Brandon Lewis, co-host of the All Things CAVS podcast for Believeland Media, host of the Brandon’s World podcast and freelance WWE Writer here on Medium. I’m in the minority of the WWE Universe when I say I enjoyed the Rumble PLE as a whole..
Reigns Survives A Scare From His Shield Brother
The night kicked off with the “Tribal Chief” embracing the St. Louis crowd. He was prepared to defend his Universal Championship against Seth Rollins and for the first time as champion, he was going at it alone. No “Special Counsel”. No Bloodline.
There was a reason the champion entered first: The challenger entered using the Shield’s old entrance, going through the crowd and wearing the full vest! The “Architect’s” mind games seemed to work early, delivering a Shield Bomb through the commentary desk, a Bucklebomb and a Stomp to the champion. Rollins looked like he had ended the 516 day reign of the champ, but the “Head of the Table” kicked out at 2.9!
Reigns showed off his “God Mode” invincibility by nailing Rollins with a Superman Punch and Spear, but he didn’t go for the cover off the Spear because it didn’t affect Rollins! He was LAUGHING at his former brother. Insulted by the laugh, Reigns went for another Spear, but Rollins countered into a Pedigree, a la Money in the Bank 2016. He draped the arm over, but Reigns managed to kick out before the referee’s hand hit the mat for the three count.
Rollins went for the kill shot, stomping his feet on the mat while waiting for the champion to get up, but Reigns turned the attempted Stomp into a Guillotine. It looked like Rollins was out cold near the ropes, but as the referee went to raise his arm, his hand grazed the bottom rope to force a break. Reigns refused to let go before the count of five, forcing the official to call for the bell.
Reigns would hold onto the chokehold for another minute before releasing, but the former “Big Dog” wouldn’t stop assaulting his former friend. He grabbed a steel chair, and you knew what his intentions were! As Rollins made his way to his feet, Reigns smacked his back with a chair (payback from 2014!). Reigns wound up smashing the chair all over the back of the “Visionary” before finally leaving with the title intact.
Besides the disqualification finish, the match ruled. A ***** match if you ask me! It left me wanting MORE, and we may get more down the road! No matter the scenario, Reigns and Rollins ALWAYS deliver in big moments.
Reigns and Paul Heyman Cost Brock Lesnar WWE Title
With the “Head of the Table” walking out champion, there was only one scenario left in play for the WWE Title match. After an incredible video package before the dream bout, the “All Mighty” and “Beast Incarnate” went collar-and-elbow tie up early on, but that quickly turned into a suplex by the champion. Lashley wasn’t faced, and he gave the champ a taste of his own medicine with a german of his own! Lesnar seemed impressed, but it didn’t phase him. He ended up giving Lashley five more suplexes.
With the former military service member weakened, Lesnar went for the F-5, but Lashley slipped out the back and Speared Lesnar. Lesnar rolled to the outside, and Lashley pounded him again with a Spear on the concrete. He tossed Lesnar back inside the squared circle, allowing Lesnar to recover enough to lift Lashley for another F-5 attempt, but the former ECW Champion escaped again and put the “Beast” in the Hurt Lock. Lesnar broke the Hurt Lock and once again got Lashley in position for his finishing move, which he finally hit. Unfortunately for the champ, the referee was too close to the action and caught Lashley’s boot on the way down.
With the official down, there was only one more piece left to this puzzle. The champ called for a new official, but what he got was a Spear from the Universal Champion. Reigns looked right at Heyman and motioned for the WWE Title. Heyman gave it to him, and Reigns hit Lesnar right between the eyes with the strap. The best part of the exchange was how quickly Reigns dropped the WWE Title afterwards. That title is dirty to him! It’s not the real World Title! The Universal Title is!
Lesnar’s now-former Advocate walked away with Reigns as a new official entered the ring as Lashley covered Lesnar to win the gold. Yes, a dream match had interference, but this is how every Lesnar match has gone seemingly since he came back in the summer. The match between Lesnar and Lashley wasn’t as explosive as it could have been. To me, that’s the disappointing angle of the contest, not the ending.
The Beast Plots Revenge
WWE’s magic plan to get to Reigns vs Lesnar III at WrestleMania was coming into place.
Step 1: Reigns retains over Rollins.
Step 2: Reigns and Heyman cost Lesnar the WWE Title.
Step 3: Lesnar enters in the Rumble at №30, tosses everybody out and wins.
We all knew it was coming. I called it in my predictions. I think that’s what made the men’s match a little underwhelming. There were a few good spots. I liked A.J. Styles entering at №1, and the HBK pose was a nice touch. Styles had a great showing in the match, and he’s set for a major match in Dallas in early April. Shinsuke Nakamura drew №2, so Pat McAfee could dance, but he didn’t last long. Mr. McMahon’s egg stealer Austin Theory entered at №3 and showed out for 20 minutes, but he didn’t do anything memorable in the match.
Johnny Knoxville got his spot at №9, but Sami Zayn ultimately got his revenge! Omos was dominant for a little while before Styles eliminated him with the help of many friends. Kofi Kingston truly botched his save spot, which really took away from the match.
The biggest surprise to me of the whole Rumble was the lack of tag teams being put together. Robert Roode was eliminated before Dolph Ziggler. Ridge Holland was eliminated before Sheamus. Nakamura was tossed out before Boogs came in. Dominik and Rey Mysterio had separate times in the Rumble and so did Chad Gable and Otis. Only the Happy Folks — who were discarded by a surprise entrant in Drew McIntyre, the Street Profits, who did not last long, and RK-BRO were in the match together.
Speaking of RK-BRO, even though it was in his hometown, Randy Orton got one of the LOUDEST POPS in recent Rumble history! It wasn’t Edge 2020 level, but it was close! It was WAY bigger than Bad Bunny and Shane McMahon, who each individually got good reactions.
When Lesnar made his way down the aisle, he quickly disposed of RK-BRO to the crowd’s dismay. The final four featured Lesnar (entered at №30), McMahon (28), Bunny (27) and McIntyre (21). As quick as Bugs Bunny, Lesnar tossed out McMahon and the popular artist, allowing the WrestleMania 36 Night Two main event to once again take the stage. The “Scottish Terminator” didn’t back down, but Lesnar proved his dominance by F-5’ing the former WWE Champion over the top rope to secure his spot in the main event of WrestleMania.
Like I mentioned above, I called this in my predictions article. I didn’t mind Lesnar winning the Rumble at all. If he didn’t, he just would have gone to Jeddah next month and tossed around five superstars inside of the Elimination Chamber to get to Reigns. Now the Chamber has intrigue because we have no idea who Lashley is going to face for the WWE Championship, especially with Big E now back on SmackDown. Styles, Edge, Rollins and KO come to find as potential challengers, but anything is on the table.
Women’s Rumble Turns Rowdy
Look, it was either going to be Rousey (if the rumors were true) or Bianca Beliar going back-to-back, and to her credit, Beliar lasted until the Final Four, and she entered at №8. She was in there with Charlotte Flair (17), Shayna Baszler (30) and the Rowdy one (28). The biggest surprise to me in this match was no return from Bayley, Asuka or Paige.
Before the Final Four, there were good moments, including Cameron coming back to get revenge on Deville for Naomi, but Deville eliminated her a spot before Naomi came down and eliminated her boss. Naomi tried to do her best Kingston impression and save herself in miraculously fashion, but Deville pulled her out of the ring to stop her dream,
The “Blueprint” walked out at №1, and she was met by the returning Melina (that split-legged entrance gets me every time!). Mickie James came out to “Hardcore Country” and proudly showed off her TNA Knockouts World Title. Some legends (Lita and the Bella Twins) had better moments than others (Kelly Kelly and Ivory). Liv Morgan had a good showing. So did the young cat Aliyah.
Nikki A.S.H. tried to attack Rhea Ripley from behind, but it didn’t work. She did however show Molly Holly how a real Superhero does it!
When rubber met the road though, Beliar was working on Baszler near the ropes when Flair dumped them both out, setting up Rousey and Flair for the finish. The former UFC Champion took the “Opportunity” and tossed her right out of the ring to win her first match since the WrestleMania 35 main event.
The question is now: Which champion does she go after? She certainly has history with both. My first initial thought was “Big Time Becks”, but I think Flair will be the choice. Beliar and Lynch still have unfinished business from the “Biggest Party of the Summer”, and Rousey being on FOX and SmackDown gives legitimate marketability. Plus, if the reports are true, Rousey’s deal expires after WrestleMania 39 in Hollywood. A Reigns/Lesnar and Flair/Rousey WrestleMania 38 combo, followed by a Reigns/Rock and Lynch/Rousey WrestleMania 39 combo seems in order.
From a booking perspective, it makes sense. Sometimes, I think fans think too much about the Rumble needing to elevate a young talent like it did for the “EST” last year. The Rumble though is more about booking the biggest matches for the “Showcase of the Immortals”. Sometimes, it involves elevating a young star, but sometimes it doesn’t. Rousey and Lesnar are both superstars and so are the champions they are fighting. WWE is going to survive, I promise! It’s best to just let the story play out!
The “Man” Retains
The story here was Lynch couldn’t Manhandle Slam Doudrop until she got her up on the second rope. It was a good match, but the result was never a question. Lynch moves on to bigger and better things. Good for Doudrop though! Not everyone gets a major title match at a Big Four PLE.
The GRIT Couple Stands Tall
This match was always going to be good, especially when you have four legit talents in the ring that have good chemistry, but it was better than expected. Maryse doing a Hurricanrona off the top rope to Edge was something! Of course, the IT couple tried their purse sneak attack again, but it didn’t work this time. A Powerbomb from the “Glamazon” and an elbow drop from the “Ultimate Opportunist” to the “A-Lister” didn’t get the job done. It took a double Spear to Miz and a Double Glamslam to secure the victory.
Last year, Edge won the Rumble from the №1 position. This year, he was in a mixed tag match with his wife, and it did not feel like a downgrade at all! This family feud was fun, but it’s time for Edge to get back into the championship picture. The “Tribal Chief” cost him his moment last year. I smell Lashley or Styles in his future. As for Miz, whatever he does for WrestleMania will be AWESOME because he’s just one of those guys that never does anything bad.
______________________________________________________________________
My expectations for the 2022 Rumble were through the roof! I truly felt like this show had the potential to be an all-timer! Did it live up?!
No, but high expectations rarely do. The Rollins-Reigns match, and the mixed tag match did. Lashley and Lesnar did it’s job, but it could have been better. Lynch winning was expected. The Rumble matches I thought were good. I understand both endings PERFECTLY from a storytelling perspective. The execution could have been better though.
I still enjoyed the show. I would watch it again. I didn’t feel like I wasted my night at all, unlike some on the internet. You have to remember sometimes it’s not WHO wins the Rumble, but WHY they win the rumble, and I’m perfectly good with the WHY for both matches.
It was a good show, not a great one, hence the “good” grade.
GRADE: B
