WWE Royal Rumble PPV Results: 1-28-18
(6) WOMEN’S ROYAL RUMBLE
Jo Jo introduced the match and the rules. Then Maria Menounos. She said no one has worked harder for this moment than these ladies. She got some boos. Maria shrugged and laughed and said, “I get it.” She introduced Stephanie McMahon as the guest commentator. Boos. Cole said Stephanie is one of the trailblazers in the Women’s Evolution, although “she won’t tell you.” Huh? She made the announcement. She’s inserted herself as guest commentator. She’s all over the Revolution/Evolution. Alexa Bliss walked out to watch at ringside. Then Charlotte came out next.
(1) Sasha Banks… (2) Becky Lynch: Nice starting two to make history once the bell rings. Stephanie said she’s nervous and excited.
(3) Sarah Logan: Cole said Logan is from Kentucky “and considers herself a backwoods girl.” Cole said she was once a member of the boys wrestling team. Logan gave Banks a lift-and-drop headbutt.
(4) Mandy Rose: Graves said Mandy is his pick because she’s “God’s greatest creation.”
(5) Lita: The crowd was happy to see her. Cole said she’s the only women to be involved in a TLC match. Lita landed a double-clothesline, but then Mandy attacked her. Stephanie noted that Lita has names written on her forearm of women who couldn’t be there tonight. Cole listed: Fabulous Moolah, Mae Young, Sensational Sherri, Alunda Blaze, Miss Elizabeth, Wendy Richter. Stephanie added Chyna. Rose delivered a knee to the side of Lita’s face. As Mandy celebrated, Lita ELIMIANTED MANDY ROSE (1). Stephanie said that was either inexperience or arrogance on display.
(6) Kairi Sane: Kairi got in a flurry of offense. She delivered a shot to Lita in the corner, then leaped off the top rope onto Sarah Logan. She then landed a top rope elbow onto Sasha which Cole said would make Macho Man proud. She landed another top rope elbow on Becky.
(7) Tamina: Tamina gave shots to several women. Lita delivered a DDT to stop her momentum. She gave Babks a Twist of Fate. Then Becky, too. Lita then landed a scary moonsuit onto Becky and Sasha. Tamina kicked at Lita, but Lita ducked. Fans chanted “You still got it!” She ducked a charging Tamina, to ELIMINATE TAMINA (2). Becky then ELIMINATE LITA (3). Boos. Graves said fans weren’t pleased, but Becky did what she should be doing to try to win.
(8) Dana Brooke: Brooke ELIMINATED SANE (4) by knocking her off the top rope.
(9) Torrie Wilson: Cole talked about her being part of the Attitude Era. He said she’s a web-based fitness instructor and blogger now. Graves complimented her immaculate condition. Logan kicked Wilson. Fans chanted “Torrie Wilson.” Sasha attacked Logan which stopped Logan from eliminating Wilson. Graves said he doesn’t get Sasha’s strategy. Cole said none of the women have been in a Rumble before. Graves and Stephanie said they could watch them, though. Torrie ELIMINATED DANA (5)
(10) Sonya Deville: Deville ELIMINATED TORRIE (6). Torrie landed at the floor right by Charlotte and Bliss.
(11) Liv Morgan: Cole said she thought Lita was the coolest thing ever growing up.
(12) Molly Holly. Holly ELIMINATED LOGAN (7). Molly delivered a top rope flip double legdrop onto Sasha. Graves said that earned a “You still got it” chant.
(13) Lana: Of course that prompted another “Rusev Day!” chant. Morgan and Deville attacked Lana.
(14) Michelle McCool: Fans chanted “Un-der-taker!” McCool ELIMINATED DEVILLE (8) and ELIMINATED MORGAN (9). Molly attacked McCool from behind. McCool then ELIMINATED MOLLY (10). Lana mouthed off to McCool, who then ELIMINATED LANA (11).
(15) Ruby Riott: Sasha tried to toss Riott right away, but Riott landed on the ring apron. McCool almost eliminated Banks. Banks then yanked McCool over the top rope onto the ring apron. Neither went to the floor.
(16) Vickie Guerrero. Loud “Excuse me!” utterances. She marched to the ring with a wireless mic in hand. They all ELIMINATED VICKIE (12).
(17) Carmella: Vickie attacked Carmella at ringside with her own briefcase.
(18) Natalya: Stephanie gave credit to Natalya. “If anyone is responsible for blazing this path, it’s Natalya,” she said.
(19) Kelly Kelly: Natalya tried to eliminate Kelly at the start, but Kelly hung on. Kelly leg scissored McCool as she tried to spin her around. Natalya then ELIMINATED MCCOO (13).
(20) Naomi: Riott ELIMINATED LYNCH (14). Boos.
(21) Miss Jacqueline: Cole noted that Jackie once beat Chavo Guerrero for the Cruiserweight Title. Riot, Natalya, and Jackie tried to eliminate Kelly, but Kelly held on to the ropes.
(22) Nia Jax: Jax ELIMINATED JACQUELINE (15) and ELIMINATED KELLY (16). She knocked Natalya down, so Natalya rolled to ringside. Jax pressed Riott and tossed her onto a top turnbuckle and then ELIMINATED RIOTT (17). Naomi kicked Jax rapid-fire, but Jax soon knocked her off the ring apron. Naomi landed in the arms of a crowd at ringside. She climbed onto the barricade. Steph asked how she’d get back to the ring from there, though.
(23) Ember Moon: Ember came out selling her left arm. It was heavily wrapped. Naomi watched from the barrier. Moon attacked Jax with a barrage of punches. She threw a running elbow. Jax came back and tossed her hard across the ring. Moon rolled to the floor. Naomi walked the edge of the barrier and then asked Maria to move. Naomi sat on her chair and rolled herself to the ring using her hands. She sprung her feet to the steps and climbed to the top rope and surprised Jax. Jax caught her, though, and dumbed her over the top to ELIMINATE MOON (18). “After all of that,” said Stephanie.
(24) Beth Phoenix: Cole said she competed in a Royal Rumble match before and eliminated Great Khali. She faced off with Jax. They exchanged blows. Fans chanted “This is awesome!” Beth lifted Jax onto her shoulders and couldn’t get her to the top rope, though. Jax elbowed free. Natalya re-entered and kicked Jax. Beth and Natalya attacked Jax. Cole said they’re long-time friends. They shoulder tackled Jax through the ropes. Natalya and Beth hugged. Stephanie said, “Let’s see how long that lasts.” Natalya punched Beth and tossed her over the top rope to ELIMINATE BETH (19). Stephanie, the smartest one in the room calling that one.
(25) Asuka: Graves said: “Game over.” Cole: “How about Game On.” Asuka threw a barrage of strikes. “Asuka’s going to kill you” sang the crowd. Asuka faced off with Moon again. Cole referenced their fierce NXT rivalry. Asuka laughed at Moon’s arm and ducked a punch. Moon head scissored her to the mat. Moon hit her Eclipse with one arm. Asuka yanked on her Moon’s bad arm over the top rope and ELIMINATED MOON (20).
(26) Mickie James.
(27) Nikki Bella. Graves said he was changing his pick to Bella. Fans sang “John Cena sucks!” Nikki shot Charlotte a look at ringside. Carmella did a moon walk and then charged at Bella in the corner. Bella put Carmella on her shoulders. Carmella screamed out. Bella set her on the top rope and tried to shove her down. Nikki ELIMINATED CARMELLA (21). Asuka and Sasha went after Nikki.
(28) Brie Bella: Stephanie said, “She’s out of retirement.” The crowd did loud “Yes!” chants. Brie went after Natalya and Mickie. Cole noted Sasha has been in the match for 45 minutes now. Nia crawled back onto the ring apron. The Bellas knocked her back to the floor. The Bellas double-suplexed Natalya.
(29) Bayley: The Bellas charged at her, but she dropped them over the ropes. She kicked Natalya next. The fans began chanting “Ronda Rousey!” Stephanie asked: “Who’s it gonna be?”
(ROLL CALL: Nia, Bayley, Natalya, Mickie, Nikki. Brie, Sasha, Asuka.)
(30) Trish Stratus: No Rousey. But if you’re going to not have it be Rousey, Trish is the best option to come out last. The crowd popped as Mickie and Trish squared off. Stephanie called it one of the all-time great rivalries. Trish knocked Mickie off the top rope with a round kick to ELIMINATE MICKIE (22). Jax re-entered and attacked Trish. All remaining women attacked Jax. Jax shoved them all off and out out a big yell. Graves said, “This could very well Nia’s night.” That is the signal she’ll be gone soon. Trish superkicked Trish. The Bellas then tried to suplex Jax over the top rope. Other women joined in and helped ELIMINATE JAX (23). Sasha ELIMINATED BAYLEY (24).
Stephanie wondered what it would mean if it came down to the Bella Twins. Natalya put Trish in the sharpshooter mid-ring as she stared at the WrestleMania sign. Trish ELIMINATED NATALYA (25). Cole wondered if Trish returned to WWE and won the Royal Rumble. Cue the elimination of Trish within a minute. Just seconds later Sasha dumped Trish over the top to ELIMINATE TRISH (26).
Asuka came up behind Sasha. Fans sang “Asuka’s going to kill you.” They faced off and then turned to look at the Bellas. They decided to go after the Bellas, but instead Sasha gave Asuka a cheap shot. Graves said, “That’s what they say. If you’ve got a back, Sasha’s got a knife.” Stephanie said, “Is that what they say, Corey?” The Bellas and Sasha triple teamed Asuka. Stephanie said she can’t believe Sasha is still in it. Cue Sasha being eliminated seconds later. The Bellas ELIMINATED SASHA (27). Could WWE be more obvious in telegraphing these eliminations? Nope.
Asuka fought against the Bellas with success, kicking them both as they kneeled in mid-ring. Asuka tossed Brie over the top rope, but Brie held on. Nikki attacked Asuka from behind and then lifted her and gave her a face plant. Nikki then turned on Brie and knocked her off the top rope to ELIMINATE BRIE (28). Nikki charged at Asuka, but Asuka blocked her. Then Asuka landed a top rope missile dropkick. Nikki came back with a kick. Both went down. Nikki got up first. Nikki dropped Asuka over the top rope. She gave Asuka a forearm to the face. Asuka dropped to the edge of the ring. She Nikki charged, Asuka kicked her and then used her leg to leverage Nikki backwards over the top rope onto the ring apron. They both landed on the ring apron. Nikki hit Asuka, but Asuka kicked Nikki’s ankle and sent her to the floor to ELIMINATE NIKKI (29). Graves wondered which champion Asuka would challenge for WrestleMania.
WINNER: Asuka in 59:00.
That was very good. I think it was a suitable PPV main event with a good mix of nostalgia and star power, in the end, the right wrestler won.
-After the match, Bliss and Charlotte entered the ring and stood next to Asuka. Charlotte, totally needlessly, had the highest heels. Asuka looked at both of them. Charlotte raised her belt. Bliss raised her belt.
Suddenly Ronda Rousey’s music played and she came out with Roddy Piper’s “Hot Rod” lettering. The three women in the ring looked over at the stage. Graves said, “The rumors are true.” Cole: “Ronda Rousey is here!” Stephanie said she is speechless. Rousey walked out with a big smile on her face. Maria introduced her. She stepped into the ring. Rousey pointed at the WrestleMania sign. The fans chanted “Holy sh–!” She stayed at Charlotte, then offered a handshake to Asuka. Asuka slapped her hand. Rousey smiled, pointed at the sign again, and her music played. Cole said Stephanie has no idea what Rousey is doing here other than pointing at the WrestleMania sign. Rousey left the ring.
Rousey circled the ring and then offered a handshake to Stephanie. Stephanie accepted it apprehensively. Rousey smiled and walked away, slapping hands with fans at ringside. Cole said news was breaking on social media that Rousey agreed to join WWE “as a full time superstar,” reports ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne.