WrestleMania season is here with the WWE Royal Rumble being the first stop. Therefore, we have grades for each match.
WWE Royal Rumble 2022 Report Card: Grades Are In From St. Louis!
Universal Championship: Roman Reigns vs Seth Rollins
First, talk about mind games by Seth Rollins. He had the Shield music, attire, moves and gestures to anger Roman Reigns.
But, it did not work too well as Reigns refused to release the choke and was disqualified in a lame ending. Meanwhile, if The Usos and Paul Heyman were there they could have talked sense into the champion
In the end, Reigns keeps his historic reign continuing and it likely goes into WrestleMania 38, but the ending hurt. Meanwhile, I am not sure what is next for Rollins as his character changed dramatically the past few weeks. Grade: B-
It has been ALL @WWERollins at #RoyalRumble! #UniversalTitle @WWERomanReigns pic.twitter.com/G46un2F23K
— WWE (@WWE) January 30, 2022
SHIELD BOMB THROUGH THE TABLE. @WWERollins‘ mind games are next level so far in his #UniversalTitle clash against @WWERomanReigns! #RoyalRumble pic.twitter.com/nbXm0vKunx
— WWE (@WWE) January 30, 2022
Men’s Royal Rumble Match
For the 35th year in a year, the Men’s Royal Rumble Match is back. As in the past, there were some decent combos between uniquely allies.
The match started close to 11pm EST, so already my energy was quickly fading. There was talk of a major name appearing outside of WWE appearing, but nothing.
Bad Bunny was great to see as he seems like a natural inside the ring. A pissed off Brock Lesnar was an easy choice to win after what happened earlier and now we have our WrestleMania 38 main event. Grade: B-
F5 TO BAD BUNNY!!!#RoyalRumble @BrockLesnar @sanbenito pic.twitter.com/qVEZBPIjrA
— WWE (@WWE) January 30, 2022
SHANE-O-MAC = BACK.#RoyalRumble @shanemcmahon pic.twitter.com/zhqSze9Cgu
— WWE (@WWE) January 30, 2022
RAW Women’s Championship: Beky Lynch vs Doudrop
WrestleMania is close and Becky Lynch never lost her title almost three years ago. So, I did not see Doudrop scoring the upset so close to WrestleMania.
Although, Doudrop was really impressive. I knew she was talented from her time in NXT UK, but she finally is being used on RAW.
Becky wins and likely Ronda Rousey challenges her or Charlotte Flair. Regardless, Doudrop showed she belongs in the title picture. Grade: B
.@BeckyLynchWWE with a Molly-Go-Round!#RoyalRumble #WomensTitle @DoudropWWE pic.twitter.com/LIOTaB94Pn
— WWE (@WWE) January 30, 2022
#BigTimeBecks is having to pull out the innovative offense to try and defeat @DoudropWWE with her #WWERaw #WomensTitle on the line!
#RoyalRumble ▶️:
https://t.co/TH3AlOnx8V
https://t.co/aEwGYUp0uE pic.twitter.com/kG4ozxuPwV— WWE (@WWE) January 30, 2022
Women’s Royal Rumble Match
Within the first few entrants, you knew WWE had a major problem. Basically, they needed NXT wrestlers and names from the past to just fill 30 spots.
Days before the pay per view, talk started that Ronda Rousey re-signed with WWE. Therefore, the winner seemed obvious.
My favorite entrants were Ivory in her Right To Censor gimmick and Mickie James entering as Impact Women’s Champion. Also, Michelle McCool continues to look impressive despite rarely wrestling for years. Grade: B
Turnabout is fair play as @SonyaDevilleWWE crushes @NaomiWWE‘s #WrestleMania dream.
Stream #RoyalRumble LIVE exclusively on @peacockTV in the U.S. and @WWENetwork everywhere else! pic.twitter.com/iKOGlPO83o
— WWE (@WWE) January 30, 2022
HARDCORE COUNTRY
Impact Women’s Champion @MickieJames is ready for action! #RoyalRumble pic.twitter.com/ByEIvMS4pN
— WWE (@WWE) January 30, 2022
Edge & Beth Phoenix vs The Miz & Maryse
To start, we have husband and wife WWE Hall of Famers teaming, which is cool. Also, it is the first time the married couple teamed together.
Above all, the point of this match was for Edge and Beth to have a moment. The Miz and Maryse have teamed before, so it is not as special for them.
Beth looked good, which is no surprise. But, Maryse showed a mom of two is better than most female wrestler in the back. Grade: B+
The #Glamazon plants @mikethemiz!#RoyalRumble @TheBethPhoenix pic.twitter.com/cqZ6jShK2i
— WWE (@WWE) January 30, 2022
Look at the POWER of @TheBethPhoenix!#RoyalRumble @EdgeRatedR pic.twitter.com/1VkNnQ1mca
— WWE (@WWE) January 30, 2022
WWE Championship: Brock Lesnar vs Bobby Lashley
Wow, Brock Lesnar vs Bobby Lashley has finally happened. They have to be the two toughest and strongest superstars in WWE.
I like how they went into the power moves. Come on, nobody wanted to see them trade arm drags.
Match was not long, but it lived up to the hype. Hopefully, these two meet again and this time no outside inference. Grade: A-
Message SENT by The #AllMighty! #RoyalRumble #WWETitle @fightbobby @BrockLesnar @HeymanHustle pic.twitter.com/45dyWMOKSx
— WWE (@WWE) January 30, 2022
What did we just see?!?#RoyalRumble @WWERomanReigns @HeymanHustle pic.twitter.com/sVtyJOtSzm
— WWE (@WWE) January 30, 2022
