There were new champions crowned at Friday’s Greatest Royal Rumble and the show as a whole was okay. Here’s a report on each match from the Greatest Royal Rumble with a grade attached. Don’t agree with a grade, then feel free to score the show. If you missed it, check our Greatest Royal Rumble results.
Undertaker vs. Rusev
The match went longer than I thought and there was an improvement from WrestleMania. Undertaker might not be able to hit the big spots, but he made something work with his limited abilities. This was a better memory of Undertaker and not that joke of a match several weeks ago against John Cena. Grade: B-
Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns
The one trait all Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns matches have is violence and several finishers. We must have been 90 seconds in and Lesnar already hit around three German suplexes and the F5. This resembled their previous encounters as the steel cage was not used much. The final moment looked botched as Reigns’ feet technically hit the floor first. It might be time WWE stops doing the spot where a superstar goes through part of the steel. Grade: B-
Jeff Hardy vs. Jinder Mahal
There were no big surprises here as this was similar to the match that saw Jeff Hardy win the United States Championship. The shocking part was the almost silent crowd showering Jinder Mahal in boos. With the two on separate brands, both can find better programs. Grade: B-
The Bludgeon Brothers vs. The Usos
It was not a squash like WrestleMania, although the Bludgeon Brothers did not seem to have trouble with the former SmackDown tag team champions. I really wish WWE would give these two teams a chance to show what they are made of. An extra five to seven minutes would have helped. Grade: B-
50-Man Greatest Royal Rumble Match
For the first time, the Rumble match featured 50 superstars and it was something to witness. The match was okay with a few moments standing out. Titus O’Neil tripping down the entrance ramp and going under the ring might have been my favorite moment of the night. Shane McMahon’s bump through the announce table got everyones attention and Daniel Bryan lasting 76 minutes to break the record for longest time spent in a single Rumble were all memorable moments. Braun Strowman winning was probably the right choice by WWE. Grade: B
Bray Wyatt & “Woken” Matt Hardy vs. Sheamus & Cesaro
Seven titles were decided and there were no changes. Heading into the show, RAW’s tag titles were vacant; so, we knew history would be made at the Greatest Royal Rumble for those pieces of gold. Bray Wyatt & “Woken” Matt Hardy are still a relatively new tag team and it will be interesting how they are booked going forward. Grade: B
John Cena vs. Triple H
WWE opened the show with two of the most decorated superstars of the past 15 years. There was no storyline needed as their past is plenty. It felt like John Cena and Triple H went out there and had a good time. The match did not have any extra pressure by being the main event of WrestleMania, so both were able to get the fans warmed up for the next five hours. Grade: B
AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
Compared to their WrestleMania match, the second meeting was much better. Unlike the first time, we saw Shinsuke Nakamura work the heel route. When their are talented individuals inside the ring and they are delivering, a double count is not what fans want to see. It does allow for AJ Styles vs. Nakamura to take place at Backlash and maybe a few more pay per views if the title changes hands in a week. Grade: B+
The Miz vs. Seth Rollins vs. Finn Bálor vs. Samoa Joe
As imagined, these four had no trouble with what is candidate for match of the night. With or without the use of a ladder, the outcome would still be the same. I liked how Seth Rollins was able to snatch the title as Finn Balor was only seconds away from claiming the belt. I wonder if it leads to a heel turn for Balor. Grade: B+
Cedric Alexander vs. Kalisto
When given a chance, the cruiserweights know how to put on a match. Cedric Alexander is shining and becoming the star of 205 Live. As for Kalisto, he always delivers when called upon. I wish these guys were featured on a brand that people actually watch every week. Grade: A-
