WWE Royal Rumble (2018 TV Special) User Reviews

Ladies get ready to Rumble

[paudieconnolly · 7/10 · 8 November 2020]

A phenomenal opening match to this royal rumble Aj at the top of his game to try and defend the world title against two superstars. Tag team titles match followed best 2 out of 3 falls match. Men's royal rumble early on the card. the story telling and best of the rumble was in the last third of the event felt a very weak rumble for the first two thirds with participants just passing in and out without to many memorial moments. Worth the wait for the last chapter solid finish. A weird tag team title match with a near silent crowd at the cost of three men to elevate one star poor bout. Three monsters for the world title next. First woman's Royal Rumble many appearances by stars who would never have got to compete in a rumble in there era the highlight of this match. Compared with the next few years not the best women rumble but an enjoyable start .

Thank goodness, this WWE Show was not a royal fumble. It was pretty decent.

[ironhorse_iv · 7/10 · 1 March 2018]

Despite the dreadful built up from the closing moments of both the 'RAW 25' & 'Smackdown Live' show. This live event from the Well Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA was not that bad. It was alright. Even the preshow matches with the Cruiserweights from '205 Live' was fun to watch. The six-man contest, between Kallisto, Gran Metalik, and Lince Dorado against Drew Gulak, TJP, and Gentleman Jack Gallagher was very enjoyable with the triple moonsault being the highlight. Too bad, nobody was around to see it, due to security slowly allowing people into the arena. Regardless, it's a lot better than the original plan of having Enzo Amore defend his cruiserweight championship title against Cedric Alexander. Nobody wants to see that mess, even before Amore got suspended and subsequently released from WWE amid ongoing sexual assault allegation. He wasn't that good of a wrestler. Unlike Amore, the next match feature two of the best wrestlers in the world, yet, the contest was slow & mediocre. How was even, possible? Well, first off, the team of the Revival (Scott Dawson & Dash Wilder) is a bit rusty in the ring, coming back from a number of injuries. Second off, they were facing Balor Club (Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson), two men that clearly has some limitation on what they can do in the ring. So, the match was not good. Nevertheless, it was a lot better than the next contest on the pre-show. Originally scheduled for the PPV, the match was going to be, the tournament final for 'SmackDown''s then-vacant United States Championship, however, the finals were instead contested on the January 16 episode of 'SmackDown', where Bobby Roode defeated Jinder Mahal to win the title. This change cause the show to create a new match, instead, with Roode facing off against Mojo Rawley in a US Championship: Open Challenge. The result was a botch-fest. A nothing match. An awful example to led up to the Royal Rumble opening video. Not good. The opening championship fight was not any better. AJ Styles Vs Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn in a handicap match for the WWE Championship was not a great watch. Not only, was Owens work injury, due to a back problems, but the match had awful built up to it, with most of the storyline, focusing not on the championship chase with the trios, but the continuous same old-backstage feud between the Commissioner Shane McMahon Vs General Manager Daniel Bryan. To add to it, the way, they milk, yet, another controversial screwy climax, into the match that was not good. It really does seem like Smackdown main event screen is just spinning its wheel. It's really heading nowhere. The same with the Smackdown Tag Team Championship 2 out of 3 falls Match, between, 'the Usos' (Jey & Jimmy) versus Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin. Without spoiling, too much, of the match, it also short, and had very awkward ending. It was a total failure. Thank God, the next match save the show from sucking, any further. The Men's Royal Rumble Match was indeed one of the best of the night. Once again, without spoiling, who the winner, is; all I can say, is that, WWE went with the right choice. For once, they're listening to what the majority of their fan base, wanted. As for the match, itself; it had plenty of suspense, and surprises. They made great use of the NXT roster, as well, as most of the superstars that are super over. Even, comedy spots like Health Slater, not being able to get into the ring, was a bit funny. However, there were somethings to nitpick, such as the pancake spot & the waste of Dolph Ziggler return. Those were a bit stupid. Nevertheless, most of the match, did awaken the crowd from total boredom. However, the following contest, involving the RAW Tag Team Championship between champions, Jason Jordan & Seth Rollins versus 'the Bar' (Sheamus & Cesaro) couldn't keep the audience from falling back down to near-sleep. The crowd was mostly dead. Like the Handicap match, earlier on the card, this, too, was awkwardly ended, quickly, due to wrestlers working hurt. This time, due to Jordan suffering a severe neck injury. It was a match, worth nothing more than a bathroom break. This brings us to the Triple Threat Match for the World Heavyweight Championship, between champion, Brock Lesnar & challengers, Kane & Braun Strowman. Without spoiling the fight, too much, while, the built up to this feud was great, the match was a bit messy. There was no in-ring story. Just Crash TV, with a prediction outcome. After all, it really did seem like past-his prime, Kane was just there to eat the pin. I really didn't like it. The next match was a lot better; nevertheless, there were parts of Women's Royal Rumble match that was a mixed bag. Much of that, come from the fact that WWE didn't have enough well-train active women wrestlers. This cause, a huge trip to nostalgia-land, with former women wrestlers returning for one night to win the championship spot. Since, most of them, were a bit rusty. The match was botchy, at best. Some of them, nearly kill themselves, trying out their old move-set such was the case with Lita; who is clearly pass her prime. Regardless of that, the match was entertaining. Seeing Trish Stratus face off against Mickie James was a highlight. Also, it was pretty cool to see Ember Moon come from NXT to fight Asuka, once again. However, if there were somethings to nitpick. I really didn't like the ending with Ronda Rousey interrupting the celebrations, nor Stephanie McMahon ham-fisted, taking all the credit. It really took away, all the focus from the active wrestlers. In the end: the match was good enough to overlook those. Overall: While, '2018's Royal Rumble' was a bit clunky at times. It felt like a massive step on the right direction for WWE. Can't wait until Wrestlemania!

The Best In Years... (Albeit Problematic)...

[aleksthelegend · 8/10 · 30 January 2018]

Royal Rumble was held on January the 28th 2018 in the Wells Fargo Centre within the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and provided 2 30 person Royal Rumbles for both the men's, and for the first time for the women's also. Straight off the bat a shorter ramp than last year made things much more bearable ESPECIALLY with the notion of said 2 Royal Rumbles... how did it fare though?

Pre-Show Matches: 6-Man Cruiserweight Tag Team Match WWE love to pull these out the bag and to the unsuspecting viewer this may seem like a repeat of the ordinary. However, with the understanding that there were 4 huge main event level matches on the main card, and the recognition of the Enzo Amore situation... this was surprisingly solid. The triple moonsault spot was on point, the springboard stunners were great and Gulak's gimmick (with specific example to Gallagher's hilarious "no fly zone" part) continues to impress the fans. 6/10

Gallows + Anderson VS The Revival Far greater than their Raw 25 match... albeit in reality that's just saying it wasn't awful. The match was pre-show filler. Yeah... pre-show filler... yeesh. The result of The Revival scraping a victory added to the matches lack of importance, but The Revival needed a win... they got one... very skippable match. Not necessarily bad but you'll forget it the very next day. 4.5/10 Bobby Roode VS Mojo Rawley (United States Championship) By far the worst match on the show in my opinion. Rawley as Roode's Open Challenge for the Rumble was a fairly tepid and boring choice. The story was clear on paper but the Philidelphia crowds lack of investment made it fairly dull and not a match worthy of Roode's capabilities. 4/10

Main-Card Matches: AJ Styles VS Kevin Owens + Sami Zayn (WWE Championship, 2 on 1 Handicap) The WWE Championship going first on most cards is criminal... on THIS night it made so much sense. All 3 men are notorious of near falls and quick offense, and despite Kevin Owens injury plaguing, this match still lived up to hype. The roll up victory on Owens with Zayn as tagged partner combined with the backstage "yep" Shane segment indicates their feud will continue on. Overall... quick but sweet and a nice kick-off to the main show. 7/10

The Usos VS Chad Gable + Shelton Benjamin (SD Live Tag Team Championship, 2/3 Falls) This match was difficult to grade for me as it started off so wonderfully what with the near falls happening before the first fall and the utilisation of finishers throughout... however... WWE chose to have the second fall occur out of nowhere. Now, The Uso's as tag champs is great and the 2/3 falls stipulation was used differently. But at the same time you can't help but feel this hurts Gable and Benjamins credibility. Bit of a stumper. 6.5/10

Men's Royal Rumble Match For the rumbles I shall grade them by positives and negatives in dot point form: + The first 2 being Rusev and Balor + Corbin hangs everyone out continuing his bad-tempered persona wonderfully + Elias is given time to perform, timed brilliantly by the last point + Cien Almas as a shock No.7 AND the part involving him and Elias was very solid + Owens and Zayn blindside Tye which generates heat rather wonderfully + The Slater spot and his quick elimination of Sheamus was comedic gold at its finest

• A rather lousy stretch in the middle from around No. 11 to No. 17
• Wyatt and Broken Matt didn't salvage their status after Raw 25's abysmal showing

+ Kofi Kingstons shock elimination with a plate of pancakes was silly but seeing Jinder eliminated was very satisfying

• The Hurricanes return was nice but rather poorly executed with Cena in my personal opinion

++ Adam Cole at No. 23 and Rey Mysterio at No. 27 are legitimate shocks (to the system)

• Goldust at 29 was a dead option
• - By far and wide the biggest disappointment with Ziggler's return being wasted as he is tossed out no sooner than he enters... and as the Number 30 spot that was such a wasted spot

+ The final 6 of the past versus the present was wonderful and the final 4 was even more so

• Reigns having his 5th time in the final 4 in a Royal Rumble... ugh...

++ Shinsuke Nakamuras win was absolute heartwrenching and a perfect note to end the Rumble OVERALL: An (almost) perfect showcase of the mid-card within WWE at the start of the Rumble alongside the NXT entrants and the veterans crafted the best Rumble since 2007... without a lie. Yes, Ziggler was wasted, and potentially some spots in general could've been better, but they used nearly every superstar to their strength. Not to mention the final stretch with Reigns and Nakamura playing to the Philadelphia crowd crafted a pure heartfelt victory for Nakamura. Him and Styles are looking at 5-star territory at WM34. 9/10

Seth Rollins + Jason Jordan VS The Bar (Raw Tag Team Championships) WWE created an angle in the form of Jason Jordan's concussion and Rollins having to carry the team... a metaphor to say the least. The match itself definitely paled in comparison to matches at SummerSlam and No Mercy despite the Frog Splash on both The Bar. The Bar as 4 time tag champs is definitely good for business however. 5.5/10

Braun Strowman VS Kane VS Brock Lesnar (Triple Threat, Universal Championship) Once again the angles hype before a Lesnar match ruined the match. Not to the same extent as his No Mercy but about the same as his GBOF match. The table carnage and steel chair attacks in isolation were wonderful but the overall feel was more sluggish then brutal. Brock Lesnar retaining is however the biggest wasted opportunity considering how big of an asset Strowman is to WWE right now... oh and Kane... yeah he was fine... not greaattttt but... fine. 6.5/10

Women's Royal Rumble Match

• Stephanie at commentary was rather annoying quite often

+ The first 2 of Lynch and Banks, as per the mens Rumble was wisely chosen + Lita returning at No. 5 was a shock

• Why would face Becky eliminating Lita be in any way "face" generating?

+ Kairi Sane at No. 6 BUT a - for Dana Brooke eliminating her... seriously?! + Torrie Wilson, Molly Holly, Michelle McCool at No. 9, 12, 14 respectively were nice

• The initial stages of the match took a while to get going
• Riott Squad and Absolution felt as they usually do on SD Live and Raw... in other words they didn't make much of a statement
• Michelle McCool eliminating most of Riot Squad was absurd and in general the offensive of some surprises was either far too much or criminally small

+ Vickie Guerrero at 16 was as funny as it gets + Kelly Kelly, Jacqueline, Ember Moon at No. 19, 21, 23 were again, nice entries + Ember Moon and Asuka re-igniting their past rivalry and Beth Phoenix and Natalya having their friendship recognised were very nice touches + Nia Jax looked incredibly strong with 4 eliminations and her elimination requiring 6 women

• The Bellas in the final 3 was just silly
• The way some women stayed in the match by sitting on the outside such as Banks was unnecessary and made the match feel less like a Rumble

++ Asuka winning was predictable but the right kind of predictable + Ronda Rousey is here AND she didn't take Asukas victory by not being in the Rumble

• Ronda most definitely detracted from Asukas victory

OVERALL: The Women's Rumble personally felt like a notch or two less than the Men's but by and far justifies the hype and expectations met. The "feel good" atmosphere showcased women of now, women of the future and veterans within a single night not to mention the winner in Asuka and the cliffhanger of Ronda Rousey providing for both a great rumble and future angle. Not the best, and it has its slow parts, but very entertaining 7.5-8/10

IN SUMMATION: This Rumble was indeed the best in recent memory, that's not to say it wasn't perfect. I personally found the tag team championship matches rather underwhelming, the pre-show as an entirety felt like 2 hours that was completely skippable and Lesnar retaining AGAIN was annoying. The future in both Nakamura and Asuka alongside the sheer enjoyment of both Rumbles made this years RR 2018... a resounding success. The Road to Wrestle Mania looks great... how refreshing. 7.8/10 overall

A good show!

[MuviFan73 · 8/10 · 30 January 2018]

Without getting much into details, let us directly get into the WWE matches conducted on 28th January 2018.

Match 1: 2 on 1 handicap match between A.J. Styles vs Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn. I have been following WWE for quite a few months now and I have gained respect for our champion Styles. This is one such match where Styles commands why he is a champion. He defends his championship even against double contenders.

Match 2: 2 out of 3 falls match between Benjamin and Gable vs USO's. USO's defending their tag team championship. When match started it was becoming difficult for both teams to get other team surrender to even first pin fall. But when it happened it was one hell of a show. The second one came as a technical one and USO's won.

Match 3: 31st Royal Rumble (males). Your enthusiasm never dies as every other new contender is introduced every 90 seconds. New day are quite an entertainer. At a point of time they all were present. I wished if they used some planning. I came to know Jindar was some commentator's favorite. I liked that. In fact I liked the mutual actions between Mahal and New day. Only thing I didn't like was disrespecting food (pancakes). I had no particular favorite. It was a justified show. I enjoyed it.

Match 4: Tag team match between Sheamus/Ceasaro and Seth Rollins/Jason Jordan (defenders). After a while it became a handicap match for Seth. It was the worst match. I already dint had any interest. The circumstances made it even worse.

Match 5: Triple threat match for Universal championship. Brock Lesnar(defender) vs Braun Strowman vs Kane. The Beast being my favorite contender I was keenly looking for this match. The match involved tables, steel chairs, and steel stairs. A lot of power was involved. The Beast capitalized on one of the moments and retained his championship.

Match 6: 1st Royal Rumble (females). 28th January 2018 would go down in history for when first women's royal rumble began. Unlike men's I had my favorite in women's, she's Nia Jax. First she put up one hell of a show but later fell prey to team work. I would like to give an advice, when it comes to team work, let the final contender stand by mutual understanding rather than animal behavior.

WWE Royal Rumble: Making history, and mistakes

[Platypuschow · 5/10 · 30 January 2018]

Because of just how much of a mixed bag 2018's Royal Rumble event was I'll break it down.

Cruiserweights, nobody cared.

Gallows/Anderson vs Revival, too little too late after the thorough burial a few days before on RAW 25

US open invitational, really?! That's who you're gonna go with?

Both tag title contests were played safe, dull and predictable. Are WWE trying out a new wrestling style consisting of just strikes & holds now to prevent injuries?

AJ vs Owens/Zayn succeeded in doing one thing, making Owens/Zayn look bad. No wait that's not fair, it accomplished in making three outstanding workers have a boring generic match!

Brock's triple threat shouldn't have even happened, it was 100% predictable! The outcome was never in doubt, both the winner and who would take the fall.

The Royal Rumble had few decent surprises or returns, illustrated once again how much Cena/Reigns are hated and demonstrated further what a joke Ziggler's booking is.

The women's royal rumble we knew had to have lots of surprise entrants due to the small roster. A few were great, but too many were long since retired girls who couldn't wrestle in their prime let alone now.

And the big shocker before the fade to black was anti-climatic. It should have been huge, but the way it was done was so weak it lost all impact.

Royal Rumble 2018 should have been groundbreaking but wound up just another lackluster ppv.

The Good:

Was nice to see some old faces again

The Bad:

Highly bland matches

Universal title match was a joke

Overshadowed by Takeover

The way Ziggler was used, really!?!?

Talent less women filling in too many spots in the women's rumble