Welcome to POST Wrestling’s coverage of the WWE Royal Rumble from Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas.
Our Royal Rumble POST Show begins right after tonight’s show with Wai Ting, Mike Murray and I going through the show. The POST Show will be LIVE for Double Double, Iced Capp & Espresso members of the POST Wrestling Café and we will be taking your calls.
RESULTS:
*Sheamus over Shorty G in 12:38
*Andrade over Humberto Carrillo in 14:16 to retain the United States title
*Roman Reigns over King Corbin in a Falls Count Anywhere match in 21:18
*Charlotte Flair wins the women’s Royal Rumble in 54:17
*Bayley over Lacey Evans in 9:26 to retain the SmackDown women’s title
*The Fiend Bray Wyatt over Daniel Bryan in a strap match in 17:31 to retain the Universal title
*Becky Lynch over Asuka in 16:23 to retain the Raw women’s title
*Drew McIntyre wins the men’s Royal Rumble at 60:00
The kickoff show began at 5 pm Eastern with Jonathan Coachman, Charly Caruso, David Otunga, and Christian on the panel at the beginning. Renee Young was on the floor with Sam Roberts and Booker T.
There was an interview with Bayley backstage stating she was a better role model than Lacey Evans could ever be, but that isn’t how the world works.
SHEAMUS VS SHORTY G
The first match started at 5:45 pm Eastern as more people had filed into the stadium.
G sent both over the top rope with a running crossbody, which Graves reminded us would eliminate both in the Royal Rumble. Sheamus took over inside the ring attacking Gable’s arm. Gable used his Marcos Ruas techniques and repeatedly stomped the foot of Sheamus to break free. Gable came back with slaps and forearms before dropkicking the knee of Sheamus. Gable stomped the left ankle of Sheamus.
A moonsault off the top was caught by Sheamus and Gable turned it into a DDT and then, hit the moonsault from the top for a two-count. Gable hit the Chaos Theory and Sheamus kicked out. Sheamus was caught coming off the top and Gable applied the ankle lock to the injured leg.
Sheamus kicked out of a crucifix and landed the Brogue kick with the right foot and won.
WINNER: Sheamus at 12:38
This had a lot more thought put into than most matches in their position with Gable weakening the ankle and setting up the ankle lock. No one bought Gable beating Sheamus and had a good match for the kickoff.
ANDRADE VS HUMBERTO CARRILLO FOR THE UNITED STATES TITLE
Tom Phillips and Jerry Lawler are calling this match.
Andrade beat down Carrillo for a long time. Carrillo stopped him and went for the roll-up moonsault and landed on the knees of Andrade. Andrade slid to the floor and was hit with an Asai moonsault.
Inside the ring, Andrade went for the three amigos but was countered on the last one. Carrillo was flung into the turnbuckle with the back of his head connecting as Andrade followed with the running knees. Carrillo ducked the spinning elbow and Andrade ducked a spin kick as each tried to land with big strikes.
On the top, Carrillo hit a super ‘rana and Andrade kicked out and that got an audible response.
Carrillo used a huracanrana into a roll-up, was reversed and Andrade got the cover.
WINNER: Andrade at 14:16 to retain the United States title
I would only say this was average with minimal crowd head even though the two worked hard. It picked up in the final few minutes with Carrillo’s super ‘rana spot but the finish was a bit flat and didn’t leave any opening for a rematch as Carrillo was simply caught and lost clean to the champion.
Sarah Schreiber interviewed Charlotte Flair and was obsessed with winning the Royal Rumble last year. She has a different outlook this year.
ROMAN REIGNS VS KING CORBIN IN A FALLS COUNT ANYWHERE MATCH
Reigns attacked Corbin on the sedan he was carried out on. They fought into the crowd all over the floor.
Corbin choke slammed Reigns onto the desk twice that Reigns kicked out from. Corbin and Reigns went out to the international broadcaster’s area and Reigns put Corbin through a table with a Samoan drop and then did it a second time. Robert Roode and Dolph Ziggler showed up and attacked Reigns in the broadcaster’s area. The Usos came out to assist Reigns and fight off Roode and Ziggler.
Jimmy Uso leaped off a riser onto everyone on the floor.
There were several port-a-potties and Corbin was placed into one and Reigns tipped it over. The audience chanted, ‘Holy shit’. From there, they fought their way to the dugout and Reigns hit a Superman Punch on the dugout followed by a spear and won the match. The audience went nuts for the ending on top of the dugout.
WINNER: Roman Reigns at 21:18
It was a typical brawl until the others got involved and the audience was very hot for the ending and was a cool visual on top of the dugout.
Kevin Owens and Samoa Joe were backstage with Owens mentioning he won his first Intercontinental and Universal title in Houston.
Sonya Deville and Mandy Rose were interviewed with Deville saying she won’t eliminate Rose in the Royal Rumble and they ended with an isolated shot of Rose reacting to that statement.
Cole and Graves mentioned the passing of Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and the others involved in Sunday’s helicopter crash.
WOMEN’S ROYAL RUMBLE MATCH
1. ALEXA BLISS
2. BIANCA BELAIR
Belair hit a handspring into a standing moonsault on Bliss.
3. MIGHTY MOLLY
She got a good reaction and hit a high cross onto Bliss and Belair.
4. NIKKI CROSS
Cross cleaned house and then hugged Bliss. Belair hit the KOD on Cross and dropped her onto Bliss. Bliss hit Belair with a Code Red and Molly hit Bliss with a running neck breaker,
5. LANA
Lana cut a promo on the way running the down the people and will win the match for Bobby Lashley. There was a big ‘Rusev Day’ chant.
6. MERCEDES MARTINEZ
7. LIV MORGAN
Morgan knocked Lana off the apron, and she was the first one eliminated. Lana returned and yanked Morgan off the turnbuckle to eliminate her and they fought on the floor.
8. MANDY ROSE
9. CANDICE LeRAE
Molly Holly was tossed out by Belair.
Rose got sent over the top and Otis appeared laying on the floor as a cushion for Rose and she wasn’t eliminated. She stood up and returned and was a very clever spot.
10. SONYA DEVILLE
Rose and Deville eliminated Mercedes Martinez
11. KAIRI SANE
12. MIA YIM
Kairi hit the Insane Elbow on LeRae as Yim entered the ring.
Belair lifted Bliss and used her to knock Cross off the apron.
Rose was knocked off the apron with Otis catching her but Belair nailed Deville, who landed on both and Fire & Desire was out.
13. DANA BROOKE
Belair got her fifth elimination by sending LeRae out and ties the women’s Rumble record.
Bliss eliminated Sane.
14. TAMINA
Tamina attacked with superkicks, ran at Belair and was tossed out so Belair has the record with six eliminations.
15. DAKOTA KAI
Bliss decked Yim with a right hand and eliminated her.
Bliss decked Yim with a right hand and eliminated her.
16. CHELSEA GREEN
Green instantly eliminated Kai and then Bliss tossed Green out, who was in for about ten seconds.
Belair sent Brooke off the apron for her seventh elimination.
Belair and Bliss are the two remaining. They fought on the edge of the apron, Bliss grabbed her hair and then was thrown into the post and Bliss was knocked out.
17. CHARLOTTE FLAIR
18. NAOMI
Naomi’s return received a big reaction. Naomi and Flair teamed up against Belair.
19. BETH PHOENIX
20. TONI STORM
Flair used a boot to eliminate Belair after 33:21 in the match. This was a tremendous use of Belair and positioned extremely strong coming out of it.
21. KELLY KELLY
Kelly hit a head scissors and stink face to Storm. Flair drilled her with a boot from behind. Phoenix tried to eliminate Flair and loosen her grip on the rope, but Flair survived.
22. SARAH LOGAN
Logan was dropped right away by Flair. Kelly tried to dump Flair unsuccessfully and Flair hit a forearm to send Kelly out.
Phoenix has blood all over her hair but I’m unsure what happened.
23. NATALYA
24. XIA LI
25. ZELINA VEGA
26. SHOTZI BLACKHEART
Naomi was sent down the steps and flew onto the barricade, held on and balanced on top of it. She jumped onto the Spanish announcer’s desk.
27. CARMELLA
Phoenix hit Flair with the Glam Slam after Flair hit Carmella with Natural Selection.
28. TEGAN NOX
29. SANTINA MARELLA
Santina entered the ring with Beth Phoenix and then pulled out the cobra. Santina looked at Phoenix and Natalya, hit himself with the cobra and fell to the floor.
30. SHAYNA BASZLER
Baszler eliminated Xia Li, Tegan Nox, and Zelina Vega. Blackheart came from behind to redo the battle royal spot, but Baszler was ready and reversed to eliminate Blackheart. Baszler eliminated Carmella next followed by Storm.
Naomi used the panel from the desk to get to the steps and re-enter. Baszler tossed out Naomi and has seven eliminations immediately.
It’s down to Baszler, Flair, Phoenix, and Natalya. Baszler was hit with the Hart Attack and then, Phoenix turned on Natalya and eliminated her.
Baszler tossed out Phoenix and went after Flair. Flair caught her with a head scissors and sent Baszler over the top for the win.
WINNER: Charlotte Flair at 54:17
Flair cut a promo in the ring and said this is her division.
BAYLEY VS LACEY EVANS FOR THE SMACKDOWN WOMEN’S TITLE
Evans’ daughter Summer and her husband are in the front row. Bayley didn’t come out with Sasha Banks, who also wasn’t in the Rumble match.
Bayley’s knee gave out during an Irish whip, but no one bought it. Bayley suckered her with a right hand.
It was a struggle for the audience coming off the Royal Rumble. Evans attacked the left shoulder of Bayley.
Evans messed up a springboard into the ring and landed awkwardly. They went to the floor and Evans was sent into the barricade.
Evans regained control, went for the twisting moonsault off the top and Bayley got her feet up and covered Evans for the win.
WINNER: Bayley at 9:26 to retain the SmackDown women’s title
This was rough in spots and the audience treated this as a comedown after the Rumble match.
THE FIEND BRAY WYATT VS DANIEL BRYAN IN A FALLS COUNT ANYWHERE MATCH FOR THE UNIVERSAL TITLE
There was no red lighting, thankfully. It would have been terrible for the two whipping each other and none of the marks would have been visible.
Early on, The Fiend was whipping him repeatedly until Bryan fought back and landed a flying knee off the apron to the floor.
Bryan hit a DDT on the desk and whipped Wyatt over and over. Bryan attacked with kicks inside the ring and the audience was cheering Bryan. The Fiend told him to continue and he was whipped over the head and hit with stomps.
Bryan set up for the running knee and it was countered with Sister Abigail in mid-air for a near fall.
Wyatt went for the mandible claw, Bryan attempted a triangle and then secured the arm and transitioned to the LeBell Lock using the strap over his face, which Wyatt broke free from. Bryan countered Sister Abigail, hit the flying knee and Wyatt kicked out.
Wyatt stood up and applied the mandible claw and slammed Bryan to the mat for the pin.
WINNER: The Fiend Bray Wyatt at 17:31 to retain the Universal title
This was a very good match and they should never go back to the red lighting. They found a balance between The Fiend character that is hurt by nothing against Seth Rollins and a monster that can still sell and be in danger that Bryan brought out of the character.
The Fiend disappeared and Bryan was helped to the back.
They officially announced their return to Saudi Arabia for Super Showdown on Thursday, February 27th in Riyadh.
BECKY LYNCH VS ASUKA FOR THE RAW WOMEN’S TITLE
When the match began it was quiet. Lynch lifted Asuka and dumped him onto the floor face first. Lynch followed with a leg drop off the top inside the ring.
Asuka fought back on the edge of the apron and ran at her with a hip attack sending Lynch into the post.
Lynch grabbed hold of Asuka on the middle turnbuckle and drove her into the mat with a uranage.
Asuka landed a kick and Lynch went down, the referee went to stop the match and Lynch grabbed him by the leg to stop him. Asuka blasted her with more kicks, including one to the head for a two-count.
Lynch was sent into the corner, avoided taking out the referee and then caught Asuka with a kick to the chest and Asuka spit the mist into the air. Lynch applied the Disarmer and won.
WINNER: Becky Lynch at 16:23 to retain the Raw women’s title
The two worked very hard and it was a good match but the audience didn’t react until Asuka missed with the mist and the Disarmer was applied. It was a strong reaction for the tap and that was the moment they built for.
The Street Profits killed time to ensure that this event goes past 11 pm.
Booker T. joined Michael Cole and Corey Graves on commentary.
They announced that Bobby Lashley and Rusev are out of the Rumble after a “big brawl” earlier tonight, so that’s two open slots.
MEN’S ROYAL RUMBLE MATCH
1. BROCK LESNAR
2. ELIAS
Elias sang a song called “Sacrificial Lamb”, Lesnar ran him down on the floor and nearly killed himself exiting the ring. The match began and Lesnar hit a German suplex and broke the guitar over his back and tossed him out.
3. ERICK ROWAN
Rowan was immediately clotheslined over the top in eight seconds.
4. ROBERT ROODE
Roode was hit with the F-5 and was dumped out.
5. JOHN MORRISON
Lesnar eliminated Morrison immediately with a belly-to-belly.
6. KOFI KINGSTON
Everyone cheered for Kingston as he fired up on Lesnar. Kingston was the first to last until there was another entrant.
7. REY MYSTERIO
Lesnar dominated both with suplexes.
8. BIG E.
It’s 3-on-1 with Kingston, Mysterio, and Big E. against Lesnar. Kingston hit the Trouble in Paradise, Big E. hit the Big Ending, and Mysterio hit Lesnar with the 619.
Lesnar fired up and tossed Mysterio out in the corner and clotheslined Big E. out. He eliminated Kingston with the F-5 to the floor.
9. CESARO
Lesnar just killed him and clotheslined him out quickly.
10. SHELTON BENJAMIN
Lesnar and Benjamin teased an alliance before he turned on Benjamin and eliminated him as he laughed at him.
11. SHINSUKE NAKAMURA
Nakamura barely got any offense in before he was lifted and dumped him out within a minute.
12. MVP
Lesnar hit him with the F-5 and he was thrown out for Lesnar’s 11th elimination.
13. KEITH LEE
The audience was very excited about Lee. He dropped Lesnar with a shoulder block and the place exploded.
14. BRAUN STROWMAN
Lesnar proceeded to hit multiple German suplexes on Lee and Strowman. Then, Lee and Strowman fought against the ropes and were both dumped out by Lesnar.
15. RICOCHET
Ricochet went for a springboard and was caught, Lesnar seemed to stumble when he went for a backbreaker.
16. DREW McINTYRE
Lesnar removed his gloves as he faced off with McIntyre, Ricochet hit him with a low blow and McIntyre hit the Claymore to eliminate Lesnar. The place exploded for the elimination. Lesnar ended his night with 13 eliminations and lasted 26:23.
McIntyre lifted Ricochet and tossed him out.
17. THE MIZ
McIntyre hit Miz with the Claymore and tossed him out.
18. AJ STYLES
19. DOLPH ZIGGLER
20. KARL ANDERSON
Styles and Anderson worked together against McIntyre in the corner. Ziggler joined and they tried to eliminate McIntyre but the three started fighting among each other.
21. EDGE
He hit a series of spears and then faced off with Styles.
22. KING CORBIN
Edge eliminated Styles.
23. MATT RIDDLE
Riddle drilled Edge with the ripcord knee and was instantly tossed out by Corbin.
24. LUKE GALLOWS
McIntyre tossed Corbin out.
25. RANDY ORTON
Orton hit the RKO on Gallows and Anderson and then stared at Edge and they both eliminated The OC.
26. ROMAN REIGNS
Reigns eliminated Ziggler.
27. KEVIN OWENS
Reigns avoided the pop-up powerbomb, but Owens hit the stunner on him. Owens caught Orton with a stunner.
28. ALEISTER BLACK
29. SAMOA JOE
Joe and Owens fought.
30. SETH ROLLINS
AOP and Buddy Murphy came out with Rollins and they attacked Owens and Joe on the floor. They also went after Edge and Orton.
Rollins hit McIntyre with the stomp and then hit Reigns with one.
Black was thrown out after being tripped from the floor and eliminated by Rollins. Rollins was sent over and saved by AOP, who caught him. Rollins returned and dumped Owens out while AOP distracted.
Murphy got on the apron and allowed Joe to become distracted and Rollins sent him out. Joe and Owens brawled with Murphy and AOP to the back.
McIntyre, Orton, Edge, and Reigns surrounded Rollins and he tried to make peace with Reigns. Rollins was hit with a Superman punch and they took turns on him. McIntyre hit the Claymore and sent Rollins out.
Orton hit McIntyre with the RKO and Edge hit a spear. The two hit a double RKO on McIntyre.
Edge caught Orton sizing him up and then when Orton turned his back, Edge sent him out.
Edge and Reigns squared off, Reigns missed with the spear and Edge hit his spear but couldn’t toss him out. They were on the edge of the apron and Reigns kicked his hand off the rope and eliminated Edge.
It’s down to Reigns and McIntyre. McIntyre stopped the spear and hit the Claymore and sent Reigns out.
WINNER: Drew McIntyre at 1:00:08
