Welcome to POST Wrestling’s coverage of WWE’s Royal Rumble event from The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis, Missouri.
Wai Ting and I will be live with our Royal Rumble POST Show and will be live for Double Double, Iced Capp & Espresso members of the POST Wrestling Café.
Feedback to the show including best match, notes if you are attending the show live and other messages can be posted in the comment section below or sent to [email protected].
ROYAL RUMBLE 2022
*30-man Royal Rumble (Announced: Angelo Dawkins, Montez Ford, Rey Mysterio, Dominik, Austin Theory, Johnny Knoxville, Sheamus, Damian Priest, Big E., AJ Styles, Kevin Owens, Omos, Randy Orton, Riddle, Chad Gable, Otis, Dolph Ziggler, Robert Roode, Happy Corbin, Madcap Moss, Kofi Kingston, Ricochet, Shinsuke Nakamura, Rick Boogs, and Sami Zayn)
*Mixed Tag: Edge & Beth Phoenix over The Miz & Maryse in 12:30
*WWE Championship: Bobby Lashley over Brock Lesnar (champion) in 10:14
*Raw Women’s Championship: Becky Lynch (champion) over Doudrop in 12:58
*30-woman Royal Rumble Ronda Rousey wins in 59:41
*WWE Universal Championship: Seth Rollins over Roman Reigns (champion) by disqualification in 14:25
The kickoff show featured the panel of Kayla Braxton, Kevin Patrick, Booker T., Jerry Lawler, and Peter Rosenberg. Braxton stated it was the largest attendance for a WWE event since the Royal Rumble in 2020.
There was a highlight package of Bad Bunny’s appearance at last year’s Royal Rumble. They cut to Damian Priest in the back and warned the others in the Rumble to “avoid the Damian side and don’t wake him up.”
The WWE already tweeted out a photo of Bad Bunny backstage at tonight’s event.
They showed highlights of Johnny Knoxville appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live and promoting his appearance in the Royal Rumble.
There were no matches on the kickoff portion.
Michael Cole stated that the attendance was 44,390 at The Dome. Cole and Pat McAfee are calling the opener.
ROMAN REIGNS VS SETH ROLLINS FOR THE WWE UNIVERSAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Seth Rollins came out to The Shield’s entrance theme and in their old ring attire as he came out through the crowd. The idea is that he has gotten into the head of Reigns, who was bothered by the entrance.
After a pair of suicide dives, Rollins lifted Reigns and dropped him through the announcer’s desk with a powerbomb. Rollins continued with a frog splash in the ring. Rollins climbed to the top and Reigns got out of the way from a Phoenix Splash.
Rollins hit a buckle bomb followed by the stomp and Reigns kicked out for a significant near fall less than five minutes into the match. Reigns’ left eye appears to be swollen.
Reigns fought back with strikes on top, Rollins went for a triangle, but Reigns powered out of it. After a spear on the floor, Reigns signaled for another but ran into a pedigree counter for another big near fall. The audience is very invested in the match.
Reigns absorbed several Kawada-style kicks and came off the ropes and landed a spear while Rollins laughed and extended his fist. Reigns locked on the guillotine, but Rollins reached the rope. Reigns will not let go of the hold at the count of five and Charles Robinson calls for the bell.
WINNER: Seth Rollins by DQ at 14 minutes and 25 seconds
They had a very strong opening match but the finish angered the audience and led to chants of “Roman sucks”. This type of finish would suggest they are going to extend this program as it forces a rematch.
Reigns grabbed a chair after the match hit Rollins in the back and beat him over and over with it as payback for the 2014 angle.
30-WOMAN ROYAL RUMBLE
1. SASHA BANKS
Banks came out in a Sailor Moon-inspired outfit. She also drew #1 in the first women’s Rumble match in 2018.
2. MELINA
Melina was very moved by the reaction and did the splits as she entered the ring that got a big pop.
Banks drilled her with a knee, lifted, and dumped Melina to the floor. Banks did the splits after eliminating her.
3. TAMINA
4. KELLY KELLY
Kelly went for a tilt-a-whirl head scissors and just fell off Tamina to the mat but Tamina still sent herself into the corner.
Kelly went for the head scissors on Banks over the top similar to the tarantula and Banks escaped and knocked Kelly out of the match.
5. ALIYAH
6. LIV MORGAN
Morgan went after Banks and tried to get her over the top rope and was stopped by Tamina. Morgan was the first person to point to the WrestleMania sign this year.
7. QUEEN ZELINA
Tamina placed Banks on the apron and Zelina ran and kicked Banks out for the elimination.
8. BIANCA BELAIR
Belair sent Morgan onto the apron and landed a handspring, but Morgan hung on.
9. DANA BROOKE
10. MICHELLE McCOOL
Brooke was sent off the apron and caught by Reggie, who returned her to the ring.
McCool hit the Faith Breaker on Zelina. McCool sent Brooke out for the elimination.
11. SONYA DEVILLE
Deville walks down with her official’s jacket on. She sits down for commentary rather than enter the match right away.
12. NATALYA
Belair and Tamina were fighting at the ropes, Natalya knocked Tamina out while Belair hung on.
13. CAMERON
Deville took off the jacket and attacked Cameron since she is a good friend of Naomi’s. Cameron was run into the post from the apron and eliminated within a minute.
14. NAOMI
Naomi came down and helped Cameron on the floor before attacking Deville. Naomi hit a springboard kick off the middle rope and then eliminated Deville with a head kick sending her off the apron.
15. CARMELLA
Carmella killed time by speaking with the broadcast team and wouldn’t enter the ring.
16. RHEA RIPLEY
Ripley ran over and sent Carmella into the ring. Carmella and Vega teamed up against Ripley. Ripley fought back and sent both out of the ring with a dropkick to the tag champions on the apron. There was a “Rhea” chant that began after the eliminations.
17. CHARLOTTE FLAIR
Flair eliminated Aliyah, who had been in there the longest of the pack.
Naomi was sent over and avoided elimination with her hands when Deville returned and yanked her out by the arms.
18. IVORY
Ivory came out as her Right to Censor character cut a promo and calls them “wayward, lost little girls”. Ripley lifted and placed her on the apron, patted her on the head, and shoved her to the floor.
19. BRIE BELLA
Brie got a big reaction, and everyone did the “Yes” chant, which Brie did along with them.
20. MICKIE JAMES
James came out with the Knockouts Championship and with her “Hardcore Country” theme.
McCool went after James and it ended with a head scissors by James that sent McCool out.
21. ALICIA FOX
22. NIKKI A.S.H.
Ripley was waiting for Nikki to come out and Nikki snuck up from behind and tried to eliminate Ripley, but it didn’t work. Nikki backed off and rolled under the bottom rope to the floor to avoid Ripley.
23. SUMMER RAE
Rae went after Natalya immediately and the two traded slaps. Flair nailed Rae and Natalya lifted and tossed her out.
24. NIKKI BELLA
Nikki and Brie had a brief Team Bella reunion with Alicia Fox before the Bellas knocked Fox off the apron.
25. SARAH LOGAN
Logan and Morgan had a Riott Squad reunion but was cut off by The Bellas, who threw Logan out instantly.
The Bellas placed Morgan on the apron and Brie kicked her out after lasting 37 minutes, according to the broadcasters.
26. LITA
Lita received a huge reaction. After an exchange with James, Lita eliminated James and they were disappointed she was gone.
Flair and Lita traded chops and strikes.
27. MIGHTY MOLLY
As she made her entrance, Nikki blinded her on the floor and ran Molly into the steps and rolled her into the ring and tore off the cape before dumping Molly out.
28. RONDA ROUSEY
The place went nuts for Rousey as everyone in the ring stopped for her entrance.
Rousey superkicked Nikki A.S.H. off the apron. Brie ran into her sister and then struck Nikki to eliminate her sister and payback for several years ago.
29. SHOTZI
Rousey threw out Brie in the corner.
30. SHAYNA BASZLER
They immediately brought up the connection between Rousey and Baszler for people that may not have been aware.
Rousey sent Shotzi over the top and broke the grip holding onto the top rope for the elimination.
Belair eliminated Natalya. Natalya ran back in and was tossed over again by Rousey.
Lita went for the moonsault, was stopped by Ripley and Flair sent Lita out with a running boot.
Ripley and Rousey landed on the edge of the apron, Ripley shoved Rousey into the post and was left open for Flair to send Ripley to the floor with a boot.
It’s down to Flair, Belair, Rousey, and Baszler.
Belair countered the Kirifuda Clutch into a KOD attempt but Flair sent both over the top.
It’s Flair and Rousey as the final two.
Flair ran with a boot, was caught and thrown over the top.
WINNER: Ronda Rousey in 59 minutes and 41 seconds
The match was highlighted by a lot of returns and cameos as some of the entries were in the match for a very brief moment and then eliminated.
The big entrant was Rousey and they did the one elimination spot once it was down to the final two and certainly seems to be the match they are building towards as the two stared down one another after the match ended.
There was an issue with the WrestleMania sign where the pyro burned the sign and it had to be lowered.
BECKY LYNCH VS DOUDROP FOR THE RAW WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP
Doudrop missed a cannonball into the steps and was clutching her right knee.
Lynch utilized a sleeper hold to wear down Doudrop. Doudrop came back with a senton and landed on Lynch’s arm coming down.
Doudrop tried to break free of the Disarmer, Lynch went to a straight armbar but Doudrop lifted and slammed her way out, which Jimmy Smith referred to as “Rampaging” as a nod to Quinton Jackson and Ricardo Arona.
Lynch got the knees up when Doudrop attempted the Banzai Drop. Lynch hit her version of the Molly Go-Round for a two-count. Doudrop stopped the Man Handle Slam and hit a safer-looking version of the Rikishi Driver for a two-count.
With Doudrop on the middle rope, Lynch chop blocked the previously injured knee and hit a Man Handle Slam off the second rope for the win.
WINNER: Becky Lynch in 12 minutes and 58 seconds to retain the Raw Women’s Championship
The work was there but I would say this was in a tough spot following the Royal Rumble with a relatively cold challenger that no one believed was going to win. It was a fine match, which could have been shortened by a few minutes, but the finish worked well with the return to the injured knee.
BROCK LESNAR VS BOBBY LASHLEY FOR THE WWE CHAMPIONSHIP
Heyman took the microphone from Mike Rome to deliver Lesnar’s introduction.
Lashley hits a German suplex and impresses Lesnar with his power. Lesnar hits his own Germans and both are up on their feet after exchanging suplexes.
Lesnar lifts for an F-5, it is stopped and Lashley hits the spear. Lashley hit a second spear and Lesnar rolled to the floor in pain. Lashley went for another one on the floor, missed, and crashed through the barricade. Lashley shoved Lesnar into the post.
After Lashley missed in the corner, Lesnar returned to German suplexes and starts counting after hitting each one. Lesnar went for the F-5 and Lashley countered by applying the Hurt Lock and Lesnar ran Lashley into the referee in the corner to break free.
Lashley tried to re-apply it, Lesnar countered with the F-5 swung Lashley into the referee, and knocked him out.
Roman Reigns appeared and speared Lesnar and then stared at Heyman on the floor. Reigns asked for the championship and Heyman handed it over. Reigns blasted Lesnar with the championship as Heyman left with Reigns.
WINNER: Bobby Lashley in 10 minutes and 14 seconds
The major story was Heyman once again aligning with Reigns and continuing the story between Reigns and Lesnar.
Lashley felt like the odd man out in this story and was lucky to be handed the title from Reigns. They had an entertaining match that the audience was into with the power spots and intrigue over who would win.
They announced that Ronda Rousey will be on Raw this Monday in Cincinnati, Ohio.
EDGE & BETH PHOENIX VS THE MIZ & MARYSE
Maryse didn’t want to get in the ring with Beth Phoenix.
Edge ran the ropes and Maryse grabbed his hair and allowed Miz to land a cheap shot and get the heat on Edge. Edge hit an Impaler DDT as both were down and Beth was rallying the crowd behind Edge. The tag was made, and Beth went after Maryse.
Miz returned to the ring and had a faceoff with Beth, who lifted and sent Miz into the corner and attacked him. Behind the referee’s back, Maryse used her purse but Beth kicked out.
With Edge and Miz in, Beth ran and sent Maryse off the apron. Beth powerbombed Miz out of the corner as Edge landed an elbow drop for a two-count. Maryse yanked Beth off the apron and sent her into the steps.
Maryse tried to grab Edge’s foot, he went for a spear and Miz leapfrogged him. Maryse came off the top with a ‘rana to Edge. It led to the Skull Crushing Finale for a two-count on Edge.
After an attempt at a double Skull Crushing Finale, Beth saved Edge and the two hit a double spear on Miz.
Edge and Beth followed with stereo Glam Slams and Edge pinned The Miz.
WINNERS: Edge & Beth Phoenix in 12 minutes and 30 seconds
It was a well-put-together match with a lot of creativity involving both. It was late in the show, but this worked for it as designed to be and different than any of the other matches and more intergender spots that you’re accustomed to in a WWE ring.
Edge and Beth’s children were in the front row.
There was a promo for Elimination Chamber in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, February 19th.
There was a special feature on Captain Florent Groberg, who was a medal of honor recipient and was shown in the front row and received a standing ovation.
Michael Cole and Pat McAfee are calling the men’s Royal Rumble match.
30-MAN ROYAL RUMBLE
1. AJ STYLES
Styles did the Shawn Michaels flex pose when he walked out.
2. SHINSUKE NAKAMURA
Styles avoided the Kinshasa and responded with a sliding forearm.
3. AUSTIN THEORY
4. ROBERT ROODE
Roode and Styles had a face-off and there was a brief ‘TNA’ chant. Styles eliminated Roode for the first one of the match.
5. RIDGE HOLLAND
Styles sent Nakamura out in the corner, which was not a dramatic ending.
6. MONTEZ FORD
7. DAMIAN PRIEST
8. SAMI ZAYN
Zayn didn’t go after anyone and was content to watch, so Ford went after him. The ring was just filling up with guys at this point with minimal action.
9. JOHNNY KNOXVILLE
Knoxville got a pop and came out members of the cast of “Jackass Forever” including Wee Man. Knoxville took Zayn down and then got into an exchange with Styles, who took down Knoxville with a series of strikes. Ford hit Knoxville with From the Heavens (landing closer to his knees). Holland placed Knoxville on the apron and Zayn eliminated him with the Helluva kick.
Styles dumped Zayn out from behind.
10. ANGELO DAWKINS
11. OMOS
Omos threw Dawkins out first, caught Ford coming off the top and sent him out, and then focused on Styles. He sent Styles into the post ribs first.
12. RICOCHET
Ricochet hit a springboard dropkick to Omos and was pressed in the air by Omos.
13. CHAD GABLE
Gable rallies everyone to work against Omos and he sent Priest to attack first. Omos got the best of it and sent Priest out of the ring.
Everyone worked together on Omos but he hung on.
14. DOMINIK MYSTERIO
Dominik joins everyone trying to eliminate Omos and he finally goes over after a flying forearm by Styles.
15. HAPPY CORBIN
Corbin and Ricochet had an exchange and Ricochet went to leap off the middle rope and was sent over the top and out by Corbin.
16. DOLPH ZIGGLER
Michael Cole mentions it is Ziggler’s 15th Rumble and second behind Kane for total Rumble matches.
Corbin hit the Deep Six on Dominik and threw him out.
Styles eliminated Theory.
17. SHEAMUS
Styles sent Holland out as Sheamus arrived. So, Sheamus attacked Styles for retribution. Styles kept hanging out and has been there since the start.
18. RICK BOOGS
Boogs did all his power spots with Gable and ended with Gable being military pressed to the floor.
19. MADCAP MOSS
Styles was caught with a chokeslam backbreaker by Corbin and Moss threw Styles out after more than 29 minutes in the match.
20. RIDDLE
Corbin and Moss eliminated Boogs next and the audience was a bit disappointed over that one.
21. DREW McINTYRE
Corbin and Moss are freaked out that McIntyre is back.
McIntyre clotheslined Moss to the floor and then threw out Corbin. McIntyre continued to attack them on the floor using the steps.
22. KEVIN OWENS
McIntyre and Owens fought on the floor before going into the ring. Owens hit McIntyre with a pop-up powerbomb.
23. REY MYSTERIO
Owens caught Mysterio with a stunner.
24. KOFI KINGSTON
Kingston was shoved off the top by Owens and was supposed to hang onto the barricade, but his feet clearly touched, and he was ruled out of the match, which the replay confirmed. This was unfortunate.
25. OTIS
26. BIG E.
27. BAD BUNNY
Bad Bunny hit a high cross onto Sheamus, blocked a stunner from, Owens and hit a tilt-a-whirl head scissors to Owens.
Bad Bunny followed with a Canadian Destroyer to Riddle before Sheamus attacked him. Bad Bunny hung on, pulled down the rope when he went for a Brogue kick and Sheamus crashed to the floor and was eliminated.
Bad Bunny and Rey worked together to set up a 619 on Ziggler before Bunny tossed him out.
Otis eliminated Rey Mysterio.
28. SHANE McMAHON
McMahon went after Owens, reversed him, and sent Owens over the top.
29. RANDY ORTON
Orton got a big pop from the St. Louis crowd.
Orton immediately hit Big E. with an RKO and then he and Riddle threw Big E. out.
Riddle came off Otis’ back into an RKO on McIntyre.
Orton and Riddle did several spots together and got a strong reaction. The two sent Otis out next.
30. BROCK LESNAR
Lesnar started to deliver suplexes and clotheslined Orton to the floor.
Lesnar hit Bad Bunny with the F-5 and tossed him out. He caught Riddle and launched him over the top to the floor.
After two tries, he clotheslined Shane McMahon out and it’s down to Lesnar and McIntyre.
The F-5 was countered, McIntyre missed the Claymore, and Lesnar sends McIntyre out with an F-5.
WINNER: Brock Lesnar in 51 minutes and 14 seconds
