PITTSBURGH – The Road to WrestleMania began with Batista securing his place in the main event after prevailing in an epic Royal Rumble match.
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| ‘Mania Bound: Batista celebrates the win. WWE.com |
Roman Reigns delivered a standout performance in the Royal Rumble match, breaking the record for most eliminations in a single match with twelve.
Brock Lesnar and Big Show also had a major collision, plus there was a shocking ending to John Cena’s Championship match with Randy Orton.
The New Age Outlaws def. Cody Rhodes & Goldust
Royal Rumble Kick-Off Show, New WWE Tag Team Champions
The New Age Outlaws turned the clock back on the “Brotherhood” in the Royal Rumble kick-off show to capture the WWE Tag Team Championships and begin their sixth reign.
Cody Rhodes and Goldust were once again linking together with their fantastic teamwork evident as to why they were Champions since October. Cody Rhodes’ momentum continued, with his brother Goldust looking good too.
On the other side of the ring, The New Age Outlaws didn’t miss a beat. Just like their storied days in the Attitude Era, they looked smooth and gave a tough night to the Tag Team Champions.
A timely tag-in from Billy Gunn would ultimately decide the fate. Cody Rhodes was not aware that Billy Gunn had in fact tagged himself in, so focused on defeating Road Dogg. Having delivered a Disaster Kick, Cody Rhodes turned around into the Famousser and after three counts, the tag team Championships had changed hands.
Bray Wyatt def. Daniel Bryan
Bray Wyatt was the victor in an incredible match to begin the Royal Rumble event, with both men delivering phenomenal performances.
Pittsburgh was soon embracing the “YES!” chants as the surrounded the CONSOL Energy Arena. Daniel Bryan was relentlessly kicking away at the torso and legs of Bray Wyatt, softening him up for a match just shy of half-an-hour long.
Soon into the match, Bray Wyatt’s associates in the “Wyatt Family” would get involved, before Bray surprisingly told them to leave the area and put it one-on-one.
True brutality and aggression was on display from the part of Bray Wyatt, as he savagely threw Daniel Bryan into the steel steps, before inflicting more pain with the outside surroundings.
Wyatt would soon feel the wrath of Bryan’s aggression once more, as he delivered a powerful Curb Stomp to Bray Wyatt.
As Daniel Bryan heated up, he was looking to finish the match for good with his signature Knee to the Head – with Bray Wyatt being conscious enough just to escape. But Daniel Bryan refused to let up, and attempted a Suicide Dive. What would follow was truly incredible.
Daniel Bryan was caught mid-air, before Bray Wyatt delivered a thunderous “Sister Abigail” to the barricade, leveling Daniel Bryan then allowing him to be finished in the ring.
An incredible match, acknowledged by the raucous “This is awesome!” chants, truly showed two of WWE’s best young competitors at their finest. Outstanding.
Brock Lesnar def. The Big Show
Brock Lesnar made quick work of The Big Show with an unbelievable F5 to the World’s Largest Athlete with an attack before and after the match.
Strategies were clear before the bell. Brock Lesnar rushed into the ring and attacked The Big Show, before viciously injuring him with a steel chair.
After control was regained a few moments later, the match would begin, with Brock Lesnar’s attempted chair shot met by a huge punch that dazed the Beast Incarnate.
Big Show took control momentarily, with huge punches to the body and punished Brock Lesnar. A survival mode instinct of Brock Lesnar came into play, as he dodged a Knockout Punch from The Big Show to deliver a jaw-dropping F5 to win the match.
Although the match was over, Brock Lesnar wasn’t finished. Using two steel chairs consecutively, The Big Show was left injured and battered following over twenty vicious chair shots.
Randy Orton def. John Cena
Retains WWE World Heavyweight Championship
WWE World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton successfully retained his title after capitalizing on a shock interference from the Wyatt Family to defeat John Cena.
The Viper gathered a full head of steam to begin the match, leaving John Cena with little to take advantage on in the opening minutes.
Soon the tables would turn, as John Cena got some payback on Randy Orton, after he savagely attacked John Cena’s father two weeks prior on Raw. As John Cena garnered momentum, the referee felt the full force of the action, knocked down and out for a significant moment in the match.
John Cena went for his signature “STF” submission, and Randy Orton tapped out. Thinking he had now become Champion, John Cena broke the hold to celebrate – only realizing that the referee had been out of the action, leaving Randy Orton to capitalize by knocking John Cena out with the title belt.
That would not prove decisive then, though, with both slugging it out for much longer, even trading their best shots, to the extent of John Cena giving an RKO to Randy Orton.
John Cena was on the verge of becoming Champion, when Randy Orton was merely moments away from tapping out. Then, the Wyatt Family would come, with the arena going pitch dark and then, John Cena was knocking them off the apron.
With the Wyatts temporarily cleared, Randy Orton turned round into an RKO, that would ultimately decide the match.
John Cena falls short again of capturing the unified Championships, but for him, he questions why the Wyatt Family decided to ruin his opportunity.
Batista wins Royal Rumble match
Headlines WrestleMania 30 in April
Batista secured his spot at the WrestleMania 30 main event after his triumph in an epic, back-and-forth Royal Rumble match that saw runner-up Roman Reigns break the record for most eliminations in a single match.
Seth Rollins started things off with CM Punk, but the odds would soon be stacked against the Straight Edge Savior with the arrival of Sandow, teaming up with Rollins to inflict damage on CM Punk. Punk held his own with a double neck-breaker to them.
Damien Sandow was the first to be eliminated, shortly after the arrival of fourth man Cody Rhodes. Damien Sandow’s hopes were tarnished at the expense of CM Punk.
Kane would be a surprise arrival as the fifth entrant, taking part in his fifteenth consecutive Royal Rumble match. Although taking the fight initially to CM Punk, a round-house kick to Kane would daze the Big Red Monster allowing CM Punk to eliminate Kane.
NXT’s Alexander Rusev, who had taken NXT by storm, made an instant impact in the Royal Rumble, demonstrating incredible Muay-Thai technique and outstanding power taking control of the three men currently in the match.
Jack Swagger, another powerhouse, would join them as the seventh entrant. Soon colliding with Alexander Rusev. The Bulgarian, Rusev, would take advantage of the battle, but then Rusev would find himself handicapped against three of the competitors.
Kofi Kingston would enter in at eighth, with Jimmy Uso coming in ninth. Momentum was swinging like an uncontrollable pendulum. After Goldust arrived at the tenth spot, four superstars would combine their effort to eliminate Alexander Rusev.
Kofi Kingston was expected to follow as he landed in the arms of Alexander Rusev, throwing him onto the barricade, but Kofi was not eliminated since his feet had not touched the floor. Kofi would walk the barricade, and jump all the way onto the apron to survive. Absolutely marvellous. Later on, Kofi Kingston would survive again by hanging onto Jack Swagger’s boot, and using it to hit Swagger and safely get back in the ring.
The Shield would have two members in the match with Dean Ambrose entering at #11. Dolph Ziggler would have the support of the fans in the arena, as he was hot out of the blocks in his entrance at #12.
R-Truth’s WrestleMania dreams were short lived, as Dean Ambrose eliminated him just seconds in. Soon after, Jimmy Uso was also eliminated by Dean Ambrose.
Kevin Nash would enter as a surprise entrant, towering above the other competitors in the ring, eliminating Swagger from the start.
Entering at #15, Roman Reigns would complete the trio, with The Shield able to take control. Roman Reigns emphatically eliminated Kofi Kingston, catching his quick in mid-air and tossing him out of the ring. Then, he went on to deliver an incredible spear to Dolph Ziggler before eliminating him. This was followed by pulling the rope when Kevin Nash charged at him, so he went over and out the ring.
Cody Rhodes and Goldust would be eliminated simultaneously, with Goldust eliminating his brother, before Roman Reigns eliminated Goldust.
The Shield would be shcoked by the arrival of Sheamus, who took it to The Shield and was on a huge roll, with a devastating Brogue Kick to Roman Reigns. Later on, The Miz arrived before Fandango was #19.
El Torito, the smallest competitor to ever enter the Rumble, would eliminate Fandango, before Roman Reigns would throw him out the ring at ease. At least he registered an elimination, though.
Antonio Cesaro would come in fresh out of the blocks, taking it to The Shield and dishing out giant swings here and there, including a 22-swing on Seth Rollins.
The Wyatt Family’s Luke Harper got his shot at a WrestleMania main event coming in at #22. Another member as part of a tag team was Jey Uso, who entered at #23, with his brother being eliminated earlier on in the match.
At #24, came ring commentator, JBL. Entering and shocking the WWE Universe. Unfortunately for him, his downfall would come in his preparation, as he took his jacket of and turned towards the ropes and The Shield threw him out.
The Miz’s dreams of main eventing WrestleMania like he did three years ago were crushed when Luke Harper eliminated him, after his partner in the Wyatt Family, Erick Rowan entered in #25. Ryback was next to enter.
Alberto Del Rio entered in the coveted #27 spot, having won the Royal Rumble in 2011.
The big favorite, Batista came in at #28, instantly eliminating Erick Rowan, then colliding with Ryback and eliminating him shortly after. After Del Rio attacked him, Batista lifted Del Rio up with one arm and threw him out of the ring.
Another powerhouse would join them at #29, with Big E Langston exploding into the match, taking on Batista, then manhandling Sheamus.
Rey Mysterio was last to enter at the #30 spot. With the crowd voicing their displeasure in the absence of Daniel Bryan.
Big E Langston was eliminated by Sheamus off the apron, with the action coming fast and furious with a WrestleMania opportunity at stake.
Roman Reigns eliminated Luke Harper, but then Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose argued after Ambrose attempted ot eliminate Reigns. Roman Reigns would eliminate three people at once, getting rid of Luke Harper, Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose to tie Kane’s record for most eliminations.
Kane would get involved again, and screw out CM Punk from the final four, pulling him out the ring, then choke-slamming him through the table.
Then, Roman Reigns would eliminate Sheamus to break the record for most eliminations in a single Royal Rumble match, leaving him and Batista left to do battle for a WrestleMania main event.
In the end, after a Batista Bomb, and a spear, Roman Reigns was eliminated by Batista, and one half of the WrestleMania event was set.
Comment: WrestleMania Set in Stone, But Have WWE Dropped the Ball Here?
In the kick-off show, The New Age Outlaws turned back the clock and captured their sixth Tag Team Championships. Its another match where Cody Rhodes & Goldust deliver in a top-quality tag team match. New Age Outlaws looked fresh and on the beat, superb match by both sides. Since The New Age Outlaws will be here for a while, they can hold the titles, with the seeds now planted for Cody Rhodes vs. Goldust in the near future.
Wow, an outstanding match between Daniel Bryan and Bray Wyatt. Phenomenal, standout performances by both men. They used the time incredibly well, and the crowd interaction played a vital part. What a finish to the match too, one of the best spots of the night, with the Sister Abigail caught mid-air. Lost for words, an awesome match.
Brock Lesnar vs. The Big Show was surprisingly short, yet achieved what it needed to achieve. Brock Lesnar left looking real dangerous going towards WrestleMania, and The Big Show was dominated. The F5 was crazy, what a scene it was, with Big Show atop Lesnar’s shoulders.
John Cena vs. Randy Orton was solid, but well, “awful” according to the crowd. Since we have seen them wrestle hundreds of times before it was no surprise. Looks like John Cena vs. Bray Wyatt is set for WrestleMania, needs to convince me if it will be good a bit more to be honest. Randy Orton retains, but he needs to retain in much stronger fashion next time round. Regardless, it looks like he’s heading to WrestleMania.
Well, a predictable, to say the least, Royal Rumble winner. Remember when Royal Rumbles used to be unpredictable? Yeah so do I. A great match, Roman Reigns’ night where he stood out, good to have Sheamus back, but not too pleased with the result. And with the crowd booing in the absence of Daniel Bryan, WWE may have dropped the ball with this one.
Batista triumphs in an incredible Royal Rumble match, with a guaranteed shot at the WWE World Heavyweight Championship come WrestleMania 30.
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