WWE's Royal Rumble can, at the same time, be one of the most fun events of the year, as well as one of the most frustratingly predictable.
My TL;DR is that this year's Royal Rumble was exactly that; fun but extremely predictable.
You can hear exactly how well Tom and I did with our predictions by listening to, or downloading Episode 245 of The Spanish Announce Table Podcast. Also, if just our voices aren't enough for you, you can also watch us record the episode on our YouTube channel; The Spanish Announce Tube!
Let's review!
2019 Royal Rumble Kickoff Show
Honestly, I kind of get mad at WWE for having these super long kickoff shows. I know that's not really rational, since I don't HAVE to watch them, but I mean, really; do we need this much show?
And why were Rezar and Scott Dawson tagging against Roode and Gable? I feel like they barely try.
The highlight of the entire thing for me was Shinsuke Nakamura looking like Kane's illegitimate Japanese son. Oh, and he won the U.S. Title.
Smackdown Women's Championship
Asuka vs Becky Lynch
Got to admit; I was surprised by the outcome. I banked on WWE's hisotry of trying to fluff the stats in regards to title reigns for their big stars.
That said, I don't hate this outcome, it keeps Asuka credible, and can fuel Becky Lynch's fire some more.
Smackdown Tag Team Championships
The Bar vs Shane McMahon & The Miz
It's a good thing this match ended when it did, or else Shane McMahon was going to need the EMTs to treat him for a heart attack.
I still don't get a good feeling that there is going to be a worthwhile payoff for this whole shtick, but if only served to turn Miz face, then it appears to have done it's job.
But now McMiz is the Tag Team Champions of Smackdown; I just don't know if anyone's going to care beyond this match.
RAW Women's Championship
Ronda Rousey vs Sasha Banks
I lost count of how many times Ronda Rousey had to pull her shorts out of her crotch in this match, but if you had less than 25 in your office pool, then you lost your money.
But hey, whatever, no one wants a crotch wedgie when they wrestle.
I don't really understand why WWE thinks the best way to book Ronda Rousey is as though she's a lamer version of Bayley, but that's what they've decided. The "baddest woman on the planet" got that way by being a nerd that tries too hard to be in with the cool kids. Makes a whole lot of sense, doesn't it?
Sasha raising the 4 Horsewoman signal worries me that they're going to rush this 4 Horsewomen vs 4 Horsewomen angle; and it sure looks like it's really going to be bad.
Women's Royal Rumble Match
This was WWE's second shot at booking a Women's Royal Rumble match, and I'll give it a grade of a solid not-bad. The beginning and the end were booked and performed pretty well, but the middle was pretty non-inspiring; so congratulations to the women of WWE for finally being treated like equals to the men.
The big "surprise" came at the end with Becky Lynch taking Lana's spot (due to storyline injury) and eventually winning; which makes the Asuka vs Becky Lynch outcome from earlier make a whole lot of sense.So now we'll get Becky Lynch challenging for a title at Mania. That feels like a move WWE just HAD to make, given her huge popularity right now.
WWE Championship
Daniel Bryan vs AJ Styles
I think it's pretty cool that AJ Styles came out dressed as the backstage green screen, but I think it's even cooler that Daniel Bryan may be starting his own Flock. (Kids, look up Raven's Flock if you don't know what I'm talking about).
The added help of a guy like Erik Rowan is going to do wonders for this new Daniel Bryan character, who is already putting in amazing work. I'm very excited for this.
WWE Universal Championship
Brock Lesnar vs Finn Balor
Anybody that pays attention should have recognized the inevitable outcome of this match the moment Finn Balor hit the stage and WASN'T in his Demon outfit.
I don't even really like Finn Balor, but at least him winning would have meant Brock Lesnar wasn't still the champ. That said, I think the WWE now wants to fan those flames; they want everyone booing Lesnar and believing that he's a part timer that they would like to see defeated by ANYONE.
If they ride that wave correctly, it could make for pretty big WrestleMania moment.
Men's Royal Rumble Match
Kudos to WWE for putting Nia Jax in the match. And not just putting her in there but also having her take some actual offensive maneuvers from the men. In no way, can WWE continue to say women are equal to the men, and then "protect" them from men in a fake fight; that's not a consistent message. It's performance art, not a real fight; let them "compete".
That said, I wonder what the outrage would have been had a man entered the Women's Royal Rumble match. Once again, inconsistent messages, but hey, it's wrestling.
So Seth Rollins won, which was predicted by just about everyone alive or dead but it's still probably the best move WWE could make moving forward to WrestleMania. Rollins can go, and he can get the crowd behind him, and will definitely be able to pull off the workhorse routine going against Lesnar, should that be the champion he challenges. (IT WILL BE)
FINAL RUMBLINGS
Some good surprises, but mostly predictable outcomes, as per usual with the Royal Rumble. (And pretty much any WWE PPV).
I liked the use of Jeff Jarrett vs Jeff Jarrett 2.0, even though I wish they would have had a guitar shot. How in the world do you have Jeff Jarrett in a ring with a guitar and NOT have him get hit with it? I mean, you KNOW Vince McMahon wants to see Jarrett getting hit with ANYTHING.
Nothing too noteworthy, but it at least set up the table for what WWE seems to want to do with WrestleMania, but that also worries me; is it too early to be able to book half the card? Let's hope for some twists, turns, and swerves.
But enough about what I thought, what did YOU think? Let us know using #TweetTheTable on Twitter, and we just might read YOUR tweets on the next podcast episode!
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