Royal Rumble 2024

Do you smell what the Radiant team is cooking in St. Petersburg, Florida? Tonight is a huge night where we will find out who will earn their ticket to the main event at WrestleMania and have a chance to win the title. We’ll also discover if Roman Reigns will remain the champion after the fatal four-way match and whether Kevin Owens can end Logan Paul's reign as the USA Champion. Personally, I love Royal Rumbles for many reasons: unexpected comebacks, collaborations with other wrestling brands, and the excitement of seeing who will secure a spot at WrestleMania. I think we're in for a great show, so let's get started!

Women's Royal Rumble match

The evening kicks off with the highly anticipated Women’s Royal Rumble. While my expectations are tempered, I'm eagerly anticipating the potential appearances of Jade Cargill and possibly Charlotte. The excitement is palpable.

The first thrilling return of the night came from Pat McAfee. Beloved by the audience, his popularity is well-earned due to his prowess as a commentator and sports analyst.

The Rumble commenced with Natalya and Naomi at numbers 1 and 2—Naomi’s comeback marking the second of the evening. Roughly a year ago, she and Sasha Banks were dismissed from WWE, so her return is a delightful surprise for the WWE Universe.

Royal Rumble 2024: Naomi makes her comeback to WWE.

Number 3: Bayley

Bayley enters the fray with immense pressure and a formidable challenge ahead.

Number 4: Candice LeRae

Although not my top choice, she seems to be filling out the roster of participants.

Number 5: TNA Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace

This was another unexpected move by WWE, bringing in talent from another promotion. The fans welcomed her warmly, signaling their recognition of her achievements. She has a history with Naomi in TNA, hinting at a potential future debut in WWE.

Number 6: Indi Hartwell

Her presence, much like Candice’s, doesn’t inspire much confidence in terms of impact.

Number 7: Asuka

Bayley was taken aback by the entrance of her own group member. This unplanned alliance provides them a strategic advantage to survive until the end. Bayley swiftly eliminates Indi, marking the first exit of the match.

Number 8: Ivy Nile

A personal favorite of mine on Raw, though her performance tonight wasn’t stellar. Understandably, she seemed nervous, as this is her first Premium Live Event in front of such a massive crowd.

Royal Rumble 2024: Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace and Ivy Nile strength showcase.

Number 9: Katana Chance

As one half of the former tag team champions, she’s making her debut in the Royal Rumble.

Number 10: Bianca Belair

A strong contender and a favorite to win this match. I suspect that Bayley and Damage CTRL will attempt to undermine her momentum in this match.

Number 11: Kairi Sane

Another former tag team champion enters the ring. Perhaps both were sent here by Io Shirai to aid Bayley in securing victory. At least, that seems like a logical assumption. Together, they secure elimination number 2 on Candice.

Number 12: Tegan Nox

Tegan's friend, Natalya, remains in the ring, suggesting they might show us something interesting together. However, what transpired was unexpected. Natalya initially assisted Tegan but then attempted to eliminate her. Unfortunately for Natalya, Tegan was ready and threw her friend over the third rope, marking elimination number 3 on Natalya. It appears their friendship may come to an end on Raw the following night. Bayley remains on the hunt, promptly securing elimination number 4 on Tegan, reducing the number of teams in the Rumble.

Number 13: Kayden Carter

The second half of the former tag team champions reunites with her partner. Together, they exact revenge by securing eliminations number 5 and 6 on Kairi and Asuka. It seems likely that these two teams will face each other once the Premium Live Event is over.

Number 14: Chelsea Green

Last year, she participated in the match for about 5 seconds. This year, however, she showcased a remarkable performance and lasted much longer. In my opinion, she exceeded expectations, playing her role to perfection and saving many moments of the match from potential embarrassment. Meanwhile, Bianca managed to deliver the KoD to Grace, securing elimination number 7.

Number 15: Piper Niven

Right from the start, she demonstrated true friendship with Chelsea Green, unlike other teams. Piper caught Chelsea and brought her back into the ring, offering encouragement and support throughout. While there were unintentional splashes on her partner, as they had done recently, it was clear that their bond was strong.

Number 16: Xia Li

A talented and athletic woman, though unfortunately absent from Raw or SmackDown for some time, suggesting she may not win this match.

Number 17: Zelina Vega

Known for her alluring and captivating costumes at Premium Live Events, this time she showcased a cosplay inspired by Valorant or perhaps a League of Legends hero. Regardless, she looked stunning, as always.

Number 18: Maxine Dupri

Representing the Alpha Academy, she made a few missteps similar to Ivy earlier tonight, resulting in a rather lackluster performance and a sense of frustration after witnessing her moves in the ring. Fortunately, there was some redemption with Piper Niven securing elimination number 8 on Kayden Carter, providing a taste of revenge.

Number 19: Nia Jax

Nia was perceived as the most significant threat in the match to the other women, yet I doubted she could emerge victorious, much like her last Royal Rumble appearance. Nonetheless, she made an impressive start, securing elimination number 9 on Xia and number 10 on Ivy Nile. With the ring becoming increasingly crowded, Nia sought to create some breathing space. In a remarkable display of power, she and Piper executed a tandem splash, unfortunately targeting poor Chelsea Green.

Royal Rumble 2024: Nia Jax shows who is strongest here.

Number 20: Shotzi

Once a prominent figure, Shotzi seemed to fade into obscurity following Charlotte Flair's injury. While I found her intriguing and attractive last year, her current appearance seems rather pitiful than attractive. Nevertheless, alongside Piper and Naomi, she executed her signature move from the third rope. Together, the women united to eliminate Nia, though she proved as resilient as the Big Show in his prime. Amidst the chaos, Bayley secured elimination number 11 on Maxxine, while Nia added eliminations number 12 on Piper and number 13 on Katana—a tA fortunate number for Thnt to Jax's dominance tonight.

Number 21: Becky Lynch

A fortunate number for The Man, and another strong contender for victory in this match. She made a solid start by securing elimination number 14 on Chelsea Green, who had performed admirably in the match.

Number 22: Alba Fyre

There isn't much to say about her performance in this match. She seemed like filler, offering nothing spectacular or memorable.

Number 23: Shayna Baszler

A seasoned performer in WWE for years, yet she's struggled to achieve more than endless tag team championships. However, this match won't lead to tag team gold, which likely explains my stance on her position in this contest.

Number 24: Valhalla

Despite her intriguing costume, her entrance was rather messy. Immediately after her appearance, R-Truth made his way to the ring, seemingly confused about the Rumble match. As Adam attempted to escort him out, Nia seized the opportunity to eliminate Valhalla, marking elimination number 15.

Number 25: Michin

As a member of the OC, she had her moments towards the end of last year and even earned a title opportunity at the beginning of 2024. My expectations for her performance were not high. Meanwhile, Naomi secured another elimination, number 16, by tossing Alba Fyre out of the ring.

Number 26: Zoey Stark

A dangerous and aggressive competitor, Zoey Stark boasts good chances of winning tag team titles soon with her partner Shayna. Immediately upon entering, Stark saved her partner and secured elimination number 17 on Zelina Vega.

Number 27: Roxanne Perez

Another NXT member and student of Booker T, Roxanne Perez is a fast-rising star destined to be a future cornerstone of the WWE women's roster. Meanwhile, Nia continued her spree of eliminations, first dispatching her former partner Baszler as number 18, followed by Michin at number 19, and then Shotzi at number 20. In this Rumble, Jax tallied the highest number of eliminations.

Number 28: Jade Cargill

After much anticipation and discussion, Jade makes her debut! She appears impressive and exudes a captivating aura, akin to Bianca but perhaps even more so. Without hesitation, she targets the most dangerous woman, Nia. In a stunning moment, Jade manages to lift Jax and toss her over the third rope, securing elimination number 21—a highlight of the Women's Rumble.

Royal Rumble 2024: Here she is! Jade Cargill arrives!

Number 29: Tiffany Stratton

A rising star from NXT, Tiffany Stratton demonstrates her potential to become a future champion. Her incredible athleticism and fierce personality have propelled her onto the big stage, and she wastes no time showcasing her seriousness with a beautiful Swanton Bomb on her fellow participants.

Number 30: Liv Morgan

Despite being overlooked, Liv Morgan garners excitement from the crowd—an essential aspect of any WWE event. With her trademark outfit and captivating presence, all eyes are on her. Demonstrating her seriousness, Liv secures elimination number 22 by tossing out Zoey upon her entry into the ring.

In a short time, Tiffany eliminates Roxanne as number 23. Cargill and Belair face off in the center of the ring, a sight many fans have been eagerly anticipating. I believe they would make a formidable team and a thrilling match. Naomi decides to interfere, but Jade uses her strength to turn the tables, using Naomi as a weapon to secure elimination number 24 on Becky Lynch and then tossing Naomi herself out for elimination number 25.

Royal Rumble 2024: Most important meeting in this match between Jade and Bianca. 

Tiffanyfinds herself in a precarious position, clinging onto Bianca's long hair to stay in the match. Unfortunately for both, Bayley is still in the fray. With one precise kick, Bayley secures eliminations number 26 and 27 on Stratton and Belair.

In the final moments, we are left with Jade, Bayley, and Liv. Though I wished with all my heart to see Cargill emerge as the winner, I knew deep down it was just a dream. Together, Liv and Bayley manage to eliminate Jade as number 28, leaving Bayley as the last woman standing. She eliminates Morgan as number 29.

Royal Rumble 2024: And your winner - Bayley!

What an intense and intriguing match, filled with comebacks and appearances from NXT and TNA stars. I believe we have the right winner for WrestleMania, as Bayley has endured many challenges in recent years. Personally, I am almost satisfied with this outcome. In the backstage area, Rhea wears a smile of confidence, while Iyo's expression remains grim. I can't help but wonder why she isn't happy, especially if someone else won instead of her friend and team partner.

Fatal 4-Way Match for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship

A massive challenge awaits our Tribal Chief tonight. A Fatal 4-Way match always places the champion in unfair circumstances, where the title could slip away without them even losing it themselves. Roman himself orchestrated this situation when he intervened in the contender match several weeks ago. Additionally, Damian Priest is in the arena with a contract to cash-in, and Seth is unfit to compete, placing the Universal title in serious jeopardy. However, it's worth noting that this type of match has no rules, and Bloodline can interfere without any repercussions, potentially aiding Roman.

Royal Rumble 2024: Massive assault on your Tribal Chief. 

At the outset, all three of Roman's opponents target the Tribal Chief. Each wrestler has grievances with Bloodline and its leader, and they all seek to weaken Reigns. The competitors pair off: LA and AJ, with their prior history, engage in fierce combat, while Orton zeroes in on Reigns, seeking retribution for the injury Reigns inflicted on him, sidelining Randy for nearly a year. Slowly but surely, Roman seizes control, systematically dismantling each superstar in the ring. However, Megastar is determined to claim victory tonight, rallying after a punishing assault and nearly securing a win over Roman with an unexpected BFT!

Royal Rumble 2024: Roman reminds who is The Champion around here.

Though Reigns manages to kick out, Viper is ready to strike. Everyone falls victim to the RKO, and with a second finishing move on the champion, Randy appears poised to become the new champion. But as anticipated, Bloodline intervenes. Solo pulls the referee out of the ring and delivers a Samoan Spike to both Orton and LA Knight. Perhaps AJ would have been next in line, but Sikoa disastrously misses his running Stinkface and crashes into the barricades hard. With Phenomenal One standing alone, he manages to execute a Phenomenal Forearm on the champion, delivering the third finisher observed by the Tribal Chief. AJ attempts to secure victory with a stylish pin, aiming to pin all three opponents, but Viper has regained his strength and saves Roman's title by breaking the pin.

Royal Rumble 2024: AJ is too confident pinning three superstars at the same time.

This only fuels Styles' anger, prompting him to grab a steel chair. He introduces the chair to Roman and LA Knight, but Viper avoids a confrontation with the weapon. Instead, he cheap-shots Styles in the eyes, only to be met with a Spear. Wisely, Randy rolls out of the ring, opening an opportunity for Reigns to deliver a Superman Punch to LA Knight and a Spear to AJ. And still, your Undisputed Universal Champion is Roman Reigns!

Royal Rumble 2024: And still your Universal champion Roman Reigns!

It was a wild match where Orton seemed destined to win, but a Fatal 4-Way match is always unpredictable. For Roman, it was a grueling defense, and one can't help but sense his weariness from his lengthy title reign. With each defense, there are more interferences and assistance from Bloodline, and the champion himself doesn't seem as imposing and dominant as he did during his incredible comeback in 2020.

Kevin Owens, Logan Paul and screwed title shot

In the second title match of the night, Kevin Owens overcame all obstacles in the tournament to earn his spot in the Royal Rumble. Personally, I had doubts about Kevin's chances of winning tonight, especially with his injured arm and Logan Paul's penchant for dirty tactics. Describing this match as anything less than awesome would be an understatement. There were numerous beautiful highlight spots and a wide variety of moves showcased by Logan, coupled with brutal responses from Kevin.

Royal Rumble 2024: Kevin suffers from uniq submission move. 

Logan Paul strategically targeted Kevin's injured arm, exploiting it at every opportunity. I was particularly impressed by Paul's utilization of different submission moves, a rarity in WWE matches lately. However, Kevin's veteran status and wealth of experience in the ring gave him the edge. He managed to evade the Lucky Punch twice, but on the third attempt, although he was struck, he somehow kicked out.

Royal Rumble 2024: How much did Paul pay Theory for this knuckles?

The beginning of the end came when Austin and Greyson got involved, distracting the referee and handing knuckles to Logan. It seemed like Logan might retain his title using underhanded tactics once again, but Owens was prepared. He grabbed Logan's hand, seized the knuckles, and used them to knock out the champion. The referee nearly counted to three, but upon spotting the weapon in Kevin's hand, he called for the disqualification.

Royal Rumble 2024:A little taste of revenge.

While there may be some frustration over the outcome, it's clear that Kevin proved himself to be stronger than the current champion. Perhaps in the future, they'll face off in a no disqualification match, allowing Kevin to fulfill his desires. As a bit of revenge, Kevin delivered a beautiful powerbomb through the table on Paul. This story is far from over, and I'm eager to see where it goes next.

Men Royal Rumble match

At least we get to the main event of this PLE. It's the most intriguing match where anything could happen. Like last year, I have my personal sympathies for Gunther, and I expect some interesting surprises like we saw in the women's matches.

The start of this match was perfectly orchestrated. It felt like something big was about to happen, and I appreciate WWE for that.

Number 1 Jey Uso and number 2 Jimmy Uso
The blood brothers enter the ring, with Jimmy from Smackdown donning red colors and Jey from Raw sporting blue. Their controversial dynamic adds an iconic touch to the opening. Fortunately, they couldn't eliminate each other in the first round.

Royal Rumble 2024: The Usos facing each other once again.

Number 3: Greyson Waller
Waller enters with the intention of aiding Jimmy and attempting to eliminate Jey.

Number 4: Andrade
Making his long-awaited comeback, Andrade returns to WWE after three years away.

Number 5: Carmelo Hayes
The golden boy from NXT, a former champion and exceptional athlete. Hayes proves his worth by eliminating Greyson as number 1.

Number 6: Shinsuke Nakamura

The Japanese warrior is still seeking to end the Nightmare story. While his chance to do so may have expired after losing in a street fight, he's determined to make his mark tonight. Perhaps he'll have a shot at throwing Cody out of the ring.

Number 7: Santos Escobar

The leader of Legado del Fantasma thought that Andrade would immediately join him, but the newcomer shows no respect for his homeland. Escobar attempts a sneak attack, but Andrade is prepared and fights back fiercely.

Number 8: Karrion Kross

The leader of Last Testament joins the fray, likely seeking a confrontation with a specific individual.

Number 9: Dominik Mysterio

The first member of Judgment Day enters the ring. If all three members manage to come together, they could dominate this Rumble and shift the favor in their favor.

Number 10: Carlito

With multiple Mexican wrestlers in the mix tonight, imagine the chaos if Legado, NWO, Dominik, and Andrade were to unite. They could challenge for all the titles in WWE across both brands. Carlito wastes no time going after Santos, spitting an apple in his face. This leads to elimination number 2 on Santos, a bit of revenge for three losses in a row.

Number 11: Bobby Lashley

The All Mighty could be one of the biggest contenders to win this match, and he's a personal favorite alongside Gunther. However, he still has unfinished business with Karrion. Bobby immediately delights the audience by spearing several people and accidentally eliminating Carlito as number 3. He follows that up by spearing Karrion as well and eliminating him as number 4. But the leader of Last Testament couldn't go down alone, pulling Bobby with him and securing elimination number 5. After that, AoP and Street Profits get involved in a brawl, possibly setting up a future showdown on SmackDown.

Royal Rumble 2024: All-Mighty goes after Karrion after elimination.

Number 12: Ludwig Kaiser

The European powerhouse strides into the ring. Gunther will undoubtedly be a force in this match, but whether Vini will get involved remains a big question. The United Imperium could secure victory for the Ring General.

Number 13: Austin Theory

Despite his buddy already leaving the match, perhaps Austin will create a sensation tonight?

Number 14: Finn Balor

The second member of Judgment Day, Finn immediately enters the match and saves his ally Dominic by eliminating Carmelo as number 6.

Number 15: Cody Rhodes

The American Nightmare draws a worse number this year than last year. Upon entering the match, he eliminates Theory as number 7, dashing any hopes of a sensation tonight.

Number 16: Bronson Reed

The big Australian monster secures elimination number 8 by tossing Andrade out. Meanwhile, the American Nightmare and Shinsuke engage in a brawl.

Number 17: Kofi Kingston

While we were anticipating some crazy spots from Kofi, they didn't materialize this year. Cody delivers a Crossroads to Shinsuke, eliminating him as number 9. Kingston eliminates Kaiser as number 10, intensifying the conflict between the New Day and Imperium.

Number 18: Gunther

My top pick for the Royal Rumble. Despite a bit of disappointment in Kaiser, Gunther enters the ring with pride. He dishes out chops to everyone, with Reed suffering from a Powerslam. Gunther exacts revenge for his ally by eliminating Kofi as number 11.

Number 19: Ivar

The Viking rushes into battle, destroying everyone in his path. Jimmy Uso tries to find allies in the match, but everyone prefers to punch him in the face rather than form a union.

Number 20: Bron Breakker

The NXT tag team champion arrives, possibly hinting at his partner's appearance tonight? In an impressive display, he eliminates Jimmy as number 12 and then Finn as number 13.

Royal Rumble 2024: Last man who beats Gunther in one on one match. 

Number 21: Omos

A forgotten superstar many didn't expect to see in WWE again. The giant quickly eliminates Reed as number 14. Meanwhile, Breakker spears Ivar and throws him out as number 15.

Number 22: Pat McAfee

This guy makes a surprise comeback and gets a spot in the Royal Rumble. Inspired by Michael Cole, Pat joins the match but finds himself facing Omos and Bron. After a brief moment of consideration, McAfee wisely eliminates himself as number 16, a very smart move by the legendary commentator.

Number 23: JD McDonagh

The newest member of Judgment Day arrives. Breakker displays great strength and eliminates Omos as number 17. However, little Dirty Dom pushes Bron out of the ring, making him elimination number 18. JD doesn't even make it into the ring properly before Breakker spears him in half.

Number 24: R-Truth

At least Ron can join the battle. Being the good man he is, he helps JD get into the ring and immediately eliminates him as number 19. Unfortunately, R-Truth thinks it's a tag team match and asks Dominic for a tag. Mysterio obliges, and we see a bit of John Cena cosplay from Ron. Gunther ends this circus with a devastating chop.

Number 25: The Miz

Mike, with his big massive balls, briefly unites with Truth. However, Ron can't let Mike throw away Dominic, creating a very emotional moment.

Number 26: Damian Priest

A very focused, angry, and cold-blooded killer, Priest heads straight for R-Truth because he cost him a match last week with Drew. Elimination number 20 says goodbye to R-Truth.

Number 27: CM Punk

The long-awaited superstar makes his entrance and quickly eliminates Dominic as number 21.

Number 28: Ricochet

 A man almost forgotten, making a surprising entry at number 28. This decision seems strange to me. Meanwhile, Gunther eliminates The Miz as number 22.

Number 29: Drew McIntyre

One of the heavy hitters of this battle, Drew has already won the Royal Rumble once and might do it again. Jey tries to throw out Gunther, but the Ring General counters, causing elimination number 23.

Number 30: Sami Zayn

While many expected a superstar like The Rock at number 30, Sami has unfinished business with Drew, who viciously injured him several weeks ago. McIntyre deals with Ricochet, making elimination number 24.

Royal Rumble 2024: Sami Zayn is comming after Drew.

As we approach the thrilling conclusion of this year's Royal Rumble, the final exchanges are electrifying. Sami Zayn and Damian Priest are the first to clash. After a series of back-and-forth signature moves and finishers, Sami Zayn manages to eliminate Priest as number 25. Drew McIntyre then seizes his moment, targeting Zayn and eliminating him as number 26. This sets the stage for an inevitable showdown between Drew and Sami on the next episode of Raw. In the stands, Roman Reigns watches with a calm confidence, while Seth Rollins appears in high spirits.

Final Four Competitors: Cody Rhodes, Drew McIntyre, CM Punk, and Gunther. Each of them deserves a shot at the title on the grandest stage. Drew McIntyre attempts a Claymore Kick on CM Punk but misses badly. Punk tries to hit the GTS on Drew but struggles with the big man’s weight. Drew then rallies and hits a Claymore on everyone left in the ring. However, Drew's overconfidence gets the better of him as he starts mouthing off. This allows Punk to counter and eliminate Drew as number 27. As the chaos continues, we see a familiar scenario from last year's Rumble. Gunther nearly eliminates Cody Rhodes, but a mistake allows Rhodes to turn the tables and eliminate Gunther as number 28.

Royal Rumble 2024: Punk keeps his promise and throw Drew over third rope.

The final showdown is set: Cody Rhodes vs. CM Punk. Both have their sights set on their respective nemeses: Cody on Roman Reigns and Punk on Seth Rollins. Roman starts to look nervous, while Seth remains amused and confident.

The crowd is on their feet as Cody and Punk exchange finishing moves. The atmosphere reaches a fever pitch when Punk hits the GTS, but then he makes the mistake of taunting Cody about his father, Dusty Rhodes. This fuels Cody’s determination. With one final move, Cody tosses Punk out of the ring, securing elimination number 29.

Royal Rumble 2024: Punk sends "Hello" to HHH.

Your winner and likely Roman Reigns' opponent: Cody Rhodes. It may be predictable, but WWE is clearly set on allowing Cody to finish the story he started. Perhaps this will all culminate at WrestleMania.

The Royal Rumble concludes with Cody standing tall, pointing to the WrestleMania sign, while Roman Reigns looks on with a mix of concern and determination. The road to WrestleMania has begun, and it's clear that the storylines will only intensify from here.

Royal Rumble 2024: And your winner The American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes!

Ranking and Opinion

The Premium Live Event is over, and I must say, I have a generally positive feeling about the show. The Women's Royal Rumble was particularly enjoyable, featuring several exciting comebacks and collaborations with TNA. Despite seeing a lot of underwhelming sports recently, this event stood out.

The title matches didn't have much intrigue in terms of unexpected outcomes, but it was fascinating to see how the champions managed to retain their titles. Roman Reigns once again secured a victory through underhanded tactics, utilizing Solo's interference and seizing the opportunity to one-shot his opponent. Logan Paul demonstrated impressive in-ring skills, and as always, Kevin Owens was a joy to watch. You know I love this guy.

The Men's Royal Rumble lacked the surprise comebacks or unexpected participants that typically elevate the excitement. There were many solid potential winners, but in the end, we got the most obvious and simple outcome with Cody Rhodes winning. While I'm not thrilled about this predictable choice, it's what we got. I hope at least it will be interesting to watch how Cody makes his way to WrestleMania.

Overall, I would rank this PLE an 8/10. I highly recommend watching it to experience the atmosphere and unique matches, particularly the Rumble matches. See you soon on Raw, and stay safe!