Tag: royal rumble 2019

Brock Lesnar vs. Finn Balor set for WWE Royal Rumble

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE’s first Universal Champion is getting another shot at the title.

Finn Balor won a fatal four-way match in the main event of Monday’s Raw, becoming Universal Champion Brock Lesnar’s new challenger for the Royal Rumble. Balor pinned John Cena to win the fatal four-way match. The finishing sequence saw Cena hit the Attitude Adjustment on Baron Corbin, Drew McIntyre give Cena a Claymore Kick, and Balor take out McIntyre with a DDT. Balor then hit the Coup de Grace on Cena to get the win.

Cena got on the microphone after the match and put over Balor. He told Balor that he believes in him and said to give Lesnar hell at the Royal Rumble. The storyline leading into the fatal four-way included Balor saying in a promo earlier in the night that Vince McMahon never believed in him, but the fans do.

Balor also defeated Jinder Mahal on Raw, with Balor’s spot in the fatal four-way on the line during their match.

Balor became the inaugural Universal Champion by defeating Seth Rollins at SummerSlam 2016, but he suffered a shoulder injury during the match and had to relinquish the title the next night.

Braun Strowman was originally announced as Lesnar’s challenger for the Royal Rumble. Strowman was pulled from the title match at the pay-per-view as part of an angle where he destroyed Vince’s limo.

This year’s Royal Rumble PPV is being held at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona on January 27.

Braun Strowman out of Universal title match at WWE Royal Rumble

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Braun Strowman is out of the Universal Championship match at the Royal Rumble.

Monday’s episode of Raw featured an angle where Baron Corbin interrupted Strowman at the start of the show. It led to Strowman chasing Corbin and Corbin running away. Corbin hid in Vince McMahon’s limo, Elias told Strowman where Corbin was, and Strowman destroyed one of the limo’s windows and doors.

In storyline, Vince said he was fining Strowman $100,000. Strowman told Vince the limo wasn’t even worth that much, and Vince punished Strowman by taking away his Universal title shot against Brock Lesnar at the Royal Rumble. Strowman then tipped over the limo.

Vince announced that there will be a fatal four-way match later on Raw to decide Lesnar’s new challenger for the Royal Rumble. It will include John Cena, Drew McIntyre, Corbin, and either Finn Balor or Jinder Mahal. There will be a match between Balor and Mahal to determine the final wrestler in the fatal four-way.

Ahead of the angle on Raw, Dave Meltzer wrote about Strowman no longer being in the Universal title match at the Royal Rumble: “It will be reported that it is due to an injury by others. It is not. It was always the plan and we’ll explain that on tonight’s show if it happens based on how it is explained.”

Royal Rumble 2019 is taking place at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona on January 27.

Updated list of WWE Royal Rumble entrants

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Nineteen entrants have been confirmed for the men’s Royal Rumble match, while 13 have been announced for the women’s Royal Rumble.

Prior to Tuesday’s SmackDown, it was announced via Twitter that Rey Mysterio and Mustafa Ali will be in the men’s Rumble match. Mysterio & Ali then teamed together on SmackDown, losing to Andrade “Cien” Almas & Samoa Joe.

Naomi also became the latest entrant to be confirmed for the women’s Rumble match.

Royal Rumble 2019 is taking place at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona on January 27. Here’s the updated list of entrants:

Men’s Royal Rumble —

  • R-Truth (will enter at number 30 as a stipulation of winning Mixed Match Challenge)
  • Drew McIntyre
  • Big E
  • Kofi Kingston
  • Xavier Woods
  • Finn Balor
  • Seth Rollins
  • Jeff Hardy
  • Dean Ambrose
  • Samoa Joe
  • Bobby Lashley
  • John Cena
  • Elias
  • Baron Corbin
  • Jinder Mahal
  • Apollo Crews
  • Andrade “Cien” Almas
  • Rey Mysterio
  • Mustafa Ali

Women’s Royal Rumble —

  • Carmella (will enter at number 30 as a stipulation of winning Mixed Match Challenge)
  • Sasha Banks (also challenging for Ronda Rousey’s Raw Women’s Championship at the pay-per-view)
  • Bayley
  • Ember Moon
  • Natalya
  • Ruby Riott
  • Liv Morgan
  • Sarah Logan
  • Mandy Rose
  • Sonya Deville
  • Alicia Fox
  • Zelina Vega
  • Naomi

Asuka vs. Becky Lynch confirmed for WWE Royal Rumble

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Asuka vs. Becky Lynch is — finally — official for the Royal Rumble.

Lynch defeated Carmella and Charlotte Flair in a triple threat number one contender’s match on this week’s SmackDown and will challenge for Asuka’s SmackDown Women’s Championship at the Royal Rumble. The pay-per-view is taking place at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona on January 27.

Lynch submitted Carmella with the Dis-Arm-Her to win the number one contender’s match. Asuka came out after and went face-to-face with Lynch.

A miscommunication led to Asuka vs. Lynch originally being announced for the Royal Rumble on an episode of Main Event that aired last month. WWE then offered a storyline explanation for why it wasn’t official yet, with Paige tweeting that she tried to make the match while she was still SmackDown general manager.

Despite being in the title match, Lynch could still be an entrant in the women’s Royal Rumble. Sasha Banks has been announced as a Royal Rumble entrant but is challenging for Ronda Rousey’s Raw Women’s Championship at the PPV.

Here’s the updated card for the Royal Rumble:

  • Women’s Royal Rumble match
  • Men’s Royal Rumble match
  • Universal Champion Brock Lesnar defending against Braun Strowman
  • WWE Champion Daniel Bryan defending against AJ Styles
  • Raw Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey defending against Sasha Banks
  • SmackDown Women’s Champion Asuka defending against Becky Lynch
  • SmackDown Tag Team Champions Cesaro & Sheamus defending against Shane McMahon & The Miz
  • WWE Cruiserweight Champion Buddy Murphy defending against Kalisto, Akira Tozawa, and the winner of Cedric Alexander vs. Hideo Itami (airing on this week’s 205 Live) in a fatal four-way match

The Bar vs. Shane McMahon & The Miz set for WWE Royal Rumble

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Shane McMahon & The Miz are set to challenge for the SmackDown Tag Team titles.

It was announced on this week’s SmackDown that The Bar (Cesaro & Sheamus) will defend their titles against Shane & The Miz at the Royal Rumble. That was set up after Cesaro & Sheamus defeated The Usos in a non-title match. The Miz issued a challenge to Cesaro & Sheamus in a post-match angle, and he was laid out by a Brogue Kick from Sheamus before Cesaro accepted the challenge.

The Usos would have gotten a title shot if they defeated Cesaro & Sheamus. Mandy Rose distracted Jimmy Uso near the end of the match.

The storyline for Shane and Miz is that Miz has been trying to get Shane to be his tag team partner since the World Cup tournament at Crown Jewel. Shane finally agreed to it two weeks ago, with Miz saying that he wants to team with Shane to make his father proud. Miz said his father told him that Miz & Shane would be the best tag team in the world.

Royal Rumble 2019 is taking place at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona on January 27. Here’s the updated card for the pay-per-view:

  • Women’s Royal Rumble match
  • Men’s Royal Rumble match
  • Universal Champion Brock Lesnar defending against Braun Strowman
  • WWE Champion Daniel Bryan defending against AJ Styles
  • Raw Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey defending against Sasha Banks
  • SmackDown Women’s Champion Asuka defending against Becky Lynch
  • SmackDown Tag Team Champions Cesaro & Sheamus defending against Shane McMahon & The Miz
  • WWE Cruiserweight Champion Buddy Murphy defending against Kalisto, Akira Tozawa, and the winner of Cedric Alexander vs. Hideo Itami (airing on this week’s 205 Live) in a fatal four-way match

Ronda Rousey vs. Sasha Banks set for WWE Royal Rumble

Posted on by Joseph Currier

A first-time matchup between Ronda Rousey and Sasha Banks is set for the Royal Rumble.

Rousey will defend her Raw Women’s Championship against Banks at this month’s Royal Rumble pay-per-view. That was made official on Monday’s episode of Raw, with Banks defeating Nia Jax in a number one contender’s match to become Rousey’s next challenger.

On Raw, Rousey appeared on Alexa Bliss’ “A Moment of Bliss” talk show segment. Rousey said she wants to be a champion everyone can be proud of and praised Banks. Nia Jax then interrupted Rousey and Bliss and wanted another match against Rousey. Banks came out, said she was honored by Rousey’s comments and would love to face Rousey for the title, and that it would be her pleasure to teach Rousey how to lose with dignity and class.

The angle led to Banks and Jax’s number one contender’s match being made. Banks submitted Jax with the Banks Statement to win.

Royal Rumble 2019 is taking place at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona on January 27. Here’s the updated card:

  • Universal Champion Brock Lesnar defending against Braun Strowman
  • WWE Champion Daniel Bryan defending against AJ Styles
  • Women’s Royal Rumble match
  • Men’s Royal Rumble match
  • Raw Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey defending against Sasha Banks
  • WWE Cruiserweight Champion Buddy Murphy defending against Kalisto, Akira Tozawa, and either Cedric Alexander or Hideo Itami in a fatal four-way match (a qualifying match between Alexander and Itami is taking place on this week’s 205 Live)

John Cena announced for WWE Royal Rumble

Posted on by Joseph Currier

John Cena will be one of the entrants in this year’s Royal Rumble.

Cena returned to Raw on Monday night, with it being announced that he’ll be in the men’s Royal Rumble match later this month. Cena cut a promo before being interrupted by Drew McIntyre. A brawl between Seth Rollins and Bobby Lashley had opened the show, and it led to Rollins, Cena & Finn Balor defeating Dean Ambrose, Lashley & McIntyre in a six-man tag match.

Cena made his return to WWE TV on last week’s SmackDown, taking part in a segment with Becky Lynch and teaming with her against Andrade “Cien” Almas & Zelina Vega.

Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona is hosting Royal Rumble 2019 on January 27. Here’s the updated list of entrants for both Royal Rumble matches:

Men’s Royal Rumble —

  • R-Truth (will enter at number 30 as a stipulation of winning Mixed Match Challenge)
  • Drew McIntyre
  • Big E
  • Kofi Kingston
  • Xavier Woods
  • Finn Balor
  • Seth Rollins
  • Jeff Hardy
  • Dean Ambrose
  • Samoa Joe
  • Bobby Lashley
  • John Cena

Women’s Royal Rumble —

  • Carmella (will enter at number 30 as a stipulation of winning Mixed Match Challenge)
  • Sasha Banks
  • Bayley
  • Ember Moon
  • Natalya
  • Ruby Riott
  • Liv Morgan
  • Sarah Logan
  • Mandy Rose
  • Sonya Deville

Ambrose, Joe, Lashley added to list of WWE Royal Rumble entrants

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Heading into this week’s television, WWE has confirmed 11 entrants for the men’s Royal Rumble match and announced 10 entrants for the women’s Royal Rumble.

Intercontinental Champion Dean Ambrose, Samoa Joe, and Bobby Lashley were added to the list of entrants for the men’s Royal Rumble on Sunday night. They were announced via videos that WWE uploaded from Sunday’s house shows.

Seth Rollins, Finn Balor, Jeff Hardy, Mandy Rose, and Sonya Deville were also confirmed as Royal Rumble entrants this weekend.

Royal Rumble 2019 is taking place at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona on January 27. Here’s the updated list of entrants for both Rumble matches:

Men’s Royal Rumble —

  • R-Truth (will enter at number 30 as a stipulation of winning Mixed Match Challenge)
  • Drew McIntyre
  • Big E
  • Kofi Kingston
  • Xavier Woods
  • Finn Balor
  • Seth Rollins
  • Jeff Hardy
  • Dean Ambrose
  • Samoa Joe
  • Bobby Lashley

Women’s Royal Rumble —

  • Carmella (will enter at number 30 as a stipulation of winning Mixed Match Challenge)
  • Sasha Banks
  • Bayley
  • Ember Moon
  • Natalya
  • Ruby Riott
  • Liv Morgan
  • Sarah Logan
  • Mandy Rose
  • Sonya Deville

Rollins and Balor confirmed as WWE Royal Rumble entrants

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Two more entrants have been confirmed for this year’s men’s Royal Rumble match.

Seth Rollins cut a promo at Friday night’s house show in Columbus, Georgia and officially announced that he’ll be an entrant in the Royal Rumble.

WWE also posted video of a backstage promo from Finn Balor, with it announcing that Balor will be in the Royal Rumble. Balor was the second entrant in last year’s Rumble and made it to the final four before being eliminated by John Cena.

Here’s the updated list of confirmed entrants for the men’s Royal Rumble:

  • R-Truth (will enter at number 30 as a stipulation of winning Mixed Match Challenge)
  • Drew McIntyre
  • Big E
  • Kofi Kingston
  • Xavier Woods
  • Finn Balor
  • Seth Rollins

Eight wrestlers have been announced for the women’s Royal Rumble match thus far:

  • Carmella (will enter at number 30 as a stipulation of winning Mixed Match Challenge)
  • Sasha Banks
  • Bayley
  • Ember Moon
  • Natalya
  • Ruby Riott
  • Liv Morgan
  • Sarah Logan

Each Rumble will feature 30 entrants. The pay-per-view is taking place at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona on January 27. Brock Lesnar defending the Universal Championship against Braun Strowman, AJ Styles challenging for Daniel Bryan’s WWE Championship, and Buddy Murphy defending the Cruiserweight title in a fatal four-way match have also been announced for the PPV.

Murphy to defend title in fatal four-way match at WWE Royal Rumble

Posted on by Joseph Currier

A fatal four-way Cruiserweight Championship match will be taking place at the Royal Rumble.

Tonight’s best of 2018 episode of 205 Live ended with the announcement that Buddy Murphy will defend his title in a fatal four-way match at the Royal Rumble. WWE will be revealing Murphy’s challengers via three qualifying matches.

Kalisto vs. Lio Rush and Akira Tozawa vs. Drew Gulak are the qualifying matches set for next week’s 205 Live. In two weeks, Cedric Alexander will face Hideo Itami in the final qualifier.

Murphy retained his title against Alexander on the TLC pre-show earlier this month. Murphy won the title from Alexander at Super Show-Down in Melbourne, Australia this October and then retained against Mustafa Ali at Survivor Series.

Royal Rumble 2019 is taking place at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona on January 27. In addition to Murphy’s title defense and both Royal Rumble matches, Brock Lesnar defending his Universal Championship against Braun Strowman has also been announced for the PPV.

UPDATE: Asuka vs. Becky Lynch not official for WWE Royal Rumble

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Despite the match being announced on this week’s episode of Main Event, Asuka vs. Becky Lynch isn’t official for the Royal Rumble.

WWE had Paige send out a tweet today to offer a storyline explanation for the situation: “Soooo I tried to make one last match before my time as #SDLive GM came to end…but unfortunately @BeckyLynchWWE vs. @WWEAsuka for the Smackdown Women’s Championship is NOT official for #RoyalRumble. #Oops”

This week’s Main Event was a recap show hosted by Scott Stanford. After recapping Asuka, Lynch, and Charlotte Flair’s segment and Asuka vs. Naomi from Tuesday’s SmackDown, it was announced that Asuka would be defending her SmackDown Women’s Championship against Lynch at the Royal Rumble. Whether or not the match will still happen should be made clear as WWE’s build to the Royal Rumble continues.

Asuka won the title from Lynch in a triple threat tables, ladders, and chairs match at TLC that also included Charlotte.

Royal Rumble 2019 is taking place at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona on January 27.

Brock Lesnar vs. Braun Strowman set for WWE Royal Rumble

Posted on by Joseph Currier

The Universal Championship match is official for Royal Rumble 2019.

Despite never getting physically involved in the match, Braun Strowman defeated Baron Corbin at TLC tonight. One of the stipulations for the match was that Strowman would challenge for Brock Lesnar’s Universal Championship at the Royal Rumble if he won, and Lesnar vs. Strowman was announced for the Royal Rumble after Strowman defeated Corbin.

The story for Strowman vs. Corbin was that Strowman came out with his arm in a sling while Corbin was trying to win by countout/forfeit. Strowman pointed out that there were no disqualifications since it was a tables, ladders, and chairs match. Apollo Crews, Bobby Roode, Chad Gable, Finn Balor, Heath Slater (who was the referee for the match), and Kurt Angle all helped Strowman win.

Corbin lost his general manager power as another stipulation of the match.

On the November 19 episode of Raw, there was an angle where Corbin, Bobby Lashley, and Drew McIntyre attacked Strowman’s elbow. It was to explain Strowman legitimately needing surgery for bone spurs in his elbow, and WWE announced on November 27 that Strowman had undergone the surgery.

The Royal Rumble is taking place at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona on January 27, 2019.

Chase Field in Phoenix to host WWE Royal Rumble 2019

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE is bringing the Royal Rumble to Arizona next year.

The company announced via The Arizona Republic today that Chase Field in Phoenix will host the Royal Rumble on January 27th, 2019. Chase Field, which is a baseball stadium, is the home of the Arizona Diamondbacks. WWE estimates that over 40,000 people will attend the pay-per-view.

This will be the first time that a WWE show has taken place at Chase Field. It’s also the first time that a baseball stadium has hosted a Royal Rumble.

The Arizona Republic’s article mentions that the women’s Royal Rumble match is “an event that will be repeated in Phoenix.”

Like with all “Big Four” PPVs, there will be an NXT TakeOver special, Raw, and SmackDown in the days surrounding the Royal Rumble. The Talking Stick Resort Arena will host TakeOver on the 26th, Raw on the 28th, and SmackDown on the 29th.

WWE noted that ticket information will be announced in the near future.