Tag: Royal Rumble 2024

Jordynne Grace denies WWE Royal Rumble rumors

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Jordynne Grace won’t be in Indianapolis for the WWE Royal Rumble this Saturday — allegedly.

In response to rumors that she’ll be a surprise entrant in the women’s Rumble match, Grace posted a tweet today claiming that she will be in Austin, Texas from Friday through Sunday hosting her mother’s 50th birthday party. Grace tweeted a picture of flight information showing that.

While the tweet is an indirect denial, Grace does not outright say that she won’t be in the women’s Rumble. If she does end up appearing, it will be her second straight year competing in the match. She was involved in the 2024 edition due to the partnership that exists between WWE and TNA Wrestling.

Grace finished up with TNA at Genesis earlier this month and has reportedly signed a multi-year WWE contract. She was a three-time Knockouts Champion during her TNA run.

In addition to her Rumble cameo in 2024, Grace made several appearances for NXT last year.

Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis is the venue for Saturday’s event. The main show has a start time of 6 p.m. Eastern airing live on Peacock.

WWE Royal Rumble generated $47 million in economic impact for St. Petersburg

Posted on by Joseph Currier

According to an economic impact report, Royal Rumble 2024 brought $47 million to the St. Petersburg, Florida area.

Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg was the host of January’s Royal Rumble. This week, the Visit St. Pete/Clearwater tourism board presented the results of an economic impact study for the event. The study claimed that Royal Rumble generated $47,047,401 in overall economic impact with $28,337,038 of that coming from direct spending. There were $2,923,664 million tax dollars generated.

Visit St. Pete/Clearwater also highlighted the following:

The Sun Runner bus had a 95 percent increase in ridership on the day of the Royal Rumble.

Ferg’s Sports Bar did seven times its usual business on the day of the event.

Green Bench Brewing Company had a 10-15 percent increase over a typical Saturday.

Imagine Museum had a 25 percent increase in attendance the day after the Royal Rumble.

WWE received $500,000 from Visit St. Pete/Clearwater in its Royal Rumble bid. The tourism board worked with the Tampa Bay Rays, the City of St. Petersburg, and the Tampa Sports Commission to bring the Royal Rumble to Tropicana Field.

The economic impact of Royal Rumble 2023 in San Antonio was said to be $69 million.

Wrestling Observer Radio: The resignation of Vince McMahon, Royal Rumble, more

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about, and it’s all basically two major subjects, the resignation of Vince McMahon and all the fallout from that, and the Royal Rumble. Also some notes on Collision and the line-ups for this coming week. A packed show, so check it out~!

Timestamps:

Start: Vince McMahon resigns from WWE & fallout

40:26: WWE Royal Rumble recap

1:13:39: Preview for the upcoming week, AEW Collision thoughts

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Cody Rhodes wins second straight WWE men’s Royal Rumble match

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Another WrestleMania showdown between Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes is officially set.

Rhodes secured his spot in the WrestleMania 40 main event by winning Saturday night’s men’s Royal Rumble match. Rhodes is the first wrestler to win the Rumble in back-to-back years since “Stone Cold” Steve Austin in 1997 and 1998.

Rhodes will now attempt to finish his story by challenging Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at WrestleMania 40. After his Rumble win tonight, Rhodes pointed at Reigns and declared that he’s choosing to face Reigns at WrestleMania. The match is happening one year after Rhodes’ loss to Reigns at WrestleMania 39.

The final four wrestlers in the men’s Rumble were Rhodes, CM Punk, Gunther, and Drew McIntyre. The match then came down to Rhodes and Punk.

Rhodes got the advantage after hitting Cross Rhodes, but Punk then delivered a GTS to Rhodes. Punk hit a Pedigree and went for another GTS, but Rhodes blocked it and then threw Punk out of the ring.

Rhodes had entered the Rumble match as the 15th entrant.

Earlier in the night at the Royal Rumble, Reigns defeated AJ Styles, Randy Orton, and LA Knight in a fatal four-way match to retain the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship.

WrestleMania 40 is being held at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Saturday, April 6 and Sunday, April 7. Women’s Royal Rumble winner Bayley will challenge either Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley or WWE Women’s Champion IYO SKY at the event.

WWE Royal Rumble: Men’s entrant order and eliminations

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Here are the entrants and eliminations for this year’s men’s Royal Rumble match, updated live as they happen.

A similar post for the women’s Rumble is here.

Follow along with Steve Khan’s live post for full Royal Rumble results.

Men’s Royal Rumble entrants:

1. Jey Uso

2. Jimmy Uso

3. Grayson Waller

4. Andrade

5. Carmelo Hayes

6. Shinsuke Nakamura

7. Santos Escobar

8. Karrion Kross

9. Dominik Mysterio

10. Carlito

11. Bobby Lashley

12. Ludwig Kaiser

13. Austin Theory

14. Finn Balor

15. Cody Rhodes

16. Bronson Reed

17. Kofi Kingston

18. Gunther

19. Ivar

20. Bron Breakker

21. Omos

22. Pat McAfee

23. JD McDonagh

24. R-Truth

25. The Miz

26. Damian Priest

27. CM Punk

28. Ricochet

29. Drew McIntyre

30. Sami Zayn

Men’s Royal Rumble eliminations:

1. Grayson Waller (eliminated by Carmelo Hayes)

2. Santos Escobar (eliminated by Carlito)

3. Carlito (eliminated by Bobby Lashley)

4. Karrion Kross (eliminated by Bobby Lashley)

5. Bobby Lashley (eliminated by Karrion Kross from the outside)

6. Carmelo Hayes (eliminated by Finn Balor)

7. Austin Theory (eliminated by Cody Rhodes)

8. Andrade (eliminated by Bronson Reed)

9. Shinsuke Nakamura (eliminated by Cody Rhodes)

10. Ludwig Kaiser (eliminated by Kofi Kingston)

11. Kofi Kingston (eliminated by Gunther)

12. Jimmy Uso (eliminated by Bron Breakker)

13. Finn Balor (eliminated by Bron Breakker)

14. Bronson Reed (eliminated by Omos)

15. Ivar (eliminated by Bron Breakker)

16. Pat McAfee (eliminated himself)

17. Omos (eliminated by Bron Breakker)

18. Bron Breakker (eliminated by Dominik Mysterio)

19. JD McDonagh (eliminated by Jey Uso)

20. R-Truth (eliminated by Damian Priest)

21. Dominik Mysterio (eliminated by CM Punk)

22. The Miz (eliminated by Gunther)

23. Jey Uso (eliminated by Gunther)

24. Ricochet (eliminated by Drew McIntyre)

25. Damian Priest (eliminated by Sami Zayn)

26. Sami Zayn (eliminated by Drew McIntyre)

27. Drew McIntyre (eliminated by CM Punk)

28. Gunther (eliminated by Cody Rhodes)

29. CM Punk (eliminated by Cody Rhodes)

2024 men’s Royal Rumble match winner: Cody Rhodes

Naomi returns, Jordynne Grace & Jade Cargill debut in WWE Royal Rumble

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Naomi made her return, plus TNA Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace & Jade Cargill made their in-ring WWE debuts in Saturday’s women’s Royal Rumble match. 

After walking out of the company in May 2022 over creative issues, Naomi made her return as a surprise third entrant in this year’s women’s Royal Rumble match on Saturday, lasting until the final six competitors of the match ultimately won by Bayley. 

WWE posted a link on social media to new Naomi merchandise available on WWE Shop, indicating that she has returned on a full-time basis. 

TNA Knockouts World Champion Jordynne Grace entered fifth for the women’s Rumble, wearing the TNA title belt to the ring just as Mickie James did while Knockouts Champion at the 2022 Royal Rumble. Commentary mentioned TNA by name several times. Grace was eliminated before the 15th entrant to the match. 

Jade Cargill made her in-ring WWE debut in the Rumble as the 28th entrant. Cargill lasted until the final three of the contest and eliminated Becky Lynch and Nia Jax before being eliminated in a tussle on the apron with the final two competitors, Liv Morgan & Bayley. Cargill is a former TBS Champion in AEW and was a heralded free agent acquisition by WWE in September 2023. 

Morgan made her return from injury in the Rumble as the 30th entrant, and was the final elimination.  Morgan had been sidelined since July with a shoulder injury. 

NXT’s Roxanne Perez & Tiffany Stratton were the only other Rumble entries of note not part of WWE’s main roster.

Steve Khan’s Royal Rumble live play-by-play post is here.

Bayley wins WWE women’s Royal Rumble match

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Bayley is headed to WrestleMania with a decision to make.

On Saturday night, Bayley became a Royal Rumble winner for the first time in her career. Bayley entered the Rumble at number three and competed in the match for more than an hour before being crowned the winner. She last eliminated Liv Morgan to get the victory.

Bayley, the returning Morgan, and the debuting Jade Cargill were the final three wrestlers left at the end of the match. Morgan eliminated Cargill but was then quickly eliminated by Bayley.

WWE announced that Bayley was in the match for 1:03:03 — a new women’s Royal Rumble record.

Bayley will now challenge either Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley or WWE Women’s Champion IYO SKY at WrestleMania 40. Bayley and SKY are stablemates in Damage CTRL. During the build to the Royal Rumble, Bayley said that she would challenge Ripley at WrestleMania instead of SKY. But WWE has been building to a split between Damage CTRL and Bayley.

Damage CTRL members Asuka and Kairi Sane were also entrants in the women’s Royal Rumble. Dakota Kai, who has been out of action since last May due to a torn ACL, did not make her return to the ring at the Rumble.

This will be Bayley’s first time wrestling in a one-on-one title match at WrestleMania.

WrestleMania 40 is taking place from Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Saturday, April 6 and Sunday, April 7.

Pat McAfee appears as guest commentator at WWE Royal Rumble

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Update —

Pat McAfee later appeared as a short-lived surprise entrant in the men’s Royal Rumble match. McAfee entered the ring but almost immediately eliminated himself after going face-to-face with Omos and Bron Breakker.

**********

For the second straight year, Pat McAfee dropped by the Royal Rumble to do commentary.

Saturday night’s event opened with McAfee joining Michael Cole and Corey Graves at the commentary desk. It was said that McAfee would be a special guest commentator for the night. The show then opened with the women’s Royal Rumble match.

McAfee’s appearance on commentary at the 2023 Royal Rumble was a surprise even to Michael Cole. This time, Cole said he knew in advance that McAfee would be there. McAfee had originally been discussed as an entrant for last year’s men’s Rumble match but wasn’t able to get in ring shape due to his schedule.

From April 2021 to September 2022, McAfee worked as a full-time commentator on SmackDown. He departed the role after joining ESPN’s College GameDay. McAfee later expanded his relationship with ESPN when he brought his sports talk show to the network.

McAfee has remained part of WWE despite leaving commentary. He appeared at Fastlane and WrestleMania last year, along with showing up alongside Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson on SmackDown last September.

Cole and Graves called Friday night’s episode of SmackDown together. Kevin Patrick, who had been Graves’ broadcast partner on SmackDown, was released by WWE earlier in the week.

WWE confirms four new entrants for women’s Royal Rumble match

Posted on by Joseph Currier

In advance of tonight’s event, WWE has confirmed a few new participants who will be taking part in the women’s Royal Rumble match.

Alba Fyre, Shotzi, Zelina Vega, and Michin will be competing in the women’s Rumble tonight. Their participation was confirmed in a video that WWE uploaded after Friday’s SmackDown. Fyre, Shotzi, Vega, and Michin were shown picking their Rumble numbers.

SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis told Isla Dawn in the video that she won’t be taking part in the Rumble.

There have now been eight participants confirmed for the women’s Rumble match:

  • Bayley
  • Nia Jax
  • Becky Lynch
  • Bianca Belair
  • Alba Fyre
  • Shotzi
  • Zelina Vega
  • Michin

The men’s Rumble has 14 announced entrants:

  • Cody Rhodes
  • CM Punk
  • Shinsuke Nakamura
  • Bobby Lashley
  • Drew McIntyre
  • Gunther
  • Damian Priest
  • Kofi Kingston
  • Jimmy Uso
  • Santos Escobar
  • R-Truth
  • Carlito
  • Austin Theory
  • Grayson Waller

There will be 30 entrants in each Rumble match.

The Royal Rumble is taking place from Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida tonight. The show streams live on Peacock/WWE Network starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time. An hour-long pre-show will air before that.

WWE Royal Rumble 2024 card —

  • Men’s Royal Rumble match
  • Women’s Royal Rumble match
  • Fatal four-way match: Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns defends against Randy Orton, LA Knight, and AJ Styles
  • United States Champion Logan Paul defends against Kevin Owens

 

Six new wrestlers confirmed for men’s WWE Royal Rumble match

Posted on by Ethan Renner

WWE has confirmed six new entrants for Saturday’s men’s Royal Rumble match. 

Three new wrestlers were shown drawing their entry numbers during Friday’s SmackDown episode, while three additional stars were shown choosing numbers in a video posted to WWE’s YouTube and social media channels. 

Jimmy Uso, Legado Del Fantasma’s Santos Escobar, and R-Truth are the names newly announced during SmackDown as entries into the Rumble. Grayson Waller, Austin Theory, and Carlito are the new announcements confirmed in the digital media video.

14 of 30 names are now officially confirmed for the men’s Rumble, while WWE has only officially revealed four of the 30 entrants for the women’s Rumble match.

WWE Royal Rumble streams live on Saturday, January 27 at 8 p.m. Eastern time on Peacock in the United States.

In addition to the men’s and women’s Royal Rumble matches, Roman Reigns will defend the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship against AJ Styles, LA Knight, and Randy Orton at the event. Logan Paul defending the United States Championship against Kevin Owens is also scheduled for the show.

The updated list of confirmed entrants for Saturday’s Royal Rumble matches: 

Men’s Royal Rumble entrants —

  • Cody Rhodes
  • CM Punk
  • Shinsuke Nakamura
  • Bobby Lashley
  • Drew McIntyre
  • Gunther
  • Damian Priest
  • Kofi Kingston
  • Jimmy Uso
  • Santos Escobar
  • R-Truth
  • Carlito
  • Austin Theory
  • Grayson Waller

Women’s Royal Rumble entrants —

  • Bayley
  • Nia Jax
  • Becky Lynch
  • Bianca Belair

Kofi Kingston confirmed for WWE Royal Rumble match

Posted on by Joseph Currier

The 2024 men’s Royal Rumble match is now up to eight confirmed entrants.

WWE has confirmed that Kofi Kingston will be one of the entrants in the men’s Royal Rumble match this Saturday (January 27). Cody Rhodes, CM Punk, Shinsuke Nakamura, Bobby Lashley, Drew McIntyre, Gunther, and Damian Priest are the other participants who have been announced for the match so far.

This will be the 16th Royal Rumble match that Kingston has competed in during his career.

After the Royal Rumble, Kingston is set to challenge Gunther for the Intercontinental title on Raw next Monday (January 29).

The New Day and Imperium are currently feuding with each other. A tag team match between Kingston & Xavier Woods and Ludwig Kaiser & Giovanni Vinci on Raw last night ended in a double countout. The teams then continued to brawl, leading to a spot where Kingston and Woods speared Kaiser and Vinci off equipment boxes and through a table.

Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida is hosting the Royal Rumble on Saturday. The event streams live on Peacock/WWE Network starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

Here’s the updated list of entrants for both Rumble matches:

Men’s Royal Rumble entrants —

  • Cody Rhodes
  • CM Punk
  • Shinsuke Nakamura
  • Bobby Lashley
  • Drew McIntyre
  • Gunther
  • Damian Priest
  • Kofi Kingston

Women’s Royal Rumble entrants —

  • Bayley
  • Nia Jax
  • Becky Lynch
  • Bianca Belair

Gunther declares for WWE Royal Rumble

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Intercontinental Champion Gunther has declared his entry into the WWE men’s Royal Rumble match. 

Returning to Raw for the first time since December, Gunther cut a promo on Monday’s episode declaring entry for the 2024 Royal Rumble set for Saturday, January 27. 

The longest-reigning Intercontinental Champion of all-time, Gunther becomes the sixth wrestler to declare for the men’s Rumble. Four wrestlers have declared for the women’s Rumble. 

In addition to the Rumble matches, two title matches are currently set for the January 27 event. 

Roman Reigns will put his Undisputed WWE Universal Championship on the line against LA Knight, Randy Orton, and AJ Styles in a four-way, while Logan Paul defends the United States Championship against Kevin Owens. 

Royal Rumble will take place at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. The show airs on Peacock in the United States and WWE Network internationally at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

The current lineup: 

  • Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns defends against LA Knight, AJ Styles, and Randy Orton
  • United States Champion Logan Paul defends against Kevin Owens

Men’s Royal Rumble entrants —

  • Cody Rhodes
  • CM Punk
  • Shinsuke Nakamura
  • Bobby Lashley
  • Drew McIntyre
  • Gunther

Women’s Royal Rumble entrants —

  • Bayley
  • Nia Jax
  • Becky Lynch
  • Bianca Belair

X-Pac says there’s ‘zero chance’ he’ll be in WWE Royal Rumble

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Sean “X-Pac” Waltman is claiming that there’s no chance he’ll be in the 2024 Royal Rumble.

Though he’s been rumored as a potential surprise entrant, Waltman posted a tweet on Thursday saying that there’s “zero chance” he’ll be in the Royal Rumble. Waltman said he can still go in the ring at least for a few minutes, but he won’t be able to get in shape in time for the Rumble.

Waltman wrote:

I can still go at the drop of hat, at least for a few minutes. I can do all my kicks, except the one in the corner & I can do that again with a few weeks training. I’m at least month away from taking my shirt off in public, so zero chance I’ll be in the Rumble.

PWInsider reported on January 2 that there was word going around the WWE Performance Center that Waltman would be at the facility that week.

Waltman hasn’t wrestled since facing Joey Janela at Joey Janela’s Spring Break 6 in 2022. He worked that match with a torn biceps.

In 2019, Waltman was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as part of D-Generation X.

Royal Rumble 2024 is being held at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida on Saturday, January 27. Cody Rhodes, CM Punk, Shinsuke Nakamura, Bobby Lashley, and Drew McIntyre are the first five wreslers who have been confirmed for the men’s Rumble match.

Bayley, Nia Jax, Becky Lynch, and Bianca Belair have been announced for the women’s Rumble.

Rey Mysterio hoping to return for WWE Royal Rumble

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio is hoping to be back in the ring in time for the Royal Rumble.

Mysterio has been out of action since undergoing knee surgery in November. The surgery was for a torn meniscus, and Mysterio was expected to be out of action for 6-8 weeks.

During an appearance on Monday’s episode of the Bakers Bantering podcast, Mysterio said he’s hoping to return for the Royal Rumble or shortly after that. The Royal Rumble is taking place from Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida on Saturday, January 27.

“I am really working hard on my physical therapy,” Mysterio said. “I just had knee surgery, thanks to Santos Escobar — and his time will come eventually. And I do hope that I can return for the Rumble, if not shortly after that. But I am working very hard to make my return as soon as possible.”

In storyline, Mysterio’s knee injury was blamed on an attack from Escobar. The two were former stablemates in the LWO. Escobar turned against Mysterio on the November 10 episode of SmackDown.

Mysterio had been working hurt for months before having knee surgery.

While appearing on the Christmas Party episode of K100 with Konnan & Disco Inferno last month, Mysterio said he was in week four of his 6-8 week recovery time.

Mysterio was WWE United States Champion before dropping the title to Logan Paul at Crown Jewel in November.