Supervisor Elham AbolFateh
Editor in Chief Mohamed Wadie

WWE Royal Rumble 2023 Sets Pro Wrestling Fans on Fire


Sun 29 Jan 2023 | 04:17 PM
Rana Atef

Royal Rumble! An event that formed a huge part of pro wrestling fans' collective memories. It is special in its form, the combined cheers of counting from 10 to 0 to determine the entry of each WWE superstar, and identifying the main-eventing star of Wrestle Mania. This year, the Royal Rumble looked so different, classic in form, and new in names because it is the first produced and written Royal Rumble with a "Vinceless" creative direction.

The card of the pay-per-view consisted of only 5 matches, including the two Royal Rumble matches. This gave a wide space for the ongoing storylines in the WWE to form a part of both Royal Rumble matches.

30-Man Royal Rumble Match

Kicking off the show with the 30-Man Royal Rumble match was strange for a lot of fans around the world, especially amid the successive teases of the return of The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin, or the debut of a number of NJPW stars such as Jay White, the former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion.

With a deep look at the ongoing stories right now in the WWE (except Sami Zayn, The Bloodline, and Kevin Ownes), there are the story of the Judgement Day and Edge, Bobby Lashley and Brock Lesnar, Austin Theory and his feuds with Seth Rollins and Lashley for the US title, Johnny Gargano and The Miz, and Gunther as Intercontinental Champion who feuds with Rey Mysterio, Ricochet, and Sheamus, and the partnership between Drew McIntyre and Sheamus.

Those stories were deeply and perfectly represented in the men's Royal Rumble match, alongside giving some shots to old stories such as the feud of Rollins and Edge, Edge and Balor, the Mysterios, and Lesnar and McIntyre.

Moreover, there are a number of stars who presented impressive and outstanding performances at the match. Gunther comes on the top.

Gunther set a new record at Royal Rumble and became the longest time spent in a single men's Rumble match, surpassing Rey Mysterio by nine minutes, who achieved the record in 2006.

And, Logan Paul and Ricochet made breathtaking and fearless spots.

It is one of the matches that had no legends or hall of fame entries except Booker T.

One of the greatest parts of the match is the fight between Gunther and Cody Rhodes, entry number 1 and 30! It was like a well-made mini-match.

The 30-man Royal Rumble was very good and it was a true representation of the road to Wrestle Mania.

The Winner

Cody Rhodes won the match with no surprise! Rhodes was the most predictable man to win the shot for the world titles in Wrestle Mania because (simply) he is the most popular babyface in the whole roaster, and the succeeded to grab the audience on his side with his emotional promos and speeches.

The story of Rhodes, who left the WWE and tried to re-define himself in the world of pro wrestling and the indies, and his departure from the AEW, a corporation he contributed to founding, gave the fans a true motive to support this man in his return and support him to get the title that his father failed to capture.

Pitch Black Match

It was a totally disappointing match in form, in the storyline, and in the winner. The audience fell once again prey to Bray Wyatt's unorganized and over, over, over-supernatural Netflix-like storyline.

It was not only a bad idea but also had a shameful spot by Uncle Howdy who jumped over LA Knight!

It turned worse since it teased the return of The Fiend!

Raw Women's Championship Match

It was a pointless match in the middle of two great Royal Rumble matches! And, it gave the audience more disappointment in the link between Alexa Bliss and Wyatt! Nonsense!

30-Woman Royal Rumble Match

It was a perfect 30-Woman Royal Rumble match! It had a few surprises such as the return of Chelsea Green, and Nia Jax.

Auska presented her old Japanese gimmick and Damage CTRL continued their story with Becky Lynch!

Impressively, no one opposed Riply's victory decision!

The Undisputed WWE Universal Titles: Roman Reigns vs. Kevin Ownes

The Story of the Bloodline and Roman Reigns as the tribal chief could be one of the most successful and best-selling pro wrestling stories in the last five years.

Although the story lost a lot of its prestige and hype, the addition of Sami Zayn moved the storyline to glory once again.

The trial of Zayn was beautifully scripted and Paul Heyman presented one of his great promos. It was presented in the Raw XXX episode.

Jey defending Zayn was surprising to the whole audience as Jey was against Zayn's presence. The latest segment questioned the future of Zayn, especially after Reigns set a final test for Zayn.

The final test of loyalty was executed yesterday! When Reigns asked Zayn to hit Owens with the steel chair!

Next, Jimmie and Solo Sikoa hit Zayn hard, however, Jay walked away from the ring and left The Bloodline.

This scene recalled Rollins' betrayal of The Shield, and the punishment Reigns gave Jay in their Hell in a Cell match in the Thunderdome period.

The story took a whole new direction towards the disbanding of The Bloodline and became more exciting!

What's Next?

It seems now that the Elimination Chamber would be required to answer a lot of questions!

Most likely, Bayley and Becky Lynch would have one more match, and Ripley may choose to fight for the Raw or SmackDown title as she has a mutual story with Bianca Blair and Charlotte Flair.

Dominik of course would continue his feud against his father, and Edge and Beth Phonix will have one more fight against The Judgement Day.

Rollins and Rhodes may continue their story, or Rollins can have a new story with Paul. And Lesnar will be. most likely, Gunther's Wrestle Mania opponent.

Ownes and Zayn will reunite once again, and they maybe dethrone The Usos. 

read more
GrEEk Campus Hosts Jobzella Fifth Career Fair
Egypt Marks 70th Anniv. of 2011 Revolution, National Police Day
3 Iconic Ramadan Songs of All Times
WATCH: Egyptians Break Ramadan Fasts in Matariya
AEW Dynamite, WWE NXT to Strive over Viewership Tonight
Read also
Videos & Features
In Depth: AEW Dynamite, WWE NXT Tuesday Viewership Strive
Videos & Features
Top 4 Destinations to Visit in Upper Egypt
Videos & Features
In Depth: WWE NXT Halloween Havoc
Videos & Features
2 Most Inspirational Green Projects in Egypt