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WWE Royal Rumble is all set to pop off tonight (Sun., Jan. 29, 2017) from the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas at 7:00 p.m. ET, live on the WWE Network. You may also be able to watch this on pay-per-view (PPV) if your cable provider is carrying the event.
CagesideSeats.com will provide LIVE blow-by-blow, match-by-match coverage of Royal Rumble below, beginning with the first match of the evening and right on through to the main event.
Kick your off your shoes, relax, and enjoy all the action with your favorite pro wrestling website. And remember to keep refreshing! Note: To get in on the conversation on this show, visit our open thread here.
WWE ROYAL RUMBLE QUICK RESULTS
Randy Orton wins the Royal Rumble
John Cena def. AJ Styles
Neville def. Rich Swann
Kevin Owens def. Roman Reigns
Charlotte def. Bayley
Nia Jax def. Sasha Banks
Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson def. Cesaro & Sheamus
Nikki Bella & Naomi & Becky Lynch def. Natalya & Alexa Bliss & Mickie James
WWE ROYAL RUMBLE LIVE BLOG & MATCH COVERAGE
Who is this man? Where is he from? Exciter comes for everyone. You'll never see him, but you will taste the fire upon your tongue. Me, I'm just here to liveblog this pro wrestling show for you, folks.
Pre-show starts off with Renee Young welcoming us to the show and introducing her fellow panelists, Booker T, Jerry "the King" Lawler, and the Heartbreak Kid himself, Shawn Michaels. They discuss the show a bit and toss to Charly Caruso in the social media lounge. Dean Ambrose will be doing a Q&A with her later in the show.
Toss to Peter Rosenberg, who is outside of the arena with a pile of fans, one of whom has the Undertaker and a WWE logo shaved into his hair. The panel then recaps the events that lead to Seth Rollins being left out of the Royal Rumble match, as well as his shocking appearance at NXT TakeOver: San Antonio last night.
From there they segue to discussion of the Royal Rumble proper, with a video package to go along with it.
After a short break, HBK discusses what winning the 1995 Royal Rumble did for his career. Then on to video package and discussion for the Raw Women's Championship match. Toss to Peter Rosenberg walking us down the ramp and through the rules of the Royal Rumble match.
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Alexa Bliss, Mickie James, & Natalya vs. Becky Lynch, Naomi, & Nikki Bella
Natalya and Nikki Bella to stat, they square off and Nattie shoves Nikki before doing John Cena's "You Can't See Me" taunt. Nikki hauls off and slaps her, so Neidhart tags Bliss in. Bella with a waistlock, standing switch, again, Alexa out with a right, off the ropes, eats a kick, Nikki hits her facebreaker for one. Naomi (wearing gear so bright it's messing with the color balance on my TV) tags in, whip across, double dropkick!
Nattie back in, things break down, the babyfaces with a triple suplex! Baseball slides from Bella and Lynch, Naomi dives on the pile and we take a little break.
Back from our break, Becky and Natalya are in, Lynch levels her with lariats, two from the arm and one from the leg, calls for the Straight Fire forearm and it connects, springboard kick follows, Nattie bails and Becky comes at her with a forearm off the apron. Mickie runs over and throws Lynch into the barricade, allowing Natalya to hook her and suplex her on the floor.
Dragging the Lasskicker back in the ring, stomp to the back, Nattie looking for a WAR Special but settles for a reverse chinlock as Lynch struggles and throws her off. Tag to James, she puts the boots to Becky and chokes her in the corner. Fast tag to Bliss, more boots, choke against the middle rope, she argues with referee Ryan Tran and Mickie levels Becky with a kick!
Tag to Nattie, double-team mat slam, giant step, Lynch goes for a schoolboy and Natalya drops her with a lariat for two. Reverse chinlock applied, Becky out with elbows but Nattie shifts and drops her with a Michinoku Driver. Going for a German suplex, blocked, O'Connor roll but Bliss got the blind tag! Becky tosses Natalya outside but she yanks Nikki off the apron to block the tag.
Alexa with a bit of ground and pound, she gets caught with a small package but escapes. Tag to Naomi, she comes in with a diving crossbody, corner dropkick, jumping roundhouse, flipping lariat, a sitout jawbreaker, then those "Speedball" Mike Bailey kicks but Mickie breaks it up! Exploder suplex on Mickie, Nattie throws Becky into the ringpost, Nikki spears Nattie out of her boots.
Bliss gets caught with a roundhouse while pulling Naomi's hair in the corner...
Becky Lynch, Naomi, & Nikki Bella win by pinfall with a split-legged moonsault from Naomi on Alexa Bliss.
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The pre-show panel moves on to discussing our Universal Championship match next, with the obligatory video package.
Kevin Owens and Chris Jericho run into an interview backstage and Jericho takes offense with the question, saying they both know what they're getting into. He talks about his plight and being a sexy pinata, a sexy nebula, a beautiful cloud and he goes full panic attack. Owens tries to calm him down and runs through their feud with Mick Foley and about how so many other people doubt him.
Jericho panics again and KO tells him he's gonna have the best seat in the house and he needs to focus on looking down and watching the Kevin Owens Show.
The panel continues talking about the match for a bit before throwing to Peter Rosenberg again, who's outside with another batch of fans, a trio of which are in El Santo, Blue Demon, and Mil Mascaras masks.
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Cesaro & Sheamus (c) vs. the Club (Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows) (WWE Raw Tag Team Championship)
Anderson and Cesaro start, the Swiss Superman has a dropkick for two into the Karelin lift for two more! Karl hangs him on the middle rope but Cesaro comes back with uppercuts and tags Sheamus in. Slingshot shoulder block, wristlock, quick tag to Cesaro. Finlay Roll into a running double stomp, Anderson's still in it. Anderson dodges a shot in the corner, boot to the jaw, face to turnbuckle, Luke Gallows tags in.
Right hands from the Big Hoot, whip across,Cesaro ducks a lariat, springboard corkscrew uppercut only good for two but he tags Sheamus in. Double suplex, Sheamus off the ropes with a knee drop, wristlock, arm wringer, Cesaro back in and he runs the uppercut train by way of quick tags. Off the ropes, Cesaro eats a back body drop, headbutt, blocks a right hand, fighting with elbows and uppercuts, whips Gallows to the corner, uppercut!
Luke with a roundhouse for Cesaro and a big boot for Sheamus, he throws up the too sweets and we take a little break.
Back from our break, Gallows has Cesaro in a chinlock but breaks it to attack Sheamus. Back to Cesaro, looking for a suplex but the Swiss national counters into one of his own. Tag to Sheamus, double axe handles, shoulder thrust in the corner, whip across, flying wheel kick sets up the Beats of the Bodhran! Up top for a diving lariat but Sex Ferguson kicks out.
Looking for a fireman's carry, Gallows slips out, tag to Cesaro, assisted White Noise... no good! Cesaro looking for hte swing, Gallows escapes, Anderson tags in. Cesaro charges in, eats a boot, Karl has a schoolboy with feet on the ropes but outside referee Darrick Moore catches him! Cesaro's ready... SWISS DEATH! NOT ENOUGH! Going for the Neutralizer, Anderson blocks, Cesaro sets him up on the middle for the Tiger feint kick!
Diving crossbody connects but Machine Gun is still in the fight. Anderson's ready for the swing, counters with a backslide for two and they trade uppercuts. Struggle in a whip, Anderson hits the spinning spinebuster for another two count. Gallows hooks Cesaro for Magic Killer but Sheamus knocks him down. Anderson dodges a Brogue Kick and referee John Cone takes the boot!
Cesaro has the swing on Anderson as Moore moves inside, he transitions to the Sharpshooter! Anderson nearly has the ropes so Cesaro drags him to the center but Gallows has a boot ready to break it up! Sheamus breaks up the pin and starts brawling with Gallows and then Anderson in turn. He nearly knocks Moore out but Gallows lays him out... MAGIC KILLER ON SHEAMUS!
Anderson's ready for Cesaro...
The Club win by pinfall with a schoolboy pin and a handful of tights from Karl Anderson on Cesaro, winning the WWE Raw Tag Team Championship.
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Austin Aries and Peter Rosenberg join the panel (in the place of HBK and the King) to discuss the Cruiserweight Championship match.
We then head to Dean Ambrose in the social media lounge, where he's taking the word lounge very literally. In fact, he wants to be consulted the next time they design a lounge. First question is about changing the design of the Intercontinental Championship, and he's a big fan of the current title, but if he could do one thing, he'd make the back of it stingray leather.
Second question is about his strategy for the Royal Rumble. There are a lot of big dinosaurs roaming the landscape and he's like a meerkat, so a good strategy is to get under the bottom rope and hold on for dear life. His second strategy is to wait for the Big Show to come out and nuzzle under Big Show's arm like a remora.
He's asked about whether he'd rather face AJ Styles or John Cena. He'd rather have AJ Styles in a match, but he'd offer to defend his title against Cena later in the night in the Waffle House parking lot.
Back to the panel, Jerry Lawler calls Facebook the devil and I heartily agree, good sir! They announce that Sasha Banks vs. Nia Jax is next and we take another little break.
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Nia Jax vs. Sasha Banks
Sasha right in with punches but Nia picks her up and puts her in the ropes. Banks with a side headlock, Jax shoots her off, double knees in the corner, Nia catches a second pair and tosses her away. Flurry of slaps, knucklelock, the Boss steps up the turnbuckles for something but Jax blocks her and throws her into 'em. Biel across the ring and Nia runs her over like a freight train as we take another break.
Back from our break and Nia's drawing Sasha to her feet. Body blows beget a headbutt, Sasha tries for the tilt-a-whirl Bank Statement but Jax stops her short. In the corner, Nia picks a leg and delivers a hammer fist to the injured knee! STRETCH MUFFLER APPLIED! Sasha gets the ropes and manages to flip over but can't complete the sunset flip and Jax throws her into the corner.
Yanked out, Sasha to her feet, throws a kick, dodges a charge, wristlock kicks to the chest, the Boss up top for Meteora! Not enough! Banks over for forearms, Nia catches her...
Nia Jax wins by pinfall with a pop-up Samoan drop.
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The panel discusses the match and shills for the WWE Network a bit. They talk about Seth Rollins at TakeOver and toss to Stephanie McMahon, who promises to address his actions tomorrow night. Furthermore, Seth has been banned from the Alamodome.
On to AJ Styles vs. John Cena next, discussion and video package.
Shawn Michaels makes an entrance and gets on the mic. He says it's great to be back in San Antonio, and he had lunch with his 84-year-old mother this afternoon. He reminisces about winning the title but shifts gears to talk about the Royal Rumble and the Road to WrestleMania. Out of the 30 men that enter the ring, who's going to ensure they get a main event spot at WrestleMania?
Brock Lesnar? Goldberg? Brong Strowman? The Undertaker? He doesn't know, but it's time to get the party started, and he asks the crowd to make some noise.
The panel discusses the Rumble proper some more before sending us off to the main show!
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The show proper kicks off with a video package featuring highlights from past Royal Rumbles before seguing into tonight's matches with the idea that similar highlights will be made and we should remember them.
Bayley vs. Charlotte Flair (c) (WWE Raw Women's Championship)
Charlotte off the ropes with a "Wooo!" to start. Collar and elbow, Flair gets a waistlock takedown into a frong chancery, takes that over and keeps it on. Shoulder block as Bayley begins to escape and Charlotte chucks her outside. Exchanging shoves, Bayley returns the favor by sending Charlotte out and catches her with a Stunner through the ropes, then a slingshot headscissors takeover!
To the second, diving crossbody gets two and Charlotte rolls outside on the far side. Bayley follows and picks her leg but Flair throws her into the steel frame of the apron and then into the steps. Back in the ring, Charlotte smashes Bayley's face into the mat repeatedly before chucking her with an exploder suplex for one. To their feet, struggling, whip in the corner, big chop, snapmare.
Flair with a reverse chinlock, swinging Bayley side to side before grinding her down. Cover comes up empty, Charlotte chokes Bayley over the ropes to follow it before using the ropes to assist a knee drop to the face. Chops in the corner, Flair goes for the exploder and Bayley lands on her feet. Schoolboy, Charlotte out at one, trying for a backslide but Charlotte grabs the hair for a neckbreaker and then the big boot... No good!
Figure four headscissors applied, Charlotte drives Bayley's face into the mat a few times for good measure. Bayley bridges out to turn it into a pin so Flair just takes her rolling around, the last one putting Bayley's ankle into the ropes. Disdainful slaps from the champion into a cover, Bayley kicks out defiantly at one! Charlotte taunts her for being a fan and Bayley gets fired up!
Big overhand slap, Flair going for a neckbreaker but Bayley slips away and they clobber each other will clotheslines! Bayley firing chops, Charlotte fires back, Bayley ends up in the corner, whip across, springboard arm drag and Bayley takes her to the mat for punches! To the apron, back in, double jump springboard crossbody, axe handles, Irish whip, reversed, kick to the face, jumping reverse STO!
Bayley heads up top but thinks better of it and slips down to kick Flair's ribs in. Back up top, diving elbow drop... not enough! Bayley's calling for it, Charlotte blocks a whip and kicks her leg out of her leg! Figure four leglock applied, looking to bridge up but Bayley's fighting, rolling... the pressure is reversed! Charlotte is desperate for the ropes but rolls back around and bridges! She's got the ropes and referee Shawn Bennett catches her and forces her to break!
Boot to the chest from the champion, giant step, Bayley's really down and out here as Charlotte climbs the turnbuckles... moonsault! But Bayley had the knees up! Bayley throwing forearm after forearm, she sets Charlotte up top, but Flair slaps her away. Bayley charges in and the champion knocks her clean to the outside! NATURAL SELECTION ON THE APRON!
Charlotte Flair wins by pinfall with Natural Selection on the apron, retaining the WWE Raw Women's Championship.
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Commentary puts over a WWE mobile game and then the shark cage is lowered, so that's the Universal Championship match up next.
Kevin Owens (c) vs. Roman Reigns (WWE Universal Championship No Disqualification Match)
Before Jericho's locked in the cage, he and Owens jump Roman and put boots to him! Roman fights back and throws Chris into the cage a few times! Reigns puts him in and referee Chad Patton locks the door so the cage can begin its ascent. Jericho is literally crying and the bell rings.
KO blindsides Roman from behind with a forearm and mounts him for punches. Stomp to the face, body blows in the corner, Reigns blocks one and throws a pair of big slicing rights. The action spills outside and the punching continues, sending Owens over the barricade and into the crowd. Brawling deep now, past the international commentary stations.
Roman picks up a stanchion and jams it into KO's ribs before slamming his face into the table in front of Funaki! Owens tries to use the German announce desk's cover to attack Roman but the Big Dog shrugs it off and bounces the champion's face off the table. Whip reversed and Kev sends him into the steps before dropping the cover of the Spanish table on him.
KO digging under the ring for plunder and he pulls out about half a dozen chairs. One goes into Roman's ribs before Kev sets four of them up in deadly configuration. Reigns comes by with the right but the champion hits him in the ribs with a monitor! Cannonball against the barricade! Back to the contraption, Owens clearly watched Evolve 77 last night because he's turning it into a pyramid!
He takes the Big Dog on the apron, looking for a powerbomb but Roman blocks and hits him with a right. Roman hooks him for a suplex but it's KO's turn to block and snap Reigns over the top rope. A forearm nearly knocks him off the apron, then a second, Owens runs the ropes and right into a lariat! Another! The third, leaping as always! The Big Dog heads outside for plunder of his own, he gets a table out.
Table slides into the ring and he sets it up but Owens catches him with a lungblower before he can flip it that nearly ends the match right there. KO throws the table outside and calls for the cannonball only to eat a big boot on the charge. One in return gets caught and Reigns hits a sitout powerbomb for a nearfall. Roman sizes Owens up and calls for the Superman Punch but Kev bails, so he switches gears and hits a Drive-By instead.
Roman sets the table up outside but Owens plants him with superkicks before he can capitalize. He puts the Big Dog on the table, climbs up top... FROG SPLASH TO THE OUTSIDE THROUGH THE TABLE! Back in the ring, Roman digs deep and finds the will to kick out. Owens heads back over and gets two more chairs out from under the ring.
He fires shots to Roman's back but can't finish him and wedges the chair between the ropes in one corner of the ring. Whip across blocked and Reigns gets him in the corner for the corner lariats. He runs the ropes to cap it and Owens blocks him with a forearm. Reigns charges and lands a right, off the ropes again and it's Owens with a knee, off the ropes one more time and Owens has a superkick and throws Reigns into the chair!
Jericho has brass knuckles! He drops them down to his pal Kevin! Owens mocks the Superman Punch taunt and lies in wait but Roman's ready and tries to rip the knucks off. KO goes for his eyes, Superman Punch... NOT ENOUGH! So Owens goes back to the chair, setting it up in the middle of the ring. Big Dog clutched for a powerbomb but he's blocking... Samoan drop through the chair! Owens kicks out!
Roman heads out and gets another table. He leans it in the corner and Owens gets a schoolboy for two. Superman Punch connects but Owens kicks out. Calling for a spear, Owens blocks... STUNNER! NO GOOD! Stomping a proverbial mudhole in Reigns in the corner, cannonball connects and Roman heads to the apron as Owens fumes and tries to figure out how to put him away.
KO up top, he's looking to superplex Roman through the chair pyramid but Reigns blocks and gets away... SUPERMAN PUNCH KNOCKS OWENS OFF AND THROUGH THE CHAIRS! The Big Dog goes to drag Owens back in the ring before settling on the announce table. He dismantles it and drags Owens to his feet, deadlifting him up... POWERBOMB THROUGH THE ANNOUNCE TABLE!
He throws Owens back in the ring and lies in wait... BRAUN STROWMAN'S HERE?! HE CHOKESLAMS ROMAN INTO ANOTHER TABLE BUT IT DOESN'T BREAK! RUNNING POWERSLAM THROUGH THE TABLE LEANED IN THE CORNER!
Owens barely crawls over...
Kevin Owens wins by pinfall with a one-armed press, retaining the WWE Universal Championship.
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Enzo & Big Cass sell some KFC, and I'm pretty sure Enzo wants to know this chicken in the biblical sense.
Mick Foley and Stephanie McMahon are backstage and Steph gives him crap for the shark cage not working when Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon roll up to check the integrity of the Royal Tumbler.
Sami Zayn comes up to pick his number. He complains that some are dented and he selects a blue one. Dean Ambrose rolls up looking for churros and is disappointed, but is requested to pick his number. He doesn't want to look at his number, he'd rather take a nap and asks Bryan to wake him up when his music hits, which, as a DGUSA bro, he is quite happy to do.
Dean offers to open Sami's number up for him, though, and it's 8. Wait, no, had it upside down... 8. Sami isn't stoked but he thinks he can work with it.
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Neville vs. Rich Swann (c) (WWE Cruiserweight Championship)
Circling, collar and elbow, Neville forces Swann in the corner but Rich turns it around. Back to the lockup, Neville gets him in the corner again, referee Darrick Moore forces the break and they go a flippin'. Neville off the ropes, Swann catches him with a dropkick and a slingshot splash to the outside! Champion slams challenger into the apron back-first and then chest-first.
Back in the ring, Neville locks him up and puts boots in the corner. Scoop slam in the middle of the ring as the King surveys his territory. Up top, waiting for the champion to get up... missile dropkick! Swann out at two, but he's wobbly. Neville stomps his head in and goes for another cover. Defiant right hands from Rich but the King cuts him off. Crucifix, Neville escapes and looks for the Rings of Saturn only for Swann to get the ropes.
Another stomp to the head, Neville follows with a snap suplex and a charging forearm in the corner, but Rich has plenty of fight left. Reverse chinlock grounds the champion, Swann sits up and Neville breaks it for a knee to the face. Rear chinlock with a knee to the back now, Rich gets to his feet and throws big chops. Side headlock, Swann shoots him off but Neville heads outside.
The King throws Swann into the barricade! And again! Back in the ring, Neville heads up top with cruel intentions... he dives into a superkick! Both men to their feet, Neville up top, Swann catches him with a kick and snaps off a Frankensteiner. Neville outside, Rich springboards onto him with a somersault leg drop! The champion is fired up and fighting mad, he picks the legs and starts throwing wild hands.
Leg kicks, a big roundhouse kick... NOT ENOUGH! Neville throws an elbow, Swann catches him with a lariat, running frog splash, but the King is still in it. Rich up top, sweat dripping from his brow but Neville cuts him off and crotches him. Neville climbs to the second to meet him, then up top, looking for the superplex but Swann knocks him down. Nevlle under a dive, he eats a rolling solebutt.
Swann off the ropes into a superkick, deadlift German suplex gets reversed into victory roll pin. Rich hits the knockout kick... NEVILLE HAS A FOOT ON THE ROPES! Swann sets Neville where he wants him but the King is up and at him, superplex connects but Swann kicks out! The Rings of Saturn are in!
Neville wins by submission with the Rings of Saturn, winning the WWE Cruiserweight Championship.
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New Day do an ad for VUDU where, thankfully, no one seems to want to fornicate with any food, and then we get a hype video for WrestleMania.
AJ Styles (c) vs. John Cena (WWE Championship)
Circling, Cena feints but AJ doesn't fall for it. AJ feints in return, and lands a leg kick only to get clobbered by a lariat from the 15-time champion! He tries to bail, John drags him back in the ring and hammer whips him across. Left hand jab, right hand body blow, right hand straight, across again, Cena charges and eats an elbow in return. Styles with a kick to the ribs and a big right.
Knee drop connects next and Cena's big rally is derailed. Kick to the back, another knee drop, he draws Cena to his feet and drops him with another right hand. "You can't see me" taunt and a third knee drop but it misses. Back body drop gets Cena some breathing room and he charges over, fireman's carry, Attitude Adjustment, AJ lands on his feet! Kick combo drops the ace of the WWE and we have us a fight.
Right hands, John is reeling but he ducks one and throws the shoulder blocks. AJ counters the fall-forward Blue Thunder Driver with a Frankensteiner and comes off the ropes with a sliding forearm for two. Styles has him bent over, calls for the Styles Clash but Cena pops him up and lets him crash to the mat. Fall-forward Blue Thunder Driver connects on a second try!
AJ up with a kick before Cena can taunt, he throws a German suplex into the back suplex facebuster for another nearfall. Styles Rush, John gets away and comes off the ropes with a lariat that turns AJ inside out! "You can't see me" taunt, off the ropes, Five Knuckle Shuffle, Styles is woozy but able to get the ropes and block the Attitude Adjustment.
AJ up in the corner, Cena throws right hands, Styles slips away from a superplex, Argentine backbreaker rack... he spins it out into the powerbomb! Not enough! Styles out to the apron, he's calling for the Phenomenal Forearm but John ducks under, Attitude Adjustment connects... NO GOOD! Cena looking to follow up but AJ grabs his foot. Cena shakes him off and goes to a dark place, flexing full of rage, waiting for Styles to get up.
Another huge lariat, but AJ kicks out at the last second! He's lying in wait again, Styles drags himself up by the ropes but he ducks the lariat this time. Pele kick! AJ charges in, back body drop to the apron, PHENOMENAL FOREARM CONNECTS! CENA KICKS OUT! Now Cena's grabbing AJ's foot! Styles laying a kick in now, considering his options.
He beckons Cena to get up and kicks him hard in the chest. Another misses, Cena gets an electric chair and drops him into a facebuster! John's too spent to cover! He drags AJ to his feet by the hair and they trade punches for a bit, including one of the most wicked uppercuts I've seen in a WWE ring. AJ goes for the Styles Clash, Cena goes for another AA, but Styles slips out and locks the Calf Killer on!
Cena rolls out and counters into the STF! AJ's crawling to the ropes but Cena drags him into the middle of the ring. Styles to his knees, into a pin, then an STF of his own! John's resolve wavers but doesn't break and he stands clean up and turns it into an AA but AJ reverses, looking for a Frankensteiner! Cena sets him down and locks a figure four leglock on!
Styles yanks at John's foot to break and grabs a cross armbar in return! Cena clasps his hands and deadlifts... RELEASE POWERBOMB! John heads to the apron, slowly climbing o the top, maybe thinking it's time for the Kenta Kobashi leg drop... and it is, but AJ catches him in a powerbomb to counter it! STYLES CLASH! NO GOOD! AJ to the apron, springboard 450 but Cena had the knees up!
YOSHI TONIC! AJ KICKS OUT! USHI-GOROSHI IN RETURN! CENA'S STILL IN IT! Styles is clasping his knee and limping, the damage is mounting. Going for another Styles Clash but Cena reverses to a catapult, scoop slam cutter connects for a nearfall! Cena's looking back and forth between AJ and the top turnbuckle, he sets the champion up there.
John follows to the second, fireman's carry... AVALANCHE ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT... AJ STYLES WILL NOT DIE! Got him up again but AJ slips out... STYLES CLASH! Styles heads to the apron, goes for the springboard but Cena catches him, another AA. Rolling through...
John Cena wins by pinfall with an Attitude Adjustment, winning the WWE Championship for a record-tying 16th world championship.
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Commentary explains why Seth Rollins will not be in the Royal Rumble and throw to video packages explaining it further.
Jerry "the King" Lawler gets a big entrance for his turn calling the Royal Rumble.
30-Man Royal Rumble
Big Cass enters at number 1.
He and Enzo do the deal. Enzo sings a little and greets San Antonio in his typical manner before riffing on the idea that everything is bigger in Texas. They run down some of the entrants in the match and Cass declares his intent to win and prove that the other 29 guys are SAWFT.
Chris Jericho enters at number 2.
Jericho gets right in Cass' face and slaps him, which begets a right hand that forces him in the corner. Cass takes him corner to corner. Fallaway slam connects, Stinger splash, scoop and a slam, off the ropes but Y2J ducks the Empire Elbow and goes for the Walls of Jericho. Cass eats a boot but nearly dumps Jericho over the ropes! Chris up top, he dives into a boot...
Kalisto enters at number 3.
Springboard dropkick on Cass, leg kicks on Jericho, whip, reversed, handspring enzuigiri connects! Cass runs in to him throws him into the ropes but Kalisto doesn't lose out. Ducks an elbow, goes under, leg kicks, but a big boot levels the Lucha Dragon. Jericho working Cass over with chops as the timer ticks down...
Mojo Rawley enters at number 4.
He pounces Kalisto, running forearm clips Jericho in the corner and he and Cass get into it, brawling in the corner. Cass tries to eliminate him but Jericho comes over and he and Mojo try to dump Cass. Jericho with right hands as the timer ticks down...
Jack Gallagher enters at number 5!
Umbrella shots all around! Jericho levels the gentleman and draws him up for a scoop slam, bdding we drink it in before Gallagher hits him in the nuts will William III! Kalisto and Cass are struggling in the corner, he goes for a tornado DDT and Cass throws him across the ring! Mojo trying to leverage Cass out, they brawl, the timer ticks down...
Mark Henry enters at number 6.
Somebody gonna get they ass kicked! Stinger splash on Cass, Jack throws a headbutt, Mark throws him out but through the ropes so he's still in it! Headbutts for Kalisto and Jericho from the World's Strongest Man. Cass throws a knee, a right, eats a headbutt, Gallagher off the top with the umbrella...
Jack Gallagher has been eliminated.
The timer ticks...
RRROOOAAARRR
Braun Strowman enters at number 7.
It's the Man Event now! Braun runs Kalisto over but Mojo takes the fight to the big man. Chokeslam...
Mojo Rawley has been eliminated.
Big Cass misses a boot and gets hung up in the ropes...
Big Cass has been eliminated.
Kalisto tries to take the fight to Braun...
Kalisto has been eliminated.
Mark Henry and Braun slug it out! Strowman dumps Henry over, Henry tries to stay in but gets booted off...
Mark Henry has been eliminated.
Sami Zayn enters at number 8.
Zayn in with a flurry of strikes on the monster but he gets clobbered to the mat all the same. Charge in, Zayn gets a boot up, again, running boot, facelock, trying to suplex him but Braun blocks. Ducks a charge, Braun eats ringpost and Sami tries to eliminate him but he fails. Strowman runs him over, body avalanche, the timer ticks down...
Big Show enters at number 9.
Braun stares Show down as Sami writhes in the corner. The giants face off, Show blocks a punch and throws a flurry of rights but gets knocked down with a lariat off the ropes! Strowman tries to dump Show but gets goozled... SHOW CHOKESLAMS HIM! Jericho back in, trying for a Codebreaker on Big Show but he just eats a WMD. Show gets Braun up on his shoulder but the Man Event slips out and returns the favor.
Show out, Braun is pushing him over...
Big Show has been eliminated.
The timer ticks down...
Tye Dillinger enters at number 10!
He ducks a lariat, hits Braun with flying forearms and chops, mounted punches in the corner (ten of them, naturally), but Strowman picks him up. Zayn to Tye's aid, they hit the big man with forearms and keep him off center. Clubbing blows, double team suplex reversed, the timer ticks down...
James Ellsworth enters at number 11!
Carmella practically has to shove him towards the ring because he's terrified of Braun! Zayn and Dillinger use the big man's distraction and try to eliminate him but he holds on! On the two like a freight train, the timer ticks down...
Dean Ambrose enters at number 12.
Bryan woke him up! Ellsworth cowers before proposing an alliance but Dean leaves him high and dry to run into Strowman.
James Ellsworth has been eliminated.
Dean takes the fight to the big man himself after the little man is eliminated. He, Tye, and Sami hammer Braun with fists but the monster doesn't flag, and the timer ticks down...
Baron Corbin enters at number 13.
Baron joins the beatdown, he might a lone wolf but he's not stupid. Braun throws all four men off with ease...
Tye Dillinger has been eliminated.
The remaining three continue to hammer Braun, charging blows, Helluva Kick, Corbin with a lariat...
Braun Strowman has been eliminated!
Dirty Deeds on Corbin! Zayn trying to eliminate Dean, the timer ticks down...
Kofi Kingston enters at number 14.
Kofi in hot with a dropkick, he tries to eliminate Sami, Dean tries to eliminate him, Corbin rejoins the fray and knocks Kingston down with a body blow. Ambrose taking it to Baron in the corner, gets reversed, Corbin passes outside under the bottom rope. Corbin trying to eliminate Dean, the timer ticks down...
The Miz enters at number 15.
He goes right after Sami Zayn with a Skull Crushing Finale, Dean tries for Dirty Deeds, pendulum lariat on Kofi, Miz dumps Ambrose but he holds on. Corner kicks to Corbin, running dropkick on Sami but Miz runs into Deep Six! Kofi on Corbin like a backpack but the Lone Wolf throws him to the mat. Sets Kofi up in thee corner, he perches, Corbin calls his shot as Kofi backs up to the ringpost... Corbin swats him off but Kingston hangs on the ringpost!
Trouble in Paradise connects, the timer ticks down...
Sheamus enters at number 16.
Sheamus in with Miz and then Kofi, he drops the New Day man with a back suplex, Irish Curse on Miz, slam on Zayn, the Beats of the Bodhran on Miz. Brogue Kick to Y2J, Zayn and Ambrose try to eliminate the fella but he's hanging on. The timer ticks down...
Big E enters at number 17, he does the deal.
He gets into with Miz as well, abdominal stretch applied as the crowd sings along. Shoulder block, Poetry in Motion with Kofi, they try to push Miz over the top but he lands safely on the apron. The timer ticks down...
Rusev enters at number 18.
Rusev wearing a protective face mask here. He also goes right after Miz, but has body avalanches for everybody! Trying to dump Sami but he gets distracted by Dean and clobbers the Lunatic Fringe in the corner. The timer ticks down...
Cesaro enters at number 19.
He swings Miz and then Zayn, and then Ambrose, and then Kofi, and then Big E, but he can't quite get the big man going. HE SWINGS CORBIN! He goes to swing Sheamus, the Irishman begs off, but Rusev saves him the decision with a superkick. He tries to dump Cesaro but Sheamus makes the save, and the timer ticks down...
Xavier Woods enters at number 20.
He gets into it with Sheamus, Honor Roll connects, Kofi with a Penalty Kick, trading offense until a diving elbow and the big splash from E. Cesaro tries to dump E and fails, New Day go after him but can't do it, Miz tries to dump Woods and Woods blocks and saves Kofi from being dumped on top of him. The timer ticks down...
Bray Wyatt enters at number 21.
He also goes after Miz, huge Rock Bottom, then he and Dean get into it. Bray is just picking dudes off with right hands and faces off against Xavier. Woods is frozen a second but he throws a wild forearm and blocks Sister Abigail. Bray catches him with a wicked lariat in return and tries to dump him, but Xavier lands on his feet on the apron.
The timer ticks down...
Apollo Crews enters at number 22.
Apollo, also, gets into it with Miz. There's a lot of humanity in the ring here, folks. Cesaro and Sheamus clothesline the New Day!
The New Day have been eliminated!
Sheamus turns to Cesaro and tries to dump him, but Jericho comes over and dumps both!
Cesaro & Sheamus have been eliminated.
They're staring holes in each other as the timer ticks down...
Randy Orton enters at number 23.
Lariats, scoop powerslam on Miz, RKO to Corbin! RKO to Rusev! Zayn to the second, he dives into an RKO! Randy helps Bray Wyatt to his feet. The timer ticks down...
Dolph Ziggler enters at number 24.
Dolph throwing superkicks like he thinks he's the fourth Young Buck, here. He tries and fails to dump Apollo and Miz in turn before pairing off with Dean Ambrose. Ziggler blocks elimination as the timer ticks down...
Luke Harper enters at number 25.
He passes Orton right by and goes to work with Apollo. (DGUSA Bros!)
Apollo Crews has been eliminated.
NOW Luke stares at Orton. Bray tries to play peacemaker but eats a discus lariat! Harper takes Orton out and goes back to Bray, dragging him to his feet. He goes for Sister Abigal but Orton's there with an RKO for the save! The timer ticks down...
Brock Lesnar enters at number 26.
He clobbers Dean...
Dean Ambrose has been eliminated.
And then Dolph...
Dolph Ziggler has been eliminated.
Brock takes the men in the ring to Suplex City and Miz eats an F-5! Orton eats an F-5! The Beast stands tall over the mass of humanity as the timer ticks down...
Enzo Amore enters at number 27.
He has no fear and stares Brock down from the apron! He gets in, charges... and gets devastated by a lariat.
Enzo Amore has been eliminated.
Straight Suplex City now, the timer ticks down...
Goldberg enters at number 28.
Brock's bouncing, waiting for him, and they face off again. SPEAR! LARIAT!
Brock Lesnar has been eliminated!
Goldberg surveys the wreckage and clobbers dudes in turn. Sami gets into it with him and takes a Jackhammer! Wyatt and Orton are on Goldberg together, pummeling him agains the ropes, whip... DOUBLE SPEAR!
The timer ticks down...
(GONG)
The Undertaker enters at number 29.
Taker teleported into the ring! He and Goldberg square off! He has the goozle but Corbin and Rusev break it up!
Rusev has been eliminated.
Baron Corbin has been eliminated.
Harper gets in it with Goldberg...
Luke Harper has been eliminated.
Undertaker comes up behind Goldberg...
Goldberg has been eliminated.
Miz and Zayn double-team Taker! He has the goozle on Miz... chokeslam! One for Zayn! Wyatt comes from behind and eats a right, same for Orton. The timer ticks down...
Roman Reigns enters at number 30.
Taker takes the straps down waiting for Roman! They stare down and Taker throws a straight right! Punch for punch now! Whip across, Taker clobbers him with a lariat! Goozle, Roman slips out, Superman Punch! He goes for a second but gets caught and takes the chokeslam. Orton and Wyatt on Taker now, but he fights them off.
The Miz has been eliminated.
Sami Zayn has been eliminated.
Taker tries to dump Roman but he saves himself. Jericho takes a chokeslam and the Dead Man slashes his throat but Roman's behind him!
The Undertaker has been eliminated.
We're down to the Wyatts, Jericho, and Roman now. Reigns goes after Y2J but the wily vet avoids elimination at first, only to eat Superman Punch...
Chris Jericho has been eliminated.
Reigns squares off against the Family, soon cornered. They take him to the mat and kick his ribs in, and Orton follows with the rope-hung DDT. Bray's fired up, hangs from the ropes, brings Reigns up for Sister Abigail as Orton goes to the aplace, but Roman blocks the RKO! Superman Punches for everybody!
Bray Wyatt has been eliminated.
ORTON COUNTERS THE SPEAR INTO AN RKO!
Randy Orton wins the Royal Rumble, last eliminating Roman Reigns!
Orton celebrates his win on the turnbuckles with the obligatory point to the WrestleMania sign.
That's the show, folks.