In the lead-up to Day 1 on New Year's Day, the landscape of the company looked a lot different than it is now. Brock Lesnar was moved over to Monday Night Raw's title match after a positive test for Roman Reigns. They are both defending their world titles Saturday night in St. Louis.
The rival and former ally of Reigns is now a friend of the other. Bobby Lashley is defended by Brock Lesnar. The way these two matches play out will tell us a lot about whether or not they will line up again on the road to WrestleMania 38.
The winner of the Royal Rumble match will get a mandatory title shot. The winner will be added if both of them retain.
Both of the women's titles will be in action. As the only WWE world champion to do so in the modern era, Charlotte Flair will enter the Royal Rumble match, as she defends her Raw championship against Doudrop.
Edge and Beth Phoenix will battle The Miz and Maryse in a match of married wrestlers.
You can follow along throughout the night for live results and analysis.
Big Time Becks was able to retain her title despite the efforts of Doudrop.
.@BeckyLynchWWE with a Molly-Go-Round!#RoyalRumble #WomensTitle @DoudropWWE pic.twitter.com/LIOTaB94Pn
— WWE (@WWE) January 30, 2022
More to come on what this means for Lynch and the rest of the women's division.
Charlotte was eliminated over the top rope to earn a shot at the title at the Women's Royal Rumble.
👏👏👏👏#RoyalRumble #WrestleMania @RondaRousey pic.twitter.com/HZ93RoKbrM
— WWE WrestleMania (@WrestleMania) January 30, 2022
More to come on what this means for the women's division.
The last time Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins went one-on-one was in October. You have to go back to May of last year.
In just a few weeks of renewing their rivalry, Reigns and Rollins proved their chemistry was as strong as ever. The result was a fantastic opening match to the Royal Rumble event, because of the work each has done over the past few years separate from one another.
The Usos were barred from ringside due to the mind games of Rollins, who was able to get the upper hand on several fronts. That applied again before the bell rang Saturday, as Rollins descended from the cheap seats at The Dome to the entrance music of The Shield, further mocking Reigns.
He did a Shield powerbomb to Reigns through the commentary table. The first two counts of the night went to a top-rope frog and a Phoenix splash. After cutting off a spear with a forearm, Rollins nailed a buckle bomb and stomped on Reigns. Everyone in the arena and most watching at home thought it could be the end, but Roman Reigns kicked out in the last second before the referee hit the mat for three.
A couple of two-counts were earned along the way as Reigns controlled much of the rest of the match. After connecting on a pear on the outside to Rollins, another spear attempt in the ring got countered directly into his name, for yet another two-count. Despite repeated kicks to the head, he finally connected on a spear after a second stomp attempt.
Even as he held his ribs, he laughed and said "I will always love you" as he held out his fist. This was the moment that broke.
.@WWERomanReigns has lost it!#RoyalRumble #UniversalTitle @WWERollins pic.twitter.com/GnKrnajNGn
— WWE (@WWE) January 30, 2022
In the middle of the ring, he guillotined him. The bottom rope was within a millimeter of the top rope. As Robinson lifted his hand to check if he was still conscious, Rollins grabbed the rope.
The hold was refused to be released. Robinson counted to five and refused to break. Robinson reluctantly called for the disqualification, but he was not allowed to go.
The crowd chanted "Roman sucks!" as Rollins regained consciousness.
There was more to come. He grabbed a steel chair from ringside and did a shot-for-shot remake as he recreated the moment The Shield was broken up.
It feels as though a rematch will be imminent, since Reigns still can't beat Rollins clean. It could happen in Saudi Arabia, or it could carry out as far as Wrestlemania. We will find out in the weeks to come, but it seems far away than it has been in the past.
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