WWE Royal Rumble 2018 Results and Review

Asuka Royal Rumble 2018 Winner - Source WWE dot com

After what seemed like 9 hours of programming, the WWE Royal Rumble is in the books. I was tempted not to talk about it, but I had an opening for a few minutes, and so I decided to talk about it today. It’s something that you no doubt want to hear me talk about, or not, I don’t know. What do I know? Anyways, here is 2018 Royal Rumble results and review, featuring 9 matches, and a lot of action.

WWE Royal Rumble 2018 Results and Review

Kalisto, Gran Metalik, and Lince Dorado defeated TJP, Jack Gallagher, and Drew Gulak

This opener was in front of 200 people in the building, and it was fun to watch. The guys really threw themselves into the Lucha Style, and it was back and forth throughout. I knew that the lucha guys were going to win, especially with how their reception was. I liked the match, and it ran around 13 minutes, which was definitely grand.

The Revival defeated The Club Sandwich Boys

The Club Sandwich guys are the worst team in the WWE. They get no love, and end up getting buried each week. This time around, in about 10 minutes, they end up getting done over, and that’s that. The Revival was buried at RAW 25, and now it was the Club Sandwich boys that are getting buried.

Bobby Roode defeated Mojo Rawley

Rawley ran down and threw out Roode immediately. He was in control during most of this match, but it was Roode that was able to turn things around and hit a sloppy DDT for the win. It was a sloppy 8 minute match, and it was terrible. This is a waste of Bobby Roode’s talent.

Aj Styles defeated Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn

This was a sixteen minute slow burning, terrible match. Owens and Zayn would end up losing. Styles was able to get through the action and do his spots, but the two friends were just not getting any love. Owens is reportedly injured, so it was Zayn that took over most of this match.

The Usos defeated Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin

This was a 14 minute match and it wasn’t that bad. The Usos were fast here, and they used every tactic to their advantage, and were able to win in two consecutive falls. This was a short match with a lot of fast moves, and it wasn’t half bad.

Shinsuke Nakamura won the Royal Rumble Match

In over an hour, this match was a good fit for the bigger Royal Rumble match. Nakamura was able to gain the upper hand towards the end. Nakamura was in there for a long time, but not as long as Finn Balor, and others. I loved the match, and it had a great winner, who then said he would take on Aj Styles at Mania.

Cesaro and Sheamus defeated Seth Rollins and Jason Jordan

The tag team title match was boring. It was so boring, that they made up a story. Jordan has a legit injury, and he was thrown into a post and he started to cry at ringside. That left Sheamus and Cesaro to win. Rollins won big here, and it was amazing to see things work through for The Bar. They win the titles, and Jordan just sulks.

Brock Lesnar defeated Kane and Braun Strowman

Perhaps the worst title match in Royal Rumble history. So much that the crowd was chanting BS the whole time. It was stupid. Lesnar wins, and that’s that.

Asuka won the Women’s Royal Rumble

In almost an hour, Auska was able to outlast a lot of the women, and once again proved that no one is ready for Asuka! This was a great win, and I loved it. Lots of women showed up, including the Bella Twins, and many women from the attitude era.

After the match, out came Ronda Rousey and that was that. End of the Rumble.

This was a good overall night of wrestling, and I give this a great grade, because it was fun and had a lot of great momentum. I’d go back and watch, but I have a lot more to write about.

NXT Takeover: Philadelphia 2018 Results and Review

Ember Moon Insane Kick - SRC WWE dot com

This past week there was a ton of wrestling to watch if you’re a fan of the WWE. I was unable to write reviews for everything due to work, school, and other commitments, but don’t you worry FAM, I’ve got you here to talk about the incredible and not so incredible happenings in professional wrestling, well, at least for WWE that is.

WWE NXT Takeover: Philadelphia 2017 Results and Review

Bobby Fish and Kyle O’Reilly defeated The Authors of Pain

The opening match was for the NXT tag team championships, and it wasn’t half bad. The smaller guys here, you can guess who they are, focused on the limbs of the Authors of Pain. They fought a good fight, but not without having to get a huge beat down within the 15 minutes of action. Eventually, the smaller guys outsmarted the bigger guys and got a nice roll up victory, and the crowd went insane. I like the new guys here, they are small, but they are focused on the type of technical wrestling that you’d expect from Bret Hart and the likes.

The Velveteen Dream defeated Kassius Ohno

Another great match occurred here, this time with Kassius Ohno and Dream exchanging some hard hits. Dream said that he would knock out Kassius in 30 seconds, and it seemed to have gone down that way at first, and the crowd was incredibly behind Dream. Ohno recovered and the two went back and forth with some amazing moves, and athleticism that you’d not expect from these big guys. Dream would hit his finishing elbow half way across the ring, and I’m sure Macho Man was very proud.

Ember Moon defeated Shayna Baszler

This was an incredible women’s match, and it was for the NXT women’s title. Shayna Baszler is a machine, and she had this thing won, working over Moon’s shoulder and arm for the entirety of the match. She would’ve won if Moon didn’t roll her up and Baszler would’ve let go of the armbar that she had on her. This was the smartest finish for a women’s match I’ve seen in a long time, and Baszler showed off an incredible skill set, while Moon defended her title like a real champion. I loved it. Go back and watch this one, and be impressed by how far women’s wrestling has come in the United States in a long time.

Aleister Black defeated Adam Cole in an Extreme Rules Match

In 22 minutes, the WWE received one hell of a match of extreme proportions. Black wasn’t just dominant here, as Cole was able to throw down a lot of offense and even take some of the most brutal shots. Black was taken to the limit here, and Cole didn’t let up, BAYBAY, eventually he’d get the Black Mass and lose. But this was an all out war, and one of the best Extreme Rules matches I’ve ever seen. This is second only to the Submission Match between Bret Hart and Stone Cold Steve Austin, it was that good.

Andrade Cien Almas defeated Johnny Gargano

The Tuna Meltzer gave this match a 5 star review, and if you saw it, then you agreed. Gargano put on a show here and Almas was just as good. I was surprised by the chemistry that the two had, and the reversals, offense, and intricate technical styles that the two blended together to make this happen. Even Bret Hart would’ve been impressed with just how good this match was. I was completely blown away by how the two were able to work through a 32 minute bout and make you believe that it was a title change about to occur. Gargano would eventually lose, but not without giving Almas the fight of his life.

After the matches, out came Tomaso Ciampa and he knocked out Gargano with a crutch, and the crowd went insane. I loved it.

NXT Takeover Philadelphia showcased an incredible amount of good wrestling, and didn’t take 3 hours to do it. My favorite match was the extreme rules match, but the whole card was great. I wish I could’ve gone to see it in person, that’s how good this was, and am kicking myself that I didn’t get on a plane.

WWE Smackdown Live January 16, 2018 Results and Review The Biggest Dumpster Fire Ever

The Glow Kick - Smackdown Live - Source WWE dot com

This was perhaps the worst Smackdown Live that has been put through in a long time. The crowd was nearly dead for a lot of it, there were only 4 matches, and more than 30 minutes of the time slot was given to Jinder Mahal. I kid you not. Jinder Mahal, the modern day Maharaja was the main focal point. Love him or hate him, Jinder Mahal was a big part of the night’s events, and well, let’s break down how it all went down.

WWE Smackdown Live January 16, 2018 Results and Review

The show opened up with Xavier Woods talking on the mic before calling out Jinder Mahal for their United States Title tournament match.

Jinder Mahal defeated Xavier Woods

This was a second round match in the tournament, and Woods put on a good show. He did most of his spots, and Mahal was slowed down for a good portion of this match. However, Mahal found creative ways to block or revert Woods’ offense to the point where Woods would get tripped up and eventually planted for the three count. Mahal would move on in the tournament.

Bobby Roode defeated Mojo Rawley

Bobby Roode took a beating from Mojo Rawley in this match. He was getting a serious beat down before he would reverse things and hit his DDT for the big win. Rawley is no joke here, he was definitely shining and was able to keep up with Roode’s offense and over powered him in a lot of different moments in this match. I loved the presentation, but Roode’s win was telegraphed.

After this match, the Singh Brothers attacked Roode and Mahal would laugh at him. Their championship match would be moved to later on in the night when Daniel Bryan came out and caught Jinder talking smack.

The Riott Squad defeated Charlotte Flair, Naomi, and Becky Lynch

Trading wins back and forth is the worst kind of booking you can do for wrestling. No one ever seems dominant, and it’s just not fun to watch sometimes. The Riott Squad was getting manhandled by Charlotte and her friends, if you ask me. They barely squeaked out a victory here, after getting a lot of brawling done. The Riott Squad would get a win, but this was a standard six man tag match, and well, it wasn’t fun to watch, again.

Bobby Roode defeated Jinder Mahal for the United States Championship

This match was not that good. Roode was winded, and Mahal was just trying to keep up with the veteran. He would put in some good moments here and there, and I’m glad that Bobby Roode get the win, but wow, way to bury Jinder Mahal after being champion, failing to recapture, and then failing to win the United States Championship. Is this the end of Jinder Mahal’s run? Roode wins, and that’s the end of the show.

During the show, there were vignettes of the Royal Rumble participants and it was awful. It lacked emotion and character that you used to get with the older Royal Rumble focused promos, but hey, it’s something, right?

This was a bad night of wrestling, if you can call it that. It had some ok moments, but where were half of the roster? Seriously, there was so much missing, including Zayn, Owens, The Usos (interview and beat down doesn’t count), and many others were just not on the show. Not a great match, but hey, if you love Jinder Mahal, you got him for more than 30 minutes of the show.

WWE Monday Night Raw January 16, 2018 Results and Review The Curb Stomp Returns

The Curb Stomp Returns - SOURCE WWE dot com 

And another week, another Raw is in the books. But guess what? I saw the HULU edition instead. I ended up watching the HULU edition and that was enough for me. Here we go, the night that was, and well, it wasn’t all that bad at times, at times, mind you.

WWE Monday Night Raw January 16, 2018 Results and Review

The first thing that occurred was Kurt Angle firing Braun Strowman. Strowman would go on a tear and would even toss over a truck. That’s right a truck. Sigh. He lifted a truck and tossed it over. This was smart, making him look strong, but remember the last time that Strowman faced off against Lesnar? Well, Lesnar beat him with 1 F5, and will most likely do it again.

Titus Worldwide defeated Cesaro and Sheamus

This was a squash match. I love seeing Dana Brooke though, she’s hot. This was a throwaway match that was slow moving and somewhat boring. Cesaro and Sheamus just jobbed here, and that was that.

Kurt Angle came out and rehired Braun Strowman

Yep.

Asuka defeated Nia Jax via match stoppage

This was a hard hitting match, with Jax getting a lot of the offense. However, what ended up happening was simple, Asuka ended up slapping on a knee bar and causing Jax to get injured. Jax was NOT really injured, and it was funny to see her fall over pretending that she was hurt. She fell over, and then Asuka was awarded the win via match stoppage.

The Revival beat Jobbers

This was NOT on HULU

Roman Reigns defeated The Miztourage

Again, Roman Reigns beat the Miztourage, and that was that. Nothing too grand here. It was dumb if you ask me, showing that Reigns is capable of burying all talent, including the Miz’s guys.

Sonya Deville defeated Sasha Banks

This was NOT on HULU

Matt Hardy defeated Heath Slater

This was not shown on HULU

Seth Rollins defeated Finn Balor

This was a good match, with a lot of back and forth. Seth Rollins would eventually get the upper hand, and the big win with the curb stomp. No, you’re not reading that wrong. Finn Balor hit a lot of his moves, but it was Jason Jordan on the outside that would give Rollins the win here. The Club Sandwhich guys didn’t really do much, and it was lame. Rollins gets the win, and Balor is left crying. There was a little controversy because the ref seemed to hit a 3 count, but said it was 2, and there was no instant replay rule like on Smackdown. Lame.

Overall, Raw wasn’t that good, with the exception of that last match. Rollins and Balor put on a good match, and I loved to see the curb stomp return!

Paige Is Done As In Ring Worker For WWE

Paige Is Done - Source WWE Dot Com

Paige is now officially done with WWE. 

PWINSIDER, NODQ, and others are reporting from sources within the WWE that Paige is done with the WWE as an in ring performer.

Paige is only 25 years old. 

Paige has been previously injured, on drugs, and once again injured again. 

The news is stating that she may have the same kind of negative clearance that Edge had, which means she's no longer going to be a wrestler in ring. She's done. 

Paige is done. 

Paige is not fired, but she's done.