And yet, why make ourselves feel even shittier about a PPV that forecasts a very bad shadow not only on the Road to Wrestlemania, but the whole year (wrestling-wise)? Thus, I dedicate this post the positive side of the Royal Rumble, the good and astonishing things that happened. They are few, limited, not by far making up for the feeling of betrayal 95% of the WWE Universe feels right now, but it is a start!
Bray Wyatt def. Daniel Bryan
This match - even though the outcome wasn't pleasing everyone - was definitely the match of the evening!Especially after Luke Harper and Erick Rowan got sent out, the match gained intensity and had - hopefully - everyone on the edge of their seat! Bray talking to his "sheep", encouraging them to let him fight his battle alone, was a great addition to the whole feeling of the match. The maniac against the one who sought redemption.
And yet, Daniel Bryan was inferior to Wyatt. Many may argue that he lost clean, something they would have never wished upon Bryan, and yet the constant blows to the head, him clutching the sides of his head after a severe fall even, and the constant reminder of the commentators that Bryan suffered a concussion in his Steel Cage Match against Bryan, make the relatively clean victory of Wyatt plausible.
Crowd reactions during the WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match
Goosebumps! Not because of the bazillionth match between John Cena and Randy Orton, no, but because millions of fans - in the arena and behind the TV screens - were on the same page during this match: Not again!Putting two "Top Stars" in he ring together, the two "faces of the company" going against each other, backfired majorly for the WWE. While the crowd reactions during Daniel Bryan's entry and throughout the whole match were amazing, encouraging, hopefully fueling the two man in the ring to give their best and nothing but their best, it was a throughout negative atmosphere the Pittsburgh crowd created here. And it was necessary! It was a statement! Shouting Bryan's and The Undertaker's names during the match, alongside with "Boring" and "This is awful" chants should send a clear message out to the WWE creatives and authorities! If a whole arena tunes in on a "We want Divas" chant because they were just so damn done with this whole set up, they can't close their eyes from it. Right?
No wonder the Wyatt family got such a strong reception once they interfered with the match and - finally - put it to an end! How much clearer can we all show what we think of this all. Now, dear WWE, please open your eyes and ears!
The Royal Rumble match
As demotivating and shameful the match actually was, it had a few bright moments - at least in my eyes.Punk eliminating Kane:
I know, I know, this foreshadowed a very unpleasant event towards the end of the match, but still. For the vast majority of the match, CM Punk had had his revenge on the Director Of Operations.
Alexander Rusev debuts:
Sadly, many won't know him and see just another characterless Power House in him - especially since he came out without manipulating Lana at his side. Lets hope, he will be allowed to show more than his submission finishing move now that he made his way to the grans stage! I want to see his Frog Splash and Spinning Heel Kick on a weekly basis, please.
I hope, his debut will go a much better way than Bo Dallas' who debuted last year at the Royal Rumble.
Kofi Kingston:
There should be a petition to give Kofi Kingston the nickname "Mr. Royal Rumble"! As I said in advance, I was anticipating his shenanigans a lot since they always posed a highlight in the Royal Rumble match! This time, he added jumping from the barricades back on the apron - after carrying out the feud with Rusev from NXT - and hanging on the ropes with nothing but his toes to his impressively growing Royal Rumble CV.
I can even oversee him eliminating one half of the Real Americans on his behalf. I just wished he would have had some more screen time for entertaining us so greatly!
Antonio Cesaro:
Being one of the last to come in, he surely had an advantage over many of the other participants, and still I am glad that he lasted this long! Several Cesaro swings, a near elimination by Punk, and clashes with not only The Shield but Punk and Sheamus showed that he might still be one of the go-to Power Houses of the heel fraction. Fingers crossed.
Roman Reigns finished second to last:
I am no fan of Roman Reigns. In my eyes, Rollins is the most talented one of the Shield guys - even if he may lack charisma and mic skills for some - and the whole "push the big guys" isn't helping, but there is something more than valuable gain out of his impressive very first Royal Rumble participation!
While WWE seemed to be a big fan of recycling older superstars for their Road to Wrestlemania, shoving down our throats the same people again and again, it was a nice change to see a "Newbie" last that long! You can like or dislike Reigns all you want, but even I - belonging to the latter - ave to acknowledge the hope his figure puts into some of us fans that, maybe, one day - pwetty pwease - the newer talents get a chance at the big shots as well!
