Effects of the storage conditions on the stability of natural and synthetic cannabis in biological matrices for forensic toxicology analysis: An update from the literature
Contents
GodofDemonwars (talk | contribs) Some other things |
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===Background=== |
===Background=== |
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[[File:Wells Fargo Center - 2019 OWL Grand Finals.jpg|thumb|The event was held at the [[Wells Fargo Center (Philadelphia)|Wells Fargo Center]] in [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]].]] |
[[File:Wells Fargo Center - 2019 OWL Grand Finals.jpg|thumb|The event was held at the [[Wells Fargo Center (Philadelphia)|Wells Fargo Center]] in [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]].]] |
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The [[Royal Rumble]] is an annual [[Gimmick (professional wrestling)|gimmick]] [[List of WWE pay-per-view and WWE Network events|event]] produced every January by [[WWE]] since 1988. It is one of the promotion's original four pay-per- |
The [[Royal Rumble]] is an annual [[Gimmick (professional wrestling)|gimmick]] [[List of WWE pay-per-view and WWE Network events|event]] produced every January by [[WWE]] since 1988. It is one of the promotion's original four [[pay-per-view]]s (PPV), along with [[WrestleMania]], [[SummerSlam]], and [[Survivor Series]], dubbed the "Big Four".<ref>Ian Hamilton. ''Wrestling's Sinking Ship: What Happens to an Industry Without Competition'' (p. 160)</ref> It is named after the [[Royal Rumble match]], a modified [[Battle royal (professional wrestling)|battle royal]] in which the participants enter at timed intervals instead of all beginning in the ring at the same time. Announced on January 26, 2017, the 2018 event was the 31st Royal Rumble and was scheduled to be held on January 28, 2018, at the [[Wells Fargo Center (Philadelphia)|Wells Fargo Center]] in [[Philadelphia]], [[Pennsylvania]], and was the third Royal Rumble held at this venue after the [[Royal Rumble (2004)|2004]] and [[Royal Rumble (2015)|2015]] events. It featured wrestlers from the [[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw]] and [[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown]] [[WWE brand extension|brand divisions]] with some [[NXT (WWE brand)|NXT]] wrestlers and WWE veterans appearing in the Royal Rumble matches. The event aired on pay-per-view worldwide and was available to [[livestream]] on the [[WWE Network]]. Tickets went on sale July 29.<ref>{{cite web|title=Philadelphia to host 30th anniversary of WWE Royal Rumble in 2018|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/article/philadelphia-to-host-royal-rumble-2018|author=WWE.com Staff|date=January 26, 2017|work=[[WWE]]|access-date=April 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170126165725/https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/article/philadelphia-to-host-royal-rumble-2018|archive-date=January 26, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Royal Rumble tickets available now|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/article/wwe-royal-rumble-2018-tickets|work=[[WWE]]|date=July 29, 2017|access-date=December 18, 2017|author=WWE.com Staff|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170730125814/https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/article/wwe-royal-rumble-2018-tickets|archive-date=July 30, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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The Royal Rumble match generally features 30 wrestlers and the winner traditionally earns a [[Professional wrestling championship#World championships|world championship]] match at that year's WrestleMania.<ref name=wwematch>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/inside/specialtymatches/royalrumble|title=Specialty Matches: Royal Rumble|work=[[WWE]]|access-date=December 3, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050714073539/https://www.wwe.com/inside/specialtymatches/royalrumble|archive-date=July 14, 2005|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=stats>{{cite web|last=Waldman|title=Statistical survival – breaking down the Royal Rumble|url=https://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2005/02/01/917194.html|url-status=dead|first=Jon|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|access-date=December 9, 2007|date=February 2, 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019171213/https://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2005/02/01/917194.html|archive-date=October 19, 2015}}</ref> It was originally only contested by male wrestlers. However, for 2018, Raw Commissioner [[Stephanie McMahon]] scheduled the first-ever women's Royal Rumble match to be held at the 2018 Royal Rumble, which consequently made the 2018 event the first to include two Rumble matches, which is now standard. As a result, the winners of each match received a choice of which championship to challenge for at [[WrestleMania 34]]. The men could choose to challenge for either Raw's [[WWE Universal Championship|Universal Championship]] or SmackDown's [[WWE Championship]], while the women had the choice between the [[Raw Women's Championship]] and the [[SmackDown Women's Championship]].<ref name="WomenRumble">{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/royal-rumble-womens-match|title=The first-ever 30-Woman Over-The-Top Royal Rumble Match|date=December 18, 2017|author=WWE.com Staff|work=[[WWE]]|access-date=December 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171221004309/https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/royal-rumble-womens-match|archive-date=December 21, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> |
The Royal Rumble match generally features 30 wrestlers and the winner traditionally earns a [[Professional wrestling championship#World championships|world championship]] match at that year's WrestleMania.<ref name=wwematch>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/inside/specialtymatches/royalrumble|title=Specialty Matches: Royal Rumble|work=[[WWE]]|access-date=December 3, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050714073539/https://www.wwe.com/inside/specialtymatches/royalrumble|archive-date=July 14, 2005|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=stats>{{cite web|last=Waldman|title=Statistical survival – breaking down the Royal Rumble|url=https://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2005/02/01/917194.html|url-status=dead|first=Jon|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|access-date=December 9, 2007|date=February 2, 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019171213/https://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2005/02/01/917194.html|archive-date=October 19, 2015}}</ref> It was originally only contested by male wrestlers. However, for 2018, Raw Commissioner [[Stephanie McMahon]] scheduled the first-ever women's Royal Rumble match to be held at the 2018 Royal Rumble, which consequently made the 2018 event the first to include two Rumble matches, which is now standard. As a result, the winners of each match received a choice of which championship to challenge for at [[WrestleMania 34]]. The men could choose to challenge for either Raw's [[WWE Universal Championship|Universal Championship]] or SmackDown's [[WWE Championship]], while the women had the choice between the [[Raw Women's Championship]] and the [[SmackDown Women's Championship]].<ref name="WomenRumble">{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/royal-rumble-womens-match|title=The first-ever 30-Woman Over-The-Top Royal Rumble Match|date=December 18, 2017|author=WWE.com Staff|work=[[WWE]]|access-date=December 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171221004309/https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/royal-rumble-womens-match|archive-date=December 21, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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===Storylines=== |
===Storylines=== |
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The event comprised nine matches, including three on the Kickoff pre-show, that resulted from scripted storylines, where wrestlers portrayed [[Face (professional wrestling)|heroes]], [[Heel (professional wrestling)|villains]], or [[Tweener (professional wrestling)|less distinguishable characters]] in scripted events that built tension and culminated in a wrestling match or series of matches. Results were predetermined by WWE's writers on the Raw and SmackDown brands,<ref name="HSW">{{cite web|title=How Pro Wrestling Works|url=https://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/pro-wrestling.htm|last=Grabianowski|first=Ed|work=HowStuffWorks|date=January 13, 2006|publisher=[[Discovery Communications]]|access-date=March 5, 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131129050844/https://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/pro-wrestling.htm|archive-date=November 29, 2013}}</ref><ref name=WWEnt>{{cite web|title=Live & Televised Entertainment|url=https://corporate.wwe.com/company/events.jsp|work=[[WWE]]|access-date=March 21, 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090218142749/https://corporate.wwe.com/company/events.jsp|archive-date=February 18, 2009}}</ref> while storylines were produced on WWE's weekly television shows, ''[[Monday Night Raw]]'', ''[[ |
The event comprised nine matches, including three on the Kickoff pre-show, that resulted from scripted storylines, where wrestlers portrayed [[Face (professional wrestling)|heroes]], [[Heel (professional wrestling)|villains]], or [[Tweener (professional wrestling)|less distinguishable characters]] in scripted events that built tension and culminated in a wrestling match or series of matches. Results were predetermined by WWE's writers on the Raw and SmackDown brands,<ref name="HSW">{{cite web|title=How Pro Wrestling Works|url=https://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/pro-wrestling.htm|last=Grabianowski|first=Ed|work=HowStuffWorks|date=January 13, 2006|publisher=[[Discovery Communications]]|access-date=March 5, 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131129050844/https://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/pro-wrestling.htm|archive-date=November 29, 2013}}</ref><ref name=WWEnt>{{cite web|title=Live & Televised Entertainment|url=https://corporate.wwe.com/company/events.jsp|work=[[WWE]]|access-date=March 21, 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090218142749/https://corporate.wwe.com/company/events.jsp|archive-date=February 18, 2009}}</ref> while storylines were produced on WWE's weekly television shows, ''[[Monday Night Raw]]'', ''[[SmackDown Live]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/wwe-smackdown-live-usa-1201782569/|title=WWE's 'Smackdown' Will Move To Live Broadcast On USA (EXCLUSIVE)|last=Steinberg|first=Brian|date=May 25, 2016|website=Variety|language=en-US|access-date=May 25, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160526113045/https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/wwe-smackdown-live-usa-1201782569/|archive-date=May 26, 2016}}</ref> and the [[Cruiserweight (professional wrestling)|cruiserweight]]-exclusive ''[[WWE 205 Live|205 Live]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.411mania.com/wrestling/triple-h-conference-call-report-discusses-205-live-nxt-takeover-toronto-says-hbk-working-at-the-performance-center-and-more|title=Triple H Conference Call Report: Discusses 205 Live, NXT Takeover: Toronto, Says HBK Working at the Performance Center and More|website=[[411Mania]]|first=Larry|last=Csonka|date=November 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161112200653/https://411mania.com/wrestling/triple-h-conference-call-report-discusses-205-live-nxt-takeover-toronto-says-hbk-working-at-the-performance-center-and-more/|archive-date=November 12, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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On the October 16, 2017, episode of ''Raw'', [[Kane (wrestler)|Kane]] returned from a ten-month hiatus and helped [[Braun Strowman]] to defeat [[Roman Reigns]] in a [[Steel Cage match]]. Kane was then added to Strowman's team at [[TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs (2017)|TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs]] in the [[Handicap match|5-on-3 handicap]] [[Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match]].<ref name="Raw10162017">{{cite web|last=Keller|first=Wade|title=Keller's WWE Raw Report 10/16: Braun Strowman vs. Roman Reigns, Seth & Dean defend against Sheamus & Cesaro, Emma readies for Asuka|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2017/10/16/kellers-wwe-raw-report-1016-braun-strowman-vs-roman-reigns-seth-dean-defend-sheamus-cesaro-emma-readies-asuka/|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=October 16, 2017|access-date=October 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171017211653/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2017/10/16/kellers-wwe-raw-report-1016-braun-strowman-vs-roman-reigns-seth-dean-defend-sheamus-cesaro-emma-readies-asuka/|archive-date=October 17, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> During the match, Kane accidentally hit Strowman with a chair, which caused tension between the two. Later on in the match, Kane turned on Strowman and crushed him in the back of a garbage truck; their team ultimately lost.<ref name="TLC2017">{{cite web|last=Keller|first=Wade|title=Keller's WWE TLC PPV Report 10/22: Live coverage of Angle's return to ring subbing for Reigns, Styles vs. Balor|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2017/10/22/kellers-wwe-tlc-ppv-report-1022-live-coverage-angles-return-ring-subbing-reigns-styles-vs-balor/|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=October 22, 2017|access-date=October 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023063920/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2017/10/22/kellers-wwe-tlc-ppv-report-1022-live-coverage-angles-return-ring-subbing-reigns-styles-vs-balor/|archive-date=October 23, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The two then feuded over the next several weeks, leading to a match on the December 11 episode to determine the number one contender against [[Brock Lesnar]] for the Universal Championship at the Royal Rumble, but the match ended in a double countout.<ref name="Raw12112017">{{cite web|last=Keller|first=Wade|title=Keller's WWE Raw Report 12/11: Kane vs. Braun, Reigns vs. Cesaro, Seth vs. Sheamus, Joe vs. Dean, Cruiserweight Update|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2017/12/11/kellers-wwe-raw-report-12-11-kane-vs-braun-reigns-vs-cesaro-seth-vs-sheamus-joe-vs-dean-cruiserweight-update/|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=December 11, 2017|access-date=December 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171213033855/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2017/12/11/kellers-wwe-raw-report-12-11-kane-vs-braun-reigns-vs-cesaro-seth-vs-sheamus-joe-vs-dean-cruiserweight-update/|archive-date=December 13, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Raw General Manager [[Kurt Angle]] then decided that Lesnar would defend the title against both Kane and Strowman in a [[triple threat match]] at the event.<ref name="Raw12182017"/> On the January 8 episode, Kane attacked Lesnar from behind, followed by an attack from Strowman. After laying Kane and Lesnar out backstage, Strowman knocked over a lighting rig and crushed both. Lesnar was taken to a medical facility while Kane refused medical attention.<ref name="Raw01082018">{{cite web|last=Keller|first=Wade|title=Keller's WWE Raw Report 1/8: Reigns IC Title reign continues, Enzo vs. Cedric, the return of Miz, Lesnar responds and get crushed|date=January 8, 2018|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/01/08/kellers-wwe-raw-report-1-8-reigns-ic-title-reign-continues-enzo-vs-cedric-return-miz/|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=January 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180110114655/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/01/08/kellers-wwe-raw-report-1-8-reigns-ic-title-reign-continues-enzo-vs-cedric-return-miz/|archive-date=January 10, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Due to his actions, Strowman was removed from the triple threat match and fired by Angle. Strowman went on a rampage backstage, including destroying Angle's office and flipping over a tractor. Before he could do any more damage, Raw Commissioner Stephanie McMahon rehired Strowman, putting him back into the Universal Championship match at the Royal Rumble.<ref name="Raw01152018">{{cite web|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/01/15/kellers-wwe-raw-report-1-15-angle-addresses-strowman-last-weeks-big-angle-lesnar-kane-rumble-hype-jax-vs-asuka/|title=Keller's WWE Raw Report 1/15: Angle addresses Strowman after last week's big angle with Lesnar and Kane, more Rumble hype, Jax vs. Asuka|date=January 15, 2018|last=Keller|first=Wade|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=January 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180116093500/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/01/15/kellers-wwe-raw-report-1-15-angle-addresses-strowman-last-weeks-big-angle-lesnar-kane-rumble-hype-jax-vs-asuka/|archive-date=January 16, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> |
On the October 16, 2017, episode of ''Raw'', [[Kane (wrestler)|Kane]] returned from a ten-month hiatus and helped [[Braun Strowman]] to defeat [[Roman Reigns]] in a [[Steel Cage match]]. Kane was then added to Strowman's team at [[TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs (2017)|TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs]] in the [[Handicap match|5-on-3 handicap]] [[Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match]].<ref name="Raw10162017">{{cite web|last=Keller|first=Wade|title=Keller's WWE Raw Report 10/16: Braun Strowman vs. Roman Reigns, Seth & Dean defend against Sheamus & Cesaro, Emma readies for Asuka|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2017/10/16/kellers-wwe-raw-report-1016-braun-strowman-vs-roman-reigns-seth-dean-defend-sheamus-cesaro-emma-readies-asuka/|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=October 16, 2017|access-date=October 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171017211653/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2017/10/16/kellers-wwe-raw-report-1016-braun-strowman-vs-roman-reigns-seth-dean-defend-sheamus-cesaro-emma-readies-asuka/|archive-date=October 17, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> During the match, Kane accidentally hit Strowman with a chair, which caused tension between the two. Later on in the match, Kane turned on Strowman and crushed him in the back of a garbage truck; their team ultimately lost.<ref name="TLC2017">{{cite web|last=Keller|first=Wade|title=Keller's WWE TLC PPV Report 10/22: Live coverage of Angle's return to ring subbing for Reigns, Styles vs. Balor|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2017/10/22/kellers-wwe-tlc-ppv-report-1022-live-coverage-angles-return-ring-subbing-reigns-styles-vs-balor/|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=October 22, 2017|access-date=October 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023063920/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2017/10/22/kellers-wwe-tlc-ppv-report-1022-live-coverage-angles-return-ring-subbing-reigns-styles-vs-balor/|archive-date=October 23, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The two then feuded over the next several weeks, leading to a match on the December 11 episode to determine the number one contender against [[Brock Lesnar]] for the Universal Championship at the Royal Rumble, but the match ended in a double countout.<ref name="Raw12112017">{{cite web|last=Keller|first=Wade|title=Keller's WWE Raw Report 12/11: Kane vs. Braun, Reigns vs. Cesaro, Seth vs. Sheamus, Joe vs. Dean, Cruiserweight Update|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2017/12/11/kellers-wwe-raw-report-12-11-kane-vs-braun-reigns-vs-cesaro-seth-vs-sheamus-joe-vs-dean-cruiserweight-update/|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=December 11, 2017|access-date=December 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171213033855/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2017/12/11/kellers-wwe-raw-report-12-11-kane-vs-braun-reigns-vs-cesaro-seth-vs-sheamus-joe-vs-dean-cruiserweight-update/|archive-date=December 13, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Raw General Manager [[Kurt Angle]] then decided that Lesnar would defend the title against both Kane and Strowman in a [[triple threat match]] at the event.<ref name="Raw12182017"/> On the January 8 episode, Kane attacked Lesnar from behind, followed by an attack from Strowman. After laying Kane and Lesnar out backstage, Strowman knocked over a lighting rig and crushed both. Lesnar was taken to a medical facility while Kane refused medical attention.<ref name="Raw01082018">{{cite web|last=Keller|first=Wade|title=Keller's WWE Raw Report 1/8: Reigns IC Title reign continues, Enzo vs. Cedric, the return of Miz, Lesnar responds and get crushed|date=January 8, 2018|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/01/08/kellers-wwe-raw-report-1-8-reigns-ic-title-reign-continues-enzo-vs-cedric-return-miz/|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=January 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180110114655/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/01/08/kellers-wwe-raw-report-1-8-reigns-ic-title-reign-continues-enzo-vs-cedric-return-miz/|archive-date=January 10, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Due to his actions, Strowman was removed from the triple threat match and fired by Angle. Strowman went on a rampage backstage, including destroying Angle's office and flipping over a tractor. Before he could do any more damage, Raw Commissioner Stephanie McMahon rehired Strowman, putting him back into the Universal Championship match at the Royal Rumble.<ref name="Raw01152018">{{cite web|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/01/15/kellers-wwe-raw-report-1-15-angle-addresses-strowman-last-weeks-big-angle-lesnar-kane-rumble-hype-jax-vs-asuka/|title=Keller's WWE Raw Report 1/15: Angle addresses Strowman after last week's big angle with Lesnar and Kane, more Rumble hype, Jax vs. Asuka|date=January 15, 2018|last=Keller|first=Wade|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=January 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180116093500/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/01/15/kellers-wwe-raw-report-1-15-angle-addresses-strowman-last-weeks-big-angle-lesnar-kane-rumble-hype-jax-vs-asuka/|archive-date=January 16, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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After [[Survivor Series (2017)|Survivor Series]], several women from NXT were promoted to the main rosters of both Raw and SmackDown. On the November 20, 2017, episode of ''Raw'', [[Paige (wrestler)|Paige]], who had been out with an injury since June 2016, returned along with the debuts of NXT's [[Mandy Rose]] and [[Sonya Deville]], forming the heel group [[Fire and Desire|Absolution]],<ref name="Raw11202017">{{cite web|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2017/11/20/kellers-wwe-raw-report-1120-survivor-series-fallout-samoa-joe-vs-finn-balor/|title=Keller's WWE Raw Report 11/20: Survivor Series fallout, Samoa Joe vs. Finn Balor, Reigns in Miz TV, a big name returns|date=November 20, 2017|last=Keller|first=Wade|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=November 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201031510/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2017/11/20/kellers-wwe-raw-report-1120-survivor-series-fallout-samoa-joe-vs-finn-balor/|archive-date=December 1, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> while similarly on the November 21 episode of ''SmackDown'', NXT's [[Ruby Soho (wrestler)|Ruby Riott]], [[Liv Morgan]], and [[Sarah Logan]] debuted and formed the heel group [[Ruby Soho (wrestler)#The Riott Squad (2017–2019)|The Riott Squad]].<ref name="SmackDown11212017">{{cite web|last=Keller|first=Wade|title=Keller's WWE SmackDown Report 11/21: Survivor Series fallout including Shane McMahon responding to KO and Sami attacking him|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2017/11/21/kellers-wwe-smackdown-report-1121-survivor-series-fallout-including-shane-mcmahon-responding-ko-sami-attacking/|date=November 21, 2017|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=November 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201030422/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2017/11/21/kellers-wwe-smackdown-report-1121-survivor-series-fallout-including-shane-mcmahon-responding-ko-sami-attacking/|archive-date=December 1, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> On the December 18, 2017, episode of ''Raw'', with a larger roster of women on the main rosters, Raw Commissioner [[Stephanie McMahon]] scheduled the first-ever women's Royal Rumble match for the 2018 Royal Rumble, with the winner receiving a match at WrestleMania 34 for the top championship of their choice: Raw's Women's Championship or SmackDown's Women's Championship.<ref name="Raw12182017">{{cite web|last=Keller|first=Wade|title=Keller's WWE Raw Report 12/18: Lesnar & Heyman address Strowman-Kane situation, Cedric vs. Gulak for Cruiserweight Title shot|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2017/12/18/kellers-wwe-raw-report-12-18-lesnar-addresses-strowman-kane-situation-cedric-vs-gulak-cruiserweight-title-shot/|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=December 18, 2017|access-date=December 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222041402/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2017/12/18/kellers-wwe-raw-report-12-18-lesnar-addresses-strowman-kane-situation-cedric-vs-gulak-cruiserweight-title-shot/|archive-date=December 22, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Both brands' respective commissioners and general managers agreed that the women's match would have all of the same rules as the men's match, including having 30 participants.<ref>{{cite web|title=Men's and Women's Royal Rumble Match rules revealed|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/2018/article/mens-womens-royal-rumble-rules-revealed|work=[[WWE]]|author=WWE.com Staff|date=January 1, 2018|access-date=January 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180102070907/https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/2018/article/mens-womens-royal-rumble-rules-revealed|archive-date=January 2, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Stephanie was announced to join the commentary team for the women's match,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/article/stephanie-mcmahon-to-join-commentary-womens-royal-rumble|title=Stephanie McMahon to join commentary for Women's Royal Rumble Match this Sunday|date=January 24, 2018|author=WWE.com Staff|work=[[WWE]]|access-date=January 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180125012139/https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/article/stephanie-mcmahon-to-join-commentary-womens-royal-rumble|archive-date=January 25, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> and television host [[Maria Menounos]] was announced to be the special guest ring announcer.<ref name="pre-show/event additions">{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/wwe-news/wwe-royal-rumble-notes-pre-show-matches-maria-menounos-250561|title=WWE Royal Rumble Notes: Pre-show Matches, Maria Menounos|date=January 26, 2018|last=Currier|first=Joseph|work=[[Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online]]|access-date=January 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180127143234/https://www.f4wonline.com/wwe-news/wwe-royal-rumble-notes-pre-show-matches-maria-menounos-250561|archive-date=January 27, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Benigno|first=Anthony|title=Maria Menounos to serve as guest ring announcer for the first-ever Women's Royal Rumble Match|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/2018/article/maria-menounos-guest-ring-announcer-womens-royal-rumble-match|work=[[WWE]]|date=January 26, 2018|access-date=January 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180127050121/https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/2018/article/maria-menounos-guest-ring-announcer-womens-royal-rumble-match|archive-date=January 27, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> |
After [[Survivor Series (2017)|Survivor Series]], several women from NXT were promoted to the main rosters of both Raw and SmackDown. On the November 20, 2017, episode of ''Raw'', [[Paige (wrestler)|Paige]], who had been out with an injury since June 2016, returned along with the debuts of NXT's [[Mandy Rose]] and [[Sonya Deville]], forming the heel group [[Fire and Desire|Absolution]],<ref name="Raw11202017">{{cite web|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2017/11/20/kellers-wwe-raw-report-1120-survivor-series-fallout-samoa-joe-vs-finn-balor/|title=Keller's WWE Raw Report 11/20: Survivor Series fallout, Samoa Joe vs. Finn Balor, Reigns in Miz TV, a big name returns|date=November 20, 2017|last=Keller|first=Wade|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=November 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201031510/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2017/11/20/kellers-wwe-raw-report-1120-survivor-series-fallout-samoa-joe-vs-finn-balor/|archive-date=December 1, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> while similarly on the November 21 episode of ''SmackDown'', NXT's [[Ruby Soho (wrestler)|Ruby Riott]], [[Liv Morgan]], and [[Sarah Logan]] debuted and formed the heel group [[Ruby Soho (wrestler)#The Riott Squad (2017–2019)|The Riott Squad]].<ref name="SmackDown11212017">{{cite web|last=Keller|first=Wade|title=Keller's WWE SmackDown Report 11/21: Survivor Series fallout including Shane McMahon responding to KO and Sami attacking him|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2017/11/21/kellers-wwe-smackdown-report-1121-survivor-series-fallout-including-shane-mcmahon-responding-ko-sami-attacking/|date=November 21, 2017|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=November 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201030422/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2017/11/21/kellers-wwe-smackdown-report-1121-survivor-series-fallout-including-shane-mcmahon-responding-ko-sami-attacking/|archive-date=December 1, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> On the December 18, 2017, episode of ''Raw'', with a larger roster of women on the main rosters, Raw Commissioner [[Stephanie McMahon]] scheduled the first-ever women's Royal Rumble match for the 2018 Royal Rumble, with the winner receiving a match at WrestleMania 34 for the top championship of their choice: Raw's Women's Championship or SmackDown's Women's Championship.<ref name="Raw12182017">{{cite web|last=Keller|first=Wade|title=Keller's WWE Raw Report 12/18: Lesnar & Heyman address Strowman-Kane situation, Cedric vs. Gulak for Cruiserweight Title shot|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2017/12/18/kellers-wwe-raw-report-12-18-lesnar-addresses-strowman-kane-situation-cedric-vs-gulak-cruiserweight-title-shot/|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=December 18, 2017|access-date=December 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222041402/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2017/12/18/kellers-wwe-raw-report-12-18-lesnar-addresses-strowman-kane-situation-cedric-vs-gulak-cruiserweight-title-shot/|archive-date=December 22, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Both brands' respective commissioners and general managers agreed that the women's match would have all of the same rules as the men's match, including having 30 participants.<ref>{{cite web|title=Men's and Women's Royal Rumble Match rules revealed|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/2018/article/mens-womens-royal-rumble-rules-revealed|work=[[WWE]]|author=WWE.com Staff|date=January 1, 2018|access-date=January 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180102070907/https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/2018/article/mens-womens-royal-rumble-rules-revealed|archive-date=January 2, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Stephanie was announced to join the commentary team for the women's match,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/article/stephanie-mcmahon-to-join-commentary-womens-royal-rumble|title=Stephanie McMahon to join commentary for Women's Royal Rumble Match this Sunday|date=January 24, 2018|author=WWE.com Staff|work=[[WWE]]|access-date=January 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180125012139/https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/article/stephanie-mcmahon-to-join-commentary-womens-royal-rumble|archive-date=January 25, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> and television host [[Maria Menounos]] was announced to be the special guest ring announcer.<ref name="pre-show/event additions">{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/wwe-news/wwe-royal-rumble-notes-pre-show-matches-maria-menounos-250561|title=WWE Royal Rumble Notes: Pre-show Matches, Maria Menounos|date=January 26, 2018|last=Currier|first=Joseph|work=[[Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online]]|access-date=January 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180127143234/https://www.f4wonline.com/wwe-news/wwe-royal-rumble-notes-pre-show-matches-maria-menounos-250561|archive-date=January 27, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Benigno|first=Anthony|title=Maria Menounos to serve as guest ring announcer for the first-ever Women's Royal Rumble Match|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/2018/article/maria-menounos-guest-ring-announcer-womens-royal-rumble-match|work=[[WWE]]|date=January 26, 2018|access-date=January 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180127050121/https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/2018/article/maria-menounos-guest-ring-announcer-womens-royal-rumble-match|archive-date=January 27, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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At [[Clash of Champions (2017)|Clash of Champions]], SmackDown's Commissioner [[Shane McMahon]] and General Manager [[Bryan Danielson|Daniel Bryan]] both refereed a tag team match pitting [[Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn]] against [[Randy Orton]] and [[Shinsuke Nakamura]], where Owens and Zayn would have been fired from WWE had they lost. During the match, there was controversy between Shane and Bryan, which resulted in Bryan giving a fast count for Owens and Zayn to win.<ref name="COC2017">{{cite web|last=Keller|first=Wade|title=Keller's WWE Clash of Champions Report 12/17: Styles vs. Mahal, Sami & KO vs. Nakamura & Orton with Shane & Bryan as special refs|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2017/12/17/kellers-wwe-clash-champions-report-12-17-styles-vs-mahal-sami-ko-vs-nakamura-orton-shane-bryan-special-refs/|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=December 17, 2017|access-date=December 17, 2017}}</ref> Tensions between Shane and Bryan continued over the next couple of weeks, culminating on the final ''SmackDown'' of 2017, when Bryan scheduled Owens to face |
At [[Clash of Champions (2017)|Clash of Champions]], SmackDown's Commissioner [[Shane McMahon]] and General Manager [[Bryan Danielson|Daniel Bryan]] both refereed a tag team match pitting [[Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn]] against [[Randy Orton]] and [[Shinsuke Nakamura]], where Owens and Zayn would have been fired from WWE had they lost. During the match, there was controversy between Shane and Bryan, which resulted in Bryan giving a fast count for [[Kevin Owens|Owens]] and [[Sami Zayn|Zayn]] to win.<ref name="COC2017">{{cite web|last=Keller|first=Wade|title=Keller's WWE Clash of Champions Report 12/17: Styles vs. Mahal, Sami & KO vs. Nakamura & Orton with Shane & Bryan as special refs|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2017/12/17/kellers-wwe-clash-champions-report-12-17-styles-vs-mahal-sami-ko-vs-nakamura-orton-shane-bryan-special-refs/|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=December 17, 2017|access-date=December 17, 2017}}</ref> Tensions between Shane and Bryan continued over the next couple of weeks, culminating on the final ''SmackDown'' of 2017, when Bryan scheduled Owens to face WWE Champion [[AJ Styles]] in a non-title match in the main event, much to the disapproval of Shane, who felt that Owens should not be in the main event, or facing the WWE Champion. That match ended when Zayn interfered, allowing Owens to win.<ref name="SmackDown12262017">{{cite web|last=Keller|first=Wade|title=Keller's WWE SmackDown Report 12/26: Styles vs. Owens in Chicago, Daniel Bryan addresses recent controversies|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2017/12/26/kellers-wwe-smackdown-report-12-26-styles-vs-owens-chicago-daniel-bryan-addresses-recent-controversies/|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=December 26, 2017|access-date=December 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220119071407/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2017/12/26/kellers-wwe-smackdown-report-12-26-styles-vs-owens-chicago-daniel-bryan-addresses-recent-controversies/|archive-date=January 19, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> The next week, Zayn would also defeat Styles in a non-title match after interference from Owens. Enraged at back-to-back losses, Styles stated they might as well schedule him in a [[handicap match]] against Owens and Zayn, which Bryan took literally and scheduled for the Royal Rumble where Styles would also defend the WWE Championship against both men.<ref name="SmackDown01022018">{{cite web|last=Keller|first=Wade|title=Keller's WWE SmackDown Report 1/2: Styles vs. Sami Zayn, The Usos vs. Benjamin & Gable for tag titles, Aiden vs. Xavier in U.S. Title tournament|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/01/02/kellers-wwe-smackdown-report-1-2-styles-vs-sami-zayn-usos-vs-benjamin-gable-wwe-smackdown-tag-team-titles/|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=January 2, 2018|access-date=January 3, 2018}}</ref> On the January 9 episode of ''SmackDown'', Styles said that although it was unfair, he was confident that he would win; Owens and Zayn interrupted and claimed that they would become the first-ever co-WWE Champions.<ref name="SmackDown01092018"/> On the final ''SmackDown'' before the Royal Rumble, Styles faced Owens and Zayn in back-to-back matches where Shane threatened that if one were to interfere in the other's match, that person would be fired. Styles managed to defeat Owens in the first match by submission, however, he would lose to Zayn in the second match.<ref name="SmackDown01232018">{{cite web|last=Keller|first=Wade|title=Keller's WWE SmackDown Report 1/23: Styles vs. KO and Styles vs. Sami, Final Royal Rumble hype, more Bryan-Shane tension|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/01/23/54408/|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=January 23, 2018|access-date=January 23, 2018}}</ref> |
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On the December 18, 2017, episode of ''Raw'', [[Seth Rollins]]' tag team partner [[Jon Moxley|Dean Ambrose]] was injured by [[Samoa Joe]].<ref name="Raw12182017"/> The following week, despite both wanting to take on Joe to avenge Ambrose, Raw General Manager Kurt Angle instead had his ([[Kayfabe|storyline]]) son, [[Jason Jordan]], and Rollins team up to face [[ |
On the December 18, 2017, episode of ''Raw'', [[Seth Rollins]]' tag team partner [[Jon Moxley|Dean Ambrose]] was injured by [[Samoa Joe]].<ref name="Raw12182017"/> The following week, despite both wanting to take on Joe to avenge Ambrose, Raw General Manager Kurt Angle instead had his ([[Kayfabe|storyline]]) son, [[Jason Jordan]], and Rollins team up to face [[Cesaro and Sheamus]] for the [[Raw Tag Team Championship]]; Jordan and Rollins defeated [[Claudio Castagnoli|Cesaro]] and [[Sheamus]] to win the championship.<ref name="Raw12252017">{{cite web|last=Keller|first=Wade|title=Keller's WWE Raw Report 12/25: Cena returns to Raw for Christmas night episode in Chicago, Reigns defends IC Title against Joe, Bar vs. Seth & Jordan|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2017/12/25/kellers-wwe-raw-report-12-25-cena-returns-raw-christmas-night-episode-chicago/|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=December 25, 2017|access-date=December 25, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005144425/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2017/12/25/kellers-wwe-raw-report-12-25-cena-returns-raw-christmas-night-episode-chicago/|archive-date=October 5, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> After the former champions confronted Angle about their contractual rematch, Angle scheduled it for the Royal Rumble.<ref name="Raw01082018"/> On the January 15 episode, Jordan caused a distraction, allowing Titus Worldwide ([[Apollo Crews]] and [[Titus O'Neil]]) to again defeat Cesaro and Sheamus in a rematch from the previous week, which Rollins disapproved of as he did not like Jordan acting on his own. Cesaro and Sheamus would try and return the favor during Rollins' match against [[Finn Bálor]], but it backfired, resulting in Rollins winning, and Cesaro and Sheamus brawling with Bálor Club members, [[Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson]], at ringside.<ref name="Raw01152018"/> On ''Raw 25'' the next week, Jordan and Rollins were the guests on [[Christian Cage|Christian]]'s ''The Peep Show'', which Cesaro and Sheamus interrupted and the two teams brawled where Rollins accidentally hit Jordan with a knee attack that was intended for Cesaro.<ref name="Raw01222018">{{cite web|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/01/22/kellers-wwe-raw-report-1-22-25th-anniversary-monday-night-raw-including-vince-mcmahon-two-locations-parade-superstars/|title=Keller's WWE Raw Report 1/22: 25th Anniversary of Monday Night Raw including Vince McMahon, Two Locations, Parade of Superstars|date=January 22, 2018|last=Keller|first=Wade|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=January 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180124135830/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/01/22/kellers-wwe-raw-report-1-22-25th-anniversary-monday-night-raw-including-vince-mcmahon-two-locations-parade-superstars/|archive-date=January 24, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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At Clash of Champions, [[The Usos]] ([[Jey Uso]] and [[Jimmy Uso]]) retained the [[SmackDown Tag Team Championship]] in a [[fatal four-way match]] against [[Miro (wrestler)|Rusev]] and [[Aiden English]], [[The New Day (professional wrestling)|The New Day's]] [[Big E (wrestler)|Big E]] and [[Xavier Woods]], and [[Chad Gable]] and [[Shelton Benjamin]].<ref name="COC2017"/> On the following episode of ''SmackDown'', Gable and Benjamin defeated The Usos in a non-title match,<ref name="SmackDown12192017">{{cite web|last=Keller|first=Wade|title=Keller's WWE SmackDown Report 12/19: Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon fallout from Clash of Champions, Shinsuke & Orton & Styles vs. Sami & KO & Jinder|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2017/12/19/kellers-wwe-smackdown-report-12-19-daniel-bryan-shane-mcmahon-fallout-clash-champions-shinsuke-orton-styles-vs-sami-ko-jinder/|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=December 19, 2017|access-date=December 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222052102/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2017/12/19/kellers-wwe-smackdown-report-12-19-daniel-bryan-shane-mcmahon-fallout-clash-champions-shinsuke-orton-styles-vs-sami-ko-jinder/|archive-date=December 22, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> and they were awarded with a championship match on the first ''SmackDown'' of 2018, where they defeated The Usos to initially win the titles after pinning Jimmy Uso; however, Jimmy was not the legal man, and thus the match was restarted and The Usos retained their championship.<ref name="SmackDown01022018"/> The following week, Gable and Benjamin confronted SmackDown General Manager Daniel Bryan over the incident. After questioning if they should have to defeat The Usos twice in the same night, Bryan decided that at the Royal Rumble, The Usos would defend the SmackDown Tag Team Championship against Gable and Benjamin in a [[two out of three falls match]].<ref name="SmackDown01092018">{{cite web|last=Keller|first=Wade|title=Keller's WWE SmackDown Report 1/9: Fallout from Bryan announcing a Rumble title defense with Styles defending against Sami and Bryan|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/01/09/kelelrs-wwe-smackdown-report-1-9-fallout-bryan-announcing-rumble-title-defense-styles-defending-sami-bryan/|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=January 9, 2018|access-date=January 9, 2018}}</ref> |
At Clash of Champions, [[The Usos]] ([[Jey Uso]] and [[Jimmy Uso]]) retained the [[SmackDown Tag Team Championship]] in a [[fatal four-way match]] against [[Miro (wrestler)|Rusev]] and [[Aiden English]], [[The New Day (professional wrestling)|The New Day's]] [[Big E (wrestler)|Big E]] and [[Xavier Woods]], and [[Chad Gable]] and [[Shelton Benjamin]].<ref name="COC2017"/> On the following episode of ''SmackDown'', Gable and Benjamin defeated The Usos in a non-title match,<ref name="SmackDown12192017">{{cite web|last=Keller|first=Wade|title=Keller's WWE SmackDown Report 12/19: Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon fallout from Clash of Champions, Shinsuke & Orton & Styles vs. Sami & KO & Jinder|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2017/12/19/kellers-wwe-smackdown-report-12-19-daniel-bryan-shane-mcmahon-fallout-clash-champions-shinsuke-orton-styles-vs-sami-ko-jinder/|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=December 19, 2017|access-date=December 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222052102/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2017/12/19/kellers-wwe-smackdown-report-12-19-daniel-bryan-shane-mcmahon-fallout-clash-champions-shinsuke-orton-styles-vs-sami-ko-jinder/|archive-date=December 22, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> and they were awarded with a championship match on the first ''SmackDown'' of 2018, where they defeated The Usos to initially win the titles after pinning Jimmy Uso; however, Jimmy was not the legal man, and thus the match was restarted and The Usos retained their championship.<ref name="SmackDown01022018"/> The following week, Gable and Benjamin confronted SmackDown General Manager Daniel Bryan over the incident. After questioning if they should have to defeat The Usos twice in the same night, Bryan decided that at the Royal Rumble, The Usos would defend the SmackDown Tag Team Championship against Gable and Benjamin in a [[two out of three falls match]].<ref name="SmackDown01092018">{{cite web|last=Keller|first=Wade|title=Keller's WWE SmackDown Report 1/9: Fallout from Bryan announcing a Rumble title defense with Styles defending against Sami and Bryan|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/01/09/kelelrs-wwe-smackdown-report-1-9-fallout-bryan-announcing-rumble-title-defense-styles-defending-sami-bryan/|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=January 9, 2018|access-date=January 9, 2018}}</ref> |
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On January 26, three matches were announced for the Royal Rumble Kickoff pre-show. For SmackDown, it was announced that [[WWE United States Championship|United States Champion]] [[Bobby Roode]] would have an open challenge for the title. Two tag team matches were scheduled for Raw: a rematch between Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson and [[FTR (professional wrestling)|The Revival]] ([[Cash Wheeler|Dash Wilder]] and [[Dax Harwood|Scott Dawson]]) from ''Raw 25'', and a six-man tag team match for the cruiserweight division with [[Kalisto (wrestler)|Kalisto]], [[Gran Metalik]], and [[Lince Dorado]] against [[Drew Gulak]], [[T. J. Perkins|TJP]], and [[Gentleman Jack Gallagher]].<ref name="pre-show/event additions"/> |
On January 26, three matches were announced for the Royal Rumble Kickoff pre-show. For SmackDown, it was announced that [[WWE United States Championship|United States Champion]] [[Bobby Roode]] would have an open challenge for the title. Two tag team matches were scheduled for Raw: a rematch between [[Luke Gallows]] and [[Karl Anderson]] and [[FTR (professional wrestling)|The Revival]] ([[Cash Wheeler|Dash Wilder]] and [[Dax Harwood|Scott Dawson]]) from ''Raw 25'', and a six-man tag team match for the cruiserweight division with [[Kalisto (wrestler)|Kalisto]], [[Gran Metalik]], and [[Lince Dorado]] against [[Drew Gulak]], [[T. J. Perkins|TJP]], and [[Gentleman Jack Gallagher]].<ref name="pre-show/event additions"/> |
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===Cancellations=== |
===Cancellations=== |
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Next, Seth Rollins and Jason Jordan defended the Raw Tag Team Championship against Cesaro and Sheamus. During the match, Jordan sustained a head injury (after being thrown into the ring post by Cesaro), rendering him unable to compete. In the end, Sheamus and Cesaro performed a [[Piledriver (professional wrestling)#Over-the-shoulder back-to-belly piledriver|"White Noise"]]/[[Professional wrestling aerial techniques#Diving neckbreaker|diving neckbreaker]] combination on Rollins to win the titles for a record-setting fourth time as a team, and a record-setting fifth time for Cesaro individually.<ref name="RR2018"/> |
Next, Seth Rollins and Jason Jordan defended the Raw Tag Team Championship against Cesaro and Sheamus. During the match, Jordan sustained a head injury (after being thrown into the ring post by Cesaro), rendering him unable to compete. In the end, Sheamus and Cesaro performed a [[Piledriver (professional wrestling)#Over-the-shoulder back-to-belly piledriver|"White Noise"]]/[[Professional wrestling aerial techniques#Diving neckbreaker|diving neckbreaker]] combination on Rollins to win the titles for a record-setting fourth time as a team, and a record-setting fifth time for Cesaro individually.<ref name="RR2018"/> |
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In the fifth match, Brock Lesnar defended the Universal Championship against Braun Strowman and Kane in a triple threat match. Lesnar drove Kane into a corner, but Strowman caught Lesnar and drove him into the opposite corner. Strowman attacked Lesnar with a [[Dropkick|running dropkick]] and performed a clothesline on Kane. As Lesnar attempted an [[Facebuster#Fireman's carry facebuster|"F-5"]] on Strowman, Kane performed a [[chokeslam]] on Lesnar. Before he could cover him, Strowman attacked Kane, drove him back into his corner, and performed 2 headbutts on him. As Kane attempted a chokeslam on Strowman, Lesnar struck Kane with a chair, only for Strowman to punch the chair out of Lesnar's hand, perform a clothesline on him, and throw him and Kane outside the ring. At ringside, Strowman drove Lesnar into the barricade and struck Kane with the steel steps. Strowman retrieved 2 tables under the ring and brought Kane back in the ring. Strowman positioned both tables at 2 opposite corners, with one standing up and the other next to the turnbuckles. As Kane attempted a chokeslam on Strowman, the latter countered into his own chokeslam on Kane. However, Lesnar broke up the pinfall at a two count and performed three [[Suplex#German suplex|German suplexes]] on Strowman. Strowman performed a [[Powerslam#Front powerslam|running powerslam]] on Lesnar through the standing table, only for Kane to break up the pinfall at a two count. As Strowman attempted another powerslam on Kane through the other table, the latter then drove Strowman through it instead, and performed a chokeslam on him, with Lesnar breaking up the pinfall at a two count. Lesnar performed an "F-5" on Kane, but before he could cover him, Strowman performed a German suplex on Lesnar, who rolled outside the ring. Once again at ringside, Strowman drove Lesnar into the barricade. Lesnar then performed an "F-5" on Strowman through an announce table and overturned another announce table on top of Strowman (in a reversal of what happened last year at Summerslam; though where Lesnar had to be stretchered out and then returned, Strowman stood back up in defiance). As Kane attempted a chokeslam on Lesnar, the latter countered and then performed another "F-5" on Kane through a third announce table. Strowman recovered and performed a kick to Lesnar, who fell head-first into the steel steps. Back in the ring, Strowman performed two running powerslams on Lesnar, but Kane returned and struck Strowman with a chair, driving him outside the ring. As Kane attempted a Tombstone piledriver on Lesnar, the latter shoved Kane into Strowman (who was about to return to the ring), knocking him off the ring apron. Lesnar performed an "F-5" on Kane onto the chair and pinned him to retain the title. After the match, an enraged Strowman returned to the ring and yelled at Lesnar that he did not beat and pin him.<ref name="RR2018"/> |
In the fifth match, Brock Lesnar (accompanied by [[Paul Heyman]]) defended the Universal Championship against Braun Strowman and Kane in a triple threat match. Lesnar drove Kane into a corner, but Strowman caught Lesnar and drove him into the opposite corner. Strowman attacked Lesnar with a [[Dropkick|running dropkick]] and performed a clothesline on Kane. As Lesnar attempted an [[Facebuster#Fireman's carry facebuster|"F-5"]] on Strowman, Kane performed a [[chokeslam]] on Lesnar. Before he could cover him, Strowman attacked Kane, drove him back into his corner, and performed 2 headbutts on him. As Kane attempted a chokeslam on Strowman, Lesnar struck Kane with a chair, only for Strowman to punch the chair out of Lesnar's hand, perform a clothesline on him, and throw him and Kane outside the ring. At ringside, Strowman drove Lesnar into the barricade and struck Kane with the steel steps. Strowman retrieved 2 tables under the ring and brought Kane back in the ring. Strowman positioned both tables at 2 opposite corners, with one standing up and the other next to the turnbuckles. As Kane attempted a chokeslam on Strowman, the latter countered into his own chokeslam on Kane. However, Lesnar broke up the pinfall at a two count and performed three [[Suplex#German suplex|German suplexes]] on Strowman. Strowman performed a [[Powerslam#Front powerslam|running powerslam]] on Lesnar through the standing table, only for Kane to break up the pinfall at a two count. As Strowman attempted another powerslam on Kane through the other table, the latter then drove Strowman through it instead, and performed a chokeslam on him, with Lesnar breaking up the pinfall at a two count. Lesnar performed an "F-5" on Kane, but before he could cover him, Strowman performed a German suplex on Lesnar, who rolled outside the ring. Once again at ringside, Strowman drove Lesnar into the barricade. Lesnar then performed an "F-5" on Strowman through an announce table and overturned another announce table on top of Strowman (in a reversal of what happened last year at Summerslam; though where Lesnar had to be stretchered out and then returned, Strowman stood back up in defiance). As Kane attempted a chokeslam on Lesnar, the latter countered and then performed another "F-5" on Kane through a third announce table. Strowman recovered and performed a kick to Lesnar, who fell head-first into the steel steps. Back in the ring, Strowman performed two running powerslams on Lesnar, but Kane returned and struck Strowman with a chair, driving him outside the ring. As Kane attempted a Tombstone piledriver on Lesnar, the latter shoved Kane into Strowman (who was about to return to the ring), knocking him off the ring apron. Lesnar performed an "F-5" on Kane onto the chair and pinned him to retain the title. After the match, an enraged Strowman returned to the ring and yelled at Lesnar that he did not beat and pin him.<ref name="RR2018"/> |
||
=== Main event === |
=== Main event === |
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Line 164: | Line 164: | ||
===SmackDown=== |
===SmackDown=== |
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{{multiple image|caption_align=center|header_align=center|right|upright|direction=horizontal|width1=140|width2=120|image1=Shinsuke Nakamura 2015.JPG|image2=Asuka WrestleMania Axxess April 2018.jpg|footer=[[Shinsuke Nakamura]] and [[Asuka (wrestler)|Asuka]] were the winners of the men's and women's [[Royal Rumble match]]es. Nakamura immediately challenged [[AJ Styles]] for the [[WWE Championship]], while Asuka still had the chance to challenge either [[Alexa Bliss]] or [[Charlotte Flair]] for their respective titles.}} |
{{multiple image|caption_align=center|header_align=center|right|upright|direction=horizontal|width1=140|width2=120|image1=Shinsuke Nakamura 2015.JPG|image2=Asuka WrestleMania Axxess April 2018.jpg|footer=[[Shinsuke Nakamura]] and [[Asuka (wrestler)|Asuka]] were the respective winners of the men's and women's [[Royal Rumble match]]es. Nakamura immediately challenged [[AJ Styles]] for the [[WWE Championship]], while Asuka still had the chance to challenge either [[Alexa Bliss]] or [[Charlotte Flair]] for their respective titles.}} |
||
On the following episode of ''SmackDown'', Shinsuke Nakamura celebrated his win at the Royal Rumble, and said he would become the new WWE Champion at WrestleMania 34. He was interrupted by Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn, who said that they should be the co-WWE Champions, but the referee failed at his job at the Royal Rumble. WWE Champion AJ Styles came out and said that Owens and Zayn could complain all they want, but there would be a dream match at WrestleMania between him and Nakamura. Styles then suggested to have a dream team that night with him and Nakamura facing Owens and Zayn, which SmackDown General Manager Daniel Bryan made official for later that night in which Styles and Nakamura won. During the match, there were tensions between Owens and Zayn as Bryan had also scheduled them to face each other the following week to determine the number one contender for the WWE Championship at |
On the following episode of ''SmackDown'', Shinsuke Nakamura celebrated his win at the Royal Rumble, and said he would become the new WWE Champion at WrestleMania 34. He was interrupted by Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn, who said that they should be the co-WWE Champions, but the referee failed at his job at the Royal Rumble. WWE Champion AJ Styles came out and said that Owens and Zayn could complain all they want, but there would be a dream match at WrestleMania between him and Nakamura. Styles then suggested to have a dream team that night with him and Nakamura facing Owens and Zayn, which SmackDown General Manager Daniel Bryan made official for later that night in which Styles and Nakamura won. During the match, there were tensions between Owens and Zayn as Bryan had also scheduled them to face each other the following week to determine the number one contender for the WWE Championship at Fastlane.<ref name="SmackDown01302018">{{cite web|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/01/30/kellers-wwe-smackdown-report-1-30-nakamura-celebrates-winning-rumble-owens-sami-controversial-styles-finish/|title=Keller's WWE SmackDown Report 1/30: Nakamura celebrates winning the Rumble, Owens & Sami controversial Styles finish|date=January 30, 2018|last=Keller|first=Wade|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=January 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180201075516/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/01/30/kellers-wwe-smackdown-report-1-30-nakamura-celebrates-winning-rumble-owens-sami-controversial-styles-finish/|archive-date=February 1, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="SmackDown02062018">{{cite web|last=Keller|first=Wade|title=Keller's WWE SmackDown Report 2/6: Sami vs. KO for a right to face Styles, Shane takes issue with Bryan's decision-making|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/02/06/kellers-wwe-smackdown-report-2-6-sami-vs-ko-right-face-styles-shane-takes-issue-bryans-decision-making/|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=February 6, 2018|access-date=February 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180207123042/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/02/06/kellers-wwe-smackdown-report-2-6-sami-vs-ko-right-face-styles-shane-takes-issue-bryans-decision-making/|archive-date=February 7, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The championship match at Fastlane then became a [[fatal five-way match]] also involving Baron Corbin and Dolph Ziggler,<ref name="SmackDown02132018">{{cite web|last=Keller|first=Wade|title=Keller's WWE SmackDown Report 2/13: Sami and KO don't like Shane's decision to have Corbin vs. Ziggler for a slot in their title match|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/02/13/kellers-wwe-smackdown-report-2-13-sami-ko-dont-like-shanes-decision-corbin-vs-ziggler-slot-title-match/|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=February 13, 2018|access-date=February 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180222173548/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/02/13/kellers-wwe-smackdown-report-2-13-sami-ko-dont-like-shanes-decision-corbin-vs-ziggler-slot-title-match/|archive-date=February 22, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> and finally a [[six-pack challenge]] when John Cena qualified by defeating Styles in a non-title match.<ref name="SmackDown02272018">{{cite web|last=Keller|first=Wade|title=Keller's WWE SmackDown Report 2/27: Cena makes first appearance on Smackdown in months as he seeks Path to WrestleMania|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/02/27/kellers-wwe-smackdown-report-2-27-cena-makes-first-appearance-smackdown-months-seeks-path-wrestlemania/|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=February 27, 2018|access-date=February 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180228162620/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/02/27/kellers-wwe-smackdown-report-2-27-cena-makes-first-appearance-smackdown-months-seeks-path-wrestlemania/|archive-date=February 28, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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In the mid-card, a fatal four-way match between [[Kofi Kingston]] of The New Day, Jinder Mahal, [[Matt Cardona|Zack Ryder]], and Rusev occurred to determine the number one contender against Bobby Roode for the United States Championship, which was won by Rusev,<ref name="SmackDown01302018"/> who was unsuccessful in winning the title.<ref name="SmackDown02062018"/> Also following the Royal Rumble, SmackDown General Manager Daniel Bryan revealed the first-ever "SmackDown Top Ten List" as voted on by the SmackDown roster to see who the wrestlers thought should get a title opportunity.<ref name="SmackDown01302018"/><ref name="SmackDown02062018"/> This played into a storyline between Roode, who ranked |
In the mid-card, a fatal four-way match between [[Kofi Kingston]] of The New Day, Jinder Mahal, [[Matt Cardona|Zack Ryder]], and Rusev occurred to determine the number one contender against Bobby Roode for the United States Championship, which was won by Rusev,<ref name="SmackDown01302018"/> who was unsuccessful in winning the title.<ref name="SmackDown02062018"/> Also following the Royal Rumble, SmackDown General Manager Daniel Bryan revealed the first-ever "SmackDown Top Ten List" as voted on by the SmackDown roster to see who the wrestlers thought should get a title opportunity.<ref name="SmackDown01302018"/><ref name="SmackDown02062018"/> This played into a storyline between Roode, who ranked fifth, Randy Orton, who ranked ninth, and Jinder Mahal, who did not rank, resulting in SmackDown Commissioner Shane McMahon scheduling Roode to defend the U.S. Championship against Orton at Fastlane.<ref name="SmackDown02202018">{{cite web|last=Keller|first=Wade|title=Keller's WWE SmackDown Report 2/20: Styles talks about Fastlane title defense, Charlotte & Becky & Naomi vs. Riott Squad, New Day vs. Gable & Benjamin|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/02/20/kellers-wwe-smackdown-report-2-20-styles-talks-fastlane-title-defense/|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=February 20, 2018|access-date=February 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023184537/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/02/20/kellers-wwe-smackdown-report-2-20-styles-talks-fastlane-title-defense/|archive-date=October 23, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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In the women's division, SmackDown Women's Champion Charlotte Flair praised the first-ever women's Royal Rumble match, but wished that she could have competed in it. She addressed Ronda Rousey's debut and questioned who her WrestleMania 34 opponent would be. The Riott Squad interrupted and Ruby Riott said Flair would not make it to WrestleMania and they attacked Flair. Carmella came out to try and cash-in her [[Money in the Bank ladder match|Money in the Bank briefcase]] on Flair, but was not able to as she accidentally knocked out the referee before the bell could ring.<ref name="SmackDown01302018"/> After feuding with The Riott Squad over the next few weeks, Flair was scheduled to defend her title against Riott at Fastlane.<ref name="SmackDown02202018"/> |
In the women's division, SmackDown Women's Champion Charlotte Flair praised the first-ever women's Royal Rumble match, but wished that she could have competed in it. She addressed Ronda Rousey's debut and questioned who her WrestleMania 34 opponent would be. The Riott Squad interrupted and Ruby Riott said Flair would not make it to WrestleMania and they attacked Flair. Carmella came out to try and cash-in her [[Money in the Bank ladder match|Money in the Bank briefcase]] on Flair, but was not able to as she accidentally knocked out the referee before the bell could ring.<ref name="SmackDown01302018"/> After feuding with The Riott Squad over the next few weeks, Flair was scheduled to defend her title against Riott at Fastlane.<ref name="SmackDown02202018"/> |
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Line 176: | Line 176: | ||
==Results== |
==Results== |
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{{Pro wrestling results table |
{{Pro wrestling results table |
||
|times = <ref name="preRR2018">{{cite web|last=Powell|first=Jason|title=WWE Royal Rumble Kickoff Show live review: Bobby Roode's open challenge match for the U.S. Championship, The Revival vs. Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson, Kalisto, Lince Dorado, Gran Metalik vs. TJP, Jack Gallagher, and Drew Gulak|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2018/01/28/wwe-royal-rumble-kickoff-show-live-review-bobby-roodes-open-challenge-match-u-s-championship-revival-vs-luke-gallows-karl-anderson-kalisto-lince-dorado-gran-metalik-vs-tj/|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|date=January 28, 2018|access-date=January 28, 2018}}</ref><ref name="RR2018">{{cite web|last=Powell|first=Jason|title=WWE Royal Rumble 2018 live review: Men's and Women's Royal Rumble matches, Brock Lesnar vs. Braun Strowman vs. Kane for the WWE Universal Championship, AJ Styles vs. Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn in a handicap match for the WWE Championship|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2018/01/28/wwe-royal-rumble-2018-live-review-mens-womens-royal-rumble-matches-brock-lesnar-vs-braun-strowman-vs-kane-wwe-universal-championship-aj-styles-vs-kevin-owens-sami-zayn-han/|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|date=January 28, 2018|access-date=January 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129074721/https://prowrestling.net/site/2018/01/28/wwe-royal-rumble-2018-live-review-mens-womens-royal-rumble-matches-brock-lesnar-vs-braun-strowman-vs-kane-wwe-universal-championship-aj-styles-vs-kevin-owens-sami-zayn-han/|archive-date=January 29, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> |
|times = <ref name="preRR2018">{{cite web|last=Powell|first=Jason|title=WWE Royal Rumble Kickoff Show live review: Bobby Roode's open challenge match for the U.S. Championship, The Revival vs. Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson, Kalisto, Lince Dorado, Gran Metalik vs. TJP, Jack Gallagher, and Drew Gulak|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2018/01/28/wwe-royal-rumble-kickoff-show-live-review-bobby-roodes-open-challenge-match-u-s-championship-revival-vs-luke-gallows-karl-anderson-kalisto-lince-dorado-gran-metalik-vs-tj/|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|date=January 28, 2018|access-date=January 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129005228/https://prowrestling.net/site/2018/01/28/wwe-royal-rumble-kickoff-show-live-review-bobby-roodes-open-challenge-match-u-s-championship-revival-vs-luke-gallows-karl-anderson-kalisto-lince-dorado-gran-metalik-vs-tj/|archive-date=January 29, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="RR2018">{{cite web|last=Powell|first=Jason|title=WWE Royal Rumble 2018 live review: Men's and Women's Royal Rumble matches, Brock Lesnar vs. Braun Strowman vs. Kane for the WWE Universal Championship, AJ Styles vs. Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn in a handicap match for the WWE Championship|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2018/01/28/wwe-royal-rumble-2018-live-review-mens-womens-royal-rumble-matches-brock-lesnar-vs-braun-strowman-vs-kane-wwe-universal-championship-aj-styles-vs-kevin-owens-sami-zayn-han/|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|date=January 28, 2018|access-date=January 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129074721/https://prowrestling.net/site/2018/01/28/wwe-royal-rumble-2018-live-review-mens-womens-royal-rumble-matches-brock-lesnar-vs-braun-strowman-vs-kane-wwe-universal-championship-aj-styles-vs-kevin-owens-sami-zayn-han/|archive-date=January 29, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> |
||
|future = no |
|future = no |
||
|match1 = [[Kalisto (wrestler)|Kalisto]], [[Gran Metalik]], and [[Lince Dorado]] defeated [[T. J. Perkins|TJP]], [[Gentleman Jack Gallagher]], and [[Drew Gulak]] by [[pinfall]] |
|match1 = [[Kalisto (wrestler)|Kalisto]], [[Gran Metalik]], and [[Lince Dorado]] defeated [[T. J. Perkins|TJP]], [[Gentleman Jack Gallagher]], and [[Drew Gulak]] by [[pinfall]] |
||
|stip1 = [[Six-man tag team match]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Pappolla|first=Ryan|title=Kalisto, Gran Metalik & Lince Dorado def. TJP, Drew Gulak & Jack Gallagher|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/2018/kalisto-gran-metalik-lince-dorado-jack-gallagher-tjp-drew-gulak-results|work=[[WWE]]|date=January 28, 2018|access-date=January 28, 2018}}</ref> |
|stip1 = [[Six-man tag team match]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Pappolla|first=Ryan|title=Kalisto, Gran Metalik & Lince Dorado def. TJP, Drew Gulak & Jack Gallagher|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/2018/kalisto-gran-metalik-lince-dorado-jack-gallagher-tjp-drew-gulak-results|work=[[WWE]]|date=January 28, 2018|access-date=January 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129141515/https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/2018/kalisto-gran-metalik-lince-dorado-jack-gallagher-tjp-drew-gulak-results|archive-date=January 29, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> |
||
|time1 = 13:20 |
|time1 = 13:20 |
||
|pre1 = yes |
|pre1 = yes |
||
|match2 = [[FTR (professional wrestling)|The Revival]] ([[Cash Wheeler|Dash Wilder]] and [[Dax Harwood|Scott Dawson]]) defeated [[Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson]] by [[pinfall]] |
|match2 = [[FTR (professional wrestling)|The Revival]] ([[Cash Wheeler|Dash Wilder]] and [[Dax Harwood|Scott Dawson]]) defeated [[Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson]] by [[pinfall]] |
||
|stip2 = [[Tag team match]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Benigno|first=Anthony|title=The Revival def. Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/2018/luke-gallows-karl-anderson-the-revival-results|work=[[WWE]]|date=January 28, 2018|access-date=January 28, 2018}}</ref> |
|stip2 = [[Tag team match]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Benigno|first=Anthony|title=The Revival def. Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/2018/luke-gallows-karl-anderson-the-revival-results|work=[[WWE]]|date=January 28, 2018|access-date=January 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129141651/https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/2018/luke-gallows-karl-anderson-the-revival-results|archive-date=January 29, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> |
||
|time2 = 9:15 |
|time2 = 9:15 |
||
|pre2 = yes |
|pre2 = yes |
||
|match3 = [[Bobby Roode]] (c) defeated [[Mojo Rawley]] by [[pinfall]] |
|match3 = [[Bobby Roode]] (c) defeated [[Mojo Rawley]] by [[pinfall]] |
||
|stip3 = [[Singles match (professional wrestling)|Singles match]] for the [[WWE United States Championship]]<ref>{{cite web| |
|stip3 = [[Singles match (professional wrestling)|Singles match]] for the [[WWE United States Championship]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Melok|first=Bobby|title=United States Champion Bobby Roode def. Mojo Rawley (United States Championship Kickoff Match)|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/2018/united-states-championship-open-challenge-results|work=[[WWE]]|date=January 28, 2018|access-date=January 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129141744/https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/2018/united-states-championship-open-challenge-results|archive-date=January 29, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> |
||
|time3 = 7:45 |
|time3 = 7:45 |
||
|pre3 = yes |
|pre3 = yes |
||
|match4 = [[AJ Styles]] (c) defeated [[Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn]] by [[pinfall]] |
|match4 = [[AJ Styles]] (c) defeated [[Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn]] by [[pinfall]] |
||
|stip4 = [[Handicap match]] for the [[WWE Championship]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Melok|first=Bobby|title=WWE Champion AJ Styles def. Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/2018/aj-styles-kevin-owens-sami-zayn-results|work=[[WWE]]|date=January 28, 2018|access-date=January 28, 2018}}</ref> |
|stip4 = [[Handicap match]] for the [[WWE Championship]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Melok|first=Bobby|title=WWE Champion AJ Styles def. Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/2018/aj-styles-kevin-owens-sami-zayn-results|work=[[WWE]]|date=January 28, 2018|access-date=January 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129144827/https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/2018/aj-styles-kevin-owens-sami-zayn-results|archive-date=January 29, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> |
||
|time4 = 15:55 |
|time4 = 15:55 |
||
|match5 = [[The Usos]] ([[Jey Uso]] and [[Jimmy Uso]]) (c) defeated [[Chad Gable]] and [[Shelton Benjamin]] 2-0 |
|match5 = [[The Usos]] ([[Jey Uso]] and [[Jimmy Uso]]) (c) defeated [[Chad Gable]] and [[Shelton Benjamin]] 2-0 |
||
|stip5 = [[Two out of three falls match]] for the [[WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship]]<ref>{{cite web| |
|stip5 = [[Two out of three falls match]] for the [[WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Melok|first=Bobby|title=SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos def. Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin (2-out-of-3 Falls Match)|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/2018/the-usos-chad-gable-shelton-benjamin-results|work=[[WWE]]|date=January 28, 2018|access-date=January 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129195038/https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/2018/the-usos-chad-gable-shelton-benjamin-results|archive-date=January 29, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> |
||
|time5 = 13:55 |
|time5 = 13:55 |
||
|match6 = [[Shinsuke Nakamura]] won by last eliminating [[Roman Reigns]] |
|match6 = [[Shinsuke Nakamura]] won by last eliminating [[Roman Reigns]] |
||
|stip6 = 30-man [[Royal Rumble match]] for a [[Professional wrestling championship#World championships|world championship]] match at [[WrestleMania 34]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Benigno|first=Anthony|title=Shinsuke Nakamura won the 2018 Men's Royal Rumble Match|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/2018/30-man-royal-rumble-match-results|work=[[WWE]]|date=January 28, 2018|access-date=January 28, 2018}}</ref> |
|stip6 = 30-man [[Royal Rumble match]] for a [[Professional wrestling championship#World championships|world championship]] match at [[WrestleMania 34]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Benigno|first=Anthony|title=Shinsuke Nakamura won the 2018 Men's Royal Rumble Match|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/2018/30-man-royal-rumble-match-results|work=[[WWE]]|date=January 28, 2018|access-date=January 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129141433/https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/2018/30-man-royal-rumble-match-results|archive-date=January 29, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> |
||
|time6 = 1:05: |
|time6 = 1:05:27{{efn-lr|name=Men'sTime}} |
||
|match7 = [[ |
|match7 = [[Cesaro and Sheamus]] defeated [[Seth Rollins]] and [[Jason Jordan]] (c) by [[pinfall]] |
||
|stip7 = [[Tag team match]] for the [[WWE Raw Tag Team Championship]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Wortman|first=James|title=Sheamus & Cesaro def. Raw Tag Team Champions Seth Rollins & Jason Jordan|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/2018/seth-rollins-jason-jordan-sheamus-cesaro-results|work=[[WWE]]|date=January 28, 2018|access-date=January 28, 2018}}</ref> |
|stip7 = [[Tag team match]] for the [[WWE Raw Tag Team Championship]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Wortman|first=James|title=Sheamus & Cesaro def. Raw Tag Team Champions Seth Rollins & Jason Jordan|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/2018/seth-rollins-jason-jordan-sheamus-cesaro-results|work=[[WWE]]|date=January 28, 2018|access-date=January 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129144817/https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/2018/seth-rollins-jason-jordan-sheamus-cesaro-results|archive-date=January 29, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> |
||
|time7 = 12:50 |
|time7 = 12:50 |
||
|match8 = [[Brock Lesnar]] (c) (with [[Paul Heyman]]) defeated [[Kane (wrestler)|Kane]] and [[Braun Strowman]] by [[pinfall]] |
|match8 = [[Brock Lesnar]] (c) (with [[Paul Heyman]]) defeated [[Kane (wrestler)|Kane]] and [[Braun Strowman]] by [[pinfall]] |
||
|stip8 = [[Triple threat match]] for the [[WWE Universal Championship]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Wortman|first=James|title=Universal Champion Brock Lesnar def. Braun Strowman and Kane|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/2018/brock-lesnar-braun-strowman-kane-results|work=[[WWE]]|date=January 28, 2018|access-date=January 28, 2018}}</ref> |
|stip8 = [[Triple threat match]] for the [[WWE Universal Championship]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Wortman|first=James|title=Universal Champion Brock Lesnar def. Braun Strowman and Kane|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/2018/brock-lesnar-braun-strowman-kane-results|work=[[WWE]]|date=January 28, 2018|access-date=January 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129141723/https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/2018/brock-lesnar-braun-strowman-kane-results|archive-date=January 29, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> |
||
|time8 = 10:55 |
|time8 = 10:55 |
||
|match9 = [[Asuka (wrestler)|Asuka]] won by last eliminating [[Nikki Bella]] |
|match9 = [[Asuka (wrestler)|Asuka]] won by last eliminating [[Nikki Bella]] |
||
|stip9 = 30-woman Royal Rumble match for a [[Professional wrestling championship#Gender championships|women's championship]] match at WrestleMania 34<ref>{{cite web|last=Benigno|first=Anthony|title=Asuka won the first-ever Women's Royal Rumble Match; Ronda Rousey arrived|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/2018/30-woman-royal-rumble-match-results|work=[[WWE]]|date=January 28, 2018|access-date=January 28, 2018}}</ref> |
|stip9 = 30-woman [[Royal Rumble match]] for a [[Professional wrestling championship#Gender championships|women's championship]] match at [[WrestleMania 34]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Benigno|first=Anthony|title=Asuka won the first-ever Women's Royal Rumble Match; Ronda Rousey arrived|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/2018/30-woman-royal-rumble-match-results|work=[[WWE]]|date=January 28, 2018|access-date=January 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129051154/https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/2018/30-woman-royal-rumble-match-results|archive-date=January 29, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> |
||
|time9 = 58:57{{efn-lr|name= |
|time9 = 58:57{{efn-lr|name=Women'sTime}} |
||
}} |
}} |
||
Line 226: | Line 226: | ||
!Order |
!Order |
||
!Eliminated by |
!Eliminated by |
||
!Time<ref name="MensTimes">{{cite web|title=Full 2018 30-Man Royal Rumble Match statistics: entrants, eliminations, times and more|url= |
!Time{{efn-lr|name=Men'sTime|WWE lists the men's Royal Rumble match as lasting 1:05:27,<ref name="MensTimes">{{cite web|title=Full 2018 30-Man Royal Rumble Match statistics: entrants, eliminations, times and more|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/article/2018-royal-rumble-statistics-entrants-eliminations|work=[[WWE]]|date=January 28, 2018|author=WWE.com Staff|access-date=January 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129103548/https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/article/2018-royal-rumble-statistics-entrants-eliminations|archive-date=January 29, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> but ''Pro Wrestling Dot Net'' lists the match as lasting 1:05:35.<ref name="RR2018"/>}} |
||
!Elimination(s) |
!Elimination(s) |
||
|- style="background: #BBF;" |
|- style="background: #BBF;" |
||
| {{sort|01|1}}||[[Miro (wrestler)|Rusev]]||SmackDown||12||Bray Wyatt |
| {{sort|01|1}}||[[Miro (wrestler)|Rusev]]||SmackDown||12||Bray Wyatt and Matt Hardy||30:28||0 |
||
|- style="background: #FBB;" |
|- style="background: #FBB;" |
||
| {{sort|02|2}}||[[Finn Bálor]]||Raw||27||John Cena||57:38||4 |
| {{sort|02|2}}||[[Finn Bálor]]||Raw||27||John Cena||57:38||4 |
||
Line 279: | Line 279: | ||
| {{sort|25|25}}||[[Titus O'Neil]]||Raw||20||Roman Reigns||06:07||0 |
| {{sort|25|25}}||[[Titus O'Neil]]||Raw||20||Roman Reigns||06:07||0 |
||
|- style="background: #FBB;" |
|- style="background: #FBB;" |
||
| {{sort|26|26}}||[[The Miz]]||Raw||21||Roman Reigns |
| {{sort|26|26}}||[[The Miz]]||Raw||21||Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins||05:20||0 |
||
|- style="background: #FFF;" |
|- style="background: #FFF;" |
||
| {{sort|27|27}}||[[Rey Mysterio]]||Unbranded||26||Finn Bálor||09:40||1 |
| {{sort|27|27}}||[[Rey Mysterio]]||Unbranded||26||Finn Bálor||09:40||1 |
||
Line 292: | Line 292: | ||
(*) - [[Tye Dillinger]] was announced as the #10 entrant, but was attacked backstage by [[Kevin Owens]] and [[Sami Zayn]], resulting in Zayn taking his spot.<br> |
(*) - [[Tye Dillinger]] was announced as the #10 entrant, but was attacked backstage by [[Kevin Owens]] and [[Sami Zayn]], resulting in Zayn taking his spot.<br> |
||
(**) - [[Heath Slater]] spent significant time outside of the ring before officially entering the Rumble, due to being attacked by [[Baron Corbin]] and other wrestlers.<br> |
(**) - [[Heath Slater]] spent significant time outside of the ring before officially entering the Rumble, due to being attacked by [[Baron Corbin]] and other wrestlers.<br> |
||
(***) - WWE.com's official website lists Sheamus' time to be 20 seconds,<ref |
(***) - WWE.com's official website lists Sheamus' time to be 20 seconds,<ref name="MensTimes"/> but they have otherwise stated 2 seconds.<ref>{{cite tweet|number=957785468686536704|user=SeanRossSapp|title=Sheamus lasted 2.25 seconds|date=January 28, 2018|author=Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com|access-date=February 8, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet|number=959589290727690241|title=We need an official call on this... stop-clock anyone?|date=February 2, 2018|author=Sheamus|user=WWESheamus|access-date=February 8, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://popculture.com/wwe/2018/01/29/sheamus-royal-rumble-elimination-wwe/|title=The Royal Rumble Just Ruined Sheamus' Birthday|work=Popculture|access-date=February 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180202202443/https://popculture.com/wwe/2018/01/29/sheamus-royal-rumble-elimination-wwe/|date=January 28, 2018|archive-date=February 2, 2018|first=Jack|last=Snodgrass|url-status=live}}</ref><br> |
||
(****) - Matt Hardy eliminated himself at the same time he eliminated Bray Wyatt. |
(****) - Matt Hardy eliminated himself at the same time he eliminated Bray Wyatt. |
||
Line 312: | Line 312: | ||
!Order |
!Order |
||
!Eliminated by |
!Eliminated by |
||
!Time{{efn-lr|name= |
!Time{{efn-lr|name=Women'sTime|WWE lists the women's Royal Rumble match as lasting 58:57,<ref name="WomensTimes">{{cite web|title=Full first-ever Women's Royal Rumble Match statistics: entrants, eliminations, times and more|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/2018/article/2018-first-ever-womens-royal-rumble-statistics-entrants-eliminations|work=[[WWE]]|date=January 28, 2018|author=WWE.com Staff|access-date=January 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129144756/https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/2018/article/2018-first-ever-womens-royal-rumble-statistics-entrants-eliminations|archive-date=January 29, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> although ''Pro Wrestling Dot Net'' lists the match as lasting 59:10.<ref name="RR2018"/>}} |
||
!Elimination(s) |
!Elimination(s) |
||
|- style="background: #FBB;" |
|- style="background: #FBB;" |
||
Line 377: | Line 377: | ||
{{notelist-lr}} |
{{notelist-lr}} |
||
(*) - [[Kairi Sane]] was a last minute replacement for [[Alicia Fox]], who was originally scheduled to participate in the match, but got injured just prior to the event.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fightful.com/alicia-fox-jokes-about-her-broken-tailbone|title=Alicia Fox Jokes About Her Broken Tailbone Injury|date=February 3, 2018|last=Thompson|first=Andrew|work=Fightful |
(*) - [[Kairi Sane]] was a last minute replacement for [[Alicia Fox]], who was originally scheduled to participate in the match, but got injured just prior to the event.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fightful.com/alicia-fox-jokes-about-her-broken-tailbone|title=Alicia Fox Jokes About Her Broken Tailbone Injury|date=February 3, 2018|last=Thompson|first=Andrew|work=Fightful|access-date=February 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180217024048/https://www.fightful.com/alicia-fox-jokes-about-her-broken-tailbone|archive-date=February 17, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> |
||
==References== |
==References== |
Revision as of 19:54, 11 April 2023
Royal Rumble | |||
---|---|---|---|
![]() Promotional poster featuring various WWE wrestlers | |||
Promotion | WWE | ||
Brand(s) | Raw SmackDown | ||
Date | January 28, 2018 | ||
City | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | ||
Venue | Wells Fargo Center | ||
Attendance | 17,629[1] | ||
WWE Network event chronology | |||
| |||
Royal Rumble chronology | |||
|
The 2018 Royal Rumble was the 31st annual Royal Rumble professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) and livestreaming event produced by WWE. It was held for wrestlers from the promotion's Raw and SmackDown brand divisions. The event took place on January 28, 2018, at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was the third Royal Rumble held at this venue after the 2004 and 2015 events, and was the first to include a women's Royal Rumble match, and consequently, two Royal Rumble matches, which is now standard for the event.
Traditionally, the Royal Rumble match winner receives a world championship match at that year's WrestleMania. With the introduction of a women's Royal Rumble match, two Royal Rumble matches were contested on the card with the winners of each receiving a choice of which championship to challenge for at WrestleMania 34. The men could choose to challenge for either Raw's Universal Championship or SmackDown's WWE Championship, while the women had the choice between the Raw Women's Championship and the SmackDown Women's Championship.
In total, nine matches were contested at the event, including three on the Kickoff pre-show. In the main event, Raw's Asuka won the first-ever women's Royal Rumble match by last eliminating SmackDown's Nikki Bella. This was also the second women's match to main event a WWE pay-per-view, and the first to main event one of WWE's "Big Four" pay-per-views. The men's Royal Rumble match was won by SmackDown's Shinsuke Nakamura, who last eliminated Raw's Roman Reigns. Other prominent matches included Brock Lesnar retaining Raw's Universal Championship in a triple threat match against Braun Strowman and Kane, and AJ Styles retained SmackDown's WWE Championship against Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn in a handicap match. The event was also notable for the surprise debut of former UFC mixed martial artist Ronda Rousey following the women's Rumble match, officially confirming that she had signed full-time with WWE.
Production
Background
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/50/Wells_Fargo_Center_-_2019_OWL_Grand_Finals.jpg/220px-Wells_Fargo_Center_-_2019_OWL_Grand_Finals.jpg)
The Royal Rumble is an annual gimmick event produced every January by WWE since 1988. It is one of the promotion's original four pay-per-views (PPV), along with WrestleMania, SummerSlam, and Survivor Series, dubbed the "Big Four".[2] It is named after the Royal Rumble match, a modified battle royal in which the participants enter at timed intervals instead of all beginning in the ring at the same time. Announced on January 26, 2017, the 2018 event was the 31st Royal Rumble and was scheduled to be held on January 28, 2018, at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was the third Royal Rumble held at this venue after the 2004 and 2015 events. It featured wrestlers from the Raw and SmackDown brand divisions with some NXT wrestlers and WWE veterans appearing in the Royal Rumble matches. The event aired on pay-per-view worldwide and was available to livestream on the WWE Network. Tickets went on sale July 29.[3][4]
The Royal Rumble match generally features 30 wrestlers and the winner traditionally earns a world championship match at that year's WrestleMania.[5][6] It was originally only contested by male wrestlers. However, for 2018, Raw Commissioner Stephanie McMahon scheduled the first-ever women's Royal Rumble match to be held at the 2018 Royal Rumble, which consequently made the 2018 event the first to include two Rumble matches, which is now standard. As a result, the winners of each match received a choice of which championship to challenge for at WrestleMania 34. The men could choose to challenge for either Raw's Universal Championship or SmackDown's WWE Championship, while the women had the choice between the Raw Women's Championship and the SmackDown Women's Championship.[7]
Storylines
The event comprised nine matches, including three on the Kickoff pre-show, that resulted from scripted storylines, where wrestlers portrayed heroes, villains, or less distinguishable characters in scripted events that built tension and culminated in a wrestling match or series of matches. Results were predetermined by WWE's writers on the Raw and SmackDown brands,[8][9] while storylines were produced on WWE's weekly television shows, Monday Night Raw, SmackDown Live,[10] and the cruiserweight-exclusive 205 Live.[11]
On the October 16, 2017, episode of Raw, Kane returned from a ten-month hiatus and helped Braun Strowman to defeat Roman Reigns in a Steel Cage match. Kane was then added to Strowman's team at TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs in the 5-on-3 handicap Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match.[12] During the match, Kane accidentally hit Strowman with a chair, which caused tension between the two. Later on in the match, Kane turned on Strowman and crushed him in the back of a garbage truck; their team ultimately lost.[13] The two then feuded over the next several weeks, leading to a match on the December 11 episode to determine the number one contender against Brock Lesnar for the Universal Championship at the Royal Rumble, but the match ended in a double countout.[14] Raw General Manager Kurt Angle then decided that Lesnar would defend the title against both Kane and Strowman in a triple threat match at the event.[15] On the January 8 episode, Kane attacked Lesnar from behind, followed by an attack from Strowman. After laying Kane and Lesnar out backstage, Strowman knocked over a lighting rig and crushed both. Lesnar was taken to a medical facility while Kane refused medical attention.[16] Due to his actions, Strowman was removed from the triple threat match and fired by Angle. Strowman went on a rampage backstage, including destroying Angle's office and flipping over a tractor. Before he could do any more damage, Raw Commissioner Stephanie McMahon rehired Strowman, putting him back into the Universal Championship match at the Royal Rumble.[17]
After Survivor Series, several women from NXT were promoted to the main rosters of both Raw and SmackDown. On the November 20, 2017, episode of Raw, Paige, who had been out with an injury since June 2016, returned along with the debuts of NXT's Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville, forming the heel group Absolution,[18] while similarly on the November 21 episode of SmackDown, NXT's Ruby Riott, Liv Morgan, and Sarah Logan debuted and formed the heel group The Riott Squad.[19] On the December 18, 2017, episode of Raw, with a larger roster of women on the main rosters, Raw Commissioner Stephanie McMahon scheduled the first-ever women's Royal Rumble match for the 2018 Royal Rumble, with the winner receiving a match at WrestleMania 34 for the top championship of their choice: Raw's Women's Championship or SmackDown's Women's Championship.[15] Both brands' respective commissioners and general managers agreed that the women's match would have all of the same rules as the men's match, including having 30 participants.[20] Stephanie was announced to join the commentary team for the women's match,[21] and television host Maria Menounos was announced to be the special guest ring announcer.[22][23]
At Clash of Champions, SmackDown's Commissioner Shane McMahon and General Manager Daniel Bryan both refereed a tag team match pitting Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn against Randy Orton and Shinsuke Nakamura, where Owens and Zayn would have been fired from WWE had they lost. During the match, there was controversy between Shane and Bryan, which resulted in Bryan giving a fast count for Owens and Zayn to win.[24] Tensions between Shane and Bryan continued over the next couple of weeks, culminating on the final SmackDown of 2017, when Bryan scheduled Owens to face WWE Champion AJ Styles in a non-title match in the main event, much to the disapproval of Shane, who felt that Owens should not be in the main event, or facing the WWE Champion. That match ended when Zayn interfered, allowing Owens to win.[25] The next week, Zayn would also defeat Styles in a non-title match after interference from Owens. Enraged at back-to-back losses, Styles stated they might as well schedule him in a handicap match against Owens and Zayn, which Bryan took literally and scheduled for the Royal Rumble where Styles would also defend the WWE Championship against both men.[26] On the January 9 episode of SmackDown, Styles said that although it was unfair, he was confident that he would win; Owens and Zayn interrupted and claimed that they would become the first-ever co-WWE Champions.[27] On the final SmackDown before the Royal Rumble, Styles faced Owens and Zayn in back-to-back matches where Shane threatened that if one were to interfere in the other's match, that person would be fired. Styles managed to defeat Owens in the first match by submission, however, he would lose to Zayn in the second match.[28]
On the December 18, 2017, episode of Raw, Seth Rollins' tag team partner Dean Ambrose was injured by Samoa Joe.[15] The following week, despite both wanting to take on Joe to avenge Ambrose, Raw General Manager Kurt Angle instead had his (storyline) son, Jason Jordan, and Rollins team up to face Cesaro and Sheamus for the Raw Tag Team Championship; Jordan and Rollins defeated Cesaro and Sheamus to win the championship.[29] After the former champions confronted Angle about their contractual rematch, Angle scheduled it for the Royal Rumble.[16] On the January 15 episode, Jordan caused a distraction, allowing Titus Worldwide (Apollo Crews and Titus O'Neil) to again defeat Cesaro and Sheamus in a rematch from the previous week, which Rollins disapproved of as he did not like Jordan acting on his own. Cesaro and Sheamus would try and return the favor during Rollins' match against Finn Bálor, but it backfired, resulting in Rollins winning, and Cesaro and Sheamus brawling with Bálor Club members, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson, at ringside.[17] On Raw 25 the next week, Jordan and Rollins were the guests on Christian's The Peep Show, which Cesaro and Sheamus interrupted and the two teams brawled where Rollins accidentally hit Jordan with a knee attack that was intended for Cesaro.[30]
At Clash of Champions, The Usos (Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso) retained the SmackDown Tag Team Championship in a fatal four-way match against Rusev and Aiden English, The New Day's Big E and Xavier Woods, and Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin.[24] On the following episode of SmackDown, Gable and Benjamin defeated The Usos in a non-title match,[31] and they were awarded with a championship match on the first SmackDown of 2018, where they defeated The Usos to initially win the titles after pinning Jimmy Uso; however, Jimmy was not the legal man, and thus the match was restarted and The Usos retained their championship.[26] The following week, Gable and Benjamin confronted SmackDown General Manager Daniel Bryan over the incident. After questioning if they should have to defeat The Usos twice in the same night, Bryan decided that at the Royal Rumble, The Usos would defend the SmackDown Tag Team Championship against Gable and Benjamin in a two out of three falls match.[27]
On January 26, three matches were announced for the Royal Rumble Kickoff pre-show. For SmackDown, it was announced that United States Champion Bobby Roode would have an open challenge for the title. Two tag team matches were scheduled for Raw: a rematch between Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson and The Revival (Dash Wilder and Scott Dawson) from Raw 25, and a six-man tag team match for the cruiserweight division with Kalisto, Gran Metalik, and Lince Dorado against Drew Gulak, TJP, and Gentleman Jack Gallagher.[22]
Cancellations
Two other matches had been promoted for the event, but were later removed.
The first was the tournament final for SmackDown's then-vacant United States Championship. Originally scheduled for the PPV, the finals were instead contested on the January 16 episode of SmackDown, where Bobby Roode defeated Jinder Mahal to win the title.[32]
The second was a championship match for the Raw brand where WWE Cruiserweight Champion Enzo Amore was scheduled to defend the title against Cedric Alexander.[17] However, after Amore was suspended from WWE on January 22 due to allegations of sexual harassment and sexual assault, the match was canceled. Amore was released the next day and the title was vacated.[33][34]
Event
Role: | Name: |
---|---|
English commentators | Michael Cole (Raw/both Royal Rumble matches) |
Corey Graves (all matches) | |
Booker T (Raw) | |
Tom Phillips (SmackDown) | |
Byron Saxton (SmackDown/Men's Royal Rumble match/Six-man tag team match) | |
Vic Joseph (Six-man tag team match) | |
Jerry Lawler (Men's Royal Rumble match) | |
Stephanie McMahon (Women's Royal Rumble match) | |
Spanish commentators | Carlos Cabrera |
Marcelo Rodríguez | |
German commentators | Carsten Schaefer |
Tim Haber | |
Calvin Knie | |
Ring announcers | Greg Hamilton (SmackDown/Men's Royal Rumble match) |
JoJo (Raw) | |
Maria Menounos (Women's Royal Rumble match) | |
Referees | Jason Ayers |
Shawn Bennett | |
Mike Chioda | |
John Cone | |
Dan Engler | |
Chad Patton | |
Charles Robinson | |
Rod Zapata | |
Interviewer | Renee Young |
Pre-show panel | Renee Young |
Peter Rosenberg | |
David Otunga | |
Jerry Lawler | |
John "Bradshaw" Layfield | |
Alundra Blayze | |
Ric Flair |
Pre-show
Three matches were contested during the Royal Rumble Kickoff pre-show. In the first match - featuring the cruiserweight division - Kalisto, Gran Metalik, and Lince Dorado faced TJP, Gentleman Jack Gallagher, and Drew Gulak in a six-man tag team match. Kalisto performed a "Salida Del Sol" on TJP to score the win.[35]
Next, also from Raw, The Revival (Dash Wilder and Scott Dawson) faced Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson. Dawson performed a chop block on Anderson to score the win.[35]
Finally, SmackDown's United States Champion Bobby Roode issued an open challenge, which was answered by fellow SmackDown wrestler Mojo Rawley. Roode performed a "Glorious DDT" on Rawley to score the pinfall and retain the title.[35]
Preliminary matches
The actual pay-per-view opened with AJ Styles defending the WWE Championship against Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn in a handicap match. In the end, Styles threw Zayn out of the ring and immediately Owens performed a superkick on Styles. Owens - who was not the legal man - attempted a pop up powerbomb on Styles, who countered into a roll up to retain the title. In a backstage segment, Owens and Zayn confronted SmackDown Commissioner Shane McMahon about the incident; however, after questioning if he saw what had happened, Shane smiled, replied "Yep", and walked off.[36]
Next, The Usos (Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso) defended the SmackDown Tag Team Championship against Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin in a two out of three falls match. Jimmy and Jey performed a double superkick on Gable, who was kneeling, to score the first fall. Jey then pinned Benjamin with a small package to score the second fall to retain the titles.[36]
After that, the 30-man Royal Rumble match for a world championship match at WrestleMania 34 was contested. Rusev and Finn Bálor began the match as the first and second entrants, respectively. Baron Corbin (#4) eliminated Rhyno (#3), but was eliminated by Bálor. Corbin attacked Bálor, Rusev, and Heath Slater (#5), who just made his entrance. NXT Champion Andrade "Cien" Almas was a surprise entrant at #7. Tye Dillinger was scheduled to be #10, but was attacked backstage by Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn, resulting in Zayn taking Dillinger's spot. Shinsuke Nakamura entered at #14 and eliminated Zayn. John Cena entered at #20 and eliminated Elias (#6) and The Hurricane (a surprise entrant at #21). NXT's Adam Cole, another surprise entrant, entered at #23. Randy Orton (#24) performed an "RKO" on Almas and eliminated him after a near 30-minute run. Rey Mysterio, another surprise entrant, entered at #27 and eliminated Cole. Roman Reigns entered at #28 and eliminated Titus O'Neil (#25). Reigns and Seth Rollins (#18) teamed up and performed a powerbomb on The Miz (#26) over the top rope to eliminate him, after which, Reigns immediately eliminated Rollins. Dolph Ziggler, making his return after vacating the United States Championship, entered at #30 and eliminated Goldust (#29), but was eliminated by Bálor. Reigns performed a superman punch on Orton and eliminated Orton. Mysterio performed a "619" on Cena and Reigns, but was eliminated by Bálor. Bálor, Nakamura, Cena, and Reigns were the final four. Cena eliminated Bálor (who lasted nearly an hour) and immediately afterwards fought with Nakamura, who performed a "Kinshasa" on Cena to eliminate him. Nakamura attacked Reigns and attempted a "Kinshasa", however, Reigns countered into a spear. As Reigns attempted to eliminate Nakamura, Nakamura countered, performed a "Kinshasa" on Reigns and then eliminated Reigns to win the match. Afterward, Renee Young interviewed Nakamura and asked which world championship he wanted to challenge for at WrestleMania 34. He called out WWE Champion AJ Styles, thus choosing the WWE Championship and staying on SmackDown.[36]
Next, Seth Rollins and Jason Jordan defended the Raw Tag Team Championship against Cesaro and Sheamus. During the match, Jordan sustained a head injury (after being thrown into the ring post by Cesaro), rendering him unable to compete. In the end, Sheamus and Cesaro performed a "White Noise"/diving neckbreaker combination on Rollins to win the titles for a record-setting fourth time as a team, and a record-setting fifth time for Cesaro individually.[36]
In the fifth match, Brock Lesnar (accompanied by Paul Heyman) defended the Universal Championship against Braun Strowman and Kane in a triple threat match. Lesnar drove Kane into a corner, but Strowman caught Lesnar and drove him into the opposite corner. Strowman attacked Lesnar with a running dropkick and performed a clothesline on Kane. As Lesnar attempted an "F-5" on Strowman, Kane performed a chokeslam on Lesnar. Before he could cover him, Strowman attacked Kane, drove him back into his corner, and performed 2 headbutts on him. As Kane attempted a chokeslam on Strowman, Lesnar struck Kane with a chair, only for Strowman to punch the chair out of Lesnar's hand, perform a clothesline on him, and throw him and Kane outside the ring. At ringside, Strowman drove Lesnar into the barricade and struck Kane with the steel steps. Strowman retrieved 2 tables under the ring and brought Kane back in the ring. Strowman positioned both tables at 2 opposite corners, with one standing up and the other next to the turnbuckles. As Kane attempted a chokeslam on Strowman, the latter countered into his own chokeslam on Kane. However, Lesnar broke up the pinfall at a two count and performed three German suplexes on Strowman. Strowman performed a running powerslam on Lesnar through the standing table, only for Kane to break up the pinfall at a two count. As Strowman attempted another powerslam on Kane through the other table, the latter then drove Strowman through it instead, and performed a chokeslam on him, with Lesnar breaking up the pinfall at a two count. Lesnar performed an "F-5" on Kane, but before he could cover him, Strowman performed a German suplex on Lesnar, who rolled outside the ring. Once again at ringside, Strowman drove Lesnar into the barricade. Lesnar then performed an "F-5" on Strowman through an announce table and overturned another announce table on top of Strowman (in a reversal of what happened last year at Summerslam; though where Lesnar had to be stretchered out and then returned, Strowman stood back up in defiance). As Kane attempted a chokeslam on Lesnar, the latter countered and then performed another "F-5" on Kane through a third announce table. Strowman recovered and performed a kick to Lesnar, who fell head-first into the steel steps. Back in the ring, Strowman performed two running powerslams on Lesnar, but Kane returned and struck Strowman with a chair, driving him outside the ring. As Kane attempted a Tombstone piledriver on Lesnar, the latter shoved Kane into Strowman (who was about to return to the ring), knocking him off the ring apron. Lesnar performed an "F-5" on Kane onto the chair and pinned him to retain the title. After the match, an enraged Strowman returned to the ring and yelled at Lesnar that he did not beat and pin him.[36]
Main event
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7a/Ronda_Rousey_retouch.jpg/170px-Ronda_Rousey_retouch.jpg)
The main event was the first-ever 30-woman Royal Rumble match for a women's championship match at WrestleMania 34. Sasha Banks and Becky Lynch were the first and second entrants, respectively. There were numerous surprise entrants throughout the match - including Hall of Famers Lita, Jacqueline, Beth Phoenix, and Trish Stratus; NXT wrestlers Kairi Sane and NXT Women's Champion Ember Moon; and past stars Torrie Wilson, Molly Holly, Michelle McCool (who scored the most eliminations at 5), Vickie Guerrero, and Kelly Kelly. SmackDown's Nikki Bella, who had been on hiatus since WrestleMania 33, and Brie Bella were also unannounced entrants. Banks, Asuka (#25), Nikki, and Brie were the final four. Banks, Nikki, and Brie attacked Asuka, after which, Nikki and Brie eliminated Banks (who lasted the longest at nearly 55 minutes). Asuka attacked Nikki and Brie, but Nikki performed a "Rack Attack 2.0" on Asuka and then eliminated Brie. After a back-and-forth exchange, Asuka eliminated Nikki to win the match and earn a women's championship match at WrestleMania 34. After the match, Raw Women's Champion Alexa Bliss and SmackDown Women's Champion Charlotte Flair entered the ring. Before Asuka could make her decision for which title she wanted to challenge for, they were interrupted by the surprise appearance of former UFC star Ronda Rousey, officially confirming she had signed full-time with WWE. Rousey pointed to the WrestleMania sign and offered a handshake to Asuka, who refused. Rousey then shook hands with Raw Commissioner Stephanie McMahon as the event ended. The jacket which Rousey wore during this appearance belonged to lifelong idol Roddy Piper, whose son let her borrow it.[36][38]
Aftermath
Raw
On Raw the following night, Raw Commissioner Stephanie McMahon convinced Asuka to wait until after Elimination Chamber to make her decision, as Raw Women's Champion Alexa Bliss was scheduled to defend her title in the first-ever women's Elimination Chamber match, and the result may affect Asuka's decision. Asuka was then confronted by Sasha Banks, who spent the longest time in the Royal Rumble match, and Banks challenged Asuka to a match that Asuka won.[39] Banks, along with Bayley, Mandy Rose, Mickie James, and Sonya Deville were announced as the other competitors in the Elimination Chamber match. Nia Jax was also scheduled to face Asuka at Elimination Chamber where if she were to win, she would be added to the Asuka's championship match at WrestleMania.[40] On the February 12 episode of Raw, it was announced that Ronda Rousey would sign her Raw contract at Elimination Chamber.[41] At SmackDown's Fastlane pay-per-view, Asuka appeared and decided to challenge Charlotte Flair for the SmackDown Women's Championship at WrestleMania.[42]
Since Shinsuke Nakamura decided to stay on SmackDown to challenge for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 34, Raw General Manager Kurt Angle scheduled a number one contender's Elimination Chamber match at the namesake event to determine who would face Brock Lesnar for the Universal Championship at WrestleMania. Six qualification matches were scheduled over the next couple of weeks. Braun Strowman and Kane battled in a Last Man Standing match, which Strowman won to qualify. After the match, Kane was taken to a local hospital.[39] Elias, John Cena, Roman Reigns, Intercontinental Champion The Miz, Finn Bálor, and Seth Rollins also qualified, marking the first seven-man Elimination Chamber match.[39][40][41]
New Raw Tag Team Champions Cesaro and Sheamus defended their titles against Titus Worldwide (Apollo Crews and Titus O'Neil), as they had beaten Cesaro and Sheamus two weeks in a row prior to the Royal Rumble; Cesaro and Sheamus retained.[39] The following week, Jason Jordan and Seth Rollins were scheduled to have their contractual rematch, but after Jordan was deemed unable to compete, he was replaced by Roman Reigns. Jordan, however, accidentally caused them to be disqualified.[40]
SmackDown
On the following episode of SmackDown, Shinsuke Nakamura celebrated his win at the Royal Rumble, and said he would become the new WWE Champion at WrestleMania 34. He was interrupted by Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn, who said that they should be the co-WWE Champions, but the referee failed at his job at the Royal Rumble. WWE Champion AJ Styles came out and said that Owens and Zayn could complain all they want, but there would be a dream match at WrestleMania between him and Nakamura. Styles then suggested to have a dream team that night with him and Nakamura facing Owens and Zayn, which SmackDown General Manager Daniel Bryan made official for later that night in which Styles and Nakamura won. During the match, there were tensions between Owens and Zayn as Bryan had also scheduled them to face each other the following week to determine the number one contender for the WWE Championship at Fastlane.[43][44] The championship match at Fastlane then became a fatal five-way match also involving Baron Corbin and Dolph Ziggler,[45] and finally a six-pack challenge when John Cena qualified by defeating Styles in a non-title match.[46]
In the mid-card, a fatal four-way match between Kofi Kingston of The New Day, Jinder Mahal, Zack Ryder, and Rusev occurred to determine the number one contender against Bobby Roode for the United States Championship, which was won by Rusev,[43] who was unsuccessful in winning the title.[44] Also following the Royal Rumble, SmackDown General Manager Daniel Bryan revealed the first-ever "SmackDown Top Ten List" as voted on by the SmackDown roster to see who the wrestlers thought should get a title opportunity.[43][44] This played into a storyline between Roode, who ranked fifth, Randy Orton, who ranked ninth, and Jinder Mahal, who did not rank, resulting in SmackDown Commissioner Shane McMahon scheduling Roode to defend the U.S. Championship against Orton at Fastlane.[47]
In the women's division, SmackDown Women's Champion Charlotte Flair praised the first-ever women's Royal Rumble match, but wished that she could have competed in it. She addressed Ronda Rousey's debut and questioned who her WrestleMania 34 opponent would be. The Riott Squad interrupted and Ruby Riott said Flair would not make it to WrestleMania and they attacked Flair. Carmella came out to try and cash-in her Money in the Bank briefcase on Flair, but was not able to as she accidentally knocked out the referee before the bell could ring.[43] After feuding with The Riott Squad over the next few weeks, Flair was scheduled to defend her title against Riott at Fastlane.[47]
205 Live
On 205 Live, Drake Maverick (formerly known as Rockstar Spud in Impact Wrestling) was appointed as the 205 Live General Manager. Maverick announced that there would be a 16-man single elimination tournament to crown a new WWE Cruiserweight Champion, with the finals to occur at WrestleMania 34.[48]
Results
Men's Royal Rumble match entrances and eliminations
Brand
Draw | Entrant | Brand/Status | Order | Eliminated by | Time[i] | Elimination(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Rusev | SmackDown | 12 | Bray Wyatt and Matt Hardy | 30:28 | 0 |
2 | Finn Bálor | Raw | 27 | John Cena | 57:38 | 4 |
3 | Rhyno | Raw | 1 | Baron Corbin | 02:06 | 0 |
4 | Baron Corbin | SmackDown | 2 | Finn Bálor | 01:06 | 1 |
5 | Heath Slater | Raw | 4 | Bray Wyatt | 00:33** | 1 |
6 | Elias | Raw | 15 | John Cena | 26:00 | 0 |
7 | Andrade "Cien" Almas | NXT | 18 | Randy Orton | 29:24 | 1 |
8 | Bray Wyatt | Raw | 13 | Matt Hardy | 20:38 | 2 |
9 | Big E | SmackDown | 8 | Jinder Mahal | 14:14 | 0 |
10 | Sami Zayn* | SmackDown | 5 | Shinsuke Nakamura | 06:57 | 0 |
11 | Sheamus | Raw | 3 | Heath Slater | 00:02*** | 0 |
12 | Xavier Woods | SmackDown | 7 | Jinder Mahal | 08:24 | 0 |
13 | Apollo Crews | Raw | 6 | Cesaro | 05:16 | 0 |
14 | Shinsuke Nakamura | SmackDown | — | Winner | 44:38 | 3 |
15 | Cesaro | Raw | 9 | Seth Rollins | 05:08 | 1 |
16 | Kofi Kingston | SmackDown | 11 | Andrade "Cien" Almas | 05:41 | 1 |
17 | Jinder Mahal | SmackDown | 10 | Kofi Kingston | 03:48 | 2 |
18 | Seth Rollins | Raw | 22 | Roman Reigns | 19:01 | 2 |
19 | Matt Hardy | Raw | 14 | Himself**** | 01:17 | 2 |
20 | John Cena | Unbranded | 28 | Shinsuke Nakamura | 29:14 | 3 |
21 | The Hurricane | Unbranded | 16 | John Cena | 00:45 | 0 |
22 | Aiden English | SmackDown | 17 | Finn Bálor | 02:16 | 0 |
23 | Adam Cole | NXT | 19 | Rey Mysterio | 06:52 | 0 |
24 | Randy Orton | SmackDown | 25 | Roman Reigns | 13:55 | 1 |
25 | Titus O'Neil | Raw | 20 | Roman Reigns | 06:07 | 0 |
26 | The Miz | Raw | 21 | Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins | 05:20 | 0 |
27 | Rey Mysterio | Unbranded | 26 | Finn Bálor | 09:40 | 1 |
28 | Roman Reigns | Raw | 29 | Shinsuke Nakamura | 21:52 | 4 |
29 | Goldust | Raw | 23 | Dolph Ziggler | 02:43 | 0 |
30 | Dolph Ziggler | SmackDown | 24 | Finn Bálor | 02:01 | 1 |
(*) - Tye Dillinger was announced as the #10 entrant, but was attacked backstage by Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn, resulting in Zayn taking his spot.
(**) - Heath Slater spent significant time outside of the ring before officially entering the Rumble, due to being attacked by Baron Corbin and other wrestlers.
(***) - WWE.com's official website lists Sheamus' time to be 20 seconds,[58] but they have otherwise stated 2 seconds.[59][60][61]
(****) - Matt Hardy eliminated himself at the same time he eliminated Bray Wyatt.
Women's Royal Rumble match entrances and eliminations
Brand
- – Raw
- – SmackDown
- – NXT
- - Unbranded
- – Hall of Famer (HOF)
- – Winner
Draw | Entrant | Brand/ Status |
Order | Eliminated by | Time[ii] | Elimination(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Sasha Banks | Raw | 27 | Brie Bella & Nikki Bella | 54:46 | 3 |
2 | Becky Lynch | SmackDown | 14 | Ruby Riott | 30:54 | 2 |
3 | Sarah Logan | SmackDown | 7 | Molly Holly | 16:30 | 0 |
4 | Mandy Rose | Raw | 1 | Lita | 03:52 | 0 |
5 | Lita | HOF | 3 | Becky Lynch | 05:51 | 2 |
6 | Kairi Sane* | NXT | 4 | Dana Brooke | 04:49 | 0 |
7 | Tamina | SmackDown | 2 | Lita | 01:34 | 0 |
8 | Dana Brooke | Raw | 5 | Torrie Wilson | 02:59 | 1 |
9 | Torrie Wilson | Unbranded | 6 | Sonya Deville | 03:04 | 1 |
10 | Sonya Deville | Raw | 8 | Michelle McCool | 06:41 | 1 |
11 | Liv Morgan | SmackDown | 9 | Michelle McCool | 05:12 | 0 |
12 | Molly Holly | Unbranded | 10 | Michelle McCool | 04:04 | 1 |
13 | Lana | SmackDown | 11 | Michelle McCool | 02:54 | 0 |
14 | Michelle McCool | Unbranded | 13 | Natalya | 08:38 | 5 |
15 | Ruby Riott | SmackDown | 17 | Nia Jax | 11:32 | 2 |
16 | Vickie Guerrero | Unbranded | 12 | Becky Lynch, Michelle McCool, Ruby Riott, & Sasha Banks | 00:57 | 0 |
17 | Carmella | SmackDown | 21 | Nikki Bella | 18:45 | 0 |
18 | Natalya | SmackDown | 25 | Trish Stratus | 25:34 | 3 |
19 | Kelly Kelly | Unbranded | 16 | Nia Jax | 05:02 | 0 |
20 | Naomi | SmackDown | 18 | Nia Jax | 06:49 | 0 |
21 | Jacqueline | HOF | 15 | Nia Jax | 01:52 | 0 |
22 | Nia Jax | Raw | 23 | Asuka, Bayley, Brie Bella, Natalya, Nikki Bella, & Trish Stratus | 17:56 | 4 |
23 | Ember Moon | NXT | 20 | Asuka | 06:14 | 0 |
24 | Beth Phoenix | HOF | 19 | Natalya | 02:22 | 0 |
25 | Asuka | Raw | — | Winner | 19:41 | 3 |
26 | Mickie James | Raw | 22 | Trish Stratus | 08:24 | 0 |
27 | Nikki Bella | Unbranded | 29 | Asuka | 16:30 | 4 |
28 | Brie Bella | Unbranded | 28 | Nikki Bella | 11:58 | 2 |
29 | Bayley | Raw | 24 | Sasha Banks | 05:04 | 1 |
30 | Trish Stratus | HOF | 26 | Sasha Banks | 05:36 | 3 |
(*) - Kairi Sane was a last minute replacement for Alicia Fox, who was originally scheduled to participate in the match, but got injured just prior to the event.[63]
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