Connor Macgregor Reviews...Professional Wrestling Events [Archive]

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MovieMad16

02-14-25, 04:09 PM

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I'm a big fan of professional wrestling.

Watching it on and off since I was a kid, it has been something of a recurring factor in my cultural appetite over the last several decades, with a renewed appreciation for it over the last few years.

WWE, AEW, TNA, WCW, ECW, the independent circuit, Japan, Mexico, Europe, etc.

There's a scene almost everywhere, and a rich history to dig up and dissect as they get richer as the years go by. It seemed only yesterday that I was in front of my TV watching The Rock, Stone Cold, The Undertaker, Triple H, Kane, etc tearing each other apart in the ring, backstage, even in the outside of the arena, adding a sense of unpredictability and fever pitch excitement of being entertained of people fighting and brawling over anything from a championship belt to just plain seething hatred for one another. I grew up and then wrestlers like John Cena, Batista, Brock Lesnar, Randy Orton, Eddie Guerrero, Chris Benoit, etc all took the spotlight as well as other promotions highlighting talent like AJ Styles, Samoa Joe, Jeff Jarrett, The Motor City Machine Guns in smaller yet just as innovative promotions.

I want to start a thread reviewing wrestling after pondering for it for so long. And I feel 2025 is a good time to start. Catching up with others, and evaluating Wrestling in my own way with my own knowledge and taste. I'll try to explain as much as I can the terms, backstories, wrestlers and why I like one match and detest another. If you're a fan, hopefully this might inspire your own much like the review threads.

StuSmallz

02-17-25, 05:05 AM

MovieMad16

02-26-25, 06:42 AM

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Connor Macgregor Reviews....

WWE Royal Rumble 2004

World Tag Team Championship
Tables Match
Evolution (Ric Flair & Batista) © Vs The Dudley Boyz

WWE Cruiserweight Championship
Rey Mysterio © Vs Jamie Noble/W Nidia

Eddie Guerrero Vs Chavo Guerrero

WWE Championship
Brock Lesnar © Vs Hardcore Holly

World Heavyweight Championship
Last Man Standing Match
Triple H © Vs Shawn Michaels

30 Man Royal Rumble Match

In the spirit of Royal Rumble season, we’ll start my first wrestling review with a rumble show I have a lot of affection for as it’s been one of my favourites over time. Controversial with the rumble match’s winner, the event overall though remains a very strong show with feuds bubbling away for the upcoming 20th edition of Wrestlemania at Madison Square Garden. Six matches on the card (small compared to other Pay-Per-Views), held at the Wachovia Center (now the Wells Fargo Center) at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with a 17,289 attendance documented and a 582,000 buy rate in the US.

Before The Event
- A lot of wrestlers competing in the Royal Rumble Match finding out their numbers and either being happy or pissed at their entry number.
- Latin American wrestler Eddie Guerrero airing his frustration and anger over his nephew Chavo Guerrero betraying him some weeks ago, leading to their match later that night.
- Dark Match: Victoria Vs Molly Holly: A non-title match as Molly Holly is the WWE Women’s Champion. Victoria is accompanied by Steven Richards, her ‘friend’ if you catch my drift. Not sure who the face/heel is but a quick 5-minute match to warm up the crowd. Victoria wins clean with a Widows Peak in under 5 minutes. Not bad, but nothing to write home about. These two will have better more eventful matches later down the line, especially at Wrestlemania 20. Snip Snip…

The Event

A fun video package building up the top four matches on the card with cool spoken word which I always really love back in this era. I doubt if WWE still do this now but it’s a cool touch. We’re introduced to our respective commentary teams: Jim Ross & Jerry ‘The King’ Lawyer representing RAW with Jonathan Coachman for some reason among them, SmackDown represented by Michael Cole & Tazz.

Match #1 – Tables Match for the World Tag Team Championship
Evolution (Ric Flair & Batista) © Vs The Dudley Boyz

Flair & Batista defeated The Dudley Boyz for the titles at the last PPV Armageddon. From there, the two teams had been beefing with one another for the past month, with Evolution mainly screwing over The Dudleyz in various ways. At one point, Jonathan Coachman tries to make them leave the ring when they tried to 3-D Rich Flair through a table, but instead ended up receiving a 3-D himself through a table, resulting in ‘broken ribs’ (AKA some tape round his stomach).

The two teams brawl on the outside when Batista slags off the Philadelphia Eagles prior to the bell ring. When it does, The Dudleys are quick to set a table up to put Flair out of his misery, but Batista prevents it. Batista is the largest of the four and his strength and power is the highlight here, with large slams and throws into the turnbuckle throughout the match. Evolution & The Dudleys go back and forth in controlling the match, with The Dudleys executing more double team moves which are a treat to watch, highlighting their technical ability and coordination. Flair is also impressive at 55 taking bumps beyond the average capability of an average man his age. Jonathan Coachman attempts to interfere but ends up at the mercy of the Dudleys. However his interference proves crucial as Batista spinebusters D-Von Dudley into a table for the win.

Winners & Still World Tag Team Champions – Evolution (Ric Flair & Batista)

Coachman then interviews the two whilst playing on his rib injury. Flair is over the top, screaming into the camera, at the dudleyz, and even at someone at the crowd off screen (not sure if that was kayfabe or him really tempted to fight), but weird ending there.

Thoughts: Just over 5 minutes for the opener. Not that long but still fun none the less. Dudleys slightly underwhelming where as Batista stands out. Yet nothing really that noteworthy to say as their time was short.

Rating: 1.5/5

Match #2 – WWE Cruiserweight Championship Match
Rey Mysterio © Vs Jamie Noble/W Nidia

Nidia got blinded after a match with former Cruiserweight champion Tajiri (he spits this mist out on people sometimes in matches). At one point, Rey Mysterio tried to help her but instead got beaten up by jealous redneck boyfriend of Nidia Jamie Noble. Noble then beat Tajiri to be the number one contender.

Cruiserweight matches are usually fast, high flying and incredibly impressive when you see their versatility. Especially Rey Mysterio, arguably one of the best cruiserweights of all time. Mysterio is all high flying and spins where as Noble is grounded, investing in submissions and kicks and southern style brawling. Because Nidia’s blind, she accidentally trips up Noble (thinking it was Mysterio) which leads Mysterio to take advantage to use the 619 and cover Noble for the win.

Winner and still WWE Cruiserweight Champion Rey Mysterio

Thoughts: Again, too quick. But unlike the tables match, a lot more fun as Mysterio is such a crowd pleaser. His skill at the time was unparalleled and despite going for 3 minutes or 30, he knew how to wow the audience.

Rating: 2.5/5

Match #3 – Eddie Guerrero Vs Chavo Guerrero/W Chavo Guerrero Sr

Los Guerreros were the top tag team on Smackdown, holding the WWE Tag Team Championships. However, they then lost the titles to The Basham Brothers (them being twins, they switched when the referee wasn’t looking), leaving Chavo incredibly pissed at Eddie (even though it wasn’t his fault). Chavo comes off as such a dick here, even at one point slapping Eddie. Kurt Angle then tries to get the two to make up which they do. A rematch between The Basham Brothers & Los Guerreros for the titles, but they lose again. Eddie Guerrero gets attacked by The Bashams whilst Chavo just watches (even though this time he got pinned). Afterwards, Chavo then seals his heel turn by beating Eddie Guerrero further, busting him open, and ending Los Guerreros. Chavo then recruits his father Chavo Guerrero Sr to help in his assistance at further beating Eddie over the next few weeks, leading to this match at the Rumble.

Chavo Guerrero enters the ring with new music and accompanied by his father Chavo Guerrero Sr. Eddie then enters with a very serious stone-cold face at Chavo. Match begins. Few minutes of grappling and teasing. Chavo slapping Eddie, Eddie trying hard to control his temper. The flow of the match at times is staring, grapples and technical moves, then staring again, grapples and tech moves, staring, etc. The story plays heavily here in this match more than the wrestling. Both then fall out to the outside of the ring where Chavo Guerrero Sr conducts dirty attacks on Eddie. They return to the ring and then the match picks up: Submission manoeuvres, two sets of triple vertical suplexes, before Eddie seals the win with a strong Five Star Frog Splash.

Winner: Eddie Guerrero

Before being announced the winner, Eddie Guerrero commences his attack on both Chavos. Eddie ties Chavo Sr to the ropes and forces him to watch Eddie beat his son up to a pulp, making Chavo bust open and leaving him completed destroyed in the ring. Good emotional storytelling which makes up for Chavo’s cruel antics over the last few weeks on Smackdown.

Thoughts: Good match. Little underwhelming from memory but a good story led match none the less. Both Guerreros are highly skilled in the ring but not their finest matches for sure. Could’ve benefited with more action rather than constant death stares.

Rating: 3/5

Match #4 – WWE Championship Match
Brock Lesnar © Vs Hardcore Holly

September 2002. Brock Lesnar breaks Hardcore Holly’s neck on Smackdown putting him out of action for a year. Holly then returns and goes on a roid rage style rampage, going specifically after Lesnar with the intention of ending Lesnar’s career. Every chance he gets, Holly goes after Lesnar leaving the future UFC Champion running scared. Yep, that Brock Lesnar. Hilarious.

Brock’s not even in the ring when Holly goes on the attack. They battle around the outside of the ring with Holly throwing Lesnar into the turnbuckle for good measure. The match soon begins and Lesnar fights back quickly. Lesnar attempts a lengthy bearhug to tire him out, but to no avail. The USP of Lesnar here (as well as forever in his combat career) has been his grotesque strength which is as always on great display with even the simplest of slam moves. Eventually, Hardcore Holly fights back and demonstrates that he’s one of the few wrestlers to really take Lesnar on without fear with similar ferociousness but utilising his strength in a different way. Yet it’s all for nothing when Brock Lesnar connects an F-5 to finish the match.

Winner & Still WWE Champion: Brock Lesnar

Thoughts: Another quick match. Could’ve easily had more time especially for this angle. Yet still impressive and fun for the duration it had. Not complaining. Better than I remember.

Rating: 3/5

Match #5 – Last Man Standing Match For The World Heavyweight Championship
Triple H © Vs Shawn Michaels

Ok. Long story here. Back in the 1990s, HHH & HBK were apart of D-Generation X, a major stable which was considered a WWE rip off to the NWO (See WCW for that story). Yet it felt very much according to HHH that it was mainly HBK and friends. HBK got injured and was out for four years leaving HHH to take the lead and becoming one of the main guys during HBK’s absence. HBK then returned in 2002 and started a feud with HHH which is still going up to this PPV. They’ve been back and forth, exchanging wins and world titles. Now they fight again in a Last Man Standing match, where the only way to win is for the opponent to not get up of a ten count. Like boxing basically.

Because of their real lifelong friendship (I mean, its 2025 and they practically run the company now), Any HHH/HBK match is always good. Their chemistry perfect, storytelling top standard and always likely the match of the night. Unlike the other matches thus far, the two begin by just throwing at each other without wasting time. Chops and punches on display so quickly and efficiently. HHH is the bulkier wrestler so strength and size is his advantage, yet HBK being thinner but also more aerial, one of his all time top qualities that ended up influencing so many other wrestlers after him. After going back and forth, Michaels attempts a figure four leg lock submission attempt (made famous by Ric Flair from earlier), but to no avail. Match goes on the outside of the ring, with a tease of slamming into the announcer’s table. It eventually occurs when Michaels attempts a splash onto HHH only for him to jump out of the way. Collison. HBK’s busted open as a result and the first of many count out attempts commence, which will now be the rhythm of the rest of the match. Michaels becomes a horror film victim quickly with the amount of blood down his face (It’s a rarity now with present day WWE) as HHH dominates for a while, demonstrating how great of a heel he is in particular with this Evolution/Reign Of Terror era. A steel chair enters the match with HHH smacking HBK over the back in a finite attempt to take him out for the count. It doesn’t. A Pedigree attempt on the chair fails as Michaels reverses with HHH’s head ploughing into the steel turnbuckle, instantly followed with a steel chair smack from HBK. Like Michaels, HHH also gets busted open and the match really gets good now. Michaels regains momentum with flying elbows and a Sweet Chin Music attempt which only results in a low blow from HHH. Both men are exhausted and thus they are both almost double counted out by referee Earl Hebner (controversial name in wrestling – if you know, you know). The two go back and forth with many more double count out attempts afterwards. HHH then hits a pedigree but too exhausted to stand up himself. Another double count out attempt, but both still get up. Michaels then hits the sweet chin music, but also collapses like HHH. He attempts to get up, but fails. Earl Hebner hits the ten count and the match ends there, followed by a chorus of boos from the crowd. As per the rules, HHH retains the world title despite being a draw.

Winner: Draw. Triple H however retains the World Heavyweight Championship due to the rules of the match.

Ric Flair & Batista come out to assist HHH out of the ring. Initially, both men leave in a stretcher, however HBK gets up and vows to walk out of the ring, defying HHH and doubters in the process. Shawn Michaels: The Last Man Standing.

Thoughts: Fun fact. After doing calculations, this match was longer than the last four matches combined on the card. Hillarious. But earned. This match was a class above the others. Dramatic, bloody, versatile, and thrilling. The ending was good fun and both wrestlers played their role to perfection. The chemistry between HHH & HBK is like a fine wine: still impressive to watch after so many years. High quality match but not the last time these two will clash.

Rating: 4/5

Main Event: 30 Man Royal Rumble Match.

The Winner earns a WWE/World Heavyweight Championship Match at Wrestlemania XX.
A brief history of the Royal Rumble match. It was devised by Pat Patterson in the mid 80s when brainstorming a new match type, inspired by the classic Battle Royle match. The concept is simple: Two men start in the ring as per a normal wrestling match, with a new competitor coming in every 90 seconds until all 30 have entered. The only way to eliminate other wrestlers is to throw them over the top rope with both feet touching the floor. Vince McMahon initially scoffed at the idea, but NBC executives wanted more TV specials from the WWE, so Vince suggested Pat’s Royal Rumble idea. NBC loved it, greenlit it and thus the Royal Rumble was born. As of 2004, this is the 17th edition of the tournemant, with the reward of headlining Wrestlemania introduced in 1993.

Some story threads going into this match: Chris Benoit needs to win to earn his long deserved title opportunity as SmackDown GM Paul Heyman is corrupt and will never grant Benoit a title match on his brand (I mean, he was once Brock’s manager a few years ago). Despite this, Benoit qualified for the Rumble and an irate Benoit made him the number 1 entry, thus making it impossible for him to win. See where this maybe going (Also worth pointing out that Benoit is already a world champion as he won the WCW title briefly before coming to the WWE, but that’s another story…). Wrestlers such as Kurt Angle & Goldberg are in the Rumble in an attempt to regain the WWE/World Titles respectively after losing them to the current champions. Goldberg is the number 30 entrant which makes him the odds on favourite as a result. Randy Orton is a young prodigy, aged 23 and one to keep an eye on. He also has an unrelated feud with Hardcore Legend Mick Foley and dubs himself ‘The Legend Killer’s due to disrespecting legendary wrestlers from previous years. Keep an eye also on wrestlers like John Cena, Big Show, Kane, Chris Jericho & Christian who all have angles going into this match which may or may not lead to them being in Wrestlemania 20.

Announcers for this match are Jim Ross & Tazz. A combination of Raw/Smackdown for fair analysis.

Prior to the match, Eric Bischoff (General Manager of RAW and former President of WCW) comes out to big up his RAW superstars and talks down Paul Heyman (General Manager of Smackdown and former Owner of ECW). Heyman quickly comes out and fights Eric Bischoff like a pathetic high schooler. Seriously, its hilarious. He just leaps on him like a man never been in a fight in his life. But then sanity is restored as Stone Cold Steve Austin, the self-titled ‘Sheriff of RAW’ comes out to restore order by stunning both Bischoff & Heyman. Always fun times with Steve Austin, arguably the biggest star in professional wrestling: then, now, forever.

Entry Number #1 is Chris Benoit, as stated above. Entry Number #2 is Randy Orton, WWE Intercontinental Champion and member of Evolution. The two start the match off, teasing elimination attempts early on but nothing happening. Entry Number #3 is Mark Henry managed by Theodore Long, future fan favourite SmackDown General Manager. Being dubbed ‘The World’s Strongest Man’, Henry demolishes both Benoit & Orton in the ring with little effort, but no elimination. Entry Number #4 is Tajiri, smaller than the other three but fast and ferocious with his cruiserweight and martial art moveset. Entry Number #5 is Bradshaw, cleaned up with a short haircut and clean shaven (wonder why that is). He clotheslines pretty much everyone in the ring, with the exception of Benoit, who instead eliminates him quite quickly. Don’t feel to bad for Bradshaw though. 2004 will be a special year for him. Entry Number #6 is Rhyno. He doesn’t do much except spearing Mark Henry which in turn eliminates Tajiri. Henry is then soon eliminated by Benoit seconds later. At this point, the three in the ring are Benoit, Orton & Rhyno if you’re struggling. Entry Number #7 is Matt Hardy. He doesn’t do much at all. Entry Number #8 is Scott Steiner, the former WCW World Champion with big giant muscles which he swears aren’t a result of steroids. I dunno, you decide. Entry Number #9 is Matt Morgan, remember him? Once touted as the next big thing in wrestling. He enters the rumble and gives a vicious powerbomb to Benoit, a big boot to Hardy and just towers over everyone else in height and size. Entry Number #10 is The Hurricane. A comedy wrestling character. A superhero gimmick by Gregory Helms when he wants to be a babyface. He attempts to eliminate Matt Morgan but gets eliminated himself for his troubles. Morgan tries the same to Hardy but he hangs on. Entry Number #11 is Booker T, another former five time, five time, five time, five time, five time WCW Champion with history with Scott Steiner. Those two immediately get into each other’s faces which results in Booker T eliminating Steiner. Entry Number #12 is Kane. The big red machine whose 2003 was a nightmare for many on the RAW roster. Coming in, he chokeslams practically everyone in the ring, cleaning house across the ring. Entry Number #13 is…

Gong!

A brief darkness. Then nothing. Kane going irate. ‘I BURIED YOU ALIVE! I BURIED YOU ALIVE!’ Distracted, Booker T eliminates Kane. Then, Spike Dudley comes out. Little skinny Spike Dudley who Kane believes triggered the gong. He didn’t. But another chokeslam on the ramp takes out Spike Dudley before he has a chance to participate. Entry Number #14 is Rikishi (I love Rikishi – such a fun wrestler). Benoit eliminates Rhyno as Rikishi enters. Rikishi stink faces Matt Morgan (a fun yet unpleasant wrestling move) before squashing him further in the turnbuckle. Entry Number #15 is Rene Dupree. Part of faction La Resistance, a Quebec team portrayed as Anti-Americans. He eliminates Matt Hardy before eliminated straight after by Rikishi. Entry Number #16 is A-Train (now a top WWE trainer behind the scenes). He’s a hairy bull charging into the ring and going after Rikishi and the like. Benoit eliminates Matt Morgan (I’m sensing a pattern here) before joining a mass attempt to eliminate A-Train. Orton eliminates Rikishi and Booker T back to back. The three in the ring: Benoit, Orton & A-Train. Entry Number #17 is Shelton Benjamin, one half of ‘The World’s Greatest Tag Teams’. A talented technical wrestler who once teamed with Brock Lesnar in development. A-Train is eliminated by Benoit, whilst Benjamin is eliminated quickly by Orton. The first two, Benoit & Orton, still going with over half the entrants competing so far. Then…

Entry Number #18….Ernest ‘The Cat’ Miller.

The rumble gets silly for a moment as Ernest instead of eliminating a KOd Benoit & Orton, starts dancing with his small man manager (Done I imagine to give Benoit & Orton a chance to breath). Both Ernest & his manager (and the manager’s wig) are quickly eliminated. Was funny but baffling at the same time.

Entry Number #19 is Kurt Angle, dedicating his supposed Royal Rumble win to the Armed Forces. Angle & Benoit immediately tear into each other as they fought one another last year for the WWE title in a very acclaimed match. Entry Number #20 is Rico. A former Las Vegas cop now flamboyant wrestler who once managed Billy & Chuck, a tag team that once had a ‘friendship’ ceremony. Anyway he’s eliminated by Orton, who awaits the next entrant. Entry Number #21 is supposed to be Test, but he never shows. A camera backstage captures him knocked out leaving him unable to compete in the Rumble. Stone Cold gestures the off-screen attacker to take his number and compete. And it’s…

MICK FOLEY!

Randy Orton looks like a deer in headlights as Foley charges down the ring and smacks the living snot out of Orton. Foley then eliminates Orton and himself and continues brawling with Orton outside of the ring.

Entry Number #22 is Christian who slots himself into the Rumble match whilst the focus is still on Orton/Foley brawling. They brawl onto the ramp right into the path of Entry Number #23 which is…

Nunzio, who eats a hand of Mr.Socko for his troubles. Orton & Foley then stagger into the backstage area, with their feud to be picked up for another day. Wonder if there’s a big PPV coming up.

Back in the ring, the three are Benoit Angle & Christian whilst Nunzio sits outside like a snivelling coward. Entry Number #24 is Big Show. Big guy. 7ft 500 pound giant of a man. He throws everyone else around like rag dolls, chopping them like sacks of meat. Entry Number #25 is Chris Jericho, one of the all-time greats in the squared circle. He joins a mass attempt to eliminate Big Show but to no avail. Entry Number #26 is Charlie Haas, the less flashy of ‘The World’s Greatest Tag Team’ but still equally as talented. Jericho eliminates Christian, his ‘best friend’ (something to remember come WM 20). Entry Number #27 is Billy Gunn, prominent in The Attitude Era of WWE, and still going as of 2025 in rival promotion AEW. Entry Number #28 is John Cena, two years into what will be a 23 year run with the WWE. He eventually throws Nunzio in the ring for good measure, as the ring starts to get a little crowded with bodies. Entry Number #29 is ECW legend Rob Van Dam and then finally Entry Number #30 is Goldberg. Thus the remaining men now in the ring are:

Benoit, RVD, Billy Gunn, Chris Jericho, Kurt Angle, Nunzio, John Cena, Big Show & Goldberg.

One of them will win the match.

Goldberg enters the ring and spears practically everyone. He eliminates Charlie Haas, Billy Gunn and Nunzio in quick succession. He prepares to Jackhammer Big Show, only to be ambushed by Brock Lesnar, who F-5s him for good measure after a confrontation prior to the Royal Rumble match. Goldberg tells Lesnar he’s next, but instead he’s next to be eliminated by Kurt Angle.

Final Six: Big Show, John Cena, Kurt Angle, Rob Van Dam, Chris Jericho & Chris Benoit.

Big Show is ganged up as all the smaller wrestlers attempt to eliminate him but to no avail, all eating Big Show’s fists in the process. But they eventually get Big Show down again and all perform aerial moves against him in a fun spectacular moment in the match. The five attempt again as a team to eliminate him, but he’s too heavy to lift and they all go flying. Cena is immediately eliminated by Big Show. RVD soon follows, leaving Jericho Angle Benoit & Show as the final four.

After some brawling, Big Show chokeslams Jericho out of the ring, leaving himself, Chris Benoit & Kurt Angle as the final three. Angle attempts himself to take out Big Show, utilising the Ankle lock despite submission not a way to eliminate an opponent. Using weight to his advantage, he eliminates Angle in a clever manner by rolling over the ropes, sending Angle flying out of the ring.

The final two: Chris Benoit & The Big Show.

Both men go back and forth and after Big Show attempts to chokeslam him, Benoit counters with a crossface. He holds it for a minute but Big Show’s size and strength is too much and its broken up quickly. Big Show then attempts to throw Benoit with both hands over the top rope, but Benoit resists, hanging onto Show’s head, pulling Big Show over the top rope, and eliminating Show in the process, winning the Rumble from the first entrant.

Winner Of The 2004 Royal Rumble Match: Chris Benoit.

Chris Benoit celebrates in the ring as he goes to Wrestlemania XX for his long-deserved World Title shot. But who will he face as the show ends.

Thoughts: My fingers hurt from typing. What a match. I love Royal Rumbles, and this is one of my favourites. So much happened, some WM 20 teases, some fun entries and all in all, an entertaining romp from start to finish. Chris Benoit being at the time the second man to win from Entry Number 1 (A certain HBK did it first in 1995) and heading to Wrestlemania for a long-deserved shot at the World Title. The finale was good too with Benoit eliminating the last of many big guys to win. I loved it and rank it highly as one of my top Rumbles.

Rating: 5/5

What Happened Next?
- Chris Benoit, not opting to be bullied around by Paul Heyman anymore, switched brands to RAW to challenge HHH for the World Heavyweight Title. But Shawn Michaels had other ideas.
- Eddie Guerrero & his nephew Chavo would go their separate ways, both pursuing gold at the forthcoming PPV, No Way Out. Eddie Guerrero setting his sights for the WWE Championship whilst Chavo went for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship.
- Brock Lesnar’s feud with Goldberg would resume over the coming weeks despite being on two separate brands, with a nasty surprise coming for Brock.
- Randy Orton’s feud with Mick Foley would spill over into Wrestlemania XX with Mick calling an old friend for backup.
- John Cena & The Big Show would continue to feud back and forth, culminating in a match at Wrestlemania XX for the WWE United States Championship.
- Kane would continue to be tormented on RAW by gongs, blackouts and supernatural occurrences. But who would be causing them?
- Chris Jericho & Christian would remain friends, but for how long?

Overall Thoughts

Royal Rumble 2004 is a personal favourite of mine, yet upon a rewatch the Pay Per View really was held up by the main match itself and the last man standing match. Everything else was way too short, especially when tallying up the first four matches, aren’t even as long as the World title match. It’s a good show but goes way too quick on rewatch and most of the matches are very lacklustre.

Then there’s the elephant in the room.

In case you don’t know, Chris Benoit committed a murder/suicide pact in 2007 on himself, his wife and young son. A tragic horrible event which forever tarnished his legacy in Professional Wrestling forever, with his surviving son and daughter from a previous marriage left with the trauma and scarred forever more. As a result, WWE erased Benoit completely from their content as if he never existed wanting to avoid association, whilst an ongoing argument goes as to how much involvement WWE had in his mental condition which led to the horrific act in 2007. The majority of wrestling fans acknowledge Benoit as a monster and perhaps they’re right. For me though I struggle not to hold on to the love and adoration I had to Benoit as one of my favourite wrestlers. Still to this day. I highly adore the man’s in ring ability and endurance to what he conducted to the ring, what he endured and the influence he had on those that succeeded him. My second favourite wrestler of all time without a doubt. And watching this PPV is a personal joy of mine watching him win the big one and heading to WM 20 for an unforgettable match, which would be a peak in his career.

Average Match Rating: 3.2/5

Show Rating: A-

StuSmallz

02-27-25, 06:24 AM

Match #4 – WWE Championship Match
Brock Lesnar © Vs Hardcore Holly

September 2002. Brock Lesnar breaks Hardcore Holly’s neck on Smackdown putting him out of action for a year. Holly then returns and goes on a roid rage style rampage, going specifically after Lesnar with the intention of ending Lesnar’s career. Every chance he gets, Holly goes after Lesnar leaving the future UFC Champion running scared. Yep, that Brock Lesnar. Hilarious.

Brock’s not even in the ring when Holly goes on the attack. They battle around the outside of the ring with Holly throwing Lesnar into the turnbuckle for good measure. The match soon begins and Lesnar fights back quickly. Lesnar attempts a lengthy bearhug to tire him out, but to no avail. The USP of Lesnar here (as well as forever in his combat career) has been his grotesque strength which is as always on great display with even the simplest of slam moves. Eventually, Hardcore Holly fights back and demonstrates that he’s one of the few wrestlers to really take Lesnar on without fear with similar ferociousness but utilising his strength in a different way. Yet it’s all for nothing when Brock Lesnar connects an F-5 to finish the match.

Winner & Still WWE Champion: Brock Lesnar

Thoughts: Another quick match. Could’ve easily had more time especially for this angle. Yet still impressive and fun for the duration it had. Not complaining. Better than I remember.Yeah, that match would've been a lot better if they hadn't wasted so much time on those dull submission holds like that grapevine Brock keeps getting Holly in, or the Full Nelson Holly does to try to break Brock's neck (lol) as revenge; they should've just gone ham and done all strikes and power moves for a match with such real-life heat in its backstory. By the way MM, do you watch the WrestlingWithWregret channel on Youtube?

MovieMad16

03-02-25, 01:27 PM

I do. I watch a fair amount of Wrestling youtube channels and his is a good one. I also like Pilana, WrestlingPremier, Sportskeedia wrestling, RVDtito4life (back in the day), and others that I can't remember right now. I plan to post another Rumble review, NXT Vengeance Day, Elimination Chamber (holy hell that ending), several Wrestlemanias and down the line some past TNA & AEW PPVs.

StuSmallz

03-03-25, 04:00 AM

MovieMad16

04-19-25, 02:31 PM

https://images.daznservices.com/di/library/DAZN_News/60/72/royal-rumble-2025_1cdkc44t2kiv219flyjq9hfykf.jpg?t=-1084261276

WWE Royal Rumble 2025

30 Women Royal Rumble Match

WWE Tag Team Championship
2 Out Of 3 Falls Match
DIY (Tomasso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano) © Vs The Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin)

Undisputed WWE Championship
Ladder Match
Cody Rhodes © Vs Kevin Owens

30 Men Royal Rumble Match

And with one rumble reviewed, now we go to the most current of iterations. In 21 years, WWE has had some changes. Gone is Vince McMahon, in is Triple H as the creative head. Women in the WWE have a more respectable and prominent spot on the card, the presentation feels more serious and in sync with modern day sports coverage. Yet the atmosphere, excitement and energy is just as flowing and wild as it was 20, 30, 40 years ago. It’s good. It’s awe inspiring. It matters. 1 Man & 1 Woman will walk away with a guaranteed world title match at WrestleMania 41, at Las Vegas. Four matches on the card, held at the Lucas Oil Stadium at Indianapolis Indiana, with a 67,500 attendance.

The Event

Unlike the 04 event, we see clips of all the wrestlers coming in with build up from Michael Cole, ala a big fight feel. Like it. Serious. Different. Makes a change from previous eras and how WWE conducts themselves. Stephanie McMahon then comes out to announce the 2025 Royal Rumble event kicking off.

The video package plays with Pat McAffee narrating, which I think is no where near as exciting and impressive as the previous years which give me chills when watching. But it does the job and the rumble fever really elevates from here.

Match #1 – 30 Women Royal Rumble Match

Entry Number #1 is Iyo Sky, the former WWE Champion this time last year who then lost that title to last year’s women’s rumble winner Bayley. Entry Number #2 is Liv Morgan, who only lost the Women’s World Champion a few weeks ago on RAW to Rhea Ripley, and is itching to get that title back. The match begins, Iyo Sky’s gymnastics very impressive and versatile. Entry Number #3 is NXT’s Roxanne Perez, arguably the female rising star in Pro Wrestling right now. Entry Number #4 is Women’s Intercontinental Champion Lyra Valkyria to no crowd reaction whatsoever. Entry Number #5 is Women’s United States Champion Chelsea Green, one of the most fun female heels in WWE right now in my opinion. She enters by slapping the wrestlers like a soap opera vixen. Because of her cockiness, all the wrestlers turn and beat her down for laughs. Entry Number #6 is B-Fab who gives Chelsea a real hard time. Entry Number #7 is Ivy Nile, someone I’ve not heard of but is apart of American Made. So far so lacklustre in terms of names. Yet she displays some impressive athletic feat with strong german suplexes on two women at once. Entry Number #8 is Zoey Stark, who also impresses on instant with kicks and leaps. Entry Number #9 is Lash Legend from NXT whose impressive strength is shown off well when she uses Ivy Nile as a weapon, whacking several wrestlers in the ring. She’s also noticeably taller than the other competitors. Chelsea Green then eliminates B-Fab, the first in the match. Entry Number #10 is Bianca Belair, one half of the Women’s Tag Team Champions. She has a cool spot where she leaps over approaching wrestlers, spears them and punches them repeatedly. Entry Number #11 is Shayna Baszler. Ivy Nile then eliminates Lyra Valkyria as Entry Number #12 is Bayley, last year’s winner. She’s been feuding with Roxanne Perez on NXT so those two immediately go at it. Entry Number #13 is Sonya Deville. Joining with her Pure Fusion Collective, they bully the other wrestlers in the ring like a clique. Entry Number #14 is Maxxine Dupri. Her and Ivy Nile used to be friends until Nile ditched her. They brawl in the ring (Dupri looks hot btw), with Dupri eliminating Nile, but then gets eliminated herself by Pure Fusion Collective. Half way through now and Entry Number #15 is Naomi, the other half of the Women’s Tag Team Champions. They both eliminate Zoey Stark, Shayna Baszler & Sonia Deville are also eliminated at the same time. Entry Number #16 is Jaida Parker, again from NXT (has to be some record). Chelsea Green gets sneaky, and eliminates Lash Legend. Entry Number #17 is Piper Niven, coming to the aid of her friend Chelsea when cornered by the tag champs. Playing the heel to perfection, she stands out of the way whilst Piper does all the work. Classic. She gets her just desert when Piper accidentally eliminates her. Entry Number #18 is Natalya, with her and Liv Morgan appearing in every Women’s Rumble match since its inception. Entry Number #19 is Jordynne Grace, fresh from her TNA run and announced by Michael Cole to have signed in WWE. Looking a lot leaner too, she cleans house immediately. Jaida Parker attempts to eliminate her, but ends up eliminated herself. Grace then lifts Piper Niven up for a Death Valley driver only to showcase her strength so much more. Entry Number #20 is Michin, who recently has tried and failed to chase the Women’s US championship, held by Chelsea Green. Entry Number #21 is Alexa Bliss, returning from a long maternity leave and still in creepy goth Fiend gear. Welcome back Alexa, we’ve missed you. Entry Number #22 is Zelina Vega whose then followed by Entry Number #23 is Candice Lerae, the Women’s Speed Champion (its this thing on TikTok where you need to win the belt in 5 minutes). Hardly any eliminations recently and the match is starting to get quite crowded. Entry Number #24 is Stephanie Vaquer, another NXT entrant. Must be a record by now. Immediately flies off the top rope as soon as she enters, making an impact quickly. Entry Number #25 is WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus, a multi time Women’s champion and just pure absolute awesomeness all around. Be cool for her to win it and go to Mania to face…say…another blonde bombshell with TS initials. Entry Number #26 is Raquel Rodriguez, here to help Liv Morgan as an ally. They both eliminate Natalya (her time will come one day). They then eliminate Alexa Bliss also. Entry Number #27 is Charlotte Flair, teasing her return for some weeks. She arrives with a big red gown, looking like a giant rose petal. She gets pyro and fireworks and everything, a strong hint at perhaps the winner. She eliminates Michin and goes all out on everyone else in the ring (14 wrestlers, crowded much?). Charlotte then eliminates Piper Niven. Entry Number #28 is NXT Women’s Champion Giulia, another NXT added to the list (Just split it 10-10-10 next year, that might be easier). She eliminates Jordynne Grace, and one can only wonder what roster she’ll go to next. Entry Number #29 is Nia Jax, fresh off the loss of her WWE Women’s Championship by former student Tiffany Stratton. Her hair’s atrocious right now. Think Monica in Friends Season 8 finale. Before entering the ring, she eliminates Zelina Vega and slams her hard outside the ring. She has a stare down with Trish Stratus, who in turn eliminates Candice LeRae. Nia Jax furthers her heel persona by eliminating Trish Stratus (boo, no TS Vs TS). Entry Number #30 is …Nikki Bella. Huh, and there’s me thinking it was Becky Lynch. All the wrestlers go for Nia Jax but she just chucks them aside, Incredible Hulk style. It all gets awkward in one part of the ring with 5 women on the apron. Nia Jax then eliminates 6 (S Vaquar, Iyo Sky, B Belair, Naomi, Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriquez,). The final six then stands: Nia Jax, Charlotte Flair, Giulia, Roxanne Perez, Nikki Bella & Bayley. Roxanne Perez eliminates Giulia and then attempts to eliminate Bayley. But Bayley gets eliminates herself by Nikki Bella, who is then eliminated by Charlotte Flair. Final Three: Roxanne Perez, Nia Jax & Charlotte Flair. Flair then dumps Nia Jax out leaving her and Rozanne the final two. Flair then kicks Perez out of the ring and wins.

Winner Of The 2025 Women’s Royal Rumble Match: Charlotte Flair

Charlotte Flair does the pointy thing at the Wrestlemania sign as she heads to Wrestlemania 41 in Vegas. But now the question: Rhea Ripley (again) or Tiffany Stratton for a battle of the blondes.

Thoughts: It was fun. All rumble matches are fun. The surprises were good, with Alexa Bliss being the best one. I’m fine with Charlotte winning. It was teased well. Highlight performances were Iyo Sky, Liv Morgan, Roxanne Perez, Bayley & Nia Jax.

Match Rating: 3.5/5

Match #2 – 2 Out Of 3 Falls Match For The WWE Tag Team Championship
DIY (Tomasso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano) © Vs The Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin)

Match begins and immediately MCMG dominate, throwing DIY straight out of the ring quickly and effectively. After a back and forth, a sneaky DIY trick of faking a tag team by Ciampa gets them to score the first fall making it 1-0 to DIY. DIY play sneaky great heels here, using all the cliché tactics to try and screw MCMG over. The Athleticism from both teams are great and fun and fluid. Eventually, MCMG tie 1-1 with their finisher Skull & Bones, now making the match even again with one fall to win. It’s fun watching the high flying talents of the Machine Guns still work after so many years. Also the way they sync together for bigger moves is always great. Just when they’re about to win, Angelo Dawkins of the Street Profits distract and attack the MCMG allowing DIY the win.

Winners and Still the WWE Tag Team Champions: DIY.

The Street Profits then attacked DIY after the match, posing with the titles, generating a mixed reaction from the crowd.

Thoughts: Always a good fun match with these two teams. The twist was good too, teasing perhaps a potential three way title match at Wrestlemania. MCMG shine so well even at their age. Probably your elite tag team on the WWE roster.

Rating: 3/5

Match #3 – Ladder Match For The Undisputed WWE Championship
Cody Rhodes © Vs Kevin Owens

I always love Cody’s entrance. The WWE fans get so much into it compared to the more cynical AEW crowd who just never had that luster for it. He also carries himself like a champion, all serious and all fighting persona.

The match begins following the ascension of the belts. Brawling and battling and punching away at one another. They brawl on the outside where Owens slams Rhodes into a ladder, breaking it in the process. Owens then uses the loose metal to smash Rhodes apart. We then get a fun brawl in the crowd with weapons such as beer glasses, the lens of cameras and other fan items being used. Owens makes the first attempt up the ladder but Rhodes prevents. Owens then gets a short ladder and whacks Rhodes with it, trying to immobile him out permanently. Rhodes at one point dangles in the air holding onto both belts, but doesn’t manage to unclip them. Lot of ladders breaking in this match, as Cody Rhodes breaks off one of the steps to smack Owens with it. But Owens just smacks Rhodes with the steps back. One dangerous spot was Owens powerbombing Rhodes into the small ladder, colliding with his head and neck. Looked sore. A lot of the spots looked sore. A really sore ladder match compared to previous ones over the years. A vicious spot by Owens has both Owens & Rhodes out and medics and even Sami Zayn come out to check them both. They both get back up and Rhodes then goes full hulk, smashing Owen’s face on the announce table, busting him open in the process (a rarity in today’s WWE). A vicious Alabama Slam onto the ladder set up earlier (a bridge between the ring and announce table) looking so so so vicious. Rhodes then climbs the ladder, and takes down the belts, winning.

Winner and Still Undisputed WWE Champion: Cody Rhodes.

Match Thoughts: Talk about brutal. I love ladder matches that make you feel it. Every whack, smack, and exchange with the steel. Rhodes/Owens were great, really took it to the limit. Some moments that were wince worthy.

Rating: 4/5

Main Event: 30 Men Royal Rumber Match

Entry Number #1 is former winner Rey Mysterio (2006). Entry Number #2 is newly arrived Penta, hot off an AEW run and flying high since debuting a few weeks ago on RAW. Match begins with two legendary luchadors facing off for the first time, almost eliminating each other long not after the match started. A close elimination with one foot touching the floor. Entry Number #3 is Chad Gable, the man who lost to Penta on his debut match. Gable gets manhandled by the luchas very easily. Entry Number #4 is Carmelo Hayes, someone with a fun promo to him. Entry Number #5 is Santos Escobar, making Chad Gable’s challenge against the luchadors harder. Gable then tries to eliminate all the competitors but none go out and they all give Gable a beating. Entry Number #6 is Otis. Gable performs an impressive german suplex on Otis, but Otis brushes it off and gives him a torture rack. Entry Number #7 is Bron Breakker, the Intercontinental Champion. He eliminates Carmelo Hayes quickly and spears everyone and anyone in the ring. He then eliminates Santos Escobar. Entry Number #8 is Akira Tozawa, but before he gets in the ring, Carmelo Hayes knocks him out. Therefore, HHH puts IShowSpeed, a social media influencer, in the rumble. Why not. And then he helps Breakker eliminate Otis. Breakker reutrns the favour by spearing him and throwing him over the rope, eliminating him. Very fun. Entry Number #9 is Sheamus. A guy that’s still versatile and agile even at his age. Entry Number #10 is Jimmy Uso, one of several Bloodline members that’ll feature tonight. He enters with a crossbody on Gable and superkicks anyone and everyone. Entry Number #11 is Andrade who throws kicks everywhere. Entry Number #12 is Jacob Fatu, another Bloodline member coming to F S up. Fatu eliminates Chad Gable & Rey Mysterio, then Andrade. I guess he’s making a run for the most eliminations in one rumble. Entry Number #13 is Ludwig Keiser, Gunther’s fellow member of Imperium. Getting in the ring, he stands around and waits, bidding his time. But that goes wrong for him as Penta quickly eliminates him. Penta then attempts to eliminate Breakker but to no avail. Entry Number #14 is The Miz, now a veteran of the WWE. Crazy how time flies. He almost eliminates Breakker and goes through pretty much everyone in the ring. Though Jacob Fatu does damage right back. Entry Number #15 is TNA World Champion Joe Hendry, in which the crowd go wild. That theme song’s so over. Entry Number #16 is Roman Reigns, The Tribal Chief and one of the favourites. Accompanied by Paul Heyman, he looks every bit the superstar he’s long been fighting to be. He enters and easily eliminates The Miz, Sheamus, Joe Hendry, but then eats a spear from Bron Breakker. But Reigns eliminates him so it’s ok. Fatu then eliminates Jimmy Uso, leading to a face off with Reigns & Fatu. Epic stuff. Entry Number #17 is Drew McIntyre. The big boys coming on now. He exchanges punches with Reigns. He then double teams with Fatu to batter Reigns. Entry Number #18 is Finn Balor. Entry Number #19 is Shinsuke Nakamura, the current United States Champion. No reaction from the crowd, hilarious. Penta does an impressive Canadian destroyer to Jacob Fatu, but then gets eliminated by Finn Balor. Entry Number #20 is Jey Uso, with a huge pop immediately. He eliminates Nakamura after a scuffle. Entry Number #21 is AJ Styles, returning from an injury sustained earlier in 2024. He enters the ring and seems to have not lost a step which is lovely. Watching him since his TNA days and he’s still so good. Entry Number #22 is Braun Strowman. Looking like one beefy pissed off giant, he charges to the ring and charges right at Fatu. He then eliminates him and his outburst is hilarious. Entry Number #23 is John Cena. Let the farewell tour begin, bald spot and all. He eliminates Strowman and Balor. He stares down with Roman Reigns. Entry Number #24 is CM Punk. The party’s really flying now. A staredown between Reigns, Cena & Punk is fun to watch. But then Entry Number #25 comes out and its Seth Rollins. This just makes it even juicer. He immediately goes for Punk and Reigns & Cena duke it out. McIntyre then also goes for Punk. Entry Number #26 is Dominic Mysterio, arguably the best heel in wrestling right now (MJF though would like a word). Entry Number #27 is Sami Zayn. Featured in the WWE title earlier, he could be a potential dark horse here. Entry Number #28 is Damien Priest, former World Heavyweight Champion. A brutal large guy, he kicks pretty much most people in the ring, eliminating Dominic Mysterio. Entry Number #29 is LA Knight. Yeah. 10 active wrestlers right now and anything can happen. Any potential championship opportunity though the eyes are on Reigns, Punk & Cena still. Jay Uso eliminates Sami Zayn. Entry Number #30 is Logan Paul. For a guy whose big break was on youtube, he sure as hell has a great wrestling moveset. Damien Priest eliminates Drew McIntyre just like that. LA Knight tries to eliminate Logan Paul, but he leaps onto the announce table effectively staying in the match. LA Knight in anger eliminates Damien Priest. AJ Styles then eliminates LA Knight for good measure. Sneaky Logan Paul eliminates AJ Styles. Final Six: Logan Paul, Roman Reigns, John Cena, Seth Rollins, CM Punk, Jay Uso. Following a series of finishers on various wrestlers, Rollins & Reigns stare down with their WM 40 memory fresh in their minds. They face off and Rollins and Reigns attempt to eliminate each other, but Punk gets them both. But Logan Paul eliminates Punk back. Rollins stomps Reigns before Punk brawls with Rollins, setting up some feuds for Mania to come. Great storytelling as the crowd really were behind Punk. Rollins them stomps on Reigns. The drama is ripe and juicy to watch. Final Three: John Cena, Jay Uso & Logan Paul. Uso & Paul stare each other down and then go to blows. Cena then enters and eliminates Paul. Final Two: John Cena & Jay Uso. Cena does his standard 5 Knuckle Shuffle, attempts an FU but Uso counters. It’s a back and forth with wobbles and close calls, but Uso does a simple shove to win.

Winner Of The 2025 Men’s Royal Rumble Match: Jay Uso.

A fun end as Jay Uso eyes one man and his big gold belt.

Thoughts: Such a fun Rumble. Star-studded, great moments, good set of 30 men and a truly deserving winner. Can’t complain at all. Highlights included Reigns, McIntyre, Rollins, Cena, Penta, Paul and of course all the Bloodline.

Rating: 4.5/5

Overall Thoughts

This was a damn entertaining Rumble this year. It's always argueably the most fun of the PPV events. One big chunk of wrestlers coming into the ring, doing their thing, leaving with only one standing tall with the opportunity to headline Wrestlemania. The Men's & Women's Rumble were quite different. The Women's had a mixture of established stars, legends and NXT rising stars mingling with one another as well as Jordynne Grace's WWE debut. The Men's Rumble was more tighter but not without its highlights. The WWE title match was good old fashioned brutality, as well as The Tag title match furthering the story of the Smackdown tag division even further. I had fun watching this and I highly rate this one and I think it will be one to revisit for years to come.

Overall Rating: 3.75/5 (A-)