Held at Chase Field in Phoenix, AZ. The 37th Royal Rumble was a very interesting show. However, the lack of stage entrance was kinda lamed. The dugout just didn't work for me. Regardless, ten matches were contested at the event, including three on the pre-show. Most were decent. Some of them were not. One such example was the strange bedfellow match between tag champions, Chad Gable & Bobby Roode versus Rezor & Scott Dawson. The buildup to this match didn't make any sense. Look, I understand a little bit, where they were going with the idea of having two members of rival teams join forces, in order to receive a Raw Tag Team Championship match on a later date. However, one of those teams has an injured member that isn't going to come back, anytime soon. So, why don't you just book the Revival Versus Gable & Roode instead of this mess of a concept!? It would be a lot better than what we got. That match was slobby & unfocused. The only highlight of that contest, was seeing the camera man fall down during the entrances. That was funny! Another laughable moment in the preshow, was the Daniel Bryan's promo with the Chase Field Burger. That fatty food looks like a heart attack ready to go! In the end, it was awesome to see Bryan really badmouth the venue. It fits with his preachy eco-friendly gimmick, so well. That brings us to the United States Championship match between champion, Rusev and challenger, Shinsuke Nakamura. That bout was alright, even if the climax to the match, has been done before and much better. The only loser here is Lana, whom is made out to look like a very weak wrestler. The next contest on the preshow was the fatal four way for the 205 cruiserweight championship. Like the previous match, this was also decent. While, the fight did make Akira Tozawa, Kallisto and champion, Buddy Murphy look good. It really didn't help Hideo Itami whom this match was his last, within the company. He can barely move now, due to his recent run of injuries. Hopefully, he can find success, back in the Japanese Indies. That brings us to the opening of the show. Becky Lynch versus the champion, Asuka. What an amazing match for the Smackdown Women Championship. Probably the best one of the whole night. Love how equally match, they were, move by move. As for the next contest on the card, the WWE Smackdown Tag Team Championship were on the line, as champions, Cesaro & Sheamus try to defend their titles, against the challengers, Shane McMahon & The Miz. I like the build up to this fight, but the bout was generic. Regardless, it was nice to see George Mizanin at ringside. There is a certain amount of charm, when he's around. Sasha Banks versus RAW women champion, Ronda Rousey was next. That championship match was fun to watch, even if the outcome is highly predictable, due to the WWE Tag Team Women Championship announcement a few weeks earlier and the continue twitter war with Becky Lynch. Despite, a few awkward & sloppy ill-timed moves, I still like majority how both women told the story of each of them, trying to break or force a submission by bending their rival's arm. Banks was marvelous as always. Rousey is very impressive for somebody who been wrestling for only one year. She's a breakout rookie. Can't wait until this four horsewoman feud leads to something somewhat amazing. Nevertheless, the Women Royal Rumble match was next, and it was a lot better than the 1st one, last year, even with the awkward spots involving a hat, a little person, and Kofi Kingston rip off spot with Naomi. I just like how they focus more on the next generation of superstars, rather than bringing back the legends. As for the finish, I found it funny that Dave Finlay has more of a say, than any of the McMahon family, on who and who can't join this contest. Regardless, they made the right decision with the winner. Anyways, following this bout, was the WWE Championship Match between title holder, Daniel Bryan and challenger, AJ Styles. While, I do love the build up to this fight. The match was not that good. It was highly disappointing. The finish didn't really made sense. Why would a heavy metal thrasher, who wants to see the world burn, help the righteous good doer save the planet? It just doesn't add up. That man didn't even had a gimmick change to match Daniel Bryan, within the next several weeks after this show. In the end, it was a wasted opportunity. This brings us to the Universal Championship match, between the champion, Brock Lesnar and challenger, Finn Balor. Once again, I love the build up to this match. While, Braun Strowman was originally schedule to fight Lesnar. I kinda like how WWE replace him, in order to have Balor fight for the title, before Brock's ends up leaving for the UFC. This made the match seem fresh, rather than old. After all, we seen Strowman and Lesnar go at each other for the last several years. This replacement choice, gave us, something unique and new. The in-ring work from both performers didn't suck. It was an outstanding bout. They made Balor, really look like, he had an underdog chance of winning. Anyways, the main event follow this, and the Men Royal Rumble match was very entertaining. Not as good as the women one, but enjoyable. It just had way too many over complicated Kofi spots. However, in the end, it's still worth watching. Overall: This year's show was decent. I like how slowly, each year, the pay per view has gotta better, after a long drought of below average events. It was nearly a crowning achievement. So check it out!
