WWE Royal Rumble Breaks Records In the Lone Star State

WWE Royal Rumble was hosted at the Alamodome in San Antonio on January 28th, 2023 taking in $7.7 million in revenue. The annual PPV broke records for the live event gate and viewership! The official attendance count was a massive total of 51,338. The company also broke records with merchandise sales and sponsorship. The official sponsors for the event were Mountain Dew and Applebee’s.

Commentators:

Michael Cole
Corey Graves
Pat McAfee

Men’s Royal Rumble Match:

Cody Rhodes won by eliminating Gunther.

Gunther was the first entrant into the match and set the record for longest time in a Men’s Royal Rumble match at over one hour and eleven minutes!

Men’s Royal Rumble Ring Announcer:

Mike Rome

Men’s Royal Rumble Entrants:

#1 Gunther
#2 Sheamus
#3 The Miz
#4 Kofi Kingston
#5 Johnny Gargano
#6 Xavier Woods
#7 Karrion Kross
#8 Chad Gable
#9 Drew McIntyre
#10 Santos Escobar
#11 Angelo Dawkins
#12 Brock Lesnar
#13 Bobby Lashley
#14 Baron Corbin
#15 Seth Rollins
#16 Otis
#17 Rey Mysterio* (Never entered)
#18 Dominik Mysterio
#19 Elias
#20 Finn Balor
#21 Booker T
#22 Damian Priest
#23 Montez Ford
#24 Edge
#25 Austin Theory
#26 Omos
#27 Braun Strowman
#28 Ricochet
#29 Logan Paul
#30 Cody Rhodes (Victor)

Bray Wyatt vs. LA Knight (Pitch Black Match):

Wyatt def. Knight via pinfall.

Wyatt appeared in his first televised match in over two years! The lights in the arena cut out for his entrance and revealed a glow-in-the-dark black light style ring. Knight swung a kendo stick and ran into a Sister Abigail for the finish! After the conclusion of the match Wyatt chased Knight into the crowd incapacitating him on a platform with a Mandible Claw leaving him helpless as Uncle Howdy launched himself down onto Knight driving him through the platform as it erupted into flames!

Raw Women’s Championship – Bianca Belair (c) vs. Alexa Bliss:

Belair def. Bliss via pinfall to retain the Raw Women’s Championship.

Bliss attempted a Sister Abigail, but it was countered by Belair with her own finisher “KOD” concluding the match. The match was followed by a cryptic message from Uncle Howdy. He repeatedly asked Bliss “Do you feel in charge?”.

Women’s Royal Rumble Match:

Rhea Ripley won by eliminating Liv Morgan.

Rhea Ripley and Liv Morgan were the first entrants into the match and set the record for longest time in a Women’s Royal Rumble match at just over one hour and one minute!

Women’s Royal Rumble Ring Announcer:

Samantha Irvin

Women’s Royal Rumble Entrants:

#1 Rhea Ripley (Victor)
#2 Liv Morgan
#3 Dana Brooke
#4 Emma
#5 Shayna Baszler
#6 Bayley
#7 B-Fab
#8 Roxanne Perez
#9 Dakota Kai
#10 IYO SKY
#11 Natalya
#12 Candice LeRae
#13 Zoey Stark
#14 Xia Li
#15 Becky Lynch
#16 Teagen Nox
#17 Asuka
#18 Piper Nevin
#19 Tamina
#20 Chelsea Green
#21 Zelina Vega
#22 Raquel Rodriguez
#23 Michin
#24 Lacey Evans
#25 Michelle McCool
#26 Indi Hartwell
#27 Sonya Deville
#28 Shotzi
#29 Nikki Cross
#30 Nia Jax

The official theme song of the event was “Sold Out” by country music singer Hardy, who performed the song live!

Undisputed WWE Universal Championship – Roman Reigns (c) vs. Kevin Owens:

Reigns def. Owens to retain the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship.

Owens showed resiliency by kicking out of both a Superman Punch and Spear from the undisputed champion. Owens dodged another Spear attempt in the corner and set himself up for a Swanton Bomb that nearly earned him the victory. Owens attempted a Stunner, but Reigns shoved him into the referee knocking him out of the ring. Owens followed with a Pop-up Powerbomb that would have earned him the victory had the referee not been incapacitated outside the ring. The crowd counted the pinfall way past three seconds! Reigns used the opportunity of not being disqualified by delivering a low blow to Owens. After the continuous brutal assault that Reigns gave to Owens he delivered a final Spear finishing the match.

Post-match, Jey Usu tried to induct Sami Zayn into The Bloodline, but was interrupted by Reigns. The Usos and Solo Sikoa started to viciously assault Owens and handcuffed him to the ropes. Reigns was going to hit Owens with a steel chair, but was interrupted by Zayn. He exclaimed that the Tribal Chief‘s attempted action was beneath him so Reigns insisted that Zayn do it instead. After being pushed to the brink Zayn inevitably turned on Reigns by hitting him in the back with the steel chair. This caused Jimmy Uso to turn on Zayn with a grueling attack. Solo Sikoa delivered a Samoan Spike to Zayn. Jey Uso proceeded to leave the ring as the former Honorary Uce was being picked apart. The crowd chanted “Fuck you Roman” as the segment concluded.