ROYAL RUMBLE 2023 Thread

[LinuxJon]

Vince is clearly back in charge of creative. Or at least is throwing is weight around and influencing things. This whole night had his stink all over it.

4+ hour show with zero surprises.

You had Bray and Cody both wrestling their first matches back, and both were flat and lazy.

They spent a month building up Alexa as being tied to Bray/Howdy and then have her lose clean with no payoff on that angle.

What a waste.

[cheerupemokid]

Cody is 1/4th as over as Sami and 1/2 as KO.
What’s the goal with Sami and KO? How are they going to make Reigns/Cody remotely intriguing vs. what could have been?

Cody has been gone for several months and got an enormous pop when his music hit. And was enormously over when he jumped ship and made it his mission to win the title his Dad and brother couldn’t.

Sammy Zayn might be over but he is still a goofy looking twink. No one seriously believes he could beat Roman Reigns at a Wrestlemania main event match. Like who doesn’t regularly watch wrestling and would see that hype graphic and want to watch it?

Anyway, pretty underwhelming show overall. I like Cody winning and the win it for his dead father storyline. The women’s royal rumble had too many obese women in it and was very sloppy but a good finish and I liked Ripley winning. The black light match and women’s matches were not good. The main event was okay.

And Kevin Owens and Sammy Zayn getting the piss beaten out of them was very enjoyable way to end the show and send me home happy.

[BrickEX]

Cody has been gone for several months and got an enormous pop when his music hit. And was enormously over when he jumped ship and made it his mission to win the title his Dad and brother couldn’t.

Sammy Zayn might be over but he is still a goofy looking twink. No one seriously believes he could beat Roman Reigns at a Wrestlemania main event match. Like who doesn’t regularly watch wrestling and would see that hype graphic and want to watch it?

Cody is an upper mid card talent. This pathetic dead dad angle won’t change that. Nor will Triple H going on these worked press conferences saying he’s better than his dad. Nor does the contract he signed that guaranteed opportunity, when we’ve been told to believe by WWE shills like Bruce Prichard that guys are only “offered opportunity” and nothings promised.

Sami is more over now than Cody will ever be in WWE. I don’t think he’s a great pick either based on the way creative has handled things, but he is DEFINITELY so much more over than Cody. Anyone who doesn’t watch wrestling would see Cody and not think star either, so I don’t know why that’s worth noting.

[LinuxJon]

Cody is an upper mid card talent. This pathetic dead dad angle won’t change that. Nor will Triple H going on these worked press conferences saying he’s better than his dad. Nor does the contract he signed that guaranteed opportunity, when we’ve been told to believe by WWE shills like Bruce Prichard that guys are only “offered opportunity” and nothings promised.

Sami is more over now than Cody will ever be in WWE. I don’t think he’s a great pick either based on the way creative has handled things, but he is DEFINITELY so much more over than Cody. Anyone who doesn’t watch wrestling would see Cody and not think star either, so I don’t know why that’s worth noting.

Cody was hugely over at the time of that last match with Seth. Sami has had a unique climb based on a storyline that's basically ran its course now.

Neither one really should be *the guy* right now. But WWE has fukked over everyone not named Roman for 5+ years now, and there is nobody left.

[SmithMachineGuy]

Cody is an upper mid card talent. This pathetic dead dad angle won’t change that. Nor will Triple H going on these worked press conferences saying he’s better than his dad. Nor does the contract he signed that guaranteed opportunity, when we’ve been told to believe by WWE shills like Bruce Prichard that guys are only “offered opportunity” and nothings promised.

Sami is more over now than Cody will ever be in WWE. I don’t think he’s a great pick either based on the way creative has handled things, but he is DEFINITELY so much more over than Cody. Anyone who doesn’t watch wrestling would see Cody and not think star either, so I don’t know why that’s worth noting.

So much this. I don't give a crap about Cody. He's done nothing to make me think he deserves a top spot at Wrestlemania. They are trying to play it like everyone was awaiting his triumphant return. He had like 2 matches with Seth Rollins then was out injured until tonight. I'm supposed to be rooting for him because mean old Vince made his fat dad wear polka dots 40 years ago?

They will need to come up with a better main event than Cody vs Roman.

[jimbob007]

Sounds like an abysmal show-will be the first year in a long time I will not be watching.

[cheerupemokid]

Cody is an upper mid card talent. This pathetic dead dad angle won’t change that. Nor will Triple H going on these worked press conferences saying he’s better than his dad. Nor does the contract he signed that guaranteed opportunity, when we’ve been told to believe by WWE shills like Bruce Prichard that guys are only “offered opportunity” and nothings promised.

Sami is more over now than Cody will ever be in WWE. I don’t think he’s a great pick either based on the way creative has handled things, but he is DEFINITELY so much more over than Cody. Anyone who doesn’t watch wrestling would see Cody and not think star either, so I don’t know why that’s worth noting.

Cody might be an upper mid card guy but Sammy is an Indy goof that should be watching WWE events in the crowd, not main eventing ppvs let alone Wrestlemania.

And Cody actually lifts and has good enough looks that he’s gotten mainstream Hollywood roles. And literally had a gimmick based on him being handsome.

You can appreciate the fans getting behind the goofy looking loser that looks like he’s one of them but let’s pretend that a balding ginger DYEL is in the same ball park as Cody appearance wise. Cody looks the part.

Cody is clearly over and has shown an ability to get over with crowds. He was incredibly over in AEW in the beginning. His issue has been sustaining it. But in a couple of months he should be able to get over.

Especially, since it looks like they’ll probably have the match and have Sammy job to Roman at the next ppv in Sammy’s hometown at the next ppv.

[Deathstroke]

Zayn not even in the rumble was a huge oversight. That’s just a plain ignorance no excuse for that bull****.

[HairyWBush]

Brock should've been the highlight of the PPV if they really cared about their audience.

[Deathstroke]

Gunther the iron man of this years Royal rumble

He should get a high level opponent for wrestlemania. Not sure who guns for his ic title.

[Deathstroke]

you might get Cody right. LOL>

Thank god the WBG is dead and gone

[Mr13percent]

Whatever happened to Kofi and Rey tho?

One of Kofi's feet landed on chair instead of ground, he's still in it unless he subsequently got up and walked and I missed that.

Rey never entered so he's in Axelmania territory.

Also wondering this....

Side note: I have not watched wrestling since Rock faced Hogan at Wrestlemania (Pat's show is the only reason I knew it was on) ...so not sure on storylines etc. but is Rey's kid a star? I feel like he has the "it" factor of making a good heel (if he's not already) and the next big star

[SmithMachineGuy]

Also wondering this....

Side note: I have not watched wrestling since Rock faced Hogan at Wrestlemania (Pat's show is the only reason I knew it was on) ...so not sure on storylines etc. but is Rey's kid a star? I feel like he has the "it" factor of making a good heel (if he's not already) and the next big star

Rey's son is hilarious! He had a shaky start because he had no character direction except "Rey's son". He's also not that great in the ring. But they turned him heel and he's like a goofball thinks he's a tough guy, and his stable mates all feed into his delusion. Judgement Day is fantastic because they are bad guys, but they are also kind of a wholesome family in the way they actually care abut each other.
Dominik is legit one of the top reasons to watch WWE right now.

[ChristmasFnatic]

Rey's son is hilarious! He had a shaky start because he had no character direction except "Rey's son". He's also not that great in the ring. But they turned him heel and he's like a goofball thinks he's a tough guy, and his stable mates all feed into his delusion. Judgement Day is fantastic because they are bad guys, but they are also kind of a wholesome family in the way they actually care abut each other.
Dominik is legit one of the top reasons to watch WWE right now.

Jailbird Dom. Lol.

Anyway, didnt expect Jey to be the one who felt bad for Sami. I thought it was Jimmy who always was close to him.

Rumble itself was meh. But I guess all of us knew Cody would win it since he got injured. Glad Gunther is being pushed as a legit wrestler.

[LurkoLantern]

Isn't this the second year in a row that Kofi botched his rumble spot? In any case, I think he's going to announce his retirement soon. He had already said that when New Day breaks up he would retire, and I think giving him & Xavier the tag straps was a parting gift kind of thing. So I'm wondering if he retires before or after WM.

They'll probably make us wait until Friday on Smackdown to show the footage of Rey getting beat down by Judgement Day.

Also, it was fun while it lasted, but they need to wrap up the Sami/Bloodline storyline asap.

[ChristmasFnatic]

Isn't this the second year in a row that Kofi botched his rumble spot? In any case, I think he's going to announce his retirement soon. He had already said that when New Day breaks up he would retire, and I think giving him & Xavier the tag straps was a parting gift kind of thing. So I'm wondering if he retires before or after WM.

They'll probably make us wait until Friday on Smackdown to show the footage of Rey getting beat down by Judgement Day.

Also, it was fun while it lasted, but they need to wrap up the Sami/Bloodline storyline asap.

Yeah 2nd year in a row. I am not a fan of Kofi but he has been around for so long(had many gfs came and go in my life yet Kofi still there lol) it would be sad to see him go.

Maybe one last big storyline? He announcing his retirement then Xavier attacks him for being selfish. Or a returning Biggie(if he ever) attacking them both for not sending get well cards.

And yes, I am totally enjoying the Bloodline/Sami storyline but it can only go so far. Been going on for months.

[stayhomeneet]

Rhea winning from number 1 was awesome, I love rhea, I wish she would break away from that crappy group she's in with those losers, anyway she dominated as she should, she looks 100x more legit than any of the other women. She should have a stone cold Steve Austin type gimmick and unlike becky cringe it wouldn't be cringe because rhea is believable.


Mens wise, we all knew it would be Cody, it's fine, at this point I literally don't care who it is as long as they beat roman at mania, WWE needs to move forward and it can't do that with reigns stranglehold on the title, we need fresh match ups in the world title position.

No cool surprises but the match quality was good imo.

[yieldtonothing]

cody going away and avoiding the make roman look strong era really worked out for him in the end.

every other main event guy in wwe is not believable at this point. you're not gonna buy balor, owens, rollins, lashley, brock at this point. cody is the only guy that makes sense. good for him. do it for your daddy.

[jimbob007]

cody going away and avoiding the make roman look strong era really worked out for him in the end.

every other main event guy in wwe is not believable at this point. you're not gonna buy balor, owens, rollins, lashley, brock at this point. cody is the only guy that makes sense. good for him. do it for your daddy.

He is a better choice than Sami Zayn for sure. Can anybody really buy Zayn as a top guy, despite them shoving him down our throats? This is like pushing Skip or Savio Vega as the top guy in WWF in 1995/1996.

[jimbob007]

Isn't this the second year in a row that Kofi botched his rumble spot? In any case, I think he's going to announce his retirement soon. He had already said that when New Day breaks up he would retire, and I think giving him & Xavier the tag straps was a parting gift kind of thing. So I'm wondering if he retires before or after WM.

They'll probably make us wait until Friday on Smackdown to show the footage of Rey getting beat down by Judgement Day.

Also, it was fun while it lasted, but they need to wrap up the Sami/Bloodline storyline asap.

It was funny the first year he did it, still somewhat the next year-but what is it now, every year for a decade plus? Like the heel boss/manager & recreation of the Montreal Screwjob it got old pretty quick.

[ChristmasFnatic]

He is a better choice than Sami Zayn for sure. Can anybody really buy Zayn as a top guy, despite them shoving him down our throats? This is like pushing Skip or Savio Vega as the top guy in WWF in 1995/1996.

Yeah. Imagine the last match of Mania. Sami's music hits. lol. I mean I like Sami now, he really is great at the mic and how he handles his character, but he is more like mid carder material. I guess it is him and KO vs Usos(or Jimmy and Solo) for the tag titles.

It was funny the first year he did it, still somewhat the next year-but what is it now, every year for a decade plus? Like the heel boss/manager & recreation of the Montreal Screwjob it got old pretty quick.

He should botch it from now on, so people will wonder how bad he will do at that particular Rumble.

[jimbob007]

Yeah. Imagine the last match of Mania. Sami's music hits. lol. I mean I like Sami now, he really is great at the mic and how he handles his character, but he is more like mid carder material. I guess it is him and KO vs Usos(or Jimmy and Solo) for the tag titles.



He should botch it from now on, so people will wonder how bad he will do at that particular Rumble.

Yep, I like Zayn, he is a good wrestler & decent on the mic, has some level of charisma. You can certainly have him in semi main events from time to time with a big feud pushed well. But yeah-nobody is buying him having any chance of beating Reigns, Lesnar etc & it would look pretty ridiculous seeing them facing off. Mid-card to upper mid card is his spot & I really could care less about him & Owens-they have turned on each other about 50 times in the last 8 years or so, so why should we care?

Same thing with Hall & Nash in WCW & Banks & Bayley years back-one week they are pals, next week one is turning on the other, then a month later they are back together, then a month later the other one turns, then 2 months later they are back together again-why are supposed to get emotionally invested?

[squat_blaster]

Graves and Cole were gold on commentary.

LOL @ "Stay away from Otis. The man has his own gravitational pull".

LOL @ Cole saying Graves was Elias's only fan

[yieldtonothing]

He is a better choice than Sami Zayn for sure. Can anybody really buy Zayn as a top guy, despite them shoving him down our throats? This is like pushing Skip or Savio Vega as the top guy in WWF in 1995/1996.

sami could headline a b level ppv or even get a token title run like kofi did if the belts get split up...but he's not a threat to roman. anyone advocating for him to be in the wm main event is daft.

meltzer is jus working trying to subtly bury cody and put his boys olivier and the cucomonga kids over by advocating for sami

[jimbob007]

sami could headline a b level ppv or even get a token title run like kofi did if the belts get split up...but he's not a threat to roman. anyone advocating for him to be in the wm main event is daft.

meltzer is jus working trying to subtly bury cody and put his boys olivier and the cucomonga kids over by advocating for sami

If Dave was booking WM he would have Bucks vs Olivier & Ostrich as the main event. That Dome match between Olivier & Ostrich was atrocious.

[SmithMachineGuy]

He is a better choice than Sami Zayn for sure. Can anybody really buy Zayn as a top guy, despite them shoving him down our throats? This is like pushing Skip or Savio Vega as the top guy in WWF in 1995/1996.

Without a ranked contender what this fight needs is a novelty. This is the land of opportunity, right? So, Roman Reigns, on April 1st, gives a local underdog fighter an opportunity. A snow-white underdog, and I'm gonna put his face on this poster with me. And I'll tell you why. Because I'm sentimental. A lot of other people in this country are just as sentimental and there's nothing they'd like better than to see Roman Reigns give a local Montreal boy a shot at the greatest title in the world on this country's biggest Fool's Day. Now that's the way I see it and that's the way it's gonna be.

[LinuxJon]

Keep in mind, Roman only has like 2" and 30lbs on Sami. There's been a lot less believable stuff.

They really really need roman to ride off into the sunset. His stupid push has buried essentially every talent WWE has on the books.

[stayhomeneet]

Keep in mind, Roman only has like 2" and 30lbs on Sami. There's been a lot less believable stuff.

They really really need roman to ride off into the sunset. His stupid push has buried essentially every talent WWE has on the books.

Yes but Sammy looks like a bum off the street.

Ask yourself this question would d a prime Chris benoit or kurt angle beating reigns be unbelievable? No, of course not.

Size isn't the issue with Zayn it's the way he carries himself and chooses to look.

[Phil9]

Cody will probably just be the gatekeeper FOTC along with Roman until WWE can development someone new and younger to take over the mantle for the long-term. Maybe a Bronn Breakker? NXT seems kinda flat on having many talents that look like they will be a big star.


People like Rollins, Reigns, and Cody are now nearing 40. Both companies are looking bleak on having a roster of people ready to replace them.

[Phil9]

Keep in mind, Roman only has like 2" and 30lbs on Sami. There's been a lot less believable stuff.

They really really need roman to ride off into the sunset. His stupid push has buried essentially every talent WWE has on the books.

Yeah but Sami is almost flabby. He is basically slightly athletic dad bod. Reigns has a slightly higher than normal body fat % for his position [Dem Samoan Genetics] but is still pretty massive physically in the arms and shoulders.


It's silly to say it's just 30 pounds. It's the difference between a guy who is built and a guy who gets told "Do you even lift, brah?"