2021 ROYAL RUMBLE - EDIT 2/4/21 - EDGE IS MAIN-EVENTING WM37. WHY????

[MCWAY]

I haven't done this in a while; so, I didn't make any picks.

It's weird watching wrestling with no fans but video screens in "Thunderdome" (the former name of Tropicana Field where the Tampa Bay Devil Rays play in my hometown of St. Petersburg, FL). Did I mention Tampa Bay has been on a roll? Lighting win the Stanley Cup; Rays go to the World Series; Bucs are in the Super Bowl....IN THEIR OWN HOME STADIUM!!! 

Rumble Matches:

WWE World Championship: Drew McIntyre (c) vs. Goldberg - GOOD LORD!!! First, why does Oldberg need escorts in an arena with NO FANS? Second, Mr. Spear is listed at 285, while McIntyre is 265!! Do I look blind to you? McIntyre dwarfs him in height and muscularity. The challenger is 250 max.

Same tired old formula: Everyone hits finishers until we get a pin. Despite hitting his whackhammer, McIntyre kicked out after being speared three times (once in the barricade before the bell rang). At least, he didn't drop the champion on his head, nearly breaking his neck the way he did 'Taker last year. Bill went to the well once too often, hit the post, got Claymored in the mouth and pinned.

McIntyre retains. I guess this is a passing the torch/time-honored-tradition thing. Maybe NOW Oldberg will call it a career.

Smackdown Women's Title: Sasha Banks (c) vs. Carmella - Carmella has this fanboy who is her personal lackey (besides Corey Graves) Match was fairly decent. Sasha got the "Bank Statement" for the submission win.

Women's Royal Rumble: For all this worry about coronavirus, they let this ring fill up with a least a dozen women. Five diva competitors returned: Jillian Hall (#8), singing her entrance theme. Victoria (#10), WWE Hall of Famer, Torrie Wilson (#17), the only one who still is in Divas shape, Mickie James (#19), and Alicia Fox (#21).

Comic relief: After Fox's entrance, R-Truth shows up apparently getting his Rumbles confused. Jobbers chase him into the ring and Fox rolls up Truth to win that STUPID 24/7 title, which Truth won back after Fox got eliminated.

For those keeping score. Bianca Bellair entered #3 and won the whole thing, lasting over 56 minutes. She even stole Naomi's shtick of falling out of the ring, not landing on her feet, and re-entering the squared circle (she even did a tandem move with Naomi).

WWE Universal Championship - Last Man Standing: Roman Reigns (c) vs. Kevin Owens - Best match of the night! Reigns runs over Owens with a golf cart; that's a first for me. Owens does a swan dive through Reigns off a raised forklift pallet. Chairs used to pummel each other everywhere...except the head of course.

Owens cuffs Reigns to a light fixture and it looks as if the champ is done. But, as soon as the ref hits 9, Reigns yanks him into another scaffold and knocks him out cold. Reigns lands a nut shot to stall for time, while Heyman uncuffs Reigns (who introduced the cuffs, initially). Once Reigns is freed, he hooks the guillotine sleeper. Owens goes night-night, doesn't make the 10-count, and ends up on the short end. Reigns retains the blue belt.

[WoogsRaven]

Good post. Thanks for the review. I'm still such a mark for wrestling but I just can't stomach today's product. Especially with no fans.

[TheGrinch]

Can I just get Pete Rose vs the SD Chicken?

[MCWAY]

I only saw the first few minutes of the men's Rumble. Carlito was the first major return at #8. I've since learned that Christian, Hurricane, and Kane were surprise entrants.

I also accidentally found out who won it, before I could see it fully. WWE must be desperate, as this 'Mania isn't looking all that good.

Edge ended up winning it. Edge vs. Reigns or Edge vs. McIntyre. How in the world are you going to sell Edge having a chance against either one of those guys?

[Playboy]

I haven't done this in a while; so, I didn't make any pics.

It's weird watching wrestling with no fans but video screens in "Thunderdome" (the former name of Tropicana Field where the Tampa Bay Devil Rays play in my hometown of St. Petersburg, FL). Did I mention Tampa Bay has been on a roll? Lighting win the Stanley Cup; Rays go to the World Series; Bucs are in the Super Bowl....IN THEIR OWN HOME STADIUM!!! 

Rumble Matches:

WWE World Championship: Drew McIntyre (c) vs. Goldberg - GOOD LORD!!! First, why does Oldberg need escorts in an arena with NO FANS? Second, Mr. Spear is listed at 285, while McIntyre is 265!! Do I look blind to you? McIntyre dwarfs him in height and muscularity. The challenger is 250 max.

Same tired old formula: Everyone hits finishers until we get a pin. Despite hitting his whackhammer, McIntyre kicked out after being speared three times (once in the barricade before the bell rang). At least, he didn't drop the champion on his head, nearly breaking his neck the way he did 'Taker last year. Bill went to the well once too often, hit the post, got Claymored in the mouth and pinned.

McIntyre retains. I guess this is a passing the torch/time-honored-tradition thing. Maybe NOW Oldberg will call it a career.

Smackdown Women's Title: Sasha Banks (c) vs. Carmella - Carmella has this fanboy who is her personal lackey (besides Corey Graves) Match was fairly decent. Sasha got the "Bank Statement" for the submission win.

Women's Royal Rumble: For all this worry about coronavirus, they let this ring fill up with a least a dozen women. Five diva competitors returned: Jillian Hall (#8), singing her entrance theme. Victoria (#10), WWE Hall of Famer, Torrie Wilson (#17), the only one who still is in Divas shape, Mickie James (#19), and Alicia Fox (#21).

Comic relief: After Fox's entrance, R-Truth shows up apparently getting his Rumbles confused. Jobbers chase him into the ring and Fox rolls up Truth to win that STUPID 24/7 title, which Truth won back after Fox got eliminated.

For those keeping score. Bianca Bellair entered #3 and won the whole thing, lasting over 56 minutes. She even stole Naomi's shtick of falling out of the ring, not landing on her feet, and re-entering the squared circle (she even did a tandem move with Naomi).

WWE Universal Championship - Last Man Standing: Roman Reigns (c) vs. Kevin Owens - Best match of the night! Reigns runs over Owens with a golf cart; that's a first for me. Owens does a swan dive through Reigns off a raised forklift pallet. Chairs used to pummel each other everywhere...except the head of course.

Owens cuffs Reigns to a light fixture and it looks as if the champ is done. But, as soon as the ref hits 9, Reigns yanks him into another scaffold and knocks him out cold. Reigns lands a nut shot to stall for time, while Heyman uncuffs Reigns (who introduced the cuffs, initially). Once Reigns is freed, he hooks the guillotine sleeper. Owens goes night-night, doesn't make the 10-count, and ends up on the short end. Reigns retains the blue belt.

Nice review, I watched the whole thing as well from start to finish. I thought it was a good show all in all considering no fans. Edge winning was unexpected but well deserved. My guess....Drew looses the title at Elimination Chamber (5 opponents where anyone can get pinned causing Drew to lose but still look strong). Orton wins the Title at the chamber and challenges Edge at WM to finally end the fued where Edge comes out on top with the belt. Just my guess as Edge never really finished his career and was forced out due to injury.
Bianca Belair winning the ladies rumble was good. They need to change things up there. I'm guessing she will challenge Banks for the Smakdown women's championship.
Like you said, Reigns and Owens killed eachother in a great match. Reigns is doing well with the title and according to the dirt sheets, will not lose it anytime soon. I told everyone a few years ago....turn Reigns heel, give him a mouth peice (Heyman) and watch what wonders he can creat 
Not sure how you all feel but IMO they need to get rid of that ridiculous 24/7 title. Its an insult to titles in general and the art of wrestling.

[MCWAY]

Nice review, I watched the whole thing as well from start to finish. I thought it was a good show all in all considering no fans. Edge winning was unexpected but well deserved. My guess....Drew looses the title at Elimination Chamber (5 opponents where anyone can get pinned causing Drew to lose but still look strong). Orton wins the Title at the chamber and challenges Edge at WM to finally end the fued where Edge comes out on top with the belt. Just my guess as Edge never really finished his career and was forced out due to injury.
Bianca Belair winning the ladies rumble was good. They need to change things up there. I'm guessing she will challenge Banks for the Smakdown women's championship.
Like you said, Reigns and Owens killed eachother in a great match. Reigns is doing well with the title and according to the dirt sheets, will not lose it anytime soon. I told everyone a few years ago....turn Reigns heel, give him a mouth peice (Heyman) and watch what wonders he can creat 
Nt sure how you all feel but IMO the need to get rid of that ridiculous 24/7 title. Its an insult to titles in general and the art of wrestling.

If there is an Elimination Chamber match, I don't like where this is heading. Edge has been beefing with The Miz as of late. So, I have a sinking feeling that McIntyre is going to endure the Chamber, only to have Miz case MITB on him to get the title, which he won 10 years ago via the briefcase.

I still don't get the "lawsuit" angle where they took the MITB case fro Otis of "Heavy Machinery" and gave it to Miz, in the first place.

Poor Otis! No MITB, No Mandy Rose, no tag titles. Life must SUCK!!!

And YES, that 24/7 title needs to go. That old Hardcore title (Crash Holly) gimmick from the 2000s was cute back then (for a few months). Now, it's just plain DUMB!!!

[LurkerNoMore]

I haven't done this in a while; so, I didn't make any picks.

It's weird watching wrestling with no fans but video screens in "Thunderdome" (the former name of Tropicana Field where the Tampa Bay Devil Rays play in my hometown of St. Petersburg, FL). Did I mention Tampa Bay has been on a roll? Lighting win the Stanley Cup; Rays go to the World Series; Bucs are in the Super Bowl....IN THEIR OWN HOME STADIUM!!! 

Rumble Matches:

WWE World Championship: Drew McIntyre (c) vs. Goldberg - GOOD LORD!!! First, why does Oldberg need escorts in an arena with NO FANS?   Because you know that girl from The Ring might pop out of one of those tvs and get him.. she already got that Scott Hall greasy hair look to her... and she would probably use a cattle prod.  Second, Mr. Spear is listed at 285, while McIntyre is 265!! Do I look blind to you? McIntyre dwarfs him in height and muscularity. The challenger is 250 max.        Goldberg refused to get on the scale... they going by his WCW weight in his prime

Same tired old formula: Everyone hits finishers until we get a pin. Despite hitting his whackhammer, McIntyre kicked out after being speared three times (once in the barricade before the bell rang). At least, he didn't drop the champion on his head, nearly breaking his neck the way he did 'Taker last year. Bill went to the well once too often, hit the post, got Claymored in the mouth and pinned.     I like Goldberg... he was one of the few things WCW got right in making... was one of the many things they screwed over and then Vince mangled beyond repair.   That said, if he wants to stay in the biz, he needs to do so out of the ring.  Announcing, manager, etc...    He and Scott Steiner get worse and worse every time you see them

McIntyre retains. I guess this is a passing the torch/time-honored-tradition thing. Maybe NOW Oldberg will call it a career.

Smackdown Women's Title: Sasha Banks (c) vs. Carmella - Carmella has this fanboy who is her personal lackey (besides Corey Graves) Match was fairly decent. Sasha got the "Bank Statement" for the submission win.

Women's Royal Rumble: For all this worry about coronavirus, they let this ring fill up with a least a dozen women. Five diva competitors returned: Jillian Hall (#8), singing her entrance theme. Victoria (#10), WWE Hall of Famer, Torrie Wilson (#17), the only one who still is in Divas shape, Mickie James (#19), and Alicia Fox (#21).

Comic relief: After Fox's entrance, R-Truth shows up apparently getting his Rumbles confused. Jobbers chase him into the ring and Fox rolls up Truth to win that STUPID 24/7 title, which Truth won back after Fox got eliminated.    Truth is really the brightest spot in WWE right now.  He is goofy, but he was given a shit angle and has worked it pretty good.   I can't wait for that kid he encountered (with the kids dad) during his Little Jimmy phase to win the 24/7.  That kid should be old enough by now.  LOL

For those keeping score. Bianca Bellair entered #3 and won the whole thing, lasting over 56 minutes. She even stole Naomi's shtick of falling out of the ring, not landing on her feet, and re-entering the squared circle (she even did a tandem move with Naomi).

WWE Universal Championship - Last Man Standing: Roman Reigns (c) vs. Kevin Owens - Best match of the night! Reigns runs over Owens with a golf cart; that's a first for me. Owens does a swan dive through Reigns off a raised forklift pallet. Chairs used to pummel each other everywhere...except the head of course.

Owens cuffs Reigns to a light fixture and it looks as if the champ is done. But, as soon as the ref hits 9, Reigns yanks him into another scaffold and knocks him out cold. Reigns lands a nut shot to stall for time, while Heyman uncuffs Reigns (who introduced the cuffs, initially). Once Reigns is freed, he hooks the guillotine sleeper. Owens goes night-night, doesn't make the 10-count, and ends up on the short end. Reigns retains the blue belt.

Thanks

[Playboy]

If there is an Elimination Chamber match, I don't like where this is heading. Edge has been beefing with The Miz as of late. So, I have a sinking feeling that McIntyre is going to endure the Chamber, only to have Miz case MITB on him to get the title, which he won 10 years ago via the briefcase.

I still don't get the "lawsuit" angle where they took the MITB case fro Otis of "Heavy Machinery" and gave it to Miz, in the first place.

Poor Otis! No MITB, No Mandy Rose, no tag titles. Life must SUCK!!!

And YES, that 24/7 title needs to go. That old Hardcore title (Crash Holly) gimmick from the 2000s was cute back then (for a few months). Now, it's just plain DUMB!!!

YOu called it right...Miz cashed in but Edge speared Roman and challenged him to WM. Very interesting....

[cheftim]

Edge trains at my gym here in Asheville. I knew he was gonna make a come back by how hard he was training and how ripped his face was. Believed he was going to AEW though. Great return to the first rumble. Great work with Orton before the tri injury. Coming back and winning the Rumble was epic. I've never been a Edge mark but always loved his work. That retirement speech on RAW was a tear jerker. I'm all for Edge main eventing Mania against Reigns. Perfect for the job. Wait until he starts doing insane high spots again because he's gonna do it. 

[MCWAY]

Edge trains at my gym here in Asheville. I knew he was gonna make a come back by how hard he was training and how ripped his face was. Believed he was going to AEW though. Great return to the first rumble. Great work with Orton before the tri injury. Coming back and winning the Rumble was epic. I've never been a Edge mark but always loved his work. That retirement speech on RAW was a tear jerker. I'm all for Edge main eventing Mania against Reigns. Perfect for the job. Wait until he starts doing insane high spots again because he's gonna do it.

Edge was never a really big man. But, he looks like an old crackhead now. He's even scrawnier than he was with the Brood. But, at least he had that evil vampire gimmick going. He pretty much stole the spotlight from Gangrel with one promo, in part because 'Grel couldn't talk due to those stupid fangs of his.

I just don't see Reigns jobbing to Edge. This was the guy who once seen as the ONLY antidote to Brock Lesnar. Losing to hobo Edge just doesn't work for me.