WWE Royal Rumble 2024: Highlights, surprises, and results

NEW DELHI: WWE’s 2024 Royal Rumble Premium Live Event unfolded at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, last night, captivating a roaring crowd of over 45,000 fans. The event featured a stacked card, including two title bouts and two Royal Rumble matches, setting the stage for an unforgettable journey on the Road to WrestleMania.Here are the highlights from the evening that engraved a new chapter in the history pages of WWE Royal Rumble.1. Women’s Royal Rumble Match: Bayley Secures a Spot at WrestleMania 40The Women’s Royal Rumble match delivered a rollercoaster of excitement with a star-studded lineup and several surprise entrants. The order of entrances included Natalya, Naomi, Bayley, Jordynne Grace, and the returning Naomi. The final moments saw a fierce showdown between Bayley, Jade Cargill, and Liv Morgan. In a hard-fought battle, Bayley emerged victorious, earning herself a title shot at WrestleMania 40. The match was lauded for its great spots, fun surprises, and unique eliminations, receiving a well-deserved Grade A.Notable moments included the record-breaking endurance of Naomi, lasting over an hour in the match, and the entertaining character work by Piper Niven and Chelsea Green. Bayley’s win not only marked a personal triumph but also added layers to the ongoing Damage CTRL storyline, setting the stage for a compelling narrative leading to WrestleMania.2. Undisputed WWE Universal Championship Fatal 4-Way: Reigns Retains in a Raucous ContestIn a Fatal 4-Way match for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship, Roman Reigns successfully defended his title against AJ Styles, LA Knight, and Randy Orton. The match showcased solid action, with fans cheering every competitor in a raucous display of appreciation. The Bloodline’s involvement played a role, with Solo Sikoa saving Reigns from a potential pin. The Tribal Chief ultimately retained his title by pinning Styles, earning the match a Grade B. While a well-structured contest, the predictable outcome due to Reigns’ dominance in recent matches slightly tempered the excitement.3. United States Championship: Logan Paul vs. Kevin Owens Ends in ControversyLogan Paul faced Kevin Owens for the United States Championship in a match that showcased Paul’s continued improvement in the ring. Owens unleashed a relentless assault on the social media star, refusing a pre-match handshake. Despite the technical improvements in Paul’s in-ring work, Owens managed to kick out of the Knockout Punch. However, a disqualification finish occurred when Paul’s associates passed brass knuckles to him, resulting in Owens using them and being disqualified. While unconventional, the finish added intrigue and protected both competitors, earning the match a Grade B+.4. Men’s Royal Rumble: Cody Rhodes Triumphs in the Final FourThe Men’s Royal Rumble match boasted a diverse lineup of entrants, with Cody Rhodes emerging victorious in the final four alongside CM Punk, Gunther, and Drew McIntyre. The match featured entertaining moments, with the early presence of Jey and Jimmy Uso, Andrade’s impressive mask, and the humorous commentary of Pat McAfee. Rhodes secured his second consecutive Rumble win by eliminating Punk in the final moments. While the match was entertaining, the outcome felt somewhat predictable. It received a Grade B, acknowledging its entertaining segments and standout performances.Notable moments included the interaction between Santos Escobar and Andrade, indicating a potential babyface turn for the latter, and R-Truth and Nia Jax being the only participants in both Rumble matches on the same night.(Inputs from agencies)