WWE Royal Rumble 2017 Results and Review: A Night of Legacies

Written by: Kevin Berge (All Images Courtesy of: WWE.com)

Every Road to WrestleMania begins at the Royal Rumble with this year the results for the night hard to predict going in. In the mix, AJ Styles vs. John Cena and Roman Reigns vs. Kevin Owens were reaching their final stage in battles for SmackDown and Raw's top prizes.

The Rumble match itself was populated with some of the greatest wrestlers in WWE's history including returns by The Undertaker, Goldberg and Brock Lesnar. It was hard to say who would come out on top with so many at odds, and WrestleMania's card hardly seemed certain at this point.

It was to be a night where much became far more clear with many matches that could very well steal the show.

Some say John Cena started the Women's Revolution.

Becky Lynch, Naomi, and Nikki Bella def. Alexa Bliss, Mickie James, and Natalya

Overview: The faces showed their impressive teamwork early to dominate the heels until Mickie James threw Becky Lynch into the barricade from behind. Lynch was then isolated until she managed an enzuigiri on Alexa Bliss to get the hot tag to Naomi. After the ring cleared, Naomi hit a roundhouse off the apron into a split legged moonsault for the win over the champion.

Highlights:

• Nikki Bella and Naomi hit a double dropkick on Bliss.
• All three faces joined together to hit a triple suplex on the heels.
• Naomi landed a slingshot plancha on all three heels.
• Lynch hit a jumping forearm into a corner side kick followed by flying forearm smash off the apron.
• Lynch managed a standing switch into a roll up then fought off a tagged in Bliss with a forearm before throwing Natalya through the ropes.
• Naomi's hot tag included a springboard crossbody, top rope aided side kicks, a running somersault forearm, and a series of side kicks into an enzuigiri.

Analysis: This match was far better than it had any right to be with no real meaning behind putting all these rivals together. It was still a waste of talent here with the Lynch vs. Bliss/Mickie feud deserving a main card spot. Mickie did almost nothing the whole contest while, on the other hand, Lynch and Naomi were both on fire.

Rating: 7/10

Congrats, Gallows and Anderson, you have finally made it to the mountain top, winning gold on a preshow.

Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson def. Cesaro and Sheamus to Become the New Raw Tag Team Champions

Overview: With two referees watching the action, this match was back and forth consistently. Sheamus went down after Cesaro inadvertently threw Anderson's running kick into Sheamus on the apron. One referee went down to the Brogue Kick as Sheamus came back. In the end, Sheamus took a Magic Killer then Anderson rolled up Cesaro with a handful of tights for the win.

Highlights:

• Cesaro came out quick with a dropkick and gutwrench suplex.
• Gallows roundhouse kicked Cesaro then roundhoused Sheamus off the apron.
• Sheamus and Cesaro hit a top rope assisted White Noise on Anderson.
• Cesaro hit an elevated uppercut on Anderson after a distraction from the refs.
• Cesaro hit the swing right into the sharpshooter.
• Sheamus hit a Thesz press on both Gallows and Anderson.

Analysis: This was a solid tag team match, but it didn't quite hit the second gear both teams have in them. Most of the focus was just on the ref going down, and there were really no nearfalls. At no point did this match feel as much like an epic heavyweight bout as what we got from the teams on Raw a few weeks back.

It was great to have Gallows and Anderson finally capture the tag team championships, but it was so sadly underwhelming. After all the false starts with the duo, it would have been a bigger deal if they just won on Raw instead. Having them win in front of a still not fully attentive crowd on the Kickoff was a waste.

Rating: 7.5/10

Poor Sasha, she has gone from main eventing a PPV to losing on the Kickoff. How will she ever survive a situation that has affected so many others?

Nia Jax def. Sasha Banks

Overview: Banks tried to the aggressor early with each big move countered by Jax's power. As the match progressed, Banks' speed disappeared, and Jax barely broke a sweat, finally catching Banks for a Samoan drop and the win.

Highlights:

• Jax targeted the knee with a stretch muffler.
• Banks fought back with diving double knees but hurts her knee on impact.

Analysis: It is too difficult for me to rate this with how short it was. However, it was perfect in what it needed to do even if this story has been told better in longer form. Banks chose to fight when she wasn't ready, and she was completely destroyed for it, giving Jax her most impressive victory to date.

Rating: N/A

And finally we have a worthy successor to Randy Savage.

Charlotte Flair def. Bayley to Retain the WWE Women's Championship

Overview: Charlotte dominated early with her strength and quickly stop a rally by smashing Bayley into the steel underneath the ring and a kick into the steps. Bayley continued to fight back, but, after Charlotte tossed Bayley over the top rope to the floor, she hit the Natural Selection on the apron for the win.

Highlights:

• Bayley hit a neckbreaker through the second rope then went for a suicide dive with it caught but turned into a Bayley headscissors.
• Bayley's backslide was turned into a neckbreaker and big boot.
• Bayley landed a springboard crossbody followed by a series of running clothesline into a facebuster then, after a few extra punches, hit a diving elbow.
• Bayley reversed the pressure on the figure eight only for Charlotte to flip right back and use the ropes for extra damage before the referee noticed.
• Charlotte moonsaulted right into double knees.

Analysis: This was Charlotte and Bayley's best clash to date with a hint that there is even a greater story to be told between these two in the future. The storytelling by Charlotte was excellent as was Bayley's flurry of offense that showed a diverse set of moves we have rarely seen.

With Charlotte winning clean in their first pay-per-view encounter, it shows how legitimate Charlotte's PPV streak is. It makes her seem invincible while also frustrating Bayley who always had Charlotte's number on Raw. The next chapter of this feud should take another step forward from this match.

Rating: 8.75/10

You didn't really think Kevin Owens could win on his own, did you? Ha, heels don't win on their own.

Kevin Owens def. Roman Reigns to Retain the WWE Universal Championship

Overview: Before the match, Chris Jericho and Kevin Owens beat down on Roman Reigns until Reigns forced Jericho into the cage. Reigns seemed to finally have KO on the ropes after powerbombing him through the German announce table, but Braun Strowman came out and attacked Reigns, throwing him a table to allow Owens to pin Reigns and retain.

Highlights:

• KO tried to throw the top of the German announce table at Reigns only to have it thrown in his own face.
• KO set up a tower of steel chairs with Reigns fighting off a powerbomb into it then trying to hit a suplex through it with both escaping to the ring.
• Owens double superkicked Reigns onto a table followed by a top rope frog splash to the outside.
• KO caught Reigns off the ropes with a superkick then threw him into a steel chair in the corner.
• Jericho threw KO brass knuckles which KO used for a mocking Superman Punch on Reigns.
• Reigns landed a Samoan drop through a standing steel chair.
• KO blocked a Spear through a table with a knee then hit a stunner nearfall.
• KO returned to the steel chair tower for a second rope suplex only for Reigns to Superman Punch him off and through them.

Analysis: This was complete and utter destruction at its finest. It was no wrestling match but rather an engaging hardcore war as both men went bigger and bigger in a contest that did a great job of building to its grandest moments. It was absolutely a showcase of the chemistry these two have and the best we have seen from them.

In order for Owens to survive here, someone had to save him, so I wasn't surprised Strowman came out. This way, WWE has a Reigns/Strowman feud to build forward, and Owens remains champ into Mania. I am interested to see if Reigns can bring another level out of Strowman.

Rating: 9.25/10

Congrats, Neville, you finally reached the mountain top, winning a title for being an underweight little man in an industry built by giants.

Neville def. Rich Swann to Become the New WWE Cruiserweight Champion

Overview: This was all Neville for the most part, but Swann used his signature Rich Kick to steal momentum back. However, Neville would not stay down. After barely surviving a Rich Kick, Neville caught Swann for a superplex then locked in the Rings of Saturn for the submission.

Highlights:

• Neville stalked Swann before a vicious missile dropkick.
• Neville snap suplex into a running forearm in the corner
• Neville drove Swann into the barricade on each side
• Neville dove right into a Rich Kick.
• Swan landed a perfect 450 off the second rope to Neville outside.
• Swann hit a running back kick into a running frog splash.
• Neville ran right into a superkick, but his German was turned into a roll up followed by a quick Rich Kick.

Analysis: This was easily the best match from the cruiserweights since they came to Monday Night Raw. These two told a complete story, utilizing their athleticism and striking ability as more than flair.

Rating: 8.75/10

For complete context here, Lil Naitch is screaming at AJ, "Don't you dare cost Ric Flair his legendary record!"

John Cena def. AJ Styles to Become the New WWE Champion

Overview: This match was a war of two of the greatest with John Cena and AJ Styles pulling out their best without being able to take the victory. Cena took a Styles Clash, but he then caught Styles before a Phenomenal Forearm and landed an AA followed by a rolling senton right into another AA for the win.

Highlights:

• Styles jumped out of the Attitude Adjustment then hit an enzuigiri.
• Styles hit a sudden headscissors into a low running forearm.
• Styles nearly turned the Five Knuckle Shuffle into the Calf Crusher then hit a German suplex into a wheelbarrow facebuster.
• Styles locked in a torture rack into a spin-out powerbomb.
• Cena dodged a forearm right into an AA.
• Cena turned Styles inside out with a running lariat.
• Styles dazed Cena with a sudden pele kick into the Phenomenal Forearm.
• Cena caught Styles into an electric chair facebuster.
• Styles turned an AA into the Calf Crusher which Cena turned into an STF with Styles rolling it through into his own STF.
• Styles tried to fight out of an electric chair and powerbomb only for Cena to fall right into a figure four leglock on Styles.
• Cena fought off an armbar right into a deadlift slam.
• Styles caught Cena off the top for a powerbomb then hit the Styles Clash.
• Cena got the knees up against a springboard 450 then landed a Code Red.
• Cena hit a spin-out cutter followed by an avalanche AA.

Analysis: Styles and Cena let go of all the building process of their previous contests as well as loosening the storytelling. Instead they just worked at an incredible rate, an epic clash the likes of which WrestleMania often begs for. It was the best yet of an incredible rivalry.

As someone who loved the storytelling focus of their previous clashes, I was shocked how little I cared that they let it go. The subtext was there constantly in a clash that was as close to perfect as you can get though with a finish that was a bit too superhuman for my taste.

Cena has now tied Ric Flair's legacy which is cool in the sense that it shows how important John has been in WWE's history, but it is a bit silly to say Cena's total reigns match up to other legends when so many of his reigns lasted so little time.

Rating: 10/10

Suddenly the world realized we could be set for another Orton vs. Cena match, and they all screamed in terror.

Randy Orton Wins the 2017 Royal Rumble Match, Last Eliminating Roman Reigns

Overview: Braun Strowman dominated this match early with seven eliminations before he was teamed up on by stars who piled up until they overwhelmed him and took him out. The ring filled with superstars until Brock Lesnar came out to begin dominating only Goldberg to arrive and instantly Spear and eliminate Lesnar.

The Undertaker arrived in the ring and took out Goldberg only for Reigns to take him out, leaving the final four as Jericho, Reigns, Randy Orton, and Bray Wyatt. Reigns eliminated Jericho then managed to take out Wyatt only to be quickly dumped out by Orton to win the Rumble.

Highlights:

• Jack Gallagher hit an umbrella low blow on Jericho.
  
• Mojo Rawley ran right into a chokeslam from Strowman then Big Cass's big boot got him eliminated by Strowman followed quickly by Kalisto thrown out on both.
  
• Big Show chokeslammed Strowman then Jericho ran in for a Codebreaker but took a WMD instead with Strowman fighting off a running powerslam then throwing Show out.
  
• Tye Dillinger and Sami Zayn teamed up on Strowman only to take a double suplex then nearly eliminated him after James Ellsworth entered as a distraction.
  
• Kofi was impaled on the post by Baron Corbin but held on by his fingertips.
  
• Cesaro ran in and hit everyone with swings in sequence until he got dizzy and almost did it to his own partner.
  
• New Day teamed up on Sheamus then helped each other stay alive with Big E also throwing Miz into double side kicks from Kofi and Woods on the apron.
  
• Cesaro and Sheamus took out all of New Day at once but then Sheamus tried to turn on his partner with Jericho sneaking in and eliminating both.
• Luke Harper suddenly hit a huge lariat on Wyatt then nearly Sister Abigailed Wyatt before Orton RKOed Harper for the save.
  
• Goldberg Speared Taker but was eliminated by Taker from behind soon after.
  
• Reigns and Taker went at it immediately with Reigns getting the better of The Deadman and eliminating him.
  

Analysis: This match was a bit of a letdown but far from a bad event. The storylines throughout were well told beyond leading to a few lulls with wrestlers just filling the ring for the bigger stars. The big issue coming out was the lack of surprise entrants after promises including from Triple H that this would be a surprising night.

The only real surprise here beyond Tye Dillinger's appearance at 10 was the ending with Orton winning of all people. To the Rumble's credit, it was the first time in a while we got a surprise ending that felt genuine to stories being told, but it also meant Orton won who did not need the victory and sets up a bunch of disappointing clashes.

Whether we get Cena/Orton or Wyatt/Orton (the likeliest clashes), neither will make for a true WrestleMania main event worthy encounter. This feels like WWE just apologizing to Orton for forcing him into the midcard lately where he was actually far better than the main event scene.

Rating: 8/10

Good on WWE for finally coming up with a way to get Roman Reigns over. Oh wait, they're not chanting "We Love Roman". They're chanting... oh.

Final Notes: Enzo and Cass did a weird other world commercial for KFC. Superstars were shown picking out their Rumble spots with Zayn getting number 8 with Ambrose also grabbing his without revealing it. Shawn Michaels also appeared to hype up the show on the Kickoff, promoting the importance of the main event.

Interesting Stats from This Year's Rumble: I collected a bunch of statistics recently on past Rumbles and though I'd use that to see how this match compared. It led to some interesting revelations. (I don't yet know all the official times each wrestler survived which would make more interesting stats.)

• Jericho is now the only wrestler to enter at number two three times.
• Jericho also now holds the longest total time in the Rumble ever after becoming the sixth man ever to last over an hour in the match.
• Big Show has now been in 12 Rumbles, more than anyone but Kane and HBK.
• Strowman was one of only two men to get seven eliminations from number seven. The other? Diesel in 1994. The two runs in the Rumble were very similar.
  
• Kofi entered at 14, the cursed number. His career may now be doomed.
  
• In just four Rumbles, Reigns already has 26 eliminations with his 3 this year his lowest number. That puts him 8th all time and on track to beat Kane's record (42) in 3 more Rumbles (Kane has been in 19).
  
• Orton is only the second man to win the Rumble with only one elimination. He now joins the ranks of Vince McMahon.
  

Conclusion: Overall, this was stellar show with a main card of matches that were well worth any price of admission. With the incredible Cena/Styles, the strong Reigns/Owens, and two great matches with Charlotte/Bayley and Neville/Swann, it was not a wrestling night to miss.

Some will get a bit upset with the results, but I have come to accept that the booking will never be perfect in WWE particularly involving the Rumble itself which has not had a lasting crowd pleasing winner for a decade. The wrestler once more overcame the booking to create compelling art in the ring for all to see.

This was one of the wrestling shows I would absolutely recommend to a prospective viewer though only for the main card. The three and a half hours of action flew by in a breeze, setting up compelling future stakes throughout. It very much felt likeThe Road to WrestleMania was in full swing.

Grade: A