By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
WWE Royal Rumble
Stream live February 1, 2025 on Peacock (and Netflix internationally)
Indianapolis, Indiana at Lucas Oil Stadium
WWE Royal Rumble Countdown Show Notables
-The countdown show was hosted by Michael Cole. Shots aired of Cody Rhodes (he had the WWE Championship belt with him), Kevin Owens, and CM Punk.
-Cole was joined by Big E, Pat McAfee, and Wade Barrett at a desk that was set up in the stadium’s concourse area. There were fans around the countdown show set.
-There were additional backstage shots of Seth Rollins, Rey Mysterio, Bayley, and Nia Jax.
-Byron Saxton and Cathy Kelley checked in as the backstage interviewers. Saxton spoke about the men’s Rumble match. Kelley spoke about the women’s Rumble and said that “one to two names from NXT” would be in the match.
-Peter Rosenberg checked in for his “Gorilla Walk.” He crossed paths with Carmelo Hayes, who said he was locked in because it’s not every day that you get to win the Royal Rumble. Hayes took verbal jabs at Indiana Pacers’ star Tyrese Haliburton. After wrapping up the interview, Rosenberg walked through the Gorilla Position and entrance area and onto the stage. He said it’s one of the longest entrance aisles that he’s seen. McAfee congratulated Rosenberg on becoming a new father.
-Joe Tessitore took Big E’s spot at the desk. Cole once again credited McAfee for being the reason that the Rumble is being held in Indianapolis. McAfee, who shrugged it off, previously noted that he was born in the Pittsburgh area, but Indianapolis became his adopted home when he was drafted by the Colts.
-Backstage shots aired of the “Motor City Machine Guns” Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin, as well as WWE Tag Team Champions “DIY” Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa.
-Jackie Redmond’s sit-down interview with CM Punk aired. She said the 2014 Royal Rumble at one time appeared to mark the end of his WWE run. He said that there was a time that his name wasn’t allowed to be mentioned in WWE, and that Rumble was probably a big part of that. They spoke about the injury he suffered during last year’s Rumble match. Punk said he gave it a good eight-minute cry before he called home to let his wife know that he was injured. He said she told him to come home and she would take care of him.
Redmond asked him about the favor that Paul Heyman now owes him. Punk declined to say what the favor is or when he’ll need to cash it in. He said the sneaking suspicion is that it’s related to someone Heyman is close with (footage aired of Punk and Roman Reigns shaking hands after the WarGames match). Punk said we’d find out. Punk said he and Heyman spoke intermittently during his time away from the company. Punk said it was a rough time for relationships back then and Heyman was no exception. Punk said that their first interaction after his WWE return was a long hug that was probably uncomfortable for other people.
Redmond asked Punk if he thought about winning his first Rumble match and pointing at the WrestleMania sign. Punk said he had not until just then, but it scared him. He said he maybe what makes him great is the constant hunger. He questioned what it would be like if it was gone.
-Jackie Redmond took over as host with Big E, Wade Barrett, and Peter Rosenberg after Cole, McAfee, and Tessitore exited.
-World Heavyweight Champion Gunther was interviewed backstage by Cathy Kelley, who asked if there was anyone he was hoping would win and challenge him at WrestleMania. Gunther predicted that the Rumble winner will challenge Cody Rhodes rather than him because Cody is the easier opponent.
-Redmond said the women’s Royal Rumble match would open the show.
-Kelley stood backstage and said she was going to interview The Miz once he drew his number. The Miz showed up and declined to say what number he drew. Miz spoke about how no one expected him to win, but he’s at his most dangerous when he’s underestimated.
-Bubba Ray Dudley joined the panel in place of Wade Barrett. Bubba said The Dudley Boyz were the most decorated team. He shook hands with Big E and said that while he wasn’t happy with the other New Day members, he was happy that Big E broke their records.
-A “sneak peak” video aired for the WWE LFG show, which premieres February 16 on A&E. Bubba, who is a coach on the show, got the crowd to chant LFG. Rosenberg asked Bubba’s coaching style. Bubba said he’s not there to make friends and doesn’t even want to know the names of the entrants. Bubba said there’s no coddling when he’s involved. Big E said he heard that Bubba had issues with “Sexy” BJ Ray, who E dealt with during the WWE Next Gen show. Bubba indicated that was true, although he did say that Ray has talent and just needs to keep his mouth shut.
-Joe Tessitore checked in from the entrance aisle and said Michael Cole had just been introduced. He said the crowd would roar again because Wade Barrett was about to be introduced.
-Tom Rinaldi narrated a video on the creation of the Royal Rumble. Footage aired of the late Pat Patterson talking about trying to sell Vince McMahon on the match and meeting resistance. Patterson said he gave NBC executive Dick Ebersol the concept and he loved it. Rinaldi said the first Rumble drew viewership records and then it became a pay-per-view.
-Tessitore was at ringside next to the broadcast table and both Barrett and Pat McAfee had been introduced. Tessitore noted that it was Cole’s 28th Royal Rumble event.
-Lanie Gardner stood in the ring and performed the national anthem.
WWE Royal Rumble Main Show
Michael Cole checked in on commentary and was joined by Pat McAfee and Wade Barrett. Shots aired of CM Punk, Kevin Owens, Gunther, Seth Rollins, Bayley, Bianca Belair and Naomi, Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman…
Stephanie McMahon was introduced by ring announcer Alicia Taylor. Stephanie walked out of the entrance area and said it was an incredible honor to be in the amazing city of Indianapolis, while streaming on Peacock and Netflix simultaneously. She said WWE grows because of the fans. She thanked the fans for making this the biggest Rumble in history. “Welcome to the 2025 Royal Rumble,” Stephanie said before pyro shot off inside the ring…
Pat McAfee narrated a Royal Rumble video package from the set of his show. He played up the event being in Indianapolis and explained the basics of the Rumble matches…
Cole welcomed viewers to the 38th annual Royal Rumble and said there were over 70,000 in attendance. Cole spoke with McAfee and Barrett. McAfee said it would be an honor to work with Barrett. He said there’s been too much about him and it should be about the city.
Ring announcer Alicia Taylor stood inside the ring and went through the rules of the Royal Rumble match. There were graphics for the entrants at the bottom of the screen with notes about their Royal Rumble history…
1. The Women’s Royal Rumble match. The No. 1 entrant was Iyo Sky. The No. 2 entrant was Liv Morgan. Sky threw a nice dropkick and played to the energetic crowd. Sky charged Morgan, who pushed her over the top rope to the apron. Sky wrenched Morgan’s leg over the top rope and returned to the ring moments later. Morgan went for Oblivion, but Sky stuffed it and shoved Morgan over the top rope to the apron.
The No. 3 entrant was Roxanne Perez. Cole noted that it was Perez’s third Rumble match. Perez performed a combo move on both opponents and then tossed Morgan over the top rope, but Morgan held onto the ropes while on the apron. Sky pushed Perez over the top rope, but she skinned the cat and then took Sky down with a head-scissors. Morgan hit a Codebreaker on Perez.
The No. 4 entrant was Women’s Intercontinental Champion Lyra Valkyria. Cole said it was Valkyria’s first Rumble match. Perez performed a fisherman’s suplex on Sky. Valkyria had a wardrobe issue and struggled to tie the strings of her top behind her neck. She joined the others in pushing Sky over the top rope, but Sky held on.
The No. 5 entrant was Women’s U.S. Champion Chelsea Green. It’s her fourth Rumble match. Cole recalled that she lasted just five seconds in the Rumble two years ago. Green pointed at the WrestleMania sign that was hanging in the usual location. The other entrants all roughed her up.
The No. 6 entrant was B-Fab. Cole said it was her second Rumble match. The graphic at the bottom of the screen also listed the number of entrants who were active, eliminated, and the number of the next entrant. It also shows the countdown starting at ten seconds (I love it!).
The No. 7 entrant was Ivy Nile. It was her second Rumble match. Cole recalled that she lasted over 23 minutes in her Rumble debut last year. Nile hit a couple of German Suplexes, and then hit a double German Suplex on Green and Perez.
The No. 8 entrant was Zoey Stark. Cole said it was her third Rumble match and she lasted nearly 30 minutes in her first Rumble match two years ago. Morgan had Green on the apron, but was unable to eliminate her in a suspenseful moment.
The No. 9 entrant was Lash Legend. This was her Rumble debut. She entered the ring and dropped a couple of opponents with forearms. She followed up with a pump kick and also suplexed Valkyria. Legend pointed at the WrestleMania sign. Legend caught Nile and swung her into a couple of opponents before powerbombing her. Legend and B-Fab threw simultaneous pump kicks and stayed down. Green picked up B-Fab and eliminated her. She tried to do the same to Legend, but Legend was able to hang on.
The No. 10 entrant was Bianca Belair. Cole spoke about her 2021 Rumble win. Belair had a bit flurry of offense on various opponents and had the live crowd behind her. Sky cut her off and went to the ropes. Belair recovered and then grabbed Sky from the ropes and pressed her over her head, but she was unable to eliminate her.
The No. 11 entrant was Shayna Baszler. Cole played up the alliance between Baszler and Stark due to both women being in the Pure Fusion Collective faction. Stark went for a top rope move and slipped, but she followed through and was able to salvage the move. Nile eliminated Valkyria and there were some boos.
The No. 12 entrant was Bayley. Cole spoke about Bayley having an opportunity to win back-to-back Rumble matches. The bottom of the screen graphic also displayed the time that some of the early entrants had been in the match.
The No. 13 entrant was Sonya Deville. Cole noted that all three Pure Fusion Collective members were now in the match. Green tried to befriend Deville, but it didn’t work. The PFC trio worked together. Baszler and Deville hit simultaneous knee strikes to the head of Legend.
The No. 14 entrant was Maxxine Dupri. Cole said it was her second Rumble match. The PFC trio waited for Dupri, but Nile asked them to step aside, which they did. Dupri got the better of Nile, but the PFC trio was waiting for her. Belair, Sky, and Bayley spun the PFC trio around and threw punches at them. Dupri put Nile down and hit her with the Reverse Caterpillar. Dupri got Nile on the apron and then knocked her off with a kick to eliminate her. The PFC trio teamed up to eliminate Dupri.
The No. 15 entrant was Naomi. This was her seventh Rumble match. Belair and Naomi hit Stark with a Double KOD and then eliminated her together. Baszler and Deville were also eliminated seconds later, meaning the PFC faction members are all out of the match.
The No. 16 entrant was Jaida Parker. This was Parker’s first Rumble match. Parker and Legend shook hands. Belair and Naomi joined the for a moment. Green tried to join the group, but they all took turns working her over. Legend accidentally hit Parker. Green tossed Legend over the top rope to eliminate her. Belair and Naomi intimidated Green.
The No. 17 entrant was Piper Niven. This was Niven’s third Rumble. Green was on the apron and motioned for Niven to hurry up. Once Niven was in the ring, Green stood behind her and taunted Belair and Naomi. Green ducked under the bottom rope and went to the floor. Niven hit Belair and Naomi with a running crossbody splash. Niven also put Sky down with a uranage. Green returned to the ring and was tossed over the top rope by Naomi. Green and Naomi threw punches at the air while waiting for what came next, which was Belair pulling Naomi out of the way of a charing Niven, who inadvertently knocked Green off the apron to eliminate her.
The No. 18 entrant was Natalya. Cole said she’s been in all eight women’s Rumble matches.
The No. 19 entrant was Jordynne Grace, who apparently skipped her mother’s birthday party. It’s her second Rumble match and Barrett noted that she is officially with WWE now. “Thank God for TNA for introducing her to the world,” McAfee said. Grace eliminated Parker. Niven headbutted Grave, who responded by putting her down with a crowd pleasing Death Valley Driver. Green and Naomi hugged while Cole said they had history in TNA. Belair tried to eliminate Grace, but Grace held on.
The No. 20 entrant was Michin. This was her fourth Rumble match and she did not bring a kendo stick to the ring with her for a change. Bayley was down and flexing a knee. She got up and limped as she went after Naomi. Niven hit Michin with a Piper Driver. The bottom of the screen graphic listed that there were ten active wrestlers and ten eliminated wrestlers.
The No. 21 entrant was Alexa Bliss, who apparently decided not to stay home with her baby after all. The crowd popped huge even though she brought that stupid Lily doll out with her (fortunately she dropped it before heading to the ring). A graphic noted that this was her first appearance since January 2023. “I thought she wasn’t coming back,” Cole said. “The internet said she wasn’t coming back.”
The No. 22 entrant was Zelina Vega. This was her sixth Rumble match. Vega hit a Code Red from the ropes.
The No. 23 entrant was Candice LeRae. This was her fifth Rumble match and this means I won’t be winning Brian Fritz’s Rumble game for the women’s match (my other numbers came up Piper Niven and Natalya).
The No. 24 entrant was Stephanie Vaquer. She received a nice pop for her first Rumble appearance.
The No. 25 entrant was Trish Stratus. She slapped hands with fans on her way to the ring. Trish hit a double bulldog on a couple of opponents and then hit another on Natalya. Niven knocked Trish down and was booed.
The No. 26 entrant was Raquel Rodriguez. Cole noted that Morgan was still in the match and now had an ally in Rodriguez, who was in her second Rumble match. Morgan hit a Codebreaker on Natalya and eliminated her. Rodriguez nearly eliminated Morgan, who then hit Bliss with a Codebreaker on the apron to eliminate her. The crowed booed loudly.
The No. 27 entrant was Charlotte Flair. Pyro shot off above her in the entrance area. “Pyro on a Royal Rumble entrance?” Barrett asked. He said you have to be pretty special to get that. Flair took her sweet time walking to the ring. She lit up Bayley with a punch of chops. Perez tried to stop her and also received chips, as did Belair and Grace. Flair did her up and over spot when Grave sent her toward the corner of the ring. Flair threw a kick at Michin while both were on the apron, causing Michin to fall to her elimination. Flair eliminated Niven moments later.
The No. 28 entrant was NXT Women’s Champion Giulia. There were cheers for Giulia in her Rumble debut, but Vaquer received a bigger reaction. Giulia booted Grace off the apron to eliminate her, which drew some boos. Giulia and Vaquer squared off while Cole labeled them the future of the women’s division. They ended up bumping fists.
The No. 29 entrant was Nia Jax. Cole said she is tied for the most eliminations of all-time with 20. She broke the record by immediately eliminating Vega. Stratus and Jax went face-to-face and jawed at one another. LeRae tried to eliminate Stratus, who spun LeRae around and eliminated her. Stratus got the better of Jax, who then had Stratus on the apron. LeRae tried to pull Stratus to the floor, but Stratus kicked her away. Jax knocked Stratus off the apron to eliminate her.
The No. 30 entrant was Nikki Bella, who got a nice reaction, er, worked the crowd into a frenzy (I’m auditioning for TMZ). Cole said it was her third Rumble match. Cole said Sky and Morgan set records for longest stays in a women’s Rumble match at over 64 minutes.
Perez got cocky with Bella, who slapped her and then hoisted her up and dumped her on the apron. Vaquer used her legs to pull Sky over the top rope. Perez tried to kick both women off the apron, but they were able to hang on. Belair and Naomi dumped Morgan and Rodriguez onto the apron. Jax pushed Belair, Naomi, and most of the others on the apron aside from Morgan and Perez. Jax eliminated Morgan moments later.
The six remaining wrestlers were Flair, Perez, Giulia, Bella, Bayley, and Jax. Perez and Giulia were on the ropes when Perez ran Giulia into the ring post casing, causing Giulia to fall to her elimination. Jax eliminated Bella and Bayley.
The final three were Charlotte, Jax, and Perez. Perez and Jax were fighting by the ropes when Flair shoved Jax over to eliminate her. Flair followed up by booting Perez off the apron to eliminate her for the Rumble match win.
Charlotte Flair won the Women’s Royal Rumble match in 70:20.
Flair, who wore a knee brace on her left leg, pointed to the WrestleMania sign and then pyro shot off. Flair motioned for someone at ringside. A referee jumped up on the apron and held the ropes open for her (ugh)…
Powell’s POV: Some things never change. I’m not surprised, but I am disappointed that they went with the ol’ reliable rather than something a little less predictable. I mean, they gave Charlotte pyro during her entrance. Don’t get me wrong, I’m really happy to see her back after a long absence due to a major knee injury. I just wish this didn’t feel so predictable.
Cole hyped Charlotte Flair for the post show that will stream after the Rumble…
The Godfather was shown in the crowd. Mickie James was shown next to Godfather. Kurt Angle was shown in the crowd with his daughter, who wore his Olympic gold medals…
Locker room shots aired of Drew McIntyre and Sami Zayn. Notre Dame football coach Marcus Freeman was shown in the crowd with his family. Actor Stephen Amell was also in the crowd…
Powell’s POV: I don’t know if we’ll get a Jack Spade appearance in the men’s Rumble match, but there better be a moment with Angle and Chad Gable. Why was Mickie in the crowd rather than in the Rumble?
A video package set up the WWE Tag Team Title match and then entrances took place…
2. “DIY” Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa vs. “Motor City Machine Guns” Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin in a best of three falls match for the WWE Tag Team Titles. The Guns cleared DIY from the ring and hit them with simultaneous sliding kicks. Shelley held the ropes open while Sabin hit a suicide dive on Gargano and Ciampa.
Lanie did an amazing job on the anthem. She had two bad notes and they *didn’t* auto tune it. SHe was definitely live. And great pacing. Clearly, this old roadie thought it was noteworthy!
You could tell she was extremely nervous but worked through it like a pro.
Watching on peacock and the audio is awwwwwful.
Yeah, the balance is way to far in favor of hearing the announcers over everything else. I see the crowd reacting more than I hear it.
Ugh. Bored of Charlotte already. She’s so stale.
Charlotte, Nia, and Roxanne?
No thanks.
Roxanne should’ve won.Another predictable finish.
Of those 3, she’s the least boring option but she shouldn’t have lasted to the final 3.
Almost 2 hours in and we’ve had a decent rumble match with a bad winner and now we’re getting a 2/3 falls flippy midget charisma vacuum match. Hopefully the ladder match and men’s rumble will be good.