WWE The Greatest Royal Rumble: Review, Grades, and Analysis

https://twitter.com/WWENetwork/status/989898487079714817

WWE presents The Greatest Royal Rumble from Saudi Arabia, as Roman Reigns takes on Brock Lesnar for the WWE Universal Title in a steal cage match.

Also featured on the show, aside from the Royal Rumble match, was AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, The Undertaker vs. Rusev in a Casket Match, and John Cena vs. Triple H. A card that is arguably as big as WrestleMania in terms of match quality stands as must see. The main event featured a 50 man Royal Rumble match, and thus the name for the show: The Greatest Royal Rumble. Did the show deliver on its name? Read on to find out.

Triple H vs. John Cena

The show opened with a huge match as Triple H and John Cena, two of the most legendary wrestlers alive today met once again. Cena overpowered Triple H in the early lock up to a big pop from the crowd. However, Triple H eventually overpowered him on his own, and taunted Cena too. There was a great exchange of moves as both men tried to better the other before Triple H started to get the heat on Cena.

Cena went for a 5 Knuckle Shuffle but Triple H reversed it, and hit his own version of the 5 Knuckle Shuffle before telling Cena to suck it. Cena and Triple H battled on the outside of the ring for a little bit. Cena went for a top rope leg drop over Triple H’s head while Triple H was standing, but Triple H reversed it into a powerbomb (which Michael Cole called a spinebuster, ugh). Cena locked in an STF. Triple H tried to make it to the ropes, but barely got out via pushing him off and hitting a spinebuster. Cena hit the 5 Knuckle Shuffle and the AA, but Triple H barely kicked out.

https://twitter.com/WWE/status/989899940401889282

Triple H countered with a Pedigree and got another near fall. Cena wouldn’t give up, living up to his gimmick. Cena hit a slingshot on Triple H and followed up with a giant AA, and finally got the pinfall. This was a very solid opening match and a good way to start the show.

Result: John Cena

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

I really liked this one, even though it was basic in most of what happened, but Triple H and Cena are both unmatched in being able to work the crowd, and that was a lot of fun.

John cut a promo about being thankful for being in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This left a poor taste in my mouth knowing how troublesome parts of the event are. I get it though, WWE has to try and make it look good. There’s a lot of money at stake, and that explains it.