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

Shinsuke Nakamura vs. AJ Styles (c) – WWE World Heavyweight Championship

This match started with some great chain wrestling. Nakamura was incredibly aggressive here, showing a bit more of the CHAOS Nakamura from NJPW. He stomped on AJ while AJ was hanging over the apron. AJ and Nakamura exchange a series of holds and strikes, with AJ managing to lock in a Calf Crusher.

AJ went for the springboard forearm but Nakamura dodged. AJ almost hit the ref, and while the ref was distracted, Nakamura low blowed AJ again. AJ got rolled up, but grabbed the ropes to break the pinfall. The action spilled to the outside and both men got counted out. Well then.

Result: Double Countout

Rating: DUD (0 stars out of 5)

I get that this finish was setting up future matches. This doesn’t make it any less terrible a finish. There are better creative ways to get there. This feud started with the babyface going over clean, which is usually how a feud ends. While Heel Nakamura has been wonderful, the storytelling surrounding the feud has not. With that being said, the low blow storyline has been a good way for Nakamura to get heat. I’m just not sure if this finish was the best way forward.

Rusev (w/ Aiden English) vs. The Undertaker – Casket Match

Holy cow, I love The Undertaker. I just needed to say that. Undertaker took it to Rusev on the outside of the ring, but Rusev got some strikes in when it got back in the ring. Taker turned it around and hit old school. Taker then hit an apron leg drop on Rusev, driving him into the ground. Taker tried to roll Rusev into the casket, but English cut him off. Taker scared him away, but Rusev hit a big kick to Taker’s head and went right after Taker.

An exchange of strikes led to Undertaker having the advantage again. Taker hit the ropes, and Rusev hit a spinning wheel kick, dropping Taker. Rusev hit a series of elbows as Taker laid on the mat. Rusev called for the casket to be opened, and The Undertaker sat up and looked like he was going to kill Rusev.

Rusev dodged a chokeslam and exchanged strikes with Taker. Taker grabbed Rusev and hit one, finally. Taker rolled Rusev into the casket, but English stopped him. Taker killed English with a chokeslam and a tombstone. He put English into the casket too, and closed the casket for the win!

Result: The Undertaker

Rating: 2.75 stars out of 5

This was really fun. Taker worked a longer match than expected, and while it was only a basic house show style match, I just love the Undertaker so much. He’s clearly still hurting, but hurting a lot less than he was during the Roman Reigns match.