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

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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.

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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.

Kalisto vs. Cedric Alexander (c) – WWE Cruiserweight Championship

This match opened fast and furious, like it should have. Both men flew around the ring, and got a decent reaction from the crowd. Kalisto hit a springboard flip dive on Cedric to the outside. Kalisto rolled Cedric back into the ring and went for an attack off the top rope. Cedric hit a kick, driving Kalisto to the floor. Alexander hit a tope con giro, and followed up with a dropkick that Okada would be proud off. Cedric then overpowered Kalisto with a waist lock takedown.

Kalisto hit a tornado DDT and got a near fall, and it left Cedric reeling. Alexander hit a Michinoku driver and got a near fall of his own. Cedric went to the top rope, but Kalisto hit a big kick and followed him up. Kalisto went for a top rope hurricanrana, but Alexander blocked and went for a powerbomb. Kalisto blocked the powerbomb, and managed to hit a seated springboard Spanish Fly! Alexander kicked out.

Both men exchanged a series of strike and attempted to finish each other. Alexander went for the Lumbar Check, but Kalisto countered into a hurricanrana. Kalisto then went for Salida del Sol but Alexander countered him while in midair to hit the Lumbar Check for the pinfall victory!

Result: Cedric Alexander

Rating: 3 stars out of 5

Very solid match here that went a little too long, as the crowd essentially died before the end of it. This was quite good though.

Woken Matt Hardy & Bray Wyatt vs. The Bar (Sheamus & Cesaro) – WWE Raw Tag Team Championship

The Bar open the match quickly by getting the heat on Matt Hardy. The crowd was very quiet, which I found strange. This match was quite a quick one, and had very little heat. After Bray saved Matt from a near fall, they quickly hit an elevated Twist of Fate for the pinfall. Bray and Matt are the new Raw Tag Team Champions

Result: Woken Matt Hardy & Bray Wyatt

Rating: 2 stars out of 5

Jinder Mahal vs. Jeff Hardy (c) – WWE United States Championship

This was another match that wasn’t that remarkable. There was nothing super noteworthy here as Jinder got the heat on Jeff for a few minutes before Jeff turned it around, hit the Swanton Bomb, and won. This one was short. Nothing bad, but nothing special. The crowd loved Jeff Hardy, which comes as no surprise.

Result: Jeff Hardy

Rating: 2.25 stars out of 5

Jeff Hardy moving to SmackDown might have been one of the best moves possible as it allows him to shine without being overshadowed by Matt’s Broken Universe. Though Brother Nero might be involved in some more of the Ultimate Deletion stuff in the future.

Chris Jericho cut a promo and put Mike Rome on the list, because he insisted that his name wasn’t Tom Phillips. Jericho then put the camera man, the sound guy, some fella named Ed, and everyone in the Rumble on the list. He started with Angle, and did put Mojo on the list 2 or 3 times. That was great.

Daniel Bryan also cut a promo, saying he was going to win the Greatest Royal Rumble.

The Usos (Jimmy & Jey Uso) vs. The Bludgeon Brothers (Luke Harper & Erick Rowan) (c) – WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championships

This was another match that didn’t really last long or have anything noteworthy. It was basically a standard SmackDown match, and not worthy of a PPV billing. Nothing was bad, but nothing was special. The whole match was structured well, with a basic heat segment, and a comeback from the Usos before the Bludgeon Brothers won with a double powerbomb.

Result: The Bludgeon Brothers

Rating: 2.25 stars out of 5

This was a nothing match. Nothing special, but nothing terrible at all. I expected a bit more from this one, but it seems quite frustrating.

Seth Rollins (c) vs. Samoa Joe vs. The Miz vs. Finn Balor – WWE Intercontinental Championship Ladder Match

The match opens quickly with Seth Rollins diving all over the ring taking everyone out. Balor follows this up by hitting a tope con giro over the top rope onto all three men. Samoa Joe was the first to recover, and he brought a ladder into the ring. Seth Rollins cut him off and began fighting with Joe.

Balor and Rollins fought at the top of a ladder before Joe and Miz pushed them down. A series of big spots saw Miz being the one to hit a Skull Crushing Finale on a ladder before climbing and getting close. Rollins cut him off, but Miz was able to take the ladder and beat everyone around the ring with it. Miz sent Rollins flying into the announce table. Balor countered with a kick, dropping Miz onto a ladder. Balor hit the Coup de Gras while Miz was laying on the ladder.

Balor and Joe exchanged strikes before Balor was able to hit the pele. Balor took advantage and tried to get up the ladder, but he was cut off. Balor eventually managed to set up a ladder and started climbing. Seth Rollins spring boarded off the ropes and landed on the ladder and grabbed title before Balor could. Seth Rollins wins!

Result: Seth Rollins

Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

The finish for this match was great. Everything was very safe in this ladder match, but nothing was bad at all. I really liked the finish with Seth just snatching it away. That sets up some future matches for the title with Balor.

Mike Rome was in the ring with some of the prospects who have tried out for WWE in their Saudi Arabia tryout. Shawn and Ariya Daivari came out waving an Iranian flag to boos. This seemed really ill advised due to the relations — or lack thereof — between Iran and Saudi Arabia. The trainees beat them up to a pop from the crowd, but this seemed to reek of Vince not understanding the sensitive cultural history in play here.

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.

Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar (c) – WWE Universal Championship

Roman Reigns came out to a series of boos, with slightly more cheers than usual. This was a very lukewarm reaction. Brock came out to a massive pop. There is no question that Brock is the one that crowd wants here. They popped huge for Heyman’s introduction. Brock and Reigns exchanged a series of hard strikes. Brock suplexed Roman 4 times, and Roman hit several spears. Neither man was able to escape the cage.

Paul Heyman slammed the door on Roman’s face and slipped a chair into the ring. Roman stole it and beat on Brock. Roman the speared Brock though the cage and Brock hit the floor first, so Brock won. Finish was a bit botched, as technically Roman’s feet hit the floor first while Brock’s legs were slightly elevated.

Result: Brock Lesnar

Rating: 2.75 stars out of 5

This show was violent and hard hitting, and I was somewhat amused by the crowd cheering Brock and largely cheering Roman.

The Greatest Royal Rumble – 50 Man Royal Rumble

Dainel Bryan entered at #1 and Dolph Ziggler entered at #2. Sin Cara was in at #3 and the crowd went mild. #4 was Curtis Axel and the crowd goes dead. #5 Mark Henry came in and got a big pop. Sin Cara and Axel were both out at this point. #6 was Mike Kanellis and his awesome theme, and Mike is immediately eliminated. Well then. #7 was Hiroki Sumi. Who? Crowd went even deader. Mark Henry eliminated Sumi. Bryan and Ziggler eliminated Henry. #8 was Victor from the Ascension and the geek parade continues. Victor was eliminated and we’re back down to Ziggler and Bryan. #9 was Kofi Kingston, and you know he’ll have a wacky save. Kofi got a pop. #10 was Tony Nese, and it’s noticeable that Kofi, Dolph, and Bryan are all around the same size as the cruiserweight.

#11 was Dash Wilder. SAY YEAH. YEAH. YEAH. YEAH. The ring is starting to fill up a little bit. #12 was Hornswoggle and he got a bigger pop than Roman. #13 was Primo. Hornswoggle was eliminated, but I think it was without being over the top rope. #14 was Xavier Woods. Tony Nese was eliminated by The New Day. #15 was Bo Dallas. #16 was Kurt Angle, and we get a massive pop! Kurt eliminated Bo and Dolph. #17 was Scott Dawson. SAY YEAH. YEAH. YEAH. YEAH. I think Dash has already been eliminated, but I didn’t see it. #18 was Goldust, who got a great reaction. #19 was Connor of the Ascension. #20 was Elias. I like Elias. The crowd went undead. Elias eliminated Kofi and Xavier, along with Connor. Michael Cole started screaming about how great Elias is, and I wanted to scream to drown him out.

#21 was Luke Gallows. Daniel Bryan did his yes kicks on Angle, but Angle blocked the last one. Elias threw out Angle. #22 was Rhino. #23 was Drew Gulak. #24 Tucker Knight from NXT entered. #25 was Bobby Roode! Bobby eliminated Goldust. Dawson was eliminated by Roode too. #26 was Fandango. #27 was Chad Gable. Rey Mysterio Jr has showed up at #28! Rey did a moonsault off Fandango onto Chad Gable and then Rey hit a DDT. #29 was Mojo Rawley. #30 was Tyler Breeze. #31 was Big E. #32 was Karl Anderson. #33 was Apollo Crews. #34 was Roderick Strong! I popped, but no one in the crowd did. #35 was Randy Orton and he got a massive pop. #36 was Heath Slater. #37 was Babatunde from NXT. #38 was Baron Corbin. Corbin eliminated Roode and Strong.

#40 was Titus O’Neil and he literally slipped and fell under the ring. I laughed so hard I couldn’t breathe and actually had to go back and figure out the next three entries because of how hard I was laughing. #41 was Braun Strowman, who ran wild. #42 was Tye Dillinger. Elias dumped out Orton and in the chaos a huge amount of people were eliminated. #43 Curt Hawkins was in next and killed by Braun. #44 was Bobby Lashley, and he got the pyro treatment. #45 was The Great Khali. #46 was Kevin Owens. #47 was Shane McMahon. Okay. Bryan and Shane beat on Owens a bit. #48 was Shelton Benjamin. #49 was Big Cass. #50 was Chris Jericho who got a massive pop. Braun killed Shane McMahon by throwing him from the top rope and through the announce table. Cass then eliminated Daniel Bryan. The crowd just started crapping on the Rumble. They died and had little to no reaction. Braun eliminated Big Cass and won the Royal Rumble.

Result: Braun Strowman

Rating: 1.5 stars out of 5

This match was way too long and filled with way too many midcarders. It demonstrated how little all these guys are over. The best reaction was definitely for Daniel Bryan, and Braun Strowman, so it should have been one of those two to win, however, they way they did it killed the crowd.

Final Thoughts

Show Rating: 1/5

I can’t give this show a good rating. It left a very sour taste in my mouth for a variety of reasons. The first being the ethics of having it in the first place. The issues surrounding that were so clear and obvious from the get go, and having John Cena cut a promo praising Saudi Arabia for being progressive was so off base and forced. The announcers doing the same throughout the show told us all we needed to know about it, and that Vince was doing this for the money, and not interested in giving the Saudi’s an actual quality show. The other problem was with the Iranian angle, which reeked of cultural insensitivity at best. The history between Iran and Saudi Arabia is a bloody one, and not something to be reduced to an angle for heat.

Next: WWE NXT - March 25: Review, Grades, & Analysis

Outside of that, the matches themselves were house show quality for the most part. What promised to be The Greatest Royal Rumble ended up being a mediocre one at best, and awful at its worst. Non-finishes in title matches with two screwjobs in a row did nothing to bring the crowd into it. The whole thing just felt bad. This most definitely was not The Greatest Royal Rumble. Instead it was an ethical disaster, and a really expensive house show with pyro.

In the end, this show was WWE becoming a propaganda tool to tell the world that Saudi Arabia is no longer oppressive, yet women only obtained the right to vote in 2015, and were only allowed to drive in 2017. So much for being The Greatest Royal Rumble. If anything, it ranks quite low in the Royal Rumble rankings, and is a show I’d rather forget.