Royal Rumble (2018)

Royal Rumble
Promotional poster featuring various WWE wrestlers
Promotion	WWE
Brand(s)	Raw SmackDown
Date	January 28, 2018
City	Philadelphia,Pennsylvania
Venue	Wells Fargo Center
Attendance	17,629
WWE Networkevent chronology
←Previous NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia Next→ Elimination Chamber
Royal Rumblechronology
←Previous 2017 Next→ 2019

The 2018Royal Rumblewas the 31st annualRoyal Rumbleprofessional wrestlingpay-per-view(PPV) andlivestreamingeventproduced byWWE.It was held for wrestlers from the promotion'sRawandSmackDownbrand divisions.The event took place on January 28, 2018, at theWells Fargo CenterinPhiladelphia,Pennsylvania.It was the third Royal Rumble held at this venue after the2004and2015events, and was the first to include a women'sRoyal Rumble match,and consequently, two Royal Rumble matches, which is now standard for the event.

Traditionally, the Royal Rumble match winner receives a world championship match at that year'sWrestleMania.With the introduction of a women's Royal Rumble match, two Royal Rumble matches were contested on the card with the winners of each receiving a choice of which championship to challenge for atWrestleMania 34.The men could choose to challenge for either Raw'sUniversal Championshipor SmackDown'sWWE Championship,while the women had the choice between theRaw Women's Championshipand theSmackDown Women's Championship.

In total, nine matches were contested at the event, including three on the Kickoff pre-show. In the main event, Raw'sAsukawon the first-ever women's Royal Rumble match by last eliminating SmackDown'sNikki Bella.This was also the second women's match to main event a WWE pay-per-view, and the first to main event one of WWE's "Big Four" pay-per-views. The men's Royal Rumble match was won by SmackDown'sShinsuke Nakamura,who last eliminated Raw'sRoman Reigns.Other prominent matches includedBrock Lesnarretaining Raw's Universal Championship in atriple threat matchagainstBraun StrowmanandKane,andAJ Stylesretained SmackDown's WWE Championship againstKevin Owens and Sami Zaynin ahandicap match.The event was also notable for the surprise debut of formerUFCmixed martial artistRonda Rouseyfollowing the women's Rumble match, officially confirming that she had signed full-time with WWE.

Production

Background

The event was held at theWells Fargo CenterinPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania.

TheRoyal Rumbleis an annualgimmickeventproduced every January byWWEsince 1988. It is one of the promotion's original fourpay-per-views(PPV), along withWrestleMania,SummerSlam,andSurvivor Series,dubbed the "Big Four".It is named after theRoyal Rumble match,a modifiedbattle royalin which the participants enter at timed intervals instead of all beginning in the ring at the same time. Announced on January 26, 2017, the 2018 event was the 31st Royal Rumble and was scheduled to be held on January 28, 2018, at theWells Fargo CenterinPhiladelphia,Pennsylvania,and was the third Royal Rumble held at this venue after the2004and2015events. It featured wrestlers from theRawandSmackDownbrand divisionswith someNXTwrestlers and WWE veterans appearing in the Royal Rumble matches. In addition to airing on traditional pay-per-view worldwide, the event was available tolivestreamon theWWE Network.Tickets went on sale on July 29.

The Royal Rumble match generally features 30 wrestlers and the winner traditionally earns aworld championshipmatch at that year's WrestleMania.It was originally only contested by male wrestlers. However, for 2018, Raw CommissionerStephanie McMahonscheduled the first-ever women's Royal Rumble match to be held at the 2018 Royal Rumble, which consequently made the 2018 event the first to include two Rumble matches, which is now standard. As a result, the winners of each match received a choice of which championship to challenge for atWrestleMania 34.The men could choose to challenge for either Raw'sUniversal Championshipor SmackDown'sWWE Championship,while the women had the choice between theRaw Women's Championshipand theSmackDown Women's Championship.

Storylines

The event comprised nine matches, including three on the Kickoff pre-show, that resulted from scripted storylines, where wrestlers portrayedheroes,villains,orless distinguishable charactersin scripted events that built tension and culminated in a wrestling match or series of matches. Results were predetermined by WWE's writers on the Raw and SmackDown brands,while storylines were produced on WWE's weekly television shows,Monday Night Raw,SmackDown Live,and thecruiserweight-exclusive205 Live.

On the October 16, 2017, episode ofRaw,Kanereturned from a ten-month hiatus and helpedBraun Strowmanto defeatRoman Reignsin aSteel Cage match.Kane was then added to Strowman's team atTLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairsin the5-on-3 handicapTables, Ladders, and Chairs match.During the match, Kane accidentally hit Strowman with a chair, which caused tension between the two. Later on in the match, Kane turned on Strowman and crushed him in the back of a garbage truck; their team ultimately lost.The two then feuded over the next several weeks, leading to a match on the December 11 episode to determine the number one contender againstBrock Lesnarfor the Universal Championship at the Royal Rumble, but the match ended in a double countout.Raw General ManagerKurt Anglethen decided that Lesnar would defend the title against both Kane and Strowman in atriple threat matchat the event.On the January 8 episode, Kane attacked Lesnar from behind, followed by an attack from Strowman. After laying Kane and Lesnar out backstage, Strowman knocked over a lighting rig and crushed both. Lesnar was taken to a medical facility while Kane refused medical attention.Due to his actions, Strowman was removed from the triple threat match and fired by Angle. Strowman went on a rampage backstage, including destroying Angle's office and flipping over a tractor. Before he could do any more damage, Raw Commissioner Stephanie McMahon rehired Strowman, putting him back into the Universal Championship match at the Royal Rumble.

AfterSurvivor Series,several women from NXT were promoted to the main rosters of both Raw and SmackDown. On the November 20, 2017, episode ofRaw,Paige,who had been out with an injury since June 2016, returned along with the debuts of NXT'sMandy RoseandSonya Deville,forming the heel groupAbsolution,while similarly on the November 21 episode ofSmackDown,NXT'sRuby Riott,Liv Morgan,andSarah Logandebuted and formed the heel groupThe Riott Squad.On the December 18, 2017, episode ofRaw,with a larger roster of women on the main rosters, Raw CommissionerStephanie McMahonscheduled the first-ever women's Royal Rumble match for the 2018 Royal Rumble, with the winner receiving a match at WrestleMania 34 for the top championship of their choice: Raw's Women's Championship or SmackDown's Women's Championship.Both brands' respective commissioners and general managers agreed that the women's match would have all of the same rules as the men's match, including having 30 participants.Stephanie was announced to join the commentary team for the women's match,and television hostMaria Menounoswas announced to be the special guest ring announcer.

AtClash of Champions,SmackDown's CommissionerShane McMahonand General ManagerDaniel Bryanboth refereed a tag team match pittingKevin Owens and Sami ZaynagainstRandy OrtonandShinsuke Nakamura,where Owens and Zayn would have been fired from WWE had they lost. During the match, there was controversy between Shane and Bryan, which resulted in Bryan giving a fast count forOwensandZaynto win.Tensions between Shane and Bryan continued over the next couple of weeks, culminating on the finalSmackDownof 2017, when Bryan scheduled Owens to face WWE ChampionAJ Stylesin a non-title match in the main event, much to the disapproval of Shane, who felt that Owens should not be in the main event, or facing the WWE Champion. That match ended when Zayn interfered, allowing Owens to win.The next week, Zayn would also defeat Styles in a non-title match after interference from Owens. Enraged at back-to-back losses, Styles stated they might as well schedule him in ahandicap matchagainst Owens and Zayn, which Bryan took literally and scheduled for the Royal Rumble where Styles would also defend the WWE Championship against both men.On the January 9 episode ofSmackDown,Styles said that although it was unfair, he was confident that he would win; Owens and Zayn interrupted and claimed that they would become the first-ever co-WWE Champions.On the finalSmackDownbefore the Royal Rumble, Styles faced Owens and Zayn in back-to-back matches where Shane threatened that if one were to interfere in the other's match, that person would be fired. Styles managed to defeat Owens in the first match by submission, however, he would lose to Zayn in the second match.

On the December 18, 2017, episode ofRaw,Seth Rollins' tag team partnerDean Ambrosewas injured bySamoa Joe.The following week, despite both wanting to take on Joe to avenge Ambrose, Raw General Manager Kurt Angle instead had his (storyline) son,Jason Jordan,and Rollins team up to faceCesaro and Sheamusfor theRaw Tag Team Championship;Jordan and Rollins defeatedCesaroandSheamusto win the championship.After the former champions confronted Angle about their contractual rematch, Angle scheduled it for the Royal Rumble.On the January 15 episode, Jordan caused a distraction, allowing Titus Worldwide (Apollo CrewsandTitus O'Neil) to again defeat Cesaro and Sheamus in a rematch from the previous week, which Rollins disapproved of as he did not like Jordan acting on his own. Cesaro and Sheamus would try and return the favor during Rollins' match againstFinn Bálor,but it backfired, resulting in Rollins winning, and Cesaro and Sheamus brawling with Bálor Club members,Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson,at ringside.OnRaw 25the next week, Jordan and Rollins were the guests onChristian'sThe Peep Show,which Cesaro and Sheamus interrupted and the two teams brawled where Rollins accidentally hit Jordan with a knee attack that was intended for Cesaro.

At Clash of Champions,The Usos(Jey UsoandJimmy Uso) retained theSmackDown Tag Team Championshipin afatal four-way matchagainstRusevandAiden English,The New Day'sBig EandXavier Woods,andChad GableandShelton Benjamin.On the following episode ofSmackDown,Gable and Benjamin defeated The Usos in a non-title match,and they were awarded with a championship match on the firstSmackDownof 2018, where they defeated The Usos to initially win the titles after pinning Jimmy Uso; however, Jimmy was not the legal man, and thus the match was restarted and The Usos retained their championship.The following week, Gable and Benjamin confronted SmackDown General Manager Daniel Bryan over the incident. After questioning if they should have to defeat The Usos twice in the same night, Bryan decided that at the Royal Rumble, The Usos would defend the SmackDown Tag Team Championship against Gable and Benjamin in atwo out of three falls match.

On January 26, three matches were announced for the Royal Rumble Kickoff pre-show. For SmackDown, it was announced thatUnited States ChampionBobby Roodewould have an open challenge for the title. Two tag team matches were scheduled for Raw: a rematch betweenLuke GallowsandKarl AndersonandThe Revival(Dash WilderandScott Dawson) fromRaw 25,and a six-man tag team match for the cruiserweight division withKalisto,Gran Metalik,andLince DoradoagainstDrew Gulak,TJP,andGentleman Jack Gallagher.

Cancellations

Two other matches had been promoted for the event, but were later removed.

The first wasthe tournament finalfor SmackDown's then-vacant United States Championship. Originally scheduled for the PPV, the finals were instead contested on the January 16 episode ofSmackDown,where Bobby Roode defeatedJinder Mahalto win the title.

The second was a championship match for the Raw brand whereWWE Cruiserweight ChampionEnzo Amorewas scheduled to defend the title againstCedric Alexander.However, after Amore was suspended from WWE on January 22 due to allegations of sexual harassment and sexual assault, the match was canceled. Amore was released the next day and the title was vacated.

Event

Other on-screen personnel

Role:	Name:
Englishcommentators	Michael Cole(Raw/both Royal Rumble matches)
	Corey Graves(all matches)
	Booker T(Raw)
	Tom Phillips(SmackDown)
	Byron Saxton (SmackDown/Men's Royal Rumble match/Six-man tag team match)
	Vic Joseph(Six-man tag team match)
	Jerry Lawler(Men's Royal Rumble match)
	Stephanie McMahon(Women's Royal Rumble match)
Spanish commentators	Carlos Cabrera
	Marcelo Rodríguez
German commentators	Carsten Schaefer
	Tim Haber
	Calvin Knie
Ring announcers	Greg Hamilton(SmackDown/Men's Royal Rumble match)
	JoJo(Raw)
	Maria Menounos(Women's Royal Rumble match)
Referees	Jason Ayers
	Shawn Bennett
	Mike Chioda
	John Cone
	Dan Engler
	Chad Patton
	Charles Robinson
	Rod Zapata
Interviewer	Renee Young
Pre-show panel	Renee Young
	Peter Rosenberg
	David Otunga
	Jerry Lawler
	John "Bradshaw" Layfield
	Alundra Blayze
	Ric Flair

Pre-show

Three matches were contested during the Royal Rumble Kickoff pre-show. In the first match - featuring the cruiserweight division - Kalisto, Gran Metalik, and Lince Dorado faced TJP, Gentleman Jack Gallagher, and Drew Gulak in a six-man tag team match. Kalisto performed a"Salida Del Sol"on TJP to score the win.

Next, also from Raw, The Revival (Dash Wilder and Scott Dawson) faced Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson. Dawson performed achop blockon Anderson to score the win.

Finally, SmackDown's United States Champion Bobby Roode issued an open challenge, which was answered by fellow SmackDown wrestlerMojo Rawley.Roode performed a"Glorious DDT"on Rawley to score the pinfall and retain the title.

Preliminary matches

The actual pay-per-view opened with AJ Styles defending the WWE Championship against Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn in a handicap match. In the end, Styles threw Zayn out of the ring and immediately Owens performed asuperkickon Styles. Owens - who was not the legal man - attempted a pop up powerbomb on Styles, who countered into aroll upto retain the title. In a backstage segment, Owens and Zayn confronted SmackDown Commissioner Shane McMahon about the incident; however, after questioning if he saw what had happened, Shane smiled, replied "Yep", and walked off.

Next, The Usos (Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso) defended the SmackDown Tag Team Championship against Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin in a two out of three falls match. Jimmy and Jey performed adouble superkickon Gable, who was kneeling, to score the first fall. Jey then pinned Benjamin with asmall packageto score the second fall to retain the titles.

After that, the 30-man Royal Rumble match for a world championship match at WrestleMania 34 was contested. Rusev andFinn Bálorbegan the match as the first and second entrants, respectively.Baron Corbin(#4) eliminatedRhyno(#3), but was eliminated by Bálor. Corbin attacked Bálor, Rusev, andHeath Slater(#5), who just made his entrance.NXT ChampionAndrade "Cien" Almaswas a surprise entrant at #7.Tye Dillingerwas scheduled to be #10, but was attacked backstage by Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn, resulting in Zayn taking Dillinger's spot. Afterwards, Sheamus (#11) tossed Slater back in the ring, where Slater eliminated Sheamus in two seconds, but was eliminated byBray Wyatt(#8) afterwards. Shinsuke Nakamura entered at #14 and eliminated Zayn. Jinder Mahal (#18) eliminated New Day members Big E (#9) and Xavier Woods (#12), but as he tried to eliminateKofi Kingston,Kingston landed on Woods, and placed his foot on a plate of pancakes. When Mahal prevented Kingston from re-entering the ring, Big E and Woods sent Kingston back in the ring, after which, Kingston performed Trouble in Paradise on Mahal before eliminating him. Afterwards, Almas performed a Hammerlock DDT on Kingston before eliminating him. Afterwards,Matt Hardy(#19) teamed with Wyatt, and after they fought each other, they simultaneously eliminated each other.John Cenaentered at #20 and eliminatedElias(#6) andThe Hurricane(a surprise entrant at #21). NXT'sAdam Cole,another surprise entrant, entered at #23. Randy Orton (#24) performed an"RKO"on Almas and eliminated him after a near 30-minute run.Rey Mysterio,another surprise entrant, entered at #27 and eliminated Cole. Roman Reigns entered at #28 and eliminatedTitus O'Neil(#25). Reigns and Seth Rollins (#18) teamed up and performed apowerbombonThe Miz(#26) over the top rope to eliminate him, after which, Reigns immediately eliminated Rollins.Dolph Ziggler,making his return after vacating the United States Championship, entered at #30 and eliminatedGoldust(#29), but was eliminated by Bálor. Reigns performed asuperman punchon Orton and eliminated Orton. Mysterio performed a"619"on Cena and Reigns, but was eliminated by Bálor. Bálor, Nakamura, Cena, and Reigns were the final four. Cena eliminated Bálor (who lasted nearly an hour) and immediately afterwards fought with Nakamura, who performed a"Kinshasa"on Cena to eliminate him. Nakamura attacked Reigns and attempted a "Kinshasa", however, Reigns countered into aspear.As Reigns attempted to eliminate Nakamura, Nakamura countered, performed a "Kinshasa" on Reigns and then eliminated Reigns to win the match. Afterward,Renee Younginterviewed Nakamura and asked which world championship he wanted to challenge for at WrestleMania 34. He called out WWE Champion AJ Styles, thus choosing the WWE Championship and staying on SmackDown.

Next, Seth Rollins and Jason Jordan defended the Raw Tag Team Championship against Cesaro and Sheamus. During the match, Jordan sustained a head injury (after being thrown into the ring post by Cesaro), rendering him unable to compete. In the end, Sheamus and Cesaro performed a"White Noise"/diving neckbreakercombination on Rollins to win the titles for a record-setting fourth time as a team, and a record-setting fifth time for Cesaro individually.

In the fifth match, Brock Lesnar (accompanied byPaul Heyman) defended the Universal Championship against Braun Strowman and Kane in a triple threat match. Lesnar drove Kane into a corner, but Strowman caught Lesnar and drove him into the opposite corner. Strowman attacked Lesnar with arunning dropkickand performed a clothesline on Kane. As Lesnar attempted an"F-5"on Strowman, Kane performed achokeslamon Lesnar. Before he could cover him, Strowman attacked Kane, drove him back into his corner, and performed 2 headbutts on him. As Kane attempted a chokeslam on Strowman, Lesnar struck Kane with a chair, only for Strowman to punch the chair out of Lesnar's hand, perform a clothesline on him, and throw him and Kane outside the ring. At ringside, Strowman drove Lesnar into the barricade and struck Kane with the steel steps. Strowman retrieved two tables under the ring and brought Kane back in the ring. Strowman positioned both tables at two opposite corners, with one standing up and the other next to the turnbuckles. As Kane attempted a chokeslam on Strowman, the latter countered into his own chokeslam on Kane. However, Lesnar broke up the pinfall at a two count and performed threeGerman suplexeson Strowman. Strowman performed arunning powerslamon Lesnar through the standing table, only for Kane to break up the pinfall at a two count. As Strowman attempted another powerslam on Kane through the other table, the latter then drove Strowman through it instead, and performed a chokeslam on him, with Lesnar breaking up the pinfall at a two count. Lesnar performed an "F-5" on Kane, but before he could cover him, Strowman performed a German suplex on Lesnar, who rolled outside the ring. Once again at ringside, Strowman drove Lesnar into the barricade. Lesnar then performed an "F-5" on Strowman through an announce table and overturned another announce table on top of Strowman (in a reversal of what happened last year atSummerslam,though where Lesnar had to be stretchered out and then returned, Strowman stood back up in defiance). As Kane attempted a chokeslam on Lesnar, the latter countered and then performed another "F-5" on Kane through the third announce table. Strowman recovered and performed a kick to Lesnar, who fell head-first into the steel steps. Back in the ring, Strowman performed two running powerslams on Lesnar, but Kane returned and struck Strowman with a chair, driving him outside the ring. As Kane attempted a Tombstone piledriver on Lesnar, the latter shoved Kane into Strowman (who was about to return to the ring), knocking him off the ring apron. Lesnar performed an "F-5" on Kane onto the chair and pinned him to retain the title. After the match, an enraged Strowman returned to the ring and yelled at Lesnar that he did not beat and pin him.

Main event

Ronda Rouseywas rumored to be a surprise entrant in the women's match, and although she denied that she would be at the event,she appeared after the match's conclusion, confirming she had signed full-time with WWE.

The main event was the first-ever 30-woman Royal Rumble match for a women's championship match at WrestleMania 34.Sasha BanksandBecky Lynchwere the first and second entrants, respectively. Sarah Logan entered at #3, followed by Mandy Rose at #4 andWWE Hall of FamerLitaat #5. After Lita eliminated Rose,Kairi Saneentered at #6. Sane managed to take down Lynch and Banks beforeTaminaentered at #7. Lita performed a Moonsault on Lynch and Banks, and eliminated Tamina, but was eliminated by Lynch.Dana Brooke(#8) eliminated Sane before being eliminated byTorrie Wilson(#9), who was in turn eliminated by Sonya Deville (#10). Liv Morgan (#11) teamed up with Logan to take down Banks beforeMolly Holly(#12) eliminated Logan. Morgan and Deville double-teamedLana(#13).Michelle McCool(#14) ended up eliminating Deville, Morgan, Holly, and Lana. After Ruby Riott entered at #15,Vickie Guerreroentered at #16, after which, all the women eliminated her from the match. Guerrero then struckCarmella(#17) with theMoney in the Bank briefcasebefore leaving.Natalya(#18) tried to eliminateKelly Kelly(#19), who performed a headscissors on McCool, who was then eliminated by Natalya. AfterNaomientered at #20, Riott eliminated Lynch.Jacqueline(#21) and Natalya were unable to eliminate Kelly, after which,Nia Jax(#22) eliminated Jacqueline and Kelly. Jax then eliminated Riott, and sent Naomi out of the ring and into the other women, but Naomi was not eliminated. AfterNXT Women's ChampionEmber Moonentered at #23, Naomi saved herself from elimination by using a commentator chair to make it back to the ring. However, moments later, Naomi was eliminated by Jax.Beth Phoenixentered at #24 and tried to power up Jax, but was unable to. Phoenix and Natalya knocked Jax out of the ring, after which, Natalya turned on Phoenix and eliminated her.Asukaentered at #25 and battled with Moon. Moon was able to perform the Eclipse on Asuka, however, Asuka was able to eliminate Moon.Mickie Jamesentered at #26 followed byNikki Bellaat #27. After Carmella mocked John Cena's "You Can't See Me" gesture at Nikki, Nikki eliminated Carmella. Nikki'stag team partner,Brie Bella,entered at #28 followed byBayleyat #29. The final entrant,Trish Stratus,performed a double bulldog on The Bella Twins. After taking out Bayley, Stratus and James had a showdown, with Stratus eliminating James. Afterwards, all the other women eliminated Jax from the match before Banks turned on Bayley and eliminated her. Stratus then eliminated Natalya, but after mocking Banks, Banks eliminated her from the match. The final four were Banks, Asuka, Nikki, and Brie. Banks, Nikki, and Brie attacked Asuka, but as Banks went for her double knee press on Asuka, Nikki and Brie eliminated Banks (who lasted the longest at nearly 55 minutes). Asuka attacked Nikki and Brie, but Nikki performed aRack Attack 2.0on Asuka and then eliminated Brie. Nikki sent Asuka over the top rope, but Asuka held on. Asuka then headscissored Nikki over the top rope and onto the apron. A short time later, Asuka kicked Nikki's legs out to win the match and earn a women's championship match at WrestleMania 34. After the match, Raw Women's ChampionAlexa Blissand SmackDown Women's ChampionCharlotte Flairentered the ring. Before Asuka could make her decision for which title she wanted to challenge for, they were interrupted by the surprise appearance of formerUFCstarRonda Rousey,officially confirming she had signed full-time with WWE. Rousey pointed to the WrestleMania sign and offered a handshake to Asuka, who refused. Rousey then shook hands with Raw Commissioner Stephanie McMahon as the event ended. The jacket which Rousey wore during this appearance belonged to lifelong idolRoddy Piper,whose son let her borrow it.

Aftermath

Raw

OnRawthe following night, Raw Commissioner Stephanie McMahon convinced Asuka to wait until afterElimination Chamberto make her decision, as Raw Women's Champion Alexa Bliss was scheduled to defend her title in the first-ever women'sElimination Chamber match,and the result may affect Asuka's decision. Asuka was then confronted by Sasha Banks, who spent the longest time in the Royal Rumble match, and Banks challenged Asuka to a match that Asuka won.Banks, along with Bayley, Mandy Rose, Mickie James, and Sonya Deville were announced as the other competitors in the Elimination Chamber match. Nia Jax was also scheduled to face Asuka at Elimination Chamber where if she were to win, she would be added to the Asuka's championship match at WrestleMania.On the February 12 episode ofRaw,it was announced that Ronda Rousey would sign her Raw contract at Elimination Chamber.At SmackDown'sFastlanepay-per-view, Asuka appeared and decided to challenge Charlotte Flair for the SmackDown Women's Championship at WrestleMania.

Since Shinsuke Nakamura decided to stay on SmackDown to challenge for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 34, Raw General Manager Kurt Angle scheduled a number one contender's Elimination Chamber match at the namesake event to determine who would face Brock Lesnar for the Universal Championship at WrestleMania. Six qualification matches were scheduled over the next couple of weeks. Braun Strowman and Kane battled in aLast Man Standing match,which Strowman won to qualify. After the match, Kane was taken to a local hospital.Elias, John Cena, Roman Reigns,Intercontinental ChampionThe Miz, Finn Bálor, and Seth Rollins also qualified, marking the first seven-man Elimination Chamber match.

New Raw Tag Team Champions Cesaro and Sheamus defended their titles against Titus Worldwide (Apollo Crews and Titus O'Neil), as they had beaten Cesaro and Sheamus two weeks in a row prior to the Royal Rumble; Cesaro and Sheamus retained.The following week, Jason Jordan and Seth Rollins were scheduled to have their contractual rematch, but after Jordan was deemed unable to compete, he was replaced by Roman Reigns. Jordan, however, accidentally caused them to be disqualified.

SmackDown

Shinsuke NakamuraandAsukawere the respective winners of the men's and women'sRoyal Rumble matches.Nakamura immediately challengedAJ Stylesfor theWWE Championship,while Asuka still had the chance to challenge eitherAlexa BlissorCharlotte Flairfor their respective titles.

On the following episode ofSmackDown,Shinsuke Nakamura celebrated his win at the Royal Rumble, and said he would become the new WWE Champion at WrestleMania 34. He was interrupted by Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn, who said that they should be the co-WWE Champions, but the referee failed at his job at the Royal Rumble. WWE Champion AJ Styles came out and said that Owens and Zayn could complain all they want, but there would be a dream match at WrestleMania between him and Nakamura. Styles then suggested to have a dream team that night with him and Nakamura facing Owens and Zayn, which SmackDown General Manager Daniel Bryan made official for later that night in which Styles and Nakamura won. During the match, there were tensions between Owens and Zayn as Bryan had also scheduled them to face each other the following week to determine the number one contender for the WWE Championship at Fastlane.The championship match at Fastlane then became afatal five-way matchalso involving Baron Corbin and Dolph Ziggler,and finally asix-pack challengewhen John Cena qualified by defeating Styles in a non-title match.

In the mid-card, a fatal four-way match between Kofi Kingston of The New Day, Jinder Mahal,Zack Ryder,and Rusev occurred to determine the number one contender against Bobby Roode for the United States Championship, which was won by Rusev,who was unsuccessful in winning the title.Also following the Royal Rumble, SmackDown General Manager Daniel Bryan revealed the first-ever "SmackDown Top Ten List" as voted on by the SmackDown roster to see who the wrestlers thought should get a title opportunity.This played into a storyline between Roode, who ranked fifth, Randy Orton, who ranked ninth, and Jinder Mahal, who did not rank, resulting in SmackDown Commissioner Shane McMahon scheduling Roode to defend the U.S. Championship against Orton at Fastlane.

In the women's division, SmackDown Women's Champion Charlotte Flair praised the first-ever women's Royal Rumble match, but wished that she could have competed in it. She addressed Ronda Rousey's debut and questioned who her WrestleMania 34 opponent would be. The Riott Squad interrupted and Ruby Riott said Flair would not make it to WrestleMania and they attacked Flair. Carmella came out to try and cash-in herMoney in the Bank briefcaseon Flair, but was not able to as she accidentally knocked out the referee before the bell could ring.After feuding with The Riott Squad over the next few weeks, Flair was scheduled to defend her title against Riott at Fastlane.

205 Live

On205 Live,Drake Maverick(formerly known as Rockstar Spud inImpact Wrestling) was appointed as the 205 Live General Manager. Maverick announced that there would be a16-man single elimination tournamentto crown a new WWE Cruiserweight Champion, with the finals to occur at WrestleMania 34.

Results

No.	Results	Stipulations	Times
1P	Kalisto,Gran Metalik,andLince DoradodefeatedTJP,Gentleman Jack Gallagher,andDrew Gulakbypinfall	Six-man tag team match	13:20
2P	The Revival(Dash WilderandScott Dawson) defeatedLuke Gallows and Karl Andersonbypinfall	Tag team match	9:15
3P	Bobby Roode(c) defeatedMojo Rawleybypinfall	Singles matchfor theWWE United States Championship	7:45
4	AJ Styles(c) defeatedKevin Owens and Sami Zaynbypinfall	Handicap matchfor theWWE Championship	15:55
5	The Usos(Jey UsoandJimmy Uso) (c) defeatedChad GableandShelton Benjamin2–0	Two out of three falls matchfor theWWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship	13:55
6	Shinsuke Nakamurawon by last eliminatingRoman Reigns	30-manRoyal Rumble matchfor aworld championshipmatch atWrestleMania 34	1:05:27
7	Cesaro and SheamusdefeatedSeth RollinsandJason Jordan(c) bypinfall	Tag team matchfor theWWE Raw Tag Team Championship	12:50
8	Brock Lesnar(c) (withPaul Heyman) defeatedKaneandBraun Strowmanbypinfall	Triple threat matchfor theWWE Universal Championship	10:55
9	Asukawon by last eliminatingNikki Bella	30-womanRoyal Rumble matchfor awomen's championshipmatch atWrestleMania 34	58:57
(c) – the champion(s) heading into the match P – the match was broadcast on the pre-show

Men's Royal Rumble match entrances and eliminations

Brand

–Raw

–SmackDown

–NXT

–Unbranded

–Winner

Draw	Entrant	Brand/Status	Order	Eliminated by	Time	Elimination(s)
1	Rusev	SmackDown	12	Bray Wyatt and Matt Hardy	30:28	0
2	Finn Bálor	Raw	27	John Cena	57:38	4
3	Rhyno	Raw	1	Baron Corbin	02:06	0
4	Baron Corbin	SmackDown	2	Finn Bálor	01:06	1
5	Heath Slater	Raw	4	Bray Wyatt	00:33**	1
6	Elias	Raw	15	John Cena	26:00	0
7	Andrade "Cien" Almas	NXT	18	Randy Orton	29:24	1
8	Bray Wyatt	Raw	13	Matt Hardy	20:38	2
9	Big E	SmackDown	8	Jinder Mahal	14:14	0
10	Sami Zayn*	SmackDown	5	Shinsuke Nakamura	06:57	0
11	Sheamus	Raw	3	Heath Slater	00:02***	0
12	Xavier Woods	SmackDown	7	Jinder Mahal	08:24	0
13	Apollo Crews	Raw	6	Cesaro	05:16	0
14	Shinsuke Nakamura	SmackDown	—	Winner	44:38	3
15	Cesaro	Raw	9	Seth Rollins	05:08	1
16	Kofi Kingston	SmackDown	11	Andrade "Cien" Almas	05:41	1
17	Jinder Mahal	SmackDown	10	Kofi Kingston	03:48	2
18	Seth Rollins	Raw	22	Roman Reigns	19:01	2
19	Matt Hardy	Raw	14	Himself****	01:17	2
20	John Cena	Unbranded	28	Shinsuke Nakamura	29:14	3
21	The Hurricane	Unbranded	16	John Cena	00:45	0
22	Aiden English	SmackDown	17	Finn Bálor	02:16	0
23	Adam Cole	NXT	19	Rey Mysterio	06:52	0
24	Randy Orton	SmackDown	25	Roman Reigns	13:55	1
25	Titus O'Neil	Raw	20	Roman Reigns	06:07	0
26	The Miz	Raw	21	Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins	05:20	0
27	Rey Mysterio	Unbranded	26	Finn Bálor	09:40	1
28	Roman Reigns	Raw	29	Shinsuke Nakamura	21:52	4
29	Goldust	Raw	23	Dolph Ziggler	02:43	0
30	Dolph Ziggler	SmackDown	24	Finn Bálor	02:01	1

(*) -Tye Dillingerwas announced as the #10 entrant, but was attacked backstage byKevin OwensandSami Zayn,resulting in Zayn taking his spot.
(**) -Heath Slaterspent significant time outside of the ring before officially entering the Rumble, due to being attacked on the ramp by Baron Corbin, Elias, Andrade, Bray Wyatt, Big E, Sami Zayn, and Sheamus.
(***) - WWE.com's official website lists Sheamus' time to be 20 seconds,but they have otherwise stated 2 seconds.
(****) - Matt Hardy eliminated himself at the same time he eliminated Bray Wyatt.

Women's Royal Rumble match entrances and eliminations

Brand

–Raw

–SmackDown

–NXT

–Hall of Famer (HOF)

–Unbranded

–Winner

Draw	Entrant	Brand/ Status	Order	Eliminated by	Time	Elimination(s)
1	Sasha Banks	Raw	27	Brie Bella & Nikki Bella	54:46	3
2	Becky Lynch	SmackDown	14	Ruby Riott	30:54	2
3	Sarah Logan	SmackDown	7	Molly Holly	16:30	0
4	Mandy Rose	Raw	1	Lita	03:52	0
5	Lita	HOF	3	Becky Lynch	05:51	2
6	Kairi Sane*	NXT	4	Dana Brooke	04:49	0
7	Tamina	SmackDown	2	Lita	01:34	0
8	Dana Brooke	Raw	5	Torrie Wilson	02:59	1
9	Torrie Wilson	Unbranded	6	Sonya Deville	03:04	1
10	Sonya Deville	Raw	8	Michelle McCool	06:41	1
11	Liv Morgan	SmackDown	9	Michelle McCool	05:12	0
12	Molly Holly	Unbranded	10	Michelle McCool	04:04	1
13	Lana	SmackDown	11	Michelle McCool	02:54	0
14	Michelle McCool	Unbranded	13	Natalya	08:38	5
15	Ruby Riott	SmackDown	17	Nia Jax	11:32	2
16	Vickie Guerrero	Unbranded	12	Becky Lynch, Michelle McCool, Ruby Riott, & Sasha Banks	00:57	0
17	Carmella	SmackDown	21	Nikki Bella	18:45	0
18	Natalya	SmackDown	25	Trish Stratus	25:34	3
19	Kelly Kelly	Unbranded	16	Nia Jax	05:02	0
20	Naomi	SmackDown	18	Nia Jax	06:49	0
21	Jacqueline	HOF	15	Nia Jax	01:52	0
22	Nia Jax	Raw	23	Asuka, Bayley, Brie Bella, Natalya, Nikki Bella, & Trish Stratus	17:56	4
23	Ember Moon	NXT	20	Asuka	06:14	0
24	Beth Phoenix	HOF	19	Natalya	02:22	0
25	Asuka	Raw	—	Winner	19:41	3
26	Mickie James	Raw	22	Trish Stratus	08:24	0
27	Nikki Bella	Unbranded	29	Asuka	16:30	4
28	Brie Bella	Unbranded	28	Nikki Bella	11:58	2
29	Bayley	Raw	24	Sasha Banks	05:04	1
30	Trish Stratus	HOF	26	Sasha Banks	05:36	3

(*) -Kairi Sanewas a last minute replacement forAlicia Fox,who was originally scheduled to participate in the match, but got injured just prior to the event.

External links

• Royal Rumble Official Website