8 Ups & 11 Downs For WWE In 2018 (So Far)
4. A Classic Royal Rumble
After years of constant disappointment at WWE's signature January event, it was great to see the company go all-out at the Royal Rumble, delivering an outstanding pay-per-view card that still stands as 2018's finest.
The Universal Title Triple Threat was pedestrian and Jason Jordan's avoidant storytelling versus Sheamus and Cesaro wasn't to everyone's taste, but these are small-fry complaints. The remaining title fights delivered, the women's over-the-top battle royal was an uplifting trip through the division's past, present, and future, and WWE outdid themselves with the men's bout, delivering a clash that genuinely stands among all-time greats like 1992 and 2001.
There was no Rey Mysterio at 30, no Dwayne Johnson desperately raising his reviled cousin's arm, no Kane and Big Show joylessly throwing all your internet favourites. Instead, it built to a closing stretch dripping with fan service. Three company men (John Cena, Randy Orton, Roman Reigns) faced off with a trio of fan favourites (Finn Balor, Rey Mysterio, Shinsuke Nakamura). What followed was as strong an in-ring sequence as you'll see all year, and in the end, with was Nakamura lobbing Reigns over the top rope, completing one of the most gratifying Rumble victories in forever.
On a night rife with great moments, Ronda Rousey's long-awaited debut almost felt like a letdown. Fortunately, she'd more than make up for this as the year progressed, but nothing could take the glean off this PPV.