10 Cringeworthy Moments From WWE Greatest Royal Rumble
Michael Cole and Titus O'Neil stole the show for all the wrong reasons.
Given weeks of blockbuster promotion on WWE television and a five-hour timeslot on the WWE Network, it's fair to say that the first Greatest Royal Rumble event in Saudi Arabia was a big deal for the company. The financial benefits of running a show in the wealthy nation are rumoured to be enormous and, if WWE can cultivate a market in the country, the future pot of cash is limitless.
There was, however, plenty about the event that was controversial before the first bell even rang. Despite the well-documented 'Women's Evolution' in WWE over the last few years, the culture in Saudi Arabia meant that there wasn't a single woman on this mammoth show, with even Renee Young replaced as the anchor on the pre-show panel by Byron Saxton.
That wasn't where the cringeworthy moments ended, though, as the show itself delivered its fair share of awkwardness. Some of the ring work was bizarre and clunky, while Michael Cole seemed to be in an incredibly strange mood, culminating in one of his most detached and unengaged performances ever during the lengthy main event battle royal.
It remains to be seen whether WWE will do more Greatest Royal Rumble shows, though they certainly implied it would be an annual event. All involved will be hoping that these moments are not repeated next time around.
10. Scott Dawson Eliminates Himself
Scott Dawson has proven himself to be a compelling bruiser in a WWE ring. Along with Dash Wilder, he has made The Revival into the epitome of a traditional tag team, anchored by consistent and exemplary work. Unfortunately for Dawson, he had something of an off-night when he entered the Greatest Royal Rumble.
Dawson came unstuck when former United States Champion Bobby Roode entered the match at number 25. He eliminated Goldust before turning his attention to Dawson. After delivering a pair of atomic drops, Roode aimed a slingshot towards the corner of the ring. Having misjudged the distance he needed to clear, Dawson was forced to jump over the turnbuckle and essentially eliminate himself from the match, landing very awkwardly on his leg as he went over the top rope.
The botch might have gone unnoticed by the audience watching at home, had Michael Cole not drawn obvious attention to it and laughed at Dawson for his self-elimination. It was one of the more disappointing moments in Dawson's in-ring career to date and a poor way for him to bow out of his first ever Royal Rumble match.