10 Fascinating WWE Royal Rumble 2013 Facts
Finally, The Rock HAS COME BACK....to the championship picture.
And so, after 434 days, CM Punk's last reign with a championship belt had come to an end. That the man who railed against WWE's creative practices in his defining "Pipe Bomb" promo lost his belt to a part-timer star (albeit one that rates as an untouchable legend) wasn't lost on those who disagreed with the decision.
The 2013 Royal Rumble ended with two predictable results: The Rock capturing the WWE Championship from Punk, and John Cena winning the namesake match to earn a title shot at WrestleMania 29. After Cena-Rock "Once in a Lifetime" set WWE buyrate records, the company saw dollar signs in a sequel. Can't blame them for thinking about the bottom line. It's what companies do.
Predictable as those two matches were, the 2013 Rumble is, in this writer's opinion, easily one of the better Rumbles of the decade. Punk and Rock's main event felt like a major deal, the Rumble moved along at a brisk, enjoyable pace, and even the Alberto Del Rio/Big Show World Heavyweight title match was a fun, Attitude Era-style garbage brawl. The elements that make WWE fun were abundant on this show. It was certainly more fun than some of the "crowd opposition" Rumbles that would follow.
Here are ten facts about the 2013 Royal Rumble you may not have known.
10. A Divas Championship Match Was Scrapped
If you've never seen it, check out the Raw 20th Anniversary special that aired in 2013), and watch Kaitlyn defeat Eve Torres for the Women's championship. The crowd reaction is simply off the charts for the clever and dramatic finish, as the blonde bodybuilder dethrones Eve for the gold.
Sadly, that was the peak for Kaitlyn's reign, as she would only make two PPV title defenses over the next five months, one of which was her defeat at the hands of AJ Lee at Payback.
Originally, Kaitlyn was slated to work with Tamina Snuka at the Royal Rumble, but the match was pulled for time considerations. The two did face off three weeks later at Elimination Chamber, with Kaitlyn winning after just three minutes.