10 Fascinating WWE Royal Rumble 2018 Facts
8. Two Matches Were Cancelled
Including the pre-show, the 2018 Royal Rumble PPV featured a total of nine matches. While the event had a pretty solid card from top to bottom, there were actually initial plans for two further bouts to take place at the 2018 Rumble.
The first of these matches was to be the culmination of SmackDown's ongoing tournament to crown a new United States Champion. Instead of the final of that tourney taking place at the Royal Rumble, though, WWE opted to bring the match forward to the 16 January episode of the company's blue brand. There, Bobby Roode defeated Jinder Mahal to become the new US Champ.
Interestingly, by the time the Rumble rolled around on 28 January, WWE realised that they needed another match to flesh-out the pre-show. So, who do they call upon? Why, that'd be 'Glorious' Bobby Roode - with Roode retaining in quicksmart fashion against Mojo Rawley.
Elsewhere, the 2018 Royal Rumble was to also feature WWE Cruiserweight Champion Enzo Amore defending his prize against Cedric Alexander.
That match didn't take place due to Enzo being suspended on 22 January, then fired the following day after it was revealed that he was under investigation by the Phoenix Police Department for alleged sexual harassment and sexual assault.
WWE's reasoning for Amore's termination was that he had not informed the company of this investigation. The Phoenix Police Department would cease its investigation into these claims in May 2018 due to lack of evidence.