11 Main Event Mistakes WWE Have Made In 2022
10. Royal Fumble (January 29)
Just… all of it.
While not as maligned as the 2014 and 2015 editions, the 2022 Royal Rumble is not about to top anyone’s list of all-time favorites. The rate at which all four headliners, as well as excitement and anticipation for this year’s WrestleMania disintegrated that evening was flabbergasting.
In fairness, the opener between Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins was an outstanding and fascinating psychological profile. Built on whether the defending champion had conquered the demons of The Shield’s 2014 demise, the conclusion saw everything begin to fall apart. Rollins prevailed when Reigns refused to release a Guillotine Choke, drawing a disqualification and ensuring the belt stayed with the Tribal Chief.
Then the floodgates opened.
Blinded by dollar signs, A-list marquees and slowly growing whispers of “Champion versus Champion”, WWE lost the plot. After nearly three years away, Ronda Rousey became the Women’s Royal Rumble winner no one wanted. Lesnar dropped his newly-won WWE Championship to Bobby Lashley with an assist from Reigns. Yes, the title change was orchestrated to further Reigns and Lesnar’s convoluted Paul Heyman custody battle, but it diminished Lashley’s victory and painted him as incapable of handling ‘The Beast’ on his own.
The evening concluded with an egocentric Shane McMahon attempting to rewrite the Rumble match to his liking on the fly. Then Lesnar entered last and won the thing. Even the WrestleMania sign voiced its displeasure by bursting into flames… twice.
At least Bobby Lashley would get a shot at redemption in the Elimination Chamber, right?