50 Things You Learn Binge-Watching Every WWE Royal Rumble
11. Rock’s 2015 Confusion Is Still Funny
Looking back, was there a real risk of the Royal Rumble losing all good graces with the core fanbase permanently?! That thought seems a tad extreme, but WWE annoyed the fans with back to back results in both 2014 and 2015. It certainly wouldn't do to have so-called babyface Rumble winners pointing at the big WrestleMania sign as everyone either booed, rolled their eyes or flooded for the exits.
That's what makes the final few minutes of 2015's pay-per-view so fascinating in a twisted way.
The Rock raised the hand of winner and new WWE poster boy Roman Reigns as jeers rained down hard from the stands. This was becoming an unwanted trend for the McMahons, and this guy would be willing to bet that they didn't like it one bit. Watch 2015's event again and you might well get some sick enjoyment out of seeing Rocky's most confused eyebrow ever right at the end of the show though. Philly was his least favourite city for a few minutes there.
Roman was still a fresh-faced hopeful at the time, so he stuck to his guns and gamely brave-faced the whole ordeal. Rock was aghast at what was happening; he visibly went slack-jawed and flashed the same mix of disbelief and anger he had when being booed vs. Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam 2002 or Hulk Hogan earlier that same year during WrestleMania X8.
It's kinda funny in a sensationalistic way. It's also OK to laugh knowing that everything worked out for Reigns eventually. If he wins another Rumble in the future, then the cheers will be loud.