8 Ups & 7 Downs From WWE Royal Rumble 2025
2. Individual Success Stories
The men’s Royal Rumble produced several small success stories throughout its duration, with several deserving some collective praise.
Penta coming out at #2 allowed him time to really soak in a full entrance and allow fans to register his appearance. It also ensured he was highlighted while the Rumble wasn’t yet overflowing with wrestlers. The early entry also enabled Penta to come face-to-face with wrestlers like Santos Escobar, Bron Breakker, and Jacob Fatu, giving fans mental images of future matchups.
Recently, Chad Gable has become obsessed about his struggles against luchadores, going so far as to enlist Dominik Mysterio’s help in finding someone to coach him. Naturally, who were three of the first five Rumble entrants (with Gable being #3 himself)? Rey Mysterio, Penta, and Escobar, all luchadores. Poor Gable had to contend with his worst nightmare in a high-stakes match.
Bron Breakker became the first wrestler to really get a “clear out the deadwood” spot, though it was a small one early. Entering at #7, Breakker tossed Carmelo Hayes, leveled everyone else, and eliminated Santos and then Otis. He would also bounce IShowSpeed after running through him with a spear that already has become a meme. Bron would shockingly spear Roman Reigns before the Tribal Chief eliminated him.
The Intercontinental Champion also had a standoff with Jacob Fatu, who was another force in the Rumble. Entering at #12, Fatu had an eyepopping run, tossing three men quickly and then ousting Jimmy Uso from the match, nixing Roman’s backup. Every movement Jacob made registered with the fans as they intently watched him wreak havoc.
For those keeping score, those are three men getting pretty good pushes in the Rumble that could translate into elevation up the card in the build to WrestleMania. That’s a pretty good record.