Report: WWE Happy With Several Royal Rumble 2023 Performances

Royal Rumble 2023 was a success in WWE's eyes, with these performances standing out.

by Andy H Murray
Cody Rhodes Gunther
WWE

WWE's first premium live event of the year, Royal Rumble 2023, took place on Saturday - and several performances stood out to the promotion.

WrestleVotes reports that the promotion was happy with how the men's and women's Rumble matches turned out. Specifically, WWE were enamoured with Gunther's performance, and felt that the opinion-splitting midair collision between Logan Paul and Ricochet exceeded expectations.

Per the account:-

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Asked for some thoughts after last night… Source said they are happy w/ how both Rumble matches turned out. Gunther’s performance in particular along w/ Logan Paul / Ricochet spot “better than even imagined.” Bloodline angle stole the show, as expected. Exactly why it was last.

Gunther entered the longest individual run in Royal Rumble history on Saturday. Entering the match first, he lasted 1:11:40, eliminating five wrestlers along the way, before being thrown out by the winner, Cody Rhodes. The Intercontinental Champion finished second, positioning him well for the months ahead.

Ricochet and Paul, meanwhile, produced the match's most giffable moment by springboarding from opposite sides of the ring, crashing into each other in midair.

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The men's Rumble opened the show. The women's, meanwhile, went second to last. Rhea Ripley won that one, eliminating Liv Morgan last.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.