The 2025 Royal Rumble took place on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. It was the 38th annual Royal Rumble and was WWE’s first PPV and livestreaming event to air on Netflix in most markets outside the United States, following the WWE Network’s merger under the service in January 2025.
(All photos courtesy WWE.com)
Royal Rumble (2025) – Results
With two 60-plus minute rumble matches, we only had FOUR total matches on the card. That being said, this show was tight and I had a blast watching it. I watched it at home with my brother, one of my boys and my buddy Scott. Pip was lucky enough to be in attendance for the event! And with this, the Road to WrestleMania 41 officially has been kicked off. Let’s get into it.
Charlotte Flair Won the Royal Rumble
Flair returned and, to the surprise of no one, won the Royal Rumble. She got quite a few boos, more than I think they anticipated she would get. It was cool to see, for the first time, on screen stats for the event including an active/eliminated counter at the bottom of the screen. Not sure if that’s a Netflix inspired thing but it was super cool.
In addition to Charlotte coming back we got a couple of returns including a MASSIVE pop for Alexa Bliss and a much smaller for Nikki Bella. The outcome here was never really in question to me once Becky Lynch didn’t come back. It’ll be really interesting to see how Charlotte is viewed as she makes her return. I’m guessing this leads to a rematch with Rhea Ripley but we’ve had that several times before… I hope we get something else.
#DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) Defeated The Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin) To Retain The WWE Tag Team Championship – Two Out of Three Falls Match
DIY retained here in a match that shouldn’t have been on this card. I’m definitely not the biggest fan of tag team wrestling and this didn’t do anything to change that. I know all of these guys can go but I just didn’t care about this at all. The Street Profits interfered late setting up a future feud or potential three-way match at Mania. Meh.
Cody Rhodes Defeated Kevin Owens To Retain The Undisputed WWE Championship – Ladder Match
Holy shit – this was brutal. And it was a match that Cody really needed. Incredible damage taken here by both guys on ladders that clearly weren’t gimmicked (with the exception of the last spot which was STILL brutal). Even though this was in February, I’m confident this one will go on lists as ‘Match of the Year’ contender. I have a feeling we’re done with the KO – Cody feud at this point and this was a great way to end it. Massive props to both guys.
Jey Uso Won the Royal Rumble
Heading into this match I had my final four as John Cena, Roman Reigns, CM Punk and Seth Rollins. I’m pleasantly surprised that I only got two of the four (though Reigns and Rollins where the last two eliminated prior to the final four… so I was close). I don’t think ANYONE saw Jey Uso winning the Rumble and as I sit here a couple of days removed from the event I have to say I’m excited for what his future holds. When he eliminated Cena I admit I was bummed, but I have a feeling there are other, more entertaining, ways we’re going to get John to Mania.
Seeing Penta and Rey kick off the event sent the crowd into a tizzy. I’ve said on numerous occasions that I don’t ‘get’ Penta but I understand why people like him. Bron Breakker nearly killed a YouTube streamer that was in there and Joe Hendry made an appearance that nearly everyone figured he’d make.
Royal Rumble (2025) – Final Thoughts
This was a tremendous show. The Royal Rumble has always been my favorite show of the year… including WrestleMania. As we head into this Mania season there’s still quite a bit up in the air. I’m super interested to see how they build Jey Uso, where John Cena slots in, if Punk makes his way to an elusive main event, will we see The Rock, etc. etc. etc. Regardless of how it all shakes out the WWE roster is BOOMING right now and even though they made a tactical error in putting Mania on Easter Sunday, I think it will be another amazing two-night WrestleMania card.
We are OFFICIALLY on the Road To WrestleMania!
Did you watch the 2025 Royal Rumble? Let me know what you thought in the comments below!
