WWE Royal Rumble 2023 Live: The Bloodline attacks Sami Zayn after Roman Reigns beats Owens; Belair, Rhodes off to Mania

Jey Uso, who trusted Sami with his life, is in utter shock after seeing Zayn turn his back on Roman, and leaves the ring as Jimmy, Roman and Solo wear a puzzled look on their faces. The Bloodline has laid waste to Sami and Owens as an explosive Royal Rumble comes to an end. 

Oh my god! It has happened. Sami Zayn puts a chair through Roman Reigns as the crowd goes mad. But that is that, that is all he can conjure. The Bloodline is attacking Sami Zayn with everything they’ve got. Solo Sikoa landed the Samoan Spike while Jimmy Uso pummels on to Sami. 

Roman Reigns was about to unleash a chair shot on an already knocked out Kevin Owens but before he took the swing, Sami came in front and stopped him. Roman then hands the chair to Sami Zayn to let him do the beating, but Zayn is in two minds. Roman tries to encourage him but Sami is still reluctant.

The match may have ended but The Bloodline is not done. They have handcuffed Kevin Owens as the The Usos and Solo Sikoa mercilessly beat down KO… in front of Sami Zayn. It’s getting uncomfortable to watch.

Roman goes on a rampage on Owens, slamming his head on the steel steps twice before a devastating spear acted as the final nail in the coffin. 1, 2 and 3. Roman Reigns beats Kevin Owens to retain the WWE Undisputed Universal Championship. The 850-plus day reign continues.

With the referee down, Roman Reigns asked Sami Zayn to get a chair but KO’s long-time friend hesitates. That moment allows KO to hit Reigns with a stunner but Roman kicks out. Reigns then recovers to hit two more spears – one inside the ring and another through the barricade outside – but Owens kicks out again. Unbelievable.

Reigns shoves Owens on to the referee after countering a stunner. KO delivers a Pop-Up Powerbomb to Reigns but there is no referee to make count. 

WHAT? A Spear from Reigns but not enough? How rarely have we seen that? Reigns planted Owens with the spear but KO kicks out at 2.  

Owens counters a spear and sends Roman Reigns crashing on the pole. Then flies from the top rope with a beautiful Moon Sault. 1… 2… and a KICK OUT! 

Close but not close enough. Roman Reigns went for the SuperMan punch but ran into a German Suplex from Kevin Owens. But the slam hardly did any damge since Reigns connected successfully with a second SuperMan punch, albeit not enough to keep KO down. 

With Roman on the floor outside, KO pulled off a frog splash from the apron. Owens then tosses him back in the ring and brings out another froggy – this time from the top rope. KO tried to add to the assault but Roman countered and delivers a thunderous Powerbomb.

Roman Reigns Irish whips KO to the corner but the real picture is developing outside the ring. The camera captured Sami clapping and applauding the Tribal Chief. Reigns builds momentum and lands the ‘drive-by’ on Owens. Reigns back dictating terms, burying Owens in the corner with flurry of rights.

Kevin Owens sat perched on the top rope as Roman Reigns was showboating. The opening bell rings and the WWE Undisputed Universal Championship match is underway. Reigns flatted Owens with a hard shoulder tackle but KO delivered a shoulder block of his own followed by a senton and a cannonball. Owens on top in the early part of the match.

Here we go. Reigns vs Owens for the second time in Rumble history. But wait, this is an interesting sight. Roman Reigns has only Sami Zayn by his side. There is no sign of the Usos. Of course, there is the wiseman Paul Heyman, but the fact that only Sami and not Usos are out there, indicates a lot. Is this the test, is this the final hurdle Sami has to cross to cement his place in The Bloodline?  

The 800-plus day reign of Roman Reigns’ title reign is under threat again as he gets set to defend the WWE Undisputed Universal Championship against Kevin Owens. This promises to be a cracker of a match-up as barring Reigns and Owens, there is one more individual who promises to play a major role in this contest… and that is Sami Zayn. Remember, last Monday night on Raw, although Reigns declared Zayn NOT GUILTY in his trial, he also informed Sami that he will be up for ONE FINAL test. We cannot wait for this

What a dramatic finish. On the apron outside the ring, Asuka first tried to blind Rhea with the green mist but she ducked and Liv Morgan got the worst of it. Taking advantage of the situation, Ripley threw Asuka out of the ring, leaving her and Morgan as the final 2 contenders. A blinded Morgan almost had her moment under the sun when he triggered an offence to Ripley. But Rhea, even as she hung inches above the ground, caught Morgan with her feet and out of pure strength threw Morgan rolling and punched booked her WrestleMania ticket. Only the fourth wrestler ever to win the Rumble from No. 1. What a performance!

Down to the final 3 as Raquel Rodriguez, Nikki Cross and Piper Niven eliminated. It’s a triple-threat showdown between Asuka, Rhea Ripley and Liv Morgan.

In less than 2 minutes, 5 women have been eliminated, including Michelle McCool and Shotzi. From 11, we are down to 6 – Rhea Ripley, Piper Niven, Raquel Rodriguez, Asuka, Nikki Cross and Liv Morgan.

It took an unbelievable Rip-Tide from Rhea Ripley and 11 other women to eliminate Nia Jax from the Rumble. She has been eliminated but rest assured, Monday Night Raw is going to be mighty interesting. Another elimination has ensued as Raquel Rodriguez ends Lacey Evans’ Rumble outing.

The Irresistible Force has returned, and her intimidating stature has caught everyone’s attention. Wasn’t she released? Dead sure she was but it seems as if WWE has renewed their contract. Nia was the first woman to compete in both men and women’s Rumble matches on the same night, back in 2020. Quite a shocking yet stunning return this. 

The Chaos, the tornado Nikki Cross enters at No. 29. Plants Liv Morgan immediately, who along with Rhea Ripley has stayed afloat in the match by over 50 minutes now.

We are into the final three as Shotzi enters the Rumble match at No. 27. And what an entrance. She rides a tank and begins the match by flying off the top rope as she tries to eliminate Lacey Evans. Sonya Deville who entered at No. 27 effects an elimination. 

Michelle McCool, a former Divas Champion and The Undertaker’s wife enters the Royal Rumble at No. 25. She was sitting in the front row with her daughter and enjoying the show. It was only when her music hit that Michelle rose from the chair, removed a stoll and entered teh Rumble match. 

She may no longer be the Sassy Southern Belle, but Lacey Evans is still a savage when it comes to taking her chances. Lacey promises she will eliminate every woman in her sight, and while the crowd may not entirely be behind her, she’s off to a cool start.

Maddening cheer from the crowd as Texas’ very own Raquel Rodriguez comes into the match. She is a bonafide superstar in the making and is expected to be the next big thing in women’s wrestling. Through her attire, she is paying homage to the late great Eddie Guerrero.

Crazy couple of eliminations. And BIG eliminations too. Bayley outsmarts Becky Lynch by throwing her over the top rope but as she gloats in the glory, Liv Morgan emerges from behind and does the same to Bayley. Becky and Damage Control engage in a brawl outside.

At No. 20 enters Chelsea Green in a surprise entry. The internet was buzzing with rumours about her return but turns out it’s true. But in a shocking turn of events, gets eliminated in 5 seconds, which is a record.

Piper Niven, earlier known as Doudrop has entered the Rumble. Will the Gimmick change work? Seems to as she is off to a strong beginning, smashing everyone in her sights. Meanwhile, the first 2 entrants in the match – Rhea Ripley and Liv Morgan are still in in. They have lasted over half an hour. In comes Tamina and Piper and she go after each other.

OH MY GOD! It’s true. Winner of the 2018 Royal Rumble, Asuka has entered the arena at No. 17, and she’s got a new and more fierce-looking face mask. Goes after Damage Control and almost eliminates Dakota there for a second it seemed 

Damage Control was reveling in the joy of yet another elimination before the smiles were wiped off their faces. At No. 15 comes the MAN, Becky Lynch. So much history between the two. Winner of the 2019 Rumble, Lynch went after the three women but the 3-on-1 advantage is too much even for The MAN to overcome. Gets laid out by Bayley, Dakota and Iyo near the commentary table.

This faction is on fire as all three of them – Bayley, Dakota and Iyo combine to effect two eliminations at the same time. Natalya’s return is short-lived as she and Baszler fall outside the ring. We are almost mid-way through the Women’s Rumble match as Xia Li enters at No. 14.

The reigning NXT Women’s Champion, Roxanne Perez put on a show before her Rumble match appearance was cut short by the Damage Control. However, shortly after, entering No. 11 is Natalya, who was put out of action after Shayna Bazsler had broken her nose. Goes right after her.

All three members of Damage Control are here. If Dakota’s arrival at No. 9 wasn’t enough to support Bayley, Iyo Sky comes in at No. 10 to boost the faction even more. Just one elimination so far. Oh wait! Scratch that – Make it two… no 3 as Dana Brooke and Emma eliminated in quick succession. 

Great display of strength by B-Fab, who goes right after Liv Morgan first and then targets Bayley. However, she lasted just 36 seconds as Ripley floors her with a head butt and throws her flying over the ring.

Shayna Baszler holds the record for the most eliminations in the Rumble in a very dominant history. After her at No. 5 is Bayley, making her 4th Rumble match appearance. She has never won a Rumble match yet and that bothers her.

Emma, resigned to the WWE, makes her first-ever Royal Rumble match appearance. She was released just a month before the inaugural Women’s Royal Rumble match back in 2018. And as we continue, Emma, Brooke and Morgan tagging up to take on Ripley. 

Here is someone who has participated in every Women’s Royal Rumble match. Dana Brooke enters at No. 3. Two women have won from that spot in the past. Brooke, the fresh entrant goes after Ripley and Morgan, lands a Superplex off the second rope on the latter.

Rhea Ripley, who took a spear earlier in the evening, enters No. 1 in the Rumble favouring her abdomen. At No. 2 enters Liv Morgan. Surprisingly, Morgan asked to be No. 1. Last year, she lasted 37 minutes in the match but also holds the dubious distinction of being the fastest woman to be eliminated in the Women’s Rumble match having lasted just 8 seconds.

Alexa Bliss certainly brought a new level to her game and put on one heck of a fight but it’s Bianca Belair who retains her title with a KOD. Bliss was all game with her challenge but despite a string of early offences. it wasn’t enough for the former champion to add to her title reigns.  

Unbelievable scenes! First Wyatt puts on a scary-looking mask and frightens LA Knight all the way up to the stage before strangling him with the Mandible Cla. And then Uncle Howdy Shows up and launches himself from a platform on to Knight as members of the FireFly Funhouse look on from there. Creepy!

LA Knight did not stand a chance. He tried to run it at Wyatt with a kendo stick but got caught in the Sister Abigal. 1… 2… 3, and it’s Wyatt who picks up the win.

Well, the lights in the arena have gone out and there are things glowing in and outside the ring. Wyatt with the early offence but Knight comes flying from the barricade and clothesline Wyatt as both crash through the announce table. This is Wyatt’s first WWE match in nearly 2 years and boy, this is rather surreal.  

Phew! As the euphoria of Cody Rhodes winning the Men’s Royal Rumble match settles down, we turn out attention to the Pitch Black match between Bray Wyatt and LA Knight. We know nothing about what to expect from the match. But whenever it’s a new match involving Wyatt, rest assured, it’s going to deliver the kicks.

He has done it. Cody Rhodes has taken his first successful comeback step by winning the Royal Rumble. What a finish. Gunther did not give up till the end. he landed a dropkick on Cody, followed by a bone-jarring powerbomb. But Rhodes did not give up. The American Nightmare delivered a Cross-Rhodes and threw Gunther out of the ring. WHAT A COMEBACK STORY! From Dashing, to Stardust, to WrestleMania main-eventer. Cody Rhodes’ time is HERE and NOW

Will there be a fairytale ending for Rhodes? Doesn’t look like it since Gunther is pummelling the American Nightmare. Remember this is Cody’s first match in month. And to be up against a physical specimen like Gunther is not a cakewalk. But wait, Cody comes back with an offence, nails the Cody Cutter jumping off the ropes. A tantalising finish awaits. 

Where did he come from? We totally forgot about Logan Paul amid the whole Rollins vs Cody drama. He comes from nowhere and throws Seth Rollins. But his moment doesn’t last forever. Cody Rhodes land the Cross-Rhoades and out goes Logan. We are on to the final 2. It’s Rhodes vs Gunther.

A stomp to Austin Theory ends his Rumble campaign. And now it’s Cody and Rollins with a faceoff. What a rivalry they have had. Remember WrestleMania, remember Hell in a Cell. Oh what a moment. Gunther still in it. The Intercontinental Champion has been in the Rumble match for over an hour.

There we have it. The final four. One of Cody Rhodes, Seth Rollins, Austin Theory and Gunther is winning the Royal Rumble. Only one of them has won the Rumble previously.

Dominik’s efforts in the Rumble come to an end. He was in there for a long time, a commendable effort for a first-timer. But it’s the cockiness that got him. Trying to pay homage… or whatever to Eddie Guerrero, Dominic was in the middle of the Three Amigos to Cody when Rhodes countered it with a Cross-Rhoades and thew him flying out of the ring.

THE AMERICAN NIGHTMARE is the final entrant in the match as the Rumble enters its final minutes. His recovery from the torn pectoral muscle has been well-documented and Cody’s road back to the top begins tonight. San Antonio is on its feet.

Sheamus was in the match for 52 minutes, Drew McIntyre for 32 before both were eliminated by Gunther. The buzzer goes off for the penultimate time in the match as Logan Paul comes in at No. 29, the first time since giving Roman Reigns a real scare back at WWE Crown Jewel. Just one more entrant left… and we know who it is. 

What a Rumble moment as Omos and Braun Strowman have a facedown for the ages. How many times has it happened that Strowman is made to look small. But then again, OMOS is that big. Meanwhile, Ricochet enters at No. 28. Only 2 more left. And one of them we know is Cody Rhodes.

Well well, Edge has some company. Shortly after Rhea Ripley hit the Rated-R Superstar with a cheap shot and was reveling in the moment, Beth Phoenix emerged from behind and landed a devastating spear on MAMA. You know what they say about Payback.

Shortly after Finn Balor and Damien Priest get eliminated, they spoil Edge’s return as they eliminated the Rated-R Superstar. But it doesn’t matter. Winning the Rumble wasn’t certainly on Edge’s priority. His eyes were on Judgment Day and he takes out his frustration on the faction beating them on his way back to the stage. 

‘”YOU THINK YOU KNOW ME?” It’s EDGE. The Rated-R Superstar is back. He enters at No. 4 and and takes out all three members of the Judgment Day with a SPEAR. We haven’t seen EDGE since the Judgment Day took him and his wife Beth Phoenix out at Xtreme Rules. And he is here for Payback. 

Can you dig it, SUCKAAAAA? That music is familiar, isn’t it? And it’s Booker T who is the first surprise entrant in the match. Lands the BOOK END and brings out the SPINAROONIEEEE. However, the nostalgia trips doesn’t last long as Gunther eliminated the SIX-TIME World Champion.  

Michale Cole for a moment there gets carried away as Dominik Mysterio enters the Royal Rumble at No. 18. But while he is at it, Dom mocks his father Rey Mysterio as he haswith the Luchador’s legendary mask on him. Enters the ring hesitently but gets backup immediately as Finn Balor comes in at No. 20.

Seth Rollins just eliminated Bobby Lashley, moments after the Almighty took out his rival Brock Lesnar. First the Beast and now Lashley, two of the favourites to wint he Rumble, have already been elimiated. Sheamus and Gunther, who entered at No. 1 and 2 respectively, are still in.

A furious Brock Lesnar takes out Baron Corbin even before he could enter the ring as he lands him with the F5 outside. Seth Rollins, who entered the Rumble match at No. 16, throws Corbin inside the ring, then takes him out in an easy elimination.

Brock Lenser lasted just under 3 minutes before being eliminated by Bobby Lashley, who entered at No. 13. What a moment. A clothesline from the Almighty and Lesnar goes flying out of the ring. And he is IRATE. Lesnar is throwing tables, slams the damn steel steps on the commentary table.

Oh my god! Things have gotten serios. The Beast, Brock Lesnar has entered the Royal Rumble. A worried look descends on the faces of everyone in the ring, including Sheamus and McIntyre. A two-time Rumble winner – 2003 and 2022 – Lesnar has unleashed Suplex City on everyone. 

We are already one third the way in this Rumble match as Angelo Dawkins from The Street Profits comes marching in. However, with all the attention on the new entrant, we have another elimination as Woods gets thrown out of the match. 

The winner of the 2020 Royal Rumble, Drew McIntyre enters the Rumble. The Scottish Warrior led the WWE during the pandemic era but has since, gotten pushed down in the pecking order. Straightaway makes headline by eliminating Karrion Kross with a CLAYMORE KICK. McIntyre gets into a showdown with Gunther and then exchanges a couple of blows. So many brawlers already in this match, and only 2 eliminations so far.

Kross comes in at the Rumble match in a foul mood. No. 7 is not the easiest of slots. Goes straight after Woods and Kingston as the ring begins to get filled with superstars. Kross then turns his attention to Gunther but gets clotheslined before Sheamus points his attention towards him.

The first elimination of the match is The Miz, who gets Brogue Kicked out of the Royal Rumble. Meanwhile, we have two more entrants in the match as Johnny Gargano comes to the part, followed by Xavier Woods at No. 6 to give Kofi some backup. 

The man who has provided countless Royal Rumble moments in the past, Kofi Kingston from The New Day enters the Rumble at No. 4. The stunts and moments aside, Kingston will be hoping for his first ever Rumble match. Just to remind you guys, still no elimination.

It’s the MIZ. But wait, he plays his cards well and does not enter the ring. In fact, the A-Lister tries to trick Sheamus into elimination but the ploy doesn’t work. Gunther and the The Celtic Warrior get the Miz inside the ring and his chest is already red. Damn those chops hurt. 

Sheamus enters at No.2 as Clash of the Castle memories already come storming back. Gunther and Sheamus put on a classic physical brawl a few months ago and what better way to start the Rumble match that two grapplers and brawlers exchanging heavy blows.

Alright then. We are not wasting any time. The first match of the PPV itself is 30-MEN ROYAL RUMBLE match. Gunther from the Imperium has entered at No. 1. History has it that only 3 men have won the Rumble from that position. Shawn Michaels did it in 1994, Chris Benoit in 2004 and Edge in 2021.  

Corey Graves is not impressed. Pat McAfee who has not been seen for months is walking out to a huge waves of cheers from the fans. Michael Cole is pumping with adrenaline as he hugs McAfee. The official brings a chair and McAfee is takes his place on the commentary table.

For the 35th consecutive time, we welcome you to the Royal Rumble from the Alomodome in San Antonio, Texas. Over 35000 fans are expected to be in attendance. Michael Cole and Corey Graves resume commentary duties for SmackDown matches.

For years, the WWE planned a dream match between Roman Reigns and The Rock at WrestleMania. However, just ahead of the Royal Rumble, The Great One has apparently denied reports of the possibility of a match between the two, saying his demanding schedule will not allow him to get in shape in time for Mania. Then again, these could all be a storyline plotted by the WWE altogether to keep The Rock’s return a mystery. Will he show up tonight is the question on everyone’s mind.

– Bray Wyatt vs LA Knight – Mountain Dew Pitch Black Match

– Roman Reigns vs Kevin Owens – Undisputed WWE Universal Championship Match

– Bianca Belair vs Alexa Bliss – Raw Women’s Championship Match

– 30 Men’s Royal Rumble Match

– 30 Women’s Royal Rumble Match

A very warm welcome everyone. WWE Royal Rumble is here, which could mean only one thing – We are officially on the road to WrestleMania. WWE fans, brace up. Over the next four hours, we will take you on a roller-coaster ride. 30 star-studded superstar in one match, to go with several surprise entrants. And if that is not enough, the Tribal Chief Roman Reigns will take on Kevin Owens for the WWE Undisputed Universal Championship match. We are almost here. The show starts in 10 minutes.