With the chance to earn a world title opportunity and main event WrestleMania, everyone in WWE will look to step up their game on January 28. The Royal Rumble match, around since 1988, once again starts off what should be a busy start to the year for the company.
This year, the Royal Rumble takes place inside The Alamodome in San Antonio. It is the fourth Royal Rumble to take place in San Antonio, the last event being in 2017.
The event features two (a men and women’s) Royal Rumble matches. The last person standing in both Rumble matches earns an opportunity at a world title at WrestleMania 39 in April.
Other matches on the card feature Roman Reigns defending the Undisputed WWE Universal Title against Kevin Owens, Bianca Belair defending the RAW Women’s Title against Alexa Bliss, and Bray Wyatt facing LA Knight in a Mountain Dew-sponsored Pitch Black match.
MORE: Predictions, expert picks for 2023 Royal Rumble
The Sporting News will provide results, grades, and highlights from the Royal Rumble event. Stay tuned!
Explaining Royal Rumble format, rules
To enter the Royal Rumble match, 30 wrestlers are assigned a spot in the match at random. The first two participants kick things off, and after one-minute or 90 second intervals (it can vary by year), another wrestler comes out. That continues until all competitors have entered the match.
There are no pinfalls, DQ’s, or submissions. To eliminate an opponent, you must toss them over the top rope and both of their feet must touch the floor. The only way to win is by being the last person in the ring by the end of the night.
MORE: Ranking the five best Royal Rumble winners in WWE history
WWE Royal Rumble 2023 Live results, highlights
Welcome everyone to The Sporting News’ live coverage of the 2023 Royal Rumble.
The Bloodline are having some issues, as Roman Reigns rants to them. Sami Zayn almost gets in trouble, but Jey Uso is help him out. The story is the best thing going in WWE. Reigns stated Zayn will be with him for his match against Kevin Owens. Tonight is Zayn’s night.
Pac McAfee is back following his college football run. That deserves an A+ grade on its own.
Men’s Royal Rumble match
Sweet American Dream: Cody Rhodes returns, wins the men’s Royal Rumble match
While the ending outcome appeared obvious, the lead-up to Cody Rhodes winning the Royal Rumble match was well-executed.
The men’s Royal Rumble match was very entertaining from start to finish, featuring some of WWE’s top stars. There were some dragging points, but it wasn’t overwhelming. Not only was a winner announced, but it set the scene for several WrestleMania matches and turned Gunther into a star.
A dream has become reality at #RoyalRumble.
Congratulations to the undeniable @CodyRhodes, you EARNED it. pic.twitter.com/v4YBiLYE2M
— WWE (@WWE) January 29, 2023
Gunther and birthday boy Sheamus started the Royal Rumble, reigniting their feud from 2022’s Match of the Year contender. Clash at the Castle. Right away, the try and beat the other down to submission, a strong opening to the match. The Miz is number three, one of these things is not like the other. Miz was the first elimination in a shocking move, as he was taken out by Sheamus.
Kofi Kingston botched a Royal Rumble save by trying to land onto a chair, which didn’t help things. Things kicked into high gear when Brock Lesnar entered at number 12. He eliminated three wrestlers right away, and then Bobby Lashley speared him to continue their feud from a few months ago. In a shocking moment, Lesnar was eliminated early. Lesnar went crazy, attacking everything and everyone in his path, a true highlight at the beginning of the match. Lashley’s momentum was quickly evaporated when Seth “Freakin'” Rollins eliminated him, which was confusing.
Another confusing moment was Rey Mysterio announced as number 17, but not coming out. Judgement Day took him out, but he never entered the match, and there was no replacement. McIntyre and Sheamus teaming together makes for a scary sight. They fought Judgement Day and everyone else in their way, making double-elimination. Edge returned at 24 to set up a potential WrestleMania match with Judgement Day. Monsters entered the ring late, as Omos and Braun Strowman came into the match at 26 and 27.
Logan Paul returned and came in at 29. He was bullied by everyone in the match, but impressed.
WHAT DID WE JUST WITNESS?!?@LoganPaul and @KingRicochet just blew our minds at #RoyalRumble with an unbelievable moment! 🤯🤯🤯 pic.twitter.com/V5HIMhT0yQ
— WWE (@WWE) January 29, 2023
Number 30 was the returning Rhodes. No Sami Zayn then. Rollins and Rhodes renewed their classic rivalry, the last one before Rhodes needed to heal from injury. Rollins was eliminated by Paul. The final two were Gunther and Rhodes (number one and 30, a first). A great story was Gunther’s chops vs. Rhodes’ previously torn pec. Rhodes beat Gunther to win the Royal Rumble. It was a tremendous showing by Gunther (lasting about 71 minutes), who is thriving under the Triple H-led WWE.
Grade: A-
Men’s Royal Rumble match entrances and eliminations
| Entrances (1-30) | Eliminated by |
| Gunther | Cody Rhodes |
| Sheamus | Gunther |
| The Miz | Sheamus (first elimination) |
| Kofi Kingston | Gunther |
| Johnny Gargano | Dominik Mysterio |
| Xavier Woods | Gunther |
| Karrion Kross | Drew McIntyre |
| Chad Gable | Brock Lesnar |
| Drew McIntyre | Gunther |
| Santos Escobar | Brock Lesnar |
| Angelo Dawkins | Brock Lesnar |
| Brock Lesnar | Bobby Lashley |
| Bobby Lashley | Seth “Freakin'” Rollins |
| Baron Corbin | Seth “Freakin'” Rollins |
| Seth “Freakin'” Rollins | Logan Paul |
| Otis | Sheamus and Drew McIntyre |
| Rey Mysterio | N/A – Did not enter match |
| Dominik Mysterio | Cody Rhodes |
| Elias | Sheamus and Drew McIntyre |
| Finn Balor | Edge |
| Booker T | Gunther |
| Damian Priest | Edge |
| Montez Ford | Damian Priest |
| Edge | Finn Balor |
| Austin Theory | Cody Rhodes |
| Omos | Braun Strowman |
| Braun Strowman | Ricochet and Cody Rhodes |
| Ricochet | Austin Theory |
| Logan Paul | Cody Rhodes |
| Cody Rhodes | Winner |
Twisted Bray Wyatt takes out LA Knight
Bray Wyatt faced LA Knight in a Mountain Dew-sponsored Pitch Black match. The rules of this match were unknown to start things off. All it is are blacklights with painted colors highlighted, Naomi’s gimmick. Wyatt did look pretty cool, but outside of that, the match was tough to see. We’ve learned in the past that matches with colors outside of the normal lights don’t generally work.
Knight and Wyatt beat one another up throughout the arena. There was plunder and a lot of weapons were involved. Wyatt quickly won with a Sister Abigail. Wyatt then put on a mask and stalked Knight. Uncle Howdy comes out as Wyatt puts Knight to sleep. Howdy then dropped from a large platform onto Knight.
As Bray Wyatt and @RealLAKnight met in the first-ever @MountainDew Pitch Black Match at #RoyalRumble, Uncle Howdy made a big splash! pic.twitter.com/TqYhpt1sAZ
— WWE (@WWE) January 29, 2023
In his first match in two years, a lot more was expected from Wyatt. Once the lights were off, it was hard to find interest in the match. Time to move on.
Grade: D-
The attendance for the Royal Rumble: 51,338.
Bianca Belair retains RAW Women’s Title over a game Alexa Bliss
Bianca Belair vs. Alexa Bliss for the RAW Women’s Title was next. These two have been involved in a heated feud and did not disappoint to start the match.
Bliss uses Belair’s hair against her and would be the aggressor through the beginning. Belair finally used her strength to bully Bliss. This wasn’t a technical classic, but it didn’t need to be. Belair continued to drop Bliss all over the ring once she took control. A powerbomb attempt was blocked and Bliss hit Belair with a DDT. She then regained control.
Belair landed the KOD and that ended the bout. No spooky shenanigans on the part of Bliss. Uncle Howdy showed up after the match to get into Bliss’ head.
It wasn’t the best outing between the two, but perhaps there were expectations following several teases of a darker Alexa Bliss. Belair continues her great run as champion.
Grade: B-
IronWoman: Rhea Ripley wins the women’s Royal Rumble match
The women’s Royal Rumble had some great moments, even if the crowd was tired. We saw the return of several stars, including Piper Niven and Nia Jax. In the end, Rhea Ripley continued her hot streak and won the women’s Rumble match. Here’s how it all went down:
Rhea Ripley, who was involved in the men’s Royal Rumble earlier in the night (and is holding her ribs), comes in at number one for the women’s Royal Rumble match. Liv Morgan is number two in the match. Dana Brooke comes out at number three. Emma entered her first Royal Rumble match at four, and MMA Four Horsewomen member Shayna Baszler comes out at five.
Bayley ripped a fans sign before entering the Royal Rumble. B-Fab comes out after her but is eliminated by Ripley not long after. NXT Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez enters next. Number nine is Dakota Kai, ready to help Bayley, and Iyo Sky was not far behind. Damage CTRL took over the Royal Rumble, eliminating everyone. Natalya has returned from injury, and Candice LeRae came out after. Natalya and Baszler renew their rivalry, and both are eliminated by Damage CTRL.
Another NXT star in Zoe Stark enters the Rumble, followed by Xia Li. Becky Lynch comes out at 15 and the crowd finally wakes up. Damage CTRL try and take out Lynch on the outside. Tegan Nox is out next. Asuka comes out to a louder ovation then Becky and she is wearing her Joker makeup from her Japan days as Kana.
Take a look at @WWEAsuka! 😲
All competitors in the Women’s #RoyalRumble Match have taken notice. pic.twitter.com/QS87HfXrPX
— WWE (@WWE) January 29, 2023
Piper Niven (the former Doudrop) is back at 18 following a long absence, followed by Tamina. Becky is back and has taken out Damage CTRL. Chelsea Green is back at number 20 but was eliminated in five seconds. Becky took out Sky and Kai but Bayley took out Lynch. Michelle McCool enters the match at 25 after being announced in the crowd before. Nikki Cross bolts her way down to the ring. Nia Jax is back in WWE at number 30. A very shocking signing.
Ripley calls for the entire ring to eliminate Jax, taking her out. Raquel Rodriguez had momentum but was taken out by Ripley. The final three were Ripley, Morgan, and Asuka. Everyone is on the apron in a tense moment. Asuka spits mist onto Morgan. Ripley eliminates Asuka. Almost eliminated, Ripley eliminated Morgan.
That ending was the greatest finishing sequence in Rumble history. Ripley, the hottest act in WWE today, wins the Royal Rumble.
Grade: A-
Women’s Royal Rumble match entrances and eliminations
| Entrances (1-30) | Eliminated by |
| Rhea Ripley | Winner |
| Liv Morgan | Rhea Ripley |
| Dana Brooke | Bayley, Iyo Sky, Dakota Kai |
| Emma | Dakota Kai |
| Shayna Baszler | Bayley, Iyo Sky, Dakota Kai |
| Bayley | Liv Morgan |
| B-Fab | Rhea Ripley |
| Roxanne Perez | Bayley, Iyo Sky, Dakota Kai |
| Dakota Kai | Becky Lynch |
| Iyo Sky | Becky Lynch |
| Natayla | Bayley, Iyo Sky, Dakota Kai |
| Candice LeRae | Iyo Sky, Dakota Kai |
| Zoey Stark | Sonya Deville |
| Xia Li | Zelina Vega |
| Becky Lynch | Bayley |
| Tegan Nox | Asuka |
| Asuka | Rhea Ripley |
| Piper Niven | Raquel Rodriguez |
| Tamina | Michelle McCool |
| Chelsea Green | Rhea Ripley |
| Zelina Vega | Lacey Evans |
| Raquel Rodriguez | Rhea Ripley |
| Michin (Mia Yim) | Piper Niven |
| Lacey Evans | Raquel Rodriguez |
| Michelle McCool | Rhea Ripley |
| Indi Hartwell | Sonya Deville |
| Sonya Deville | Asuka |
| Shotzi | Michin |
| Nikki Cross | Liv Morgan |
| Nia Jax | Rhea Ripley + others |
Music star Hardy performs in front of what may very well be a tired crowd.
Roman Reigns faces Kevin Owens at the Royal Rumble, a tradition at this point, for the Undisputed WWE Universal Title. Sami Zayn will be in Reigns’ corner, so expect a great story.
WWE Royal Rumble 2023 results
- Cody Rhodes wins men’s Royal Rumble match
- Bray Wyatt def. LA Knight in a Mountain Dew Pitch Black match
- Bianca Belair (c) def. Alexa Bliss for the WWE RAW Women’s Title
- Rhea Ripley wins women’s Royal Rumble match
- Roman Reigns (c) vs. Kevin Owens for the Undisputed WWE Universal Title
