Hello WWE fans, today we will look at the results of recent WWE shows, and Bayley and Cody Rhodes having big decisions to make for WrestleMania.
RESULTS
WWE Friday Night SmackDown
1/26/24
Santos Escobar (w/ Angel & Humberto) defeated Carlito (w/ Cruz Del Toro, Joaquin Wilde, and Zelina Vega)
The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka & Kairi Sane) (w/ Bayley, Dakota Kai, and IYO SKY) defeated WWE Women's Tag Team Champions Katana Chance & Kayden Carter to become the WWE Women's Tag Team Champions
Austin Theory (w/ Grayson Waller) defeated Carmelo Hayes
LA Knight defeated Solo Sikoa (w/ Jimmy Uso & Paul Heyman) via disqualification
WWE Royal Rumble 2024
1/27/24
Bayley outlasted Alba Fyre, Asuka, Becky Lynch, Bianca Belair, Candice LaRae, Chelsea Green, Indi Hartwell, Ivy Nile, Jade Cargill, Jordynne Grace, Kairi Sane, Katana Chance, Kayden Carter, Liv Morgan, Maxxine Dupri, Michin, Naomi, Natalya, Nia Jax, Piper Niven, Roxanne Perez, Shayna Baszler, Shotzi, Tegan Nox, Tiffany Stratton, Valhalla, Xia Li, Zelina Vega, and Zoey Stark to win the Women's Royal Rumble Matcg
WWE Universal Champion / WWE Champion Roman Reigns (w/ Paul Heyman) defeated AJ Styles, LA Knight, and Randy Orton in a, "Fatal Four Way" match
WWE United States Champion Logan Paul defeated Kevin Owens via disqualification
Cody Rhodes outlasted Andrade, Austin Theory, Bobby Lashley, Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, Carlito, Carmelo Hayes, CM Punk, Damian Priest, Dominik Mysterio, Drew McIntyre, Finn Balor, Grayson Waller, Gunther, Ivar, JD McDonagh, Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso, Karrion Kross, Kofi Kingston, Ludwig Kaiser, Omos, Pat McAfee, R-Truth, Ricochet, Sami Zayn, Santos Escobar, Shinsuke Nakamura, and The Miz to win the Men's Royal Rumble Match
WWE Raw
1/29/24
WWE RAW Tag Team Champions / WWE SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Judgment Day (Damian Priest & Finn Balor) defeated #DIY (Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa)
Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark defeated Chelsea Green & Piper Niven
Jey Uso defeated Bronson Reed
WWE Intercontinental Champion Gunther defeated Kofi Kingston
The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka & Kairi Sane) defeated Natalya & Tegan Nox
Drew McIntyre defeated Sami Zayn
Also on this episode of WWE Raw, both winners of their respective Royal Rumble Matches experienced situations that may alter their WrestleMania futures. A confident Bayley had previously proclaimed that after she won the Women's Royal Rumble Match, she would challenge Rhea Ripley for the WWE Women's World Championship, as opposed to challenging her fellow Damage CTRL faction member IYO SKY for the WWE Women's Championship. But when it appeared that Bayley was about to officially choose Ripley as her WrestleMania opponent during a post-Royal Rumble promo segment on Raw, an interruption by Ripley led to a sneak attack by Nia Jax that gave Bayley second thoughts. Will we see Bayley vs. SKY at WrestleMania for the WWE Women's Championship? I hope not, Damage CTRL is the most dominant women's faction in WWE history, and there is no need for dissension over a championship- it would be best for Damage CTRL (and viewership numbers) for the faction to stay united. If Bayley does follow through with her plan of choosing Ripley, SKY will still need someone to defend her WWE Women's Championship against, and I think it should be Becky Lynch. Many fans predict that Lynch will be wrestling Ripley at WrestleMania, but Lynch vs. Ripley is a match that has happened at many WWE live events as well as in NXT in the past. On the other hand, Lynch had a singles match with SKY last year on an episode of Raw (which was well-received by fans), and that is the only singles match they have ever had with each other, meaning a match between the two of them at WrestleMania would be a fresher match. And as a side note, Bayley vs. Ripley is also a singles match that was well-received and took place only once.
Meanwhile, ever since losing to Roman Reigns at WrestleMania last year, Cody Rhodes has been more determined than ever to finish his story and defeat Reigns for the WWE Championship. After winning the Men's Royal Rumble Match this month, it appeared that his chosen path to WrestleMania was clear, but during this week's episode of Raw, Seth Rollins attempted to convince Rhodes to wrestle him for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship instead. Last month I expressed that Rhodes vs. Rollins for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship should happen at WrestleMania, and that is still my opinion.
WWE NXT
1/30/24
Carmelo Hayes & Trick Williams defeated LWO (Cruz Del Toro & Joaquin Wilde) in a, "Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic 2024 Semi Final" match
Roxanne Perez defeated Tatum Paxley
Lola Vice defeated Elektra Lopez
Lexis King defeated Ridge Holland
Arianna Grace defeated Fallon Henley (w/ Wren Sinclair)
WWE NXT Heritage Cup Champion Noam Dar (w/ Jakara Jackson, Lash Legend, and Oro Mensah) defeated Von Wagner (w/ Mr. Stone)
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