For the first time in over two decades, we have a back-to-back Royal Rumble winner.
The road to WrestleMania 40 is underway.
As the first premium live event of 2024, the 37th annual Royal Rumble sets the stage for what should be the best WrestleMania season in years.
In a deliberate and concise event, only two title matches accompany the two Rumble matches. Here’s the full match card, and stay tuned for updates on the 2024 Royal Rumble event:
1. Men’s Royal Rumble match
2. Women’s Royal Rumble match
3. Undisputed WWE Universal Championship match: Roman Reigns (c) vs. Randy Orton vs. AJ Styles vs. LA Knight
4. United States Championship match: Logan Paul (c) vs. Kevin Owens
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Bayley wins women's Royal Rumble match
Bayley is WWE’s new iron woman, setting a new match record on her way to win the 2024 women’s Royal Rumble match.
Entering at no. 3, Bayley lasted one hour, three minutes, and three seconds to take the win, eliminating Liv Morgan last.
The final three was set as Bayley, Jade Cargill, and Liv Morgan, after Bayley eliminated both Bianca Belair and Tiffany Stratton. Morgan took out Cargill, before Bayley quickly pounced for the win.
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The women’s Royal Rumble saw the WWE return of Naomi, who entered at the no. 2 spot. TNA Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace also made an appearance, following the precedent set by Mickie James in 2022 when she returned to WWE as IMPACK Knockout Champion.
Jade Cargill also made her highly-anticipated WWE debut, entering at no. 28 to eliminate Nia Jax. She also eliminated Naomi and Becky Lynch.
Former NXT Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton entered her first Rumble at no. 29, while Liv Morgan was no. 30, marking her return from injury.
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Roman Reigns retains Universal Undisputed title
Roman Reigns' record reign continues, surviving a fatal four-way match against Randy Orton, LA Knight, and AJ Styles to retain his Undisputed Universal Championship.
In typical fatal four-way fashion, things got out of hand quickly, but it was Orton who looked primed for victory after issuing a string of RKOs to all three of his opponents. But as the Viper went for the cover, Solo Sikoa appeared for the interference.
Roman picked up the victory by pinning Styles, making sure his record title reign extends beyond 1,245 days.
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Logan Paul retains US title via DQ
In a hard-hitting match, Logan Paul is still the United States champion, winning via disqualification against Kevin Owens.
Owens was on his way to victory, but the referee saw the brass knuckles he used to knock out Paul and called for the DQ finish. This match was Paul's first defense of the US title after winning it against Rey Mysterio at Crown Jewel.
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Cody Rhodes wins men's Royal Rumble match
The story continues for one Cody Rhodes as the American Nightmare outlasted CM Punk to win the 2024 men's Royal Rumble match.
Rhodes is the first back-to-back winner since Stone Cold Steve Austin in 1997 and 1998. Cody entered at 15 this year, after winning last year's match from no. 30.
Cody last eliminated CM Punk, who was in his first televised match in 10 years, or since the 2014 Royal Rumble. Punk entered from the favorable no. 27 spot and eliminated Drew McIntyre, setting up a final three with him, Rhodes, and Intercontinental Champion Gunther.
Rhodes joins the likes of Hulk Hogan, Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Batista, Brock Lesnar, Randy Orton, John Cena, and Edge as two-time winners. Stone Cold holds the record with three Rumble wins.
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The 2024 men's Royal Rumble was relatively light on surprises, but it did include marquee names like the returning Andrade, and NXT star Bron Breakker appearing on a main roster event. The no. 30 spot this year went to Sami Zayn, returning after a short time away.