Main event:
Jessamyn Duke defeated Lana via pinfall (2:19)
Epico and Primo defeated Bo-Axel via pinfall (5:46)
The One Twos defeated Lucha House Party via pinfall (10:29)
Jinder Mahal defeated Flash Morgan Webster via pinfall (6:47)
Main event: Rowe defeated Erick Rowan via pinfall (9:10)
News update:
Two Smackdown matches added to the pre-show:
Shawn Michaels has announced on Twitter.com that two more matches have been added to the pre-show on the Smackdown side. The first will be a showcase singles match between Xia Li and Marina Shafir. The second is an 8-man tag with Alpha Academy members Daniel Garcia and Matt Riddle teaming up with Gran Metalik and Rowe to fight The Authors of Pain, Epico and Primo!
Royal Rumble PPV recap:
Going to do something slightly different with the Royal Rumble matches recap and list each confirmed entrant into the match with their accolades, Royal Rumble record and where they are currently storyline-wise in this thread.
Men’s Royal Rumble match:
Andrade Cien Almas
Titles and Accolades in WWE: 1x Universal, 1x NXT, Men’s Money in the Bank (2019)
Royal Rumble entries: 2
Last Royal Rumble appearance: (2019)
Best Royal Rumble performance: (2019) Entered at 19, lasted 26 minutes and 30 seconds securing 1 elimination and made the final four.
Number of eliminations in Rumble history: 2
Total time spent in the Royal Rumble match: 55 minutes 54 seconds
Fun Royal Rumble fact: Andrade has lasted at least over 25 minutes in both of his Royal Rumble appearances so far
Current stories and feuds: Andrade is looking to get back to the top of Monday Night Raw after losing his Universal title at WrestleMania 36 last year. However, in his way has been Cesaro and Ilja Dragunov with the former Ungovernables members going to war with the former Universal and NXT Champion.
AJ Styles
Titles and accolades in WWE: 2x WWE, 2x United States
Royal Rumble entries: 2
Last Royal Rumble appearance: (2020)
Best Royal Rumble performance: (2016) Entered at 3, lasted 28 minutes and 52 seconds securing 2 eliminations.
Number of eliminations in Rumble history: 2
Total time spent in the Royal Rumble match: 40 minutes 16 seconds
Fun Royal Rumble fact: AJ Styles made his debut in WWE in the 2016 Royal Rumble before going on to fight in WWE title matches at the next 3 Royal Rumbles.
Current stories and feuds: AJ Styles has just come off losing to Aleister Black at New Year’s Revolution for the Universal title. Heading into the Royal Rumble, AJ Styles and Finn Balor have been trying to get on the same page. A united O.C. inside the Royal Rumble match could be a threat to the entire field this Sunday.
Big E
Titles and accolades in WWE: 1x NXT, 2x Intercontinental, 6x tag team (5x with Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods, 1x with Xavier Woods), Men’s Money in the Bank (2020)
Royal Rumble entries: 6
Last Royal Rumble appearance: (2020)
Best Royal Rumble performance: (2020) Entered at 16, lasted 32 minutes and 34 seconds picking up two eliminations.
Number of eliminations in Rumble history: 2
Total time spent in the Royal Rumble match: 1 hour 20 minutes and 28 seconds
Fun Royal Rumble fact: It took Big E 6 Royal Rumble matches before he secured his first elimination in one: Shinsuke Nakamura
Current stories and feuds: Big E is the current Mr. Money in the Bank planning to cash in for his own KofiMania moment. The New Day has been at war with the Hurt Business since the summer but Big E if he wins the Royal Rumble has the chance to win not only the WWE but the Universal title at WrestleMania 37.
Braun Strowman
Titles and accolades in WWE: 1x Tag Team (1x Nicholas), Men’s Money in the Bank (2018), The Greatest Royal Rumble winner (Mod note: This does not count as an actual Royal Rumble), Andre the Giant Battle royal (2019)
Royal rumble entries: 4
Last Royal Rumble appearance: (2020)
Best Royal Rumble performance: (2019) Entered at 27, lasting 14 minutes and 37 seconds picking up 6 eliminations coming 2nd to Seth Rollins.
Number of eliminations in Rumble history: 19
Total time spent in the Royal Rumble match: 57 minutes and 25 seconds
Fun Royal Rumble fact: Whilst not an official Royal Rumble, Braun Strowman managed to eliminate 13 men in the Greatest Royal Rumble on the way to victory. If he does that this year, he will beat the official record held by Roman Reigns of 12
Current stories and feuds: Braun Strowman has recently returned to Smackdown Live after taking some time off post a feud with the mysterious Fiend. Braun is yet to hold singles gold in WWE and will be looking to fix that in 2021!
Cedric Alexander
Titles and accolades in WWE: Currently 1x Tag Team (1x Shelton Benjamin), 1x Cruiserweight
Royal Rumble entries: 0 (2021 is their Royal Rumble Debut)
Current stories and feuds: Cedric Alexander is part of the Hurt Business which has taken over Monday Night Raw. Taking Lio Rush’s spot in the match after he broke his nose, he will be looking to win the match and challenge the Universal title, bringing even more gold to the group.
Cesaro
Titles and accolades in WWE: 1x United States, 7x tag team (5x Sheamus, 1x Ilja Dragunov, 1x Tyson Kidd), Andre the Giant Battle Royal (2014)
Previous Royal Rumble entries: 6
Last Royal Rumble appearance: (2020)
Best Royal Rumble performance: (2020) Entered at 6 lasting 49 minutes and 33 seconds scoring 4 eliminations.
Number of eliminations in Rumble history: 9
Total time spent in the Royal Rumble match: 1 hour 32 minutes and 28 seconds
Fun Royal Rumble fact: Cesaro is known as something of a giant killer in these kinds of matches holding eliminations over Big Show, Rusev, Braun Strowman and Big E plus former World champions like Daniel Bryan, Kofi Kingston and Dolph Ziggler
Current stories and feuds: Cesaro has left The Ungovernables with Ilja Dragunov feeling the group is without honor. Both men are embroiled in a war with the group and at Fastlane they will have to find a third man to fight the group, with a chance for Cesaro to finally get his hands on Andrade Cien Almas on the line.
Chad Gable
Titles and accolades in WWE: Currently 2x United States, 2x tag team (1x Jason Jordan, 1x Bobby Roode), 1x NXT tag team (1x Jason Jordan)
Previous Royal Rumble entries: 0 (2021 is their Royal Rumble debut)
Fun Royal Rumble fact: Whilst 2021 is their Royal Rumble debut, it was supposed to be in last year’s Royal Rumble. However, Samoa Joe and Chad Gable brawled off the stage during their feud over the United States title, taking them out of the match. Maybe if Gable wins he goes after the WWE Champion for another match in their ongoing feud?
Current stories and feuds: Chad Gable recently finished off his feud since Summerslam, reclaiming his United States title from Finn Balor. Chad Gable is promising to be a fighting champion and defeated Gran Metalik on the most recent Smackdown. Will he be heading to WrestleMania 37 to fight for a 2nd title?
Daniel Bryan
Titles and accolades in WWE: 4x WWE, 1x World Heavyweight, 2x Intercontinental, 1x United States, 1x tag team (Kane), Smackdown Money in the Bank (2011)
Previous Royal Rumble entries: 4
Last Royal Rumble appearance: (2020)
Best Royal Rumble performance: (2020) Entered at number 2 lasting 45 minutes and 34 seconds scoring one elimination
Number of eliminations in Rumble history: 5
Total time spent in the Royal Rumble match: 1 hour and 25 minutes
Fun Royal Rumble fact: Whilst not an official Royal Rumble match, Daniel Bryan holds the record for the longest time in one of these kinds of matches lasting 76 minutes and 5 seconds. If he lasts that long on Sunday, he will break the record held by Rey Mysterio at 62 minutes and 12 seconds potentially winning the entire thing!
Current stories and feuds: Daniel Bryan has been on a mission to do one of the few things he has yet to do in WWE: win the Royal Rumble. He says that his career is coming to an end soon and wants to win the event that had such an impact on his career. Can Daniel Bryan finally win the Royal Rumble?
Dolph Ziggler
Titles and accolades in WWE: 2x World Heavyweight, 6x Intercontinental, 2x United States, 1x NXT North American, 1x Cruiserweight, 2x Tag team (1x Drew McIntyre, 1x with the Spirit Squad), Smackdown Money in the Bank (2012)
Previous Royal Rumble entries: 12
Last Royal Rumble appearance: (2020)
Best Royal Rumble performance: (2013) Entered at 1 lasting 49 minutes and 47 seconds scoring 2 eliminations making the final 4 before being eliminated by Sheamus.
Number of eliminations in Rumble history: 9
Total time spent in the Royal Rumble match: 1 hour 53 minutes and 35 seconds
Fun Royal Rumble fact: Ziggler has not missed a Royal Rumble since 2009 but has a very mixed record even with the luck of the draw on several occasions. While he has twice made the final 4, he has been in the final 10 entrants on 7 occasions but he has been eliminated in under 5 minutes on 6 occasions.
Current stories and feuds: Dolph Ziggler has come off losing his I Quit match to Mustafa Ali and will be looking to re-establish himself at the top of WWE. A decorated veteran, Ziggler is a dangerous threat to everyone in the Royal Rumble!
Dominik Dijakovic
Titles and accolades in WWE: 1x Tag team (1x Shinsuke Nakamura)
Previous Royal Rumble entries: 1
Last Royal Rumble appearance: (2020)
Best Royal Rumble performance: (2020) Entered at 15 lasting 17 minutes and 58 seconds scoring 1 elimination.
Number of eliminations in Rumble history: 1
Total time spent in the Royal Rumble match: 17 minutes and 58 seconds
Fun Royal Rumble fact: Dijakovic’s only elimination last year was Otis Dozovic, one-half of the current WWE tag team champions!
Current stories and feuds: Dominik Dijakovic noticeably like other members of the Ungovernables has been having his own disagreements with how Zelina and her clients get business done. However, he is still loyal to Zelina and will be looking to carry on impressing in singles action after a quarter-final run in the King of the Ring!
Drew McIntyre
Titles and accolades in WWE: 1x WWE, 1x NXT, 1x Intercontinental, 2x tag team (1x Dolph Ziggler, 1x Cody Rhodes), Royal Rumble (2020)
Previous Royal Rumble entries: 5
Last Royal Rumble appearance: (2020)
Best Royal Rumble performance: (2020) Entered at 8 lasting 49 minutes and 45 seconds scoring 4 eliminations on the way to victory last of all tossing out Brock Lesnar.
Number of eliminations in Rumble history: 8
Total time spent in the Royal Rumble match: 1 hour and 32 minutes
Fun Royal Rumble fact: Only 4 superstars have won the Royal Rumble back-to-back: Hulk Hogan, Shawn Michaels, Stone Cold Steve Austin and Becky Lynch. Will Drew McIntyre make it 5?
Current stories and feuds: Drew McIntyre lost his WWE title to Samoa Joe at Survivor Series ending his over 231-day reign. Drew is looking to earn a rematch for the WWE title and win back-to-back Royal Rumbles. Will the Sinister Scotsman do it again?
Edge
Titles and accolades in WWE: 4x WWE, 1x Universal, 7x World Heavyweight, 5x Intercontinental, 1x United States, 14x tag team (7x Christian, 2x Chris Jericho, 2x Chris Benoit, 1x Rey Mysterio, 1x Randy Orton, 1x Hulk Hogan), King of the Ring (2001), Money in the Bank (2005), Royal Rumble (2010)
Previous Royal Rumble entries: 7
Last Royal Rumble appearance: (2020)
Best Royal Rumble performance: (2010) Entered at 29 lasting 7 minutes and 37 seconds eliminating Chris Jericho and John Cena on the way to victory
Number of eliminations in Rumble history: 19
Total time spent in the Royal Rumble match: 2 hours 33 minutes and 15 seconds
Fun Royal Rumble fact: Edge has been in a Royal Rumble match each of the last 4 decades: 90’s, 00’s, 10’s and 20’s
Current stories and feuds: Edge made his historic return to the ring in last year’s Royal Rumble and went on to become a World Champion for the 12th time in his career. He is now looking for his 2nd Royal Rumble win but is in the middle of a feud with the Bloodline, having lost to Jacob Fatu in a massive upset on Smackdown. Can Edge turn back the years and win the Royal Rumble once again?
Finn Balor
Titles and accolades in WWE: 1x Universal, 1x NXT, 2x Intercontinental, 1x United States
Previous Royal Rumble entries: 1
Last Royal Rumble appearance: (2018)
Best Royal Rumble performance: (2018) Entered at 2 lasting 57 minutes and 38 seconds making the final 4
Number of eliminations in Rumble history: 4
Total time spent in the Royal Rumble match: 57 minutes and 38 seconds
Fun Royal Rumble fact: Finn Balor’s singular Royal Rumble appearance is the 9th longest time a superstar has spent in a single Royal Rumble.
Current stories and feuds: Finn Balor lost his United States title to Chad Gable at New Year’s Revolution and has not been happy since then. There is clear tension within the O.C. between the co-leaders but if they get on the same page and with Finn’s performance last time, he entered the Royal Rumble who can stop them?
Jacob Fatu
Titles and accolades in WWE: None at the moment
Previous Royal Rumble entries: 0 (2021 is their Royal Rumble debut)
Current stories and feuds: Jacob Fatu made his WWE debut towards the tail-end of 2020, helping Roman Reigns and making the Bloodline even more powerful. He is unbeaten coming into this match, hot off a huge upset win over Edge on Smackdown. Can anyone stop Jacob Fatu this Sunday?
Karrion Kross
Titles and accolades in WWE: None yet
Previous Royal Rumble entries: 1
Last Royal Rumble appearance: (2020)
Best Royal Rumble performance: (2020) Entered at 24 lasting 2 minutes and 33 seconds scoring one elimination.
Number of eliminations in Rumble history: 1
Total time spent in the Royal Rumble match: 2 minutes and 33 seconds
Fun Royal Rumble fact: Karrion Kross’s sole elimination from the Royal Rumble last year was Sami Zayn who is fighting Samoa Joe for the WWE title.
Current stories and feuds: Karrion Kross has been leading the Church of Seth Rollins in their leader’s absence and looking to spread the gospel of their leader. He has said the Church will win this Sunday, with only the Devil confirmed for the match will he lead them to victory or does he have a surprise in store?
Keith Lee
Titles and accolades in WWE: 1x NXT, 2x NXT North American
Previous Royal Rumble entries: 0 (2021 is their Royal Rumble debut)
Fun Royal Rumble fact: The last NXT World Champion to enter the Royal Rumble was Andrade Cien Almas who lasted 29 minutes and 24 seconds even eliminating former WWE Champion Kofi Kingston
Current stories and feuds: Keith Lee has been making an impact whilst still in NXT making the semi-final of King of the Ring losing to Samoa Joe. Keith Lee has made it clear he wants to win the Royal Rumble to fight Samoa Joe and avenge the loss. Will he become a dual champion for a second time?
Kofi Kingston
Titles and accolades in WWE: 1x WWE, 4x Intercontinental, 3x United States, 8x Tag team (5x Big E and Xavier Woods, 1x Evan Bourne, 1x R-Truth, 1x CM Punk)
Previous Royal Rumble entries: 12
Last Royal Rumble appearance: (2020)
Best Royal Rumble performance: (2020) Entered at 17 lasting 31 minutes and 1 second eliminating Karrion Kross.
Number of eliminations in Rumble history: 9
Total time spent in the Royal Rumble match: 2 hours 41 minutes and 24 seconds
Fun Royal Rumble fact: Kofi Kingston will be competing in his 13th Royal Rumble in a row this Sunday!
Current stories and feuds: Kofi returned to Raw in the lead-up to Survivor Series after a spell out with injury. He has been helping the rest of the New Day in their feud with The Hurt Business looking to help not only Big E have his KofiMania moment but also Xavier Woods with his confidence issues.
Mustafa Ali
Titles and accolades in WWE: 2x Cruiserweight
Previous Royal Rumble entries: 1
Last Royal Rumble appearance: (2019)
Best Royal Rumble performance: (2019) Entered at 13 lasting 30 minutes and 5 seconds scoring two eliminations.
Number of eliminations in Rumble history: 2
Total time spent in the Royal Rumble match: 30 minutes and 05 seconds
Fun Royal Rumble fact: One of the two men Mustafa managed to eliminate in 2019 is the current WWE Champion: Samoa Joe (the other man was Shinsuke Nakamura). He has also never been eliminated by a male superstar in the Rumble as Nia Jax eliminated him.
Current stories and feuds: Mustafa Ali has finished up his nearly year-long rivalry with Ziggler after he cost him his Cruiserweight title. Mustafa Ali has his eyes on getting the Cruiserweight title back from Lio Rush but looks to inflict some pain on the Hurt Business as well by taking the WWE title from Samoa Joe!
Noam Dar
Titles and accolades in WWE: 1x Cruiserweight
Previous Royal Rumble entries: 0 (2021 is their Royal Rumble debut)
Current stories and feuds: Noam Dar has recently been traded to Smackdown Live with his tag team partner Kenny Williams and is as cocky as ever, getting into a war of words recently on Smackdown with the world-famous singer Bad Bunny. No one will run his mouth more than Noam Dar if he wins the Royal Rumble this Sunday.
Shinsuke Nakamura
Titles and accolades in WWE: 2x NXT, 2x United States, 1x Tag team (1x Dominik Dijakovic), Royal Rumble (2018)
Previous Royal Rumble entries: 3
Last Royal Rumble appearance: (2020)
Best Royal Rumble performance: (2018) Entered at 14 lasting 44 minutes and 38 seconds eliminating 3 people on the way to victory.
Number of eliminations in Rumble history: 4
Total time spent in the Royal Rumble match: 1 hour 9 minutes and 19 seconds
Fun Royal Rumble fact: Shinsuke Nakamura has eliminated Kurt Angle, John Cena and Roman Reigns over the years
Current stories and feuds: Nakamura lost his tag team titles to Heavy Machinery in recent weeks. His career has gotten back on track under the guidance of Zelina Vega, will he be able to become a 2-time Royal Rumble winner?
Swerve Strickland
Titles and accolades in WWE: 1x Intercontinental
Previous Royal Rumble entries: 0 (2021 is their Royal Rumble debut)
Current stories and feuds: Swerve Strickland has been a key part of the Hurt Business ever since he debuted on Raw in the spring of last year defeating Samoa Joe. Swerve has only lost once to Drew McIntyre since debuting on Raw and is now the Intercontinental Champion. A dark horse to win the whole thing and just who would he pick at WrestleMania if he wins this Sunday?
Tommaso Ciampa
Titles and accolades in WWE: 1x NXT, 1x NXT tag team (1x Johnny Gargano)
Previous Royal Rumble entries: 0 (2021 is their Royal Rumble debut)
Current stories and feuds: Tommaso Ciampa since joining Raw post-Summerslam has been a force of nature, injuring Miz, Pete Dunne and causing problems for the New Day. Ciampa has a match with Big E signed for next week’s Raw but will he be walking into that match as the Royal Rumble winner?
Xavier Woods
Titles and accolades in WWE: 6x tag team (5x with Kofi Kingston and Big E, 1x with Big E)
Previous Royal Rumble entries: 4
Last Royal Rumble appearance: (2020)
Best Royal Rumble performance: (2020) Entered at 13 lasting 9 minutes and 16 seconds scoring one elimination.
Number of eliminations in Rumble history: 1
Total time spent in the Royal Rumble match: 22 minutes and 30 seconds
Fun Royal Rumble fact: Xavier Woods's sole elimination in his four Royal Rumbles is the leader of the Hurt Business MVP!
Current stories and feuds: Xavier Woods has been suffering with confidence issues during 2020 but he seems to be finally understanding he is as good as his tag team partners. However, will his loss on Raw to Swerve Strickland over the Intercontinental title set him back?
Women’s Royal Rumble match:
Alexa Bliss
Titles and accolades in WWE: 3x Women’s Universal, 2x WWE Women’s, Women’s Money in the Bank (2018)
Previous Royal Rumble entries: 2
Last Royal Rumble appearance: (2020)
Best Royal Rumble performance: (2019) Entered 26 lasting 12 minutes and 59 seconds scoring two eliminations
Number of eliminations in Rumble history: 3
Total time spent in the Royal Rumble match: 13 minutes and 55 seconds
Fun Royal Rumble fact: Ember Moon and Alexa Bliss are close friends but it has not stopped them from eliminating each other from the rumble in the last two matches. Will history repeat itself?
Current stories and feuds: Alexa Bliss and Mickie James have been causing trouble within the Raw Women’s division with both looking to get back to the top of WWE where they feel they belong. Can Alexa Bliss tick off one of the few things she has yet to do this Sunday?
Bayley
Titles and accolades in WWE: 1x Women’s Universal, 1x WWE Women’s, 1x NXT Women’s, Currently 4x Women’s tag team (3x Sasha Banks, 1x Kairi Sane)
Previous Royal Rumble entries: 2
Last Royal Rumble appearance: (2019)
Best Royal Rumble performance: (2019) Entered at 27 lasting 14 minutes and 27 seconds scoring 3 eliminations making it to the final 4
Number of eliminations in Rumble history: 4
Total time spent in the Royal Rumble match: 19 minutes and 31 seconds
Fun Royal Rumble fact: Bayley has had the luck of her draw so far in her Rumble history having entered in the 27 and 29 spot the previous years. Will she get another good draw this year?
Current stories and feuds: The Boss ‘N’ Hug Connection have wrapped up their nearly 2-year-long war with the MMA Horsewomen and hold the tag team titles once again. Both are never happy with just one title however and will be looking to win the Royal Rumble for the first time. Will the Hugger be hugging two titles by the end of WrestleMania 37?
Bianca Belair
Titles and accolades in WWE: 1x NXT Women’s
Previous Royal Rumble entries: 0 (2021 will be their Royal Rumble debut)
Current stories and feuds: Bianca Belair suffered her first loss since joining the Smackdown Live roster in the draft losing to Asuka for the WWE Women’s title. Belair is determined to get a rematch and prove she is ready for Asuka. Can she win the Royal Rumble at the first time of asking?
Billie Kay
Titles and accolades in WWE: 1x Women tag team (1x Peyton Royce)
Previous Royal Rumble entries: 2
Last Royal Rumble appearance: (2020)
Best Royal Rumble performance: (2020) Entered at 2 lasting 9 minutes and 47 seconds scoring 1 elimination.
Number of eliminations in Rumble history: 2
Total time spent in the Royal Rumble match: 19 minutes and 12 seconds
Fun Royal Rumble fact: Billie Kay has yet to enter a Royal Rumble without her tag team partner Peyton Royce by her side. How will Billie handle being Iconic on her own?
Current stories and feuds: Billie Kay’s tag team partner Peyton Royce picked up an injury on a house show ruling her out of action until the summer. Billie has said she will win the Rumble for her best friend and make it iconic. Will it be an iconic night for Billie Kay?
Carmella
Titles and accolades in WWE: 1x WWE Women’s, Women’s Money in the Bank (2017), Miss Elizabeth Battle Royal (2019)
Previous Royal Rumble entries: 3
Last Royal Rumble appearance: (2020)
Best Royal Rumble performance: (2019) Entered at 30 lasting 7 minutes and 12 seconds with 1 elimination falling just short of the final 4
Number of eliminations in Rumble history: 1
Total time spent in the Royal Rumble match: 28 minutes and 22 seconds
Fun Royal Rumble fact: Carmella has entered every women’s Rumble that has taken place so far.
Current stories and feuds: Carmella has returned to Smackdown after taking some time off to help the Boss ‘N’ Hug Connection in their battle with the MMA Horsewomen. It’s been 3 years since Carmella held the Women’s title, could the Rumble be her ticket back to the top?
Dana Brooke
Titles and accolades in WWE: None so far
Previous Royal Rumble entries: 2
Last Royal Rumble appearance: (2019)
Best Royal Rumble performance: (2018) Entered at 8 lasting 2 minutes and 59 seconds eliminating 1 person.
Number of eliminations in Rumble history: 1
Total time spent in the Royal Rumble match: 10 minutes and 16 seconds
Fun Royal Rumble fact: Dana Brooke has yet to make it past the 10-minute mark in her two Royal Rumble appearances. An improvement on that record will be needed if she is to win this year’s Rumble most likely.
Current stories and feuds: Dana Brooke was announced for the Rumble, replacing Peyton Royce after her injury. She has been teaming with Franky Monet as both women look to establish themselves within the Women’s division, nothing would do that quicker than winning this year’s Royal Rumble.
Dani Luna
Titles and accolades in WWE: None so far
Previous Royal Rumble entries: 0 (2021 will be their Royal Rumble debut)
Current stories and feuds: Dani Luna has been establishing herself on Monday Night Raw, having a standout performance in a recent fatal-4-way match and coming close to earning a Women’s Universal title shot. Her strength makes her a dangerous threat and not someone to be overlooked.
Deonna Purrazzo
Titles and accolades in WWE: Currently 1x NXT Women’s
Previous Royal Rumble entries: 0 (2021 will be their Royal Rumble debut)
Fun Royal Rumble fact: Twice before the NXT Women’s Champion has entered the Royal Rumble. In 2018 Ember Moon entered at number 20 with an injured arm lasting 6 minutes and 14 seconds being thrown out by Asuka. Rhea Ripley had a much better time lasting 31 minutes and 18 seconds entering at 7 tossing out 7 women before Charlotte eliminated her.
Current stories and feuds: Deonna Purrazzo was announced for the Royal Rumble after defeating Io Shirai to become NXT Women’s Champion at Takeover Boxing Day. Deonna has been picking up wins on Smackdown too since the announcement and has to be a dark horse to win the entire thing.
Ember Moon
Titles and accolades in WWE: 1x WWE Women’s, 1x NXT Women’s
Previous Royal Rumble entries: 3
Last Royal Rumble appearance: (2020)
Best Royal Rumble performance: (2020) Entered at 12 lasting 32 minutes and 30 seconds getting 3 eliminations on her way to a final 3 performance.
Number of eliminations in Rumble history: 3
Total time spent in the Royal Rumble match: 1 hour 30 minutes and 54 seconds
Fun Royal Rumble fact: Ember holds the record for the longest cumulative time spent in the Rumble by any woman edging out Natalya thanks to her over 30-minute run last year being the Iron Woman of the match and her run in 2019 lasting over 50 minutes with only Natalya lasting longer.
Current stories and feuds: Ember Moon has snapped after losing her WWE Women’s title to Bayley at Summerslam. Being on a downward spiral after losses to Belair and Conti over the last few months, she looks to get back on track tonight. No one has lasted longer in rumbles than her and she knows how to beat Asuka at WrestleMania having done it once before.
Franky Monet
Titles and accolades in WWE: None yet
Previous Royal Rumble entries: 0 (2021 will be their Royal Rumble debut)
Current stories and feuds: Franky Monet’s husband John Morrison picked up a serious injury last month and will be out of action for 8 months. She is now going after the Women’s division with her tag team partner Dana Brooke. Can Franky prove she is a star this Sunday?
Jinny
Titles and accolades in WWE: None yet
Previous Royal Rumble entries: 0 (2021 will be their Royal Rumble debut)
Current stories and feuds: Jinny joined the Raw roster at the end of 2020 with her House of Couture tag team partner, Amale. They have been in a feud with Piper Niven and Melina, with Jinny gaining wins through cheating on both women. Will she be able to win the Royal Rumble by hook or by crook?
Katana Chance
Titles and accolades in WWE: None yet
Previous Royal Rumble entries: 1
Last Royal Rumble appearance: (2019)
Best Royal Rumble performance: (2019) Entered 19 lasting 10 minutes and 45 seconds with 0 eliminations
Number of eliminations in rumble history: 0
Total time spent in the Royal Rumble match: 10 minutes and 45 seconds
Fun Royal Rumble fact: Katana Chance before joining WWE was on Ninja Warrior and a former Junior Olympic gymnast. Will those skills help her avoid elimination?
Current stories and feuds: Katana Chance and Kayden Carter have been feuding with the dominant Nia Jax trying to take the beast down before being defeated by her. Can Katana overcome the odds and pick up a huge shock this Sunday?
Mandy Rose
Titles and accolades in WWE: 1x Women’s tag team (1x Sonya Deville)
Previous Royal Rumble entries: 3
Last Royal Rumble appearance: (2020)
Best Royal Rumble performance: (2019) Entered at 3 lasting 25 minutes and 50 seconds scoring 1 elimination.
Number of eliminations in Rumble history: 1
Total time spent in the Royal Rumble match: 30 minutes and 04 seconds
Fun Royal Rumble fact: In each of her first 3 Rumble matches, Mandy has entered the match in the first 4 entrants. She will be surely hoping for a better spot this year!
Current stories and feuds: Mandy Rose has been looking to establish herself as a singles wrestler on Smackdown ever since Bianca Belair injured her best friend Sonya Deville over the summer and also helped Heavy Machinery become 2-time WWE Tag team champions. Can she win some gold to celebrate with Otis?
Mickie James
Titles and accolades in WWE: 5x Women’s, 1x Divas
Previous Royal Rumble entries: 2
Last Royal Rumble appearance: (2019)
Best Royal Rumble performance: (2019) Entered at 5 lasting 11 minutes and 38 seconds with 0 eliminations
Number of eliminations in rumble history: 0
Total time spent in the Royal Rumble match: 20 minutes and 2 seconds
Fun Royal Rumble fact: Being a champion is a good sign for Mickie heading into this match as the previous Royal Rumble winners Becky Lynch and Asuka held a Women’s title before winning the Royal Rumble.
Current stories and feuds: Mickie James has reunited with her old rival Alexa Bliss on Raw and the two women have been a threat ever since looking to reach their former heights. Mickie in his prime never got the chance to fight in these matches, will she be able to turn back the clock and prove she still can compete with the best?
Millie McKenzie
Titles and accolades in WWE: None yet
Previous Royal Rumble entries: 0 (2021 will be their Royal Rumble debut)
Current stories and feuds: Millie has been in a mini-feud with Deonna Purrazzo on Smackdown due to her attitude and looking down on the Smackdown Live roster. Millie is very young but is someone who is seen to have a ton of potential. Will she fulfill that early and win this Sunday’s Royal Rumble?
Naomi
Titles and accolades in WWE: 2x WWE Women’s, Miss Elizabeth battle royal (2018)
Previous Royal Rumble entries: 2
Last Royal Rumble appearance: (2019)
Best Royal Rumble performance: (2019) Entered at 16 lasting 1 minute and 28 seconds with 1 elimination.
Number of eliminations in Rumble history: 1
Total time spent in the Royal Rumble match: 8 minutes and 17 seconds
Fun Royal Rumble fact: Naomi has only picked 1 elimination in her Royal Rumble career which was Mandy Rose… leading to her eliminating Naomi out of spite!
Current stories and feuds: Naomi has had a new attitude ever since coming back from injury in 2020. She has joined the Bloodline bringing her husband Jimmy on board and Roman has told the group to bring gold back to them. Will she win the Royal Rumble this Sunday and follow Roman’s wishes?
Natalya
Titles and accolades in WWE: 1x WWE Women’s, 1x Divas, 2x Women’s tag team (2x Ronda Rousey, Shayna Baszler, Marina Shafir and Jessamyn Duke)
Previous Royal Rumble entries: 3
Last Royal Rumble appearance: (2020)
Best Royal Rumble performance: (2019) Entered at 2 lasting 56 minutes and 1 second scoring two eliminations.
Number of eliminations in Rumble history: 5
Total time spent in the Royal Rumble match: 1 hour 22 minutes and 48 seconds
Fun Royal Rumble fact: Natalya holds the longest time in a Royal Rumble for any woman so far lasting 56 minutes and 1 second in 2019.
Current stories and feuds: Natalya at Summerslam betrayed her best friend and tag team partner Beth Phoenix to join the MMA Horsewomen. Since then, she has won two tag team titles and been part of one of the most dominant forces on Raw. Will the fact that 3 of them are in the Royal Rumble give Natalya the edge she needs to go all the way?
Nia Jax
Titles and accolades in WWE: 1x Women’s Universal, Miss Elizabeth battle royal (2020)
Previous Royal Rumble entries: 2
Last Royal Rumble appearance: (2019)
Best Royal Rumble performance: (2019) Entered at 29 lasting 11 minutes and 59 seconds scoring 3 eliminations on the way to a final 3 finish.
Number of eliminations in Rumble history: 7
Total time spent in the Royal Rumble match: 29 minutes and 55 seconds
Fun Royal Rumble fact: Nia is something of a Queenmaker in these matches with the winner of the two rumbles she has fought in being involved in her elimination: Asuka in 2018 and Becky Lynch in 2019
Current stories and feuds: Nia Jax has been on a run of form the last few weeks winning several singles matches in a row. Not many women can match the size and power of Nia Jax, can anyone stop her this Sunday or will she go onto WrestleMania 37?
Piper Niven
Titles and accolades in WWE: None yet
Previous Royal Rumble entries: 0 (2021 will be their Royal Rumble debut)
Current stories and feuds: Piper Niven has established herself on Raw after impressing in the Queen of the Ring by making the quarter-finals. She has shown to be a force and as powerful as Nia Jax. Will Piper run through the field on the way to victory in her Rumble debut?
Rhea Ripley
Titles and accolades in WWE: 1x NXT, 1x NXT UK
Previous Royal Rumble entries: 2
Last Royal Rumble appearance: (2020)
Best Royal Rumble performance: (2020) Entered at 7 lasting 31 minutes and 18 seconds scoring 7 eliminations breaking the record for a women’s rumble.
Number of eliminations in Rumble history: 10
Total time spent in the Royal Rumble match: 39 minutes and 13 seconds
Fun Royal Rumble fact: Rhea Ripley holds the record for the most eliminations in a single Women’s Royal Rumble and the most in all Women’s Royal Rumble
Current stories and feuds: Rhea Ripley after losing her NXT Women’s title to Io Shirai would head to Monday Night Raw going on a tear. She has beaten everyone in her path and has her eyes set on Charlotte Flair, looking to avenge her semi-final loss in Queen of the Ring. Can Rhea Ripley carry on her rampage in this year’s rumble?
Ronda Rousey
Titles and accolades in WWE: 2x Women’s Universal, 1x WWE Women’s, 2x Women’s tag team (2x Shayna Baszler, Natalya, Marina Shafir and Jessamyn Duke)
Previous Royal Rumble entries: 0 (2021 will be their Royal Rumble debut)
Fun Royal Rumble fact: Whilst she has never entered the Royal Rumble, ever since the Women’s Royal was created she has appeared in some form at every Rumble show. 2018 she debuted after Asuka’s victory whilst in 2019 and 2020 she defended her Women’s Universal title against Sasha Banks and Bayley respectively.
Current stories and feuds: Ronda Rousey has been leading the MMA Horsewomen since 2020 when they took over the women’s division until it all started to fall apart after War Games. Now the MMA Horsewomen are without any gold, can Ronda lead them back to the top of the Women’s division?
Ruby Riott
Titles and accolades in WWE: None yet
Previous Royal Rumble entries: 3
Last Royal Rumble appearance: (2020)
Best Royal Rumble performance: (2019) Entered at 18 lasting 13 minutes and 08 seconds eliminating 3 women.
Number of eliminations in Rumble history: 5
Total time spent in the Royal Rumble match: 27 minutes
Fun Royal Rumble fact: Ruby Riott has done something no other woman has done: eliminate Becky Lynch from a Royal Rumble. In 2018 one of the two women Ruby was able to toss out was the Man herself! Since then, Becky Lynch won the 2019 and 2020 Royal Rumble.
Current stories and feuds: Ruby Riott has been desperate to finally win a title in WWE, something she has not managed to do as of yet despite coming this close on several occasions. She heads into the Royal Rumble more determined than ever and desperate to finally break her duck in 2021. Will 2021 be Ruby’s year?
Sasha Banks
Titles and accolades in WWE: 5x Women’s Universal, 1x NXT, Currently 4x tag team (3x Bayley, 1x Charlotte Flair), Women’s Money in the Bank 2019
Previous Royal Rumble entries: 2
Last Royal Rumble appearance: (2020)
Best Royal Rumble performance: (2018) Entered at 1 lasting 54 minutes and 46 seconds scoring 3 eliminations.
Number of eliminations in Rumble history: 4
Total time spent in the Royal Rumble match: 59 minutes and 53 seconds
Fun Royal Rumble fact: Sasha Banks knows how to go deep in these matches no matter her entrance spot. She has always made it to the final 5 at least each time she has entered the Royal Rumble. In 2018 she made the final 4 before the Bellas tossed her out and in 2020 Taynara Conti eliminated her in a huge upset.
Current stories and feuds: Sasha Banks has helped defeat the MMA Horsewomen inside of War Games before taking the tag team titles from them with Bayley. The two stand atop the Women’s tag team division but always want more, will we see a blowup between the two friends or will Sasha tick off one of the few things she hasn’t done yet.
Shayna Baszler
Titles and accolades in WWE: 1x Women’s Universal, 2x NXT Women’s, 2x Women’s tag team (2x Ronda Rousey, Natalya, Marina Shafir and Jessamyn Duke), Women’s Money in the Bank (2020)
Previous Royal Rumble entries: 1
Last Royal Rumble appearance: (2020)
Best Royal Rumble performance: (2020) Entered 13 lasting 11 minutes and 14 seconds eliminating 3 women.
Number of eliminations in Rumble history: 3
Total time spent in the Royal Rumble match: 11 minutes and 14 seconds
Fun Royal Rumble fact: They might be friends now but in last year’s Royal Rumble Shayna eliminated Natalya from the Rumble. Will she do it again to secure a victory?
Current stories and feuds: Shayna is far from happy coming off the MMA Horsewomen failing inside War Games and losing her Women’s Universal title to Charlotte Flair. Shayna desperately wants to get her hands back on the Women’s Universal title so everyone in the Royal Rumble could be in big trouble.
Tegan Nox
Titles and accolades in WWE: 1x Women’s tag team (1x Dakota Kai)
Previous Royal Rumble entries: 0 (2021 will be their Royal Rumble debut)
Current stories and feuds: Team Kick have established themselves on Monday Night Raw, mostly focusing on trying to get the WWE Women’s tag team titles back after holding them for the joint longest of any team (tied with the MMA Horsewomen) but an opportunity presents itself. If Dakota Kai beats Charlotte Flair and Tegan Nox wins the Rumble, we will get an all-Team Kick clash.
WWE title match:
Samoa Joe © vs Sami Zayn
Samoa Joe has been a dominant force since joining The Hurt Business with MVP leading him to victories over Brock Lesnar, John Cena and most recently Drew McIntyre for the WWE title. The King of the Ring stands atop Raw waiting for his next challenger and it was Sami Zayn who earned the shot at the Royal Rumble PPV. Sami comes into this match after recently losing his Intercontinental title to Swerve Strickland but he feels that reign proves he can make it to the top of WWE. Will Sami Zayn overcome the odds or will Joe crush his dreams?
Universal title fatal-4-way match:
Aleister Black © vs Buddy Murphy vs Kevin Owens vs Roman Reigns
Aleister Black is never one to turn down a challenge but he might have bitten off more than he can chew with this one. On Smackdown Buddy Murphy, Kevin Owens and Roman Reigns were all arguing about who should fight Aleister Black next. The Dutch Destroyer would make it clear he wanted to avenge how he lost his title at Summerslam so accepted the challenge from all 4 for the Rumble. In the following weeks, the Bloodline and the O.C. would end up at war whilst Black and Owens would form a mini alliance. Who will walk out of the Royal Rumble as Universal Champion?
Women’s Universal title match:
Charlotte Flair © vs Dakota Kai
Charlotte Flair has been through a war to get her 9th Women’s title from Shayna Baszler and the rest of the MMA Horsewomen. However, she is now facing a different challenger at the Royal Rumble in Dakota Kai. One half of Team Kick, Dakota Kai beat Ruby Riott in a number one contender’s match to earn this title shot. An ally of Charlotte Flair’s in her war with the MMA Horsewomen the last few months, it is clear there is some tension on Charlotte’s part about defending her title against her ally. Will the Queen reign supreme this Sunday?
WWE Women’s title match:
Asuka © vs Taynara Conti
Asuka is once again at the top of the Smackdown Live Women’s division and she is as confident as ever! Asuka ended the reign of Ronda Rousey and has now ended the undefeated streak of Bianca Belair. Asuka looks as dominant as ever with her recent run of form through the Women’s division. Taynara Conti though has proven she can cause an upset at the Royal Rumble having eliminated Sasha Banks last year in the titular match. Asuka has been taunting Conti with claims of her not being ready, but the Brazilian Badass disagrees, prepared to take on the Empress. Will we see another Royal Rumble upset or will Asuka reign supreme once again?
Pre-show:
Trios match:
Mustache Mountain and Ilja Dragunov vs Angel Garza, Humberto Carrillo and Jinder Mahal
Mustache Mountain asked for a match at the Royal Rumble pre-show after Lio Rush broke his nose on Raw two weeks ago and it meant Tyler Bate’s Cruiserweight title shot was delayed. Wade Barrett would make the call to give another man itching for a match on the Royal Rumble card a match and has announced Ilja Dragunov will team with Mustache Mountain to take on his rivals as of late in Angel Garza and Humberto Carrillo. Jinder Mahal will team up with the Ungovernables after a payment from Zelina Vega. Will Mustache Mountain carry on their run of form with an unfamiliar partner or will The Ungovernables show their strength with the help of a former WWE Champion?
Singles match:
Xia Li vs Marina Shafir
Xia Li has been looking to prove herself on Smackdown with her tag team partner Taynara Conti getting a lot of the spotlight. Marina Shafir meanwhile has been overshadowed by the rest of the MMA Horsewomen who are entering the Royal Rumble. Shawn Michaels made this match to give both women the chance to prove themselves and promised the winner would get a reward. Who will win whatever Shawn’s reward is?
Tag team match:
Twisted Sisters vs Zelina Vega and Eva Marie
Zelina Vega said she feels she can take over the women’s division like her clients have taken over the men’s division over the last couple of years after her recent loss to Mandy Rose. She and Eva Marie issued a challenge which was soon answered by the Twisted Sisters! Isla Dawn would call it the season of the witch (even tho it is spring) and promise victory. Which tag team will put themselves in future tag team title contention?
Eight-man tag team match:
Alpha Academy, Gran Metalik and Rowe vs The Authors of Pain, Epico and Primo
Last but not least, Shawn Michaels announced a showcase match for 8 superstars from the Smackdown roster who will not be taking part in the Royal Rumble. On one side, you would have Alpha Academy members Daniel Garcia and Matt Riddle teaming up with former NXT Cruiserweight Champion Gran Metalik plus one-half of the War Raiders Rowe! On the other side, The Authors of Pain team with fellow former tag team champions Epico and Primo! Which team will win in this showcase match?
Matchcard for Royal Rumble
January 31st 2021
St Louis, Missouri
The Dome at Americans Center
EVA UNDER FIRE – I WILL FIGHT
Men’s Royal Rumble match:
Andrade Cien Almas, AJ Styles, Big E, Braun Strowman, Cedric Alexander, Cesaro, Chad Gable, Daniel Bryan, Dolph Ziggler, Dominik Dijakovic, Drew McIntyre, Edge, Finn Balor, Jacob Fatu, James Storm, Karrion Kross, Keith Lee, Kofi Kingston, Mustafa Ali, Noam Dar, Shinsuke Nakamura, Swerve Strickland, Tommaso Ciampa, Xavier Woods and 6 other entrants
Women’s Royal Rumble match:
Alexa Bliss, Bayley, Bianca Belair, Billie Kay, Carmella, Dana Brooke, Dani Luna, Deonna Purrazzo, Ember Moon, Franky Monet, Jinny, Katana Chance, Mandy Rose, Mickie James, Millie McKenzie, Naomi, Natalya, Nia Jax, Piper Niven, Rhea Ripley, Ronda Rousey, Ruby Riott, Sasha Banks, Shayna Baszler, Tegan Nox and 5 other entrants
WWE title match:
Samoa Joe © vs Sami Zayn
Universal title fatal-4-way match:
Aleister Black © vs Buddy Murphy vs Kevin Owens vs Roman Reigns
Women’s Universal title match:
Charlotte Flair © vs Dakota Kai
WWE Women’s title match:
Asuka © vs Taynara Conti
And
Bad Bunny will perform his new song: Booker T!
Pre-show:
Trios match:
Mustache Mountain and Ilja Dragunov vs Angel Garza, Humberto Carrillo and Jinder Mahal
Singles match:
Xia Li vs Marina Shafir
Tag team match:
Twisted Sisters vs Zelina Vega and Eva Marie
Eight-man tag team match:
Alpha Academy, Gran Metalik and Rowe vs The Authors of Pain, Epico and Primo
Predictions contest:
Predict the winners for each match (1 point each)
Predict the longest match on the main card (not including the rumbles) (3 points)
Predict the shortest match on the main card (3 points)
Predict the ironwomen/ironman for each Rumble (3 points each)
Predict who gets the most eliminations in each Rumble (3 points each)
Predict the final four in the Women’s Rumble: (1 point each)
Predict the final four in the Men’s Rumble: (1 point each)
Predict 5 of the surprise entrants into the Men’s Rumble (if you picked a surprise entrant you cannot predict that person) (1 point each)
Predict 4 of the surprise entrants into the Women’s Rumble (if you picked a surprise entrant you cannot predict that person) (1 point each)