What Has Happened to the Royal Rumble?
- Former Staff
- Feb 5, 2022
- 4 min read
The Royal Rumble is a once-in-a-lifetime event. Pat Patterson’s brilliant idea for a wrestling contest has been duplicated many times, but it has never been reproduced.
When it comes to PPVs, I go out of my way to watch the Royal Rumble, no matter how horrible the booking is. In the anticipation of the next player’s arrival, the game has an inherent sense of thrill. Surely every wrestling fan can recall at least one memorable Rumble moment.
An additional dimension of uncertainty was introduced to the Rumble this year. Due to the WWE cutting its roster to the point where not even half of a rumble would have adequate talent, Before Wrestlemania, there wasn’t an obvious front-runner destined to be the main event. I was looking forward to seeing something new and different, so I turned the TV on with a big smile on my face. What a mistake it was.
For some reason, the Royal Rumble seemed less exciting to me when Joan Jett started belting out her gruff punk voice to signify the match’s conclusion. It’s no longer the exhilarating and heart-wrenching battle royal that once sent me to my knees with joy and sorrow. A new set of priorities has taken hold. The Rumble’s previously gleaming golden brilliance has gone away. In favor of one of the appearances, plot development and career-defining performances were pushed on the back burner.
No, this change hasn’t been that drastic. Star-making has been steadily decreasing during the last five years… So, this has always been the case, right? However, the absence of any WWE programming for an extended period of time accentuated this point.
So what’s the big deal about this year’s Rumble? Why have I lost my enthusiasm for the event? This is the purpose of this article. To find out whether WWE’s reorganization has had any impact on the final product’s quality.
Let’s start with part-time workers. It’s common knowledge that part-timers have a terrible reputation. Criticized for working a lesser schedule, earning more money, and taking the place of a more worthy full-time wrestler. In the past, fans of professional wrestling had scorn towards part-timers, particularly if their primary purpose was money.
In recent years, the negative connotation associated with working just a few days a week has begun to wane. When Beth Phoenix, Maryse, and Lita returned to the concert, they were met with enthusiastic applause. Rather than a second run with the title, wrestlers are assisting younger wrestlers instead.
The Royal Rumble is the place where the most part-time talent is employed. One-off appearances or triumphant returns have been commonplace for years. It was a whole different story this time around, however. WWE wasn’t going through the motions only to appease the crowds. Part-time workers were not a choice this year; they were a necessity.
Is this a good return on your investment? They can not only generate a tremendous pop, but they can also be a highlight of the Rumble if done well. This year’s comeback of Ivory is a sure bet. One of the cleanest displays of professional wrestling I’ve seen in a long time was Rhea Ripley’s top rope drop on a puritanical Ivory. These brief cameos throughout the Rumble were entertaining but very ephemeral. Sure, seeing Nikki A.S.H eliminate Mighty Molly was amusing. Another highlight was Melina’s short encounter with Sasha Banks. In the end, these triumphs have little or no significance. These moments have the potential to develop into feuds, which could go to Wrestlemania and beyond with the right talent. Fireworks are here, a brilliant show that fades away almost as fast as it appears.
Despite the fact that their performances are so short-lived, they nonetheless have a positive effect on the wrestlers. To honor the ladies of the past, the Royal Rumble is a great opportunity. For many, it was a period when women weren’t given the same respect as they are now. It’s an opportunity for them to shine one more time in front of a public that’s more open-minded towards women’s wrestling, and they should take advantage of it.
Many memorable events have resulted from the Royal Rumble, which is why it’s so beloved by fans. A site where feuds started, people’s identities formed, and impetus was acquired. Occasionally, these tales cover the whole of the Rumble. A Wrestlemania bout might be only a few seconds long and leave us salivating. This year’s rumble was littered with these kinds of moments. The Naomi vs. Sonya Deville rivalry was still going strong, and the countdown to Charlotte vs. Lita at Wrestlemania was well underway. We also got to watch current Knockouts champion Mickie James knock out her longtime adversary, Michelle McCool.
However, all of these ladies have one thing in common: they are already well-known. Very little was done to draw attention to any female rising stars. As a matter of fact, there was almost no fresh talent throughout the whole contest. There were no NXT promotions, and there was no spotlight placed on a mid-card star with significant potential. For the first time, the Rumble is no longer utilized as a launching platform for new stars. The Rumble is a great chance to give people a lift, but so many people are missing out on it. Just a few stunning eliminations, an hour in the match, and a respectable performance are all that’s required. Even if they do, it’s unlikely they’ll become a household name. That being said, it can undoubtedly give them an edge in the fight.
Royal Rumble is all about building excitement for Wrestlemania, and that’s the whole point of it, right? Every year, we have a “stare and point” at the Wrestlemania sign location. Now, WWE’s main focus is on other things. The Rumble has acquired new connotations. When it works, as when it helps to solidify Bianca Belair or puts Becky Lynch on the path to becoming Becky two belts, it works. In terms of the previous twelve months, this one was a flop. I’m disappointed by the conclusion, which is certain to lead to a win but does not inspire the awe and emotion that you should experience at WrestleMania.
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