In the November 4, 2019 episode of WWE Raw, Brock Lesnar gained attention by attacking commentator Mace, who is no longer with WWE. In a recent interview with Muscle Man Malcolm, Mace shared insights into the unplanned segment with The Beast, highlighting the absence of rehearsal. The impromptu encounter caught the eye of Vince McMahon, leading to Mace’s return to NXT.
Mace described the segment as a spontaneous decision, stating, “This happened on a whim. They wanted a big angle for that show. I thought facing Brock Lesnar would be a good angle.” McMahon, noticing Mace’s interaction with Lesnar, questioned his role on commentary, resulting in his return to NXT.
Despite initial plans for Mace to face Brock Lesnar in a WWE ring, as revealed on Reddit, the company changed course, and the match never materialized. Mace explained, “After that segment happened, I was told I would be part of the commentary the following week. Boarding the plane to the UK, they said I had to stay away for a week due to the attack. Later, I was constantly kept away, and I was informed about a new direction with commentary.”
WrestleMania 40 has WWE fans buzzing with excitement as Cody Rhodes is set to challenge Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship. Former WWE manager Dutch Mantel recently shared his perspective on Cody’s potential title run during an appearance on Sportskeeda Wrestling’s Smack Talk show.
Mantel suggested that Cody Rhodes’ championship reign should take a different direction than Roman Reigns’ storyline to maintain intrigue. Expressing a preference for a heel champion, Mantel questioned the longevity of Cody’s reign and speculated on the narrative possibilities. He emphasized the challenge of surpassing the captivating dynamics involving Roman Reigns, The Usos, and Paul Heyman.
Dutch Mantel also touched upon The Bloodline, acknowledging WWE’s successful resurgence in booking the faction. Recalling a time when The Bloodline faced uncertainties, Mantel commended WWE for revitalizing their storyline and strengthening the faction’s impact.
Rumors swirl about a potential WrestleMania 40 showdown between Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship. However, with The Rock’s return adding another layer of excitement, the storyline’s direction remains uncertain. WWE’s future booking decisions for Cody Rhodes will undoubtedly contribute to the unfolding drama, keeping fans eagerly awaiting the spectacle that WrestleMania 40 promises to be.
Royal Rumble: The WWE Royal Rumble premium live event has always been known for its jaw-dropping moments. Every year, superstars return to surprise everyone, but this event has also been recognized for its dramatic turns. Storylines are often crafted where wrestlers shock everyone by turning against their allies.
In the 36-year history of the Royal Rumble, from icons like Hulk Hogan and The Rock to the likes of Brock Lesnar, many great wrestlers have been part of iconic moments, but some moments have been emotionally intense. In this article, let’s delve into the most significant twists seen in the Royal Rumble.
1. Roman Reigns Ambushed in WWE Royal Rumble 2023:
In 2022, The Bloodline storyline remained a major attraction, with Sami Zayn playing a crucial role. As time passed, Sami Zayn was drifting away from The Bloodline due to Kevin Owens. Meanwhile, in Royal Rumble 2023, Kevin Owens challenged Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship.
Reigns emerged victorious in the match, but after the bout, The Tribal Chief and his brothers brutally attacked Owens. When Roman Reigns asked Sami Zayn to join in attacking Owens, he surprised everyone by attacking The Tribal Chief with a steel chair. The crowd’s reaction to this twist was iconic.
2. Ken Betrays The Undertaker in WWE Royal Rumble 1998:
Ken and The Undertaker were known as the storyline brothers, and their dark characters formed a formidable team. In Royal Rumble 1998, Shawn Michaels was supposed to defend the WWE Championship against The Undertaker in a Casket Match. The Undertaker came close to victory, but then The New Age Outlaws and other wrestlers attacked him.
Ken made a surprising entry and scared off all the wrestlers in the ring. Since they were being presented as brothers, when Ken attacked The Undertaker, everyone was shocked. After Michaels won the match, Ken burned The Undertaker alive in the casket.
3. Paul Heyman Betrays Brock Lesnar in WWE Royal Rumble 2022:
In December 2021, during a SmackDown episode, Roman Reigns fired Paul Heyman from his special counsel position. As The Tribal Chief and his brothers were about to attack Heyman, Brock Lesnar made a surprise entry to save him. During Royal Rumble 2022, The Beast was defending the WWE Championship against Bobby Lashley.
In the closing moments of the match, Roman Reigns spearheaded Lesnar, and Heyman, seemingly assisting Lesnar, hit him with the championship belt. In this bout, Lashley emerged victorious, becoming the new champion. Heyman’s betrayal secured his position as The Tribal Chief’s special counsel once again.
These dramatic twists have added unexpected turns to the Royal Rumble, leaving fans in awe and disbelief.
WWE SmackDown: This week’s episode proved significant as the Royal Rumble event approaches. The Undisputed WWE Universal Championship storyline progressed with a captivating segment.
In the main event, Randy Orton defeated Solo Sequoia and delivered a stunning RKO to LA Knight and AJ Styles. Reigns, after hitting an unexpected Superman punch on Orton, signed the contract. The conclusion featured a dramatic exchange, with Orton countering Reigns’ spear attempt with an RKO, leaving the Tribal Chief down.
Fans praised the SmackDown ending and are excited about the Fatal 4th match buildup for the Royal Rumble. The finale of the 2017 Rumble match, involving Reigns, sparked discussions and garnered various reactions on social media. Here’s what fans had to say:
– “A glimpse of the 2017 Royal Rumble ending with Reigns and Orton. I love such moments.”
– “Say what you want, but no one in WWE executes strong moves like Roman Reigns. We can learn from him. He’s poised to retain the title at the Royal Rumble.”
– “A lot of hype, and this match is definitely going to be great. I can’t wait.”
– “Randy Orton claimed he’d defeat Solo Sequoia with an RKO in the main event. Then he’d introduce Roman Reigns with an RKO. Randy delivered on his promise.”
– “Now it’s time to teach Randy Orton a lesson again at WWE Royal Rumble.”
– “The opening and ending segments of WWE SmackDown were cinematic. Kevin Owens and Logan Paul did a great job. Pete Dunne is back, what a great show.”
A prominent AEW star emphasizes the importance of Cody Rhodes headlining WrestleMania 40 against Roman Reigns, expressing concern over potential complications involving The Rock. Cody’s brother, Dustin Rhodes, voices his desire to see Cody in the main event but acknowledges the allure of a Reigns vs. The Rock clash. Dustin recognizes Cody’s emergence as a key figure in the company and hopes for his moment at WrestleMania. Cody Rhodes, in a previous interview, advocates for his brother Dustin’s recognition in the wrestling industry, praising his continued excellence in the ring. Despite Dustin not being in his prime, Cody believes his brother’s impressive body of work merits acknowledgment. The prospect of Cody Rhodes securing the main event against Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40 remains uncertain, with fan speculation heightened by The Rock’s recent appearance on RAW.
WWE Injury Updates: The WWE roster is grappling with an increasing number of sidelined superstars due to various reasons. Notable names like Braun Strowman and Big E are currently on hiatus, and the latest addition to this list is NXT superstar Cora Jade.
In a recent report, it was revealed that Cora Jade, originally scheduled to face the current NXT Women’s Champion Lyra Velkyria during a house show in Florida, unfortunately suffered an injury, possibly due to a powerbomb. WWE disclosed during a recent NXT episode that Jade was slated to participate in a battle royal to determine the number-one contender for the NXT Women’s Championship.
The show unveiled that Cora Jade sustained a knee injury, potentially keeping her away from in-ring action for up to a year. Roxane Perez emerged as the victor in the battle royal, earning the chance to challenge Velkyria for the championship at next month’s Vengeance Day. Cora Jade also shared a picture of her injury on social media.
Several top WWE superstars are currently on a break due to various injuries.
Alongside Cora Jade, Braun Strowman has been absent from in-ring action for the past 8 months due to a neck injury suffered in May 2023. Strowman recently mentioned in an interview that he has resumed training, but the timeline for his return remains uncertain.
Former World Champion Sheamus has also been on a break for several months due to a shoulder injury. There are indications that he might make a comeback in the next few weeks. Meanwhile, Big E has been out of in-ring action for the last two years, and his career is in jeopardy due to a neck injury. The hope is that Cora Jade can recover soon and make a triumphant return.
WWE Legends Praise Roman Reigns Amidst Character Transformation
In recent years, Roman Reigns has dominated the WWE scene, with even seasoned legends like Randy Orton acknowledging his prowess. Despite their on-screen rivalry, Orton, in character, has surprised fans with high praise for the current Universal Champion.
Speaking on WWE’s The Bump show, Randy Orton broke character to express admiration for Reigns. Referring to Reigns as the true “Head of the Table” and “Big Dog,” Orton acknowledged the champion’s dominance. This unexpected acknowledgment has added a new layer to their ongoing storyline.
As Roman Reigns faces multiple adversaries on SmackDown, including the likes of AJ Styles and L.A. Knight, the anticipation builds for the Triple Threat match at Royal Rumble 2024. Reigns, who previously faced controversies, continues to be a focal point in WWE storylines.
The history between Reigns and Orton involves Reigns defeating Knight at Crown Jewel 2023 under controversial circumstances, while Orton made a triumphant return 18 months after a serious injury sustained during a Bloodline attack in May 2022.
With Orton and Reigns vowing to settle their scores, the upcoming Royal Rumble match promises intense action. The storyline involving these three wrestling icons has captivated fans, leading to heightened anticipation for the Triple Threat match for the Undisputed WWE Universal Title.
Roman Reigns: WWE superstar Roman Reigns is on track to surpass Hulk Hogan’s championship record, according to recent comments by former WWE star Rene Dupree. Reigns has held the championship for the past 1,232 days, and if successful in retaining, he will break Hogan’s record of 1,474 days.
In the upcoming Royal Rumble premium live event, Reigns will defend his undisputed WWE Universal Championship in a Fatal 4-Way match against AJ Styles, Randy Orton, and LA Knight. There is speculation that Reigns will continue his championship reign and potentially face Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania in April.
In a recent episode of the Cafe de Rene podcast, Rene Dupree expressed his thoughts on this possibility, stating, “I think they want Reigns to break Hogan’s record.”
Wrestling veteran Tommy Dreamer also weighed in on Roman Reigns, predicting that Reigns will remain champion until WrestleMania 40 in 2025, defeating The Rock and breaking Hulk Hogan’s championship record in the process.
Roman Reigns has held the championship for the past three years, and the outcome of the upcoming contract signing segment on SmackDown, followed by the premium live event next week, will determine if he retains the championship and who his potential challenger at WrestleMania might be.
3 CM Punk Could Host WWE Elimination Chamber 2024 in Perth, Australia
CM Punk might host the premium live event in Perth, Australia, providing WWE an opportunity to utilize him before WrestleMania. Hosting the event could generate excitement, similar to John Cena hosting Payback last year, garnering a positive fan reaction. Punk’s involvement could enhance the event’s appeal, especially since he hasn’t been part of an event in Australia before.
2 CM Punk Could Compete in a Match at WWE Elimination Chamber
CM Punk hasn’t wrestled on TV recently but has participated in live events, including bouts against rival Dominik Mysterio. With Elimination Chamber being the last major show before WrestleMania, WWE might book Punk for a match, offering insights into his preparedness. A match, potentially against Drew McIntyre, could provide both wrestlers with a significant opportunity.
Drew McIntyre and CM Punk have unresolved issues, evident from their recent promo exchange on Raw. A match between them at Elimination Chamber could conclude their storyline, providing a compelling narrative for both wrestlers.
1 WWE Superstar CM Punk Might Serve as a Special Guest Referee
If WWE plans a match between Seth Rollins and CM Punk at WrestleMania, a prelude could involve them facing off before the big event. Introducing a twist by making Punk a special guest referee could add an interesting dimension. Seth Rollins, a fighting champion, defending his championship with Punk as the referee would inject additional excitement into the match, creating a potential storyline for both superstars. It remains to be seen how WWE utilizes the “Best in the World” in this scenario.
The Great Khali: Indian WWE superstar The Great Khali has officially retired from wrestling. When Khali debuted in WWE, he made a significant impact and successfully defeated several prominent superstars, including The Undertaker.
During his career, The Great Khali managed to defeat some of the biggest stars in WWE today. Let’s talk about 4 such prominent superstars in WWE today who were defeated by The Great Khali during his career.
4. Indian Superstar The Great Khali Defeated Rey Mysterio
Rey Mysterio, a veteran in WWE, has achieved considerable status. It’s worth noting that Rey Mysterio faced The Great Khali in WWE. The encounter took place in May 2006 during an episode of SmackDown. Khali dominated Rey Mysterio throughout the match, showcasing his strength. Mysterio’s wife and son were present ringside during this match. The Great Khali delivered a powerful attack, severely injuring Mysterio, ultimately pinning him with his foot on Mysterio’s head.
3. WWE Superstar Drew McIntyre
Surprisingly, not many people know that Drew McIntyre faced The Great Khali in WWE. This match occurred in 2012 during an episode of SmackDown. McIntyre, at that time, was not as powerful and established as he is today. The Great Khali, with his dominance, secured a victory over McIntyre, concluding the match with his finishing move.
2. WWE Superstar Cody Rhodes
Cody Rhodes, a prominent name in today’s WWE, also had the opportunity to face The Great Khali in April 2012 during an episode of SmackDown. While Rhodes did put up a fight, The Great Khali emerged victorious by delivering his finishing move, solidifying his dominance.
1. WWE Superstar John Cena Defeated by The Great Khali
The rivalry between John Cena and The Great Khali is well-known in WWE. During this feud in 2007, John Cena managed to defeat The Great Khali in events like WWE Judgement Day and One Night Stand. However, The Great Khali also succeeded in securing a significant victory over John Cena. In a match that took place in 2007 on Saturday Night’s Main Event, Khali, after inflicting significant damage to Cena, pinned him with a foot on his chest.
These instances highlight The Great Khali’s impact on WWE, where he faced and defeated some of the biggest names in the industry.
