WWE ROYAL RUMBLE 2019 RESULTS

MY WINNERS, GRADES, REACTION AND HIGHLIGHTS

The Road to WrestleMania is paved with championship aspirations and high-pressure title defenses, both of which awaited the men and women of WWE Sunday night at the Royal Rumble, live from Chase Field in Phoenix.

The Universal Championship was at stake as current titleholder Brock Lesnar defended against Finn Balor. The WWE Championship was up for grabs in the latest battle between former champion AJ Styles and current titleholder, the self-proclaimed "Planet's Champion," Daniel Bryan.

SmackDown women's champion Asuka defended against Becky Lynch, and Raw women's champion Ronda Rousey put her belt on the line against Sasha Banks.

Throw in two Royal Rumble matches and the card for the 2019 extravaganza was a stacked one.

Who emerged victoriously and cashed their ticket to The Showcase of the Immortals on April 7?

Find out now with this recap of Sunday's blockbuster WWE Network presentation.

NON-TITLE MATCH: BOBBY ROODE AND CHAD GABLE VS. REZAR AND SCOTT DAWSON

Announced earlier in the night during the Kickoff Show, the mismatched team of AOP's Rezar and The Revival's Scott Dawson battled Raw tag team champions Bobby Roode and Chad Gable for the opportunity to be in tag team contention.

Reluctant partners Dawson and Rezar took the fight to the champions, setting aside their differences to isolate Gable and wear down the smaller of their opponents. "Work together!" Drake Maverick demanded from ringside every time there was even the slightest hint of dissension among the heels.

Gable showed fire in trying to fight from underneath, but he quickly found himself in the unforgiving grasp of Rezar. The former Olympian finally escaped and made the hot tag to Roode, who exploded into the match.

Mistiming between Dawson and Rezar proved their undoing as Roode and Gable were able to score the win.

Result: Roode and Gable defeated Rezar and Dawson

Grade: C

Analysis: This felt like a match that would be thrown onto the third hour of Raw, with little or no meaning whatsoever to the landscape of the tag division. The quality of the bout reflected that.

It was paint-by-numbers, at best, and highlighted a team in Roode and Gable that has struggled to remain over despite an ongoing title reign.

All things considered, it was a waste of everyone involved and did nothing to support the idea WWE Creative will be putting more emphasis on the division and its teams.

UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: RUSEV VS. SHINSUKE NAKAMURA

A motivated and fired-up United States champion Rusev, seeking revenge for the injury suffered by wife Lana in the build to Sunday's match, attacked Shinsuke Nakamura from the opening bell, taking the fight to the former champion.

However, Nakamura seized control of the match and grounded his bigger, more powerful opponent with a front facelock. Rusev powered out and dropped The Artist with a big dropkick.

Rusev built momentum and set up his opponent for a Machka Kick, but Nakamura wisely slid to the arena floor and caught a rushing Rusev with a kick.

The challenger set up Rusev for a Kinshasa, but he evaded it, caught him with a big lariat and followed with a Machka Kick. The Bulgarian Brute powered him down, but Nakamura applied an armbar and then a triangle as he attempted to force a submission.

The challenger felt the frustration of being unable to put away his opponent, as Rusev continued to fight from underneath, unwilling to let his title slip through his fingers.

Late in the match, Lana called out Nakamura's cheating ways. Rusev rushed toward the challenger, who moved, and he wiped out his own wife. The distraction allowed The Artist to deliver the Kinshasa and score his second reign with the U.S. title.

Result: Nakamura defeated Rusev to win the United States Championship

Grade: B-

Analysis: Rusev and Nakamura have solid enough chemistry, so the match itself was good, but the angle that led to the finish creates more questions than answers.

How many times are we going to sit through the story of Lana accidentally costing Rusev matches? How many times is WWE going to drop said story and keep them together? What's next for Rusev, who appeared to be building momentum for himself before this loss?

Nakamura winning the title adds another piece of gold to his resume and makes for another Rumble moment for The Artist, but it essentially renders the last month of storytelling meaningless.

This was a fine addition to the pre-show, and the title change helps it mean a little more than it would have otherwise, but the finish still seemed a little out of place based on the storytelling that led to it.

FATAL 4-WAY MATCH FOR THE CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

Buddy Murphy has defeated the likes of Mustafa Ali and Cedric Alexander to successfully retain his Cruiserweight Championship to this point, but Sunday he had the unenviable task of defending against Kalisto, Hideo Itami and Akira Tozawa in a Fatal 4-Way match.

The action started hot and heavy, with the stars of 205 Live cutting a frenetic pace, each looking to steal a pinfall and the title.

The story of the match, at least early, was Itami's willingness to stand back and watch his opponents wage war while expending as little energy as possible.

Kalisto finally took the fight to Itami, keeping him off guard with a high-paced offense. Moments later, Tozawa and Murphy squared off. A nasty landing by Itami left him dazed but set up a series of high-risk dives that left all but the champion reeling on the floor.

The action broke down late, as each competitor unloaded with strikes that left the opposition down. Tozawa, in particular, did away with both Itami and Kalisto before pairing off with Murphy.

The champion got the best of him and took the fight to Itami, surviving a backfist and finishing him off with Murphy's Law to successfully retain his title.

Result: Murphy defeated Tozawa, Itami and Kalisto

Grade: B+

Analysis: The cruiserweights may always be relegated to the Kickoff Show, but they know how to set the tone for the event and typically deliver phenomenal in-ring content, and this was no different.

While the match may not have lived up to some of Murphy's singles matches against Ali and Alexander, this was fun and featured some cool, creative spots.

Itami took some wicked hits, and that bump he took looked to knock him a bit loopy for a moment, but he starred at points.

Murphy is so good and has done such a fantastic job of elevating the expectation of cruiserweight matches that there really has to be a time when management contemplates elevating him to the main roster.

SMACKDOWN WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: BECKY LYNCH VS. ASUKA

Becky Lynch looked to reclaim a SmackDown Women's Championship stolen from her by Ronda Rousey at TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs in December, as she challenged Asuka in what was arguably the most-anticipated match of the entire 2019 Royal Rumble card.

Asuka answered demands by Lynch to fight her by...fighting her, throwing strikes with her challenger.

A running hip attack sent The Man to the arena floor as The Empress of Tomorrow continued to build momentum early. Lynch answered with a big boot that sent Asuka crashing to the floor and turned the tide in her favor.

A Bexploder into the barricade continued the challenger's momentum.

Lynch worked over the left arm of her opponent and even applied a Dis-arm-her in the ropes, but the champion answered with a knee to the face that allowed her to create much-needed separation. She unleashed a hip attack, a nasty backfist and a release German suplex for a count of two.

She trapped the challenger in an armbar, but Lynch was able to make it to the ropes, forcing a break. The fight spilled to the ring apron, where Asuka teased a German suplex to the floor, but The Man held on and teased her own Bexploder before both women crashed and burned in an ugly, scary fisherman buster spot.

The rivals unloaded with a series of strikes before Lynch tried for the Dis-arm-her. Asuka escaped and blasted her with a kick for two. The Man recovered and joined The Empress up top for a wicked super Bexploder that earned her a near-fall.

Asuka dodged a leg drop and applied the Asuka Lock before floating into Lynch's own Dis-arm-her. The challenger countered and applied the Asuka Lock to the champion. Another counter ended with The Man applying her own submission hold.

Another counter occurred, and Asuka trapped Lynch in the Asuka Lock, bridged over and forced the tapout in what was somewhat of a shocking conclusion.

Result: Asuka defeated Lynch

Grade: A

Analysis: This was a fine, hard-hitting and hotly contested match to kick off the show.

There will be some who take exception to the outcome, but with the match starting the show, the possibility Lynch enters the Royal Rumble match later in the night was high. She can easily have that defining show people expect before night's end.

The win was incredibly important to Asuka's credibility as champion, especially after she was so miserably booked throughout most of 2018. That victory could be crucial to her main roster run going forward if creative can continue booking her that strongly.

SMACKDOWN TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: SHANE MCMAHON AND THE MIZ VS. THE BAR

Still feeling the effects from a beating that left him and partner The Miz lying Tuesday night on SmackDown, Shane McMahon took down Sheamus to start the SmackDown Tag Team Championship bout Sunday.

The tide turned in the favor of the challengers, who laid Cesaro across the announce table and teased a top-rope elbow drop, only for Sheamus to break things up. He ate a big diving clothesline from McMahon, but Cesaro sent him into the barricade, essentially taking him out of the bout.

The heels spent the majority of the match working over Miz, isolating him from his partner until a back body drop created separation and allowed The A-Lister to tag in McMahon.

Shane-O-Mac planted Sheamus with a DDT for a close two before setting him up for Coast-to-Coast. He soared through the air but found himself caught by Cesaro, who executed the Cesaro Swing to the applause of the WWE Universe.

McMahon answered with a terrible triangle choke, but Cesaro tried powering out. McMahon regained control of the hold until a big knee drop from the top by Sheamus forced the break.

Moments later, Miz delivered the Skull-Crushing Finale to Sheamus, and McMahon followed with a 450 splash to Cesaro to win the titles.

Result: McMahon and Miz defeated Sheamus and Cesaro to win the titles

Grade: C

Analysis: And the storyline that no one ever asked for continued.

This was a so-so match, thanks to the work of Sheamus, Cesaro and Miz, that was never intended to put any of them over. Instead, it was another showcase for a McMahon family member whose best days were 20 years ago.

The title win was predictable, as is the eventual demise of the team and the ensuing singles matches. How anyone could justify wanting to see Shane McMahon vs. The Miz in a one-on-one match is a mystery, but that does appear to be what we will eventually be "treated" to when all is said and done.

Sheamus and Cesaro deserved so much better.

RAW WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: RONDA ROUSEY VS. SASHA BANKS

Ronda Rousey marked her one-year anniversary with WWE on Sunday, defending her Raw Women's Championship against Sasha Banks in a match no one would have expected to see just one month ago. The Boss was the crowd favorite despite overwhelming odds to actually dethrone Rowdy for her title.

Banks downed Rousey with an arm drag early, but the former UFC star answered with a kick off and mocked The Boss' trademark mannerisms. She followed by breaking out Eddie Guerrero's Three Amigos suplexes, but Banks countered out of the last one and tried for the Bank Statement.

The challenger slapped Rousey, and the champion answered with a stiff kick to the midsection. On the floor, Banks dodged a hard right hand from Rowdy, who punched the digital ring post and broke it.

Banks worked the arm of Rousey for the middle portion of the match and caught the champion with a kick that stunned her. She continued her assault, using open-hand thrusts to the arm of her opponent. Banks worked heel, forcing The Baddest Woman on the Planet to fight from underneath.

Rousey finally caught Banks, trying for Piper's Pit, but The Boss countered into an armbar and bent her arm back as far as she could. Banks applied the Bank Statement, but Rousey escaped. She finally landed Piper's Pit and trapped Banks in a rope-assisted armbar.

The challenger delivered a superplex and floated over, returning her focus to the arm. The action spilled to the floor, where Rousey tapped out Banks to the armbar, to no avail or victory. Momentum on her side, an adrenaline-fueled Rousey unloaded on Banks with a series of right hands. She scored a near-fall.

Banks went back to the injured arm and tried for the backstabber, but Rousey tossed her to the mat. The Boss countered out of another Piper's Pit, scored a two-count and reapplied the Bank Statement. She used attire, stomped on the champ's hand and reapplied the armbar, all for the sake of regaining a title she had not held since 2017.

A gut-wrench slam and another Piper's Pit from Rousey, though, ended Banks' quest for the title and earned The Baddest Woman on the Planet another signature pay-per-view victory.

After the match, Rousey and Banks exchanged signs of respect before The Boss returned to ringside and flashed the Four Horsewomen sign, their issues clearly not over.

Result: Rousey defeated Banks

Grade: A

Analysis: The women are going to headline WrestleMania in 2019, and matches like this and the opener are exactly why.

This was an intense fight between two women who wanted to be champion. Physicality was off the charts and limits were tested.

Banks looked like The Boss of old, showing the flair and intensity that carried her to an NXT Women's Championship and multiple Raw women's titles. On the night, she was as good as she ever was, but Rousey was just one step better, using her strength to earn her the victory.

That is an easy story to tell and an easy one for fans to invest themselves in.

The post-match tease of a war between the Four Horsewomen of MMA and NXT is exactly what fans have been waiting for. It propels things forward and sets the stage for Banks, partner Bayley, Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch to channel all of their frustrations regarding Rousey into defeating Rowdy, Shayna Baszler, Marina Shafir and Jessamyn Duke when the time comes.

Overall, a match even better than expected.

WOMEN'S ROYAL RUMBLE MATCH

The 2019 Royal Rumble kicked off with recent NXT call-up Lacey Evans drawing No. 1. She cut a promo, vowing fans would witness history as The True Lady of WWE cleaned up the women's division and won the Rumble match.

Former SmackDown women's champion Natalya entered at No. 2, the perfect opponent for a young performer unproven on the main roster.

Evans matched The Queen of Harts move-for-move early before "God's Greatest Creation" Mandy Rose entered the fray at No. 3. Nattie outclassed her opposition before trapping them in a double Sharpshooter in a crowd-pleasing spot.

Out next at No. 4 was Liv Morgan, who immediately became the first woman eliminated from the match seconds later. Liv Morgan eliminated.

Mickie James was the next to enter the bout at No. 5 and wasted no time taking the fight to her opposition, delivering a nice neckbreaker to Rose. The former six-time women's champion nearly dumped Rose before pairing off with Evans.

Ember Moon entered at No. 6, upping the babyface quota to two. She immediately wiped out Natalya and James with a springboard cross-body block and flattened Evans with a front suplex. Corey Graves' love of Rose became evident as Moon attempted to eliminate her.

The IIconics' Billie Kay arrived at No. 7 as the ring began filling up. The loudmouthed Aussie refused to enter the match, saying she was waiting for partner Peyton Royce's entry.

Nikki Cross exploded into the chaos at No. 8, sprinting to the ringside area and shoving Kay to the ground. She scaled the ropes and wiped out every one of the women involved with a cross-body. She nearly eliminated Evans, but the newcomer staved off departure for the time being. Kay entered the match and tried to fight Cross but wound up on the receiving end of a beating.

Peyton Royce came to her aid moments later at No. 9. The IIconics double-teamed Cross before Royce ate a headscissors from Moon. Tamina entered the bout at No. 10. An exchange with James culminated in Mickie's elimination. Mickie James eliminated.

Entering at No. 11 was NXT's Xia Li, the first Chinese woman ever to compete in a WWE ring. A spinning kick from the Mae Young Classic competitor put down Tamina, and a few kicks leveled Evans and Moon. She escaped the grasp of Tamina and wiped her out.

The Riott Squad's Sarah Logan was out at No. 12, looking to introduce some of the anarchy the faction has become known for to the match.

The IIconics eliminated Cross to a chorus of boos. Nikki Cross eliminated.

Charlotte Flair, a heavy favorite to win the match, arrived at No. 13. She flattened Evans with a suplex, but The True Lady of WWE responded by eliminating The IIconics. Billie Kay and Peyton Royce eliminated.

Seconds later, Flair dumped Li. Xia Li eliminated.

2017 Mae Young Classic and former NXT women's champion Kairi Sane entered her second Royal Rumble match at No. 14. Meanwhile, Flair sent Tamina packing. Tamina eliminated.

Sane exchanged chops with Flair and delivered her Insane Elbow to Logan, who was eliminated with the help of Natalya. Sarah Logan eliminated.

Maria Kanellis entered at No. 15 and immediately broke up a face-to-face between Flair and Evans. The 2004 Diva Search contestant took the fight to Ember Moon.

Naomi arrived at No. 16 and immediately set her sights on Mandy Rose. A brief exchange on the apron led to Rose's departure. Mandy Rose eliminated. Moments later, Rose attempted to eliminate Naomi, who staved off the attack and used her raw athleticism to get back to the squared circle...only for Rose to knock her to the floor. Naomi eliminated.

Amid the commotion, Flair eliminated Evans. Lacey Evans eliminated.

Candice LeRae was a surprise entrant at No. 17 and immediately trapped Moon in an octopus submission. Alicia Fox was out next at No. 18 and eyed up Kanellis, who tried to make friends with the longest-tenured woman on the roster. They teamed up momentarily before Kanellis stomped on Fox's hat, necessitating a tantrum from Fox, who proceeded to dump her ally-turned-rival. Maria Kanellis eliminated.

No. 19 was former American Ninja Warrior contestant Kacy Catanzaro. The impressive athlete nearly eliminated Fox with a headscissors but ended up on the receiving end of a backbreaker.

Zelina Vega entered at No. 20 and came face-to-face with LeRae, revisiting the issues they had during the former's time in NXT. Ruby Riott arrived at No. 21, accompanied by Morgan and Logan, who had previously been eliminated. The trio targeted Flair, pulling her under the ropes and attacking her at ringside. They also eyed Fox and Vega. Riott dumped Fox. Alicia Fox eliminated.

The Riott Squad continued to make its presence felt, pulling women under the ropes. One, LeRae, was eliminated by Riott. Candice LeRae eliminated.

Dana Brooke was out at No. 22. Meanwhile, Riott continued her dominance, sending the 2018 NXT Woman of the Year Sane to the floor. Kairi Sane eliminated.

2018 Mae Young Classic finalist Io Shirai was the next to enter at No. 23, and she took the fight right to The Riott Squad, wiping all three out at ringside with her trademark moonsault.

The first NXT UK women's champion, Rhea Ripley, was out at No. 24. She paired off with Moon while Brooke tossed Catanzaro to the floor. Her feet never hit the floor, though, so she walked on her hands back to the squared circle, where she faced the wrath of Ripley, who tossed her out. Kacy Catanzaro eliminated.

Sonya Deville entered the match at No. 25.

Ripley dumped Brooke and Vega, who had been hiding under the ring and was chased back in by a cameoing Hornswoggle. Dana Brooke and Zelina Vega eliminated.

Out at No. 26 was former Raw women's champion Alexa Bliss, making her first in-ring appearance since October. Little Miss Bliss immediately delivered a moonsault to Moon before squaring off with Flair. A big right hand to Deville sent her packing. Sonya Deville eliminated.

No. 27 was Bayley, who benefited from a late entry for the second straight year. A ball of fire, she took down Bliss and Flair as chants of "Bayley" poured from the stands. She channeled her energy to eliminate Riott and Ripley. Ruby Riott and Rhea Ripley eliminated.

Out at No. 28 was Lana, who could barely walk as she sold her injured ankle from earlier in the show. She never entered the ring as fans chanted "we want Becky!" In the ring, Moon and Shirai staved off elimination.

Nia Jax, winner of the Evolution Battle Royal last October, entered at No. 29. She further injured the ankle of Lana, leaving the 28th spot in the match unfulfilled. Jax ran over Natalya, who broke the record for the longest-lasting woman in women's rumble history at 55:00. She eliminated Shirai. Io Shirai eliminated. Seconds later, she dumped Natalya. Natalya eliminated.

Carmella entered at No. 30, which we knew way before Sunday.

As the action unfolded, Becky Lynch entered the fray, replacing Lana. The crowd erupted as The Man came face-to-face with Jax, unloading on The Irresistible Force with a series of rights. She avoided elimination and dropped Jax with a dropkick.

Across the ring, Moon and Bliss had a strong exchange on the ring apron, each teasing elimination until Bliss did actually send Moon to the floor. Ember Moon eliminated.

Together, Bayley and Carmella worked together to eliminate Bliss. Alexa Bliss eliminated.

Carmella came off the top rope with a cross-body to Charlotte, who dropped her with a big backbreaker. The Princess of Staten Island tried for a headscissors, but Flair powered out. Moments later, Flair eliminated Carmella and nearly found herself dumped by Bayley. Carmella eliminated.

Jax eliminated Bayley, who hit the apron hard. Bayley eliminated.

The final three were Flair, Lynch and Jax as the crowd came alive.

Flair lifted Jax on her shoulders as Lynch continued to recover at ringside. It was The Man who pulled Jax to the floor and set up the Lynch-Flair finale. Nia Jax eliminated.

Jax attacked Lynch at ringside, pulling her off the ring steps and setting up an injury storyline. Like a shark smelling water, Flair targeted the knee, determined to end The Man's dream of heading to WrestleMania. Lynch nearly eliminated Flair, but a kick to the knee saved The Queen.

Lynch survived a big boot to the face, dumped Flair to the apron and clotheslined her to win the match. Charlotte Flair eliminated.

Result: Becky Lynch won the 2019 Royal Rumble

Grade: A+

Analysis: It started slow, but this match developed into a hell of a Rumble.

From the integration of stories, such as Naomi vs. Rose, Lynch vs. Jax and The Riott Squad's antics, to the surprise NXT entrants and a breakout performance by Lacey Evans, this had so much going on even before Lynch hit the ring.

Once she did, we saw a coming-of-age story for The Man, who shook off earlier disappointment and a knee injury to cash her ticket to WrestleMania.

On a night of fine pro wrestling, this stood head-and-shoulders above it all, a perfect example of how good a Rumble can be when all of the pieces come together and all the stories weaved in and out are engaging.

Kudos to WWE Creative for this one, even if it did lack the surprise Hall of Famers that last year's touted.

WWE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: AJ STYLES VS. DANIEL BRYAN

The WWE Championship match between AJ Styles and Daniel Bryan started slowly but picked up the moment The Beard targeted the left shoulder of The Phenomenal One, looking to punish and submit his greatest threat.

He grounded and punished Styles, including bloodying his nose, as he sought to defend his status as The Planet's Champion. An infuriated Styles, motivated by revenge, downed Bryan with a backbreaker and clubbed away with hard rights to the face.

The hard-hitting nature of the WWE title bout continued as Bryan caught him with a hard kick to the face, knocking Styles to the floor. The challenger answered, delivering his springboard inverted DDT to Bryan, whose head smashed into the floor in one of the more concerning moments of the match.

Back inside, Styles went for a springboard 450 splash, but the champion got the knees up. He applied the LeBell Lock. The Phenomenal One escaped and applied his own Calf Crusher as Bryan screamed in pain.

The champion survived and unloaded with a series of kicks to the body, including one to the previously injured arm of his opponent. Bryan set up Styles for a side superplex, but he landed on his feet and reapplied the Calf Crusher. A brainbuster followed moments later, though only for a count of two.

After a double-down spot, Erick Rowan returned to television. After a ref bump, he entered the ring and beat down Styles. Seconds later, Bryan scored the pin to retain his title.

      

Result: Bryan defeated Styles

Grade: B+

Analysis: Styles and Bryan wrestled an excellent fine match in silence because someone thought it was a good idea to put them in the death slot instead of Shane freaking McMahon.

Arguably their best match to date, a physical encounter that highlighted the significance of the WWE Championship, it deserved better than the reaction it earned.

The development of Rowan as an associate of Bryan is interesting and probably sets him up to be a follower of The Beard's vegan ways.

Rowan has always been a good hand, but he's never been a singles star. Positioning him with a lead heel is exactly the move that needs to happen for him to achieve the success desired.

UNIVERSAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: FINN BALOR VS. BROCK LESNAR

Not waiting to become the latest victim of Brock Lesnar's unmatched fury, Finn Balor took the fight to the universal champion, catching him off guard with a series of suplexes and strikes.

A big overhead suplex stunned Balor, but the Irish-born competitor targeted the midsection of The Beast Incarnate, sending him stomach-first into the exposed corner of the announce table as the commentary team reminded fans of Lesnar's history with diverticulitis.

Lesnar manhandled Balor but sold the midsection and just how much the physical exertion was taking out of him. Balor delivered a Sling Blade, but The Beast obliterated him with a lariat. He tried to follow up with suplexes but was unable to muscle up Balor, the midsection pain proving too much.

Balor countered out of an F-5 with a DDT for a near-fall. He followed up, stomping away at the stomach of his opponent. He wiped out Lesnar with two straight topes at ringside and then added a running dropkick to the face in the corner. The Coup de Grace followed, but Lesnar kicked out at two and applied the Kimura, looking for a submission out of Balor.

He got it, as The Extraordinary Man proved unable to survive the extraordinary pain of Lesnar's armbar.

Result: Lesnar defeated Balor

Grade: B+

Analysis: The story here outweighed the in-ring action while simultaneously elevating its grade.

Balor was smart, targeting a section of Lesnar's body that not only had been previously injured and subjected to trauma but also was in the drop zone for his finishing move. He had The Beast reeling and nearly pulled off the upset victory but fell just short, as Lesnar demonstrated how quickly he can turn the tide of a match when challenged.

That is a unique story we have not seen in quite some time, one in which Lesnar was not able to power his way to victory and had to tap back into his MMA career to pull out that Kimura.

The post-match beatdown proved just how in Lesnar's head Balor was, further putting him over as a Superstar deserving of the match and capable of downing The Beast in a high-profile situation.

There will be critics of Lesnar's victory, but this match was exactly what it needed to be for all involved.

Balor is legit, Lesnar is vulnerable and the Universal Championship has been at the forefront of two great, consecutive pay-per-view matches.

MEN'S ROYAL RUMBLE MATCH

The 2019 men's Royal Rumble match kicked off with Elias drawing No. 1 and serenading the Phoenix fans. In the first major surprise of the night, Jeff Jarrett, clad in his mid-'90s country music gear, entered at No. 2 and confronted the musician.

Elias broke up a proposed duet and took the fight to Jarrett, showing heel tendencies despite the fact he has been a babyface for the last three months. After thwarting a comeback by ol' Double J, he blasted the Hall of Famer with a guitar and sent him to the floor. Jeff Jarrett eliminated.

New United States champion and 2018 Royal Rumble winner Shinsuke Nakamura entered at No. 3.

The Superstars paired off, Elias taking a page from Undertaker's book and walking the ropes before arm-dragging Nakamura across the ring. At No. 4, another Hall of Famer hit the ring, as Kurt Angle entered his first Royal Rumble since 2005. He suplexed both opponents before stomping away at Elias in the corner.

At No. 5, Big E entered the Rumble, marking the first member of The New Day to arrive in the night's main event.

Angle made the mistake of squaring off with Nakamura, and his Rumble run came to an end. Kurt Angle eliminated.

Johnny Gargano joined the match at No. 6, drawing a big pop just 24 hours after defeating Ricochet to win the North American Championship. He muscled down Big E and delivered a slingshot spear to Elias as chants of "NXT" rained down from the stands.

No. 7 was former WWE champion Jinder Mahal, looking to do much better than he did a year ago. He targeted Gargano right away, something that proved problematic, as Johnny Wrestling kicked him to the floor. Jinder Mahal eliminated.

Moments after Big E fed Sunil Singh what Corey Graves described as "underwear pancakes," the mood changed, as Samoa Joe entered at No. 8. He eliminated Big E and dodged a cross-body from Gargano. Big E eliminated.

At No. 9 was Curt Hawkins, who rode the industry's longest losing streak into the most action-packed match of the year. Joe trapped him in the Coquina Clutch, but instead of dumping him, Hawkins rolled to the arena floor and under the ring, taking a page from Zelina Vega's book.

Rumble favorite Seth Rollins hit the ring at No. 10 and took the fight to Nakamura and flattened Gargano with a Falcon Arrow. He sent Elias packing. Elias eliminated.

Titus O'Neil entered at No. 11, ran to the ring and did not slip. He did chase Hawkins under the ring but became the butt of the Rumble joke again when he was dumped by the same Hawkins. Joe dumped Hawkins. Titus O'Neil and Curt Hawkins eliminated.

Kofi Kingston, master of Rumble elimination miracles, entered at No. 12. Mustafa Ali was up next at No. 13 and immediately targeted Joe. He taunted Nakamura and caught him with a dropkick that sent the U.S. champion to the floor. Shinsuke Nakamura eliminated.

Dean Ambrose entered at No. 14 and stared a hole through Rollins. Their rivalry was renewed in mere seconds as the two men exchanged blows. The Lunatic Fringe tried to dispose of Kingston, but Kofi staved off elimination as he has so many times, his feet never hitting the ground.

Ambrose did, though, dump Gargano. Johnny Gargano eliminated.

No Way Jose was out next at No. 15 but Joe eliminated him in near-record time. No Way Jose eliminated.

At No. 16, another heavy Rumble favorite entered, as Drew McIntyre stalked toward the squared circle. He punished Jose and obliterated two of the conga line members. Inside the squared circle, he leveled Rollins and Ambrose with Claymore Kicks before throwing fists with Joe.

Xavier Woods entered at No. 17, bringing the number of New Day members in the match to two. After some shenanigans involving Kingston's elimination again, McIntyre clotheslined both New Day members to the floor. Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods eliminated.

At No. 18, NXT United Kingdom champion Pete Dunne arrived in the match as a surprise entrant. He kicked Joe square in the face, brought McIntyre to his knees and attempted to eliminate Ali.

Next up was Andrade, making his second Royal Rumble appearance in a row at No. 19. He targeted Dunne and engaged him in a back-and-forth that ended with him escaping the Bitter End and countering into a DDT. The ring began to fill up with Apollo Crews' arrival at No. 20.

At No. 21, NXT's Aleister Black entered the match, drawing a pop from the WWE faithful. The former NXT champion delivered Black Mass, sending Ambrose to the floor in one of the most shocking submissions of the night. Dean Ambrose eliminated.

SmackDown veteran Shelton Benjamin entered at No. 22 and took the fight to Crews. Across the ring, Ali dumped Joe to a big pop. Samoa Joeeliminated.

Former interim Raw general manager Baron Corbin hit the ring at No. 23. He dropped Ali with Deep Six and sent Crews to the floor. Apollo Crews eliminated.

Jeff Hardy arrived at No. 24, drawing a big pop and injecting the match with some star power. He ate a big kick from Black, who soon found himself on the receiving end of joint manipulation from Dunne. Corbin seized an opening and dumped Black to a chorus of boos. Aleister Black eliminated.

McIntyre eliminated Dunne. Pete Dunne eliminated.

Rey Mysterio, at No. 25, sought his second Rumble victory. The crowd went wild as Bobby Lashley entered at No. 26, the run of high-profile stars continuing. Lio Rush accompanied him to the squared circle. Rollins dumped him right away, and the intercontinental champion beat down The Architect, sending him through the announce table for retribution. Bobby Lashley eliminated.

Braun Strowman entered the match at No. 27, replacing John Cena and eliminating Corbin immediately. Baron Corbin eliminated.

Strowman continued his path of destruction, sending Benjamin to the back, followed by Jeff Hardy. Shelton Benjamin and Jeff Hardy eliminated.

Dolph Ziggler showed up at No. 28 and eliminated McIntyre to the shock and surprise of the audience. Drew McIntyre eliminated.

Two-time Rumble winner Randy Orton entered the match at No. 29. The Viper came face-to-face with Strowman, unafraid of The Monster Among Men. He tried for an RKO but ate a powerslam instead.

At No. 30, R-Truth appeared but was beaten down by Nia Jax, who marched to the ring to enter the bout. She unloaded on Ziggler and Mysterio before eliminating Ali. Mustafa Ali eliminated.

Orton teased an RKO, though Jax did not back down. When she hoisted Mysterio overhead, Ziggler dropped her with a superkick. A 619 and RKO followed in the most surreal exchange in years. Mysterio and Orton teamed up to dump Jax. Nia Jax eliminated.

Orton eliminated Mysterio, and Andrade dumped The Viper. Randy Orton and Rey Mysterio eliminated.

Ziggler and Andrade squared off, countering and reversing each other's offense before Strowman bowled them over. He retrieved Rollins from the floor rather than have him surprise him. Ziggler, Andrade and Rollins, though, teamed up to ground Strowman. Together, the threesome ganged up on The Monster.

Strowman overpowered them, though, and dumped Andrade. Then Ziggler. Andrade and Dolph Ziggler eliminated.

Rollins nearly eliminated Strowman but ate a chokeslam. They fought onto the apron, where The Architect stomped him to win the match and cash his ticket to WrestleMania. Braun Strowman eliminated.

Result: Rollins won the Royal Rumble

Grade: B-

Analysis: Whereas the women's match had distinguishable storylines to follow, this was a lot of stuff happening for the sake of happening.

Ambrose, an elite Superstar who has been at the forefront of Raw, was eliminated by Black. Unless that was the start of a program, it was a wasted spot. Hardy, Orton and Mysterio are legitimate main event attractions for SmackDown Live, but they were cast aside like also-rans.

Ditto Ali, who had a strong showing but was dumped by Jax.

The Jax entry was awesome and a total surprise. She was strong, powerful and fearless in the face of threats by Orton and Co. On a night that will be defined by Becky Lynch, Jax was awesome and deserves more credit than she ever will receive.

Rollins winning and Strowman dominating were to be expected, but Andrade and Ziggler getting to shine were nice surprises.

All things considered, it was an above-average Rumble match, but there wasn't enough substance and the sizzle was surprisingly nonexistent to grade this anything higher than a B-minus.

Now, bring on Rollins vs. Lesnar and whatever uneventful segment of 'Mania Strowman will be involved in for the second year in a row.