Royal Rumble 2025: A Night of Chaos, Surprises, and WrestleMania Dreams
The WWE Universe was treated to one of the most electrifying Royal Rumble events in history on January 25, 2025. Held at the iconic AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, in front of a record-breaking crowd of over 80,000 fans, Royal Rumble 2025 delivered unforgettable moments, shocking returns, and a glimpse into the future of WWE. From jaw-dropping eliminations to surprise entrants, this year’s Royal Rumble had it all. Let’s break down the night that set the stage for WrestleMania 41.
The Build-Up: A Stacked Card and High Stakes
The road to Royal Rumble 2025 was filled with intense rivalries, dramatic twists, and high-stakes matches. The event featured not only the traditional 30-man and 30-women Royal Rumble matches but also several championship bouts that had fans on the edge of their seats.
Undisputed WWE Universal Championship: Roman Reigns (with Paul Heyman) defended his title against Cody Rhodes in a brutal No Holds Barred match. The rivalry between Reigns and Rhodes had reached its boiling point, with Cody vowing to finish the story he started two years prior.
Women’s World Championship: Rhea Ripley put her title on the line against Bianca Belair in a clash of powerhouses. The two had been trading victories on Raw, and this match was set to settle the score.
Intercontinental Championship: Gunther defended his title against a rising star, Carmelo Hayes, in a match that promised to be a technical masterpiece.
Tag Team Championships: The Usos faced off against the reunited team of Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn, reigniting one of the most storied tag team rivalries in recent memory.
But as always, the Royal Rumble matches were the main attraction. With WrestleMania main event spots on the line, the stakes couldn’t have been higher.
The Men’s Royal Rumble Match: A Star-Studded Affair
The men’s Royal Rumble match was a rollercoaster of emotions, featuring a mix of current superstars, surprise returns, and NXT call-ups. Here are the key moments:
Early Dominance: The match kicked off with CM Punk and Seth Rollins as the first two entrants, reigniting their storied rivalry. Punk, who had returned to WWE in 2024, was determined to prove he still had what it takes to main event WrestleMania.
Surprise Entrants: The crowd erupted when The Rock entered at number 15. The People’s Champion hadn’t been seen in a WWE ring in years, and his appearance sent shockwaves through the arena. Another huge surprise came at number 21, when John Cena made his return, proving that he still had gas left in the tank.
NXT Standouts: Carmelo Hayes and Bron Breakker represented NXT, showcasing their incredible talent and proving they belong on the main roster. Breakker, in particular, had a standout performance, eliminating several veterans before being thrown out by Gunther.
Final Four: The final four came down to CM Punk, Seth Rollins, The Rock, and a surprise final entrant: MJF. The AEW defector made his WWE debut at number 30, instantly becoming one of the most talked-about moments of the night.
The Winner: After an intense final showdown, CM Punk outlasted The Rock to win the Royal Rumble, punching his ticket to the main event of WrestleMania 41. The crowd erupted as Punk pointed to the WrestleMania sign, tears in his eyes, finally achieving his dream after years of setbacks.
The Women’s Royal Rumble Match: A Showcase of Excellence
The women’s Royal Rumble match was equally thrilling, featuring a mix of legends, current stars, and future icons. Here’s how it went down:
Early Highlights: The match started with Becky Lynch and Bayley, two veterans who set the tone for the chaos to come. Early eliminations included Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler, who were taken out by a returning Paige, much to the delight of the crowd.
Surprise Entrants: The women’s match also had its share of surprises. Sasha Banks (now known as Mercedes Moné) made her shocking return to WWE at number 18, receiving one of the biggest pops of the night. Another surprise came in the form of Jade Cargill, who entered at number 25 and immediately made an impact by eliminating several competitors.
NXT Representation: Roxanne Perez and Cora Jade represented NXT, showing why they are considered the future of the women’s division. Perez, in particular, had a standout performance, lasting over 20 minutes before being eliminated by Rhea Ripley.
Final Four: The final four came down to Becky Lynch, Sasha Banks, Jade Cargill, and Bianca Belair, who had lost her title match earlier in the night but entered the Rumble at number 28.
The Winner: In a shocking twist, Jade Cargill eliminated Becky Lynch to win the Royal Rumble, cementing herself as a top star in WWE. The crowd was stunned as Cargill celebrated her victory, setting her sights on the Women’s World Championship at WrestleMania.
Championship Matches: Drama and Excellence
Undisputed WWE Universal Championship: Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes delivered a brutal No Holds Barred match that will be remembered for years. Despite interference from The Bloodline, Cody managed to overcome the odds and defeat Reigns, ending his historic title reign and finally finishing the story.
Women’s World Championship: Rhea Ripley retained her title against Bianca Belair in a hard-fought match that showcased the incredible athleticism of both women. The match ended with Ripley hitting a devastating Riptide to secure the victory.
Intercontinental Championship: Gunther and Carmelo Hayes put on a technical masterpiece, with Gunther ultimately retaining his title after a grueling 20-minute match. Hayes earned the respect of the crowd, proving he belongs in the upper echelon of WWE.
Tag Team Championships: Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn defeated The Usos in a thrilling match, reclaiming the tag team titles and reigniting their feud with The Bloodline.
The Aftermath: Road to WrestleMania Begins
Royal Rumble 2025 set the stage for what promises to be an unforgettable WrestleMania season. CM Punk and Jade Cargill emerged as the winners of the Royal Rumble matches, earning the right to challenge for the top titles at WrestleMania 41. With Roman Reigns’ historic title reign coming to an end, the landscape of WWE has shifted dramatically.
The surprises, returns, and incredible performances made Royal Rumble 2025 a night to remember. As the WWE Universe looks ahead to WrestleMania, one thing is clear: the future of WWE is brighter than ever, and the road to WrestleMania 41 is going to be one hell of a ride.
Final Thoughts
Royal Rumble 2025 will go down in history as one of the most memorable events in WWE history. From shocking returns to emotional victories, the night had everything a wrestling fan could ask for. As the dust settles and the road to WrestleMania begins, the WWE Universe can’t help but wonder: what’s next? One thing’s for sure—WWE is firing on all cylinders, and the best is yet to come.
