6 Biggest Takeaways From WWE Royal Rumble 2021

2. Sasha Banks Retains SmackDown Women’s Championship

In a TLC rematch, Sasha Banks faced Carmella. The match was really good but unnecessary. It has only gone and derailed any momentum Carmella has had with this new gimmick, ripping away any faith of her winning her rivalries.

Although I do have to admit, I am a Carmella fan. She has improved immensely since debuting on the main roster in 2016 – leaps and bounds for her to be fighting toe-to-toe with Banks for the SmackDown Women’s Championship on a big four pay-per-view.

Furthermore, she hit a wicked-looking suicide dive, which could easily have gone wrong!

 

Carmella eventually tapped to the Bank Statement, further solidifying that Banks vs Belair is seemingly on the way.

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6. Edge Wins Men’s Royal Rumble Match

Finally, let’s discuss the overbooked hecticness that we all know and love, the annual men’s Royal Rumble.

This started with the pre-announced entries of Edge and Randy Orton, proving the fire still burns between the two ‘Greatest Wrestling Match Ever’ competitors. A fire that doesn’t burn anymore is the ones Orton suffered at the hands of Alexa Bliss. He never wore a mask or had any signs of trauma. I guess the Fiend only haunts him on Mondays.

Nevertheless, Orton left with more injuries as Edge hit the Edgecution on the commentary table then relentlessly whacked his legs with a steel chair. This resulted in medical staff evacuating Orton backstage. As fans, we all knew he’d be back…

 

Other engaging moments saw the returns of Carlito and Christian. Both popped me hard and both I’d adore seeing have one more exciting run for the company. Additionally, when Christian and Edge embraced in a friendly hug, I was a wreck. Who says wrestling fans are emotionless fools who crave violence?!

This match also saw the main roster debut of Damian Priest. Kane and Daniel Bryan also shared a Team Hell No reunion, likewise with Xavier Woods and Big E.

One notable thing that was triggering here was Ricochet’s entry in the Royal Rumble. This was confusing seeing as AJ Styles beat him in a qualifying match a few weeks ago.

To keep with the mainstream and the youth, Bad Bunny hit a crossbody onto Miz & Morrison after Miz trashed his DJ set near the ramp.

Later in the match, we saw Daniel Bryan and Riddle put on a casual wrestling match. Enough action to excite us but also keep us wanting much more! Daniel Bryan was my prediction to win this match, as he was for many.

I have lost any hope in Bryan ever winning a Rumble now after Rollins returned from paternity, sticking to his Messiah gimmick, and eliminating the former WWE Champion. I could easily see Rollins vs Bryan feature at the Grandest Stage of Them All.

Eventually, Edge managed to outlast every other competitor and become a two-time Rumble winner – oh wait, nope. He has just been RKO’d! This is obviously the rumored terrible suggestion that Orton is going to win and renew his rivalry with Drew McIntyre. The fans are desperate to see them get it on again.

Luckily, Edge managed to swerve the Irish whip and eliminate Orton for the show to end with Edge chasing his dreams at 47 years young.

In hindsight, having Edge win was the best choice. His promo on last week’s Raw proved this championship win means everything to him. Plus, if he does become the champion, we would be on the trail of incredible Edge dream matches. Just thinking about Edge vs McIntyre, Edge vs. Keith Lee, Edge vs Ricochet, Edge vs AJ Styles is exhilarating, and honestly, Bryan and SmackDown never needed the win.

The blue brand is definitely gearing up for the most thrilling Elimination Chamber match.

Whatever the road to WrestleMania entails, it is fair to say they have got fans anticipating the next few shows for the first time in months. Well done, WWE.

• bianca belair
• Edge
• Royal Rumble
• wwe

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