Arena: Simmons Bank Arena
City: North Little Rock, AR
After a short celebration of the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who we remember on this day, they show Seth “Freakin” Rollins arriving with daughter in his arms. Then they showed Jinder Mahal arriving.
The American Nightmare Cody Rhodes is first out to the ring. As Cody starts to talk about the Royal Rumble he is quickly interrupted by Drew McIntyre. Drew begins by telling Cody they are the same age, and he is proud of him. Drew said when they were younger, they were WWE Tag Team Champions as the Dashing Ones. The last match they had before Drew came back to WWE, Cody told him that he was going to be a world champion and he has done it twice and Drew told him keep doing what you’re doing, and you are going to be the first member of your family to raise that championship and you are going to finish your story but not before I finish mine.
Cody then lists the fact that he could win and a list of other people like Jey Uso or CM Punk could win. Drew then tells Cody to just be yourself and quit wearing the suits all the time you’re not running for office. Be the real Cody. Cody said he is grateful for his second chance and Drew complains about him.
Cody then tells Drew they can finish this at the Rumble, and you talk about this last match we had…but who won? He left the ring and Drew just put his head down.
Damian Priest confronts R-Truth and tells him to stop peddling Judgment Day merchandise in the parking lot and then handed Priest some money and he said he will give everyone in the Judgment Day a cut of the merchandise sells.
JD McDonagh & Dominik Mysterio VS. DIY
With JD down on the mat, Ciampa tags Gargano and as JD gets up, they meet him in the middle with the double knee and Gargano pins him.
Winners: DIY
Candace LeRae and Indi Hartwell were talking to Adam Pearce and Chelsea Green and Piper Niven come in and Chelsea demands a rematch and Pearce said you had your chance and blew it, but Indie and Candace are looking for an opportunity and Piper quickly accepts.
Piper Niven & Chelsea Green VS. Candace LeRae & Indi Hartwell
Chelsea went for a move on Indi and did not know Candace was legal and Indi held her, and Candace jumped off the rope and pinned her.
Winners: Candace LeRae & Indi Hartwell
The Judgment Day are shown and Rhea said she had to go. Finn asked where he was and he said he was the only one concerned about Drew running his mouth and JD asked why they are not beating R-Truth and Priest said he earns for us and JD asked if he gets a cut and Priest said I don’t know your name isn’t on the shirt.
Ludwig Kaiser announces the longest reigning Intercontinental Champion in history Gunther. Gunther said last year he entered the Royal Rumble at number 1 and went all the way to the end and was one elimination away from winning it. So, this year he is going to win the whole thing.
Gunther then turned his attention to Kaiser for what happened to Vinci and what he did to Kofi, and he said he loved what Kaiser did to Kofi. He tells him well done and hugs him. Xavier Woods came out and said he and Ludwig have a problem and challenges Ludwig to a match. Kaiser said how dare you challenge me after what I did to Kofi last week. It’s nothing compared to what I will do to you tonight, I accept.
Woods immediately attacked Kaiser.
Ludwig Kaiser VS. Xavier Woods
After the action spilled outside the ring, the referee called for the bell after Woods hit Kaiser over the back with one of the announcer’s chairs. Kaiser tried to do to Woods what he did to Kofi last week, but Woods reversed and had Kaiser against the steel ring post and threw the ring steps at him, but Kaiser was able to move and ran into the crowd.
Winner by DQ: Ludwig Kaiser
Big Bronson Reed was shown, and he said there is a man who holds a championship right now in WWE that doesn’t realize that soon it will belong to Big Bronson Reed.
Byron Saxton interviewed Xavier Woods, but Kaiser came and attacked him again. Jey Uso made the save.
Akira Tozawa VS. Ivar
As Ivar goes to the top rope, Maxxine Dupri gets on the apron and distracts Ivar, Tozawa catches Ivar into a powerbomb off the second rope and pins him.
Winner: Akira Tozawa
After the match Valhalla attacked Dupri and Ivar crushed Tozawa with the moonsault.
Alpha Academy checked on Tozawa and Gable said he will face Ivar next week.
Rhea Ripley comes to the ring. She starts by saying she is tired of people like Nia Jax saying it’s their division and says it’s her division and that is why she has the title. This prompts Becky Lynch to come out. Becky says there is a little voice in her head that says Rhea is better than she is but there is only one way she can prove it and that’s win the Royal Rumble and challenge her and take that title at WrestleMania.
Rhea told her there is only one person that wants her to win the Royal Rumble more than she does and that is her. And told Becky she would see her at WrestleMania.
Jackie Redmond interviewed Seth “Freakin” Rollins. Seth says he is a fighting champion. Said he is facing a deserving Jinder Mahal tonight.
The Miz & R-Truth VS. Damian Priest & Finn Balor
Priest was arguing with Truth but gave him the South of Heaven chokeslam and Finn rolled over and pinned him.
Winners: Damian Priest & Finn Balor
Jackie Redmond interviewed Jinder Mahal. Jinder said he has clarity and will beat Seth tonight and become world champion.
Shinsuke is shown and warns Cody to keep an eye open because a hungry Shinske is a dangerous Shinske.
Zoey Stark & Shayna Baszler VS. Natalya & Teagan Nox
Shayna locked Natalya in a choke and Natalya had to tap out.
Winners: Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark
Jinder Mahal VS. Seth “Freakin” Rollins for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship
Indus Sher is out with Mahal and kept getting involved. Priest was out thinking about cashing in his briefcase, but Drew came out and the two battled to the back. After receiving the briefcase to the head and a Jinder’s version of the cobra clutch slam, it was Seth who hit the stomp on Jinder to retain the championship.
Winner and Still WWE World Heavyweight Champion: Seth “Freakin” Rollins
