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The Royal Rumble began as a one-off, a prestige event to be aired on the USA network just when the rivalry between the National Wrestling Alliance and what was then called the World Wrestling Federation was heating up.
After the NWA aired its Clash of the Champions broadcast, a PPV quality free offering that also happened to air at the exact same time as Wrestlemania IV. The high ratings garnered by the Clash of the Champions proved that the burgeoning cable television audience would tune into pro wrestling prestige level events.
So the WWE presented the Royal Rumble for free on the USA network, and it became an instant hit. So much so that it's become an annual tradition with the highest of stakes; a main event title shot at Wrestlemania.
The Royal Rumble 2020 left many people with mouths gaping in astonishment at the surprises, some hinted at and others exploding out of the blue. Here are five takeaways from the mega event.
#1 Drew McIntyre's rise to the main event has finally begun
Can you believe it's been over ten years since Vince McMahon stood in the ring with Drew McIntyre and proclaimed that the Scottish Psychopath would one day be the WWE's big belt champion?
It has indeed. Back in 2009, McIntyre was elevated to Smackdown after spending two years in WWE's FCW promotion. But after being proclaimed a future main event star, his career sputtered.
Now, however, McIntyre finally seems poised to assume the mantle of Chosen One that had been dispensed upon him so many years ago. He won the Royal Rumble, and he even eliminated the Beast Incarnate himself, Brock Lesnar. If that's not setting the stage for a future clash, we don't know what is.
#2 Charlotte will compete for a title for the third Wrestlemania in a row
While it's true that Becky Lynch is arguably the biggest face in the WWE right now, in many ways Charlotte continues to be the uncrowned champion of the women's division.
While the most obvious explanation for this is that the company believes in her, this disregards the fact that on a technical performance level, Charlotte is one of the top ten best pro wrestlers in the world -- and that includes both male and female Superstars.
Charlotte is not only a second generation pro wrestler, her influence spreads far beyond that sphere. Based solely upon her familial connections, Charlotte would have had a career pretty much guaranteed. But it's her drive, innovation, and commitment to her performances which have catapulted her to the title picture again and again.
By winning the Royal Rumble, Charlotte is making a statement that she's the uncrowned queen of the WWE women's division. Look for her to add to her considerable legacy as Wrestlemania season gears up.
#3 Edgeheads may commence with rejoicing
Unless you're living under a rock, you've probably heard about the legendary return of Edge.
Way back in 1997, Edge began his WWE career playing a 'lost soul'. But he looked anything but lost when he climbed into the ring at the Royal Rumble and started delivering a vicious spear to everyone in sight.
Despite the rumors which sort of spoiled the surprise of his sudden return, the fans went absolutely wild. Edge is a rare star who bridges the Attitude and PG eras, and fans are known to be a nostalgic lot.
Edge looked good, physically fit, his neck injuries healed to the point where WWE has cleared him to a part time schedule similar to Brock Lesnar. While you probably won't be seeing Edge wrestle every night on Raw or Smackdown, his re-insertion into the WWE landscape is the cause for rejoicing to the many Edgeheads who never got over his sudden and sad retirement.
Welcome back, Edge, and here's hoping that you can retire on your own terms this time around.
#4 Humberto Carillo and Andrade were a hard act to follow
Sometimes, you have to wonder what's happened to the status of mid card championships in the WWE.
At one time, the Intercontinental championship was considered to be a highly prestigious title. Conversely, the United States championship was enough of a 'big belt' in the old NWA to warrant being worthy of the main event of Clash of the Champions, when Sting sought to wrest the title from Barry Windham.
Now, however, the belt is usually contested on the pre-show of PPVs. But don't tell Humberto Carrillo or Andrade that their match was on the pre-show; the two men delivered a blistering display of technical wrestling peppered with beloved lucha libre spots at the Royal Rumble.
The match was so brilliant, that you have to feel sorry for the WWE Superstars who had to try and follow it. Here's hoping that WWE restores the US title to its old prominence, as well as recognizing the talents of Carillo and Andrade belong on the main card, not the pre-show.
#5 Shayna Baszler could transition to the main roster soon
Charlotte may have won the Royal Rumble, but there may have been a superstar who shined even brighter in defeat; The Queen of Spades Shayna Baszler.
The former Mixed Martial Arts champion and pioneer of the MMA Four Horsewomen entered the Rumble at number thirty and immediately began clearing house. It's a nigh certainty that when her music hit fans fully expected her to walk out the winner. After all, the coveted number thirty spot has produced a number of winners.
When Baszler started tossing bodies over the top rope left and right, her victory seemed all but assured.
Of course, Charlotte was able to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat at the last moment, but the impression Shayna left upon not only the WWE Universe but the entire wrestling landscape is unmistakable; It's time for her to step up into the lime light on the same level as Charlotte, Becky Lynch and Asuka.
All hail the Queen of Spades. Long may she reign.
