The 5 most underrated aspects of WWE Royal Rumble 2016

Original finish?The ribbon has been cut and we are set on the Road to Wrestlemania! The 29th Royal Rumble was a good show overall, and certainly an improvement on its predecessor. From the lung-opener to the denouement, the first PPV of the year left us quite sated with its sizeable and toothsome morsels. But amid the pageantry and the brouhaha, there were some facets to the Rumble that were undervalued. After their moment in the sun, they were eclipsed by the main event, which underwhelmed with its lack of vintage touch and predictable finish. Here are a few we believed are worth mention:

#5 Tyler Breeze

These kicks are worth the pics

The man with some of the best dropkicks in the business has had some massively entertaining matches in the NXT. The botches in those matches are points of contention, but a wrestling match is a two-way process and perhaps better competition would his skills.

Breeze is so completely absorbed in his character that you’re convinced he sleeps in the fur-tasseled pants and sells his matches in a manner becoming of main roster talent.

#4 Sami Zayn

Future star

This was one of the most exciting sub-plots in the Rumble, and what made it so delectable was its undetectability. One thing that absolutely merits mention is his refreshingly different theme, which complements his personality so well.

Now to the pops he got when it played. EAR.SPLITTING. The former NXT Champion made a beeline for his old buddy Owens and got revenge for the injury that forced a 7-month layoff by eliminating him. It’s a shame that he’s not ready to graduate to the main roster yet, having been booked for the NXT Championship again.

#3 Kevin Owens

Owens makes ‘no frills’ work like no other

Dean Ambrose’s dance partner at the ball did not miss a step and helped put on one of the best Rumble matches in recent memory. The brutish, feral Owens has proved that he’s paid his dues and is putting all his years of experience into creating memories for the Universe.

Owens mirrored Ambrose in his ability to emanate and absorb pain. And let’s not forget the huge pops he got when he limped his way back to the battle royal and showboated after dispatching the biggest entrant, AJ Styles.

#2 Dean Ambrose

Where was this guy in the 90s?

The Lunatic Fringe probably ended the evening with the least appreciation for the lion’s share of the work. Everyone knows how important first impressions are and in that area, Ambrose did not disappoint at all.

The closest thing we have to a Hardcore legend in this era always brings his A-game, regardless of the role he has to play. He licks his lips when it comes to doling out treatment and almost welcomes cringe-worthy amounts of punishment.

Ambrose’s current booking is quite well-received but everyone’s wondering when he’ll move up the ladder. Oh, and did you hear, Ambrose wasn’t originally supposed to be one of the last two. The finish was improvised during the show because of the boos Roman Reigns brought on.

#1 AJ Styles

The best Rumble entrant ever?

‘The Phenomenal One’ walked out from under the titantron after 14 years and we dare say the wait was worth it. Like a good Pinot Noir, time has only enhanced Styles, who showed for the first time in a WWE ring why he’s considered one of the best wrestlers in the world.

Styles walked out at number 3 and lasted 28 minutes, forcing eyes to be trained on him throughout. What’s more, he also crossed a milestone that hasn’t been breached by any man in the WWE – eliminating Curtis Axel in the Royal Rumble. Now how many can boast of such a thing on debut?