5 things WWE got right at Royal Rumble: Seth Rollins wins, Brock Lesnar and Ronda Rousey surprise

Saturday’s WWE Royal Rumble had six matches. Apart from the Men’s and Women’s Rumble matches, two major championship bouts were booked for the show.

Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns competed for the Universal Championship. The Visionary looked set to continue his perfect record against Reigns in title matches.

Meanwhile, Bobby Lashley got his hands on Brock Lesnar in a one-on-one match at the Premium Live Event. Lashley had a point to prove after demanding the dream match for years.

Edge & Beth Phoenix teamed up for a blockbuster match against The Miz & Maryse to determine who’s WWE's 'It Couple.' Doudrop got her first title match at a Premium Live Event against Becky Lynch.

The night was full of surprises and saw many Hall of Famers return to the ring. Take a look at the five things WWE got right at this year’s Royal Rumble.

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#5. Roman Reigns got himself disqualified at WWE Royal Rumble

Seth Rollins was playing mind games with Roman Reigns early at Royal Rumble. He entered dressed in Shield attire and with the former group's music playing.

Reigns and Rollins locked in early, and The Visionary got the upper hand. He powerbombed Reigns through the announce table and countered a spear with a kick to the face. He nearly won with the Stomp, but the champ kicked out.

The Tribal Chief finally got the upper hand and started punishing his former partner. Rollins continued to stay on top as he laughed at his former partner and offered a fist bump. The Head of the Table locked in a guillotine choke and refused to let go even after Rollins reached the ropes. The referee called for a disqualification to award the win to The Visionary, but Reigns retained his title.

After the match, Reigns battered Rollins with several chair shots. The match was outstanding and delivered in the best way possible. Both men were protected in the finish, and Rollins looked like the stronger star at Royal Rumble.

The Tribal Chief still can’t beat Rollins, and that will likely lead to another epic match between the two. It'd be a shame if the creative team decides to make it a Triple Threat Match at WrestleMania.

#4. Edge and Beth Phoenix defeated The Miz and Maryse at WWE Royal Rumble

Beth Phoenix and Maryse started the mixed tag team match at WWE Royal Rumble. Maryse tried to get away from Phoenix, and her husband helped her escape the ring.

Edge and Miz tagged, and the heel got the better of The Rated-R Superstar right away. Edge hit a DDT and tagged his wife back into the contest. The Glamazon came in hot and hit Maryse with several strikes.

The Miz helped Maryse escape a pin attempt and took a beating from The Glamazon. Maryse struck Phoenix with her purse brick but couldn't keep her down for the pin.

Late in the match, The A-Lister caught Edge with his finisher but couldn’t put him away. Phoenix and Edge struck The Miz with a Spear at the same time before they hit Glamazon Slams to both opponents for the win.

The match could have been better, but the outcome was the right one. WWE could look to keep Edge and Phoenix together for some time after Royal Rumble. The Glamazon could also have some good matches on RAW, including a title both with Becky Lynch.

#3. Ronda Rousey returned to win the Women’s WWE Royal Rumble

Sasha Banks came out as the first superstar at the Women’s WWE Royal Rumble, followed by Melina. The two traded words but Banks scored the elimination just seconds later.

Legends continued to enter throughout the contest as Banks worked her way up in the match. She eliminated Kelly Kelly and looked like one of the favorites to win. Queen Zelina eventually eliminated her as Bianca Belair entered the contest.

Sonya Deville came out at #11 and joined commentary rather than immediately entering the match. Naomi followed and eliminated Deville. Many legends and Hall of Famers came in next before Ronda Rousey entered at #27.

The Baddest Woman on the Planet did well throughout the match and eliminated a few superstars. In the end, Flair charged at Rousey and Rousey caught her, suplexing her over the top rope for the win. It was a good match that put over a few superstars.

Rousey’s return was expected, and not many thought she would enter the Royal Rumble and win it. She will likely resume her rivalry with Becky Lynch which will lead to a massive contest at WrestleMania.

#2. Paul Heyman turned on Brock Lesnar to cost him the WWE Championship at Royal Rumble

Bobby Lashley and Brock Lesnar locked up for a massive match at Royal Rumble. Lesnar scored the first offense and laughed at his opponent. The All-Mighty responded by hitting a suplex of his own to get even with the champ.

The Beast Incarnate lost his cool and hit a couple of suplexes as both men looked to do maximum damage to each other. Lashley delivered two spears after slipping out of an F5 attempt from Lesnar. The Beast Incarnate dodged another Spear from Lashley and let him crash into the barricade at Royal Rumble.

Lesnar went for the F5 again but Lashley countered – locking in the Hurt Lock in the middle of the ring. Lesnar struggled to escape and drove Lashley backward into the referee. He hit an F5, but knocked the referee down and could not get the pinfall.

Roman Reigns came out of nowhere and delivered a Spear to Lesnar. Paul Heyman turned on his client and handed the WWE title belt to The Tribal Chief to lay put Lesnar. Lashley took advantage and pinned the champion to become the new WWE Champion at Royal Rumble.

The match was very physical, and the finish protected both the beasts. It was a really good way to turn Heyman and get him back with his Tribal Chief.

#1. Brock Lesnar won the Men’s WWE Royal Rumble match

AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura were the first two superstars in the Men’s WWE Royal Rumble match. Austin Theory joined the fray, followed by Robert Roode, who became the first superstar to be eliminated from the match.

Sami Zayn came out at #8 and Johnny Knoxville joined the match soon after. Knoxville took some moves from Styles and Montez Ford before Zayn eliminated him from the contest.

Omos entered as the first giant and took out everyone in sight. It took six superstars to eliminate him from the contest. Styles had a good run in the match before Madcap Moss eliminated him.

Drew McIntyre joined in at #21, followed by Kevin Owens and Rey Mysterio. Bad Bunny was one of the few surprise entrants in the men’s Royal Rumble along with Shane McMahon.

Expectedly, Brock Lesnar came out at #30 and went on a rampage. He eliminated five superstars, including McIntyre last, to win the match.

The Royal Rumble match was good and gave several upcoming superstars a good run. Many will argue that Lesnar did not need to win the Rumble match to go toe-to-toe with Roman Reigns again. However, The Tribal Chief will now have no excuse to wiggle out of the match.