WWE Royal Rumble 2019: 7 Moments That Stood Out

The 2019 Royal Rumble was a chaotic affair as many unexpected things occurred, but to be honest, going into this Royal Rumble show, fans were sure that WWE was going to surprise them. While the surprises may not have been what the WWE Universe wished for, it was certainly enough to keep the event from tanking.

From last-minute Royal Rumble entrants to title changes we never really saw coming, this Royal Rumble pay-per-view was packed with twists and turns, which shows that WWE is trying to improve their product by giving fans what they want.

While from a personal point of view I feel that the 2018 Royal Rumble matches were better than the ones we saw this year, let's just appreciate the creative team getting a few things right, and that too in shocking fashion.

#1 Shinsuke wins gold

Another title change, who would have thought?

The reign of Rusev as US Champion signified that WWE had finally started believing in the Bulgarian Brute, as after the fans made Rusev's gimmick one of the most popular in wrestling at one point, WWE had to notice right? Well, WWE did realize that Rusev could be a huge money maker for them, but it was sadly one year too late, as Rusev's gimmick is not that hot anymore.

However, no one expected him to lose the title he won just a few weeks ago on his first pay-per-view as champion, as Rusev fell to Shinsuke Nakamura via a distraction by Lana once again.

While Rusev should have still been the champ, Nakamura winning the title is sort of the right move as he was stuck on the pre-show after winning the Royal Rumble match a year ago. From all angles, this was a controversial decision that works in both superstars' favour, but it's a shocking moment no one really expected.

#2 Shane McMahon is a Tag Team Champion

Shane McMahon is more important than half the roster in 2019, what is going wrong here with the creative team? Earlier in this article, I said the creative team made a few right decisions at the Royal Rumble, but the decision of making Shane McMahon and The Miz Smackdown Live Tag Team Champions is a mistake.

This decision has probably destroyed the actual credibility of tag team wrestling on Smackdown Live. Moreover, this entire narrative with Shane and The Miz is destroying The Miz's credibility at the same time. How did WWE take the best heel in wrestling and turn him into a sappy babyface?

Well, they paired him with Shane McMahon and gave them the worst narrative possible, and while there were some cool spots in this match, the sight of Shane pinning Cesaro is surely going to dent The Bar's momentum going forward. This was a shocking decision WWE should have reconsidered.

#3 An unlikely ally

Is this the new version of CM Punk's SES?

Daniel Bryan is currently the best heel on Smackdown Live, as his portrayal of a vegan loving hippy is absolutely entertaining to watch, while AJ Styles, on the other hand, is in the prime of his life, as no one is better than Styles in between those ropes, so what could go wrong in a match between these two veterans?

Well WWE gave us the answer at the Royal Rumble, as sticking the WWE Championship match in a slot that would afford the match little to no reaction from the live crowd was a mistake.

Moreover, the fact of the matter is that this was a perfectly well-done match, but it had the unfortunate fate of having a tired crowd. As the only newsworthy thing that came from this match was the return of Erick Rowan, who aided Brayn in keeping his WWE Title.

Another screwy finish for a WWE Title match is just lazy at this point, but the prospect of Bryan forming his own group is an intriguing matter and Rowan being the first to pledge alliance to the goat-faced warrior was really shocking.

#4 Becky Lynch has the best and worst night of her career

The Royal Rumble was going to have one superstar that would take the event by storm, and it seems like that star was Becky Lynch. Lynch walked out to a crowd of roaring applause when she battled Asuka in the opening match of the night, and by just judging by her demeanour it is clear that Becky is being positioned as the top dog and it is great that she acts the part.

However, while fans expected Becky to lose to Asuka as rumours indicated that she would be battling Ronda Rousey at Wrestlemania, no one expected her to shockingly tap out to the Smackdown Women's Champion.

It left fans confused about what will the future hold for Lynch, and we didn't have to wait long, as we got the answer to that question a little later in the night.

After being injured with her collision with Rusev, Lana was unable to compete in the women's Royal Rumble match, Becky soon appeared to the crowd's delight and took her place.

From getting revenge on Nia Jax to eliminating her biggest rival in Charlotte to win the Royal Rumble match, this was a shocking memorable night for the young starlet. It is almost certain that Becky will challenge Roda Rousey for the Raw Women's Title, and boy, what a match that could be.

#5 Nia Jax takes one for the team

The Men's Royal Rumble match was a slight disappointment, to be honest, as there was no fresh spots, no big surprise entrants, and even Kofi Kingston's Royal Rumble spot didn't quite land as it should have.

But if someone told you that Nia Jax would provide the most entertaining spot of the entire match, you would probably troll that person non-stop. But folks Nia Jax gave this match the boost it needed when she took R Truth's spot in the match after destroying him.

Jax entered the fray and soon dominated the entire field. From wiping out Rey Mysterio to eliminating Mustafa Ali, Jax was on fire, until she was destroyed by a superkick, a 619 and a freaking RKO.

For those who are saying that intergender wrestling in WWE is a mistake, Nia's part in the Royal Rumble sold her as a monster who needed the most protected moves in wrestling to take her out, it was shocking, it was brilliant.

#6 Brock Lesnar destroys Balor

The post-match confrontation was more shocking than anything else.

The match between Brock Lesnar and Finn Balor was never going to be a back and forth encounter, as WWE would never book a match between Lesnar and Balor as a competitive match?

Well think again, as WWE actually gave Balor enough chances in this match to take Lesnar to the limit, and we got a really good match, that saw Balor miss by an inch to win the Universal Title.

Lesnar tried everything in his arsenal to beat Balor, but nothing worked until the last moment when Lesnar pulled out his devasting submission hold to make Balor tap out.

And after winning, Lesnar decided to destroy Balor some more, which is something he never did before since he became Universal Champion, Lesnar is a prizefighter he doesn't make things personal, and that is his kayfabe key to success, as winning is all that matters.

That is why when Lesnar decided to make things personal it meant his ego is hurt, that a man smaller than him could actually take his Universal Title.

This was a shocking piece of booking as WWE gave Balor more credibility here than a title win could ever, and for those who are angry with Lesnar winning, rewatch this match and the post-match beatdown, analyze it and rethink what WWE did here, cause it was just genius.

#7 Rollins wins the Royal Rumble

Could this be the scenes at Wrestlemania?

WWE actually did it; they gave the fans what they wanted for a very long time, a Royal Rumble winner that will actually go on to big things at Wrestlemania.

Seth Rollins outlasted 29 other game superstars at the show this year to become the number one contender for the Universal or WWE Title. And it is no secret that Seth will go on to face Brock Lesnar at Wrestlemania, as it is just what Raw needs, a strong main event.

Rumours did incaite that Seth will win, but no one actually thought it would actually happen, as WWE is known for not giving fans what they want, so when Seth stomped Braun Strowman's head into the mat and won the match, we were as shocked as he was. So Rollins now marches on to the biggest match of his career, and we just have to wait and see how it unfolds.