Clicks n' Kicks: This week in WWE Superstars' Instagram accounts - Royal Rumble Edition

Wrestlemania Season is officially underway, with the first stop on the road to New Orleans being Philadelphia, where the stars came out for one unbelievable weekend.

Week-after-week, we take a look back at the previous week, through the eyes of your favorite Superstars' Instagram posts. This week will be a little bit different as we focus primarily on posts that pertain to the events of this past weekend, which were NXT Takeover and The Royal Rumble.

NXT continues to raise the standard at each of their Takeover events. It seems that no matter how many NXT Superstars get elevated to the main roster, the Yellow Squad always reloads with talent that is just as good, or even better. NXT Takeover: Philadelphia ranks right up there with the Takeover events of the past, as well as raising the bar for those events to come.

As far as The Royal Rumble, the showcase event of the weekend certainly delivered as well. With the first ever Women's Royal Rumble, combined with the number of surprise entrants in both the men's and women's Rumble match, it was definitely a weekend to remember. Now let's take a look back at the events of the weekend, via Instagram.

---

#15 Time to play the game

As NXT Takeover: Philadelphia was set kickoff, WWE COO Triple H wanders around the Wells Fargo Center, making sure no stones were left unturned.

Since the inception of NXT, Triple H has been credited for being the creative brains behind the massive success which the Yellow Brand has enjoyed and this past weekend, the Superstars of NXT certainly delivered.

#14 40 never looked so good

One of the best things about this year's Royal Rumble pay-per-view was the number of surprise entrants in the inaugural Women's Royal Rumble Match. Former 2-time Women's Champion Molly Holly was one of those pleasant surprises.

In fact, Molly appears to be the one who has changed the most. Her new look has her looking very good, especially for 40-year old WWE alumni.

#13 EC3 gets another chance

NXT once again delivered on the same scale that we, the fans, are used to seeing. Philadelphia was the host city for one of the most exciting Takeover events to date.

During Takeover: Philly, we caught a quick glimpse of a few new, incoming NXT signees, including EC3. For those who are not aware, this won't be EC3's first go 'round with WWE's developmental system.

Back in 2009, EC3 was a member of the FCW roster but was known as Derrick Bateman. He would remain with the company through the revamping of FCW, as it changed over to NXT. EC3 stuck around until mid-2013, at which time he was released by the company.

#12 Welcome home, Glam.

As I previously mentioned in the Molly Holly post, there were plenty of surprises in the Women's Royal Rumble Match. Another one of those pleasant surprises was the arrival of WWE Hall of Famer 'The Glamazon' Beth Phoenix.

Beth had an epic staredown with Nia Jax during the match. Unfortunately, Beth only lasted a little over 2 minutes, thanks to being blind-sided by Natalya and thrown over the top rope.

#11 STAND BACK....there's a hurricane coming

Keeping with the theme of surprise entrants in the Royal Rumble Match, former WWE Cruiserweight legend Hurricane Helms entered the Rumble match at number 21. The Hurricane was a huge hit with the Philadelphia crowd, but his time in the match was short-lived. After being back inside WWE ring only 45 seconds, he was quickly eliminated by John Cena.

#10 Takeover Machine...

As the NXT camera's occasionally panned over the crowd inside The Wells Fargo Center, fans erupted with a huge pop as new NXT tag team War Machine appeared on the big screen.

Ray Rowe and Hanson recently signed a WWE contract and immediately reported to the WWE Performance Center, to begin training. Don't be surprised if you see War Machine on NXT TV sooner than later. These guys are a legitimate, successful and dominate tag team, expected to do big things in the WWE.

#9 A champions entrance

The best match of the entire weekend may go to the main event of the NXT Takeover: Philadelphia event.

For over a half-hour, NXT Champion Andrade 'Cien' Almas went to war with challenger Johnny Gargano. In the end, Almas successfully retained his title. Almas would also go on to make an appearance the very next night in The Royal Rumble Match.

#8 BOO-YA-KA!

The biggest surprise of the entire Royal Rumble weekend was the return of Rey Mysterio. Entering the match as the number 27 entrant, Mysterio lasted roughly 10 minutes before finally being eliminated by Finn Balor.

There are currently rumors swirling which suggest that Rey could very well be headed back to the roster full-time. Despite being 43 years old, Rey can still get down with the best of today's youngsters half his age.

Not only that, but he's always been a huge hit with the WWE Universe, so his return, regardless of how long it may be, would be a welcomed addition.

#7 Naomi soaks in the knowledge

Naomi posted this epic photo of her alongside WWE Hall of Fame Women's Superstar Jacqueline. Miss Jackie was certainly a trendsetter, someone who was years ahead of her time. I'm sure that Naomi would love to be remembered as someone who was even remotely as good as Jacqueline was during her time.

#6 The cream always rises to the top

If there's ever been a time for a jolt to the WWE tag team division, now's that time. The Authors of Pain have run completely through the NXT roster and now they're looking for some new competition to dine on.

Under the tutelage of Hall of Fame manager 'Precious' Paul Ellering, Rezar and Akam are poised to step up to the challenge that the main roster would surely pose.

#5 When monsters collide

WWE creative officials did a great job with the buildup towards The Royal Rumble, especially when it comes to the big triple threat match for the WWE Universal Championship.

When the dust finally settled, there was only room for one monster at the top and on this night, it was The 'Beast Incarnate' Brock Lesnar, who retained his Universal TItle.

#4 Can anyone stop her?

When she was in Japan, she dominated. When she arrived in NXT, she dominated. When she was elevated to the WWE main roster, she continued to dominate. When she entered the Inaugural Women's Royal Rumble Match...she continued to dominate in route to winning the Rumble and punching her ticket to co-headline Wrestlemania 34.

Asuka is a rare, one-of-a-kind type of performer. She has this unique, undeniable presence inside the ring, that I have never seen in another female sports-entertainer. I look forward to seeing her on the big stage in New Orleans, for Wrestlemania 34.

#3 Business just picked up, ladies.

It was the shock of the century, in regards to women's wrestling. For those who said Ronda Rousey would never sign a WWE contract... this one is for you.

At the conclusion of The Royal Rumble pay-per-view, as Asuka was basking in the glory of a huge victory, Joan Jett's 80's hit-single "Bad Reputation" began playing as Ronda Rousey made her way to the ring. It's also worth noting that Ronda wore 'Rowdy' Roddy Piper's leather jacket to the ring. Piper's son had previously given the jacket to her as a gift, as Ronda was a longtime Piper fan.

#2 The past meets the future

Following the men's Royal Rumble Match, NXT Champion Andrade 'Cien' Almas and his lovely valet, Zelina Vega, caught up with WWE legend Rey Mysterio backstage, for this candid photo, which was posted on NXT's official Instagram page.

Almas was one of the surprise NXT entrants in the Royal Rumble match, and to be honest, Almas did quite well, especially for someone who is brand new to the company. Almas entered the match as the number 7 entrant and lasted nearly 30 minutes before being eliminated by Randy Orton.

#1 Nakamura is headed to Wrestlemania!

Shinsuke Nakamura capped off what was an incredible Men's Royal Rumble Match, as Nakamura entered the match as the number 14 entrant, and remained in the contest until the very end, where he was crowned the winner of the 2018 Rumble match.

Following this historic match, Nakamura was asked who he would be challenging at Wrestlemania. He responded by announcing he would take on AJ Styles, for the WWE Championship, much to the delight of the WWE Universe.