5 craziest things from the Royal Rumble 

2018's edition of the Royal Rumble
2018's edition of the Royal Rumble

We have finally had the 2018 edition of the Royal Rumble, with both men and women's matches having talking points aplenty, returning legends and crazy spots. With Shinsuke Nakamura and Asuka making it a clean sweep for Japanese wrestling across both Rumble matches, and both AJ Styles and Brock Lesner retaining in their respective men's World Championship matches. There were some fully crazy moments from last nights show, however, with plenty of honorable mentions:


#5 Lita

Lita making her triumphant return to a WWE ring
Lita making her triumphant return to a WWE ring

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With so many slots up for grabs in the first-ever women's Royal Rumble match, there was a high chance of there being surprise entrants. As many of the women from previous years would have been around the WWE since Raw 25 on Monday, it was odd that Lita was not involved in the show at all. This confusion was further enhanced by Lita commenting on the absence herself and saying she didn't know why she had not been included.

Fast forward 6 days and #5 entrant's music hits the speakers and the former WWE women's champion Lita runs out of the curtain to the delight of the watching Philadelphia crowd. Lita retired over 10 years ago with neck injuries and for her to return and go on to eliminate two current superstars as well as perform her signature top turnbuckle moonsault, it was an exciting and strong appearance.

#4 Kofi Kingston

The Power of Pancakes
The Power of Pancakes

It wouldn't be a Royal Rumble match without another ingenious and usually hilarious way for Kofi Kingston to avoid elimination. Attempts in the past have included an announcers chair as a pogo stick and walking on his hands.

This year, Kofi was seemingly eliminated by Jinder Mahal after his New Day brethren also fell to the 'Modern Day Maharaja'. However, by planting one foot on the ground and one on the chest of a prone Xavier Woods, Kofi was able to avoid instant elimination.

By using a plate full of pancakes, Kofi got his balance, and then somehow, with the use of Big E and Xavier, launch himself from the ground and over Jinder's head! Jinder, being completely caught off guard was then thrown over the top by Kofi.

This joy only lasted mere seconds before the NXT champion Andrade 'Cien' Almas unceremoniously dumped Kofi over the top and sent him to the back.

#3 Brock and Brawn

Two can play that game Brawn
Two can play that game Brawn

This crazy moment was seemingly not part of the intended show, with a dazed and confused look on both men's faces afterward. Brawn had Brock on his knees and threw a strong knee to the shoulder area of Brock.

The knee, however, was thrown at such force that it went straight into the side of the head of Brock and completely knocked him sideways. From the look on Brock's face, he was not best pleased with the accidental "strong" knee, so to let Brawn know he was not to be taken lightly, Brock proceeded to hit Brawn with the straightest right-hand punch to the side of the head that has been seen on WWE TV in years.

The punch was definitely not one of the 'working punches' we are used to seeing on TV and it legitimately made Brawn stagger for a moment to his knees, with his face suggesting he had felt the full effect of the punch.

#2 Rey Mysterio

Boyaka Boyasak, 619
Booyaka Booyaka, 619

Everyone's favorite underdog and a 28 year veteran of the sport, Rey Mysterio Jr finally made his return to a WWE ring since leaving in 2014 and it was hit with a monumental noise from the Philly crowd. Rey has been performing across the world for Lucha Underground, AAA, and various Indy promotions and has made it known that he wasn't itching to be back in WWE anytime soon, largely due to the schedule and money he can make off of appearances.

Still, it cannot be denied the decibel level of the Philly arena when '619' hit the speakers and Rey ran down the ramp. Eliminating Adam Cole and hitting 619's to Reigns, Cena, The Miz and Randy Orton, it was just like old times for the Mexican sensation. It remains to be seen if this was just a one-off appearance, but the WWE Universe must be clamoring for more in-ring action from Rey Mysterio.

#1 Ronda Rousey

Rowdy Ronda Rousey has entered the WWE
Rowdy Ronda Rousey has entered the WWE

The winner of the 2018 Women's Royal Rumble match was not a surprise in itself. Asuka is undefeated in WWE / NXT, and so after her biggest rival Nia Jax was eliminated, it was only a matter of time before Asuka cleared the ring and took her prize of a title shot against either Charlotte or Alexa Bliss at WrestleMania 34.

The surprise, however, was the entrance and appearance of Ronda Rousey, the former UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion and now official member of the WWE. Coming out with Rowdy Roddy Piper's trademark t-shirt and leather jacket, Ronda smiled at the audience and made her way to the ring to point at the WrestleMania sign, and potentially tease a confrontation with Charlotte.

Leaving the ring without a word and a handshake with Stephanie McMahon, Ronda left the way she came, leaving WWE fans wondering what was next for the 'baddest women on the planet'.

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Edited by Akhilesh Tirumala
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