5 things to binge on the WWE Network this week - part one: Battle Royals

#3 2020 Men's Royal Rumble match - 2020 Royal Rumble

Oh, Edge came back. Did you hear about that?

Over the past ten years, there's been one event WWE has put on that has consistently delivered. The Royal Rumble. Even if the rest of the card is garbage - which happens sometimes - the Rumble match itself is always an intriguing mix of storytelling, surprises, and just plain great entertainment.

Chances are, you've probably seen this match already, since Raw aired it in its entirety during their first "empty arena" episode in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. But, if you haven't, it's a real treat to watch. It's not particularly long, either - just a touch over an hour - and WWE packs that hour with a lot of fun stuff.

The beginning of the match - in fact, the whole first third of it - is essentially The Brock Lesnar Show. Lesnar had announced weeks earlier that he was entering the Rumble, and entering it at number 1. Which, I guess you're allowed to do? If that's the case, I want someone to announce they're entering at a totally arbitrary number one year.

"That's right! Heath Slater is entering the Rumble, and he's gonna enter at number 14, bay-BAY! ONE MAN BAND!"

During this portion of the match, you sort of get a microcosm of Brock as a performer. He's the dominant Beast we all associate with him being. But, he's also Sneaky Brock, tossing out someone who is supposed to be his friend when said friend's back was turned. You get Goofy Brock, as he dances to another entrant's theme music (needless to say, Brock spends quite a bit of time alone in the ring). Then, there's the Brock who is The Best At Selling, as he suffers a beatdown from a trio of Superstars, and fights his way back to eliminate them.

All of this leads up to his elimination at the hands of the eventual winner Drew McIntyre - with an assist from Ricochet - and that's when things really start to pick up. Obviously, you have the triumphant return of Edge, and that's a moment where, if you were to rewind it and watch it again fifty times in a row, nobody would think less of you.

While you have the PPV up, be sure to catch the Women's Rumble match, too. The ending isn't as satisfying as the men's match (and not even as remotely satisfying as the women's match the previous year), but it has plenty of surprises of its own, including a star-making performance from Bianca Belair.