5 things WWE got right at Royal Rumble 2021 - Former WWE Champion wins main event; Former Universal Champion returns

#3 Kevin Owens gave it his all at WWE Royal Rumble

😱😱😱@WWERomanReigns just sent @FightOwensFight FLYING out of the virtual stands and through a table! #RoyalRumble #UniversalTitle pic.twitter.com/nMAE0a1CWF

— WWE (@WWE) February 1, 2021

WWE Royal Rumble hosted a Last Man Standing Match for the Universal Championship between Kevin Owens and Roman Reigns. Reigns walked out without Jey Uso but had Paul Heyman on his side. Right after the referee called for the bell, both men went right at each other.

A Superman Punch allowed Reigns an early opening, but KO countered a Spear and hit a Popup Powerbomb. All hell broke loose from there on as both men were ready to end each other’s careers to set an example.

Reigns used the steel steps and then took a Steel Chair to beat down his challenger at Royal Rumble. KO refused to stay down and continued to fight his way back into the match. The two men approached an elevated platform and The Tribal Chief threw KO down from the edge into some tables.

KO still managed to beat the count though, and the two men headed backstage where the action got even more crazy. Reigns ran KO over with a golf cart, but still couldn’t put him away. The Prizefighter powerbombed Reigns onto some tables and delivered a huge splash to put him through it. He then set up a forklift and delivered a Senton Bomb, but The Head of the Table still managed to beat the count.

One of the many reasons it's good to have @HeymanHustle in your corner. #RoyalRumble #UniversalTitle @WWERomanReigns pic.twitter.com/RKcHxhs9MB

— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) February 1, 2021

Later, Reigns speared KO through the LED wall. Owens handcuffed Reigns in a way that made it impossible for him to stand up. But Reigns took down the referee to beat the ten count and then locked KO in the Guillotine choke to pick up the win.

This was truly a Last Man Standing match that elevated the Royal Rumble PPV. The Women’s Royal Rumble Match was excellent, and these two men did not let the quality drop following that match.

That wasn't a match. That was a WAR. #UniversalTitle #RoyalRumble @WWERomanReigns @FightOwensFight @HeymanHustle pic.twitter.com/OJn9leSxlx

— WWE Network (@WWENetwork) February 1, 2021

WWE looked to outdo its competitors with some of the spots, and they managed to do that well. Reigns and KO lit up the entire event with a truly brutal match.