2024 Royal Rumble: Cody Rhodes and Bayley Emerge Victorious, Setting the Stage for WrestleMania 40

Cody Rhodes Wins the Men’s Royal Rumble, Setting His Sights on Roman Reigns

The men’s Royal Rumble match was a battle of attrition, with Cody Rhodes and CM Punk emerging as the final two competitors. After a back-and-forth struggle, Rhodes countered Punk’s GTS and threw him over the top rope, securing the victory.

Rhodes, the 2023 Royal Rumble winner, has now become the first person to win consecutive Royal Rumble matches since Stone Cold Steve Austin in 1997-98. With his triumph, Rhodes earned a championship match at WrestleMania 40, and he immediately set his sights on Roman Reigns, the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion.

Bayley Wins the Women’s Royal Rumble, Targeting Damage CTRL Members

In the women’s Royal Rumble match, Bayley emerged from the No. 3 spot and lasted an impressive 63 minutes and three seconds, setting a new record for the longest time in the ring for a women’s match. She outlasted Jade Cargill and Liv Morgan in the final moments, eliminating both competitors to secure the victory.

With her Royal Rumble win, Bayley has earned a championship match at WrestleMania 40. While she could challenge Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley, there’s also the possibility that she may target Damage CTRL member and WWE Women’s Champion Iyo Sky. The dynamics within Damage CTRL have been strained in recent weeks, and Bayley’s victory could further ignite tensions within the group.

Logan Paul Retains United States Championship in Controversial Fashion

Logan Paul defended his United States Championship against Kevin Owens in a highly anticipated match. The bout featured fast-paced action and several near-falls, with both competitors showcasing their athleticism and determination.

However, the match took a controversial turn when Austin Theory and Grayson Waller interfered, providing Paul with a brass knuckle. The referee caught Paul with the weapon, but while he was distracted, Theory gave Paul another set of brass knuckles, which he used to knock out Owens. The referee disqualified Paul, but he retained his title due to the disqualification.

The aftermath of the match saw a furious Owens unleashing an attack on Paul, sending him through the announcer’s table. This heated rivalry is likely far from over, and the two may cross paths again down the road.

Roman Reigns Retains Undisputed WWE Universal Championship in Fatal Four-Way Match

The main event of the evening was a fatal four-way match for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship, with Roman Reigns defending his title against Randy Orton, AJ Styles, and LA Knight.

The match was a chaotic and intense affair, with all four competitors delivering high-impact moves and signature maneuvers. Orton hit three consecutive RKOs, but Solo Sikoa, Reigns’ cousin, interfered and prevented Orton from securing the victory.

Reigns eventually gained the upper hand, hitting the Superman punch on LA Knight and the spear on AJ Styles to retain his title. The Tribal Chief has once again demonstrated his dominance, but it remains to be seen who will step up to challenge him next.

Pat McAfee Returns as Special Commentator

Adding to the excitement of the Royal Rumble, Pat McAfee made his return to WWE as a special commentator for the event. McAfee, known for his energetic and entertaining commentary, brought his unique perspective to the broadcast, much to the delight of the WWE Universe.

Royal Rumble 2024 Predictions

Heading into the Royal Rumble, several predictions were made regarding the winners of the men’s and women’s matches. While some predictions were accurate, others were off the mark.

Men’s Royal Rumble Match Winner:

Predicted Winner: CM Punk

Actual Winner: Cody Rhodes

Women’s Royal Rumble Match Winner:

Predicted Winner: Bayley

Actual Winner: Bayley

United States Championship Match:

Predicted Winner: Logan Paul

Actual Winner: Logan Paul (by disqualification)

Fatal Four-Way Match for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship:

Predicted Winner: Roman Reigns

Actual Winner: Roman Reigns

Overall, the 2024 Royal Rumble delivered thrilling matches, unexpected twists, and the emergence of new contenders for the top championships in WWE.