Royal Rumble 2022 is over! People who were broke at the time of its broadcasting are watching highlights on YouTube to get an idea of what happened.
What happened is washing the bad taste from Becky Lynch's return at SummerSlam last year and solidifying the idea that - You can take years away from WWE, but until you are a big name (even outside it), unless you can trade that name to WWE and they can use it you may get the big wins that many had worked hard for. But more about later - in part 2!
I will start with the bit more predictable part of the show and the two matches, which involved women, who were saved from being scapegoated in the name of trademarks, names, and controversial WWE legacy.
BETH PHOENIX AND EDGE defeated MARYSE AND THE MIZ
in a Mixed Tag Team Match
I can say proudly that match really changed my first opinion about it and it was a lot more interesting. My worries about Maryse were smashed in the dust as she made two really nice spots - the diving hurricanrana on Edge was a really, really nice surprise, followed by her antics - the Franch Kiss DDT on Beth!!!
Beth's powerbomb on Miz was another "OMG!" for me. With her decades' late real Glamazon haircut, she proves that it doesn't matter how long her absence from the WWE ring is she still can put on a show and mess with the men. So does Maryse! It was really high-quality wrestling.
I can say those dynamics and the drama in this match was in place and made it worth its spot at the Rumble. Maryse took bumps. She was all over the place hitting some cheap shots at her team's opponent. I can say that my three stars preview is turning into a four-star match rating! My second fear about the women being used as not very active associates to the men and that Beth's talent would be wasted was chased away with the family finish in the end when Edge and Beth made Glam Slams on The Mizanins!
I am glad about the result and that WWE creative team proved me wrong about this one!
AWOW Match Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
WWE RAW WOMEN'S CHAMPION BECKY LYNCH defeated DOUDROP
in a Title Match
It wasn't meant to happen!
No matter how much some of us supported Doudrop when we face the reality and the facts - she is not ready to top the WWE Raw women's division. Not against someone with Becky Lynch's reputation, and character!
Well, where can we start?
Imagine how desperate and exhausted you must be to hit Molly-Go-Round as an homage to the great Molly Holly!!! Very, very desperate and that's where Becky Lynch was when she did it. That's where Doudrop bought her - to the state of desperation.
The match is classic Big Time The Man Becks with that surprising top rope move as an addition. Lynch pushed Doudrop to the limits throwing everything she has, as well as the challenger's answered with the same. Sentons, Dis-Arm-Her, more sentons! Total exhaustion radiating from both women and more desperation painted on the faces of both of them - desperation to come out on top.
The Manhandle Slam by Becky was really her HUGEst one for this moment! It was nice to see her winning without holding on to the rope, for a difference.
I can say that no one should be ashamed of this match. Especially, Doudrop! She is still a solid worker who puts on display what a real challenge she can be for anyone. Meanwhile, Becky as a WWE Raw Women's Champion is destined to be an opportunity/sacrifice for Ronda Rousey's new age of domination at Wrestlemania! And the smell of that is - BAD...
(More is coming)
NEXT: 👉
