With WWE’s hype in the past few weeks, things have never looked better for the Royal Rumble. Already one of their biggest premium live events, news of certain contract expirations could spring some of the best surprise returns the company has seen to date. There are also so many active wrestlers on the roster that have been showing out over the past few months and are ready to put on an even grander show at the rumble.
Leading up to the Royal Rumble, however, one of their top stars, Seth Rollins, suffered a torn MCL and partially torn meniscus. Signs are pointing that he’ll be out for several weeks, but hopes are he’ll be back in time for WrestleMania in April.
Here are the top pro wrestling matches from the past week leading up to the Royal Rumble.
Seth Rollins vs. Jinder Mahal (WWE Monday Night Raw, January 15)
Jinder Mahal recently made his return to Monday Night Raw, which meant he had something to prove. What better way to prove yourself than to take on one of the best to ever do it and current World Heavyweight Champion, Seth Rollins? It was a match that showed Mahal’s mean streak, strength and, of course, heel tendencies. But as usual, Rollins didn’t give up, and once he had his offense going, Mahal was no match. Rollins hits several forearms on Mahal that looked brutal, then he hit him with a crossbody off the top rope and even a senton followed by a moonsault. Sadly, it was probably the latter move that caused his knee injury. Still, Rollins finished the entire match, hitting Mahal with a falcon arrow right after that affliction. Even after Rollins was slowed down a bit by the injury and Mahal tried to win by cheating, it still wasn’t enough for a Mahal victory. Rollins won the match with his signature finisher, the stomp.
Pete Dunne and Tyler Bate vs. Pretty Deadly (WWE Friday Night SmackDown, January 19)
All four men in this match are great in the ring, but in this match in particular, all eyes were on Pete Dunne. The Bruiserweight, formally known as Butch, reclaimed his original NXT name Pete Dunne to tag with Tyler Bate. Dunne hit a picture-perfect enzuigiri on Pretty Deadly’s Elton Prince, then went straight to teammate Kit Wilson for a suplex and some targeted attacks. Dunne and Bate worked well as a unit, doing double-team moves and making tags to each other at the perfect time. To finish off the match, Bate dove to the outside to take care of Wilson. Simultaneously in the ring, Dunne hit Prince with his bitter end finisher to earn the victory. To finish off the match, Bate dove to the outside to take care of Wilson; while in the ring, Dunne hit Prince with his bitter end finisher for the victory.
Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams vs. Edris Enofé and Malik Blade (WWE NXT, January 16)
While NXT storylines don’t usually have much to do with the major premium live events, it is likely that we’ll see Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams in the men’s royal rumble match this year. Both men have been putting on phenomenal showings for the company as of late, and their Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic match against Edris Enofé and Malik Blade continued to show that. Enofé and Blade dominated the match for a good portion due to their quick offense, double-team moves and quick back-and-forth tags. At one point, each of them jumped over the ropes to take out Williams and Hayes. But once the momentum shifted back in Hayes and Williams’ favor, it was pretty evident who the winners would be. Williams pulled out his perfect balance of strength and speed, while Hayes went for his flashy, yet effective moves like springboard crossbodies. Hayes hit Blade with double knees, then tagged Williams in who hit Blade with a running knee for the 1, 2, 3.
“Sports Entertainment Solidified” is a pro wrestling column by Maddy Myer that runs every Monday.