Heading into the 2024 Royal Rumble it seemed that the hype level was at an all time high for the event and the women’s Royal Rumble kicked off the show. Bayley managed to pick up a big win as she punched her ticket for WrestleMania.
Cody Rhodes had a lot of momentum heading into the Royal Rumble and he made it clear that he was looking to win the match for the second year in a row. Luckily for Cody he did just that.
The men’s Royal Rumble match main evented the show and Jey Uso was the first competitor to enter the ring followed by Jimmy Uso at number 2. Grayson Waller entered at number 3 and teamed up with Jimmy.
Andrade made his big return to WWE when he entered the Royal Rumble match at number 4. Former NXT Champion Carmelo Hayes then entered the match at number 5 and scored the first elimination when he took out Grayson Waller.
Cody Rhodes entered the match at number 15 to a big reaction from the crowd. Gunther entered at number 18 and had a brief showdown with Cody Rhodes then he set his sights on Kofi Kingston. The Ring General eliminated Kofi Kingston and Kofi was immediately taken out of the match as he didn’t do any type of elaborate spot to try to avoid elimination.
Former NXT Champion Bron Breakker entered the Royal Rumble at number 20. Breakker immediately eliminated Jimmy Uso and Finn Balor then he lifted Gunther up over his head before hitting him with a spear. Omos entered at number 21 with MVP by his side.
Pat McAfee was sitting at ringside doing commentary when he was announced as the number 22 entrant. McAfee got in the ring and had a stare down with Omos and Breakker. Pat climbed over the top rope and eliminated himself then sat back down at the commentary table. Bron Breakker eliminated Omos then Dominik Mysterio eliminated Bron Breakker right after. As he was leaving Bron Breakker speared JD McDonagh who was entering the match at number 23.
R-Truth entered the match at 24, but before he entered the ring he threw JD McDonagh in. McDonagh was eliminated right away. Truth stood on the apron waiting for a tag from Dominik Mysterio and Dom tagged him in. Damian Priest entered at number 26 and hit R-Truth in the face then threw him over the top rope.
CM Punk finally entered the match at number 27. Punk entered the ring and eliminated Dominik Mysterio. Former WWE Royal Rumble winner Drew McIntyre entered this year’s match at 29. As the clock counted down to number 30 fans briefly started chanting “Rocky!” Gunther eliminated Jey Uso.
Sami Zayn made his return at number 30 to a positive reaction from the fans. Zayn eliminated Damian Priest then McIntyre eliminated Sami. The final four came down to Rhodes, Punk, McIntyre and Gunther.
McIntyre hit Punk with a Claymore then picked him up as he tried to eliminate him. However, CM Punk got McIntyre up on his shoulders then he threw the Scottish Warrior over the top rope.
Gunther tried to eliminate Cody, but Cody pulled Gunther to the outside to bring it down to two. CM Punk and Cody Rhodes stared each other down from opposite sides of the ring.
Cody went for the Cody Cutter, but Punk reversed it into 3 German suplexes to wear Cody down. Punk followed up with a running bulldog then signaled for the GTS, but failed to hit it. Punk pointed at the WrestleMania sign as he beat Cody down then went for the GTS again. Cody reversed it into the Cross Rhodes. The fans chanted for Cody as he picked CM Punk up. Punk hit the GTS then both men collapsed. CM Punk struggled to get up as the fans chanted “This is awesome!”
CM Punk went for the GTS again as Cody grabbed the ropes then tried to pull Punk over, but Punk shook him off. CM Punk hit Cody with the Pedigree. He called for the GTS once again as he said he didn’t wait 10 years to lose to Dusty’s kid. Cody reversed the GTS as he grabbed Punk’s leg then threw him over the top rope to win the Royal Rumble.
