Royal Rumble Review Part Two: Breakdown of the beat down
Two of Couch Side’s top bloggers attended this year’s WWE Royal Rumble. Photo by: Brett Murdock / couchsideshow.com
Editors note: The following is part one of a two-part series, looking at the first-hand accounts of the WWE’s Royal Rumble Pay-Per-View event from two of Couch Side’s finest writers.
BY MATT VINSKO, Couchsideshow.com blogger
As a fan of wrestling, I find it odd that I’ve only been to three WWE events in my life. The first two (a house show and a taping of SmackDown), while entertaining, lacked the glitz, glamour, and star power that the wrestling organization loves to trot out. But that underwhelming feeling immediately disappeared upon walking into the U.S. Airways Center on Sunday, January 27, for the Royal Rumble.
John Cena, CM Punk, The Rock, hell, even a surprise return by Chris Jericho. What more could I ask for? While the returns of Goldust and The Godfather were fan-pleasing, the matches themselves left quite a bit to be desired. Still, the star power alone was easily worth the $45 price of admission.
The night started hot with The Miz vs. Antonio Cesaro in what turned out to be an excellent opening match. Brett and I both (accurately) predicted Cesaro would win, but the fact The Miz got a hot pop not only surprised me, but foreshadowed everything to come. (more…)
Royal Rumble Part One: The experience is everything
Couch Side bloggers Matt Vinsko and Brett Murdock attended the WWE’s Royal Rumble one week ago.
Editors note: The following is part one of a two-part series, looking at the first-hand accounts of the WWE’s Royal Rumble Pay-Per-View event from two of Couch Side’s finest writers.
BY BRETT MURDOCK, Couchsideshow.com blogger
Ladies and gentlemen, I have been to numerous sporting events in my life. I’ve been around loud crowds, hyped-up environments, and have seen my fair share of gripes, surprises, controversy, and full-on rowdiness. But nothing could have prepared me for what WWE’s Royal Rumble pay-per-view gave me on January 27 at the US Airways Center in Phoenix, Ariz.
Now, I’ve been a wrestling fan for a long time now. I watched religiously from 2003 to about 2006 but then lost some of that consistency until the summer of 2011, more known as “the Summer of [CM] Punk” (more on him later). So when the opportunity came for me to experience WWE’s second biggest pay-per-view of the year mere miles from my house, I jumped on that chance and didn’t look back and let me tell you, it was well worth it.
I won’t go into the main details of every match on the card because that is not what the point of going to an event like this is. The point is to be part of the experience and let me tell you, the Royal Rumble was incredible. Showing up in Downtown Phoenix an hour and a half early to eat was awe-inspiring itself as nearly every restaurant and bar was packed with fans who were only getting prepared for what the nigh would bring. Hell, halfway through our “pre-game” festivities (if you will), Matt and I got to experience the familiar “LET’S GO, CENA!” “CENA SUCKS!” chants at a bar. A BAR! Not the event, but a local bar. I could tell we were going to be in for quite a night.
We were somewhat worried about getting in after getting tickets off Craigslist but thankfully, they were legitimate and soon enough, we were in our seats and ready to rumble (get it?). From then on, it was all about the crowd reactions to the matches, entrances, spots, and moments. And the Rumble is arguably the best PPV for those reactions. (more…)
Let’s get ready to (Royal) Rumble: A look at the WWE’s second biggest event of the year
BY MATTHEW VINSKO & BRETT MURDOCK, Couchsideshow.com bloggers
The Rock makes another return at the WWE pay-per-view event, Royal Rumble. Photo by: DL Wise / Flickr
WrestleMania season is upon us, and all the biggest players are stepping up their game. The Rock has come back, CM Punk has held onto the belt for over 400 days now, and John Cena has declared (for the umpteenth time) that his time is now.
But the first stop on the road to WrestleMania is the Royal Rumble, an event highlighted by its 30-man over-the-top-rope battle royal. The prize? A main event slot in the “Grand Daddy of ‘em All.” Sit back, relax, and enjoy two writers’ predictions of the Royal Rumble card, and tune in next week for a retrospective review of our experience at the Rumble. Yes, we’re going, and no Wade, we will not make a Couch Side sign.
United States Championship: Antonio Cesaro (c) vs. The Miz
• Matt: The Miz once again finds himself in pursuit of the U.S. Title, but this time, he faces what is perhaps his toughest test to date in the form of Antonio Cesaro. Ever since becoming a good guy, The Miz has floundered. That all changed on the 20th anniversary of Monday Night RAW, when he teamed up with WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair to lay the verbal (and physical) smackdown on Cesaro. Not only that, but Flair bestowed on Miz the figure-four-leg-lock, a move he has yet to fully master. Still, an endorsement from Flair and a new finisher may have people thinking Miz has turned a corner, but I feel the rut will live on for the “Awesome One.” Cesaro is just too over right now as a bad guy (and an excellent worker to boot) to lose his belt. While I don’t expect his title reign to last much longer, I don’t think that loss will come at the hands of the Miz.
Winner: Antonio Cesaro
• Brett: If you remember our previous post on the WWE, you will remember that I predicted that Antonio Cesaro will be the next big star that the company produces. His momentum has slowed down a bit since then, but he still carries that US Championship with dignity, power, and sophistication. Nobody that has challenged him for the belt, which he has held since SummerSlam, has been able to dethrone him and his claim saying that “no American can beat him” seems to have a solid base. That streak will live on this Sunday as I believe The Miz will fall victim to the “Swiss Sensation.” This was a match that was randomly thrown together and is based off a segment involving the two and WWE Hall of Famer and wrestling legend Ric Flair on Monday Night Raw’s 20th Anniversary show a few weeks ago. I guess that WWE just needed to fill something for part of their free pre-show. I fully expect Cesaro to reign supreme once more in another title defense, and do it with ease.
Winner: Antonio Cesaro (more…)
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