Pro wrestling, particularly WWE, enjoys immense popularity. However, keeping up with the action can be challenging. With WWE producing over seven hours of content weekly, alongside competing promotions like AEW, and the distractions of football season, holidays, and everyday life, it’s perfectly normal to feel out of the loop regarding the latest events in the squared circle.
Now is the perfect time to catch up, especially with the WWE Royal Rumble on Saturday signaling the official start of the Road to Wrestlemania™. Whether you’re a casual fan who’s drifted away recently, a lapsed viewer from childhood, or just curious about the buzz, we’ve got you covered with everything you need to know about the 2025 Royal Rumble, even if you’re not a regular WWE watcher.
If you’re still reading, you likely know about the event, but here’s a quick refresher: launched in 1988, the Royal Rumble is an annual event named after its signature match. This match begins with two competitors, with new entrants added every 90 seconds to two minutes. Wrestlers are eliminated by being thrown over the top rope, and the last remaining competitor earns a championship match at WWE’s biggest event, WrestleMania.
Initially, the Royal Rumble was a men’s-only event, with women participating on occasion. However, WWE introduced a women’s Royal Rumble match in 2018, indicating the direction WWE will take for at least two significant matches at its premier show. It’s worth noting that, as last year’s Wrestlemania build demonstrated, plans can change unexpectedly.
This year’s Royal Rumble will occur at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis and air on Peacock in the United States, featuring four matches, including both men’s and women’s Royal Rumble matches. Here’s a breakdown of what you should know:
Men’s Royal Rumble Match
Who’s in it?
A total of 30 competitors are slated to compete, including notable names like John Cena, Roman Reigns, CM Punk, Seth Rollins, Drew McIntyre, Logan Paul, Sami Zayn, and Jey Uso.
What’s the storyline?
This year’s Royal Rumble features the familiar theme of wrestlers chasing a championship match at WrestleMania, interspersed with various subplots. John Cena is launching his retirement tour aiming for an unprecedented 17th world championship, while Roman Reigns seeks to regain the title he lost at last year’s WrestleMania. After missing last year’s event due to injury, CM Punk aims to headline WWE’s biggest show for the first time, contending with rivals Seth Rollins and Drew McIntyre, who are also determined to stop him.
The buildup for this Royal Rumble has been expertly crafted by WWE; while winners are often predictable in past years, this edition has various plausible victors, including Cena, Reigns, Punk, McIntyre, or Rollins.
Prediction
As John Cena’s last WrestleMania approaches, it seems unlikely he won’t compete for a championship. Thus, a likely outcome is his winning the Royal Rumble for a record third time.
John Cena is entering the 2025 WWE Royal Rumble pic.twitter.com/qyi8Y6Z1Qw
— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) January 7, 2025
Women’s Royal Rumble match
Who’s in it?
The women’s Royal Rumble also features 30 competitors, with Charlotte Flair, Bayley, IYO SKY, Liv Morgan, Bianca Belair, Nia Jax, and Naomi confirmed so far.
What’s the storyline?
While the women’s Royal Rumble storylines lack some of the coherence seen in the men’s, notable narratives exist, particularly with Charlotte Flair’s return from injury, set for December 2023. The daughter of the legendary Ric Flair has been a staple in the women’s division since her main roster debut in 2015, and her anticipated return is expected to shake things up considerably.
Meanwhile, Bayley is pushing for a return to the championship spotlight after her reign at last year’s WrestleMania. She has hinted at a confrontation with her former ally-turned-rival, IYO SKY. Additionally, the current women’s tag champions, Bianca Belair and Naomi, may face tension with the possible return of an injured Jade Cargill, who could complicate matters.
Other narratives to watch involve Nia Jax and Liv Morgan, both of whom are out for vengeance after losing their titles and have significant rivalries brewing. Additionally, the potential return of Becky Lynch, absent since last May, could be a game-changer.
Prediction
With multiple championship opportunities available, WWE may take varied routes here, but all signs point to Charlotte making a grand return, possibly as the first-ever two-time women’s Royal Rumble winner.
WWE Championship ladder match: Cody Rhodes vs. Kevin Owens
Who’s in it?
Cody Rhodes, akin to Patrick Mahomes in the NFL, has become the main character of pro wrestling, having secured the WWE championship at last year’s WrestleMania. Kevin Owens, a former indie darling, has cemented his status in WWE’s main event scene over the last decade. He recalls the legendary “American Dream” Dusty Rhodes while bringing his unique charisma and compelling in-ring performance to the spotlight.
What’s the storyline?
Initially allies, Rhodes and Owens found their relationship strained after Rhodes aided Roman Reigns against the new Bloodline. This tension exploded following the Bad Blood event, showcasing a shocking parking lot attack by Owens on Rhodes, quickly going viral.
The ensuing feud escalated with a championship match at NBC’s Saturday Night’s Main Event in December, where Rhodes controversially retained his title. Now, both competitors will risk it all in a ladder match to secure the belts suspended above the ring.
Prediction
It’s hard to envision Rhodes not entering WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas as the WWE champion, though the conflict with Owens promises an exciting showdown, especially considering Owens’ history with ladder matches.
WWE Tag Team Championship match, two-out-of-three falls: #DIY vs. Motor City Machine Guns
Who’s in it?
The reigning champions, #DIY, consist of Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano, who have risen from WWE’s developmental ranks to unexpected heights. After an iconic feud, they turned heel to reclaim their titles. Their opponents, the Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin), are fresh faces from the independent circuit, quickly earning fan acclaim for their in-ring prowess.
What’s the storyline?
After a surprise championship win, the Motor City Machine Guns quickly dropped the titles to #DIY, who embraced a heel turn. Now, following a No. 1 contender’s tournament victory, MCMG aims to reclaim their titles in a two-out-of-three falls match that promises to showcase technical excellence.
Prediction
With the dynamics in #DIY appearing strained, the scales might tip in favor of MCMG reclaiming their titles, potentially setting the stage for further conflicts leading to WrestleMania.
