This time of the year always gives wrestling fans that proverbial kid-in-a-candy-store feeling.
The Royal Rumble, which is slated to take place in Indianapolis on Feb. 1, arguably is the most exciting premium live event offered by World Wrestling Entertainment that isn’t WrestleMania.
In many ways, it’s more exciting than WrestleMania because it possesses an element of surprise that Mania typically doesn’t.
Traditionally, the Rumble features mostly active WWE talent, but mixes in a smattering of legends, returning stars and the odd shocker, like someone from a rival wrestling company.
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For the wrestling fan, it’s a chance to watch in anticipation of maybe seeing a legend return, or having a Royal Rumble pool and enjoying the magic.
The Rumble winners (one men’s, one women’s) get the opportunity to challenge for one of the many championships available in the company, but one usually headlines the main event of the biggest show of them all at WrestleMania in April.
Throughout its history, the Rumble always has been one of the most-anticipated events of the year, even if at times it has failed to live up to the hype, as they say.
For a short period in more recent times, the legends were abandoned in favour of using more rostered talent, which left viewers feeling ripped off in a way.
This year, however, it appears that WWE is front-loading the men’s Rumble with major talent to hit one out of the park.
Already declared for the men’s Rumble are the returning John Cena, former WWE Universal champion Roman Reigns, CM Punk, Drew McIntyre and Seth Rollins, arguably the five biggest names in the company outside of the current champ Cody Rhodes.
Could we also see someone like The Rock, who worked a match at WrestleMania 40 last April and vowed he had more in him at the time?
Or maybe a wrestler from Impact Wrestling, which has a working relationship with WWE and has featured their talent in previous Rumbles.
Might we see someone like a Kane? X-Pac? Rumours are flying that Ric Flair wishes to make an appearance.
On the women’s side, it’s expected that one or both of Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch will return on or before the Rumble and can be expected to participate.
There might be a lot of questions between now and the Rumble as to who we might see, but one thing is certain: It’s shaping up to be a banger.
Well said, Punk
When Monday Night Raw opened this week with CM Punk coming to the ring to deliver an impassioned promo about joining the fray for the Royal Rumble in a couple of weeks, I’m not sure anyone expected that his first words would be a tribute and thanks to the first responders and volunteers from around the world who have gathered in Los Angeles to battle the deadly wildfires.
Punk made a quick, poignant point to thank people from around the world, including Canada, for their efforts to help.
It was powerful and really in line with the new values of WWE, which has flourished under the leadership of Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque and Nick Kahn.
Classy stuff.
Debut for the ages
Fans were treated to an absolutely classic debut match for Luchador Penta, who signed with WWE after a successful run with rival All Elite Wrestling.
Penta’s opponent for his debut was none other than Chad Gable, one of the best heels, hottest talents and best wrestlers on the entire WWE roster.
Gable and Penta had an absolutely fantastic match, showing off the mat skills and aerial skills of both men. Following his win, Penta cut an emotional promo with his family shown in the front row, much to the delight of the crowd.
Now the WWE fanbase will wait to see if Penta’s brother, Rey Fenix, will join his brother when his contract with AEW is up.
Welcome back, Nattie
WWE women’s legend and Canadian Nattie Neidhart, a.k.a. Natalya, recently made her return to Postmedia as a columnist.
Pre-pandemic, Neidhart penned a regular column, giving readers a behind-the-scenes look into her personal life and career as a WWE star.
She wrote about everything from her uncle Bret (The Hitman) Hart and dad Jim (The Anvil) Neidhart to her grandfather, Stu Hart, as well as life on the road, her reality show Total Divas and her husband, TJ Wilson.
Last week, Neidhart returned with a bi-monthly column that will appear in the Toronto Sun and online across Canada for Postmedia.
She also will be joining yours truly and fellow Postmedia employee Rob Wong for a regular video segment in which we’ll talk about all things WWE.
I’ve known Nattie on a personal level for at least a decade and you won’t find a kinder, more passionate soul.
It’s a great pleasure to see her back writing for Postmedia, which I know she always took great pride in.
Jan Murphy is a reporter and former editor with The Kingston Whig-Standard, a lifelong pro wrestling fan and also loves to wear black and pink clothing