Hey everyone! TheKingHHH100 here, and I just wanted to say… WWE Royal Rumble 2022 was disappointing, wasn't it? After like four years of WWE actually getting the Rumble right (and before that getting it wrong for like four or five years), last night was massively underwhelming. My biggest complaint is with how they did the titular men's match, I mean Brock Lesnar didn't need to win. I understand what story WWE are trying to make for WrestleMania, but there are other ways they could have set it up, which got me thinking in the spirits of Adam Blampied and a story I posted two years ago of how I would have made the 2020 Rumble, why not do a rewrite of this Rumble as well?
I was taking a hiatus from writing due to some personal issues, but I came up with this idea and so I decided to give it a try, I'm mostly just covering the Men's Rumble, but I'll also explain a few adjustments to the match card and a few changes in the order of the matches. Also I may do a version of the women's match later on if you want.
Anyways, let's get ready to Rumble!
Match Card
1. WWE Championship: Brock Lesnar © (w/Paul Heyman) vs. Bobby Lashley (w/MVP)
Personally, I think this is a better match to open the show, plus it plays into a story later for the night (but not like in real life). I didn't have a problem with how this match was executed at all, I enjoyed it mostly, however I would change one crucial thing: at the end of the match, rather than having the referee knocked out, I would make it so as Brock escapes from the Hurt Lock and sets it into a F5, then pins Lashley to retain the title. I do like the fact Lashley is champion, but like I say this plays into something else for later.
2. Raw Women's Championship: Becky Lynch © vs. Doudrop
Next, I would place this match second on the card, just before the Rumble. I also didn't think this was a bad match per se, but the crowd really weren't into it after seeing other 30 women go at it for like an hour just before this match. I would mostly keep it like it was, with Becky retaining after the top rope Manhandle Slam, hopefully the crowd will be more respondent with this placement.
3. Women's Royal Rumble
Okay so, I'm not going to do the whole thing detailing every entry for this one, but I'll explain what things I would change and what I would keep. Sasha and Melina entering first is cool, I would like to see a match between them someday, but DO NOT eliminate Melina instantly, instead have them actually wrestle until the next entrant comes out, then have them team up against Tamina. I think Sasha's quick elimination was due to her still possibly being injured, so I would still have her go early if that's the case, but have Bianca Belair (who came up at #8 just after Sasha was gone!) eliminate her so as to fuel their rivalry for a future rematch.
Also I would give more time to some entrants, like Cameron was just eliminated before Naomi came out, instead have them face off and reveal Cameron's actually sided with Sonya Deville, who brought her back just to get at Naomi! Sarah Logan barely reunited with Liv Morgan before they were toss out by the Bellas, which was really naff. And why was Summer Rae even there just to be eliminated in like a minute before the next entrant came out?!
Finally, I would have some NXT stars appear, for some reason WWE didn't want to include any of them in either Rumble, but they're always good surprises and gratifying to those who actually watch NXT (or more like few still watching NXT 2.0 now a days). You don't have to make it so NXT heavy like other Rumbles if you don't want to, just add a few women who'll probably be call-up soon anyways, as a way to either debut them or get them ready for the main roster. I would have Dakota Kai (who can come early in the match and have her be the one to eliminate Melina in order to put her over), Io Shirai (who has a face-off with the ALSO returning Asuka!) and Raquel Gonzalez (who eliminates either 7 or 8, or maybe even a record breaking 9 women to show her strength).
The final four are the returning Ronda Rousey, Charlotte Flair, Asuka and Shayna Baszler. Rousey can still win, I don't have a problem with that and I understand why WWE would want to do it, also it leads to the intrigue of whether Ronda will choose to face Becky or Charlotte at WrestleMania, as she has history with both of them.
4. Edge & Beth Phoenix vs. The Miz & Maryse
I'm giving the dead spot of going just after the Women's Rumble to this match rather than the Raw Women's Title match, as I care less for this one to be honest and I know most people aren't hook up by this feud either. Don't get me wrong, the match was pretty solid and one of the best from the event, I just don't think it needed to be that high on the card. I would keep it the same as it was, possibly adding the small spot of Maryse trying to use her brick-wallet on Edge only for Beth to get into the ring and punch it out of her hands, then Maryse gives an 'Oh shit' look of disbelief at Beth's strength. Still, the finish of the match is the same, with the double spear that Miz sold perfectly and the dual Glam Slams.
5. WWE Universal Championship: Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins
I would keep most of this match the same, including Seth's surprising Shield entrance and the spots they did, but one crucial detail: instead of getting disqualified for not letting go of the Guillotine Choke, Roman pushes the referee away and knocks him out, then prepares for a Spear from the corner as Seth gets up… but gets snatched at the last minute by Brock Lesnar into a F5! Brock leaves the ring all smiles as Rollins recovers, then he hits a Stomp before Roman can get up and pins him, the referee recovers, 1… 2… 3! Seth FREAKING Rollins is your new Universal Champion!
This is not only a switcheroo from what happened in real life, but also a parallelism with a very important moment in WWE history: Eddie Guerrero winning the WWE Championship, only that Brock was in Roman's place at the time, now he's on Goldberg's place helping the unstoppable champion lose to the improbable underdog.
Rollins cheerfully celebrates to the back as The Tribal Chief recovers in the middle of the ring, the camera zooming on Roman's face and showing him more pissed off than he's ever been (he does have a great 'pissed off' face!) and the commentators wonder what his next move will be. There's a backstage segment showing Rollins still celebrating with his newly won belt, then Kevin Owens approaches to congratulate him and continue their suspicious 'friendship', planting the seeds for a possible Universal Title match. Also, throughout the night we see small backstage bits of Sami Zayn running into trap pranks, set for him by the Jackass crew. At the last of these segments, Sami gets all fed up with it and goes into the number drawing office for the Rumble (the place where the tom bowler with all the numbers is, like back in the day), then looks over and snatches one of the tom bowlers with the number he 'wants'.
6. Men's Royal Rumble
Now it's the moment you all been waiting for, let's get ready to RUMBLEEEEEE!
Let's start with our first participant of the match…
1- Ricochet
The One and Only is the first entrant in this year's Rumble, hoping to finally reach the glory he so desperately seeks. It won't be easy though, he has a huge task ahead of him and he knows it…
2- Dominik Mysterio
Sixteen years after his father won the Rumble in the same position he's now entering, young Dominik wants to repeat history by winning from the number two spot.
To the starts off the match, the two high flyers get into a speed contest, doing all sorts of acrobatics to the astonishment and delight of the crowd. If anyone can get this is Ricochet, who's flippy style will mix well with Dominik's and is a nice way to get everyone excited as the next entrant comes out…
3- Montez Ford
The nippy and intense Ford joins the fast paced action, the three of them bouncing off the ropes and all over the place, each doing things like a hurricanrana into another and a triple dropkick into a kip-up (I like flippy wrestling, okay?). Ricochet can also hit a 630 Senton on Dominik or something. Then the next entrant comes in…
4- Dolph Ziggler
He's here to show the world! Ziggler enters his record 14th consecutive Rumble, hitting everyone with a Superkick (Party), followed by all his classics like the Famouser and the Zig Zag but crucially not eliminating anyone (kinda like it's always the case with him) until the next participant enters…
5- Rick Boogs
Rick BOOGS is here to rock with(out) the Intercontinental Champion, Shinsuke NAKAMURAAAAAA! He starts hitting power move after power move, powerslams and gorilla presses and all that stuff. He doesn't eliminate anyone, though the ring is full of guys that can sell his offense expertly and make him look really good in the process before the next entry...
6- Sami Zayn
Sami runs in and gets picked up by Boogs, who tries to press slam him but Zayn gets off and pushes him into the corner, then hits a Helluva Kick before noticing a different guy set in each corner. He goes all round the ring hitting Helluva Kicks on everyone before Ricochet tries to cut him off but gets hit with a Blue Lighting Thunder Bomb for his troubles, which he can sell very well during the spinning part of the move. With everyone down, Zayn grabs a mic and demands Johnny Knoxville to come out, which he does…
7- Johnny Knoxville
Knoxville comes out wearing whatever the hell his singlet was, and Zayn starts yelling at him that he's stupid, immature and "the reason for the lessening of an entire generation of minds", however Knoxville just stands there and points to the back, and out comes the Jackass crew (the ones that accompanied him to the ring in real life, plus a few others if you can get). They all go to the ring, pick up Sami and throw him over the top, eliminating him. Zayn fumes in anger outside, as the Jackass crew stand tall in the ring with everyone else down until the next entrant…
Sami Zayn eliminated.
8- Omos
The Jackass crew immediately wet themselves upon seeing the colossus appear. Omos grabs each one of them and hoist them over the top rope, leaving only him and Knoxville. He hits Knoxville with his double-handed chokeslam before throwing him out as well, then Ricochet jumps from the corner onto Omos, but just bounces back off the giant tree of a man. Omos lifts Ricochet and throws him on top of the Jackass crew outside, eliminating him. He turns around and sees all remaining men looking at him, then they all join forces to try to take out the giant, but get beaten one by one. Boogs tries to lift Omos up, but gets thrown out and eliminated. Ziggler tries to Superkick him, but also gets caught and eliminated. As Omos is lifting Ford up, out comes the next entrant…
Johnny Knoxville, Ricochet, Rick Boogs and Dolph Ziggler eliminated.
9- Angelo Dawkins
Dawkins immediately comes to the ring and saves his partner from being eliminated by hitting a chop block onto Omos' leg, then both Street Profits double team Omos and hit a double dropkick, sending the colossus face first onto the ropes and in perfect position as they look at Dominik, who hits a 619 on Omos, the giant turning around into a spinebuster from Dawkins before getting top by Ford's beauty of a Frog Splash. They all pick Omos up and try to eliminate him, but he's too heavy for them to lift and he just powers over them. Omos throws out Dominik but he survives by holding onto the ropes. The Street Profits team up against the giant but he just beats on them, then catches Dominik as he tries to fly onto him and sends the youngster flying out of the ring, eliminating him. Omos then picks Ford and throws him onto Dawkins, sending both partners over the top rope and eliminating them both before resting up on the ropes.
Dominik Mysterio, Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford eliminated.
10- Chad Gable
Gable comes in as Omos is knelt down on the ropes, gesturing at his intelligence and high IQ, the one half of the Raw Tag Team Champions tries to clothesline the giant while he's down, but gets immediately pummel down. Omos just picks him up and eliminates Gable after throwing him around a bit like a cat toying with its prey, before the next one comes out…
Chad Gable eliminated.
11- Robert Roode
The man who was once GLORIOUS runs to the ring and into a big boot from Omos, who wastes him like WWE did, before eliminating him. Omos stands tall in the middle of the ring and motions for his next victim to come…
Robert Roode eliminated.
12- Madcap Moss
Before getting inside the ring, Moss picks the mic and tries to calm the beast down by telling some unfunny and outright lame jokes. Look, he's character is pretty shite but it's better to have it in small doses I guess… that's why Omos doesn't laugh at any of his jokes, murders him and eliminates Moss. Omos awaits for the next entrant to come…
Madcap Moss eliminated.
13- Rey Mysterio
And it's none other than the giant killer himself, Rey Mysterio, who slowly and carefully approaches the ring, the giant inside staring down at him. Mysterio enters the ring and gets through Omos' legs as a game of cat and mouse begins, Mysterio running all over and outside the ring and Omos giving chase, then being unfazed by the biggest little man's offense and throwing him around, Mysterio hanging to the ropes on every elimination attempt before the next participant arrives…
14- Otis
The Alpha Academy graduate and other half of the Raw Tag Team Champions enters just as Omos is finished destroying Rey. The two big man have a stare down contest before running into each other, both unable to take the other down. Otis tries to slam Omos but is unable to pick the colossus up. Omos tries to hit his double-handed chokeslam on Otis, but he kicks him and pushes the giant close to the ropes, where a recovered Mysterio hits him with a 619 to the mid-section. As Omos kneels down in pain, Otis motions for Rey to do it again and he does so, connecting on Omos' face this time and sending him towards Otis, who is finally able to slam Omos down and Rey finishes him with a top rope splash. However, before he can capitalize on this move, Rey is immediately tackled by Otis, who then throws him out but Rey manages to hold to the ropes, then skins the cat and catches Otis' head in between his legs and tries to eliminate him as the next entry arrives...
15- Sheamus
Halfway through the Rumble, the Celtic Warrior quickly gets into the ring and helps Mysterio hoist the large Otis out of the ring to eliminate the bigger threat. Sheamus then immediately turns on Rey and tries to eliminate him as well, the two battling out in a corner while Omos recovers in the opposite as the next participant comes…
Otis eliminated.
16- AJ Styles
Upon hearing his former partner's music, Omos lets out a furious grunt as AJ comes towards the ring, the two staring at each other before he even comes in. Omos tries to pick AJ before he enters, but the Phenomenal One brings the giant's head onto the ropes for a guillotine, then positions himself for a Phenomenal Forearm and springboards into Omos, but he merely bounces off him without seemingly doing any damage. AJ tries to hit all he can on Omos, but the giant doesn't sell his moves and dominates him, taking an enjoyment in beating him down until the next entry…
17- Kofi Kingston
New Day member Sir Kofi Kingston arrives and takes to the top turnbuckle, where he attempts a missile dropkick on Omos, but also bounces off him (see Omos may not do much, but if you have all these agile wrestlers bumping for him and not selling their offense, that'll make him look good, right?), then a new game of cat and mouse happens, with Omos chasing Kofi this time. I have this spot I stole from the 2017 Royal Rumble where Kofi goes to the top of the ring post while backing away from Omos (Corbin back then), who punches him and he lands face first on the top of the post cover, but holds onto the post to avoid elimination and scrambles back to the ring through Omos' legs. Omos then throws Kofi over the ropes, but he skins the cat back in and this goes on while AJ, Rey and Sheamus fight on the other side of the ring as the next participant comes…
18- Austin Theory
Austin Theory comes in with his cellphone in hand but doesn't enter the ring, instead he just poses and takes selfies while Omos demolishes everyone inside. He can take some cool pics with Omos beating up people on the background, before the giant lifts Mysterio in a gorilla press and hopefully Theory can get a selfie of the exact moment where Rey goes flying over his head as he lands just in front of Theory outside. Omos then throws Kofi out again, but his legs land just on Theory's shoulders and he perches on him, Austin taking a confused selfie with Kofi up on his shoulders. As Theory tries to get Kofi off him, Omos goes back to beating on AJ while the next entrant comes out…
Rey Mysterio eliminated.
19- Big E
New Day member and former WWE Champion, Big E immediately goes to help out his brother Kofi, who jumps from Theory's shoulders onto Big E's before kicking Theory in the face from there, then Big E punches him and sends Theory into the ring post. Kofi then leaps from Big E's shoulder all the way to the ring, the reunited New Day teaming up to take on the colossal Omos, who eats a Trouble In Paradise from Kofi, then turns around into a Phenomenal Forearm from an AJ that barely avoided being eliminated by him previously, then into a Brogue Kick from a recovered Sheamus and finally into a Belly-to-Belly Suplex from Big E (the side one as I don't think he'll be able to lift Omos fully). All four men look at each other and decide to make a momentary truce to get the colossus out of the ring, AJ directing traffic as they lift Omos up and try to dump him over the top rope, but are unable to do so until Austin Theory finally gets in the ring and helps them out, all five men finally eliminating Omos from the match. From there, the truce is off as Theory attacks AJ from behind and tries to eliminate him, while the New Day go after Sheamus given their past history both in teams and individually, just as the next entrant comes…
Omos eliminated.
20- Ridge Holland
Holland arrives just in time to save his partner/lover/boyfriend (Btw if anyone is interested or has written a fic shipping Sheamus/Holland and even a possible love triangle with Cesaro, PM me coz I'm into that ship) from being eliminated by the New Day, still wearing that face protector Sheamus had last year and even brining one for him as well. Both teams face up against each other (this could set a potential nice tag team feud for SmackDown to add more depth to that division) while AJ and Theory continue to battle like they have this past time on Raw, before the next entry…
21- Finn Balor
The Prince (who totally deserved to be a part of this Rumble, he's only been in the 2018 for Pete's sake!) slides into the ring and hits both Holland and Sheamus with Sling Blades before Theory tries to ambush him like he's done on Raw, only to eat a Pele Kick and a dropkick into the corner as a response. Balor then comes face to face with AJ Styles (I really want this match for WrestleMania!), who does the 'Too Sweet' gesture and Finn responds in kind with the missile shooting one. Both do some great wrestling in the middle of the ring while New Day try to eliminate Sheamus and Holland and Theory rests in a corner as the next entrant comes…
22- Shinsuke Nakamura
Nakamura joins the battle between AJ and Balor, turning it into a great New Japan three way, the three men being experts of their craft and knowing each other in and out. The wrestling in the ring is pure awesomeness when the next participant arrives…
23- Riddle
Riddle comes in and starts hitting everyone with knees and kicks before exchanging some strikes with Nakamura coz I still want to see that match. The two knock eight bells out of one and other as the next entrant comes out…
24- Damian Priest
United States Champion Priest comes in just as Holland tries to eliminate Kofi, who tries to springboard back on the ropes only to be pushed outside and eliminated by him. Ridge turns around and slaps the closest man, but unfortunately that man is Damian Priest, who immediately gets into his demon mode or whatever is called and starts beating the living tar out of him. With Sheamus being kept at bay by Big E on the corner and unable to help him, Holland is clotheslined over the top rope and eliminated by Priest, who finally calms down upon being hit by a Phenomenal Forearm from Styles just before the next entry…
Kofi Kingston and Ridge Holland eliminated.
25- Tommaso Ciampa
Ciampa is finally out of NXT 2.0 and he couldn't be any happier about it as he lays everyone out before coming face to face with Nakamura, possibly setting a nice Intercontinental title program if he goes to SmackDown. The two battle it out for a while, before Ciampa plants Nakamura with the Willow's Bell before the next entrant…
26- Kevin Owens
Owens lays out Ciampa with a Stunner, then starts hitting everyone with Stunners and Cannon Balls to the corner on those who are already down. He stands tall in the middle of the ring, surveys the crowd and shouts, "This is the Kevin Owens show!" before getting grab from the throat by an enraged Damian Priest, who hasn't forgotten about Owens cheating to beat him on Raw and tries to eliminate him, Owens survives but takes a beating as the next entrant comes out…
27- Happy Corbin
Corbin enters in the 'luckiest' positon, to go with his lucky gimmick, and eliminates Nakamura for immediate heat, then stands there with his silly smile before getting knocked down by a Phenomenal Forearm (that's AJ's thing in this Rumble, LOL). Styles and Balor then double team on Theory as he's at odds with them both and eliminate him, then give each other a 'Too Sweet' (If you don't make them feud then perhaps you could make them into a tag team). Riddle is behind them and tries to join in the salute, but they look at each other and start beating on him. Just as they're about to eliminate Riddle, in comes…
Shinsuke Nakamura and Austin Theory eliminated.
28- Randy Orton
Orton quickly gets in to the ring and saves Riddle from being eliminated, then RKOs both AJ and Balor before dodging a Brogue Kick from Sheamus and RKOing him as well. Orton and Ciampa find each other in the middle of the ring and have a stare down (another match that would be nice to see!) then go at it before Orton tries to hit his Hanging DDT on the ropes, but Ciampa reverses it into a Willow's Bell (it's the same move for those who don't know), Orton gets out of it and tries for a RKO but Ciampa kicks him in the gut and tries the Fairytale Ending, however Orton catapults Ciampa over the ropes and out of the ring, eliminating him. Orton and Riddle then team up and start hitting RKOs on everyone (kinda like they did in the actual Rumble), lastly hitting a double RKO on Big E and eliminating him as well (also like in real life) before a surprise entrant comes out…
Tommaso Ciampa and Big E eliminated.
29- Drew McIntyre
Drew makes an unexpected return (at least it was unexpected to me, he was reported to be missing this event and even possibly WrestleMania due to injury) and makes a bee line for Happy Corbin, who's recovering on the ropes and makes an immediate 'Oh crap' expression upon hearing the Scottish Warrior's theme. Drew gets into the ring and hits Corbin with a Claymore, then eliminates him but gets out of the ring under the bottom rope to continue beating on Corbin. Madcap Moss comes back to try and save his friend, but both of them get pummeled down by Drew with the steel stairs (just like in the actual thing) as everyone else continues to fight inside the ring before the last entrant in the match comes out…
Happy Corbin eliminated.
30- Roman Reigns
The Tribal Chief's music plays and surprises everyone as he makes his way to the ring, limping and still feeling the effects of his match early on with Seth Rollins, as well as the F5 he received from Brock Lesnar that cost him said match and his precious Universal Championship. The look on his face says it all however, he's gonna get back what's rightfully his or die trying. Drew sees him coming and drops the stairs, challenging Roman to come meet him then and there. The two reignite their rivalry from Survivor Series 2020 and go at it outside the ring, with McIntyre getting the better of their exchange due to Roman already being quite beaten up. Drew gets Reigns into the ring and continues to beat on him, however Sheamus puts a stop to it and attacks him from behind, they also reignite their rivalry from last year before Drew turns the tide and eliminates his former friend, but turns into a Superman Punch from a recovered Reigns, who then hits a Spear on a distracted Balor to eliminate him. Roman then throws out AJ, but he hangs to the ropes again and looks for yet another Phenomenal Forearm, only for Reigns to catch him midair with a Superman Punch and eliminate him. RK-Bro team up on Roman, but he sends Orton over the ropes and tries to eliminate him, Riddle tries to make the save with a running knee but Roman simply moves out of the way, causing Riddle to hit Orton instead and accidentally eliminate his own partner. Riddle looks at Randy outside with a confused and apologetic look, but forgets all about Roman behind him, who takes the time to dump Riddle over the top with a clothesline. Randy looks very pissed off at Riddle's mistake and leaves without saying a word, starting some tension between the duo.
Sheamus, Finn Balor, AJ Styles, Randy Orton and Riddle eliminated.
We're down to the final four: Roman, Drew, Owens and Priest.
They all look at each other from one of the corners in the classic final four stare down, then Drew and Roman go back at it while Priest once again goes after Owens, the two battling for a few minutes before Owens pokes Priest in the eye, then hits him with a Stunner and eliminates him. McIntyre meanwhile is trying to eliminate Roman, but Owens comes from behind and tries to hit him with a Stunner, however Drew pushes him into the ropes and connects with a Claymore to eliminate Owens.
Damian Priest and Kevin Owens eliminated.
The last two men remaining in the Rumble are Roman Reigns and Drew McIntyre. The two face each other and start brawling again, Drew connects a few power moves and tries to go for a Claymore but Roman counters with a Superman Punch, then tries to eliminate Drew but he survives and comes back to take Reigns down. Drew sets for a Claymore from the corner, but just as he motions for the crowd to count, The Usos run down the aisle and onto the apron, distracting him. Drew knocks both Usos down and goes for the Claymore again, but Roman sidesteps him and connects with a Spear as he's getting up, then tosses Drew out to win his second Rumble.
Drew McIntyre eliminated.
The winner of the 2022 Men's Royal Rumble Match is Roman Reigns.
The show ends with Roman celebrating in the middle of the ring, getting both his hands raised by his cousins as the crowd boos him, a mirror image of seven years ago when he won his first Rumble and the crowd booed him as he got his hand raised by his cousin. Now the choice is his on whether he wants to challenge his former brother for the title that he's held for over a year and lost just early in the same night, or if he wants to face the man that costed him said title (We know what's he choosing, but you can very well build some suspense about it!).
Overview
So what did we achieve throughout this booking? Well, first we kept most of the good stuff in, like the Lesnar vs. Lashley match, but we changed the result for the sake of the story. We gave the Lynch vs. Doudrop match a better placement on the card so the crowd will hopefully engage with it a bit more, fixed and added some things in the Women's Rumble match, gave a big shocking moment as Roman finally lost his Universal title due to interference from Lesnar, which led in to a complete change in the outcome of the Men's Rumble.
Now, you may say Roman winning doesn't change much for the plans at WrestleMania, as he will still go on to face Lesnar, but I think this is a better way to approach the story WWE is trying to tell. You hate Roman winning? Good, you're supposed to. He's the villain and we shouldn't like the fact he's won when he wasn't even supposed to be in the match, which is not the same thing with Brock since he's supposed (key word) to be the good guy in this feud and we should cheer him winning (which a lot of people didn't like, myself included), so this end result is more fitting for building the eventual Lesnar vs. Reigns for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 38, with Roman's character refreshing a bit as he's now chasing after the title rather than holding it. Also, you can't deny the irony of Roman winning a Rumble with help from his family, getting booed out of the building and then going to beat Lesnar for the title at 'Mania (which is how WWE would originally have things, y'know except for the booing). Plus, I kept Heyman with Lesnar for the time being so his betrayal can come at the biggest stage of them all, helping his Tribal Chief win back the title.
Additionally, we already planted seeds for the Universal Championship match, as Seth Rollins will go to defend his newly won title against his supposed 'friend' Kevin Owens. How do you get there? Well, I imagine a betrayal like the one we saw in the Festival of Friendship years ago is coming, so Owens playing the heel and Rollins the face is accurate, and we can make this a match for the Universal title like the one with Jericho should've been at the time.
As for the women, we didn't change much, Ronda Rousey still won the match and she'll go to face either Charlotte Flair for the SmackDown Women's Championship or Becky Lynch for the Raw Women's Championship, based on what we've seen. I personally think she'll chose Flair and beat her for the title, then reign all the way into next year's WrestleMania, where she'll lose it to Lynch. As for Becky right now, I think she'll drop her title back to Bianca Belair before moving to SmackDown during the draft for her eventual showdown with Rousey.
Finally, we teased lots of potential stories and feuds for WrestleMania, such as the inevitable split of RK-Bro once Randy gets completely fed up with Riddle, though if you want to wait on that you can have them get back their titles from Alpha Academy, then go on to defend them at WrestleMania against the newly formed team of AJ and Balor (If you don't go in that direction, then you can have a singles match between these two at the event, plus Orton vs. Riddle, both matches should be great!). Tommaso Ciampa can finally get called to the main roster and have potential feuds with Orton (if he goes to Raw) or Shinsuke Nakamura for the Intercontinental Championship (if he goes to SmackDown), both of which would be great matches to have at WrestleMania. Sami Zayn can still feud with the Jackass crew and have a match with Knoxville, I guess that's what they want to do anyways. Omos looked like a beast and eliminated eleven people (like Kane in 2001), I didn't establish a clear feud for him but my guess is WWE will make him win the Andre the Giant Battle Royal. Drew McIntyre can be built to be Roman's next big challenge after he wins the WWE Title, with the argument that he needed The Usos' help to eliminate him and that's your big feud for SmackDown going forwards into SummerSlam (though he should get a better opponent for WrestleMania than Happy Corbin, possibly Sheamus since they didn't get the chance to have their blow off match at the event last year).
So, what do you guys think of this rewrite? Did you like my booking of the Royal Rumble or do you prefer the one we actually got? Whatever you chose, I hope you enjoyed it anyways and if you read all of this I sincerely thank you. As always, tell me if you liked this story and would want to see more fics like this, possibly a complete rewrite of the women's match as well? Btw, I know this is just the second Rumble I book and the second Rumble I make Roman win, sorry about that, LOL.
