WWE Royal Rumble 2023 Results

The road to WrestleMania has begun and WWE held their first pay-per-view of 2023 on Saturday, January 28 as Royal Rumble emanated from the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. Check out everything that happened below:

Cody Rhodes wins the 2023 Men's Royal Rumble

1. GUNTHER

2. Sheamus 

3. The Miz

4. Kofi Kingston

5. Johnny Gargano 

After the opening five entrants, we had our first elimination as Sheamus and the returning Johnny Gargano combined to take out The Miz, with Sheamus catching the two-time WWE Champion with a Brogue Kick to send him crashing to the floor. 

6. Xavier Woods

7. Karrion Kross 

8. Chad Gable

9. Drew McIntyre

Karrion Kross ended up being dumped out of the Rumble second, taking a Big Boot from his former rival Drew McIntyre. 

10. Santos Escobar

11. Angelo Dawkins

Xavier Woods was next out, being eliminated by GUNTHER. GUNTHER then looked to eliminate Kofi Kingston and the former WWE Champion was set to land on a chair but botched the landing and was eliminated.

12. Brock Lesnar 

Brock Lesnar entered the Rumble and made quick work of the field, eliminating Santos Escobar, Angelo Dawkins, and Chad Gable in quick succession before he squared off with GUNTHER as the fans inside the Alamodome went wild. 

13. Bobby Lashley 

After a brief battle between the two rivals, Bobby Lashley eliminated Brock Lesnar after The Beast Incarnate had been in the match less than three minutes! In anger, Lesnar threw the top of the announce table at Lashley and bounced the steel steps off the announce table. He then clotheslined and F5'd Baron Corbin before the Modern Day Wrestling God could even get in the ring. Next Brock took out a referee before The Beast left through the crowd.  

14. Baron Corbin 

15. Seth Rollins 

Baron Corbin managed to make his way into the ring and he was promptly clotheslined over the top rope by Seth Rollins. 

16. Otis 

17. Rey Mysterio

Rey Mysterio was supposed to enter the match but he never actually made his way to the ring. Bobby Lashley went to eliminate Seth Rollins but he scrambled off The All Mighty's back and pushed Lashley over the top rope to the floor. Otis then hit a Caterpillar on GUNTHER! What a moment! 

18. Dominik Mysterio 

Rey Mysterio's absence from the Royal Rumble was explained as Dominik Mysterio wearing Rey's mask made his way to the ring, having seemingly taken out his father backstage. While Dominik was making his way to the ring, The Banger Bros in Drew McIntyre and Sheamus dumped Otis over the top rope. 

19. Elias 

Unfortunately for Elias, he only managed to hit someone with his guitar before he ate a Brogue Kick-Claymore combo from The Banger Bros and was eliminated after only 39 seconds. 

20. Finn Balor

Judgment Day combined to eliminate Johnny Gargano, ending Johnny Wrestling's return after just over 30 minutes. 

21. Booker T 

Booker T was next in the Royal Rumble, appearing in a WWE ring for the first time since April 2012, and he proceeded to hit a Kick and a Book End before the Spinarooni! After that, GUNTHER threw the WWE Hall of Famer over the top rope.

22. Damian Priest

23. Montez Ford

Montez Ford didn't last long, being Chokeslammed to the floor by Damian Priest. 

24. Edge 

A furious Edge entered the Royal Rumble next and proceeded to Spear all three members of the Judgment Day inside the Royal Rumble before he threw Damian Priest and Finn Balor over the top rope. A face-off with Seth Rollins followed before Edge almost eliminated Dominik, only for Balor and Priest to climb onto the apron and pull Edge to the floor. The issues between Edge and Judgment Day then continued as they brawled on the aisleway until Rhea Ripley levelled Edge. Ripley didn't have long to celebrate, though, being Speared by Beth Phoenix as Edge and The Glamazon stood tall on this occasion. 

25. Austin Theory 

26. Omos

27. Braun Strowman 

After some big men slapped meat, Braun Strowman clotheslined Omos over the top rope. 

28. Ricochet

After 52 minutes for Sheamus and 39 minutes for Drew McIntyre, they were eliminated by GUNTHER.

29. Logan Paul 

30. Cody Rhodes

Following Cody Rhodes' return, he hit his trademark offence before he reversed the Three Amigos from Dominik Mysterio into Cross Rhodes and eliminated Ex Con Dom. The next big moment didn't take long as Logan Paul and Ricochet took each other out with simultaneous Springboard Crossbodies. Braun Strowman went to check on his tag team partner and he was thrown over the top rope by Cody. Austin Theory then clotheslined Ricochet over the top rope, bringing the final five down to Cody Rhodes, Seth Rollins, Austin Theory, Logan Paul, and GUNTHER. Seth Rollins hit Theory with a Stomp and Cody clotheslined him over the top for the next elimination.

A rivalry was rekindled as Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins faced off before they worked together to attack GUNTHER, hitting the Intercontinental Champion after their own Pedigrees. GUNTHER wasn't eliminated, though, setting the Royal Rumble record by lasting over 62 minutes in the match. 

Seth Rollins was set to hit Cody Rhodes with a Pedigree, only for Logan Paul to sneak back into the match and throw Rollins over the top rope. This left the final three as Logan Paul, Cody Rhodes, and GUNTHER. Paul played the heel but ate a Cross Rhodes before he was thrown over the top by Cody.

The match came down to Cody Rhodes vs. GUNTHER. #30 vs. #1. GUNTHER hit Cody with some massive chops and he tried to hit The American Nightmare with a Big Boot, only to go tumbling onto the apron. Cody looked to put the Intercontinental Champion away with a Disaster Kick, only to suffer a chop to the mat. 

Cody was almost eliminated by GUNTHER soon after but Rhodes survived and later hit GUNTHER with a Cody Cutter and he began to target Der Ring General's leg, paying homage to Goldust/Dustin Rhodes with a kick straight to the nether regions. GUNTHER fired back with a Shotgun Dropkick and a Powerbomb and he tried to throw The American Nightmare over the top rope but Cody hung on. GUNTHER went to eliminate Rhodes again, only to eat a Cross Rhodes and a clothesline as The American Nightmare accomplished a dream. 

Bray Wyatt def. LA Knight - Mountain Dew Pitch Black Match

In the second match of the night, Bray Wyatt faced off with LA Knight, with Bray Wyatt covered in luminous arm and face paint, while LA Knight wore luminous ring gear as they were surrounded by glowing ropes, all in the name of Mountain Dew Pitch Black.

After some early dominance from Bray Wyatt, LA Knight put Bray through the announce table with a flying clothesline. Somehow, Bray Wyatt got back to his feet first and LA Knight tried to deck the two-time Universal Champion with a glowing kendo stick, only to be caught by a Sister Abigail from Wyatt to end a disappointing in-ring return for Wyatt.

After the match, Wyatt revealed a skull mask that glowed red and he chased after LA Knight, with the former Eli Drake trying to fend him off with the glowing kendo stick. Knight soon found himself caught in the Mandible Claw and passed out. Uncle Howdy then appeared and put Knight through a structure with a Flying Elbow as creatures from the Firefly Funhouse celebrated with Wyatt. 

Bianca Belair (c) def. Alexa Bliss - Raw Women's Championship 

Alexa Bliss was aggressive in the opening minutes, dominating the action before Belair fought back with a Moonsault. Bliss almost picked up the win following a DDT but Belair managed to kick out. 

Bliss later went for Sister Abigail, only for Belair to reverse into a KOD for the win. After the match, Bray Wyatt's logo popped on-screen along with images of demonic Alexa Bliss, a pentagram, and Uncle Howdy as the vignette asked if Bliss felt in charge. Bliss simply looked on as her descent into darkness continued to be teased. 

Rhea Ripley wins the 2023 Women's Royal Rumble

1. Rhea Ripley

2. Liv Morgan

3. Dana Brooke

4. Emma

5. Shayna Baszler

6. Bayley

7. B-Fab

B-Fab didn't last long, only making it 36 seconds before being eliminated by Rhea Ripley.

8. Roxanne Perez 

9. Dakota Kai

10. IYO SKY

After IYO SKY entered the Rumble and saved her Damage CTRL faction mates, the stable made quick work of eliminating Dana Brooke, Emma, and Roxanne Perez

11. Natalya

12. Candice LeRae

Shayna Baszler and Natalya were dumped out next by Damage CTRL after Baszler applied the Kirifuda Clutch to Natalya while The Queen of Spades was on the apron. 

13. Zoey Stark

14. Xia Li

Damage CTRL picked up another elimination, with Candice LeRae falling to the floor this time. 

15. Becky Lynch

Becky Lynch and Damager CTRL rekindled their hostilities, with Bayley and co. dumping The Man over the announce table. 

16. Tegan Nox

17. Asuka 

Appearing in WWE for the first time since December 12, Asuka debuted her Murder Clown persona in the company. 

18. Piper Niven

Doudrop is dead, long live Piper Niven.

19. Tamina

After a long time on the outside, Becky Lynch returned to the ring. 

20. Chelsea Green

Chelsea Green was literally in the ring for five seconds before she was dumped over the top rope by Rhea Ripley, making history in the process. Becky Lynch, who returned to the ring after a long time on the outside, managed to eliminate Dakota Kai and IYO SKY before The Man was sent crashing to the floor by Bayley. Liv Morgan then popped up out of nowhere and eliminated Bayley, causing Becky Lynch and Damage CTRL to continue their issues with a brawl through the crowd. 

21. Zelina Vega

Vega, dressed as a Street Fighter character, eliminated Xia Li shortly after entering the match.

22. Raquel Rodriguez 

23. Mia Yim "Michin" 

24. Lacey Evans

25. Michelle McCool

Michelle McCool entered the Women's Royal Rumble from the front row and soon eliminated Tamina. 

26. Indi Hartwell

27. Sonya Deville

Sonya Deville promptly eliminated Zoey Stark. Lacey Evans scored an elimination after choking out Zelina Vega with a Cobra Clutch and dumping the Legado del Fantasma member to the floor. 

28. Shotzi

Sonya Deville then picked up another elimination, knocking out Indi Hartwell when the NXT talent tried to springboard her way back into the ring. 

29. Nikki Cross

30. Nia Jax

After initial dominance, Nia Jax was eliminated after taking Morgan and Ripley's finishers before everyone left in the match tossed the former Raw Women's Champion over the top rope. Lacey Evans was eliminated by Raquel Rodriguez soon after before Asuka caught Sonya Deville with a head kick to eliminate the former WWE official. Rhea Ripley was the next to fall, courtesy of Rhea Ripley before Mia Yim sent Shotzi crashing to the floor. Piper Niven then absolutely yeeted Mia Yim onto Shotzi to eliminate Michin. 

Piper Niven was out next following a big boot from Raquel Rodriguez. Then Rodriguez turned her attention to Rhea Ripley but The Nightmare escaped and kicked Rodriguez to the floor. This brought the match down to Liv Morgan, Nikki Cross, Asuka, and Rhea Ripley before Liv Morgan quickly eliminated Nikki Cross. 

Rhea Ripley was almost eliminated by Liv Morgan and Asuka but she managed to survive, with the three remaining competitors on the apron. Asuka accidentally misted Liv Morgan after Rhea Ripley ducked and Ripley managed to eliminate The Empress of Tomorrow with a 619 to her leg. A blind Morgan came close to eliminating Ripley following Oblivion and as Ripley teetered, she managed to swing her legs up and send Morgan crashing to the floor with a Head Scissors. 

Roman Reigns (c) def. Kevin Owens - Undisputed WWE Universal Championship

For the first time in many years, the Royal Rumble pay-per-view was main evented by a non-rumble match as Roman Reigns defended the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship against Kevin Owens. The feud between Owens and Reigns has been on and off for two years, with Owens reminding The Tribal Chief that he was screwed out of the Universal Title in their Last Man Standing Match at Royal Rumble 2021. This time around, Sami Zayn was also at the centre of the main event, with Reigns telling The Honorary Uce on the pre-show that he would be at Roman's hip throughout the pay-per-view only one day after Roman told him to stay away from SmackDown. 

After both men enjoyed time on top in the early going, Roman Reigns picked up the first near fall with a Superman Punch, with Sami Zayn jumping around in shock after Owens kicked out. Reigns set up for the Spear to follow up, only to be sent crashing into the ring post by Owens and KO fought back with a Swanton Bomb for a close two count. 

Kevin Owens later went for a Springboard Moonsault but botched it. Owens went for the move again but missed, with Reigns firing back with a Spear for another near fall. Sami Zayn continued to become angry while Paul Heyman ignored El Generico's mate. Reigns went for another Spear and Owens countered with a Stunner attempt, which Roman Reigns escaped by pushing Owens away, sending KO crashing into the referee.

With the official down, Owens connected with a Pop Up Powerbomb but there was no one around to count the pin. Reigns recovered and hit Owens with a Low Blow before he demanded a steel chair from Sami Zayn. Zayn pleaded his case, noting that Reigns told him to do nothing. The answer wasn't good enough for Reigns and after some misdirection from Paul Heyman, Zayn eventually managed to find a chair but he only handed it reluctantly to Roman Reigns. 

With the time taken, Owens recovered from the low blow and hit a Stunner for the closest of two counts! The Prizefighter then looked to continue the pressure, going for a Pop Up Powerbomb which Reigns countered into a Superman Punch and Spear. KO went scurrying to the outside where Sami pleaded for his former best friend to stay down. Roman Reigns took advantage, putting Owens through the barricade with a Spear but Owens crawled out of the ring again. 

Reigns smashed the back of Owens' head off the steel steps before he went and stared a mudhole through Zayn and he did it again as Michael Cole pleaded for the referee to call the match off. Zayn acknowledged his Tribal Chief at ringside and Reigns mockingly slapped Owens. KO had one last gasp of effort before another Spear from the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion ended the match. 

After the bout, the rest of The Bloodline joined Roman Reigns and Sami Zayn in the ring. Jey Uso was about to put the tribal beads on Zayn but Reigns stopped him and got The Usos to beat down Kevin Owens. Next, it was Solo Sikoa's turn to attack KO, hitting him with the Samoan Bulldozer while KO had a steel chair around his neck. Paul Heyman then introduced handcuffs to the mix, getting them to handcuff a defenceless KO to the ropes. Sami grew increasingly more disturbed while Roman Reigns told KO that Sami was his family now. Reigns was about to hit Owens with a steel chair until The Underdog from the Underground stood in the way and asked Reigns to stop, telling him it was beneath WWE's top star. 

An infuriated Reigns took his time before he handed the chair to Zayn and ordered him to hit Owens. Zayn stated that he didn't want to but Reigns said there was no going back for Zayn. Reigns told him that he loves Zayn and Sami did pick up the chair, teasing that he was going to hit Roman from behind. Roman then pushed Sami in the face and as Roman turned away, Sami Zayn did deck the Tribal Chief from behind with the chair, calling back to Seth Rollins' betrayal of the Shield.

The Usos demanded to know what Sami had just done until Jimmy levelled him with a Superkick and The Bloodline (except Jey) took turns beating down Zayn. Jey just stood in the corner, looking on in disgust at his family before he rolled out of the ring and headed back up the ramp in tears. The Bloodline beat down Sami Zayn some more, leaving him and Kevin Owens lying as the crowd chanted "f**k you Roman" to end the Royal Rumble pay-per-view.