by Tony Ramos
The Royal Rumble is supposed to be the event that sets the stage for WrestleMania, but in 2025, WWE might have fumbled the ball. Fans came in with sky-high expectations, and what they got instead was a night of frustration, predictability, and missed opportunities. The Royal Rumble match itself, once the most exciting spectacle of the year, felt uninspired, with questionable booking decisions that left fans shaking their heads rather than jumping out of their seats.
The Hype Was Too Big
Leading up to the event, WWE promised “one of the most shocking Rumble matches in history.” With rumors swirling about major surprise entrants and unexpected returns, the anticipation reached a fever pitch. But when the night came, the reality didn’t match the build-up. Several rumored returns never happened, and the few surprises that did occur lacked impact. Instead of jaw-dropping moments, fans got a match that felt like it was on autopilot.
Lackluster Surprise Entrants
One of the biggest appeals of the Royal Rumble is the unexpected arrivals. Whether it’s a legend making a shocking return or a debut that changes the game, those moments make the Rumble special. This year, however, WWE delivered some of the most underwhelming surprises in recent memory. Instead of bringing back long-anticipated legends or debuting a top NXT star, the event relied on midcarders and forgettable one-off appearances that did little to energize the crowd.
Predictable Winner, Weak Final Four
The final four of the men’s Royal Rumble should be edge-of-your-seat action, but in 2025, it was anything but. The winner was so heavily rumored that it took all the excitement out of the finish. Fans could see it coming from a mile away, making the final minutes feel more like going through the motions rather than an epic climax. There was no swerve, no shock factor—just a result that most fans had guessed weeks in advance.
The Women’s Rumble Had the Same Issues
While the women’s Royal Rumble had a few brighter spots, it ultimately suffered from the same problems as the men’s match: weak surprises, predictable outcomes, and an overall lack of intensity. With so many talented women in the division, WWE had a golden opportunity to create a star-making moment, but instead, the finish felt like it was written months ago with little flexibility for excitement.
Underwhelming Undercard
Outside of the Rumble matches, the rest of the show didn’t do much to save the night. The world title matches were decent but far from unforgettable, and midcard feuds that should have elevated the event ended up being filler. There was no match-of-the-year contender, no moment that truly stood out as legendary—just a show that felt like it was missing that special spark.
The Road to WrestleMania Feels… Meh
The Royal Rumble is supposed to make fans excited for WrestleMania, but after this year’s event, many are left wondering what’s next. The winners of both Rumble matches are solid choices on paper, but their roads to WrestleMania don’t feel as must-see as they should. WWE now has a lot of work to do in the coming weeks to build genuine excitement for the biggest show of the year.
Final Verdict
The 2025 Royal Rumble wasn’t terrible—it just wasn’t what it should have been. WWE overpromised and underdelivered, leading to a night that felt more like a routine stop on the calendar rather than the electrifying launchpad to WrestleMania. If the company wants to regain fan trust, it’ll need to shake things up fast because right now, the Road to WrestleMania is looking more like a speed bump than a thrilling ride.
What did you think of the 2025 Royal Rumble? Was it as disappointing as we think, or are we being too harsh? Let us know in the comments!