The 2025 Men's Royal Rumble wasn’t just another battle royal—it was a storytelling masterpiece. Unlike previous years when a clear favorite emerged, this Rumble was a chaotic mix of rivalries, unfinished business, and jaw-dropping surprises. With no obvious winner heading in, every entrant felt like a legitimate contender, making each elimination matter even more.
JEY USO'S ROYAL RUMBLE WIN
Look, I get it—100,000 people yeeting in unison is a spectacle.
I also acknowledge the pop he got when he entered the ring for the match.
But when you stack Jey Uso's build against the likes of CM Punk, Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, John Cena, Drew McIntyre, Sami Zayn, LA Knight, and even Logan Paul, the gap is undeniable. Jey wasn’t positioned as a true contender—he was there to fire up the crowd and shake off the “mascot” label that Gunther slapped on him.
And yet, despite all that hype, Gunther still had the better of him. In their Saturday Night Event clash, Gunther kicked out of a superkick, spear, and splash combo—moves that should’ve put him away. Meanwhile, he finished Jey clean with back-to-back powerbombs, with no interruptions. That’s not exactly a dominant look for a Rumble winner.
Then there’s the bigger picture. Cena needed one last iconic moment. Punk’s entire arc is leading to his long-awaited WrestleMania main event. Reigns could’ve used the win to cement his return as the guy once again. But instead, we’re here—Jey Uso standing tall. Does it add up? Not really.
Honestly, it felt like a botched Cena move, more than anything.
In this new era though, fans have learned to just ride the wave and trust the process. Jey Uso’s victory feels like there’s more beneath the surface, a secret ingredient that could make WrestleMania unforgettable. Under Triple H's guidance, WWE has shifted its focus from chasing five-star ratings to creating moments that resonate. That’s why WWE is riding high right now—because it’s about the magic, not just the metrics.
CHARLOTTE FLAIR'S ROYAL RUMBLE WIN
In the long run, this had to happen. If Becky Lynch wasn’t part of the Rumble, then the next logical choice was Charlotte Flair. Sure, there’s always a chance that Lynch shows up on Raw post-Rumble and goes after Rhea Ripley, but for now, Flair seems like a near-lock for Tiffany Stratton’s WrestleMania opponent.
That said, a shake-up wouldn’t be the worst thing. WrestleMania thrives on unpredictability, and while Flair vs. Stratton is the expected matchup, a last-minute switch could keep things fresh. Maybe Lynch finds her way into the title picture, or perhaps another contender steps up. Either way, Flair winning made sense—but the road to Mania still has room for surprises.
THE RUMBLE RETURNS
Jordynne Grace and Joe Hendry were pretty much givens, and let’s be real—their pops were massive, and the fans were 100% behind them. Then there were the returns of Charlotte Flair, AJ Styles, Trish Stratus, and Nikki Bella, which were all awesome moments. That said, I can’t help but feel that one of those two legends might’ve been stand-ins for a possible Becky Lynch or AJ Lee entry. I wouldn’t be mad at that, though; the legends still had the crowd buzzing.
But let’s talk about Alexa Bliss—she’s on another level. When her music hit, the pop was so loud it drowned out the theme song itself. It was clear she was overwhelmed with emotion before facing off with Bayley, and the connection with the crowd was undeniable.
Also, Michael Cole has been awesome since the regime change. The way he called out the dirt sheets for spreading fake news was pure gold. It’s nice to see him more unhinged and passionate, showing that he’s fully in tune with what’s going down.
THE MAIN PICTURE
Say what you want about Jey Uso’s build, but his Royal Rumble victory takes us back to what the match is supposed to do—create new stars. He could challenge Gunther, but the real money is in a showdown with Cody Rhodes. A Rumble win has propelled careers before—Chris Benoit, Batista, Rey Mysterio, Alberto Del Rio, and Drew McIntyre all used it as a launchpad to the next level.
Gunther is the logical choice—he’s spent months tearing down Jey Uso’s credibility, dismissing his work, and calling him nothing more than a mascot. A title match between them would be a chance for Jey to prove himself against one of the most dominant champions in recent memory.
But the more intriguing path? Cody Rhodes. A few weeks ago, CM Punk warned Cody that it’s lonely at the top because, one by one, your allies turn against you. It’s already happened with Kevin Owens, Seth Rollins, and Punk himself. Now, with The Bloodline saga pulling Cody back in, Jey Uso could be next.
This opens up a fascinating new layer to The Bloodline’s ever-evolving story. Roman Reigns, who once told Jey he was next in line as Tribal Chief, could either stand against him—or shockingly, give him his blessing. If Roman backs Jey, that would likely enrage Solo Sikoa, and even introduce Jacob Fatu into the equation. And if Roman wins his rumored last shot at the undisputed WWE Championship, we could be looking at twin Bloodline champions ruling WWE.
Jey’s Rumble win wasn’t just about a title shot—it’s a shift in the power dynamics of WWE’s biggest storyline. Whether he picks Gunther or Cody, the road to WrestleMania just got a lot more interesting.
That said, winning the Rumble doesn’t guarantee a title. Six of the last ten winners failed to claim championship gold at WrestleMania, and Shinsuke Nakamura, McIntyre, and Rhodes (twice) were the most recent non-champions to win, with Nakamura being the only one to truly waste his shot.
Jey’s moment is here—but it all comes down to who he faces. He just needs to win the championship against the right person. And if he chooses Cody Rhodes, that’s where the real story unfolds. Imagine the crowd, phones lighting up the stadium, singing in unison as Jey finally reaches the top. If WWE plays this right, this could be a WrestleMania moment for the ages.