Big Dog downs Lesnar on Raw - before Wyatt Family strikes
Tuesday 19 January 2016 11:39, UK
Roman Reigns' hopes of retaining the WWE World Heavyweight Title in the Royal Rumble Match on Sunday night took a dent after he was confirmed as the No 1 entrant.
The Big Dog's name was drawn "at random" from a tumbler by arch-enemy Vince McMahon on Raw, not once but thrice, meaning he will have to outlast each of his 29 opponents to remain champion.
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Reigns admitted at the start of Monday's show in Ohio that the only one of his rivals he was concerned about was Brock Lesnar, the man he met in the main event of WrestleMania 31.
The Big Dog managed to blast The Beast Incarnate with two spears when both powerhouses appeared on Chris Jericho's Highlight Reel on Monday, Reigns' clocking Lesnar before and after the former UFC Heavyweight Champion decimated The League of Nations.
However, The Wyatt Family were the grapplers standing tall at the end of the show, with the bearded-brawlers - who obliterated The Dudley Boyz and Ryback earlier in the night - attacking Reigns and Lesnar, with Bray Wyatt's Sister Abigail on the Beast the Coup de Grace.
Reigns did pick up a singles victory on Raw, though, downing Rusev with a Superman Punch after special guest referee Jericho had ejected the Bulgarian's League of Nations comrades, Sheamus, Alberto Del Rio and King Barrett, from ringside.
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Sheamus and Del Rio were joyous later in the evening as they conquered Dean Ambrose and Kalisto in a tag-team tussle - but Kalisto will get the chance for revenge on Del Rio when he challenges the Mexican for the United States Championship at Royal Rumble.
Elsewhere on Raw, Becky Lynch beat Tamina Snuka and goaded Ric Flair into making a Divas Championship bout between her and the Nature Boy's daughter, Charlotte, at Royal Rumble, while Natalya overcame Brie Bella in the show's second Divas contest.
Plus, Big Show knocked out each member of the Social Outcasts; Neville, Mark Henry, Titus O'Neil and R-Truth vanquished The Ascension, Stardust and Tyler Breeze; and Big E flattened Jey Uso, six nights before he and Kofi Kingston defend their Tag Team Titles against Jey and his sibling, Jimmy.
You can watch the 2016 Royal Rumble pay-per-view live on Sky Sports Box Office from 1am on Sunday, January 24 (Monday morning). We will also be running a live blog of the event on skysports.com/wwe.
WWE Royal Rumble will be shown on Sky Sports Box Office (channel 491) and Sky Sports HD Box Office (channel 492) at 1am, on Sunday, January 24 (Mon morning).
WWE Royal Rumble will be repeated on Sky Sports Box Office (channel 491) but NOT Sky Sports HD Box Office (channel 492) between 9am, Monday, January 25 and 9pm, Thursday, January 28.
Repeat showings will last for three hours, with the final showing STARTING at 9pm on Thursday, January 28.
The event is priced at £19.95 for UK customers, €24.95 for viewers in the Republic of Ireland.
Viewers can call 03442 410 888 to book WWE Royal Rumble. (There may be an additional charge for telephone bookings).
You can also book WWE Royal Rumble online by visiting this link: https://my.sky.com/orderboxoffice/?DCMP=bac-SS.com_RoyalRumble
Only bookings via Sky TV remote are recordable using Sky Plus.
Sky TV residential customers only. Commercial customers contact Sky for price and to order. Sky Box Office terms apply.
Cable customers should contact their local cable operator.
