Randy Orton eliminates Roman Reigns last; Reigns removes The Undertaker; Goldberg crushes Brock Lesnar again
Friday 3 February 2017 09:43, UK
Randy Orton has sealed a main-event spot at WrestleMania 33 after lastly eliminating Roman Reigns to win the 2017 Royal Rumble Match in San Antonio.
The Viper threw Reigns over the top rope following an RKO to triumph in the 30-man bout for the second time, having previously prevailed in Detroit in 2009.
Orton and Reigns were joined in the final four by the former's Wyatt Family stablemate Bray Wyatt and Chris Jericho after Reigns had stunningly ejected The Undertaker.
Reigns dispatched Jericho and then accounted for Wyatt but a missed spear on Orton proved crucial, allowing The Apex Predator to earn a shot at a world title in Orlando on April 2.
Orton told ESPN.com shortly after his win: "I'd say I feel like I've accomplished a lot of great things, more than most.
"I've done it twice [won the Royal Rumble]. It's just accolade after accolade stacking up and I couldn't be more grateful."
Elsewhere, Goldberg backed up his Survivor Series mauling of Brock Lesnar by dumping out The Beast Incarnate shortly after entering the bout - only to then be expelled by Undertaker.
Plus, English cruiserweight Jack Gallagher - and his umbrella - made a surprise appearance, while NXT favourite Tye Dillinger, nicknamed The Perfect 10, fittingly entered at No 10.
Braun Strowman - who had earlier attacked Reigns to prevent him from winning the Universal Title from Kevin Owens - dominated proceedings after joining the bout at No 7.
The Monster Among Men eliminated seven Superstars, including Mark Henry, Big Show and James Ellsworth, before he was removed by Baron Corbin after a Sami Zayn Helluva Kick.
Kofi Kingston performed his customary daredevil elimination save, clinging on to the steel ring post and leaping back in to the ring after Corbin had knocked him off the turnbuckle.
Partnerships also came unstuck, with Sheamus trying to eliminate Cesaro and Luke Harper shockingly attacking his long-time leader Wyatt.
Lesnar went on a rampage after entering at No 26, eliminating Dolph Ziggler and Dean Ambrose and dishing out German suplexes galore, but was then humbled by Goldberg following a spear.
WCW legend Goldberg then downed Harper and Rusev but was punished for spearing The Undertaker by being dispatched by the Phenom.
Reigns then knocked out The Undertaker after entering at No 30, The Big Dog seizing his opportunity with The Deadman poised to blast Jericho with a Tombstone Piledriver.
The 2015 winner then looked set to nab a second Rumble victory after evading a Sister Abigail-RKO combo from Wyatt and Orton - but The Viper struck the crucial blow.
WWE Royal Rumble booking details
WWE Royal Rumble will repeated on Sky Sports Box Office (channel 491) BUT NOT Sky Sports HD Box Office (channel 492) between 10am on Monday, January 30 and 8pm on Thursday, February 2 - 8pm is the start of the final playout.
The pay-per-view will cost £19.95 for viewers in the United Kingdom and €24.95 for customers in the Republic of Ireland.
You can order the show by visiting this link: https://my.sky.com/orderboxoffice/?DCMP=WWERoyalRumble
You can also book the event over the phone: UK viewers should call 03442 410 888, while customers in the Republic of Ireland should call 0818 220 225. (There may be an additional charge for telephone bookings).
You can also order the show via your Sky remote:
Sky+: Press the box office button on your remote, then click the sports tab followed by WWE Royal Rumble.
Sky Q: Press Home on your Sky Q remote, select TV guide, then Box Office and then WWE Royal Rumble. Enter your TV Pin if prompted. (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.
