The Road to WrestleMania IV begins with the Royal Rumble, where the first time, men and women will compete for the right to earn a championship match in their respective main event at the "Grandest Stage of Them All".
Royal Rumble 2020 Card
Women's Royal Rumble Match
Part 1 of this show will be the first ever Women's Royal Rumble, a 20 woman over the top rope battle royal. The match will feature 6 women from Raw and 6 from SmackDown, 3 from NXT and 5 surprise entrants. The winner will go on to the women's main event at WrestleMania IV.
Confirmed from Raw: Alexa Bliss, Becky Lynch, Naomi, Nia Jax, Ronda Rousey and Toni Storm.
Confirmed from SmackDown: Asuka, Billie Kay, Carmella, Nikki Cross, Paige and Peyton Royce.
Confirmed from NXT: Bianca Belair, Lacey Evans and Sonya Deville.
Jon Moxley vs Roman Reigns- Extreme Rules Match
Opening Part 2 will be the final chapter in one of the most personal rivalries in Universe Mode history. These two former "brothers" in The Shield have torn each other apart, leaving absolute chaos in their wake and costing each other multiple title opportunities, including at Armageddon. Moxley addressed as such on Raw, stating that this war must end or neither man can ever truly have a career in this company. Reigns agreed, and laid down the challenge for an Extreme Rules match, a big gamble considering he was decimated in a similar style of match, a Street Fight at Backlash last year. After all the brawls, all the bloodshed, all the pain and misery and torment, it all comes down to this, one on one, no excuses, brother vs brother to the very end.
Big E(c) vs The Velveteen Dream- Intercontinental Championship Match
The Dream became number one contender for the IC title near the end of last year, and has been up to his usual mind games against champion Big E. He's appeared in multiple vignettes on SmackDown, lifting iron, running treadmills and getting himself into the best shape of his life, all while throwing darts at a picture of Big E's face. If he thought this would faze the champ, he got an emphatic denial on the go-home episode of SmackDown. Big E was asked about Velveteen Dream, and what he thought of the vignettes. His response: "Velveteen who?"
The Revival(c) vs AJ Styles and Ricochet- Raw Tag Team Championship Match
Coming off a very unexpected title win, Dash Wilder and Scott Dawson are once again back on top on the red brand. They were extremely disgusted when GM Paul Heyman announced that AJ and Ricochet would be number one contenders, considering them unworthy to even be called a tag team, as they were long term singles competitors. This new team on the block looked to prove themselves worthy two weeks ago, but came up short in a tag match against former champions the Young Bucks, a loss which the champions absolutely loved. On the go-home show, AJ and Ricochet were seen conferencing backstage with legendary tag team the Dudley Boyz in an attempt to learn more about the art of tag team wrestling, but whether it can carry them through such a significant test is yet to be seen.
Sasha Banks(c) vs Shayna Baszler- SmackDown Women's Championship Match
In an unexpected move, on the first episode of SmackDown in 2020, Ms. Money in the Bank Shayna Baszler announced she would be cashing in at the Royal Rumble. Her rationale was that after winning the briefcase once and getting a surprise cash-in, she wanted to prove her dominance rather than get another fluke win. Despite having time to prepare, champion Sasha Banks is not in the right mindset, as she has been embroiled in drama with best friend Bayley. Bayley remains upset after losing to Sasha at Survivor Series, and a verbal altercation between the two almost cost Sasha her title against Ember Moon. Bayley remains in Sasha's corner, but it's safe to say that the momentum is with the challenger.
"The Fiend" Bray Wyatt(c) vs EC3- Universal Championship Match
EC3 has never lacked in confidence, but his hubris may have gotten him in an unwinnable position this time. After his win over Baron Corbin at Armageddon, he clearly expected praise and admiration, but instead was asked in an interview after the show about his thoughts on Wyatt's new "Firefly Funhouse" persona. EC3 walked out of the interview in a huff, and then called Wyatt out on Raw. Bray gave him a lecture about ego, and that really didn't help. EC3 stormed around the arena, before getting a hold of a replica of the mask of "The Fiend" and ripped it apart. He paid dearly for that, being put in the Mandible Claw, but even that didn't slow him down. EC3 demanded a title match from Paul Heyman, calling Wyatt a coward and a cheap shot artist, and even the Raw GM thought that was a bad idea. Still, Heyman gave him his match, smirking slightly as he did so. If EC3 really does plan on showing up and fighting "The Fiend" and it sure seems like he does, then his days in Universe Mode may be numbered.
Robert Roode(c) vs CM Punk- WWE Championship Match
"The Glorious One" got off to a good start as WWE Champion, defeating Seth Rollins on SmackDown and declaring that he would now be referred to as Robert Roode. But CM Punk was on the hunt, after holding the WWE title for just moments at Survivor Series, the shortest title reign in Universe Mode history. Punk was all over Roode every single week on SmackDown, jumping him backstage, hitting him with the GTS twice and forcing him to tap out to the Anaconda Vise, all just to prove that Roode wasn't on his level. It was obvious that the "Second City Saint" had lost the plot, and Edge was forced to suspend him from SmackDown, a very unpopular decision. But the GM would decide to give Punk another title match, provided he didn't attack Roode before the event. On the go-home show, Punk and Roode met to sign the contract, the WWE Champion backed up by an entire security force. They signed in peace, but then Roode got his revenge, hitting Punk with the belt before putting him through the table with a Spinebuster. The heat is clearly present between these two men, but who will represent the blue brand as champion with WrestleMania looming.
Men's Royal Rumble Match
Speaking of WrestleMania, Part 3 will be the men's Rumble match. The match will feature 10 men from Raw, 10 from SmackDown, 4 from NXT and 6 surprise entrants. The winner will go on to the men's main event at WrestleMania IV.
Confirmed from Raw: Adam Cole, Aleister Black, Bobby Lashley, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Jinder Mahal, Kenny Omega, Kevin Owens, Pete Dunne, Randy Orton and Tyler Breeze.
Confirmed from SmackDown: Andrade "Cien" Almas, Braun Strowman, Drew McIntyre, Eric Young, Finn Balor, John Cena, Johnny Gargano, Killian Dain, Mustafa Ali and Samoa Joe.
Confirmed from NXT: Buddy Murphy, Drew Gulak, Mike Kanellis and Otis Dozovic.
Royal Rumble 2020 Card
Women's Royal Rumble Match
Part 1 of this show will be the first ever Women's Royal Rumble, a 20 woman over the top rope battle royal. The match will feature 6 women from Raw and 6 from SmackDown, 3 from NXT and 5 surprise entrants. The winner will go on to the women's main event at WrestleMania IV.
Confirmed from Raw: Alexa Bliss, Becky Lynch, Naomi, Nia Jax, Ronda Rousey and Toni Storm.
Confirmed from SmackDown: Asuka, Billie Kay, Carmella, Nikki Cross, Paige and Peyton Royce.
Confirmed from NXT: Bianca Belair, Lacey Evans and Sonya Deville.
Jon Moxley vs Roman Reigns- Extreme Rules Match
Opening Part 2 will be the final chapter in one of the most personal rivalries in Universe Mode history. These two former "brothers" in The Shield have torn each other apart, leaving absolute chaos in their wake and costing each other multiple title opportunities, including at Armageddon. Moxley addressed as such on Raw, stating that this war must end or neither man can ever truly have a career in this company. Reigns agreed, and laid down the challenge for an Extreme Rules match, a big gamble considering he was decimated in a similar style of match, a Street Fight at Backlash last year. After all the brawls, all the bloodshed, all the pain and misery and torment, it all comes down to this, one on one, no excuses, brother vs brother to the very end.
Big E(c) vs The Velveteen Dream- Intercontinental Championship Match
The Dream became number one contender for the IC title near the end of last year, and has been up to his usual mind games against champion Big E. He's appeared in multiple vignettes on SmackDown, lifting iron, running treadmills and getting himself into the best shape of his life, all while throwing darts at a picture of Big E's face. If he thought this would faze the champ, he got an emphatic denial on the go-home episode of SmackDown. Big E was asked about Velveteen Dream, and what he thought of the vignettes. His response: "Velveteen who?"
The Revival(c) vs AJ Styles and Ricochet- Raw Tag Team Championship Match
Coming off a very unexpected title win, Dash Wilder and Scott Dawson are once again back on top on the red brand. They were extremely disgusted when GM Paul Heyman announced that AJ and Ricochet would be number one contenders, considering them unworthy to even be called a tag team, as they were long term singles competitors. This new team on the block looked to prove themselves worthy two weeks ago, but came up short in a tag match against former champions the Young Bucks, a loss which the champions absolutely loved. On the go-home show, AJ and Ricochet were seen conferencing backstage with legendary tag team the Dudley Boyz in an attempt to learn more about the art of tag team wrestling, but whether it can carry them through such a significant test is yet to be seen.
Sasha Banks(c) vs Shayna Baszler- SmackDown Women's Championship Match
In an unexpected move, on the first episode of SmackDown in 2020, Ms. Money in the Bank Shayna Baszler announced she would be cashing in at the Royal Rumble. Her rationale was that after winning the briefcase once and getting a surprise cash-in, she wanted to prove her dominance rather than get another fluke win. Despite having time to prepare, champion Sasha Banks is not in the right mindset, as she has been embroiled in drama with best friend Bayley. Bayley remains upset after losing to Sasha at Survivor Series, and a verbal altercation between the two almost cost Sasha her title against Ember Moon. Bayley remains in Sasha's corner, but it's safe to say that the momentum is with the challenger.
"The Fiend" Bray Wyatt(c) vs EC3- Universal Championship Match
EC3 has never lacked in confidence, but his hubris may have gotten him in an unwinnable position this time. After his win over Baron Corbin at Armageddon, he clearly expected praise and admiration, but instead was asked in an interview after the show about his thoughts on Wyatt's new "Firefly Funhouse" persona. EC3 walked out of the interview in a huff, and then called Wyatt out on Raw. Bray gave him a lecture about ego, and that really didn't help. EC3 stormed around the arena, before getting a hold of a replica of the mask of "The Fiend" and ripped it apart. He paid dearly for that, being put in the Mandible Claw, but even that didn't slow him down. EC3 demanded a title match from Paul Heyman, calling Wyatt a coward and a cheap shot artist, and even the Raw GM thought that was a bad idea. Still, Heyman gave him his match, smirking slightly as he did so. If EC3 really does plan on showing up and fighting "The Fiend" and it sure seems like he does, then his days in Universe Mode may be numbered.
Robert Roode(c) vs CM Punk- WWE Championship Match
"The Glorious One" got off to a good start as WWE Champion, defeating Seth Rollins on SmackDown and declaring that he would now be referred to as Robert Roode. But CM Punk was on the hunt, after holding the WWE title for just moments at Survivor Series, the shortest title reign in Universe Mode history. Punk was all over Roode every single week on SmackDown, jumping him backstage, hitting him with the GTS twice and forcing him to tap out to the Anaconda Vise, all just to prove that Roode wasn't on his level. It was obvious that the "Second City Saint" had lost the plot, and Edge was forced to suspend him from SmackDown, a very unpopular decision. But the GM would decide to give Punk another title match, provided he didn't attack Roode before the event. On the go-home show, Punk and Roode met to sign the contract, the WWE Champion backed up by an entire security force. They signed in peace, but then Roode got his revenge, hitting Punk with the belt before putting him through the table with a Spinebuster. The heat is clearly present between these two men, but who will represent the blue brand as champion with WrestleMania looming.
Men's Royal Rumble Match
Speaking of WrestleMania, Part 3 will be the men's Rumble match. The match will feature 10 men from Raw, 10 from SmackDown, 4 from NXT and 6 surprise entrants. The winner will go on to the men's main event at WrestleMania IV.
Confirmed from Raw: Adam Cole, Aleister Black, Bobby Lashley, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Jinder Mahal, Kenny Omega, Kevin Owens, Pete Dunne, Randy Orton and Tyler Breeze.
Confirmed from SmackDown: Andrade "Cien" Almas, Braun Strowman, Drew McIntyre, Eric Young, Finn Balor, John Cena, Johnny Gargano, Killian Dain, Mustafa Ali and Samoa Joe.
Confirmed from NXT: Buddy Murphy, Drew Gulak, Mike Kanellis and Otis Dozovic.
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