WWE Royal Rumble 2023 results, match grades: Cody Rhodes, Rhea Ripley win Rumbles, Sami Zayn turns on Bloodline

One of WWE's most compelling storylines in years continued to be gripping television while two stars moved one step closer to main-eventing WrestleMania with victories at the Royal Rumble on Saturday night in San Antonio. 

Cody Rhodes, who entered last at No. 30, won the men's Royal Rumble match, while Rhea Ripley won the women's Royal Rumble after entering at No. 1. 

Rhodes was making his long-awaited return to WWE after tearing his right pectoral tendon. "The American Nightmare," the son of Dusty Rhodes, outlasted a lot of big-time WWE talent, including Gunther, who set a Rumble record by working more than 70 minutes in the match. Rhodes is expected to face Roman Reigns at WrestleMania in April for the undisputed WWE Universal title (more on Reigns later). 

MORE: Will WWE be sold following Vince McMahon's return?

"It's fun to do stuff that you haven't done in seven months," Rhodes said following the match. "I think the thing I missed the most is the thing that took me the longest to get. I love this audience. Some people think it's try-hard, or fake emotions. This is a real story . . .  I have the privilege but also the burden. I don't play a character, I play me, and me was enough tonight." 

A dream has become reality at #RoyalRumble.

Congratulations to the undeniable @CodyRhodes, you EARNED it. pic.twitter.com/v4YBiLYE2M

— WWE (@WWE) January 29, 2023

In the women's Rumble match, Ripley exceeded expectations and ran the gauntlet. She had six eliminations and did not tire. There were a few surprises, including the Kana version of Asuka and the return of Nia Jax.

Ripley now has the option to face past rivals Charlotte Flair or Bianca Belair at WrestleMania. 

Also on the card, Bray Wyatt beat LA Knight in a Mountain Dew Pitch Black match; Belair beat Alexa Bliss to retain the "Raw" women's title; and Reigns defeated Kevin Owens to retain his title, although Sami Zayn turning on Reigns is what everyone will remember. The Bloodline is officially broken. 

AN HONORARY UCE NO MORE!@SamiZayn has just betrayed @WWERomanReigns and the entire Bloodline at #RoyalRumble! pic.twitter.com/ZtzAF1xGGD

— WWE (@WWE) January 29, 2023

Here's how it all went down, with match grades from the Royal Rumble event: 

WWE Royal Rumble 2023 results, highlights

Welcome to The Sporting News' live coverage of the 2023 Royal Rumble.

The Bloodline is having issues as Roman Reigns rants to them. Sami Zayn almost gets in trouble, but Jey Uso is there to help him out. The story is the best thing going in WWE. Reigns said that Zayn will be with him for his match against Kevin Owens. Tonight is Zayn's night. 

Pat McAfee is back following his college football run. That deserves an A+ grade on its own. 

Men's Royal Rumble match

Sweet American Dream: Cody Rhodes returns, wins

While the outcome appeared obvious, the lead-up to Rhodes winning was well-executed.

The match was entertaining from start to finish and featured some of WWE's top stars. It dragged at times, but it wasn't overwhelming. Not only was a winner announced, the match also set the scene for several WrestleMania matches and turned Gunther into a star. 

A dream has become reality at #RoyalRumble.

Congratulations to the undeniable @CodyRhodes, you EARNED it. pic.twitter.com/v4YBiLYE2M

— WWE (@WWE) January 29, 2023

Gunther and birthday boy Sheamus started the Rumble and reignited their feud from their 2022 Match of the Year contender at Clash at the Castle. Right away, the try and beat the other down to submission, a strong opening to the match. The Miz is number three, one of these things is not like the other. Miz was the first elimination in a shocking move, as he was taken out by Sheamus. 

Kofi Kingston botched a Royal Rumble save by trying to land onto a chair, which didn't help things. Things kicked into high gear when Brock Lesnar entered at number 12. He eliminated three wrestlers right away, and then Bobby Lashley speared him to continue their feud from a few months ago. In a shocking moment, Lesnar was eliminated early. Lesnar went crazy, attacking everything and everyone in his path, a true highlight at the beginning of the match. Lashley's momentum was quickly evaporated when Seth "Freakin'" Rollins eliminated him, which was confusing.

Another confusing moment was Rey Mysterio announced as number 17, but not coming out. Judgement Day took him out, but he never entered the match, and there was no replacement.  McIntyre and Sheamus teaming together makes for a scary sight. They fought Judgement Day and everyone else in their way, making double-eliminations. Edge returned at 24 to set up a potential WrestleMania match with Judgement Day. Monsters entered the ring late, as Omos and Braun Strowman came into the match at 26 and 27. 

Logan Paul returned and came in at 29. He was bullied by everyone in the match, but impressed.

WHAT DID WE JUST WITNESS?!?@LoganPaul and @KingRicochet just blew our minds at #RoyalRumble with an unbelievable moment! 🤯🤯🤯 pic.twitter.com/V5HIMhT0yQ

— WWE (@WWE) January 29, 2023

Number 30 was the returning Rhodes. No Sami Zayn then.

Rollins and Rhodes renewed their classic rivalry. Rollins was eliminated by Paul. The final two were Gunther and Rhodes (number one and 30, a first).  A great story was Gunther's chops vs. Rhodes' previously torn pec. Rhodes beat Gunther to win the Royal Rumble. It was a tremendous showing by Gunther (lasting about 71 minutes), who is thriving under the Triple H-led WWE.

Grade: A-

Men’s Royal Rumble match entrances and eliminations 

Twisted Bray Wyatt takes out LA Knight

Wyatt faced Knight in a Mountain Dew-sponsored Pitch Black match. The rules were unknown at the start. The match is just black lights with painted colors highlighted, Naomi's gimmick. Wyatt did looked pretty cool, but outside of that, the match was tough to see. We've learned in the past that matches with colors outside of normal lights don't generally work. 

Knight and Wyatt beat up one another throughout the arena. There was plunder and a lot of weapons were involved. Wyatt quickly won with a Sister Abigail. Wyatt then put on a mask and stalked Knight. Uncle Howdy came out as Wyatt put Knight to sleep. Howdy then dropped from a large platform onto Knight. 

As Bray Wyatt and @RealLAKnight met in the first-ever @MountainDew Pitch Black Match at #RoyalRumble, Uncle Howdy made a big splash! pic.twitter.com/TqYhpt1sAZ

— WWE (@WWE) January 29, 2023

A lot more was expected from Wyatt in his first match in two years. Once the lights were off, it was hard to find interest in the match. Time to move on. 

Grade: D-

Attendance at the Alamodome was announced as 51,338.

Bianca Belair retains 'Raw' women's title over a game Alexa Bliss 

These two have been involved in a heated feud and did not disappoint at the start.

Bliss used Belair's hair against her and would be the aggressor through the beginning. Belair finally used her strength to bully Bliss. This wasn't a technical classic, but it didn't need to be. Belair continued to drop Bliss all over the ring once she took control. A powerbomb attempt was blocked and Bliss hit Belair with a DDT. She then regained control. 

Belair landed the KOD to end the bout. No spooky shenanigans on the part of Bliss. Uncle Howdy showed up after the match to get into Bliss' head. 

It wasn't the best match between the two, but perhaps there were expectations following several teases of a darker Alexa Bliss. Belair continues her great run as champion. 

Grade: B-

Iron Woman: Rhea Ripley wins the women's Royal Rumble match

The women's Rumble had some great moments, even if the crowd was tired. We saw the return of Piper Niven and Nia Jax. In the end, Ripley continued her hot streak. 

Ripley, who was involved in the men's Royal Rumble earlier in the night (and is holding her ribs), comes in at number one for the women's Royal Rumble match. Liv Morgan is number two in the match. Dana Brooke comes out at number three. Emma entered her first Royal Rumble match at four, and MMA Four Horsewomen member Shayna Baszler comes out at five. 

Bayley ripped a fans sign before entering the Royal Rumble. B-Fab comes out after her but is eliminated by Ripley not long after. NXT Women's Champion Roxanne Perez enters next. Number nine is Dakota Kai, ready to help Bayley, and Iyo Sky was not far behind. Damage CTRL took over the Royal Rumble, eliminating everyone. Natalya has returned from injury, and Candice LeRae came out after. Natalya and Baszler renew their rivalry, and both are eliminated by Damage CTRL. 

Another NXT star in Zoe Stark enters the Rumble, followed by Xia Li. Becky Lynch comes out at 15 and the crowd finally wakes up. Damage CTRL try and take out Lynch on the outside. Tegan Nox is out next. Asuka comes out to a louder ovation then Becky and she is wearing her Joker makeup from her Japan days as Kana.

Take a look at @WWEAsuka! 😲

All competitors in the Women's #RoyalRumble Match have taken notice. pic.twitter.com/QS87HfXrPX

— WWE (@WWE) January 29, 2023

Piper Niven (the former Doudrop) is back at 18 following a long absence, followed by Tamina. Becky is back and has taken out Damage CTRL. Chelsea Green is back at number 20 but was eliminated in five seconds. Becky took out Sky and Kai but Bayley took out Lynch. Michelle McCool enters the match at 25 after being announced in the crowd before. Nikki Cross bolts her way down to the ring. Nia Jax is back in WWE at number 30. A very shocking return signing. 

Ripley calls for the entire ring to eliminate Jax, taking her out. Raquel Rodriguez had momentum but was taken out by Ripley. The final three were Ripley, Morgan, and Asuka. Everyone is on the apron in a tense moment. Asuka spits mist onto Morgan. Ripley eliminates Asuka. Almost eliminated, Ripley eliminated Morgan.

That ending was one of the greatest finishing sequences in Rumble history. Ripley, the hottest act in WWE today, wins the Royal Rumble. 

Grade: A-

Women's Royal Rumble match entrances and eliminations 

Music star Hardy performed in front of what may very well have been a tired crowd. 

Roman Reigns def. Kevin Owens to retain the undisputed WWE Universal title

Roman Reigns vs. Kevin Owens at the Royal Rumble is a tradition at this point. This time, it was for the undisputed WWE Universal title. Sami Zayn was in Reigns' corner, so a great story was expected.

The crowd chanted "Sami Uso" right away, which upset Reigns. Reigns used his power to overwhelm Owens. Owens landed a few power shots of his own. He stomped away at Reigns in the corner and landed a cannonball. Owens took control on the outside. Reigns regained control when he was back in the ring, landing a standing Rock Bottom. Reigns then began trying to slowly tire out Owens, to no avail. 

Owens tried to chop Reigns, but Reigns shrugged it off. They exchanged shots in the middle of the ring. On the outside, Owens landed a Frog Splash. Then a top-rope Frog Splash by Owens, but only for two. Superkick attempt blocked into a sitout powerbomb by Reigns. Superman Punch attempt missed but Reigns got it on the second attempt. The announcers were watching Zayn's every move. Reigns went for the spear but Owens blocked it and landed a superkick. Swanton by Owens but only for two. Back on top, Owens was attacked by Reigns.

Owens tried to go high-risk but botched the spot. He tried again and missed a moonsault. Spear by Reigns but only for two. Spear attempt into a Stunner attempt, and the ref got taken out just as Owens landed the Pop-Up Powerbomb. Low blow by Reigns. Reigns yelled at Zayn to get a chair, but Zayn was hesitant.

Undisputed WWE Universal Champion @WWERomanReigns has strict orders for @SamiZayn at #RoyalRumble!@HeymanHustle #WWETitle pic.twitter.com/zwk7YbZNrL

— WWE (@WWE) January 29, 2023

Stunner by Owens but only for two. Powerbomb attempt by Owens reversed into into a Superman Punch into a spear, but only for two. Zayn told Owens to stay down. Reigns landed a spear through the barricade and then dropped Owens' head into the steps. 

Reigns slapped Owens and landed a spear for the three. While not the best of the series between the two at Royal Rumble events, they got the job done. The real main event is what happened after.

Grade: A-

The Bloodline is Broken: Sami Zayn turns on Roman Reigns

The Bloodline beat down Owens afterward as Zayn watched. The Usos and Solo Sikoa decimated Owens. Reigns then brought out handcuffs. Owens was helped along the ropes. Zayn tried to plead mercy as the Usos landed superkicks. As the crowd chanted for Zayn, Reigns went for the chair shot but Zayn stepped in front of Owens. He tried to convince Reigns he was better than that. Reigns gave Zayn the chair instead. Zayn looked like he was going to hit Reigns, and Reigns slapped him for struggling. Then he hit Reigns with the chair and the crowd went wild.  

The Usos attacked Zayn, and so did Sikoa. Jey Uso was upset. He exited the ring after not attacking Zayn. Reigns continued his attack and then dropped flowers onto Zayn. That was cinema, a masterpiece. 

Grade: A+

WWE Royal Rumble 2023 results

• Cody Rhodes wins men’s Royal Rumble match 
• Bray Wyatt def. LA Knight in a Mountain Dew Pitch Black match
• Bianca Belair (c) def. Alexa Bliss for the WWE "Raw" women’s title
• Rhea Ripley wins women’s Royal Rumble match 
• Roman Reigns (c) def. Kevin Owens for the undisputed WWE Universal title