Asuka victorious in 1st-ever women's Royal Rumble match
"The Empress of Tomorrow" Asuka will forever hold the distinction of being the winner of the first-ever women's Royal Rumble match, a title she earned Sunday night in Philadelphia at the Wells Fargo Center.
Congratulations to @WWEAsuka! First ever Women's #RoyalRumble winner! pic.twitter.com/EoQfrHfdFU
— No Way Jose (@WWENoWayJose) January 29, 2018
| Entrant | Superstar | Elimination | Eliminated by |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sasha Banks | 27 | The Bella Twins |
| 2 | Becky Lynch | 14 | Ruby Riott |
| 3 | Sarah Logan | 7 | Molly Holly |
| 4 | Mandy Rose | 1 | Lita |
| 5 | Lita | 3 | Becky Lynch |
| 6 | Kairi Sane | 4 | Dana Brooke |
| 7 | Tamina Snuka | 2 | Lita |
| 8 | Dana Brooke | 5 | Torrie Wilson |
| 9 | Torrie Wilson | 6 | Sonya Deville |
| 10 | Sonya Deville | 8 | Michelle McCool |
| 11 | Liv Morgan | 9 | Michelle McCool |
| 12 | Molly Holly | 10 | Michelle McCool |
| 13 | Lana | 11 | Michelle McCool |
| 14 | Michelle McCool | 13 | Natalya |
| 15 | Ruby Riott | 17 | Nia Jax |
| 16 | Vickie Guerrero | 12 | Banks/Riott/McCool/Lynch |
| 17 | Carmella | 21 | Nikki Bella |
| 18 | Natalya | 25 | Trish Stratus |
| 19 | Kelly Kelly | 16 | Nia Jax |
| 20 | Naomi | 18 | Nia Jax |
| 21 | Jacqueline | 15 | Nia Jax |
| 22 | Nia Jax | 23 | Everyone |
| 23 | Ember Moon | 20 | Asuka |
| 24 | Beth Phoenix | 19 | Natalya |
| 25 | Asuka | N/A | WINNER |
| 26 | Mickie James | 22 | Trish Stratus |
| 27 | Nikki Bella | 29 | Asuka |
| 28 | Brie Bella | 28 | Nikki Bella |
| 29 | Bayley | 24 | Sasha Banks |
| 30 | Trish Stratus | 26 | Sasha Banks |
The historic Rumble came down to Asuka, and sisters Nikki and Brie Bella. Nikki hadn't competed since being proposed to by John Cena following a mixed tag team match at WrestleMania 33, while Brie had retired following her bout during the WrestleMania 32 kick-off show.
With Brie draped on the apron, Nikki took advantage and delivered a forearm shot to eliminate her.
EVERY WOMAN FOR HERSELF! Nikki just eliminated Brie!#RoyalRumble #RumbleForAll pic.twitter.com/gRlYNPLaMC
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) January 29, 2018
Asuka later applied a submission by wrapping her legs around Nikki's surgically-repaired neck to bring her to the outside. She then kicked Nikki's legs out from underneath her to pick up the all-important win, and keep her undefeated streak alive.
Before she could declare which Women's Champion she'd be challenging at WrestleMania 34, a debuting Ronda Rousey showed up to signify her intentions of competing at 'Mania, as well.
It seems @RondaRousey ALSO wants to go to @WrestleMania...#RoyalRumble pic.twitter.com/yha3PGBPL8
— WWE (@WWE) January 29, 2018
Related: Rousey signs full-time contract with WWE
WWE Royal Rumble Quick Results
- Kalisto, Gran Metalik, and Lince Dorado def. TJP, Jack Gallagher, and Drew Gulak (Kick-off Show)
- The Revival (Dash Wilder and Scott Dawson) def. The Club (Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson) (Kick-off Show)
- Bobby Roode (c) def. Mojo Rawley to retain WWE United States Championship (Kick-off Show)
- A.J. Styles (c) def. Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn in a handicap match to retain WWE Championship
- The Usos def. Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin 2-0 in a 2-out-of-3 falls match to retain WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship
- Shinsuke Nakamura wins men's Royal Rumble
- The Bar (Cesaro and Sheamus) def. Seth Rollins and Jason Jordan (c) to win WWE Raw Tag Team Championship
- Brock Lesnar (c) def. Braun Strowman and Kane to retain WWE Universal Championship
- Asuka wins women's Royal Rumble