WWE United States Champion Rusev (with Lana) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
Rusev had early control over Nakamura, nailing several suplexes. Rusev clotheslined him over the top to the floor. Nakamura was grabbed on the floor and whipped towards the stairs but leapt over them and landed on his feet, then leapt off with a kick on argue U.S Champion.
Nakamura tossed Rusev back into the ring and nailed several knees to the chest. Nakamura placed Rusev atop the turnbuckles and nailed a knee strike to them mid-section. He drilled Rusev in the mouth and cinched in a front facelock. Rusev made a comeback with a Fall Away Slam and a spinkick for a two count.
Nakamura fought back but Rusev caught him with a kick to the head for a two count. Rusev went for the Accolade but Nakamura slipped out and nailed a kick to the side of the head, then another to the side of the face for a two count. Nakamura went for a running kick but was nailed with a lariat that sent him upside down. Rusev nailed a Machka Kick. He went for another but was caught in a cross armbreaker. Rusev was trapped in a triangle choke but powered up. He was caught deeper in the choke. Rusev finally powered him up but was caught in a hanging front guillotine.
Rusev finally turned it into Jackhammer and scored a two count. They battled to the ropes. Rusev was knocked off. Nakamura nailed a Landslide for a two count. Nakamura was frustrated he couldn’t get the job done. Nakamura channeled George Steele and began working over one of the turnbuckle pads, trying to remove it. Lana got on the apron and argued with Nakamura over his attempt to cheat. Rusev charged Nakamura, but he sidestepped, and Lana was bumped off the apron. She immediately grabbed at her ankle.
Rusev got distracted and went to check on her, but Nakamura nailed the Kinshasa from behind and scored the pin.
Your winner and new WWE United States Champion, Shinsuke Nakamura
30 Man Royal Rumble Match
Number one was Elias, who did his guitar and mic work.
Number two was WWE Hall of Famer Jeff Jarrett, who came out in his complete old 1990s Double J gimmick. The fact Jerry Lawler was calling this cracked me up. Jarrett did his old mic work. Elias said he gets interrupted all the time, but rarely through someone who has something to bring to the table. Elias said it is fate they are together. He suggested Jarrett do a duet with Elias. Jarrett asked if the crowd wanted a duet to kick off the Rumble. Phoenix was into it and chanted “Yes!” Elias said the people have spoken. Oh man, I hope Honkytonk Man is number 3.
He asked Jeff to spell his name. Jeff started but Elias nailed him. Elias stomped the heck out of him and complained he’s been compared to Jarrett his entire career. Jarrett made a comeback with a series of rights. Elias nailed him with the guitar and tossed Jarrett out.
Jeff Jarrett has been eliminated.
Number three was Shinsuke Nakamura, doing double duty. Elias went right after him but was nailed with a leaping kick. Nakamura looked good. Elias walked the ropes and nailed Nakamura. He clotheslined the United States Champion over the top but he landed on the apron.
Number four was WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle. He whipped out German suplexes on Elias and Nakaura. He tossed Elias over the top and stomped him. Elias returned to the ring and battled with Angle.
Number five was New Day’s Big E. He nailed Nakamura with a big overhead belly to belly suplex. He nailed a big splash on Nakamura. Angle and Elias battled in the corner. E sent Nakamura over the top but Kurt grabbed him for an Angleslam. Nakamura sent Angle into the ringpost shoulder-first. He sent Kurt over the top and drilled him with a knee to knock Angle off the apron to the floor.
Kurt Angle has been eliminated.
Number six was NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano. He nailed a rana on Elias and drilled Big E with a tornado DDT. He nailed a slingshot spear into the ring on Elias. The crowd chanted NXT. Everyone battled.
Number seven was Jinder Mahal. He was quickly dispatched by Gargano.
Jinder Mahal has been eliminated.
The Singhs tried to get involved but were beaten off by Elias and Big E. Gargano, Big E and Elias sized up Nakamura as the countdown for the next competitor came down.
Number eight was Samoa Joe, who was making his Rumble debut. The crowd chanted his name. He attacked everyone. Gargano tried to come off the ropes but Joe stepped out of the way. Big E went after Joe but Joe overpowered him and tossed E to the floor.
Big E has been eliminated.
Number nine was Curt Hawkins. He didn’t last long as Joe choked him out. Elias nailed Joe from behind. Hawkins rolled to the floor to catch his breath. He went underneath the ring like Zelina did earlier.
Number ten was Seth Rollins. He hit the ring and cleaned house on everyone. Elias was sent over the top and run into the ringpost. He held onto the post but Seth smashed his hands and Elias crashed to the floor.
Elias has been eliminated.
Number eleven was Titus O’Neill. He played up his entrance for laughs and made it to the ring without fail. Hawkins looked up at him from under the ring. Titus gave chase under the ring. He chased Hawkins into the ring but Hawkins ducked down and held the ropes. Titus crashed over the ropes to the floor. Joe then dumped Hawkins.’
Hawkins and O’Neill have been eliminated.
Number 12 was New Day’s Kofi Kingston. Everyone battled. Joe tried to toss Kofi, but he scrambled back into the ring. Joe drilled him with a knee. Rollins and Nakamura battled in a corner.
Number 13 was Mustafa Ali. He went right after Joe and nailed a Facebuster. Everyone battled. Ali and Nakamura battled. Ali dropkicked him off the ropes and Nakamura crashed to the floor.
Shinsuke Nakamura has been eliminated.