Triple H wins Royal Rumble, becomes 14-time WWE champ
Photo from WWE.com
The Authority always gets what it wants.
World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) chief operating officer Triple H returned at the Royal Rumble and won the WWE World Heavyweight Championship for the 14th time Sunday (Monday Manila time) in Orlando.
Drawing the final entry in the 30-man battle royal, he dethroned defending titlist Roman Reigns and threw out Intercontinental Champion Dean Ambrose to snare the title.
Reigns entered the match first, but was laid out by the League of Nations midway through the match.
With Mr. McMahon orchestrating the attack, United States champ Alberto del Rio, Sheamus, and Rusev took turns in the assault, capped off by Rusev hit a big splash on Reigns at the Spanish announce table. The defending champ was then sent to the back to heal, before returning to the match when Sheamus entered at number 29.
Reigns did get his revenge on Sheamus, eliminating the Irish star with a Superman punch, but that proved to be a huge gaffe as Triple H took him out on that point.
It was also a dominating Rumble showing from Brock Lesnar, who came in at number 23. The former UFC heavyweight champion took out Wyatt Family giants Erick Rowan, Luke Harper, and Braun Strowman.
Leader Bray Wyatt entered at number 27 and engaged in a staredown against Lesnar, which was followed with the Wyatts coming back to the ring and teamed up to eliminate Lesnar.
Former Total Nonstop Action (TNA) and New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) star AJ Styles also made his long awaited WWE debut, entering the Rumble at number three and staying for almost 25 minutes.
Ex-NXT champion Sami Zayn also sent the crowd to its feet by participating the Rumble at number 20, eliminating long time rival Kevin Owens.
Earlier, Ambrose retained his Intercontinental Title, trumping Owens in a Last Man Standing match.
Kalisto also became a two-time US Champion, beating del Rio with a Salida del Sol to claim the belt.
