Royal Rumble matches are among WWE’s most popular events, celebrated for their thrilling nature, unpredictability, and ability to captivate audiences. Even when poorly planned, Royal Rumbles tend to provide some entertaining moments. Yet, the 2022 Men’s Royal Rumble is widely regarded as the worst in the event’s history—not merely because of controversy like Roman Reigns’ divisive 2015 victory, but due to a combination of missteps that led to a largely unengaging show.
The 2022 Rumble suffered from questionable booking choices, notably from Vince McMahon, who surprisingly spotlighted Rick Boogs and Madcap Moss in ways that didn’t resonate. While the appearance of WWE celebrities like Johnny Knoxville and Bad Bunny added some excitement, the match itself lagged in pace and memorable moments. Early highlights from AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura gave way to extended stretches of dull action, with major stars such as Sami Zayn, Randy Orton, and Big E spending mere minutes in the match.
The deteriorating quality reached further lows with lackluster eliminations of promising talents—Styles was quickly ousted by Madcap Moss, and Chad Gable was defeated by Rick Boogs—while fan favorites such as Matt Riddle, Big E, and Kevin Owens failed to shine. The audience’s enthusiasm waned as the contest felt sluggish and uninspired. Reports indicate Shane McMahon, who entered the match as a surprise competitor and advanced to the final three, was heavily involved in the booking and is considered a key reason for its failure. Behind the scenes, chaos ensued; Vince McMahon reportedly expressed frustration over the match’s outcome and circumstances.
Further compounding fan dissatisfaction was the controversial finish: Brock Lesnar, a part-time wrestler, entered last at number 30 and dominated the concluding moments in just over two minutes, eliminating several competitors swiftly to claim the victory. This finish offered no suspense or excitement, reinforcing fans’ weariness with part-timers hogging the spotlight and diluting the event’s competitive spirit.
The 2022 Royal Rumble’s poor planning and execution, spotlighting part-time wrestlers over full-time talent and a lack of compelling storytelling, alienated many fans and raised serious questions about WWE’s direction. This event stands as a low point in Royal Rumble history, setting a benchmark that’s difficult to overcome.
Fan Take: This debacle matters because it highlights the growing disconnect between WWE’s booking decisions and fan expectations, signaling potential long-term erosion of audience trust. For the sport to thrive, WWE must prioritize fresh storytelling and genuine competition over relying on outdated formulas and part-time star power.
