Michael Cole quotes from Royal Rumble

We are down to Reigns and Orton!

Reigns is gonna do it!

Will Roman Reigns win the Rumble match for the second time in three years?

I knew it all along. Roman Reigns is gonna...

RKO! RKO by Randy Orton! [As Reigns gets to his feet, Orton clotheslines him out of the ring, winning the Rumble] Randy Orton wins the Rumble! Randy Orton's going to WrestleMania!

I was right!

Here is your winner: Randy Orton!

The Viper strikes WrestleMania paydirt!

This is a Randy Orton rebirth! Amazing!

Randy Orton becomes the seventh man to win two or more Rumbles. Randy Orton's won his second Rumble in eight years.

[ on the #6 entry, Elias] Well, you don't have to sing a lullaby; everybody's already asleep out here.

[the #6 entry] Hello, I am Elias.

[as Elias strums his way to the ring] Elias's lullabies are the #1 cause of insomnia in the world.

Well, he has a reason to believe, as he heads his way to the ring after everybody's been taken out. First Rumble match for Elias, and I believe the first time anyone's ever played guitar on his way to the ring in the Royal Rumble.

I've got one question for everyone here tonight: [joined by crowd] Who wants to walk with Elias?!

All of Philly does.

Now, I am here to let you all know that time is just an illusion. [Enters the ring] And the only thing that's real is the light that shines within me. Now, that countdown clock will not start until I give you all the performance of the year.

Oh, no.

The clock has stopped?

I certainly hope not.

So right now, I need you all to silence your cell phones, hold your applause, and shut your mouths.

What?! He can't say that in Philadelphia.

It's Elias's night, it's Elias's night

[as the crowd counts down from ten] Uh-oh. The clock didn't stop, Elias.

Corey, are you glad he got rid of the guitar.

I've never been happier.

[on the #11 entry, Sheamus] Representing The Bar, they have a Tag Team Championship opportunity later tonight, but it's the Celtic Warrior, Sheamus. Guys, back in 2012, Sheamus won the Royal Rumble Match.

Oh, not again, Heath.

There, you got in the ring, Heath. He's in the ring. [The very moment Sheamus enters and stands upright, Heath clotheslines him out of the ring, eliminating him] AAHHH!

Oh, no!

Oh, my God! Slater eliminated Sheamus on Sheamus's birthday! Tonight is Sheamus's birthday, and he was eliminated by Slater!

Sheamus's birthday's on Rusev Day?!

That's the worst present ever. I can't believe it.

Roman Reigns trying to power Shinsuke over the top. [Nakamura escapes Reigns's grasp and bounces off the ropes, missing a clothesline in the process] Reigns...

[Nakamura slides and hits a Kinshasa on Reigns] Oh, no!

OH MY GOD!

Shinsuke connects, right in the face!

Oh, no! No, Roman!

And now Shinsuke Nakamura...

Oh wait, he got him!

No no no no no no, wait! ACK!

[Nakamura throws Reigns out, winning the Rumble] ...ELIMINATES ROMAN REIGNS! SHINSUKE NAKAMURA IS GOING TO WRESTLEMANIA!

I called it! I called it!

Here is your winner of the Royal Rumble match: Shinsuke Nakamura!

Guys, Shinsuke Nakamura lasted almost 45 minutes in this match to pick up the victory in his Royal Rumble match debut tonight!

As much as Nakamura has accomplished in his storied career around the world, there is nobody that gets in this industry that doesn't dream of doing it at WrestleMania. Congratulations to the King of Strong Style!

2 years ago to the month, Shinsuke Nakamura signed his WWE contract, and now Shinsuke Nakamura is headed to WrestleMania!

So, Shinsuke, you've now won the right to face the champion of your choosing. So have you made a decision?

A...J...STYLES!!!

YES!

Corey, it is gonna happen. The match that the WWE Universe has wanted is gonna happen.

I could not be more excited for WrestleMania! Get me to New Orleans already! Nakamura and Styles for the WWE Championship!

The dream match, ladies and gentlemen, is going to come true.

44 minutes, 40 seconds: the exact time that Shinsuke Nakamura lasted in the Royal Rumble. And yes indeed, Shin, you're going to WrestleMania.

Boy, this has essentially become a singles match at this point. [Nikki Bella puts Asuka on her shoulders and prepares to throw her out] There's only one task left, and that's to throw your opponent over the top rope, which Nikki's about to do.

Asuka may be eliminated!

There she goes! There she goes!

[Bella takes Asuka over the top rope, but Asuka holds the top rope for dear life] Nikki Bella, with Asuka hanging on to the top rope, out to the apron!

She's still hanging on!

Asuka still barely in this match.

[Asuka stands up. Bella strikes Asuka, but Asuka continues to hold the ropes] OOH!

Nikki Bella again with a strong shot to the face, but Asuka lands on the apron!

I don't know how Asuka's hanging on, but she sure is. At least for now!

Disbelief on the face of Nikki.

[Bella charges at Asuka] Nikki Bella looking to use all of her momentum...

Here comes Nikki!

[Bella runs into Asuka's boot] ...Asuka caught her with a kick!

[Asuka uses her foot to grab Bella by the neck, and then attempts to take Bella over the top rope] Uh-oh. Uh-oh!

And look at Asuka!

What is...

...What?

Asuka trying to eliminate Nikki in one of the most unique ways we've ever seen!

Oh my gosh! [Bella goes over the top rope, but falls to the apron] OH!

Nikki Bella to the apron! [Asuka loses her grip on the top rope and hits the apron] Asuka to the apron!

OH! Asuka almost fell!

Both women teetering on the side of the ring, just feet away from defeat.

[Bella gets up, and Asuka struggles to do the same] High stakes, high pressure! Asuka and Nikki Bella both on the apron. [Bella roundhouses Asuka, who falls back onto the apron] Both of them went over the top rope! Asuka floored! [Asuka kicks Bella's legs out from under her, sending her careening to the floor and winning the Rumble] ASUKA ELIMINATES NIKKI BELLA!

OH! ASUKA DID IT! [applauds Asuka]

ASUKA'S GOING TO WRESTLEMANIA!

Unbelievable!

[As he says this, the camera pans toward Raw Women's Champion Alexa Bliss and SmackDown Women's Champion Charlotte Flair, both sitting across from each other near the announcer's table] I knew it! I called it from the start! There was never any doubt! No one was ready for Asuka!

Asuka is a history-maker! Asuka is going to WrestleMania!

Much like Strowman did at the Greatest Royal Rumble, looking to dominate again here tonight and eliminate Seth Rollins, and get the matchup and the champion of his choice at WrestleMania.

Brock Lesnar or Daniel Bryan? [Strowman dumps Rollins over the top rope, but Rollins stands up on the apron, and headlocks Strowman]

Oh, oh... W-w-w-w-w-w-w-wait! Wait! Wait!

And now Seth Rollins, now trying to eliminate Strowman! Strowman in trouble; top rope! Rollins trying to wrestle him down to the floor!

Rollins has a death grip on his head!

[Rollins takes Strowman over the top rope, onto the apron] Strowman trying to hang on; both men are on the apron of the ring!

Ohh… [Rollins, still with a headlock on Strowman, is overpowered by Strowman who lifts Rollins onto his shoulders]

And again, the power of Strowman. Look at Strowman! [Rollins slips out] Rollins, though...

[Rollins pushes Strowman into the steel post] Whoa!

Posting Strowman! Strowman still on the apron.

[Rollins superkicks Strowman in the gut, taking Strowman down] Oh!

Rollins to the midsection!

One foot.

Strowman still staying alive! Rollins...

[Rollins Curb Stomps Strowman] OH! ACK!

[Strowman careens to the floor, winning Rollins the Rumble] SETH ROLLINS WINS!

OH MY GOD!

ROLLINS IS GOING TO WRESTLEMANIA!

Whoa-oh!

Here is your winner: Seth Rollins!

Seth Rollins is going to WrestleMania! Seth Rollins has won the Royal Rumble match!

I don't want to hear anybody say anything about Brock Lesnar not defending titles, not spending any time, not wrestling when he needs to wrestle. This has been an incredible performance by Brock Lesnar, a career-defining performance here tonight.

And you're talking about the greatest combat sports athlete in history. NCAA champion, UFC Heavyweight Champion, multiple-time WWE Champion and Universal Champion...

[on the entrance of...] #16, Drew McIntyre.

I would add "soon-to-be Royal Rumble winner," but you got McIntyre staring a hole through the WWE Champion right now.

You know, McIntyre last year entered at the same spot, #16. He lasted over 20 minutes and came close to winning the event. McIntyre now locked eyes with Brock Lesnar.

[after entering the ring] Give it to me, Brock! What have you got for me?!

Oh, Ricochet with a low-blow to Lesnar! [McIntyre Claymore Kicks Lesnar out of the ring, eliminating him] Claymore Kick! Lesnar eliminated!

WHOA!!!

McIntyre eliminates Lesnar! Brock Lesnar lasted 26:23, but he was eliminated by a low-blow by Ricochet, payback for Monday night, and then McIntyre with a Claymore. Heyman's in disbelief.

[off the replay] A little teamwork, chalk up the assist to Ricochet. But boom, Claymore knocks the WWE Champion to the floor. This place is still in disbelief.

But an incredible performance, a record-tying performance by Lesnar. He eliminated 13 men tonight, tying the Royal Rumble record. Entered at #1, lasted 26:23.

[Roman Reigns is trying to eliminate Drew McIntyre] Reigns is going to eliminate McIntyre and win his second Rumble! Very few men have won more than one; Roman Reigns looking to join the elite here tonight.

[McIntyre holds on the top rope. Reigns eventually gives up and attempts a Spear] Wow, that's a lot of power by Dr- [Booker is cut off, as just as Roman is about to spear McIntyre, McIntyre suddenly delivers a Claymore Kick]

CLAYMORE! CLAYMORE BY McINTYRE! McINTYRE... [McIntyre throws Reigns out, winning the Rumble] WOW! DREW McINTYRE'S GOING TO WRESTLEMANIA!

Here is your winner: Drew McIntyre!

All I can say is that it is about damn time!

Drew McIntyre has never had an opportunity at a WWE or Universal Championship. He's going to get his chance, after winning the Royal Rumble!

And there is a standing ovation at Minute Maid Park, and deservedly so. Over 40,000 fans standing in appreciation for Drew McIntyre! What an effort!

[Seth Rollins has Edge set up for the Stomp] Rollins and Edge! And Rollins going for the Stomp! [But Edge catches Rollins before he can execute the Stomp, grabs his legs and tries to throw Rollins out]

Is he worth it? Oh!

Rollins trying to hang on!

Edge got him and trying to eliminate him!

Edge trying to eliminate Rollins... [But Rollins can't hold on, as Edge throws him out, seemingly winning the Rumble] ROLLINS ELIMINATED! EDGE HAS DONE IT! [But suddenly, Randy Orton comes in from behind and RKO's Edge] WAIT A MINUTE! OUT OF NOWHERE, AN RKO BY ORTON! ORTON'S BACK IN THE MATCH! Orton was never eliminated! Randy Orton... [Orton attempts to throw Edge out, but Edge counters it] EDGE!

Oh... oh...

DUMPS ORTON!

[Edge throws Orton out, finally winning the Rumble] WHAT?

EDGE WINS! EDGE WINS! EDGE'S GOING TO WRESTLEMANIA!

Here is your winner: the Rated-R Superstar, Edge!

Edge wins his second Royal Rumble, 11 years to the day from his first victory!

An absolute unbelievable, a monumental effort!

Edge just achieved the impossible!

Over 58 minutes Edge lasted this match, to pick up the victory. And he becomes the third person in history [after Shawn Michaels in 1995 and Chris Benoit in 2004] to win the Rumble match by running the table all the way from spot #1!

[Brock Lesnar has Drew McIntyre up on his shoulders] Lesnar with McIntyre up again! Drew McIntyre... [Lesnar F5's McIntyre out, winning the Rumble] DUMPED OVER THE TOP ROPE! Brock Lesnar's going to WrestleMania!

The winner of the Royal Rumble match, and the person who will main-event WrestleMania: BROCK LESNAR!

19 years after his first Royal Rumble win, Brock Lesnar repeats!

[Gunther hoists Cody Rhodes on his shoulders] And now Gunther trying to eliminate Cody Rhodes and win the... [Rhodes escapes to his feet and sets up Gunther] Uh-oh! Cody Rhodes... [Rhodes delivers Cross Rhodes to Gunther] CROSS RHODES TO GUNTHER! [Rhodes then waits for Gunther to slowly get up] Gunther... [Rhodes clotheslines Gunther out, winning the Rumble] ELIMINATED! THE AMERICAN NIGHTMARE, ONE STEP CLOSER TO THE AMERICAN DREAM!

Here is your winner of the 2023 Men's Royal Rumble match: the American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes!

Undesirable, undeniable, uncrowned, but the goal still remains the same. This is just one more step in the journey! Finish the story, at WrestleMania!

The grandson of a plumber giving wrestling's other royal family a BIG reason to celebrate tonight! But the hard work begins now!

At #20, a surprise here tonight, Chelsea Green is here.

The Internet was tripping, it looks like the Internet was right. Not that it's always wrong, but it's not always right. And tonight, Chelsea Green is back.

Just doing a quick little bit of research here on Chelsea Green.

Look at that side of your work phone. I can tell you this. Nobody in this ring can be happy about Chelsea Green showing back up in WWE, particularly being in the Royal Rumble Match.

[Rhea Ripley rushes to Chelsea as she enters the ring...] Well, Corey, this is actually the second time [...and throws her out the other side, eliminating her] in her career! Well, thanks for coming.

[over Chelsea's irate screams] She's gone! Chelsea Green is no longer in the Rumble!

I didn't even get a chance to make fun of her husband!

And I believe now that is a record. I believe Chelsea Green eliminated faster than anyone in history in the Women's Royal Rumble match.

Congratulations, Chelsea, you broke a record.

Five seconds, record-setter. [Becky Lynch eliminates Dakota Kai] Oh, wait a minute!

Okay, she's not happy.

Dakota Kai!

She can look back on this as being a successful evening.

[Becky eliminates Iyo Sky] And now Iyo Sky. [Bayley quickly eliminates Becky] Bayley eliminated Becky!

They did it!

Bayley throws The Man out of the ring!

And now, Liv Morgan from behind, trying to eliminate Bayley and does!

Oh, no!

And now Becky's beating the hell out of Bayley! And all hell's breaking loose with Damage Control and Becky Lynch!

It's about time for Adam Pearce; he hasn't been out here for thirty minutes. Get out here and try to break this thing up.

I feel really bad. I guaranteed my friend Aaron that Bayley was gonna win the Royal Rumble match. It's gonna cost him a bunch of money now.

Listen, I do that literally every single day. Wrong all the time.

You make a lot more than I do!

Valid.

[Having just been inadvertently blinded by Asuka's mist, Liv Morgan is struggling to make it to her feet whilst Ripley comes toward her] Liv has no idea where she even is! Backed up into the corner; she's gotta try to get back into the ring, but she's blinded!

[Suddenly, Morgan catches Ripley] LIV FINDS HER WAY!

[Liv delivers a New Jersey's Buster to Ripley, who slips off the apron and has to hold on to the top rope] Oh my goodness! Rhea's... hanging on! Slipped off the apron! Did the feet touch? No!

[Liv, purely on instinct, flails away at Ripley's hands, still holding tightly on to the top rope] Liv can't see a thing!

Yeah, on instinct alone. [Suddenly, Ripley pulls her feet up, clamps Morgan's head, and throws Liv out, winning the Rumble] Morgan... ELIMINATED BY RHEA RIPLEY! RHEA'S GOING TO WRESTLEMANIA!

Here is your 2023 Women's Royal Rumble winner: Rhea Ripley!

Guys, Rhea Ripley becomes just the fourth person in the 35-year history of the Royal Rumble match [after Shawn Michaels (1995), Chris Benoit (2004), and Edge (2021)] to go from #1 to winning the event, and now gets her pick of what champion she wants to face in the main event of WrestleMania.

A little hesitation on the part of, uh... of Sami.

Oh, no! OH, NO!!

STUNNER!!!

OH, NO!!

STUNNER BY OWENS! COVER AGAIN! [the referee starts counting] THE OFFICIAL'S IN THE RING! HE'S GOT HIM!! [Roman kicks out] OH, DAMN IT!! DAMN IT!!!!! REIGNS KICKED OUT!!!