We hate to say, "We told you so," but it's hard not to after the Royal Rumble on Sunday night.
Just like we predicted, Triple H inserted himself into the annual 30-man, over-the-top match as the 30th and final participant, outlasting the few in his path to be the last man standing and new WWE World Heavyweight champion.
Remember, Vince McMahon had not only declared that Roman Reigns' World Heavyweight title would be up for grabs in the actual Rumble match, but that Reigns would be the very unlucky first participant to start the annual match.
Reigns showed plenty of heart, fighting all the way until nearly the end. But "The Game" immediately made his presence felt during the annual pay-per-view event, when his name was called at 30, the comfiest of all selections.
Immediately, Triple H eliminated Dolph Ziggler, before teaming up with Sheamus to eliminate Bray Wyatt. "The Lunatic Fringe" Dean Ambrose eliminated Chris Jericho next, setting up the final four participants of Reigns, Triple H, Sheamus and Ambrose.
It didn't take long for Reigns to dispose of Sheamus, but letting his guard down by putting his attention on the eliminated Superstar, paved the way for Triple H to dump him out the ring ... thus ending his short-lived reign as WWE World Heavyweight champion. Pun intended.
With the title up for grabs now between Triple H and Ambrose, "The Lunatic Fringe" had Triple H hanging onto the ropes, trying to fight off elimination, but "The Game" kneed him and tossed him out the ring to be crowned the King of Kings once again via yet another WWE World Heavyweight title to his name.
With the results, not only did the WWE manage to advance the modern-day Stone Cold vs. Vince McMahon angle between Triple H and Reigns, but also perhaps predictably pave the way toward a Triple H vs. Reigns main event at WrestleMania 32 on April 3. Unless, perhaps The Rock or a returning Daniel Bryan has something to say about that, throwing in a much-needed monkey wrench in what has become all-too-predictable storylines as of late.
The actual Rumble also seen, AJ Styles re-entering the WWE, being the No. 3 participant.
And Brock Lesnar creating chaos as the 23rd participant via eliminations of Erick Rowan, Jack Swagger, The Miz, Alberto Del Rio, and Braun Strowman, before all the Wyatts came back and picked on "The Beast" like vultures, discarding him in the process.
Other highlights of the pay-per-view event Sunday night had Dean Ambrose defeating Kevin Owens in their Intercontinental anything-goes match — perhaps the best match of the entire PPV — and The New Day successfully defending their tag-team belts against The Usos. Not to mention, Xavier Woods introducing Francesca 2, his brand-new trombone.
Kalisto also defeated Alberto Del Rio, winning the United States title, while Charlotte had a little help from her interfering dad, WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair, to defeat Becky Lynch.
