World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) pay-per-view Royal Rumble 2018 came to an exciting end as Shinsuke Nakamura won the most-awaited 30-man Royal Rumble match, earlier today. The first PPV of WWE this year – Royal Rumble – also saw surprise return of Rey Mysetrio, Lita, Molly Holly among many other superstars in the traditional Rumble match. It was a historic night for the WWE Universe as the event saw the very first 30-woman wrestlers in the ring combating the Royal Rumble match.

The Royal Rumble 2018 edition began with a kick-off match between the Cruiserweights – TJP, Jack Gallagher, and Drew Gulak vs Kalisto, Lince Dorado, and Gran Metalik (Winners). Another match in the kick-off show sees a tag-team match between The Revival (Winners) vs. Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson take place. Out next, defending his title for the first time is Bobby Roode. He issues an open challenge for the US Championship. Mojo Rawley accepts it and United States Championship match takes place between Mojo Rawley and Bobby Roode – before the pay-per-view 2018 Royal Rumble begins.

Royal Rumble, often tipped as the ‘Road to Wrestlemania’, see Renee Youg, Jerry Lawler, Byron Saxton, and Corey Greaves welcome WWE universe as it goes Live. The sold-out crowd at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia shout their heart out as Sami Zayn’s music hits and he comes along with Kevin Owens to battle in a 2-on-1 Handicap match for the WWE Championship title against AJ Styles (Winner). After their loss, both Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens are seen arguing with WWE Commissioner Shane McMahon – who do not pay heed to them and walks off!

Next match is 2-of-3 Falls Match for the Smackdown Tag Team Titles between Shelton Bejnamin and Chad Gable vs The Usos. After a lot of back and forth in the match, a minor confusion, in the end, sees Benjamin being pinned and eventually losing the title match. (Winner: Smackdown Tag Team Champions – The Usos).

Michael Cole announces the commencement of the 30-man Royal Rumble Match. Aiden English is out next presenting Rusev as the Number no. entrant in one of the biggest match of the night. Finn Balor is second followed by Rhyno. The fourth entrant in the ring is Baron Corbin and an in-ring tussle takes place with all the fighters fighting for themselves. Heath Slater is out next, with Elias as sixth, NXT Champion Andrade Almande as seventh, Bray Wyatt as eight, and Big E Langston as ninth entrants.

Fans chant for Rusev as the battle in the ring ensues. The next man out is Tye Dillinger – who is seen assaulted by Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn backstage. Sami enters himself as the number 10th entrant. Sheamus is next in the ring who is instantly eliminated by none other than Heath Slater. Xavier Woods enter the ring next as he double teams with Big E and tries to eliminate Sami Zayn. Next man out is Apollo Crews and he immediately clashes with Bray Wyatt.

The crowd found its voice when the next entrant, Shinsuke Nakamura, makes his Royal Rumble debut. Crowds cheer for Nakamura as he eliminates Sami Zyan first. Next man is Cesaro followed by Kofi Kingston, and Jinder Mahal as 15th, 16th, and 17th entrants respectively. Another contender tipped to win tonight’s match, Seth Rollins, is out next to a huge pop from the crowd. Matt Hardy is out and the crowd begins the ‘Delete’ chants. Out next in the Rumble crowd is John Cena as the 20th entrant. Cena receives the loudest boos he has received in recent times.

Adam Cole is the next entrant followed by Randy Orton. The Viper draws a huge pop from the crowd at Wells Fargo Center. Titus O’ Neil is out next, followed by Intercontinental Champion The Miz. The crowd is at its loudest when Rey Mysterio, entrant no. 27, makes his entrance. The Mexican superstar makes a surprise comeback and enters the ring to a huge applause. Mysterio marks his return at WWE as he gets into a brawl with The Miz. Next entrant is Roman Reigns, entrant no. 28, enters the arena to loud boos from the crowd.

Goldust is next and Dolph Ziggler surprises everyone with his presence at Royal Rumble 2018 as the last entrant in the Rumble match.

In the penultimate end of the match, it has now narrowed down to John Cena, Finn Balor, Shinsuke Nakamura, and Roman Reigns. Rey Mysterio hits 619 to both Cena and Reigns before being eliminated by Balor. The crowds chant ‘You both s*ck’ as both Cena and Reigns face-off in the ring. Later, Cena cleverly throws Balor out of the ring amid loud hoots. Nakamura finds space and eliminates Cena with a Kinshasa. Reigns and Nakamura go at it as the ‘King of Hard Style’ eliminates ‘The Big Dog’ to win the Royal Rumble 2018 match. Shinsuke Nakamura announces that he will face AJ Styles at Wrestlemania 34.

Next match is for Raw Tag Team Titles between Seth Rollins and Jason Jordan vs The Bar (Sheamus & Cesaro). After a mini-brawl in the ring, Seth Rollins tries to ward off both Cesaro and Sheamus. Jordan tags himself in the ring and is caught unaware. Cesaro double teams with Rollins as Sheamus delivers the Brogue Kick. Cesaro covers and pins him for the win. (Winner: New RAW Tag Team Champions – The Bar).

It is Triple Threat Match for the Universal Title amongst Kane vs Brock Lesnar vs Braun Strowman. The three monsters on the WWE roster begin their tussle robustly. Lesnar is first to go out of the way and bring a steel chair in the ring. Braun hits Lesnar with the steel steps and brings another steel chair out. Later, he adds two tables in the ring and tries to hit Kane with a chokeslam. Lesnar interrupts and eventually, Kane sends Braun to the table in the corner of the ring. Lesnar delivers an F5 to Kane on a steel chair and pins him for the win, eventually. (Winner: Universal Champion: Brock Lesnar)

The main event of the night, 30-woman Royal Rumble match, is up next. Sasha Banks and Becky Lynch are the first two competitors followed by Sarah Logan. The other competitors in the match are Mandy Rose, Kairi Sane, Tamina Snuka, Sonya Deville, Liv Morgan, Lana, Ruby Riott. Money-in-the-bank- winner Carmella, Nia Jax amongst others.

Lita, Torrie Wilson, Molly Holly, Michell McCool, Vickie Guerrero, Trish Stratus, Beth Phoenix – all marked their WWE return amid huge applauds from the crowd. Bella sisters are out next as 27th and 28th entrant respectively. Bayley is the second last competitor to enter the match and Asuka being the last competitor.

After a lot of back and forth, Asuka throws Nikki out of the ring as he now wins the first ever 30-woman Royal Rumble match in WWE history.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 29, 2018 07:11 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).