The Black Rasslin' Podcast returns for a healthy dose of rasslin'-flavored insight and entertainment! This week, Fam, Mimi, Matth, and khal kick off Black History Month 2024 proper! First up, Darius Lockhart joins the squad to talk his journey to ASÉ, the ASÉ x BHM show on February 24 (grab your tickets), and much more! Later, DDmjoins for a discussion on WWE Royal Rumble 2024 and its fallout, previewing WWE NXT Vengeance Day, and much more!
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It’s a wrap! The 2024 WWE Royal Rumble in St. Petersburg, FL, was an event filled with high-action, surprises, and significant moments setting a path leading to WrestleMania XL. No matter if you are a hardcore, casual, or lapsed fan, there’s no denying that it's an exciting time for its superstars and the brand itself. Here's what went down at the Tropicana Field this past weekend.
Women's Royal Rumble Match
The event kicked off with the Women's Royal Rumble Match, featuring notable entrants like Naomi’s long-anticipated return, surprise entrants including TNA Knockouts World Champion Jordynne Grace and former AEW TBS Women’s Champion Jade Cargill, who made her WWE in-ring debut. Bayley emerged victorious, eliminating a returning Liv Morgan to win the match, setting a new Women's Rumble longevity record at over an hour. She now has the opportunity to challenge for a WWE Women's title of her choice at WrestleMania 40.
Women's Rumble Match (Image via WWE)
Universal Championship Fatal 4-Way Match
Roman Reigns defended his Undisputed WWE Universal Championship against Randy Orton, AJ Styles, and LA Knight. The match saw a generation of wrestlers who have impressive careers, to say the least. Orton’s return may be the second coming to his illustrious career, and begs for the Tribal Chief vs. The Viper, immediately. *It’s the match I deserve.* Reigns ultimately retained his title after a tumultuous battle, extending his reign *as if, ha!* as champion.
Fatal four-way (Image via WWE)
United States Championship Match
Logan Paul, as the United States Champion, faced Kevin Owens for the title. The match showcased both competitors' determination. Paul retained the title, but not without a grueling fight and an incredibly creative disqualification.
Men's Royal Rumble Match
The main event featured the traditional 30-man Royal Rumble. It’s safe to say The Usos were the “ones” and the “twos” coming in at #1 and #2 in an emotional face-off to kick off the battle. The return of Andrade was significant in a time of reinvention for a series of WWE superstars. Taking the No. 4 spot is Andrade, who is known for his recent time in AEW and his earlier stint in WWE, where he held titles like the NXT Championship and WWE United States Championship.
The 1 and the 2 (Image via WWE)
Former NXT North American and NXT Champion Carmelo Hayes entered the Rumble at the No. 5 spot as one of the NXT representatives. During his 17-minute performance, he managed to score one elimination before being eliminated by Finn Bálor. Hayes presents a broader view of NXT talent by highlighting the brand's evolving stars and their potential as WWE superstars. Hayes' ascent to WWE's main roster is a testament to his undeniable talent, which he showcased extensively during his time in NXT. Hayes has made a significant impact in NXT, capturing titles such as the North American Championship and showcasing his skills against top-tier talent. His performances were not only technically impressive, but also highlighted his ability to connect with the audience, making him a standout competitor. The 2024 Royal Rumble spot was a pivotal moment for his career, signaling a readiness for the bigger stage. As he held his own against established superstars, Hayes proved that he's more than just a rising star, he is truly HIM.
Carmelo Hayes (Image via WWE)
Cody Rhodes secured the victory after eliminating CM Punk *rolls eyes*. The American Nightmare that is Rhodes entered at the No. 15 spot, becoming the fourth wrestler to win the Royal Rumble in back-to-back years. This victory sets Rhodes on a path to challenge for a world championship at WrestleMania XL, potentially aiming to conclude his ongoing “finish the story” with the Tribal Chief. Will he this time?
Notable Rumble Moments
After nearly a two-year absence, Naomi's return to the WWE at this year's Royal Rumble was nothing short of AMAZING. Entering the Rumble at #2, Naomi quickly reminded everyone I’m back and ready, and the reception was as if she'd never left. For fans like myself, who had been eagerly awaiting her return to WWE, her comeback brought energy into the match. Naomi's performance demonstrated her resilience and enduring popularity in the wrestling community. A standout moment of this year's Royal Rumble was her return. As a result of her comeback, the Women's Division has a promising future, offering opportunities for established and emerging WWE superstars to engage in feuds and collaborate.
Naomi returns (Image via WWE)
With her dominance in TNA, Jordynne Grace made a surprising entrance at the Women's Royal Rumble, exhibiting the cross-promotional maneuvers WWE loves to pull. Grace’s involvement added an extra layer of excitement and unpredictability to the event. Grace performed at the WWE level, and it wouldn't be surprising to see her completely crossover in the near future.
It was the moment we've all been waiting for. It was she who came and conquered. She came in and declared herself unplayable. Jade Cargill delivered an impressive performance in her WWE debut during the 2024 Royal Rumble. The dynamic presence and athletic skill of her surprise immediately captured the audience's attention, particularly her stand-off with Bianca Belair! I know we all wanted it; I’m just not sure if we were truly ready for this magnificence. During the match, Cargill showed off her strength and power moves by eliminating Nia Jax and Naomi, who had lasted an impressive length of time. It's encouraging to see Cargill's presence as a precursor to formidable storylines and rivalries in WWE after her showing in the Royal Rumble.
A powerful moment (Image via WWE)
In true comedic fashion, R-Truth mistakenly enters the Women's Royal Rumble, plus tags himself into the Men’s Royal Rumble match, while emulating John Cena. He’s just fantastic, that's it.
Image via Mimi #TheWrestlingChic
The 2024 Royal Rumble set the stage for WrestleMania XL, creating memorable moments and establishing narratives that will unfold on the "Grandest Stage of Them All." The 2024 Royal Rumble showcased WWE's ability to blend athletic spectacle with storytelling, keeping fans on the edge of their seats and eagerly anticipating what's next on the Road to WrestleMania. What will we see along the way? What feuds will spark due to the weekend? Will the story eventually finish?
Be sure to check out BRP's content on our website and our Black Rasslin' Podcast Patreon for exclusive pro wrestling content.
Mimi, aka #TheWrestlingChic is a co-host of #TheBuckle aka #TurnbuckleTalk every Tuesday at 6:35PM ET and every Thursday at 8:35PM ET on The Black Rasslin' Podcast.
Each year as we approach WrestleMania season, we remember that one WWE Superstar, without fail. Who came or should come in at #1 or #30? Who’s time it will be, or who needs to “finish a story” *in my whiney voice. [Ed note: I’m crying, “whiney voice.”] Standing in his Off-White denim fit, with a pair of black and white Jordan 1 Retro High OG A Ma Maniére’s, former 15-time Tag Team Champion, four-time Intercontinental Champion, three-time United States Champion, and former WWE Champion, Kofi Kingston may be one of the most energetic, genuine, and good-spirited WWE stars I have ever come across. Kofi Kingston is a WWE staple in every sense of the word, synonymous not only with his impressive accomplishments but also with his strategic Royal Rumble tactics. As a result of his innovative ability to survive eliminations and his athletic agility, he has become a company and a Rumble icon. His legacy is one of perseverance and inspiration, not only within the WWE Universe, but also among the Black wrestling community.
Kingston made his pro wrestling WWE debut in 2008, bringing a unique blend of agility and strength to the ring. WWE's dramatic history is filled with many memorable moments, including his feud with Randy Orton. A fascinating tale of transformation, triumph, and positivity awaits us as we enter The New Day Era with Kofi Kingston. Kofi had a reputation for high-flying moves and a vibrant personality before The New Day was formed, but his career took new heights when with this iconic faction. At its core, The New Day consists of Kingston, Big E, and Xavier Woods. Initially, their gospel gimmick failed to resonate. But, like true champions, they pivoted, creating a unique lane that led to a space where all were invited. They embraced a more upbeat, positive, nerd culture aesthetic, with hilariously eccentric personas that won the hearts of millions of fans.
There was an undeniable chemistry between the trio inside and outside of the ring. Their antics—which included hip swivels twerking, playing trombones, and throwing pancakes into the crowd—brought an infectious energy, unmated in the WWE Universe. “One of the main purposes and points of The New Day was authentically going out and being authentic and being true to yourself. Whether that involves, going out wearing unicorn horns on your head and bright colors, loving pancakes and being open about it, that's what it involves because that's unapologetically you,” said Kingston.
It is not just the entertainment value of The New Day that makes them so successful, but also the impressive title reigns they have achieved. Multiple times, they were WWE Tag Team Champions, with one reign lasting 483 days, one of the longest in WWE history. Their status as one of WWE's greatest tag teams was cemented during this period. A decade later, Kingston captured the WWE Championship by defeating Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania 35, an impactful moment we know as KofiMania. Kofi's victory was a watershed moment not just for him, but for African American wrestlers and fans alike. As a result of Kingston's victory gave fans hope that the WWE was celebrating diversity and representation in a significant way.
A major contribution of The New Day was also played in the achievement of his personal career highlight—the WWE Championship. Kofi's victory was not just about himself, but also about believing in oneself and one's brothers. The unwavering support and brotherhood of Big E and Xavier Woods were instrumental in Kofi's path to the championship, highlighting the true essence of The New Day: unity, support, and the belief in the “power of positivity” in the face of challenges wins, “You know I feel like as Black people, sometimes we get put into a box that we have to be a certain way, speak a certain way, act a certain way, or feel a certain way and that's not the case. We're human beings, we have the right to feel, act and be the way that we want to be. We wanted to go out there and set that example and say, ‘that you can have success being you, and being who you want to be and as a group, we take that seriously.” stated Kingston.
Kofi's charitable work in the U.S. and Ghana exemplifies his commitment to using his platform to bring about positive change, embodying the values of humility, service, and community involvement. His efforts not only endear him to fans worldwide, but also bolster his legacy as a Black professional wrestler who transcends the confines of the ring to improve the lives of others. As a testament to his ability to overcome challenges and achieve global success, he served as a powerful example for many young Ghanaians.
In 2023, The Kofi Kingston Library and Digital Center opened in his homeland in Ghana. Libraries and computer centers can be game-changers for young shapeable minds in a country like Ghana where educational resources and technology are readily available. The initiative is aligned with Kingston's broader philanthropic vision of empowering youth through education. Today's globalized world requires libraries and computer centers to support learning, literacy, and digital skills development. This facility offers students and members of the community the opportunity to enhance their educational journeys, explore new interests, and acquire skills that will impact their future careers. This is more than just a charitable act; it's a beacon of hope and a resource that promises to have a lasting impact on the community.
My brief conversation with Kofi Kingston—held during a time of excitement and mayhem surrounding the Royal Rumble—was extremely valuable, further illustrating what it means to be present and true to yourself, regardless of the circumstances. For many in the Black wrestling community and beyond, Kingston has become an emblem of hope and progress, ensuring his legacy will live on for generations to come. It is not just his championship victories that define Kofi's legacy, but also his joy, positivism, and resilience for all communities. Talent, belief, and 'being good' converge in his journey and achievements, making him a role model and a symbol of what is possible.
Be sure to check out BRP's content on our website and our Black Rasslin' Podcast Patreon for exclusive pro wrestling content.
Mimi, aka #TheWrestlingChic is a co-host of #TheBuckle aka #TurnbuckleTalk every Tuesday at 6:35PM ET and every Thursday at 8:35PM ET on the Black Rasslin' Podcast.
The WWE IMPACT event took center stage at the Boys & Girls Club SunCoast Salvation Army Club in Tampa, FL, yesterday in a heartwarming display of community support and empowerment. In collaboration with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) and Cricket Wireless, WWE unveiled its groundbreaking "SuperSpaces" program, designed to help local Boys & Girls Clubs renovate and upgrade the recreational areas of their community centers. With brand new furniture, electronics, supplies, and more, the Boys & Girls Club of the SunCoast at Salvation Army has given new life to its club member lounge and other common areas.
A WWE Superstar graced the event with his presence to celebrate the grand opening of the renovated space. As part of the celebration, Big E, Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods, Candice LeRae, Natalya, and Titus O'Neil worked together to make the event a memorable one for the Boys & Girls Club members and the community.
A heartfelt tribute was paid to three outstanding club members who were instrumental in spearheading the renovation project. The Boys & Girls Club's mission to empower young individuals to reach their full potential was demonstrated by the dedication, creativity, and vision these young leaders demonstrated. As Club members were enthralled as the newly transformed space was unveiled. BGCA, WWE, and the Tampa community have collaborated to create a vibrant center for creativity, recreation, and camaraderie. Besides physical transformations, the event also recognized everyone's efforts.
This WWE IMPACT event at the Boys & Girls Club SunCoast Salvation Army Club in Tampa, FL, demonstrated the power of collaboration when organizations come together with a shared goal of uplifting and giving back to their communities. WWE and the BGCA have renovated physical spaces as well as renewed the spirit of possibility and hope within the hearts of young people, setting the stage for a brighter future through the "SuperSpaces" program. Our collaboration serves as an inspiration to communities around the world: working together, we can make a real difference and empower future generations.
Be sure to check out BRP's content on our website and our Black Rasslin' Podcast Patreon for exclusive pro wrestling content.
Mimi, aka #TheWrestlingChic is the co-hosts of #TheBuckle aka #TurnbuckleTalk every Tuesday at 6:35 pm ET and contributes to the Black Rasslin' Podcast.
