The Pre-Show Match That Mattered: Royal Rumble 2019

The biggest moment of the Royal Rumble event may have happened on its Kickoff Show

WWE Royal Rumble 2019 Kickoff Show (YouTube; WWE Network)

Thinking back on last night's Rumble event: The biggest single moment in the entire event may have happened in the Kickoff Show. This moment, shown above, is Lana getting knocked off the apron by Rusev during Rusev's United States Championship match against Shinsuke Nakamura. Lana would grab her leg after falling to the mat, and Rusev's subsequent concern over his wife inevitably cost him the championship seconds later.

Fast forward to the Women's Royal Rumble Match. Lana enters #28, but she's hobbling the entire time to go down the aisle (still selling the bump from the Pre-Show). Eventually, Nia Jax beats her up in the aisle, and Lana is officially unable to enter into the Rumble. Becky Lynch comes in, takes Lana's place, and the rest is history. But I can't remember the last time that a Kickoff Match ended up meaning so much to the way a show played out. By Lana getting injured on the Pre-Show, it opened the door for "The Man" to enter The Rumble and fulfill the hopes of all her fans: winning it.

So, maybe we all need to pay more attention the next time we get some Pre-Show Matches. Because this one turned out to be pretty important. We got a set-up for the future Royal Rumble storyline....

And we are thankfully back in the United States of NakAmerica!

Welcome Back to the United States of NakAmerica!
WWE Royal Rumble 2019 Kickoff Show (YouTube; WWE Network)

Until next time, take care of yourselves. Spread some awesomeness.

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