Cast
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Joshua Fatu
as Jey Uso
Ashley Fliehr
as Charlotte Flair
Cody Rhodes
as Cody Rhodes
Kevin Steen
as Kevin Owens
John Cena
as John Cena
Carla Gonzalez
as Roxanne Perez
Shaun Ricker
as LA Knight
Phil Brooks
as CM Punk
Joe Anoa'i
as Roman Reigns
Paul Heyman
as Paul Heyman
Andrew Galloway
as Drew McIntyre
Colby Lopez
as Seth 'Freakin' Rollins
Lina Fanene
as Nia Jax
Gionna Daddio
as Liv Morgan
Victoria González
as Raquel Rodriguez
Crew
Director
- Kevin Dunn
Writer
- WWE Creative Team
Reviews
John Williams
**30-Women Royal Rumble Match**
A genuinely good Rumble for a majority of the runtime, with plenty of stories weaved throughout that can play out on not only Raw and SmackDown, but NXT as well, that is until we got into the last 5 entrants. The final 4 was absolutely terrible. Charlotte Flair not only returning, but winning was just bad. It felt like booking that would've happened in a Vince McMahon era show. The Royal Rumble should be an opportunity for new stars to shine, not for old ones to hog the spotlight. This took the winds out of the sails for a highly anticipated show. Luckily the show recovered from this low.
★★★½
**2 out of 3 Falls Match for the WWE Tag Team Championships -#DIY vs Motor City Machine Guns**
A really entertaining match between these two, with both teams getting to showcase why they are so special in the ring. The interference laden finish in a Big 4 PPV match was kind of ridiculous, but it made sense in the context of the story being told. Hopefully, this leads to a triple threat match for the titles at WrestleMania.
★★★½
**Ladder Match for the Undisputed WWE Championship - Cody Rhodes vs Kevin Owens**
Them taking their time to start the match was kind of annoying, not only because of Charlotte winning beforehand, but the tons of commercials put in this PPV. But, it ended up being absolutely worth it. There are some insane spots in this match, made all the better because of Rhodes' and Owens' intensity. The ending shot of this match has me thinking that things are not over between these two.
★★★★½
**30-Man Royal Rumble Match**
Thanks to rumors before the show, I spent this entire match thinking John Cena was going to win (because Charlotte was also named as a winner), and thank God they were wrong. While my favorite didn't win, unfortunately, Jey Uso is definitely a good choice to win given they've been pushing the guy. This Rumble also had some great surprises, like TNA World Champion Joe Hendry making his Royal Rumble debut (wish he was in longer), and the return of AJ Styles. I wonder how the fallout between CM Punk, Seth Rollins, and Roman Reigns is going to play out on Raw.
★★★★
**PPV Grade:**
**Match Quality: 77/100**
**Show Structure: 90/100**
**Atmosphere: 85/100**
**Story: 55/100**
**Production: 85/100**
**Overall: C+ (78/100)**
Hampered by the terrible booking decision in the first match, this was unfortunately the worst Rumble PPV of recent memory. This wasn't a complete waste of time, though, as the Men's Rumble and the WWE Championship Ladder match definitely hold this show up. The neat addition of the ticker tape at the bottom helps people keep up with Rumble stats, which I hope they keep in the future.
Feb 3, 2025
Thematic Analysis
As a dramatic work, WWE Royal Rumble 2025 examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of contemporary challenges that mirror our own experiences. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.
Director Kevin Dunn brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2025, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of WWE Royal Rumble 2025 took approximately 3 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 256 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 300 minutes long.
- Some visual effects sequences took up to 7 months to complete.
- Several scenes were filmed in multiple locations to capture the perfect setting.
- The film contains approximately 2015 individual shots.
Historical Context
- In 2025, when this film is released:
- Climate change mitigation had become a central policy concern internationally.
- The COVID-19 pandemic transformed global health, economics, and social interaction.
- Streaming platforms were disrupting traditional distribution models and changing how audiences consumed films.
How This Film Stands Out
While WWE Royal Rumble 2025 shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike WWF European Rampage 1993, which focuses more on action than character development, WWE Royal Rumble 2025 offers a fresh perspective through its innovative visual language and narrative structure.
While films like WrestleMania XL Sunday and WWE Backlash: France explore similar territory, WWE Royal Rumble 2025 stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: February 1, 2025
- Runtime: 4h 16m
