The 2025 Royal Rumble delivered a night of shocking returns, brutal betrayals, and dramatic victories, setting the stage for an epic Road to WrestleMania. From a dominant return to a shocking title retention and a historic Rumble win, the wrestling world is buzzing.

Charlotte Flair’s Triumphant Return:

After a year-long absence, Charlotte Flair made a thunderous return to WWE, entering the Women’s Royal Rumble at number 27 and ultimately securing her Rumble victory. “The Queen” now has her sights set on WrestleMania, where she’ll challenge either the Women’s WWE Champion or the Women’s World Champion. Who will she choose, and can anyone stop her reign of dominance?

Tag Team Turmoil:

The Tag Team Championship was on the line in a 2-out-of-3 falls match between DIY and the Motor City Machine Guns. DIY drew first blood, with Tommaso Ciampa pinning Alex Shelley. The Machine Guns evened the score, setting up a nail-biting final fall. Just as the momentum swung in their favor, the Street Profits interfered, distracting the Machine Guns and allowing DIY to retain their titles. However, the celebration was short-lived. The Street Profits unleashed a brutal assault on DIY after the match, sending a clear message to the entire tag team division. What’s next for these two teams, and who will emerge on top of this chaotic rivalry?

Cody Rhodes’ Hard-Fought Victory:

The WWE Undisputed Championship Ladder Match between champion Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens lived up to the hype. A brutal and emotional contest saw both men pushed to their limits. Owens targeted Rhodes with vicious ladder attacks, seemingly gaining the upper hand. A late-match Fisherman’s Suplex onto a a ladder left both superstars reeling. As SmackDown GM Nick Aldis and officials checked on the downed competitors, the match continued, with Sami Zayn, Owens’ best friend, at ringside. Owens attempted a Piledriver on Rhodes on the announce table, but Rhodes countered with an Alabama Slam onto a ladder bridging the announce table and the ring. With Owens incapacitated, Rhodes climbed the ladder and retrieved both the WWE Undisputed Championship and the Winged Eagle Title.

Jey Uso’s Historic Rumble Win:

The Men’s Royal Rumble main event was a chaotic and star-studded affair. Legends like Rey Mysterio and Penta kicked things off, followed by a parade of current superstars. The tension reached fever pitch as Roman Reigns, John Cena, CM Punk, and Jey Uso stood face-to-face, only for Seth Rollins to enter the fray. Rollins and Punk reignited their rivalry, while Reigns and Cena clashed. The match saw surprise entrants and eliminations, culminating in a final six of Punk, Cena, Uso, Reigns, Rollins, and Logan Paul. Punk eliminated both Reigns and Rollins, only to be thrown over the top by Paul. Cena eliminated Paul, leaving Cena and Jey Uso as the final two. In a shocking turn of events, Jey Uso eliminated John Cena to win the Royal Rumble! “Main Event” Jey Uso, a fan favorite and top merchandise seller, now has the opportunity of a lifetime. He’s headed to WrestleMania to challenge for either the World Heavyweight Championship or the WWE Undisputed Championship. Will Jey Uso seize this moment and cement his place at the top of WWE? The Road to WrestleMania is officially underway, and the excitement is just beginning.

Mark Kerr, born in Toledo, Ohio, to Tom and Mary Kerr, is a name etched in the annals of mixed martial arts (MMA) and wrestling history. His father, of Irish descent, and his Puerto Rican mother raised Kerr in a household where dreams of athletic grandeur were nurtured from an early age. Kerr’s childhood in Toledo was marked by mock wrestling matches with his younger siblings, all inspired by his aspiration to one day step into the World Wrestling Federation (WWE) ring.

Kerr’s formal wrestling journey began in 1983 as a freshman at Bettendorf High School in Bettendorf, Iowa. There, he shared the wrestling room with another future MMA luminary, Pat Miletich, then a senior. However, Kerr’s family soon moved back to Toledo, where he attended Toledo Waite High School and clinched the high school state championship title.

Kerr’s wrestling prowess blossomed further at Syracuse University. In 1992, he emerged as the NCAA Division I champion at 190 pounds, defeating none other than Randy Couture in a decisive 12-4 final. Throughout his collegiate career, Kerr was a three-time Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA) champion and an All-American, demonstrating his dominance on the mat. His accolades included the prestigious Fletcher Award for scoring the most team points in 1991 and 1992.

Internationally, Kerr’s wrestling achievements were equally impressive. In 1992, he secured second place at the World Cup, finishing ahead of Kurt Angle. Kerr won the USA World Team Trials in 1993 and 1994, finishing 7th at the 1993 World Championships. He struck gold at the 1994 World Cup in Edmonton and claimed the USA Senior Freestyle Championship. Though he narrowly missed a medal at the World Championships, Kerr’s silver in freestyle at the 1995 Pan American Games underscored his skill and tenacity.

After narrowly missing out on the 1996 Olympics, Kerr transitioned to mixed martial arts, where he quickly made a name for himself. His MMA career was decorated with titles, including being a two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion and a World Vale Tudo Championship tournament winner. Kerr also competed in PRIDE FC, one of the most prestigious MMA organizations of its time.

In submission wrestling, Kerr was a force to be reckoned with, securing four ADCC World Championships. He dominated his weight class twice, as well as winning the absolute division and the Superfight Championship. His feats in both freestyle and submission wrestling solidified his reputation as a versatile and formidable fighter.

Kerr’s life and career were immortalized in the 2002 HBO documentary “The Smashing Machine,” which offered an intimate look at his MMA journey, battles in the ring, and struggles with substance abuse. The documentary also highlighted his relationships with his then-girlfriend, training partners, and his close friendship with fellow fighter Mark Coleman.

An avid powerlifter, Kerr reportedly boasted impressive personal records, including a 425-pound bench press and a 550-pound squat. Despite his physical prowess, Kerr’s career and life were marked by challenges beyond the ring. By 2010, he considered himself “99.9 percent retired” and was pursuing a degree with aspirations in pharmaceutical sales.

Kerr’s resilience was further tested when he revealed in June 2019 that he had been battling peripheral neuropathy since 2016. Despite these challenges, Kerr’s legacy in both wrestling and MMA remains undiminished, a testament to his enduring spirit and remarkable athletic achievements.

In this special edition of Play by Play, Jesse unveils his list of the top 10 wrestlers of all time. With WrestleMania 40 still fresh in the minds of fans worldwide, Jesse reflects on the iconic superstars who have left an indelible mark on the world of professional wrestling.

From electrifying entrances to legendary matches, Jesse pays homage to wrestling’s biggest names, including The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin, John Cena, and The Undertaker. He reminisces about their unforgettable moments in the ring and discusses how each of these superstars influenced him as a wrestling fan during the WWE and WCW eras.

With passion and expertise, Jesse counts down his top 10 list, providing personal anecdotes and insights into what makes each wrestler truly great. From their charisma on the mic to their athleticism in the squared circle, he celebrates the unique qualities that have cemented their legacies in the annals of sports entertainment.

Join Jesse on this journey through wrestling history as he pays tribute to the titans of the industry and shares his love for the sport that has captivated audiences for generations. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a casual observer, this episode of Play by Play is sure to reignite your passion for professional wrestling. #wwe #therock #undertaker