The night the three brands collided in Houston
In short: On January 26, 2020, the Royal Rumble expanded its stakes. For the first time, winners could choose championships from Raw, SmackDown, or NXT, fundamentally altering the path to WrestleMania 36 and breaking a decade-long pattern of limited championship choices.
The 2020 Royal Rumble, held at Houston's Minute Maid Park, served as a pivotal moment for WWE's brand hierarchy. While the event featured stars from the Raw and SmackDown rosters, the inclusion of NXT's top titles as eligible prizes marked a significant shift. For the men, the victory offered a choice between the WWE, Universal, or NXT Championships—the first time since 2010 that three options were available. The women faced a similar expansion, able to challenge for the Raw, SmackDown, or NXT Women's Championships.
The event's structure relied on the unique Royal Rumble match format, where 30 participants enter at timed intervals rather than all at once. This year, the stakes were heightened by the presence of Brock Lesnar, who entered as number one despite being the reigning WWE Champion. His participation added a layer of unpredictability, as his advocate, Paul Heyman, suggested the champion might even abstain from his prize if he were to win.
The night was defined by both returns and record-breaking performances. The wrestling community saw the return of Edge, who had not competed since a 2011 neck injury, and veteran MVP. In the women's match, Bianca Belair set a new standard by achieving five eliminations, a feat previously shared by Michelle McCool and Charlotte Flair. Ultimately, the night concluded with Raw's Drew McIntyre winning the men's match and Charlotte Flair securing the women's victory, both earning the right to shape their destinies at WrestleMania 36.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Royal Rumble (2020)
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