Ilja Dragunov

Champion Retains

Summary

This match was absolute chaos from start to finish, with Carmelo Hayes and Ilja Dragunov beating the life out of each other in a nonstop war. Dragunov brought his usual intensity, unloading German suplexes, brutal chops, and massive power moves like a Death Valley Driver and Powerbomb, while Hayes kept answering with explosive counters, including a wild mid-air cutter and his First 48. Both guys were kicking out of everything, stacking up insane near-falls that had the crowd losing it. It looked like Dragunov finally had it won after connecting with the Torpedo Moscow, but Hayes somehow survived and snatched a quick roll-up out of nowhere to retain. A shocking finish to an absolutely incredible match that felt like it could’ve gone either way right up until the final second.

Summary

Dragunov brought his usual manic energy—hammering Tonga with stiff chops and blasting him with a German suplex that sent the crowd buzzing early. Tonga slowed things down with heavy strikes and corner offense, turning the match into a gritty back-and-forth brawl. Dragunov fired back with multiple Germans and even nailed the Constantine Special for a near fall, but the numbers game started creeping in as Tonga’s allies lurked at ringside. Dragunov nearly had it won after a diving senton and a furious rally, but distractions from Tonga Loa and the rest of the group opened the door. Tonga seized the moment and blasted Dragunov with the Cutthroat elbow to steal the pin. After the bell, the situation got ugly as the faction swarmed Dragunov and beat him down until help tried—unsuccessfully—to even the odds. It was a solid, hard-hitting match, but the finish definitely had that classic “heel crew needs the assist” energy.

The MFTs

Summary

In an impromptu Texas ten-man tag match, Solo Sikoa’s MFTs scored the win after Tama Tonga hit the Cut Throat on Carmelo Hayes for the pin. The bout was a whirlwind of interference and saves, including Apollo Crews’ return to action, before the chaos concluded with the MFTs standing tall.

Summary

The Men’s Royal Rumble match also featured 30 participants, mixing established stars, surprise returns, and breakthrough performances. Oba Femi made a huge early impact by entering at #1 and eliminating several competitors, including Rusev and Solo Sikoa. Throughout the middle of the match, notable moments included surprise eliminations, then-fresh returns like LA Knight, and clashes involving Brock Lesnar before he was eliminated by alliance efforts from other competitors. The final stretch came down to Roman Reigns (#26), Gunther (#30), Randy Orton, and Logan Paul as the last four. Reigns ultimately survived the fray by spearing Gunther, eliminating him over the top rope to win his second career Royal Rumble and punch his WrestleMania main event ticket.

Summary

Ilja Dragunov went one-on-one with The Miz in a physical bout born from recent interference controversies. Dragunov absorbed early veteran ring strategy from Miz before unleashing hard strikes, chops, and his signature Torpedo Moscow. The Mad Dragon finished Miz with the H-Bomb for the pinfall, continuing his momentum heading into the Royal Rumble.