February 4, 2019 Observer Newsletter: WWE Royal Rumble and Takeover Phoenix reviews, more
By Bryan Alvarez
Star ratings, prelims and comments by Dave Meltzer
1. Bobby Roode & Chad Gable vs. Rezar & Scott Dawson for the Raw tag title. The idea of this was Dash Wilder on social media teased quitting. He hadn’t, and they didn’t acknowledge that during the match either. And the next day he was back anyway. They I guess wanted to tease him as quitting and then he’d show up the next day. It was a short basic match with the crowd filing in. Gable pinned Dawson after a moonsault block. 6:34 **
2. Rusev vs. Shinsuke Nakamura for the U.S. title. They teased Rusev doing a tope but Nakamura got in the ring and kicked him. Nakamura did a triangle but Rusev powered him into a suplex. Nakamura undid a turnbuckle. Lana got on the apron and yelled at the ref “he’s cheating.” Rusev went after Nakamura, who moved. Rusev knocked Lana off the apron. She was selling her ankle. He was worried about her and distracted. Nakamura hit the Kinshasa from behind for the pin. 10:12 **3/4
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Dave Meltzer is the founder and lead writer on the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the weekly constant when it comes to news and reviews in pro wrestling and mixed martial arts for more than 40 years. Dave also co-hosts Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and had had bylines for The National, Yahoo Sports, MMA Fighting and others.