Royal Rumble 2013: Rock Ends Punk's Reign and Cena Books the Rematch

Alberto Del Rio and Big Show open the pay-per-view with a strong Last Man Standing match that gives the new champion a physical test immediately after his title win on SmackDown. Show controls the heavier exchanges and repeatedly creates long counts through power, while Del Rio survives by attacking the arm and finding unconventional ways to keep the giant down. The match escalates well around the entrance area, including a Chokeslam that drives Del Rio through a table from an elevated position. Del Rio still beats the count and eventually traps Show in the Cross Armbreaker near the ropes. Ricardo Rodriguez then duct tapes Show's legs to the bottom rope. Show cannot free himself before ten, giving Del Rio another memorable Last Man Standing victory.

Team Hell No defend the WWE Tag Team Championship against Team Rhodes Scholars in a compact match that benefits from the contrast between the champions' dysfunction and the challengers' more traditional teamwork. Rhodes and Sandow repeatedly isolate Daniel Bryan and try to keep Kane from changing the match with power. Bryan's speed creates the best comeback sequences, while Kane provides the stabilizing force whenever the challengers begin controlling the pace. The finish is clean and gives the champions a meaningful pay-per-view retention. Bryan catches Sandow during the closing exchange and locks in the No! Lock. Sandow submits, allowing Team Hell No to keep the titles without outside interference. The match is not long enough to become a major attraction, but it serves the division well.

The 2013 Royal Rumble match is a solid long-form battle royal built around several surprise returns, a marathon run from Dolph Ziggler and an unsurprising John Cena victory. Ziggler starts first and lasts nearly fifty minutes, while Chris Jericho's surprise entry at number two immediately raises the match's energy. Goldust, The Godfather and Bo Dallas provide distinct moments, and Kofi Kingston produces another memorable elimination escape using the announce area and a chair. The final four are Ziggler, Sheamus, Cena and Ryback. Ryback eliminates Sheamus before Cena survives the final exchange and sends Ryback over the top rope. The result is predictable, but the match is paced well and gives Cena the WrestleMania title opportunity.

The Rock and CM Punk close the show with a historically important WWE Championship match that ends Punk's 434-day reign and puts WrestleMania 29's biggest program into motion. Punk wrestles with the pressure of Vince McMahon's warning that Shield interference will cost him the championship, while Rock repeatedly tries to create the one opening needed for a decisive comeback. The first finish comes after the arena goes dark and unseen attackers drive Rock through the announce table, allowing Punk to score the pin. McMahon appears ready to strip Punk of the title, but Rock demands that the match restart. Rock survives the reset, lands a Spinebuster and follows with the People's Elbow. The pin ends Punk's historic reign and gives Rock his first championship since 2002.