The excitement is palpable as the WWE Royal Rumble 2025 descends upon Indianapolis, Indiana, tonight at the iconic Lucas Oil Stadium. This year's event marks the 38th annual Royal Rumble, but with a significant twist: it’s the first time WWE will be presenting this high-stakes spectacle live exclusively on Netflix. Fans worldwide are gearing up for this monumental wrestling event, which is set to begin at 6 p.m. ET (3 p.m. PT).
The Royal Rumble is traditionally one of the crown jewels of the wrestling calendar, featuring 30 men and 30 women who will step inside the squared circle, fighting tooth and nail for the chance to secure their spot at WrestleMania 41.
Among this year’s expected entrants for the men’s Royal Rumble are wrestling heavyweights like John Cena, Roman Reigns, CM Punk, and Seth Rollins, all eyeing their opportunity to claim victory and advance to WrestleMania. Meanwhile, for the women’s side, legends like Charlotte Flair and Bianca Belair are set to compete, with Flair making her much-anticipated return from injury.
The Royal Rumble 2025 schedule promises to be packed with action, starting with preliminary events and culminating when the main card kicks off. Viewers can look forward to the two Royal Rumble matches, alongside notable championship contests: Cody Rhodes versus Kevin Owens for the Undisputed WWE Championship, which will be fought out in a highly anticipated ladder match, and #DIY defending their tag titles against the Motor City Machine Guns in a two-out-of-three falls match.
According to WWE CCO Paul Levesque, the Rumble always offers the chance of surprise entrants, and this year is expected to be no different. "I'm thinking about the Royal Rumble... just about anybody could enter as a surprise," Levesque shared at the pre-event kickoff. Indeed, the anticipation surrounding potential returning superstars adds to the event’s allure.
The Rumble isn’t just about the thrill of the matches; it’s also about establishing storylines and rivalries leading up to WrestleMania. For example, Cody Rhodes faces the chaotic Kevin Owens for the undisputed championship. This fierce competition stems from their complex history and aims to determine who will sit atop WWE heading toward WrestleMania. Owens has repeatedly made his intentions clear; he doesn't just want the title but aims to disrupt Rhodes’ headline dreams as well.
Fans tuning in worldwide can expect the event to last approximately four hours, providing plenty of action and drama. The live stream will be accessible through Netflix, marking the first time WWE will leverage this platform for one of its prime events following their landmark deal with the streaming giant.
Dominik Mysterio, sharing his enthusiasm for the change, expressed, "Morale is high. We're all super excited to be able to just be on Netflix... So the fact you can watch it all around the world at any point in time... is huge for us." This sentiment is echoed among WWE wrestlers, showing how the accessibility of the event on Netflix can expand their reach to audiences who may not traditionally watch wrestling on cable channels.
The overall structure of the Royal Rumble has remained fundamentally unchanged: each of the matches will see participants enter the ring one by one at timed intervals. The objective is to eliminate opponents by throwing them over the top rope, with the last person standing declared the victor. The stakes are exceptionally high this year, as winning the Rumble guarantees the opportunity to vie for the world championship at WrestleMania 41.
With the biggest personalities involved—both male and female competitors—there’s no telling how the Royal Rumble will shake out. The mix of returning favorites like Cena and newcomers adds unpredictability, which is part of what has made this event so beloved over the years.
WWE fans have traditionally enjoyed the Royal Rumble’s blend of athleticism, entertainment, and drama, and 2025 is shaping up to be no exception. With names like LA Knight, Jey Uso, Nia Jax, and Raquel Rodriguez confirmed, excitement continues to build. Each participant brings their own motivations to the ring, from personal rivalries to the dream of championship gold.
Tonight’s Royal Rumble will also be notable for the fact it won’t be available on traditional broadcast television but will stream exclusively on Peacock and Netflix. This shift reflects WWE's modern approach to accessibility and engagement with its global fan base.
Overall, the WWE Royal Rumble 2025 is set to be not just an event, but a sprawling narrative filled with suspense and twists—making it one of the most eagerly anticipated wrestling installments of the year. With everything on the line, participants must stay one step ahead, or risk falling short of their WrestleMania hopes. Fans will not want to miss the spectacle.