WWE: Royal Rumble 2014 Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.0

WWE: Royal Rumble 2014 Blu-ray Movie Review

Llllllet's get ready to...watch the Blu-rayyyyyyyyy!

Reviewed by Martin Liebman March 5, 2014

The annual Royal Rumble may very well be the most prestigious WWE event on the pay calendar that doesn't take place in late March or Early April. Fans have enjoyed the dependably entertaining and frequently unforgettable Pay-Per-View extravaganza now going on for more than a quarter-centruty. It's birthed superstars, seen the valiant returns of old favorites, and always yields the sort of chaos, carnage, shocking storyline reveals, and satisfying conclusions that define the best the WWE has to offer in one pricy but must-see package. 2014's Royal Rumble is no different. Overflowing with superstar talent, up-and-comers, old favorites, and plenty of surprises, the event reflects the classic Rumble style, rhythm, and action, featuring three one-on-one battles and the main event, a thirty-entrant, last-man-standing battle of stamina, wits, wrestling ability, and luck. The winner will have to withstand one of the toughest rosters ever assembled for the Royal Rumble if he's to earn a shot at glory in WrestleMania XXX.

He's back.

2014's edition of the Royal Rumble, the twenty-seventh and the first to call Pittsburgh's Consol Energy Center home, took place on January 26, 2014 in front of 15,715 rabid fans. The event began with a one-on-one match, the "battle of the beards," between relative newcomer Bray Wyatt and fan favorite Daniel Bryan that would see Wyatt's backwoods companions ejected early on, leaving Bray to fend for himself against one of the WWE's most talented performers. Match two saw the collision of two of the largest individuals ever to slog into the ring: the super-sized Big Show and the muscular Brock Lesnar. Theirs would be one of the most lopsided and punishing matches of early 2014. The evening progressed towards a one-on-one World Heavyweight Championship match between perennial favorites and modern-era staples John Cena and Randy Orton. Three matches, three entertaining moments, and finally, time for the main event. 2014's Royal Rumble saw the clashing of dozens of WWE superstars. The event rewards the last man standing in the ring with a championship opportunity at WrestleMania XXX. Names like CM Punk, Kane, Kofi Kingston, Dolph Ziggler, Ryback, and Batista would battle for the coveted one-in-a-million (well, more like one-in-thirty) shot at WWE history.

The following matches are included on the Royal Rumble 2014 card:

• Event Match: Daniel Bryan vs. Bray Wyatt.
• Event Match: Big Show vs. Brock Lesnar.
• WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match: Randy Orton vs. John Cena.
• 2014 Royal Rumble Match: Participants include (in order of appearance): CM Punk, Seth Rollins, Damien Sandow, Cody Rhodes, Kane, Alexander Rusev, Jack Swagger, Kofi Kingston, Jimmy Uso, Goldust, Dean Ambrose, Dolph Ziggler, R-Truth, Kevin Nash, Roman Reigns, The Great Khali, Sheamus, The Miz, Fandango, El Torito, Antonio Cesaro, Luke Harper, Jey Uso, John "Bradshaw" Layfield, Erick Rowan, Ryback, Alberto Del Rio, Batista, Big E Langston, and Rey Mysterio.

WWE: Royal Rumble 2014 Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Royal Rumble 2014's 1080i high definition transfer is very much indistinguishable from most every other modern WWE event Blu-ray release. And that's just fine. Though the image suffers from some occasionally severe bouts of blocking, it's generally quite stable and enjoyable. WWE Home Video's transfer reveals terrific up-tight details. Facial hair, sweat, tattoos, and attire look terrific, all very cleanly defined and accurately textured. Image clarity is outstanding, allowing viewers to read crowd signage and identify many faces, even in the deeper rows, with ease. Colors explode off the screen with punch and realistic appearances. Digital signage is particularly intense, and the transfer handles costumes, colorful tattoos, and audience apparel very well. Black levels are deep but occasionally marred by that heavy blockiness. Flesh tones appear accurate. Overall, this is a good, typical WWE Blu-ray viewing experience.

WWE: Royal Rumble 2014 Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Royal Rumble 2014 features the WWE Home Video Blu-ray standard Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack. Despite the lack of a lossless option, Royal Rumble 2014 sounds quite good in its total. It features the usual array of WWE event sounds, all of which are presented crisply, evenly, and accurately. Crowd noise is well-defined and nicely spaced. It's strong but not overwhelming, enveloping but not overpowering. Wrestler entrance music plays big as it blasts through Consol Energy Center loudspeakers, yielding strong clarity and lifelike presence. Various in-ring sound effects -- grunts, smacks, stomps on the mat -- come through with solid presence and energy. Ringside commentary and wrestler interview snippets arrive with center-based presence and natural volume. All in all, this is a well-rounded and enjoyable lossy soundtrack that serves the material very well.

WWE: Royal Rumble 2014 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Royal Rumble 2014 contains several extras, the first four labeled as "Home Video Exclusives" and the remainder "Blu-ray Exclusives."

• WWE Tag Team Match (HD, 9:55): Cody Rhodes & Goldust vs. New Age Outlaws. Royal Rumble Kickoff.
• Royal Rumble Moment (HD, 1:35): WWE Superstars Draw Their Numbers for the Royal Rumble (The WWE's most open, transparent, and fully legitimate ceremony).
• Royal Rumble Moment (HD, 0:36): Randy Orton Comments on the Wyatt Family Controversy.
• Superstar Interview (HD, 0:57): An Exclusive Interview with John Cena.
• RAW Moment/Match (HD, 13:12): Brock Lesnar Goes Old School. Monday Night RAW -- January 6, 2014.
• Steel Cage Tag Team Match (HD, 17:25): Jimmy & Jey Uso vs. Bray Wyatt & Daniel Bryan. Monday Night RAW -- January 13, 2014.
• SmackDown Moment (HD, 8:47): CM Punk Calls Out The Shield & New Age Outlaws. SmackDown -- January 17, 2014.
• RAW Moment (HD, 16:42): Batista Returns to WWE. Monday Night RAW -- January 20, 2014.
• RAW Moment (HD, 3:27): Batista Sends a Message to Alberto del Rio. Monday Night RAW -- January 20, 2014.
• RAW Match (HD, 13:27): Randy Orton vs. Kofi Kingston. Monday Night RAW -- January 20, 2014.

WWE: Royal Rumble 2014 Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

2014's edition of the acclaimed and long-running Royal Rumble may not stand apart from the pack and won't go down as the best the event has ever seen, yet it's a rock-solid entry, filled with capable newcomers, established superstars, and old friends returning to the ring for one more shot at WrestleMania glory. Each of the four matches are both lengthy and battled with tremendous skill, each of them encapsulating what today's WWE is all about. The stage has been set for an epic WrestleMania XXX, and there's no better way to get ready for the year's top PPV event than to relive its most important pay predecessor. WWE Home Video's Blu-ray release of Royal Rumble 2014 features typically good WWE video and audio. A solid selection of extras are included. Highly recommended, of course, to WWE fans.