The 2025 Royal Rumble was a night of unexpected twists and turns, dramatic returns, and brutal confrontations. While the event witnessed several memorable moments, including injuries sustained by Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens, the surprise comebacks of Alexa Bliss and Trish Stratus, and Jey Uso’s triumph over John Cena in what was billed as Cena’s final Royal Rumble appearance, one moment stood out for its sheer brutality and unexpectedness: the decimation of YouTuber IShowSpeed at the hands of Bron Breakker.
IShowSpeed’s involvement in the Rumble began innocently enough. He entered the fray following an altercation between WWE Superstar Carmelo Hayes and Akira Tozawa. In a surprising turn of events, Speed found himself allied with Intercontinental Champion Bron Breakker, and together they managed to eliminate the formidable Otis. However, the alliance was short-lived. Without warning, Breakker unleashed a devastating spear on Speed, sending him crashing to the floor. This marked the beginning of Speed’s rapid and painful descent into Royal Rumble infamy.
The assault continued as Otis, having been eliminated moments earlier, seized the opportunity for revenge. He intercepted the reeling Speed and unceremoniously hurled him over the announce table, a moment that elicited both gasps and laughter from the audience. The impact left Speed with a visible gash on his leg, a stark reminder of the physical toll exacted by his brief but memorable Rumble experience. Backstage, a hobbled Speed encountered fellow YouTuber and WWE participant Logan Paul, who offered some characteristically nonchalant advice, suggesting Speed simply “walk it off.”
Speed’s foray into the world of professional wrestling wasn’t entirely new. He had previously appeared at WrestleMania XL, disguised as a bottle of Prime energy drink, assisting Logan Paul in retaining the WWE United States Championship. However, his Royal Rumble appearance, orchestrated by a personal invitation from WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H, took on a decidedly more violent and humiliating tone. Triple H, in the post-event press conference, expressed his astonishment at the force of Breakker’s spear, remarking that he hadn’t “seen a human get hit that hard.” The invitation, which included a backstage pass and the opportunity to stream from the coveted Gorilla Position, ultimately led to Speed’s unexpected and painful in-ring debut.
Despite the brutal spear and the ignominious trip over the announce table, Speed displayed remarkable resilience. While his initial reaction on social media suggested a retreat from the world of WWE, posting “no more WWE,” he quickly reversed course, vowing to return for the 2026 Royal Rumble. In a bold proclamation, Speed challenged the entire WWE roster, including undisputed champion Roman Reigns, and even the retired Mark Henry. This unexpected display of defiance, delivered while wearing a neck brace, hinted at a burning desire for redemption and a surprising lack of intimidation.
From WWE’s perspective, Speed’s involvement was a resounding success. The clip of Breakker’s spear quickly went viral, amassing nearly 50 million views in just half a day, demonstrating the YouTuber’s significant online presence and the power of his fanbase. Speed injected a fresh wave of energy and excitement into the Royal Rumble, attracting a new audience and generating considerable buzz. His participation, while short-lived and painful, proved mutually beneficial, offering Speed a taste of the brutal realities of professional wrestling and providing WWE with a viral moment that transcended the traditional wrestling audience.
The events of the 2025 Royal Rumble suggest that IShowSpeed’s foray into the world of professional wrestling is far from over. His resilience, coupled with the undeniable online impact of his appearance, makes a future return almost inevitable. While the extent of his future involvement remains unclear, one thing is certain: IShowSpeed’s chaotic and memorable debut has left an indelible mark on the Royal Rumble, and the wrestling world at large, setting the stage for potential future clashes and further unexpected moments.
