During the January 7th 2022 edition of WWE Smackdown, Sami Zayn met with Jackass star Johnny Knoxville backstage. Knoxville express interest in being part of the men’s 2022 Royal Rumble match but Zayn said Knoxville wasn’t qualified.
After Zayn lost his match to Rick Boogs, Knoxville ran into the ring and dumped Zayn over the top rope. The ring announcer then stated that Knoxville was qualified to enter the Rumble.
* twangy guitar riff *#SmackDown @SamiZayn @realjknoxville @jackassworld pic.twitter.com/cAX3gAhrVA
— WWE (@WWE) January 8, 2022
You took your eye off the ball, @SamiZayn!#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/SiRmdqkSK2
— WWE (@WWE) January 8, 2022
WOAHH!!!! Johnny Knoxville just sent @SamiZayn over the top rope on #SmackDown AND officially qualified for the 2022 #RoyalRumble Match! pic.twitter.com/rEt1EM5DG2
— WWE (@WWE) January 8, 2022
.@realjknoxville will be in the #RoyalRumble Match!#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/Dax2wk1m4Y
— WWE (@WWE) January 8, 2022
Knoxville took to Instagram this past weekend and announced that he wanted to win the Men’s Rumble. He noted that winning the match is his resolution for 2022, and he also said he’s not impressed with the current WWE roster, taking shots at Big E and WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns. It was believed that Knoxville was official for The Rumble after Monday’s RAW, but he was not confirmed until SmackDown tonight.
Sheamus also announced his spot for the Men’s Royal Rumble during tonight’s SmackDown.
There are now 7 spots confirmed for the 30-Man Rumble – Knoxville, Sheamus, Austin Theory, Rey Mysterio, Dominik Mysterio, Montez Ford, and Angelo Dawkins.
The 2022 Royal Rumble will take place on January 29 from The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis. Below is the updated card, along with shots of Knoxville from SmackDown:
30-Man Royal Rumble Match
Johnny Knoxville, Austin Theory, Rey Mysterio, Dominik Mysterio, Montez Ford, Angelo Dawkins, Sheamus, 23 Superstars TBA
30-Woman Royal Rumble Match
SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair, Rhea Ripley, Nikki A.S.H., WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Bella, WWE Hall of Famer Brie Bella, Shotzi, Natalya, Michelle McCool, WWE 24/7 Champion Dana Brooke, WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Carmella, WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Queen Zelina Vega, Impact Knockouts Champion Mickie James, Tamina Snuka, Kelly Kelly, Aliyah, Summer Rae, Naomi, Shayna Baszler, WWE Hall of Famer Lita, 11 participants TBA
WWE Title Match
Bobby Lashley vs. Brock Lesnar (c)
WWE Universal Title Match
Seth Rollins vs. Roman Reigns (c)
RAW Women’s Title Match
Bianca Belair or Liv Morgan or Doudrop vs. Becky Lynch (c)
Mixed Tag Team Match
WWE Hall of Famers Edge and Beth Phoenix vs. The Miz and Maryse
