The 2025 Royal Rumble will be remembered for a confluence of shocking returns, brutal confrontations, and unexpected twists. While seasoned veterans like John Cena wrestled their final Rumble matches and fan favorites like Alexa Bliss and Trish Stratus made surprise appearances, the event was arguably stolen by a YouTube sensation named IShowSpeed, whose brief but chaotic foray into the world of professional wrestling became the talk of the internet. From a surprise alliance with Bron Breakker to a brutal spear that sent him flying, Speed’s Rumble experience was a whirlwind of pain, humor, and viral moments, perfectly encapsulating the unpredictable nature of the event itself.
Speed’s involvement began with an assist to Intercontinental Champion Bron Breakker, helping him eliminate the formidable Otis. This unexpected partnership gave way to a shocking betrayal when Breakker, without warning, delivered a devastating spear to Speed, sending him crashing to the floor outside the ring. The brutality didn’t end there. Otis, still smarting from his elimination, seized the opportunity to inflict further punishment, hoisting Speed onto the announce table and sending him flying in a painful yet strangely comical spectacle. The incident left Speed with a nasty gash on his leg, a visible testament to the physical toll of his Rumble debut. A backstage encounter with fellow YouTuber and WWE personality Logan Paul, who offered flippant advice to “walk it off,” added a touch of levity to the otherwise painful experience.
The incident with Breakker marked a significant departure from Speed’s previous WWE appearance at WrestleMania XL, where he played a more lighthearted role, dressed as a bottle of Prime energy drink while assisting Paul in a championship match. This time, the tone was decidedly more intense, fueled by a personal invitation from WWE executive Triple H, who offered Speed a backstage pass and the opportunity to stream from the coveted Gorilla Position. Triple H himself, in the post-show press conference, expressed astonishment at the sheer force of Breakker’s spear, commenting with a hint of smug satisfaction that he hadn’t “seen a human get hit that hard.” The statement seemed to acknowledge the calculated risk and potential reward of bringing a personality like Speed into the high-octane environment of the Royal Rumble.
Despite the brutal beating he endured, Speed’s resilience and ambition remained undeterred. Sporting a neck brace in a backstage interview with Cathy Kelley, Speed vowed to return for the 2026 Royal Rumble, issuing a bold challenge to the entire roster, including reigning champion Roman Reigns and even retired Hall of Famer Mark Henry. This audacious declaration, following an initial post on X (formerly Twitter) claiming “no more WWE,” underscored Speed’s complex relationship with the wrestling world – a mixture of genuine enthusiasm, playful bravado, and an understanding of the attention-grabbing nature of such pronouncements.
From a business perspective, WWE reaped substantial benefits from Speed’s involvement. The viral clip of Breakker’s spear garnered a staggering 49.6 million views in just 12 hours, demonstrating the immense online reach and dedicated fanbase that Speed brings to the table. This viral explosion highlighted the strategic value of incorporating internet personalities into WWE programming, attracting a younger demographic and generating significant online buzz. Speed’s presence injected a fresh energy into the Royal Rumble, blurring the lines between professional wrestling and internet culture, and creating a moment that resonated far beyond the traditional wrestling audience.
The incident encapsulates the evolving nature of sports entertainment in the digital age. WWE’s willingness to embrace internet personalities like Speed, recognizing their potential to generate viral moments and expand their audience, demonstrates a savvy understanding of the current media landscape. While Speed’s Rumble appearance was short-lived and undeniably painful, it left an indelible mark on the event, contributing to its overall spectacle and generating a level of online engagement that solidified his place, however briefly, within the annals of WWE history. The combination of genuine athleticism, orchestrated drama, and Speed’s own unpredictable personality proved a potent mix, ensuring that his brief but chaotic time in the Rumble will be remembered for years to come.
