WWE 2K25 is full of challenging match types, but the Royal Rumble is among the most difficult to win. Even when it feels like luck is required, you can still win the Royal Rumble with the right tips in mind. First, you need to master all the WWE 2K25 Royal Rumble controls.
Learning how to eliminate someone in the Royal Rumble won’t just help you throw other superstars out of the ring, it also helps you know what to look out for. Winning the Royal Rumble in WWE 2K25 is just as much about how you eliminate others as how you keep them from eliminating you, and this guide has all the tips and tricks you need.

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WWE 2K25 Royal Rumble Controls Explained
Once that buzzer goes off to signal you’re entering the Royal Rumble, you’ll be on the path to victory and simultaneously on the verge of defeat at all times. Before you start rapidly attacking opponents at random, it helps to have a firm foundation.
Here are the most important WWE 2K25 Royal Rumble controls you need to know:
Action |
Xbox Controls |
PlayStation Controls |
---|---|---|
Grab / Grapple |
Press B |
Press Circle |
Irish Whip |
After Grab, Move Left Stick in Any Direction + Press B |
After Grab, Move Left Stick in Any Direction + Press Circle |
Strong Irish Whip (Hammer Throw) |
After Grab, Move Left Stick in Any Direction + Hold B |
After Grab, Move Left Stick in Any Direction + Hold Circle |
Reversal |
Press Y |
Press Triangle |
Running Attack |
Hold LT then Press X or A |
Hold L2 then Press Square or X |
Finisher |
Press RT + A |
Press R2 + X |
Reposition Opponent |
Move Right Stick Up, Left, or Right |
Move Right Stick Up, Left, or Right |
Change Target |
Press Right Stick |
Press R3 |
Start Dragging Opponent |
After Grab, Press LB |
After Grab, Press L1 |
If you want to practice these Royal Rumble controls in a lower-stakes situation, go to Play from the main menu and set up a Battle Royal. You can put as few as four superstars in this match type, but it will follow the same rules and use the same controls.
How to Eliminate Someone in the Royal Rumble in WWE 2K25
Every Royal Rumble elimination in WWE 2K25 boils down to throwing someone out of the ring, but there are several different paths to that ultimate goal. The most important thing is that your opponent is damaged, as fresh superstars can often be nearly impossible to eliminate.
Before you attempt a Royal Rumble elimination, wear down that superstar with a series of attacks until their health bar is low. Hitting them with a Finisher or Signature makes a big difference here, and it makes any subsequent elimination attempt more likely to succeed. Trying to eliminate a fresh superstar with perfect health is also a surefire way to get eliminated, as they often automatically reverse elimination attempts.
Running Elimination
The simplest way to eliminate someone in the Royal Rumble is with a running attack, but one version of this elimination style is much riskier than the other. The best way to execute a running elimination is on an opponent that is already over the top rope and on the apron, either dangling from the ropes after being thrown or standing on the apron.
The ideal situation would be an opponent that has already been significantly weakened, and you can then use a standard Irish Whip to throw them at the ropes. If they flip over the top rope and dangle briefly while holding the ropes, hold LT or L2 to run at that opponent and then press X or Square (PlayStation) or A or X (Xbox) to use a running strike.
If your opponent isn’t quite weak enough, they may just land on the apron and remain there for a moment. If they don’t immediately get back in the ring, use the same controls for a running strike to knock them off the apron onto the floor. These running eliminations are less risky because a reversal doesn’t result in you automatically being eliminated.
The final running attack option can be easier to set up but comes at a cost. Your opponent needs to be leaning against the ropes while inside the ring, either from being knocked into them or by using the Drag action to place them against the ropes. A successful running attack can trigger an elimination here, but a reversal will automatically eliminate you regardless of how little damage you’ve taken.
How to Win the Royal Rumble Grapple Elimination Mini-Game
If you want to use the safest elimination style in WWE 2K25, make use of the Royal Rumble mini-game triggered by a grapple elimination. Press B (on Xbox) or Circle (on PlayStation) to start the Royal Rumble elimination mini-game when an opponent is leaning against the ropes, in the corner, or already on the apron.
Go into your Gameplay Options from the main menu and look for the setting “Allow Held Input For Mini-Games”. This allows you to hold down a button rather than being forced to rapidly tap it, and that can make a long Royal Rumble far less tiring.
The elimination meter for this mini-game tends to be fairly responsive, and you shouldn’t be in it for long until it’s clear whether an elimination is likely. If your opponent is quickly getting the upper hand in this mini-game, tap LB (on Xbox) or L1 (on PlayStation) to cancel the elimination attempt and regroup for your next move. A failed attempt at this elimination style is a sign that your opponent needs to be damaged more before you try to eliminate them.
How to Do a Carry Elimination in the Royal Rumble
You can also attempt to eliminate someone from the Royal Rumble in WWE 2K25 from the Carry Position. To do this, first Grab an opponent and then press RB (on Xbox) or R1 (on PlayStation) to move them into a Carry Position.
Don’t bother using the Right Stick to switch to a different Carry Position, as this will only delay how long it takes you to initiate the elimination mini-game.
Once you are carrying an opponent, use the Left Stick to move near the ropes. When you’re in position, a prompt to press B (on Xbox) or Circle (on PlayStation) should appear to begin the elimination mini-game.
How to Use a Royal Rumble Finisher in WWE 2K25
One of the most surefire ways to send someone out of the ring in WWE 2K25 is to use a Royal Rumble Finisher. You will first need to do enough damage in the match to fill up your Finisher Meter so at least one Finisher is stored.
Next, you need to lean your opponent against the ropes. Most of the time, you’ll have to grab your opponent and press LB (on Xbox) or L1 (on PlayStation) to Drag them towards the ropes. If you strike an opponent into the ropes, they can also stagger into this position.
When you have an opponent in position, stand in front of them and press LT+A (on Xbox) or L2+X (on PlayStation) to use your Royal Rumble Finisher. They can reverse this attack, but that reversal won’t result in you being eliminated.
Tips to Win the Royal Rumble in WWE 2K25
While learning all the WWE 2K25 Royal Rumble controls is an important step, actually winning a lengthy Royal Rumble match will still be difficult. You will have the best odds when using a superstar that has a higher rating and has access to the Resiliency Payback. When an opponent has you in the Royal Rumble elimination mini-game, you can use Resiliency to immediately break out of it like you would a Submission or Pinfall in a normal match.
Make sure you’re using a superstar with a Signature that’s easy to execute during the Royal Rumble. A move with a complex animation is more likely to get interrupted as a ring fills up with other competitors.
When possible, focus your attacks on weaker wrestlers who take damage faster and are less likely to reverse your moves. This helps thin the field, keeps you from being damaged by stronger entrants, and allows you to build up and store finishers.
If you want to be absolutely sure an opponent doesn’t reverse an elimination attempt, wait until they’re in a Stunned state. A series of attacks can trigger this, but it’s most common after you hit a Signature or a Finisher. For this reason, it can be more beneficial to use your Finisher to trigger a Stunned state rather than attempting a Royal Rumble Finisher.
If you are damaged and your superstar crawls to the corner or under the bottom rope to recover, press nothing and try to bide your time there as long as possible. In the same vein, look for opportunities to simply back away from AI opponents and let them attack each other while you bide time. Winning the Royal Rumble in WWE 2K25 is no small feat, but these tips will help you outlast every other superstar.
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