Luke Littler and Luke Humphries back darts 'Royal Rumble' and agree format
Darts stars Luke Littler and Luke Humphries have expressed their support for a Royal Rumble-style event in the darts world. The question was posed during a joint interview, and both top players were keen on the idea.
For those unfamiliar with WWE, the Royal Rumble begins with two competitors in the ring, with surprise entrants joining the match at two-minute intervals. Given the exciting atmosphere at darts events and fans' fondness for walk-on music, Humphries and Littler believe the concept could be a hit in their sport with a few adjustments.
WWE enthusiast Littler proposed that the darts version of a Royal Rumble match would involve rapid-fire 501 legs. The victor of each leg would then face unknown opponents, unveiled by their walk-on music, continuously until a champion is declared.
When asked the question during an 'Agree to Disagree' game, Littler and Humphries immediately voted strongly to agree. "Have it!" Littler exclaimed as he joked about which player would make a comeback in the sought-after final slot.
"I think it'd be good," Humphries told Sport Bible. "You probably couldn't rank it or anything because you'd have to make sure you're not taking too much away from the seriousness of the sport. But I think it would be a good laugh, a good bit of fun. I think the fans would love it as well."
Discussing how he envisioned the tournament format, Littler said: "I don't think they could go above one leg, a 501. Straight away, one leg, the loser goes off and then the next player will do their walk on."
Darts prodigy Littler is an avid professional wrestling fan, as the world champion chose his walk-on song - 'Greenlight' by Pitbull after it soundtracked WrestleMania 33 in 2017. "Every WrestleMania has their own tune and Flo Rida sang it with LunchMoney Lewis, and I was there right up in the stands," Littler said.
Despite his passion for pro wrestling, Littler doesn't favour swapping darts silverware for wrestler-style championship belts. "I couldn't imagine getting a replica wrestling belt that said 'Darts World Champion' and putting it around my waist," he confessed. Fellow darts ace Humphries echoed this sentiment: "It's kind of fun, but for me it's all about trophies and they feel more prestigious."
Littler and Humphries are focused on battling for the Premier League title during Thursday night's Finals Night playoffs. Defending champion Littler is gearing up to battle Gerwyn Price in the semi-finals, while Humphries takes on Nathan Aspinall. The winners will then fight for the title in the Premier League final.
After the Premier League season concludes, Littler and Humphries will soon team up for England in the World Cup of Darts next month. Both players believe they can help England retain the World Cup trophy, following Humphries' success with Michael Smith last year.
"Didn't need a second to think about it," Humphries said when discussing his and Littler's chances at the World Cup. "Everything can happen in darts, it's tough, but the way me and Luke play, our rhythm.
"If we play to our potential, no offence to any of the opponents we play against, but I do think we'll be too good for them. If we play to our potential, I strongly agree that we will win the World Cup."
Meanwhile, World Cup debutant Littler is equally determined. "We'll want to win it back-to-back, and obviously I want to get my hands on it," he said. "The pressure's going to be there, and we don't know what's going to happen. If we turn up on the day, we'll win, but if we lose, we lose."
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