Royal Rumble Qualification Match
Chris Jericho v John Bradshaw LayfieldThis was a good way to start the 21st annual Royal Rumble, both men went all out to put on a good opening contest for the fans, Jericho took the early advantage using his speed to try and defeat JBL but JBL thought back after moving out the way of a lion Sault.
JBL went straight on the attack, taking down Jericho with some big power moves, Jericho tried to fight back but was no match for John Bradshaw Layfield’s size and strength. JBL looked to have it won, but Jericho ducked a clothesline attempt, running off the ropes and sending JBL down with a clothesline.
Jericho went straight on the attack, taking JBL down with an array of kicks, however when Jericho tried for a missile dropkick from the top rope, JBL pulled the ref in the way, JBL hit a low blow to Jericho who was checking on the ref and then JBL levelled Jericho with a Clothesline from Hell. JBL slid out the ring and grabbed a chair taking it back in and swinging it at Jericho; Y2J ducked and nailed JBL with a dropkick which sent the chair smashing into JBL’s face.
Jericho quickly locked in the Walls of Jericho as JBL screamed in pain, JBL had to tap but the referee was still down, Jericho unlocked it and tried to wake the ref however when Jericho turned he was met with a Clothesline from Hell, the ref awoke as JBL pinned Jericho, JBL slid his feet on the bottom rope 1…2…3
Winner: John Bradshaw Layfield
After the match JBL attacked Jericho with a Steel Chair leaving Jericho a beaten and battered mess on the floor. JBL then celebrated as Jericho griped his ribs screaming in pain.
The Camera cut to the back where William Regal, Theodore Long, Vickie Guerrero and Armando Estrada where standing, also there where Batista and Umaga who where picking their numbers, Umaga picked his first his reaction didn’t change much, whilst Batista looked happy about his number.
Career Threatening Match
MVP v Ric Flair
This was a nice little match, Montel Vontavious Porter was trying to use dirty and underhand tactics to defeat Flair, but Ric knew every trick in the book and managed to reverse almost everything MVP did. MVP looked frustrated that his plan was working and so went to the outside to regroup as the ref started the count.
The ref reached seven before MVP slid in, MVP and Ric seemingly stalked each other around the ring, but MVP just slid out again, Flair looked angry and so slid back out himself, the two chased each other as MVP slid in at six, MVP then slid and took Flair out whilst staying in the ring.
The Ref made the count but Flair got in at eight, the two men then locked up with MVP talking the advantage but nothing Montel Vontavious Porter did could keep Flair down, Ric even kicked out after two playmaker’s one after the other.
MVP knocked out the ref with a steel chair, and then nailed Flair with it, MVP hit a playmaker onto the chair as a new ref slid in and counted 1…2…3! MVP had ended the illustrious career of Ric Flair, but all of a sudden the other ref got up after being laid out by MVP, the ref revoked the decision and said that Ric Flair won via DQ therefore Ric Flair’s career is still alive, at least for now.
Winner via DQ, Ric FlairMVP looked extremely angry and argued with the ref but the ref had made his decision, MVP stormed off and the camera followed him out the back, MVP then saw Shannon Moore walking out a room tossing his Royal Rumble entry spot in the air and smiling, MVP attacked him from behind and took his number, shouting ‘I’m going to Wrestlemania!’
World Wrestling Entertainment Championship
Randy Orton © v Jeff HardyThis match wasn’t as good as some had expected but it was still an acceptable Title Match, Orton dominated for the majority of the match with Hardy getting any offence. So it was no surprise when Orton picked up the win.
The ending came with Hardy missing a Swanton-bomb which Orton took full advantage of and nailed Hardy with a picture perfect RKO for the victory, a good match but not the best of matches and it was over pretty quick.
Winner: Randy OrtonKane picked his number he seemed relatively happy. Kennedy picked his number he was really, really angry.
Vince McMahon is in the ring with William Regal, security sounding the ring. McMahon is holding a microphone, he talks about what has gone on with Triple H over the past few Raw’s and what a shame it is Triple H can’t enter the Rumble (Vince smiled as he said this) Vince then said that Triple H may very well never get a World Championship Shot Again! Triple H came out clutching a microphone in one hand and a sledgehammer in the other, Triple H said that whatever Vince does it won’t stop Triple H, The Game said that he will headline Wrestlemania and walk out champion whether Vince likes it or not, Vince started insulting Hunter saying that there is no way in hell that Triple H is good enough to go to Wrestlemania XXIV with a Championship Shot. Triple H held the microphone to his mouth but seemed speechless, Triple H shrugged dropping the Microphone and walking up to the ramp clutching the Sledgehammer, Triple H tried to fight of security and managed to do so, but when Triple H got into the ring Vince and regal had already fled, Triple H held the sledgehammer in the air as Regal and McMahon shouted at him.
Edge cut a promo backstage with Ryder and Hawkins they said that Edge would walk out Heavyweight Champion and that either Ryder or Hawkins would walk away with a guaranteed shot at Randy Orton or CM Punk at Wrestlemania.
World Heavyweight Championship
Edge v Rey Mysterio
This was a great match that saw Edge going toe to toe with Rey Mysterio. Edge tried anything he could to get the win with help from Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder but Rey Mysterio managed to fight through it and break up the counts. It looked as if Edge was going to take when Zack Ryder and Curt Hawkins attacked Rey Mysterio with a chair but Mysterio managed to duck a shot sending both men hitting each other with the chair. Rey took advantage sending Edge over the top rope and setting both Ryder and Hawkins up for a double 619, Rey went for it, but Edge came out of no where and stopped Rey with a spear, Zack and Curt revived the ref but it took too long for the ref to get up and Rey kicked out at two. Edge looked frustrated and went for it again but he only got a two.
Edge started to pummel away at Rey in frustration before picking up one of the chairs, the ref argued with Edge, The Ref’s attention went to Hawkins and Ryder who then attacked the ref on the outside, Edge walked towards Rey with the chair, but Rey sent it into his face with a dropkick, Rey then set him up for a 619 and hit it, Rey pinned Edge but there was no referee. Suddenly a ref ran from the back and slid in the ring 1…2…NO!
Hawkins pulled the ref out the way as Curt and Zack stopped the ref from getting to the ring, as this was going on Edge grabbed a chair, Rey was watching Zack and Hawkins in disbelief, Rey turned into a chair shot from Edge and a third ref ran to the ring, Edge pinned Rey and the ref made the count 1…2…3.
Winner: EdgeMVP cut a promo saying despite what went on earlier he would win the Royal Rumble Match.
Royal Rumble MatchThis was an awesome Royal Rumble Match which everyone did well in, many key points included MVP running in after already being eliminated and costing The Undertaker, Jericho distracting JBL whilst JBL was eliminated by Michaels, The Great Khali eliminated Hornswoggle and the ending came when Mr Kennedy and Shawn Michaels feet both touched at the same time, the match was restarted with Kennedy eliminating Michaels much to Michaels’ disbelief. Also was the surprise return of former multiple time World Champion Rob Van Dam.
Royal Rumble1. Shawn Michaels (Eliminated 29th)
2. Mr Kennedy (Winner)3. John Bradshaw Layfield (Eliminated 17th)
4. The Undertaker (Eliminated 27th)
5. Zack Ryder (Eliminated 1st)
6. Curt Hawkins (Eliminated 2nd)
7. Tommy Dreamer (Eliminated 4th)
8. John Morrison (Eliminated 16th)
9. Umaga (Eliminated 26th)
10. The Miz (Eliminated 5th)
11. Finlay (Eliminated 15th)
12. Chuck Palumbo (Eliminated 3rd)
13. Jamie Noble (Eliminated 11th)
14. Nunzio (Eliminated 7th)
15. Paul London (Eliminated 6th)
16. Brian Kendrick (Eliminated 5th)
17. Boogeyman (Eliminated 8th)
18. Stevie Richards (Eliminated 12th)
19. Bobby Lashley (Eliminated 13th)
20. Shelton Benjamin (Eliminated 9th)
21. Cody Rhodes (Eliminated 10th)
22. Hornswoggle (Eliminated 14th)
23. Kane (Eliminated 18th)
24. Elijah Burke (Eliminated 19th)
25. Chavo Guerrero (Eliminated 18th)
26. The Great Khali (Eliminated 20th)
27. CM Punk (Eliminated 25th)
28. Batista (Eliminated 24th)
29. Montel Vontavious Porter (Eliminated 21st)
30. Rob Van Dam (Eliminated 28th)
