January 29, 2012 at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Missouri
A large amount of footage from past Royal Rumble events are shown with all the winners of Jim Duggan, Big John Studd, Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, Yokozuna, Bret Hart, Lex Luger, Shawn Michaels, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Vince McMahon, The Rock, Triple H, Brock Lesnar, Batista, Rey Mysterio, The Undertaker, John Cena, Randy Orton, Ted DiBiase, and Bryan Danielson last year. More highlights air from different Rumbles and a numbers highlight is shown with the most amount of wins, quickest eliminations, youngest and oldest winners amongst others. We then head to see footage of CM Punk turning on Triple H and the entire WWE, and promos of him talking about how he is the best in the world and therefore does what he wants. We then go to him being named the number one contender by John Laurinaitis, and his recent rivalry with Chris Jericho in the past month. Next up is the Smackdown side of things, where Cody Rhodes had won the United States Championship and ended the undefeated streak of Sin Cara at TLC. The following Smackdown he would retain his title, and at the end of the night attack WWE Champion John Cena. Their feud is highlighted over the past month and the footage finally fades with the WrestleMania XXVIII logo shown at the end of a road.
We head into the arena with the theme song, "A Warrior's Call" by Volbeat [/color], playing as the pyrotechnics go off upon the stage of the Scottrade Center. The crowd is scanned over as they cheer, the trio of Michael Cole, Jerry Lawler, and Jim Ross welcoming everybody to the Royal Rumble! Cole gives the small speech after the introductions, "Tonight, ladies and gentlemen, we watch as thirty superstars compete for a shot to go to WrestleMania and challenge for the WWE or World Heavyweight Championship!" We proceed to head over to the Spanish announce team, and they give their bit as we head into the ring to Tony Chimel.
WWE ChampionshipUnited States Champion Cody Rhodes vs[/color]
John Cena©[/color]
The bell rings and the two walk around the ring a bit, Cena moving in close and getting kicked right in the stomach. Rhodes throws down a series of arms to the back and tosses the champion into the corner. He hits a few strikes to the head over and over and gets shoved backwards. Cena ducks a returning clothesline and lifts him up for the Attitude Adjustment already, only for Rhodes to slip off and hit a dropkick and send him through the ropes to the outside. Cena staggers to get up with the barricade and steps back up to the ring only to be met with a baseball slide and be sent back into the barricade. Rhodes gets out to the apron and measures up, jumping off but John moving out of the way and letting the ribs hit the barrier. Cody stumbles and Cena hits a few fists before being hit in the stomach. Rhodes takes Cena by the head and rushes to the steel post, slamming him face first. He then slips him into the ring at the count of nine and scrambles in after, hooking both legs for just a count of two. Rhodes gets up frustrated and begins to yell at the referee before turning back to Cena and dragging him up. The champ begins to fire off with a series of strikes and flies off the ropes, coming back with a shoulder block. He hops back up and Cody does as well, Cena hitting another shoulder block. He pulls off one more and stands tall over Cody, waving his hand down for the "You Can't See Me", and he follows it up with the Five Knuckle Shuffle. The crowd gives a mixed reaction as Cena calls for Rhodes to get up, and lifting him onto his shoulders once he does. Cody grabs a hold of the nearby ropes however and begins to shake his head. Cena then shrugs and launches him up into the air, only for Rhodes to keep a hold of the ropes and stay dangling from them. He turns himself up onto the apron and sends a quick shoulder into Cena's gut as he comes back. Cena stumbles off and Rhodes gets onto the top turnbuckle, coming off with a huge clothesline. He hooks the far leg and once again gets a near fall. Cody stirs back up and steps up to the official, arguing that it was a three count rather than two. Cena gets up in the corner and hangs a hold of the top ropes and Rhodes turns around and slams his arms down across Cena's back. He fires off with tons of shots and a series of kicks to which the referee pulls him away from. Rhodes shoves him aside and rushes at John and gets tossed up in the air and face first into the turnbuckle. He stumbles a bit and turns back to Cena, getting lifted onto the shoulders and tossed off with a huge Attitude Adjustment! The mixed reactions come in as Cena quickly rises up and moves into the STF. Rhodes scrambles his hands about, trying to find a way to get free. Cena pulls back hard and Rhodes continues to search for an escape, but can't, and taps out.
Winner of the match and still WWE Champion, John Cena[/color]
(9:32) ***1/4[/b]
Cena pops up to his feet and is awarded his title belt as the mixture of boos and cheers come through the crowd. Regardless, Cena gives a shrug and raises the belt high up into the air. Rhodes slowly rolls out of the ring and stammers off to the announce table, slapping his hands down out of anger. He takes his United States Championship belt and stomps around in anger as Cena continues his celebration.
We head to a promo video that shows highlights of Stone Cold Steve Austin. It proceeds to go onward and say tomorrow night on Monday Night Raw, Stone Cold will be in the arena to make an announcement. We then cut back to the Scottrade Center in the backstage area where Todd Grisham introduces his guest at this time to be the number one contender to the World Heavyweight Championship, CM Punk. The camera pans over to him and the crowd roars with boos in the background. Todd goes to ask him a question but Punk just talks over him. "Why is Stone Cold Steve Austin being brought onto Monday Night Raw, Todd?" He shrugs his shoulders and Todd says he doesn't know, "You don't know? Neither do I. But you know what the pathetic thing is? Just like all these others like Chris Jericho, they are taking up my space and my time that I have earned and deserve on my shows in my company." The crowd continues to boo in the background as Punk stares at Todd, "The only thing that I am not getting around here in this company right now is respect. Respect that I have earned and deserve but that I am not getting one bit of from these scumbag people. Tonight, however, Todd..." He turns his head around, listening to the boos, "You hear that, Todd? These people don't respect what I have done. But tonight I am going to change that. These people, Todd... these people will respect me." He walks off with the boos from the crowd in the background.
Rey Mysterio vs[/color]
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The bell rings and Mysterio rushes up to Show, getting floored immediately with a big boot. The crowd boos loudly already as Show drags Rey to his feet and tosses him into the corner, throwing down punches repeatedly until the referee reaches a count of four to have him stop. Mysterio pulls himself onto the second turnbuckle and dives off, only for Show to catch him in his arms. He then lifts him up over his head and yells to the crowd, dropping Mysterio down behind him right on his stomach. Rey flops around as Show struts around the ring and motions for his rival to stand up. Once he does, Show hits off the ropes and returns with a shoulder block and floors the smaller man right to the mat. He gives a grin to the camera nearby and continues to walk around. Mysterio crawls to the ropes and pulls himself back up, Show storming up and throws a boot up only to get caught up in the ropes as Rey ducks under it. He hops back onto his feet and throws kicks to the tree trunk legs. Mysterio then jumps up and delivers a dropkick right to the chest of Show, causing him to wobble and stumble off onto the apron. Rey gets onto his feet again and runs off the ropes and returns with a baseball slide to the legs and Show slaps his face off the apron and stumbles off to the announce table. Mysterio pulls himself up and launches himself off the ropes with a crossbody, only for the World's Largest Athlete to move out of the way and allow Rey to crash right down on the table. Show then takes him by the neck with both hands and sits him up on the apron. He sends a punch but Mysterio ducks away from it and swings a kick up into the face. He rolls into the ring and Show gets onto the apron, Mysterio springboarding off the nearby ones and hitting both feet into the face of Show. He leans over the ropes in a bit of a daze, Mysterio quickly hopping back up and delivering a DDT the best he can to bring Show down in the ring! The crowd cheers wildly as he makes a cover and gets a two count. He quickly gets back onto his feet and steps out to the apron, rushing up to the turnbuckle and diving off as Show gets onto one knee, and he crashes down with a clothesline that isn't very effective. Both men get up and Mysterio charges once again, only for Show to catch him by the throat and raise him up high. The crowd roars with boos as Show brings him down hard with a chokeslam! He hooks the far leg slowly and everyone believes it is over, but Mysterio throws his arm up at the last second! Show moves up onto both knees and looks to the referee. He slowly rises back up and walks around a bit, throwing his arms out across each other and then to his sides, signaling it's over. He clutches his fist and pulls it back, motioning for his opponent to get up. Once he does, Show launches a strike, only for it to be ducked under. Mysterio drives a series of kicks to the back of the knees over and over again. Show pushes his arm back and drops Mysterio to the ropes. He then turns and charges at Rey but gets tripped up between the ropes. The crowd roars as Mysterio hops back up and rushes off across the ring, returning with a 619 only to be caught by the legs. Show drags him back to the ring and lifts him up onto one shoulder. Mysterio begins to struggle, however, and elbows down on the head. Rey then swings around for a hurricarana, only for Show to keep a hold of him. He then yanks back up and delivers a huge elbow straight down on the top of the head over and over again. Show then drops down to both knees and Mysterio backs off to the ropes. He turns and hops off of them, returning with a seated senton and getting the shocking three count!
Winner of the match via pinfall, Rey Mysterio[/color]
(10:49) ***[/b]
Mysterio quickly rolls right off and slips out of the ring as Show quickly sits up in absolute disbelief. The crowd cheers wildly as Rey backs up the ramp, high fiving members of the crowd and raising his arms up in celebration. The official eventually catches up with him and raises the arm up as Show is steaming, not believing at all that he just lost to Mysterio. He gets onto his feet and continues to stare up the ramp as the victor heads off to the back.
We cut to a promotional video for WrestleMania XXVIII, live from Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, Texas on April 1, 2012. We then head backstage to see Smackdown General Manager Vickie Guerrero and Raw General Manager John Laurinaitis talking in their shared office about the Royal Rumble match later tonight. "Oh, but John, we know it doesn't matter who ends up winning the Royal Rumble match... they'll be coming right over to Thursday Night Smackdown simply because it is such a better brand." She gives a smile as Laurinaitis raises a finger up, "I disagree. Whoever wins will be coming to Monday Night Raw because of the better General Manager." The Miz then slowly enters the office to boos in the background from the crowd. He stands with his arms crossed and chuckles, "Mr. Laurinaitis and Miss Guerrero, you both know very well that I am going to end up being the winner of the Royal Rumble match, and let me just tell you right now that I will be open to discussion as to rather Smackdown or Raw being my choice." Both General Managers stare at him as he walks out with a cocky smile.
Tony Chimel stands in the middle of the ring and announces Alberto Del Rio's personal ring announcer, Ricardo Rodriguez. He takes the microphone with a smile and
Alberto Del Rio[/color] proceeds to drive out with one of his luxurious cars. He is in ring gear and Rodriguez gives his introduction. Del Rio eventually comes down to the ring following his signature entrance, and he takes a hold of the microphone. He gets boos from the crowd as he brings the mic up, "Tonight... tonight I will win the Royal Rumble match!" More boos come around the arena as he laughs a bit, "Of course all of you already know that. But to prove that to those not convinced that this is my destiny yet, I would like to give out an open invitational over the top rope challenge!" He smiles and looks around the arena, "So who is going to be foolish enough to take on Alberto Del Rio!?" He spreads his arms out and gives the microphone off to Ricardo. He leans down a bit as there is some silence. He begins to walk around a bit after some more time goes by, laughing a little but his smile quickly goes away as the music of
Ryback[/color] hits. The crowd bursts into cheers as Del Rio waves his hands about as the machine like man steps out to the ramp. He makes his way to the ring and gets in, standing tall and breathing heavily as Alberto talks with Ricardo. He pulls the microphone back up, "Now... now... I didn't mean people like you... or... whatever you are!" Ryback just continues to stare at him and breath in and out, Del Rio looking around. He steps up to him and brings the microphone back up, "Obviously you don't understand what I am saying, so, um..." He backs up a bit and swings the microphone, only for Ryback to catch the arm. The crowd roars as his eyes expand. He then lifts Del Rio up off the mat high into the air and drops him off to the side as Ricardo rushes at him, and he drives his boot straight into the stomach. He then turns to see Del Rio and stops him right in his tracks. Quickly, Alberto hops out of the ring and backs up the ramp. The crowd boos as he backs off but Ryback looks back to Rodriguez. He pulls him back onto his feet and lifts him up onto his shoulders and stomps around repeatedly. The crowd cheers as he drops down hard with an aggressive slam! He gets back onto his feet and pumps his arms up and down, chanting "Feed Me More!" over and over as Del Rio continues to head towards the back in fear.
We cut to a video package of CM Punk calling out John Laurinaitis last year. Highlights of the feud over the months spiral through up until Survivor Series, where Punk turns on Triple H and joins forces with the General Manager. Voice clips of his promos are voiced over and lead up to the night after TLC, where he had sent Triple H packing: "Now all I have to do to make you people respect me is to become the World Heavyweight Champion." This leads to different promos between himself and Chris Jericho, with Punk claiming he is nothing like Jericho and the champion antagonizing him week after week and saying he is. The footage continues onward with the two constantly beating each other down and finishes with them screaming at each other over Punk being like Jericho, and Punk concluding the back and forth yelling by saying "I could never be like you, because I am not like anybody, because I am the best in the world!"
World Heavyweight ChampionshipCM Punk vs[/color]
Chris Jericho©[/color]
The bell sounds and the two circle around the ring a bit before coming up to the middle and locking up. They slowly pull apart, and then lock back up once again. Punk sends an elbow to the side of the head and then delivers a set of kicks to the legs and ribs. He brings Jericho off to the corner and tries to throw him down, only for Jericho to block it off and slam Punk's face down. He then ducks down and trips Punk to the mat, dragging him to the middle of the ring and quickly trying to turn him over! Punk manages to wiggle free though and pops back up to his feet. Jericho charges back at him and Punk brings him up onto his shoulders and seems to be close to the GTS, but Y2J slides off and dropkicks Punk into the ropes. The champion rises back onto his feet and charges right at Punk, only for the ropes to get pulled down and drop him to the outside. Punk adjusts himself up against the ropes and launches himself right over and onto Jericho, driving him up against the barricade. The crowd boos as Punk rises back onto his feet and pumps both fists in the air, yelling out to the crowd "best in the world!" He walks around a little bit and lets Jericho struggle to his feet, and tosses him shoulder first into the steel steps before shoving him into the ring. Punk brings himself up onto the apron and ascends to the top turnbuckle, spreading both arms out and coming off with a crossbody. Jericho manages to roll through however, and hooks up both legs for just a two count. Both men slowly stir to their feet and Punk sends a giant kick up to the head, but Jericho catches a hold of his other leg after ducking it and trips him down to the mat. He quickly turns Punk over as he is struggling a whole lot, and Y2J applies the Walls of Jericho only for Punk to quickly grab a hold of the bottom rope with both hands. Jericho keeps a hold of it until the count of three, walking off frustrated. He turns back and storms over to Punk, bringing him up and being met with a series of shots to the stomach. Punk then pushes off the ropes and returns with a hard clothesline. He then flies off the other ropes and comes back with yet another clothesline. Jericho then stumbles up and Punk shoves him into the corner, backing off to the opposing side. He then storms up and delivers his signature knee to the jaw, and comes rushing out with the bulldog. He pops onto his feet and spreads his arms out, welcoming the boos of the crowd. He allows Jericho to stir to his feet and pulls him up onto his shoulders slowly, standing still in the middle of the ring. He then launches the champion up into the air over his head, but he straightens himself out and avoids the knee. Punk spins around quickly and is met with a huge Codebreaker! The arena bursts into cheers as both legs are hooked, only for the challenger to burst his hand up just before the three. Jericho quickly rolls over and places his hands over his face in disbelief. He moves himself over to the ropes and gets onto his feet, following after Punk and dragging him up and being met with a set of elbows to the stomach. Punk then spins around with a kick right to the shoulder, and then to the back of the head, causing Jericho to flop right down onto the mat. He walks around a bit and catches some time to gather himself together and delivers another running knee in the corner once Y2J gets up. He then delivers the bulldog once again and then struggles to lock in the Anaconda Vice as Jericho flops around as soon as he tries to get it in. Punk eventually manages to lock it in however, and begins to scream at the champion to tap out! Y2J refuses, however, and starts to kick his legs about and swings his free hand around trying to find the ropes. Punk pulls back tight and keeps screaming for the tap out as Jericho continues to move his body as much as he can. The lock stays in but the World Heavyweight Champion manages to get himself close enough to the ropes to put his foot on it. Punk, however, drags him off and Jericho begins to reach out again. He can't though and raises his hand up, seeming as if he is going to tap out. He doesn't, though, and makes a huge turnover and grabs a hold of the nearby bottom rope with his hand. Punk continues to wrench at it as the referee reaches a count of four and breaks off. He rises onto his feet and stomps around the ring, getting in the officials face even. Punk then walks over to Jericho and brings him up, only to be met with a shot to the jaw. The two trade strikes back and forth and Jericho manages to duck under one and delivers a huge DDT. He gets back onto his feet slowly and searches around the arena, moving off to the ropes and going for the Lionsault but Punk lifts both knees up and the champion stumbles back into the corner. The challenger rises back up once again and charges for a third knee, but Y2J avoids it and rushes off the opposing ropes and meets up in the middle of the ring, delivering a huge Codebreaker! The crowd roars as he hooks both legs up and gets the three count.
Winner of the match and still World Heavyweight Champion, Chris Jericho[/color]
(16:50) ****[/b]
Jericho slowly gets onto both knees and the official awards him his World Heavyweight Championship belt. Y2J slowly rises onto his feet and has his arm raised, and he shows off his retained title off to the crowd. He slowly exits the ring and begins to head up the ramp as Punk slowly rolls onto his side and clutches a hold of his head, a look of absolute frustration coming across his face. He begins to slap his hands on the mat over and over again. He then gets onto both knees as Jericho raises the title belt up once again at the top of the ramp as Punk slams his fist down to the mat and stands up very unhappy.
We head to a video package, highlighting the history of the Royal Rumble and the historic numbers for it. It goes over who has won the match, the quickest eliminations, the longest lasting superstars, the shortest lasting superstars, the most eliminations, and other by the numbers. The video continues on by stating that the winner will go to Cowboys Stadium on April 1, 2012 to face for their choice of the World Heavyweight or WWE Championship. We then cut backstage to see CM Punk walking down the hallways and he is being watched carefully by everyone around. He stops himself and turns to a group that have stopped talking to each other and began to watch him, "What are you looking at!? Huh!?" He continues to walk and then stops and turns back to them, rushing back over and throwing one of the men into a production trunk. He then stares at the others that are now backing down. He moves his hands through his hair before storming off once again.
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The crowd roars as the hometown boy in Randy Orton crouches in the corner staring down Miz as the bell rings. He steps forward and the two lock up, Miz quickly delivering a knee and rushing to the ropes only for Randy to shove him back. He turns around and delivers a set of strikes to the head and then delivers a huge dropkick that sends him down to the mat hard. He rises up onto his feet once again and begins to stomp away over and over again as the clock winds down.
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Boos fill the arena as Swagger comes out to the ramp pounding on his chest. He walks down to the ring slowly as Orton pulls away from Miz and immediately jumps on Swagger as he enters the ring with strikes to the head over and over again. Swagger begins to block some strikes and gives some of his own, and Miz comes up from behind and begins to double team Orton with Swagger with stomps and strikes in the corner.
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Bourne comes out to the ramp and raises his fist in the air and charges to the ring, sliding in and hopping up to duck under a boot from Swagger. He throws tons of strikes over and over again and dropkicks him into the corner and charges back up with knees to the chest. He comes out with his finger pointed up and turns right into the RKO from Orton! The Viper rises up and spins around wildly and then delivers another RKO right to Swagger as he stumbles out. He then gets up once more and goes to RKO The Miz, but gets shoved forward instead and returns to a clothesline from The Awesome One.
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The boos once again rise up as Alberto Del Rio makes his way out for the second time tonight. He jogs down to the ring with Ricardo Rodriguez right behind him, and he slides into the ring and drops Miz down with a shot to the head. He then gets one to Orton, then Swagger, and lastly Bourne. He drags Evan back up and goes to toss him over the rope but isn't able to. Meanwhile, on the other side, Swagger goes for a big boot on Orton but he ducks under it and charges right up behind him and tosses him right over the top rope and to the floor with a thud. Jack Swagger is eliminated.
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McIntyre comes down to the ring and enters the ring, charging straight at Orton and met with a knee to the stomach. They trade shots with each other as the others continue to go at it as well. McIntyre gets away and begins to fight up against Bourne, driving his knee to the stomach and attempting to bring him over the ropes but Bourne wrapping up in them. Out of nowhere, The Miz comes storming up behind Orton and pushes him over the top rope but he manages to keep a hold of the bottom rope and stay on the apron and he just barely gets back into the ring, fighting against Miz's attempt at getting him out.
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Cara comes rushing down to the ring and launches himself in. He throws shots at everybody but things simmer down quickly as McIntyre boots him right in the face. Immediately after he does so, however, as Orton comes up behind him and takes him by the neck and flings him right over the ropes. Drew McIntyre is eliminated. Orton then turns around to Evan Bourne coming at him and he throws him over, but Bourne manages to stay on the apron just barely and slides back in.
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As soon as Clay emerges from backstage the attention turns to him by everyone in the arena, including the men in the ring. He slowly makes his way down and enters the ring, staring everybody down. Each one charges up one by one and he floors them with a forearm to the head. He begins to get overwhelmed with the amount as they all attack him in the corner with strikes and kicks but he quickly fights back again with stiff arms and elbows to the chests and heads all around him. He eventually moves out and begins to work away at Bourne in the corner as the rest scatter off from the big man.
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Captain Charisma comes jogging down without his enforcer of Ezekiel Jackson, and dives into the ring. He gets up and goes straight to Orton and throws some strikes right to the head and attempts to get him over the ropes, but isn't able to. He quickly backs off and moves to Cara on the other side of the ring but he gets shoved aside. As he turns, Bourne comes charging at him and Christian ducks down fast and lifts him up into the air and hangs him right on the top rope chest first, Bourne flopping right over to the outside back first to the floor. Evan Bourne is eliminated.
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The man who has won King of the Ring (for the second time), the Intercontinental Championship, and the World Heavyweight Championship in the past year charges down to the ring with his long-term girlfriend Kaitlyn slowly following behind him. The Show Off enters the ring and runs right up to Sin Cara and clotheslines him down. He then goes to Orton and dropkicks him to the mat. He begins to go crazy with shots until he is knocked down with a huge slam from Brodus Clay.
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Kidd jumps out to the ramp, hopping up and down and prepared. He storms down to the ring and hops in, charging right at Sin Cara and blasting him with a huge clothesline. He hops right back up and turns to Brodus, and he takes him by the neck and tights and flips him right over the top rope. Tyson Kidd is eliminated. Clay stomps around the ring and continues to overpower multiple guys as the time continues to go down during the slow action.
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The fan favorite hops out to the ramp and comes down to the ring with his usual smile. He stops at the apron and his smile fades away as he slides into the ring and goes wild with tons of punches and nails a few kicks here and there. As he continues to get hot, he and Cara team up to go for a double clothesline to send Clay over but Kingston bounces right off and Clay catches Cara by the throat, tossing him over the top rope and to the floor. Sin Cara is eliminated.
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Truth walks to the ring slowly getting a little bit of heat. He heads into the ring and begins to trade some shots with Orton and the action continues to be slow. Things suddenly burst though as Clay begins to smash everybody to the mat and gets into a brawl with Orton. He then yanks him up onto his shoulder and charges to the ropes, only for the Viper to slide off and attempt to dropkick him out but not even budging Clay. He gets back up to a huge clothesline as Clay stands tall in the middle of the ring, the others slow to get back their composure as he heads over to Del Rio and gives him some shots.
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The reigning rumble winner charges down to the ring, entering the same number he did last year. He fires off with kicks to everybody around him and attempts to make multiple eliminations with The Miz, Orton, and Del Rio but is unsuccessful in actually eliminating them. He goes back and forth with Truth and lays him out with a sharp kick right to the back of the head before being met with a huge RKO from Orton out of nowhere. The ring is filling up as everyone continues to fight with each other.
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The 2010 Royal Rumble winner jogs down to the ring and hops in quickly, clotheslining his former mentor and WrestleMania XXVI rival Randy Orton down. He gets a few shots in to everybody else but is ultimately mixed into all of the commotion of the ten men in the ring, only five being eliminated up to this point. The group once again goes to eliminate the large Clay, but he manages to fight everybody off again with his tree trunk arms and headbutts. He pushes off to the middle of the ring and roars out to the crowd, showing his dominance as he will be hard to get out.
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The crowd bursts into cheers as Ryback steps out to the ramp, breathing heavily and pumping his arms up and down. He stomps down to the ring and is staring right at Brodus Clay. He hops onto the apron and continues the staredown as the other participants stay off to the side, Ryback entering the ring and standing tall. There is a few moments of no movement, but Clay finally charges at Ryback with a clothesline but it is ducked and Ryback shocks everybody as he manages to get Clay off his feet and topples him over the ropes! Brodus Clay is eliminated. The crowd bursts into cheers as Ryback is absolutely fired up, multiple superstars charging at him and being met with clotheslines and boots. Truth comes at him and is tossed right over, and then DiBiase makes the exact same mistake. R-Truth and Ted DiBiase are eliminated.
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Kennedy steps out to the ramp and the lights dim down as the spotlight drops on him and his microphone comes down, "Ladies and gentlemen... the number seventeen entrant... your Intercontinental Champion... and the eventual winner of the Royal Rumble Match... weighing in at an outstandingly fit two hundred and forty three pounds... hailing from GREEN BAY! WISCONSIN! Mmmmmmmmmister Kennedy!" He pulls the microphone away and then back, "KENNEDY!" The lights then come up and he unclips his belt as he charges to the ring, sliding in and quickly dropping Ryback with his title right to the head! He then delivers it right to Christian and pushes him right over the top rope! Christian is eliminated. His belt goes flying, however, after Orton clotheslines him right to the mat with authority.
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The Gold Standard storms down to the ring and is immediately met with a boot from Ryback as he stands up. Ryback then goes right at Kennedy, the man whom just floored him with a title belt, and lifts him up over his head high in the air. He marches around and goes to the ropes nearby, only for Kennedy to slip off and deliver a huge Mic Check. As this happens, Kofi Kingston goes to springboard off the ropes but Del Rio comes up behind him and shoves him right over the ropes and onto the floor. Kofi Kingston is eliminated. Miz then comes up and attempts to eliminate Del Rio, but he struggles and stays in.
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Riley comes out from the back and heads right to the ring, getting up and immediately going up behind Ryback and pounding down on his back. Ryback slowly turns around and stares him down, taking Riley by the throat and tossing him into the corner. He throws a set of shoulders right to the stomach and then backs off, launching Riley across the ring but being caught by The Miz and thrown over the top rope. Alex Riley is eliminated. Miz swipes his hands together as if he had just done that thanks to himself, and turns right to a clothesline from Orton over the top rope! The Miz is eliminated.
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The Celtic Warrior is cheered as he enters number twenty. He storms into the ring and throws out clotheslines to everyone that comes near him, and he lays out Mr. Kennedy with a huge Brogue Kick. He then turns and catches Benjamin by the neck and tosses him over the top rope, but he stays on the apron. Benjamin then springboards off the top but Orton comes out of absolutely nowhere and RKOs him in mid-air! The arena explodes at the moment as Orton slides back onto his feet. Shelton slowly stumbles back to his feet as the timer ticks down, Danielson charging up and clotheslining him right over the top rope. Shelton Benjamin is eliminated.
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The Rated R Superstar jogs in center stage before rushing down to the ring and sliding in, getting up and delivering spear right to Orton, then to Kennedy, then Sheamus, and then Danielson. He gets up and begins to trade shots with Del Rio back and forth and he ducks under one shot, tossing his former rival right over the top rope and to the hard floor. Alberto Del Rio is eliminated. Ryback then steps up to Edge and raises him up, attempting to toss him over but Edge managing to stay in.
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Morrison rushes to the ring and hops onto the apron, getting up onto the top turnbuckle. He jumps right off and delivers a dropkick to Ryback and makes him stumble. He then gets back up and throws some shots to Edge, then Orton, and then Sheamus but gets dropped from behind by Ziggler with the Zig Zag! He gets up and ducks a shot from Orton, quickly dumping him over the top rope but The Viper fighting hard and staying inside the ring just barely.
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One half of the long-time reigning tag team champions comes down to the ring and enters into the mic of things, trading some shots with Edge before getting knocked down. Things continue to mix up and a lack of eliminations continue onward as the group of superstars continue to try and get each other up and over the ropes, but the latter doesn't happen with any of the superstars. The time once again begins to go down.
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The Missouri arena absolutely explodes as the music of Mrs. Foley's baby boy hits. He comes out to the ramp and waves the bang bang to the crowd and comes right down to the ring. He rolls in and rises to Mr. Kennedy swinging a fist, to which he ducks and lifts and drops him with an atomic drop. He then begins to trade shots back and forth with Ziggler and drops him with a clothesline. He then turns to Jimmy Uso and lifts him up by the legs, dropping him right on the top rope and flopping him over to the floor! Jimmy Uso is eliminated. The crowd proceeds to chant "Foley" over and over.
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The other half of the tag team champions comes down to the ring and points right at Foley as he gets in. He charges right up to him but gets dropped with a forearm. He then lets Jules get up again and begins to give him a series of shots to the head and lifts him up and over the top rope. Jules Uso is eliminated. He then turns around to a double clothesline from Mr. Kennedy and Ziggler, pushing him right up after Jules! Mick Foley is eliminated.
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The comedic superstar comes out to the ramp and pumps his fists up and down like Ryback and then stomps down to the ring, attempting to be somewhat intimidating. He gets in the ring and Ryback stares him down, Santino stepping up to him and giving a salute and offering a handshake. Ryback just stares at him and Santino puts both hands up and turns around, then turns back and offers the handshake again. Ryback takes his hand but then lifts him right up in the air and tosses him right over the ropes. Santino Marella is eliminated. The brawls continue about and out of nowhere, Kennedy is nearly tossed right over the ropes by Morrison but he holds on and stands on the apron. John comes storming back but Kennedy pulls the ropes down and Morrison flops right out. John Morrison is eliminated.
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The former winner of NXT enters in at lucky number twenty-seven. He storms down to the ring with a smile across his face and enters in, joining in on all the brawling. He almost gets tossed over the ropes by Orton, but he manages to hold on and cowers up against the steel post and clutches a hold of it. Orton then almost manages to Ryback but the manbeast manages to stay in the ring. The clock winds down but nobody comes out and the cameras pan backstage to show Johnny Curtis laid out on the floor, John Laurinaitis standing along with the referees checking in. He points off in the distance, "Go on! Get out there!"
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The angry giant storms out to the ramp and marches towards the ring. He gets right in and is confronted by Ryback, and he pumps his arms up and down. Show then raises his hand up and roars right in his face. He then sends a strike but Ryback stays on his feet, sending a forearm back of his own. They continue to go back and forth and then they both go off opposing ropes, returning and smashing right into each other and both collapsing right to the mat. The crowd goes nuts as the two strong men lay out. In the midst of this, Sheamus goes for the Brogue Kick on Edge but misses and ends up toppling over the ropes with a shove from Edge.
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The crowd once again goes nuts as another legend is here. Flair slowly emerges out to the ramp and struts down to the ring in his robe, shedding it and strutting about. He gets onto the apron and struts his stuff, getting into the ring and ducking a shot from the young Derrick Bateman and turning with chops to the chest and an atomic drop. He throws a set of punches and gets a kick to the stomach. He backs off to the middle of the ring and gets hit with a hard clothesline from Ziggler. The crowd boos as Dolph brings Flair back onto his feet and throws a set of chops to mimic the Nature Boy, but the crowd turns back to cheers as Flair begins to fire back and chops come back and forth between the two. Ziggler finally backs off and Bateman once again runs at Flair, and gets tossed right out! Derrick Bateman is eliminated.
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The one number everybody knew of ahead of time, and the former Money in the Bank and WWE Champion comes down to the ring. He enters and ducks a shot from Orton and knocks him down with a big boot. All of a sudden, everybody clears the way as Big Show stands in the middle of the ring. Everybody other than Ryback begins to go at him in an attempt to bring him over the top rope. He quickly fights everybody off but Ryback quickly storms up and grabs onto both legs, forcing Show off the mat and pushing him right over the top rope and to the floor hard, the crowd roaring! Big Show is eliminated. Ryback brings his arms up and down as the crowd continues to cheer him on, but he is quickly gathered up from behind by Kennedy and he manages to get him over slowly but surely. Ryback is eliminated. The crowd boos as Kennedy begins to mimic Ryback's taunts with a cocky smile. Immediately afterward, Orton goes to toss him over but Kennedy puts his foot over the second rope and keeps himself in and drops to the mat and hooks onto the ropes refusing to go. Flair comes up after being down momentarily and struts to the middle of the ring, slowly about to flop to the mat but Ziggler manages to catch him and he tosses him right over! Ric Flair is eliminated. Ziggler slicks his hair back and struts about in front of the ropes as Flair gets on both his knees and stares him down. Ziggler goes to the middle of the ring and throws his arms out in taunt to the crowd, Flair getting in behind him and giving him a low blow! The crowd roars as Orton comes charging after Ziggler and slings him right over the ropes! Dolph Ziggler is eliminated. Orton and Flair give each other a smile and a nod as Flair exits the ring with a "Woo!", Orton then being attacked from behind by Danielson. Bryan backs him up to the ropes and begins to try and get him over, but Orton manages to shove him back and Edge comes flying with a spear! The crowd goes wild until Barrett charges at the Rated R Superstar and drops him with a big boot. Orton then comes up and begins to trade shots, Barrett shoving him away. He then charges at Randy and gives a boot, Orton ducking and Danielson being met with it and forced over the top rope as a result! Bryan Danielson is eliminated.
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Final Four: Wade Barrett, Randy Orton, Mr. Kennedy, Edge
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Orton and Edge stay on one side of the ring while Barrett and Kennedy stay on the other. They quickly cross corners as Barrett fires off at Orton and Edge at Kennedy. They go back and forth before switching things up with each other. Barrett then lifts Orton up onto his shoulders and delivers a huge Wasteland right in the middle of the ring. He then turns to Edge, trying to get him over the top rope but failing to do so. Barrett then lifts Edge up over his shoulder and begins to tip him over the top rope, only for the Rated R Superstar to stay up on the apron. He throws Barrett face first into the steel post and he drops to the mat, but before Edge can get back inside the ring, Kennedy comes storming over and delivers a huge big boot that drops him to the floor! Edge is eliminated. Kennedy then sits in the corner as Orton steps up to Barrett and they exchange shots. Barrett misses one and Orton delivers a huge inverted suplex. He then gets up to Kennedy attempting to deliver the Mic Check, The Viper slipping free and spinning Kennedy around to the RKO! He hops onto his feet as his hometown crowd roars, Barrett struggling onto his feet again and Orton failing to execute on the RKO as he is shoved away. Barrett charges at him but Orton ducks down and tries to get him over, Wade pulling himself down to the mat and backing off to the middle of the ring. Orton charges once again with a knee out, Barrett catching it and lifting him up and nailing a huge slam. Barrett rises back onto his feet and walks around a bit, looking out to the crowd and raising his fists up in the air. He then takes Orton up to his feet and lifts him in position for the Wasteland. He stops himself though and goes over to the ropes, yelling out to the crowd as he lifts Orton up a bit, the hometown superstar managing to slip out of the hold and slides off onto the apron. Barrett goes for a clothesline and Orton ducks it, and then he goes for it once again but Orton ducks it once more and delivers a shoulder to the stomach this time. He then grabs a hold of the neck and storms over to the corner, throwing Barrett's face right into the steel post. He then gets back into the ring and Wade drops down onto the apron, Orton nailing the RKO right on the ropes and Barrett flying right back into the barricade! Wade Barrett is eliminated. The Viper slowly rises back onto his feet and leans back in the corner, measuring Kennedy up as he begins to struggle grabbing a hold of the bottom rope. He then crawls off and Orton storms up for the punt, Kennedy throwing himself back onto his feet and holding onto the ropes suddenly. He then grabs Orton by the tights and neck and tosses him straight over the ropes and to the floor with the crowd booing.
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Winner of the match and the 2012 Royal Rumble Match, Mr. Kennedy [/color]
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The crowd continues to boo as Kennedy slowly rises back onto his feet with his fingers pointed up to the sky. He puts his hand up as Tony Chimel goes to announce him the winner and the spotlight slowly dims down upon him. His microphone comes down from the ceiling and he breaths heavily into it with the cockiest smile he has ever displayed, "Ladies and gentlemen... just as predicted... your winner of the two thousand and twelve... Royal Rumble match... Mmmmmmmmmmmmmister Kennnnnnnnedddddyyyyy!" He quickly rushes over to the turnbuckle and points up to the WrestleMania sign with his free hand, "Kennedy!" The pyros begin to go off around the sign as the spotlight remains down on Kennedy, his head held high proudly with a smile as the Royal Rumble pay-per-view comes to an end.[/font][/center]