WWE Royal Rumble 2008
We're live from Madison Square Garden in New York City for the 21st annual Rumble, for the first time in HD. Michael Cole welcomes us to the show before getting to our first match.
Career Threatening Match: Ric Flair vs MVP (WWE United States Champion)
Pre-Match: Cole is joined by The Coach for commentary on the Smackdown. Non-title match here. Ric Flair at this point in the final stretch of his career, forced to retire if he loses this math. Ric takes the mic before the match to say what an honor it's been to wrestle in MSG all these years, and there's no place like it in the world. He recalls his first match there in March of 1976, long before most of the live crowd was born, and the level of respect they've paid him through the years is unbelievable. He's interrupted by MVP before he can say anything else.
Bit of back and forth to start, then Ric is backed into the corner off a lockup until the ref forces a break. Another lock up into a hammerlock by Ric until MVP gets to the ropes for a break. He slaps Ric and Ric chops him into the corner, then some rights and more chops. Ric sent off the ropes into a drop toe hold, then a boot to the side of the head. Neckbreaker to Ric and a cover for one. Mounted rights and another cover for one.
MVP with a snapmare into a rear chinlock. Flair fights back to his feet only to be backed in the corner, sent across the ring after some body shots and catches MVP with an elbow, followed by a chop block. Ric tires for the figure 4 but MVP boots him off. Ric with an atomic drop and tries for the figure 4 again, MVP counters with an inside cradle for two. Ric backed into the corner for some more rights and lefts and boots. Ric sent across ther ing and caught with a back body drop off the rebound. Player's Boot in the corner and a cover by MVP, ref counts the three but Ric gets his foot on the rope before the count, so he waves it off once he sees it. MVP argues with the ref and Ric tries for roll up but only gets two.
MVP with a clothesline, mounted rights and a cover for two. Butterfly suplex and a cover and a near fall. Ric set on the rope and MVP delivers the superplex, covers but Ric kicks out.MVP with some slaps to the ace, then a fireman's carry but Ric slips off. Ric with chops and MVP sent to the corner but their heads collide. Ric with another inside cradle for two, then a backslide for two. Ric with chops and rights and chops, then MVP fights with more rights, then a facebuster off the knee. MVP tries for the Playmaker but Ric trips him up and applies the figure 4. MVP has to tap in 7:52. Good opening match here.
Standing ovation for Ric as MVP heads to the back. Then some replays.
Vince is backstage with Hornswoggle, his illegitimate son. Vince says that Ric's luck continues to segway into the luck of the Irish, and he talks about his father and his family and back to Hornswoggle, his bastard son who's in the Rumble tonight. Vince reminds him it's every man for himself and he can't trust anyone, not even Finlay. He expects Swoggle to win though as his son, as a McMahon. In walks Finlay, and Vince relays what he was telling Swoggle, and suggests that he may even turn on Finlay. They leave Vince by himself.
Over to JR and the King doing commentary for Raw, to introduce the newest member of the broadcast team... oh boy, it's Mike Adamle. Mike congratulates Ric and reminisces seeing Ric's first match back in 1976 in MSG. He hypes up the next match and leaves into the video package, JBL and Jericho. This started the month before, when Jericho challenged Orton for the WWE Title following his "Save Us" campaign, only to be screwed by JBL, who was doing commentary for Smackdown at the time, presumably because Jericho was thrown into him during the match and got shoved as Jericho got up. JBL then made it personal bringing up his family, after he basically tried to kill Jericho with this cables, hanging him from some steel girders and dragging him across the arena with it around his neck. He insisted that Jericho was a coward.
Chris Jericho vs John "Bradshaw" Layfield
We have a long stare down before JBL is shoved into the corner off a lock up until the ref separates them. JBL shoved into the corner again off another lock up and pulled apart once more. Another lock up, now JBL forces a break in the ropes. JBL with a cheap shot and some rights, Jericho sent off the ropes but hits a forearm, then mounts with rights. JBL tackled for more rights, then pulled through the ropes to the floor. Jericho back in immediately and mounts for more rights, then a pair of punt kicks to the ribs. Jericho ducks a short-arm clothesline and gets the Walls applied, but JBL immediately grabs the ropes. Jericho holds on for a count of 4 and JBL rolls out to the floor.
Jericho with a baseball slide before ripping off the padding from the top of the barricade, JBL face first into it. JBL blocks a suplex but gets sent face first off the apron, then shoulder first into the steps. Back in the ring, Jericho is launched up and hung up throat first on the top rope. Short-arm clothesline back to the throat by JBL, then another, then he's choked over the bottom rope. Jericho is catapulted throat first into the middle rope, then choked into the bottom rope again. Rights in the corner by JBL, then Jericho fights back, only to be sent off the ropes and caught with a sleeper. Jericho fights his way out, then off the ropes, ducks a big boot and hits a clothesline.
Jericho runs right into a big boot after getting a shot in, then sent shoulder first into the ring post. Jericho got busted open I guess he hit the ring post, and JBL immediately goes after the cut with boots and rights. Jeez Jericho is pouring buckets, I think he got cut the hard way. Back in the ring, more shots to the head in the corner and the re has to pull him off a few times. Jericho on fire now with rights and a forearm and a dropkick to the head and... the crowd starts booing randomly, I don't know what the hell is going on. Pair of elbows and a Lionsault and Jericho's a bloody mess, then he clotheslines himself and JBL out to the floor. Jericho with boots to the head only to be sent face first off the announce table. JBL takes the cover off and Jericho drills him in the head with a chair for the DQ in 9:21. It was an OK match, nothing all that special.
Jericho rolls him back in the ring and throws the chair into his face from the apron. Mounted rights now before rolling back out and he grabs some cable from ringside, right around JBL's throat, choking him over the top rope with it, getting on the announce table for added leverage and there's a loud Y2J chant. Jericho finally relents, only to continue some more until the refs eventually pull him off. Jericho's music hits as he leaves a bloody mess. JBL is finally declared the winner by Lilian and he's got the biggest smile on his face as his music hits, though he can barely walk. Replays of the closing moments and the post-match attack. Blood ended up working in Jericho's face looking like a madman hellbent on revenge.
Ashley is walking backstage and tries to get into Maria's dressing room, but she's greeted by Santino instead. He won't let her in because Maria's preparing for the first HD Kiss Cam, but he can't imagine why anyone would want to see ugly, sweaty New Yorkers kissing. He says she's the one who can do it because she can't say no to anyone, Ashley says that's the only reason she's still with him. He says Maria's not interested in her or her "boobie magazine" and wishes he could vote her out of WWE like Survivor.
Back to the Smackdown side of things, the World Heavyweight Championship is up next. This mostly revolves around Edge's growing relationship with Vickie, who's Smackdown GM at this point. Rey won a Beat the Clock challenge to earn this title shot, beating Edge himself and beating Chavo's time to do it with help from Batista and Taker. Despite his past with Vickie he tried to get them apart, claiming Edge didn't really love her but she was having none of it, and weeks of ganging up on Rey leading up to this match.
World Heavyweight Championship: Edge (c) (w/ Vickie Guerrero, Teddy Long, Curt Hawkins & Zack Ryder) vs Rey Mysterio
Pre-Match: I can't remember for the life of me why Teddy is Vickie's assistant and Vickie is GM. Was this after he had his "heart attack" during the wedding to Krystal? She's also in a wheelchair.
Rey is shoved easily into the corner to start. Then Edge takes control with a wristlock, which Rey counters with a springboard into a headscissor that's kinda botched. Edge hits a shoulder block but gets caught with a drop toe hold and a dropkick tot he head, Rey covers for two. This MSG crowd do not like Rey one bit, fully behind Edge. Edge tripped up and covered for one, Edge rolling to the ropes. Edge with a boot and rights before Rey is sent of the ropes, through the legs, then slid under the ropes but Rey rolls through, only to be caught with a baseball slide. Edge tries to distract the ref so Hawkins and Ryder can attack but they're caught and ejected. Rey with a headscissor from the apron sets up for the 619 but Edge rolls out of the ring in time. Rey with a slingshot crossbody before returning to the ring, seated senton from a springboard and a cover for two by Rey.
Edge sent to the corner, then popped up by Edge onto the middle rope, only for his legs to be cut out from under him. Rey rolls out of the ring clutching at the leg before being tossed back in. Back to the bad knee with stomps, then a half crab. Rey rolls over and boots Edge in the face to get free, then catches Edge with an enziguri. Edge set up for the 619 again but he's too slow on the bad knee and he's caught with a powerslam and a cover for a near fall. Now Edge tries for a stretch muffler and Rey manages to fight out but he's caught with another half crab. Rey fights out again. Rey can't even stand on his own at this point and Edge is trying to remove Rey's knee brace, then Rey off the ropes, wheelbarrow into a bulldog but he's clutching at the knee again.
Rey with kicks and chops, then Edge sent off the ropes, sunset flip but eats a kick to the side of the head, Rey covers but only gets two. Rey sent to the corner, gets a boot up, rolls up Edge's body into a seated senton and a pin for two again. Rey goes up top but he's cut off, Edge tries to cut him off but he's knocked off, and Rey does a double stomp to the ribs, falling back into a cover for a near fall. Rey tries to set up for the 619 but Edge goes through the ropes to the floor instead. Rey slides under the ropes to catch him with a DDT onto the floor. Back in the ring, Rey covers but it only gets two. Rey off the ropes right into a big boot.
Edge goes for the spear but eats the middle turnbuckle, then Rey sets up and hits the 619. Rey goes up top as Vickie leaps out of wheelchair and Rey hits a splash, makes the cover but Vickie pulls the ref's leg and starts berating him. Rey starts arguing with her. Edge tries to spear and Rey avoids it, Edge in position for another 619. Vickie gets on the apron to shield him and gets the 619 to the back. Rey is speared midair off a springboard and Edge retains in 12:34. Can't really complain about this match.
Edge goes out and checks on Vickie and the ref calls to the back for help, Vickie clutching her neck. Ryder and Hawkins and red are out to tend to Vickie as we go to replays. Vickie gets helped back into her wheelchair and wheeled to the back. More replays.
We see Flair walk back to his dressing room in a towel and Mr. Kennedy is there waiting for him, giving him some applause and praise and a wo! Kennedy says that after he wins the Rumble tonight he's gonna have a lot of time on his hands and he'd love nothing more than to... Well, HBK comes in before he can finish that thought. Kennedy decides to finish that thought later and laves despite encouragement from Shawn. Shawn points out the similarities between Ric and Kennedy, as a loud mouthed, obnoxious, trash talking, platinum blonde hair with a catchphrase, and says the gimmick will never work.
Shawn congratulates Ric on his win. Ric says that after how close Shawn came last year in his strongest performance in years, and how hungry he is for the World Title, he knows no one can beat him in his quest. In comes Batista, then Trips who tells Ric to put his pants on. Then gets serious and says the best man will win tonight and Batista agrees as they stare down. Shawn eases the tension and also agrees, before plugging his new shirt. Trips hates shilling and leaves. Batista cracks a smile and leaves. Shawn gives the shirt to Ric and leaves. OK I laughed, that was funny.
Cut to a side-by-side of Jeff and Orton getting ready backstage.
Maria comes out for the Kiss Cam. Then she's interrupted by Ashley. She's here to recruit Maria to pose for Playboy, and this of course brings out Santino and someone covered by a black cloak. Santino makes it clear to Ashley that the answer is no, and nobody wants to see Maria naked, despite disagreement from the crowd. Santino says New York has nothing else to cheer and calls the Mets and Yankees chokers, and the Knicks and Rangers aren't even good enough to become chokers, all they have to chear is a football team from New Jersey. The only thing giant about the Giants is the giant choke job they're gonna pull in the Super Bowl.
Santino tries to take Maria away and he's stopped by Ashley, before a "let's go Giants" chant breaks out. Ashley says it's up to Maria and she's unsure, more encouragement from the crowd. Santino says they're like sheep, that if you were to ask "who would like hepatitis?" they'd all cheer. He has a Rumble to prepare for and win, because he's a winner, so they'll talk about it later, but for now he has his special friend to introduce to her. Since the fans want to see the "boobies"... Oh god it's Big Dick Johnson in Patriots wear. Santino and Mair aleave and Ashley beats him up with rubber chickens that he brought with him. I can't believe I'll say this, but Santino was the best part of the segment.
We have a commercial for Mania where Kelly Kelly plays a lifeguard like it's Baywatch, only for Mae Young to butt in to "save" a man's life.
Back over to Adamle to hype up the WWE Title match. Oh they edited out his "Jeff Harvey" botch. We start with a video package of Orton talking about his childhood along with footage from his OVW days, then highlights from over the years, putting himself over as the legend killer. Then they have some highlights for Jeff including some from his days in backyard wrestling. Then of course 2 weeks before the PPV, Jeff did his big Swanton off the rigging onto Orton beside the stage, and Orton attacked Matt backstage before that with a punt. Jeff makes it clear he'll do whatever it takes to become champion.
WWE Championship: Jeff Hardy (WWE Intercontinental Champion) vs Randy Orton (c)
Shoving contest off a lock up to begin, rolling across the ropes and the corners until the ref eventually pulls them apart. Another lock up and some back and forth, Jeff gets him with a headlock, Orton tries to turn it into a roll up but Jeff gets up in time. Orton gets free with a neck scissor until Jeff gets free. Inverted atomic drop and a leg drop, then off the ropes with a dropkick, covers for two.
Orton with a kick to the ribs, then Jeff face first in the corner for some rights and clubs across the back. Jeff sent off the ropes, kicks Orton and clotheslines him out to the floor, followed by a dropkick through the ropes, Orton with a nasty collision head first with the barricade. Ref goes to check on him and Jeff gets him with a crossbody once Orton gets back up. Orton tries to leave with his title but Jeff cuts him off, Orton face first off the announce table before tossing Orton back in. Orton intercepts a slingshot from the apron with a dropkick and knocks Jeff back to the floor. Orton takes his time going after Jeff and suplexes him on the floor, returning to the ring for a cover and a kick out. Orton stomps at Jeff's arm and leg before a blatant choke,, then a series of knee drops, another cover for two.
Jeff starts to fight back, then Orton is sent off the ropes and tossed back out to the floor. Jeff to the apron launches off with a clothesline to the floor. Back in the ring, Jeff covers for two. Orton sent to the corner and Jeff gets a running start, going shoulder first into the ring post as Orton sidesteps. Orton with a cover for two. Orton a rear chinlock with the grapevine. Jeff fights his way back up and out, then off the ropes into a powerslam and a near fall. Orton with another rear chinlock. Jeff fights out again, then counters an Irish whip with a neckbreaker. Jeff with some rights and a pair of clotheslines, and a back elbow. Orton backed into the corner, then a Whisper in the Wind by Jeff and a near fall.
Orton catches a kick and eats a spinning heel kick, sending Orton into the corner and Jeff hits a dropkick before going up top, only for Orton to roll to the apron and knocked off with a dropkick. Jeff back up top with a moonsault and Orton barely catches him. Back in the ring after a count of 7, Jeff tries for the Twist of Fate only to be countered with an RKO to retain in 14:07. Match was good. Ending was a tad anti-climactic. There was no real buildup to that RKO.
Orton slinks away with his title as we go to the replays. Jeff is left in the ring in disbelief as he pulls himself back to his feet and taking his leave.
For the first time, over to Tazz and Joey Styles for ECW ahead of the Rumble match to hype it up, then onto the By the Numbers video package.
Here to do the ring introductions for the first participants is Michael Buffer. "From the mecca of sports and entertainment, MSG, NYC, this is the moment the world's been waiting for, the 2008 Royal Rumble."
30-Man Royal Rumble Match
Pre-Match: Out at #1 is The Undertaker, who won the last year's Rumble from #30. Out at #2 is Shawn Michaels, who of course made it to the end with Taker at the last year's Rumble.
Shawn is backed into the corner but slips out to deliver some chops, then Shawn whipped across the ring, turned inside out before getting thrown back in the corner. Taker with some rights before Shawn is whipped across the ring and lands on the top rope, getting crotched after a boot to the ribs. Taker tries for a running boot but gets hung up on the top rope. Shawn tries to come off the ropes and knock Taker from the apron but he's caught by the throat, then sent off the ropes into a big boot.
#3 is Santino Marella who tries to act all tough, only to eat some Sweet Chin Music, and Taker throws him over. Shawn tries to capitalize but Taker fights him off. Taker goes up top for Old School but Shawn counters with an arm drag. Inverted atomic drop by Shawn and some chops, then another atomic drp, sent off the ropes and hits a forearm.
#4 is The Great Khali, accompanied by Ranjin Singh, as Taker delivers a chokeslam to Shawn. Taker immediately goes on the attack, then gets chopped on the head. Taker face first in the corner and some boots by Khali, and immediately there are loud "You can't wrestle" chants. Taker fights back with rights, then off the ropes, caught by the throat, then Taker gets him by the throat. Taker is backed up to the ropes, then avoids a chop and Khali is dumped over. Shawn tries to capitalize again but takes Taker to the corner for mounted rights, only to be shoved off, but Shawn goes back on him.
#5 is Hardcore Holly, one half of the World Tag Champs on Raw, just as Taker has Shawn up for the Last Ride, Shawn tries to eliminate him with a headscissor but Taker manages to hang on. Holly with boots and rights to Shawn and Taker, then sent across the ring for a clothesline by Taker. Taker with rights in the corner, then Holly with some of his own, only to be sent off the ropes into a big boot. Shawn tries to dump Taker, then Taker tries dump him over, but Holly attacks Taker to cut it off. Shawn with chops to Holly in the corner, then Holly with chops until Taker intercepts.
#6 is John Morrison, half of the WWE Tag Champions as we're told over on Smackdown. Morrison gets shots in on everyone but he pisses off Shawn and Taker, and Shawn tries to toss him over but he hangs on. Taker goes after Holly as Shawn delivers a scoop slam to Morrison, then up top with the elbow. Shawn tunes up the band but Morrison catches it and hits an enziguri.
#7 is Tommy Dreamer from ECW. Right after Taker, then Shawn, Morrison turned inside out, then eats a boog from Taker. There's a "Tommy Dreamer" chant as Shawn tries to eliminate Morrison with a suplex but he drops to the apron and hangs Shawn up. Uppercut to Holly by Morrison and Dreamer tries to help him eliminate Holly but it's no use. Shawn and Holly try to dump Dreamer.
#8 is Batista, spinebuster to Dreamer, clotheslines to Shawn and Holly, back body drop to Morrison. Then there's a staredown with Taker, but Dreamer goes for a DDT on Batista, only to be dumped over. Now Taker and Batista try to eliminate each other but Morrison intercepts. Shawn avoids elimination from Holly and Morrison eats a spear from Batista. Taker back on the attack on Batista with boots and rights, Shawn tries to dump Holly.
#9 is Hornswoggle.and he immediately goes under the ring. Batista with a spear on Taker and tries to dump him over, then Shawn tries to eliminate Batista but neither are successful. Suplex to Morrison by Holly. Shawn sent off the ropes into a back body drop by Holly, then a clothesline over the ropes but Shawn hangs on.
#10 is Chuck Palumbo, mid biker gimmick. Clothesline to Batista, then a right to Shawn and Holly and Shawn.in the corner. Taker tries to dump Morrison but he hangs on. Taker goes after Palumbo in he corner and Shawn tries to finish Morrison off but he survives. Morrison tries to take over Shawn with a headscissor.
#11 is Jamie Noble, who we're told was attacked by Palumbo on Smackdown and he has his ribs taped up. He goes right after Palumbo with rights and boots in the corner, then mounted rights, only to be sent to the apron. Palumbo with a kick to the ribs eliminates Noble. The ref calls for a trainer to tend to Noble at ringside. Shawn nearly eliminates Morrison again but he hangs on.
#12 is CM Punk. Running knee to Taker in the corner, then to Morrison in another corner, then Shawn. Taker gets him by the throat but kicks his way out of it. Another running knee to Shawn in the corner, then tries for his running bulldog and runs right into a clothesline from Taker. Shawn's nose has been busted and Punk nearly eliminates him. Palumbo with a gutwrench on Punk ut he slips out. Palumbo is tossed over and manages to hang on until Punk hits him with a running knee, so he's out. Shawn tries to eliminates him with a suplex, then Punk nearly does but Shawn hangs on.
#13 is Cody Rhodes, Holly's tag partner and the other half of Raw's tag champs. Right after Punk, an atomic drop and almost dumps Punk over but he hangs on. Morrison attacks from behind but gets sent face first in the corner. Cody attacks Taker from behind to save holly but barely does anything. Taker gets him by the throat but Cody fights him off and hits a dropkick. Shawn is backdropped by Batista.
#14 is Umaga. Clotheslines to Morrison and Punk, rights to Shawn and a clothesline. Holly tries to go after him but gets eliminated with the Samoan Spike sending him over the ropes to the floor. Batista attacks him in the corner now but Umaga takes control and beats him down in the corner, setting him in position to slam his ass into his face. Cody nearly eliminates Shawn and he still hangs on.
#15 is Snitsky at the halfway point. Boots to Punk and a clothesline to Shawn, then Cody. Morrison attacks from behind but eats a right, then face first in the corner for more boots. Cody jumps on his back and nearly eliminates himself as he and Snitsky go over the ropes, and Punk tries to help but Morrison cuts him off. Morrison tries to dump Shawn but he continues to hang on.
#16 is The Miz, Morrison's tag partner and the other half of Smackdown's tag champions. He goes right after Punk and Morrison joins in, trying to dump him over and Punk hangs on. Taker tries to toss over Umaga but he stays in it. Taker tries to boot him off, Punk tries to toss Morrison over but he saves himself, then Miz with a running clothesline to Punk in the corner.
#17 is Shelton Benjamin. Miz and Morrison have gone up top and Shelton leaps up to join them, hanging them both up on the top rope as he pulls them down. Punk is hit with the Pay Dirt, but then Shelton's eliminated with some Sweet Chin Music.
#18 is Jimmy Snuka making a surprise appearance, though it's a lukewarm reaction. Rights to Morrison, then a headbutt to Punk, then some shots to Shawn and Taker, plus another headbutt. Body shot to Snitsky and a chop to Miz, plus a headbutt.Batista tries to attack but gets chopped too.
#19 is Rowdy Roddy Piper who gets a pretty good pop. Time just seems to stop because everyone stops what they're doing to watch him and Snuka go at it. Forearms by Piper, then a chop and right by Snuka. Poke to the eyes by Piper and some more rights, then action resumes as Piper and Snuka keep going.
#20 is Kane, who immediately dumps Snuka and Piper. Then rights to just about everyone, then a chokeslam to Miz. Shawn and Kane try to eliminate Umaga to no avail. Taker lies in wait as he measures up Kane, only to get his hand on Shawn's throat for a chokeslam but... he just kinda drops him? Don't know what happened there.
#21 is Carlito. Spits an apple in Cody's face then delivers rights to everyone and some kicks, nearly eliminates Shawn in the process. Carlito springboards and is caught by Punk and Morrison who nearly eliminates him, but kicks off the ropes to save himself. Punk with a roundhouse to Morrison, then Carlito ducks one and hits the backstabber. Cody gets him with a bulldog.
#22 is Mick Foley. Rights to Kane and Morrison and Snitsky and a loud Foley chant. Powerbomb by Taker to Kane. Double-arm DDT by Foley to Kane. Umaga with a Samoan drop to Taker. Foley with rights to Morrison in the corner, beating him down,then one for Miz, only to be caught with a springboard kick from Morrison.
#23 is Mr. Kennedy (Kennedy). Right after Cody in the corner, then a running boot as Cody is beaten down. Mic Check to Miz, then Punk.Boots to Taker and talks some trash, then caught by the throat, Taker with the chokeslam. Morrison whipped into Snitsky in the corner, and Umaga in the way as Taker sandwiches all three with a splash.
#24 is Big Daddy V. Snitsky is eliminated by Taker, then Shawn eliminates Taker with Sweet Chin Music, only to be dumped over by Kennedy right at Taker's feet. Taker attacks Snitsky for some reason. Taker lays Snitsky on an announce table and climbs up on the other end for a running leg drop, not quite breaking the table fully. That was random. Kennedy nearly eliminates Cody but he skins the cat, then nearly eliminates Kennedy with a headscissor but he manages to hang on.
#25 is Mark Henry. Right after Batista in the corner, then Orrison, then Kane goes after him only to be hit with a body block. Kennedy tries to eliminate Miz and fails until Swoggle comes back out to pull Miz to the floor. Swoggle hides back under the ring. V and Henry with a double headbutt to Punk, then they sandwich him with body blocks.
#26 is Chavo Guerrero, the new ECW Champion. He and Punk go at it right away brawling with each other. Kane tosses Morrison out to the apron and eliminates him with a boot to the face. Umaga tosses Carlito over but he hangs on. Kennedy sent off the ropes into a big boot from Kane. Henry tries to eliminate Cody and Swoggle tries to help again, but he's caught and pulled to the apron by Henry, pulled into the ring and right between him, V and Chavo. Finlay comes out prematurely and attacks the big men with his shillelagh, plus Chavo and Kennedy. Finlay slips back out and heads to the back with Swoggle. JR gets word that Finlay has been DQ'd for using the shillelagh.
It looks like Finlay was set to be #27, because out next is Elijah Burke, the graphic having him as #28. Right after Chavo with rights and lefts. Batista is also suddenly on the outside and the camera missed what happened, not even commentary is sure if he was eliminated. Punk sends Chavo the apron and Chavo pulls him over with him and Punk is out. We do get a replay that shows Batista got caught with the Samoan Spike and rolled out to the floor, so he's still in it.
#29 is Triple H. Clotheslines to Chavo, Carlito and Cody, who's then tossed out and eliminated. Then after V, with rights, sent off the ropes and hits a facebuster, then he tosses V out. Umaga sends him off the ropes and gets a facebuster. Now he and Foley are trading rights, Trips gets the better of it and Foley is thrown into Burke, eliminating them both in the process. Trips with rights to Umaga and he goes face first in the corner. Kennedy survives elimination from Henry as Umaga sends Trips into the corner, misses a splash and hits the top of the post face first, then sent into it again. Trips hits the Pedigree.
Of course #30 is the returning John Cena to a hell of a pop. Time stands still again and Trips has his eyes set on Cena, but Henry takes him out from behind. Cena goes after Henry with rights, ducks a clothesline and hits a shoulder block. Carlito is thrown out, then Chavo, then Henry is dumped over. Cena and Trips lock eyes again and go face-to-face, then start exchanging blows. Cena sent off the ropes, hits a kick but caught with the spinebuster. Umaga gets him with a vicious right, then goes for the Samoan Spike but Batista hits him with a spear, then he eliminates Kennedy with a clothesline over the ropes, then Umaga,
Down to the final four of Batista, Cena, Kane and Trips. Kane tries to double chokeslam Trips and Batista but he's tossed out, so we're already down to three. Tense stare down between all three and Batista gives a thumbs down. Cena says they can't see him. Trips tells them both to suck it. Now all three going at it. Cena sent off the ropes into a back elbow from Batista, who then clotheslines Trips in the corner, then a regular clothesline to the mat. Cena and Trips start to double team and Batista is sent off the ropes, but hits a double clothesline. Cena sent into the corner but gets his foot up, only to run into a spinebuster. Trips tries for a Pedigree but he gets a spinebuster too. Batista Bomb is countered with a back drop by Cena and Trips with the elimination on Batista.
Another tense stare down and some sign pointing. Trips with the first strike, a boot and some rights, then Cena with some rights. Fans popped for Cena but now they're back to hating him, they're backing Trips here as they exchange blows. Trips gets the upper hand until Cena hits his spinning side slam, followed by the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cena gets him up for the... Is it still the FU at this point? Trips slips out and tries for the Pedigree but Cena slips out, goes off the ropes and they take each other out with clotheslines.
Trips tries to clothesline him over the ropes but Cena catches him with a kick, then back up for the FU, but Trips holds onto the top rope and avoids it, then hits a DDT. Trips tries to dump him over again over his shoulder and Cena holds on. Up for the FU again, Trips fights oot. Pedigree is countered with an FU over the ropes for the win in 51:30.
Cena stands tall as Buffer makes the announcement. Then the replay. Then more posing by Cena as the show ends.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Aside from Jericho/JBL this was a solid show. Two good title matches, a good opener, and a fun Rumble. Not a whole lot else to say here. With a run time of 2:46:38, this show had a total 1:35:24 of wrestling.
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