Royal Rumble Live Coverage
Live Coverage of the 2008 Royal Rumble
The show opens with a highlight package of past royal rumble matches and winners. Pyro goes off in the arena (as always).
Ric Flair vs MVP (Career Threatening Match)
Ric Flair comes to the ring to a huge ovation. He grabs the mic and talks about what an honor it's been to wrestle for the fans. He goes on for a couple minutes and is then interrupted by MVP's music. MVP then makes his way to the ring.
The bell rings and here we go. Hip toss on Flair from MVP. MVP poses, Flair woos at him. Lock up and Flair to the corner. More posing from MVP. Chops to MVP from Flair. MVP counters with a boot to the head. Head lock on Flair. Flair goes for the figure four but MVP counters with a pinfall attempt for a two count. More kicks to Flair in the corner. Back body drop on Flair followed by another kick to the face from MVP. MVP covers Flair but Flair gets his foot on the rope. Roll up attempt by Flair for a two count.
More exchanges before MVP hits a superplex off the top rope, but only gets a two count. Both men up and Flair attempts another roll up followed by a backslide, both for a two count. Flair fires away with chops on MVP. MVP goes for the "playmaker" but Flair reverses into a figure four! MVP taps and Flair is the winner after nearly 8 minutes.
WINNER: Ric Flair
--
Vince is backstage talking with Hornswoggle. Vince talks about his family promoting classic events at Madison Square Garden. He reminds his "bastard" son about the Royal Rumble and that he can trust no one, not even Finley. Vince tells him his name is McMahon and that he expects him to win. Finley walks in, Vince reminds him he can't trust Hornswoggle. Vince wishes them luck and Hornswoggle jumps into Finley's arms and they leave.
JR and King introduce former NFL running back Mike Adamle as their newest member of the announce team. He introduces highlights of the Jericho and JBL feud.
Chris Jericho vs JBL
Jericho's music hits and he makes his way to the ring to a nice pop. JBL is out next without his signature white limo (no room apparently).
The bell rings and they stare each other down. They lock up and Jericho forces JBL into the corner. They lock up again and the ref breaks the hold. After another lockup, JBL gets to the ropes. Ref breaks and JBL lands a cheap shot. Shots back and forth until Y2J goes for the walls of Jericho before JBL gets to the ropes.
JBL to the outside, Jericho hits a baseball slide then throws JBL into the ring steps. Back in the ring, JBL drops Jericho throat first onto the ropes. Jericho up and back down from a JBL clothesline. JBL now attacking the damaged larynx of Jericho. JBL locks in a sleeper hold on Jericho. Jericho fights free and hits a clothesline on JBL and both men go down.
JBL sends Jericho into the ring post and Jericho has been busted open. Jericho is bleeding badly from his head as JBL lands numerous punches. Jericho fights back and goes for a facebuster but botches it and the crowd boos. Jericho then goes for a lionsault and hits it. JBL gets up and is clotheslined to the outside. Jericho grabs a chair a NAILS JBL in the head with a huge shot. The ref calls for the bell to DQ Jericho who doesn't seem to care. Jericho throws the chair at JBL in the ring. He then grabs some cables at ringside and wraps JBL's neck in them much like JBL did a few weeks ago.
The refs finally break it up and Jericho's music plays as he slowly walks to the back a bloody mess. JBL is in the ring still trying to make it to his feet. Lilian announces JBL as the winner.
WINNER: JBL (DQ)
--
Backstage, Ashley is looking for Maria but gets Santino Marella instead. He pokes fun at Ashley and her "boobie magazines" then says he wished he could vote her out of the WWE like she was voted off on Survivor.
Edge vs Rey Mysterio (World Championship Match)
A highlight package of the feud is shown.
Edge's music hits and he walks to the ring, belt around his waste. Moments later Vickie Guerrero is wheeled out to ringside by Theodore Long, followed by Hawkins and Ryder wearing their Edge tights.
Rey Mysterio is out next wearing some sort of spiked mask/gladiator helmet. The Smackdown ring announcer then introduces the two opponents. The bell rings and we are underway.
Edge shoves Rey into the corner. They get into a test of strength until Rey tries a head scissors and nearly botches it. Crowd is surprisingly pro Edge as they are booing Rey whenever he is on offense.
Kick to Rey by Edge who tosses him under the bottom rope. Hawkins and Ryder attempt to go after Rey, but the ref ejects them from the arena.
Edge knocked to the outside. Rey hits a springboard on top of Edge. Rey then hits a senton on Edge from the outside.
Edge back in control now and working on Rey's knee. Edge puts on a half crab before Rey kicks out to more boos from the crowd. Edge hits a powerslam off the rope and gets a two count. Edge locks on another knee lock. Rey kicks out of it again. Rey can't get to his feet because of the damaged knee. Edge tries to take off Rey's knee brace. Rey counters and hits a bulldog on Edge. Rey is back up limping but manages to hit a sunset flip followed by a kick to the head of Edge, but only for a two count.
Rey goes up top and hits a two foot stomp onto Edge's midsection. Both men are outside and Rey hits a swinging DDT on Edge on the floor. Rey goes for the pin and gets two. Edge goes for a spear but misses and hits the corner. Rey hits the 619 followed by a splash from the top rope. Ref counts but is pulled out by Vickie. Edge then goes for another spear and misses again. Rey lands another 619 but Vickie takes the hit. Rey goes for the west coast pop off the top rope, but Edge nails the spear in mid air and gets the three count after about 13 minutes.
WINNER: Edge
--
Ric Flair is backstage in the locker room. Mr. Kennedy applauds him and gives him a "wooo!" Kennedy says that after he wins the Royal Rumble he would love nothing more than to... enter Shawn Michales. Kennedy says he'll see him later. HBK congratulates Flair on his victory. Batista then comes in followed by Triple H. Triple H tells Flair to "for the love of God put some pants on." HBK promotes his new T-shirt.
Back in the arena, Maria makes her way to the ring to do the first ever Royal Rumble kiss cam. They show some people kiss in the crowd, then Ashley comes out and hugs Maria. Ashley says she got a call last week from Hugh Hefner to see if Maria was interested in posing for Playboy (which has already been confirmed).
Santino comes out, followed by someone in a black sheet, and says that Maria is not going to pose and no one wants to see her with no clothes on. He then makes fun of New York sports teams for being chokers and that the Giants will also choke in the Super Bowl. A "let's go Giants" chant starts. Ashley goes back to the playboy question and Maria asks the crowd if she should. Santino brings in the cloaked man who turns out to be Big Dick Johnson with a Patriots logo painted on his stomach. He dances around until Ashley begins beating on him. He leaves the ring and the segment is over.
Santino was hilarious at least.
Jeff Hardy vs Randy Orton (World Heavyweight Championship)
Highlights of Randy Orton's career are shown followed by a video for Jeff Hardy, including his huge dive on Monday night.
Jeff Hardy makes his way to the ring to a big pop. Randy Orton is out next, walking very slowly to the ring as he glares at Jeff.
The bell rings and Lilian does the introductions. Jeff Hardy gets another big pop while Orton gets big heat.
The ref calls for the bell again and we're off.
Collar and elbow tie up as they go around the ring in the hold. They break and Jeff shoves Orton. Roll up into a headlock by Jeff on Orton. Orton turns it into a head scissors but Jeff reverses into a baseball slide. Jeff clotheslines Orton to the outside. Jeff hits a baseball slide through the ropes, sending Orton into the railing. Jeff hits a suicide dive onto Orton on the outside. Orton gets up and goes to get his belt from the time keeper. Jeff comes from the other side and lands some punches. Orton back into the ring. Jeff tries to spring over the top rope but is met with a drop kick from Orton.
Orton begins stomping on Jeff's ankle. Orton beats on him for a while until Jeff comes back. Orton to the outside followed by a flying clothesline from Jeff. Jeff gets a two count back in the ring. Orton to the corner and Jeff tries a spear, but Orton dodges and Jeff flies shoulder-first into the ring post. Headlock on Jeff in the center of the ring.
Jeff eventually breaks the hold and hits some rights on Orton, quickening the pace. Jeff hits a corkscrew from the top rope. Orton is now on the outside. Jeff hits a moonsault off the top rope onto Orton.
Back in the ring, Jeff attempts a twist of fate but Orton counters into an RKO. Orton gets the three count and remains champion after 14 minutes.
WINNER: Randy Orton
Orton leaves and Jeff stays in the ring. The crowd gives Hardy an ovation for his efforts.
--
Tazz and Joey Styles talk about the rumble and they show the Royal Rumble numbers video (the one with the NFL music).
30 Man Royal Rumble Match
It is now time for the main event!
Michael Buffer is here to do the introduction. He goes over the rules: Two men start the match with additional wrestlers entering at 90-second intervals. A wrestler is eliminated after being thrown over the top rope and having both feet touch the arena floor. The last man in the ring will go to the main event at WrestleMania XXIV.
Buffer then does his trademark "Are you ready...let's get ready to rumble!"
The bell toles and the lights dim as The Undertaker makes his way to the ring as the number one entrant.
1. Undertaker
Shawn Michaels makes his way out as number two.
The bell rings and the rumble begins. Taker and HBK exchange blows. HBK is in the corner. Taker goes for a kick but gets caught in the rope. Crowd counts down for the next participant.
Santino gets in the ring and looks at both men. HBK hits sweet chin music and lays Santino out. Taker then picks up Marella and tosses him over the top rope.
Kahli gets in the ring and Taker goes right for him. The crowd chants "you can't wrestle" at Khali. Taker and Khali choke each other. Taker overpowers him and forces him over the top rope to eliminate him.
Taker has HBK up over the rope but Holly comes to break it up.
Morrison comes in and gets caught by HBK and Undertaker. Taker is now beating on Holly while HBK hits the flying elbow on Morrison.
Dreamer comes in fired up and gets shots in on everyone. Crowd chants E-C-W. Dreamer tries to get Taker over to no avail.
8. Batista
Batista runs to the ring and nails Dreamer with a spinebuster. He clears the ring and now Taker and Batista face off one on one. Dreamer runs in to interrupt, only to be thrown out by Batista. Crowd boos. Batista spears Morrison. Taker now kicking Batista in the corner.
9. Hornswoggle
Hornswoggle comes out. He realizes who is out there and takes cover under the ring.
10. Chuck Palumbo
No one seems to notice Palumbo at all.
11. Jamie Noble
Noble goes right for Palumbo. Palumbo eventually kicks Noble and eliminates him. There are six men in the ring.
12. CM Punk
Punk runs in with high knees to HBK and Morrison. Undertaker catches Punk in a choke who then kicks out. Punk catches a clothesline from Taker. Punk then eliminates Palumbo.
13. Cody Rhodes
Cody in the ring and goes toe to toe with Undertaker in the middle of the ring.
14. Umaga
Umaga runs in and starts mowing down everyone. Samoan spike to Holly to eliminate him. Umaga now going after Batista.
15. Snitsky
Snitsky is in and starts taking down anyone in his way. Morrison tries to get Michaels over the top rope.
16. The Miz
Miz teams with Morrison to try and get CM Punk out. Taker is working on Umaga.
17. Shelton Benjamin Shelton is in, but is quickly super-kicked over the top rope by Shawn Michaels.
Snuka comes in to a huge pop and starts chopping away at Miz, then on Batista.
Piper and Snuka face off in a blast from the past. Snuka with chops, then an eye gouge from Piper.
20. Kane
Kane comes in and quickly eliminates both Piper and Snuka. Taker winds up for a chokeslam on Kane but switches to Michaels and lands it.
21. Carlito
Carlito spits his apple at Cody Rhodes. Carlito almost tossed by Punk and Morrison but counters. Carlito hits a backcracker on Punk.
22. Mick Foley
The ring is filled with wrestlers now, 13 still in. Bodies are everywhere. Hornswoggle is still under the ring.
23. Mr. Kennedy
Kennedy chants from the crowd. Kennedy goes after Taker but gets a chokeslam. Taker is now running all over the ring with corner clotheslines.
24. Big Daddy V
Snitsky is elminated by Undertaker. HBK eliminates Undertaker. HBK is then immediately eliminated by Kennedy. Kennedy nearly eliminates Rhodes, who reverses to a headscissors and nearly eliminates Kennedy. Moments later, Undertaker hits a big legdrop through the announce table on Snitsky out of frustration.
25. Mark Henry
Miz is hung up on the ropes. Hornswoggle appears from under the ring and pulls Miz to the floor. He then goes back under the ring.
26. Chavo Guererro
Chavo and Punk go at it. Kane hits a big boot on Morrison and sends him out. Hornswoggle tries to get involved but is caught and surrounded by Big Daddy V and Mark Henry. Finley then comes running out to rescue Horny. They both leave backstage. JR announces that Finley has been officially eliminated for using the shillelagh. (since when are there rules in the Royal Rumble?)
27. Finley (DQ'd)
28. Elijah Burke
Chavo eliminates Punk.
29. Triple H
Triple H eliminates Big Daddy V. Foley and Burke send each other over the top. Batista is out on the floor, but not out. One man left to enter.
30. John Cena!!!
Cena starts cleaning house, eliminating Carlito, Chavo, and Mark Henry. Now Cena and Triple H have a stare down in the middle of the ring. They go at it until Triple H hits a knee lift. Umaga nails Triple H and Batista comes back in with a spear to Umaga. Kennedy is tossed out. Kane gets both Triple H and Batista in a choke, but they both toss Kane out.
We're left with Triple H, Batista, and Cena. They start doing their signature poses and then go at it.
Batista with a spinebuster on Cena. Triple H goes for a pedigree on Batista, but it's reversed into another spinebuster. Cena sets up for a Batista bomb on Cena, but Triple H comes from behind and throws Batista out.
We're now down to Cena and Triple H. They exchange punches and the crowd is going crazy. Cheers for Triple H and some boos for Cena. Cena goes for the FU, Triple H tries to counter with a pedigree. Into the rope with a double clothesline and both men go down.
Triple H goes for another pedigree, but Cena reverses into a fireman's carry to throw Triple H over the top rope and eliminate him.
WINNER of the 2008 ROYAL RUMBLE: John Cena
Cena is now going to WrestleMania XXIV.
- Join us next month for WWE No Way Out.
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