[crowd] Five, four, three,
two, one.
-[buzzer buzzing] -[crowd cheering]
-[epic music playing] -[narrator] For 17 years,
it has been a cornerstone of the WWE.
A one-of-a-kind event,
unchanged, yet unpredictable.
It has delivered some of the most memorable moments
in wrestling history.
And, so, tonight, the legacy… continues.
[music concludes]
[announcer] And now, Raw and SmackDown present,
WWE Royal Rumble.
["Find the Real" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] We are officially on the road to WrestleMania.
You are looking live at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California.
Welcome to the 18th Annual Royal Rumble.
Michael Cole and Tazz at the ringside tonight.
And Tazz, tonight, someone will realize
a lifelong goal of headlining WrestleMania.
No bigger opportunity in the world, Cole.
I'll tell you what, this place is electric business.
-Look at this. -And check it out,
our Spanish colleagues sitting right next to us.
-Hugo Savinovich, Carlos Cabrera. -[Tazz] Hello, guys!
[speaking in Spanish]
[in English] Well, gracias, gentlemen, thank you very much.
Jerry, I'll tell you what, this is an electrifying atmosphere
and this is tonight, we are started.
We're on our way to WrestleMania, it begins here and now.
Well, you're right.
This is not the West Side Story,
-it's the West Coast Rumble… -["Metalingus" playing]
…and you're talking about a tough neighborhood.
You'd see it in the background,
we're ready for some tough going tonight.
Let's get it-- Oh, here he is, J.R. Here he is.
Oh, he's coming over here.
There he is.
-[bell ringing] -[Howard] The following contest
is scheduled for one fall. Introducing first from Toronto, Canada,
weighing 242 pounds, Edge.
[Ross] Edge has got a lot of energy.
[Jerry] Yes, he does. Even electrified this crowd.
[Ross] He has a lot of pent-up emotion.
He has been very disgruntled in recent weeks
going all the way back to the Taboo Tuesday
when the fans voted not for Edge but for Shawn Michaels,
to challenge for the World's Heavyweight title.
And Edge blames Shawn Michaels
for the fact that Edge is not the World's Champion today.
I don't understand that logic
but that's what's in that young man's head.
[Jerry] What do you mean you don't understand that logic?
Have you not ever had somebody screw you out
of something that you fought for, something that you wanted so bad,
something that you deserve? Well, that's what happened to Edge.
Shawn Michaels screwed him out of the chance to be the World Champion.
-["Sexy Boy" playing] -[crowd cheering]
[Howard] From San Antonio, Texas, weighing 225 pounds,
"The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels.
[Ross] What an ovation for the, no doubt,
first ballot Hall-of-Famer Shawn Michaels.
[Jerry] Well, I thought-- well, he did-- Edge electrified the crowd
but I'll be darned if the showstopper didn't top it.
[Ross] Fresno's always been a great city for Shawn Michaels.
He won the Royal Rumble match here in 1996.
With the look on Edge's face
tells me that Edge is going to do whatever he can
to win this match tonight.
The notch is done, whether there's victory over a legend
like Shawn Michaels at a--
-[Jerry] Here we go. Yes. -[Ross] Here we go.
[bell ringing]
[Ross] This match is not wasting any time getting started.
Mike Chioda the referee,
and Shawn Michaels still in his ring-- entrance attire if you will.
-[Jerry] Look out. Look out. -[Ross] And Michaels and Edge
both going over the top but Michaels' skins the cat.
Shades of 1995 when he and the British Bulldog
went over the top at the Rumble.
-Michaels only one foot touched, King. -[Jerry] That's a patented move
by Shawn Michaels at these Royal Rumble events.
Look at Edge. And he's beside himself.
This is not starting out the way he wanted it to.
[Ross] Both of these men are scheduled to be in the Royal Rumble match tonight
if, well, like, yeah, the big if, if they are physically able
to compete later tonight in the Rumble match.
[Jerry] Well, I told you earlier what Edge told me.
He said after tonight
he is going to personally make the HB in HBK stand for "Has been."
[Ross] Well, all I could say is that Edge has got that to do because Shawn Michaels,
the first ever WWE Grand Slam Champion
meaning that he won-- has won every championship available
to an athlete in the WWE.
[Jerry] I know, he's a championship hog,
he wants every title, every championship.
He don't want anybody like Edge.
He don't want anybody else to have a chance at the title,
that's why he screwed Edge out of his chance to be the champion.
[Ross] Nice hand chop by Shawn Michaels,
you may call him a championship hog, I call him a winner.
Oh, man, and another shot there.
[Jerry] He's trying to take Edge's head off.
[Ross] Michaels now controlling the pace, a veteran from San Antonio, Texas.
A three-time champion, two-time winner of the Royal Rumble.
One at '95 and '96, another shot there on Edge in this match one-fall.
This has-- this has been building since October.
And there, swinging neck breaker. Edge taking advantage
of Michaels getting set a half a second early.
And Edge now the aggressor
and the key here is for Edge just to stay focused.
[Jerry] That's exactly what I was about to say,
he can't-- he can't lose his cool. He can't get--
he can't let his emotions get the best of him in this match.
[Ross] Edge has got to eliminate any crucial mistakes here
because you-- I just don't believe Shawn Michaels
in a big match environment is gonna make too many.
Three right hands by Edge knocking down Shawn Michaels,
and Michaels got a right hand in of his own,
and Michaels now fighting back.
[Jerry] That right hand came from nowhere and it's crossed Edge's eyes.
[Ross] Michaels again with a straight right hand
and thumb to the eye there.
On the certain slope of that thumb and a little chop.
Michaels reversing the Irish whip, one fall, lands.
Lou Thesz press,
and Michaels pummeling Edge with those right hands
following the Thesz press.
[Jerry] Whoa. Man. If this-- this is not the Royal Rumble match but if it had been.
That's not the way you win this match, Shawn.
[Ross] And Michaels is fully aware of that.
Michaels measuring Edge, what's Shawn going to do here?
But the baseball slide did not connect.
But Michaels still with the advantage
and marks the right hand. Michaels can't connect with his.
And Edge dropping Michaels,
Michaels, the back of his head hitting those very thin black mats.
King, we both know those mats don't offer a lot of protection.
[Jerry] And you're right there. I think they're more to protect the floor
than they are for the wrestlers that are out there.
And Shawn Michaels could attest to that right now,
like you said the back of his head bouncing off of that floor.
[Ross] Both of these superstars representing Raw,
all the Raw superstars, all the SmackDown superstars
are here tonight and we thank you for being with us here on pay-per-view.
Baseball slide by Edge does connect.
So, we want to thank all the fans that are watching around the world,
especially our fans watching all over--
our great friends in the U.K. in Sky Box Office.
Bringing over 150 countries that are getting to see the Royal Rumble.
[Jerry] Egypt, what about Egypt?
[Ross] First time this airs live in New Zealand.
[Jerry] And I'm looking here. I'm trying to--
don't wanna take my eyes off, yeah, look at that.
That's what Shawn Michaels tried earlier but it didn't connect but Edge did.
[Ross] Michaels pulls himself back up by using the ropes
and now Edge with a decided offensive advantage.
Crowd here getting Shawn Michaels emotionally back in this match.
Wow. Hard Irish whip and Michaels who left the WWE.
[Jerry] Now, I see it now.
I see the intensity and now Edge is focused.
[Ross] So, Edge is going to try to exploit Michaels' back
and if he can ding that back
and certainly again both of these men as we've mentioned
scheduled to be in the Rumble match tonight,
representing two of the 14 slots on Raw,
if they are physically able by the end of the night typically.
[Jerry] Before those big knees by Edge into Shawn Michaels' sternum
and HBK will be absent at the Rumble.
[Ross] He's chopping Edge to just knock him off.
And can you imagine what this victory over Shawn Michaels
would mean to Edge's career decidedly.
[Jerry] And imagine if Edge were able to make Shawn Michaels
couldn't even participate in the Royal Rumble. Oh, look at this!
[Ross] A cover here.
[Jerry] He got him. So close.
[Ross] Man, that was close.
That was really close.
[Jerry] You know what, if either one of these guys
weren't able to make it to the Rumble
if I know Eric Bischoff, he would find someone to take their place.
[Ross] I don't think Raw is going to go in shorthanded.
[Jerry] I don't know. No doubt about that.
[Ross] The prestige of winning these Royal Rumble is just that--
A reverse chinlock applied by Edge and the body scissors.
The winner of the Royal Rumble has a guaranteed spot
at WrestleMania to meet the champions.
And Edge has got to bet on his arm.
[Jerry] When you say guaranteed spot, you've got it out,
you're going to be in the main event at WrestleMania.
[Ross] The main event, absolutely.
That's what makes this Royal Rumble sizzle.
When we look back on the history of WrestleMania,
all the great athletes in the headline WrestleMania,
how many did you leave out?
There's Hall of Famers that have never been
in the main event of WrestleMania.
-[Jerry] Oh, without a doubt. -[Ross] This is your ticket.
First class ticket, one-way right to Hollywood.
And this the best strategy for Edge ramming Shawn Michaels,
no Sweet Chin Music from this position.
[Jerry] Oh, you got that right.
[Ross] Edge about six-four, using his long legs and his arm there.
[Jerry] I've never understood why you don't think that Edge deserve
that World Championship shot.
[Ross] Because it was up to a vote of the fans.
The fans voted more for Shawn Michaels than they did for Edge,
that's how I figured it out.
Fresh blood coming out of Shawn Michaels' mouth
-or Edge's arm. -[Ross] Edge's arm.
Michaels trying to fight back up, excellent wristlock.
He's already freed himself
of the body scissors, obviously.
Now, he's up to one knee.
Michaels such a great counter wrestler.
So resilient as we have seen over his-- illustrious career
and that's why-- He's so great,
he's having a little bit of trouble countering this--
this guy's little hold from Edge, isn't he?
If I'm not mistaken Edge is a nine-time tag champion,
a five-time Intercontinental Champion, he was a King of the Ring winner.
[Jerry] But he just hadn't been the World Champion,
that's what he-- that's what he wants.
[Ross] It's what everybody wants.
[Jerry] He's never had a one-on-one shot to win the World Championship.
[Ross] With all these other battles, he just never had that one on one
opportunity at the world title. Michaels fighting back in to it.
[Jerry] And Edge deserves it. Look at that.
[Ross] This could mean the main event at WrestleMania,
if he can win the Rumble match tonight. First he's got to get there.
And definitely Shawn Michaels is not going to be…
-[Jerry] Oh, hey. -[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] Running this like some HBK.
[Ross] Edge is mocking Shawn Michaels, clowning Shawn Michaels
for this crowd here.
And here's Shawn. Both hands full of hair.
[Jerry] Maybe he's not actually taunting Shawn Michaels,
maybe he's just showing that he could post better than Shawn,
by the effects of there going didn't he?
-[Ross] That's so strange. -[Jerry] What?
[Ross] You're way out there on that. That was a taunt.
Obviously that was a disrespectful gesture that reminds as far as Edge is concerned,
and Edge again countering for the fire on Shawn Michaels
and taking Michaels face first into the top turnbuckle.
[Jerry] Well, you know what, you're right, Edge is a little bit disrespectful.
But I like that in the guy. Uh-oh, look down here.
[Ross] Edge landing on his feet, moves down and takes Michaels' forehead.
[Jerry] He's taking the advantage of Shawn Michaels' hair
-more than once in this match. -[Ross] Edge looking very crisp
in that exchange there, landing on his feet and then the counter.
[Jerry] You got to admit Edge does have better hair. Look at this, oh!
[crowd cheering]
[Ross] Well, if we starting doing shampoo commercials, I'll keep that in mind.
Nobody there. There's an Oklahoma roll there by Shawn Michaels
with that half-- half Nelson, got a near fall.
[Jerry] Oh. There's some Sweet Chin Music.
I think Edge did that better.
[Ross] Straight thrust kick and a near fall again.
There's no doubt that thus far in this match,
Edge is ahead on near falls and Edge is looking at the referee, like,
"Couldn't you count it a little bit faster?"
[Jerry] Just focus Edge, don't lose your cool.
[Ross] Again, Michaels in a very tough spot here,
with his favorite offense, that Sweet Chin Music.
[Jerry] Edge is easily frustrated.
-[Ross] You think? -[Jerry] Well, maybe not, no, look.
That doesn't look like confidence.
[Ross] His expressions change about every time his heart beats.
I think the guy's got some mental issues.
-[Jerry] What? -[Ross] I think he's…
Oh, Michaels with a counter.
Michaels reaching back of the leg and didn't quite hook the leg.
Michaels countering in midair and Edge beating Michaels up
and knocking Michaels quickly back down with another clothesline
and Edge is thinking,
"My God, I almost got pinned there, what a counter."
-[Jerry] There you go. -[Ross] And Edge cinching into that neck.
[Jerry] This is taking the starch out of Shawn Michaels.
[Ross] Michaels' right hand, didn't get that arm.
Huge crowd here tonight.
We're in the Save Mart Center. Fresno, California.
[Jerry] We've been told capacity crowd, that's it. Jammed to the rafters.
[Ross] Thankful that they are here. We are thanking you for joining us
as Michaels fights back up.
[Jerry] I got a feeling, oh, everybody is going to be thankful
that they're here as well. Oh, there's that hair again.
[Ross] Michaels, the forearm shot, right hands, knife edge shots.
Edge is getting hit by everything that Michaels can throw at him here.
Michaels' million-dollar knee lift.
The sledge knocking down Edge.
[Jerry] And Edge is back up, he's back up.
[Ross] You feel the momentum changing here.
Inverted atomic drop and a right-hand knockdown.
[Jerry] I know, man,
Edge can feel more than the momentum changing.
[Ross] Edge's second atomic-- the inverted atomic drop.
Michaels' cautiously going
to the corner, Edge reverses and Michaels counters,
it's almost as if Michaels glued Edge to the corner.
A hard shot and Michaels now climbing to the second rope,
-in control, is The Heartbreak Kid. -[crowd cheering]
One, two, three,
-four, five. -[Jerry] Come on, referee.
[Ross] Referee Mike Chioda, let this one roll a little bit.
Sunset flip, could be but it's not.
I thought it was going to be three but not today.
[Jerry] I'll tell you, the referee letting Shawn Michaels
use those closed fists.
Quick count on Edge, and now this…
[Ross] There goes the Catapult.
And Edge ate some ring post, it should be over here.
A rollup. And Edge able to kick out.
Michaels couldn't quite get the technique and leverage that he wanted
and Edge is saying--
[Jerry] Now just getting out and heading out.
[Ross] And Edge is leaving. Going to walk out.
[Jerry] Can't blame him. The referee's letting Shawn Michaels
get away with everything.
[Ross] And Michaels is saying, "You're not leaving here today."
[Jerry] Edge, he's right behind you.
[Ross] Another hard shot by Michaels as Edge was taking a walk down
the entrance way, looking for the exit.
[Jerry] These two got to be careful not to get counted out here.
[Ross] Another hard shot by Michaels on Edge.
[Jerry] I think you're right.
You said the referee is just letting this roll,
he is, very lenient here.
[Ross] Mike Chioda having words with Shawn Michaels to--
[Jerry] Oh!
[Ross] Oh. Edge letting him wait with a spear.
Michaels distracted only a second or two with the official
and that allowed Edge a regroup and then strike with his spear.
[Jerry] Get in the ring, get in the ring, Edge.
[Ross] Edge may win this by count out.
And I think at this stage of Edge's career…
[Jerry] Check this out,
Edge laying in wait and hiding and bang, there you go.
[Ross] That drove the air right out of Shawn Michaels.
Referee now count on a count of four.
[Jerry] Well, I don't know if Shawn is going to be able to make it back in.
[Ross] Michaels got to get in before the referee signals ten.
-This match will be over. -[Jerry] Seven.
-Eight. -[Jerry] Eight.
-[Ross] No time to waste here. -Nine.
-[Jerry] He's in. -[Ross] Michaels is in.
-[Jerry] He's in Edge, he's in. -[Ross] At the count of nine,
-Michaels got in at the count of nine. -[Jerry] Well, Edge can't believe it.
But Michaels is on a distinct disadvantage.
Edge connected with a spear on the outside,
if Edge can do that on the inside of the ring
Edge is going to leave here with a huge victory.
-[Jerry] Well, now he knows. -[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] Everything is well in him now.
[Ross] More disrespect, more taunting by Edge.
[Jerry] Hey, look at this. I love this.
-He's tuning up the band. -[Ross] Edge doesn't have a band.
[Jerry] We're about to hear some Sweet Chin Music.
-[Ross] Oh, no, a spear. -[Jerry] Another of the spear.
[Ross] And the spear, and that will do it right there.
-One, two… -[Jerry] We're done?
Oh, come on, ref, no.
Don't pull your hair out. That was a three count, J.R.
He's pulling his hair out.
[Ross] Edge cannot believe that Michaels kicked out from the spear.
[Jerry] I can't believe this either, come on.
-And he did a great spear. -[Ross] It couldn't have been any better.
Oh, it was a perfectly executed spear. This crowd, this huge crowd here in Fresno
chanting "HBK" moments ago.
[Jerry] You're right. Edge may have some mental issues
and they're all being caused by Shawn Michaels.
Shawn Michaels is going to cause Edge to have a nervous breakdown
before this is over.
[Ross] Michaels sat on that top turnbuckle, a hard shot by Edge here.
Michaels has suffered from two spears. Can Michaels overcome this?
[Jerry] Come on, Edge, you got-- you got the chance to punish him,
HBK right here.
[Ross] If anybody can, it's Shawn Michaels but Edge is continuing
to try to stay in the offensive and Michaels, a headbutt.
And now, Edge on the-- up on the second turnbuckle to the canvas.
Michaels surveying this huge crowd.
[Jerry] Oh, no.
[Ross] Michaels having trouble getting his knee up there.
-Two spears. -[Jerry] Get out of the way, Edge.
-Look out. -[Ross] The elbow, the elbow off the top.
Michaels connected but he also
may have driven the air right out of his body.
[Jerry] Well, he must have wrenched his back.
You know, Shawn Michaels and that back of his.
[Ross] Michaels and his history of back issues.
-You could be right. -[Jerry] Get up Edge.
[Ross] Somehow Shawn Michaels has withstood two spears of Edge
and now, the referee again using the count.
-Six! -[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] Uh-oh, uh-oh, this is not looking good.
Get up, Edge.
[Ross] Michaels used the rope to pull himself up.
Michaels remember he's only one shot away…
-[Jerry] Oh, no. -…from winning this thing.
[Jerry] Oh, no. Edge.
[Ross] He's the maestro.
-Michaels has got the band. -[Jerry] Edge, can you hear that?
Get up Edge, no, don't get up.
[Ross] Michaels tuning up the band,
-Sweet Chin Music. -[Jerry] Look at this.
[Ross] Wait, no! A counter, into the electric chair.
[Jerry] Beautiful. I've never seen that before.
[Ross] Edge moved his head, for the counter,
-he's got three, oh. -[Jerry] Three!
You can't tell me-- that was a three.
[Ross] Well, it-- that wasn't three. I could-- hate tell you.
Hate to be the one to break some bad news.
[Jerry] Oh, I cannot believe this. Edge is going to be--
he's going to pull his hair out bald.
[Ross] One count. Amazing counter. I'll give Edge credit for that.
An amazing counter from the Sweet Chin Music.
[Jerry] That's gotta take the wind out of Edge's sail.
He had to know that he had this match won.
[Ross] Edge must be thinking, "What do I have to do to beat this man?"
[Jerry] That's what I'm thinking as well.
[Ross] Or is he thinking, "Can I beat this man?"
-[Jerry] Well, here we go. -[Ross] There's a roll through.
-[crowd cheering] -[Jerry] Yes!
Shawn goes-- Oh, it's--
-[Ross] Edge with that submission leglock. -[Jerry] That's it, he's got it.
[Ross] Edge with that submission leglock and Michaels is finally…
[Jerry] This is so appropriate.
Shawn Michaels is going to have to tap out.
[Ross] Michaels maybe a moment away from tapping out.
Edge has got Michaels in the center of the ring and…
[Jerry] Oh, look at him, he tapped.
-Did he tap? -[Ross] I don't think so.
-[Jerry] I think he did. -[Ross] The referee's right there,
I think he would've told us.
[Jerry] Come on, you'll break your back, Shawn. Tap, save yourself.
-[Ross] Edge's got that hold wrenched in. -[Jerry] All you got to do is just tap.
[Ross] Michaels just fighting for the ropes but he can't get there.
[Jerry] Damn it, tap Michaels, for the first time in your life,
all you got to do is tap.
-[Ross] Michaels trying to… -[Jerry] One hand is all it takes.
-Save yourself. -…trying to fight for those ropes,
can't get there.
Again, trying to get close to those ropes and break this hold.
[Jerry] Oh, look, Edge.
[Ross] Michaels just inches away from that bottom rope.
Can Michaels make it?
[Jerry] You're going to break your neck, Michaels.
He's going to tap, he's going to tap.
-Oh, a tap. -[Ross] Oh, Michaels got the bottom rope.
Michaels got the bottom rope there.
[Jerry] He was trying to tap and the rope had to be there.
[Ross] Well, that's a good story.
Michaels got to the bottom rope,
bottom line and this match has got to continue.
Edge may be bleeding from the mouth.
[Jerry] Whoa, whoa, whoa.
[Ross] Inside cradle. Wait, a cradle. Inside cradle.
[Jerry] Well, that was just two.
[Ross] That was a beautiful counter by Michaels out of instinct.
Michaels' left leg got to be bothering him now.
Michaels you could tell he's pretty tender on that knee.
-[Jerry] Oh, look out. -[Ross] And Michaels with a roll up.
[Jerry] Hey!
[Ross] Countered by Edge, he's got the counter. And wait a minute.
-[Jerry] What, what? -[Ross] Hey, hey, hey. Wait.
-[bell ringing] -["Metalingus" playing]
[Jerry] Three count. He finally counted to three.
You've done it, Edge. You've done it.
[Howard] Here's your winner, Edge.
[Ross] Well, Edge had his hands all over the ropes.
[Jerry] Well, I mean, they both sort of…
fell, tumbled into the rope but that doesn't really matter.
What matters is Edge has done it.
He fulfilled his dream. Look at this.
[Ross] Holds the tights of Michaels, and look at this.
-[bell ringing] -[Ross] Referee didn't detect the ropes.
Edge had a double handful of ropes, the unfair advantage leads to a victory.
Edge has beaten Shawn Michaels at the Royal Rumble.
[Jerry] The winner of the match
and possibly the winner of the Royal Rumble, Edge.
-What a victory. -I'll do it.
[song concludes]
A perfect example, Edge and Shawn Michaels,
it's exactly why Raw's a better brand.
Well, you know something, player,
you see the Royal Rumble is a sizzle fizzle
and it's going to be tonight
just like it's been for the past two years,
a SmackDown superstar will be the winner, believe that.
I beg to differ. I'm confident that a Raw superstar is going to win
the Rumble but in the off chance that I'm wrong, it really doesn't matter.
SmackDown guy wins,
he's going to do just like what Chris Benoit did last year
-and jump on the roadblock. -Well, we'll see about that, player.
Christy, Torrie, baby girls, y'all ready to roll?
-Ready. -[Theodore] All right.
Let's get this thing started. Gentlemen, come on in.
Ric Flair, Eddie Guerrero, come on in.
-All right. -Hey, guys.
-Viva la raza. -How are you, man?
-Gentlemen. -Torrie, by God, Wilson. Hello.
-Hello. -Gentlemen, good evening.
All the participants of the Rumble are going to be coming in here
and drawing their number at random, you are the first two.
-Let's do the pick. -Well, let's go.
-You guys ready? -Oh, yeah.
-Oh. -What?
-Sixteen times, brother. -Sixteen times. Oh, please.
Good luck.
-Oh, God. -[Christy chuckles]
Holy.
[chuckles] Oh, my God.
Whoo! I cannot believe it. Evolution.
-[Torrie] Are we dancing tonight, Ric? -[Ric] We're dancing all night.
-All right. [chuckles] -We're staying all night.
Whoo! We're gonna stay a little longer.
I mean, give me a shot at the title tonight, baby.
[chuckles] Things are good. Whoo!
-[chuckles] -Ric, congratulations.
-God bless you, man. -God bless you.
I know you'd do great. Kick butt.
Thank you, man.
Thank you very much Mr. Bischoff, Teddy Long.
-Styling and profiling. -Ric, what number did you get?
-Show, show. Come on, let's see it. -Let's see.
[hums, mumbles]
[both chuckle]
[Ric] Is something wrong?
You sure you're happy about that number, player?
-[Ric] Yeah, I know I'm happy about it. -I think you better take a look, dog.
-[Ric] I be looking at my own number? -[Theodore] Take a look.
[crowd cheering]
Guerrero. Guerrero, Guerrero. Guerrero stole my number.
Guerrero.
Caskets, caskets.
I hate caskets. [grunts] I hate caskets. [pants]
I hear you don't like caskets.
Like? I don't like caskets, I hate them.
I know, I know you hate caskets.
I don't like them either… but I do like you, Jon.
Well, I like you too, Gene, but I still hate caskets.
I know, I know, Jon, but I have an idea.
-You do? -Yeah.
Okay. An idea.
-That sounds good. -Yeah.
-I wonder if… -That was a little weird.
A little weird. I wonder if the men in the white coats are around.
Yeah, well he said, Snitsky says he has an idea?
-What? -Well, nonetheless,
we can tell you that coming up next, ladies and gentlemen here
at the Royal Rumble,
SmackDown will deliver. The Undertaker looks tonight
to finally get rid of his archrival
when he meets Heidenreich in a casket match.
[Tazz] Well, you just heard him a second ago,
Heidenreich freaking out at the thoughts of caskets.
[Michael] It's simple, it's The Undertaker's type of match.
If Heidenreich can get rid of his hatred of caskets,
he could very well win this thing.
-[upbeat music playing] -[Jon] The Undertaker
has reigned supreme for so long.
But things are changing with Heidenreich's dawn.
His bell would toll and the time would draw near.
Opponents' hearts tremble with uncontrollable fear.
But there's no fear in the heart of Heidenreich,
who's sole purpose for living is the destruction of life.
Taker's beaten me once but I got him twice,
costing him the championship gold, two times for Heidenreich.
Taker's never faced one quite like me.
Twisted, depraved, at peace with insanity.
I am not afraid of The Undertaker,
I fear no man living
-or dead. -[music concludes]
-["Rest In Peace" playing] -[The Undertaker] Heidenreich,
your final resting place has been chosen.
At the Royal Rumble,
you will rest in peace.
-[song concludes] -[tense music playing]
I want you to witness firsthand what happens to those souls
who think they can look into the eye of the dragon.
I'm not afraid of The Undertaker
but caskets, I hate caskets.
I'll do anything to get out of that match.
[The Undertaker] At the Royal Rumble,
you will rest in peace.
[music concludes]
-["March Of The Druids" playing] -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] The druids entering the arena with the casket
in which either The Undertaker or Heidenreich will be placed tonight,
and Tazz, I cannot think of a match in the WWE that's quite as eerie,
quite as disturbing, quite playing with your mind
the way that this casket match does.
[Tazz] Basically the rules of this matchup are simple
which makes it a very physical, gruel matchup,
more or less, just go for it.
Just try, anything goes, just man your opponent
and the key obviously is to get your opponent into the casket
and close the lid and you then win the casket match.
[Michael] Well, I was talking about the mental anguish
this type of match can play on your mind and can you imagine, Tazz,
being the loser and actually being locked in that casket
-here tonight at the Royal Rumble? -[Tazz] No, sir. I could not.
I've been in a lot of matches, never a casket match
and I'm glad that I've not been in one.
I know Jerry "The King" Lawler had mentioned early,
he was in a casket match and I'll tell you what,
it kind of looks like maybe he could go back in a casket but,
you know, that's another story.
[Michael] The druids bringing the casket to the ring.
You mentioned Jerry "The King" Lawler then again, of course,
there's J.R. who could be placed in that casket.
[Tazz] So, we're just making friends with everybody.
[Michael] Of course we are.
He might have been in the casket already, J.R.
-[Michael] But it is SmackDown. -[Tazz] Okay. It's all about SmackDown
and it's all about this casket match between Undertaker
and Heidenreich which should be total, total physicality.
[Michael] Well, there's no poetry here, Tazz.
Absolutely no poetry here. It's going to be a brawl.
This is going to be a violent matchup with absolutely no rules involved.
[Tazz] It's just a-- it's a weird feeling out here, you know,
you're kind of-- kind of get a little freaked out.
Let's just get this thing rolling.
Let's get it going now. I'm ready for this.
[Michael] The Undertaker with many issues to settle here tonight with Heidenreich.
At no mercy, Heidenreich's screwing
The Undertaker out of a WWE Championship, at Armageddon,
Heidenreich doing the same thing and we will never forget
what this man did to The Undertaker with Survivor Series,
-putting The Undertaker through hell. -[song concludes]
-["Dangerous Politics" playing] -[Michael] Speak of the devil.
And what goes around, comes around, Cole.
[bell ringing]
[Tony] The following contest is the casket match.
Making his way to the ring, from New Orleans, Louisiana,
weighing in at 285 pounds, Heidenreich.
[Tazz] But look Heidenreich go staring at the casket.
He came out and then and once his eyes glued on that casket,
man, he just-- look at his-- look at his eyes.
Look at Heidenreich's eyes.
[Michael] He is deathly afraid of the casket
and he's made no bones about it.
Heidenreich has told the world, "I'm not afraid of The Undertaker."
"I'll take The Undertaker
to the limit but I am definitely afraid of that casket."
It's a phobia that Heidenreich has developed
here at some point in his life.
[Tazz] And Cole, I don't doubt the fact one iota
that Heidenreich fears The Undertaker.
I believe Heidenreich that he does not fear
-The Undertaker. -[Michael] Look at Survivor Series.
[Tazz] Yeah, I mean, and what a fight that was
and Heidenreich put something on The Taker.
[song concludes]
-["Rest In Peace" playing] -[crowd cheering]
[Tony] And from Death Valley, weighing in at 305 pounds,
The Undertaker.
[Tazz] This is creepy, Cole. Oh, man.
[Michael] There are really no words to describe what goes over an arena
when The Undertaker enters it.
It is eerie. It is chilling.
It is mind-numbing and imagine being Heidenreich
not only the presence of that casket but also the presence of a dead man.
[Tazz] I mean, goose bumps go straight up to your spine
every time The Undertaker, his music hits and he walks out here.
But, you know, Cole, nine times out of ten,
I believe that dead man, The Undertaker gets in the head,
enter a space in the brain of his opponent.
Just look at this, this creepy presence that Undertaker possesses.
[Michael] This casket match in this entrance for The Undertaker
is the ultimate intimidation for his opponent.
[Tazz] That stoic-- that stoic walk that almost like a death march
and look at Heidenreich. And I almost feel for the guy. Almost.
[Michael] Remember General Manager, Theodore Long of SmackDown
allowed The Undertaker to name the stipulation in this matchup
because of all that Heidenreich has done to The Undertaker
and not one but two separate occasions,
The Undertaker should have been WWE Champion if not for Heidenreich.
-[Tazz] Wow. -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Thousands exploding in unison here at the Save Mart Center
and look at the fear in the eyes of Heidenreich.
[Tazz] Again, I think it's important to point out one more time.
It's not fear of The Undertaker, Cole.
It's fear of the damn casket
and that's what this match is, a casket match.
-[Michael] So, if you're Heidenreich… -[Tazz] Yeah?
[Michael] …how do you focus? How do you place that fear of the casket
into the back of your mind to be able to focus on your opponent?
[Tazz] Cole, let me tell you something, an animal who's opponent
is the most vicious animal that you can ever face
when you have someone-- a guy with animal instinct--
animalistic instincts as that Heidenreich, the guy who shmacked him,
if you know what I mean, he's on it, though and he's deadly.
Heidenreich is deadly and Taker better be careful.
[crowd cheering]
[Tazz] You know, if you could turn that fear that The Undertaker gives you
and turn it into aggression,
-you could put the Undertaker in trouble. -[song concludes]
[Tazz] you could make him be
-in a bad spot. -[bell ringing]
[Michael] Again this is a casket match. There are no rules.
You incapacitate your opponent
to the point that you can place him in that casket
and close the lid, that is how you win The Undertaker's specialty.
[Tazz] And look at this, Cole, let me interrupt you.
Undertaker snatched a side headlock and he's pulling Heidenreich over to…
[Michael] Well, it's the ultimate mind game.
[Tazz] Well, he's put him in eyeshot of that casket.
[Michael] It allows The Undertaker to psyche Heidenreich out.
Every time Heidenreich goes near that casket,
The Undertaker gains full control.
It is a mind game and The Undertaker is the master of mind games
throughout his career. Off the ropes, clothesline,
a big shoulder knockdown by the six-ten, 300-pounder.
Undertaker up over the top, Heidenreich went for the hip toss.
Undertaker blocked it.
[Tazz] Nice hip throw by the Undertaker and on Heidenreich
which you don't see often by the very massive, Undertaker.
[Michael] Well, we said it was gonna be a brawl,
but for The Undertaker it started out
with some traditional wrestling maneuvers here.
[Tazz] Well, now, I think he's got an arm bar on
and again Heidenreich, he doesn't wanna be near the casket.
And Cole, he's got to get him in the casket at one point
to try and win the match.
[Michael] Well, Heidenreich's gonna have as you mentioned,
move Undertaker toward the casket, lift that lid up
and put Undertaker inside and it's gonna be interesting
to see what his reactions gonna be if that actually happens.
[Tazz] And Cole, Heidenreich would do what he has to do.
That's what happens in a combat. You do what to have to do
but I think Heidenreich will.
[Michael] Big shoulder knockdown by Heidenreich
but he continues to glance out of the corner of his eye
at that casket at ringside.
There's the side headlock on The Undertaker.
[Tazz] Cole, you wanna be in the casket?
[Michael] No, and I don't try on being anytime soon
unless I got to continue working with you.
Well, maybe not soon but, pal,
you're gonna make it through out of the casket, I promise.
[Michael] And there's another shoulder knockdown by Heidenreich.
[Tazz] Hey, when that happens you'll make a lot of people happy. [chuckles]
[Michael] These things don't change on pay-per-views,
as Undertaker with a nice takedown on Heidenreich delivering an elbow
-directly it into the midsection. -[Tazz] Well, first you don't think
we had an inside trip right there on the leg
and now, he's got a single leg Boston crab
on that long limbs of long legged Heidenreich.
[Michael] Now, listen, Heidenreich is now pulling himself toward the rope
but as he pulls toward the rope, he's going close to that casket.
[Tazz] Well, Undertaker has got to push him towards the rope,
towards the casket.
[Michael] Heidenreich trying to make it to the bottom rope here.
Undertaker continues the pressure with that single leg Boston crab
and Heidenreich…
[Tazz] Heidenreich is trying to get away from that casket.
[Michael] Heidenreich wants nothing to do with casket.
-He says, "It's enough. That is enough." -[crowd boos]
[Tazz] I don't blame him, I'd do the same thing.
You should watch your back here and like heads up. I'm telling you.
[Michael] The Undertaker flying a high knee to the midsection.
Heidenreich is so freaked out by the fact that casket is at ringside
and he may be placed in it and he's gonna be out of his game.
Undertaker, kidney first into that casket.
Well, we had an opportunity earlier today
to actually get near that casket and I'm telling you
that that thing must weigh 500 pounds at least.
I mean, it is huge. It is thick and it is made of steel.
[Tazz] Right. You lifted it up, right? That's what you did?
You lifted it up and you told me about it.
[Michael] I didn't lift it. We're doing those Hindu squats there.
And now, The Undertaker bounced off the top of the casket.
Heidenreich now in control of The Undertaker.
Now, he's near the casket.
[Tazz] If you could back off for a second, just listen.
See right there, Heidenreich putting a bad mouth on The Undertaker.
Telling him, "Well, I guess, maybe I'm not so psyched out."
Smart by Heidenreich to use that casket as a weapon.
I didn't expect Heidenreich to think that way,
but the man thinks outside the box.
[Michael] And Heidenreich, you know, we talked-- we talked…
Well, I'll tell you what,
he's getting over his fears, Heidenreich. That's what Heidenreich is doing.
Well, you know, we call him crazy. We call him a lunatic.
We call we say he's special, but he obviously is a-- not into madness…
[Tazz] But look at him-- wait a minute. Putting his punches together, Cole.
Right. At first technique before who gets in-- left and right.
[Michael] We know it's not his first technique.
He took The Undertaker right to the limit at Survivor Series.
And look at another kick to the midsection by Heidenreich
as Heidenreich now continues to control The Undertaker
as his great SmackDown fans at the Royal Rumble
willing The Undertaker on.
[Tazz] Oh, a couple more body shots by Heidenreich.
[Michael] And we don't see many people trying to throw hands with The Undertaker.
[Tazz] Well, smacked to The Undertaker.
[grunts]
[Tazz] Look at him taking chances.
-[Michael] Look at this. -[Tazz] Look-- how's this?
Looks like Heidenreich, he's got…
[Michael] Look at that he's using his big legs
to control Heidenreich here.
[Tazz] He's got the hold too of Heidenreich.
-That's a triangle choke for him. -[Michael] And look at the position.
[Tazz] He's got him in a-- he's using the ropes which is legal
because if anything goes, he had him there a moment ago
and then almost a triangle choke and now he's getting it out for sure.
[Michael] He still has the triangle troke locked into the--
locked into Heidenreich here. The Undertaker doesn't--
and if he can wear Heidenreich out.
[Tazz] By the way, it's triangle choke, not triangle troke, whatever you said.
[Michael] You don't allow me to call the match or you just want to keep going?
[Tazz] All right. Cool.
[Michael] If Undertaker could allow Heidenreich to pass out here,
it's easier for Undertaker to roll Heidenreich into the casket.
[Tazz] Well, it just show it.
Wait, wait, wait a minute. That was-- that's Gene Snitsky.
He's from Raw. This is a SmackDown issue. What the hell is he doing out here?
[Tazz] Well, it's legal. It's all legal.
[Michael] Was this the play that Snitsky was talking about earlier today?
[Tazz] Well, I guess so and Snitsky said he had a plan.
You got to be kidding me.
And look, clothesline by Snitsky.
[Tazz] and Referee Nick Patrick cannot do anything about it.
This is turning into a handicap match. I kind of like it.
[Michael] And Snitsky trying to snap Heidenreich back into things here.
-[Tazz] It's-- uh-oh. -[Michael] Wait a minute.
[Tazz] These two are gonna chop the Undertaker into that--
and let's see. Wait.
[Michael] Well, here's the double team. Oh, double suplex.
Undertaker landed high and tight on that shoulder.
[Tazz] That double vertical suplex.
[Michael] And Heidenreich dropping the elbow into that shoulder
that The Undertaker was dropped under in a suplex
and Snitsky with one of his own and this is ridiculous.
This is a two on one assault. The Undertaker has absolutely no chance.
[Tazz] Heidenreich, Snitsky, putting their brain together here…
-Open! -…and coming up with this idea of-- and
-then a good-- -[Michael] Wait a minute.
-[Tazz] Whoa. -[Michael] It's Kane.
The Undertaker's brother was in the casket.
-[Tazz] You're kidding me. -[Michael] Snitsky's archenemy.
Straight right into the right hand.
Kane has evened the odds for his brother, The Undertaker.
[Tazz] Holy smokes.
[Michael] Kane's taking a hard right for the right hands.
What a shocker here at the Rumble.
[crowd cheering]
[Tazz] I can't believe this. Oh.
[Michael] Another right by Kane to Snitsky.
Snitsky's reeling… Both men over the top rope
just when it looked bleak for The Undertaker, his brother, Kane.
[Tazz] And it's all legal, Cole, it's all good. Anything goes.
[Michael] Chaos has broken out here in Fresno at the Rumble.
Kane and Snitsky battling through the crowd.
[Tazz] I am shocked. Kane popped out of that casket.
-Wow. -[Michael] Kane and Snitsky.
And Snitsky's bounced off that steel barricade.
[Tazz] And both these men are bandaged up
from what happened on Raw a couple weeks ago
when Kane chokeslammed off the stage, Snitsky,
and both men went through that tech area.
[Michael] But what is Heidenreich doing? Heidenreich trying to--
trying to move that casket out of the ringside.
[Tazz] He is moving it out away from-- I don't know what…
[Michael] You're not gonna win a match if you move the casket
too far away, Heidenreich.
[Tazz] Maybe he wants to see if the wheels are working on it,
I don't know what he's doing.
Maybe there's somebody else in.
Maybe this is like a double sided, like a double stuffed-- I guess not.
[Michael] What a shocker moments ago
though when Kane popped out of that casket.
With Heidenreich just focused on the casket, not on his opponent,
as Heidenreich is bounced off the steel.
[Tazz] Oh, Heidenreich is really focused on the casket and went face first
into it with the hand of the Deadman.
[Michael] Undertaker in control.
Look at-- oh, look at the reversal.
His knee first, into that steel steps goes The Undertaker.
[Tazz] Wow.
Well, I'll tell you what, that knee-- that Undertaker's knee exploding
on those steel steps.
And Heidenreich-- well, that was a-- wait a minute.
He's ripping up the…
Heidenreich taking off that protective mat and that's a concrete floor there,
-he's been taking another… -[Tazz] Check it out.
[Michael] Oh, my God.
And Undertaker bounced off the apron by Heidenreich.
[Tazz] Well, right there. He landed right on his head
and take-- no,
Heidenreich again pulling those hands-- putting those punches together.
On that cold concrete lies The Undertaker.
-[Michael] Where is he going now? -[Tazz] I have no clue.
Don't ask me. This guy could be grocery shopping.
Who the hell knows with him?
And he peeked in, there's nobody else in there.
-[Michael] Oh, no. Oh, no. -[Tazz] He's gonna run him over.
-[Michael] Wait a minute. Heidenreich. -[Tazz] He's gonna run him over.
[Michael] Heidenreich, that casket right into The Undertaker.
A casket driven into The Undertaker by the psychotic, lunatic,
the same man who drove that truck into a hearse back
in No Mercy into The Undertaker,
tonight, he's driving a casket into the Deadman.
[Tazz] Undertaker getting sandwiched between that casket and the ring apron,
the ring-- that side of the ring there.
[Michael] Wow. And remember you win this thing
when you incapacitate your opponent, put him in a casket
and shut the lid and right now, Undertaker is pretty much incapacitated.
Well, can we-- look what's Heidenreich doing now.
Wait a minute. It didn't look-- looks like he's--
looks like he's trying to-- we've seen Heidenreich
in the past used that wrist, a version of a choke like a cobra clutch.
[Michael] And Heidenreich trying to--
trying to just knock the Undertaker out here.
If he knocks The Undertaker out,
it's easier to roll The Undertaker into the casket.
[Tazz] Take a-- looks like his eyes are rolling behind his head.
It looks like Taker is losing a lot of oxygen with his head down
and I think he might be out and then all Heidenreich's got to do
is bring the body of Taker right off to that casket.
[Michael] And the lid is up and Undertaker's to the apron
and Heidenreich could just be a few seconds away
from winning this casket match.
[Tazz] Don't tell me Heidenreich is gonna win this thing.
-[Michael] Undertaker into the casket. -[Tazz] He's got him. He's got him.
[Michael] Heidenreich just have to seal the lid here.
[Tazz] He's got it, Cole. He--
-Uh-oh. -[Michael] And Undertaker, yes, his arm.
His arm is out. The lid can't be shut completely.
Undertaker back with the right hand and here comes the phenom.
[Tazz] Don't let him get a momentum going here, Heidenreich.
[Michael] And now Heidenreich dragged into the casket
as Undertaker with the blows to the back of the head.
[Tazz] Nasty punches to the back of the head.
-[Michael] Oh, no. Oh, my God. -[Tazz] Watch out.
-[Michael] Oh, my God. -[Tazz] Watch out.
[Michael] It's Undertaker, he's gonna decapitate him.
-[Tazz] Oh, my God. -[Michael] Went across the neck,
the neck-- the back of the head with the lid of that casket.
[Tazz] Oh, my God.
[Michael] Oh, man.
-[Tazz] My sentiments exactly. -[Michael] Heidenreich is barely moving.
That was vintage Undertaker with a twist.
[Tazz] What condition's Heidenreich in?
Oh, man, just the height that The Undertaker got.
-Whoo! -[Michael] I don't believe
-Heidenreich knows where he's at. -[Tazz] Well, me neither.
-[Michael] Oh, look at him. -[Tazz] Oh, boy.
[Michael] Heidenreich in a headbutt to the temple area.
[Tazz] Well, Heidenreich's all right, he's on-- I thought he was--
he was on Goofy Street but I guess not.
Undertaker whips across the ring with authority.
There's a boot to the face.
Watch out! Watch out!
[Michael] The Undertaker lifting Heidenreich.
[Tazz] Well, I don't know. I mean did the Taker counter it?
[Michael] I think Heidenreich countered it.
Here's the cover but you can't cover here, not in this matchup,
you got to put Undertaker in the casket.
[Tazz] Well, Heidenreich might've had a little brain lapse, it happens.
[Michael] Well, you heard Heidenreich, he just said, "I won. I won."
-No, you didn't win. -[Tazz] Okay. Cole, go tell him.
Go in the ring and tell him in the ring.
[Michael] The ring referee Nick Patrick did that.
And now, Heidenreich trying
to drag this 300-pound carcass of The Undertaker
toward that casket and try to win this matchup
and what an upset this would be.
[Tazz] It would be a humongous upset and Taker is gonna be put in that, Cole.
[Michael] Undertaker rolled into the casket for the second time.
[Tazz] He's gonna close the lid.
[Michael] Heidenreich gonna close the lid here.
-And wait a minute. -[Tazz] Oh, man.
[Michael] A handful of Heidenreich from Undertaker.
A right hand off the head. Undertaker battles out again.
[Tazz] Oh, what a back elbow. That was well placed.
[Michael] And right for the right of his own, a big right hand
and one from Heidenreich
and these two huge men exchanging blows in the ring.
[Tazz] Well, punch for punch. We have some big bulls in there.
I'm loving this, baby. What a fight.
[Michael] Heidenreich backed up against the ropes reversal.
Undertaker off the ropes, look at this. DDT planted Heidenreich.
[Tazz] Sure did. Flat in the middle of the ring
and now the universal sign that say-- [chuckles]
Heidenreich might be done, Cole.
[Michael] Heidenreich struggling to make it through his feet.
Undertaker stalking his opponent.
-Undertaker. -[crowd cheering]
-Heidenreich. Chokeslam. -[Tazz] What goes up
must come down.
[Michael] Undertaker with the chokeslam
changing direction in midair, the damage still done.
[Tazz] Look at that freaky look. I don't like Heidenreich's chances now.
Heidenreich to his feet, it's The Undertaker.
[Tazz] Oh, my God. He's got him set up for a tombstone.
[Michael] Tombstone Piledriver connecting for The Undertaker
who wants for the lid to be raised in the casket.
Heidenreich is getting rolled over to that casket, Cole.
What's Taker doing?
[Michael] Taker. A shot to the shoulder with the boot
and another one trying to force the man into the-- into the casket.
-He's closing the lid. -[bell ringing]
[Michael] The Undertaker wins the casket match.
["Rest In Peace" playing]
[Tony] Here's your winner, The Undertaker.
-[Tazz] Wow. -[Michael] The Undertaker exercising
his demons tonight getting revenge on the man
who's cost him the WWE Championship.
[Tazz] What a match though. Heidenreich puts up on The Undertaker.
I mean, The Undertaker-- I'll tell you what,
Heidenreich is a real deal in my opinion but what a matchup.
What a matchup.
[Michael] despite Heidenreich and for that matter despite Snitsky,
The Undertaker is dominant again in a casket match here at the Rumble.
[Tazz] Wow. I still can't believe Kane was in the casket. Shocking.
[Michael] A matchup surprises on what expects to be a night of surprises
at the Royal Rumble.
The Undertaker, victorious in his type of match,
the casket match over Heidenreich.
Now, we got to take another look as startling develops in this matchup.
Snitsky coming into the aid of Heidenreich,
but look who is in the casket.
I just-- I just--
How do I-- I can't believe this happened what he did obviously.
-Look at this. -[crowd cheering]
It's just shocking. Kane just popping in.
And look at this leg drop, look at the height here.
Man. Wow. Right on top of that--
That thing top of Heidenreich's neck and then look at that. Bingo.
Tombstone set.
[Michael] As a said before as the Undertaker closes the lid
on Heidenreich despite Snitsky, despite Heidenreich,
Undertaker with a surprise from his brother in a casket
picks up a huge win tonight at the Royal Rumble.
[crowd cheering]
[song concludes]
-Give you what? -Listen, I've got a job to do
and I'm not gonna tolerate this.
Now, I know that you've got Ric Flair's number.
-Let me have it. -What number are you talking about?
Well, hey, hey.
[indistinct clamoring]
Just a minute. Hey. Hold on a minute, players.
I'm trying to straighten this out right now. Hold on just a minute.
-Eddie, come on, give me Ric's number. -What?
-Phone number? -Eddie, give me Ric Flair's number.
-Cough it up, jumping bean. -Oh, that's good.
-That's-- that's real good. Okay. -Here's your number.
Thank you.
What's the matter with you? Hey. What is the matter with you?
-Hold on. -What?
Oh, really, homes. You know, I love you, man.
Eddie, Eddie…
give it up, dog.
What? My wallet-- my wallet.
[indistinct chatter]
You're dead man at that Rumble, Guerrero.
Sorry about the confusion.
You better run. It's Evolution's night. We're gonna show everybody it's our night.
It is our night. I'm on my way to Bischoff's office to get my number.
No, no, no.
We got to go over this stuff with Orton right now.
-We need to talk about that. -Change the plan. Change the plan.
I'm gonna get my number. I'll be right back.
Hey, I said
we need to go over this stuff with Orton
-and you can get your number later. -And I said
I'm gonna go get my number and I'll come right back.
Now.
Whoa, whoa, whoa, come on, come on, come on.
Come on, Evolution, Evolution, it's about you beating Orton.
It's about winning the Royal Rumble.
One for all, all for one, man. Come on, lighten up. Deep breath.
-Hmm, come on. Deep breath. -He's right.
-Come on, champ. Come on, man. -Evolution
It's Evolution. Come on. Unity together.
[chuckles] Here we go. We got business. It's our night.
-Come on, tell me. -Christian, you know, I can't tell you.
[sighs] What about Mysterio? Please tell me that.
-We have to wait. -Eric, you can calm down now.
I've got everything straightened up.
Eddie Guerrero gave Ric Flair's number back.
To tell you, I just signed up
a petition to have you kicked off SmackDown.
-How are you doing? -And so did I.
And we really don't have any more time to wait for SmackDown talent,
-so, Christian, you're up. -Don't mind if I do. Ladies, spin them up.
Let's do it.
It's a very tough job. You should be proud of yourselves.
[chuckles]
-Let me get that for you. -Thank you.
Let see that-- let's see here.
-[chuckles] Yes. Yes. -[John] The champ is here.
-Hey, T-Long, what up, playa? -Holla.
-[crowd cheering] -Ooh.
Yo, Burt Reynolds, I loved you in Boogie Nights, dog.
Torrie, how you doing? You wanna go out for sausages later on or something?
-Oh, yo, how are you doing? -Hi.
-Christy. -Doctor Mon Cena. John Cena.
[Christian] Whoa, whoa, hold on a second. Hold on a second, everybody.
John Cena in the house, everybody take notice.
-Oh, come on, man. -No, no, no. You know something?
I've seen you rap before, Cena. You know something?
It doesn't impress me, not one bit this whole freestyle rapping,
things not even that hard. Whatever. I could do that.
I could-- I could beat you at a rap competition any day of the week.
-Any day. -All right, homie.
Show me some street creed. Show me what you got.
-That's cool. -Right now?
You said you can freestyle.
Hit a little something, do what you got to do.
Tomko, give me a beat.
No.
-[chuckles] -All right. Forget it.
It goes something like this.
My name is Christian The king of crunk
I'm taking you to school, Cena And you're gonna flunk
I'm Captain Charisma
I'm-- I'm Captain Charisma Read 'em and weeps
I'm gonna throw you out for all my peeps
-[crowd cheering] -♪ And just like-- ♪
♪ Just like Dracula comes Transylvania ♪
♪ I'm winning the Rumble ♪
♪ And going on to WrestleMania ♪ [beatboxes]
What do you think of that, baby boy? [chuckles] Come on, beat that.
♪ Captain Charisma Walking around with your fake smile ♪
♪ Think you can rap Just because watch 8 Mile? ♪
♪ Word on the street is your peeps Are weak and you and Blackbeard ♪
♪ Share a bed when you sleep ♪
♪ Yo, this is Chain Gang We want a show down ♪
♪ Tonight is like your sex life Your ass is gonna go down ♪
♪ I go to the ring When my name is called ♪
♪ You can pick my number You like playing with balls ♪
[crowd cheering]
[ball clatters]
[Michael] Ladies and gentlemen, there's only one John Cena
and he is only on SmackDown.
That's the Save Mart Center, Fresno, California,
and we are live tonight. Perhaps, Tazz, John Cena is the man
who's gonna win the Royal Rumble matchup
and head to WrestleMania.
[Tazz] Oh, there's a tremendous chance that could happen.
That could go down that way, I wouldn't mind.
-He's a SmackDown guy. -[Michael] That's good.
But he still got business to take care of tonight here
at the Royal Rumble including our SmackDown main event,
the WWE Championship is on the line next,
a huge score to settle as the chess game continues
between JBL, Kurt Angle and the Big Show.
[Tazz] Like we said on Sunday Night Heat before this pay-per-view,
what condition will Kurt Angle and JBL beat it physically
after that last man standing match at SmackDown.
These two men beat the hell out of each other.
What are they gonna be like tonight?
[Michael] We're gonna find out right now.
["Medal" playing]
[crowd chanting] You suck!
[Michael] This capacity crowd chanting in unison, "You suck"
as Kurt Angle gingerly makes his way to the ring following
the Last Man Standing match three nights ago.
[bell ringing]
[Tony] The following contest is a triple threat,
no disqualification match and it is for the WWE Championship.
In the ring is the only Olympic gold medalist in WWE history
and a former WWE Champion, Kurt Angle.
[Michael] Will Kurt Angle win the WWE Championship yet again?
Here tonight at the Rumble.
[Tazz] That remains to be seen.
I'm just wondering how he feel, I mean how his body feels.
-Uh-oh. Oh. -["Big" playing]
[Tony] Making his way to the ring, standing at seven feet tall,
weighing in a 470 pounds, the Big Show.
[Michael] I believe this man is the odds-on favorite.
Big Show is the man, the mastermind behind
the Last Man Standing match three days ago between Kurt Angle and JBL.
Big Show putting himself in position to win the championship here tonight.
[Tazz] Well, that's definitely a smart plan by Big Show.
His plan came together.
I'll tell you what, I like the big man's chances.
I like his chances in this match tonight for the WWE Championship.
[Michael] Well, the Big Show loves it when a good plan comes together.
And boy did it ever Thursday night.
-["Longhorn" playing] -[Tazz] Here comes the champ.
[Tony] And from New York city, weighing in a 297 pounds
is the WWE champion, John Bradshaw Layfield.
[Tazz] I tell you what, the ride-- The champ, JBL rides in style.
I mean I think the limo's got extra big, long horns.
Uh-oh. Look at this bucko stuff. That's a big, long horn.
Look at that, look at the size of the long horn.
Cole, you wanna get those on your little car
that you have at your home.
[Michael] It's like those long horns are bigger than my car.
I'll tell you now, it'll look great on your total Toyota Corolla
that you got there that you go around in '81 that you're driving,
but anyway, let's see how the Champ-- But where's the Champ?
[Michael] Spicing up right in the limo with him.
[Tazz] Yeah, here's the man-- Well, he's hurt a little bit.
-He's hurting. -[Michael] Well, of course
because three nights ago, JBL and Kurt Angle
went through a brutal Last Man Standing match
in which they both knocked each other out with a steel chair.
[Tazz] Well, you know Cole, not just that.
In that match what I remember was Kurt Angle hitting
eight German suplexes in a row.
That's right, eight German suplexes, that man Angle,
hit on that man right there, JBL. I'll tell you what my man,
that will take something out of your body.
[Michael] For seven months, JBL has been WWE Champion.
For seven months, JBL has defeated the best that SmackDown
has had to offer including the Undertaker, Booker T,
and Eddie Guerrero.
But tonight JBL may face his stiffest challenge
including Angle and the seven foot, 470 pounds, Big Show.
[Tazz] This is why I love JBL.
He's got this humongous match right now, this humongous pay-per-view.
He-- And he's hurting and he still has time
to wave to his public.
Why aren't they chanting his name?
JBL, look at that smile, look at that grin.
My man, look at 'em.
[Michael] He may not be smiling
when this Triple Threat match is over with.
I mean remember, JBL went through that Fatal 4-Way match
back in Armageddon last month with Eddie Guerrero, Undertaker,
and Booker T, but tonight he's facing not only an Olympic gold medalist
but he's facing the seven foot, 470-pound, Big Show.
[Tazz] Well, JBL kissing that Championship and look at that thing.
He maybe kissing it goodbye, you never know.
[Michael] And remember JBL, the man who signed a petition
to get rid of general manager Theodore Long
-that Carlito's been around but after… -[Tazz] After…
Go ahead.
[Michael] …right after the general manager put JBL
into this Triple Threat matchup here tonight.
[Tazz] Apparently Christian signed the thing too so I guess,
Carlito's getting more guys too.
[Michael] So this is the Triple Threat matchup and the rules are simple.
All three men involved in the matchup at the same time.
The first man to gain pinfall or submission
will win the WWE Championship.
There are no disqualifications and the champion does not have
to be involved in the decision to lose his title.
[Tazz] That's right. That's a bad deal if you're the champ.
Oh! So is that.
Running into a brick wall on a Sunday night
in Fresno, California. That's not fun.
[Michael] JBL tries to intimidate his opponent with size and power
but he can't do that tonight with the Big Show
and look at Kurt Angle, he's hanging out at ring side.
-Angle's not in the matchup yet. -[Tazz] Come on.
Kurt Angle's smart, he's intelligent.
Always one of the-- The man's a genius.
I'd like to thank all our great WWE fans for joining us
here tonight live on pay-per-view.
-[Tazz shushes] -[crowd] Aww.
[Michael] Including over 150 countries around the world will see
the Rumble at one time or another including tonight for the first time
-we're in live in New Zealand. -[Tazz] Oh, really?
[Michael] Hometown of WWE legend, Tony Garea.
[Tazz] I remember him.
[Michael] And look at JBL caught in midair by the Big Show.
The champion in trouble
and Big Show extremely focused in the early going.
[Tazz] Oh, my God.
[Michael] Four hundred seventy pound leg drop.
Here's the cover
and Kurt Angle heads to break up the three count
because a pinfall there would give the title to the Big Show.
[Tazz] And the Big Show dropping
that big redwood on the neck of JBL.
And Kurt Angle hooking that front headlock there.
[Michael] Big headbutt by Big Show driving Angle to the corner.
And this is like being hit in the chest by a frying pan or a skillet.
[Tazz] Crushed his sternum.
[Michael] Oh, and a right hand.
And Big Show dominating in the early going.
[Tazz] Well, Big Show, what he's doing is,
-he's taking advantage-- -[Michael] That's very smart.
Thumb to the eye by the champion.
[Tazz] I was gonna say he's taking advantage, Big Show,
of the pain that these guys went through from that Last Mand Standing match.
[Michael] JBL trying to suplex the 470 pounder
and he gets some of his own to pay for it.
[Tazz] Nice technique too of popping those hips
by the 500-pound largest athlete in the world.
[Michael] Big Boot 22.5 E into the skull of Kurt Angle.
[Tazz] Show is dominating and not surprising either.
[Michael] Big Show with that bandage on his forehead,
-the wounds from two weeks ago. -[Tazz] Watch out.
-[Michael] And look at this. -[Tazz] Oh, man.
[Michael] JBL and Kurt Angle over the top rope and how dominating
has the Big Show been in the early going.
[Tazz] Big Show got a big old grin on that big face and that big, large head.
And Big Show feeling good and I don't blame him.
Watch out here, right up front on the tables here.
[Michael] A straight right hand in the champion.
Again it was Kurt Angle and JBL a couple of weeks ago
along with their protegés and their cabinet
who went seven on one, causing the Big Show injuries
including that shot to the steel steps to his head.
[Tazz] Watch out. Look at this.
[Michael] JBL head first up the steel post.
-Kurt Angle-- -[Tazz] What's Kurt got-- Oh, wow.
Kurt was-- He probably knows Kurt was trying
to take that German suplex.
Uh-oh. Oh, what-- And what is Big Show doing?
-[Michael] Big Show… -[Tazz] I don't know what he's doing.
I don't-- I have no clue what he's doing here.
[Michael] He's moving the steel steps and this is a little too close
for comfort, ladies and gentlemen.
And Big-- JBL, the champion.
[Tazz] But I'll tell you what Big Show is hammering JBL there.
[Michael] And now Big Show clearing out the announce table.
This is not good.
Yeah, right out here in front of us.
For the champion JBL.
Big Show is just-- He's not in a rush.
He knows he's got Angle and JBL down and out.
And he's got us up a tree here.
[Michael] What are the plans?
What are the thoughts coming from the head of Big Show?
-I don't know but-- Oh, man. -[Michael] Oh, my God.
I think I got an idea now what the hell is gonna--
[Michael] Big Show on the top of the steel steps.
-Angle. -[Tazz] Oh, man.
[Michael] What a low blow perfectly legally in this matchup.
Angle with a low blow, television monitor--
Oh, no, no, man.
[Tazz] Off the skull of the Big Show.
-[Michael] Watch it. The Big Show. -Oh, my God.
Right through the table.
The Big Show teetered for a moment, lost his balance
and went crashing through the table at ringside.
And perhaps Kurt Angle has eliminated the most important part
of this matchup, the toughest part in the matchup for him and the champion.
[Tazz] Big Show is out, man. He's out cold, I'm telling you.
[Michael] And now it allows Kurt Angle to go on the attack,
on JBL, the champion here at ring side.
[Tazz] Well, this is like a continuation from SmackDown
in that Last Man Standing match.
[Michael] Kurt Angle driving an elbow to the back of the neck of JBL
and a clubbing blow to the back by the champion.
It's now down to a one-on-one matchup, JBL and Kurt Angle.
JBL and Kurt Angle two weeks ago wanted a one-on-one matchup
and I believe they may have gotten it now.
Textbook arm drag into an arm bar by the Olympic gold medalist.
[Tazz] Let's take another look at this.
The-- the TV monitor to the head of the Big Show.
[indistinct chatter]
[Tazz] Let's take a look at what he was trying to-- wow.
Right down.
Man, I thought for minute he was gonna keep his balance.
He was out cold on his feet.
[Michael] Now double leg take down by Kurt Angle
quickly into the arm bar again.
[Tazz] He's got a key lock, first from top wrist lock on,
it's going to be all torqued back now.
[Michael] Tazz gonna rip your elbow up.
I'll tell you Kurt Angle is focused ever since taking out the Big Show.
But the champion with the right hand.
And if you have these two opponents, Tazz, you would have got to do
everything you can to put this matchup away
while the Big Show is down and out.
[Tazz] You're not kidding, my man and right there, that clothesline,
Kurt Angle had nowhere to go because--
I'll tell you, I don't think Big Show is coming back any time soon.
Well, I just glanced down at the man and he's out like a damn light.
[Michael] He has not moved since going through the table.
Nobody home for the champion and look at this.
-[Tazz] Here we go. -[Michael] German suplex.
And Kurt Angle keeps the hands locked, the arms around the waist.
[Tazz] That's one and the fingers all locked
and Kurt is trying to pop those hips.
He's rolling, Angle is rolling right here now.
[Michael] Well, JBL learned his lesson Thursday night on SmackDown
when he suffered eight German suplexes at the hands of Angle.
[Tazz] Watch out, watch out, watch out.
[Michael] He was going for the Clothesline from Hell.
[Tazz] Here it is.
[Michael] And a counter by Kurt Angle into a German of his own.
[Tazz] I'm telling you right now, Kurt Angle knew
that this past Thursday on SmackDown, those German suplexes took something outta
JBL and now the straps are down and Kurt's going for the kill.
[Michael] And Tazz, what you just saw was Kurt Angle looking back here
at ring side to make sure Big Show is down.
Went for the Angle Slam, JBL with a boot to the jaw,
the Champion knocks Angle down, elbow drop, here's the cover
and Kurt Angle kicks out.
Again the first man to take up a pinfall or submission will win this matchup
and be WWE Champion.
[Tazz] What a match, Cole, what a match.
-Oh, look, look. -[Michael] Big Show is stirring,
-Big Show is back in the ring. -[Tazz] He's back in?
-[Tazz] How the hell? I can't believe it. -And JBL can't believe it either.
And there's a double clothesline by the big man.
[Tazz] Oh, man.
[Michael] Headbutts galore by the Big Show.
The champion knocked down, Kurt Angle knocked down.
Big Show came in here to prove a point and he's taking it out.
[Tazz] He's dominating-- Oh, my God. He's stacking them up.
-Wow. -[Michael] Big Show is fired up.
[Tazz] The largest athlete in the world
is focused on becoming the WWE champion.
[Michael] JBL, Irish whip across the ring, into the corner.
Both his opponents in deep trouble and the 470 pound--
[Michael] Watch out.
[Michael] That's like a Mack truck running you down on a highway.
-[Tazz] My God. -[Michael] Double clothesline again.
Both men in deep, deep trouble.
And talking about straps being down.
[Tazz] Well, Big Show saying that JBL is gonna go for a ride
and I think he's saying Kurt Angle is as well.
Double choke here. Nice.
[Michael] And Kurt Angle, a shot to the knee.
[Tazz] Right in the knee, yeah.
-Look at that. -[Michael] A Clothesline from Hell
as Kurt Angle took out the knee of the Big Show.
[Tazz] Yeah, Kurt with a low clip
and then a Clothesline from Hell on top by JBL.
I don't think that was teamwork, that just was coincidence.
And now JBL and Kurt Angle back to their feet.
And look at this.
[Michael] It's the German, I'm telling you.
Kurt Angle trying to take out Bradshaw
-To take advantage-- -[Tazz] He got him, he got him.
[Michael] And Big Show kicked out with authority.
[Tazz] What a match, man. Wow.
[Michael] Kurt Angle, Angle slam.
The 470-pound Angle slam but Angle may have hurt
his back delivering it.
Boot to the jaw.
[Tazz] What a shot.
[Michael] Look at JBL, look at him taking advantage at Kurt Angle maybe--
He's got him, and Big Show at two and a half kicks out.
[Tazz] I'll tell you what,
you got to wonder what is left in JBL's tank.
[Tazz] After just coming off the Last Man Standing
and this brutal, brutal matchup here.
[Michael] You got to wonder what's left in Big Show's tank.
[Tazz] Well, I don't know what's left in his tank
but JBL is going for something here.
[Michael] Oh, JBL caught.
[Tazz] JBL got caught. Big Show's got him.
-Look at this. -[Michael] Chokeslam.
And it could be over.
-[Tazz] New champ! -New Champion right here.
[Michael] But JBL with the wherewithal to get his foot on the bottom rope.
[Tazz] Great ring presence, sense of mind,
know where you are at all times in the ring.
That's why JBL is so smart and that's another reason
why he's a WWE Champion.
[Michael] Big Show with a frustration and disappointment in his eyes
for a split second but now his back on the attack.
[Tazz] Hey, Cole, I don't think JBL can counter on this here.
Watch out, watch out.
-[Michael] Oh, what the hell? -[crowd cheering]
-[Tazz] Oh, my God. -[Michael] Big Show driving Bradshaw
through that barricade, both men are down.
Can you believe the impact?
That was near 800 pounds driven through that barricade.
[Tazz] Okay, I don't think I've ever seen anything like that.
[Michael] That is almost a half a ton of human beings
-going through that barricade. -[Tazz] Look at this.
[crowd cheering]
[Tazz] Let's take another look at this from another angle here.
Look at this shot here, look at this. Oh, my God. Oh, my God.
[Michael] The barricades, ladies and gentlemen, are made of steel.
[Tazz] Well, we're just back live now.
Yeah, underneath that thin cushion, there is steel there,
I mean I can't-- Look at-- Wait, a minute.
[Michael] Wait a minute, Kurt Angle. Kurt Angle with that steel chair
in the ring and Big Show and JBL have no clue.
[Tazz] Cole, I think Kurt's trying to hide the chair.
[crowd cheering]
[Tazz] Well, now what's gonna happen? You got JBL…
[Michael] I think the champion is out cold. Uh-oh.
I believe the champion is out cold, as Big Show realizes
Kurt Angle is in the ring.
[Tazz] Yeah, and Big Show I think wants some of Kurt.
Big Show knows all he's got to do which is not easy
is beat Angle on his own and Big Show is the new Champion,
new WWE Champion.
[Michael] Abd Tazz, do you see the Bashams, the co-secretaries of defense
-coming down, and wait a minute. -[Tazz] Uh-oh.
-[Tazz] What was that? What was that? -Kurt Angle with that steel chair.
[Tazz] Oh, my God!
[Michael] Nose first, Kurt Angle's skull off that steel chair
as the EMTs come out to the aid of the champion.
-[Tazz] Wait a minute. New champ! -[Michael] Big Show cover.
And away. And look at that,
that's Mark Jindrak, Angle's protégé,
-pulling the referee out of the ring. -[Tazz] Well, that's how protégés act.
[Michael] And look at Luther Reigns, Angle's other protégé.
[Tazz] It's a trap.
How could it be a trap? Maybe it was, I don't know,
but pretty smart by Kurt Angle's camp right there.
[Michael] And now Reigns and Jindrak, the double team on the Big Show.
And now you see Orlando Jordan, the cabinet of JBL.
[Tazz] Well, we got to point out too, Cole.
There's no disqualification here in this matchup.
[Michael] No, but the concern is for the champion, JBL's cabinet's
out here along with the EMTs.
[Tazz] Well, Bradshaw is out of this, man. I mean JBL is out.
They're gonna put JBL on a board out there, the EMTs.
[Michael] Luther Reigns and Mark Jindrak are out as well and Orlando Jordan…
[Tazz] They're not in the match, I mean, I'm just saying.
What the hell is going on here?
[Michael] Orlando Jordan's got the champion.
What is the chief of staff doing? Wait a minute.
-[Tazz] He's thrown JBL back to the ring. -[Michael] JBL is back in the ring.
Kurt Angle is to his feet.
JBL with a Clothesline from Hell.
He's gonna steal this thing. JBL is gonna steal the match.
-[Tazz] One, two, three. -[bell ringing]
[Michael] He did it again. He stole another damn title match.
[Tazz] Genius.
[Tony] Here is your winner and still WWE Champion,
John Bradshaw Layfield.
[Michael] And the Big Show's expression says it all,
"You've got to be kidding me. You have got to be kidding me."
JBL survived again!
[Tazz] I don't know about survive, Cole.
I thought it was a valiant effort kind of, in my opinion.
But I kind of get what you're saying but the cabinet's excited,
JBL retains the title.
-Amazing. -[Michael] A valiant effort?
I don't even believe JBL knew where he was.
I believe he delivered the Clothesline from Hell
on straight instinct.
There's the man, the Big Show who should be WWE Champion
if Angle's proteges didn't pull the damn referee out of the ring.
[Tazz] Well, an extremely very impressive performance
by the Big Show tonight, that's for sure.
[Michael] When JBL delivered the Clothesline from Hell,
the Big Show was taken out by the cabinet members and Angle's guys.
[Tazz] This is what-- Meanwhile this was going on right here,
check out what was going on here, Orlando, the chief of staff
was chucking JBL back in the ring and this is pure instinct
by the champion.
[Tazz] Oh, yeah, he's brilliant. It's brilliant.
I'm telling you, Clothesline from Hell and out of nowhere.
[Michael] But Tazz, the bottom line again is JBL survived.
This Champion is a survivor thanks to his cabinet here tonight.
-[indistinct chatter] -[crowd cheering]
Hey, hey, big man, Batista, look at you, man, you're a monster.
-Like a machine. -That's cool, man.
-It is cool. I know I'm cool. -You're cool.
Yeah, and check this out.
This is cool, why don't you sign my petition
to get rid of Theodore Long as the general manager of SmackDown.
Why don't you take this pen right here in your hand, man?
Well, I don't think so, man.
Good luck with your work. I'm not gonna sign it.
-You're not gonna sign it? -No.
Okay.
You watched Raw last week?
Yeah.
Did you see what I did with that flagpole?
Yeah?
Imagine what I could do with your little petition.
-[laughs] Just kidding, man. -Good luck with your petition.
Yeah. Thank you. Thank you. Okay. Take it easy.
What the hell kind of Championship Match you call that?
We had like a hundred people interfering.
What are you talking about?
Like your World Championship Match isn't gonna have a ton of interference.
Everybody knows that Evolution is gonna get involved.
Batista, you can even ask him, he can tell you that.
Yeah, well, I'll tell you what I'm gonna do.
-I'm just came to get my number, man. -What I'm gonna do.
What are you gonna do?
Raw's championship match, Evolution is banned from ring side.
-Really? -Is that right?
That's right, Batista and my decision is final.
The only question is,
do you wanna tell Triple H or would you like me to?
No, I'll tell him.
-[crowd cheering] -You know something?
For once, you've done something right.
[Ross] There is only one WrestleMania, ladies and gentlemen.
WrestleMania goes Hollywood.
WrestleMania XXI sold out in Los Angeles in a matter of moments.
Sixty-three days away. I can't wait, King.
[Jerry] And fortunately, there's only one Eugene
still causing trouble back at the home.
No doubt about it. Well, ladies and gentlemen,
coming up, the Raw main event for the World Heavyweight Championship.
I got to think huge news, Eric Bischoff, our general manager just said,
"No Evolution members at ringside." They have been barred.
It will be one-on-one.
And what about the look on the face of Batista?
I think he's gonna get some kind of pleasure
in giving that news to Triple H.
Would seem that way perhaps.
But Ladies and gentlemen, we've been waiting a long time
for Randy Orton to get the opportunity to get back in the hunt.
Of course, now, King, there you see--
[Jerry] Yeah, listen J.R., Listen up for a second.
That's the official theme song of the Royal Rumble.
It's "Find the Real" by Alter Bridge. And it's available right now.
[Ross] Yeah, so, they say. Ladies and gentlemen,
Randy Orton, the number one contender for the World's Heavyweight title
against The Cerebral Assassin.
This is gonna be an awesome, now one-on-one main event.
And let's go back to the Elimination Chamber
and see the latest installment between these two.
[Triple H] Ten tons of steel, two miles of chain,
five of the greatest wrestlers
in the history of this business and yet here I stand,
the World Heavyweight Champion.
[Randy] Triple H, you pinned me in the Elimination Chamber
with Batista's help after he had been eliminated.
I demand a rematch
for the World Heavyweight Championship.
I agree, tonight we're gonna have a No. 1 Contender's Match.
It'll be Batista versus Randy Orton.
[Ross] Oh! Orton just smashed Batista and the cover, pinning--
[Jerry] Wait. What? No.
-[Ross] Yes, he did it. -[Jerry] No way.
[Ross] Randy Orton is the No. 1 contender for the World's Heavyweight title.
[Randy] The single greatest moment of my life happened at SummerSlam…
because right here in this ring
I became the youngest World Champion in history.
[Jerry] Randy Orton, the man of destiny.
[Randy] Now everything I dreamt of, everything I worked, oh, so hard for
was taken away from me by one man, Triple H.
[Triple H] Orton made a choice.
The choice was to take the World Heavyweight Championship.
My World Heavyweight Championship.
And the beating that you took was a consequence of the decisions
that you made and you've suffered for it too, haven't you, Randy?
Well, trust me, you're gonna suffer some more.
[Ross] At the Royal Rumble, it will be Triple H defending
the World Heavyweight title against Randy Orton.
What a main event.
[Randy] Triple H, I want it all back.
[Triple H] Randy Orton, I brought you into this world
and I will take you out of this world.
[Randy] I'm gonna beat you and once again
become the World Heavyweight Champion.
[Jerry] Look at the look of Triple H's face.
He's seeing right into his future.
[Ross] Is it Orton's destiny to regain the World Heavyweight title?
[Triple H] I don't believe in destiny.
[Randy] I want back my pride, I want my blood and I want my title.
[Jerry] Is it Orton's destiny?
["Burn In My Light" playing]
[bell ringing]
[Howard] The following contest scheduled for one-fall
is for the World Heavyweight Championship.
Introducing first the challenger from St. Louis, Missouri,
weighing 260 pounds, Randy Orton.
[Ross] The time is here now for the 24-year-old Randy Orton
to step up one more level again and regain the World Heavyweight Title.
King, I talked to his dad, Bob Orton Jr., during in the week.
Mom and dad are watching back from St. Louis.
They're gonna be somewhere in the edge of their seat.
I know I would if my son was competing for the richest prize
in this business, the World Heavyweight title.
[Jerry] Well, he's done it before.
Certainly, he's capable of doing it again but mom and dad
back in St. Louis aren't gonna be able to help Randy Orton tonight.
He's gonna have to take this title himself.
Is he a man of destiny or is he destined to be looking up at the lights
at the hands of Triple H again?
["My Time" playing]
[Howard] Representing Evolution
from Greenwich, Connecticut, weighing 275 pounds,
the World Heavyweight Champion, Triple H.
[Ross] Well, as far as this man is concerned,
his life revolves around the center by being the World's Heavyweight Champion.
[Jerry] Well, there's nothing more important in life to Triple H
than being the World Heavyweight Champion. It's what he's all about.
He said it's what's defines him.
[Ross] King, you know you might very well say the same thing
for young Randy Orton.
The third-generation superstar.
Young man that was bred to be a champion.
He has tasted it once back at SummerSlam 2004.
Orton has fought his way back into the hunt.
The Game regained the world title inside the Elimination Chamber
earlier this month.
[Jerry] Well, the way you describe Orton, he's a guy
with a wonderful future behind him.
He had the world at his fingertips when he was part of Evolution.
Look at him. He threw it all away himself. He's got nobody to blame but himself.
Oh, look at that shot.
[Ross] And the shadow of the champion.
Will Randy Orton step out of that shadow tonight
and regain his spot as the number one man in this business?
And remember ladies and gentlemen, again it is one on one
mandated by Eric Bischoff just moments ago,
-No Evolution at ring side. -[Jerry] All right.
You can imagine, I mean whatever plan that Triple H was talking to Batista
and Flair about earlier in the evening.
I mean it went right on the window instantly at the hands of Eric Bischoff.
But still J.R., I think there was some sort of smile
on the face of Batista when--
I woulda loved to have been a fly on the wall
when Batista told Triple H that news.
[Ross] It may have shaken Triple H's confidence
and certainly has altered his strategy one would have to assume.
There's no back up, it's only one on one.
You notice Randy Orton's left leg is taped?
That's the result of the beating that he survived I underscore,
this past week on Raw.
[crowd cheering]
One fall here, seeing the referee Earl Hebner
and that's what it's all about folks, the World Heavyweight title.
Only two men in the history of our business
have been World Champion more than Triple H.
They're both Hall of Famers, Hollywood Hogan and Ric Flair.
That's where Triple H stands right now in the history of this business.
-[indistinct chatter] -[crowd cheering]
[Ross] Randy Orton not to be intimidated.
[Jerry] Obviously, I didn't hear
what Triple H was saying but I can guarantee you one thing,
obviously Randy Orton didn't like him. He took big time to slap him.
[Ross] Arms still unlock by the 24-year-old Randy Orton.
He looks to be doing quite well on that bummed knee.
And Orton now with the back slide.
With a quick pin here for the cover,
and Orton for the pinning combination early,
Orton scores to the right and a left and another right hand.
And the No. 1 Contender for the world's title
-is starting out quickly. -[Jerry] See this.
Oh, my God.
[Ross] Triple H up in the lights here in Fresno,
full capacity crowd on hand here at the Royal Rumble.
[Jerry] He launched the game, look out, RKO, RKO.
[Ross] And Triple H must have saw his life flash before his eyes there.
[Jerry] Well, the title flash before his eyes.
Orton was obviously trying to end this thing early.
[Ross] His life feels the title. The title is his life.
And Orton now cannot win by count out. He must keep that in mind.
The young man, there he is shoving Triple H
back in the ring.
-[Jerry] Look like-- like a hell. -[Ross] Went to a dropkick, will it be?
Will it be? A hook to the leg…
Orton got another near-fall following that dropkick.
Referee signifying only he had two count. I say--
[Jerry] How long is this match been going?
Maybe around a minute?
And we've had already had two near-falls by Orton.
[Ross] And clearly the aggressor in this match.
Hard right hand taking Triple H down to that knee in the corner.
Long straight right hands.
Referee, he's got to be very, very careful,
he doesn't get disqualified here.
[Jerry] You're right. He's got to be careful,
because if ever anyone had an opportunity,
I mean a rare opportunity to beat Triple H because it's one-on-one,
Orton's got that opportunity here tonight.
[Ross] Some say that Randy Orton has The Game's number.
In the last five week,. Orton has defeated every member
of Evolution in one-on-one matches.
[Jerry] Well, you're the one that's been saying it.
[Ross] I'm not the only one, by the way.
Triple H now mounting that second rope and hammering down
at the challenger and Orton--
-[Jerry] Look out. -[Ross] Orton using snake eyes,
dropping Triple H face first into that top turnbuckle.
-[Jerry] Well, let me tell you something. -That's a devastating move right there.
-I tell you. -[Jerry] Oh, I realized that.
-And Orton, once again-- -[Jerry] RKO! What a counter.
I was really worried about The Game.
I was about to say he looks wobbly legged,
but look at that-- What a counter that-- to that RKO by The Game.
[Ross] Surely a desperation attempt by Triple H to counter.
[Jerry] Look at this one more time.
Randy Orton, he wanted to end this thing early, going for the RKO.
He just catapulted him right over the top rope onto the floor.
[Ross] Orton laying on that SmackDown announce table.
[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] Where's the Smack-- where's Tazz and Cole?
-Where are they now? -[indistinct chatter]
[crowd cheering]
[Ross] Triple H is surveying the territory here.
Triple H would be more than pleased to win this matchup by count out
which I think that we would but Randy Orton has been so incapacitated
that Triple H is-- It's going to be easy pickings here.
There may not be true. But then again I might be wrong.
-[Jerry] You might be wrong. -[crowd cheering]
[Ross] What an impact that was.
That put an explanation point on Orton's…
-problems on the outside. -[Jerry] Look at that.
What a mocking going on here tonight.
That's why they call this man The Cerebral Assassin, J.R.
He's always thinking, he's always one step ahead of his opponent.
[Ross] Well, referee has got a count going right now.
Randy Orton gonna think about getting back in the ring sooner than later.
[Jerry] Orton's thinking about his shoulder right now,
tripping on those steel steps.
[Ross] Triple H--
That move right there may come back to backfire on The Game.
I think the referee's up to about the count of five.
Well, you know Triple H just broke that count.
I don't know if Orton will make it back in if he wouldn't.
[Jerry] I thought you're talking about the move where Triple H--
he drove him into those steps.
[Ross] Have it away, maybe I'm wrong.
In the event Triple H--
He just wants to beat Randy Orton by pinfall or submission.
-Look at the blatant choke. Ref counting. -One, two. Come on, Hunter.
Knock it off. Come on. One, two, three, four.
[Jerry] Know what I'm thinking, we may have already witnessed
the best of Randy Orton here tonight.
He was pretty good there for about, what? Three and a half minutes?
[Ross] Well, great offensive flurry here in the early going,
but let's not count Randy Orton out yet.
[Jerry] Well, he had a wonderful future behind him.
Couple of near-falls, all that kind of stuff.
-Flash in the pan. -[Ross] Great right hand.
This has been a tough event for Triple H to master since winning
the Royal Rumble in 2002.
[Jerry] Triple H has seen them come and he's seen them go.
[Jerry] A boot right to the face.
Boot right to the face, don't think he saw any of that.
Now, right hand by Orton.
Orton has got to wrestle Triple H back in this thing
and Orton just… street fight style here, going upstairs.
-[crowd chanting] Randy sucks! -[Ross] And set for the ride.
-Oh no. -[Jerry] Good counter.
-Nice. -[Ross] That knee.
That left knee again, you see the tape on it.
Orton, if you watched Raw this past week--
[Jerry] That's why The Game is the Cerebral Assassin.
Of course, you know, you think Orton was trying to hide
that tape in the knee?
It didn't matter if he didn't wear that tape out here at all.
-The Game knows that-- -[Ross] Oh, look out here.
-Ring post. Look at that. -[groans]
[Ross] He likes using the ring post as an ally.
Wrapping Randy Orton's leg around the post
and now ripping at the face of the 24-year-old.
Orton still has that knee on the edge--
Watch this one more time.
This is Triple H's first shot at that damaged left leg of Randy Orton.
Certainly reminiscent of Ric Flair as he prepares for a figure-four leglock,
Orton's learned it well from Ric Flair.
[Jerry] Speaking of Flair, he may very well backstage
watching this in the locker room he can't be happy about his.
I know one thing he's just happy about being in the Royal Rumble.
[Ross] Certainly is. He must have locked his number whatever it was
and to drive back and look at Triple H.
No wrist locks, no hand locks, no headlocks,
only working on that left knee.
[Jerry] He don't need wrist locks, hammer locks, when he does--
he does that but believe me, he's got him at the knee.
[Ross] All I'm saying my point is The Cerebral Assassin
has a strategy now and that is to continue to damage the knee of Randy Orton.
If Orton had an advantage in quickness and speed, he has lost it.
[Jerry] Watch this.
[Ross] Oh no, working that knee cap,
that knee off, certainly right in the canvas.
Triple H is not wasting any motion here. Knows exactly what he's doing.
-No. No. -[Ross] He likes hurting people,
he likes hurting people's feelings. He likes ruining moments.
And ruining this moment like this for Randy Orton
-would make Triple H's day. -[groans]
[Jerry] I like Randy Orton, he's a nice guy.
He had his moment early on. He looked good for a few minutes.
He should be happy with that.
[groans]
[Ross] Using his left knee as a post there.
-That's a very intense angle. -[Jerry] Hold on. Watch the hair pull.
[Ross] He's trying to free himself anyway he can here.
And that leg of Orton has turned to a really ugly Angle.
[Jerry] You really have a way of spinning--
[Ross] Again that knee drop to the-- Triple H driving his knee
into the knee of Randy Orton and Orton is damaged goods right now.
He'd be lucky if he could even stand.
[Jerry] You see, if he had just stuck with Evolution.
Instead, no, it's…
[Ross] He's got him! Orton has got him. He's got him.
Orton countered with that inside cradle and The Game goes right back to the knee.
The Game going right back to the knee and now Triple H with a figure four.
-[crowd cheers] -You hear the "Whoos" from the crowd.
[Jerry] That's right, reminiscent of the legendary Flair himself.
Come on, tap out.
[Ross] Orton being punished here with that figure-four leglock.
-[crowd cheering] -[Ross] Orton seems to be trying to--
-laceration on his hand as well-- -[Jerry] Add a little insult to injury.
[Ross] That's the main thing right now. He's working on that knee
and figure-four is a painful, painful maneuver.
[Jerry] Watch it Game, he's trying to get to the ropes.
[Ross] Orton is about 6'4 reaching as hard as he can.
Triple H trying to sit back and not let Orton
get any closer to the ropes.
[Jerry] He'll tear your knee right in a second, you better tap.
[Ross] The World Heavyweight title on the line here.
The challenger in trouble.
After a very fast offensive start.
-Shoulders down. -[Jerry] The referee counting.
[Ross] And got a two and a half.
-Triple H maintaining control. -[grunts]
-[Jerry] Just touch it. -[Ross] Orton reaching, you see it there.
So close.
You got to hold them.
He can't come and look at Triple H with a smart move
bringing Orton back to the center of the ring.
[Jerry] The game applying all the pressure once again-- He tapped?
-He tapped? -[Ross] Look at his hand.
-[Jerry] Was that a tap. -[Ross] Orton could tap and say, "I quit."
But the bottom line here is that if Orton can survive,
I don't know that he can.
Shoulders are down and pain's gotta be riveting--
And there's another near-fall.
[Jerry] I'm going to tell you something,
the figure-four is at least to me anyway, I mean,
it's one of the most painful holds you can get in
and that's when you got two good legs.
Orton with the damaged knee. Look at this.
[Ross] Triple h adding a little insult to the already-- To the injury now.
Orton may have-- That may have rejuvenated Randy Orton.
Orton trying to reverse the pressure of the Figure-Four.
[Jerry] Oh no, I think maybe Triple H may have outthought himself there
and he outsmarted his own self.
He got Orton fired up. Look out. No, no, no.
[Ross] And now Triple H is being punished.
Orton without a turn into almost a version of an Indian Deathlock.
-[Jerry] He's on the ropes. -[Ross] Triple H quickly into the ropes.
Referee is quickly breaking the hold but damage has been done to Orton
but Triple H got a taste of it as well.
[Jerry] Yeah. But a lot more damage done to Orton, come on, Game.
[Ross] Triple H trying to shake that feeling and the blood flow back
in that leg and Randy Orton is yet to regain his feet.
Not sure if Orton can, and if he does how effective will he be?
[Jerry] Yeah. He even tried to get back up on his feet.
-I don't think he's going too now. -[groans] Oh, God.
[Ross] Triple H driving aggressive, viciously his knee
right into leg of Randy Orton and Orton is writhing there in pain.
-[crowd cheers] -[groans]
And Orton's leg break off that apron and Randy Orton is just--
It maybe not just a matter of time until the referee either stops this match
or Orton is unable to continue.
[crowd cheering]
-[Jerry] Look out. -[Carlos] I love you, man.
[Ross] Hugo and Carlos, our Spanish announce team.
[Jerry] I think one of them-- I think Carlos took
a cheap shot at Triple H there.
[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] Be careful, Tazz and Cole down there, WWE's two airbags.
[Ross] Triple H is out, and now the count of the referee will count Randy Orton.
Orton trying to get up. He is still yet to get on his feet.
Orton still on his knees. Now he's up to one knee.
That's the best Orton has been vertical or horizontal.
-[Jerry] And he's up. He's finally up. -[Ross] He's finally up.
Orton, out of desperation hits that modified backbreaker of his.
[Jerry] And that wasn't smart. That was dumb.
He hurt himself even more.
[Ross] Maybe not, king. Maybe not.
Orton has a lot of confidence. Remember, he's only 24 years old.
He believes he can, he knows he can, he's been there before.
Can he do it tonight?
And Orton again fighting back in this thing.
You know, I guess at 24, you have tremendous recuperating powers.
[Jerry] He started smiling like he did
when Stacy Keibler planted that kiss on his face.
Now look at this.
[Ross] Downstairs, upstairs, downstairs, body shots. Now to the face.
[Jerry] Come on, ref. Get in there. This is not a boxing match.
[Ross] If it were the referee would have stopped it.
Triple H couldn't defend himself.
Reversal with the Irish Whip.
[Jerry] Oh, no. Oh, no. And Orton, swinging neck breaker.
-Orton for the cover. Orton for the title. -[Ross] No. Got a near fall.
Referee Earl in a good position there. Another modified neck breaker there.
Orton again with a hook of the leg. Orton…
[Jerry] I'd get out of the floor and get some-- Buy some time.
The game is off his game right now. This is not good.
[Ross] Orton showing great resilience.
And this time Orton set a little bit too early.
-[Jerry] There you go. -[Ross] And the game made him pay.
[Jerry] Look out. Orton with a powerslam, a powerslam.
[Ross] A hook and Orton couldn't lock his hands on the hook of the leg.
Triple H able to kick out at the last moment.
[Jerry] That was really close.
[Ross] World's Heavyweight Championship on the line here at the Royal Rumble.
A capacity crowd in Fresno, a worldwide audience looking on.
As Orton-- No. There you go.
[Jerry] And Orton in an atomic drop.
[Ross] And man from that second rope, you could only imagine the impact.
[Jerry] Boy, and just in time because you saw Orton was ready to start
teeing off on the game with those big right hands.
[Ross] That was a cerebral move by the World Heavyweight Champion.
Certainly a seesaw matchup, ladies and gentlemen,
for the World Heavyweight title.
The momentum has changed on several occasions.
[Jerry] Watch Triple H. He sees it. He sees it.
[Ross] And this may not be the-- Maybe it is.
-No, it's not. -[Jerry] Oh, no.
[Ross] An arm drag off the top.
That was an arm drag off the top rope.
Triple H normally doesn't take those chances.
[Jerry] And Orton look like he's gonna try to take a chance here.
[Ross] Well, it didn't work for Triple H, the World's Champion.
Will it work for the challenger?
[Jerry] Come on, game, get up, make him pay.
This is a stupid thing for Orton to do. I can tell you that right now.
[Ross] Orton from the top. Crossbody, the crossbody, with a pin.
-[Jerry] No. -[crowd cheering]
-[Ross] Man, what a crossbody off the top. -[Jerry] Orton thinks that was a three.
Pretty damn close, wasn't it?
[Ross] That was an awesome crossbody off the top.
Orton thought he had the three.
Shades of Ricky "the Dragon" Steamboat off the top rope and that hook of the leg.
Triple H barely-- And I mean, barely, folks, able to kick out.
The world's title was a second away from changing hands here.
-A facebuster. -[Jerry] Oh, yes.
[Ross] Triple H with that facebuster, a very unique and timely counter
by the World's Heavyweight Champion.
-[Jerry] Now, here you go. -[Ross] Pedigree time.
[Jerry] Well, this is pedigree time.
[Ross] Randy Orton has got a pedigree. He's gonna get a…
-[Jerry] There we are-- Oh, no. -[Ross] A counter. Pedigree countered.
[Jerry] Catapult.
-[Ross] And the game meets the turnbuckle. -[crowd cheers]
-[Jerry] Oh, no. -[Ross] Orton, Orton's ready.
[Jerry] Look out, game. He's gonna do it.
[Ross] RKO. Triple H countered the RKO for the third time in this match.
[Jerry] There you go. Harley race knee. Right in the sternum of Randy Orton.
[Ross] Triple H taking Orton down. The Champion with an arm over.
-The count. -[Jerry] He got him.
[Ross] And another near fall.
This world title match, full of near falls from both men.
[Jerry] And I'll tell you, a lot has been taken out
of both of these great athletes. Get up. Get up. Get up, Game.
Who's gonna win this thing now, J.R.?
[Ross] Orton as he fought through the pain and the difficulty
of that knee in the-- And the bleeding from the mouth.
That shot-- Look at Orton's lip. You could tell where it's busted open.
[Jerry] I'll tell you, what a seesaw battle.
At first, it looked like Orton had this thing well at hand
then The Game took the momentum.
I thought the game had it for sure, now it's anybody's game.
[Ross] Orton tasting his own blood.
[Jerry] Come on, Game, You got to hit this.
-[Ross] Pedigree. -[Jerry] One pedigree could do it.
-[Ross] One pedigree will do it. -[crowd cheering]
-[Ross] The Game looking for the… -[Jerry] Hit it.
-[Ross] And Orton countered. Clothesline. -[Jerry] A big clothesline. A cover.
No.
[Ross] Orton couldn't get chest to chest.
[Jerry] That young, brash, cockiness of Orton.
Orton got all… I think he could have it if he had a better pin there.
[Ross] Well, you know, if he couldn't get it done.
Orton couldn't get chest to chest, but Orton's got to keep the momentum here.
Orton not giving Triple H any time to recoup.
I'd say, that's a smart move by the No. 1 Contender.
The Game's head bouncing off those steel steps.
You can feel and see and this crowd here in Fresno can sense
the momentum has changed drastically here.
[Jerry] I can't believe that Earl Hebner, our referee, our senior official,
will let Orton go out there, run our World Heavyweight Champion's head
into those steel steps.
[Ross] It's a championship match, damn it.
[Jerry] Well, you don't let that's why you can't let that happen.
[Ross] Well, this is not the Australian Open,
this is not Wimbledon.
And it ain't ballet. Right to the left. And another right hand.
That big right hand and that may have done it right there.
Triple H is gonna fall. He's gonna go down.
Look at this. Orton is holding The Game up.
-[Jerry] What is he waiting for? -[Ross] Orton is holding Triple H up.
[Jerry] He's punishing The Game. That is not right.
[Ross] Three thunderous right hands. Orton going for that DDT.
[Jerry] The Game was able to hook the rope.
Cerebral assassin once again.
[Ross] Orton going for that DDT and then he hit hard
and so did the champion, but…
-[Jerry] His mouth bleeding. -[Ross] He's not moving.
Look at Orton's eyes. His eyes…
[Jerry] Let me see that again.
The Cerebral Assassin blocking this DDT. Watch.
This could have been devastating if he would have hit this.
Look at the leg. That would have hit hard. So smart, J.R.
that Orton's head bounced right off the canvas.
-[Jerry] Yes, it did. -[Ross] He may have a concussion here.
That scrambled Orton's brains and I don't…
[Jerry] Well, if he knows where he's at.
[Earl] Four.
[Jerry] Orton, man, what a far away look in his eyes.
Randy Orton's head bouncing off that canvas.
[Jerry] He got those Krispy Kreme eyes, they're glazed over. He's history.
Get up, Game, you got him.
[Ross] Orton having trouble standing. His equilibrium has gone to hell.
[Jerry] Just count him out, referee.
[Ross] Referee taking a long look at things.
-[crowd cheering] -Randy!
Randy! Get in or I have to count you out.
Come on. Get in here. Let's go, Randy. Come on.
Come on.
[Ross] Good discretionary officiating by our senior official.
[Jerry] What do you mean that's good discretionary?
He should've already been getting up to a count of 30.
I've never something like that in my life.
[indistinct chatter]
Orton, and Orton right into the referee.
I'll tell you what, the right finally prevails.
Triple H drilling Orton
who subsequently smashed Earl Hebner, the referee.
And a shot right to the head, right in the back of the head
of a man with a-- who very easily could have a concussion.
And if Orton didn't have a concussion before,
my God, he's gotten one now.
[crowd cheering]
[Ross] Orton kicked squarely, firmly, stiffly in the back of the head.
And what is The Game doing?
-Oh, my God. -[Jerry] You got to be kidding me.
-Come on, The Game. -[Ross] Damn sledgehammer.
And Orton-- I don't-- does he see Triple H?
[Ross] Is this Triple H telling us that he can't beat Orton
in a wrestling match?
[Jerry] No, here's Triple H
telling you that he can beat Orton in a wrestling match.
[Ross] Then why does he need a sledgehammer?
Then why does he need a sledgehammer?
[Jerry] I can't look into the future.
I don't know what he's gonna do with that sledgehammer.
[Ross] Orton is not even defending himself.
I don't see if Orton can even focus on the game.
Orton can't defend himself.
Orton-- I don't think Orton sees the champion.
[crowd cheering]
-[Ross] And this is-- So easy picking. -[Jerry] Oh, no, no, no.
[Ross] Triple H face first into the ring post.
Triple H face first into the ring post. He may have broken his nose there.
-Triple H holding his face. -[Jerry] Orton was just buying some time.
-He was luring The Game in. -[Ross] That was instinctive.
I don't think Orton had that thought in mind. It was a--
I think-- I think Orton is still out.
[Ross] Orton is in another stratosphere. The referee is still down.
Triple H holding his face.
He may have broken his nose with the sledgehammer in the ring
and the world title is on the line.
Orton is in no condition, in my view, to continue.
[Jerry] What are we gonna do…
Try to get the referee to decide that.
I don't think the referee is in a condition to continue.
[Ross] It's so dangerous here with a man that very easily
and probably has a concussion.
-Sledge… -[Jerry] Wait a minute.
No, I think he is focusing on that hammer. I think Orton sees that hammer.
[Ross] Referee is down. Triple H is…
[Jerry] I think maybe he sees two or three or four hammers.
[Ross] Well, pick one…
[Jerry] Reach the one in the middle there. I think he's got it.
[Ross] And the sledgehammer. Oh, my God, and a clothesline.
Jesus Almighty, what a thunderous clothesline
right in the head of Randy Orton. And look at this kid's face.
I am not liking the look in Randy Orton's face.
He's 24 years old. He's hurting right here.
[Jerry] Watch and listen to this.
[Ross] Are you talking about getting run over by a truck?
[Jerry] Oh, you're right. The career could end.
[Ross] Enough is enough, Game. Enough is enough.
[Jerry] Orton's career could be ended.
[Ross] The referee has began to stir a little bit.
And I don't-- Triple H got rid of the smoking gun.
[Jerry] I don't think he needs it. He doesn't need it.
He realizes that.
[Ross] Orton's out. Orton is out.
I don't know if Orton can defend himself whatsoever here.
I think Triple H is picking Orton up.
-[Jerry] Deadweight. -[Ross] He's no doubt a deadweight.
There's a pedigree.
A pedigree to a man with a concussion.
The Game with a hook to the far leg. The referee's count.
-[crowd chanting] One, two, three. -And Triple H is still the World Champion.
["Ode to Joy" playing]
[Jerry] It's deafening, J.R.
[Howard] …and still the World Heavyweight Champion, Triple H.
[Jerry] There is a man with destiny in that ring now, but it's The Game.
[Ross] I had in my notes too, it was a Pedigree versus the RKO.
Orton never got to utilize the RKO, The Game did.
[Jerry] That man Orton is gonna need some medical attention. I have--
[Ross] I just don't have a good feeling about this in more ways than one.
[Jerry] Don't try to blame it on the sledgehammer.
-He never used a sledgehammer. -[Ross] I know. I'm aware of that.
-Wow. -[Jerry] That was impressive.
[Ross] It indeed it was. There's no doubt about it.
If Randy Orton gave us everything he had,
he had such a tremendous start offensively,
an awesome start to this match.
[Jerry] You know the bad thing was I think what really did the damage
was when Randy went for that DDT. He missed it.
He bounced his own head off the mat. Listen.
[Ross] The referee was asking Randy if he can continue.
Randy reaching for the sledgehammer.
I don't know how he focused on it. Orton barely able to stand and bam.
Wow. That's impact. That was a slobberknocker
of a clothesline and then the deadweight of Randy Orton,
face first into the canvas.
At that point, it was academic.
The ten-time World Champion came in the man, is leaving the man.
[Jerry] Well…
you got to be concerned about the health of Randy Orton,
possibly concussion, but what about the game?
[Ross] The question is,
who will Triple H be facing at WrestleMania?
That's the question I'm wondering now.
A hell of a match.
A hell of an effort, Triple H is still the champion.
[Jerry] Well, he'll probably be facing whoever wins the Rumble.
I got myself a spot in the Rumble.
This is gonna be perfect.
Hey, Kurt, what the hell you think you're doing?
That's my number for the Rumble. Not anymore.
Unless you wanna fight for it. Come on. [breathes sharply]
-Fantastic match, don't you think? -Fantastic. It was great.
Thank you.
And Teddy, that's how you conduct a championship match.
Well, you know something player, I have to give you your props.
That was a great match.
And with no outside interference, that made the match a lot better.
-Yes, it did. -Which gave me an idea.
-Well, I'll tell you what, I can't wait… -[indistinct cheers, chatter]
-You are the greatest champ. -What's up, nephew?
Hello, Mr. Bischoff, now, you are a real general manager.
[overlapping chatter]
-I'll even get you a 40 ounce. [laughs] -That's right, baby.
[overlapping chatter]
Hey, Amy looks good sober.
Can you imagine what she gonna look like after this bottle?
[all laughing, whooping]
We're having us a little party. Now, that's a general manager right there.
Hello, Mr. Bischoff,
-you're always welcome at our party. -I'm good. Congratulations.
What's up, my nephew? [laughs] Off the hizzle for shizzle.
I guess you can't even tell me thank you.
I'll even buy you a 40 ounce of malt.
You know something, since you're here JBL…
-Yes, I am. -…I just wanted to tell you
about your next WWE title match.
I'm not even sober after this one yet. Let me sober up first, player.
Let's talk about SmackDown.
-He just went through fire, baby. -Hey.
-Hold on a minute, player. -I smell like smoke. [laughs]
I'm gonna smell-- I'm gonna smell-- I smell like a champion.
Hey, let's talk about--
let's talk about SmackDown's next pay-per-view, No Way Out.
Why don't we talk about it tomorrow?
-I got a little drinking I got to do. -No. We're gonna talk about it tonight.
I got an escort service to call tonight.
Well, what's gonna happen at No Way Out,
you will face the man that you did not pin tonight,
the Big Show.
What's he gonna do, eat me? What's he gonna do?
I don't care if he's from the Jurassic Age,
Triassic Age, or the Chevy Classic Age,
I'm gonna beat Big Show like he's gonna eat a pizza.
Okay.
I'm the greatest ever. I'm the greatest-- I'm a wrestling god.
I've got one other thing to tell you, player.
Hey, I've got one other thing to say to you.
-I'm a wrestling god. -Like tonight,
there will be no outside interference at No Way Out.
What? And what to that either, I don't need it.
Because for the first time in the history of the WWE,
this match will be a barbed wire steel cage match.
How about that, player?
Did he just say…
Well, JBL called himself god-- a wrestling god. He may need God.
A first ever barbed wire steel cage match, February 20th
at No Way Out in Pittsburgh.
Let me tell you something, that takes barbaric to a new level.
Barbed wire steel cage, wow.
Well, that's three weeks away when SmackDown comes to you
at No Way Out from Pittsburgh on pay-per-view.
-But right now, are you ready, partner? -I'm ready.
It is time for the Royal Rumble match.
Tazz is gonna represent SmackDown and representing Raw,
none other than the legendary Jim Ross.
Turning it over to Jim at ringside.
-How are you doing, J.R.? -All right, Michael.
-You ready to go? -I'm ready to go.
-You feel good? -I feel good.
-All right. -I feel my hands too.
Let's see if you can keep up.
-I'll try. Don't worry about Okie. -Let's go.
Don't worry about Okie. I'll be all right.
All right. Here we go. Boom and center.
-[Howard] Ladies and gentlemen… -[laughs] Yeah. Go, Brooklyn.
…it is now time for the Royal Rumble match.
[crowd cheering]
[Howard] And here are the rules.
In just a moment, the individuals who drew numbers one and two
will enter this ring and the match will begin.
Then every 90 seconds thereafter,
another Raw or SmackDown superstar
enters the match according to the number he drew.
Elimination occurs when an individual is thrown over the top rope
and both feet must touch the floor.
The last man in this ring after all 29 others
had been eliminated will be the winner
and he will earn a championship match
-at WrestleMania. -[crowd cheering]
-["Viva La Raza" playing] -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] The stakes couldn't be higher, Tazz. Whoa.
And here comes the number one entrant.
[Tazz] Represent SmackDown, baby. All right, I'm good with that, J.R..
Yeah, no problem with Eddie Guerrero.
He's an amazing athlete.
-Looking to get back to the promised land. -[Howard] Introducing first,
representing SmackDown, from El Paso, Texas.
Weighing 228 pounds, Eddie Guerrero.
Something, J.R., in the last year,
Eddie Guerrero was in the main event of WrestleMania against Kurt Angle.
So, Eddie Guerrero, as we said, promised land,
knows what main event in WrestleMania is all about.
[Michael] There can be no better feeling.
I can only imagine to be in the main event at WrestleMania.
Eddie Guerrero has been there.
He's experienced it and now, he has a chance to go back.
-[crowd cheering] -[cheers, screams]
[Michael] All he's got to do is outlast 29 other men.
[Tazz] Well, it's happened before.
I mean, it's tough though. No doubt about it.
You know, he's looking good though.
[Michael] Let's see who number two is.
[Tazz] I'm ready. I'm-- Who's it gonna be?
-["Whatever" playing] -[crowd cheering]
-[Tazz laughs] -[Michael] Oh, this is gonna be good.
[Howard] Representing Raw,
from Atlanta, Georgia,
weighing 229 pounds, Chris Benoit.
[Michael] Benoit entered number one last year,
entering number two this year.
Last year, Benoit went coast to coast in winning the Royal Rumble, Tazz.
You and I called it from Philadelphia.
It came down between Benoit and the Big Show.
[Tazz] No doubt about it. At that time, Benoit was representing SmackDown.
Not no more, but I'll tell you what, no matter what--
SmackDown or Raw, there's only one Chris Benoit.
I'll tell you what though, J.R., what a way to kick off the Royal Rumble.
Benoit and Guerrero, one-on-one.
[Ross] I can watch Benoit and Guerrero wrestle every day.
-[Tazz] I'm with you. -[bell ringing]
[Ross] So, the object here, throw your opponent over the top rope.
Both your opponent's feet must touch the floor
in order to create an elimination.
[Tazz] These two men were… were… were best friends for years and years.
I mean, they know each other up and down the ropes together,
trained together, ate together, traveled together.
They… they know each other. That's my point.
[Ross] Benoit, one of three men in tonight's Rumble
that has previously won this match
and, uh, there you see him trying to get in position.
[Tazz] Oh, J.R., as you know, only one man could win this thing.
It's every man for himself.
[Tazz] Friend against friend, foe against foe, it doesn't matter.
[Ross] Both these two young men
very deservingly had their finest moments last year at WrestleMania 20.
They're trying to-- A nice arm takedown by Chris Benoit.
[Tazz] This is… this is the proverbial human right here, J.R.,
I mean, both of these men, so similar styles, so well versed.
And look that, trying to reverse that hammerlock.
[Ross] Guerrero holding on and no pinfalls, no submissions.
The only way for an elimination to occur is to be thrown over the top,
both feet touching the ground.
[Tazz] That's right. That's the name of the game.
-Get him over the top rope, win the game. -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Well, I guess Eddie maybe has the home field advantage.
[Ross] Nice… nice standard takeover.
Eddie Guerrero wrestling Chris Benoit here in the early going.
These guys are… are smoother than silk.
[Tazz] Eight, seven now…
[crowd] Five, four, three…
-[Ross] Who will be number three? -[crowd] …two, one!
-[buzzer buzzes] -[Tazz] Who is it?
["Getting Away With Murder" playing]
[Tazz laughs] The Tough Enough kid, Puder.
[Ross] Daniel Puder who won the one million dollar
Tough Enough and the right to enter the Rumble.
That was his-- Part of his winnings.
[Tazz] Exactly, J.R. I had a conversation with this young man a few weeks ago
and he flat out told me,
"Tazz, I've trained hard and I'm gonna win the Royal Rumble."
Let me tell you something, J.R., this kid is a little bit of a wisenheimer.
He's got no confidence going.
[Ross] Puder got in and made a U-turn.
-[Tazz] Now, what's he doing? -[Ross] I have no idea.
I just wanted everybody to know tonight that you are about to witness history.
[crowd cheering]
[Ross] We're gonna witness history, Tazz.
[Tazz] Told you he was a wisenheimer.
I am gonna be the first tough enough champion to win the Royal Rumble.
[Ross] That's a nice long talk from a rookie.
[Tazz] You know how it goes, J.R., I hope he brought his lunch.
[laughs] You know what I'm saying?
[Ross] Tough kid, I know that. His background is impressive
but, you know…
[Tazz] Well, this is his first big match, his first pay-per-view to WWE.
[Ross] He's hunting with the big dogs out here
with Eddie Guerrero and Chris Benoit, let me tell you.
[Tazz] He better not turn his back. He's gonna get whooped.
[Ross] Puder, uh, certainly doesn't have any shortness of confidence.
[Tazz] Well, he doesn't and-- Well--
Now, it looks like Guerrero and Benoit
-gonna make the response. -[crowd cheering]
[Ross] It may be every man for himself, but a little teamwork
by Guerrero and Benoit.
[Tazz] You say he doesn't have shortness of confidence, he--
After these chops, he's gonna shortness of pectoral muscle.
[Ross] By the way, let me welcome you to the WWE
-and this young man to the Royal Rumble. -[Tazz laughs] Yeah.
Well, he's a tough kid though.
He did win the Tough Enough, one million dollar Tough Enough.
Wow! A double suplex.
[Ross] Double vertical suplex, indeed Guerrero and Benoit,
these guys have been a great team.
They've been great adversaries, been great friends
and now, as we said, every man for himself,
I think that the ring is coming
-to a little woodchip with Daniel Puder. -[Michael] Yeah, I think you're right.
I mean, I don't think Puder-- Oh, my God. Oh, and a back suplex…
I don't think Puder helped his cause, J.R.,
by getting on the microphone and got his little--
Talking on a microphone and saying stuff he was saying
that he's gonna win this thing.
[Ross] Sometimes there's time to talk and sometimes a time to fight. And--
[Tazz] Well, one of the three amigos that's-- Look at the clock here.
-[crowd] Six, five, four, three, two… -[Ross] Our fourth entrant
-will be revealed now. -[buzzer ringing]
["How Do You Like Me Now" playing]
[Tazz] The hardcore one.
[Ross] Hardcore Holly representing SmackDown coming in at number four
and Hardcore likes nobody, but he hates rookies.
[Tazz] Damn skippy on that, J.R. I'll tell you one thing,
Hardcore likes is a fight and he likes beating on a rookie.
[Michael] Wait, wait, what's this?
[Ross] Hardcore says, uh, "If you guys don't mind, can I have him?"
[Tazz laughs] I think Fresno would like to see Hardcore have his way with Puder.
[Ross] You know, that's pretty self-explanatory, folks.
[Tazz laughs] Yeah.
I'll tell you what, there's a target on Puder's chest
and everyone loves to chop it.
Puder-- Puder is like-- [chuckles] Oh, man.
I've been chopped by Hardcore.
[Ross] This is the only time during the Rumble
where you see some guys step back
and watch somebody else dismantle another man.
[Tazz] Well, it's-- Well, it is every man for himself.
We've been over that, but Puder right now, he needs a small army real quick.
[Ross] Puder, uh, getting initiated…
in the stiffest and most intensive ways.
-Look at Puder's chest. -[Tazz] Yeah, it looks like, uh,
he's playing out in the sun here in Fresno.
[indistinct clamoring]
[Ross] The blood blisters, uh, rising to the pectoral region
of the million-dollar Tough Enough winner.
[Tazz] And look at this, Latino heat's gonna get a little choppy.
[crowd chanting]
[Tazz] J.R., I think that one knocked his areola off.
-[laughs] -[Tazz] I'm telling you.
[Ross] They could whack him in the eye with those damn areolas.
-[Ross] And-- uh-oh. Hardcore Holly… -[Tazz] Watch this.
[Ross] Well you can't get-- You cannot get disqualified in the Rumble.
[Tazz] Especially, uh,
if you've been talking in a high pitched voice for the rest of the year.
-[Ross] And the-- -[Tazz] Oh, man.
Look, there's the clock and there's Puder.
Oh, my God. Alabama slam.
[Ross] A long way from sweet home Alabama
-for Daniel Puder. -[buzzer ringing]
[Ross] And number five.
["Eye of the Hurricane" playing]
[Ross] Puder just got tossed out.
[Tazz] Sure thing, he's been eliminated.
[Ross] Puder is eliminated. The Hurricane got--
-Now, wait a minute. -[Tazz] Now look at this.
-[Ross] And Hardcore is eliminated. -[Tazz laughs]
Guerrero and Benoit working as a unit.
Here comes the superhero now.
He's got the green hair.
[Ross] And, uh, another shot there by Benoit.
Benoit hammering The Hurricane and…
-[Tazz] The forearm made by Benoit. -[Ross] Hurricane got here just in time
-to get the hell beat out of him. -[Tazz laughs] Yeah. Oh!
[Ross] Benoit and Guerrero-- Hey, wait, wait.
[Tazz] Oh, look at that. Look at Guerrero.
I knew it. I knew Guerrero was gonna be shady like that.
Lying, and cheating, and stealing.
[Ross] And Benoit taking severe exception
for Eddie Guerrero. Oh, man.
-[crowd cheering] -[Tazz] Daniel Puder.
Puder getting eliminated right there by Holly then.
After that, it's Benoit and Guerrero, a cohesive unit got rid of Holly.
Look at The Hurricane in trouble.
[Ross] Hurricane is set for the ride, follows with a reverse elbow
and a blockbuster maneuver by The Hurricane
and he's posing right now.
[Michael] Well, he was posing, now he got knocked down.
-Oh, nice chop again. -[Ross] Hard shot Benoit.
I thought Benoit and Guerrero might just wanna
dominate the ring and get down to the…
-to the final… -[Tazz] Yeah, well, look at this.
[Ross] Look at The Hurricane.
[Tazz] Well, let's accept it. He did slide by the way.
That's exactly what they're doing. That is the clock again
and Benoit and Guerrero…
[Ross] Severe weather alert.
The Hurricane has passed through.
[buzzer ringing]
-[Tazz] Who is it? Who is it? -["War Robe" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Ross] Tazz-- Well, that's Kenzo, Tazz.
[Tazz] Yeah, Kenzo Suzuki, the bronze warrior.
-[rock music playing] -[Tazz] And I'll tell you what,
this guy, he's tough. You got to watch him.
He's shady. He's got a wondering eye,
you know, he's gonna think you're… That's another story.
[Ross] The first Royal Rumble for Kenzo Suzuki
and the big man from Japan…
-[crowd cheering] -[Ross] …representing SmackDown
getting battered, bribed,
and maybe laid to the side before it's all said and done.
-[Tazz] Oh! -[Ross] And a dropkick by Guerrero.
[Tazz] Beautiful extension of the middle of Eddie Guerrero's body
with that dropkick. And a snap suplex.
Shades of the Dynamite Kid there.
[Ross] So, it looks like Benoit and Guerrero
are dominating every man no matter the--
What team they played for when they come into this Royal Rumble match.
[Tazz] Well, definitely. Now, Kenzo don't wanna have any more of this.
Be careful there, Kenzo.
And Kenzo's got, you know, he's fresher than Benoit and Guerrero.
[Ross] Benoit and Guerrero on the same page here at least, uh,
-for this, uh, chapter of the book. -[Tazz] Right, right. Absolutely.
[Ross] Guerrero can change books on you in a hurry.
[Tazz] Well, sooner or later
it's gonna come down to every man for himself, J.R.,
and that's how you win this damn thing. Whoa, whoa, whoa.
Go on to WrestleMania and an opportunity
to be in the main event with both Guerrero and--
[Ross] Oh, look out, and Guerrero,
-Guerrero holding on. -[Tazz] Oh man.
[Ross] Benoit returning the favor. Benoit…
[Tazz] His feet didn't come near the ground and there's the clock.
-[crowd] Six, five, four… -[Tazz] Who's next?
-Who's coming? -[crowd] …three, two, one!
-[buzzer ringing] -["Metalingus" playing]
[Ross] Well, look here, it's Edge.
Edge had beat Shawn Michaels earlier tonight by hook or crook
can realize the dream of a lifetime here.
[Tazz] What did he hit Benoit? Why did he hit a SmackDown guy?
-What's he teetering for? -[Ross] I don't think it matters to Edge.
Edge is all about Edge.
Edge is all about eliminating everybody he can
and going to the main event
at WrestleMania by winning the Rumble match.
[Tazz] That was impressive, the victory he got over Michaels
even though there was a little flurry involved,
but he did get a victory earlier.
[Tazz] Oh, Eddie, Eddie, Eddie, hang on, Eddie.
[Ross] Eddie Guerrero trying to hold on. Guerrero doesn't wanna get eliminated.
[Tazz] Well, Eddie better hang on.
[Ross] Eddie holding with everything he's got.
[Tazz] Hook on the head of Edge.
[Ross] Eddie's legs around the ropes and Edge with his right hand.
-Eddie Guerrero on the… -[Tazz] Oh, man!
[Ross] …on the apron and Edge is trying to…
[Tazz] Edge, he's hell-bent on getting Guerrero out of there.
[crowd cheering]
[Ross] Guerrero holding on. Getting a little distance here and Eddie…
[Tazz laughs] He's holding the bottom rope.
-That's a good strategy. -[Ross] Arms and legs
around that bottom rope.
Edge decides to go, uh, to hammer Kenzo.
[Tazz] Yeah, Kenzo-- Oh, Guerrero-- I'm sorry, Benoit with those chops.
[Ross] No love lost, I think Benoit and Edge and every man for himself
has really broken out here.
Kenzo Suzuki now hammering Chris Benoit front and back.
[Tazz] The bronze warrior could bring a chop--
A nice well-placed left boot, a third-- Oh, right to the face now.
-[Ross] And a choke and a-- -[crowd] Eight, seven…
[Ross] And a shot to that exposed leg.
-[Tazz] Five seconds. -[Ross] The ring starting to fill up here,
ladies and gentlemen,
-in our 30-man Royal Rumble match. -[buzzer ringing]
-[Tazz] Who? Who? -["619" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Tazz chuckles] Yeah, SmackDown, baby, Rey Mysterio.
[Ross] What an ovation for Rey Mysterio here at the Royal Rumble.
[Tazz] Whoa, man. Come on, Rey, turn it up now, baby. [chuckles] Oh, yeah.
[Ross] The pace quickens every time you see Rey Mysterio.
[Tazz] Heads up on Rey here, look at this.
Oh! [chuckles] Edge had him, but…
[Ross] A dropkick on Benoit. The bulldog on Edge.
The savate kick downstairs and the shots, Kenzo Suzuki.
[Tazz] Watch out. Watch Rey here. Oh, got caught by Kenzo.
[Ross] Mysterio in that shoulder,
-in a dangerous area here. -[Tazz] Better watch out here.
[Ross] Uh-oh. Mysterio drops out at the back door.
[Tazz] Watch it. He's got Kenzo by the head!
-[Ross] Suzuki eliminated. -[Tazz chuckles] Oh, man.
[Ross] Kenzo Suzuki eliminated by Rey Mysterio.
[Tazz] Oh, Rey Mysterio exclusively on SmackDown.
I'm proud to say that.
[Ross] Mysterio again-- Oh, Eddie Guerrero.
Tilt-a-whirl backbreaker by Eddie Guerrero,
another SmackDown representative.
[Tazz] Yeah. Well, that Guerrero and Mysterio
have had some, uh, issues with each other
-for the past several weeks. -[Ross] Look at that,
tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. I've watched that.
[Tazz] Yeah, they're friends, but yes-- But yet they've had some battles.
[Ross] They enjoy fighting each other,
-I'll tell you that… -[Tazz] Yes, they do, they do.
A lot of respect for each other,
but now Edge is focusing in on Latino heat.
Oh, who's next? Six seconds.
[Ross] Rey and Benoit both down.
Edge, who's gonna be out next?
[buzzer ringing]
-[upbeat music playing] -[crowd cheering]
[Ross] Well, it's the Intercontinental Champion
Shelton Benjamin.
A man that may be the finest pure athlete in this entire match.
[Tazz] Well, I'm not gonna argue with that. No doubt Shelton Benjamin,
tremendous competitor, great athlete. Whoa!
[Ross] A nice reverse elbow by Shelton Benjamin,
the reigning Intercontinental Champion, knows that if he wins the Royal Rumble,
he will be in the main event
-against the champion at WrestleMania. -[Tazz] Whoa!
[Ross] High back body drop.
Well, what a great explosion, Tazz. He's an amazing athlete.
And all due respect to the guys of SmackDown,
Shelton Benjamin is special.
[Tazz] Well, I don't disagree with you. I mean, come on, you know,
we got Rey Mysterio in, we got-- Had, know, Eddie Guerrero.
I think we have athletes too, J.R.
-[crowd cheering] -[Tazz] Oh, watch out.
[Ross] Absolutely. And Rey Mysterio holding on.
Knock down-- Benjamin knocking down Edge.
And Eddie…
Eddie Guerrero is gonna try to eliminate Benoit.
-Benoit trying to… -[Tazz] Uh-oh.
[Ross] His leg on the bottom rope.
[Tazz] Well, now Eddie… Eddie is trying to double leg him.
[Ross] Rey Mysterio has a death grip on the top rope.
Shelton Benjamin teetering with Edge on the top rope.
-[Tazz] And, oh-- -[Ross] And Edge--
Oh, Rey with a chop block
on Shelton Benjamin and that's a… that's a mysterious
and unusual technique there by… by Rey. I'm surprised with that.
[Tazz] Well, it's a little quick, but it's every man for himself.
It's so important. Obviously they'll get a victory here.
Look at that.
[Ross] What a head scissor by Rey Mysterio.
Oh, my God. Look at Eddie Guerrero. Guerrero with that suplex.
-[buzzer ringing] -[Tazz] Who is it? Who is it?
-[crowd cheering] -[Tazz] Yeah, Bookman.
-SmackDown represented hard right now. -[upbeat music playing]
Could this be Booker T's night?
[Tazz] Another man who's very well versed in main event WrestleMania.
Last year, Triple H, Booker T in the main event at Mania.
And Booker T going right to Edge.
SmackDown and Raw, both represented well in this Royal Rumble match.
[Tazz] Hey, you know, the past couple of weeks we on SmackDown,
we have seen Booker T, Rey Mysterio and Eddie Guerrero,
they got a little bond going with each other. So, I mean… [grunts]
[Ross] Booker T taking down Edge and again, that's a big kick.
[Tazz] Even though Rey Mysterio does have Eddie Guerrero's number.
As we've seen now on SmackDown the past several weeks.
[indistinct chatter]
[Tazz] Whoa, whoa, whoa! Rey, Rey, Rey.
-[Ross] Rey is over. -[Tazz] What the hell is this?
I think Shelton Benjamin got eliminated. Did Shelton get eliminated?
[Tazz] I don't know, but what the hell is the General Manager doing out here?
[Ross] Who knows about the General Manager.
I don't-- I might be there to watch it.
[Tazz] Well, Edge is…
[Ross] Eric Bischoff, the Raw General Manager.
[Tazz] Yeah, Edge teetering, Edge is teetering.
[Ross] Edge is teetering big time,
a thumb to the eye causes some separation from Booker T for Edge.
Let's say Booker T-- Look at Benoit with that Boston crab.
-[Tazz] Eddie's tapping. -[Michael] Oh, no!
[Ross] Eddie tapping but to no avail.
Rey dropkicking Benoit off of Eddie Guerrero.
[indistinct clamoring]
[Tazz] Five here-- five seconds.
The hell is Bischoff doing here?
[Ross] Bischoff is like a coach or something…
-[buzzer ringing] -[Ross] …out here to motivate Raw.
-["Break The Walls Down" playing] -[crowd cheering]
[Ross] And speaking of Raw.
[Tazz] It got a little hot out there. I like ringside better.
[Ross] Here comes Chris Jericho, the first undisputed champion.
He knows what it's like
-to head on WrestleMania. -[Tazz] I agree with that.
There's no doubt Y2J's a gamer personified.
Just keep beating up the ropes, guys. Jericho cool with that.
[Ross] Jericho born in Manhasset, long island.
Bringing down Booker T. Going to Edge.
I don't think Jericho gives a damn who he hammers.
[Tazz] You know what, J.R., one of these I love so much
about the Royal Rumble, you get to see SmackDown guys,
oh, go at it with Raw guys. I mean, it's awesome.
[Ross] Right hand, Jericho now teeing off on Eddie Guerrero. I can't--
I can't disagree with that point whatsoever.
The only time all year where you'll see this many Raw superstars
and SmackDown superstars together.
And look at-- look at Jericho.
[Tazz] That's what I'm talking about, to see them against each other.
-That's what I'm saying. -[Ross] I'm with you.
[Tazz] Now, Rey Mysterio is getting choked. Oh, here we go.
-[Ross] Well, you do it alone? -[Tazz] I mean, he's all over the player.
Hey, you know what, if Bischoff can be out here,
then our General Manager can be out here. You know what I'm saying?
-[Ross] I got no problem with that. -[Tazz] All right. All right.
[Ross] And get them all to represent as it say.
[Tazz] Well, I tell you what, he's a great coach, Teddy Long.
We need somebody on this thing, huh?
[Ross] Got that Teddy Long. What about that?
[Tazz] I have no comment. That's a good point.
[Ross] And Benoit just nailed Rey Mysterio.
Again, this clock is moving quick.
Backbreaker on Rey.
[Tazz] Who's next? Come on, we need a SmackDown guy here.
-[Ross] Ring is really filling up now. -[buzzer ringing]
-["Reigning" playing] -[Tazz] Yeah. [chuckles] All right.
Luther Reigns, and this is a difference SmackDown.
Have you ever seen Luther Reigns going to ring, J.R.?
-[Ross] Oh yeah. -[Tazz] This… this boy could go.
He's a man. I shouldn't have called him a boy.
-[Ross] He's learned well from Kurt Angle. -[Tazz] Damn skippy on that one.
Luther Reigns coming in with a purpose.
[Ross] You know, a guy like Luther Reigns could shock the world here.
[Tazz] No doubt. Hey, J.R., I mean he's coached by Kurt Angle.
Kurt Angle lasted 29 minutes-- Over 29 minutes last year in the Rumble.
So, you know he probably gave Luther some good tips.
[Ross] Luther has also got that strict background too
and that's-- A lot of this is survival.
[Tazz] Yeah. He's been in the joint, in jail a lot, you know, prison.
You know, Luther Reigns got a shady background, but I love Luther.
What's going on here?
-Whoa, whoa, what's this? -[crowd cheering]
[Tazz laughs]
Hey, wait a minute. I've got a--
That's kind of like the West Coast Rumble here.
-[Ross] Raw versus SmackDown. -[Tazz] Yeah,
-that's what I'm saying. -[Ross] The line has been drawn.
Bischoff on one side, Long on the other.
[Tazz] Here we go. Here we go.
-[chuckles] Oh, yeah. -[Ross] And the fans all over this.
Eight men… Eight men are beating the hell out of each other.
[Tazz] Come on, Booker. Come on, Luther.
-[Ross] Swinging and hammering on. -[Tazz] Come on.
-Come on, Rey. -[Ross] Jericho,
-he's hammering Rey Mysterio. -[Tazz] Come on, Rey.
Oh! Come on, Rey, block that.
Come on, Jericho, pick on somebody your own size,
the guy that don't have a mask on, for God's sake.
Come on, Rey. There you go. Rey's got him now.
[Ross] You know, there are those thunderous kicks to the thighs of…
-[Tazz] Oh, there, here we go. -[Ross] It's over.
[Tazz] I was watching the…
[Ross] Shelton Benjamin holding on.
[buzzer ringing]
-[Tazz] SmackDown, SmackDown. -["Arab American" playing]
-[crowd cheering] -[Tazz grunts]
[Ross] Unfortunately this man is from Raw.
-[Tazz] Are you proud of this guy, J.R.? -[Ross] I am not.
[Tazz] And you can keep him on Raw. I'll tell you that right now.
-[Ross] We might get a trade. -Yeah.
-[Ross] Come on. -[Tazz] No thanks, my man. No way.
[Ross] Muhammad Hassan making his, uh, Royal Rumble debut.
How auspicious will it be being escorted by his spokesman, Khosrow Daivari?
[Tazz] Yeah, this is the microphone, the guy was out there yelling
and screaming. It was a headache.
I don't know how you deal with this. I don't know how you…
[crowd chanting]
[Ross] Well, we haven't dealt with it long.
[speaking in Arabic]
-[Ross] Muhammad taking his time. -[Tazz] He better.
[Ross] Taking his time, good old time coming up the steps.
Making his entrance.
[Tazz] Benoit's burning holes at Muhammad.
[crowd cheering]
-[Tazz] What is he doing here? -[Ross] I don't… I don't know.
[Tazz] Whoa, whoa! Uh-oh. Oh, I think I'm getting this, J.R..
[Ross] It's what I think it is. I'm going to like it.
-[Tazz laughs] -[Ross] He's not going to like it.
[Tazz] Oh, yeah, it is what I think it is.
-[Ross] The Raw and SmackDown-- -[Tazz] Whoa!
[Ross] The Raw and SmackDown representatives stomping Muhammad Hassan.
[Tazz] Say, "Stomping Muhammad-- " Can you say that?
Say, "Stomping Muhammad-- " [splutters] Do that line.
[Ross] They're stomping him out of his ass and walking into…
That's Stone Cold's line but I'll borrow it.
-[Tazz] But it's all the same. -[Ross] Look out!
[Tazz] Here we go. Oh!
[Ross] 619, another prefix.
-[Tazz] Look at this. -[Ross] Look at this.
[Tazz laughs] Here we go. Oh, man. [chuckles]
-[Ross] Thanks for coming. -[Tazz] Hassan has been eliminated.
-[buzzer ringing] -["Do It Big" playing]
[Tazz] All right. All right.
Chief of Staff, J.R. SmackDown man right here.
One of JBL's main cabinet members, Orlando Jordan.
You wanna talk about an athlete, I compare Orlando
to… to Shelton Benjamin anytime you want, anytime.
[Ross] Orlando, Boise State, a great athlete.
[Tazz] That's right, a great wrestler from Boise State University.
He's the chief of staff of JBL's cabinet.
Oh, and you see, going right after Luther Reigns.
because there were some issues on SmackDown with JBL's camp,
and Kurt Angle's camp.
[Ross] As far as I know, most folks who watch SmackDown would say,
those guys both could beat each other to pieces,
as far as they are concerned.
Rey Mysterio up on that top turnbuckle.
Luther Reigns manhandling Rey Mysterio on the corner.
Booker T coming to intervene.
[Tazz] That's cool. That's good. That's good. Watch out. Whoa.
[Ross] Shelton Benjamin face locking Chris Jericho.
[Tazz] Blocking that suplex attempt.
[Ross] And Jericho-- Oh, no Jericho, Jericho on the apron.
[Tazz] Jericho's teetering-- Well, not teetering now,
but he's on the apron, but that's not--
You don't wanna be there. You know what I mean?
[Ross] No man's land in this match, that ring apron.
Jericho hammering, uh, Shelton Benjamin and the Intercontinental Champion
responds with a right hand of his own--
Look at the size difference of Luther Reigns and Rey Mysterio.
[Tazz] Well, Rey is not back together, but right now I got to tell you what,
-Jericho is in trouble, J.R. -[screams]
[Ross] Jericho holding on with all he's got.
[Tazz] Oh, good, let him go. He' s a Raw guy.
No offense, yo, but I think that's great.
[laughs] I want to see a SmackDown man win this bad boy.
-Here we go. -[Ross] And we're down to--
We're gonna have another entrant.
[Tazz] Who is it? Who is it? Smackdown. Smackdown.
[Ross] Who's gonna win this thing this year?
That's my question.
No one's dominating.
-[Tazz laughs] Hey! -[upbeat music playing]
[Tazz] Another SmackDown guy.
Scotty 2 Hotty.
Scotty's been out quite a while, came back weeks ago on SmackDown,
had a benign tumor in his lower extremities.
I'll tell you what though, Scotty's back, feeling better
and that's a great thing, not a good thing.
Come on, Scotty, now let's get in there, baby.
[Ross] Scotty a great competitor, but right now might not be the time
to do your-- that thing, whatever that thing is.
-[Tazz] Oh, what the hell. -[Ross] Oh!
Wait a minute.
[Ross] Muhammad Hassan assaulting Scotty 2 Hotty from behind--
I can't say as-- I am shocked this is happening,
but I'm not surprise it was from behind.
[Tazz] Well, that's a load of bs, J.R., that's the wrong guy.
-What's he attacking scotty? -[Ross] Come on.
[Ross] The camel clutch. The helpless man on the outside.
He's frustrated.
Hassan is… is overtly frustrated because of the…
[Tazz] Stay in the Rumble. Well, I mean you got chopped up
by the whole SmackDown and Raw.
[Ross] He doesn't know anything about sportsmanship, and a rotten sport.
Showing no class.
[Tazz] Well, he's got class, that's all low like Hassan.
Oh, right now-- Come on, Orlando. Hang on, baby.
[Ross] Scotty 2 Hotty overcoming illness
-like you were describing… -[Tazz] Yup. Oh!
[Ross] …and he may be out of commission all together.
[Tazz] Well, he had that camel clutch on Hassan.
Scotty-- and Scotty-- He had a surgery on his…
-[Ross] Look at Edge! -[Tazz] Edge, Edge. Edge!
[Ross] Edge on the apron.
Edge making that U-turn on the apron coming back in.
Benoit hammering at Luther Reigns.
[Tazz] Benoit still just chopping at people.
[Ross] And it all started with Eddie Guerrero
and Chris Benoit, the first two men to be-- to enter.
[Tazz] All right. All right. Who is it? Who is it?
-[buzzer ringing] -[energetic music playing]
[Tazz] Us. All right. Another SmackDown guy.
All-American, All-American from Seton Hall University.
That's cool. All right. Here we go. I got the double. That's good.
[Ross] Charlie Haas…
and-- Oh, my God.
-Booker T loses some teeth there. -[Tazz] No kidding.
-[Ross] Man, what a shot. -[Tazz] Oh!
-[Ross] T taking down Orlando. -[Tazz laughs] Oh, man.
And Luther getting right on booker. Don't wanna let a guy build momentum.
-That was smart by Luther to-- Oh, man. -[Ross] Reverse kick.
-Scotty 2 Hotty being held by… -[Tazz] Oh there's Luther.
[Ross] And Luther Reigns eliminated by Booker T.
-Oh, Booker T eliminated Orlando Jordan. -[Tazz] Wait a minute.
Two SmackDown guys been chopped down at once here.
[Ross] Every man for himself as you know and Booker T feeling it.
[Tazz] He's spinning around now. Booker, what are you doing?
-[Ross] It's a Rumble running. -[Tazz laughs]
It had to happen.
-[Tazz exclaims] -[Ross] Oh, and Booker T!
Eddie Guerrero low bridge.
The top-- Pulled the top rope down, Booker T went sailing.
[Tazz] But I thought they were friends. I guess not.
[Ross] I think it is every man for himself,
but Booker T was just starting to build momentum.
[Tazz] He can't believe it. Whoa, look at that.
-Oh! -[Jim] T-bone suplex by Shelton Benjamin,
the intercontinental champion on Rey Mysterio.
Edge is still alive and so is Benoit and Guerrero.
[Tazz] I got to count out the SmackDown guys we got here.
We got Haas, we got Rey Mysterio.
[Ross] Let's take a look at Booker T. Let's see here.
-He was red hot. -[crowd cheering]
[Tazz] And Mysterio, and then a low bridge by Guerrero.
I would say there's a little bit of a cohesive unit there.
[Ross] And that's some more irony
because Guerrero and Rey obviously are not the same page
-as a group lately anyway. -[Tazz] They are the first individuals
that started here in this, Guerrero and Benoit.
[Ross] Guerrero came out first, Benoit second.
And here we go again.
-Another entrant. -[buzzer ringing]
-[upbeat music playing] -[crowd cheering]
[Tazz chuckles] Dupree, where's Fifi? Another SmackDown guy.
Where is Fifi? Right there and they just--
Fifi is the dog in black. Is Fifi entering the Rumble, J.R.?
-Are… are French poodles allowed? -[Ross] Uh…
[Tazz] So, you think you just got French guys on Raw.
We have French guys. We have French guys in SmackDown, see?
[Ross] Now, Rey, uh…
[Tazz] Our French guy don't have a flag, you know, stuck- But I digress.
[Tazz laughs]
-[Ross] Very painful to think about. -[Tazz] Yeah. Ooh!
[Ross] And Rene Dupree showing a very--
An aggressive streak here in the early going.
[Tazz] Haas getting on Dupree and boom, nice forearm right there by Haas and--
Oh, and look at this. [chuckles]
[Ross] Haas with that modified hot shot on Rene Dupree.
Dupree hanging up on that rope.
[Tazz] He's being set up with a-- Former tag team partners here.
Here we go. Look at this.
-Shelton and Charlie, old school here. Oh! -[crowd cheering]
-[Tazz] Full of partners. -[Ross] Shelton and Haas former partners.
[Tazz] Oh, They're on SmackDown by the way.
Oh. [chuckles] Nice Rey Mysterio.
[Ross] We are-- And thank you, and we are enjoying Shelton on Raw.
He's a hell of a hand.
[Tazz] Oh, now you wanna take a shot at SmackDown?
-Is that what it is? -[Ross] Of course not.
-[Tazz] Oh! -[Ross] Oh, my God.
[Tazz] Unbelievable. Oh!
-[Ross] Edge eliminated Shelton. -[Tazz chuckles] Oh, man.
-Look at the athleticism though. -[Ross] Man, that was--
The stinger splash, Shelton landing on his feet on the top turnbuckle,
-and then eliminated by Edge. -[Tazz] That was great athleticism,
but he's out and I think that's a good thing
because he could have won this thing.
[Ross] Shelton's athleticism bit him on the backside.
[Tazz] All right. Who is it? Who is it? Who is it?
[buzzer ringing]
-[upbeat music playing] -[crowd cheering]
-[Ross] Oh, for God's sakes. -[Tazz chuckles] Wait a minute, J.R..
Come on. Come on. You've been using this product, right?
That's what my people tell me. Joey Numbers called me.
Said use the Simon System.
If that's true, I might be able to use this.
[Ross] If it's not chicken fried or barbecued, I don't eat it.
I mean, is it working? I guess not. You're eating barbecue.
-[Ross] Yeah, ya digging all that powder. -Chips, wings, and all that stuff, right?
[Ross] Yeah.
[Tazz] Now, where is he? Now, is he got his powder--
I mean one of the little protein bars.
[Ross] Hey, I'm leery of guys who wear powder blue.
-[Tazz] Look right here. Wait, wait, look. -[Ross] Rey Mysterio
taking down Eddie Guerrero.
-And what the hell is Simon Dean doing? -I have no idea.
Well, your Raw guys-- I don't know what the hell they're doing,
playing games on this match.
-Dubious-- -[Tazz grunts] Oh!
[Ross] I can tell you that right now. Look at him. He's warming up.
He's got all damn day to warmup.
Get in the ring, you--
[Tazz chuckles] Mysterio.
[Ross] Mysterio taking out Eddie Guerrero face first.
[Tazz] He's doing squats outside the ring. [chuckles]
Oh, no. What the hell? No. You got to be kidding.
[Ross] Eddie Guerrero eliminated, the man-- Edge eliminating Eddie Guerrero.
[Tazz] J.R., that's your fault. That's Raw's fault
because this guy on the outside is doing squats
-and he distracted Guerrero. -[Ross] Well, he's distracting everybody
and Guerrero shouldn't have taken his eye off the ball.
I feel badly for Eddie Guerrero,
the number entrant in this match. First entrant.
-Look at that. -[Tazz] Look at that.
Charlie Haas now working on Mysterio.
Oh, what the hell is he doing?
[Ross] I hope somebody eliminates Simon Dean like,
-immediately, right now. -[Tazz] Yeah, me too.
[Ross] I hope Sean Simons eliminated for all I care.
-[upbeat music playing] -[crowd cheering]
[Ross] Well, here comes a guy that just might do it.
[Tazz] I… I agree with that. [laughs] I agree with that.
[Ross] A two-time Royal Rumble winner, Shawn Michaels.
-And going right to Edge. -[Tazz] Can't blame him.
[Ross] Not surprising he's going right to Edge.
-A man that… that Shawn… -[crowd cheering]
-[Tazz chuckles] -[Ross] Oh, good night, baby.
[Tazz laughs] I agree with that. He's doing handles.
[Ross] A great right hand by Shawn Michaels on Rene Dupree,
and that head chop.
It was Michaels who nearly shafted earlier by Edge in their one-on-one match.
Now, I see Eddie Guerrero as he leaves.
A lot of respect for Eddie Guerrero.
[Tazz] Absolutely. Absolutely. I love Guerrero.
I wish he was still in this thing.
But it's still a great Royal Rumble.
You see Charlie Haas for a little shot there on HBK.
[Ross] Rene Dupree finding his mark on those right hands
knocking down the showstopper.
Can Shawn Michaels become only the second man in history
-to win the Royal Rumble four times? -[Tazz] Whoa, whoa.
Rey-- Watch Rey, he's all over the place.
I got to talk to HBK, maybe he look good
with a SmackDown blue on, I'll tell you that.
I'll talk to Michaels.
-Watch out. -[Ross] Edge--
Edge is trying to corner Rey Mysterio in the corner.
That was a lot of sense. Quick on any corner.
[Tazz] Well, that's where you wanna corner him in the corner, right?
Say it's quicker than a hiccup. I believe he's quicker than a hiccup.
Do that. Do that.
-Yeah, we'll get that later. -[Tazz] All right.
But what is she slobbing on?
-Go! That's a slamcey slobbing. -[crowd cheering]
-Au revoir. -[Tazz chuckles] What's that mean?
[Ross] It means see you later.
[Tazz] Can't cheat the way to make a potato. All right.
-Seven seconds, six, five. -[crowd] Six, five, four, three, two…
[Tazz] Oh, we need a SmackDown guy badly.
-[buzzer ringing] -[upbeat music playing]
[Tazz] Whoa. [chuckles] Whoo.
-[Ross] Kurt Angle. -[Tazz] Oh yeah, baby.
[Ross] A determined Kurt Angle.
-[Tazz] Right into the ring and… -[Ross] No.
[Ross] A German suplex by Angle on Benoit.
[Tazz] Look at this. Belly-to-belly, beautiful.
[Ross] The overhead on Rey Mysterio. Here we go.
-Angle is suplexing the world. -[Tazz] No doubt Angle is.
-[crowd cheering] -[Tazz] Wow.
[Ross] Angle's throwing down his way
-into this match. -[Tazz] Here we go.
-Angle slamming Dupree. -[Tazz] Look at Kurt Angle.
He's an Olympic gold medalist, you can't deny it, J.R.. Uh-oh.
-Oh, yeah. -[crowd cheering]
[Tazz] Kurt Angle with that ankle lock. Uh-oh.
-[Ross] Michaels tried Sweet Chin Music. -[Tazz] Oh, my God.
[Ross] Kurt Angle's out.
-Shawn Michaels eliminated Kurt Angle. -[Tazz] You got to be kidding me.
Kurt Angle is gonna be-- I can't believe it.
[Ross] Angle was dominating. He was suplexing everybody in sight.
[Tazz] You got to be kidding me. Come on.
[Ross] Sweet Chin Music caught Angle just right
to eliminate the Olympic champion.
Angle's chance to be in the main event at WrestleMania
has been ended by Shawn Michaels.
[Tazz] Angle-- I'm still early, you know, his number and--
Well… Well, come on,
Rey Mysterio now still representing SmackDown. That's cool.
[Ross] Rey Mysterio has a great resilience
-of don't judge that book by its cover. -[Tazz] That's right.
[Ross] He may be the smallest man in this match.
He may have also had a biggest heart.
-[Tazz] We got six seconds here. Come on. -[crowd] Six, five, four, three, two, one!
[buzzer ringing]
-[upbeat music playing] -[crowd cheering]
[Tazz laughs] Here you go. Here you go, J.R..
This is one of your-- Is it one of your prime guys on Raw?
-[Ross] Yeah. -[Tazz] Yeah.
[Ross] But this is also…
[Tazz] A lot of athletes you guys have on Raw, right?
He's got a competitor.
This guy deserves to be in the Rumble, this Coach guy.
Tell me, J.R., he deserves to be in the Rumble.
-[Ross] I can't. -[Tazz] You can't?
Oh, let's start by-- Look at the arms are.
The last time I saw arms like that, they were hanging off a nest.
Yeah, great. This guy is not a… not a superstar.
[Ross] Don't get mad at me about it. I didn't put him in it.
-[Tazz] I'm mad at everybody. -[Ross] Bischoff put him in.
And look at Coach taking his time. And he's got--
Just so you know who he is,
if you ever wonder, just look at his ass.
-[Tazz laughs] -[Ross] It's got Coach written all over.
Good lord.
[Tazz] That's in case if he forgets his name.
[Ross] What's he doing? Look at the shot.
He had a shot on Benoit and then ran off like a scraggily dog.
[Tazz] There you go. Benoit is gonna…
[Ross] I would not cross Benoit with a chainsaw.
[Tazz] Yeah, you're not kidding.
[Ross] And look at Coach hold on to that bottom rope.
[Tazz] He's a real man.
[Ross] Like a child holding onto his pacifier.
And I don't like what may be coming.
And then there's Jericho into Rene Dupree.
Shawn Michaels still alive and well and Coach is…
[Tazz] Well, he's kind of having his spree I guess with the bottom rope.
Uh-oh. Uh-oh. Uh-oh. Come on, Rey. Hang on.
Rey… Rey… Rey… Rey, hang on, Rey. Hang on, man.
-[Ross] Jericho, turning in Rey Mysterio. -[Tazz] Uh-oh.
[Ross] Rey has got his legs. A head scissor.
-[Tazz] No, he's got-- come on, Rey. -[Ross] Jericho fighting.
-Hang on, Rey. -[Ross] Rey's holding.
[Tazz] Oh, yeah. All right. All right.
-[Ross] Well, Mysterio got… -[buzzes ringing]
-…Jericho as far as the apron. -[upbeat music playing]
[Tazz] Who's this?
-[Ross] Mark Jindrak. -[Tazz] All right. All right.
Another SmackDown dude.
One half of Jindrak and Reigns, one half of Kurt Angle's tag team.
Come on, Rey. Come on. Jindrak…
-Wait a minute. -[Ross] Kurt Angle is back in.
-What the hell? -[Tazz] What the hell is this?
[Ross] Angle not-- Angle's not allowed to eliminate anybody now.
-[Tazz] Uh-oh. Uh-oh. Oh, lord. -[Ross] What a matchup here.
[Tazz] He's got a temper, J.R.. I'm telling you.
[Ross] Wait a minute here.
-[Tazz] Watch out. -[Ross] Oh, gosh. Good God almighty.
That was impossible.
How does-- How does Kurt Angle justify those acts?
[Tazz] I can't disagree. That was heinous, man.
-[Ross] And Angle wailing on Michaels. -[Tazz] He's busted open.
[Ross] Michaels is lacerated.
Kurt Angle has busted Shawn Michaels wide open with those steel steps.
[Tazz] Kurt Angle knows this was his opportunity
to go to WrestleMania.
[Ross] Oh, my God! The ankle lock on Shawn Michaels.
[Tazz] He's going to break his ankle.
[Ross] Michaels, his ankle is going to be stiff here.
[Tazz] That lock is going to snap the foot.
[Ross] Kurt Angle is going berserk after being eliminated
from the Rumble by Shawn Michaels.
[Tazz] The referees from SmackDown and Raw.
Angle is bitter. I'm telling, he's bitter.
[Ross] Angle snapped just like he wanted to snap Shawn Michaels' ankle.
[Tazz] Wow. Oh, man.
[Ross] Right to the face.
A stiff shot right to the face by Kurt Angle.
-[indistinct clamoring] -[Ross] Angle has--
I mean, become psychotic after being eliminated by Shawn Michaels.
-[Tazz] Felt like Shawn Michaels… -Your ass is mine!
[Tazz] …destroyed his opportunity to go
onto WrestleMania main-- In the main event.
Oh, Kurt Angle just…
[Ross] There can only be one winner, Kurt,
and tonight, it's not going to be you.
[Tazz] Oh, he's having a rough night, J.R..
Don't go hard on the guy. He's having hard night.
[crowd] Seven, six, five…
[Ross] Rene Dupree and Jindrak teeing off.
[Tazz] SmackDown, I want to go with the SmackDown guys.
[Ross] I understand that.
[buzzer ringing]
-[Tazz] Who is this? Who is this? -[rock music playing]
[Ross] This is Raw…
-[Tazz] Yeah. -[Ross] …in a big way.
[Tazz] Man, you're not kidding.
[Ross] This is as close to a 500-pound man as you're going to get.
[Tazz] Yeah. Definitely, I think you got that point.
[Ross] You'd have to get him into a livestock scale to find out.
This man is huge.
[Tazz] Livestock, that's like cow stuff, right?
-And he's a… -[Tazz] Whoa, Rey, hang on.
[Ross] Hey, Rey, hold on. Yes.
Mysterio holding on.
[Tazz] Throw this guy over the top, Viscera.
[Ross] I don't know if anybody.
It may take a… a caucus
-to throw Viscera over. -[Tazz] Carcass?
Isn't a carcass a dead body? That's a carcass.
-Whoa! Oh, no! No! -[Ross] Slam by viscera.
A guy like Viscera, he may not have the most refined catches catch skills
in this environment, in this match can be extremely effective.
[Tazz] Well, only if he catches…
a biscuit of sorts but-- I digress again.
[Ross] I remember in '93 Yokozuna was 600 pounds,
he won the Royal Rumble,
eliminated seven guys on the way to main event in WrestleMania
where he became the champion.
[Tazz] Well, Dupree is at the top there, hanging on the top rope.
Benoit still in this thing.
[Ross] Benoit came in at number two. Can you believe that?
-And he survives. -[Tazz] Who is it? Who is it? Who is it?
-[rock music playing] -[crowd cheering]
[Tazz] Oh, yeah. He's a-- Oh, look at him. He's a SmackDown guy.
He won a fatal four-way match,
cruiser weight to qualify for the Royal Rumble.
Come on, Paul.
This guy, he runs fast and he's a go getter.
I'll tell you that right now.
[Ross] Outstanding young cruiser weight is Paul London.
He's in there with some mighty big powerful men,
but it may not-- may not-- it may not matter.
[Tazz] Well, he's got… he's got-- He's fresh, J.R.
You were saying, he hasn't been there. He just got in the--
[Ross] London is a young kind, he has nothing to lose here.
[Tazz] Oh, wait, wait. Wait. Hold on, stop.
You know what this is, right? Look at this. Well, this is--
That's the French tickle.
I'm a French man, I'm a French tickle guy. Oh, whoa, whoa, whoa!
Oh, man! His tickle just got frenched. What the hell is that?
-[Ross] Jericho's version I guess of the… -[Tazz] Jericho can't dance or sing.
I think Ozzie would disagree with that.
And look at Jindrak going downstairs on Paul London.
Uh-oh. London holding on. He just got here.
[Tazz] Yeah, he sure did. And Rey is… He's almost--
Wait a minute. Hold on. Two SmackDown guys trying to eliminate each other.
[Ross] And Jericho is there with them.
[Tazz] Okay. Wait.
[Ross] London on the apron.
-He's going to come back in. -[crowd] …three, two, one!
-[buzzer ringing] -["Basic Thuganomics" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Tazz laughs] Go ahead, J.R., this is SmackDown to the bone, baby.
Thuganomics is in the house.
[Ross] As far as you're concerned, business has picked up.
[Tazz] You're damn skippy, hippy,
the Chain Gang is off-- the cheers up right now.
[laughs] Oh, man.
-[Ross] And John Cena… -[Tazz] Oh, what a shot.
[Ross] John Cena knows what it's like to fight on the streets.
And Cena hitting anything with a heartbeat.
[crowd cheering]
[Ross] Look at Coach cowering in the corner.
[Tazz] You're better cow up. Uh-oh. Uh-oh.
Oh, what the-- Come on, John.
Your pounding ground attack, Cena.
[Ross] Well, you got to ground and pound a 500-pound man,
it may be easier said than done
with all due respect to John Cena who is a street fighter.
For his whole life, he's been a street fighter.
[Tazz] That's his style. Look at this.
[Ross] Cena eliminated Viscera by himself.
[Tazz] That's big time right there.
[Ross] That's elevating a 500-pound man over the top.
[Tazz] But Paul London, here. Oh, hang on there, London.
[Ross] London holding on with Rey Mysterio with bronco buster on the post.
[Tazz laughs]
[Ross] Cena hammering and…
-teeing off on Chris Benoit. -[buzzer ringing]
-[rock music playing] -[Ross] And it's Snitsky.
You're talking about a psychotic sick man who needs to be probably
-in a home somewhere. -[Tazz] Yeah.
Who had no business interfering
-in The Undertaker-Heidenreich. -[Ross] I couldn't agree more.
Snitsky is a man, and is a dangerous man.
-[Tazz groans] -[Ross] And I wonder how he's gonna--
[Ross] How he's going to do in this environment.
It looks like Snitsky's gonna do quite well,
still bandaged up from that… that chokeslam off
-the Raw stadium a couple of weeks ago. -[Tazz] Yeah. I saw that.
That was amazing. I saw that happen.
Both those guys going through that tech area of the stage.
[Ross] And Snitsky bouncing around, but you know that he's hurting.
He's on an adrenaline rush right now.
And when he slows down, that body's gonna start telling him so.
[Tazz] Come on, London, attaboy. Choke him out.
[Ross] Oh, London, is that-- is that a choke or a sleeper,
-in any event… -[Tazz] It don't matter.
[Ross] London's trying to getting the advantage here.
[Tazz] He's got to wear down Snitsky, the very large man Snitsky.
Uh-oh. Oh, hang on, London, what the hell.
[Ross] Holding on-- Holding on that top rope.
[Tazz] Attaboy. There you go. Oh!
[Ross] Trying to fight back in here.
But the… Oh, my God. Oh, for the love of God.
-[Tazz] Okay. -[Ross] Paul London turned inside out.
-[Tazz] Uh, that was a bit frustrating. -[Ross] Oh, for God's sakes.
Look at this impact.
Listen.
[Tazz] Oh, wow. I don't-- Unbelievable impact.
I don't know how else to say that.
-[Ross] Good God almighty. -[Tazz] Amazing. Uh-oh. Uh-oh.
[Ross] And Snitsky staring down John Cena.
[Tazz] Come on, Cena. Come on, Cena.
-Come on, get him up, John. -[crowd cheering]
-[Ross] Cena-- -[Tazz] FU maybe. Uh-oh.
[Ross] Snitsky says not today, catches Cena in the face of that big boot.
[Tazz] Come on, we need a SmackDown guy.
-We need-- -[rock music playing]
[Tazz] Why do you got to settle this?
-This is nuts. -[Ross] The big red machine, Kane.
[indistinct]
This man has the all-time record in Rumble matches
with ten eliminations more than anybody in history.
[Tazz] A couple of years ago, I was a victim of Kane.
He threw me over the top rope real quick.
-I remember it. -[Ross] Snitsky going right into Kane.
These two have waged war, I can tell you that.
[Tazz] Well, let them kill each other.
[Ross] London getting a medical attention here looks like.
[Tazz] Whoa, whoa, whoa, Edge just got caught.
[Ross] Chokeslam on Edge by Kane.
[Tazz] Uh-oh. Then Benoit got goozled.
[Ross] Benoit chokeslammed as well.
-It doesn't matter to Kane. -[Tazz] Oh, no,
-John, watch it. Uh-oh. -[Ross] John Cena chokeslammed.
Chris Jericho.
-[Tazz] Whoa, whoa, whoa-- -[Ross] And down.
-[Tazz] No, Rey… -[Ross] Oh, my God.
-[Tazz] …oh, no. -[Ross] Look at the size difference.
-Kane and Rey. -[Tazz] Oh, my God.
[Ross] One arm-- A one-armed slamdunk on Rey Mysterio.
-[Tazz] Oh, no. -[Ross] And Kane eliminated Jindrak.
-Now, look at Coach from behind. -[Tazz] And from behind, exactly.
-[Ross] Has Coach lost his mind? -[Tazz] I believe that both guys
are brave, I'll tell you that.
[Ross] First it was Benoit, now, Kane. Coach what are you thinking?
[Tazz] I think he's put a shirt back on.
Oh-- Uh-oh.
He got hooked here by the throat.
-My gosh. -[Ross] Stinsky from behind
intervening there, saved Coach, I can tell you that.
Paul London is taken out here on a stretcher.
[Tazz] There's bodies just lying everywhere at the hands of Kane. Uh-oh.
[Ross] Pump handle attempt.
-Oh, man! -[Ross] Into the slam.
Stinsky with a pump handle slam, Tazz, on Kane.
And look at the carnage in the ring.
[Tazz] Bodies everywhere.
-Who is this now. Who is it? -[buzzer ringing]
-[rock music playing] -[crowd cheering]
[Ross] Oh, my God.
Representing evolution, the animal, 6'5", 318,
as hard as anybody, it's Batista.
Okay. This guy is like real scary, J.R…
I don't even think he should be in this thing but…
-Batista's the real deal. Oh, man! -[Ross] Batista.
-Whoa! Whoa! -[Ross] Stinsky out by Batista.
[Tazz] Oh, my God… [chuckles] …like it was with ease.
[Ross] And Kane, look at this. Oh, I like this.
-[Tazz] I do too. -[Ross] Kane and Batista face to face.
Right hands. Boy, this is gonna be a fight right here.
[crowd chanting]
[Ross] These two big stars from Raw hooking it up.
[Tazz] Right for the arm. Batista went for that injured arm.
[Ross] Batista now. Will he be able to lift Kane?
-Can he-- -[Tazz] Whoa, look at that. Oh, my God.
Oh, my God.
[Ross] That's 300 plus pounds, and the Bautista bomb.
[Tazz] What power Bautista has. This guy's a freak.
[Ross] And scary. Jericho caught in midair.
[Tazz] He got caught like… Look at this.
[Ross] And Jericho eliminated.
-[Tazz chuckles] How strong is this guy? -[screams]
[Ross] Batista has come to dominate.
Man, we got-- we got EMTs, we got officials.
-This is a dangerous… -[Tazz] Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
[Ross] Edge held on. I mean, barely held on.
Batista had Edge eliminated and Edge barely held on.
[Tazz] Batista trying to rip the hands off the ropes.
-[crowd] Four, three… -[Tazz] Who is it now?
This is nuts.
-[buzzer ringing] -[upbeat music playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Ross] It's captain charisma, Christian, and his problem solver Tomko.
Christian not coming alone, and I don't know exactly how fair this is,
but has got problem solver could be a man in the ringside.
[Tazz] Oh, I agree with you on that. What's up with that?
We got a guy watching their back through the rope, I don't understand that.
That wouldn't happen on SmackDown, I can tell you that much.
And going right after Cena 'cause Cena punked out Christian earlier.
And grapples Cena. They're grappling each other.
[Ross] Well, have them grapple.
[Tazz] Oh, those were some serious grapples.
[Ross] Now, Cena stomping and kicking away.
He's taking it to the street here, ground and pound, the Cena way of life.
619?
[Tazz] The last second. Oh, watch it.
-Come on, Cena. Come on, John. -[Ross] Cena,
-he's gonna FU Kane. -[Tazz] He's gonna try. Come on, Johnny.
-[Ross] Oh, my God. -[Tazz] Yeah.
-Cena eliminated Kane. -[Tazz] Big time right there.
[Ross] That's a big, big elimination
in this match accomplished by John Cena.
[Tazz] SmackDown watching SmackDown's back. That's cool.
Pretty cool. He should be able to work as a team.
[Ross] Yeah, wait. Rey and Cena conversing,
maybe they're trying to get on that same page.
I don't think Batista's reading that book.
[Tazz] Well, I agree with that. Come on, guys.
[Ross] Now's not the time to negotiate.
[Tazz] We've got four seconds. Well, we talk on SmackDown,
we work things out. We negotiate.
-[buzzer ringing] -[Ross] Look at Coach leg stomped away.
[crowd cheering]
[Ross] And here comes the Nature Boy.
The Nature Boy Ric Flair.
-["Also Sprach Zarathustra" playing] -[Ross] He won the Royal Rumble in 1992.
He started third and went over 16 minutes to win the match,
and that night, he became WWE Champion.
He's the 30th entrant, Tazz. The last man, there are no more.
[Tazz] Well, Evolution's got two members in the ring
and Batista and Ric Flair right now.
Big time revolution.
[Ross] Triple H successfully defending his world title earlier.
-[Tazz] Look at this. -[Ross] And look at this.
-[Tazz] Go! -[Ross] Spine buster time.
[Tazz] Wow, Coach landed hard.
-Flair and Batista… -[Tazz] Here we go. [groans, chuckles]
[Ross] Flair eliminating Coach.
[Tazz] Flair. [chuckles] Whoa, the way he does that.
[Ross] You know Flair and Batista are gonna be on the same page.
-Hard knife edge chop on Christian. And… -[Tazz] Oh, my God.
[Tazz] Another spinebuster.
-[Tazz] He splatted him, man. -[Ross] Man, this Batista--
-[Tazz] It's amazing. -[Ross] He can spinebust a Volkswagen.
-[Tazz] You're not kidding. -[Ross] This son of a gun,
as strong as he is.
-[Tazz] Look at this. -[Ross] Oh, my God, look at that.
[Tazz] He just picked up Christian like a little toy.
[Ross] Christian, he was-- He's military pressed to the floor.
Christian eliminated by Batista.
[Tazz] Benoit still in there, J.R. The number two entry.
You got to wonder if conditioning starting to play a major part in Benoit.
It doesn't look it now, but you get my drift.
[Ross] Benoit's got a--
He's got an extra tank a lot of guys don't have.
[Tazz] Batista helping out Flair there, Evolution. Look at this.
[Ross] That spinebuster is a difference maker.
It breaks your body up,
it drives the air out of your… out of your lungs.
And now look at the double team.
-Evolution. -[Tazz] Yep. Whoa.
[Ross] Batista did the dirty work and Flair got the elimination.
[Tazz] The words out of my mouth J.R., you're damn right on that.
-[Ross] Whoa, whoa… -[Tazz] Oh, what the hell was that?
[Ross] Oh, the Nature Boy tried to pull a fast one there on Batista.
Look, Ric Flair trying to beg off like he didn't mean it.
[Tazz] That should be in this case.
[Ross] Flair knew damn well what he was doing.
-[Tazz] Oh! -[Ross] A dropkick.
Edge and Rey now double dropkicking Batista.
And we are down to the… the bottom line of this situation.
[Tazz] What a Rumble. This is big-- God almighty, wait.
-And there goes Flair, whoa! -[Ross] Edge eliminated Flair.
Edge is still alive. There's still a count of four.
Edge has eliminated Eddie Guerrero, he's eliminated Ric Flair among others.
Batista and Edge.
Cena and Rey Mysterio.
[Tazz] Two SmackDown guys, two Raw guys,
I don't know if that's gonna matter. It's every man for himself.
This is it, man, all the marbles here, baby.
[Ross] One of these four men are gonna be in the main event at WrestleMania.
[Tazz] Rey went after Edge and Edge caught him.
Oh, look at Batista.
[Ross] Batista doesn't give a damn who he involves.
[Tazz] Oh, he doesn't. You're right. I like Batista. [chuckles]
-Uh-oh. Watch out. -[Ross] Good on the spear,
-a spear by Edge. -[Tazz] And you got-- Oh, look at this.
[Ross] A spear on Cena, one of these four men, and right now,
looks like it's going to be Edge is going to be on the main event
-of WrestleMania. -[Tazz] Jawbreaker. Oh, and a leapfrog.
Beautiful athleticism by Mysterio.
[Ross] Mysterio didn't get past after, and a drop--
[Tazz] Uh-oh. Uh-oh. Uh-oh. Uh-oh. Here it is, baby. J.R..
[Ross] 619 by Rey Mysterio. He's a phenomenal.
[Tazz] And Enigma. Amazing springboard. Look at this. Uh-oh.
Oh, watch out.
-[Ross] Oh, hang on. -[Tazz] Come on, baby, here you go, Rey.
-[Ross] Well, he's got to touch the floor. -[Tazz] That's right. Oh, good God.
[Ross] A spear… a spear through the ropes. And Edge has eliminated Rey Mysterio.
Edge is red hot. Edge is on a roll.
-Flair, Eddie Guerrero, Rey Mysterio. -[Tazz] Whoa, whoa, whoa!
Going into Batista now. I think that's-- That was brilliant
on Mysterio but now Edge going after the head
of Cena and the head-- Oh, watch out.
-[crowd cheering] -[Tazz] Oh!
[Ross] Well, we're down to one man from Raw, one man from SmackDown.
John Cena, Batista, the final two.
One of these two will be in the main event at WrestleMania.
[Tazz] I know who I'm picking, J.R. [chuckles]
The Doctor of Thuganomics. Come on, Cena.
[Ross] Man, this is… this a dream matchup.
You can only see it at the Royal Rumble match.
Who's going to WrestleMania. Who's going to be the headline?
[Tazz] Cena, baby, Cena, J.R.. I got goose bumps, man,
this is… this is awesome.
[Ross] I think it's Batista.
I've got to believe it's going to be Batista.
Whether I like him or I don't, he is a-- he is a hell of a hand and he's on Raw.
And that's what matters to me. This right hand, Batista downstairs.
[Tazz] Shot there. Good duck there, come on, Cena.
Yeah. Do it, John. You got to be doing it, John. FU.
Do get him over. Get him over. He's got him. He's got…
-Cena's got the ropes on. -[Tazz] No, no,
-don't let him take his leg. -[Ross] Cena too fit, too strong.
[Tazz] Go, go, get him, John, get him, Cena.
-Cena holding… -[Tazz] Throw him over, damn. Do it.
[Ross] Cena can't get the--
-Get underneath… -[Tazz] Come on, Cena.
He's underneath. I don't know how many more of these you're gonna get.
God.
[Ross] Well, he couldn't get the FU, he went underneath on that,
-that's what I was saying. -[Tazz] Oh, no. Uh-oh. Oh, no, no, no. No.
-[Ross] Can you say, "Batista Bomb." -[Tazz] No, no, no.
-[crowd clamoring] -[Tazz] Whoa, whoa, whoa! Get him.
[Ross] My God, they both went out.
[Tazz] Oh, what now? Now, what? Wait a minute.
-Who touched first? -[Ross] Batista wins it.
[Tazz] What the-- Wait a minute.
[Ross] Referee is calling. Ref. Jack Doan has raised Batista's hand.
[Tazz] Oh, but--
[Ross] Both men went over the top rope.
Both men, King, obviously touched the floor.
[Tazz] Wait a minute. Wait, hold on, J.R., I think--
-Yeah. No. Cena won. -[crowd cheering]
No, no, no, no, no. Well, there's…
-Man, we got some… -[Tazz] Yeah, yeah.
[crowd cheering]
[Ross] Two Raw referees holding Batista's hand up.
[Tazz] Yeah. That's-- What the-- What the hell.
[Ross] Man, we got a major malfunction at the junction here with--
We've got two winners of the Royal Rumble,
-or do we? -[Tazz] I don't know.
Could you tell who landed first? I couldn't tell.
[Ross] I'd be honest with you, I could not.
[crowd cheering]
-[Tazz] Whoa, uh-oh. -[Ross] Here comes the boss.
Here comes the chairman of the WWE, Mr. McMahon.
[Tazz] He does not look happy and that's not a shocker. What the…
His feet hit the ground first.
-He's the winner. -No, no, no.
[indistinct clamoring]
-[crowd cheering] -[Tazz] Okay. Who is it? It's Cena, yeah.
[Ross] The referees are pleading their case on what they saw.
Mr. McMahon has got quite a conundrum here.
[Tazz] Wait, the hell, wait a minute.
[Ross] And Cena, Batista tossed him--
-Cena over to the top. -[Tazz] What's that? Wait,
but that was over. What the hell is going on here?
Well, there you go, John, throw him over.
[Ross] And Cena now throwing Batista over the top.
-What the hell is going on here? -[Tazz] I don't have a clue.
[Ross] And the chairman is sitting in the ring.
[Howard] Ladies and gentlemen,
per order of the chairman, Mr. McMahon,
he has ordered that this match be restarted.
-[crowd cheering] -[Tazz] Well, that sounds good.
-[Ross] That's fair with me. -[Tazz] I think that--
I think that is fair. You know, I thought Cena won,
but I think that is fair.
[Ross] But it doesn't really matter what you and I think.
[Tazz] Yeah. You're right about that. But-- Come on, Cena, fight out of this.
[Ross] So, it's down to Cena and Batista the final two.
-The match restarted. -[Tazz] Yeah, yeah, yeah. Come on, John.
[Ross] Cena going for the FU, but not to me.
-No, no, watch out. -[Ross] Batista-- Oh, Batista from Raw
-overpowering John Cena… -[Tazz] No, no, no.
-[Ross] …with a spinebuster. -[Tazz] No. No!
-[bell tolling] -[Ross] And Batista beat Cena.
-["I Walk Alone" playing] -[Ross] Batista, the exclamation point…
-[Howard] The winner… -[Ross] …is on the sentence.
[Howard] …of the Royal Rumble match, Batista!
[Ross] It was not without controversy.
But by God, we know now who's going to the main event
-at WrestleMania, Tazz. -[Tazz] No doubt about it.
Batista's going. Great Royal Rumble, great matchup.
[Ross] The animal of Evolution in a match that had to be restarted
asserted himself physically against the spectacular John Cena.
But Batista, the 318-pounder,
will be in the main event at WrestleMania 21.
Batista, Evolution's animal, has won the Royal Rumble
but will Batista be the next World Heavyweight Champion?
[music concludes] e the next World Heavyweight Champion?