[ominous music playing]
[narrator] The Road to WrestleMania begins tonight.
Built for destruction…
desperate for power.
[Tazz] Watch out! They'll knock down my--
[Michael] Angle press slammed through the announce table.
[Tazz] My god!
[Michael] Kurt Angle may be out cold.
[narrator] Born to be champion.
[Kurt] Nobody gets the best of Kurt Angle.
[narrator] Destined to collide.
[Michael] I can't believe it. Kurt Angle, Kurt Angle.
[Kurt] Everyone knows that I'm the real thing.
[Michael] It has come down to this.
[Mark] I am the world's strongest man.
-And Kurt, you can't beat me. -[Kurt] Well, let's find out.
Don't make the mistake of being one of my opponents.
[music concludes]
[narrator] Thirty Superstars willing to pay the price
-on the road to a championship. -[suspenseful music playing]
[Joey] This is about creating a shot at the championship at WrestleMania.
[narrator] History has proven
-it's a road that leads to gold. -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Raw and SmackDown, beating the holy hell out of each other.
History will be made tonight.
[narrator] A champion desperate for validation.
The following Superstar has been rated R.
[Edge] And you better get used to it.
[narrator] The opinions…
[Edge] I am not gonna be some transitional champion.
I equal ratings.
-[narrator] …actions… -[Edge] I do what I want,
when I want. I call the shots. I want Lita to finish me off.
[narrator] …and ideas expressed by Edge
may not reflect those of any other Superstar.
As a result, aggressive…
[John] You want to get gritty? We'll get gritty, Rated-R Superstar.
[narrator] …hostile…
[John] I will beat his ass.
[narrator] …and retaliatory actions may take place.
[John] Tonight, I want me some of Edge, right here, right now,
for the WWE champ.
[narrator] Viewer discretion is advised.
[Edge] I stand before you,
a real champion, the Rated-R Superstar.
[narrator] Hold on. The road begins now.
[music concludes]
[narrator] And now Raw and SmackDown present…
the 19th annual WWE Royal Rumble.
[triumphant music playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] For the 19th consecutive year,
the Road to WrestleMania begins at the Royal Rumble.
You are looking live
at a sold-out American Airlines Arena
in Miami, Florida, 16,178 standing-room only.
Hello, again, everybody.
Michael Cole and Tazz at ringside, representing SmackDown.
And are you ready, partner?
Oh, man, I could not be any more ready. These WWE fans are amped up.
As am I. Can't wait. Royal Rumble right now.
A joint production of both SmackDown and Raw.
Joining us from Raw, Joey Styles and Jerry "the King" Lawler.
Thank you very much, Michael Cole and Tazz.
We are your Raw announce team.
I'm Joey Styles, along with Jerry "the King" Lawler
and as Michael Cole said, the Road to WrestleMania
begins here tonight, the Royal Rumble match-up.
The winner gets a main event championship match, King,
-at WrestleMania 22. -That's right.
And you know, when you're a king like me,
the Royal Rumble is one of your favorite pay-per-views
and tonight may be the best one ever.
Let's go to our Spanish announce team, Carlos Cabrera and Hugo Savinovich.
-[Jerry] All right. -[speaking Spanish]
[speaking Spanish]
[bell ringing]
The following contest is the open invitational
six-way Texas Tornado match,
for the Cruiserweight Championship of the world.
Now, this match is open to all former
and the current Cruiserweight Champion.
The first man to score a pinfall or submission
will be the Cruiserweight Champion of the world.
["Kash Money" playing]
[Jerry] Oh, this is unique, ladies and gentlemen, Texas Tornado style,
as we kick off with the current champ.
[Chimel] Making his way in the ring, he weighs in at 200 pounds.
He is the Cruiserweight Champion of the world,
-Kid Kash. -[Michael] Kid Kash, with that left arm
taped heavily after suffering an injury,
put the champ at a distinct disadvantage in this type of match-up.
Doesn't have to be involved in the decision to lose the title.
[Tazz] The champion, Kid Kash in this case,
-has got to be on his toes. -["Dojo" playing]
[Tazz] He can lose his title without getting pinned or tap out.
[Chimel] From Japan, weighing in at 195 pounds, Funaki.
[Michael] A former champion, held the title this time last year.
Remember, it was Funaki interviewing Kid Kash
a couple of weeks back when Kid Kash
dropped Funaki on his head with that dead-level brainbuster.
So, Funaki with a score to settle with the champ tonight.
["Trailer Park" playing]
[Chimel] From Hanover, West Virginia, weighing in at 202 pounds, Jamie Noble.
[Michael] Noble returned a few weeks ago, Tazz,
and the former champ has been tearing it up on Velocity.
[Tazz] Well, Noble's not looking to make no friends. I like Jamie Noble.
[Nunzio theme song playing]
[Tazz] Hey, my song.
[Chimel] Weighing in at 175 pounds, Nunzio.
[Michael] Nunzio won the Cruiserweight Championship
this past summer, would love to win the title
back here tonight in this Texas Tornado-style match-up.
[Tazz] I think Nunzio can do it. It's quite possible.
-He's got a lot of competition here. -["New Rockers" playing]
[Tazz] Whoa, watch this guy, watch him, I love that--
-[Chimel] From Austin, Texas, weighing in… -[Tazz] Oh, look at that mask.
[Chimel] …at 190 pounds, Paul London.
[Tazz] You should enter the ring that way, Cole.
[Michael] I was gonna say, we could see if we can get those masks
for you here at ringside. You could have a different one every week.
[Tazz] That's funny. You're off to a raring start.
[Michael] Well, it is the Rumble.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Well, who is the, uh, the sixth competitor?
-[Tazz chuckles] -[Michael] Five in the ring.
Six will be involved, with the Cruiserweight title on the line.
["Fire Storm A" music playing]
[Michael] Well, we had heard-- we heard rumors about this all week long.
[Chimel] And weighing in at 215 pounds, Gregory Helms.
[Michael] And despite the fact that Gregory Helms is from Raw, Tazz,
he's eligible for this match-up, because it is open
to all former Cruiserweight Champions.
Back in 2002, Gregory Helms, when he was known as "The Hurricane"
actually held the Cruiserweight title.
[Tazz] Helms, no help, but watch out here.
-Helms. -[Michael] Now, look at this.
-This thing is underway. -[bell ringing]
[Tazz] Helms got knocked out of the ring already.
[Michael] Oh, this schoolboy.
And right here and look at this. Nunzio, Paul London rolling through.
And a kick-out by Nunzio.
[stutters] Rolling Funaki through off the Oklahoma roll and a kick-out.
Remember, it's sudden death.
First person to pick up pinfall or submission
will win the Cruiserweight Championship.
[Tazz] Well, that's it. This is just-- I mean, you know,
Cruiserweight's exclusive to SmackDown.
Only place you could see 'em is on Friday Night SmackDown.
-[Michael] Whoa, whoa. -[Tazz] Paul and Gregory have-- What?
[Michael] Look at this.
The SmackDown Superstars are ganging up on the Raw Superstar, Gregory Helms.
[Tazz] Yes, they are, and I'll tell you what.
If I'm… if I'm Kid Kash, I'm happy
'cause usually he's in a disadvantage, you know,
being the champion, but everybody's gunning for, uh, for Helms.
[Michael] Well, look at the champ, Kid Kash,
letting everybody beat up Gregory Helms, and now he singles off Funaki,
and we told the story between Funaki and Kid Kash earlier on.
That dead level with Funaki a couple of weeks ago.
[wrestlers grunting]
[Michael] Gregory Helms was actually the last WCW Cruiserweight Champion.
-[Tazz] He's gonna get him. -[Michael] Here's the cover,
and Nunzio wisely breaks up the three-count,
and that's the strategy you have to use in this type of match-up.
[Tazz] Absolutely. Whenever you see someone about to get pinned or tap out,
you got to break that up or else you're out of it.
It's done, it's over, the match is done.
[Michael] Kid Kash misses with the right hand.
-Nunzio, wow, driving Kid Kash… -[Tazz] Nice.
[Michael] …headfirst into the mat. Here's the cover.
And Noble breaks up the three-count.
Kid Kash has got to watch everybody but watch this, Kid Kash welcomes Helms
in this, uh, Cruiserweight, uh, Texas Tornado match for the title.
[Michael] Gregory Helms in the thick of it now with Paul London
with the right hands to Helms in the corner.
There's Noble and Nunzio on the other side.
And we are at the American Airlines Arena…
-[Nunzio grunts] -[Michael] …in Miami, Florida.
-Over 16,000 strong. -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Standing-room only here tonight for the Royal Rumble--
Oh! The second time Miami
has actually hosted-- Here we go, here's the cover.
Hook to the leg. Noble may win it here. And a kick-out at two by Nunzio.
[Tazz] And he's got that-- that cross armbreaker,
otherwise known as a Juji-Gatame, it's a great arm bar,
and, uh, Helms is just breaking up that arm bar by Noble.
[Michael] Well, Gregory Helms is not-- Oh, that's a drop into a cover on Noble.
-And Funaki breaks up the three-count. -[Tazz chuckles] That was sweet, man.
That was cool, the way London did that.
[Michael] And Helms is breaking up that arm bar, because again,
submission won't allow you to win this match-up.
[Tazz] That's what I was saying, tap out or submission.
Usually, you tap out with a submission.
[Michael] You know all about tapping out, Tazz.
You were the master of making people tap out.
Of course, the Rumble has a special place in your heart,
-you made your debut at the Royal Rumble. -[Tazz] Yes, it was a great time.
As is this time, watch out, watch out! London with a full body slam on Helms.
[Michael] And look at Paul London,
landed right on the sternum of Gregory Helms.
[Tazz] With that… and then shin right to the shoulder area.
Now Kid Kash is working on Nunzio over there.
[Michael] Gregory Helms finding out why cruiserweight action
is exclusive to Friday Night SmackDown.
[Tazz] Noble's all over, uh, Funaki. We miss someone?
No, we got six, right?
[Michael] There's six. Remember, there's no elimination in this match-up.
It's sudden death. First pinfall or submission wins the championship.
-[Gregory grunts] -[Michael] Look at London tossed off
-the top rope to the floor. -[Tazz] Good way to twist an ankle.
Now Helms, getting out the way of, uh, Nunzio.
[Michael] Knee to the midsection by Nunzio. Sicilian Slice by Nunzio.
-[Tazz] That's leg's up. -[Michael] Here's the cover.
Hook to the leg. And a kick-out.
I should say, Noble breaking up the three-count.
[Tazz] You've got to have your head on a proverbial swivel in this match
and Noble, uh-oh, that double leg.
[Michael] And again, as we talked about earlier, Tazz,
there's no elimination. This is sudden death.
The first man to pick up pinfall or submission
will win the Cruiserweight Championship.
[Tazz] How smart is Kid Kash hanging out in the corner,
-keeping an eye on his… -[Michael] Here's the cover,
hook to the leg and Nunzio rips up the three-count.
-[Tazz] Kid Kash picking his spots… -[groans]
[Tazz] …and a power round kick right to the chest.
[Michael] But remember, Kid Kash can't hang out and watch too much,
Tazz, because he doesn't have to be involved in the decision
to lose the championship.
[Tazz] I know, we've said that ten times, but the thing is,
if you're Kid Kash, you can let other guys, you know,
-conserve energy-- -[Michael] Nunzio!
Over the top rope, taking out London and Helms.
-Thanks to Kid Kash, the champion. -[Tazz] Kid Kash, watch out!
-Oh! -[Michael] Jamie Noble.
[Tazz] That flying leg, that-- that…
kind of like a leg whip went right up into the throat, like a leg lariat.
[Michael] Here's the cover, hook to the leg,
and Funaki realizing Noble could win the title there,
broke up the three-count.
[Tazz] Beautiful flying leg lariat. I mean, that was really nice by Noble
and Funaki with a haymaker and another one right to the lip
and jaw of Jamie Noble.
[Michael] It was this time last-- Look at Noble!
-[Tazz] Oh! -[Michael] Sent through the second rope.
[Tazz] You know, I think Helms got out of the way of it,
-unless Helms got caught too. -[grunts]
[Michael] It's Kid Kash bounced off the top turn buckle.
Kash and Funaki, the only two left in the ring here.
[crowd shouting indistinctly]
[Michael] Kid Kash whipped into the corner.
-Here comes Funaki. -[groans]
[Michael] Nobody home, lands on the apron.
-Funaki with a right hand. -[Tazz] Oh!
Hell of a shot right there
and Kid Kash is… I dunno where the hell he's at.
-Kid Kash-- -[Michael] Oh, no,
Funaki off the top rope and Kid Kash standing alone in the ring.
-Yeah, baby! -[Michael speaks indistinctly]
-[Tazz] Not for long. Watch out. -Yeah!
[Michael] Paul London.
Wow, what a kick off the jaw. Did you see that?
[Tazz chuckles] I heard it. And saw it. And Paul London,
what the hell? London's all by his lonesome.
-[Michael] What's he thinking about? -[Tazz] Ah, he's nuts, this kid.
He'll do something wacky. Watch him.
[Michael] Paul London heading up to the top rope.
Oh, London's gonna fly!
-[crowd cheering] -[Michael exclaims]
The Shooting Star from the top rope,
taking out a bevy of cruiserweights.
-[crowd chanting] London! London! -[Tazz chuckles]
-[groans] -[Tazz] My sentiments exactly.
I agree with Miami. Let's take a look at this.
Shooting Star. [chuckles] Oh my God, watch this.
-Nothing to say here, look at that. -[Michael] Unbelievable.
[Michael] That's what winning the Cruiserweight Championship means
to Paul London.
[Tazz] Well, London leaving it all on the line and now,
Gregory Helms with those headbutts,
Kid Kash, the champion, is lying prone there--
[Michael] All kinds of trouble.
And Helms and London, going up to the top rope here.
[Tazz] The hell's gonna happen now?
What the hell is this? Watch out!
[Michael] Oh my, the swinging neckbreaker from the top rope.
[Tazz] Helms is feeling that, too. That was beautifully executed.
[Michael] But Helms injured himself as well,
as we take another look at this high-flying action.
[Tazz] Kash might-- Oh! Kid Kash might try and pick up the scraps here
and get the pin cover, if he can, on London.
London, but, uh… see where… there he is, there he is.
[Michael] Well, Kid Kash, dropkick right to the jaw.
Kid Kash grabbing Paul London,
current Cruiserweight Champion,
going for that-- that dead level, that brainbuster. He connects.
-The dead level connects. -[Tazz] That's it.
-[Michael] Here's the cover. -[Chris] One!
[Michael] And it's Nunzio and Funaki.
[Tazz] Well, once Kid Kash nails that, it is all over,
but thanks to Funaki and, uh, Nunzio, it's not over.
[Michael] All six cruiserweights back in the ring.
Sudden death.
First man to pick up pinfall or submission becomes the champion.
-[grunts] -[Michael] Oh, and Nunzio,
-small of his backside. -[Tazz] Oh, watch this!
[Michael] Cuff the knee, cover, hook to the leg.
-Nunzio just gets the shoulder out. -[crowd booing]
[Tazz] All these men and I'll tell you what.
Putting their body through hell in this match.
[crowd chattering]
[Tazz] Kid Kash now stomping him. Watch out!
[chuckling] What a dropkick.
[Michael] Kid Kash has taken two shots to the head
at the hands of Jamie Noble.
[Tazz] Well, Kid Kash has been trying to get back in that ring
to protect his Cruiserweight Championship.
[Michael] Funaki up to the second rope, right hand to Jamie Noble.
Keep it open. Keep it open.
[Michael] Jamie Noble with a chop, and another one.
[Tazz] Reversed out of that beautifully, that arm laying out those chops.
Fireman's carry. What's he got in mind here?
-Oh! Knees to the gut. -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] That was nice.
-And Jamie Noble. -[yells]
[Tazz] Look at this, got a Dragon Sleeper.
-[Michael] The sleeper locked in. -[Tazz] That Dragon Sleeper-- Oh, what?
[Michael] Nunzio. That was Helms, I should say, missing the kick.
Noble sent through the second rope.
[Tazz] Shining Wizard right across the back of the bean.
[Michael] Back of the head. Here's the cover, nobody around.
-[crowd] One! Two! Three! -[bell ringing]
-[Michael] Helms wins the championship. -[Tazz] What the hell?
-[Michael] Wow! -[Tazz] A Raw guy!
[Chimel] Here is your winner, and the new
Cruiserweight Champion of the world, Gregory Helms.
[Michael] Gregory Helms came here from Raw,
won the Cruiserweight Championship.
[Tazz] He sure as hell did and he did it in a very impressive fashion.
You've got to give it up for Helms. I know he's a Raw guy,
but, wow, we got a new Cruiserweight Champ at the Royal Rumble.
How the hell did this happen?
[Michael] What an explosive way to kick off the 2006 Royal Rumble
with a new Cruiserweight Champion.
Gregory Helms winning the championship in this Texas Tornado match-up.
[Tazz] Well, Noble had that Dragon Sleeper as we see here in a moment.
Well, oh, I spoke too soon.
Oh, there's the… the Shining Wizard right across the head
but earlier that's how he got to win, Helms, but right before that,
Jamie Noble had a beautiful Dragon Sleeper on.
Helms went for the Shining Wizard and Noble ducked.
And then look at this, Helms pulls off that Shining Wizard,
and the new Cruiserweight Champion.
[Michael] So Helms has now held the Cruiserweight title
with two different personas, The Hurricane and now Gregory Helms,
the new Cruiserweight Champion.
-[Tazz] Well, what does this mean now? -[Michael] Great question.
He's from Raw.
McMahon, I am so excited about the Royal Rumble tonight.
-I am too, Teddy. -You know, this is the first one of '06.
-And the only one too. [chuckles] -You can believe that.
Hey, you know, I'm here to kind of help you supervise tonight,
you know, to make sure everything's fair, player.
You know what? I mean, first of all,
you've got that Louis Farrakhan look going for you so--
-Are you feeling that? -Yeah, yeah.
Pretty good but, um, you know what? I've got it tonight. Really.
-You sure? -Positive.
I got it. Thank you. I appreciate it, though.
-Oh, yes. I know what that's for. -[crowd cheers]
[Vince] Ladies, I mean, we… look what we have here. Tori,
-looking mighty, mighty, mighty fine. -[chuckles] Thank you, Vince.
Victoria and a little doggie and, uh, then we come to Candace.
What a nice star that is and…
-Thank you. -[Vince] …you've got your own wand
-and, oh, this is-- -It's magic.
Yeah, I bet it is magic in your hands, for sure.
-[chuckles] -Whoo!
So we want to try and spin this thing up and see what we have here.
I mean, well, let's see, while we're doing that… Randy Orton.
-Randy, come on in. -[cheers]
-All right. This is the big moment. -[Randy] Vince McMahon. That's right.
Are we feeling lucky? 'Cause I'm feeling lucky.
[crowd cheering]
-[Vince] Okay, here we go. -Let's see, let's see. This one here.
[Vince] Pick your poison. What's it gonna be?
Okay.
Hey, now. Hey, now. Hang on. [exhales heavily]
Oh, babe, oh, this is… No.
-[stutters] -Triple H! Triple H, come on in.
[crowd cheering]
[smacks lips] If it isn't Mr. Destiny.
-Excuse me. -Yeah, go right ahead.
Ladies, help him out. Open that little door.
That's the problem with the, uh…
the whole living in the fantasy world, talking about destiny.
-I live in reality. -[indistinct chatter]
-Reality, huh? -Yeah. I live in reality world.
And reality's like me beating you for a title.
Or realities of you not standing a chance tonight.
I'm gonna win the Royal Rumble.
Tori, would you mind opening your box for me?
-[chuckles] You guys. -[scoffs] Oh, this box, okay.
Hmm. Would you hold my ball?
-[crowd cheering] -Hm, that feels good. [inhales deeply]
[exhales heavily] Kid…
read 'em…
and weep.
-[crowd cheering] -Oh. [chuckles]
Whoa, bro, you… Reality?
Let me tell you what your reality is. You… you're screwed.
You are screwed, man. Tough luck. I'll see you out there.
Or maybe not.
[chuckles softly]
-[paper crackles] -[grunts]
-Give me my ball back. -[crowd laughs]
[scoffs]
[crowd cheering]
-[Mickie] Hey, Trish. -Hey.
Hey. I mean, everybody's kind of wondering, like,
who you're gonna favor tonight in the match against Ashley
-and I as special guest-- -Mickie, it's not gonna be like that.
-I'm calling every-- -Okay, wait, wait, wait.
There's just something I really want to tell you, actually.
It's gonna have to wait, okay?
-But, no, wait! -["Time To Rock & Roll" playing]
-Mickie-- -It's just one thing, I'm sorry.
It's is just really hard for me, Trish-- -Mickie, it's gonna have to wait.
-I've got to go. -Trish, wait.
I've waited way too long to tell you this. I real-- I just…
really want to say…
Trish, I love you.
[crowd cheering]
♪ Right now I own the streets I got the keys to the city ♪
[exhales]
♪ Sometimes I wonder How I made it this far ♪
[Jerry] Uh… uh, go, go ahead, Joey, you take it.
[Joey] Did Mickie James mean I… I love you, like, I love you, my--
Oh, never mind. Uh… In any case, here comes, uh, the referee
for this very special match-up, the record-setting
six-time WWE women's champion, Trish Stratus.
[crowd cheering]
[Lilián] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome
your special guest referee,
the WWE Women's Champion, Trish Stratus.
[Jerry] Wow, Trish Stratus looking, uh, maybe a little hotter than usual.
I would think that her face might be a little flushed
after what she just heard.
She has to be a little taken aback by that.
I mean, Mickie James grabs her right before the match
and tells her she loves her. [chuckles]
[Joey] Yeah, especially, Mickie James has behaved.
I mean, kissing Trish underneath the mistletoe
-and then… -["Obsession" playing]
[Jerry] With the shower scene. Remember the shower?
Whoa-ho.
[Joey] The whole thing's a little weird, quite frankly.
Here she comes, Mickie James herself.
Young lady's a bit of a whack job. [chuckles]
[bell ringing]
[Lilián] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first from Richmond, Virginia, Mickie James.
[Jerry] Yeah, first of all, Joey Styles, you shouldn't call anybody a whack job.
You're out here to be, you know, objective
and I have heard that your family has more nuts than Planters.
So just, you know, let's talk about Mickie--
[Joey chuckles] You have no idea how true that is.
[Jerry] Look at these two.
[Joey] Well, I mean, this is quite an interesting story
and what's happened here is that at different times, Mickie James
and Ashley were Tag Team partners along with Trish Stratus and Mickie James,
-driven by jealousy… -[Lilián] From New York City,
the 2005 Raw Diva Search winner, Ashley!
[Jerry] Well, you can say that Mickie James is weird,
whacky, whatever it is you want to say.
She may think she's in love, but she's still one hell of a wrestler.
[Joey] Well, no question, Mickie James can wrestle,
and Ashley herself has been claimed by Trish Stratus
after winning the 2005 Raw Diva Search.
But Mickie James is obsessed with Trish. She's her number one fan,
she's obsessed with Trish, and time and time again,
-she's attacked Ashley, just because-- -[bell ringing]
Well, for no reason, quite frankly. Just because when anyone gets near Trish,
-Mickie James goes crazy. -[Jerry chuckles] I know.
Well, who wouldn't go crazy when you get near Trish?
-[Joey] You know what I mean. -[Jerry] I would love to be
that striped shirt Trish is wearing. Can you imagine being that close to Trish?
No, I can't even imagine it, King.
-[both grunting] -[Joey] Well, the question here is,
will Ashley call things right down the middle.
You mean Trish.
Will Trish call it down the middle? She trained Ashley
and she's, quite frankly, she's got a problem with Mickie James.
[crowd cheering]
Now Mickie James, no question, the more accomplished wrestler
-out of these two-- -[Jerry] Whoa, look at this.
[Joey] But Ashley holding her own here. She's calling out the whole time.
They've gone to the outside. Ashley's hanging on.
Trish wants 'em back in the ring but--
-[crowd clamoring] -[Jerry] These two are…
these two are tied up and, like you said, taking it right out to the fans here.
[Joey] No love lost between Mickie James and Ashley after what's gone on
on Raw the last couple of weeks.
[Jerry] Don't you keep saying the word "love" here tonight? Is this gonna be a…
are we gonna see Trish and Mickie James
on the love connection or something like that?
-What's going on here? -[Joey] And you'd love that
and so would millions of men all over the globe.
-[Jerry] You just said "love" again. -[yelling indistinctly]
[Joey] Mickie James now, working over the arm of Ashley.
Ashley rolls through and, again,
Ashley trained by the WWE Women's Champion, Trish stratus.
[Jerry] Wow.
[Joey] Hear Mickie James shouting out. Hey, look at Ashley now, going--
[Jerry] Oh, yes! Nice move!
[Joey] Pinfall combination gets a one-count
from this referee, Trish Stratus.
[Jerry] Oh, Mickie James getting a little frustrated here.
[Joey] No question about it.
Ashley going right back to working on that arm.
Very fundamental wrestling being shown by Ashley,
who's coming to fight a wrestling Superstar.
[Jerry] You see Mickie James trying to get to the rope,
did get to the rope but, wow, yanked right off the ropes.
[crowd cheering]
[Joey] Ashley goes right back to that arm once again.
Very technically sound is Ashley, to everyone's surprise, quite frankly.
Mickie James has to be a little bit embarrassed here.
[yells]
[Jerry] Mickie James, uh, before the match-up--
[yells]
[Jerry] Sounds like she's about to snap there.
She started screaming and, uh…
she asked Trish right before the match who Trish was gonna favor.
Trish made it very clear she wasn't gonna favor anyone.
[Jerry] No, call it right down the middle.
[Joey] She was gonna be a very impartial referee.
[Jerry] Maybe she just really…
I know, she was trying to get on Trish's good side in this match
by telling her she loves her. I think she really loves her.
She thinks she does. Oh, look at that.
[Joey] What a clothesline from the apron by Ashley.
And Trish is the referee. She's in a tight spot here.
I mean, she did train Ashley and Mickie James is her number one fan.
She's got her problems with Mickie James,
she may not like Mickie right now, but as a referee…
[Jerry] Let's start the count there, Trish.
[Joey] …as a referee, Trish wants to call things impartially.
[yells]
[crowd chanting indistinctly]
[Joey] Fans in Miami really on the case of Mickie James.
[Jerry] Trish is trying to give her a little leeway there, see? But, now--
[Joey] Getting kneed by Ashley.
Ashley is all over Mickie James.
Side of Ashley we've never seen and Trish pulling…
-[Jerry] Oh, look out! -…and Mickie James from behind.
[Jerry] Wow.
Mickie James quite the opportunist there when she saw, uh,
Ashley's backside, she took advantage.
[groans]
[Joey] Trish trying to call things impartially,
pulling Ashley off of Mickie James. Ashley would not abide by the five-count.
-As you said, Mickie James-- -[Jerry] Well, look at this.
-[yells] -[Jerry] Oh, man.
[Joey] Single-leg Miami crab, if you will, here at the American Airlines Arena.
Great torque being applied,
the foot being placed firmly on the back of the neck of Ashley.
I don't think Mickie James was looking for a submission there,
she just wanted to inflict pain on Ashley and hear her scream.
-[yells] -[Jerry] I tell you, sometime, you know,
usually, when you're watching someone's face in a match…
-[indistinct chatter] -…you can usually tell, I mean,
if they're trying to outthink their opponents,
they're trying to think a few moves ahead or something,
but, no, when I look in the eyes of Mickie James,
I don't… [chuckles] …I don't, it's like, really, nobody's home.
I'm telling you, I don't… I don't know what this girl's thinking.
[Joey] She is a very complex young woman. Look at this!
-Oh, my God. Wham! -[crowd exclaiming]
Sternum first, right into the unforgiving steel end post.
[groans]
[Jerry] Trish, you're gonna have to get Mickie James back in the ring here.
Look at the… Look at the way she's looking at Trish.
[Joey] She looks so happy. She almost looked mesmerized,
looking at Trish but, yet, so sadistically happy.
[crowd] Two, three, four…
[Joey] Now stepping again on those ribs of Ashley.
She may have cracked one or two of those lower floating ribs of Ashley,
-ramming them into the steel end posts. -[Jerry] I'm gonna tell you something.
Trish has got to be very-- Oh! Very uncomfortable.
Running baseball slide and down goes Ashley.
[Jerry] Certainly not as uncomfortable as Ashley is right now
with Mickie James all over her. Trish, you're gonna have to come out there
and get her back in the ring.
[Joey] Well, Ashley's in a great deal of pain and Trish,
as much as she wants to remain impartial,
she's gonna have to come, come get Mickie off of Ashley
because she's not letting up at all. Look at…
-[Jerry] Mickie James just smiling away. -[crowd] Two, three…
[Joey] It's almost like she's trying to impress Trish by hurting Ashley.
[Jerry] No, it's not, "it's almost like,"
it's exactly what she's trying to do.
-[grunts] -[crowd exclaims]
[Joey] Yes, I did and so did everyone else here
at the sold-out American Airlines Arena in Miami.
Over 16,000-strong, standing-room only.
[crowd cheers]
[Joey] Fisherwoman suplex with a bridge, two and no.
[crowd boos]
[Joey] Mickie James couldn't hold the bridge.
[Jerry] You know that Mickie is infatuated with Trish
but I think she's also jealous of Ashley.
[Joey] Because Trish has trained Ashley
and they've got quite a professional relationship.
-Mickie doesn't like that. -She's like, "Get off me."
[Jerry] Mickie's got all kinds of issues going.
[speaks indistinctly]
[Joey] Almost a… a freestyle bow and arrow.
Now Mickie James, again, striking the lower back of Ashley.
[yells, groans]
[Jerry] Look, it's almost like she's looking
into Trish's eyes for approval here.
What do you think?
Is it a matter of "I'll show you because you're friends with Ashley,"
or "I want to impress you by hurting Ashley,"
or does she just enjoy hurting other women?
[Jerry] Are you asking me what I think Mickie James is thinking?
[chuckles] I have no clue.
[Joey] Rhetorical questions.
-[Mickie grunts] -[Joey] What a right hand!
[Jerry] I can usually read a woman like a book.
But Mickie James I can't, I just can't get a read on her at all.
Down here. Oh!
[Joey] Face first into the top turn buckle and now Ashley back on the offensive,
kicking away at Mickie James.
[Jerry] Man!
[Joey] She's got a great straight right hand.
[Jerry chuckles] She does. Well, of course, Mickie James wouldn't say
it's so great right now but I would think that Trish needs
to get in there and not allow those… those fists.
[Joey] Mickie James thrown around by a couple of handfuls of hair.
That can't be pleasant.
-[Mickie yells] -Watch the hair, Ashley.
[Joey] Oh! [chuckles] Wow, it's like a frisbee.
Mickie James was airborne on that one.
[Jerry] Well, Mickie James took a lot of-- or Mickie James taking a lot
of punishment right now from Ashley. Look at this move.
[Joey] Crucifix, standing crucifix now, by Ashley,
looking for a pinning predicament, but Mickie James is too strong, standing.
[Jerry] Oh, the hair, the hair!
-[crowd] One! Two! -[Joey] One, two and--
-[Jerry] No! -[Joey] That was close.
-[Jerry] Yes, it was. -[Joey] And much to her credit,
Trish has called things right down the middle.
But now Ashley, again, raining down right hands, bare knuckles,
all over Mickie James.
[Jerry] Trish has got to get in there. First, Ashley used Mickie James' hair
to get her down to begin with, now those right hands are fists.
She's warning her about the fists. Look out, here-- Oh!
[Joey] Ashley just keeps coming and this time runs head on
to Mickie James, backs her up into the turn buckle
-and just keeps hammering away. -[crowd] Boo!
[Joey] Ashley is relentless.
[Jerry] And these fans are starting to get on Ashley
as well as Trish is here.
Ashley's just thrown the rule book completely out of the window-- Oh!
[Joey] Oh, wait a minute. Couple of handful on tights.
Did you see Ashley land on the back of her neck?
Did you see the angle she landed on her neck, handful on tights?
-[Jerry] One. -[Joey] And Trish
-almost didn't want to do it. -[bell ringing]
["Obsession" playing]
[Joey] She hesitated but counted the three.
[Lilián] Here is your winner, Mickie James.
-[Jerry] Oh, oh, oh, look out, look out! -[Joey] Is she hugging Trish?
[Jerry] I think groping might be a better word. She's--
You can't celebrate with the referee. Come on, Mickie.
[Joey] You can't celebrate with a referee. You can't thank a referee.
[Jerry] Oh, I think she'd like to really thank her.
[Joey] She has nothing to thank her for. Trish called it right down the middle.
Trish was as impartial and official as we have ever seen.
[Jerry] This has got to be the greatest moment of Mickie James' life.
She got to tell Trish Stratus that she loved her
and then Trish is raising Mickie James' hand in victory. Look at it.
What a smile. That may have to be surgically removed.
[Joey] Look at the way Mickie continues to look at Trish.
It's-- I think it's really creepy.
[Jerry] I may have to go and have a cigarette now.
[Joey] I still say she's a whack job.
-[indistinct] -[victorious music playing]
[Joey] There you see a shot outside the sold-out standing-room-only
American Airlines Arena here in Miami, Florida,
for the 19th annual Royal Rumble.
[Jerry] Boy, what a beautiful arena it is and, as you said,
over 16,000-- Well, 16,178, to be exact.
They're standing in the aisles here watching the Royal Rumble tonight.
[Joey] And now it's time to go look at the wwe.com instant access room,
the new Cruiserweight Champion, Gregory Helms,
standing by right now being interviewed by Josh Mathews.
Log on at wwe.com right now.
[Jerry] You know what, I feel like this is a good omen for Raw here tonight.
I predict Raw to win the Royal Rumble.
-[indistinct chatter] -[music concludes]
-See it, right there, that little dot. -[Victoria] It's cute.
I've never seen a tattoo that small before though.
Right, but it's for Chloe when she was born.
That little heart shape is very, very nice.
-[Candace] Yeah, but Vince? -Yeah?
I have a really nice tattoo too.
-You have one as well, Candace? -Yeah, yeah.
-You want to see? Look. -You do-- Well, sure.
-Oh, my God. -[chuckles]
-I've never seen a tattoo there before. -You guys like that one?
Vince, Vince, Vince, that's nothing. You wanna see mine?
Well, sure, if we're showing tattoos, why not?
-You're gonna love it. -I am?
-Yes. -Yeah, I've liked 'em so far
-Oh, my goodness. -[Victoria] Oh…
-What? What's-- -[Vince] Oh--
-Oh, that's a nice tattoo. -Ooh!
-It's got a crack in it. -[all laugh]
Hey, Big Show, hey, how you doing, man?
Having a little bit of fun.
Mr. McMahon. You guys looking at tattoos?
You know, why don't you just draw your number here
-and we'll get down to some business. -I have some nice tattoos.
I have no doubt. Here we go, all right.
[Big Show] All right, let's see here.
[Vince] Looks like your paw's a little too large.
Can you help me with that, please?
-Sure. -[Big Show] Thank you.
-I'll just shut the lid here, I guess, -[Vince] No, no, hold it, please.
-[Big Show] A little nervous. -[Vince] I guess.
This is important.
-Special delivery. -You just blessed it.
-[chuckles] -Thank you.
[Vince] She found a blue one. How about that?
-[laughter] -Go ahead. See what you got.
[exhales]
-Okay. -[Vince] Rey Mysterio!
-What's up, Rey? -[crowd cheering]
-How you doing, man? How you doing? -Ladies.
I think you know one of your competitors in here.
-[Rey Mysterio] Big Show. -What's up, Rey, Rey. How you doing?
-[Rey Mysterio] Very good, man. -Hey, uh…
I know you're dedicating tonight to Eddie.
-That's right, man. -That's cool, man.
That's a real good thing you're doing.
[inhales deeply] Keep your head up, bro, just remember,
-it's every man for himself, okay? -Right.
-Stay strong. -See you out there.
-[Big Show] All right, bro. -Bye.
-[crowd cheers] -I'm ready to go for it. Come on.
[Vince] Just before you commit,
hopefully you'll feel this divine providence stuff
and maybe Eddie's gonna help you choose the right number.
You know what, Mr. McMahon?
I think Eddie's doing that just right about now.
[Vince] Yeah?
Oh, come on.
[Vince] Okay, let me see now.
-How'd we do? -Oh, man, I'm shaking.
[Vince] Yeah, that's all right. You should have seen those tattoos. Oh--
[scoffs]
-[Vince] What is it? -[chuckles, inhales deeply]
Oh, God, you've got to be kidding me.
Eddie…
Ah… [chuckles, inhales deeply]
You got me, man. You got me.
-[bell ringing] -[Michael] Was it good or bad?
[Tazz] I don't know. [chuckles] I don't know if it was good or bad.
Well, we're gonna find out in just a little bit.
Royal Rumble match right around the corner.
Hey, JBL can say only once that he's not scared of The Boogeyman
but I'm not buying it.
[Tazz] Well, just look behind the door.
-[chuckling] -[bell ringing]
[Michael] I can see why Jillian Hall is upset at The Boogeyman.
[Chimel] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Making his way to the ring, from New York City,
weighing in at 297 pounds, John "Bradshaw" Layfield.
[Michael] Ever since the chance meeting before "Survivor" series,
The Boogeyman has been stalking JBL and Jillian Hall.
I mean, he popped out of JBL's limo once.
He shoved worms down Jillian Hall's skirt.
[Tazz] Down her-- down her panties, he stuffed the worms.
[Michael] And what about what happened a couple of weeks ago
when Boogeyman did one of the most disgusting things
I have ever seen in my entire life,
licked and then ate that cancerous growth off the face of Jillian Hall.
[Tazz] Yeah, it was a moon pie moment for sure.
I mean, the Boogeyman just had-- It was like an hors d'oeuvre.
-He just ate that tumorous growth. -[Michael] Okay, enough. Anyway--
[Tazz] He just sucked the juices out of that thing.
[Michael] Anyway-- Two nights in--
-[Tazz] What? -[Michael chuckles] Two nights ago,
Two nights ago on SmackDown about 1,000 worms were dumped
from the ceiling and Boogeyman reached out--
-["Coming To Get Ya" playing] -[Tazz] Uh-oh!
[Michael] Two nights ago. Wait a minute.
♪ I'm coming to get you ♪
[crowd cheering]
[Tazz] Oh, my God. Where is he?
[Chimel] And from the bottomless pit,
weighing in at 260 pounds, The Boogeyman.
[Michael] You know, both of those guys are whack
[Tazz] Talk about a whack job.
[Michael] In the 19 years of the Royal Rumble,
I can never remember a Superstar more bizarre, more disgusting.
[Tazz] Oh, look, there's a worm. He just sucked the worm back in.
This guy's on a steady diet of worms, Cole.
[Michael] You mean he's got worms in his mouth right now?
[Tazz] Well, hello, what do you think? Look at his face.
He's got worm juice pouring out the side of his lips--
-Oh! -[Michael] Well, you know what?
Eating worms is a good thing because, you know,
if you bite off half a worm, it regrows its body.
So he's has like this… this total source of protein at all times.
[Tazz] Okay, well, listen, genius.
What if he bites off half of JBL's body, huh?
See that grow-- I didn't see the growth grow back
that came off of Jillian Hall's face.
Even if he did us all a favor, by the way.
[Michael] What is up with the… the dancing
and that… that putrid smelling smoke?
[Tazz] That red smoke, it's just,
JBL's a stunt and a guru, he's a-- you know what I mean?
He's a media mogul.
You don't need to be in love with this. This is--
I mean, come on, looking at the Boogey, look at this,
there's that whole dance thing.
[Michael] Well, you know, ever since Boogeyman cost JBL
a match-up against Lashley a couple of weeks ago,
-JBL wanted general manager-- -[Tazz] No, no.
-[Michael] Oh, no. -[Tazz] Not the pose.
He's pulling 'em out there, like they're… like it's a damn lollipop or something.
Look at him. Now he's doing a crazy walk.
I don't understand it.
I mean, how do you… how do you prepare to wrestle a guy
a person, or-- what is that--
-like The Boogeyman? -[Michael] Well, you know, JBL claims
he's not afraid and that doesn't seem to be the case.
He's out here hiding behind Jillian Hall, hiding behind the announce table.
[Tazz] I don't know if he's hiding. He's trying to regroup a little bit.
Maybe it is hiding.
[Michael] Hey, JBL held the WWE championship for ten months.
[Tazz] Hold on. Who isn't afraid of The Boogeyman?
-[Michael] Great point. -[Tazz] It is a great point.
[Michael] JBL's been involved in any type of match-up imaginable
in the history of sports entertainment but he's never been in the ring
against the likes of The Boogeyman.
[Tazz] Well, The Boogeyman is, again-- look, look, more worms now.
Stop, please. [grunts]
[Michael] And then once he eats them he does that shaking thing.
[Tazz] Well, it's like a special oily--
[Michael] Maybe he's acting like a worm, you know,
-he's like wiggling like a worm does. -[Tazz] Maybe he's not.
Maybe that's just your sick mind.
The guy, he's got problems, The Boogeyman, he eats worms.
Look, he's got one sucking out of his mouth.
[chuckles] Look at this! It's like a yo-yo.
It's like a friggin'-- like a worm yo-yo.
[Michael] Big man, big man JBL, holds Jillian Hall,
you know, in front between him and The Boogeyman.
[Tazz] It could be a little distraction tactic.
That happens in a match at times though.
[Michael] Hasn't Jillian Hall been through enough
psychologically with this guy?
[Tazz] The Boogeyman ate half a face--
-Oh, oh! -[Michael] Oh, no.
[Tazz] Uh-oh. This… this could be bad.
[crowd exclaims]
-[Tazz] She's got all that-- -[Michael] She's scared to death.
[Tazz] I don't blame her. The girl's frozen stiff.
Well, maybe not frozen stiff but--
[yells]
[Tazz] Oh, what's he gonna do, Cole?
-Help her. -[Michael] I have no idea.
-[Tazz] Somebody's got to-- -[Michael] She has to--
[Tazz] Wait, wait, wait a minute.
[Michael] Oh, my. Oh, my God, is this-- What the hell is he doing?
[Tazz] Anything he wants.
-[yells] -[Tazz] Oh, my God, he's dropping his--
-[groans] -[screams]
[Tazz] Oh, he's just upchucking worms on her.
-[bell ringing] -[Michael] And JBL's seen enough
and this match-up officially underway.
I'm gonna be sick. I'm gonna vomit.
[Tazz] He just like spit up a worm.
[Michael] Don't come over here, whatever you do.
[Tazz] There's a worm sticking out of her cleavage, for God's sake.
He's shaking worms and she's--
[Michael] Oh, The Boogeyman with a right hand.
Meanwhile, back in the ring and--
[Tazz] The girl just pulled a worm out of her bra. I just watched it.
I wasn't watching the man, I watched her. And now back to the match.
[Michael] JBL on the attack here.
I guess he believes the strategy for The Boogeyman is knock him out early.
[Tazz] Well, JBL, the brawler, he doesn't look so afraid now
but I don't know what the hell Boogeyman's doing.
-Watch out. -[Michael] Don't bring him over here.
Get back in the ring. I don't want that lying--
-[Tazz] Oh! -[Michael] That worm stuff all over here.
[Tazz] Cole, sit down, come on, sit, relax.
-You're getting on my nerves now. -[Michael] Sit down?
[Tazz] Sit down, just relax. He's over on the other side of the ring, you coward.
-There we go. -[crowd screaming indistinctly]
[Tazz] Back in the ring, now. I mean, uh… JBL's in control now.
Now he's yanking a tape off the wrist and the ref don't see it.
[Michael] And Jillian has the referee distracted.
Now JBL doing what he does best, bending the rules,
using the tape to choke down the Boogeyman.
-[Tazz] Can you blame the guy? -[Michael] No, not at all.
[Tazz] What else is JBL supposed to do?
[Michael] I normally don't back JBL's tactics
but in this particular situation, I agree with them.
-[Tazz] Just keeps-- -[Michael] Uh-oh. Uh-oh, Boogeyman.
-[Tazz] Now what? -[Jilian yelling]
[Michael] I think JBL just delivered a thumb to the eye.
[grunts]
[Michael] JBL with a right hand trying to knock The Boogeyman down
but The Boogeyman keeps coming back for more.
Well, if he wants to keep coming back for more,
JBL will give him more.
He's like the worm, he rejuvenates.
And JBL, going for the clothesline. Oh, missed.
-Shoulder into the steel post-- -[Tazz] What the--
-Boogeyman kick to the midsection. -[Tazz] Oh, my God, what the--
[Michael] Oh, we've seen him do this before, Tazz.
[Tazz] There's Pumphandle.
The Boogeyman with a power.
JBL slammed to the mat below.
[Tazz] Wow, that's power right there.
[Michael] The Boogeyman, in his pay-per-view debut,
-picks up the victory. -[bell ringing]
-[Tazz] He's got-- -[Michael] What an upset.
[Tazz] He's got more worms.
-[Chimel] Here's your winner. -[Tazz] Oh, no.
[Chimel] The Boogeyman.
[Tazz] Look at this guy. He's on a steady diet
of just straight-up worms.
-Sometimes, maggots and worms. -[Michael] So, uh, listen,
if he won his pay-per-view debut,
-how the hell does this guy party? -[Tazz] Oh, my God.
Look at this. Party?
[Michael] What's he gonna wash the worms down with?
-Tequila? -[Tazz] Worm juice. [laughs]
[Michael] Oh, my God, that's worse than the worms.
[Tazz] Look at him. And now… [stutters]
The Boogeyman is celebrating with his… that thing he does
-and how, I-- Well, he sli-- -[Michael] Boogeyman.
What else are you gonna say? He won.
[Tazz] I'm gonna try and say something. You're screaming.
He slithered out of the ring and Boogeyman won
and he's got worms scrunched up in his mouth like a--
like they're a bunch of-- I don't know, like Jujubes or something.
[Michael] Take another look at the finish here.
[Tazz] Oh, yeah. That powerslam, that Pumphandle slam.
That's where, I think, a lot of power.
He yanked the worms-- look at Jillian on the outside.
She's-- But look at this.
Look at the worms just hanging out of-- look at that.
Looks like a big esophagus worm. Oh! Right in the mouth!
He got her in the mouth!
You know how to spin that thing. Ooh!
Candace, ooh! I do believe that you just goosed me, didn't you?
[inhales deeply] Hey, daddy.
[chuckles] Last time I saw you, your pants were down round your ankle.
-[laughs] -Shelton Benjamin!
-[Shelton] Yes, Sir, Mr. McMahon? -You better straighten your mom out.
-I… I'm trying. -Yeah, just draw the number.
-Come on, let's get on with this. -Give your mama a good luck kiss.
Oh, please.
All right, how'd you do?
-Okay. -You seem a little nervous.
-It's the Royal Rumble. [gasps] Ooh. -[Vince] Ooh.
[laughs] This is gonna be a real good night.
-Yeah? -I'm gonna make your night and mine.
How so?
I'm gonna throw Shawn Michaels over the top rope.
-You do that. You know what? -Oh, yeah.
Speaking of making my night, Melina, come on in.
-You've just made my night by being here. -Hello.
Well, thank you.
Shelton, I just wanted to wish you the best of luck tonight.
-Well, thank you. -Hey, boy. Uh-uh, uh-uh.
-Bring your tail along. -Ma… Mama.
Bring your tail along. You don't know nothing about that girl.
-Um? -Yeah, well, uh…
-What can I do for you? -Anyways.
Vince, I didn't know if you heard about the working conditions
that I have to endure on SmackDown.
I mean-- [sighs]
I had heard a little something about them.
Would you like for me to personally look into that?
Yes, please. I would greatly appreciate it.
-Well, I'd be happy to, yeah. -[chuckles]
-Okay. Boys, come on in. -Mercury, Nitro, hey, guys.
-Mr. McMahon. -All righty.
-How is it? -Good.
So, uh, I think it's about that time to draw a number.
-Yeah, let's do it and see. -[Melina] Yes.
-In the home stretch. -Ew!
-[scoffs] Oh, whatever. Go ahead. -[Vince] Home stretch, here we go.
-And what do we got here? -[inhales deeply] Oh.
Careful with all that fur. You don't want to have a furball in there and--
Okay, here we go.
Okay, and…
-Eh. -Eh, you know.
-Whatever. -Great.
-All right, guys. Good luck. -[chuckles] We don't need it.
-And Vince… -Yeah.
…you know, to show our appreciation for your accommodations for me--
-Okay. -The WWE Tag Team Champions
will be more than happy to eliminate Shawn Michaels themselves.
-Really? -Yes.
Did anyone ever tell you that you have very pretty eyes?
[chuckles] You are so cute.
-Yeah. -Thank you.
[Vince] Okay. Good luck.
See, ladies, let's have a seat.
And let's enjoy the Rumble. Come on, let's have a seat on the sofa.
I think this is gonna be a really, really-- Oh, thank you very much.
Really good Royal Rumble and, oh yeah, by the way,
-I like those tattoos. -Oh.
-They're really, really nice. -[ladies chuckles]
And even Chloe. Does Chloe have a tattoo?
-She does. It says "Vince." -Oh, let me see.
-Underneath her tail? -You want to see it?
-Yeah, let me see. Oh. -Right there.
-Oh. -[ladies laugh]
Don't tell anybody.
Whoa, what about that?
Looks like Vince McMahon's lap is the best seat in the house tonight.
Well, I'd like to have Mr. McMahon's company
to watch the Royal Rumble match-up but, well, I have the King nonetheless.
Michael Cole from SmackDown, the King from Raw.
Of course, 15 Raw Superstars, 15 SmackDown Superstars
as we get set next for the Royal Rumble match-up,
the most exciting 60 minutes
in the history of sports entertainment, and it's all about WrestleMania.
[Jerry] Oh, that's right, because that's what's hanging
in the balance, a WWE championship shot at WrestleMania.
[Michael] The most exciting 60 minutes in all of sports entertainment.
It is the Royal Rumble match.
The rules are simple. Over the top rope,
both feet hit the floor, you're eliminated.
Every man for himself.
-[Tazz] Fifteen Raw Superstars. -[Michael] Fifteen from SmackDown.
[Tazz] One goal, a main event championship match at WrestleMania.
[Chris] Chris Masters is gonna be the youngest
to ever win the Royal Rumble.
[Bobby] I will go to the Royal Rumble and I will remain undefeated.
[Matt] Not many folks expect me to main event WrestleMania.
When it comes to do or die situations,
Matt Hardy will not die.
[Rey] Eddie was not only partner in the ring,
but he was more like my big brother.
I want to dedicate this Royal Rumble
to mi hermano, Eduardo Guerrero.
[upbeat music playing]
[Tazz] Chris Benoit, Randy Orton,
this is a dangerous situation for both these men.
[Michael] This is a no-holds-barred match-up. One fall to the finish.
[Tazz] The crossface, the crossface.
Benoit, Benoit rolling toward the Rumble.
I know you, man. I know I owe you a favor.
[Michael] Booker T's the United States Champion.
[Randy] My destiny is to be the World Heavyweight Champion.
We're gonna both be in the Royal Rumble this Sunday.
We very well could be the last two men.
I might be cashing in on that favor, sooner than later.
Before HBK, no one had ever entered the Royal Rumble number one
and go on to win, but I did.
You have to ask yourself the question, though.
When will your luck run out?
[Michael] Oh, no, no, no, no.
[Vince] Your luck runs out at the Royal Rumble
and I guaran-damn-tee it.
[announcer] Rob Van Dam will be returning to action in the Royal Rumble match.
[Carlito] I don't know why everyone's so excited
about the return of RVD.
There's no one in that locker room that can throw Carlito over the top rope.
[announcer] Maybe he wants to amend that statement just a little bit.
[Kane] That was just the first casualty.
Twenty-nine more await me. [laughing]
[Big Show] I would like to have a shot at the WWE title
and I would like anybody to make my day and tell me I can't.
[Triple H] I hate to disappoint you, big man.
I am gonna win the Royal Rumble and mark my words,
at WrestleMania, the king of kings goes back on his throne.
[Michael] It is the Royal Rumble match.
Anything can happen.
[Tazz] It's a huge wave of momentum that you can ride.
[Michael] The last man standing gets a first-class ticket to WrestleMania.
[music concludes]
[bell ringing]
[Lilián] The following contest is the Royal Rumble match.
[crowd cheering]
Now here are the rules.
The match will start with the first two Superstars--
["Spirit" playing]
[Joey] Wha… what's this?
-[Jerry] I'm afraid I-- -[Joey] Oh, no.
[Jerry] I'm afraid I know what this is.
-[Joey] Yeah, the Spirit Squad. -[yells]
[Jerry] You know what, Michael, this is the reason the King
is not in the Royal Rumble. These idiots.
[Joey] Yeah, your match-up on Raw this past Monday night
against the coach for a spot in the Royal Rumble match-up,
the Spirit Squad interrupted it, lost you a shot at the Rumble.
And perhaps a shot at WrestleMania.
[Jerry] You know, when I was in high school
when I was in college, I used to love cheerleaders.
-But-- -[Joey laughing]
-Well. [laughing] -Whoo! Spirit Squad! Spirit Squad!
[Joey] What are these guys all about?
[cheering indistinctly]
[Jerry] I don't know what they're all about, but they're sickening.
[cheering indistinctly]
One, two, three!
[cheering indistinctly]
One, two, three! Spirit Squad!
-Yeah! -[music concludes]
[crowd booing]
Ready?
-Ready. -Ready?
-Oh, yeah. -Ready?
Ready. Okay.
The Rumble, the Rumble. Thirty guys in all.
The Rumble, the Rumble. Twenty-nine will fall.
So let's get it underway.
Spirit Squad says, "Hey, hey, hey."
We're big. We're bad. We're victory-bound.
We'll now just rumble into the ground.
S-P-I-R-I-T Spirit Squad!
[Spirit Squad cheer]
[Jerry] I think that was an official Royal Rumble cheer.
Ask them! Tell them!
Ladies and gentlemen,
I've been asked to say, "Let's hear it for the Spirit Squad."
[Joey] Well, there's been a lot of force at the Royal Rumble.
-[crowd booing] -[Jerry] Listen. Listen, Michael.
[Jerry chuckles] We've just heard it for the Spirit Squad.
[Joey] Uh, what a way to kick off the, uh, 2006
Royal Rumble match, with the Spirit Squad.
-[Jerry] Oh, boy. -[cheers]
[Joey] All your years around this business,
-King, how many years you see that? -[Jerry] No.
And I don't know if I want to ever see it.
I mean, look at the enthusiasm on these guys here.
-As I was saying… -[Jerry laughs]
…the rules for the following match
are that the match will start with the two Superstars
who drew number one and number two.
Now every 90 seconds, another Superstar will enter the ring
in the num-- order of the number that they drew.
Now this will continue until all 30 Superstars are in the match.
Now the only way to get eliminated is to be thrown over the top rope
with both of your feet on the floor.
Now, the last man standing will be the winner
of the Royal Rumble and will earn
a main event championship match at WrestleMania 22.
[crowd cheering]
[Joey] So who's number one?
Who drew number one to enter the Royal Rumble match-up?
[crowd chattering]
["The Game" playing]
-[Jerry] Oh, my. -[Joey laughs]
No wonder he looked flabbergasted
when he picked his number a little bit earlier on.
[Lilián] Introducing first, from Greenwich, Connecticut,
weighing in at 255 pounds,
Triple H.
[Joey] King, only two men in the history of the Royal Rumble match
have entered first and won the event. Shawn Michaels in 1995,
Chris Benoit two years ago. Can The Game do it tonight?
[Jerry] Well, I don't know.
I think that's why we see that look of… I don't know if that's frustration.
It's certainly not a look of pleasantness.
It's certainly not a look of confidence on the face of The Game right now,
because, you know, he said it out of his own mouth,
tonight the king of kings will return to his throne.
[Joey] Well, he's got a long row to hoe if he's gonna get there.
Triple H cannot be happy with the choice of number one here
for the Royal Rumble match-up, but The Game has won a Rumble.
In 2002, Triple H won the event and headlined WrestleMania.
[crowd cheering]
[Joey] So the ten-time world champion
has to go through 29 other Superstars to capture the event tonight.
[Jerry] This cannot be what Triple H was looking for.
Remember what Randy Orton said to Triple H
when they saw each other's numbers?
He said, "Maybe I'll see you out there. Maybe I won't."
[Joey] Great point.
Triple H, one of the greatest in the history of sports entertainment,
would add another amazing statistic to what has been an historic career
if he can win the Rumble match-up here tonight.
And now the question is, who will Triple H face off with
in the first 90 seconds of the Rumble match-up?
Well, I think, Randy Orton also paraphrased the mindset
of all the Superstars in this Royal Rumble.
"If you're one or two, you're screwed."
[Jerry] Exactly.
[Joey] The Triple H awaiting his opponent.
Who will enter number two?
Fifteen SmackDown Superstars, fifteen Raw Superstars,
last man standing heads to WrestleMania.
["Booyaka 619" playing]
[Jerry] Oh, man.
[Joey] So that's what Rey was talking about, said,
when he said, "hey, Eddie, you stuck it to me this time.
You got me."
[Lilián] And making his way to the ring, from San Diego, California,
weighing in at 170 pounds, Rey Mysterio.
[Joey] At the Royal Rumble press conference this past Tuesday,
Rey Mysterio in an impassioned and emotional speech,
dedicated a victory at the Royal Rumble match-up to his late friend,
Eddie Guerrero, and paying homage to Eddie tonight in a lowrider,
here comes Mysterio.
[Jerry] Well, I think you as well as everybody that's familiar with SmackDown
knows just how close Eddie Guerrero was with Rey Mysterio
and I think that's why when Rey saw that he was number two,
he got that little smile and he says, "Eddie, you got me."
And you know what?
That's the kind of thing that Eddie and Rey would--
that's the way they would interact.
[Joey] Well, you saw a bit of interaction between Rey Mysterio
and the heavens when Rey chose his number a few minutes ago.
He looked at Eddie, he had a smile on his face and said,
"Eddie, you got to be kidding me."
Well, last year, King, at the Royal Rumble, Rey Mysterio
lasted over 40 minutes in an incredible performance,
but tonight, in order to go to WrestleMania,
Mysterio's gonna have to last at least 60 minutes.
Well, Mysterio and Triple H will square off,
first two men in the Royal Rumble match-up.
Again, a review of the rules.
Once you go over the top rope
and both feet hit the floor, you are eliminated.
The last man standing will headline WrestleMania.
[crowd cheering]
["Booyaka 619" continues playing]
[Joey] So, King, what type of strategy--
You've been in many Royal Rumble match-ups,
what type of strategy would you use if you were the first two men
in this match-up, like Mysterio and Triple H are?
[Jerry] Well, I think what Rey Mysterio, you know,
you were just saying that Rey Mysterio has got to survive for 60 minutes.
Right now, he just needs to concentrate… -[bell ringing]
…on surviving Triple H, because, you know,
Triple H, he's fresh, he's thinking, he's confident in this match-up, I'm sure.
-[Joey] Do you hear that Eddie chant? -[crowd] Eddie!
[Jerry] Yeah, I'm sure that Triple H would love nothing more than, uh,
quickly eliminate Rey Mysterio.
[Joey] Sixteen-thousand-strong here at the American Airlines Arena,
chanting the name of Eddie Guerrero.
Trying to will Rey Mysterio on…
as Mysterio's whipped off the ropes and there's the speed
and purpose of Rey Mysterio taking out the game at the knee.
It's easy to, uh, use this type of strategy
when there's two men in the ring.
And Mysterio, trying to get no pinfalls in this match-up.
You've got to throw your opponent over the top rope
and both feet must hit the floor to eliminate him.
[Jerry] And every 90 seconds, a new opponent is gonna-- Oh!
[Joey] The rumble. Whoa!
Got the royal head scissors by Rey Mysterio and, again,
Triple H is reeling in the early going.
And perhaps the king will be dethroned early on here by Rey Mysterio.
[Jerry] And also if you're Rey Mysterio, you're hoping you can,
you can last that 90 seconds--
That's it, you can last that 90 seconds
and then the next Superstar that enters the rumble
will be somebody that dislikes Triple H. [chuckles]
[crowd chants]
[Joey] And Rey Mysterio, the sentimental favorite
-in the early going. -[Jerry] Oh!
[Joey] And look at Triple H trying to eliminate Mysterio here.
Mysterio hanging Triple H up. But Rey's got to get back in the ring.
He went over the top rope, both feet though have not hit the floor.
[Jerry] Well, you're right. But Rey took a big chance being up there,
dangling that close to the top rope.
Four seconds, three, who's next, Michael?
-[buzzer blaring] -[Jerry] 619!
[Joey] Rey Mysterio went for the 619, Triple H ducked underneath.
-["Fat Burner" playing] -[Joey] There's the clothesline,
and the next entry from SmackDown, the fitness guru, Simon Dean.
[Jerry chuckles] Oh, look at-- he's in such a hurry to get to Rumble,
he's gonna ride down to the ring.
[Joey] Simon dean has made a name for himself lately
by managing the new tag team of Gymini.
Tonight, Gymini not around.
-Simon Dean's gonna have to go it alone. -[crowd cheering]
[Joey] Simon dean-- Wait a minute,
SmackDown guy going after a SmackDown guy.
I guess the-- going after the smaller man, perhaps.
[Jerry] I think that's what it is.
It's every man for himself in this… in this Royal Rumble.
[Joey] This crowd booing Simon Dean to the attack on Rey Mysterio.
And Triple H-- This is great strategy by Triple H.
Sit back, catch your breath.
[Jerry] Oh! Look out, look out!
[Joey] And Rey Mysterio-- I believe Simon Dean thinks he eliminated him.
[Jerry] I think he does think that.
[Joey] You're right, Triple H continues…
[Jerry] Simon Dean wants a high-five.
[Joey] Triple H looking at him like he's an idiot.
-[Jerry] Oh! -[Joey chuckles] There's a right hand.
[Jerry] He gets a big five upside the head.
[Joey chuckles] Simon really knocked down.
[speaks indistinctly] …by Mysterio.
So suddenly, Simon Dean has become the punching bag.
-[Jerry] Look at this! -[Joey] And Mysterio and Triple H
working together to eliminate Simon Dean.
[Jerry] Did we just see what you described?
Oh, well, they didn't work together long, Michael.
[Joey] Well, the first one out,
Simon Dean, in the 2006 Royal Rumble match-up.
So, Simon Dean will not be headlining WrestleMania
and Rey Mysterio again attacking Triple H.
-[crowd] Eddie! -[Joey] The Eddie chants begin again.
Almost wrapped toehold face first in that second turn buckle.
I tell you, Rey Mysterio gonna feed off the emotion of this capacity crowd,
I believe, all night long, king.
[Jerry] Oh, it's without a doubt.
And Triple H is gonna have to do something to turn that tide.
-Look at this now. -[Joey] And Rey Mysterio,
that broncobuster on Triple H.
[Jerry] Rey, you got to watch watch getting that high,
-that close to the top rope. -[buzzer blaring]
[Joey] Again, feeding off perhaps divine intervention.
-And here… -["Muy Loco" playing]
…from the Mexicools, comes Psicosis.
The Mexicools, both made it into the Royal Rumble match-up
this past Friday night on SmackDown
by winning the Triple Threat Tag Team match-up.
[song ends]
And Psicosis goes right to work on Rey Mysterio.
Again, again, a smaller man.
[Jerry] I gotta ask him, what is it, all of these SmackDown Superstars
come right in and go after Rey.
[Joey] No, he went after Triple H there.
And Psicosis standing tall here, after entering the match-up.
Rey Mysterio. Look out.
Oh, and Psicosis sending Mysterio right onto the skull of Triple H.
[Jerry] That was a nice double-team move,
a little, uh, teamwork from the SmackDown Superstars.
But now look at this, whoa!
[Joey] Again, every man for himself. Rey Mysterio with the packed elbows.
-Mysterio caught by Psicosis… -[laughs]
… and Psicosis-- Face first goes Mysterio.
How good does Psicosis look here in…
Rey, Rey!
…these first few minutes of this match-up.
[Jerry] He's fresh and that's, you know,
that's why you want to pick that-- you want to pick that high number
to enter the Royal Rumble.
Let these other Superstars either eliminate themselves
or wear themselves down, you come in fresh.
As late as possible.
[Joey] Again, you have to pace yourself…
to be in the ring for an extremely long time.
[Jerry] Oh, look out, look out here.
Rey Mysterio in all kinds of trouble.
Psicosis with Rey Mysterio up high,
gonna try to toss him over the top rope here.
-And Mysterio eliminated Psicosis. -[Jerry] Oh! Oh, no!
What a counter with the head scissors.
-[crowd cheering] -[Joey] Amazing.
And again, Mysterio and Triple H, the only two in the ring.
Who will be the fifth entry in the 2006 rumble?
-[crowd chanting] -Spinebuster by Triple H.
-[Jerry] Oh, we're gonna know right now. -[buzzer blaring]
["Dawn" playing]
[Joey] What? The nature boy, Ric Flair.
[Jerry] And look at the face of Triple H. He can't believe it.
[Joey] Ric flair, the 1992 Royal Rumble winner,
gonna make a beeline for his former buddy, The Game, Triple H.
And here we go, Flair and Triple H.
[Jerry] And Flair, forget the chops. He's lined the game up with fists.
Uh-oh. Another one!
[Joey] And look at this. Ric flair, with a big shot,
backing Triple H into the corner.
[Jerry] And this huge crowd in Miami,
with the chant every time one of those chops land.
[Joey] Ric flair with still a major score to settle with Triple H
after their bloody, gruesome battles of late last year
and look at Flair, taking it to The Game.
And Ric Flair would like nothing better than to eliminate Triple H.
[Jerry] The flair, the nature boy, styling and profiling
and pounding the face of The Game
and, even though he's down and almost out,
this is still working very well for Rey Mysterio right now.
[Joey] And there's a knee to the face by Triple H.
Three men are involved in the match-up thus far.
Two men have been eliminated.
And Triple H, taking it out on the nature boy, Ric Flair.
-[Jerry] Oh, oh, oh. -[Joey] Oh, my!
[Jerry] He's taking it to The Game now.
[Joey] The dirtiest player in the game.
With a right hand, always illegal in this match-up.
[Jerry] Well, this is the Royal Rumble and there you see--
[Joey] Oh, and a thumb to the eye. Illegal as well.
[Jerry] Flair had a handful of the family jewels.
[Joey] Rey Mysterio.
You see Mysterio biding his time in the corner.
[Jerry] A little R&R never hurt anybody.
-[Joey] And Ric Flair-- -[Jerry] Look out, look out.
[Joey] Eliminated by Triple H.
Flair with a flurry, but was eliminated by The Game.
[Jerry] And very uncharacteristic of Ric Flair,
he took his eyes off The Game.
I think he actually looked up at the clock for one second
and it cost him his shot here in the Royal Rumble.
[buzzer blaring]
Michael] Triple H looks exhausted already.
-["Crank It Up" playing] -[Joey] Oh my. [chuckles]
It's gone from bad to worse.
Another man with an even bigger score to settle with The Game.
Seven foot, 500 pounds of the Big Show.
And look at the look on Big Show's face, King.
[Jerry] Well, I think it's just a matter of,
I was about to say "time," but a matter of moments
before we see Triple H make his exit from the Royal Rumble.
[Joey] And Big Show, who blocked the Triple H,
The Game, at new year's revolution with a big headbutt
and he has got his mind set on burying Triple H
in this Royal Rumble match-up.
[Jerry] Well, Michael, I'm sure you've seen it on Raw,
all of the dastardly things--
Oh! That The Game has done to the Big Show with that sledgehammer breaking his hand--
[Joey] Well, remember, the hand is still in that cast
because of the sledgehammer attack and now using that cast as a weapon.
[Jerry chuckles]
[Joey] Now The Game using-- Oh! Oh, look out!
That's like getting hit with a skillet. Oh!
Five hundred pounds across the spine.
And now wait a minute, come on.
Come on, Big Show. Big Show and Rey Mysterio
have had David and Goliath battles in the past.
And Big Show reminded Rey before the match it's every man for himself.
[Joey] With the Big Show, it's all a focus on Triple H here
since he's entered this match-up.
Kick to the face by The Game.
[Jerry] Oh, look out. Side slam by the Big Show.
[Joey] I tell you, Big Show has come so close.
Twice before, Big Show was one of the last two men
standing in the Royal Rumble match-up.
Uh-oh, Triple H.
-Big Show gonna toss Triple H-- -[Jerry] Over?
[Joey] No, no. Big slam again, wearing The Game down.
[Jerry] Oh, gravity will bring him down,
especially when you weigh 500 pounds, down right on The Game.
-Look out! -[Joey] Dropping the elbow again.
-Big Show… -[crowd chanting]
…won a second chance sweepstakes to qualify for the rumble match-up.
-[buzzer blaring] -["What You Gonna Do" playing]
Well, Big Show certainly one of the odds-on favorite
to win the Royal Rumble.
-Here's your buddy. -[Jerry] Oh, please.
[Joey] Your announce partner and the man who eliminated you
from the Rumble qualifying match
last week thanks to Spirit Squad, The Coach.
[Jerry] He's so popular and well known, he has to have his name plastered
across the front and back of his shirt.
[Joey] The best thing about coach being in this match,
we don't have to deal with him on commentary tonight.
[chuckling] Uh-oh! Coach.
-Oh, my. [chuckles] -[Jerry] You may have bitten off
a little more than you could chew.
[Joey laughing] Oh, my. Yeah, coach, get down and beg.
[Jerry] Cole, put your glasses back on, quick.
[crowd chanting indistinctly]
[Joey laughing] Oh, what the fans think of The Coach.
Now Big Show, mocking The Coach.
Coach said-- Oh, my!
-[Jerry laughing] -[Joey] And Coach has been eliminated.
Hey, coach, enough said.
[chuckling] Oh, my goodness.
I mean, he was just-- We used to call that a pie face.
I mean, he just shoved him backwards.
Look at the strength of Big Show.
[Jerry] Here goes The Game. He's out too.
[Joey] He's pressing The Game.
Oh, Big Show has been dominating
since he entered this match-up at number six.
Triple H and Rey Mysterio just struggling to make it back to their feet.
[Jerry] Did we put a timer on how short The Coach's Royal Rumble appearance was?
[Joey] He's got to be close to a record.
I've got to rub that in. Oh, man!
Another skillet-like shock to the chest.
[Jerry] Look at the spaghetti legs on Triple H right now.
He's in a bad way.
[Joey] Triple H entered the rumble number one.
-Mysterio number two… -[Triple H grunts]
and look at this. The size 22, 5e boot to the back of the neck.
[Jerry] It's like hitting his boot on the back of your head, and then,
between the mat and your face, feels like being in a vice.
[Joey] Like Tazz likes to say,
it's getting stepped on by a small foreign car.
-No. Uh-oh. -[buzzer blaring]
[Jerry] Who we got, Michael?
-["All Mighty" playing] -[Joey] Oh, my.
This man can be the real dark horse in this match-up.
The 300-pound Lashley,
former all-American, former national champion,
Lashley's got his sights set on upsetting everyone in the Rumble.
[Jerry] You know, over on Raw, we've got The Masterpiece,
one of the most impressive physiques I've ever seen,
but this guy right here, gives him a run for his money
or maybe even surpasses The Masterpiece.
-What a physique. -[Joey] Well, Lashley is undefeated
and Lashley is not gonna back down.
He is gonna go eye-to-eye-- Well, as close as he can get
to eye-to-eye with the seven-foot, 500-pound Big Show.
[Jerry] Well, this could be the best thing in the world
that could have happened to The Game because it's taken
the Big Show's attention away from Triple H right now.
[Joey] Big Show, the former WWE Champion,
staring at Lashley. Look at Lashley.
And Big Show with a right hand, dropping Lashley.
[Jerry] You know, sometimes when you're undefeated,
you get a little bit of air of cockiness
and you get a little over-confident.
-Oh! -[Joey] Look at Lashley.
What a counter. What a counter by Lashley.
[Tazz] There's a big elbow by Big Show to the side of the head.
-Lashley-- -[Jerry] Oh, my. Wow!
Did you see that?
[Joey] What a… Lashley just picked up Big Show,
sent the 500-pounder halfway across the ring.
[Jerry] That was a… It almost looked like a back drop or part of a spear.
I've never seen Big Show--
[Tazz] Big Show, now, he's not eliminated.
Big Show's not eliminated. He went under the bottom rope.
He's not eliminated. Let's take another look.
[Jerry] Check this out one more time. It was a back throw.
He just manhandled the Big Show up into the air.
[Joey] Talk about the leg strength that Lashley needed to lift
that 500-pounder off his feet.
-[Jerry] What is that right there? -[Joey] Now, working on Mysterio.
There's a boot to the midsection of Triple H
and Lashley knocked The Game down.
-Who's entering at number nine? -[buzzer blaring]
-Uh-oh. -["Veil of Fire" playing]
[Joey] Big Show's Tag Team partner, one half of the world Tag Team champions
and look at the look on Lashley's face 'cause here comes Kane.
[Jerry] Well, Michael, don't put too much stock in the fact
that he's Big Show's Tag Team partner because the main event at WrestleMania's
at stake in this match and it is every man for himself.
[Joey] Kane beat Snitsky in a Royal Rumble qualifying match-up.
Kane still holds the record for most Superstars eliminated
in a Rumble when he eliminated 11 in 2001, and there's a right hand.
And a right hand by Lashley and these two big men going face-to-face.
[Jerry] Wow.
And hear those shots.
[crowd chanting]
[Joey] And Kane whipped across the ring, both men collide shoulders,
both men still on their feet.
Perhaps Kane realizing Lashley a force to be reckoned with.
And there's a boot to the face and that'll knock Lashley down.
I tell you, Kane so impressive over the years in the Rumble,
still holds the fifth longest time. Lasted 53 minutes one year.
Kane would love to last that long this year.
Belly to belly by Lashley.
King, you've got to be impressed with this SmackDown Superstar.
[Jerry] I am absolutely impressed with this man.
I've never seen… you know what? Well, look at this.
[Joey] Look at the strength. There goes The Game.
[Jerry] You don't see many people that can press slam Triple H
and you certainly don't see many… look at this now!
[Joey] Oh, my.
Setting him up for the dominator perhaps.
Kane on the shoulders. No! The dominator.
Oh, my, Lashley is tearing it up in his first rumble match ever.
[Jerry] And right now my prediction of who's gonna win this thing,
-how do you spell "Lashley?" -[Joey] He's a good call.
We will be a third of the way there.
Entry number 10 coming to the Rumble match.
[buzzer blaring]
["World Is Sylvan" playing]
[Joey] Oh, my.
Well, a SmackDown self-proclaimed fashion consultant,
the former model, Sylvan.
You'd like this guy.
[Jerry] You guys have quite an eclectic crew over there on SmackDown.
[Joey] That we do.
Sylvan's helped Tazz with his wardrobe over the--
-[Jerry] You're kidding? -[Joey] Over the year, yeah.
[indistinct]
[Joey] Sylvan telling Lashley he wanted to work as a team but,
well, Lashley turned his back on Sylvan and Sylvan, that may not have been wise.
[Jerry] May not? Definitely not wise. Look at Sylvan.
-[Joey] Lashley just took-- -[Jerry] Oh, my God.
[Joey] Lashley took three right hands to the face and then eliminated Sylvan.
Turn around. Turn around, kid. Turn around.
[Jerry] Oh, no.
[Joey] The world Tag Team Champions, choke slam.
[Jerry] Double choke slam.
[Joey] And now, Kane and Big Show looking to eliminate Lashley
-from the Rumble match. -[Jerry] As impressive as Lashley is,
no one man can withstand the onslaught of those two giants.
[Joey] And Lashley, with a great debut in the Royal Rumble match-up.
Oh, aye, the partners,
the friends, the Tag Team Champions, face-to-face.
[Jerry] So, much for every man for himself, right?
Right hand by Kane. There goes the right hand.
-[Jerry] Look at this. -[Joey] And Kane with the Big Show.
And Big Show with a headbutt,
-driving Kane across the ring. -[Jerry] What are you guys doing?
This is not good.
[Joey] Like those old-time "King Kong" and "Godzilla" movies.
These two giants in the ring going at one another.
[Jerry] Uh-oh. Watch yourself, Kane.
[Joey] Here comes Big Show.
Oh! Head of steam, runs into the boot of Kane.
Triple H and Rey Mysterio, number one and two,
they're still hanging around.
[Jerry] Well, these two guys are certainly proving the fact
that even though they're Tag Team Champions,
it is every man for himself. Oh, no.
[Joey] And Kane trying to eliminate the Big Show.
If Kane can get the Big Show out of the ring,
it would be good for everybody.
[Jerry] Would you like to have either one of those huge mitts
wrapped around your throat?
[Joey] Kane and look at Triple H. Triple H!
Triple H eliminated both Kane and Big Show.
I can't believe it.
[Jerry] You can't believe it?
I'm sure those two men can't believe it.
[Michael] Both members of the world Tag Team Champions eliminated by Triple H.
-[buzzer blaring] -[Jerry] Preoccupied with each other
and it cost them big time.
["Bad Apple" playing]
[Joey] Out from Raw, entering at number 11, here comes Carlito,
who has had a very impressive run over the past few months,
including in the Elimination Chamber match-up earlier this month
in New Year's Revolution.
[Jerry] Well, and I'm gonna tell you something,
this young man really thinks that he is gonna win this Royal Rumble.
I talked with him earlier today.
I've never talked to anyone more confident, more cocky, more arrogant.
And right now, he's backing up his words.
[Joey] Well, Carlito claims that 2006 is gonna be a great year
and there's a left hand by the southpaw Carlito,
former member of the SmackDown roster, taking it to Mysterio and Triple H.
[Jerry] Think he might get a haircut in 2006?
[Joey] If he wins the Rumble match, he may never cut his hair.
And Carlito, whipping Mysterio across the ring.
[Jerry] Oh, hang on.
[Joey] Carlito runs into the boot of Rey Mysterio.
Mysterio off the second rope, up over the top, lands on his feet,
ducks under the clothesline.
[Jerry] Now, what?
A great series of moves and, oh man, knee to the spine.
[groans]
[Joey] Listen to Mysterio writhing in pain and Carlito confident and cocky.
[Jerry] He finds humor in the misfortunes of others.
Look at this.
Triple H back to his feet as Carlito focuses on Rey Mysterio.
-[Jerry] Triple H barely-- -[Joey] Thumb to the eye by Triple H,
one of the dirtiest players in the history of sports entertainment.
[Jerry] Look at The Game, I'm telling you.
He is worn almost to a frazzle but he's still hanging in there.
[Joey] They're getting… remember the rules of the match-up.
You're only eliminated when you go over the top rope and both feet hit the floor.
-[Jerry] Right. -[Joey] Last man standing,
will main event WrestleMania and who's gonna enter at number 12?
Five seconds away.
[crowd cheering]
[buzzer blaring]
["Whatever" playing]
[Joey] Oh, my!
The "Rabid Wolverine," Chris Benoit.
[Jerry] I love the Royal Rumble. It just keeps getting better and better.
[Joey] In 2004, Chris Benoit entered at number one,
went on to win the Royal Rumble match-up and then defeat Triple H
and win the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania.
[Jerry] And look at The Wolverine.
he's about to whup the hands off these guys. Look out.
[Joey] And there's a suplex. What a release.
Benoit and Mysterio.
And Chris Benoit trying to focus in on Triple H and Mysterio,
who've been in this match ever since the beginning.
[Jerry] Oh, The Game goes for the ride.
[Joey] Another German suplex release by Chris Benoit.
And there's Carlito who almost got his hair--
[Jerry] Well, that's not gonna win you-- that's not gonna eliminate Carlito.
Well, Carlito tapping out but it doesn't matter.
But it will wear Carlito down. And Triple H breaks up the crossface.
[Jerry] To me, that's a big mistake
in strategy on the part of The Rabid Wolverine there.
Dare we mention Benoit 2004, going from one to win the Rumble.
Last year, Chris Benoit, King, lasted longer than anyone
in the Rumble match at 47 minutes.
So, Benoit has a history of lasting for a long time in this event.
[Jerry] Well aware of that, but many more of those turn buckles
in the sternum like that and he won't last much longer in this Royal Rumble.
-He may go right now. -[Joey] Take another look at this.
Triple H took Benoit on top.
Benoit lands on the apron.
That is some impact.
[Joey] And Benoit teetering on the apron.
If he falls off here, he'll be eliminated.
-[Jerry] Whoa. -[Joey] And Benoit trying to
suplex Triple H over the top rope.
That's what he did to Big Show when he won the Rumble two years ago.
[Joey] And look at this. Benoit shifting the balance,
Triple H shifting the balance as well.
This is a skill made thus far.
[Jerry] And both of these guys are actually hanging on to that top rope
when one tries to suplex the other but, oh.
[Joey] On the top turn buckle right where The Game wants him.
[Jerry] I think The Game would rather have had him out on the floor
but top turn buckle will do for now.
[Joey] Benoit with the head punch. There's the vicious,
the tenacity of Chris Benoit.
[Jerry] How many times have we seen
Chris Benoit bust his own head open while he's headbutting somebody like that?
[Joey] Chris Benoit, top rope.
With his headbutt connecting.
[Jerry] Get him right now, Benoit.
[Joey] And that's what an opportunity at the main event
at the WrestleMania means to Chris Benoit.
[crowd chanting countdown]
-Entry number 13 on the way. -[buzzer blaring]
["Can You Dig It Sucka!" playing]
♪ Can you dig it, sucker? ♪
[Joey] The United States Champion, Booker T, back in action.
He was injured, had an injured groin when Randy Orton,
his substitute, actually won the United States Championship
from Booker T a couple of weeks back. But he's back in action, King.
[Jerry] Well, despite his injuries, Booker T has got a big smile on his face.
He's just happy to be in the Royal Rumble. And he is.
[Joey] And Booker T going right after Chris Benoit,
his rivalry in that best of seven match-up for the United States Championship.
Booker T and Benoit exchanging blows at the center of the ring.
Mysterio just delivered a low blow, I believe, to Carlito.
And Booker T, thanks for coming.
[Jerry] You've got to be kidding me.
[Joey] The United States Champion eliminated by Benoit
and that's got to be sweet satisfaction for The Rabid Wolverine.
[Jerry] I don't know if he lasted as long as coach.
[Joey] Booker T, you know, he's say he's rusty 'cause he's been out
so long with that groin injury.
Look at Benoit, taking it to The Game.
Carlito and Rey Mysterio at one another on the other side of the ring.
Triple H and Mysterio have been in there awful long, King,
entered number one and number two.
[Jerry] They have and actually you can see it's…
the effects are showing on both of these Superstars.
[Joey] So, the later we get now in these entries,
the better for the late entries to win this thing.
Triple H bounced off the top turn buckle by Benoit.
Freshest man in the Rumble right now, Chris Benoit.
Hangs on a precarious situation now.
[Joey] We have just been informed that both Triple H and Rey Mysterio
have been in this match-up for 23 minutes, King.
Twenty-three minutes and counting.
[Jerry] Who informed you of that?
[Joey] Statisticians in the back of the production area.
[Jerry] They never talk to me.
[Joey] And there's Carlito, hammering away on the shoulder of Benoit.
Triple H in trouble on the top rope.
-Who's gonna enter at number 14? -[Jerry] Here we go.
[buzzer blaring]
["Paparazzi" playing]
[Joey] One half of the WWE Tag Team Champion, Joey Mercury.
-And there is, uh, Melina. -[Jerry] Melina.
[Joey] Yeah.
[Jerry] Wait, you say that with almost sort of a, well, I know, just saying.
[Joey] I know you watch SmackDown, King, Melina's made things tough
on an awful lot of Superstars, including the, uh,
former World Heavyweight Champion, Batista,
and Mercury going right to work on Carlito.
There's a standing dropkick.
And look at Triple H still hanging on the top rope.
Mysterio struggling to catch his breath.
[Jerry] You know, one of the things that Joey mercury said earlier,
that he was gonna do was throw Shawn Michaels, HBK,
out of the Royal Rumble and Shawn's not even in it yet.
[Joey] In order to do that, Mercury's gonna have to survive.
[Jerry] Yeah.
[Joey] Right hand at Triple H, I'll tell ya.
Triple H starting to wear down, as is Mysterio.
-[Jerry] What we got here? -[Joey] Benoit, German suplex,
and the arms are still wrapped.
Joey Mercury realizing Benoit was going for three,
the hat-trick, battled out of it, got to the ropes.
[Jerry] Smart move by Mercury there.
You know, we heard Melina complaining to Mr. McMahon
about the working conditions over there on SmackDown.
What about that, Michael, I mean, you got people eating worms
and dropping worms out of their mouth into people's mouths.
What is it like on SmackDown, you think?
[Joey] Well, we are setting records on UPN on Friday nights.
[Jerry] Well, I realize that but, man.
[Joey] Carlito with a major chop.
-That Boogeyman's a weird dude. -[Jerry] You're not kidding.
[Joey] And Carlito, hammering away on Joey Mercury.
Triple H and Benoit battling each other. Look at Rey Mysterio.
A lot of fight left in Mysterio as well.
Carlito with a left hand.
Oh, that would have…
And eight seconds to number 15.
We will be halfway through the entrants to the Rumble.
Who will be number 15?
[buzzer blaring]
["The War Dance" playing]
-[Joey] Oh, my. -[Jerry] What?
-[Joey] Tatanka? -[Jerry] Tatanka.
[Joey] Tatanka is back at entry number 15.
What a story this would be if Tatanka could somehow survive.
[Jerry] Well, he… right now, he's probably got the best shot
as anybody in the Royal Rumble. He's the freshest man in there.
Look at Carlito, he's a little confused.
[Joey] So is Triple H.
Trying to figure out what the hell is going on.
And Tatanka with a right hand,
going right up to Carlito, going right after Triple H as well.
[Jerry] Well, I think a lot of people remember Tatanka
in his days in the WWE in the past.
I mean, he was very impressive. Look at this now.
[Joey] He made quite a name for himself as Tatanka.
There's Mercury from behind,
Tatanka with tomahawk chop, oh.
-[grunts] -[crowd cheering]
-[grunts] -[Joey] Oh. Good grief.
You hear this crowd.
[Jerry] That's a Seminole chant going on.
[Joey] Willing Tatanka on with the tomahawk chops.
-Whoo, whoo, whoo, whoo! -[crowd cheering]
[Joey] A little Indian war cry for you. Oh!
[Jerry] Oh, boy. Well, we are in Florida. Seminole country, good old Miami.
Home of the hurricanes.
Don't say that word.
Oh, look at Rey Mysterio.
[Joey] Mysterio back to his feet. Benoit with Triple H.
Tatanka with Joey Mercury.
Six men in the ring.
Again, over the top rope, you're eliminated.
Last man standing will headline WrestleMania.
[Jerry] The Game, he's just trying to do anything to get--
[Joey] He's trying to survive.
[Jerry] He's just trying to get away from Chris Benoit for a moment.
[Joey] Well, Triple H has won the Rumble match in the past.
He knows what it takes to survive as we get ready for entry number 16.
-[buzzer blaring] -["Paparazzi" playing]
[Joey] And this will be Nitro, the other half of MNM,
Joey Mercury's Tag Team partner and one half of the WWE Tag champs.
[Jerry] And look at Melina, she said, "Hurry, your partner needs some help."
[Joey] Hey, Nitro. There's that body drop.
And Nitro going right after Tatanka and ran into a right hand.
And a chop by Tatanka. Tatanka's been impressive.
[Jerry] Well, like I said, he's fresh.
That's why everybody wants to draw that late number in the Royal Rumble.
Oh, look at The Game, look at The Game.
[Joey] The Game's in trouble. Benoit trying to eliminate The Game.
In the corner, Triple H is hanging on for dear life here.
One arm on the apron.
Benoit's almost got The Game eliminated.
-[Jerry] There he goes! -[Joey] The Game down on the apron.
[Joey] And Benoit trying to force Triple H
and Triple H rolling that shoulder back underneath the bottom rope.
[Jerry] Man, that was close. Oh, look out, here comes Rey Mysterio.
Yup.
[Joey] Now, Mysterio hung on,
as MNM went for the double team on Tatanka.
The thing about these Royal Rumble match-ups, King,
the fastest 60 minutes of sports entertainment.
-[Jerry] There he goes. -[Joey] Mysterio!
Oh, hanging on again. And again, back into the ring.
-Two close calls. -[Jerry] Two, you're right,
very close calls for Rey Mysterio.
[Joey] And Carlito continues the punishment of Rey Mysterio.
Tatanka and Nitro… That's Mercury in the corner.
Benoit's with Nitro.
Now, Carlito with Triple H in the other corner.
Got to keep your eyes on all the action.
[Jerry] Hear that Eddie chant going again?
[crowd chanting]
[Joey] Maybe, you know what? Rey Mysterio drew number two
and he looked up at the skies,
the heavens, and said, "Eddie, you got me."
Maybe Eddie just wanted to watch Rey for a long time tonight.
-[buzzer blaring] -[Jerry] Could be.
-["Southern Pride" playing] -[Joey] Entry number 17,
-Trevor Murdoch. -[Jerry] Oh, my gosh.
[Joey] Former Tag Team Champion in his own right.
-He's a fresh man at number 17. -[Jerry] Look at this guy.
You can tell he hasn't been in Miami very long.
[Joey] Not at all. [chuckles]
[Jerry] He looks like a big bottle of milk.
Now, the ring is starting to fill up with all these Superstars.
[Joey] Trevor Murdoch, a strange-looking dude,
but very effective, nonetheless.
There's a chop to Tatanka.
We mentioned Murdoch, a former Tag Team Champion.
Things are starting to heat up.
The ring is starting to fill with more and more Superstars.
Eliminations have been few and far between.
[Jerry] Look at Murdoch. You know,
I guess we have no room to talk about people
like The Boogeyman or whether we got. Yeah?
[Joey] Oh, look at Rey! Hanging on.
And yes, he did. Mysterio hangs on again.
For the third time, a close call.
[Jerry] The Game cannot believe it.
[Joey] Maybe somebody is looking out for Rey Mysterio tonight, King.
[Jerry] Look at Rey.
He was latched on to those, uh,
the bottom rope there.
[Joey] Rey Mysterio will not let go, does not want to be eliminated.
Rey Mysterio dedicated this match-up to his late, great friend, Eddie Guerrero.
Triple H and Mysterio.
-There's Rey whipped across the ring. -[Jerry] Oh!
[Joey] Dropkick to the knee, taking Triple H down.
Mysterio's looking to build momentum. Perhaps get ahead.
Maybe catching his second wind here.
[Jerry] Yeah.
-[crowd] Five, four, three, two, one. -[Joey] Entry number 18 on the way.
[buzzer blaring]
["Child's Play" playing]
[Joey] Oh, my.
He's back. [chuckles]
-[Jerry] What the hell is this? -[Joey] It's Eugene.
From Raw, at number 18.
[Jerry] Yeah, just when I was about to think we didn't have anybody
as strange as The Boogeyman, Eugene shows up.
[Joey] Exactly.
And Eugene with Trevor.
[Jerry] Who wants to shake hands with Trevor Murdoch.
[Joey] Trevor Murdoch said, "No way," and I think that has angered Eugene.
Another right hand.
Oh, Eugene not feeling the effects as we've seen in the past.
[Jerry] You! Look out.
[Joey] And Eugene with a right hand and Eugene with the rights and left,
to Trevor Murdoch in the center of the ring.
Eugene's got to be so excited to be a part of this event.
-Look at this. -[Jerry] Airplane spin.
Driving him into someone else.
[Joey] The last time Eugene did it.
-[Jerry] Trevor Murdoch. -[Joey] And look at this. [chuckles]
Oh, Mysterio.
Oh, double bulldog.
Planting Murdoch and Eugene.
[Jerry] Every man for himself.
I know that Eugene is a huge fan of Rey Mysterio.
[Joey] And look at MNM
double teaming Chris Benoit, which may be a wise move.
You eliminate Benoit, you eliminate a very legitimate threat.
[Jerry] There are a lot of legitimate threats in that ring right now.
[Joey] You notice the ring is now filling up
with a number of Superstars, King.
-We haven't had an elimination in a while. -[crowd] Seven, six, five,
-four, three, two, one. -[Joey] Number 19 about to enter.
[buzzer blaring]
["What a Rush" playing]
[Jerry] Whoa, what about this?
[Joey] It's Animal from the legendary Legion of Doom.
And MNM go straight to work on their long-time rival, Animal.
On SmackDown this past Friday night, King, Animal said,
"He's accomplished a lot in his career
-but he has yet to win the Royal Rumble--" -[Jerry] Look at that strength. Oh!
[Joey] And what a slam.
Animal with a right hand to the sternum.
This would be a big feather in the cap of the legendary career of Animal.
[Jerry] Another feather in the mohawk. There it is. It would be big.
[Joey] And the loud chants in this crowd here at Miami,
sold-out, standing-room-only, 16,000.
[Jerry] Trevor Murdoch about to exit, I think.
[Joey] Trevor Murdoch. Will Eugene eliminate Murdoch?
Murdoch hanging on and back into the ring.
Eugene had been upset with himself that he didn't eliminate Murdoch yet.
[Jerry] Murdoch's been a little upset lately too.
I think he and his wife split up. I heard the last thing
his ex-wife said was it's either her or the dogs.
-[Joey] And Carlito lands on the apron. -[Jerry] Look out.
[Joey] Almost eliminated, but back in the ring.
And Benoit hammering away on Carlito.
Tell you, King, good thing you're here with that material.
Keep this match-up rolling along.
[Jerry] Well, you know, I just… that's not material,
that's true.
[Joey] You've been doing your research.
[Jerry] I know about Trevor Murdoch.
[Joey] And look at this, Mysterio again in trouble.
Again, Mysterio's in trouble.
On the top rope, MNM trying to eliminate Mysterio here.
-[buzzer blaring] -[Joey] As the number 20 entrant
gets set to head for the ring, Mysterio's in trouble.
[crowd cheering]
-[Joey] And the return of Rob Van Dam. -["One of a Kind" playing]
[Jerry] Oh, this is gonna be huge.
[Tazz] RV… RVD out since early last year with a knee injury.
-[Jerry chuckles] -[Joey] But Van Dam is back.
And here comes the unorthodox Rob Van Dam.
[Jerry] Van Dam back with a vengeance. Look at this.
[Joey] Well, Rob Van Dam said back in the ECW talent review in June
that he was gonna return and do things his way.
Well, Rob Van Dam is doing things
his way so far in the Rumble match-up.
[Jerry] Yeah, he has put his foot in or on everybody in that Royal Rumble so far.
[Joey] Rob Van Dam. Here's the reversal. Van Dam across the ring.
Makes a heel kick to the jaw of Triple H.
Van Dam with a kick to the Animal.
[Jerry] Good grief!
If that doesn't dislocate a jaw, I don't know what will.
Uh-oh, look at this stare-down.
[Joey] We are two-thirds of the way through the Rumble match-up.
Van Dam was number 20. And what a spin kick to the jaw.
And now MNM double teaming on Van Dam.
Back in 2003, Rob Van Dam's Rumble debut lasted over half an hour in that match-up.
[Jerry] Look at that dropkick.
[Joey] Van Dam looks better than ever, doesn't he?
[Jerry] I am gonna tell you something, he's impressive. [chuckles]
-Look out. Look out. -[Joey] And there goes Animal.
Van Dam eliminating Animal.
And Carlito goes right to work on Rob Van Dam.
RVD is back.
[Jerry] And Animal's hopes and dreams
of a WrestleMania main event just dashed by RVD.
[Joey] And here comes entry number 21.
-[buzzer blaring] -[Jerry] Oh.
-["Do It Big" playing] -[crowd cheering]
-[Jerry] Whoa! -[Joey] It is the former
United States Champion, Orlando Jordan,
at entry number 21, and plenty to prove for Jordan here tonight.
And Triple H, Rob Van Dam, Carlito,
Orlando Jordan right back in the ring and you notice over
in your far right-hand corner, King, Rey Mysterio is still hanging in there.
[Jerry] Rey Mysterio entered number two and, of course,
The Game entered number one, he's still hanging in.
[crowd chanting] RVD! RVD!
[Joey] The RVD chants again, from over 16,000 strong.
Great WWE fans at the sold-out American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida.
I understand, King, they are standing.
Standing-room only here at the Rumble.
[Jerry] Everybody wants to… I mean, this Royal Rumble is huge.
[Joey] Well, it begins the Road to WrestleMania.
[Jerry] And the WrestleMania main event hangs in the balance.
-Look out, RVD. -[Joey] The split.
That big kick to the jaw of Carlito.
Oh, and dropping the leg across the sternum
and now the big right hand to Carlito by Rob Van Dam.
Van Dam able to employ that unorthodox offense
so far in the Rumble match-up.
And Carlito!
-[Jerry] Whoa! -[Joey] No, hanging on by one arm.
[Jerry] Now, look at Carlito, taking a page out of Rey Mysterio's book.
[Joey] I tell you, a lot of near eliminations in this match-up.
-[Jerry] Yeah. -[Joey] Look in the far corner.
-[Jerry] Eugene. -[Joey] Triple H.
-[Jerry] Is that Eugene he's got? -[Joey] I believe it's Eugene
that Triple H… and Eugene hung on in the apron.
-Here comes entry number 22. -[buzzer blaring]
♪ Ooh, Chavo ♪
-["Chavito Ardiente" playing] -[Joey] Chavo Guerrero.
[crowd cheering]
[Joey] Paying homage to his uncle Eddie.
And here comes Chavo.
-[Jerry] Look at Rob Van Dam-- -[Joey] With a big splash.
And Chavo, right to work. Again, the Eddie Guerrero chants.
A show of respect from this great crowd.
[Jerry] I know it's every man for himself but if Chavo and Rey Mysterio…
So much for those two getting on the same page.
[Joey] Well, again, it's every man for himself
and a berth at WrestleMania's main event.
Chavo, flying head scissors. Carlito in trouble in the corner.
And there we go, a little bit of Eddie, the shuffle, center of the ring.
Chavo Guerrero, snap suplex,
and this is what Eddie Guerrero used to do,
the Three Amigos, the triple verticals.
[Jerry] One more for good measure.
[Joey] And Chavo is rolling.
The ring continuing to fill up. Twenty-two Superstars have entered.
[Jerry] Oh, this is dangerous right here.
[Joey] Very dangerous.
[Jerry] I would not get outside that ring under any circumstances.
-And look at this! -[Joey] He paid for it.
And The Cerebral Assassin, The Cerebral Assassin,
Triple H, The Game, made Chavo pay.
[Jerry] Right. You look for an opportunity like that.
[Joey] Well, that's why Triple H is The Game.
That's why he's The Cerebral Assassin.
And Rey Mysterio, hammering away on Triple H.
They were the first two men to enter the Rumble, as we await number 23.
[crowd] Three, two, one!
-[buzzer blaring] -["Live For The Moment" playing]
[Joey] Matt Hardy.
In an interview Friday night on SmackDown, Matt Hardy said,
"He will make a name for himself in the Rumble."
That he will not die here tonight.
[Jerry] Matt Hardy.
Once again, you just can't say enough about
what it means to be that fresh with this many…
Oh, Superstars left in the Rumble.
-Huge event. -[Joey] Look at Matt Hardy.
-Matt Hardy. -[Jerry] Oh!
[Joey] The side effect, the side slam, I should say, by Matt Hardy.
And Matt Hardy.
There's Orlando Jordan, kick to the midsection.
The former United States Champion going to work on Matt Hardy.
-Tatanka's still hanging around. -[Jerry] Tatanka's still here.
Uh-oh, The Game may not be hanging around much longer.
He's precariously hanging over that top rope.
[Joey] RVD and Rey Mysterio looking to eliminate Triple H.
-[Jerry] There goes The Game. -[Joey] Triple H is on the apron.
Triple H may be eliminated here. The Game, who entered number one.
Did he? Is he out? No, he isn't.
Triple H hung on and rolled back into the ring.
[Jerry] Well, he's been in over 39 minutes now and he's gonna survive another few.
[Joey] Rey Mysterio has had his eyes on Triple H
ever since Triple H eliminated Chavo Guerrero, Eddie Guerrero's nephew.
And look at Rey Mysterio.
Again trying to eliminate The Game, along with RVD,
and The Game hanging on again to the apron.
Look at Orlando Jordan.
[Jerry] Whoa, Orlando Jordan still… [indistinct]
[Joey] There goes Tatanka.
Great run by Tatanka though in this Royal Rumble match-up.
[Jerry] I'm impressed.
Tatanka comes out of nowhere and lasts quite a while.
[Joey] And here comes entry number 24, out of 30.
[buzzer blaring]
["Muy Loco" playing]
[Joey] From the Mexicools, Super Crazy. Psicosis was eliminated earlier on.
The Mexicools gained entry into this match-up with a victory
at a Triple Threat match on Friday at night on SmackDown.
[Jerry] He's reminding me of a tarantula or something, doing that.
[Joey] Whatever you need. The Mexicools.
-[Jerry] Like a flying bat right there. -[Joey] And Super Crazy and MNM,
they've had their problems in the past over the Tag Team title.
And Super Crazy going right to work on Nitro.
Nitro bounced off the top turn buckle.
Mercury in trouble there as well.
I tell you, things are really heating up here.
-Six more Superstars-- -[Jerry] Orlando Jordan and The Game.
Oh, man.
[Joey] The Game dropping Orlando Jordan.
Here's Carlito in trouble.
-Carlito's-- -[Jerry] Oh, whoa, whoa, whoa.
[Joey] Is he gonna go up again? Carlito hanging on.
Hanging on to the top rope.
Nitro trying to eliminate Carlito but Carlito again hung on.
[Jerry] And now, The Game hanging over the rope.
[Joey] And Carlito and Triple H.
Look at Matt Hardy, trying to eliminate Triple H yet again.
Triple H entered at number one.
[Jerry] Well, that cross on the back of
Triple H's tights might as well be a bullseye.
Every man in this Royal Rumble has been gunning for The Game.
[Joey] About to have entry number 25.
Triple H and Mysterio entered one, two.
Carlito entered 11th and he's still in it.
Here comes number 25.
[buzzer blaring]
-["Slow Chemical" playing] -[Jerry] Uh-oh.
[Joey] Much to Mr. McMahon's dismay,
The Heartbreak Kid, Shawn Michaels.
[Jerry] And much of McMahon's dismay
was the fact that Shawn Michaels drew number 25.
[Joey] Shawn Michaels is fresh.
Shawn Michaels has twice won the Royal Rumble, in 1995 and 1996.
In '95, HBK went from number one to win the entire event.
[Jerry] Look at this. He's fresh, all right.
[Joey] The HBK chants from the crowd here in Miami, these great WWE fans.
And there's Trevor Murdoch with a knee to the gut.
[Jerry] Trevor Murdoch, the man who finally slows down HBK here.
[Joey] If you're any other Superstars in the ring, King,
you got to be worried with a man like Shawn Michaels,
the better Shawn Michaels, coming in this late in the game.
Michaels whipped into the corner.
-[Jerry] Oh, wait a minute. -[Joey] Hung up on the top rope.
[Jerry] Trevor Murdoch's been pretty impressive.
[Joey] Oh, very impressive until Shawn Michaels eliminating Murdoch.
[Jerry chuckles] Oh, man.
[Joey] And look at Carlito.
Shawn Michaels, and Shawn hanging on.
Shawn Michaels has twice eliminated
eight different Superstars in Royal Rumble match-ups.
[Jerry] Trevor Murdoch's disappointed. He thought he was gonna win this.
He told me he had just won the chewing tobacco spit-off competition
that he's entered to win in.
[Joey] So, this'll be another feather in his cap.
[Jerry] Yeah, but now he's gone.
[Joey] Here comes entry number 26.
[buzzer blaring]
["Masterpiece" playing]
[Joey] The Masterpiece from Raw, Chris Masters.
[Jerry] This is the one I was telling you about.
I think this physique rivals Lashley's.
Look at that.
[Joey] The Masterpiece gained big match experience
in the Elimination Chamber match-up back in New Year's Revolution.
[Jerry] Well, he told us all on Raw that he's gonna become
the youngest WWE Champion in history.
[Joey] And Chris Masters shot to the kidney of Matt Hardy.
Shawn Michaels in trouble.
There's Mercury trying to eliminate Heartbreak Kid.
Shawn Michaels hanging on to the top rope.
And Matt Hardy hanging on.
[Jerry] Well, Matt Hardy took an unbelievable shot to the jaw
from Chris Masters so hard it--
[Joey] Triple H. The Game's on the apron again.
Pulls himself back into the ring.
At least a half dozen times,
Triple H has been on the verge of elimination.
-[Jerry] Make it seven. -[Joey] And look at him again.
-Matt Hardy trying to eliminate Triple H. -[Jerry] Kick him, kick him.
[Joey] And the number one entry in the Rumble
wills his way back into the ring.
[Jerry] Baseball slide, anything.
Triple H has wrapped himself around that rope like a python.
[Joey] RVD and Matt Hardy trying to eliminate Triple H.
Chris Masters trying to eliminate Rey Mysterio
over on the top rope and there's Shawn Michaels in trouble as well.
[Jerry] Big time trouble for Shawn Michaels.
[Joey] Entry number 27.
[Jerry] Wait a minute, wait a minute, Shawn Michaels has a…
-[Joey] Shawn Michaels… -[Jerry] A head scissor here.
-[buzzer blaring] -[Joey] That was Mercury.
[recorded voice] The world's largest love machine.
-Viscera. -[Joey] And here comes Viscera.
Big Visc.
[Jerry] This guy could win it all.
Who's gonna be able to throw him over the top rope?
[Joey] Well, he already won an over-the-top-rope battle royal
to qualify, did Viscera.
And there's Masters with a big kick to the gut.
[Jerry] Well, the big love machine here is gonna…
he's gonna have no love for anybody in this Royal Rumble,
-I can assure you of that. -[Joey] Not at all.
And a big man like Viscera is gonna be extremely difficult
for a lot of these tired Superstars to get him over the top rope.
Uh-oh, wait a minute. And Matt Hardy's in trouble.
[Jerry] Big Visc and Hardy… wow, squashed.
Man.
[Joey] Big Visc pinned.
Just almost treating Matt Hardy like a pancake.
[Jerry] Now, what? What is this? [chuckles]
[Joey] Dance by Visc.
Oh, I hope we don't see it from the side here.
Nitro hanging on.
There's Triple H somehow hanging on as well.
[Jerry] Uh-oh, look at big Visc.
Oh, no. [chuckles]
[Joey] That's interesting.
[Jerry] It's the walrus, the super walrus.
[Joey] That was real interesting.
And Rey Mysterio again pulls himself back into the ring.
[Jerry] Now, look at Matt.
[Joey] Triple H, number one, Rey Mysterio, number two entries,
still in this match-up.
And Matt Hardy with a boot to Big Visc.
Seems like I've seen Viscera wear those colors before in the WWE.
Now, look at this.
Matt Hardy eliminated by Viscera.
[Jerry] Aw, man.
[Joey] Well, Matt Hardy eliminated.
[Jerry] Well, Viscera set his sights on Matt Hardy,
went right after him and eliminated him.
Now, who's Viscera after?
-This is number 28 to enter the rumble. -[buzzer blaring]
Only two men will be left.
["Ain’t No Make Believe" playing]
[Joey] Shelton Benjamin and his momma.
And remember, Shelton Benjamin has vowed
to take out Shawn Michaels for Mr. McMahon.
[Jerry] And Michael, Shelton Benjamin's momma,
well, she just vowed a lot of things.
[Joey] Yeah, a lot.
Shelton Benjamin beat Val Venis in a Royal Rumble qualifier to get here today.
And now, I know, why Shelton Benjamin was so happy about the number he drew.
And there goes Eugene, eliminated by Benoit.
-The ring is full of Superstars. -[Jerry] Look, look, look.
Viscera just got-- Who is that? Orlando Jordan?
[Joey] That's Orlando Jordan in trouble.
And look at MNM hammering away on Mysterio.
[Jerry] Look at Viscera. They're climbing him
like they're climbing Brokeback Mountain.
[Joey] That's Super Crazy.
Super Crazy.
[Jerry] Oh, my gosh.
You've got to be crazy to drive by Viscera.
[Joey] Oh, look at Viscera trying to eliminate Super Crazy.
[Jerry] Wish we could call him Mountainous Visc.
[crowd cheering]
[Joey] Look at this.
Super crazy working on Rey Mysterio in the corner.
Mysterio's been in this match-up since the beginning at number two.
Triple H entered at number one.
Orlando Jordan trying to battle the double team of MNM.
Who's gonna enter at number 29?
-[buzzer blaring] -[Jerry] Oh, man.
["Gold-Lust" playing]
-[Jerry] What? -[Joey] What?
The bizarre one, Goldust.
[Jerry] Well, I'll be damned. I love the Royal Rumble.
-[Joey] At number 29? -[Jerry] I love the Royal Rumble.
-Look at this. -[Joey] Goldust is back.
Goldust is back in the Royal Rumble match-up.
Went right to work on MNM.
[Jerry] I think most of these Superstars are in shock right now.
[Joey] Whoa. And a right hand by Goldust.
[Jerry] That's classic Goldust right there, so is that.
[Joey] And an inverted atomic drop followed up by a clothesline.
Uh-oh, Carlito's in trouble. Carlito's in trouble.
Van Dam and Mysterio trying to eliminate Carlito,
entered at number 11, but Carlito's back in the ring.
MNM's been impressive as well.
[Jerry] First Tatanka, now Goldust. Rob Van Dam makes his return tonight.
[Joey] And Shelton Benjamin may not get the opportunity to go after HBK,
HBK but, oh, he's not eliminated.
Hangs on to the apron.
[Jerry] Where's Big Momma?
Does her new movie come out today or is it… turn around.
-[Joey] It was like last week. -[Jerry] Oh.
[Joey] Oh, my. [laughing] Did you hear that?
[Jerry] I did. I'm just glad I didn't feel it.
[Joey] We have one more Superstar to enter the Royal Rumble match-up.
[Jerry] Shawn Michaels sweating profusely. I don't blame him.
[Joey] And then it'll be every man for himself.
-[Jerry] Oh, oh, oh. -[Joey] Benjamin on the apron.
The last Superstar to enter the 2006 Royal Rumble is on his way.
[Jerry] Well, I think we know.
[buzzer blaring]
["Burn In My Light" playing]
Yeah, that's right, that big smile from Randy Orton.
[Joey] The legend killer, coming off a phenomenal 2005,
wants to start off 2006 in a huge way.
And going right after the man he defeated at SummerSlam two years ago,
Chris Benoit.
Man, this Royal Rumble ring now full of some of the most impressive Superstars.
-[Joey] Benoit's eliminated. -[Jerry] Oh! Oh, my God.
Friday night, Benoit beat Orton in a no-holds-barred match-up on SmackDown.
Tonight, Orton has eliminated Chris Benoit.
[Jerry] Oh, man, this is sweet.
[Joey] And there's the RKO to Viscera.
[Jerry] Well, the RKO to Viscera does a number,
but who is gonna lift Viscera and get him over that top rope?
[Joey] So, we have all the entries now in the Royal Rumble match-up.
We are 50 minutes into this match-up,
which means Mysterio and Triple H have lasted 50 minutes,
the first two entrants.
Again, over the top rope,
both feet must hit the floor to be eliminated.
The last man standing--
[Jerry] Look at, look at, look at Viscera.
-Look at Viscera! -[Joey] And Viscera eliminated!
By the teamwork of Masters and Carlito.
-[Jerry] Oh no! -[Joey] Masters eliminated.
[Jerry] Not another double cross.
[Joey] Carlito double crossed on his buddy again.
[Jerry] That's twice.
[Joey] Hey, every man for himself.
[Jerry] That's what he's trying to tell Chris Masters.
[Joey] Carlito, don't turn your back. There's a right hand by Goldust.
[Jerry] You can't celebrate too long. There's still
more men to be eliminated to win this Royal Rumble.
[Joey] You make last man standing, first-class ticket
to the main event WrestleMania to battle for the championship.
-Rob Van Dam. -[Jerry] Look at Goldust.
He's fourth and long. He's about to punt.
-[Joey] And Goldust. -[Jerry] Oh!
[Joey] A direct hit.
He'll kick Goldust over the top rope, and eliminated by RVD.
Rob Van Dam impressive in his return, King.
[Jerry] Well, I didn't… I wouldn't have expected anything less.
Rob Van Dam was ready for the Royal Rumble,
ready to impress all the fans and he's done it.
[Joey] There goes Orlando Jordan, but he hangs on to the apron.
And Randy eliminates Orlando Jordan.
Randy Orton entering at number 30, he's the freshest man
and he's taking advantage of it.
[Jerry] Randy Orton and Rob Van Dam squared off now.
[Joey] Right hands by RVD, kick to the midsection.
[Jerry] Forget about that, but Rey Mysterio still in there.
[Joey] Carlito hanging on, on the apron, on the other side.
Carlito trying to eliminate Shelton Benjamin.
Shelton Benjamin hanging on.
[Jerry] Whoa, Shelton, you better hold on, Shelton.
Hold on, you're gonna get a whooping from your momma.
[Joey] Mysterio, who entered at number two, is in trouble.
And it's Shawn Michaels and Triple H, former friends,
former rivals, squaring off with each other.
Inverted atomic drop. [speaks indistinctly]
-[Jerry] Look out. -[Joey] And there's MNM,
the WWE Tag Team champions hammering away on Shawn Michaels.
[Jerry] Boy, much to the delight of The Game.
-I mean, The Game was just about-- -[Joey] He'd just about had it at
the hands of Shawn Michaels.
And remember, earlier on tonight, MNM said they would eliminate
Shawn Michaels for Mr. McMahon.
If Mercury and Nitro say it's over, it's about time perhaps for the snapshot.
[Jerry] This may be a big photo op for MNM
because if they accomplish this,
there's no telling how Mr. McMahon will reward them.
[Joey] Shawn Michaels with a thumb in the eye.
Shawn Michaels, The Heartbreak Kid, two-time winner of the Rumble.
There goes Nitro eliminating Mercury.
And there goes Nitro.
[Jerry] And Shawn Michaels-- Oh, no, Shawn Michaels…
[Joey] HBK still in the game.
Shelton Benjamin with a dragon kick to the back of the head.
[Jerry] Well, that put a big smile on Big Momma's face.
[Joey] Well, Benjamin's told Mr. McMahon
he was gonna eliminate Shawn Michaels here tonight.
Let's reset the score cards, King.
Triple H, Rey Mysterio, Rob Van Dam, Shelton Benjamin, Shawn Michaels,
Carlito and Orton remain in the rumble match-up.
[Jerry] Here goes one more time that kick to the side of the head
from Shelton Benjamin on Shawn Michaels.
And, as you reset, don't forget, the one and two entries--
[Joey] Oh, Shelton eliminated.
Shawn Michaels has stuck it to Mr. McMahon,
eliminating Shelton Benjamin.
[Jerry] The sweet kid music.
-["No Chance In Hell" playing] -[Joey] Oh, my. Oh, my.
[Jerry] Wait a minute, Mr. McMahon, the Royal Rumble's still going.
[Joey] Well, this cannot be good. Look at the look.
You've seen that look many a time, King.
[Jerry] He can't come out here now, can he?
[Joey] The World Heavyweight, Mr. McMahon won
the 1999 Royal Rumble, remember that?
[Jerry] Unfortunately, I mean, yes, I do.
[Joey] Mr. McMahon made an appearance last year as well.
[Jerry] Oh, look at Shawn Michaels.
[Joey] What is Mr. McMahon doing out here?
[Jerry] I don't know. But everyone in that ring
is wondering the same thing. What's he saying?
Can you hear what he's saying?
[Joey] Wait a minute, did you see that?
Mr. McMahon badmouthing Shawn Michaels.
Why are you doing this?
[Jerry] Look! Look out!
[Joey] Shawn, turn around. It's Shane.
It's Shane McMahon.
Shane McMahon has eliminated Shawn Michaels.
I can't believe this.
Wait, wait, wait, wait.
Oh, no, there are no rules except top rope.
[Jerry] I've never seen anything like this.
[Joey] Shawn Michaels can't believe it. Shawn Michaels--
And Shawn Michaels comes back in the ring.
And Triple H coming off at the pass.
-[Jerry] Look out. -[Joey] A body drop.
Shawn Michaels kicked in the jaw,
and the Heartbreak Kid making a beeline for the McMahons.
[indistinct]
[Jerry] McMahon, putting the heat on his son, Shane.
[Joey] Saying, "It wasn't me. It was Shane who eliminated him."
Face first goes Rob Van Dam. Mysterio, Carlito, Van Dam,
Orton, and Triple H, all that remain in the 2006 Royal Rumble match.
A berth in the main event at WrestleMania hangs in the balance.
[Jerry] Just thinking, what all we've seen in this match.
This has been amazing. Whoa, look out.
[Joey] Big kick miss by RVD. Carlito goes for the clothesline.
Rob Van Dam and here goes Carlito, eliminated.
[Jerry] What a kick.
[Joey] We are down to four men.
Rob Van Dam, Triple H from Raw.
Rey Mysterio, Randy Orton from SmackDown.
And now the pressure begins to mount.
The pressure begins to build.
[Jerry] Well, The Game with a bloody lip.
Triple H and Rey have been in this Royal Rumble for 56 minutes, Michael.
[Joey] Approaching record time.
Triple H, Orton, Mysterio,
Van Dam, four corners, staring at one another.
[Jerry] Orton, the freshest man in the rumble,
but that little smirk, that little smile on his face.
[Joey] The legend killer, Randy Orton.
[Jerry] Wait, wait, look at this.
The last man standing goes to WrestleMania.
[Joey] Mysterio and Van Dam go right at Triple H and Randy Orton and here we go.
[Jerry] Well, we saw Mysterio and Van Dam touch hands.
I think they've formed some sort of… Oh, my God.
[Joey] Thumb to the eye, followed by a kick to the face.
That's the flexibility of Rob Van Dam.
[Jerry] Look at this now.
[Joey] That's full legs across the sternum.
[jerry] There's definitely an alliance formed now
between Rob Van Dam and Rey Mysterio.
[Joey] Look at Van Dam.
Unbelievable.
Check out the alliance of Mysterio and Van Dam.
[Jerry] It is definitely working as planned.
Rob Van Dam, top rope.
[Jerry] And look out, look out.
[Joey] And Van Dam just caught his balance in time,
split up on the top rope. Mysterio launching into Van Dam
and inadvertently eliminated the man he had formed an alliance with.
[Jerry] Ah, so much for that alliance.
I'm telling you, in the Royal Rumble, you've got to remember
you cannot go up to the top rope, put all your eggs in that basket.
You'll lose every time.
[Joey] See the look on the face of Triple H and Randy Orton.
They realize Rey Mysterio,
who entered at number two is prime picking here.
[Jerry] You want to talk about forming an alliance,
if these two men get together and it looks like they're going to.
[Joey] Well, they're focusing on the much smaller man, Rey Mysterio,
trying to wear him down.
Sixteen thousand-plus buzzing in the American Airlines Arena in Miami.
One of these three men is going to WrestleMania.
And Mysterio counters. What a counter by Mysterio.
[Jerry] Boy, this brings back memories, Michael, of Evolution.
Triple H, Randy Orton,
these two guys ran rampant over our Raw Rick Lambert.
[Joey] And look at Mysterio trying to keep the bigger men off their feet.
A rough Randy Orton learned from Triple H,
he became World Heavyweight Champion thanks to The Game
and then was double crossed by Triple H.
And look at Mysterio, going to the 619.
[Jerry] Oh, watch out here.
[Joey] There's the speed and purpose of Rey Mysterio.
The head scissors.
-Here we go. -[Jerry] No, you got to be kidding me.
-Look at this. -[Joey] 619 connected.
A 619.
Come on, Rey.
[Jerry] 619 times two.
There's the signal to shout-out Eddie Guerrero and here come's Rey.
[Joey speaks indistinctly]
And there's a clothesline for The Game, man.
And Rey Mysterio's improbable…
run the top of the Royal Rumble match-up may have ended with that clothesline.
[Jerry] But I can't help but feel the presence of Eddie Guerrero
smiling down on Rey Mysterio.
[Joey] But is that enough to help Rey Mysterio against
the ten-time World Heavyweight Champion,
and against the Legend Killer, Randy Orton?
[Jerry] Oh, you're right.
Sometimes you just go up against insurmountable odds
but one of these men is gonna main event WrestleMania.
[Joey] And with Rey Mysterio down and out,
Orton and Triple H concentrate on one another.
And Orton stalking his former mentor.
[Jerry] Oh, he's wanting to deliver that RKO.
[Joey] Protégé. And going for the RKO, bounced off the ropes.
It's body buster.
[Jerry] Wow.
[Joey] Triple H told me in the opener earlier tonight, King,
that he deals in reality.
[Jerry] Well, the reality is
Orton is flat on his back. So, is Rey Mysterio.
And Triple H not much better off.
[Joey] And the reality is this Royal Rumble match-up
has been going for one hour
and Rey and Triple H have been in it from the beginning,
entering at one and two.
And Mysterio…
Triple H eliminated.
[Jerry] Oh, my gosh!
[crowd cheering]
The Game is gone.
[Joey] Come on, Rey.
[Jerry] The Game is gone.
[Joey] Triple H eliminated.
We're down to Mysterio. We are down to Randy Orton.
Two SmackDown Superstars.
[Jerry] This is amazing.
The Game will not ascend to any throne here tonight.
He is eliminated.
[Joey] Rey Mysterio, how much does he have left?
Can he will down deep one more time
face-to-face with the legend killer, Randy Orton?
[Jerry] Look out.
[Joey] Come on now.
After more than an hour and The Game is eliminated and he shows his frustration.
[Joey] Mysterio has not been eliminated but Triple H may have put the nail
where it belonged, in his spine.
[Jerry] Well, Rey Mysterio not eliminated but momentarily maybe.
And Randy Orton.
[Joey] How ironic is it that Orton's former mentor, The Game,
may have won this match-up for his former protégé?
[Jerry] Well, I don't think that was The Game's intention.
I think the game was, like you said,
just taking out his frustrations at being eliminated by Rey Mysterio.
Look at Randy.
[Joey] And Randy Orton, who came in at number 30.
[Jerry] I wouldn't gloat too long right now, Randy.
I wouldn't savor the victory yet. I'd get down to business.
[Joey] Randy Orton, who came in at number 30.
Rey Mysterio, who came in at number two.
One of these men is going to WrestleMania.
Well, Mysterio is helpless.
[Jerry] Well, Randy Orton just--
[Joey] Rey Mysterio is helpless, King.
[Jerry] Randy Orton methodical here now.
[Joey] And this is a damn shame that Triple H had to end
Rey Mysterio's hopes this way.
[Jerry] It just shows you, it happens.
[Joey] Orton parading around with Mysterio.
And Rey, Rey hanging on to the top rope.
[Jerry] Rey hanging on for dear life here. Whoa!
-[bell ringing] -[Joey] Mysterio, he did it.
He did it! He did it!
-[Jerry] No way! -[Joey] Rey Mysterio did it.
Rey Mysterio!
[Lilián] Here is your winner, Rey Mysterio.
[Joey] Rey Mysterio is going to WrestleMania!
[Jerry] Latino heat is alive and well. Look at this.
Oh, my God.
[Joey] Mysterio dedicated this victory to Eddie Guerrero.
I cannot believe it.
[Jerry] And, Michael, words cannot describe it.
I mean, this just sucked us in.
Look at Rey Mysterio.
[Joey] Rey Mysterio dedicated this match-up to Eddie Guerrero.
He wrestled over an hour with the Eddie Guerrero logo
on his wrestling tights.
And Rey Mysterio has won the 2006 Royal Rumble match.
[Jerry] Well, without a doubt, the biggest win in Rey Mysterio 's career.
But it could lead to an even bigger win at WrestleMania.
[Joey] Rey Mysterio will battle for the championship at WrestleMania.
[Jerry] Amazing. Congratulations.
Congratulations.
[Joey] Let's show you the elimination.
First, of The Game, Triple H.
[Jerry] This was the most shocking moment, if you ask me.
One of the first most shocking moments of the Royal Rumble.
[Joey] And then this. Orton, going to the victory
and Rey Mysterio somehow, with a tremendous counter here,
to win the rumble match-up.
[Jerry] Oh, my goodness.
[bell ringing]
[Joey] From Rey Mysterio's first wrestling match
in a small rundown church in Tijuana, Mexico, at the age of 15.
After 16 years in this business,
Rey Mysterio will headline WrestleMania.
[Jerry] Well, Rey Mysterio has won the big one and he's got one to go.
Rey Mysterio… Viva La Raza.
[Jerry] This is great.
And hold your head up, hold your hand up, proudly.
You deserve it, young man.
[Joey] Rey Mysterio will battle for the championship
on the grandest stage of all, WrestleMania.
[Jerry] I still don't know how he did it. Amazing.
Trish, Trish, oh, my God. I totally knew you'd do the right thing.
Do the right thing?
-Yeah. -No.
Mickie, I was just doing what I had to do.
Oh, what you had to do.
Of course, I mean, what you had to do. Of course.
Exactly, that's what I'm saying.
-Okay. -Yeah, I mean, 'cause you love me.
Just like I love you. You love me, too.
Uh, Trish, oh, my God. That makes me so happy. [chuckles]
Sorry. Mickie, hold on a second.
-You deserve this. -You know what?
-You made Eddie proud of you tonight. -That's right, that's right.
-Eddie's looking down on you right now. -Bravo, bravo.
Rey, you did it, you finally won the big one.
It's about time.
But if you think you're gonna use that little loophole
that your buddy Benoit used a couple of years ago,
switch over to Raw, challenge me at WrestleMania for this,
well, your little fairytale is not gonna have a happy ending.
[chuckles]
Forget about him, Rey.
-Tonight's your night. -It's about you now.
Tonight's your night, man, tonight's your night.
Oh, man, leave it to Edge to be the buzz killer.
I mean, Rey Mysterio wins the biggest match of his life
and then he gets confronted by Edge.
Well, regardless of which championship Rey Mysterio decides to challenge
for at WrestleMania, it was the biggest win of his career thus far.
But now it's time to decide the WWE champion.
[Jerry] Oh, baby.
[Joey] The Rated-R Superstar, Edge,
defends against the former champion John Cena.
Cena wants that title back and he wants it here tonight at the Royal Rumble.
[announcer] The following contest is the Money in the Bank ladder match.
[Edge] I am Money in the Bank.
[Joey] He's obsessed with becoming the champion.
[Edge] I'm hungry. I'm young. It's my destiny.
[Jerry] Edge has won the match.
[Edge] I will be champion.
[Jerry] Edge has earned the opportunity to wrestle a champion,
whomever that may be, anytime he chooses within the next 12 months.
[Edge] I deserve that championship.
[dramatic music playing]
[Jerry] Whoever wins this match here tonight, they will have earned it.
[Edge] I bided my time. I was patient.
[Joey] The WWE championship is in the balance.
[Edge] None of you people saw it coming.
[Jerry] John Cena against all odds.
-[John] I outsmarted all of you. -[Joey] John Cena from behind.
[Jerry] Look out.
[Joey] He got him, he got him, he got him.
[John] You don't have to be the biggest.
[Jerry] How did John Cena still have the presence of mind to pull that off?
[John] You don't have to be the strongest but--
[Vince] There's one more match to happen here tonight.
Raise the cage.
[Edge] You do have to be the smartest.
[Vince] This individual is cashing in his Money in the Bank privilege.
[Joey] Edge is cashing in when John Cena is at his weakest.
[Edge] I am awesome.
[Joey] Something he would have faced no matter who won
this Elimination Chamber match tonight because he knew
they were gonna be bloody, battered, and beaten.
[Edge] I exercise my Money in the Bank clause at the right place
at the right time.
[Joey] He did it. My God, what has happened here tonight?
[Edge] Some people are calling me a cheap champion.
[Jerry] You got to wonder, could Edge have done this
against a fresh John Cena.
[John] Edge, at a very opportunistic time,
cashed in his Money in the Bank.
[Edge] The champ is here!
[John] And he beat me for the WWE championship.
[Edge] And being the champion, I do what I want, when I want,
and we're gonna have a celebration befitting the Rated-R Superstar.
[John] You want to get credit, we get credit, Rated-R Superstar.
[Edge] I equal ratings and the most watched WWE champion of all time.
Your career's going straight in the toilet.
[John] Ain't no Money in the Bank, sex and live TV or movie trailers
is gonna change the fact that this Sunday…
at the Royal Rumble when I meet Edge…
I will beat his ass.
You can bank on that, bitch!
[music concludes]
[pensive music playing]
[Jerry] What the hell is this?
[Joey] I'm not sure. What is that?
Oh, it's some kind of monster descending from the--
[Jerry] Looks like a spaceship or something.
[Joey] It does look like a spaceship.
Whatever it is, it's amazing to look at!
[Jerry] Wait a minute.
It's just firing those jets, hovering midair right there.
[Joey] I can feel that cold air coming out of there.
An awesome sight that is!
["The Time Is Now" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Joey] Whoa! Take a look at this, King!
[chuckles] What an entrance!
John Cena's making his entrance.
He's walking out on this spaceship-like catwalk.
[Jerry] There's a man through, "Thuganomics,"
I mean, everybody likes to make a grand entrance
but this is really something-- Look out.
[Joey] King, in your 35 years in sports entertainment,
have you ever seen an entrance like this?
[Jerry] No, so far so-- I don't know. I don't know.
He's not over yet!
[Joey] But 16,000 fans on their feet, jammed in here,
at the American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida
for one of the greatest entrances in the history of WWE.
[Jerry] My gosh, what a sight!
[bell ringing]
[Lilián] The following contest is scheduled for one fall
and it is for the WWE Championship!
Introducing the challenger, from West Newbury, Massachusetts,
weighing in at 248 pounds,
John Cena!
[crowd cheering]
[Joey] John Cena wants his WWE championship back.
He wants it back here tonight, at the Royal Rumble.
[music fades]
["You Think You Know Me" playing]
[Joey] And the question still remains as to who is the better man?
[Lilián] And making his way to the ring, from Toronto, Canada,
weighing in at 250 pounds,
it is the WWE Champion, Edge!
[Jerry] And he is the Rated-R Superstar!
[Joey] Rated-R may be mild.
Since becoming WWE Champion, we've had live sex celebrations
and some of the highest ratings we've ever had on Raw though.
Give the devil his due, Edge is waiting.
[Jerry] That's because of Edge?
[Joey] Well, at least he says so, right?
The WWE Championship is on the line!
The Champion, Edge,
defending against the former Champion, John Cena.
[Jerry] Edge claims and brags
that he's the most watched WWE Superstar in history.
[Joey] Edge's words on Raw,
he says, he's not a transitional champion.
He's gonna prove it to the world here tonight.
As we said, King, John Cena is fresh tonight,
not coming off a 45-minute Elimination Chamber match-up.
You can't ever discount that Lita's in the corner of Edge,
he's capable of anything!
[Jerry] And, uh, John Cena's hope
that Edge is kissing that Championship belt goodbye.
Wow!
-[bell ringing] -[Jerry] Wow!
[Joey] Referee Mickie Henson will officiate this all-important match-up
for the WWE Championship.
[Jerry] How'd you like a bust in the mouth from Lita?
[Joey] Champion and challenger tie up.
King, I know you spent over 60 minutes calling the Royal Rumble.
I hope you have some gas left in the tank
because this is gonna be a fantastic match-up.
[Jerry] Oh, you kidding me?
[chuckles] I've been sitting on ready for this match.
[Joey] So much emotion, so much athleticism, so much hatred
between John Cena and Edge.
[Jerry] And any time Edge is out here, there's always the possibility
of a live sex celebration.
[Joey] Oh, what a clothesline! Down goes Edge!
John Cena still furious about the way Edge defeated him
for the WWE Championship-- Oh, and he went out!
[Jerry] Now, I don't know if I agree with that.
I don't know if Cena was furious about it.
[Joey] He just said he would have actually done the same thing.
But you don't, you know, you don't get mad, you get even.
Well, Cena feels he is the better man, and his chance to prove it tonight
is here at the Royal Rumble.
-[Jerry] Oh, look out. -[Joey] Face first into that second
turn buckle goes John Cena.
[Jerry] I think one thing that Cena did object to,
was the fact that Edge knocked the hell out of him
with that Championship Belt. He wasn't too happy about that.
Oh, man!
[Joey] Smug look on the face of Lita. At least for now.
Edge goes home in the corner.
And Cena plays him with the leg. Two, and no!
Barely a two-count for John Cena.
Edge took a ride once again. Hangs on, goes to the outside.
[Jerry] Now, that's smart on Edge's part.
[Joey] Edge's trying to break up the momentum of John Cena,
but Cena going outside after the WWE Champion.
[Jerry] Look at Lita. Whoa!
[Joey] Face first into the steel steps.
Remember, John Cena is not above FU-ing Lita.
He's done it before, he will do it again if he has to.
[Jerry] And Edge is certainly not above hiding behind Lita,
using her as a human shield.
And look at this. Oh, man!
[Joey] And once again, it proves to be effective.
No, there's a spear right to the steel steps!
-Did you hear that? -[Jerry] Oh, man!
I don't know if that might have been
Edge's head hitting those steps at the same time.
[Joey] John Cena driven backwards, all that velocity, all that impact.
That'll shoot right up the vertebrae of the spine,
plus the damage it does to the kidneys.
[Jerry] If I'm Edge right now, I'm wanting the referee to go ahead and tap Cena out.
[Joey] Any way you can keep the WWE Championship is a good one.
[Jerry] Look at Edge.
Licking his chops at the fact
that Cena's in a bad way early on in this match.
And once again, Lita proves to be a very effective tool
to have in the corner, at least for Edge.
Edge, now, with a full head of steam!
Connects with a face full so much. John Cena in the first row.
[Jerry] Well, you know…
you and I were talking earlier about the fact
that Edge may claim all he wants,
to that he's not gonna be a transitional champion,
but I just had the feeling that John Cena
was going to come into this thing and regain that title, but so far it's…
Edge is making a believer out of me.
[Joey] And, King, being the great veteran you are, you called it.
Edge is looking for the count-out victory if he can get it.
He did not go after John Cena.
[Jerry] John Cena's got to realize you can't win the championship
if you're outside the ring.
But Edge can certainly win the match while John Cena's outside the ring.
The referee's all the way up to the count of seven.
[Joey] He's up to eight. John Cena with everything he's got,
crawling back, barely made it at the count of ten.
Edge disappointed and frustrated but right back on the attack.
Edge, perhaps the most opportunistic WWE champion we've ever had
and now all over John Cena.
[Jerry] And there's nothing wrong with being opportunistic.
When you're a champion, you've got to be opportunistic.
The bottom line is anything you have to do to keep the WWE Championship.
Mocking John Cena's "you can't see me."
[Joey] Complete lack of respect for the former WWE Champion,
and a boot right to the face.
[Jerry] A few more of those and John Cena's not gonna be seeing
anybody except maybe a doctor.
[Joey] And the WWE champion Edge not letting up on John Cena.
[Jerry] You better watch Lita. She's a wild card in this match.
[Joey] Another look at this.
The boot right to the face, right to the ear of John Cena.
And that could throw off your equilibrium.
[Jerry] And the next kick right into the midsection.
Now, this huge crowd here getting behind John Cena.
Oh, what a shot.
[Joey] John Cena now unloading with those haymakers from the right side.
Spinning heel kicked right in the mush.
Cover, hook to the leg, two and no.
Two and a half, just before three, Mickie Henson.
[Jerry] Oh, man. Edge almost took Cena's head off with that kick.
[Joey] Did he ever find the mark?
What do you think?
[Joey] I think Edge is trying to squeeze the air out of John Cena.
[Jerry] No, no, do you think that if Edge wins tonight
there's gonna be a live sex celebration?
[Joey] Still buzzing from the last one I had to sit through, King.
This is a very effective follow-up to the spear
on the outside into the steel steps.
[Jerry] Oh, man. Quick elbow there from John Cena.
[Joey] Yes, he doesn't want to stand that long and embrace the lace lock.
Edge cinches up John Cena, takes him over!
You see Edge actually leave his feet on that suplex
for added momentum, added impact on John Cena.
-Edge very technically sound. -[Jerry] Oh, my gosh.
What a nice right hand.
[Joey] Right to the side of the head and Edge now raking the eyes.
[Jerry chuckles] That shot would have knocked out most guys.
It didn't even stagger Edge.
-Look at this. Dropkick. -[Joey] Beautiful standing dropkick
right in front of Lita
by the WWE champion, Edge.
-[Jerry] And he's so proud of himself. -[Joey] Lita's proud of him too.
Lita always knows what they're doing.
-[Jerry] Look out here. Look out. -[Joey] John Cena to the outside.
And once Edge says, "Sure, ref, I'll stand back.
I'll take the count-out victory. Any way I get to leave Miami
with the WWE championship." No, Edge now going to the outside.
Edge feeling very confident.
[Edge grunts]
[Jerry] Well, that's because, you know, there's some steel steps out there.
[Joey] And this time it's shoulder first into those steel steps.
-[Jerry] Look at Edge he is… -[Joey] Breaking up the count.
[Jerry] He is so full of himself now that he's champion.
[referee] Bring it back inside, gentlemen!
[Jerry] The referee, all he can do is just ask these guys
to get it back inside.
[Joey] Edge doing a great job of keeping John Cena outside the ring!
He knows Cena cannot win the WWE Championship outside the ring,
King, as you said earlier.
Cena went left shoulder first into those steel steps
so he can throw right haymakers but he can't throw left haymakers.
[Jerry] I don't know why Edge keeps coming in there,
breaking the referee's count.
-I don't agree with that strategy. -[Joey] WWE Champion perched
atop the top turn buckle, just waiting on John Cena.
-[Jerry] There he is. -[Joey] Beautiful missile dropkick.
This may be over. Cover, hook to the leg. Two and naught.
[crowd boos]
Goes for the cover again, does the WWE champion.
Lateral crush, right shoulder off this time by John Cena.
And John Cena has taken a beating thus far.
And see John-- you can see him favoring that…
-[Edge grunts] -[Cena grunts]
[Joey] All the right hand but the left shoulder went through the steel steps.
It's all the right hands by John Cena.
-[Jerry] Oh, man. -[Joey] Clothesline by Edge.
Down goes Cena.
[Jerry] Cena needs to-- you're right, you need to shake it off, John.
See, Edge, he's got the ace in the hole over there, Lita can massage him.
She can will him right back into that match.
John Cena's just got to shake it off, suck it up.
But then he can also interfere with what they're doing.
-Pull him out of there now! -[Joey] Edge all over John Cena.
In order to prove he is not a "transitional champion,"
Edge has to successfully defend that
WWE Championship here tonight at the Royal Rumble.
[Jerry] Whoa. Cena, oh, oh, almost out here on the floor
-right in front of us. -[Joey] Almost on top of us.
Barely hanging on to the top turn buckle.
[Jerry] Sit down, Joey. They're not gonna fall over here on you.
[Joey] God help me if it did.
Edge now going up on John Cena,
-sitting up, the former-- -[Jerry] Oh, look out!
Cena sends off Edge!
And now Cena…
-he's in perfect position. He's up top. -[Jerry] Oh, my gosh.
[Joey] He went for it all and he missed.
[Jerry] Oh, Cena crashes and burns.
[Joey] Cover, oh, my God. No, no, no…
Foot across the bottom rope. John Cena knew exactly where he was.
May have given himself a charley horse in his right leg.
I'm gonna tell you something. Those off-the-top-rope,
high-risk maneuvers can really come back to haunt you
if you don't hit 'em.
Mostly every competitor tried them tonight in the Royal Rumble match-up.
Oh, look at these left jabs here.
[Joey] Edge is just picking his shots,
shooting off those left jabs with pinpoint accuracy.
-There's the right hand. -[Jerry] He's floating like a butterfly
-and definitely stinging like a bee. -Well, if he can do it right now,
the WWE Champion, Edge, I think you would agree, King,
can outwrestle John Cena but John Cena can outpunch Edge.
[Jerry] It didn't look like it on that last exchange.
[Joey] Cena's working on one arm, his left arm--
-[Jerry] Oh, no! -[Joey] He's got him! Wait a minute!
He's going for the FU. We can see the FU.
-[Jerry] Rake to the eyes. -[Joey] Edge rakes the eyes.
Rolls up for the… He's got the tights!
Two!
-[Jerry] Bring that to… Oh, man. -[Joey] What a front kick
right to the face of John Cena by the WWE Champion, Edge.
Cena went down and boom!
[Jerry] Well, Edge,
I think everyone out there watching's got to be impressed with Edge. He's…
He's proving to be very worthy of that championship.
And once again, the WWE Champion, Edge, ascending the turn buckles.
He's perched up top once again.
[Jerry] He hit that missile dropkick the last time he came off here.
-What's he got in mind now? -[Joey] This evening, Edge has been
-very effective from the top turn buckle. -[Jerry] Look at that look.
It's almost a demonic look. Look at this.
-Oh, crossbody. -[Joey] High crossbody.
Cena fought through. Hook to the leg! Two, no.
Two-count only says referee Mickie Henson.
-[Cena grunts] -[Jerry] Oh!
[Joey] John Cena now throwing those right haymakers with everything he's got.
-[Jerry] Uh-oh! -[Joey] Sleeper hold now applied
by the WWE champion.
-[Jerry] Look at this! -[Joey] And a body scissors.
Now he may get choked with the body scissors.
[Cena groans]
And Lita over there screaming, "You got him now, Edge."
And he may have him.
John Cena… I mean, he could be choked out right here.
Rear chin lock, pulling back with everything he's got.
Plus the body scissor.
It's very hard to breathe in the body scissors and your head
pulled back in that awkward position, King.
I'm not speaking from experience, just from…
[Jerry] I know, you've seen this happen to a lot of wrestlers.
You either tap out or you're choked out and you pass out.
Either way, right now,
the chances of Edge retaining the WWE Championship look good
and Lita's loving it.
And look now, John Cena forced to carry
all of the bodyweight of the WWE Champion Edge.
[Jerry] Oh.
[Joey] You know, a wrestler's instinct is to roll to your stomach
stomach so you can't be pinned but in this case,
Cena is still being choked and now carrying all of Edge's bodyweight.
[Jerry] I don't know, I think the referee needs to check that.
That's definitely a blatant chokehold now.
It may not look like it from the referee's vantage point but--
[Joey] You know the arms of these WWE Superstars are so large,
it's only an inch away from a chin lock to a choke.
-[Jerry] Now, look at this. Look at this. -[Joey] He's got up.
John Cena showing great strength, great courage,
great determination. True grit being shown by Cena
Trying to get Edge off his back.
-[Jerry] Oh, man. -[Joey] Edge sidesteps this time.
John Cena goes backwards into the turn buckles.
[Jerry] Uh-oh. You know what this means, Joey.
Looking for the spear, here comes Edge!
He misses. He misses. Edge into the turn buckle!
-[Jerry] Oh! -DDT by John Cena.
-Can he capitalize? -[Jerry] And a big one!
[Joey] That is the break that John Cena needed.
He created his own luck. Can he capitalize?
-One! -[Joey] Both combatants are down.
-Two! -[Joey] Referee Mickie Henson
-counting both competitors. -[Mickie] Three!
[Jerry] We've seen Cena nearly counted out
-more than once in this match. -Four!
[Jerry] Now both… both these men are down. Look at Lita.
[Joey] John Cena has taken a hellacious beating
in this WWE Championship match-up.
Lita begging her Rated-R Superstar to get to his feet.
[Joey] Cena still choking, trying to get his breath.
Of course, Edge back to his feet first. That makes sense.
Cena now, full head of steam, shoulder block, down goes Edge!
-[Jerry] Big one! -[Joey] Clothesline.
Down goes the WWE Champion again.
John Cena with everything he's got, hammering the WWE Champion.
-[Jerry] Oh! -[Joey] With some
-sit down belly-to-back powerbomb. -[Jerry] Uh-oh!
And Cena's looking pretty good right now, King.
[Jerry] And things are not, definitely not looking good for Edge.
But you know what? You can't see how they're looking.
-Look at Lita, up on the ring. -Five knuckle shuffle connects.
-[Jerry] Come on, ref! -[Joey] Cover, hook to the leg.
Lita's up on the apron. Come on, two, three.
-Come on, Henson, make the count. -[Jerry] Ref, come on.
Leave her alone. Turn around.
-Whoa! -[Joey] And Lita trying to be
the difference maker for Edge once again.
-[Jerry] Oh! -Down goes Lita!
Cena with eyes at the back of his head. He's got Edge up for the FU!
He's got him with the FU!
And delivers the STFU!
Is it gonna make Edge tap?
Cena's got the STFU in the middle of the ring.
[Jerry] Is Edge gonna be a transitional champion?
Look out, he's gonna tap!
He may have to. Cena pulling back with all he's got. The STFU.
-He did! He did! He did! -[bell ringing]
-John Cena has done it! -["The Time Is Now" playing]
[Joey] John Cena has regained
-the championship. -[Lilián] Here is your winner,
and the new WWE Champion,
John Cena!
[Jerry] Wow, what a match!
[Joey] King, would you like to say it once again or shall I?
The champ is John Cena and the champ is here!
[crowd cheering]
♪ Plus I'm stormin' on you chumps Like I'm thunder and lightnin' ♪
♪ Ain't no way you breakin' me, kid I'm harder than nails ♪
♪ Plus I keep it on lock ♪
[Joey] What a gutsy victory for John Cena, once again, WWE Champion.
[Jerry] Well, Edge, he's learned a valuable lesson.
Always keep your words soft and sweet because you might have to eat them.
-…Here! -[Jerry] He said he was not gonna be
a transitional champion and, in fact,
that's just what John Cena has made Edge be tonight.
♪ Lay yo' ass down For the three-second tan ♪
-[Jerry] Wow! -[Joey] And the spinning bling
is back around the neck of the new
WWE Champion, John Cena, the Doctor of Thuganomics,
the pride of West Newbury, Massachusetts.
♪ Five pounds of courage buddy Tint pants with a gold T ♪
♪ Uh, it's a war dance and victory step ♪
[Jerry] Well, this young man dreamed of being a WWE champion
when he was just a young boy.
His dream has come true now, not once but twice.
♪ That's a no-no when this pop You'll lip lock your big talk's ♪
[Joey] Take another look at how this went down.
-[Jerry] Unfortunately, John Cena… -[Joey] Lita fell off the apron!
…John Cena saw Edge coming, moved out of the way,
-Edge threw Lita! -[Joey] And then the STFU locked in.
Edge had no choice but to tap out and relinquish the WWE Championship.
[Jerry] And 16,178 fans went wild!
Look at this. It's great.
♪ Your time is up, my time is now You can't see me, my time is now ♪
[Joey] And once again, John Cena
spinning the bling on his custom-made WWE Championship belt.
♪ You can't see me, my time is now ♪
[Jerry] What a Royal Rumble night this has been.
[Joey] Yes, John, new bling.
A great victory for Rey Mysterio in the Royal Rumble match-up,
and John Cena has regained the WWE Championship.
♪ You can't see me, my time is now! ♪
[Joey] Say it, King, say it with me!
-John Cena, the champ is here! -[Jerry] The champ is here!
Edge, real quick, you promised the world that you would not be
a transitional champion. What does this say about that?
Waldo, I will knock your face off. Get out of it!
Um…
Lita, what… what are your thoughts, uh,
-on what we just saw out there? -My thoughts?
How dare you coming out, talking to him right now?
This is a very emotional time for us and how…
What in the hell are you doing here?
-Well… -[crowd cheering]
…I'm here on behalf of John Cena
and I've got one thing to say to you, woman.
-Ho! -[commentators laughing]
[Michael] Well, there's, uh…
-Ho, ho, ho! -…only one "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan.
Ho! [laughs]
Well, nonetheless, congratulations to John Cena,
-the new WWE champion. -[laughs]
Ladies and gentlemen, coming up next, I believe, the main event.
It is for the World Heavyweight Championship from SmackDown.
The champion is Kurt Angle. The challenger,
the World's Strongest Man, Mark Henry.
[Tazz] Hey, Cole, listen. Kurt Angle, the first ever
Olympic gold medalist ever at WWE, but he's facing the World's Strongest Man.
Cole, I don't know what Angle's gonna do in this match. This is tough.
[Michael] This past Friday night on SmackDown, after Angle's victory
over MNM, Mark Henry would attack.
Angle had henry in the ankle lock when we saw something
we've never witnessed before.
[Tazz] I've never seen this in my life in 17 years in this industry.
Look at this power right here of Mark Henry
to get out of that ankle lock.
[Michael] Standing by, with Josh Mathews, is the World Heavyweight Champion,
Kurt Angle.
Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome my guest at this time,
the World Heavyweight Champion, Kurt Angle.
And Kurt, after just seeing the footage of Mark Henry
powering out of your ankle lock,
and the WWE Championship already changing hands,
are you at all concerned that lightning may strike twice tonight?
Are you concerned
that you can't ask a question without using a cliché?
I mean, I will admit what Mark Henry did,
overpowering my ankle lock, it's never been done before.
His strength…
it's unbearable. He's the strongest man in the world, right?
But I'm Kurt Angle.
And I can beat people in ways that haven't even been invented yet.
I'm the greatest wrestler in the world.
And there's no way in hell that Mark Henry's gonna beat me tonight.
I will beat Mark Henry.
If that little bastard, Daivari gets involved,
I'll take his ass out too.
I'm walking in that ring the World Heavyweight Champion
and I'm walking out of that ring the World Heavyweight Championship.
Oh, it's true. It's damn true.
Oh, and by the way, Mark Henry, you suck.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Well, ladies and gentlemen, tonight, two championships
-have already changed hands. -["Echo" playing]
[Michael] The Cruiserweight title and the WWE title.
Is the World Heavyweight Championship gonna change hands next?
[Tazz] Here we go!
[bell ringing]
[Chimel] The following contest is scheduled for one fall
and it is for the World Heavyweight Championship.
Introducing first, the challenger from Silsbee, Texas,
weighing in at 400 pounds,
the World's Strongest Man, Mark Henry.
[Michael] Earlier this month, Mark Henry took out
the former World Heavyweight Champion, Batista,
forcing Batista to surrender the championship.
Kurt Angle would win a battle royal to win that title
but Mark Henry with a victory over Rey Mysterio
became number one contender and the reason he's in the match tonight.
[Tazz] And since then, Daivari, or as of then, Daivari,
oh, God, I mean, he knows all the secrets, Kurt Angle,
Daivari with a bombshell announcement a couple of weeks ago,
don't believe it, Kurt Angle actually got fired,
but then getting the services of Mark Henry.
Henry has been unstoppable as of late.
[Michael] Daivari cut a deal with Melina, for the services
-of the World's Strongest Man. -[Tazz] Look at that face.
[Tazz] Oh, yeah. I can feel that, that championship atmosphere.
I'm getting goosebumps, man.
-[Michael] Sixteen thousand fans… -["Medal" playing]
-[Tazz] Here we go. -…cheering for the champion.
[Tazz] Here we go.
Angle looks ready, baby.
[Chimel] And making his way to the ring is the new World Heavyweight Champion,
-Kurt Angle! -[crowd chanting] You suck! You suck!
[Michael] Those "You suck" chants directed at Mark Henry.
[Tazz] And Mark Henry, Henry can't let those "You suck" chants
fluster 'em because if he makes one mistake,
he'd better watch it. Angle will get him.
[Michael] With Batista out with an injury, General Manager Theodore Long
on SmackDown set up a battle royal to crown a new World Heavyweight Champion.
The surprise entry, Kurt Angle from Raw.
We would later find out Angle's contract on Raw expired.
He's now a member of SmackDown. He won the battle royal
and he's the World Heavyweight Champion.
[Tazz] Well, you know the old expression, timing is everything.
And we on SmackDown benefitted and there you see…
or there you saw the World Heavyweight title.
-That's what it's all about. -[Michael] This is a classic match-up.
It is finesse versus power.
-Technical ability versus brute strength. -[bell ringing]
If you are the champion, Kurt Angle, what is your strategy?
[Tazz] Stay behind Mark Henry and keep him on the mat if you can.
I think you'll alleviate a lot of his power
if you can do that. It's hard to do.
[Michael] If you're the World's Strongest Man, Mark Henry,
-what is your strategy? -[Tazz] Try and turn into a slugfest
to utilize your bodyweight against Angle and your strength.
[Michael] But remember, Kurt Angle eliminated Mark Henry
in that battle royal, actually got the big man over the top rope
so, Angle can play Mark Henry's game
-but only for short spurts of time. -[Tazz] See how quick Angle shoots
-that single leg but Henry's so powerful. -[Michael] Oh!
[Tazz] Look at that. Can't even get Henry down and just stomped him.
His quad, his thigh right across, uh, Angle's face.
Look at the eyes. Angle can't believe it.
[Michael] So if you're Mark Henry, you want to be methodical
in this match-up. You want to stalk your opponent.
-You want to wear Kurt Angle down. -[Tazz] Yeah, you want to wrestle
your pace if you're Mark Henry. You're a 400-pound monster.
You want to wrestle your pace. See what I'm saying?
Angle wants to get behind Mark Henry and it's tough to pop off a German suplex,
-the guy's so heavy. Whoa! -[Michael] So utilize the style
which won him the gold medal. That's what Kurt Angle wants to do.
Yeah, and multiple WWE Championships and World Heavyweight Championships.
[Michael] Well, Kurt Angle, the most decorated Superstar
in the history of World Wrestling Entertainment.
-He has held every title available. -[Tazz] Well, I… I think that
Mark Henry's getting a little frustrated, thanks to Kurt Angle here.
[Michael] That's Daivari's job, to keep the big man in control.
-Remember, Daivari knows the weaknesses… -[Tazz] Whoa, whoa, whoa!
…of Kurt Angle. And there's the right hand
by the World Heavyweight Champion.
-Oh, my. -[Tazz] Uh-oh, there's that palm,
that fist. Look how strong he is.
Yeah, the World's Strongest Man. Kurt Angle's in trouble!
And with one arm, drops Angle to his knees.
[Tazz] Angle's got to try and get out of this.
Just one hand, you're right.
Just putting Angle down and Angle now getting back to a vertical base.
We talked about Henry's legs being like tree trunks.
-His arms are like tree limbs. -[Tazz] Oh!
Look at how thick his upper body is.
[Michael] Four hundred pounder tried to drop the elbow.
It's like a Volvo landing on you. He's a monster.
[Michael] You got to believe that Daivari spent a lot of time in the film room
with Mark Henry, looking at tapes of Kurt Angle.
[Tazz] I don't think they use film. It's more like DVD now.
But watch out. Mark Henry got caught.
-in trouble. Oh! -[Michael] And look at Angle.
Hung up on the top rope and dumped out of the ring.
Well, Mark Henry, the number one contender brings the referee toward him.
-It allows Daivari… -[Tazz] Oh, look at this!
…to go on the attack against his former client, Kurt Angle.
-And look at this. -[Tazz] Well, behind the referee's back,
that Daivari is a nasty, slippery little SOB, that's for sure.
And Angle said,
"If I get my hands on that little bastard, I'm gonna take him out."
[Michael] We've seen what Daivari capable of.
-A couple of weeks ago, Daivari-- -[Tazz] Oh, whoa! Whoa!
[Tazz] Listen, listen. Hold off. Forget about Daivari is capable of.
Mark Henry just lifted up the steps,
shoved them around like they were a napkin.
[Michael] Kurt Angle wise, gets back in the ring,
draws Henry back in and now on the attack.
-And, Kurt Angle. -[Tazz] Well, a front face lock,
-that's a fundamental-- -[Michael] Oh, look at this!
Mark Henry hanging Angle up again on the top rope.
I was about to say, a front face lock could take anybody out
but, I guess, not the World's Strongest Man.
[Michael] But every time Kurt Angle starts to apply
some of his technical prowess, Mark Henry just counters it.
[Tazz] He's so dominant, Mark Henry, so powerful.
-And now look at this. Oh, wow! -[Michael] Four hundred pounds,
four hundred pounds, driven into the chest.
-The chest of Kurt Angle . -[Tazz] Crushing him.
Crushing Angle's upper body.
[Michael] I don't know. I don't know how you combat Mark Henry.
I can't figure out how you're gonna knock down
-the world's-- -[Tazz] Watch out!
[Michael] That's a splash. That's a splash!
-Here's the cover. Championship! -[Tazz] Uh-oh! Dude's in trouble!
[Michael] There's two, Kurt Angle gets the shoulder up.
-[Tazz] Whoa! -[Michael] Wow.
[Tazz] Man, that was close.
[Michael] Almost a very short reign for the Champion, Angle.
[Tazz] Well, yeah, ask Edge, he knows about that.
Well, Mark Henry.
Mark Henry, at his own pace,
he's got his sights set on Angle now.
[Michael] Oh, look at the bear hug.
The 400-pounder, the World's Strongest Man,
with the bear hug locked in to Kurt Angle.
This is a submission maneuver.
The title can change hands with a submission.
[Tazz] And Angle's trying to pummel in to break that,
trying to get a hip lock, a hip throw, if possible.
And he's got to-- oh, Angle, just giving up too much size.
He had the right idea, pummel your arm in,
get under that armpit and try to pop your hip and throw him.
[Michael] Well, Mark Henry outweighs Angle by near 200 pounds.
[Tazz] Now what's angle gonna do here?
-Pummeling again, both arm pummeling in. -[Kurt grunts]
[Tazz] Well, actually, one arm's got an underhook,
and an overhook on the tricep. He's gonna throw him maybe.
[Michael] Henry back to one leg and now regains his balance.
Back to that vertical base. He continues the pressure on Angle.
You know what… how the hell Angle's gonna get up now.
That arm's trapped after pummeling.
[Michael] So explain to the WWE fans, Tazz,
what this bear hug does to you if you're locked in it.
[Tazz] It squeezes the wind, the air out of your body
and now look at this, he's gonna hip throw him!
-[Michael] And he got him over! -[Tazz] Wow.
[Michael] But how much did that take out of Kurt Angle
-to get the big man over? -[Tazz] Well, exactly.
That's exactly… that's a good point.
I mean, Angle exerted a ton of energy just to do a fundamental hip toss.
[Michael] And a right hand by Angle.
As the "Let's go, Angle" chants begin in Miami.
Sixteen thousand plus, standing room only…
-[Tazz] Oh! …have witnessed a tremendous
Royal Rumble thus far, with the World Heavyweight Championship
-now on the line. -[Tazz] Here we go.
The champion, caught in mid air by the challenger.
[Tazz] Look at the lower body strength, upper body strength.
-Angle's in a ton of trouble, Cole. -[Michael] And look at Kurt Angle.
-[Tazz] Slipped down. -[Michael] Yeah, Mark Henry--
-[Tazz] Ankle lock! -[Michael] The ankle lock!
The ankle lock locked in!
Kurt Angle pulling Henry back towards the center of the ring.
[Tazz] Will he tap out? Will Mark Henry… Oh, no.
[Michael] And again, Mark Henry with the power.
Angle having so much problems getting the ankle lock--
[Tazz] Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!
Can he get this Angle Slam?
Kurt Angle going for the Angle Slam.
-[Tazz] Oh! -[Michael] And again, the clubbing blow.
[Tazz] Again, the power, the bodyweight, the size difference
might just be too much for Kurt Angle.
[Michael] Rey Mysterio winning the Royal Rumble match-up here tonight
could face one of these two men for the World Heavyweight Championship
-at WrestleMania. -[Tazz] Uh-oh, uh-oh, oh!
-[Michael] And look at this German suplex! -[Tazz] Oh! He got it.
-[Michael] I cannot believe… -[Tazz] I… Me neither.
…Kurt Angle got the 400-pounder off his feet for the German.
[Tazz] Well, Kurt Angle said earlier he could beat men…
beat people in ways that haven't even been invented yet
and will walk in this match a World Heavyweight Champ, which he did.
He said, more or less guaranteeing,
he's gonna walk out World Heavyweight Champ.
-Let's see if that happens. -[Michael] And now, Kurt Angle,
measuring his opponent, going for the Angle Slam.
-[Tazz] Here we go. He's got him! -[Michael] He's got him down!
Kurt Angle, with the Angle Slam.
-Into the cover. -[Tazz] He's got it.
[Michael] Hook the leg, shoulders are down.
-[Tazz] One, two… How though? -[Michael] And Mark Henry
-kicked out at two. -[Tazz] Oh, man, that was close.
[Michael] Does a man like Kurt Angle
with all the success he's had over the years, does he get frustrated?
[Tazz] I don't think so. I think Kurt, you know, he's very focused.
-He's a smart competitor in there… -[shouts]
-…He's bringing the intensity up now. -[Michael] And there is the intensity.
The straps go down. You know what's next.
-[Tazz] Here it is. -[Michael] The ankle lock.
-The ankle lock's locked in. -[Tazz] He's got it.
He's got it. He's got that ankle lock.
Telling him to tap out.
-[Michael] Will Mark Henry tap out? -[Tazz] Get Daivari off the damn apron
-already, enough! -[Michael] And Mark Henry again
kicks out! This time,
Angle inadvertently takes out referee Charles Robinson.
[Tazz] Two times in a matter of three days,
Mark Henry powered out with one leg out of that ankle lock.
-Three times actually, right? -[Michael] Did it twice in this match-up,
once on Friday Night SmackDown.
And Kurt Angle, outside the ring, steel chair in hand.
Referee's down. Kurt Angle!
-Kurt Angle with a steel chair. -[Tazz] Whoa, whoa, whoa.
-And now, Davari. -[Tazz] Oh, Daivari again.
Enough with the-- oh, God Almighty!
Right out in front of us. Look at the chair, Cole.
[Michael] The chair bent in half off the skull of Daivari.
[Tazz] Watch out!
-[Tazz] Steel chair! -[Michael] Oh, my.
-[Tazz] Talk about strong. -[Michael] The World's Strongest Man
He stopped the momentum of that chair.
He pulled… My God, oh, my God, he's so powerful.
[Michael] And now he just tossed Angle halfway across the ring.
[Tazz] I don't know what bent the chair more,
Daivari's head or Mark Henry's hands.
Oh, and a low blow by Angle. Anything to win for Kurt Angle.
[Tazz] Well, referee never saw it. He's still down, the ref.
And now Kurt Angle, steel chair yet again,
-the World Heavyweight Champion. -[Tazz] Uh-oh. Uh-oh.
-Watch out! -[Michael] And a chair off the skull
-of the number one contender! -Bullseye. Oh, my God.
-Look at this, Cole. My God. -[Michael] Mark Henry is punch drunk.
-[Tazz] Oh, God almighty. -[Michael] And again!
A chair off the skull, echoing through the American Airlines Arena.
[Tazz] Well, I think the end is near.
Kurt said he's gonna beat you one way or beat you another.
-[Michael] Here's the cover. -[crowd] One, two…
-[Tazz] That is it. -[crowd gasps]
-[Michael] Mark Henry kicked out! -[Tazz] The hell did he kick…
[Michael] He kicked out after two chairs to the skull!
[Tazz] Oh, my God, Cole, Mark Henry is a monster.
[Michael] Kurt Angle. That's the same look he had
in his eyes Friday night
when Mark Henry kicked out of that ankle lock.
[Tazz] Well, now Kurt. Well, you know what?
Kurt's gonna go what he's got to do to leave Miami
with that World Heavyweight title.
[Michael] Forget the technical wrestling.
[Tazz] Hey, you got… you in there with a damn bear.
-That Mark Henry's a total animal, man. -[Michael] And Kurt Angle
trying to and he does expose that second turn buckle,
that steel turn buckle's been exposed.
[Tazz] And the referee never saw that, that going down. Uh-oh.
-[Michael] Kurt Angle… -[Tazz] Rever-- what the hell?
-[Michael] Kurt Angle! -[crowd sighs]
[Tazz] Oh, my God!
[Michael] Kick to the knee. Skull off the steel turn buckle.
-[Tazz] Schoolboy, schoolboy. -[Michael] He's got him here.
-He's got it. -[Tazz] He's got it.
-[bell ringing] -[Tazz] He got it.
-[Michael] Kurt Angle… -[Tazz] His face in that turn buckle.
[Michael] Kurt Angle!
-["Medal" playing] -[Chimel] Here is your winner and still
World Heavyweight Champion, Kurt Angle.
-[Michael] Kurt Angle, retains the World-- -[bell tolling]
-[Tazz] What? -[Michael] Oh, my!
[Tazz] Wait a minute.
-[bell tolling] -[Tazz] What the hell… Cole?
What the hell is this?
["Rest in Peace" playing]
[Michael] I believe hell has opened.
[crowd cheering]
[Tazz] Wait a minute. What?
-[Michael] It can't be. -[Tazz] Oh, it is. It is.
[Michael] The last time The Undertaker was here…
-[Tazz] Wait a minute, what? -…was at Hell in a Cell and Armageddon,
and it's The Undertaker.
[Tazz] He's on a-- What the hell is going on here?
[Michael] The Phenom is here.
-[Tazz] But why? What? What? -[Michael] I… I have no idea.
[Tazz] Angle's in the shock himself. He…
[Michael] Kurt Angle about to celebrate a victory,
and here's The Undertaker.
[Tazz] I…
He just rode a… a black chariot in here,
The Undertaker…
[Michael] It's like he was driven in here by the Grim Reaper.
[Tazz] But why? What? I… I…
Oh, I don't like that look.
-[Michael] What's this all about? -[Tazz] I don't know
what the hell's going on here.
Angle's in shock.
Wait a minute.
Hey, Cole, what does that mean? Does that mean that…
Is Undertaker motioning he wants the World Heavyweight Title?
[bell tolling]
[Michael] It is chilling.
[commentators gasp]
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] I don't know what's going on.
[Tazz gasps]
-Oh! Holy sh… [bleep] -[crowd gasps]
[Tazz] What the hell's going on?
[Michael] Make no mistake about it.
Undertaker indeed wants the World Heavyweight Championship.
[theme music continues playing]
[music concludes] nues playing]