[narrator] Tonight, The Road to WrestleMania…
begins.
[dramatic music playing]
[narrator] What happens here defines the path
these men will travel to the grandest stage of them all.
-[crowd cheering, applauding] -[announcer] WrestleMania!
[narrator] Who will start their journey as champion?
And who will be the one?
[Sheamus] You people may not like me, but you sure as hell will respect me.
[narrator] Can a brash young champion create his own legend
by defeating the legend killer?
[Michael] The Viper, Randy Orton strikes.
[intense music playing]
[Michael] Against all odds,
Rey Mysterio stands on the brink of history.
[narrator] Can the ultimate underdog rise back to the top
by tearing down the gates of hell?
[Undertaker] You or no one else triumphs over the grave.
[narrator] And it's the most star studded Royal Rumble match ever.
Thirty superstars will battle to headline WrestleMania.
Who will be the one?
[all] I…
-[wrestler] I am the one. -The one.
-I. -I am the one.
["Hero" playing]
♪ I need a hero to save me now ♪
♪ I need a hero to save me ♪
[narrator] Tonight, there is nothing to lose
and everything to gain.
Who will be the one?
♪ A hero is gonna save me just in time ♪
[song concludes]
[narrator] And now, WWE presents the Royal Rumble.
The Road to WrestleMania begins tonight.
-[fireworks crackling] -["Hero" playing]
[crowd cheering, applauding]
♪ I need a hero to save me now ♪
[Michael] For the 23rd time, we welcome you
to the splendor and the glory that is the Royal Rumble.
You are looking live at a sold-out Philips Arena in Atlanta.
16,697 WWE fans,
all waiting for the answer to the question,
who will be the one?
[bell ringing]
The following contest is scheduled for one fall
-and it is for the ECW Championship. -[crowd cheering, applauding]
["Just Close Your Eyes" playing]
[Savannah] Introducing first, from Toronto, Ontario, Canada,
weighing 227 pounds,
he is the ECW Champion, Christian.
[Michael] Well, ladies and gentlemen, we liken the Royal Rumble
to the all-star game. And I have the pleasure here
at ringside to be flanked by two all-stars.
Hi, everybody, I'm Michael Cole
with WWE hall of famer, Jerry "The King" Lawler from Raw.
From SmackDown, Matt Striker. Are you guys ready?
Well, as I've said many times, the Royal Rumble, hey,
it's all about royalty, baby. And I love it.
It's my favorite pay-per-view of the year.
I love this event.
[Michael] You've been talking about this for weeks.
[Matt] Well, this is where the journey begins.
This is where the quest commences.
By the end of this night, we will slowly peel away the skin
to get to the core of it all, WrestleMania.
[Michael] And you are lucky that the man who has held the ECW Championship
longer than anyone in WWE history,
Christian has held the title six months and counting.
Christian has turned away many challengers,
but a lot of experts agree, King, you as one of them,
Ezekiel Jackson poses a grave threat to the ECW Championship.
[Jerry] Well, you are right about that, Matt. But I'll tell you this,
I'm definitely a Peep. I believe in Christian.
This guy has made a pure believer out of me.
["Domination" playing]
♪ There will be no stopping ♪
♪ 'Cause when you go harder Than somebody man ♪
♪ This right here is domination ♪
[Savannah] Introducing his opponent from Guyana, South America,
weighing 209 pounds, Ezekiel Jackson.
[Michael] Man, I liken this man to a demolition machine.
[Jerry] Oh, not easy to liken Ezekiel Jackson to anything
because there hasn't been anything like Ezekiel Jackson,
the Prophet of Doom. But what's very interesting
is the man to the left, the Mad Hatter from Blackpool,
William Regal, has imparted all of his wisdom
into the mind and body of Ezekiel Jackson.
[Michael] Jackson won the ECW Homecoming FInale,
a battle royal to earn this match,
eliminated three former champions, Matt Hardy, CM Punk,
and Kane in that event.
King, how important do you think William Regal has played
in the maturation process of Ezekiel Jackson?
[Jerry] Oh, it's all about William Regal as Matt said.
I mean, he has imparted.
I love to use those kind of words, Matt… [chuckles]
-[Matt] Feel free. -[Jerry chuckles]
Regal has imparted his wisdom.
All that and of course, I'm sure that William Regal has.
He thinks he's taught Ezekiel Jackson everything he knows,
but he hasn't taught him everything William Regal knows.
That's why William Regal is extra dangerous being in that corner.
[Michael] Well, let's point this out. A little known fact about Ezekiel Jackson,
attended Columbia Law School. The man is a certified genius.
Add that to the fact that William Regal is in
-Ezekiel Jackson's corner and honestly… -[ring bell ringing]
…how can Ezekiel lose?
[Matt] And here we go, ECW Championship on the line.
Christian, who made a point this past Tuesday night to claim
that he has defended against all time… all types of contenders,
all-American Americans to ECW Originals.
He can adapt to anyone in Christian's words.
-But can he adapt to Ezekiel Jackson? -[crowd cheering, applauding]
[Jerry] Well, certainly and there is proof of the pudding right there.
He certainly cannot try to match strength or power with Ezekiel Jackson.
[Michael] Now listen to some of these stats on Jackson, King.
He goes 309 pounds. The man has 23 inch arms,
a 52 inch chest, a 35 inch waist and his thighs are 30 inches.
[Jerry] But one thing Ezekiel Jackson does not have is the 15 pounds of
pure platinum and silver, that is the ECW Championship.
[Michael] For sure giving away over 80 pounds.
[Jerry] But look for Christian to use his speed
and veteran wherewithal to try to counter
just the unmitigated power of Ezekiel Jackson.
[crowd chanting] Let's go, Christian!
-[Michael] There are your peaks, King. -[Jerry] Yeah.
-[grunts] -[Michael] The power again of Jackson.
-Come on. That's all you got? -[Matt] Christian needs to…
Christian needs to create separation.
[Michael] Well, that was like an escape with authority.
-[commentators gasp] Oh! -[crowd gasping]
[Michael] Oh, there's a hot-headed temper of the ECW Champion.
Christian will not back down.
[Jerry] Christian may regret that. [chuckles]
Or maybe Christian was just sending a message to Ezekiel Jackson
that he will not be intimidated.
[Michael] But there again, the veteran instincts
that you guys talked about earlier.
-[overlapping chatter] -[crowd cheering]
Dropkick right to the jaw and Jackson has been stunned early.
[Jerry] Now keep your eye on the ECW Champion.
-This is where Christian begins to excel. -[Michael] Whoa!
[Jerry] And that's where you take
the weight advantage out of Jackson's hands,
when you can propel your body and use it as a weapon like that.
[Michael] Well, again, King, as you know, as we get around WrestleMania time,
the superstars begin to kick it up a notch.
They begin to take risks, especially on a night like tonight,
nothing to lose and the world to gain.
[Matt] And speaking of risk, there it is.
And it took that high risk maneuver just to get Ezekiel Jackson
-off his feet for the first time. -[Michael] Jackson missed wildly.
Christian ducks underneath another clothesline.
-There's the quickness of Christian. -[Jerry] Man, another slap.
-[crowd cheering, applauding] -[Matt] Oh, boy.
[Jerry] Uh-oh, there's the strength and power we were talking about.
Oh, man.
[Michael] Over 16,000
watching live tonight in Atlanta. Also live all over the world
in places like the United Kingdom and Italy, Australia
-and Christian's native of Canada. -[Jerry] Oh, man.
Those clubbing blows from Ezekiel Jackson will knock
the wind right out of you.
[Michael] You will notice how the pace of the match will begin to screech
to a halt when Ezekiel Jackson is in control.
It's almost disturbing to watch Ezekiel Jackson on the offense.
[Jerry] Like he's on a seek and destroy mission at times.
Boy, when he lands those big, right hands,
this whole match here could screech to a halt at anytime.
He can knock… he can knock Christian right out.
[Michael] The other thing we failed to mention is, well,
remember this past Tuesday night on ECW, guys,
Ezekiel Jackson actually pinned Christian.
-[Jerry] Whoa, whoa, whoa! Hang on! -[Michael] He pinned Christian
in a tag team match Tuesday night.
Christian was going for the kill switch,
a maneuver that Christian has had enjoyed great success with it.
-[Jerry] Wow. -[Michael] Oh, look at… look at Jackson
and look at the smile on his face as he lifted Christian with ease,
but again, the veteran instincts of Christian.
[Michael] This is just blatant cheating from the ECW Champion.
-Yeah, he has a five count. -[Jerry] It's a blatant-- come on.
[Michael] Oh, man.
You noticed Christian peak over his shoulder at Regal.
[Jerry] But did you hear that shot from Christian and it barely--
-Didn't really even faze Ezekiel Jackson. -[crowd gasping]
[Michael] I guess, guys, when you have a man the size of Jackson,
he's got to absorb a ton of punishment before you can keep him down.
[Jerry] Whoa, whoa, whoa, look at this.
-[Michael] Uh-uh, yes. -[overlapping chatter]
-[crowd cheering] -[Jerry] What? He wasn't doing anything.
Why throw William Regal out of ringside?
-[Matt] Regal has been ejected. -[Michael] Well, first off,
he laid his hands on Christian, number one.
And number two, the referee is doing his job.
[Matt] That's because Regal knows that the championship can't change hands
on the count-out only trying to get Christian back in the ring.
-I disagree with this official. -[overlapping chatter]
[Michael] You know that will get you, don't you, Matt?
[Matt] Yeah, that and a dime will get me a cup of coffee at Starbucks.
-Is that still-- -[Michael] No, that's four bucks.
Well, Jackson's mentor has been sent back to the shower.
So Ezekiel, he's gonna have to do it on his own.
[Matt] This now answers the question, if Ezekiel--
-[Michael] Oh, my God. -[Jerry] Oh, no!
[Jerry] Matt, your question has been answered.
[Michael] To say if Ezekiel Jackson only got here because of William Regal,
the question is how far can Ezekiel Jackson go now
sans William Regal.
[Jerry] Jackson quickly into the cover, hooks the leg,
the title is on the line and Christian, he powered out at two and a half.
That was closer than I thought it was going to be.
-[Michael] Boy, watch and listen. -[Jerry] Oh!
[crowd gasping]
[Matt] He just smashed him.
Back of his head hitting that steel ring steps.
[Micael] Right now you see Ezekiel Jackson very smart
to purposely attack on the neck of the ECW Champion.
[Jerry] Christian, some more of those slaps to the side of the head.
He's trying to-- oh! Wow!
[Michael] Jackson just picked him up, laid him out like a sack of potatoes,
cover yet again and a kick-out by Christian at two.
[Michael] Deep leg hook, grasping the wrists as well,
trying to keep the champion down.
[Jerry] Yeah, that takes some energy too.
You got to really exert some power and some energy just to get out
of that pinning combination there from Ezekiel Jackson.
[Michael] I mean talk about strength, just take a look at this.
King, you been in there with some strong, strong competitors,
how do you counteract the power?
-[Jerry] Well, I mean-- -[Michael] Jackson going
for the cover yet again. Hooks the leg off that vertical suplex
and Christian's got a power at it too.
[Michael] We saw it earlier, Christian did it to perfection.
You got to try to stay away from this, you know, his power
and his strength but unfortunately, he's got Christian grounded now.
And once that strong and powerful opponent of yours
gets you in their control,
you're pretty much sunk.
[Jerry] Jackson continues to dominate.
[Michael] That's a systematic dissection. Notice that Jackson was working
on the neck, now working on the lower lumbar region, the back.
It's almost like he's trying to chop Christian down.
[Jerry] Well, it all started when he tossed Christian
into the steel steps moments ago.
But again Christian, two-time ECW Champion up over the top
-went for the sunset-- -Jackson is 30 inch cross
-[Jerry] Look at this! -[Matt] There's no way that's gonna work.
[Jerry] Look at this. Oh, Jackson could be closing in
on the championship. Hook of the leg, yet again and Christian rose
-the shoulder up at two. -[Michael] Guys, you have to admire
the fact that Ezekiel Jackson keeps going for pin fall attempts.
It illustrates how important ECW Championship is to Ezekiel.
[Jerry] Yeah, and as a Peep, you have to admire the fact that somehow,
someway, Christian is able to kick out of these.
[Michael] Well, a Peep is a yellow marshmallow bird.
-What is a Peep? -[Jerry] I love those as well.
[Michael] I bet you do. [chuckles]
[Matt] What does Christian call himself, "the pontiff of Peepulation"?
[Jerry] Well, I've adorned him with that, but yes,
the Captain Charisma, the pontiff of the Peepulation
and you can hear the WWE universe come alive for the ECW Champion,
-Christian. -Oh, Christian-- oh!
[Jerry] Ho, ho! That will get Ezekiel's attention.
[Michael] And another one.
[Jerry] Oh, look at that. Every time Zeke rears back
-Christian is one step ahead. Oh! -[crowd gasping]
-[Michael] Talking about a clubbing blow. -[Jerry] Cover again.
-Christian could be out, could be out. -[Michael] Christian, he had, of course,
threw his whole body that time to squirm out.
[Jerry] And I'll tell you from experience, every time you have to kick
your opponent off of you, it takes energy. Just watch this.
[crowd gasping]
[Michael] If he didn't get you coming, he'll get you going.
Jackson bulldozing the ECW Champion thus far.
-I got him. -[Michael] Some interesting choice
of submission holds here,
trying to stretch out the pecs and shoulders.
That takes away from Christian's maneuver the killswitch.
[grunts]
[Matt] Well, this is the worst possible scenario for Christian now,
in the clutches of Ezekiel Jackson.
[Jerry] Jackson, I was going to say has to watch the back of Christian's head
because that's the only way out of that hold.
[Michael] Yeah, Christian got back to the vertical base which he needed to do
when Jackson is still on the attack.
[Michael] Ezekiel Jackson has been completely dominant since
William Regal has been ejected from ringside.
[Jerry] Oh, oh. Jackson is going up even further.
[Michael] Perhaps going for a superplex.
Christian fighting out of it again.
[Jerry] Jackson. Did you see, Christian,
almost a pump fake like in football that time.
-Look at this! -[Michael] He got Jackson to flinch
for a moment and Christian took advantage.
[Jerry] That's a flying, sure you can and this could be the opportunity
that Christian needs.
It was that little pump fake that allowed Christian
to take control for a moment.
But Jackson again, nobody home, sidestepped.
[Michael] This is the distance that you alluded to earlier
that Christian needs to create.
-[Matt] Oh! Missile dropkick to the jaw. -[Jerry] Pegged him under the chin!
[Michael] Here's Christian into the cover and Jackson powers out.
[crowd clapping rhythmically]
[Michael] Now Christian beginning to feel it.
[Jerry] This is where Christian derives his adrenaline
in these type of opportunities here.
[Michael] Once again, he can kill switch but, man,
Ezekiel Jackson's just too strong.
Just watch once again this missile dropkick.
-[Michael] Now look at this. -[Jerry] Oh!
[Michael] Didn't get all of it, but the damage could be done.
[crowd cheering, applauding]
[Michael] Christian once again going to the top,
what's he got in mind here.
-[Jerry] Whoa! -[Michael] Jackson rolls out of the way
and this could be the opening that Jackson needs.
It could be the golden opportunity. Will Jackson win the championship?
[crowd groans]
[Jerry] Oh!
[Jerry] Well, I think a little bit of doubt beginning to creep
into the mind of Ezekiel Jackson. What is it going to take?
Does he have what it takes to keep Christian down for a three count?
[Michael] The book of Ezekiel says, "So it is written, so it shall be done."
-Will that be the case here tonight? -[crowd cheering, applauding]
-[Jerry] Oh, no. -[Matt] Backbreaker knee to the kidneys.
[Michael] Hooks the leg again.
Jackson lookin' to win the title and Christian kicks out at two.
[Michael] You know, most times you will see a guy do a backbreaker
and then take a second, but no, not Ezekiel Jackson.
-Right into a cover. Perfectly placed. -[Jerry] Take full advantage of the move.
[Ezekiel grunts]
[Jerry] And Christian-- Oh! That was sweep by Christian.
[Michael] Boot right between the eyes of Ezekiel Jackson.
Now can Christian capitalize? And he goes.
-[Jerry] DDT! -[Michael] And Christian,
can he get to the cover? Can he put big Zeke away?
[Jerry] Hooks the leg. He kicks out at two again.
The last time ECW title changed hands here in Atlanta,
it was Mr. McMahon who captured the title.
-Nothing. -[Michael] Near fall after near fall.
And there is the bulldozer again
-hooking the leg. And Christian. Wow. -[crowd cheering, applauding]
[Michael] I was trying to forget about that point in history.
[Jerry chuckles]
[Jerry] I just honestly think you were just too afraid to comment on it.
-It is history! -[Michael] Oh, look at, look at, look at.
Christian lookin' to put Zeke away.
[Jerry] Oh, what a counter.
[Michael] Great counter. Christian counters as well.
And sleeper hold.
[Jerry] The sleeper hold which has enjoyed a resurgence in the WWE
as of late thanks to Dolph Ziggler.
-[Michael] Oh, look at this. -[Matt] Oh, the strength.
[Michael] Right to the lower back that Jackson's been working on
-throughout the match-up. -[crowd gasping]
[Michael] Christian's expression telling the entire story there.
For a moment, Jackson killswitch engaged.
-[Jerry] Can he roll him over? -[Michael] Christian off the killswitch.
-[Jerry] Come on. -[Michael] Here's the cover.
-Hook to the leg. -[crowd chanting] One, two, three!
-[Michael] Christian's done it! -[bell ringing]
[Michael] Christian retains ECW Championship.
[Savannah] Here is your winner and still ECW Champion, Christian.
[Michael] Matt, the story here is pretty clear.
Christian did what he said he was going to do.
He adapted again to yet another opponent and pulled out the victory.
[Matt] It's what Christian has been doing every Tuesday night on Sci-Fi
and will continue to do until someone can come along
-and capture the ECW Championship. -[crowd cheering, applauding]
[Michael] What a way to kick off the Royal Rumble.
[Jeff] I don't know where William Regal is right now,
but I can assure he is not a happy camper.
[Michael] Christian, the most successful ECW Champion in the history
of the WWE has done it yet again.
[Michael] Boy, this match, I mean, we all talked about it.
You see, pretty much total domination by Ezekiel Jackson early on.
I mean he was just laying Christian to waste.
[Jeff] This is the resiliency of the ECW Champion.
I mean we all thought it was over right here.
And then here, I mean, what a compromising position
for Christian to be in.
[Michael] Well, he had already slammed Christian in a turnbuckle twice
-but the third time was not to be. -[crowd cheering, applauding]
[Matt] Christian turned it into the killswitch and oh, finally,
got Ezekiel Jackson rolled onto his back for the three count.
[Michael] Christian continues to amaze as captain charisma.
-Keeps the ECW title. -[Jerry] What a battle of rumble.
Tiffany, that was a great match between Ezekiel and Christian.
I have to give it to you, baby girl. You really got it going on on ECW.
Thanks, teddy. You know I learnt from the best.
-Thank you. -[JTG] Yo, yo, yo!
Yo, yo, yo, yo, yo, it's the boys, Cryme Tyme.
-A.K.A.. -Ziplock Boys.
-Ziplock boys? -Yeah, 'cause we stays fresh.
Okay, all right, guys. What can I do for you?
Teddy, check this out.
-There are two of us. -One, two.
But only one of us is allowed in the Royal Rumble match.
-Now come on, man, that's not right. -You know that ain't fair, man.
-Hook that up, man. You are the GM. -Well, you all can do
what you did last year, flip a coin. Or just a suggestion,
maybe you give us somebody else's spot.
Are you guys out of your mind? Do you realize that the winner--
-We know this. -We know, we know, the winner goes on
-to headline WrestleMania. -We know this.
Man, you know what, I figured you'd do something like that.
-I knew that. -Do what?
Yo, that's why we coerced somebody to give us their spot, okay.
-You know what I'm saying. -Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Okay, all right. Now how did you do that?
-Glad you asked. [chuckles] Yo, Playboy. -Coo-coo! Come here, dawg.
-Yeah. -Yeah.
What's up, man? Remember that deal we made?
-Remember the deal? -Remember the deal?
-We get your spot… -Uh-huh.
-…and you get to kiss Tiffany. -What?
-Hey, be a team player, be a team player. -Come on, go ahead, go ahead.
Whoa, whoa, whoa, hey, hey. No, no, no, wait, wait.
-Hey, wait, Khali. [speaking Hindi] -[in English] No, don't listen to him.
-[speaking in Hindi] -[in English] Oh, come on, man.
-It's a deal. -[overlapping chatter]
Great Khali says no dice, home slice.
-What? -[crowd cheering indistinctly]
-'Cause we're keeping it real. -Yeah.
I'm not even gonna fight that with a response, man.
Oh, come on, man.
Khali and I get all our slang from watching reruns of Family Matters.
Did I do that?
You know what?
You guys should be ashamed of yourselves coming in here
trying to trick The Great Khali.
I mean look at you. Look at both of you.
Looking like fools with your pants on the ground.
-Pants on the ground. -Yeah.
-Pants on the ground. -Pants on the ground.
[all] Looking like a fool with your pants on the ground.
Hat to the side, bling in you mouth
going downtown with your pants on the ground.
-Really? -[crowd cheering indistinctly]
Unlike me you have no consideration what constitutes true pop culture.
Five years from now, nobody's gonna remember
what you're doing.
You might as well be asking "Who let the dogs out?"
What they will remember, what they will be talking about,
is me winning my first ever Royal Rumble.
Let me explain something to you, Miz.
You see, this isn't Raw. There are no guest hosts.
I make the rules around here.
So tonight, not only will you compete in the Royal Rumble match,
but you will finally defend your United States Championship
-against MVP. -[crowd cheering indistinctly]
-Tonight? -Really.
So I suggest to you that you roll on out of here
-because that match is next. -[crowd cheering indistinctly]
[Cody] Randy, can I talk to you for a minute?
-What's up, Cody? -Listen, I just-- I want you to know
what you said last week. It didn't just go over my head.
I mean, we The Legacy…
I mean, we've done too much and gone too far
for it to just slip away.
I mean, Teddy and myself we both know that you can beat Sheamus,
that you can win back your WWE Championship.
I'm just here to tell you that I'll be there for you.
It's good to hear it. Thank you.
You're welcome.
What is it, Cody?
Randy, listen it's just--
It's just I wish I could say the same for Ted.
What are you talking about?
Listen, I mean, Ted hasn't been the same since that movie of his came out.
I mean, I probably shouldn't be here, I probably shouldn't be telling you this,
but all Ted is talking about is winning the Rumble match
-and well-- -Well what?
Well, he's talking about winning the Rumble match
and going to WrestleMania and beating you for the WWE Championship.
I know it's crazy. I mean we're a unit.
I don't know. Maybe after tonight he'll get it out of his system,
but… listen, that's not why I'm here.
Just want you to know that you can count on me. Okay?
[Michael] And this is the 23rd annual Royal Rumble.
We are live tonight in wonderful Atlanta, Georgia.
Sixteen thousand, six hundred and ninety-seven WWE fans
have jam-packed the Philips Arena.
[Jerry] And we want to send out a special thank you
for what you're hearing right now.
We want to say thanks to skillet for "Hero."
It's one of the official Royal Rumble theme songs.
It's off the album "Awake" which is available right now.
-[bell ringing] -This contest is set for one fall
and it is for the United States Championship.
-["I Came to Play" playing] -♪ Awesome ♪
[Justin] Introducing first from Cleveland, Ohio,
weighing 231 pounds is the current United States Champion,
The Miz.
[Michael] Miz is just not a happy camper.
This is the last thing expect here tonight.
[Jerry] How could this possibly be fair?
The Miz was preparing for the Royal Rumble
and now Teddy Long says go out and defend
-the United States Championship. -[Matt] Well, nobody said it was fair,
but I can understand how miffed The Miz is right now.
I think he learned though, maybe, to keep his mouth shut
every once in a while.
[Michael] Well, that's what's gotten The Miz into trouble
not the most popular superstar in the locker room,
-but The Miz doesn't care about that. -[Jerry] No, not at all.
[Matt] Miz just cares about vindication and respect.
[Michael] Well, the fact of the matter is Miz had to defend
the United States Championship at some point
against the number one contender MVP.
Why not do it tonight on the grand stage of the Royal Rumble?
-[Jerry] Why not? -[Michael] Because it's the Royal Rumble.
The Miz was focusing on main event in WrestleMania
and now The Miz has to alter his strategy for United States Championship match.
[crowd cheering, applauding]
[Justin] Introducing the challenger from Miami, Florida,
weighing 259 pounds,
Montel Vontavious Porter, MVP.
[Michael] There is a happy camper.
-[fireworks crackle] -[crowd cheering, applauding]
[Michael] MVP became the number one contender
for the United States Championship winning a fatal four-way match
on Monday Night Raw a number of weeks ago.
[Jerry] The only saving reach for The Miz is that MVP has also had
this match thrust upon in him as well, perhaps no time to prepare.
[Matt] Yeah, both these guys, all they were focused on tonight
-with the Royal Rumble. -[Jerry] You know what they say,
on any given night in the WWE, anything could happen.
So it's no excuse. You better be ready and you better be ready right now.
[Michael] Oh, MVP looks ready to me.
It's about the United States Championship.
These two have been going at it verbally for weeks.
-[ring bell ringing] -[Jeff] Well, MVP is the longest
reigning US Champion WWE history and two-time US United States Champion.
What would a third championship do for MVP's career?
[Michael] And Miz right on the attack to start things off against MVP.
Miz has made a point of commenting on MVP's background as of late,
the fact that he spent sometime in prison.
-[Jerry] Yeah. Oh! MVP.
[Michael] Watch the clothesline quickly into the cover.
-Hooks the leg and a kick-out. -[Matt] I still remember when MVP
came to Raw from the witness protection program.
[Michael] He is claiming that when MVP was getting his mug shots
that Miz was a reality TV star.
Nice suplex again, floats into the cover for MVP and a kick-out.
MVP though as again goes into the cover and a kick-out.
[Jerry] MVP recently attended a red carpet event with hall of famers
Roddy Piper, Ricky Steamboat and Terry Funk,
all former United States Champions.
MVP showed me the picture of these four men together.
The United States Championship means everything to MVP.
A true student of The Game.
[Michael] Well, you know, it means a lot to Miz, too.
Let's make no mistake about that.
The Miz was at the same event, refused to shake hands with any
-of the hall of famers I just mentioned. -[Michael] Because he considers himself
the greatest United States Champion ever in his words.
-MVP. -[Jerry] I think he may be.
[Michael] Miz off his game a bit, off the side suplex
and into cover again, hooks the leg and Miz kicks out at two.
[Jerry] Miz has every right to feel this way.
I've gone out with The Miz. I've hung out with The Miz.
-[Michael] What a shock. -[Jerry] People approach The Miz
from every demographic, from little kids to old ladies.
The Miz is one of the most recognizable faces on his planet.
[Michael] Oh, somebody's approaching The Miz right now. He's not gonna like it.
Now, King, what's interesting about this is MVP
has not allowed Miz to even, you know, get out of the blocks in this match.
[crowd cheering, applauding]
[Matt] Remember that the championship cannot change hands on a count out
and MVP well aware of that. I'm wondering if The Miz
might be a little jealous of MVP, maybe The Miz wanted to go
-out with Sharon Shepherd. -[Michael] It's Sherri Shepherd.
[Jeff] You can go out with Sharon Shepherd if you want.
-[Michael chuckles, gasps] -[Jerry chuckles, gasps]
[Michael] MVP bounces off our announce table.
No Matter who MVP is romantically linked to--
[Jerry] Everybody knows Sherri Shepherd from The View.
-What do they call her? -[Michael] Sherri Shepherd.
-The Miz is having a love affair-- -[overlapping chatter]
-…United States Championship. [chuckles] -[Jerry] Look at Miz.
-Whoa! -[Michael] Now, how come you guys
start making jokes when The Miz goes on the offensive?
How come we can't merit and laud The Miz?
-[Matt] Because-- -[Jerry] I'll merit and laud The Miz.
[Michael] 'Cause The Miz got Sherri Sharron?
-[overlapping chatter] -[Jerry] Hey, look at Miz.
The United States Champion is in control as we take another look.
-All jokes aside. -[Jerry] Look at this.
This is kick right now from The Miz.
This is where The Miz begins to excel with these what some would call
dirty tactics. I just call them effective.
[Michael] Yeah, once The Miz gets the advantage, he's not likely to let up.
Miz claiming that he made himself the way that he is today.
[Jerry] And that's true. The Miz was never handed anything.
When The Miz first came to the WWE he was a low man on the totem pole.
He was very disliked. Now The Miz's United States Champion--
[Michael] And he is still very disliked.
He is driving MVP to the corner, MVP on the other hand,
he makes no bones about the time he spent in prison.
Hey, he paid his dues, he says he learnt a lot.
[Jerry] Well, the thing about MVP, I mean, I don't like him, but I do
admire that he does spend a lot of time at youth groups
and a lot of juvenile delinquency homes trying to tell the kids
exactly the ills of their weights.
[Jerry] Yeah, I don't dislike MVP either.
I'd shake hands with him, but I would count my fingers afterwards.
-[Michael] What's that supposed to mean? -[Jerry] Miz up to the top rope
that he is the United States Champion.
The challenger and number one contender is MVP.
Looking over The Miz's shoulder at this huge crowd here…
-[Jerry] Whoa! -…tonight over 16,000.
Miz into the cover, hooks the leg again. Will he put MVP away?
And a kick-out at two.
It is electric here tonight in Atlanta.
You can tell that we are definitely on The Road to WrestleMania.
[Jerry] I love this time of year. It's almost-- it tells us that
spring time is coming, WrestleMania is coming,
the days are gonna get longer, soon you don't need a jacket
when you go outside. That's to me as a child growing up
what WrestleMania really meant.
[Michael] Come on, MVP.
[Michael] He is looking to wear MVP down.
[Jerry] The pretentious Miz.
-[Michael] Pretentious? -[Jerry] Suddenly in control.
-[Michael] Why is Miz pretentious? -[Jerry] Everything about him is.
So many dignitaries here in Atlanta from music stars to TLC,
Chili, MLB Stars, Chipper Jones,
everybody here in Atlanta aware of The Road to WrestleMania.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] I think he realizes he's got to get back to the vertical base
here and try to turn things around in this match.
Miz wearing him down.
Again this match just made moments ago by SmackDown general manager,
Teddy Long, who is in charge here tonight.
[Jerry] And one of these guys after this match is gonna be really upset
-with teddy long. -[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] Now does The Miz still go on to compete
-in the Royal Rumble later tonight? -[Michael] Of course, why wouldn't he?
[Jerry] Don't get mad at me. I'm just asking.
[Michael] MVP's in the Royal Rumble match as well.
And both of these guys are gonna compete in the Royal Rumble.
But obviously this match that they are competing in now
-is a disadvantage, to both of these -[Jerry grunts]
-guys in the Royal Rumble. -[Michael] Great counter by MVP.
And MVP beginning to build the big mo, momentum, here against Miz.
[Jerry] Uh-oh, watch out here.
-Did you just say the big mo? Really? -[Michael] That's what we call momentum.
[crowd cheering]
-[overlapping chatter] -[Jerry] I call it momentum.
[Michael] Sorry, I don't call it the big mo,
-the big Oscar, the big combo. -[Matt] Hey, guys, calm down.
I think we may be about to go balling.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] We are in the home of the hawks, and MVP--
[Jerry] Josh Smith, Dominique Wilkins.
[Michael] Going for the playmaker. Look at putting this away.
[commentators gasp]
-[Michael] Kick. -[Jerry] Yakuza kick, this could be it.
-[Jerry] Hooks the leg. -[Michael] And a kick-out by Miz in two.
MVP thought he had him.
[Jerry] And notice how smart The Miz is to roll under the ropes
and probably out of the ring but MVP quick enough to grab.
[Michael] There you go. Another smart move on the part of The Miz.
[Jerry] And Miz likes to use these skull crushing finale.
Right, Michael?
[Michael] That's what the finishing maneuver is called.
-MVP with a shoulder block. -[Jerry gasps] Somewhat of a pounce.
-[Michael] Again. Did he stun Miz enough? -[Jerry] No, two and a half.
[Michael] Notice the way Miz kicked out. He didn't use his legs,
didn't use his chest, he used his hands to push off.
That's usually a sign that your opponent is getting weary.
[Jerry] That was a like car crash at an intersection there Miz.
-Slow to get up. -[Michael] Waiting, waiting for Miz
to make it to his feet, nobody home. MVP got caught up on the top rope.
Miz looks to take advantage. Going for the skull crashing finale.
MVP, saw it coming, shoulders down, may have him here
and a kick-out at two.
-[Jerry] Uh-oh. -[Michael] Backslide.
-[Jerry] He got him. He got him. -[Michael] Oh.
MVP wasn't all the way up on his toes.
-[Jerry] Jackknife. -[Michael] Shoulders down again.
And MVP has to power out a third time.
Another near fall.
[Jerry] Miz kicking out over and over again.
He's gonna take a lot out of the United States Champion.
MVP knows that and senses that urgency.
[Michael] Miz jumping out of the ring there,
trying to buy some time, but MVP right on top of The Miz.
[Jerry] Hey, listen, we're only two blocks away from the last
house on the left, bad street, USA.
-[Michael] This could be it here. -[Jerry] Roll up by The Miz.
-[overlapping chatter] -[bell ringing]
[Michael] Miz retains the United States Championship.
-[crowd cheering, applauding] -[indistinct chatter]
[Michael] Gentlemen, MVP was in control.
[Jerry] Oh, Miz is gonna do some trash talking,
may have talked too much. [exclaims]
-[Jerry gasps] -[Michael gasps]
-Well, the match is over. -[Jerry] That some poor sportsmanship.
-[Michael] Poor sportsmanship? -[Jerry] Yes.
[Michael] King, when did you join my side?
[Matt] What about The Miz? He won the match
and then he was screaming and talking MVP.
MVP was steaming, King.
[Jerry] Yeah, but there was nothing physical about that.
[Michael] King, I'm starting to really, really like you.
[Jerry] Well, I just-- [chuckles]
I can't believe you guys are gonna say that Miz did not deserve that.
[Matt] Hey, Cole, if King and I are on the same page,
-you don't stand a chance. -[Michael] Miz from out of nowhere.
MVP was in complete control of the match.
And Miz from out of nowhere retains his United States Champion.
[Matt] How do you know it wasn't planned?
How do you know that Miz didn't bait MVP?
Don't roll your eyes at me. Even though they can't see on TV
you're rolling your eyes.
-King, you want to help me out here? -[Justin] Ladies and gentlemen,
once again the winner and still United States Champion, The Miz.
[Jerry] Miz got to go back down and try to clear the cobwebs
out of his head and get ready for the Royal Rumble.
[Michael] This may just fire the Miz up for the Royal Rumble.
-[Jerry] Fire up, boys. -[Michael] Maybe fired up MVP as well.
Yes, he is still the United States Champion.
[Jerry] Check out this action one more time,
-look at this. -[Michael] Sure.
[Jerry] You just win a big victory over somebody that's been dogging you
like MVP, you got the right to taunt him a little bit.
[Michael] The physicality.
[Jerry] Where MVP comes from action speak louder than words.
Right there is a man of great experience. Still the United States Champion, The Miz.
♪ I'm here to stay Just get out of my way ♪
-Show. -Chris.
Whoa, whoa, where are you going? Let me talk to you.
-Let me talk to you. -[chuckles] I get it.
You're jealous right? That's what this is, jealousy?
What would I be jealous of?
The fact that I said that Miz and I have more chemistry
than you and I ever did,
the fact that Miz could quite possibly even be a better tag-team partner.
Yeah, I heard you said that.
It doesn't make me jealous, it makes me feel sorry for you, Show.
-Sorry for me? -Yeah, I mean, The Miz?
Really?I mean, seriously? He's arrogant, he's egotistical,
he just thinks about himself.
He's just like all these gelatinous tapeworms in this arena tonight.
I mean, Show, he's just using you for his own personal agenda.
I mean you have to see that.
Yeah, I mean, I see it.
Kind of like what you did.
Okay, all right. Enough of this weirdness, okay?
You and I were the greatest tag-team of this or any other generation.
-True. -I took you to heights
higher than you've ever been before. I made you into a giant destroyer.
-Well, I was already kind of a giant-- -No, no.
-I can-- -Oh, okay.
I can still feel the chemistry between us, Show, and I know that if it comes down to
you, me and Miz in the Rumble that you're going to show
where your true loyalties lie. I know you will.
Wow, this is, this is awkward.
If it comes down to you and The Miz and myself,
I'm going to throw both of you out. My loyalties are right here with me.
-Sorry. -[R-Truth] If he don't, I will.
[crowd cheering]
You're going to throw me out of the Rumble?
Is fatback greasy?
If you wanna throw me out of the Rumble, you're gonna have to go through
-the Big Show first. You got it? -[chuckles] Really?
Looks like you're gonna be solo on this one.
Every man for himself and that's the truth!
[crowd cheering]
I'm going to the main event of WrestleMania.
That is the truth!
Bless his heart.
[Ted] Randy, Randy. Hey.
Good luck tonight, man.
-Look, whatever you need I am there. -Where's Cody?
Honestly, I don't know.
Look, I can't even talk to him lately. He's acting really weird.
He keeps talking about winning this Rumble match
and going on to face Sheamus for the WWE title at WrestleMania.
It's like he's already counting you out.
Look, I just wanted you to know, if you need me, you can count on me.
You want to know what I think. I think I'm seconds away
from going out there, beating Sheamus and taking back the WWE Championship.
And I do not want either of you helping me.
[crowd cheering indistinctly]
Ladies and gentlemen, Nashville, Tennessee tomorrow night,
it is going to be historic. It's going to be one of the most
interesting evenings we've ever had on Monday Night Raw.
Bret "The Hitman" Hart back and William Shatner as guest host.
And ladies and gentlemen, we're in Atlanta for the Rumble tonight.
We have some very special guests joining us among the 16,000 here.
[Jerry] And we want to send out a special welcome to the National Guard soldiers
and their families that are in attendance this evening.
As always the WWE is proud to support our troops at home
and abroad, and we thank you for all that you do for us.
[Michael] And for more information, just check out nationalguard.com.
[Jerry] Hey, guys. I think they're having a great time.
-["Written in My Face" playing] -[crowd cheering, applauding]
[Michael] Now, ladies and gentlemen, you're looking at the first
Irish born, WWE Champion in history.
The man who shocked the world
in the middle of last month when he beat John Cena in a tables match
to win the WWE Championship.
[Jerry] Right now Sheamus is the-- Well, he's the center of evil
-in the WWE universe. -[Michael] And Sheamus
has not slowed down since he won the WWE Championship
two weeks ago following a Randy Orton victory
over Chris Masters in what was an extremely hard fought match
for the Viper, Randy Orton.
Sheamus would really take one out of Orton's playbook game.
[Matt] Well, you're right. Like you said Masters had given Orton
a really tough run for his money, and boy, Sheamus took advantage
of weary Randy Orton,
cupped that Sheamus foot right in his face.
[Michael] Sheamus has been so impressive.
[Jerry] I watched Sheamus mature on Tuesday nights
and I always knew that Sheamus would be a star.
I have to admit, I had no idea how quickly Sheamus would rise
to the mountain top and become WWE Champion.
[Michael] Ladies and gentlemen, you're looking at a true
bonafide superstar, the WWE Champion, Sheamus.
[Jerry] He looks like the night manager of some creepy motel to me.
-[crowd cheering] -["Voices" playing]
♪ hear voices in my head They counsel me, they understand ♪
♪ They talk to me ♪
[Matt] Well, Sheamus has never faced the man as cruel and as nasty
and as barbaric as he is until now.
Randy Orton, ladies and gentlemen.
And last week in the middle of a grueling
John Cena versus Sheamus match,
-the viper would strike. -[crowd cheering]
[Matt] Now Sheamus had John Cena laid out,
pretty much took things in hand and then the viper strikes
with a vicious RKO from behind.
[Michael] You see Randy Orton had not taken his eyes off Sheamus.
The question is this, Orton's mere presence
just a few weeks ago almost cost Sheamus a match on Monday Night Raw.
Matt, do you think that Randy Orton is in the head of the WWE Champion?
[Matt] Well, Randy Orton has an ability with those cold blue eyes
to try to psyche an opponent out.
But Sheamus has been almost a surprise to the WWE Universe.
Guys haven't figured out the mystery.
Now the allure and surprise of Sheamus may have worn off.
Does Randy Orton have what it takes to unseat Sheamus here tonight?
[Matt] It seems to me that, that Sheamus-- this may sound weird,
but it seems to me that things have been easy for Sheamus
since he's burst on the scene here on Monday Night Raw.
[Michael] Like I alluded to, watching Sheamus on Tuesday nights
where Sheamus started on ECW, then coming to Monday Night Raw, yes,
Sheamus has done all this on his own terms,
but now Sheamus is in a controlled environment.
How is that going to affect the champion, King?
[Jerry] I don't know, but let me ask you about this.
As I look at these two competitors, this is almost a battle of the unlikable.
What do you think of the WWE locker room--
What do you think the rest of the superstars
are thinking about this match. Would they love to see these two men
just beat the living heck out of each other?
[Michael] I do know personally that the superstars look at Sheamus'
championship victory as the brass ring.
It lets those younger superstars know, those emerging superstars now that yes,
anything can happen. But some of the more distinguished superstars
-respect what Randy Orton has done. -[bell ringing]
[Justin] This contest, set for one fall,
-is for the WWE Championship! -[crowd cheering]
-[Michael] Oh, man. -Introducing first,
the challenger, from St. Louis, Missouri,
weighing 245 pounds,
-Randy Orton! -[crowd cheering]
And his opponent, from Dublin, Ireland,
weighing 272 pounds.
He is the current WWE Champion,
the Celtic warrior, Sheamus!
[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] Boy, now even though both these males are caucasian,
one big difference between the two is the skin color. Look at that.
-[Michael] Really? -[Jerry] Yeah.
[Michael] That's the insight? [chuckles]
[Jerry] I mean, that's the thought, not the inside.
-I mean, it's just the observation. -[Michael] Observation is right.
[Matt] Ladies and gentlemen, the WWE Championship has never changed
hands in the city of Atlanta. Will history be on the side
of Randy Orton tonight?
-[Michael] Randy Orton, 6'4'', 245 pounds. -[bell ringing]
[Michael] He's a six-time World Champion.
He won the Royal Rumble match last year
by eliminating Triple H.
Sheamus, 6'6", 272 pounds from Dublin, Ireland.
He's a one-time and the current WWE Champion.
[Jerry] Man, this is going to be good.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] This is also the biggest stage that Sheamus has ever had to defend
the WWE Championship on.
How does that affect a young superstar's psyche,
Jerry "The King" lawler?
[crowd chanting] Randy, Randy, Randy.
[Jerry] Yeah, I realize that question.
I can't tell you much about the psyche of Sheamus.
I mean, this guy is a different animal.
This guy has, you know, as you said before,
he's not been like every superstar that just--
[Michael] Oh, nice standing dropkick.
-[Jerry] Boom. -[Michael] And look, it's slithering away.
Caught Sheamus by surprise.
Normally, you'd think Sheamus will charge across the ring
and jump on the prone Randy Orton, but no, no, no.
[Jerry] Did you see-- You said it perfect. Did you see Orton slither?
[Michael] Man, Randy Orton, he takes pride in the fact that he is apex predator
in the WWE
against a man like Sheamus who is as nasty as they come.
Oh, look at Orton, you see how he used the tights to switch position there.
[Jerry] Don't think that Sheamus want to do the same thing.
Not sure if Sheamus has that mindset.
Randy is always looking for a shortcut
to get to where he needs to be.
-Oh! -[Jerry] And clubbing-- Irish hammer.
[Michael] Wow.
2009 breakout star of the year is Sheamus.
[Jerry] That's an interesting maneuver there.
That could hyperextend Randy Orton's left elbow.
[Michael] Well, Orton's had problems with his arm in the past.
[Jerry] Watch your back, here comes Sheamus.
The WWE Champion wasting no time. He realizes how dangerous Orton is.
Any advantage that Sheamus can take early, he's gonna take it.
Two.
[Jerry] Do remember championship cannot change hands here on the floor.
[referee] Four.
Five.
[Michael] Moving back to the injured arm.
Injured left arm, it looks like the forearms or the elbow.
[Jerry] Randy Orton can't lift that arm anymore.
He's not gonna be able to use the RKO.
[Michael] Sheamus, almost a grin on his face.
So in control.
He's the WWE Champion seemingly at all times.
He's the man who retired Jamie Noble.
He attacked my partner, Jerry "The King" Lawler at ringside.
He's run rough short through Raw for a number of months.
[Jerry] And there is no mercy in the mind or the heart-- look at old Sheamus.
Straight to the knee.
[Michael] That's how you know that Randy Orton is certainly injured,
because Randy is going right after Sheamus's left leg with venom.
[Jerry] Trying to shake the cobwebs out of that left arm as Orton
at the same time attacking the left leg of Sheamus.
[Michael] Randy Orton has been waiting for this opportunity since he lost
the WWE Championship to John Cena
back in that great Iron Man Match in October.
Look at Orton, first cover of the match hooks
the big leg of Sheamus.
[Jerry] Sheamus likes to employ that pump kick,
and injured left certainly comprises that.
[Michael] This is classic Randy KO. This is that methodical attack,
wearing his opponent down.
Tension is palpable here in the arena tonight.
Everyone knows what this night means.
The Road to WrestleMania begins right now.
[Jerry] Sheamus in desperate dire straits.
[Jerry] You know Sheamus has just been so vicious
and just so mean as of late, I really thought that our fans
here would be more behind Randy Orton but then you've got
to just think back and remember what a jerk Randy Orton has been.
[Michael] Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Jerk, really that's the choice?
Randy Orton just strives to be the best, nothing wrong with that.
[Matt] Now let's talk about Sheamus here for a moment.
This is a very telling time for the WWE Champion, King.
We've been following him for a number of months.
We've not seen a point in Sheamus's career thus far
where he's been injured in a match or he's been behind in a match.
This is gut-check time for Sheamus. We don't know if he can do it or not.
[Jerry] I don't think he's injured yet.
The tables match with John Cena wasn't gut-check time.
[Michael] Back to the shoulder, the injured shoulder of Orton.
Yeah, but he wasn't to the point where he's basically hobbling around
at one leg like he has been so far here.
[Jerry] Boom! Sheamus's shoulder again.
Look at the way Sheamus stays with the shoulder and the abdomen.
[Michael] Matt, back to something you said about Randy Orton.
I mean I agree. He is trying to be the best,
he is trying to win every match that he's ever been in,
but he's gone that extra mile or two, you know, by kicking people
in the skull, chairman of the company,
his daughter, Stephanie McMahon.
[Jerry] Orton got the knee of Triple H.
I mean, you know, he's gone a little extra mile.
I would say he's been a jerk to some people.
[Michael] Now, how does Randy Orton combat the unorthodox style
of someone like Sheamus. I mean we're not used to seeing
-this type of style. -[Matt] Well, Orton is doing it now.
He's taken Sheamus off his feet.
-[referee] No, hey, let's go. -[Michael] He's injured the leg but
Sheamus has continued the assault.
I have to believe that every other superstar while preparing
for the Royal Rumble is watching this match.
And bear in mind, if Randy Orton is disqualified here,
he cannot win the championship.
-[Jerry] Right. -[Michael] That will only change hands.
-[Jerry groans] -[Michael] Pinfall or submission.
[Jerry] Man.
[Michael] Now you can see that Randy Orton is fully intends to be
-the WWE Champion at WrestleMania. -[Jerry] This is valuable time
for Randy Orton to try and recuperate the injured left arm.
[Michael] Orton's smart, back in the ring to break the count.
And now make sure he gets the champion back inside the squared circle.
[crowd chanting] Randy! Randy! Randy!
[Michael] Here you go.
Whether the WWE Universe likes or dislikes Randy Orton,
there is a certain respect and the familiarity with Randy Orton.
That might be the only part he is identifying with.
[Jerry] Well, right now I wouldn't want to be Sheamus knowing
that Randy Orton is just hovering over him.
You can almost see the-- like a vulture.
-[Jerry] Now look at, Sheamus-- oh! -[Michael] what a great counter.
-Back to that arm. -[Jerry] Quickly Sheamus to the arm.
The champion covers the challenger, hooks the leg, and a kick out.
Notice how Orton-- really no mobility in the arm
when he powered out there. Powered out with his full body.
[Michael] Sheamus still wise behind his ring ears.
Normally an arm-bar hurts bad enough, but when your opponent
digs his knee right into your ears, stretches out even more.
Randy Orton's in world of hurt.
[Michael] Sheamus is so strong, burly, punishing Orton.
[Jerry] Notice how Sheamus switches the grip on the hold.
Every time Randy Orton moves, Sheamus adapts the submission hold.
-It's brilliant. -[crowd chanting] Randy, Randy, Randy
[Michael] His elbow right now of Orton.
[Jerry] Orton just lashing out with those clubbing blows,
trying to hit any part of Sheamus he can.
You see the grimace that just crossed Orton's face a few moments ago.
[Jerry] Now look at those eyes, look those eyes.
[Michael] King, you can attest to how frustrating it is
when your opponent keep switching a hold and doesn't let go of you
and it's so hard to get out of the hold.
[Jerry] You're right about that, but you see those eyes of Randy Orton.
Man, that mind of his is always going.
[Michael] Oh, man, the wheels of fire spinning in the mind of a viper.
-[crowd cheering] -[crowd booing]
[Michael] Both these guys just hanging up throwing bombs.
Oh, what an uppercut.
-[crowd booing] -[Michael] Oh, man.
-[Matt] A back breaker to Orton. -[Jerry] That's a difference maker.
-[Michael] Took the left leg of Sheamus-- -[Jerry] Yeah, but it may not matter.
Sheamus into the cover compete. Hooks the way he just powers out
-with a good arm. -[Matt] And just barely all Orton did
was pump his fist towards the sky to lift the left shoulder blade of the mat.
[Michael] Well, you made a point, Matt. Sheamus may have done that move
right out of instinct but it may have hurt his injured leg
as much as it hurt the back of Randy Orton.
Sheamus up.
But he's closing on a victory. He can feel it.
Oh, think that we've seen this.
Sheamus going for his finishing maneuver.
Look at they try to put Randy Orton away here.
-No one has ever gotten up from this. -[Jerry] Oh!
[Michael] Orton, counter, back to the injured knee.
That's Randy Orton.
[Michael] But does Orton have enough to follow up?
But he bought himself some again valuable time to try to recuperate.
[Matt] Looked as if Orton is thinking of kick to the skull,
instead he got that kick to the side of the temple of Sheamus.
-Sheamus went right up to the floor. -[Michael] Count of four.
I've never seen such a-- an almost apprehensive or passive
Randy Orton in recent memory.
[Jerry] Well, don't think he's really been passive.
-He's more trying to-- -[Michael] Well, I don't know.
[Jerry] Look at, look at, nothing passive about this.
[Michael] I was about to say I don't either of these guys are sensing
victory right now, but now Orton may be.
-What shin to face. -[Michael] That is downright venomous.
[Jerry] The face of Sheamus driven right into the mat.
[Michael] Oh, covered by Orton. Look at, he's keeping the arm
from going into the ropes. Champion is in trouble.
-Orton was stalling. -[Jerry] Oh! Sheamus grabbing the rope,
forcing the referee to back off the count.
[Michael] That is Championship wherewithal on the part of Sheamus.
[Jerry] Yeah, I don't think Sheamus had the strength to power out of that,
but he was able to just get his hand on that rope.
That's all you need.
[Michael] And Randy Orton, he glanced back,
he saw the champion in a vulnerable position.
And now the mind is working.
-[Jerry] Right. -[Michael] For Orton.
He's taken his time. He's not gonna rush in.
-He's not gonna make a mistake. -[Michael] Every time the pain shoots
-through Randy Orton, you can see-- -[Jerry] That Sheamus has come.
I sensed this earlier.
Orton trying to send Sheamus' head through the upright.
-Sheamus saw it coming. -[Michael] Oh!
And Orton not going to waste this advantage,
not going to waste the opportunity. Out on the attack.
[referee] One!
-Two. -[Michael] And Sheamus countered again,
twice, twice Orton's injured arm into the steel post.
-Now this match has been so bad. [gasps] -[crowd gasping]
-[Jerry] Oh, Cody Rhodes. -[Michael] Cody Rhodes jumped
the security route, came from the crowd.
Well, as Cody had told Randy, "I'll be there."
And Randy said, "I don't want your help."
That's what he told DiBiase. Look at this.
RKO!
-Randy Orton is gonna win the WWE title. -[bell ringing]
[Michael] Hang on.
The official did see Cody.
[indistinct chatter]
Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of this match as a result
of a disqualification
and still WWE Champion, Sheamus.
[Matt] It's a very correct decision by the officials, guys.
[Michael] Yeah, I can't argue with you there, Matt.
[Matt] Please don't.
["Written in My Face" playing]
[Michael] Randy Orton seemingly had the WWE Championship in his vest.
[Jerry] And I got to wonder,
oh, did you think that maybe Cody Rhodes
was thinking he's gonna be able to hit and run without the referee
see him anymore.
[Michael] You also got to wonder if Sheamus would even have been in
a position for the RKO had it not been for the distraction by Cody.
[crowd cheering]
[indistinct chatter]
-[Jerry gasps] -[Michael gasps]
Listen to me, you screwed everything up.
[indistinct chatter]
He messed it up, it was gonna be my time!
My title. Yes, yes. Your fault.
[crowd gasping, cheering]
What's the matter with you, huh? Shut your mouth.
Shut your mouth. Do you hear me? You're done. You're finished.
Why? Why? Why?
Hey, take it easy Randy. Stop, stop.
Chill out. It was all-- I admit I made a mistake.
It was my mistake. That was all it was.
[crowd gasping]
[crowd booing]
["Written in My Face" playing]
♪ It's a shame for they, lost their head ♪
♪ A careless man who could wind up dead ♪
♪ You wear your sin Like it's some kind of prize ♪
♪ Too many lies, too many lies ♪
♪ Oh, oh, these words are true ♪
♪ And I'll make you believe ♪
[Michael] That's what it's about, the WWE Championship.
[Jerry] I don't know what we… what exactly we witnessed here.
The Orton disqualified because of Cody Rhodes' interference.
Randy just snapped, went off on both members of Legacy,
and then, when that was going on,
Sheamus found time to recuperate and boy!
[Michael] Plus Randy Orton had a right to go off on Cody.
[Jerry] He told Cody Rhodes, "I don't want your help,"
and what are you looking at me for, Michael?
[Michael] Well, he told Ted DiBiase, "I don't want your help."
Let's watch this again.
Sheamus still out on the floor there. Cody Rhodes over from, over the barricade.
[Jerry] Caught by the ref red-handed. I mean--
[Michael] Yeah, Cody just tried to take initiative.
I mean, that's what he is told in the WWE, reach for the brass ring.
[Jerry] And after this, he had already, Orton had already--
[indistinct chatter] Shut your mouth
[Jerry] Orton had already decked Cody, then he decked DiBiase as well, but--
[Michael] Then things just got worse for Randy Orton.
Sheamus is still the WWE Champion.
[Jerry] I don't know if things could get any worse for Randy Orton tonight.
[John] Every day I train.
[Chris] Thousands of hours of practice.
[Rey] Injuries can happen at any time.
[Triple H] My kneecap just kinda blew over to the side of my leg.
[John] I tore my pectoral muscle completely off my shoulder.
[Rey] I've had surgery five times in my left knee.
[Bautista] The tendon was torn off the bone.
I couldn't hardly lift my leg any more.
[Carlito] With every move I make, edge my body--
my life is on the line.
[narrator] Don't risk yours. Please, don't try this.
[Matt] Randy Orton's legacy will always remember
their trip to Atlanta, Georgia for the 23rd annual Royal Rumble.
We are live tonight, ladies and gentlemen, from the Phillips Arena.
What a wonderful city! What a wonderful host Atlanta has been!
[Michael] And right now, we want to send out a special thank you to Fozzy
for the song, "Martyr No More," which is one of the official
Royal Rumble theme songs. It's on the album, "Chasing the Grail,"
which is available right now.
And for Mickie James , it's about chasing the Divas Championship.
Ladies and gentlemen, coming up next is an emotional match-up
between Mickie and Michelle McCool.
Oh, Michelle McCool and Layla are mean girls,
constantly attacking Mickie James' appearance
and weight, preying on insecurity.
But tonight, Mickie James confronts her bully
for the Women's Championship, right here, right now.
Mickie James, Beth Phoenix, Natalya, a triple threat match.
The winner becomes the number one contender to Ms. McCool's
WWE Women's Championship.
[Michael] And now Beth Phoenix, with a glam slam.
Beth Phoenix may have just clinched the number one contender's--
-no, Mickie James. -[Jerry] That's the unpredictability
of the triple threat.
[Michael] That's Mickie James picking up the pieces and picks up the win.
Mickie James is the number one contender to the WWE Women's Championship.
Why don't you do us all a favor, Mickie James?
Why don't you pack up all your belongings, hit the road and never come back.
-How about that? -We can make things very difficult to you
-here on SmackDown. -[Michael] That's Mickie James' clothing.
I'm sorry to burst your bubble, but I'm not going anywhere, darling.
We're gonna make her life a living hell.
Hey, Piggy James! Over here. Oh, I'm sorry. I mean, Mickie.
I've got something for you.
♪ Michelle McCool had a farm ♪
♪ E-i-e-i-o and on that farm She had a pig, e-i-e-i-o ♪
♪ With an oink, oink here And an oink, oink there ♪
♪ Here an oink, there an oink, everywhere ♪
We got you this present. It's the Jenny Craig institute.
Yay! And they deliver straight to your door
-with like little, tiny portions. -So all you have to do is eat it.
Yummy, yummy.
-Free food equals, happy Piggy James. -Happy Piggy James.
I couldn't stop crying.
I didn't get in the camp.
Piggy James will be leaving SmackDown forever.
We sent the Piggy James off just the way
she would love it.
-Lots of food! -Lots of food!
[Michelle] You know, I'm getting really sick
and tired of your crap. Look at me. I said, "look at me."
We can't miss you.
This is what a real woman looks like.
I will be at the Royal Rumble events,
and after all the embarrassment that the two of you have put me through
i'd be very careful, because it's time I embarrass you.
[Jerry] Oh!
[Michael] Maria and Layla at one corner,
Michelle McCool and Mickie James in the other.
And now the most dominant team in the WWE,
Beth Phoenix has arrived. What is she gonna do?
[Jerry] There you go. You got your answer.
Beth Phoenix, Women's Champion Michelle McCool and Layla united.
[Michelle] Looks like it's feeding time, Piggy James.
[somber music playing]
[Michelle] That's all, folks, Piggy James' career.
She came, she ate, she cried,
she ate some more, and the little Piggy went… [fake crying]
…all the way home.
[music concludes]
-[bell ringing] -[Matt] The following contest
is scheduled for one fall
and it is for the WWE Women's Championship.
["Not Enough For Me" playing]
♪ You're not enough for me ♪
[Matt] Making her way to the ring, she is the WWE Women's Champion,
Michelle McCool.
[Michael] Well, Matt, you listen to this every Friday night,
but it seems to me that Michelle McCool ever since Mickie James came over
to SmackDown and the diva's trade a few months ago
Michelle's been threatened by Mickie James,
and she's used these-- the hurling of ugly insults at Mickie
as a way to combat that, I guess, so to speak.
[Matt] Well, each week on Friday Night SmackDown,
we've had some sort of new and offbeat overweight,
-pork belly shenanigans-- -[Michael] And you smiled about it.
[Matt] Well, yeah, were you a fat kid, Michael Cole?
[Michael] I was, I was a bit husky, so I sort of understand
what Mickie's been going through.
[Matt] Let's listen to Michelle McCool and less Michael Cole
and more Michelle McCool.
[crowd booing]
Listen to me, people.
Look, I am right here. Right here standing in this ring
about to give you exactly what you paid to see.
Me! I mean, me defend my Women's Championship,
of course, because that's what I always do but,
unfortunately, Piggy James is nowhere to been seen.
I mean, if she was anywhere close to this arena you would totally see her.
I mean, you can't miss her. It's like… Kapow!
You ain't gonna miss that. Uh-uh. No.
Hey, have you seen her?
No, no.
Ooh. You look like you seen her. Have you seen her?
Oh, is she at the hot dog stand again?
Tell her to get down here. We've got business to take care of.
Well. Where, oh where, has my little Piggy gone?
Oh, where, oh where could she be?
If you ask me, it looks like this little Piggy forfeits.
And that is such a shame because Layla, Layla has been in the kitchen
all day long baking this beautiful cake and we were going to go out on the town
and celebrate, and we know how much Piggy loves cake.
I mean, we totally would have shared with her.
[playful music playing]
-[Michael] What is this? -[Michelle] Oh, yay!
-Look, people, there she is! -[Michael] Oh, come on.
With more appropriate music, look.
-You heard the word cake, didn't you? -[Jerry] Oh, my goodness,
look at the size of that keister.
[Michelle] You heard the word "cake," admit it.
Oh, here, Piggy, Piggy, Piggy, Piggy!
-[Michael] That's Layla. -Did you go somewhere away from us?
-[Michael] Overflowing with excitement. -[Michelle] How is that even possible?
Here, Piggy, Piggy, Piggy.
[Jerry] Oh, she's got a cute nose, and speaking of cute--
[“Obsession” playing]
[Michael] Oh, where will this emotional roller-coaster
end for Mickie James?
[overlapping chatter]
[Jerry] Mickie James has displayed a maturity and a patience
that only a good, calm-hearted woman can display.
[Michael] King, I know you've been a two-timing man, but, honestly,
what mindset is Mickie James in right now?
[Jerry] Oh, I believe the mindset to win the championship.
[Michael] I was gonna say Mickie is fed up,
-but I'm not gonna say that. -[bell ringing]
[Jerry] Very good! So here we go.
We do have the Divas Champion ship match.
Michelle McCool against Mickie James, and you can tell by Michelle's expression
she wasn't expecting this.
This has been months of animosity.
Could this be retribution? For the every woman, Mickie James.
[Jerry] Planting Michelle. Can she do where she hooks both legs?
-[Michael] Yes, she does. -[Jerry] Mickie is the champion.
-[bell ringing] -[crowd cheering]
[Micheal] I can't believe it!
[Tony] Here is your winner and the new
WWE Women's Champion, Mickie James.
[Michael] Well, Michelle McCool can call Mickie James, "Piggy,"
she can call her the Hindenburg, but she must call Mickie James
the new Women's Champion.
[Jerry] Mickie James. Karma rules!
That may be an all time record. How long-- [gasps]
Oh, boy!
[Michael] Well, it looks like the congratulatory committee has arrived.
[Jerry] This doesn't bode well. Any time there is food
in the WWE ring it never bodes well.
There's the Bellas, Eva Maria, Kelly Kelly.
-[Jerry] Oh, oh! -[Michael] Yeah, you're right, man!
-Oh, no, come on. -[Jerry] Where do you think this is going?
[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] Well, you can't have your cake and eat it too.
Oh, man.
-[Michelle screaming] -[Jerry] Good for Mickie.
-Those girls can be so mean. -[Michael] Really?
Yeah, they are mean. I told you.
All these people secretly hate each other.
Mickie James, the new Women's Champion.
[Jerry] Wow, where is this night gonna take us now, gentlemen,
because we are turning to a huge, huge rest of the show.
World's Heavyweight Championship still up for grabs and of course,
the Royal Rumble.
[Jerry] Oh, it looks like they are laying in hog slop. [laughing]
-[Jerry] Oh, this is good. -[Michael] This looks like a party
at your house, King. Michelle and Layla have been
embarrassed at the hands of the new Women's Champion, Mickie James.
[Jerry] Worse than the embarrassment,
Michelle McCool has lost her title.
-Oh, wait a minute. -[Michael] Oh, boy.
[Jerry] Full moon in Atlanta. Michelle about to get crushed.
Michelle McCool did away with Layla and then this huge Mick-DT, Mickie-DDT--
[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] And then the victory for Mickie James.
[Michael] How good does this have to feel for Mickie James right there?
[Jerry] How good did that taste for Michelle and Layla?
[Michael] You know, for the fifth time, ladies and gentlemen,
Mickie James is a Women's Champion, but I guarantee you none of those
title reigns have been sweeter than this one.
-[Jerry] Who is crying now? -[Michael] Sweet cake.
[Jerry] That's good.
Look, Mickie even still has some on her chin. Couldn't resist, huh?
And they've never looked better.
[Michael] Well, Rey Mysterio has been World's Heavyweight Champion once before.
Is Rey Mysterio about to climb the mountain again
or dig his own grave?
Four years ago I won my first and only World Championship.
-[Jerry] Got him! -[Michael] He got him.
Rey Mysterio wins the title.
[Rey] The only thing standing between me and reliving my dream…
[Batista] You cost me my World Heavyweight Championship.
I'm not thinking about you, I'm thinking about me.
You're supposed to be my friend!
Everything about me screams World Heavyweight Champion.
[Michael] It ends tonight, inside a 15-foot high steel cage.
The winner will challenge The Undertaker for the World Heavyweight Championship.
[Jerry] Batista's down. Can he do it?
Against all odds, Rey Mysterio is the number one contender.
Rey Mysterio is headed to the Royal Rumble event.
[Undertaker] Rey Mysterio…
your courage unquestionable,
but make no mistake about it,
I will show you no mercy.
You see i've had dreams and I've had nightmares,
but I've conquered my nightmares because of my dreams.
At the Royal Rumble,
you will suffer the same fate
that everyone else has suffered when they have tried to make a name
for themselves at my expense.
At the Royal Rumble,
you will rest in peace.
Undertaker, Undertaker!
I am not afraid.
I am not like the rest.
[Michael] Batista.
[Batista] The World Heavyweight title is mine.
The Undertaker is mine.
-["Booyaka 619" playing] -[crowd cheering]
-[fireworks crackling] -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Here we go, ladies and gentlemen,
the biggest night in Rey Mysterio's career right here and right now.
[Michael] Ladies and gentlemen, the Royal Rumble
has been very special for Rey Mysterio.
Back in 2006, Rey Mysterio lasted over 60 minutes
to win the Royal Rumble match and go on to win
the World Championship at WrestleMania.
Last year, guys, Rey Mysterio ended number one
and he lasted nearly 50 minutes, but that's in the Royal Rumble match.
Tonight, Rey Mysterio has to focus on the phenom, The Undertaker.
[Jerry] And I'm gonna tell you,
I've been thinking about this all week long.
-I mean it's just-- -[Michael] On paper, it's a mismatch.
I mean when you just look at the two, standing toe to toe face to face,
-it's a mismatch. -[Jerry] What in the world was that?
Rey Mysterio has been going it against all odds.
[Matt] Don't think he can't have it. Don't count out Rey Mysterio.
[Michael] The ultimate underdog Rey Mysterio
has been throughout his career.
[Matt] You can see as Rey tends to the younger members of the WWE Universe,
there is concern in the eyes of the younger fans here.
They know what their hero, Rey Mysterio, is up against.
-[crowd cheers] -[Michael] Rey Mysterio defeated Batista
in a steel cage match to get here tonight.
[Jerry] Well, that was improbable.
But beating The Undertaker may be impossible.
[Michael] Well, Rey Mysterio says,
The Undertaker is "the only thing standing between me and my dream,"
and he warned The Undertaker, "I am not like all the rest."
[crowd cheering]
And I guarantee you Rey is not going down without a fight.
[Matt] That much is true. Rey Mysterio is certainly unique.
There has never been a superstar in the WWE like Rey Mysterio.
[crowd cheering, applauding]
[Michael] Well, you know, sometimes matches are a matter of styles.
Who knows? Rey may have Undertaker's number somehow.
[Matt] Rey is calling on his faith, he's going to need every ounce of it.
-[crowd cheering] -["Rest in Peace" playing]
[Jerry] I don't know if you guys feel it or not,
but in this arena there's a heat from those fire balls
but at the same time there's a chill.
-Well, there is the reason why. -[crowd cheering]
[Matt] Nearly seven feet tall, over 300 pounds,
the once-in-a-lifetime superstar,
the World's Heavyweight Champion, The Undertaker.
[Michael] Some of the greatest moments from The Undertaker's career
have happened right here at this event, the Royal Rumble.
He won the Royal Rumble match back in 2007.
And tonight The Undertaker puts The World Championship on the line
against Rey Mysterio.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] It is an awe-inspiring sight
to watch the legendary Undertaker walk down the aisle.
[Matt] King, you've faced them all, Kamala, Lord Humongous.
All these intimidating superstars.
What's it like to stand in the ring
with the World's Heavyweight Championship on the line across from that man,
the phenom, The Undertaker?
[Jerry] Well, I mean, this… this entrance this, uh, as I said, chilling entrance,
his… I mean the feeling…
just look at him, as the lights go up at his command.
It's all total intimidation.
I don't care who you are, you can't help but feel it.
You can't help but be intimidated by The Undertaker.
And that's all before the match even begins.
[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] Let me tell you something.
During the match right there when The Undertaker looks at you
with those… those dead eyes and it chills you to the bone.
[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] And after you're chilled to the bone,
he beats the holy you-know-what out of you.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] There has never been anyone like The Undertaker.
Now, Mysterio has got to get those thoughts
of what he just witnessed out his head.
[Jerry] And that's exactly what Rey has done.
It's exactly what we're seeing.
[Michael] But can it be done?
-[indistinct cheering] -[bell ringing]
The following contest is scheduled for one fall
and it is for the World Heavyweight Championship.
Introducing the challenger from San Diego, California,
weighing in at 175 pounds,
-Rey Mysterio. -[crowd cheering, applauding]
And from death valley, weighing in at 299 pounds,
here's the World Heavyweight Champion,
-The Undertaker. -[crowd cheering, applauding]
[Michael] The Undertaker is a seven-time World Champion.
He beat CM Punk in a hell in a cell match back in October to win this title.
Rey Mysterio was one-time World Champion, four times he's held the Tag-Team title,
two times the Intercontinental Championship.
And the story of this match, the size differential, gentlemen,
Undertaker nearly 300 pounds, Mysterio, a buck 75.
-[bell ringing] -[Matt] Here we go, one fall to a finish.
The only way the championship can change hands
is by a pinfall or submission.
King, you brought up a great point
about how Rey Mysterio gets the intimidation out of his mind.
Rey Mysterio was able to put those thoughts out of his mind
against Batista in a steel cage, so the challenger is capable.
[Jerry] Oh, you're right about that, but the early…
the early moments of this match are gonna mean a lot.
We're gonna see what Rey is made out of here.
[Michael] Mysterio got to use his quickness
to try to cut Undertaker down to size.
[Matt] But notice The Undertaker's seven-foot frame
trying to cut the ring in half
and isolate his smaller and quicker opponent.
-Oh! -[Jerry] Oh, wow!
[Matt] Befitting of the Royal Rumble.
-[Jerry] Did you see that? -[indistinct cheering]
[Matt] Listen, history has shown us
that The Undertaker has had difficulty with exceptionally quick opponents.
Shawn Michaels exposed that
in their epic 25th anniversary of WrestleMania encounter.
[Michael] Let me just tell you guys this.
It's unbelievably lucky for Rey Mysterio that he somehow didn't land on his neck.
[Matt] I don't think that was luck. This is agility.
This is what Rey Mysterio… makes Rey Mysterio so special.
[Michael] Broke his fall with his feet.
He could have just as easily landed on his head or neck.
[Matt] As the challenger, Rey Mysterio's size
is actually an advantage here in this match.
[Michael] I don't believe that. Well, make no mistake
that The Undertaker was sending a clear message to Mysterio
with what he just did there.
If Rey Mysterio… Oh, what a right hand.
[crowd groaning, cheering]
[Matt] Let's note these too,
Rey Mysterio has said that he is not afraid,
he will not be intimidated by The Undertaker's size
and fear of The Undertaker's main weapons,
and now they are negated, somewhat diffused.
World's Heavyweight Championship is in great danger.
[Michael] No, Rey Mysterio didn't break that fall by landing on his feet.
Watch this again.
[Matt] That's pure striker in the history of the WWE.
This punch, right to the side of the head.
[Michael] There goes Rey.
How disheartening it has got to be for Mysterio,
twice he's been manhandled by the phenom.
[Matt] The last time the World's Heavyweight Championship
changed hands in this city,
we have to go all the back to 1981 where we find hall of famer Dusty Rhodes.
[Michael] Look at The Undertaker.
[Jerry] I'm afraid this match may not--
Oh, look at that,
Undertaker, he had that scattered perfectly.
Remember, it's happened before.
Mysterio rolled out of the way once before in a match
between these two before and Undertaker paid for it that time.
Taker was waiting for it.
And Rey Mysterio paid with a vicious leg drive.
[crowd cheering, applauding]
[Matt] Let's remember when Rey Mysterio was World's Heavyweight Champion,
Rey turned away challenges from larger opponents,
the six foot six JBL, the 400-pound Mark Henry,
the seven-foot tall Kane,
Rey Mysterio excels against a larger opponent.
[Michael] WWE fans watching this World Heavyweight Championship match
-all over the world-- -[Matt] Uh-oh.
[Michael] Oh, no. As Undertaker measures Mysterio.
Looking to put Rey Mysterio away early, perhaps a choke slam.
-And Rey Mysterio counters. -[all groaning, cheering]
[Matt] Look at the Lucha Libre stylings.
[Michael] Well, went for the 619 and the call was disconnected.
[Matt] The power of The Undertaker…
-[Michael] Tombstone piledriver. -[Matt] No, look at Rey's knees.
Look at that. Look at the counter.
[Michael] Oh, Rey fought his way out of it.
[Matt] Bringing The Undertaker down to size…
seemingly.
-[Undertaker grunting] -[crowd groaning]
[Michael] And I think those kicks to the head from Rey
may have rattled The Undertaker.
-[Matt] Oh, that rattled Rey. -[Michael] Mysterio went for a cross body
and ran right into the boots of the phenom.
[Matt] Well, notice that The Undertaker will not
voluntarily leave his feet much in this match.
[Michael] You know, you mentioned those bigger opponents
that Rey has been victorious over.
I… I can't help but think it's just human nature.
When your guy is big as Kane or when your guy is big as Mark Henry,
and you are facing an opponent who… [clears throat] …let's face it,
is as small as Rey Mysterio,
you can't help but sometimes underestimate your opponent.
-[Matt] I prefer compact. -[Michael] Well, I don't-- Oh!
-Oh! -[Jerry] Again!
I don't think that there's gonna be any underestimating from The Undertaker.
[Michael] But, guys, Rey Mysterio is always in the match-up
-with somebody bigger than him. -[Matt] Yeah, nine times out of ten.
[Michael] Yeah, you're right about that.
He is the ultimate Underdog. He has won a World Championship.
[Jerry] As are you, Michael.
-[commentators groaning] -[Matt] Third time.
[Matt] And you'll notice that The Undertaker is using
his long legs and arms
to almost attack Rey Mysterio from a distance.
That may tell us that The Undertaker respects
Rey Mysterio's unpredictable offensive move set.
-Oh, there we go. -[all groaning]
[Michael] Mysterio quickly rolling out of the way.
This could be the opening that Mysterio needs.
[Jerry] And that was a mistake Undertaker did not need to make.
-[Rey grunting] -[Michael] Rey Mysterio
right on the attack of the World Champion.
[Matt] Rey Mysterio will take advantage trying to work the hip
or the left leg of The Undertaker, perhaps the right?
[Michael] Yeah, but if you do too much damage
to The Undertaker outside the ring,
how do you haul that big carcass back in the ring to beat the count?
[Jerry] Because a count-out will not do Rey any good at all here.
[Matt] And it looks to be the right hip and leg that is seemingly injured.
[Michael] Look at… look at… look at Mysterio. Look at Mysterio.
-[Matt] Oh! -[Michael] Caught in midair.
[Matt] Oh, no.
[Jerry] No, no, look at this. He's not going to, not with the-- Oh!
[Michael] Mysterio hanging on.
[all groaning]
[Matt] Asai Moonsault beautifully done.
And look, The Undertaker is wearing the wounds of war
around his mouth and nose.
[Michael] Rey Mysterio did a great job countering what looked to be a last ride
and if he had deliver that into the barricade,
-this one was way over. -[referee] Two!
-[indistinct cheering] -Three.
[Michael] Again it is imperative for Rey Mysterio to get himself
and his opponent back in the ring.
Breaks the count there momentarily.
[indistinct chatter]
[Michael] Mysterio continues the offense.
This time it's Undertaker who sidesteps Mysterio,
and with power and with one hand he drops Mysterio into the barricade.
Breathe.
[Matt] Oh, there's just such malice in every movement
by the World's Heavyweight Champion.
[audience member] You can't do that again.
[Matt] Just watch Rey Mysterio's head and neck. Oof.
-[Michael] Listen to this. -[all groaning]
[Michael] Oh, wait, back to the cover you saw Mysterio kick out.
[Jerry] I can't believe I'm actually seeing blood
from The Undertaker. I didn't know.
I didn't know that could happen. I didn't know his blood was red.
[Matt] It's actually blue. It's all this oxygen.
[referee] You just said it, Mysterio.
[Michael] Undertaker continuing to wear down…
the number one contender for the World Championship.
Do you think maybe Rey broke The Undertaker's nose?
[Rey groaning]
[Jerry] Well, whatever he did, he angered him.
Rey angered The Undertaker, that's for sure.
-And he's paying for it. -[Matt] Such a painful move.
All the pressure goes on to your elbow and the shoulders.
[Michael] And then the ribs end up on the top rope,
the same ribs The Undertaker smashed into the barricade moments ago.
-One, two, three -[Michael] Undertaker even more scarier,
if that's possible.
[Matt] This may only serve to fuel The Undertaker's just evil desires.
If Rey Mysterio can get a glimpse of The Undertaker's face,
Rey may want to change his strategy,
and, you know, kind of start to attack up top on The Undertaker.
[Jerry] The only strategy Mysterio has right now is to survive.
[Michael] Yeah, you're right.
I'm afraid that The Undertaker may be so angered right now
that he wants more than to just win this match,
he may want to punish Rey or--
[Matt] You'll forgive me if I'm a tad cynical,
but I watch every Friday night Rey Mysterio defy the odds.
I watched Rey Mysterio escape a cage with an animal in Batista.
So I am not so quick to count out Rey Mysterio.
[Michael] I don't think we're counting him out, Matt.
I just think we're pointing out facts that he's getting manhandled.
And here's the cover of the side slam and a kick out by Mysterio at two.
[Jerry] And The Undertaker, look at that, he's not… he's not an animal.
This guy is like, I don't know, supernatural.
[Michael] Well, there's no denying the heart of Rey Mysterio,
that's never been called into question.
[Matt] Guys, I'm just… I'm so taken aback by the picture of The Undertaker.
This shows us the mortality of The Undertaker.
So many people believe that The Undertaker is unbeatable,
but here we see he's still human. He's still a man and he can be defeated.
[Michael] And there's the guts of Mysterio battle it back into this--
[Jerry] I don't think he--
[Matt] For a moment into another right hand.
[Michael] I don't know if he's human. I think he may be beyond human.
The Undertaker, one of the greatest
to have ever stepped foot inside the squared circle.
Once again I am-- Oh, look at Rey Mysterio.
[Jerry] And then we talk about Rey Mysterio's heart.
There, he's showing it.
But don't forget The Undertaker's heart.
He's got one, but it's as black as coal.
-[Micheal] Oh, look at that! -[Jerry] Whoa.
-Difference maker. -[Matt] Rey Mysterio
-He's gotta go for a cover here-- -[Michael] Yeah.
he realizes the champ's down, but I don't know how much Rey has left.
-[Matt] And you have to wonder the-- Whoa. -[Micheal] Uh-oh!
Uh-oh.
[Matt] The wound to The Undertaker maybe the nose, it maybe the mouth,
but that's in the sinuses that goes all the way down,
makes it hard to breathe.
[Michael] Mysterio dropping the dive from the top rope.
Will Mysterio win this? What a win this would be.
-Cover. -[Matt] Kick out at two.
[Jerry] I gotta hand it to Rey Mysterio though now.
I mean, he is showing,
he's shown incredible stamina now mounting offense.
[Matt] Pure desire.
Rey Mysterio's dream to become the World's Heavyweight Champion.
[Jerry] I really never thought I'd see this.
[all groaning]
[Matt] I thought… I thought I'd see that.
[Michael] What a collision!
Yeah, that's more like what I thought I'd see, but, oh, my goodness--
[Matt] And what you just saw there is we never talk much about this,
but The Undertaker is so deceivingly quick,
and you saw that there as he went into that clothesline.
-Oh, look out. -[Jerry] Yeah, forget it.
[Michael] Undertaker…
ready to send Rey Mysterio for his final ride, the last ride.
And Mysterio again-- back to the knee.
[Matt] Undertaker that we're gonna see it, dial it up…
-[Jerry] 619! -…619
-[Michael] Connecting with the nose. -[Matt] Followed by a springboard here.
[Jerry] Mysterio from behind again! Undertaker thrown again!
[Matt] That's 12-2-18!
Oh, I think we've never seen that before.
Two straight 619s. Mysterio is rolling. Look for the west coast pop.
[Jerry] Caught in the air by The Undertaker.
-[crowd cheering, applauding] -[Matt] Mysterio is in deep trouble.
[all groaning]
-[Matt] The cover. -[crowd] One, two, three.
[Michael] The phenom retains the World Championship.
-[Matt] What a match! -[crowd cheering, applauding]
[announcer] Here is your winner, and still the World Heavyweight Champion,
The Undertaker.
[Matt] And that picture, that face
tells you what the World's Heavyweight Championship
means to every WWE superstar.
The ultimate sacrifice, the ultimate reward.
The Undertaker is still the World's Heavyweight Champion.
[Michael] We gotta hand it to Rey Mysterio.
He had The Undertaker really at times in this match-up.
Mysterio very game here tonight,
but The Undertaker is still the World Heavyweight Champion.
[Jerry] Well, I've still… I've got nothing but respect for Rey Mysterio.
He took Undertaker to the limit.
Look at-- Have you ever seen Undertaker look like that at the end of a match?
[Matt] No.
If you didn't believe before, believe now.
[Jerry] Watch this, I don't know if we…
we all mentioned that we've never seen two 619s.
[Matt] Well, it was the opportunity that was created.
Rey Mysterio just taking advantage, that's two 619s
normally followed by a West Coast Pop,
but watch the counter of the World's Heavyweight Champion, Michael.
[Michael] The Undertaker sending Rey Mysterio on his last ride.
[Micheal] Thunderous!
[Jerry] Did you see the demonic look in the eyes of The Undertaker
before he delivered that final blow?
["Rest In Peace" playing]
[Matt] What's next now for The Undertaker?
[Michael] The mystique that is The Undertaker.
[crowd cheering, applauding]
Your obsession with my brother is unhealthy, Shawn.
Speaking to someone who has eliminated more men in a single Royal Rumble match
than anyone else ever has.
Speaking as the only man to ever face The Undertaker at WrestleMania twice,
I'm here to tell you that whatever vision you have in your head,
whatever obsession is driving you…
in the end there is no light, Shawn.
Only darkness.
[crowd cheering, applauding]
I, uh, figured that wasn't a pep talk.
Listen, man, it's a big night tonight.
I just came in here to wish you good luck.
I appreciate that. You know… [breathes deeply]
…about last week, you know, i'm sorry. Uh…
I don't have any right to be stepping on your dream of winning
the Royal Rumble and going on WrestleMania.
It was selfish. Just wanted you to know that I'm sorry
and I hope the best man wins out there.
And if there's anybody I'd like to see stay on the other side of the ring,
-it's you. -[softly scoffs]
I appreciate that, man. I feel the exact same way.
I gotta tell you though…
me and The Undertaker, it's meant to be.
I know it is, Shawn. That's why I know you'll find another way.
[indistinct cheering]
[Michael] And ladies and gentlemen,
we are indeed on The Road to WrestleMania .
This is the 23rd annual Royal Rumble.
We are live tonight in Hotlanta, Atlanta, Georgia
Sixteen thousand plus sold-out here at the Philips Arena.
[Jerry] Oh, speaking of sold-out, what's it gonna be like at WrestleMania
and this sold-out University of Phoenix Stadium
in Phoenix, Arizona.
WrestleMania, the grandest stage of them all.
Well, we're traveling down the road and flirting with disaster
and that disaster is a beauty called the Royal Rumble.
Well, ladies and gentlemen,
the Royal Rumble match is our all-star game.
except in this all-star game
our superstars are actually playing for something.
They're playing for a guaranteed title opportunity at WrestleMania.
It is simply known as the Royal Rumble match.
[narrator] The Royal Rumble match, 30 superstars, one winner.
The prize, a main event championship opportunity at WrestleMania.
Twenty-three winners. A who's who of WWE superstars.
[Mr. Perfect] Shawn Michaels is going to WrestleMania!
[Ross] The Big Show's over. The Rock has won the Rumble.
[narrator] What makes this match so special?
Let's count the ways.
Six hundred, twenty-seven.
Since 1988, 627 superstars have tried to win the Rumble match
only to be eliminated.
Thirty-six WWE Hall of Famers, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin
holds the record for eliminating the most competitors.
[Ross] Austin is Royal Rumble. 316.
Eleven, the record number of victims
eliminated by the demented Kane in a single Rumble match.
-[Ross] Kane is going crazy here. -[Micheal] He's on a rampage now!
[narrator] And entering his 12th consecutive Rumble match.
Could the twisted and disturbed monster topple his own terrifying record?
2002, was the last time the Royal Rumble emanated
from the Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.
That night Triple H stood victorious.
[Ross] It's over. The Game! The Game!
[narrator] Will the King of Kings once again rule over Hotlanta in 2010?
Sixty-two minutes 12 seconds,
Rey Mysterio endured a fierce competition to make history
with the longest appearance in a Rumble match.
-[Micheal] He did it! He did it! -[Jerry] No way!
[Micheal] Rey Mysterio did it!
[narrator] Two seconds for 20 long years, the warlord held the record
record for the shortest time in the Rumble match.
That was until last year's Rumble.
[Jerry] Oh! What!
[Matt] I believe the warlord's record may have been broken.
-I wasn't ready. I wasn't ready [Jerry] No redos, Santino.
[narrator] Three, Stone Cold reigns in Royal Rumble match wins
with three grueling victories.
Tonight, numbers mean everything, both the highs and the lows.
Number one, a definite disadvantage where time is not on your side.
Yet a number that has produced the same amount of winners
as the coveted number 30 spot.
[Ross] John Cena has won the Royal Rumble, in a huge shocker!
[narrator] Every member to whomever wins the Rumble
over the last ten years,
70% of the winners have gone on to win the big one
at that year's WrestleMania,
and that is the most telling number of all.
["Hero" playing]
♪ I'm just a step away I'm just a breath away ♪
♪ Losing my faith today Falling off the edge today ♪
♪ It's just another war Just another family torn ♪
♪ My voice will be heard today It's just another kill ♪
[crowd cheering]
-[narrator] Who will make history? -I--
-Will--
[all] I--
[narrator] Who will headline WrestleMania 26?
♪ I need a hero ♪
[narrator] Who will be the one?
[song concludes]
[crowd cheering, applauding]
[Michael] Ladies and gentlemen, this is Royal Rumble match!
[crowd cheering, applauding]
[Michael] Now, these superstars
who drew numbers one and two will start this match.
Every 90 seconds, a new superstar will join.
This continues until all 30 superstars have entered the ring.
Elimination occurs when you're thrown over the top rope
and both feet touch the floor.
The last remaining superstar will be declared the winner
and will earn a guaranteed championship match
-at WrestleMania 26! -[crowd cheering, applauding]
-["I Am Perfection" playing] -♪ I am perfection ♪
[Matt] And look who draws number one from Friday Night SmackDown.
-[Jerry] Let me introduce you guys to-- -♪ I'm just a protector ♪
[Jerry] From Hollywood, Florida, weighing 223 pounds, Dolph Ziggler!
[Matt] Let me tell you, Dolph Ziggler has had impressive battles with Kane
on Friday Night SmackDown.
Dolph has the ability to take larger opponents
and toss them over the top rope. An interesting entry at number one.
[Michael] Yeah, but he's gonna have to go through 29 other superstars
to get to the promised land.
Second Rumble appearance in the young career of Dolph Ziggler.
Ladies and gentlemen,
next time we're on pay-per-view three weeks from tonight
will be at the Scottrade Center.
Beautiful building in St. Louis, Missouri for the elimination chamber.
[Matt] Everyone makes a big deal about number one,
but number two starts at the exact same time as number one.
[Michael] Actually a couple of minutes later.
[Matt] Oh, the second or two here comes Evan Bourne.
Introducing as from St. Louis, Missouri, weighing 183 pounds, Evan Bourne!
[Michael] King, he is a Rumble rookie.
Making his first rumble appearance, Evan Bourne here tonight.
[Jerry] Well, he is gonna have butterflies in his stomach
the size of eagles right now.
[Michael] From Monday Night Raw, Evan Bourne, Dolph Ziggler from SmackDown,
so two of the WWE's young guns, as I like to call them.
They're gonna start this Royal Rumble match off.
[Matt] The emerging superstars.
Guys, Evan Bourne has a very highflying style.
I don't know if that lends itself to Royal Rumble success.
[inaudible chatter]
[Matt] That's what it's all about. WrestleMania 26.
[Michael] Can't get a strategy for the first two competitors
in the Royal Rumble match at all.
[Jerry] Well, I mean absolutely you would love to eliminate your opponent
as quickly as possible.
[Michael] Or you can have under the ring like you did, King.
[Jerry] Well, wait a minute now. At least it was in a Rumble.
And look at this.
-Bourne. Oh! -[all groaning]
[Michael] The high flyer. Heel kick to the jaw.
[Matt] Remember, no pin falls, no submissions.
The objective is to throw your opponent over the top rope,
both feet must touch the floor and officials will be placed at ring side,
we will see them throughout the night.
[Michael] Both these superstars have high energy.
Ooh, very innovative. And now Evan Bourne hanging on.
Ziggler looking the top, Bourne over the top rope.
[Matt] And you'll see guys employ strategies like hooking the ropes,
hooking the turnbuckles, staying in the corner,
anything to stay off the floor.
[Jerry] Look at that, oh! Nice!
[Michael] Oh, Evan Bourne may have hurt his own knee there.
[Matt] Oh, that actually could play well because it will keep Evan Bourne
on the mat, on the ground. Little harder to throw out.
-Whoa! Whoa! -[Michael] Now look at Evan Bourne
and some of that innovative style I talked about that Ziggler hung on.
Remember, over the top rope, but both feet must hit the floor.
[Matt] And that's where shorter competitors enjoy an advantage.
-Oh, rolled him up with a zigzag. -[Jerry] Oh, wow!
[Michael] We're talking about both feet hitting the floor,
we saw a few moments ago one of the classic--
Oh, look at this, Evan Bourne.
-[Jerry] Hanging on. -[Michael] Hanging on to the apron.
Ooh.
-[crowd cheering] -[Matt] Now you see the clock
in the bottom left hand side of your screen.
-Look at this! -[all groaning]
[Michael] Airborne connecting, but who will enter--
-[Matt] But someone's coming. -[Michael] Number three.
[Matt] All right, the straight edge savior joined by Serena
that is CM Punk from Friday Night SmackDown.
[Michael] Three-time World Champion making his fourth appearance
in the Royal Rumble.
And CM Punk wasting little time going after Evan Bourne.
[Jerry] Well, CM Punk entered up at an opportune time,
both Evan Bourne and Dolph Ziggler down so to speak.
Whoa!
[Matt] CM Punk likes to employ those kicks again.
You throw a kick a guy catches you.
It's easy to dump you right over the top rope.
[Jerry] Oh, man! Did you see that?
[Michael] Yeah, Dolph Ziggler bumping heads,
Evan Bourne has been eliminated.
[Matt] Evan Bourne is out and so is Dolph Ziggler.
Score one for Friday Night SmackDown.
Think maybe we can get a quick little sermon on the mount
from the straightedge savior.
Yes, and by the way, I love Serena.
[laughs, pants] Let me thank you all for joining me tonight
in what will be the most historic moment
my straight edge society has ever seen.
These are just the first of 29 other men that will be thrown over the top rope,
or if they have the courage that the WWE universe lacks…
they can be saved.
[indistinct cheering]
And, unfortunately, not everybody can win the Royal Rumble.
-[crowd] Five, four three, two, one. -Excuse me, it's clobberin' time.
[Matt] Who is the next sacrifice for Ben Grimm?
[bell ringing]
-♪ Yo, yo, yo, yo ♪ -[Jerry] Oh.
It's like JTG won the coin toss.
From crime time, here comes Brooklyn's own.
[Michael] JTG wastes little time getting back into the ring.
Here comes JTG, part of the Rumble last year as well.
Look at him hauling away on CM Punk.
[Matt] CM Punk has contempt for the lifestyle of guys like Cryme Tyme
and people in the WWE Universe
who like to go out to the discotheque and party,
and listen to all the hip new music and use drugs and alcohol.
-[Michael] Did you just say discotheque? -[Matt] I did.
[Michael] I'm sure there are still a lot of those--
-[Jerry] Look at JTG. -[Matt] Oh, there you go!
[Michael] A little overzealous and punk has now eliminated three competitors.
[Jerry] And you know what the bad news there is, don't you?
We're not gonna have to listen to CM Punk again.
[Matt] No, nothing wrong with that.
As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted.
[crowd cheering, applauding]
Not everybody can win the Royal Rumble match,
just like not everyone can be saved.
There are people here tonight
that cannot, that will not ever have the reserve and dedication in their heart
to follow in my footsteps.
Tonight I become the first ever straight edge Royal Rumble match winner.
-[crowd] Five, four, three, two, one. -[bell ringing]
-["Land Of Five Rivers" playing] -[Michael] Oh, boy. The Punjabi playboy.
[Matt] Let's see if CM Punk can curry flavor with The Great Khali.
Seven foot, three inches, 420 pounds, making his fourth Rumble appearance.
CM Punk looking at his Mary Magdalene, Serena.
How is punk going to deal with the great khali?
[CM Punk] Great Khali.
Great Khali. Great Khali, I can save you!
Great Khali, I can make you-- I can make you greater!
I can see the pain in your eyes. You need to be saved.
Please, Great Khali, raise your right hand.
Do you accept straight edge into your life?
-[all groaning] -[Jerry] The straight edge chop.
[crowd cheering, applauding]
[Matt] CM Punk was only trying to save The Great Khali,
-but here comes the vise. -[Jerry] The vise!
[Jerry] Oh, man.
[Matt] All Khali has to do is pick Punk up and throw him over the top rope.
[Michael] Punk's skull enveloped with those-- those hands of Khali.
[Jerry] Who is gonna save CM right now?
-[crowd] Eight, seven, six, five, four… -[Michael] Who will enter at number six?
-[crowd] …three, two, one. -[Jerry] Crushes head like a grape.
-[bell ringing] -["Glamazon" playing]
[Matt] It's Beth Phoenix as we-- the Glamazon!
[Jerry] Oh, my god.
[Michael] Just the second woman in Rumble history.
[Jerry] Are you serious?
[Matt] Every superstar is eligible, but really?
[crowd cheering, applauding]
[Matt] Now, Khali is the Punjabi playboy.
-Be gentle. -[Michael] Chivalry is not dead.
You go back. Go back you--
[all groaning]
[Matt] Why does Khali get all the good stuff?
[Michael] Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, bam!
Oh, my god!
[Matt] Never trust a woman, look at that!
[Michael] Beth Phoenix has eliminated The Great Khali!
[Matt] What a sacrifice.
[Michael] Oh, and now she set her sights on Punk, the Glamazon!
[Jerry] Look at Beth Phoenix go.
-What! -[Michael] CM Punk is in trouble!
Punk's gonna be eliminated!
-Uh-oh. Oh, no, no, no. -[Jerry] Now, CM Punk-- go to sleep.
-[crowd groaning] -[Michael] Go to sleep.
[crowd cheering]
[crowd] Nine, eight, seven, six, five,
four, three, two, one.
-[Michael] Entry number seven. -[bell ringing]
-[Matt] The lucky number seven. -["Radio" playing]
[Matt] All right, from ECW Zack Ryder.
[Michael] He is a Rumble rookie as well. First rumble appearance here--
[Matt] And this is track 11 on WWE music.
-[Michael] Beth Phoenix got eliminated. -[Matt groaning]
You… you… You have potential! You have potential.
Hi. How would you like to be a member of the straightedge--
-[Matt] Oh. [chuckling] -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Zack Ryder, CM Punk thus far has eliminated four.
Well, three superstars and a diva.
-[crowd chanting] CM Punk. CM Punk -[Jerry] CM Punk extremely impressive.
[Matt] SmackDown surgeon general CM Punk.
-[Michael] And Zack Ryder is gone. -[Jerry] CM Punk is ruling the Rumble.
[CM Punk chuckles]
Watch me rise! Who's it gonna be?
Who's next?
Whoever it is, I am better than them.
I'm better than each and every single one of you here today.
-[Michael] This is entry number eight. -[crowd] Six, five, four, three, two, one.
-[bell ringing] -["My Time" playing]
[Michael] Now, CM Punk, it is time to play the game.
[Jerry] Everything changes now.
[Michael] The current unified Tag Team Champion
making his eighth Rumble appearance. It was in this building.
Eight years ago, 2002 the Triple H actually won the Royal Rumble match.
You can see CM Punk mouthing there, King, "it's my time."
[Jerry] Yeah, well, I think we may have heard
the last of CM Punk's mouth for the evening.
[Matt] CM Punk and Triple H had an incredible match
this past Friday on SmackDown.
A lot of animosity between these two superstars.
[Michael] Last year at the Rumble, Triple H lasted nearly 50 minutes.
It was down to him and Randy Orton.
In fact, two years in a row,
Triple H has made it to be final two competitors in this match.
[crowd cheering, applauding]
-[Jerry] Oh! -[Michael] Triple H.
The Cerebral Assassin.
Knows all the ins and outs of the Rumble match.
Hear Serena screaming at ring side for her savior CM Punk.
[Jerry] And I think we're gonna hear CM Punk screaming for his--
[Michael] Ooh! Not in the roll that Punk's been on
because we are eight seconds away from the number nine entry.
-In the 2010 Rumble-- -[Jerry] Spinebuster!
-Who is next? -[bell ringing]
["Gallantry" playing]
[Matt] Oh, the Intercontinental Champion, the chosen one.
Handpicked by the chairman of the board Mr. McMahon,
Drew McIntyre.
[Michael] Making his first Rumble appearance.
[Jerry] Drew McIntyre doesn't look like he is in any hurry to get into that ring.
I wouldn't be in a hurry to get anywhere near Triple H either.
-[Michael] Why should he be? -[Matt] Yeah. Slow walk.
[Michael] He is the number nine entry. Twenty-one men still to come.
[Jerry] As you can-- now we see,
The Game defied McIntyre to come on and root us.
[Michael] Oh, high knee. That's vintage Triple H.
[Matt] It took you that long to get that out, huh?
[Michael] There will be plenty more, I'm sure
[Jerry] Oh, look at this.
Going for the GTS.
CM Punk, great counter.
[overlapping shouting]
[crowd cheering]
[Matt] What an amazing counter of the GTS.
[Jerry] Now, look at CM Punk having to be restrained by the referee.
He wants back in the Rumble but, Punk, you're gone.
[Matt] CM Punk is a Cerebral Assassin and that shows you why,
but Drew McIntyre is the prodigy.
[Michael] And you're looking at the president of future
of the WWE right there, Triple H and Drew McIntyre.
This will be entry number ten in the Rumble match.
-[bell ringing] -["The Million Dollar Man" playing]
[Matt] Ooh! Who is it gonna be?
-[Michael] Well, it's Ted DiBiase. -[Matt] The Marine, Ted DiBiase.
[Michael] And he got on.
Well, I'm trying to figure out with DiBiase's mindset is, King,
-after what happened to Randy Orton. -[commentators groaning, shouting]
[Jerry] Right now his mindset is trying to figure out where he is.
[Matt] Well, the mindset of everyone is to main event WrestleMania.
That's the Royal Rumble is about!
[Michael] DiBiase, nice scoop slam on Triple H.
It's DiBiase's second Rumble. Last year he was in the final four.
You may recall, it came down to the three members of Legacy
and Triple H last year.
[Matt] Gentlemen, one-third of the field has already been exposed who's left?
[Michael] Now, you see for the first time tonight
the value of being able to double team.
We always talk about how it's every man for himself,
but this is extremely valuable.
[Jerry] Oh, you're right. Even though it's every man for himself
you're gonna see some of this double teaming,
whichever is advantageous. Oh.
[Michael] Triple H far and away
the strongest most experienced competitor right now
so, DiBiase and McIntyre very wise to team up.
[Jerry] They would love--
both of these guys would love to have Triple H eliminated from the Royal Rumble.
[Matt] Drew McIntyre has a tendency to posture and to gesticulate
all the wrong times, in my opinion.
[Michael] He's still the Intercontinental Champion.
[Jerry] Sure.
[Michael] Strategy being discussed as we're eight seconds away--
-[Jerry] Better get Triple H out of there. -[Michael] Number 11 entry.
[Jerry] Whatever they decided to do, they better do it quickly.
-[bell ringing] -["Ain't No Make Believe" playing]
[Michael] Here is the man who's had his issues with Drew McIntyre as of late.
Former Intercontinental Champion, John Morrison.
Guys, this is Morrison's fifth Rumble appearance.
And he has been so impressive in his first four
he played a great appearance last year.
-[Jerry] Morrison grounding. -[Matt] Oh, Ted DiBiase.
What I like about John Morrison in this type of match here as you see it.
-[Michael] Oh, look at this. -[Matt] Arch nemesis Drew McIntyre
is the core strength of John Morrison,
it's very crucial when you hanging on to the top row.
-[Jerry] Look at this. -[Michael] What a great match
Morrison and McIntyre had Friday night on SmackDown.
[all groaning]
-[Michael] Morrison-- -[Jerry] Get him over the top rope.
[Matt] Now, you will see the ring will start to fill up
and that is really were the strategy and timing will come into play.
[Jerry] McIntyre is out. DiBiase working on Morrison.
Triple H trying to regain himself in the far corner.
I think this is most superstars we've had in the ring at one time
during this Rumble, so far, four.
[Michael] DiBiase was going for--
And he paid for it with that kick from Morrison.
[Jerry] Well, Morrison would like nothing more
than to eliminate Drew McIntyre.
[Matt] Ground control to Major John. This could be Starship Pain.
And it is.
[Jerry] But again, now you've got to try to throw your opponent over the top rope.
And in eight seconds, we're gonna have the number 12 entry head to the ring.
-[Matt] Who's he gonna be? -[crowd] Three, two, one.
-[Michael] Triple H just floored Morrison. -[bell ringing]
-["Man On Fire" playing] -[Matt] Oh!
[Michael] Now, ladies and gentleman, for the 12th time,
a record that he holds with Shawn Michaels,
Kane, is entering the Royal Rumble.
[Matt] Gentleman, Kane has eliminated ten or more superstars
in one Rumble before. That's a record.
Kane has single handedly removed a third of the field.
I like those odds. Kane is my favorite right now.
[Jerry] And look at Kane from the top taking out Triple H.
[Michael] Here is a man who last year-- It took three men to eliminate Kane.
All the members and a Legacy. And look at Kane go.
[Jerry] Yeah, with that vengeance.
[Matt] The Undertaker's baby brother, the big red monster, Kane.
[Michael] He's made a carrier out of this Royal Rumble match as Kane.
McIntyre and Morrison double chokeslam.
[audience cheering, applauding]
[Matt] Kane is cleaning house.
[Jerry] Look at the carnage at the hands of Kane.
[Matt] Nearly seven feet tall and over 300 pounds.
[Jerry] He is laying waste of these guys, but he's not eliminating anyone.
Maybe he's trying with DiBiase.
[Michael] Maybe DiBiase heading out at the hands of Kane.
[Matt] Well, see the guys hold on to top ropes,
kick their legs to try to off-set the balance of their opponent.
[Michael] And Triple H trying to do what he can against Kane.
[Jerry] Who now delivers the chokeslam to Triple H as we wait entry number 13.
-[bell ringing] -["Smoke & Mirrors" playing]
[Matt] It's gotta be Cody Rhodes.
[Michael] Well, the man who last year lasted nearly 40 minutes.
Third Rumble appearance. Here comes Rhodes.
DiBiase's Legacy brethren.
And immediately Cody Rhodes pays dividends saving his partner DiBiase.
[Matt] Wow. What would be the main event of WrestleMania look like
with one of these emerging superstars like Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase involved.
[Michael] This is Legacy working as a team.
They made no bones bad at the past three weeks.
That each one wants to win the Rumble match.
[Jerry] Yeah, forget about every man for himself when it comes to Legacy.
[Michael] Unless, they are the last two standing.
[Matt] Guys, Cody Rhodes may be the quickest superstar
in the ring right now.
The other interesting guys is we haven't had an elimination
-in three or four different entries. -[Matt] One of the reasons--
[Michael] Oh, Morrison hanging on.
[Matt] One of the reasons Cody is the quickest is he is the freshest.
-[Jerry] Look at this. -[all groaning]
[Michael] Dropkicked to Morrison from Cody Rhodes.
-[Jerry] Caught Morrison in midair. -[Matt] Cody Rhodes the seed of a dream,
and that dream is to go on to main event, WrestleMania.
Second generation superstars son, of course, of--
[Jerry] Here's the move, what these guys need to do.
Here we go.
Oh, but The Game puts the brakes on Legacy.
[Matt] Now you would say, why would Triple H do that?
Why would he save Kane?
I think it's more the aggression towards Legacy
who had been a thorn in Triple H's side for quite some time.
[Michael] Kane again turns his attacks against Triple H.
Two of the all time greats going at it.
-[commentators] Cody Rhodes. -[Jerry] Look at this.
-Holding on. -[Matt] He did not touch the floor.
[crowd] Five, four, three, two, one.
-[bell ringing] -[Michael] Number 14 on his way.
-["VIP Ballin" playing] -[Jerry] Oh! MVP!
-[Matt] Let's remember, MVP-- -[Jerry] Hey, look at this--
Oh, man! Well, the United States Championship ambushing MVP.
[Matt] Well, The Miz and MVP had an incredible
United States Championship match earlier in the show.
The Miz just cost the MVP essentially an opportunity to main event WrestleMania.
[Jerry] Yeah, I think there is some-- still some hard feelings there.
And he is blasting MVP from behind.
[Matt] I mean, I can only speculate potentially.
[Michael] Look at DiBiase big clothesline. Cody Rhodes focusing on Triple H.
It's Kane and McIntyre.
[Michael] Now, looks like had to come and help MVP back to the back.
-[Matt] John Morrison. -[all groaning]
[Jerry] Knockout kick.
-[Michael] Make that Drew McIntyre. -[Matt] Oh, look at Triple H.
[Michael] In trouble.
We got Legacy both trying to eliminate Triple H.
[Matt] And this is a bad spot because Triple H can go head over heels,
can't really save himself here.
[Michael] Triple H in trouble on that top rope.
And it's Kane going after Legacy this time.
[Micheal] I don't know how those things work out.
Earlier it was Triple H.
[Michael] Went after Legacy as he tried to eliminate Kane.
-[crowd] Five, four, three, two, one. -[Matt] Who's next?
[Michael] This is number 15. We're halfway through the field.
[Carlito] I spit in the face of people who don't want to be cool.
-[Michael] From Raw, Carlito. -[Matt] Very interesting entry here.
[Jerry] His fifth appearance in the Royal Rumble.
And he goes right after DiBiase.
[Matt] Carlito is a southpaw,
everything you see come from the left side.
That could pose problems.
[Jerry] Carlito going after anybody that's moving right now.
[Michael] It's been a long while since we've had an elimination.
The ring's filling up with superstars, Legacy still working as a team.
[Jerry] As I mentioned going after anything that's moving
that's really the best strategy, just keep moving in that Royal Rumble.
-[Matt] Now you'll start to see-- -[Michael] Watch your back.
-[Matt] Guys will hug the corners. -[Jerry] Look at this.
[Michael] Just like you've seen Triple H do.
[Matt] It is statistically the safest spot in these type of matches.
[Michael] Well, that's because you got the ring post watching your back.
-[Jerry] Kane is the man-- -[Michael] Unloading on Carlito.
[Jerry] Carlito going downstairs trying to get Kane off his feet.
-[Matt] Ooh! -[Micheal] Wow! High knee by Carlito.
-[Micheal] Oh, there it is. Backstabber. -[Jerry] Backstabber.
[Michael] Carlito's been impressive with a backstabber at McIntyre.
-[Jerry] Look at this. -[Michael] And DiBiase.
[Matt] At some point wouldn't you stop trying to throw punches
when you see Carlito doing this to three different guys?
[Michael] This will be entry number 16 in the Royal Rumble match.
-[crowd] Two, one. -[buzzer ringing]
[Miz] Awesome!
[Michael] And the reigning United States Champion
who just ambushed MVP in the aisle way gets his turn in the Rumble match.
[Jerry] Speaking of watching your back, he just needs to watch his.
[Michael] Now, look at it, right from behind goes right after Carlito--
[Jerry] Skull crushing finale.
[Michael] And he is going after his former Tag Team partner,
-his former best man. -[Jerry] Hey, hey, hey, it's MVP.
-[Micheal] MVP! -[Matt] MVP was never eliminated either.
[Michael] And he's still in this match-up.
-[Jerry] And MVP, look at him. -[Micheal] Eliminated Miz
and himself, and the fight's still not over.
[Jerry] They are trying to pull those guys apart.
[Michael] Oh, MVP who had to eliminate Miz from the Rumble and he did just that.
[Jerry] He just eliminated himself and--
-In the meanwhile. -[Matt] Very interesting,
all the superstars are in the back of the ring
as far way from the entrance as they can be,
Maybe, that's to get a better gauge on the superstar that comes running down.
[Micheal] Look at this. Triple H in trouble.
Triple H in trouble again at the hands of Legacy.
-[Matt] What about Drew McIntyre. -[Micheal] And Drew McIntyre as well.
McIntyre tethering on the top rope.
Morrison looking to eliminate his arch rival.
[Jerry] There he goes. No, nope.
Well placed thumb. Looked like it went into the--
[Michael] Carlito hanging on.
Well, you can throw a thumb in this match.
No rules to that--
[Michael] Only rules are, you're eliminated
when you go over the top rope, both feet hit the floor.
-This will be entry 17. -[crowd] Six, five, four, three, two, one.
-[bell ringing] -["Live For The Moment" playing]
[Matt] Oh, boy.
The heart and soul of Friday Night SmackDown,
the take no prisoners attitude of Matt Hardy.
[Michael] This, his seventh Rumble.
[Matt] What kind of vindication would it be for Matt
to main event WrestleMania?
[Michael] Side effect by Matt Hardy. DiBiase is gonna try as well..
[Jerry] To here.
[Jerry] Oh. [Micheal] Oh.
And Kane.
Oh, eliminated.
[Jerry] And look at-- Kane's out.
[Michael] And Kane's eliminated by Triple H.
Didn't see that coming.
[Jerry] Huge elimination-- two huge eliminations.
[Michael] Yeah, how big is that to get Kane out of this match-up?
[Matt] Absolutely monumental.
[Jerry] And Matt hardy was on a roll as well and just blindsided.
[Michael] And suddenly Triple H has kicked it into a higher gear.
[Matt] Well, Triple H is the new favorite now in my opinion.
[Michael] Thirteen time World Champion.
[Matt] And the opinion of the WWE Universe.
[Jerry] Cody Rhodes still standing but perhaps not for long.
-[Matt] Not for long. -[Michael] As McIntyre--
[Jerry] Now the Game no longer standing.
Ooh, his knee taken out.
-[Matt] Left knee. -[Jerry] Chop block.
[crowd] Nine, eight, seven, six, five, four,
-three, two, one. -[Jerry] Who is number 18?
-[Matt] Power Struggle. -[bell ringing]
-["Sexy Boy" playing] -[crowd cheering, applauding]
[Jerry] Yeah, baby!
This is about to pick up.
[Michael] Ladies and gentlemen, remember what happened earlier tonight?
The Undertaker won his World Championship match
against Rey Mysterio.
So the pressure is now on Shawn Michaels to win the Royal Rumble
to get his rematch with The Undertaker at WrestleMania.
[Matt] With the exception of Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Undertaker,
no one has eliminated more men in Rumble history than Shawn Michaels.
-[crowd cheering, applauding] -[Jerry] And two already are gone
at the hands of Shawn. Make it three!
[Matt] Now this is what Shawn Michaels wants
more than anything in the world to face The Undertaker at WrestleMania.
[Michael] This is his--
Shawn Michaels has won two Royal Rumble matches.
[Jerry] Boy, and if you watch this--
[Michael] The experience of Shawn Michaels and these other superstars
rushing in right at him and Shawn just waiting for them expecting it.
There it is again.
-And there goes another one. -[Matt] See ya, bye!
Well, to my count Triple H has already eliminated three superstars.
He's only been in the match maybe a minute and a half.
-[Jerry] You mean Shawn Michaels. -[Matt] I'm sorry. Thank you.
Yeah, caught up in the excitement.
[Michael] Drew McIntyre, the Intercontinental Champion
still in there with two members of the D-Generation X,
the current unified Tag Team Champions Shawn Michaels and Triple H.
[Jerry] Oh, looks like a little game of ping-pong
featuring Shawn and The Game.
What we got here?
[Michael] DX works together as they hinted they would.
[Matt] Oh, look at this.
[Jerry] Oh, but here's where every man for himself
comes down to the nitty-gritty.
-[crowd] Four, three, two, one. -[bell ringing]
-["Basic Thugonomics" playing] -[crowd, cheering, applauding]
[Michael] At number 19 John Cena spoils the DX party.
-[Matt] Talk about superstars. -[Jerry] What is gonna happen now?
[Matt] The most controversial figure. The pop culture icon.
There is only one John Cena.
[Michael] John Cena has won one Royal Rumble
A classic 2008 Rumble match at Madison Square Garden,
where Cena and Triple H were the lone two men remaining.
[Matt] Oh, goodness.
-[Michael] Man. -[crowd cheering, applauding]
Triple H came down, first his feet hit Shawn in the head.
Then Triple H came down right on Shawn's head.
Wait a minute, is this double you can't see me.
Two Five Knuckle Shuffles.
[Michael] Oh, now for the Attitude Adjustment.
Look at this. Sends Shawn Michaels over the top rope
for the Attitude Adjustment. Shawn is trying to hang on.
[Jerry] There, Triple H saving his buddy.
-[crowd cheering, applauding] -[Michael] Pedigree!
-[Michael] Awaiting number 20-- -[Jerry] Sweet Chin Music!
[Michael] Shawn Michaels has eliminated Triple H.
[bell ringing]
[Michael] It is indeed every man for himself.
-["Ain't No Stoppin' Me" playing] -[Jerry] Can you believe what we just saw?
[Michael] Shelton Benjamin entering at number 20.
[Jerry] But, ladies and gentlemen,
after Triple H had saved Shawn from being eliminated,
Shawn turns around, Sweet Chin Music's his own partner out of the ring.
[Michael] That's what wining this Rumble match means to Michaels.
[Jerry chuckles] It's every man for himself.
-Whoa! -[Matt] Shelton Benjamin.
This is his eighth Royal Rumble match.
Can you believe it, eight in a row for Shelton Benjamin.
[Jerry] I can't believe what we just saw from Shawn Michaels and Triple H.
[Michael] And it could be all for naught if Shelton Benjamin keeps this up.
[Matt] Shelton's just hit pay dirt.
Shelton Benjamin has just laid out HBK and John Cena all on his own.
That speaks volumes.
[Michael] Now somebody's going out in this juncture here.
Shelton Benjamin looking to eliminate John Cena.
[Jerry] And somebody did go out. Shelton benjamin.
[Matt] Now down to John Cena and Shawn Michaels
and there are still ten superstars remaining.
[Michael] And Shawn Michaels has already eliminated five men
in this match and looking to make it six with John Cena.
-[Jerry] His partner Triple H.
-[Michael] Entry 21 is next. -[Jerry] I still can't believe that.
[Jerry] I thought Shawn was going to try to lift Cena over the rope
-instead of back Suplex. -[crowd] Four, three, two, one.
-[bell ringing] -[Matt] Hey, hey.
-["Jpop Drop" playing] -[Michael] Another Rumble rookie.
[Matt] That's right. Yoshi Tatsu has been electrifying Tuesday Nights on Sci-Fi.
Let's see what the young upstart can do.
[Michael] Cardiac kid, Tatsu. Look at him.
The poison fist of the Pacific Rim, Yoshi Tatsu.
[Michael] Tatsu coming in at the advantageous time.
Well, just some of that young
and exciting electrifying talent that ECW has.
[Matt] It's the emerging superstars that we get to see every Tuesday night.
[Jerry] We've talked enough. Now look at this.
-[Matt] Oh, oh, oh! -[Michael] Not only Tatsu.
Cena's just too strong. Look at him.
-[Jerry] Manhandling Tatsu. -[Matt] And it's back to Cena and Shawn.
[Michael] And Shawn Michaels--
[Jerry] When his mind is so much riding on this Royal Rumble match.
A return match with The Undertaker at WrestleMania
hangs in the balance for The Heartbreak Kid.
[Matt] It was insatiable thirst for revenge within Shawn Michaels
and its all about WrestleMania 26.
[all groaning]
[Jerry] Who's gonna be the first to his feet here?
-[Michael] Number 22 enters next. -[Matt] Who's gonna join the fray.
-[crowd] Four, three, two, one. -[Matt] The melee, who will it be?
-[buzzer ringing] -["Crank It Up" playing]
-♪ Well its the Big Show ♪ -[Jerry] Oh, no.
[Michael] And did you see Cena's expression it was like, "Oh, no".
[Michael] Here comes the worlds largest athlete,
seven feet tall, 485 pounds with a sixth time is in the Rumble.
[Jerry] That expression had to be certainly removed from Cena's face.
He's still looking shocked.
[Matt] How are you gonna eliminate the Big Show?
Well, in the years passed they had like six, seven, eight, guys do it.
[Jerry] Oh, and Shawn Michaels' dream about to die here.
Because Big Show-- And look at Shawn trying to hang on.
John Cena helping Shawn out.
-Big Show's in trouble. -[Matt] It's John Cena.
[Michael] Oh, look at the strength of the Big Show.
[Jerry] Oh, look at this. Now, Cena is looking to eliminate Shawn.
[Michael] Making the Sweet Chin Music miss.
-[Matt] Oh, no, no, no. -[Jerry] Shawn Michaels.
[Matt] Hey watch his feet, watch his feet. The official's right there.
-[Michael] Although saves it 95. -[Jerry] Wow!
[Matt] I'm almost kind of pulling for Shawn Michaels,
because I want to see that guy into WrestleMania.
[Jerry] And Big Show with pure power.
[Michael] Big Show the only way he's pulling for Shawn Michaels
is pulling back over the rope and slamming face first into the mat.
[Matt] Big Show said that Big Show's loyalty lies only with himself.
[crowd] Nine, eight, seven…
-[Michael] Number 24. -[Matt] Who can it be now?
[Jerry] Who else is Big Show gonna have to contend with?
-[crowd] …one. -[bell ringing]
-["Some Bodies Gonna Get It" playing] -[Matt] Oh, boy.
The world's strongest man, 400 plus pounds of Mark Henry.
[Jerry] The world's largest athlete and the world's strongest man.
John Cena, Shawn Michaels. Oh, what a rumble.
[Michael] Two mountains of men are about to go face to face.
-Mark Henry in his sixth Royal Rumble. -[crowd cheering, applauding]
-[Jerry] Here we go. -[Matt] These two behemoths. Unloading.
[Jerry] Oh, no way.
[Matt] He's the world's strongest man, the Big Show.
[Jerry] Able to keep enough on the ground and big right hand.
[Matt] How about that? One big right hand after a head butt
sent Mark Henry crashing down. And here comes John Cena.
[Jerry] Running shoulder.
-[Michael] Headbutt from Mark Henry. -[Jerry] Now what?
[Matt chuckles] Another running shoulder.
[Michael] They're not even able to get the Big Show--
[Jerry] Oh, look at this. World's strongest man.
-[Matt] Unbelievable. -[Michael] Oh, did you see that?
[Jerry] Look at this. Talk about strength.
[Matt] Oh, no. Mark Henry is over 400 pounds
and John Cena has been in a grueling Royal Rumble.
And here comes The Masterpiece.
[Jerry] What a spear from the Big Show on Mark Henry?
[Michael] Chris Masters enters number 24.
Master's earned his way into the Rumble match
for the victory on Superstars
this past Thursday night in a Triple Threat match.
[Jerry] He finds himself in a Rumble for third time.
[Matt] So, King, I'm gonna put you on the spot, who do you like?
Who's going to WrestleMania?
Giving in, huh? Live TV, what do you got?
[Michael] That's why we have the Royal Rumble.
[Jerry] I mean, your guess is as good as mine.
I'm rather say.
[Michael] Look at this master's lock. Going for the master's lock and Big Show.
[Jerry] And Big Show and look at the power at stake.
[Michael] As he eliminates Masters.
[Jerry] I'll tell you it's not gonna be Masters.
Cole, put you on a spot. Who's going to WrestleMania?
Sentimental pick Shawn Michaels.
And look at Mark Henry.
Mark Henry, the world strongest man
tries to eliminate the world's largest athlete.
[Jerry] He's got the Big Show off the ground.
[Michael] Look at these two huge monsters.
[crowd cheering, applauding]
[Matt] World class athletes doing things that no one else can do.
This is the WWE.
[Michael] Shawn Michaels gets lost in that massive bodies.
Shawn Michaels need to help Mark Henry.
Hey, and that's the truth.
[Michael] R-Truth, number 25 from SmackDown.
[Matt] R-truth is such an electrifying personality.
[Michael] Oh, look at this. R-Truth, R-Truth.
R-Truth has eliminated Mark Henry and the Big Show.
[Jerry] Well, R-Truth.
How opportune was that he caught the Big Show tethering,
-[Matt] I know, that's huge. -[Jerry] Mark Henry as well.
[Matt] The field is leveled out here.
[Jerry] Oh, what a kick?
[Michael] And remember, R-Truth entering at 25,
it really helps his odds and chances of winning this thing.
R-Truth take it at Shawn, at the Cena. Oh, wow.
-What's up? -[Matt] He's electrifying.
Every Friday night on SmackDown we get to see R-Truth.
[Jerry] R-Truth saying, "what's up?" Asking our fans here what's up?
Well, what's up is, R-Truth is gonna win the Royal Rumble.
[Michael] Twists and turns throughout this entire match up here tonight.
We are waiting the entry number 26.
Oh, look, look. Look like Shawn's in trouble.
[Jerry] He's in big trouble.
[Michael] R-Truth is gonna eliminate Shawn.
-[bell ringing] -["Get On Your Knees" playing]
[Matt] All American-American, Jack Swagger.
[Jerry] Look at the look on Swagger's face.
[Michael] Swagger wasted a little time in his first Rumble.
Jack Swagger at number 26. He goes right after Cena.
And now it's Shawn Michaels the target of Swagger's attack.
[Jerry] I think Swagger is not fired up for his appearance in the Royal Rumble.
[Matt] Somewhere an Inoki is watching with the big smile on his face.
[Michael] Look at this, Swagger going for Shawn now.
And Jack Swagger, the all American-American.
-Looking good. -[Jerry] Yeah.
-Oh, look at R-Truth. -[Michael] Trying to eliminate
R-Truth perhaps slamming the kidney first into the corner.
[crowd cheering, applauding]
[Michael] Now Swagger's trying to convince himself.
The other superstars here.
That looks like somebody who wants to toss him from the top rope.
[Matt] Shawn Michaels who entered at number 18
still in the match. John Cena entered at number 19.
[Michael] And Swagger looks to eliminate Shawn
[Matt] There's Shawn Michaels hanging on with one arm
[Jerry] And he slides under the bottom ropes.
[Michael] Swagger, you saw his expression. He thought he had eliminated Michaels.
[Jerry] How close was that?
[Michael] As number 27 gets set to head to the ring.
-[bell ringing] -["S.O.S" playing]
[Michael] Controlled frenzy of Kofi Kingston.
[Matt] Now, guys, the number 27 slot has yielded more winners
than any other slot.
So right now Kofi Kingston statically is your favorite.
[Jerry] Well, he's got history on his side but…
we got four other superstars who are in this ring right now
that can make Kofi Kingston history.
[Michael] Now Kofi Kingston has been on such a roll as of late.
Little boom drop time. [vocalizes tune]
For Kofi measuring Swagger, looking to eliminate Swagger.
Swagger though intercepting Kingston.
-[Matt] But whoa! Swagger's out! -[Jerry] And Kingston back in.
[Matt] Kofi Kingston, John Cena, R-Truth and HBK are left in the Royal Rumble
and there are still three to come.
[Jerry] Oh, man.
[Michael] R-truth just drove that boot of his
right into the midsection of Kofi Kingston.
[Matt] And now you would think that number 30
would be the best possible number to draw.
But only two men, The Undertaker and John Cena
have won the Rumble from that entry.
[Jerry] Look at Kofi Kingston just hanging on by one arm.
Both feet have to hit the floor as we await entry number 28.
Kofi Kingston looking to eliminate R-Truth and he does.
[Matt] Truth is gone.
-[Michael] Kingston, impressive. -[bell ringing]
-["Judas" playing] -[Matt] Here we go.
The mentalist, the mental master mind from Friday Night SmackDown,
Chris Jericho, ego driven.
[Jerry] Now Jericho bring out Kingston and Shawn and Cena for the sixth time.
[Michael] Chris Jericho hopes to win a Royal Rumble match.
claims he'll add this accomplishment to his already-great list of accolades.
[crowd cheering, applauding]
[Jerry] Jericho, like house of fire as he comes in.
[Michael] First up with Shawn and Kingston but now really zeroing in on John Cena.
Cena reversal. Going for the Attitude Adjustment.
And he hits it. Hits it on Jericho.
Oh, and a DDT planning Cena by Shawn.
[Jerry] The Attitude Adjustment does this damage
but it doesn't eliminate Jericho. And this is risky.
[Michael] Shawn Michaels loves to go to the top rope
but he put himself in danger go up there.
[Matt] Everyone's on the mat going Shawn knows that taking advantage,
[Michael] Vintage Michaels planting the elbow in the heart of Jericho.
[Matt] And that's usually followed up by the sounds of silence Sweet Chin Music.
[Michael] And the show stopper, Mr. WrestleMania
in this shadow of the WrestleMania sign tuning up the band.
-Kofi! Trouble in paradise. -[Matt] Oh! Wow!
[Michael] And John Cena looking to eliminate Kingston and he does.
[crowd cheering, applauding]
[Jerry] Kofi Kingston sent soaring over the top. Oh, look at this.
-[Michael] Codebreaker. -[crowd cheering, applauding]
[Michael] Three former World Champions in the ring right now,
Michaels, Jericho, Cena. Number 29 on his way.
-[crowd] Four, three, two, one. -[Jerry] Who's gonna join these guys?
-[bell ringing] -["Metalingus" playing]
-[Matt] Holy-- -[Jerry] What? Oh, my.
[Michael] The Rated-R Superstar and former World Champion.
-[Jerry] What? -[Michael] Listen to the ovation!
It is thunderous in the Philips Arena.
After what many thought to be a career threatening injury,
Edge has returned and speared to his former Tag-Team partner.
And now to Michaels and now to Cena. And Edge is rolling.
[Jerry] Edge is back with a vengeance.
-[Matt] But how is this possible? -[Jerry] Look at this!
[Michael] Here goes Jericho retribution for Edge.
[Matt] Edge was supposed to be out of action from upwards of 14 months
and it's only been about eight.
[Michael] And look at Edge.
Jericho can't believe what just happen to him.
[Matt] John Cena looking to end Edge's dream.
Attitude adjustment time. Edge planting cena.
Call your friends let them know what's going on right now.
[Michael] The shocker, Edge is back.
-[Matt] Holy. -[Jerry] Wow.
[crowd cheering, applauding]
[Jerry chuckles] I don't know what to say. This is--
-[Matt] Ooh! -[Michael] One more man to come.
It will be these three men and number 30
who have an opportunity to go to WrestleMania.
-[Jerry] Look! -[bell ringing]
-[Michael] And Shawn looking to hang on. -[Matt] And here comes my favorite.
My pick to win the Royal Rumble, the animal unleashed, Batista.
[Michael] And look at Batista. He's in destruction mode.
[Matt] Batista wants nothing more than the World's Heavyweight Championship
and these men stand in the animal's way.
[Michael] Batista has won a Rumble before, back in 2005.
It was he and Cena in sudden death over time that year.
[Matt] I love the rage of the animal.
[Jerry] The animal is truly unleashed here.
[Michael] Planting Michaels, Batista planting Cena.
[Matt] Everything is done with such ferocity.
[Jerry] Batista--
[Jerry] It's all about you, Batista.
[Michael] That's right, until the spear from the Edge
and now Cena with the Attitude Adjustment.
[Matt] Every superstar in the ring has main evented WrestleMania.
[Michael] One of these four superstars will again main event WrestleMania.
Who will it be? Who will win the Rumble?
[Jerry] Who will survive? Who will be the one?
[Michael] Michaels.
[Matt] The buzz in the arena still going from the return of Edge.
[Michael] And Shawn Michaels still fighting away.
[Jerry] Those inverted atomic drops from Michaels are so effective.
[Matt] You see that Edge came back too quick from injury
because you can just see that Edge just doesn't seem to have that same vigor
that the rest of the superstars do.
[Michael] Shawn Michaels again to the top rope, again.
[Jerry] What are you talking about?
[Michael] With all three men prone, Michaels elbow to Cena.
And Shawn Michaels--
[Jerry] Suckering the Batista.
[Michael] There's Shawn going, this is unbelievable.
[Jerry] Well, once again, as Matt said earlier,
you make sure the other competitors are flat on their back
before you risk that high-risk maneuver.
[Michael] And this time it's Batista suffering the fate of the elbow.
[crowd cheering, applauding]
[Jerry] Shawn Michaels, John Cena, Edge and Batista,
who's gonna be the one?
[Michael] John Cena loving the Sweet Chin Music.
[Matt] And it's Batista. There's the encore.
-[Jerry] And oh, look at that! -[Matt] Whoa!
[Michael] And here goes Shawn, both hang on. Both hang on.
[Matt] For a moment but are continuing precariously on the apron.
[Michael] Oh, this is dangerous.
This is dangerous for both of these men.
[Jerry] Back into the ring now.
Sweet Chin Music. And now Batista-- Batista ambushing Michaels--
[all groaning]
[Jerry] Shawn Michaels eliminated.
[Matt] Hearts have been broken right now.
Every one wanted to see Shawn Michaels versus The Undertaker, the rematch.
[referee] It's over, Shawn, get out of here, now. Come on.
It's over now. Let's get you out, Shawn. Come on.
Hey, get out of here now. Come on.
[Jerry] Referee telling Shawn Michaels, "Let's go, it's over."
And it is over for Shawn Michaels.
[Michael] The dream of Shawn Michaels has been crushed.
Wait, wait, wait. You're out of here, Shawn, now come on.
-Come on. Go to-- Let's go-- -[crowd groaning]
[Jerry] What's he doing? He can't--
[Michael] Shawn Michaels has been eliminated.
[indistinct chatter]
Get out, come on, Shawn. Get out, all right? It's over. Get out.
I don't care, I can't help you got thrown over the rope.
What do you want me to do about it? Let's go.
[all groaning]
Shawn, let it go. Let it go.
[Matt] It's the one thing in Shawn Michaels' career
that he's never achieved.
[crowd cheering, applauding]
[Michael] And that man, Batista.
[Matt] Can't lose sight of what this night is about, though.
The Road to WrestleMania.
[Jerry] Oh yeah, but I'm worried about Shawn here.
[screams] Oh, you gotta be kidding me!
[Micheal] How can you not feel for him.
[Michael] We are down to three, ladies and gentlemen.
Let's refocus on what's at hand.
Batista, John Cena and Edge.
One of these three men will win the Royal Rumble match.
One of these three men guaranteed a title opportunity at WrestleMania.
Who is it gonna be?
John Cena's been in the match the longest, over 25 minutes thus far.
Batista, remember entered at 30, Edge at 29.
[Matt] HBK entered at 18,
so he has to be in at least a minute longer than Cena!
-[Michael] Look at this. -[Jerry] Oh, Batista is eliminated.
[Michael] John Cena, a little payback from 2005.
John Cena has eliminated Batista. We are now down to two.
[Jerry] Watch your back, John.
-[Michael] Look at Edge. -[crowd cheering, applauding]
And Edge looking to take advantage.
-Cena felt it coming. -[Matt] Oh! Oh, no!
[Jerry] Edge has done it. Edge has done it.
Edge is going to WrestleMania.
[announcer] Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of the 2010 Royal Rumble,
The Rated-R Superstar, Edge!
[Michael] Oh, my God!
[Matt] On this day, I see clearly, the ultimate opportunist, Edge,
is going to WrestleMania!
[Michael] I cannot believe it, ladies and gentlemen.
Edge wasn't supposed to be here.
Edge wasn't supposed to be back in action for months,
and he came from out of nowhere, and he entered at number 29,
and he eliminated John Cena, and he's won the Royal Rumble match!
[Jerry] Absolutely unbelievable, shocking.
But Edge, when he did arrive, he arrived like gangbusters.
Spears left, spears right, spears for everyone at the hands of Edge.
[Matt] And then, of course, this elimination of Chris Jericho.
Well, there's been a ton of history between those two men.
But gentlemen, WrestleMania is the chance to live forever.
And right here Edge cements his place in history.
[Jerry] How shocking?
-How downright shocking is this? -[Michael] Edge.
Ladies and gentlemen, a nine-time World Champion can add to those honors
because he's now guaranteed a title opportunity
in the main event at WrestleMania.
[Matt] And anything can happen.
[Michael] Edge has made this a Rated-R Rumble.
-Edge is indeed the one. -[Matt] And everyone is on their feet.
This capacity crowd has seen history in the making tonight.
Thank you for joining us at the Royal Rumble.
Good night, everybody, from Atlanta as Edge heads to WrestleMania. Wow.
[Jerry] Wow!
[music concludes] ody, from Atlanta as Edge heads to WrestleMania. Wow.