[thrilling music playing]
[narrator 1] Tonight, the road to WrestleMania…
begins inside these ropes.
One man will make…
history.
-[music fades] -[dramatic music playing]
[narrator 1] For over two decades, the Royal Rumble match has featured
30 superstars battling to headline WrestleMania.
[Jerry] Stone Cold is going to WrestleMania.
[Michael] Rey Mysterio did it!
-[Jerry] The Game, The Game! -[Michael] John Cena.
[Jerry] The Rock has won the Rumble.
[Michael] Edge is going to WrestleMania.
[narrator 1] Tonight the tradition is taken
to a whole new level.
[music fades]
-[thrilling music playing] -[narrator 1] For the first time ever,
an unprecedented 40 elite WWE superstars
-will compete in the biggest… -[crowd cheering]
…Royal Rumble match in WWE history. Forty chosen superstars,
the ultimate test of will, endurance, and survival.
Tonight 40 will enter, one will be left standing,
one will earn the opportunity, who will headline WrestleMania.
Who will be…
the one.
[music concludes]
[thrilling music playing]
[narrator 2] And now, WWE presents the 24th Annual Royal Rumble,
the road to WrestleMania begins now.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] We are officially on the road to WrestleMania.
Welcome to the 24th Annual Royal Rumble.
You are looking live at the sold out TD Banknorth Garden in Boston.
Fifteen thousand one hundred thirteen members of the WWE universe
are with us here live tonight.
[music fades]
[bell ringing]
The following contest is scheduled for one fall,
and it is for the World Heavyweight Championship.
[crowd cheering]
["Metalingus" playing]
♪ On this day I see clearly ♪
♪ Everything has come to life ♪
♪ A bitter place and a broken dream ♪
♪ And we'll leave it all behind ♪
Well, ladies and gentlemen, it must be the Royal Rumble
because Jerry "The King" Lawler, he brought the big crown out here tonight,
or is that just because you got to put your ego in it?
Oh, yes, to fit your big head
-that's what it's for, so… -Nonetheless, are you guys excited
-we're on the road to WrestleMania? -Absolutely.
[Michael] Ladies and gentlemen, Friday on SmackDown, the champions,
and challengers Tag Team match,
Edge and Orton versus Miz and Dolph Ziggler.
And I'll tell you Edge on a wild roll at the end of this matchup.
[Matt] You hit it right on the head, Michael.
Edge was having his way with challenger Dolph Ziggler.
Vickie Guerrero is the acting general manager of Friday Night SmackDown.
And Edge poised and ready to build momentum
for tonight's championship match,
-but Vickie… -Excuse me!
As general manager, I have decided if you hit Dolph Ziggler
with a spear at the Royal Rumble,
you will loose the World Heavyweight Championship.
[Matt] Vickie changing fate, but let's remember this.
Vickie said nothing about using the spear on Friday Night SmackDown
after the match was over and Edge took full advantage.
[Michael] Remember, Vickie can do whatever she wants
because she's the acting general manager of Friday Night SmackDown ever since--
Well, general manager Theodore Long was taken out
-by an attack a couple weeks ago. -[Matt] Now, this leaves a maniacal
and unhinged World's Heavyweight Champion.
That's what awaits Dolph Ziggler here tonight.
[Michael] The ten-time world champion.
-The ultimate opportunist. -[Vickie] Excuse me!
-[Michael] Oh, no. -[crowd booing]
-[Michael] Now, speak of the devil. -Excuse me!
I said excuse me!
[Michael] She looks like a can of strawberry soda with botulism,
-look at that top. -[Matt] Ugh.
As acting general manager of SmackDown,
I am here to remind everyone…
and especially you, Edge,
that I had deemed the spear illegal and dangerous.
It is officially banned.
[crowd cheering]
Now, sweetheart,
I'm… I'm begging-- No, wait, I'm pleading, just use the spear one time tonight.
And to get you in the mood, I'm gonna help you.
-So, everybody please join me. -[crowd cheering]
Spear, spear, spear, spear. [cackles]
Edge, if you use the spear tonight,
not only will you loose and be disqualified,
but you will loose the World Heavyweight Championship
to a man who is my boyfriend, Dolph Ziggler.
-["I Am Perfection" playing] -♪ I am Perfection ♪
[Michael] Ladies and gentlemen, I for one,
think this is a courageous decision by Vickie Guerrero to ban
Edge's use of the spear here tonight.
Really giving the champion an unfair advantage,
now we're back to an even playing field against this man,
who I believe is the future of WWE, Dolph Ziggler.
And there we have Michael Cole's opinion.
[Matt] Well, Edge has many, many maneuvers in his arsenal.
King, you use the piledriver during your hall of fame career,
once the piledriver was outlawed, what did you do,
and what advice do you have for Edge?
[Jerry] Well, you always have a "Plan B."
If the "Plan B" doesn't work, hopefully you have a "Plan C."
I just like the look on the face of Edge as he came into the ring tonight.
It was just like there's something going on in that mind of his.
I think that he's got other weapons in his arsenal other than just the spear.
[Matt] Well, they don't call Edge the ultimate opportunist for nothing.
He's been taking advantage about a lot of opportunities
presented to him over his entire career here.
[Michael] Dolph Ziggler-- Dolph Ziggler reminds me of Santa Claus.
[Matt] What?
[Michael] Everywhere he goes he takes an old bag with him.
Introducing first the challenger from Hollywood, Florida,
weighing in 223 pounds,
-Dolph Ziggler. -[crowd cheering]
And from Toronto, Canada, weighing in 241 pounds,
he is the World Heavyweight Champion,
-the rated R superstar, Edge. -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Here we go, ladies and gentlemen,
with our first match of the evening for the World Heavyweight Championship.
That man, Dolph Ziggler, won a fatal 4-way matchup
on Friday Night SmackDown to become the number one contender
for the championship that Edge won
-at the TLC pay-per-view last year. -[Jerry] Does that tell you
how huge this Royal Rumble event is, that the first match of the evening
is for the World Heavyweight Championship?
-[bell ringing] -[Michael] I tell you,
Edge just has some great Royal Rumble moments
over the years. Um, many of them coming in the Royal Rumble match itself.
-In fact, Edge won that match… -[both grunt]
…last year, the Royal Rumble winner
-in 2010. -[Dolph grunts]
[Matt] A little underlying story is that Edge used to be married
-to Dolph's girlfriend, Vickie Guerrero. -[grunts]
[Michael] Man…
how do you think that's going to affect the Edge and-- Or Dolph.
Usually divorces aren't worth the money it cost to--
-[Jerry] I guarantee you in that case. -[Matt] Well, Vickie's-- What?
[Jerry] It was worth it, I'm sure.
[Matt] Oh, Vickie said her marriage to Edge was during a time
of experimentation in her life.
She was young and naive, and made mistakes.
For most people that's called college.
[chuckles] Vickie Guerrero was married to Edge.
[Michael] Well, and Dolph will realize
as he has to be very aggressive here tonight
in order to take the world championship from Edge.
-And you notice the different demeanor… -[grunts]
…in Dolph Ziggler here tonight, very focused,
-very intense against the world champion. -[grunts]
[Michael] Well, that was early in the-- That was early in Vickie's career.
[Matt chuckles] Right, during the Roman Empire.
[Jerry] She's a late bloomer. You know that?
-[Matt] And she wears bloomers? -[Jerry] Yeah, thick bloomers, right.
[Michael] I don't understand why you guys are all over Vickie Guerrero.
[Matt chuckles] Hey, King and I are getting along man.
-Why don't you just enjoy? -[Michael] Here's a cover by Edge…
-[Jerry] There you go. -…first of the matchup, and a kick-out.
Remember, Vickie is the acting general manager
of Friday Night SmackDown. Let's not let that fact get in the way.
You can talk about her being Edge's ex-wife
and Dolph's girlfriend all you want.
[Jerry] Vickie tried to get a chant going earlier, if she keeps…
[Michael] Again, look at this. Edge, on the knee to the gut,
hooks the leg again, and Dolph kicks out.
[Matt] And King, in all serious-- I'm serious though,
how does Edge's strategy change with the spear being banned?
[Jerry] Well, as I said-- you know, I don't know
what's been going through Edge's mind, but he's got to have something
in the arsenal other than the spear.
[Michael] He's doing pretty well early going into this matchup.
This is going to be the third cover here on Ziggler
and another near fall for the champion.
Big nerves can be playing a part of this slow start for Dolph Ziggler.
[crowd chatter]
-[Matt] I know-- Are you talking to me? -[Michael] Well, either one of you.
[Dolph grunts]
[Michael] Let me ask the question again.
Do you think nerves are playing into the part
of Dolph Ziggler tonight, the slow start, Matt?
[Matt] And again, I mean you're competing
for World's Heavyweight Championship on a huge stage
and a sold-out Royal Rumble.
You have to believe that there are nerves, but Dolph Ziggler is a competitor,
and I'm sure he'll able to rise to the occasion.
[Michael] The biggest match of Dolph Ziggler's young career
thus far as Edge pulls another one out of the playbook
-and Ziggler into the barricade. -[crowd cheering]
And suddenly Edge is dominating
the early portion of this World Heavyweight Championship match.
[indistinct chatter]
[Matt] Talking about Edge's weapon is the spear and what not?
Dolph Ziggler wants to employ the zigzag, which is his specialty maneuver,
which forces his opponent down into the back of their own head
as well as the sleeper hold, which is technically a submission hold.
[Jerry] I'll tell you, Dolph Ziggler better get back
in the ring because you can't win the title outside the ring. And-- Oh!
-[crowd cheering] -[Jerry] He may delay his free entry.
[Michael] You can only win the, uh,
championship by pinfall or submission, champion's advantage.
[Michael] And talking about nerves on the part of Dolph Ziggler.
[Matt] If Vickie Guerrero was your girlfriend,
-you'd be nervous wreck too. -[Michael] Why?
Well, I… I think it'd be awesome.
Have a woman with that much power and part of your life.
-Yeah! -[Jerry] Ooh.
-[crowd cheering] -[Michael] Well, so much for the nerves.
And Ziggler. And then there's Dolph Ziggler,
the number one contender trying to build a little momentum.
Here's the cover on the champion, notice how he hook
both the arm and the leg to prevent Edge from getting underneath the rope
to break the count.
[Michael] Some would say they all expect Dolph Ziggler
to focus the attack on Edge's neck, setting up for--
-Perhaps the zigzag or the sleeper hold. -[grunts]
[grunts]
[Michael] Now, the aggressive Ziggler on the attack.
And again, could not risk disqualification here.
And if Ziggler is disqualified, Edge will retain the world title.
[Matt] Now, watch yourself here.
[indistinct chatter]
[pants, grunts]
[Matt] Edge has been the victim of many assaults and attacks
-by Ziggler over the past number of weeks. -Come on baby! You're so much stronger!
[both grunt]
[Michael] Couple of weeks ago when Edge aired his dirty laundry…
-[Dolph grunts] -…about his marriage with Vickie
and Dolph's relationship with Vickie.
-Time! -[Michael] I think Edge got
what he could deserve-- Into the steel steps by Ziggler.
-[Jerry] Well, look at that kick. -[Michael] Wow.
Dolph Ziggler just taking full advantage of opportunity.
-[crowd cheering] -[both grunt]
[Michael] And again, Ziggler on the attack,
and he's got Edge reeling a bit here.
[Matt] All right. Yeah, that boot the face…
-One, two, three… -…is a momentum changer here.
-[Jerry] Ziggler very aggressive… -…four.
…and you just said he's gonna have to be careful using the--
Almost the entire five count.
-[Michael] And again, into the cover… -One…
…hooks the inside leg and the champion kicks out at two.
And once again, back to work on the neck of Edge.
Well, at that point earlier, that sleeper hold
such a dangerous weapon for Ziggler.
[crowd chanting]
[Jerry] Well, Vickie wasn't able to get the chant going,
but now this awesome WWE fans are into this. Let's go, Edge.
[Michael] Tremendous atmosphere here tonight at the Garden in Boston
for the 24th annual Royal Rumble.
-[crowd cheering] -[both grunt]
[Matt] Oh, man.
And again, Ziggler turning on the aggression.
Up over the top, Edge rolls through however.
-[crowd cheering] -[Jerry chuckles]
-[Michael] And there goes Ziggler. -[Jerry] Ooh.
-Head first and shoulders is down. -[Jerry] That could be as effective
as the spear got him though.
[Michael] And a kick-out at two.
[Matt] Oh.
Dolph going after the left knee of Edge. Watch this. Oh, it…
The neck breaker for Ziggler. Again, the champion in trouble.
Can Dolph capitalize?
Rolls into the cover…
-One, two… -…arm across the chest
and Edge kicks out at two.
We mentioned nearly over 15,000 watching live here tonight
at the Garden in Boston.
Also like to welcome the members of the WWE universe watching us live
tonight in the united Kingdom on Sky Box Office,
in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the likes of Italy…
-[grunts] -…Germany, and Austria.
[Michael] Wow. And Ziggler again
-crawls to the cover… -One…
…hooks the leg of the champion, and a kick-out by Edge.
[Vickie shouts indistinctly]
[Matt] Again, Ziggler not allowing Edge
to be able to take one breath here, continuing the assault.
Not surprised at all with Ziggler's strategy this far.
[Michael] Oh, not at all. Dolph Ziggler is patient
and showing wherewithal. He's been very methodical,
-trying to wear down the champion. -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] I tell you, if Ziggler has his way
that no spear ban will…
-[Vickie] Let's go! -…never even come into play.
[Matt] And the spear man I should say.
And Ziggler continues to…
-to wear down the champion. -[Jerry] Oh, look
at the handful of hair there.
[Matt] He's got to be careful right in front of the referee.
[Michael] And elbow to the heart.
Again, a cover forearm right in the face, and Edge has got to power out again.
[Matt] And notice how Edge is gonna roll away from his opponent.
That's usually a telltale sign
that your opponent was a lot of trouble, right, King?
[Jerry] Well, Edge is trying to get outside,
but he's not gonna get any, uh, R & R out there-- Watch out, incoming.
Oh, and now it's Edge's turn to taste the barricade.
-[Matt] Wow. -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] You know, moments ago you saw the angst on the face of Vickie Guerrero.
This is such a huge match for her as well.
We don't know how long she's gonna be acting general manager,
and her boyfriend is the world champion, as we've seen in the past.
There could be no stopping Ms. Guerrero.
[Jerry] That was the look of angst on the face of Vickie Guerrero.
It just looked like that was her regular expression like hungriness.
-[Michael] Ziggler, quickly to the cover… -One,
-two… -…hooks the leg again. And again,
Edge has to power out
but it's been Ziggler's game here for a while.
[Matt] And this pace is conducive to Dolph Ziggler.
You can sense the urgency, you can almost feel
the World's Heavyweight Championship starting to slip away.
-[Matt] Oh, Ziggler. -[Jerry] This also reminds me--
I mean reminisces of many matches that Edge has been in, where,
you know, his opponent would have the upper hand for quite a while
and then somewhere out… out of nowhere, sometime at an opportune moment,
boom, Edge would hit him with a spear,
but it's not gonna be able to happen tonight.
[Michael] Yeah, that time could be past for Edge as well because Ziggler,
the future of Friday Night SmackDown, has taken it to the champion,
being urged on by Vickie Guerrero and her shrill voice.
[indistinct chatter]
[Michael] Wow, look at Ziggler.
[Jerry hesitates] Ziggler is an impressive, um, athlete,
-there's no doubt about that. -[Michael] Of course, he is.
[Jerry] And this guy is-- This guy's good.
I just, uh, have problem with his taste for women.
[Michael] The former intercontinental champion.
Looking for his first world championship here in WWE.
[Jerry] Ooh, man down.
[Michael] In the center of the ring and this could be
a turning point in this matchup.
-[Jerry] What a collision. -[Vickie shouts indistinctly]
[indistinct chatter]
[Jerry] I'm almost surprised Vickie Guerrero didn't scream spear.
[Matt] Superstars have to, at the count of ten,
to get to their feet.
[crowd chanting] Three…
-four! -[Michael] The world champion.
[Matt] And then Dolph Ziggler is a collegiate standout
at Kent State University-- Brilliant.
Edge goes for the crossbody block as well.
[Michael] But look at this. Now, look at this.
I was gonna mention there, Ziggler is in trouble.
Edge rolled out of the way.
The positioning we just saw moments ago
would've been conducive to a spear,
usually for Edge, but he can't use that weapon tonight.
So, he's got to come up, as you saw there, with different offensive maneuvers.
[Michael] Sidestepping out of the way for Ziggler.
One!
[Jerry] And sometimes at the-- Not necessarily an offensive maneuver.
You can turn it to defense maneuver,
like if you can force your opponent into a big mistake
and capitalize on that and get a quick victory sometimes.
[Michael] And again, Ziggler trying
to beat the champ with a punch, and Edge countered.
But again, you can see the wear and tear that Ziggler has done
of the back of the head, the neck area of Edge
throughout this matchup.
[Vickie] Come on, Dolph! Finish him!
One!
[Michael] Does the slower pace, Matt,
does it aid Ziggler or Edge in this matchup here?
[Matt] Oh, yeah. You have to believe that it would aid Dolph Ziggler
because of all the offense that Dolph has been able to implement
up to this point, but let's not forget Edge has a deviant in-ring experience.
And like King said, one small mistake, and Edge can turn it around.
[Michael] Wild miss by Ziggler.
And Edge trying to build a little momentum.
And suddenly the pace begins to quicken.
-And then the world champion… -[Matt] Nice.
…gaining control again. Into the cover,
-looks to put Ziggler away… -One, two…
…hooks the leg, and a two-and-a-half, the challenger kicks out.
[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] I'm just wondering, does Edge has some sort of surprise
in store for us?
-[Michael] He's the master manipulator. -[Matt] Yeah, you don't become
a ten-time champion and a future first-valid hall of famer
being a one-trip home.
[Michael] Now, look at Ziggler. Ooh, Ziggler with a great counter.
Could this be it for the challenger?
Hook in the leg at the world champion.
[Matt] That bareback-like maneuver charge up your jaw
and send shockwaves right down your spine.
That's what Edge is going through right now.
The champion fighting out at two, but again Ziggler.
[Jerry] That would hurt your mouth almost as much as kissing Vickie Guerrero.
-And the driver sit out here. -[Matt] Oh! Nice counter, wow.
[Jerry] Nice counter by Edge, this could be it.
-Two count-- Can he get it, no. -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] King, that was to your point,
taking a defensive maneuver and turning it offensive.
[Jerry] Almost had him.
[indistinct chatter]
[Jerry] This is absolutely spectacular on the part of Edge, look at that.
[crowd cheering]
-[referee] One, two… -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Back and forth as this matchup continues.
And the world champion again in control.
-[Vickie shouts indistinctly] -[Michael] What is…
[Matt] Well, desperate times call for desperate measures.
[Jerry] At this point of his career you--
[Michael] As Edge go to the top rope
and Ziggler this time countered.
[Matt] Yeah, right to the back of the head.
-[Michael] And now, it's Ziggler. -[grunts]
[Michael] The WrestleMania sign looming
in the background as the road to WrestleMania begins tonight here
at the 24th annual Royal Rumble.
-[grunts] -[Jerry] Oh, boy.
[Matt] Look at Edge's right hand
-though, holding on that rope. -[grunts]
[Michael] Ziggler trying for a massive suplex,
injuring already to Edge's neck here tonight,
superplex would not help.
[grunts]
-[Michael] But Edge fighting his way out. -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] And now, it's Ziggler in trouble.
[Jerry] Edge determined to get this in, what is it? Whoa.
And look at this--
What a counter. He's got him, he's got him.
No, and Edge kick-out at two.
Wow.
[Matt chuckles] How many people came out of their chairs at home on that one?
[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] And here's Dolph Ziggler, turning the tables on Edge.
Ziggler almost shocking the champion.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael chuckles] These guys have absorbed a lot of punishment.
[Michael] What a kick. Nice, steady dropkick.
-Again, challenger hooks the outside… -One, two…
…like this time and Edge has gotta fight out again at two.
[pants]
[Michael] What a battle for the World Heavyweight Championship
as this may come down
-to who has the best endurance. -[Matt] Zigzag.
[Michael] Oh, no. That's what he was going for,
but Edge countered, hanging on to the rope,
and now it's Edge's turn.
[Matt] Hey, look at this.
[Jerry] Look at this. Are you Kidding me? Look at Edge.
[Matt] Locked in deep, potential submission hold,
will Dolph Ziggler submit?
[Jerry] Ziggler is trying to crawl and make it to the ropes,
Edge with a submission hold locked in. Can Ziggler get there, and he does.
Ooh, so close for the world champion.
[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] Well, you can tell from the look of disgust on Edge's face,
he thought he may have had Ziggler there.
But Ziggler with enough fight to make it to the bottom rope.
[referee speaks indistinctly]
[Jerry] He's gonna have enough-- Who's gonna have
the most left in the tank is what's gonna--
It's gonna boil down to.
[grunts]
[Jerry] Oh. Just pulverizing each other.
-[Michael] Watch out. -[Jerry] Oh, nobody home.
[Michael] Oh, man.
[Matt] Notice how the top rope caught Edge right underneath the throat.
-Bam! -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] This could be it!
Edge in trouble, hooks the leg, and a kick-out!
-Whoo! -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] That man, Dolph Ziggler, best opportunity…
-[Vickie screaming] -…to take the world championship
from Edge.
[Michael] Now, we see what Dolph Ziggler is made of.
Now, we see if Dolph Ziggler is made of championship material.
[crowd cheering]
[Vickie] Let's go!
-[Michael] Concern on the face of Vickie. -[Jerry] Concern?
I think she's about to have a nervous breakdown over there.
[Michael] Ziggler trying to reach out for the champion,
not allowing Edge to make it back to his feet.
The number one contender crawling and chasing the champion here.
[crowd chanting]
[Michael] And an even battle so far.
-Now, it's Edge. -[Jerry] Ooh.
-[Michael] Again, regaining control. -[Jerry] Hang in-- Oh.
I thought Edge was gonna go down as well, but…
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Hang on, Edge.
[Jerry] Look at-- Look at his face. Wait a minute.
[Michael] Now, he's positioned himself on the corner, but remember,
ladies and gentlemen, he can't use the spear.
[Matt] And if Edge uses the spear, not only that he loose the match,
but he will also loose the World's Heavyweight Championship.
[Michael] And Vickie painfully reminding Edge that.
-[Matt] Edge realizes it. -[Jerry] And look at Ziggler, Ziggler.
[Matt] Sleeper hold, is it locked in? No, not yet, the top hand needs
to come across the forehead and Edge knows that.
[Michael] And a great counter by Edge.
-And he-- Bam and hit! -[Matt] Impaler DDT.
-[Michael] From out of nowhere. -[Jerry] Cover, cover.
The champion into the cover.
Hook on the leg on Ziggler, shoulders down and look at Vickie.
[Jerry] Hey, come on. What are you doing?
[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] I mean, I realize she's the acting general manager,
but this kind of interference is ridiculous.
[shouts indistinctly]
-[Matt] Oh. -[Jerry] Oh!
-[Michael] Watch it, Ziggler. -[Matt] Uh-oh.
[Jerry] Look at Edge, shoulders down,
and Dolph Ziggler kicked out.
-[shouts indistinctly] -[Matt] Not again-- What the…
-What's wrong with you? Have some balls. -[crowd cheering]
[yelling indistinctly]
[indistinct chatter]
-[Michael] And how Edge's-- -[Matt] Oh, hey.
-[crowd cheering] -[Michael] Kelly. Wow.
-[Jerry] What? -[Michael] Kelly, taking on Vickie.
Hey, that's the acting GM she's beating up there.
Can somebody get out here and get her off Vickie.
[Matt] That's Kelly Kelly
from Friday Night SmackDown evening the odds.
[Jerry] Hey, watch out Ziggler, he got him.
Zig Zag. Dolph's got him. Dolph's got him.
We got a new champion, we got a new champion.
-[Matt] Oh. -[crowd cheering]
[Matt] Settle down. [laughs]
[Michael] Wow. Somehow, Edge survived.
[indistinct chatter]
[Jerry] What a sequence there over the past couple of minutes.
Dolph Ziggler trying to get a-- Take advantage of the situation,
hit the zigzag on the champion…
but the ultimate opportunist, Edge, kicking out at two-and-a-half
to preserve his title.
[indistinct chatter]
[Michael] I hope Edge is fully aware of where he is right now though.
And Ziggler knows where he's at. Oh, watch your back Edge.
Watch your back, he's coming to get…
-Well, it's sleeper… -[Jerry] There it is.
Now, it's hooked in as well.
[Michael] Yeah, Ziggler with a sleeper hold hooked in.
If the champion passes out here, if the champion goes to sleep,
so to speak, we'll have a new World Heavyweight Champion as Ziggler.
[Matt] And this move cuts off the flow of oxygen to the brain,
and Edge is fading fast.
If Edge can't defend himself the referee has no choice,
but to end this match.
[Michael] And Edge is in the center ring with nowhere to go.
We saw how he tried to grab the leg of Ziggler,
-but doesn't enough force left in him. -[Matt] Fading.
-[crowd cheering] -[grunts]
[Michael] Ziggler wearing Edge down.
[Matt] Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
Edge has to get to a vertical base.
-Edge has to get into his feet. -[Jerry] And he's up. He's… he's up.
[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] But Ziggler with all his weight on Edge now.
-And Edge somehow, wildly… -[crowd cheering]
…flaring, and again Ziggler backed on in the sleeper.
-Ooh. -[Matt] Oh.
-[Micheal] Oh, Edge countered. -[Matt] Nice piggyback stunner,
the only way to get out of that for Edge.
[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] And he had the referee inadvertently knocked down.
Vickie's down as well.
Edge somehow countering the… the sleeper hold.
[crowd cheering]
[Micheal] Vickie Guerrero is down. The referee is down.
-Ziggler is down. -[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] Oh, you gotta know what Edge is thinking now.
[Matt] The opportunity presents itself.
-[Micheal] Well, do it, Edge. Do it. -[Jerry] He can't do this?
-[Micheal] Oh, yes, he can. -[Jerry] No, he can't. It's illegal.
[Matt] Brother, a tree falls in the woods,
and no one's there to hear and it never happened.
-[indistinct chatter] -[crowd cheering]
-[Matt] Somebody had to see that. -[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] Ref, get up.
-[pants] -[Michael] Edge isn't hurt.
[Michael] Edge… Edge is acting. He deserves an Oscar nomination here.
[Matt laughs]
-[Michael] Come on, ref. You fool! -[Jerry] This is great.
[Matt] How did the referee not see that?
[Micheal] What do you mean how the referee not see that?
The referee was knocked down. Vickie Guerrero was knocked down.
[Matt] This is ridiculous. This is a travesty.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Somebody wake-- Somebody wake Vickie Guerrero up.
-She definitely needs to see this. -[Matt] And hey, look at this.
-[crowd cheering] -[Michael] Oh, Ziggler.
[Matt] Little shot after his body, huh?
-The cover. -[crowd chanting] One two, three.
-[Matt] You got to be Kidding me. -[crowd cheering]
-[bell ringing] -["Metalingus" playing]
♪ On this day I see clearly… ♪
[Tony] Here's your winner and still the World Heavyweight Champion,
rated-R superstar, Edge.
-[Michael] This is brutal. -[Jerry laughs]
[Matt] Listen, Cole, I can understand if Edge went for a cover
right after the spear, but Edge surely did the right thing.
[Matt] He hit the spear. I get it.
The ref didn't see it, waiting for the referee to get up,
and then did a version of the…
[Jerry] Look at this Cole-- I mean, Vickie Guerrero,
this is horrifying for her. She doesn't understand what happened.
[Matt] Well, she's losing an eyelash, too.
-[Jerry laughs] -[Michael] The referee doesn't understand
what happened. It's too damn bad the Oscar nominations came out last week
because this man be a front-runner for best actor.
-This is ridiculous. -[Jerry] Calm down, Cole. This is great.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] The ultimate opportunist strikes again.
And the World Heavyweight Champion is on a road to WrestleMania.
-This is brutal. -[Vickie shouts indistinctly]
[Michael] I've been waiting for that a while,
and nobody's gonna fall the damn thing.
[Jerry] Well, if you're gonna implement a rule, you better be--
Well, you better be awake enforcing it.
[Michael] I mean, wait… wait till Vickie Guerrero sees
-what happens at the end of this matchup. -[Jerry] And I said, in my opinion,
you gotta give the devil his due. Dolph Ziggler tried absolutely…
-[Matt] Yeah. -…everything to win this match, Cole.
-He gave it his best shot. -[crowd chanting] One, two, three.
[Jerry] He couldn't get it done even with Vickie Guerrero screaming…
[Michael] Explain this to me.
Explain to me why Kelly Kelly has got to stick her nose
in the business of the general manager.
[Matt] She came down to even the odds and a lot of people thought
that Dolph Ziggler was well on his way
to becoming the World's Heavyweight Champion,
but it was not to be, not on this night.
[Jerry] And how many times had Vickie Guerrero slapped,
punched, and done all those things to Edge?
I don't think that Edge-- I don't even know
how he kept his composure, but right here, he realized Vickie Guerrero was down.
-He looked over. He saw the referee down. -[Michael] But this is illegal.
-The spear is illegal. -[Matt] It was a…
The cat's away, the mice will play, the teacher didn't see it, I didn't do it.
And watch what Edge does right here.
I mean that's brilliant
-and that's also very, very admirable. -[Jerry] And here's
-the winning maneuver right there. -[Matt] Oh, come on. Argue with that.
[crowd cheering, chanting] One, two, three.
[Michael] But man, Edge had already flattened Ziggler with the spear
and then he wakes-- I mean, come on, who does he think he is?
[Matt] He's the World's Heavyweight Champion,
and he will be, this Friday on SmackDown on Syfy.
[Michael] Yeah. I can't wait when Vickie Guerrero finds out
what happened out here tonight. I cannot wait until Vickie sees this.
[Matt laughs]
-[thrilling music playing] -[crowd cheering]
Here at ringside, Michael Cole, the hall of famer,
Jerry "The King" Lawler, and Matt Striker.
And guys, it must be the Royal Rumble when we're starting things out
with two championship matches.
Not only the World Heavyweight Championship,
we just saw, but the WWE title as well.
Well, you're right. Things get bigger and bigger.
And it doesn't get any bigger than this.
[Jerry] Randy Orton taking on the WWE champion, The Miz.
[Jerry] And ladies and gentlemen, the thing is they really heated up
in this rivalry on the night when the awesome Miz
cashed in his Money in the Bank contract on The Viper.
[music concludes]
-["Machine Gun Blues" playing] -[Jerry] It's Miz with the money
in the bank briefcase.
Miz is cashing it in on a vulnerable Orton.
Skull crushing finale.
-[crowd cheering] -[crowd chanting] One, two, three.
-[Jerry] He did it! -[bell ringing]
[Jerry] Miz is champion.
[Miz] I am the future, the face of this company,
the most must-see champion in history.
♪ I just left your town Took all your loot ♪
♪ Bought a pink carnation And a pin-striped suit ♪
♪ And all you men, women and kids Best get out the way ♪
The entire world is obsessed with everything I do, ESPN, MTV, TMZ.
Obviously, I'm the biggest star that there is here,
and everybody knows it because I'm The Miz
and I'm awesome.
[Michael] And the RKO, Randy Orton heads to the Rumble to face The Miz.
♪ I'm public enemy, number one ♪
♪ I'm sorry for all of the things That I've done ♪
♪ If indeed we do cross paths It's nothing personal ♪
[Miz] Do you feel it's a-- Given a fact,
Randy Orton is going to beat me at the Royal Rumble.
You're The Miz, and you're done.
You will not make it past the Royal Rumble.
No matter what I do, people don't give me respect.
I'm the WWE champion.
I'm the person people should be talking about,
not Randy Orton.
♪ …already gone ♪
♪ I left a trail of devastation ♪
♪ I've got the machine gun blues ♪
I'm The Miz and I'm…
[crowd cheering]
…awesome.
[music concludes]
-[indistinct chatter] -[crowd cheering]
Miz, we're just moments away from your title defense,
however you requested this time to address the WWE universe.
Josh, my entire championship reign
has been smeared with lies and accusations.
If it wasn't for Michael Cole, Jerry Lawler would be champion.
If it wasn't for Alex Riley, Randy Orton would be champion.
There is a reason why I'm a champion, and people like Randy Orton, Jerry Lawler,
-and even Tom Brady are not champions. -[crowd cheering]
And what are we talking about?
Listen, King. The Miz can outroll Randy Orton,
outwrestle him, outshine him, outsmart him, and outclass him.
He's gonna beat Randy tonight,
and he's gonna go on to WrestleMania, the WWE champion.
Because as I told Orton,
as I stood over his barely conscious body two weeks ago.
I'm The Miz…
-and I'm… -[crowd cheering]
…awesome.
-["Voices" playing] -♪ I hear voices in my head ♪
♪ They counsel me, they understand ♪
-♪ They talk to me ♪ -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] And ladies and gentlemen,
Randy Orton is the seven-time world champion.
And King, he made a very important vow a number of weeks ago,
when he said that he made a mistake in late 2010,
he started to become a nice guy,
and then he realized that nice guys finish last.
For Randy Orton, he says, "Tonight, there's no more Mr. Nice Guy."
[Jerry] Well, you're right about that.
Randy is not out here tonight to win a popularity contest.
Well, yes, we hear a tremendous ovation from the fans
when they see Randy Orton, but right now,
Randy Orton is focused on winning one thing,
and that's the WWE championship no matter what he has to do to win it.
[Michael] Randy Orton is well aware that the Royal Rumble match--
The Royal Rumble is indeed the road to WrestleMania.
Two years ago, he was the winner of the Royal Rumble match itself.
He went on to WrestleMania that year.
Randy Orton hopes to head to WrestleMania this year as the WWE champion.
♪ They tell me things that I will do They show me things I'll do to you ♪
[Michael] And a different Randy the last couple of weeks at Monday night.
Raw as well, very intense, very focused, more so than usual.
[Matt] This is a dangerous…
-[Michael] Yeah, good word. -…Randy Orton.
-The Miz is very well aware. -[Jerry] Very good word.
♪ All the lawyers are defenseless ♪ ♪ All the doctors are disease ♪
[Jerry] Randy Orton has not forgot the night
when he lost his WWE championship,
when The Miz cashed in the Money in the Bank contract,
which was completely legal.
♪ Politicians… ♪
[Michael] At least we have a champion on raw who-- Well, follows the rules.
-[crowd cheering] -♪ I see darkness falling ♪
♪ I hear voices cryin' ♪ ♪ I feel justice crawling ♪
♪ I see faith has fallen ♪
♪ I hear voices in my head They council me, they understand ♪
♪ They talk to me, they talk to me ♪
[crowd cheering]
[Matt] And the WWE championship has changed hands three times
in the city of Boston. Is history on Randy Orton's side?
We'll find out.
[crowd cheering]
[music fades]
-[indistinct chatter] -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Great strategy by our champion,
The Miz, make Randy Orton wait…
-or not. Ready because we see that-- -["I Came To Play" playing]
♪ I came to play, there's a price to pay ♪
[Michael] Come on, Boston, on your feet…
because he is the most must-see WWE champion in history.
You know, I've had the opportunity
to talk to a lot of members of the WWE universe.
-I was talking to some little… -Get down.
…children earlier today, and they were telling me
how Miz has become their role model, how Miz become their… their idol.
Well, he's-- He is the beloved hero.
[Jerry] Where'd you go to speak to kids like that?
[Matt] Who… who let's you talk to little kids, dude?
[Jerry] It must've been a reform school.
[Michael] Miz is WWE deity.
The Miz has become a… a symbol of will the world over.
Ladies and gentlemen, the WWE champion, the awesome one…
-The Miz. -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] I mean, this is an honor, the fact that his man is going to defend
his WWE championship here tonight.
There's a reason
that the Garden in Boston is sold out tonight.
There is a reason that there are over 15,000 people here,
that reason is the man right there in the ring,
the WWE champion, The Miz.
They come from the world over to see this man defend
the WWE title here tonight
at the Royal Rumble on the road to WrestleMania.
And if The Miz wins this matchup, he'll be taking a chauffeured limousine
-all the way to Atlanta. -[Jerry] Can you shut up?
-[music fades] -[bell ringing]
This contest set for one fall
-is for the WWE championship. -[crowd cheering]
Introducing first the challenger, from St. Louis, Missouri,
weighing 245 pounds,
-Randy Orton. -[crowd cheering]
And his opponent, accompanied to the ring by Alex Riley,
from Cleveland, Ohio, weighing 231 pounds,
he is the current WWE champion…
-The Miz. -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Look at the way The Miz is looking
right into the eyes of Randy Orton. He's as if he's taunting The Viper.
Well, the thing about The Miz
is this is a very important matchup for the champion here tonight.
The Miz has said that… that he feels disrespected and overlooked,
and that the fact that he's champion has been an afterthought.
And he has plenty to prove here tonight on the grand stage of the Royal Rumble.
[Matt] All right. King, strategy, many say Randy Orton is quicker
with more experience and possibly more malintent…
[Jerry] And I'm one of those that would say that.
[Matt] Where The Miz just has that je ne sais quoi.
He seems to just be winning
-no matter what the odds are. -[bell ringing]
-[Matt] Give us your take. -[Jerry] Well, he also has, uh, Alex Riley
is accompanying him at ringside.
Uh, you know, The Miz will-- Of course, doesn't mind bending,
or absolutely breaking any rule in the book.
He'll do anything to win.
[Jerry] Randy Orton with the right hand and uppercut to start things off,
and now Randy Orton wants to hi--
He's off balance throughout the early part of this matchup.
[Matt] Can you, of course,
have had your problems with The Miz over the past couple of months,
I hope that you could find it within yourself tonight
to actually call this match down the middle,
be a little unbiased for a change.
[Jerry] Well, I'll tell you one thing right now.
Randy Orton has gotta be careful.
He can't win this match if he gets disqualified.
He can't win the title.
A lot of experts have called The Miz a beatable champion.
[Michael] Well, he hasn't beaten yet.
-And Randy Orton… -[crowd cheering]
…in a clotheslines, trying to take it to The Miz.
[Michael] You know, people tend to forget not only did Miz cash in
the Money in the Bank briefcase, the contract, to defeat Randy Orton,
he also beat Randy Orton back
-in a, uh, tables match in TLC last month. -One, two…
[Jerry] Orton into the cover, hook to the leg, and a kick-out.
I believe Randy Orton is the one who has something to prove here tonight.
He's gotta prove to the world that he can actually beat Miz.
Orton doesn't know he can.
[Jerry] Shut up. Don't remind me of TLC match, okay?
[Michael] But King, I mean, you're not gonna agree with that point,
-Randy Orton is yet… -[Jerry] I don't agree with anything
-you're saying about The Miz. -[Michael] Orton hasn't beaten him yet.
-[groans] -[Jerry] Yet.
[Michael] Okay. Well, he's still gotta beat him
until he beats him, he's not the champ.
[Jerry] There's always been chicanery and tomfoolery around.
-There's always been some sort of… -[Michael] Oh, I'm sorry.
-…extenuating circumstance. -[Michael] Oh, I'm sorry.
The World Heavyweight Champion, Edge didn't use chicanery
or tomfoolery a few moments ago to keep his championship.
Oh, I guess what's-- You know, in SmackDown,
-can do what they want. -[Jerry] Give me a break.
[Matt] As Orton hammers away here on the WWE champion, The Miz.
-[grunts] -[Michael chuckles]
-[indistinct chatter] -One, two…
[Jerry] Orton's slowly dissecting the champion.
Miz has not been able to get out of the blocks.
-Here's the cover, formed in the face… -One, two…
…of the champion, Miz, powers at a two.
[Jerry] Well, The Miz tried his little, uh, form of intimidation,
tried to stare Randy down before this match started,
but that obviously didn't work.
-[groans] -[indistinct chatter]
[Jerry] Orton with a forearm to the kidney and then an uppercut.
Randy Orton…
[Matt] Randy likes to use the RKO as he's finishing maneuvering
and high impact maneuver that forces his opponent down
-on the front of his face. -[grunts]
[Michael] And this is, uh, tough to watch even the earlier going
with The Miz being beaten up like this.
The referee's gotta do his job and create separation there.
[Jerry] And he's doing it.
And is this tough for you to watch?
[Michael] It is and it's unfair to Miz.
-He's the WWE champion. -[referee] What? One…
-[Jerry] So, he should get… -…two…
-…preferential treatment? -…three, four.
[Alex] Come on.
[Jerry] If you wanna brawl with the guy, tell him you wanna brawl with him,
he's the best brawler. If you wanna wrestle him,
tell him you wanna wrestle him.
[Matt] How many fights have you been in?
You walk up to the guy and go, "All right, I wanna brawl with you."
And then brawl him? No, you just fight the guy.
[Michael] This is the WWE. This is the professional.
This is no bar fight where you're fighting yourself
-in your apartment, Matt. -[Matt] They're nice.
I mean, this is the big time here.
[Michael] Randy Orton focusing on the champion, The Miz.
[Matt] Are you talking about apartment wrestling now? Nice.
I use to read that back in the magazines.
-[Matt] Whoa. High elbow to the jaw. -[Jerry] Look at this.
Now, look at this.
[Michael] Hey, what did you guys say before about Edge?
Referee, didn't see it. It doesn't matter.
A-Ry, the apprentice paying off for The Miz.
[Matt] And that's the chaos that Alex Riley brings to ringside,
and The Miz takes full advantage.
[Jerry] Yeah. The WWE champion now in control to Randy Orton
and things are gonna pick up here…
for The Miz.
[Michael] Now, the referee needs eyes in the back of his head…
-…two… -…when you're out here in a match…
-…three, four. -…with The Miz and Alex Riley at ringside.
[Matt] Some people feel that a championship match is
you should have two officials.
One on the floor and one in the ring just in case.
[Michael] I like what I see out of The Miz,
realizing he's gotta be as just as aggressive…
-[grunts] -…as Randy Orton is in order
to defeat The Viper here tonight, and that's what Miz has been doing.
[Jerry] Let me check my memory out.
Did you say earlier, Cole, that we have a champion on raw
-that abides by the rules? -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Yeah, he does.
Alex Riley may not have abided by the rules, but Miz did.
[Michael] I think that was his-- That was all on Alex Riley 's back, huh?
[Michael] Well, Miz had no idea. He had nothing to do with it, but come on.
[Michael] And look at Randy Orton, The Viper, and nobody home.
Randy Orton… knee first into the turnbuckle
as Miz scoops out of the way.
Miz, a WWE champion, former United States champion,
former Tag Team champion, he's won Slammy awards. He's…
major role.
[Jerry] They should put his picture on money, huh?
[Michael] Hey, they got his picture all over TMZ and NBC…
-[Matt] Well, the most important… -…and ESPN.
…thing is that The Miz is trying to retain the WWE championship,
more important than all of those things combined.
[Michael] And here's Miz again into the cover…
-One, two… -…hook in the leg.
And Randy Orton, he powers out at a two. I don't see your picture anywhere, King.
I see Miz's everywhere.
He's frequent guest on late night television.
[indistinct chatter]
[Michael]He's the face of the WWE.
Say what you want about it, but it's true.
-[referee speaks indistinctly] -[Michael] I don't see you courtside
at New York Knick games as a guest of Amar'e Stoudemire.
-[grunts] -[Michael] You go to this
lonely Memphis grizzlies games.
-[Jerry laughs] -[Matt] Really?
[Michael] And again, Alex Riley with the right hand,
-and look at Miz again. Hook in the leg… -One, two…
…shoulders down, and Orton powers up. Great job, A-Ry.
-[Jerry] Oh, please. -[Michael] Yeah.
-[Jerry] Are you Kidding me? -[Michael] What? Oh.
[Jerry] Did you just high five Alex Riley…
-[Michael] Now, it's more of a low five. -…during the broadcast? Low fives?
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Now, look at Miz wearing The Viper down.
-You know, Bob Uecker's… -No!
in the WWE hall of fame,
and he was the biggest homer in sports broadcasting history.
-[Matt] Yeah. -[Jerry] Well, let me just--
you know what, Cole, let me just say this.
One day-- One day, you're gonna get yours.
[Michael] That can't be from you because you can't touch me,
and the GM told me that.
And here we go, look at Randy Orton trying to struggle to get back
to his feet.
-And Miz, the WWE champion… -[both grunt]
…trying to put Orton away,
-but Randy Orton… -[Matt] Oh, yes. Beautiful.
…seems to have other things on his mind.
[both grunt]
-[Michael] Ooh, and a big knee. -[crowd cheering]
-[Michael] Cover again by The Miz… -One…
…hook in the leg. Orton this time doesn't even allow the referee
to get positioned before he powers out.
[Matt] It appears that Miz is focusing his attack on Randy Orton's midsection,
perhaps setting up for Miz's specialty maneuver,
-the skull-crushing finale. -[Jerry] Now, ooh.
[Michael] Well, that's a boot right to the mouth.
-[Jerry] And again form… -One…
-…two… -…and right to the face
by the overly oppressive Miz,
and Orton has to power out this time as two.
His apprentice Riley and looks on at ringside.
[Jerry] Apprentice Riley.
[Michael] Oh, now, you're gonna make fun of The Apprentice.
-[Jerry] I'm not-- -[Michael] You would die
to be on Donald Trump's
Celebrity Apprentice show, so get over it.
[Jerry] That's one of my favorite shows. You're right.
[Michael] Ooh, The Miz.
-And now Miz almost-- -[Jerry] Hey, I thought
I saw a back pedal a little bit there,
but perhaps he was trying to sucker Miz in.
[Michael] Yeah, perhaps.
And again, the champion with a high elbow.
-And Miz into the cup, hooks the legs… -One…
…this time, and Orton has to power out again.
[Matt] Cole, I will give you this though.
In midst of all the controversy, in midst all the talk,
The Miz really, really doing well for himself.
Watch this big punch right here yet, The Miz is still on top
and still in control, showing championship wherewithal.
[Jerry] And Alex Riley showing-- Oh there you go.
[Michael] Because the ref has had his eye on him.
-[indistinct chatter] -[crowd cheering]
-[Matt] Randy Orton is in trouble. -[Michael] Oh, big knee.
[Jerry] Oh, man, right to the nose.
-[Michael] And Randy Orton in trouble… -One…
…as the champion hooks the leg… -…two.
…and two, Orton powers out.
[Matt] And notice how Miz stays right on top of his opponent.
[Michael] I tell you, Miz continuing to wear Orton down…
and you have think that's what Miz's strategy is.
Miz could probably put Orton away any time he wanted to,
but he wants to punish The Viper.
He wants to pick his spot. He wants to prove something here tonight.
[Jerry] So, you're trying to tell me right now
that The Miz is just toying with Randy Orton.
-[Michael] Well, he's proving some… -[Jerry] That The Miz can beat
The Viper any time he wanted to.
[Michael] Well, I did say on Friday Night SmackDown, King,
that Miz is a combination of, say, Lou Thesz and Bob Backlund,
maybe a little bit of The Rock and Stone Cold rolled in there together.
[Jerry] Sometimes I wonder if your brain can hear
-what your mouth is saying. -[Michael] Even a little DX
perhaps in The Miz, you know.
It's like a-- It's like a five-two athlete right here in WWE.
[indistinct chatter]
[Jerry] There you go.
[Michael] Randy Orton goes for the sleeper here
and Miz with a counter.
And look at this, went for a suplex, and Randy Orton…
[Matt] It was blocked by Randy by wrapping his leg around The Miz's leg.
[Michael] Well, Miz missed wildly, and now it's Randy Orton
that goes on the off match off the count.
[crowd cheering]
[Matt] That's what makes being in the ring
with Randy Orton is so difficult.
His long, lanky frame is you're always in jeopardy
if Randy can grab.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] It's important point of this matchup I believe for that man,
Randy Orton, he's been struggling at times here
against the WWE champion, and he's gotta change gears.
-[Matt] Oh, wow. Nice. -[Michael] Oh, not that way.
-Good night, Randy. -[Matt] Wow.
-[Michael] Miz is going to WrestleMania. -One, two…
[Michael] No, no.
[chuckles] Look at your face right now, Cole.
[laughs] You can't believe it, can you?
[Michael] I have no idea how--
I have no idea how Randy Orton…
-[Jerry] Watch this replay, Michael Cole. -…kicked out of this.
[Jerry] Yes, down.
It may have been a toothily soft fly,
but somehow Orton was able to kick-out and survive.
[Jerry] Miz is going up into danger's territory.
Here he go.
[Michael] And this could be the turning point
of this match for Randy Orton.
The point that Orton needed in the WWE champion in dire straits.
[Matt] Cole, let me ask you in all your honesty though.
Does The Miz have a weakness in your opinion?
If so, what is-- Ooh.
[Michael] I think maybe sometimes some people will mistake
his kindness to weakness.
[Matt] Well done. Here's the softball hitting,
-well played. -[Michael] He does-- You know,
he does a lot charity work.
-[Matt] Yeah. -[Michael] And look at-- Oh, no.
-[Michael] Wow. That was superplex. -[Jerry] A-Ry, do something.
[crowd cheering]
[Matt] The superplex made famous
-by Randy's father, cowboy, Bob Orton. -[Michael] Oh, not this way. Come on, Miz.
[Jerry] Got him, got him, and he's kicked out. Wow.
[Michael] That's just a testament to the toughness of The Miz.
-[indistinct chatter] -[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] See the sweat on the brow of Alex Riley now?
He's worried.
[Matt chuckles] A-Ry is worried. Miz has the WWE title.
He may be out of the job.
-[both grunt] -[Matt] And Randy Orton with a right hand,
and again Miz trying to fight back.
[both grunt]
[Matt] Ooh, and what an uppercut by Orton.
-[both grunt] -[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] And you know one these guys able to gain
the, uh, upper hand on the other.
[Michael] southpaw Miz certainly making a battle of it.
-[grunts] -[Michael] Telegraph that with--
And Randy Orton is yelling, spun around, and Randy Orton now
is starting to switch into that next gear.
[Jerry] Yes, he is.
[Michael] And this is what The Miz-- Oh, had to worry about.
That's vintage Orton there off the backbreaker.
[Matt] Yeah, but notice that Miz rolled outside of the ring onto the ropes.
-He's very, very smart. -[Jerry] Yeah, until-- Oh.
[Michael] Yeah, but you don't wanna be there against Randy Orton.
-Not on the apron. -[Matt] Suspension DDT, no.
[Michael exclaims] Great counter, Miz. Great counter.
-[crowd cheering] -[Michael] It's called watch him take
-and scouting your opponent. -[Matt] Hey, hey, hey, come on, ref.
[Michael] And Alex Riley takes control.
[Jerry coughs] Alex Riley takes control.
[Alex] What?
-[indistinct chatter] -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] How brilliant by The Miz to counter that DDT
that Randy Orton normally would employ there in that position?
-And this is such a student of the game. -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Kidney first again as…
[indistinct chatter]
[Matt] Well, it's been hard for me to watch.
[Michael] Yeah. And Miz quickly into the cover,
could just be a matter of time…
-One, two… -…hooks the leg here on Orton,
who wants to put him away, and a kick-out at a two by Randy.
[Matt] Alex Riley just need-- He's just missing something.
I guess he needs a pom-poms.
-[indistinct chatter] -[crowd cheering]
[Matt] Miz top rope.
Look at-- Look at the look down Miz's face.
-The intensity and… -[Michael] Oh, the champion…
right across the back of the neck.
-[referee] One, two… -[Michael] Miz hooks the leg,
and Orton has to power out again.
Near fall after near fall by the Miz
forcing Orton to physically power his way out.
-[Matt] Again, hook in the leg by… -One, two…
[Matt] King, you gotta be impressed.
-[Jerry] Oh, gotta be. -[Matt] You are.
[Jerry] No, I'm not.
I mean, I didn't-- You know, I didn't expect this to be a…
-One, two… -[Michael] Again, a cover on Orton.
[Matt] A walk in the park for Randy Orton.
But again, these frequent times this match is not over.
[Michael] But Orton's got a power out. He's gotta be wearing The Viper down.
-[indistinct chatter] -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Look at this wonderful grappling technique of The Miz.
-[indistinct chatter] -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Now, he just amazes me each and every week.
The things that he comes up with. I can imagine the hours he spends…
-[Matt] Yeah, his modified camel clutch… -…in the gym with A-Ry.
…really unique, dude.
[Michael] You see the hours he spend in the gym with A-Ry,
rolling around in a mat, getting ready for a big night like tonight.
[Jerry] I bet you spend hours every week watching them on tape.
[Michael] Well, I do.
[hesitates] You know, I do my homework, King.
I tried to refine my game every week.
Being the voice of the WWE isn't easy, but someone's gotta do it.
Man.
-[grunts] -[Jerry] I'm about to lose my lunch.
[Michael] And Randy Orton is about to lose his opportunity
at the world title.
You know, just accidentally hit the pole, Randy. It's okay.
[Michael] As long as you didn't hit the slam.
-[indistinct chatter] -[crowd cheering]
[both grunt]
[Jerry] Oh, boy look at-- Oh, no.
-[indistinct chatter] -[crowd cheering]
Oh no. Wa-- watch the-- Watch the ring post!
-[Matt laughs] Oh! -[Michael] Head first off the post.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] I mean, how can you not be impressed
with what The Miz is doing here?
And now they're both calling for the referee to start the count here.
-[Matt] Randy has a count of ten
to get back in the ring, otherwise, the match ends in a count out…
-Four! -…and The Miz retains
the WWE championship.
-[Michael] Randy Orton could be out… -Five!
…cold here on count of five halfway there…
-[referee] Six! -…for The Miz to retain the WWE title.
That is seven.
[Jerry] Don't count your ticket before the head, Randy's stirring.
-[crowd cheering] -[Jerry] Come on, Randy.
[Jerry] On count of eight for Orton. He's back in.
[Michael] Just he's… Oh, no.
[Jerry] Oh, he's back in with a vengeance.
[Michael] Randy Orton unloading on The Miz.
[crowd cheering]
-Get up. -[grunts]
[Matt] That almost served to raise Randy higher.
[Jerry] Exactly. Sometimes you can do something
so despicable like The Miz did and It's just a--
Well, it's ticked Randy off, but come on, Randy.
[Michael] But again, look at Miz, right back on the attack of Orton,
-not letting The Viper breathe. -[Matt] Yeah.
Can't argue with that, Cole. That is a good point.
[Jerry] Oh, and the fresh-- Breath of fresh air for you.
-Uh-oh. -[Matt] Nice powerslam.
-[Michael] That's what I was afraid of. -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] But Randy starts to hear voices in his head,
things can, uh, drastically go south for his opponent.
[Matt] And the systematic dissection stomping on all the joints and limbs,
-softening up his opponent. -[Michael] And Randy Orton.
[crowd cheering]
-[Matt] Oh, big knee. -[Michael] Big knee right to the jaw.
-Challenger hooks the leg of the champion… -One, two…
…and a kick-out at two by The Miz.
Again, no wherewithal of the champ.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Randy Orton, I think surveying around the ring just to see
where Alex Riley is lurking.
-[referee shouts indistinctly] -[Michael] And there he is.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] And again, Miz gonna take control,
and he does, and he did. Backbreaker and then the neckbreaker.
Miz looking for the win…
-One, two… -…hook in the leg and again,
shoulders down, Randy-- No, no, no, no, no. No.
Randy in two-and-a-half I believe got the shoulder up.
[Jerry] Two or three quarters, but he got the shoulder up.
[Michael] So close again for the WWE champion The Miz.
[Jerry] The Miz thought he had that one.
That can be disheartening right there, The Miz.
He felt he had the victory, but now he has to fight off.
[Miz grunts]
-[Michael] Orton, what's the deal? -[Matt] RKO.
[Michael] Miz skull-crushing finale counter.
-[grunts] -[Jerry] Nice.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] And Randy Orton,
-will this be his time… -One, two…
-…for Orton to win the title? -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Power out by The Miz, and Miz wisely rolling out of the ring
to buy himself a little time.
-[speaks indistinctly] -[Michael] Randy Orton just asks
the referee, are you sure that wasn't a three-count?
[Jerry] What's Miz doing now?
[Matt] He's taken his belt and going home.
[Jerry] He's leaving? He's running-- No.
-[crowd cheering] -[Matt] Perhaps not.
[Jerry] Departure just got cancelled.
[Michael] Randy Orton not gonna allow The Miz to leave this arena.
[Jerry] Yeah. Chew a little bit of that, Alex Riley.
-[indistinct chatter] -[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] Just coming right into your living room.
-Oh. -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] But again, you guys notice
how the distraction by A-Ry outside the ring
allowed Miz to get the upper hand. Again, and a cover, again…
[Jerry] Oh, wow.
[Matt] So close before Orton kicked out.
And Miz is talking to himself.
He may start crying here momentarily.
[Michael] Near fall after near fall for both these athletes.
-[indistinct chatter] -[crowd cheering]
[Matt] Miz all beat up. He's got welts and bruises
coming out every part of his body.
[Jerry] Yeah, but luckily for him he's still the champion.
[Michael] But he's one of the toughest men you'll ever face
that's why he's the champ.
Guts it out each and every week. Miz wildly,
-Orton trying to grab one here. -One, two…
[Michael] Again, Miz pulling the tights I believe.
And Miz again, looking to try to get out of dodge,
but not this time.
[Matt] Here comes the suspension DDT before he can hit it.
-Bam! -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Oh, no, this does not look good for Miz.
-This does not look good for Miz. -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] The Viper is coiled and ready to strike.
[Michael] Stand up now, Cole.
Give your boy a standing ovation right now.
[Michael] The Miz doesn't even know what's going on.
-[Michael] Hey! -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] The New Nexus, Otunga, Mason Ryan, Husky Harris, McGillicutty.
[Matt] This is a group that is running rush hour over Monday Night Raw.
[Jerry] Well, I don't know what's going on here either.
Why… why are they out here now?
-[crowd cheering] -[indistinct chatter]
[Jerry] Hey, Randy.
-There's Riley. -[Matt] Alex Riley.
-Watch out. -[crowd cheering]
-[Jerry] Yes. -[Michael] And look at this from behind.
Miz going for the skull-crushing finale, Orton countered.
-No, no, no. -[crowd cheering]
CM Punk, GTS, go to sleep.
[Matt] Punk's the leader of The New Nexus.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] What is going on?
[overlapping chatter]
-[Michael] Miz retains the title. -[crowd cheering]
-[bell ringing] -[Michael] Miz retains the title.
-["I Came To Playing" playing] -[Michael] Miz retains the title.
[Tony] And the winner of this match
-and is still WWE… -Yes, Miz retains the title.
-Miz retains the title. Miz did it. -[Tony] The Miz!
[Michael] Miz did it. Miz did it. Yeah!
-What an effort. What an effort. -[Jerry] What an effort?
Are you Kidding me?
[Michael] Ladies and gentlemen, The Miz has now defeated Randy Orton
three straight times.
-[Jerry] I don't understand any of this. -[Michael] What?
[Jerry] The Miz does not even realize that he's won.
[Michael] It doesn't matter. He's still the WWE champion.
He's retained the WWE championship.
[Jerry] The Miz, fat lip, and all is asking the referee what happened.
And you're gonna tell me, Cole,
that The Miz gonna be a proud WWE champion after that?
[Michael] Well, he should be proud he's still the WWE champ.
[Jerry] Let's see if we can make some sense out of this.
Right at this point, The New Nexus had come down the ringside.
I thought it was to allow Alex Riley to do some damage from behind,
but Orton throw him and slam him right into the rest of The New Nexus.
We thought that was the end of him and then Orton boarded The Miz,
delivered an RKO, but look at this.
[Matt] CM Punk, the leader of The nouveau Nexus, comes in,
and changes everything.
[Jerry] Punk had to go so far as to actually lift The Miz
and physically put him on top of Randy Orton.
The Miz was out.
[Michael] Miz had no idea what happened, why it happened.
-[Matt] You tell me why it happened. -[Michael] I have no idea.
All I know is The Miz is still the WWE champion.
That's all I care about.
I can care less what Punk's doing out here.
[Jerry] You need to go have a group hug with Nexus.
-[indistinct chatter] -[crowd cheering]
[music concludes]
[dramatic music playing]
[Cena] Every day I train.
[Rey] Injuries can happen at any time.
[Edge] Hip popped right off the bone, I knew it was torn as soon as it happened.
[Cena] I've torn the pectoral muscle completely off my shoulder.
[Rey] I've had surgery five times in my left knee.
[Mark] I can't compare this pain to any other pain.
[Randy] I heard something snap, I knew something was wrong.
[Cena] Please don't try this.
[music concludes]
Three weeks from Sunday in Oakland, the Oracle Arena,
in elimination chamber.
The question is on Friday Night SmackDown,
will "Dashing" Cody Rhodes be able to be a part of that pay-per-view?
Well, for me personally this is a touching heartfelt story
for "Dashing" Cody Rhodes, a man who tried himself on his looks
suffered a very severe injury to his face with the hands of Rey Mysterio.
Cody Rhodes is crestfallen and heartbroken.
-Why are you looking me like that? -Oh, you two.
Todd Grisham, standing by.
That's right, guys.
Cody Rhodes will not make an appearance here tonight,
although he did issue this official public statement
which I will read right now.
"This was going to be my time. The year "Dashing" Cody Rhodes won
the biggest Royal Rumble match in history,
and went on to main event WrestleMania.
But now, instead of headlining on the grandest stage
in the entire WWE, I have a shattered face,
and my career is in jeopardy.
Rey Mysterio has not apologized to me or reached out to me,
and that's inexcusable.
At this time, I ask everyone to respect my wishes
for privacy as I deal with this very personal matter. Thank you."
So, some very emotional words from Cody Rhodes.
Gentlemen, back to you.
[Michael] That's just tragic.
Well, listen, with the Royal Rumble
being an opportunity main event WrestleMania,
not only is Cody Rhodes have a shattered face,
but now Cody has shattered dreams, no pun intended.
Now, ladies and gentlemen, later tonight it is indeed
the Royal Rumble match.
It is the biggest in history with 40 men this year.
Who's gonna win? Well, we pose that question to you.
The WWE universe here in Boston has some interesting answers.
[thrilling music playing]
We came all the way from San Antonio to watch John Cena
take that Royal Rumble.
I think it should be Sheamus 'cause he's the King of the WWE
and he's pretty much one of the biggest guys in the ring.
And I think he just has the most advantage
to throw people over the top rope.
I think Alberto Del Rio is gonna win because it's his first Royal Rumble,
and I think he's gonna prove that he's the best in the WWE.
The Big Show is gonna win the Royal Rumble match tonight
because he's seven feet tall, 500 pounds,
he's the largest athlete in the world, nobody can take him.
I think Wade Barrett will win in the Royal Rumble because one,
his team, The Corre, will take out The New Nexus.
Truthfully, I'd have to say CM Punk.
I think, um, The New Nexus is gonna help him out a lot.
Rey Mysterio's got it.
I know he can do it for the second time. He's got it.
My choice is Santino Marella because of his deadly finish of the cobra.
It's Del Rio 's first won, he's gonna do it.
-He's gonna do it. -No, no, no. John Cena, he's hot.
Drew McIntyre is gonna win the Royal Rumble
because he is the chosen one.
I think Kofi Kingston is gonna win the match because he's very energetic.
John Cena, West Newbury, Massachusetts,
-you know, we all know it. Whoo! -[crowd cheering]
Bring it up.
[bell ringing]
The following is a two-on-one handicap match
-for the WWE Divas Championship. -[crowd cheering]
-[Michael] Are you ready for this, King? -["Not Man Enough for Me" playing]
[Jerry] I'm not-- You know what,
I'm really not looking that forward to this match.
[Chimel] Introducing first the challengers,
Layla, Michelle McCool, LayCool.
[Michael] Well, Matt, you remember back on Friday Night SmackDown,
-LayCool invoked their rematch draw. -[Matt] Right.
And you see Layla on the left and Michelle McCool on the right,
former Divas Champions. And, of course, Natalya,
the Divas Champion has been
in the sites of team LayCool for quite some time.
[Jerry] And I know that these two the reason I'm not necessarily
looking forward to it, even though, of course, it is a Divas Match.
I know that these two Divas right here have some evil, evil intentions.
[Michael] Well, they did say that Natalya is gonna lose
-some weight because she needs to. -[Matt] Now, see, that's not funny.
[Michael] That being the divas title.
And they said the Divas Championship will now go from classless to flawless.
[Michael] There was a time that I couldn't think of one Diva
-in the WWE that I didn't just love. -[Matt] Be careful. Okay.
-[Jerry] Like these two. These two. -[Matt chuckles]
["New Foundation" playing]
[Chimel] From Calgary, Alberta, Canada, she is the current,
-WWE Divas Champion, Natalya. -[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] Come on, Cole. Look at-- Look at Natalya.
It's the picture of wholesomeness.
I mean, she's a beautiful young lady.
-Look at that smile on her face. -[Michael] Yeah, bro.
The more she talks, the more attractive I am to mannequins.
-I mean, honestly. -[Jerry] Ah, come on, mannequin.
-[exclaims] -[Michael] And you said--
You said Vickie Guerrero got issues.
Vickie is a model, a bombshell, compared to the Divas Champion.
[Matt] Of course, but Natalya comes from the legendary of Hart family,
very well versed inside of the ring.
Perhaps the most astute and accredited
in ring grappler that we have in divas tonight.
[Michael] Oh, here we go, two-on-one handicap match up
LayCool to take on Natalya here for the Divas Championship
-here at the fight. -[cellphone chiming]
-[crowd cheering] -[Michael] Oh, no.
This is gotta be good.
How come you can't just BBM me? It's 2011.
-[crowd cheering] -I got so excited.
-[overlapping chatter] -Michael… Michael Cole's headset
is caught into his…
-Can I have your attention please? -I think he's wired in to something.
-I think someone talks him into this. -[Matt chuckles] Yes. Nicely.
-He's not a real human. -I received an email
from the anonymous Raw general manager.
-[indistinct chatter] -[crowd cheering]
-And I quote… -[Jerry] I think his mother dresses him.
"Teddy Long might have allowed for the possibility
of LayCool co-holding the Divas Championship,
but Mr. Long is currently incapacitated, and I am in charge."
[crowd cheering]
"That means I am changing the Divas Championship match."
-[crowd cheering] -[indistinct chatter]
-You can't do that, Cole. -"I get enough complaints about how…
annoying Michael Cole is."
[crowd cheering]
[hesitates] I'm sure that was just a joke.
"But nonetheless, I'm not going to double my inbox
-with complaints about LayCool." -[crowd cheering]
"This will no longer be a handicap match,
but instead a fatal 4-way Divas Championship match.
[crowd cheering]
Natalya versus Layla
versus Michelle McCool…
-[Jerry chuckles] -…versus the following diva.
[crowd cheering]
["With a Smile" playing]
-[Matt] Ooh. -[Jerry] Oh, finally something good
from our anonymous general manager. This is great.
[Jerry] Cole, that was a good announcement.
-[Michael] You like that, huh? -[Jerry] I do.
[Michael chuckles] My favorite part was the wire getting stuck in her blazer.
[Jerry] Well, I got so excited there.
And I'm like Jack it, buttoned up, gotta look good here tonight
-at the Royal Rumble and… -[Matt] Well, hang on.
Let's analyze this. Now, that the GM has made this
a fatal 4-way, will Layla and Michelle work together?
-[bell ringing] -[Matt] How will this affect
Natalya's strategy?
[Jerry] No, they can't afford to work together.
[Michael] There's only gonna be one Divas Champion crowned here tonight.
Now, remember fatal 4-way will result divas in the run at the same time.
-[screams] -[Michael] First diva to gain pinfall
or submission will win the Divas Championship.
[Jerry] Well, I said LayCool can't afford to work together,
but actually they are right now,
but sooner or later it'll happen right now.
[indistinct chatter]
-[Jerry] Well, that's it. -[Matt] At least at one time
on Friday Night SmackDown on Syfy,
Layla and Michelle were co-Divas Champions.
[Michael] Now, it has the ruling from the anonymous
Raw general manager tonight to make sure that doesn't happen again.
Oh. And Eve may rue the day that she was placed into this matchup.
[Matt] King, in the nicest way you can, can you discuss the assets of each diva,
and how it may affect their road to victory here?
-Carefully, please. -[Michael] What are you talking about?
[Matt] Well, Michelle McCool, a former school teacher.
She's obviously the smartest and tallest, take it from there. Ooh.
[Jerry] And then Natalya, the Divas Champion
getting back into this matchup.
[Michael] Why don't you take it from there, Matt
You're doing such a great job.
[Matt] Natalya has the lowest center of gravity,
the giant swing looking to come into play, perhaps the best mat grappler.
-[crowd cheering] -[Michael] Low center of gravity,
that's the best way I've ever heard that described.
-[Jerry] Well, you know what, Matt? -[Matt] Here's the cover.
And look at Layla and Michelle saving her.
[Jerry] So, that's the way you see the divas.
I think if Lady Godiva drove by, you'd notice the horse.
-[indistinct chatter] -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Oh, man. What a night here at the Royal Rumble
and Michelle McCool-- Now, here comes moment of truth time perhaps.
[Matt] Oh, yes. Hello. [giggles]
[Michael] And what do Michelle and Layla do?
-[indistinct chatter] -[crowd cheering]
[Matt] Only one of you could be the Divas Champ.
Friendship takes a back seat.
[Michael] It looks like one doesn't trust the other definitely.
[Michael] You're not gonna say it because Natalya making sure
does gonna happen. And look at this from behind, Eve rolling over.
And there's Layla saving Michelle again.
[Layla] You okay?
[Matt] And Layla may be the most cunning of the four,
but Eve may have the most unpredictable move set.
[Michael] And now it's down to Eve and Natalya, here we go.
[Jerry] I miss an exit. Nice move by Natalya.
-Oh! -[Michael] And Natalya perhaps going
for the sharp shooter.
[Matt] The sharp shooter, submission hold.
[Michael] And Layla breaking it up.
[Matt] Layla knows if Natalya can get the maneuver,
-the match may end. -[Jerry] Oh, look at this. Look at this.
[Michael] You got it-- No, no way. Natalya is not gonna try this.
-[Jerry] You gotta try it. -[Matt] I love this maneuver right now.
-Try this. -[Michael] Trying for a double
-sharp shooter. -[Jerry] Has this ever been done before?
-It's locked in. -[Matt] History is being made here
tonight, and Michelle, make sure neither Layla nor Eve taps out.
[Michael] Here's the cover by Michelle and Eve kicks out.
[Matt chuckles] Well, that was a great photo up right here though.
I've never seen that. Nice.
[Matt] And Eve rolling through, and again, Layla warming up the near fall
for her buddy Michelle.
[Jerry] Well, Layla is not so much saving Michelle.
[Matt] Oh, there's a layout neckbreaker.
[Jerry] As she is saving her own opportunity to be the Divas Champion.
[Michael] Again, diva-- The first diva to gain pinfall or submission will win
the Divas Championship here tonight this fatal 4-way.
[Michael] Every diva in here wants to stop any potential pinfall
unless they're doing the pinning.
[Matt] Let me tell you, as a SmackDown guy,
I question if this is really fair to team LayCool.
They had no idea this match was gonna be changed.
[both grunt]
[Matt] You know, think of with all the strategizing that goes on,
now they have to change on the fly,
and Michelle's certainly smart enough to pull it off.
[Jerry] Yeah. Well, what about how fair is it to Natalya?
Now her chances are-- Oh, down the one in four.
[Michael] I think their chances are better now winning a handicap match.
Now, look at this, covering Layla again, breaking it up for Michelle.
[Matt] Michelle might be out from that modified Michinoku Driver.
-[Michael] Now, Layla has saved Michelle… -[grunts]
-…in a number of occasions here tonight. -[Jerry] A modified what?
-Michinoku Driver. -[indistinct chatter]
[Matt] A lot of people know what that is.
-[Michael] And here we go, Natalya again-- -[Matt] Read a book.
[Jerry] That's a new car I just looked at too.
[Matt] Ooh!
[Jerry] Man, nice shot there by Natalya.
[Michael chuckles] What's going through her mind?
She's got a big score to settle with LayCool.
[Matt] Natalya has had a bone to pick with both members
of LayCool for quite some time.
-[Michael] She got in mind here. -[Layla screams]
[Michael] Now look at Michelle. Oh, man.
[Michael] That was an accident. A terrible tragic accident.
And Natalya, looking to put Michelle McCool away,
and a kick-out at two.
-[Matt] Did you say tragic accident? -[Michael] Yeah, it was horrible.
-They're best friends. -[screams]
[overlapping chatter]
[Matt] That was almost tragic.
[Michael] And Eve sends Natalya packing.
[Matt] Michelle bell, are you okay?
-[Michael] And now Eve looking to focus… -[Jerry] Michelle bell?
…on, uh, on Layla, Eve top rope.
[Matt] What I told you about the unpredictable move, oh nice.
[Michael] Look at this. Shoulders down.
-[Matt] Michelle has a cover at two. -[bell ringing]
[Jerry] Now, the match is over.
-[indistinct chatter] -[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] I think Eve has won. She has. Eve has won.
["With a Smile" playing]
[announcer] And the winner of this match, and new WWE Divas Champion,
Eve Torres.
[Matt] Well, we get to replay and do a counter because Michelle
had Natalya rolled up as well.
[Michelle] Yeah. Michelle should be living and she is.
[Jerry] What about Natalya?
[Matt] Well we know one person is happy. Congratulations, Eve.
You're the Divas Champion, but…
[Michael] Well, Natalya fell victim to the fatal 4. Look at this.
-Oh, fatal 4-way rule. -[Jerry] Absolutely.
[Matt] Amazing maneuver by Eve. That's beautiful.
-[Michael] Now, watch in the background. -[Matt] Okay. One, two, three.
-They both have it. -[bell ringing]
[Michael] They both have the victory, but there's only one official
and he had his attention turned to Eve who was awarded the Divas Championship.
-[indistinct chatter] -[crowd cheering]
-[Michael] I mean Michelle gotta be… -[Matt] Look at that. That's nice.
Tears streaming down Eve's face.
I mean, listen, everybody has a dream, congratulations.
But, one more time, King, your thoughts?
[Jerry] Absolutely, you said it best. They're both.
One move-- Amazing move by Eve. She deserved that win.
[Michael] In the background, you saw Natalya,
how upset she was as well.
She losses her Divas Championship,
but Eve is our new Divas Champion here tonight at the Royal Rumble.
[Jerry] Good move by our GM. I like him.
[music fades]
[crowd cheering]
Daniel Bryan, Gail Kim, thank you guys for joining me.
Daniel, with the minutes away from the biggest Royal Rumble match
in WWE history, and if you think about it, in 12 months you've gone
from an NXT rookie to the United States champion.
How special would it be for you to win the Royal Rumble match tonight?
You know, Josh, that's a great thing about the Royal Rumble match
is that anything can happen.
I mean, Daniel Bryan, Royal Rumble match winner,
most people are gonna say that that's pretty unlikely.
Uh, but for all those people who keep calling me a nerd
if I can go from NXT rookie to main event in WrestleMania
that will be pretty cool.
You know, Daniel, the winner of the Royal Rumble match…
-No, no, no, peace. -We come in peace.
We don't want to cause any problem, so. Excuse us, Josh.
-Can we talk to these two? -Can we have a moment?
Thank you.
We are just totally caught by surprise last week.
Yeah. I mean, you know, we didn't expect to walk in,
and see that you have a girlfriend, and that's why we lost our cool.
Mm-hmm. And we're here to say we're sorry.
-Yeah. -And we wanna apologize,
and we hope you guys accept our apology. I mean, you're a great couple.
-Yeah, you are. -And just congratulations.
-We're happy for you. -Yeah, congratulations.
-Thanks. -Oh, thank you. That's pretty nice, right?
-Yeah. -I mean, this is kind of funny.
You're kind of the same, you know, I mean, I guess that's why it works.
-Yeah, I mean… -Wait.
…you know, look at you guys, and you're in the same length.
-Yeah. -What is that supposed to mean?
-Oh, come on, Gail. I mean… -Yeah?
-…look at you. -Yeah.
-Look at us. -Mm-hmm.
-This is why this works for him. -Yeah.
Works for him?
-Yeah. -Yeah.
-Listen, Nikki. -Oh, really?
-I'm Brie actually. -I'm Nikki.
I don't care who you are.
-[indistinct overlapping chatter] -[all grunt]
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey!
-[indistinct chatter] -[all grunt]
[grunts]
-[Divas screaming] -Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey!
[indistinct chatter]
Hey, I told you, that's enough.
-[indistinct chatter] -[all grunt, scream]
[Daniel] I've got a big match. I've got a big match.
-[indistinct chatter] -[Divas screaming]
-[grunts] I'm sick of those two. -Oh. Oh, my God.
[Jerry chuckles] What an idiot. What a goof. What a dork.
-You got to be kidding me. -[both pant]
[Michael] Oh, ladies and gentlemen,
there's the Old North Church here in Boston.
You know what, I wish that man, Paul Revere was still alive.
Because if he was, he'd be riding through the hillside tonight,
proclaiming the fact that The Miz is still the WWE champion.
You know, Miz would've been a great revolutionary war hero.
Well, ladies and gentlemen, we are on the road to WrestleMania,
the next stop, pay-per-view wise, comes your way three weeks
from tonight in Oakland in the Oracle Arena,
the ever dangerous career threatening elimination chamber.
One if by land, two if by sea.
Oh, I'm gonna give you two. I'm gonna give you five.
But nonetheless, ladies and gentlemen,
this is the Royal Rumble sold out tonight in Boston.
[Jerry] Absolutely. And we wanna send out a special thank you to Finger Eleven
for Living in a Dream. It's the official Royal Rumble theme song.
It's off the album "Life Turns Electric," which is available right now on itunes.
[Michael] And ladies and gentlemen, this year more than ever before,
the Rumble match will be all about the numbers.
[announcer 3] The Royal Rumble match,
40 superstars, one winner. The prize?
A main event championship opportunity at WrestleMania.
Twenty-four winners, a who's who of WWE superstars.
Oh the Big Show's over. The Rock has won the Rumble.
Edge is going to WrestleMania.
What makes this match so special? Let's count the ways.
[narrator 3] Six hundred fifty-six.
Since 1988, 656 superstars have tried to win the Rumble match,
only to be eliminated.
Thirty-nine.
2011 WWE Hall of Fame inductee,
Shawn Michaels holds the record for eliminating the most competitors.
[Michael] How does he do that?
[narrator 3] Twenty-six, the total number of WWE Hall of Famers
who have competed in the Royal Rumble match.
These legends combined to main event 16 WrestleManias.
One hundred eighty-three thousand nine hundred thirty-two pounds,
the astronomical mass of humanity that has competed
in the Royal Rumble match since its inception.
That's the equivalent of 92 tons or 409 Big Shows.
[Jerry] Wanna know where the beef is? There's the beef, pal.
[narrator 3] Two, the number of women
who have competed in the Royal Rumble match.
Unfortunately for their male counterparts, these divas had their number.
What in the world? Oh, my god!
[Michael] Beth Phoenix has eliminated The Great Khali.
[narrator 3] Eleven, the record number of victims eliminated
by the demented Kane in a single Rumble match.
[Jerry] Kane has gone crazy here.
[narrator 3] And entering his 13th consecutive Rumble match.
Could the monster topple his own terrifying record
-that has stood for a decade? -[music concludes]
-[triumphant music playing] -[narrator 3] Sixty-two minutes,
12 seconds, Rey Mysterio endured a fierce competition to make history
with the longest appearance in a Rumble match.
-[Jerry] He did it. He did it. -[Michael] No way.
-[Jerry] Rey Mysterio did it. -[crowd cheering]
[narrator 3] Two seconds,
for 20 long years, the Warlord held the record
for the shortest time in the Rumble match.
That was until the 2009 Rumble.
-[Michael] Oh. -[Jerry] What?
[Michael] I think the Warlord's record may have been broken.
-[crowd cheering] -I wasn't ready. I wasn't ready.
[narrator 3] Three. Stone Cold reigns in Royal Rumble match wins
with three grueling victories.
And with an unprecedented 40 WWE superstars
making this the biggest Royal Rumble match in history,
the numbers mean more than ever, 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 number 30 spot.
[Michael] John Cena has won the Royal Rumble in a huge shocker.
-[music concludes] -["Living In A Dream" playing]
[narrator 3] And remember, 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 them all.
♪ I was never the kind To be taking my time ♪
♪ Any place that's worth a damn ♪
♪ I've been living in a dream about you ♪
♪ And now I know You were all I ever wanted on my mind ♪
[narrator 3] There's only one road to WrestleMania
and it begins at the Royal Rumble.
[crowd] Five, four, three, two, one.
[music concludes]
-[crowd cheering] -[bell ringing]
Ladies and gentlemen, it is now time
for the biggest Royal Rumble match in history.
Now, two superstars will start in the ring at the same time.
Every 90 seconds, a new participant will enter the match.
Elimination occurs when you're thrown over the top rope
and both feet touch the floor.
This will continue until all 40 participants
have entered this match.
The last remaining superstar will be declared the winner
and will earn a championship match
at WrestleMania.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] This is great. I cannot wait. My favorite match of the year.
-Who's the first guy gonna be? -["This Fire Burns" playing]
[Michael] Oh, no.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Oh, no.
[Chimel] Introducing the first participant from Chicago, Illinois
-weighing 222 pounds, CM Punk. -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Yeah. Unfortunately,
this is not Punk's first appearance of the night.
Ladies and gentlemen,
then referring that and Punk helped Miz retain the WWE title earlier on,
but out of all the numbers that CM Punk could have picked
to enter the Royal Rumble matchup, number one is got to be the worst for him.
Remember, he's the leader of The New Nexus.
He's been saying for weeks that the charge of his group members
is to help him, CM Punk, win this match.
he's gonna have no friends early on.
[Matt] Well, that's the question, what was CM Punk
and The Nexus' motivation
during the WWE championship match earlier tonight?
[Matt] Punk has been talking all month long
about the need for sacrifice.
He's been the shepherd and the guardian, and the liberator
for this new group of young men called The New Nexus claims
that they'll be the greatest group at WWE history.
[Jerry] Well, if number one is the unluckiest number
in the Royal Rumble, couldn't happen to a nicer guy.
He deserves it after what he did earlier tonight.
-["End Of Days" playing] -♪ I bring the end of days ♪
[Jerry] And he will square--
Well, oh, it's supposed to be number one and two
starting the Royal Rumble match on.
That's Wade Barrett, Ezekiel Jackson, Justin Gabriel.
Heath Slater's out here as well on ringside.
These are four members of the new group called the Corre
from Friday Night SmackDown .
[Matt] The Corre that single handedly changed the face
of Friday Night SmackDown in one single night.
[Jerry] Well, are one of these guys-- Are all of these--
[indistinct chatter]
[Michael] It can't be all, I mean…
I don't know, but this is a confusing way to start the Rumble.
Right. CM Punk is in trouble and Wade Barrett, and Slater,
and Gabriel, and Jackson hammering away on CM Punk,
and here come Harris and Otunga, and the rest of the New Nexus.
And a pole is broken out here, ladies and gentlemen,
to start off the 2011 Royal Rumble matchup.
[Michael] Listen, I stand at a new face who's gonna win the Royal Rumble
and right now we have over a dozen new faces
in the ring right now.
[Matt] Yeah, but this matchup hasn't started.
I mean only two men could start the Royal Rumble match.
There's officials at the ringside trying to break the--
-[notification dinging] -[Jerry] Hang on.
There's nine guys going at it, Cole's got an email.
-Well, this is not-- -[Jerry] I mean, certainly, this is…
Gentlemen, gentlemen, gentlemen, may I have your attention, please?
The general manager says to stop this.
So, stop this now.
[crowd cheering]
Officials, the general manager is ordering you to restore order.
[indistinct chatter]
[Matt] Order to restore order.
The general manager is ordering you to restore order.
-[indistinct chatter] -[crowd cheering]
-[Michael] And I quote… -[crowd cheering]
…"The only superstar
who has the right to officially be in the ring right now is CM Punk."
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] "All members of the Corre and The New Nexus
must each return to the locker room immediately."
[crowd cheering]
"Failure to comply will result in disqualification
-from the Royal Rumble match." -[Jerry] Wow.
[Michael] Now, back to the locker room now.
-[crowd cheering] -[indistinct chatter]
[Matt] This goes to show you the prestige in winning the Royal Rumble main event
in WrestleMania, but there may be some underlying tale here
between the Corre and The New Nexus.
[Jerry] Well, it also goes to show you just how unpredictable
this night can be and is.
[Michael] And I'll tell you, the general manager
with a great ruling, ladies and gentlemen.
The Royal Rumble is supposed to start with two superstars.
[Matt] Was that thing written in all caps because you shouted that whole thing?
[Michael] Well, I mean, they had to, the general manager demanding
-order to be restored here tonight… -[audience chanting] CM Punk!
…in order to get this Royal Rumble matchup underway the right way.
-["Flight of the Valkyries" playing] -[Michael] Here comes number two.
And how ironic is this?
The current United States champion who was a member--
[announcer] Ladies and gentlemen, introducing the second participant
from Aberdeen, Washington, weighing 192 pounds,
he is the United States champion, Daniel Bryan.
[Michael] And ironically, Daniel Bryan was a member of the original Nexus
way back when. But now, he's the United States champion,
will start things up against CM Punk. Again, Matt striker,
bring us up-to-date on the rules of the Royal Rumble match.
[Matt] What will be a time rule where superstars will enter,
you have to throw your opponent over the top rope.
The ring is almost nine feet off of the ground.
Both feet must touch the floor. What's interesting about Daniel Bryan
is he spent 12 years honing his craft, toiling in the minor leagues.
Imagine what it would mean for Daniel Bryan to go to WrestleMania.
[Michael] Minor leagues?
[Matt] Yeah. Before he came to the WWE, everything is the minor leagues.
[Michael] Well, for CM Punk he's in a big time now.
CM Punk, a three-time world champion
and about to go to school on this dork, Daniel Bryan.
[Jerry] Yeah. That's if what you say is right,
then CM Punk was in the minor leagues before all that.
[Matt] Oh, yeah. This is a lot. The internet loves this matchup right now.
[Jerry] Oh, yeah. The internet loves this. The internet loves that.
Who cares about the stupid internet?
[Matt] Both these guys have paid their dues.
Daniel Bryan as well, Cole.
[Michael] Daniel Bryan, current United States champion,
still trying to figure out how he ever got a girlfriend
but nonetheless, looking to eliminate CM Punk here.
[Matt] It's Gail Kim. It's not really a girlfriend.
[Michael] And remember, CM Punk, if he's dropped over the top rope,
both feet hit floor, he'd be eliminated and Daniel Bryan teetering on the apron.
[crowd chanting]
[Michael] And look at this. Here tonight in Boston.
[crowd cheering]
Over 15,000 strong at the Garden,
millions watching at home
and around the world live tonight in places like Luxembourg,
and the Middle East, Fiji, and Mexico as we now approach our third entrant.
[crowd changing] Five, four…
-[Michael] Who's it gonna be? -…three, two, one.
[Michael] I love these countdowns.
[buzzer buzzing]
[Matt] WWE universe so into this.
["End of Days" playing]
-[Michael] Well, now-- -[Matt] Well, yeah, from Cape Town
South Africa, the high-flying member of the Corre, Justin Gabriel.
[Michael] Justin Gabriel legally allowed to be in this matchup now,
as Gabriel goes right after CM Punk. Now, remember,
the anxiety here for Gabriel.
He was invited to be a part of The New Nexus by CM Punk
but he turned down the initiations by Punk,
instead went to SmackDown to join the Corre and Wade Barrett.
in the Corre, the members are apparently equal
but in Nexus, Punk is the clear leader.
[Matt] You wonder if there's maybe a little bounty among--
A bounty amongst the Corre for whomever can eliminate CM Punk
within themselves perhaps, a little friendly wager.
-[crowd cheering] -[Michael] And with Gabriel,
I wouldn't doubt that a bit. Well, ladies and gentlemen,
-Justin Gabriel… -[Matt] And why not?
-…going for the 450 splash… -[Matt] Why?
-…has taken out many of men… -[Matt] Why?
…here in WWE.
[Matt] For what?
-Throw the guy on the top rope? -[Michael] Because he can.
[Michael] Yeah, there's the veteran Punk.
-[Matt] Or can he? -[Michael] Rolling out of the way
and that mistake may allow Daniel Bryan--
Justin Gabriel our first casualty of this year's Royal Rumble.
[crowd cheering]
[Matt] Justin Gabriel, a couple of 360s there,
one in the ring and one outside the ring.
[Michael] And now back to Daniel Bryan versus CM Punk,
less than 10 seconds away from our number four entry of the match.
[Jerry] Wow. That went rather quick.
-[crowd] …three, two, one. -[buzzer buzzing]
-["Radio" playing] -[Matt] All right.
From Merrick, Long Island, cocky and brash,
even The Situation finds this guy annoying, Zack Ryder.
[Michael] The Long Island Iced Z, a former number one contender,
remember, for the WWE championship.
[Matt] I know a lot of Long Islanders
made the three-hour trip up north to see Zack Ryder.
[Jerry] This guy is so full of enthusiasm, so full of himself,
but, as J.R. would say, he's goofier than a pet move.
[Michael] Well, now, you gotta bring J.R. up.
[Jerry] Well, come on, I mean, you know, this guy is goofy.
[Matt] He's got the nasty boys trunks on.
[Michael] Ooh, and look at Daniel Bryan, the United States champion.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] And look at this, Ryder-- Oh, man.
And he stunned Daniel Bryan momentarily.
-And look at Punk. -[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] Don't think they were intentionally trying to work together.
-[Michael] And CM Punk. -[crowd cheering]
[Matt] Daniel Bryan sent Zack Ryder for a ride.
Bryan has now eliminated two men.
[Matt] Is he gaining a little bit of respect for me there, Cole?
[Michael] Well, I respect his talent in the ring.
I just think the guy is a nerd.
I respect your talent too, King, but…
[Jerry] That's-- Say no more.
[Michael] And look at Daniel Bryan.
[crowd cheering]
United States champion
-trying to eliminate CM Punk here. -[Matt] No, no, no.
[Michael] And now CM Punk with less than ten seconds
-to entry number five. -[crowd] Five, four, three, two, one.
-[Matt] This is so exciting. -[buzzer buzzing]
-["Regality" playing] -[Michael] Oh, yeah.
[crowd cheering]
[Matt] In my opinion, the greatest superstar to have never held
the WWE World's Heavyweight Championship,
the ringleader of the tormentors, William Regal.
[Jerry] Well, if you can outlast the 39 other men,
William Regal is gonna have an opportunity
to battle for a championship in WrestleMania.
-[Michael] Man. -[Jerry] Throw by Regal, former--
[Matt] Well, he's tough once he gets in the ring
but he's certainly not an Olympic spinner.
[Michael] Now, William Regal former king of the ring winner.
[Matt] A southpaw from Blackpool, England.
[Matt] This guy is just mean. [chuckling] He is mean as they come.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] And maybe he can use one of those suplex
and suplex the guy out of the ring.
-[Jerry] And Regal-- -[Matt] Knee trembler.
[Matt] This just seemed physical.
[Michael] Notice that, trying to pick Punk up by his ears.
[Matt] Yeah, because Punk is out,
but you gotta get him over the top rope to get him out of the Rumble.
[crowd cheering]
[Matt] So much history and the legacy in the career of William Regal.
What would it need for William Regal to main event WrestleMania?
And look at Regal and Bryan, former mentor and student--
[Jerry] Endless uppercut going out of here.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Daniel Bryan learned many of the tools
in his trade from William Regal.
And now, CM Punk!
[Matt] And Daniel Bryan,
very physical start to the 2011 Royal Rumble.
[crowd cheering]
[Matt] If I told you five guys and Daniel Bryan would be
the only one standing, you'd think I was crazy.
[Jerry] Yeah. But again, this goof, Daniel Bryan
knocks these guys down to the middle of the ring,
how is he gonna get them over the top rope?
Now, see, can't do it.
William Regal just too much for Daniel Bryan is they await number six.
[buzzer buzzing]
["Come From Money" playing]
-♪ I come from money ♪ -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Well, ladies and gentlemen, a man who was been struggling out
as of late, Ted DiBiase, of course, his girlfriend Maryse.
[Matt] They're still together?
[Michael] Remember DiBiase vowing a couple of weeks ago
to have a strong showing
-in this year's Royal Rumble match. -[music concludes]
[Michael] Couple of years ago, he's actually in the final four in 2009.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] And DiBiase-- Oh, what dropkicks.
The fresh man taking out Regal and Bryan, but again, CM Punk,
leader of The New Nexus
-in trouble -[indistinct chatter]
[Michael] And DiBiase looks to be all fired-up here tonight
as do all these superstars with a birth at WrestleMania
on the line in the Royal Rumble match.
[indistinct chatter]
[Michael] CM Punk wrapped around those ropes like a boa constrictor.
[groans]
[Michael] Bryan punishing Regal. Look at DiBiase. Oh, wearing Regal out.
Trying to eliminate CM Punk who's hanging out somehow
to the top rope, DiBiase trying to roll him over somehow.
[indistinct chatter]
[Matt] Oh, Regal right now after a series of those kicks
having him go over the top rope, I think.
[Michael] And look at Daniel Bryan trying to eliminate DiBiase as well.
[indistinct chatter]
And-- but DiBiase on the apron both feet have to hit the floor
after he goes over the top rope in order to be eliminated.
[crowd] …six, five, four…
[Michael] This will be number seven in this year's Rumble match.
-[buzzer buzzing] -["Ain't No Make Believe" playing]
[crowd cheering]
The prince of parkour, John Morrison, and King,
what a few months John Morrison has been having?
[Matt] John Morrison has been on a major road-- Wow.
That flying kick right through the air, taking out William Regal,
there goes DiBiase.
[Michael] And over the years, John Morrison
has sets of great Royal Rumble matches
lasted over 30 minutes back in 2008 over 20 minutes a couple of years ago.
Hopefully, this year will be the charm for John Morrison.
[Matt] Nice C4, beautifully done.
But again, he's got to do that in order to get these guys
over the top rope.
You don't get any style points out here, folks.
You've got to eliminate men.
[Jerry] Oh, I got to agree with you there. And here goes one.
[Michael] And John Morrison hanging on to the apron, still in this matchup.
[Matt] And Morrison, arguably the most athletic.
-But notice, didn't touch… -[Michael] But he didn't touch the floor.
Wow, dude. He's Spidey.
[Matt] Yeah, but what's he gonna do now?
-[Michael] Oh, there goes Regal. -[Jerry] Regal eliminated.
[Matt] By Ted DiBiase.
[Michael] Morrison's feet still had not touched the floor.
-This is parkour's style… -[Jerry] Okay. So, now what?
Now what, bro?
[crowd cheering]
[Matt] John Morrison still in the match.
-Unbelievable. -[Jerry] What?
[Matt] It's like a video game.
[Matt] John Morrison is yet to touch the floor.
He's still in the matchup.
And that is where parkour pays off.
[Jerry] Unbelievable.
[Matt] One of the most amazing sequences in Royal Rumble match history,
-ladies and gentlemen. -[Michael] I love it.
[indistinct chatter]
[Jerry chuckles] That was…
-[Matt] Unbelievable. -[Jerry] This is unbelievable. Watch this.
[Matt] Talk about Spider-Man. [Jerry] How did he--
[Matt] The feet must touch the floor.
John Morrison knows this, keeps his feet off of the floor.
The official is right there and John Morrison is still in this.
And amidst all that, William Regal has been eliminated via Ted DiBiase.
[Michael] Yes. From there, from the wall,
he leaped all the way across to steel steps.
-[crowd] …five, four, three, two, one. -[Matt] Who will be number eight?
-[buzzer buzzing] -["Jpop Drop" playing]
[Matt] Oh! They're going crazy and roppongi.
The poison fist of the pacific rim, Yoshi Tatsu.
[music concludes]
[Jerry] What an opportunity, what a moment for this young man, Yoshi Tatsu,
who goes right after Ted DiBiase.
[Matt] Well, I got to tell you, I'm rooting for a SmackDown guy.
And other than Justin Gabriel,
there are no other SmackDown superstars that have to enter yet.
[Michael] CM Punk whose plan all night long was to have members
of his New Nexus group in the ring helping him out
and he hasn't had any help yet but he's still in there.
[Matt] Just to point out the prestige, just over 25% of Royal Rumble winners
are currently in the Hall of Fame that goes to show you
what the Royal Rumble can do for a superstar's career.
[Michael] And you know what, Matt, just to point one thing out
about the numbers game here.
Tonight, you mentioned no SmackDown superstars in there right now?
-[Matt] Yeah. Yes. -[Michael] That's-- Well, that's good.
Because the later they arrive, the better their chances of winning.
[Matt] And you can always push the envelope but it's still stationary,
take a look at John Morrison here. King, can you pull this off?
[Jerry] No. Is that wall made out of Velcro?
[Matt] No. Somehow John Morrison has stopped.
-[Michael] You know, King, if you… -[Matt] And look at this move.
[Michael] King, if you could've done this, you wouldn't have been eliminated
in seven seconds in your Rumble appearance.
-[Matt] Wasn't it four seconds? -[Jerry] Maybe it was.
-[Jerry] I told you, sun got in my eyes. -[Matt] It was indoors, Jerry.
[Michael] And look at Daniel Bryan as John Morrison
working on the United States Champion.
Punk, Tatsu, and DiBiase on the other side of the ring, as we await
number nine out of 40 entrants in the biggest
-Royal Rumble match in history. -[buzzer buzzing]
["Kuntry To The Core" playing]
[Michael] Well, CM Punk, help is on the way.
[Matt] Here comes Husky Harris, at 23 years old,
the youngest member of this Royal Rumble.
[Michael] And Husky Harris, he calls himself the army tank
with a Ferrari engine and Harris unloading.
[Matt] This kid looks like this 23, imagine what he'd look like at 30.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Wow. Everything changes now, huh?
[Matt] Look at the one-man protection.
[Michael] Yeah. CM Punk.
Oh, here we go, Husky.
Husky Harris is, like, playing bodyguard for Punk
and this is allowing CM Punk to catch his breath,
to get himself some time here.
[Jerry] How is he gonna catching his breath, Punk don't wanna catch
his breath because Husky has his butt right in his face.
[Matt] CM Punk, he'll do anything he needs to do, King,
to win the Rumble match.
[indistinct chatter]
[Jerry] That's Husky Harris.
You sort of remind me of Husky Harris, Cole.
-[Michael] What? -[Jerry] He's like a Sherman tank,
you're like a septic tank.
[Michael] That wasn't bad. That was good.
Look at Harris, the over 300-pounder.
And Daniel Bryan flattened by Punk.
Tatsu and DiBiase in the other corner.
[Matt] Now, if you're CM Punk, some would say that--
[Michael] Oh, hang on a second. We are awaiting number ten.
[Matt] I guess 90 seconds go by in a flash.
[Michael] Ladies and gentlemen, we are a quarter of the way through.
-[buzzer buzzing] -["Chavo's Groove" playing]
[Matt] All right. The third generation superstar Chavo Guerrero,
imagine what main event in WrestleMania would add
to the Guerrero legacy for Chavo.
[Jerry] Now, he's got last 30 more entrants,
-so I don't want my money on Chavo. -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Here we go, CM Punk and Chavo Guerrero.
[crowd cheering]
[Matt] And DiBiase cuts Chavo off quickly, but wait, look at Chavo go.
[Michael] But, again, you noticed how the freshmen come in to this matchup
and all of a sudden, they're just on fire taking out these guys.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Chavo Guerrero was going for the three amigos
and CM Punk makes sure it didn't happen.
Chavo paying honors to the late Eddie Guerrero, Chavo's uncle.
But again, this time, the three amigos floored it,
so Chavo gonna try again.
[crowd cheering]
[Matt chuckling] With weight beyond three now, Chavo is just,
-he's just amigoing everyone out there. -[Michael] And now, it's Daniel Bryan.
And perhaps now it's Daniel Bryan's turn.
[Matt] Chavo Guerrero with a Royal Rumble moment.
-This is very, very cool. -[Michael] And he gets it.
[crowd cheering]
[Matt] Way to go, Chavo, man, you deserve that.
-[Matt] Chavo Guerrero striking his-- -[Jerry] Oh, well, there it goes.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] So much for the celebration, Chavo.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Chavo trying to fight back.
[crowd] …nine, eight, seven, six…
[Michael] As we now await entry number 11.
-…three, two, one. -[buzzer buzzing]
["Some Bodies Gonna Get It" playing]
-[Michael] Oh, boy. -[crowd cheering]
[Matt] The world's strongest man,
Mark Henry at 420 pounds,
how is anyone gonna get Mark Henry over the top rope?
[Michael] And remember now that on Monday Night Raw
a couple of weeks ago, Mark Henry want Ted DiBiase's
impromptu over the top rope challenge when he cleared the ring of everybody.
Can he do it again here tonight entering at number 11?
Question is how do you get a man like Mark Henry
over the top rope to the floor?
[Matt] Oh, look at that strength.
[Michael] Well, what else can you say about the world's strongest man?
[Matt] Well, thanks for coming, Chavo .
[Jerry] That was not the smartest thing Punk's ever done, was it?
[Michael] Now, Mark Henry turning his attention to Punk-- Yoshi Tatsu,
I don't know how smart that was either, King.
[Jerry] Yoshi and Mark Henry have enjoyed the partnership on Raw
but this opinion of mine is every man through himself
in the largest Royal Rumble in history.
-[indistinct chatter] -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] It is the biggest Royal Rumble in history.
And Tatsu is eliminated.
We've only been saying it for six weeks, but nonetheless.
[Jerry] CM Punk… has brought the big man to his knees.
And now Husky Harris turns his attention.
[Matt] You know, look at the size Husky Harris,
he gives away more than a 100 pounds to Mark Henry.
[crowd] …six, four, three, two, one.
-This is entry number 12. -[buzzer buzzing]
-["Bringin' Da Hood T U" playing] -[crowd cheering]
[Matt] Here comes a charismatic young man with an unorthodox style, JTG.
-[Michael] Yeah, stay to the Royal Rumble. -[Jerry] Smackdown, man.
-[Michael] And JTG trying to… -[Matt] Would you say it that again?
-Say it like that again, please, King? -[Jerry] Smackdown, man.
[Michael] JTG trying somehow to kick things up here.
[Matt] JTG fighting back.
[indistinct chatter]
[Matt] Sort of boiling down to a slugfest in the Rumble right now.
-Again, to… -[Jerry] Watch out, Husky.
…reinforce that these superstars are competing for an opportunity
to main event WrestleMania.
[Michael] Daniel Bryan been in this matchup since number two,
Punk since number one.
Daniel Bryan, look at this, got at the top rope,
Harris looking to eliminate Bryan.
Remember, both feet have to hit the floor after they go over the top rope.
Dibiase in trouble over the other corner as well.
Daniel Bryan is teetering,
trying somehow to hang on and he does.
And Bryan showing some guts here tonight at the Royal Rumble match.
[Matt] And JTG, you might wanna start doing some more squats.
Yeah. Go get some help if you're gonna try to eliminate Husky.
[Michael] And ladies and gentlemen, this here is entry number 13.
-[buzzer buzzing] -["We Are One" playing]
[Matt] Will it be an unlucky number or…
[Michael] Well, it's lucky number for CM Punk for help.
That's Mike McGillicutty of The New Nexus
and remember, ladies and gentlemen,
we have seen what the members of CM Punk's group will do.
What they'll put themselves through to be a part of Punk's group initiations,
brutal initiations just to be a part of this here tonight.
[Jerry] I will say that McGillicutty won the race to the Rumble down the ramp.
[Matt] And the intensity in McGillicutty eyes speaks volumes
about how CM Punk has The Nexus motivated.
[Jerry] You won't notice CM Punk directing trapping out there.
[Matt] Timberlands need to touch the floor, and you're down.
[Michael] See you, JTG.
Mike McGillicutty now will turn his focus on John Morrison.
Notice how Morrison attacked Punk and The New Nexus members,
Kane to their leader.
[Jerry] Daniel Bryan delivered a stiff drop kick
right to the jaw of CM Punk.
[Matt] I'll tell you, these young men believe in Punk.
They see something in him.
They're drawn to his charisma. They believe in everything this man says.
And their goal here tonight is to protect Punk
and help him win the Royal Rumble.
[Michael] Mark Henry pummeling Punk in one corner.
Now, you see Harris and DiBiase now.
And now, The New Nexus, Harris and McGillicutty working together.
Uh-oh, this could mean-- Oh… Dibiase eliminated.
-As we await entry number 14. -[crowd] …four, three, two, one.
[buzzer buzzing]
-["Break Down The Walls" playing] -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] The Masterpiece, Chris Masters, another SmackDown superstar,
Matt you've been into his game as of late.
[Matt] Absolutely. Chris Masters has been high octane lately
as power and aggression may serve Chris Masters well in the Royal Rumble.
[Michael] He told me earlier today that he's in his best shape
physically and mentally in his entire career.
[Matt] Masters going right after these New Nexus members.
We got to try to-- Oh, wow. What a spinebuster.
And now CM Punk and Masterpiece, Masterpiece at submission maneuver.
The Masterpiece is locked in to CM Punk.
-Oh, look at that. -[Matt] Look at this.
[Michael] Punk is in trouble.
[Matt] Hey, Husky, turn around, Punk's in trouble.
-Goodbye, Punk. -[Michael] The Master Lock full nelson
almost eliminated the leader of The Nexus, CM Punk.
And McGillicutty realized that his leader is in trouble,
allows Punk to stay in this matchup.
[grunts]
Ladies and gentlemen, I can tell you this,
CM Punk and Daniel Bryan both entered the Royal Rumble matchups at one and two.
They have been in this match now for just over 20 minutes.
A great start for both of these men
but they still have much more than half the field to go
in the biggest Royal Rumble in history.
-As we await number 15. -[crowd] Five, four, three, two, one.
-[buzzer buzzing] -["We Are One" playing]
[Michael] And ladies and gentlemen, now suddenly the odds
are drastically in the favor of CM Punk.
His third member of the New Nexus David Otunga
will join Harris and McGillicutty to help Punk, their leader.
[music concludes]
[Matt] This is what Punk wanted, King, all along, all week long
was to have the numbers in his favor.
-And there's Daniel Bryan. -[Jerry] There's Daniel Bryan.
[Matt] Great effort by Daniel Bryan over 20 minutes in this matchup.
Didn't quite make 21 minutes
and I'm afraid that CM Punk he's gonna get his wish here tonight.
He's gone as well as the New Nexus
under the direction of CM Punk.
And John Morrison amazingly still somehow hanging on in this matchup.
-[Michael] Tired nexus almost. -[Matt] And Morrison eliminated.
The New Nexus has cleared the ring with the exception
of the World's Strongest Man.
Can these four men be up to the task of eliminating Mark Henry?
[Jerry] Oh, an incoming take.
[Michael] And now, The New Nexus wearing down the World's Strongest Man.
[Jerry] Oh, boy.
[Matt] We talked about how it's a numbers game,
and it took four men to do it.
But they got the job done.
[Michael] And I do not envy the man who will enter at number 16.
-[buzzer buzzing] -["Tyrannosaurus" playing]
[Michael] Well, Matt, you love Tyler Reks from Friday Night SmackDown
but I don't think he can beat these odds.
[Matt] And Tyler Reks is an X-factor. He's unknown.
He's yet to really be tested here, Michael.
[Michael] Well, ladies and gentlemen, let's talk about this now.
The New Nexus could walk to victory here,
if they can make sure they can eliminate each man as he enters
before another man enters the ring.
The numbers game will be with The New Nexus,
the rest of this matchup and CM Punk can waltz to victory.
[Jerry] I'm afraid you're right, Cole.
[Michael] Tyler Reks being mobbed.
[Jerry] He did get one nice shot in right to the side of the head.
[Michael] Yeah. But again, and CM Punk before he was grounded.
[Matt] But again, it's the numbers game. It's four on one.
Tyler Reks has no shot. I don't care who you are.
They just eliminated the World's Strongest Man.
Now, you dump Reks over the top rope, send him packing,
and now you'll wait for number 17.
And The New Nexus may make history here.
[Matt] Guys, you can't argue this strategy.
[Michael] They may bulldoze their way to the Rumble match.
Impressive. What a leader.
[Jerry] How did they work it out this way where these four guys--
[Matt] And you're right. CM Punk--
[Michael] It's called leadership, King.
[Matt] Well, who's gonna be able to stop this?
[Jerry] And look at these four men.
They're awaiting number 17.
-[buzzer buzzing] -["Pain" playing]
[Michael] What happened to the Tag Team Champion,
the Moscow Mauler, Vladimir Kozlov, he's got to try to strike quick and early.
Come on, Vladimir, you're like a steam roller coming in there.
The guys all going.
And Vladimir Kozlov, but again, the mauling tactics of The New Nexus,
trying to wear Kozlov down.
[Michael] Oh, man, look at Kozlov's legs.
[Matt] Kozlov, if he's smart he's got to just try to survive,
somehow stay on the mat, not allowing these men to eliminate you
so you can get more allies, more men into this matchup.
That's what Kozlov's got to do.
Oh, no, no, no. Look out.
[Michael] Oh, man, crashing Vladimir's ribs.
And Punk is loving it, and why not?
This maybe the most brilliant strategy
in the 24-year history of the Royal Rumble.
[Matt] Well Punk just said dasvidaniya to Vladimir Kozlov.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] We have seen great moments in the Royal Rumble history
but this could be the greatest strategy ever played in this match.
[Matt] Honestly, I don't care who's coming down next.
We've seen it. How are you gonna start doesn't matter.
How are you gonna stop this New Nexus now?
[Michael] Entry number 18. We are awaiting.
CM Punk is just relaxing, taking it all in.
[Matt] Punk's got some new ink on his chest too.
[Michael] Well, it's about sacrifice and it's about loyalty.
You have to possess faith, that one word faith,
and that is what these members have in CM Punk.
-[buzzer buzzing] -["What's Up?" playing]
[Michael] Now R-truth is gonna try in there but I'm afraid, folks,
he's not gonna be "What's up?" but it's gonna be watch out.
[Jerry] Yeah. Well, I was gonna say
maybe if R-Truth could stay away from them for any length of time,
-but it's impossible. -[Matt] That's a god point, you know.
[Jerry] You know, they're like a swarm of bees.
[Matt] All these guys are hitting the ring and they're jumping right into the fray.
Why not maybe walk a little slower and stay away from that.
It's a good point, King.
[Jerry] And, you know, you got Husky Harris,
he just wears a man down like this. And then the rest of the dogs attack,
and then when they got the man worn out, they toss him over the top rope.
They rest for a little bit, wait for the next guy to come in.
[Matt] This is classic. This is brilliant. This is brilliant.
-What's up? -[crowd cheering]
[Matt] Yeah. And I mean there is some luck involved too.
[Michael] It's the luck of the draw the fact that The Nexus
are all at the ring at the same time.
[Jerry] But Matt, Matt, listen, the first Nexus member entered
this match at number nine, Punk came in at number one,
which means CM Punk had to last oh, for eight men…
[Michael] Take nothing away from CM Punk ever.
…before he got his first ally.
[Jerry] So Punk did something to stay in this matchup.
Let's not take any credit at all.
[Matt] Listen, the biggest CM Punk fan there is.
[Jerry] Hey, go back to the studio. Put another rap song, Truth.
But, yeah, your night is over.
[Jerry] Hey, you can say what you want about that
but this is not what the Royal Rumble is about.
[Michael] Why not?
[Jerry] The Royal Rumble is supposed to be about every man for himself…
-[Michael] King, you would do this. -[Jerry] No, I would not do it.
[Michael] You would do this if this was you.
[Jerry] Yeah. If I could find four or five that would play along with it, Mike.
[Matt] It is called the big show.
-["Land of Five Rivers" playing] -[crowd cheering]
[Matt] Hey, I know that music. He's back.
[Michael] Did you see CM Punk's expression change?
Ladies and gentlemen, entering at number 19, seven foot three,
420 pounds, The Great Khali.
[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] Good grief. Now, what do you do? Look at the size of Khali.
[Matt] Well, to put this in perspective, the largest winner
of the Royal Rumble is Yokozuna, the tallest, The Undertaker,
so put Great Khali in perspective now.
I do wanna point out, ladies and gentlemen,
since we are on number 19, only one man in the history
of the Royal Rumble who's entered between the numbers of ten and 20
have won this match, that means Shawn Michaels.
Great Khali, however, could change history.
-[Matt] And look at this. -[Michael] Husky Harris eliminated.
-[crowd cheering] -[Matt] Oh, that's huge. No pun intended.
[Michael] And The Nexus now down to three. And CM Punk is in trouble.
[Jerry] CM Punk is pleading.
He's begging for his existence here in the Royal Rumble.
[Michael] Well, number 20 just around the corner,
ladies and gentlemen. CM Punk though may not make it that far.
[Matt] The Great Khali has flattened all of Nexus.
[Michael] Ten seconds away, five seconds away. We're halfway through.
[Matt] It's like Nexus had been neutralized now.
-[buzzer buzzing] -We're halfway through the Rumble match.
[Here And Now Or Never" playing]
We forgot about the newcomer, Mason Ryan from Wales.
[Jerry] And Mason Ryan, the big man, goes right after The Great Khali.
[Matt] And Khali and Ryan now exchanging blows.
Could be the last guy's hope for Ryan, it was floored by Khali.
[Michael] And Khali is eliminated by Ryan.
Ladies and gentlemen, once again, Punk and The New Nexus are dominant.
[Jerry] Oh, come on. What did Punk have to do with that?
[Matt] He's the leader.
[Jerry] Punk was sitting in the corner on his rear end. Please.
[Michael] But it was CM Punk that brought Mason Ryan to Monday Night Raw.
So again, The New Nexus has command of the ring with four members.
Punk is somehow surviving.
He has been in this match since number one.
He was the number one entry tonight.
And that's right, Punk, it is all about sacrifice.
It is all about faith, and it's about believing in yourself.
[Matt] Boy, oh boy.
[Jerry] You got your arm band yet, Cole?
[Matt] I don't understand how you can criticize this, King.
This is wonderful strategy.
[Jerry] This is not what the Royal Rumble is about.
It's every man for himself.
Every man who's been wanting to get a shot at headlining WrestleMania.
[Michael] Who is going to enter at number 21?
[crowd] …two, one.
-[buzzer buzzing] -["Can You Dig It Sucka?" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Matt] Booker T.
The six-time World Champion. The former King of the Ring.
The Tag Team specialist.
This is what pay-per-view is all about, you can never know.
-[crowd cheering] -[Jerry] God. Take a chill pill, man.
[Matt] No way. It's a mark-out moment, I'm marking out bro.
-Oh, my god. -[Michael] Booker T.
[Jerry] I hope for Striker's sake you dump him in the front row, Ryan.
[Matt] Come on, I've been a fan all my life.
You live for stuff like this. Listen.
[Jerry] Good bye, Booker.
[Michael] Not yet.
[Jerry] That's vintage Booker T.
[Matt] Come on, more.
[crowd cheering]
Yeah, like I said, goodbye Booker.
[Michael] Yeah, Booker, not used to dealing with these numbers
-of the Nexus. -[Jerry] Oh, wait a minute.
[Matt] Oh, man. The book end. Please, please, do it. Please.
[Jerry] You got to be Kidding me. This is a flashback moment.
[crowd cheering]
[Matt] Are we gonna see it? Are we gonna see it.
-[Jerry] Yes. There it is. -[Matt] I love it.
-[Jerry] The spinaroonie. -[Matt] The spinaroonie.
[crowd cheering]
-[Jerry] Watch it. -[crowd cheering]
[Matt] Now Punk, now Punk, now Punk.
[Jerry] It's been years since we've seen the spinaroonie.
-[Matt] No, no. Oh, come on. -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Ladies and gentlemen, that right there was a Punkaroonie.
Bye-bye Booker.
I'm glad you could join us for a couple of minutes.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Well your-- your great hope there,
ladies and gentlemen, is snuffed out.
Oh, we're going to WrestleMania! We're going to WrestleMania.
[Michael] We await number 22. Who is gonna stop CM Punk?
[crowd] Seven, six…
[Michael] No one is gonna stop Punk and The New Nexus.
…three, two, one.
-We're going to WrestleMania. -[buzzer buzzing]
-["The Time Is Now" playing] -[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] Well, come on Cole, let's hear it.
Run your mouth some now.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] John Cena made a vow.
John Cena vowed to eliminate all members of The New Nexus for the Rumble match.
[Jerry] Look at the look of determination on the face of John Cena as he counts
the numbers of the remaining Nexus. And here comes… John Cena is here.
[Michael] John Cena who won the Royal Rumble match back in 2008
trying to take out The New Nexus,
the men who cost him the first part of January with a serious injury.
[Matt] But I don't care if you're John Cena, Godzilla,
it doesn't matter bro, the Nexus are on a warpath right now.
[Michael] Off the fisherman suplex goes McGillicutty.
[Jerry] He's on a warpath.
[Michael] Well, there goes Mason Ryan.
-[Jerry] The big man. -[Matt] That's huge.
[Jerry] The big man is gone.
[crowd cheering]
-[Matt] Oh, my lord -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] An explosion in Boston.
[Matt] And now the vendetta boils over.
[Jerry] Yeah, and then there was one.
[Matt] Punk's got no backup. Punk's in there alone.
Punk's in there by himself.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] It's electric in the Garden.
Thunderous.
[crowd cheering]
[Matt] This building's shaking.
[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] John Cena has done the impossible before,
ladies and gentlemen.
This may be a repeat performance. Come on, Cena.
[Michael] Now, Punk's somehow trying to hang on.
He's been in this matchup since the beginning.
He's been in this match up since the start, CM Punk.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] And looking for the go to sleep, looking for the GTS to put Cena away.
[Matt] Not right now.
[Michael] Both men down, center of the ring.
CM Punk has been in this matchup for over 33 minutes
since he entered at number one.
Can he somehow survive against the rally brought to us by John Cena as we await
entry number 23.
-…three, two, one. -[buzzer buzzing]
-["Hes Ma Da" playing] -[crowd cheering]
[Matt] Say what? Hornswoggle.
[Jerry] What is this?
[Matt] Hey man, everyone wants a chance to main-event WrestleMania.
[Jerry] Well, somebody help him get in the ring. He's there.
[Matt] Safe to say the smallest entry in the Royal Rumble history?
[Jerry] How is he gonna throw anybody over the top rope?
[crowd cheering]
[Matt] He can throw them over the bottom rope.
[Jerry] He can't even reach the top rope.
[Michael] Yeah, I'm glad you enjoyed yourself Hornswoggle.
It's all about to end.
-Oh. -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Well, in the end of the Rumble, that's what happens.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] And now Punk can turn his attention to Cena yet again.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] It was important for Punk to withstand that furious rally by Cena
where Cena eliminated all the members of The New Nexus.
[Matt] But still no SmackDown superstars.
[Michael] But all Cena had was left there.
And now Punk is about to eliminate John Cena.
[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] Hornswoggle lived under the SmackDown ring as well?
-[Michael] That's how you do it. -[Matt] That's a good point.
[Michael] You got to dump John Cena over the top rope.
John Cena with the attitude adjustment over the top rope.
[crowd cheering]
[Matt] Yes.
[crowd cheering]
[Matt] Come on Hornswoggle, eliminate Cena.
[Michael] John Cena made good on his vow
to eliminate every member of The New Nexus
here tonight in the Rumble match.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] And what-- Now maybe Cena and Hornswoggle can form a pact.
[Matt] How cool if Cena dumps Hornswoggle over the top rope right now.
[Michael] Well, we talked about the numbers, now it's gonna be two
against everyone that comes out here.
[Matt] Oh, yeah, this is intimidating.
[Jerry] What's-- What are you talking about?
[Matt] As we await entry number 24
-for this 40-man Royal Rumble. -[buzzer buzzing]
-["Right Here, Right Now" playing] -[Matt] Hornswoggle's fired up here.
[Michael] Tyson Kidd.
Tyson Kidd, a former Tag Team Champion with a new attitude,
-and a new flare about him. -[Matt] Take him, Hornswoggle. Take him.
[Jerry] See, you forgot where he hits.
[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] Don't forget where Cena hits.
[Matt chuckling] Look at that.
[Jerry] A Hornswoggle riot.
[Matt] A tilt-a-whirl headscissor, but okay.
-[Jerry] I was trying to be cute. -[Matt] Yeah, keep trying.
[Michael] Attitude adjustment.
Wait, wait, wait.
[Jerry] You're kidding me. What--
[crowd cheering]
[Matt] Oh. Look at this.
-A little attitude adjustment. -[Jerry] You can't… you can't see me.
-Whoa. -[Matt] He attitude adjustment Kidd Tyson.
-He did it. -[Michael] Oh, my lord.
[Matt] That's funny.
[Michael] I've seen it all now. I have seen it all now.
[Jerry] And there goes Tyson Kidd.
[Michael] Well, the tandem of Cena and Hornswoggle
are eliminating people here in the Royal Rumble match
as we await entry number 25.
[Matt] I smell a t-shirt coming.
[Michael] Fifteen men to follow this entry
here in the biggest Royal Rumble match in history.
[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] Oh, give me a break.
[crowd] …six, five, four, three.
[Matt] Somebody should teach that little thing a lesson.
-[buzzer buzzing] -["End of Days" playing]
[Michael] And from the Corre, Heath Slater from Friday Night SmackDown,
the so called one man rock band, Matt.
[Matt] Yeah, the smooth-talking, southern gentlemenly,
one of the quicker members of the Corre.
[Michael] He's gonna have to be quick to avoid this offense from John Cena.
-[Matt] Whoa. There you go. -[Michael] Nice.
-[Jerry] Oh. Right to the shin. -[Matt] Not with Hornswoggle.
-Ooh. -[Jerry] What? I don't know what--
-[Matt] Was that sweet-- -[Jerry] Was that a stunner?
[Matt] It was sweet shin music before that.
[Michael] Paying homage to Shawn Michaels and Stone Cold Steve Austin,
two of the greatest performers in Rumble match history.
[crowd cheering]
[crowd] You can't see me.
-[Jerry] Oh, my. -[Matt] A double you can't see me?
[Jerry] Oh.
[Matt] A double five knuckle-- No, ten knuckle shuffle.
Have a good night.
[crowd cheering]
[Matt] Now what? Oh, boy. Tadpole splash perhaps from the top rope?
-[Jerry] There it is. -[Michael] Oh, my lord.
[Matt] And Cena's loving it. Look at that.
[Michael] He did connect, ladies and gentlemen,
-with a tadpole splash. -[Matt] Well, I see it.
[Michael] Slater's down and Cena and Hornswoggle
have been eliminating everyone that they've come face-to-face with
as we wait for entry number 26.
[Jerry] Ouch.
[crowd cheering]
[Matt] And don't kid yourself. That doughy little fellow weighs a lot.
[crowd] Ten, nine, eight…
[Jerry] That doughy-- How is this guy still in this match?
[Matt] Because of Cena?
…four, three, two, one.
[buzzer buzzing]
-["S.O.S" playing] -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] The Intercontinental Champion
from Friday Night SmackDown, Kofi Kingston.
[fireworks crackling]
[crowd cheering]
[Matt] And Kofi's all fired up here tonight.
[Jerry] Kofi, taking his sweet time coming to the ring.
[Michael] He's so focused on tonight.
WWE.com is gonna-- doing a diary on Kofi Kingston this weekend.
He said he's never been more excited,
more focused than he is here tonight for this matchup.
[Matt] Well, Kofi has a friendship with both John Cena
and Hornswoggle, but again, every man for himself.
Let's see how this plays out.
[Jerry] Yeah. There are no friends in this matchup.
-[Matt] Oh, really? -[Jerry] No.
Because it looked like the Nexus was really palling around
-in there earlier. -[Jerry] Well, they're not really friends.
[Matt] Oh, I see.
[Michael] Well that's what it's about, ladies and gentlemen.
It is about headlining, main-eventing WrestleMania.
The winner of this match will do that.
[Matt] Let's do it son, come on.
[Michael] So throw friendship out the window.
[Michael] And Kofi Kingston, there's that great leaping ability.
-And yet again. -[Matt] And Kingston.
[Michael] And John Cena stunned a bit by Kingston and wins the first volley.
[Matt] Guys, from my memory, this is the first time I'm seeing Cena
and Kingston square off on one-on-one.
[crowd] …eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one.
[Matt] Kingston with the upper hand in this early event.
-[buzzer buzzing] -["Get On Your Knees" playing]
[Michael] And ladies and gentlemen,
entering at lucky number 27 is Jack Swagger.
Remember the most winners ever had come from this position,
number 27, in the Royal Rumble matchup.
[Matt] Here, the SmackDown guys are coming.
You gotta remember, that was when there were 30 participants,
-not 40. -[Michael] Well we've never had 40 before,
so it's the only record, again, I can work off, King.
What do you want me to do, start making stuff up
-because we have 40 men in this year? -[Matt] All right, guys.
Jack Swagger's six foot six, 260 pounds, an academic and athletic standout
at the University of Oklahoma.
Former World Heavyweight Champion,
won the money in the Bank Ladder match at WrestleMania.
Cashed it in five nights later.
[Jerry] You guys are starting to sound the same.
[Matt] Nah, Cole speaks faster.
-[Michael] Oh, did you say that? -[Matt] Yes, sorry.
[Michael] I don't listen to you much for the night.
[Matt] Thanks, buddy.
Come on. I'm going to WrestleMania.
[Matt] Yup. Swagger says he's going to WrestleMania, and he very well might.
[Jerry] Well, you better--
[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] Whatever that little, you know what, gets what he deserves.
[Matt] And Kingston who just flew over Hornswoggle and took out Swagger.
[indistinct chatter]
[Matt] I don't understand why everybody likes goofing around this guy.
Here we go again.
-[Jerry] What is this? -[Matt] I don't know.
-Whoa. -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Well, that was a boom drop off the back of Hornswoggle.
[Jerry laughing]
[crowd] …eight, seven, six, five, four…
[Michael] Kingston, trying to eliminate Jack Swagger as we now await number 28.
-[buzzer buzzing] -["Written in My Face" playing]
[Matt] Oh, now, the King's in.
[Michael] Ladies and gentlemen, the current King of the ring winner,
the two-time WWE champion.
And I know for a fact that Sheamus can't stand Hornswoggle.
[Jerry] Why is that?
[Michael] Because of the-- He says that Hornswoggle portrays
the typical stereotype of the Irish person.
Runs around with his little leprechaun, all that stuff.
[Jerry] Sheamus can't stand the guy. I don't blame him.
[Matt] Aren't there leprechauns in Ireland?
[Matt] No.
[Michael] Well, that was an Irish curse backbreaker to John Cena.
[Jerry] Now you're gonna tell me there's no pot of gold
at the end of the rainbow.
[Michael] John Cena in trouble
as King Sheamus claims that this is a match designed for a King.
[Matt] Lucky charms, what about them?
[Matt] Oh, come on.
[Michael] Good. I'm Irish and I take offense from this guy.
[Jerry] You're Irish?
[Michael] Only on Tuesday nights.
[crowd cheering]
[Matt] Tuning up the band,
-sweet shin music. -[Jerry] Are you kidding me?
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] And John Cena, and Sheamus in trouble again.
Now Swagger from behind.
And look at Swagger go.
-[Matt] Oh, no. Watch out. -[Michael] Brogue kick.
And Hornswoggle has been eliminated.
Well, too bad.
[Jerry] Did he just kick him in the side of the head?
[Matt] You know, Hornswoggle entered the Royal Rumble.
He's on limits just like anybody else.
[Michael] Ladies and gentlemen, six seconds away from number 29.
[crowd] …three, two, one.
-[buzzer buzzing] -["Booyaka 619" playing]
-[Matt] Here we go. -[Michael] Ladies and gentlemen,
a former World Champion,
the man who in 2006 went from number two to win the Royal Rumble match
lasting the longest ever in this particular matchup,
Rey Mysterio, one hour, two minutes, 12 seconds.
[Matt] Well, oh, my broadcast partner on Friday Night SmackDown,
Josh Matthews, has picked Rey Mysterio to win the Royal Rumble.
-Whoa. -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] And one thing to point out about Rey Mysterio,
ladies and gentlemen, this is the latest in his career
that he has never entered the Royal Rumble matchup.
He's entered at one, two, four and eight. So a great position for Mysterio.
Well, it was the great position for Mysterio to be in.
[Jerry] Rey grounded there by Sheamus.
[Michael] Tell you, Sheamus has been so focused through this night.
He's been King of the Ring, WWE champion,
would love to add the Royal Rumble to his résumé.
[Jerry] You know, one of the few things you and I agreed on, Cole,
-is that we-- -[Michael] Ooh. Trouble in paradise.
[Jerry] We both thought Sheamus had a great chance to win this Rumble.
[Matt] Nice.
[Michael] There's that amateur background of Jack Swagger.
[Matt] And Mysterio, you notice-- That was great.
-[Jerry] And Swagger, still-- -[Matt] No. No both feet--
[Michael] Both feet have to hit the floor.
[Matt] We see our official right there.
-619. -[Michael] Swagger's out.
[Matt] Did you guys see how Mysterio baited Swagger to come into him
on the corner, and then he suckered the man and eliminated Swagger.
[Jerry] Good move by Rey Mysterio.
But you need to get yourself back in the ring.
[Michael] Well, ladies and gentlemen-- Ladies and gentlemen, we await number 30.
-[buzzer buzzing] -["End of Days" playing]
[Michael] Ladies and gentlemen, we will be three quarters of the way
to the Rumble right now with Wade Barrett,
the leader of the Corre. And you know that 619 moments ago
by Rey Mysterio, reminded me of what he did
to Cody Rhodes a couple of weeks ago.
And the reason that Cody Rhodes is not in the Rumble match here tonight,
suffering a severe facial injury at the hands of Mysterio
who ripped away Cody Rhodes' WrestleMania dream.
[Matt] And now the Jackal, Wade Barrett, taking revenge.
[Jerry] Any rearrangement of Cody Rhodes' face
can only get an approval.
[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] Wade Barrett with four members out here to help him.
[Matt] Yeah, Wade Barrett, remember the new group, the Corre.
Well, the Corre are equal in unit, four equals.
Unlike The New Nexus, the Corre operate as equals.
[Michael] And there's Rey Mysterio taking out Barrett right to the knee.
-[Matt] Oh, man, that could-- -[Michael] Yeah, Barrett--
[Matt] You have the ICL right there.
[Michael] Barrett claiming the Corre is not a dictatorship.
And look at this, look at the rivalry between Cena and Wade Barrett
that came as through much of 2010 in a living hell
that Wade Barrett put John Cena through in 2010.
John Cena has been in this ring
longer than anybody in this matchup right now.
Currently, 15 minute so far for John Cena
as Cena entered this match at number 22.
[Matt] John's been hit with some major moves as well.
He's been down a lot here in this time he's been in there.
[Michael] We await number 31.
-[buzzer buzzing] -["Here to Show the World" playing]
[Michael] So, ladies and gentlemen, Dolph Ziggler perhaps
with an opportunity at redemption
after losing his chance at the World Heavyweight Championship
earlier tonight.
Hey guys, you know, we're making history right now?
We're entering uncharted territory.
[Matt] You're right.
[Michael] For the first time in history, we have a 31 entry
into the Royal Rumble as we head all the way to 40.
[Matt] Now, this is exciting.
[Michael] Dolph Ziggler now.
[Jerry] I know you're disappointed that he didn't bring
Vickie Guerrero in tow.
[Matt] It would've taken him too long to get down to the ring.
-[Jerry] I guess. -[Matt] I know Vickie is watching,
admiring her boyfriend go to work here in this Royal Rumble matchup,
number 32, waiting in the rings here.
[Michael] Well, if Ziggler doesn't win the Royal Rumble,
and after not winning the World Championship earlier,
I'd hate to be in that hotel room with him and Vickie tonight.
[Jerry] Oh, man.
[Matt] Now, look at this. That's Wade Barrett.
[Jerry] I'd hate to be in a hotel room with Vickie Guerrero anytime.
Yeah. Normally every man for himself,
but that time Mysterio, and Kingston, Cena tried to eliminate Barrett.
Now it's Barrett and Ziggler trying to eliminate John Cena.
-Can John Cena somehow hang on here? -[Matt] Oh, hang on John.
[Michael] Cena's in trouble. Mysterio, coming to Cena's aid.
Again even though it's every man
sometimes you need allies in this type of matchup.
[Jerry] Okay. I'll agree.
[Matt] You got that right. Right now, the Royal Rumble
is SmackDown heavies so I like the Friday Night chance.
Eight, seven.
-[Jerry] This is a… -[Michael] Who is number 32?
[Matt] The late entries for the SmackDown stars' paying off.
-[buzzer buzzing] -["Diesel Blues" playing]
-[Matt] Holy shi-- -[Jerry] You gotta be kidding me.
-[Matt] Big Daddy Cool Diesel. -[crowd cheering]
-[Jerry] What? -[Matt] Diesel's back.
Diesel's here.
Six foot eleven, 311 pounds from Detroit, Michigan.
[Michael] Now, this is what it's all about, ain't it, Matt.
You'll never know who's gonna show up.
-[Michael] The former WWE champion. -[Jerry] Look at the faces.
[Matt] Look at your face.
[Michael] King, who will ever forget in 1994 when Diesel entered
the Rumble match and eliminated seven men.
Nearly seven feet tall, Diesel is back.
-[crowd cheering] -[Jerry] Oh.
[Matt] Diesel unloading.
[crowd chanting] Diesel, Diesel, Diesel, Diesel, Diesel.
[Michael] It is electric in the Garden.
-[Jerry] How can you-- -[Michael] Dropping Kofi Kingston
-headfirst on the turnbuckle. -[Jerry] How can you not get chills?
[Michael] The big boot took out Rey Mysterio, that big right hand
of Big Daddy Cool's knocking guys left and right.
Watch out Dolph.
Dude, I'm seven years old. You can't help--
I got a smile ear to ear.
[Jerry] Oh, my God. I wish you'd go back to school and--
[Michael] And look at that-- Ooh, Diesel with a big clothesline.
[Jerry] As we now await number 33 to enter the Royal Rumble matchup,
Diesel's been dominating. I had forgotten just how huge Diesel was.
["Broken Dreams" playing]
[Jerry] Here comes Drew McIntyre.
Fastest entrance he's ever had in his life.
[Michael] The Scotsman, Drew Mcintyre,
hammering away on Big Daddy Cool Diesel.
Notice how he went right to work to help his friend,
to aid his friend, Sheamus.
Both of these men are celts. They have a respect for each other.
They came to the United States together to live their dream,
the WWE, and they're doing it together in the Royal Rumble match.
[crowd chanting] Let's go, Diesel!
[Jerry] So it's like the Celtic connection?
-Is that what you're-- -[Michael] Exactly.
[crowd chanting] Let's go, Diesel!
[Jerry] The "let's go, Diesel," chants filling the Garden.
[crowd chanting] Let's go, Diesel.
-[Michael] Now, this is an amazing, King. -[Jerry chuckles]
-[crowd chanting] Let's go, Diesel. -[Jerry] I told you, the Royal Rumble,
my favorite event.
-Oh! -[Michael] 619 to Big Daddy Cool.
[Matt] Rey Mysterio returns the favor.
Diesel with the huge boot to Rey when he entered the Rumble
and now, Rey with a 619, but Diesel back to his feet somehow.
[Jerry] And now Sheamus and Mcintyre dominating Cena.
Mysterio in trouble. Diesel goes after Barrett.
Kofi Kingston and Ziggler in the far side of the ring.
[Michael] Yes, the so called Celtic connection doing pretty well, King.
-[Jerry] Oh. -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] We are about to see entry 34.
-[crowd chanting] Four, three, two, one. -[Michaël] This is amazing.
-[buzzer buzzing] -["Say It To My Face" playing]
♪ Awesome ♪
[Jerry] What? What?
[Michael] Well, there's the WWE champion and there he is, the apprentice, A-Ry.
Ladies and gentlemen, it's an a-bomb for A-Ry at the Royal Rumble match.
[Jerry] All right. Could you imagine if Alex--
-he had an a-bomb is right. [chuckles] -[Michael chuckles]
[Jerry] Could imagine if Alex Riley goes onto main event WrestleMania?
[Michael] And look at this. Diesel eliminated by Barrett.
[crowd booing]
[Jerry] The ring filling up ladies and gentlemen with WWE superstars.
Oh, look who's here. Look who's here.
As the Royal Rumble match continues, ladies and gentlemen…
[Michael] King, you want to take this? Look at this.
[Jerry] Watch this right hand by John Cena.
-[Matt] Hey guys. Shut up for a second. -[Jerry] An a-bomb on A-Ry.
[Michael] We are joined by Royalty. Ladies and gentlemen,
the WWE Champion, The Miz has joined us here at ringside.
Champ, first off, congratulations on the win
on Orton tonight, three-in-a-row over The Viper.
[Miz] Thank you very much. Thank you very--
It's actually good to be here. I figured I’d give some insights
since none of you have ever been a WWE champion.
-Oh, is that right? -Hang on, Diesel just got eliminated.
[Michael] Okay. I know that happened about ten minutes ago when I called it.
-Nonetheless, see we do our job out here. -[Matt] I understand.
[Michael] So Miz, as we get set now for number 35…
[Jerry] Miz, Miz, Miz, Miz, that-- let's talk about the Rumble.
-Miz, talk about Rumble. -[Michael] Wait, 35, number 35.
["Crank It Up" playing]
[Jerry] Oh, boy. The world's largest athlete.
[Michael] But, let's just put this in perspective all right.
The tallest player in the NHL plays in this building,
six-foot nine inches tall, Zdeno Chara.
The Big Show is almost half a foot taller than him.
-[Matt] Who cares? -[Michael] Kevin Garnett is 6'11".
-[Matt] Who cares? -[Michael] The Big Show's
-more than him too. -[Michael] Shut up, Striker.
-[Jerry] Somebody shut his mic off. -[Michael] My, God.
[Matt] Look at this. Hey, somebody liked it.
[Jerry] Oh, boy.
[Matt] Look at how Big Show towers over Diesel.
[Michael] Anyway, let's talk about the Rumble match here tonight
and the fact that your apprentice, A-Ry, Alex Riley is in this event.
Alex Riley is a winner. I taught him to be a winner.
If Alex Riley wins the Royal
he can go on to main event WrestleMania 27.
It could be teacher versus student, what story. What an iconic match.
It could be Alex Riley versus the The Miz for the WWE Championship.
-[Miz] What do you do with show-- -[Jerry] I'm gonna let them talk.
[Miz] You think of Andre the Giant. You think-- and Hogan.
You think of Rock and Austin.
Think Alex Riley and the The Miz, my gosh.
And I would get to call that match.
[Matt] There you go. How great would that be?
[Miz] Or he could go for the World Heavyweight Championship.
Think about that when he wins at WrestleMania 27.
-Think about that. -[Jerry] Think about the big show
that's dominating the Rumble right now.
[Miz] King, did anyone ask you to talk?
-[Jerry] I don't know how you can talk… -[Mix] Don't you interrupt me, King.
…about anything else when where we're being graced
by the most must-see WWE Champion ever?
-[Miz] Thank you very much. -[Jerry] Out here of course scouting.
-[Michael] Whoa. And there goes Ziggler. -[Miz] Oh. See you Dolph.
[Jerry] And again Miz, what's at stake here
is that the man that wins this match tonight
could possibly choose to face you at WrestleMania.
[Miz] That would be a very bad idea.
[Michael] So we are about now to get number 36, the number 36 entry.
-[buzzer buzzing] -["Domination" playing]
♪ There will be no sound ♪
[Matt] Ladies and gentlemen,
-Ezekiel Jackson. -[Jerry] Whoa!
[Michael] Matt, with Ezekiel's presence now, I believe it's a dozen nations
are represented in this Royal Rumble right now.
-[Michael] Mcintyre is down I believe. -[Jerry] I think that was Drew McIntyre.
-With this… -[Michael] Ooh, look at that.
-The Big Show. -[Jerry] Wow.
The Big Show eliminated by Ezek.
[Michael] The Prophet of doom eliminates The Big Show.
[Jerry] God. How impressive Miz is to Ezekiel Jackson?
[Miz] The thing about Ezekiel Jackson is you don't know much about him.
You just know he's a beast, he is an absolute beast.
However, notice Alex Riley.
Alex Riley is being very, very smart right now.
-[Matt] Where is he? -[Michael] Where is he at?
Let's go right here.
[Matt] Where is Alex Riley?
[Michael] Well, it's Wade Barrett honoring one his own
from the Corre, Ezekiel Jackson, who now turns his focus on John Cena.
[Jerry] Look at this. Look at the strength that it took
to get the Big Show over and out.
[Jerry] That is amazing.
[Michael] And now Ezekiel Jackson on Rey Mysterio.
Kingston is in there, Barrett, Sheamus, and Cena.
John Cena has been on the ring longer than anyone
that are currently still in this matchup.
Cena has won the Rumble match before.
He and Mysterio, the only two men currently on the ring to have won
this event as we now await number 37.
[crowd chanting] Six, five, four, three, two, one.
-[buzzer buzzing] -["La Vittoria E Mia" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] Santino Marella.
[Michael] Ladies and gentlemen, one half of the WWE Tag Team Champions,
Santino Marella.
[Matt] And Santino has already surpasses his record of one second.
[Michael] And in fact in his career, Santino Marella has only last
-for 27 seconds in two Rumble matches. -[Jerry] Oh!
Whoa.
[Michael] And not a good start for Santino in this one.
[Jerry] Santino did not go over the top rope, did he?
[Jerry] No. Santino slide underneath the bottom rope.
And now Sheamus, and Jackson,
-Mysterio, and Kingston. -[Jerry] Ooh.
[Michael] Barrett as well, two members of the Corre in there.
[Jerry] Cole, you had the stat early.
Cena's been in the longest as of right now?
[Michael] John Cena's been in this match longer than anyone
currently in the match-up.
And looking-- trying to eliminate big Ezekiel Jackson.
[Jerry] But again, from a SmackDown standpoint
we're SmackDown heavy as far as the entering competitors go.
Yeah, actually, do the math quickly, I think John's been in
for about over 25 minutes or so maybe, give or take?
[Michael] And John, just being told right now ladies and gentlemen
from our statistician, Cena has been in over 25 minutes here
in the Royal Rumble matchup.
Miz, so far impressed with who in the ring.
[Jerry] Oh, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, John Cena, John Cena in big trouble here.
[Miz] Well, obviously Ezekiel Jackson, I mean, he's about to put Cena over.
[Michael] And look at Wade Barrett.
[Miz] And the Corre is actually working together as team.
[Michael] Barrett would love to eliminate Cena.
-Cena, trying to stay in this thing. -[buzzer buzzing]
["Realeza" playing]
[Michael] Here comes entry number 38,
-Alberto Del Rio. -[car horn honking]
[Jerry] Who else enters the Royal Rumble in a-- what is that,
a 2008 Bentley? That's like a flying spur. That's a beautiful car.
[car horn honking]
[Ricardo speaks in Spanish]
Alberto Del Rio.
[Jerry] He is the Mexican aristocrat
and he claims his destiny is to win the Royal Rumble.
[Michael] Yeah. Destiny's darling comes in
with a vehicle valued over 200,000 dollars.
And just so, you know, guys, I do believe that Alex Riley
has been, eliminated, but I'll just quick--
could give you a… [imitates honk] …and that's about it.
But either way this is my pick,
Alberto Del Rio from Friday Night SmackDown.
-King, what do you think of this guy? -[Jerry] Well, I could see one thing.
He's certainly in no hurry to get to the ring.
-[Michael] Would you be? -[Jerry] Why not?
Let these gentlemen that are in the ring thus far beat the heck out of each other.
-Come in even fresher. -[Miz] It's actually smart
if you think about it.
I mean I always talk about don't walk, talk, and act like a star.
You're looking at Alberto Del Rio, he looks, walks, talks,
and acts like a star.
I mean, the guy has his own announcer.
I mean, he is absolutely what a star should be.
[Michael] Hey, you have your own announcer.
[Miz] I know, you are a great announcer as well, Cole.
-[buzzer buzzing] -["Voices" playing]
[Michael] Before Alberto comes into the ring-- Oh, boy.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Redemption perhaps for the 2009 Royal Rumble match winner,
Randy Orton, who cannot be in a good mood
after what you accomplished earlier tonight, Miz,
-retaining your title against him. -[Miz] I'm actually surprised
he's out there after the beating I gave him during our match.
[Michael] Randy Orton at number 39. One man to go.
[Jerry] Did you even realize you had won that match?
[Michael] Bang, RKO.
[Jerry] I could've sworn I read your lips when you asked the referee what happened.
[Michael] RKO to Sheamus.
[Matt] Ladies and gentlemen, this is shades of 2009,
when Randy RKO'ed six men in the same Royal Rumble matchup.
-[Jerry] Whoa, there goes Kofi Kingston. -[Michael] Kofi's eliminated.
-[Jerry] Sheamus. -[Michael] There goes Sheamus.
[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] Well, the Celtic connection is completely gone now.
[Michael] Every man for himself.
We are seven seconds away from the last entry in the 2011
Royal Rumble, the historic 40th man.
-[buzzer buzzing] -[fireworks crackling]
-["Slow Chemical" playing] -[Jerry] Look out.
[Michael] One of the greatest Rumble performers ever
entering his 13th Rumble in a row,
a record, the big red machine, Kane.
[Jerry] Kane is only a handful from eliminations away
from breaking HBK's record
for most eliminations of all time in a Royal Rumble.
[Michael] In 2001, Kane lasted over 53 minutes in the Royal Rumble match
when he eliminated 11 men.
He was the second to last man standing that year.
John Cena has been in this matchup for over 30 minutes,
still in there as Kane goes to work on Randy Orton.
[Jerry] And there's nothing scarier or more dangerous than a fresh Kane.
[Michael] Could you imagine if Kane wins this match
and decides to turn his attention to Miz
-and the WWE Championship? -[Jerry] Yeah, Miz.
Is that a look of concern I see on your face?
[Miz] Actually, no. I'm the WWE Champion.
Did you forget that, King?
-Did you forget that? Did you forget that? -[Jerry] No, I didn't forget.
[Miz] I'm the WWE champion.
That means I win at all costs, no matter what.
-[Michael] Look at Kane, look at this. -[Jerry] Oh.
-[Michael] And what a move by Kane. -[Jerry] That's big. That's huge.
[Matt] The veteran ducking underneath Ezekiel Jackson
who goes over the top rope and is eliminated.
Ladies and gentlemen, let's reset the stage here.
Rey Mysterio, John Cena, Wade Barrett,
Alberto Del Rio, and Randy Orton
are the remaining men in the 2011 Royal Rumble matchup.
One of these men is going to WrestleMania.
[Michael] One of these men gonna headline the greatest spectacle of the year.
[Matt] Guys, anyone want to make some picks?
Champ, Miz, I'll start with you.
-Who's winning? -[Miz] Who's winning
the Royal Rumble match, I really don't care who wins.
I'm not here to scout, to see what's going on,
see who could be, who could potentially…
[Michael] Oh.
Rey Mysterio's been in there almost 20 minutes and… Uh-oh.
[Jerry] Now, look at this. Look at this.
-Freed retribution from Mysterio. -[Matt] Watch out Rey.
And there goes Mysterio. We are down to four men.
[Miz] I'll tell you who it won't be, it won't be Kane
and it won't be Rey Mysterio headlining WrestleMania with The Miz.
[Michael] John Cena, Wade Barrett,
Randy Orton, Alberto Del Rio, all that remain.
[Jerry] The final four of the Royal Rumble.
[Jerry] Oh, baby this is punch time.
[Matt] Two Raw guys and two SmackDown guys.
[Jerry] The biggest Royal Rumble in history.
[Matt] Every man for himself.
[Michael] With two iconic stars and two stars who are gonna be
the future of the WWE battling out.
-[Jerry] Cena tethering. -[Michael] The final four men.
[Miz] Cena's in trouble.
-[Jerry] He didn't get to hook that leg. -[Miz] Del Rio’s in trouble.
[Michael] Cena, tethering on the apron,
somehow, somehow hanging in there, somehow hanging on against Barrett.
Cena's WrestleMania dreams were almost put out.
-And John Cena with a crunch. -[Jerry] Oh, man.
[Matt] Oh, man. My I-- My gut's killing me.
My nerves are going, "I can only imagine what these four men
are doing in the ring right now?"
"What it must feel like to be this close to your dream
of headlining WrestleMania?"
[Jerry] Oh, boy.
[crowd cheering]
[Matt] Randy Orton and John Cena both have won this match.
John Cena in 2008, Randy Orton in 2009, they would love to repeat.
John Cena and Orton unloading, center of the ring.
Two of the all-time greats,
Orton went for the RKO, Cena going for the attitude adjustment.
And Wade Barrett runs interference.
[Jerry] How great is this?
Wade Barrett just lying in wait, taking advantage of the moment.
[Matt] Hey, King, it would be really cap off
everything Wade Barrett's done to John Cena over the past year
if he can eliminate Cena from this match here tonight.
[Jerry] Wouldn't it be incredible?
[Michael] Ladies and gentlemen, this is a matchup that is now over
one hour and five minutes long.
The 2011 Royal Rumble.
[Matt] What a grueling match this has been.
[Michael] All for an opportunity to main event WrestleMania.
Cena's been in this match up the longest, over a half an hour.
Perhaps he's beginning to wear down.
Alberto Del Rio , the freshest but…
[Matt] Attitude adjustment.
[Michael] Attitude adjustment by Cena to Del Rio.
-Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey. -[Matt] A-Ry's back.
A-Ry eliminated earlier. Miz, Miz eliminated Cena.
[crowd cheering]
[Matt] Miz eliminated Cena after the distraction by A-Ry.
Miz ensuring he won't face Cena at WrestleMania with that move.
But how smart is our champ.
if John even realizes what happened.
[Michael] Again in this matchup there's no disqualification.
What?
He's done.
[Michael] I don't know why he's getting all upset at me for?
-[Matt] He said that was your boy. -[Jerry] Whatever that meant.
[Matt] "He's done," is what he said.
[Michael] Well, nonetheless ladies and gentlemen, three men remain.
Cena can go cry back in the locker room
going to WrestleMania in the main event.
[Matt] It'll be Orton or Barrett or perhaps Alberto Del Rio.
[Jerry] We can understand why John Cena is angry being eliminated
by someone that wasn't even in the Royal Rumble.
[Michael] But again no disqualification. I mean, you can't fault that.
-Miz, again-- -[Jerry] Oh, you got an excuse
for everything Miz does.
[Michael] But King, he didn't do anything wrong.
[Jerry] What do you mean he didn't do anything wrong?
-[Michael] There's no rule against it. -[Matt] Hang on guys.
Obviously John Cena's a huge threat to The Miz's WWE Championship.
You can't really blame The Miz, Cole.
[Michael] And look at this, Del Rio and Barrett,
I mentioned that earlier, I mean he ensures now
he doesn't have to face Cena at WrestleMania.
That was a brilliant move by the champ.
And again King, if you were in the position,
you'd probably would've done the same thing.
[Matt] Guys, the Rumble match continues right now.
And Randy Orton fires out of the corner.
[Michael] He could take out Barrett and Del Rio.
Orton, looking to win the Royal Rumble for the second time in three years.
With the backbreaker.
[Matt] If you win the Royal Rumble,
you headline WrestleMania, you have a choice.
Which championship do you go after? Which match do you want to be it?
[Michael] You have to win the Royal Rumble match first.
One of these men looking to live their dream tonight.
-[Matt] Whoa. -[Michael] Wade Barrett eliminated.
-Hey, hey, hey. -[Jerry] Look at this.
-Do it, do it. Del Rio! -[bell ringing]
[Michael] Del Rio, Del Rio, Del Rio, Del Rio does it.
[Ricardo speaks Spanish]
Alberto Del Rio!
[Matt] Alberto Del Rio is going to WrestleMania.
[Jerry] Can't believe it. I can assure you
I would've never picked this…
[Matt] Whoa, wait a minute.
[Michael] Folks, remember, King, remember what you said earlier?
Remember what you said earlier? Santino was never eliminated remember?
He never went over the top rope.
[Jerry] Santino's still in this match.
[Matt] The cobra. The cobra. Oh, my God. Oh my god.
The biggest upset in Rumble history.
This is gonna be the biggest upset in Rumble history.
[Michael] Throw him out Santino. Throw him out.
[Matt] Santino is gonna go to WrestleMania.
[Michael] Oh, my God. You gotta be kidding me.
-[Matt] No, this is great. -[Michael] You gotta be kidding me.
-[Matt] Oh, no. -[Jerry] No.
-[bell ringing] -[Jerry] Del Rio.
-["Realeza" playing] -[crowd cheering]
[Matt] One more time, Alberto Del Rio is on his way
to the main event at WrestleMania.
[Jerry] Alberto Del Rio.
[Ricardo speaks Spanish]
-[Jerry] I think Alberto's crying. -[Ricardo speaks Spanish]
Alberto Del Rio!
[Michael] Del Rio is arriba del mundo.
Del Rio is on top of the world.
It was indeed Alberto Del Rio's destiny
to win the Royal Rumble match.
The main event at Wrestlemania will have class.
[Ricardo] Del Rio, Del Rio.
[speaks Spanish]
Alberto Del Rio.
-[Michael] Viva! -[Matt] Del Rio.
[Jerry] Can I press one for English?
[Ricardo speaks Spanish]
Wrestlemania, Alberto Del Rio.
[Michael] What a Royal Rumble match. The biggest in history.
[Jerry] Yeah. This is the biggest, uh,
"I don't know what you want to call it" in history right here.
[Michael] John Cena eliminated by The Miz after The Miz sits out here
on commentary, picks a spot. And look at that cheshire cat grin.
[Ricardo speaks Spanish] Alberto Del Rio.
[Jerry] I was hoping, I was praying that somehow right here Santino
was gonna pull the biggest upset in Royal Rumble history.
But I think he got a little overconfident.
He celebrated a little too soon and, boom, Del Rio turns the tables.
[Matt] And now the arrogant aristocrat
is on his way to the main event of Wrestlemania.
[Ricardo speaks Spanish]
Alberto Del Rio.
[Michael] Ladies and gentlemen, the question now is,
which champion will Alberto Del Rio choose to face
because it is…
it is now Del Rio's destiny.
[Carlos] Alberto Del Rio, Alberto Del Rio,
Alberto Del Rio, Alberto Del Rio.
Alberto Del Rio.
[Jerry] Say something, Cole. I'd rather here you than listen to…
[Michael] Welcome to the road to WrestleMania.
[music concludes] to the road to WrestleMania.