[suspenseful music playing]
[narrator] Time. You can never have enough.
As it passes, so do opportunities.
Every second counts.
-[buzzer blaring] -[narrator] And everything can change.
On this one night, 30 Superstars will fight
to stand on a grander stage where champions are made.
[Michael] Shawn Michaels, Jericho, The Game, Brock Lesnar, Mysterio,
Undertaker, Sheamus is going to WrestleMania.
[narrator] For these men, time is everything.
It's all they have to grasp this chance.
Destiny awaits for only one.
And it all begins when this clock hits zero.
[buzzer blaring]
-[suspenseful music playing] -[narrator] Four hundred thirty-four days,
a historic period of transformation.
[CM Punk] The truth.
I have attained this success not because of you.
Honesty. I am successful in spite of you.
Pipe bomb. I have stomped you out,
because I’m the best in the world and that is not just my opinion,
that's a fact.
[narrator] Ten years since the people had their champion.
[Rock] Finally, The Rock is back to entertain them, the millions.
The Rock is back to stop you. It's over.
The Rock is back to win that,
because finally, The Rock…
[CM Punk] The Rock has come back,
and I'm not gonna let The Rock tear down everything
that I fought so hard to attain.
The most important title in the world, it belongs to me.
You do not get to win.
[narrator] Tonight.
[Rock] CM Punk, The Rock has waited ten long years for this shot,
to go to the mountaintop one more time and become WWE Champion.
[CM Punk] This, this belongs to me.
The Rock is a man, The Rock is breakable and I'm going to break him.
[Rock] There ain't no way you're gonna stop The Rock.
-[Rock] At Royal Rumble. -[CM Punk] At Royal Rumble.
[narrator] Time's up.
-["What Makes a Good Man?" playing] -[announcer] And now,
WWE presents the 26th annual Royal Rumble.
The Road to WrestleMania begins now.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] For the 26th consecutive year, we welcome you to the Royal Rumble.
You are looking live at a sold-out
US Airways Center in Phoenix, 15,103 WWE fans,
as we welcome you to the Road to WrestleMania.
[bell ringing]
The following is a last-man-standing match
and it is for the World Heavyweight Championship.
Now, in this match, there are no pinfalls, no count-outs, and no disqualifications.
The only way to win is to incapacitate your opponent for a count of ten.
["Crank It Up" playing]
♪ Well, it's the Big Show ♪
♪ It's a big bad show tonight… ♪
[Lilián] Introducing the challenger, standing at over seven feet tall,
weighing in at 441 pounds, the Big Show.
[Michael] Yes, ladies and gentlemen, you heard it right.
Big Show is the challenger for the World Heavyweight Championship
and we're gonna show you why that is. We're gonna take you back to, uh,
two-plus weeks ago on Friday Night SmackDown.
Big Show defending the championship, John,
on SmackDown against Alberto Del Rio in a Last Man Standing match.
[Bradshaw] And what an unbelievable tour we had on SmackDown.
Alberto Del Rio kept getting up.
He kept getting up and finally found a way to knock down the Giant.
After taking a KO punch, after getting hit with everything he could be hit with,
Alberto Del Rio, like champions do, found a way to win.
And Alberto Del Rio became the World Heavyweight Champion.
That is a Giant underneath that table.
[Michael] Yeah, but don't make the Giant upset.
Let's take it back to two nights ago. This past Friday on SmackDown,
Big Show sending a message, KO punch to Alberto Del Rio
and to use the cliché, John, turning the tables on the champion.
[Bradshaw] Alberto Del Rio is a great champion.
He's a great competitor.
I'm not sure he wanted to make this man mad.
You wanna poke the bear? There he is, Alberto Del Rio.
Now, Big Show is the one who asked for this Last Man Standing match.
This Giant is the one who's called out Del Rio.
[Michael] And King, if that happens tonight?
[Jerry] If that happens tonight, we have a new World Heavyweight Champion
and you're looking at him, the Big Show.
[speaking in Spanish]
Ricardo, relax. I defeated that fat jackass,
the Big Show, in a Last Man Standing once and I'm going to do it again.
I know, but it was once and…
Ricardo, are you with me or not, carnal?
-[chuckles] -Are you with me or not?
Um, um…
[chuckles]
[crowd cheering]
-Alberto. -Bret Hart.
I wanna wish you good luck in your match tonight.
You know, I fought Big Show before
and he's about as big and bad as they come.
You know, being a world champion,
I know there's a reason why you're the world champion.
You know what you remind me of? You remind me of a Mexican Bret Hart.
So, I want you to go out there and show that big tub of goo what you've got.
Bret, this is an honor.
And you remind me like a Canadian Alberto Del Rio.
-That's not such a bad thing. -[chuckles] Come on, Ricardo, let's go.
Um… Um, um…
I just want to say I'm a huge fan.
I love-- Can I please shake your hand, sir? I--
The Sharpshooter, oh, my God, it's all so cool
like the glasses and then, like, the music and then…
Ricardo, we have to go, we're up next.
Oh, hold on, hold on.
-I got something for you. -Oh, my God.
[crowd cheering]
There, now you look good.
Gracias, gracias.
You better get going. Get ready for battle.
-I got glasses. I got glasses. -Thank you, Bret.
[upbeat music playing]
And quite the endorsement for the Hall of Famer Bret Hart
to Hall of Famer Jerry "The King" Lawler. Looking good for Del Rio perhaps.
Well, that may be just what Alberto needed,
a pep talk from the, well, The Hitman.
-Also at ringside our-- -I didn't think
Ricardo could look any more stupid.
And also at ringside, wrestling god, JBL.
Oh, you don't need to introduce me. It's a dime introducing a dollar.
I was gonna call you a future Hall of Famer.
Nonetheless, our Spanish announcers here as well.
Carlos Cabrera, Marcelo Rodriguez.
-Hola, hermanos. -[speaking Spanish]
[speaking Spanish]
[Lilián] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome
Alberto Del Rio's personal ring announcer, Ricardo Rodriguez.
[crowd cheering]
-[chuckles] -[Jerry] Still with the glasses.
[Bradshaw] That's ridiculous.
[speaking Spanish]
Alberto…
Del Rio.
["Realeza" playing]
[Michael] Well, this is Del Rio's first title defense here tonight
since winning the championship
in the manner we showed you a couple of weeks ago.
Very interesting article on WWE.com this week
where Alberto Del Rio was talking about the fact
that he now considers himself the pride of Mexico.
He said it feels great and awesome to have the fans supporting,
realizes he's made some mistakes in the past.
He said some hurtful things, but he's learned humility
and, well, gratitude since winning the championship
and he now, he wants to, well, uphold the tradition of Mexico
-as the World Heavyweight Champion. -[Bradshaw] Humility? What tradition?
His uncle Mil is the biggest egomaniac in the history of this planet.
That tradition, is that what you're talking about, Michael?
[Michael] Alberto Del Rio saying when he went home to Mexico
with the world title, his father, the very famous Dos Caras,
broke down in tears as he hugged his son
for bringing home the World Heavyweight title.
[Jerry] Well, JBL, let me just see if you agree with this.
After all of these accolades and all of the change of heart
of Alberto Del Rio, if he's not the last man standing here tonight,
he could be what, well, what we call a flash in the pan champion, right?
[Bradshaw] Yup, and his daddy will be in tears again. [chuckles]
[Michael] Well, ladies and gentlemen, they are watching this matchup
not only here tonight in Phoenix and all over the United States,
but millions across the world in places like the United Kingdom
on Sky Box Office, in New Zealand, Portugal, Germany, Austria, and of course,
live in Del Rio's home country of Mexico.
And it's all about the World Heavyweight Championship
in a huge matchup to start the Royal Rumble pay-per-view.
Last Man Standing, no pinfalls, no submission.
-[Bradshaw] Oh, look at this. -[Michael] No disqualifications,
no count-outs. The only way you win is when you take your opponent out
until he can't reach his feet by the count of ten.
[Jerry] That's a scary look on the face of that Giant.
Oh.
[Bradshaw] This is 400… Listen to that.
-[crowd cheering] -[Jerry] Man.
[Bradshaw] Del Rio thought it was so funny to poke the big Giant,
to wink at him, to blow a kiss.
Let's see how funny he thinks it is now.
[Michael] It was Big Show who demanded this matchup tonight,
the Last Man Standing causing a travesty
that Del Rio won the World Championship in the first place.
This is the third time in the 26-year history of the Royal Rumble
that we've had a Last Man Standing match. The first back in 2004,
Triple H and Shawn Michaels battling to a draw.
In 2007, John Cena knocked off Umaga, and here tonight,
it's Del Rio and Big Show for the world title.
[Jerry] You gotta put yourself in those giant shoes
of the Big Show and realize that had to be like the ultimate humiliation
to be in a match with what he considers a mere mortal
and to not be the last man standing. Big Show didn't think that was possible.
[Bradshaw] Oh, and then to be taunted like he was by Alberto Del Rio afterwards,
that's what made the Giant so mad.
[Michael] Well, Big Show claims that nobody is going to deny him
or stop him tonight as Del Rio tries to fight back into this matchup.
Big Show claims Del Rio's two-plus weeks of…
-Oh, man, what an explosion. -[Jerry] Oh, man.
One.
[Michael] And again, Del Rio must make it to his feet
before the count of ten in order for this match to continue.
Four, five.
[Michael] Big Show says that Del Rio's two-plus weeks
as champion had been bogus,
built on lies and tonight, the feel-good story ends.
[Jerry] Well, it's a good possibility that the Giant is right.
-Oh, look at… Oh, and whoa. -[Michael] And there's Del Rio,
-great strategy by the champion. -[Jerry] Oh, man.
[Bradshaw] Del Rio knows the Giant very well.
[Michael] And he understands you have to get this Giant down.
[Jerry] You don't wanna go toe to toe, you wanna take him out of his rhythm,
you wanna him out of his pace because if the Giant owns the rhythm and pace,
he owns the match.
[Michael] The problem here, King, is that Del Rio has knocked off
Big Show once before in Last Man Standing.
Can lightning strike twice here tonight?
-[crowd cheering] -[Jerry] Well, it's a good possibility
but if you ask me, and I’ve watched the tape over and over,
I think that, well, the Big Show's body
being pinned under this huge announce table
-was the only way… Oh, look at this. -[Michael] Oh, look at hurricanrana.
[Jerry] Was the only way that Del Rio was going to be able to beat him.
I don't know if that's gonna happen again tonight.
[Michael] And Alberto Del Rio gonna go up top.
Big Show is stumbling around a bit.
The offense by Del Rio, and Del Rio, seated senton off the top rope.
And this is one of the things Del Rio told me earlier this week
that he's trying to incorporate now, John, into his offense,
a little more lucha style with the high-flying,
the hurricanranas, the enzuigiris, and of course,
what you saw come off the top rope, shades of Rey Mysterio.
[Bradshaw] Alberto better not leave anything in the bag.
He better pull out everything he has.
This Giant is one of the most dominant competitors that WWE has ever seen
and what he wants right now is a piece of Alberto Del Rio.
If Del Rio has something in the bag, he better pull it out right now.
-[Michael] And Del Rio. -[Bradshaw] And you're right, King.
To me, it was a fluke that the Giant ended up under the table
and that you had Alberto Del Rio drop this table on top of him.
[Michael] And that's Del Rio, working on the left arm,
going for the cross armbreaker.
That's a submission maneuver, but Big Show counters.
-And the power of the big man. -[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] And the thing about the big man, as you call him,
the thing about the Giant is
he's capable with that huge right hand of his
of punching Alberto's lights out with one shot
and keeping Alberto Del Rio down for the count at any time.
[Michael] We saw him do that this past Friday night on SmackDown,
-one KO punch and it was over. -Six!
[Bradshaw] We got Kane and Daniel Bryan this past Friday.
[Michael] You see Ricardo Rodriguez offering words of encouragement
for Alberto Del Rio.
[Michael] Gosh, look at the size of the Big Show.
And Alberto is a big man, looks like almost… Wow.
-Wow. -[crowd cheering]
[Bradshaw] That'll suck the wind out of you.
[Michael] That hurts.
We're talking about Rodriguez,
Alberto Del Rio saying earlier this week that,
well, Ricardo is so loyal that he's been his brother, his compadre,
even when he was saying all those bad things over the years here in WWE.
No interest at all to be anywhere near that man.
And Big Show is gonna grab a steel chair. Remember folks, completely legal.
This is all legal because there's no disqualification.
It's Last Man Standing rules.
[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] I'll be honest with you, if I were the Big Show,
even going after that chair, I wouldn't come anywhere near these announce tables.
[Michael] Not at all after what we saw happen
and the way he lost his title.
[Jerry] He doesn't need to be over here.
[Michael] And now Del Rio with a dropkick to the gut, the chair goes flying.
Big Show is down and now Del Rio.
[Bradshaw] It's all legal, using a steel chair.
[Jerry] Did you hear that?
[Michael] It was Big Show who introduced the chair
and now Del Rio wearing out Big Show,
trying to keep the big man down for the count of ten.
[crowd chanting] Sí. Sí. Sí. Sí. Sí. Sí. Sí.
[Michael] Fifteen thousand-plus in unison.
[Bradshaw] It sounded like the southern version of yes.
-[Bradshaw chuckles] -One.
-[Bradshaw] For Daniel Bryan. -[Michael] Yeah, we got it.
And Del Rio now trying to figure out--
[Bradshaw] It's like throwing a Frisbee to somebody sitting down out here,
Michael, you don't get most things that are over your head.
-Gotta explain everything. -[Michael] Yep.
And here's Del Rio again, steel chair in hand,
using it to his advantage.
Big Show back to his feet and Del Rio caught.
-[Bradshaw] Bad idea. Bad idea. -[Michael] Del Rio caught.
Big Show going for the chokeslam.
[Bradshaw] That hurt.
[Michael] And now the referee can start the count.
-Del Rio has got to make 10. -[Bradshaw] This could be it.
Two, three,
-four… -[Bradshaw] This could be it.
…five, six…
[Jerry] Come on, Alberto, pull yourself up.
[Michael] Del Rio trying to make it to his feet before ten.
Referee at a count of eight now.
Rodriguez with the instructions at ringside,
Del Rio makes it back to his feet but he's woozy.
[Jerry] Whoa, he's really woozy.
All the way out of the ring onto the floor.
[Bradshaw] And what are you getting up to? You get up for the count of ten,
you're looking at this angry Giant still.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Now, where's his loyal employee?
That's not his employee, that's his brother, the way he calls him.
[Bradshaw] Yeah, and yeah, he pays the guy,
he can call him whatever he wants.
[Michael] He can paint him a color and he can do whatever he wants
if he pays him.
One, two.
[Jerry] Alberto still feeling the effects of that huge chokeslam
from the Big Show, which it's just been the beginning of the end.
[Michael] Yeah, Big Show is admonishing the ref,
telling him to start the ten count. Big Show again.
And now, the focal point, the back of Alberto Del Rio.
First the chokeslam and now driving Del Rio into the floor here at ringside.
[Bradshaw] This is 100% Big Show.
[Michael] No, I think that most of us expected it that way.
You think you look at Del Rio trying to make it back to his feet.
The referee at the count of seven, he's got to beat the ten count
and he does but again, very wobbly on his feet is the champion.
You know, John, is this wise for the Big Show to have taken on
this Last Man Standing stipulation?
[Bradshaw] Absolutely.
[Michael] Del Rio went low! Legal.
No disqualification, went right to the groin, Del Rio.
[Jerry] The Big Show can't believe it.
Did that really just happen?
[Michael] Del Rio to the side of the head.
-The big man's down. -[Bradshaw] That could be it.
[Jerry] The big man is down.
[Bradshaw] Goodness, Del Rio may have found a way to win again.
[Michael] And Del Rio will have the referee begin the count.
If not for anything else, Del Rio buys himself valuable time to regroup here.
[Bradshaw] What an equalizer.
[Michael] The number one contender still on his back at a count of six.
A count of seven, Big Show's got to try to make it to his feet.
[Bradshaw] Get up, Big Show, get up.
-[Michael] Big Show again at nine. -[Jerry] He's up, he's up.
[Michael] Yeah, barely.
And again, Del Rio walks right into the boot of the Big Show
and now Big Show bringing the attack to Del Rio to the entrance area.
[Jerry] Well, I think you were right, Michael,
I think that ten count gave the Big Show time to regroup but--
[Michael] Oh, man.
[Jerry] He just fell backwards and drove Alberto's face right into the floor.
[Michael] It was like an odd DDT, the way that Big Show slung
Del Rio's skull into the floor.
-[Bradshaw] Everything's legal. -[Michael] Yeah, including this.
[Bradshaw] That doesn't move.
[Jerry] Well, we saw Big Show take every second of that ten count
before he got to his feet.
[Michael] I thought it was gonna benefit Del Rio, it actually benefited Big Show.
[Jerry] Yeah, now the Big Show has the advantage.
[Michael] Oh, no, no, he doesn't now.
Del Rio just escaping harm. Uh-oh, look at this.
I think that's one of those fluorescent light bulbs
that he's cracking across the back of Del Rio.
[Bradshaw] That's a light bulb?
[Michael] It's a fluorescent bulb. What would you call it?
[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] Well, I don't know if that was a bulb or not
but I do know that this is a table.
[Michael] And Big Show, oh, man, this is not good for Del Rio.
-[Bradshaw] It's all legal. -[Michael] Of course it is.
[Bradshaw] All #HardbodyRefs out there to do is count to ten.
There's no stopping the Big Show. He can do whatever he wants here.
[Michael] Including that.
[Bradshaw] Del Rio wanting to wink at him, blow a kiss at him,
do it now, Del Rio.
[Michael] You've been in the ring with Big Show, John.
What does that feel like when that huge palm is crashing across your chest?
[Bradshaw] It's like getting hit with something like a Volkswagen.
It hurts from the inside out.
It feels like Big Show has broke every rib in your body when he hits you like that.
[Jerry] Let me ask you guys something,
can you figure out… what do you think is going through the Big Show's head?
He's up to something here, what is he doing?
[Michael] Big Show is climbing that set area.
I have no idea, but look at the handful of hair of Del Rio.
Look at… with one arm.
-[Bradshaw] Wow. -[Michael] One arm.
Del Rio and Big Show.
[Jerry] Oh, this is not good.
This cannot end well, I can assure you that right now.
-[Michael] It's like a high wire act. -[Bradshaw] No, no.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Del Rio in his best impersonation of Flying Wallendas.
Through the table.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] And the referee begins the count.
[Bradshaw] We got us a new champion.
Four!
[Michael] Big Show looking like a valiant gladiator,
-standing above his victim Del Rio. -Six!
Seven!
[Michael] A count of seven,
the world title may be going back to the Big Show.
Del Rio stirring, count of nine.
-Del Rio back to his feet. -[Bradshaw] We got us a fight.
We got us a fight.
[Jerry] Big Show could not believe it.
[Michael] But Del Rio falling right back down,
the damage may have been done. It may just take one more.
Two!
[Michael] And watch the strength of Big Show here, King.
[Jerry] And this is absolutely amazing. How does he do that?
And you know, last week, guys, oh, my God,
last week Alberto wound up under the announce table,
this week he goes through another table.
[Michael] Now, the problem is here, the next big offensive move
by Big Show may put Del Rio down and out for good.
[Bradshaw] Yeah, and King, what you brought up
is that's all in the last 48 hours that that's happened to Alberto Del Rio.
[Jerry] You were right about that and Del Rio,
I think he needs to stay away from any type of tables, as well.
[Michael] Now, Del Rio claiming he wants to be a fighting champion.
Well, he's gonna have to fight tonight just to stay in this matchup.
Show is dominating.
[Bradshaw] Never seen Big Show look better.
[referee] Seven!
[Michael] Big Show trying again to stalk Del Rio
as Del Rio pulls himself back to his feet using every part of the ring.
Trying to anchor himself and remains the World Champion, at least for now.
[Jerry] Well, I think this is definitely, things are looking good for the Big Show,
I would try to keep Alberto Del Rio in the ring and do this.
-Do this. -[Michael] Big Show loading it up.
[Bradshaw] Good night.
[Michael] Big Show ready for the KO punch and Del Rio had enough space,
enough space between himself and Big Show to stay out of the way.
Big Show has got an 80-inch reach and Del Rio just far enough away
to be able to slip out of the ring and survive for a little bit longer.
[Bradshaw] Well, Michael, he's angered the Giant.
The Giant right now is getting him some.
[Michael] And Big Show with the big steel steps,
this is the way that Big Show
lost the championship when Del Rio used the steps as a weapon, now it's Big Show.
[Bradshaw] Oh, man.
[Michael] Del Rio just sidestepping harm's way.
And there is the loyal Rodriguez.
[Jerry] Whoa, look out.
[Michael] Throws the loyal Ricardo Rodriguez, and he paid for it.
[Bradshaw] That's the stupid Ricardo Rodriguez.
[Jerry] He just got broken in half.
[indistinct chatter]
-[Michael] Incoming. -[Jerry] Whoa.
Big Show through the barricade.
The champion moving out of the way, took the chance off the distraction,
this could be Del Rio's moment.
[crowd chanting] Sí. Sí. Sí. Sí. Sí. Sí.
[Jerry] I don't know if the Big Show's gonna be able to get up.
Four. Five.
[Michael] Right into that, Big Show just stirring here.
[Jerry] Yeah, but his eyes are glazed over.
[Michael] No, he's trying to make it back to his feet.
We're at a count of seven, a count of seven,
-Del Rio pleading with the ref. -[Bradshaw] Get up, Big Show, get up.
Get up, Giant.
[Michael] And he just does make it to his feet.
Del Rio.
[Jerry] Watch out, another chair to the spine,
buckling Big Show with ease.
[Michael] Big Show buckles again and buckles again.
-[grunts] -[Michael] Man.
[Bradshaw] Del Rio may find a way to win again, unbelievable.
This guy doesn't quit.
[Michael] And what is he, oh, look at Del Rio.
Look at Del Rio, Big Show's arm, Big Show's arm is helpless.
He's gonna break his arm. Draped across the steel steps.
-And the shoulder. -[Jerry] Oh, man.
[Bradshaw] It's all legal. It's all legal.
[Michael] He could have a broken arm, guys.
[Jerry] Could have.
[Michael] Right arm was on it. And Del Rio.
-[Bradshaw] It's all legal. -[Jerry] Look out.
[Michael] It is all legal.
Big Show being doused by Del Rio.
And now, we're at a count of two. Big Show is still down.
Del Rio with weapons still in hand.
The Giant. I think he's blinded.
I don't think Giant has any idea where he's at right now.
[Bradshaw] Yeah, arm can be broke.
That's the same arm right there, that arm can be broke.
[Michael] Yeah, Del Rio, cross armbreaker,
cross armbreaker is locked in.
This is normally a submission maneuver.
-[Jerry] Whoa, look at this. -[Bradshaw] What is Ricardo doing?
-[Jerry] He's got duct tape. -[Bradshaw] What is Ricardo doing?
-[Michael] That's duct tape. -[Bradshaw] Come on, you can't do that.
[Michael] Yes, you can, it's completely legal.
Rodriguez is duct taping the Giant's feet to the bottom rope.
Del Rio has got the cross armbreaker in. This is brilliant, absolutely brilliant.
[Bradshaw] Well, does Big Show have to fight all of Mexico?
You got to be kidding me. Come on.
[Michael] Del Rio with a cross armbreaker on the already injured arm of Big Show.
Ricardo Rodriguez putting an entire roll of duct tape
around the boots and the ankles of Big Show.
He's duct taping them to the bottom rope. Big Show has been hogtied.
-[crowd cheering] -One, two…
[Jerry] And the ref's hands are tied. He's got to count.
[Michael] And Big Show has no use of that left arm to be able to push
himself up to try to get to his feet.
[Bradshaw] Oh, come on, not like this, not like this, no.
-[crowd] Siete, ocho, nueve. -Seven, eight, nine.
-[Michael] He's gonna do it. -[Jerry] Yes, it's over. He did it.
-Alberto Del Rio retains the title. -[bell ringing]
-["Realeza" playing] -[Ricardo speaking Spanish]
Alberto Del Rio.
[Bradshaw] Somehow, someway,
Alberto Del Rio found a way to win again and kudos to Alberto Del Rio.
[Jerry] Somehow, someway, major assist to Ricardo.
Ricardo got thrown nearly through the wall by the Big Show
and as he rolled around underneath the ring,
he found that roll of duct tape and boy, did it come in handy.
[Michael] And what a victory. A little trickery for Del Rio and company.
[Jerry] Watch this, this is where it all started.
Oh, missed his mark and went right through the wall.
[Michael] And then Del Rio first would use a steel chair.
Right to the arm of Big Show pinned between the steel steps.
After Big Show was blasted with a fire extinguisher,
Del Rio would go for the cross armbreaker.
And while Big Show was incapacitated, check out Rodriguez.
[Jerry] Watch Rodriguez, he found that roll of duct tape and, brother,
did he go to town with it.
[Bradshaw] Hey, it's all legal. It's all legal.
[Jerry] Not just one leg but both legs of the Big Show bound,
taped, and he was unable to get up.
[Bradshaw] Dos Caras may be crying again tonight.
[Michael] And the emotion of Del Rio pouring through his veins,
Del Rio and his loyal compadre Rodriguez outsmart the Big Show tonight.
Del Rio retains the World Champion and Big Show is fuming.
[Jerry] Yeah, the Big Show, that Giant,
trust me, is going to be more angry than he's ever been in his life.
Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome
Mr. Money in the Bank, Dolph Ziggler,
AJ, and Big E Langston.
Dolph, this past Monday on Raw,
you were able to outlast the times of both Sheamus and Randy Orton
-in the Beat the Clock challenge and-- -Yeah, yeah, yeah, everyone saw.
Everything Vickie did was so see-through,
it's just bitter, jaded, and pathetic.
Anyone who's ever seen a Royal Rumble match knows
that one and two are exactly the same.
So, I'm choosing number one.
-[crowd cheering] -[chuckles]
Because that's exactly what I am.
Dolph, I’m sure that you're aware, in all of history
-only two Superstars have ever entered-- -What are you trying to say, Matt?
Are you trying to say that Dolph can't do it?
-I'm just-- -Are you trying to say that my Ziggy
isn't good enough to be number one and win the Rumble match?
Just pointing out a statistic--
I wasn't finished.
I have a question for you, Matt.
How fast and how far can you run in five seconds?
Five, four…
This is Big E Langston reporting live from the Royal Rumble pay-per-view.
So, Dolph, the WWE Universe would like to know
what are your plans after you win it all here tonight?
Great question, Big E, and thanks for asking.
Yeah, yeah, after I win the Royal Rumble match and oh, by the way,
set the record for longest ever entrant in a Royal Rumble match whatevs,
I'm gonna do something no one else has ever done before.
I'm going to cash in my Money in the Bank contract,
win the world title, go on to WrestleMania,
and win the WWE Championship
and unify the world and WWE Championship
on the biggest and grandest stage of them all.
Show…
off.
[crowd cheering]
["What Makes a Good Man?" playing]
[Jerry] Well, we wanna send out a special thank you to The Heavy
for "What Makes a Good Man?"
It's one of the official Royal Rumble theme songs
and it's off the album The Glorious Dead,
which is available right now on iTunes.
[Michael] And welcome back, ladies and gentlemen,
to the 26th annual Royal Rumble here tonight in Phoenix
and of course, the Royal Rumble match
and well, you know what awaits the winner of tonight's Royal Rumble match.
It's the Road to WrestleMania,
a guaranteed main event at the big show, WrestleMania,
for the winner of the Royal Rumble.
Thirty men, King, will compete tonight. The prize, as John just described it.
Well, we had the opportunity earlier today
to catch up with some of the men involved in the Royal Rumble match,
and these participants are very confident.
♪ Hey now, just show me how ♪
Not surprisingly, the past three Royal Rumble winners
have all been non-Americans.
And tonight, that streak continues.
But past winners like Edge, Alberto Del Rio, and especially Sheamus
just pale in comparison to the greatest United States champion…
[speaks indistinctly] …Antonio Cesaro, wa-bam!
Personal foul on anybody that thinks they got a leg up on the Prime Time Players
in this Royal Rumble match.
Ain't nobody got time for that.
Yeah, ain't nobody got time for that, because you all know
that winning this Royal Rumble match for the Prime Time Players means…
-Let's do it, baby. -Oh, millions of dollars.
-Millions of dollars, millions of dollars. -Millions of dollars, millions of dollars.
Tonight's my kind of night.
In the Royal Rumble, there are no friends, partners, no allies.
That's just the way I like it.
Tonight, I need this win. I need it.
And I'm gonna take it.
Twenty-nine of the Superstars, we all share the same goal
but every one of those folks has got a target on my back.
Well, I say Rumble, young man, Rumble, with a ticket to WrestleMania on the line,
at the end of the night you will realize, the champ, here.
I've already restored credibility to this,
but tonight, I restore credibility to an event
that hasn't had a real winner in a long time.
Tonight, for the first time ever,
the Intercontinental Champion wins the Royal Rumble match
because nobody can stop the great Barrett Barrage.
How are you? You know, most Superstars, past and present,
have never won a Royal Rumble match, let alone two.
So, what makes me think that I can win the Royal Rumble match
two years in a row?
Simple.
The Brogue Kick. And if need be,
I've got 29 Brogues for 29 Superstars because as far as I'm concerned,
it's the Royal Rumble and the time for talking is over
because tonight, it's time to fight.
Who says I'm not the best in the world?
I'm not the world's largest athlete.
I sure as hell don't eat Fruity Pebbles.
I'm not gonna have a pint after the match.
Every 90 seconds, a new Superstar enters the fight.
I say feed me more.
Another Superstar, feed me more.
And you know, King, many believe that Ryback is the favorite
-in this Rumble match. -Well, you're right about that.
We know that Dolph Ziggler is gonna number one.
What order the rest of these Superstars are gonna come out here,
we'll find out later on tonight.
And you know what? I got a sneaky feeling
there's gonna some surprises in the Royal Rumble.
Well, two men we know are in the Royal Rumble match
already met earlier tonight, United States Championship on the line,
the champion Antonio Cesaro against the challenger, Miz.
Royal Rumble pre-show. Watch this, nasty fall for Miz and Albert--
I should say Antonio Cesaro would take advantage.
Watch this great move by Cesaro.
Miz shoulder-first into the apron
and then the United States Champion would deliver the awesome neutralizer,
lifting Miz off his feet face-first, retaining the championship.
That, of course, exclusively on YouTube and the WWE app,
the Royal Rumble pre-show.
["Hallelujah from Messiah" playing]
♪ Hallelujah, hallelujah Hallelujah, hallelujah… ♪
[bell ringing]
[Lilián] The following tag team contest is scheduled for one fall.
And it is for the WWE Tag Team Championship.
Introducing first the challengers, at a combined weight of 462 pounds,
Cody Rhodes, Damien Sandow, Team Rhodes Scholars.
[Michael] So, is this the night for Team Rhodes Scholars to capture
the Tag Team titles here at the Royal Rumble?
♪ Hallelujah, hallelujah Hallelujah, hallelujah ♪
♪ Hallelujah, hallelujah… ♪
[Jerry] Cody Rhodes certainly doesn't have a handlebar mustache.
I asked Cody, "What is that called?"
He said, "King, it's a pencil thin mustache."
And I said, "I think you should erase it."
[Michael] The essence of magnificence mustachioed.
["Veil of Fire" playing]
[Lilián] And their opponents at a combined weight of 533 pounds,
they are the WWE Tag Team Champions,
Daniel Bryan and Kane, Team Hell No.
[Michael] Well, you know, John, this has been a big week for Team Hell No.
This past Monday on Raw,
Kane and Daniel Bryan graduated from anger management.
[Bradshaw] That's ridiculous. That Dr. Shelby is an absolutely quack.
[Jerry laughs]
[Michael] Dr. Shelby said he was so proud of this career accomplishment.
[Bradshaw] Dr. Shelby is a goof, he's a quack.
[Jerry] He may have accomplished the-- maybe the world's largest hug.
[Michael] I know, I got a chance to hug you.
-Pretty awesome. -[Bradshaw] I saw you two guys hugging,
it made me wanna throw up.
-[Michael] Easy now. -[Bradshaw] Y'all hug on Monday night.
We fight on Friday.
[Michael] It's all about the WWE Tag Team titles.
[Jerry] Oh, all good, Johnny, don't you love each other?
[Bradshaw] No, we didn't go that far. It was sickening.
Kane and Daniel Bryan taking on Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow.
-[Jerry] Oh, I love you. -[bell ringing]
[Michael] Here tonight at the Royal Rumble.
So, it's Cody and Daniel
-starting things off. -[Bradshaw] To battle officially.
It's like a hair explosion against a jacked up Freddie Mercury.
[Jerry] Oh, my goodness, look at that beard.
World's toughest vegan. Well.
[Michael] Another one bites the dust or we will rock you
perhaps for Team Rhodes Scholars tonight.
-[Bradshaw] Wonderful esoteric reference. -[Michael] Yeah, Daniel Bryan last year
at the Royal Rumble successfully defended his World Heavyweight Championship
against Big Show and Mark Henry in a steel cage match.
Remember that awesome night?
-[Bradshaw] Mike Tyson was a vegan. -[Jerry] No, not when he ate Holyfield,
-but he was a vegan. -[Bradshaw chuckling] Easy.
[Michael] Up over the top goes Daniel Bryan.
Cody Rhodes, and Daniel Bryan catching Rhodes,
great counter by Bryan and now he's gonna make Rhodes pay.
[Sandow] Cody, come on!
Daniel Bryan, who claims to know over 100 submission maneuvers.
[Jerry] And denies the fact that he looks like a goat.
[Michael] And Daniel doing a little surfing here.
[Bradshaw] He might be the only vegan goat.
[Jerry chuckling] Oh, my goodness.
[Michael] Will Cody Rhodes tap out with the Tag Team titles on the line here?
Cody says no way.
Daniel Bryan makes the tag and here comes the Big Red Monster.
[Jerry] And another Bryan, Brian Wilson would have been proud
of that surfboard, would he?
[Michael] Yes, of course, of the Beach Boys, as Kane connects,
dropkick to the face, hook to the leg, and Cody kicks out.
The Big Red Monster Kane so excited to have graduated last week.
Dr. Shelby says, "Kane came such a long way."
Here's a man who once Tombstoned a priest.
[Bradshaw] He's a quack. Why are you quoting Dr. Shelby?
It's like quoting Dr. Hannibal Lecter. The guy has zero credibility.
[Michael] Look out. Oh, man.
Cody with a dropkick caught Kane
and here Team Rhodes Scholars tries to back Kane into their corner
and Damien Sandow went off the tag as Kane tries to fight out of things.
[Bradshaw] Tries to? I think he's doing a pretty good job.
[Michael] A very good job.
[grunts]
[Charles] One, two!
[Michael] Here's the cover, a kick-out by Sandow.
[Bradshaw] When I was talking to Cody Rhodes earlier about his mustache,
he said he was really looking forward to being in this match.
How can you look forward to being in a ring with Kane?
I'd rather go to the dentist and get a root canal.
[Michael] To win the Tag Team titles, great double team there.
And if you'd notice, you keep calling Dr. Shelby a quack, John.
-[Bradshaw] Quack. -[Michael] Well, I'll tell you
he's got the-- Kane and Daniel Bryan working on the same page
as Tag Team Champs, he's taken the dysfunction out of their tag team.
[Bradshaw] What you mean dysfunction?
They've been Tag Team Champions this entire time,
why do you call that dysfunctional?
So, they got a little problem, so they got anger management,
that's what we do here. We got anger management problems,
we stick 'em in the ring.
You don't listen to some quack and sing "Kumbaya"
and sit around holding each other's hands.
And the hug like you two did on Monday Night Raw, that was disgusting.
[Jerry] So, I think we might better get Dr. Shelby over
on Friday Night SmackDown, talk to you and JBL, Cole.
[Michael] I don't work on SmackDown, King.
[Jerry] Well, you have worked on SmackDown.
[Michael chuckling] Oh, yeah, in the past.
[Jerry] You guys haven't gotten along since then.
-[Bradshaw] I wish you would. -[Michael] It's the other guy, Josh.
[Bradshaw] Yeah, I wanna be a one-man booth.
[Michael] Oh, and look at Kane with a big kick to the face, and Sandow
-sent flying out of the ring. -[Jerry] Look out.
[Michael] There goes Cody Rhodes and Team Hell No in control.
[Bradshaw] So, I guess you're gonna give Dr. Shelby credit for this, too?
[Michael] Oh, perhaps. Daniel Bryan. Through the ropes.
[Jerry] And there goes Team Rhodes Scholars.
-[Bradshaw] The Flying Goat vegan. -[Michael] Now, goats do fly.
[Bradshaw] It's what I just said.
[Jerry] I thought it was pigs that flew.
[Michael] So, if you drink goat milk or eat goat cheese, are you still a vegan?
[Bradshaw] You'd have to be.
I'm like almost a vegan. I only eat animals that eat grass.
I prefer to eat animals that have… eat animals that have parents.
[Michael] Great move by Cody there. Damien was in trouble.
He pulls the rope down and now,
Team Rhodes Scholars tries to take advantage.
Again, the Tag Team Championship up for grabs here tonight
and Sandow who was very aggressive.
Remember, he was trained by the late, great Killer Kowalski.
And Sandow showing shades of that here.
Quickly back into the ring and now on the assault.
-Look at this, King. -[Jerry] Yeah, Cody Rhodes, right,
that's the way a tag team works, especially if you got someone on there
as clever as Cody Rhodes.
[Michael] And Cody, a four-time Tag Team Champion,
two-time Intercontinental Champion,
of course, the son of the Hall of Famer, "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes.
Oh, man.
[Bradshaw] Very little is made about Cody's amateur background.
A hundred and one and two in four years of high school,
two State Championships in Marietta, Georgia.
Yup, brought up in Marietta
is Cody Rhodes, now a half Boston crab by Daniel Bryan.
Notice how he puts the knee right in the spine.
Will Bryan tap out when the Tag Team title's up for grabs?
[Bradshaw] You know, Cody's like a real tough Tom Selleck with that mustache.
[Michael] Can you bring the references maybe into this decade?
Team Rhodes Scholars claimed that, oh, look at this,
Daniel Bryan great counter here.
-[Bradshaw] How about Ron Burgundy? -[Michael] Oh, that's…
Got a movie coming out, so that is a little more recent.
[Bradshaw] And Tom Selleck is on TV today.
Exactly. If you'd watch something
-other than your Dungeons & Dragons. -[Michael] Oh, yeah, he's in Blue Bloods.
-I get it. -[Jerry] There you go.
[Michael] But here we go, cover again and a kick-out
but JBL's reference is back to Magnum, P.I.
[Bradshaw] So, you're wrong and I'm right?
-Maybe y'all should hug again. -[Michael] And Damien Sandow,
look at this! Check this out.
-[crowd cheering] -[Michael] Off the side Russian leg sweep.
The Elbow of Disdain,
the Cubito Aequet with the elbow to the heart,
Sandow, cover, hook to the leg and a kick-out by Bryan.
-[Bradshaw] Trying again. -[Michael] And again, a cover and again,
a kick-out by Daniel Bryan,
the beacon of light in a harbor of iniquity.
Damien Sandow hammering away on Bryan.
And again, Sandow looks to win the tag titles and Bryan stays alive.
Sandow fancies himself an unwilling hero
as he tags in his best friend, Cody Rhodes.
-[Jerry] An unwilling hero? -[Michael] Yup.
[Jerry] So, he thinks he doesn't wanna be a hero but he is.
[Michael] Yeah, he believes that's what the WWE fans had turned him into.
-Very delusional man. -[Jerry] Yes.
[Michael] As Bryan catches Rhodes, heel kick to the jaw,
could be an opening Bryan needs, Kane wants in this match.
[Bradshaw] Last thing Sandow and Rhodes want
is getting Kane in the match.
-[Michael] Here comes Damien Sandow. -[Kane] Gotta get there first, Sandow.
[Michael] And Sandow keeping Daniel Bryan away and wisely yanking Bryan back
to the quarter and another quick tag to Cody.
[Michael] Great strategy by Sandow and Rhodes.
Yeah, Team Rhodes Scholars class book-- I should say classroom textbook,
tag team style.
[Jerry] Well, they're operating like a well-oiled machine.
They don't need Dr. Shelby.
I think they have all their kinks worked out.
[Bradshaw] Nobody needs Dr. Shelby.
[Michael] Hey, John, if Team Hell No happens to lose
the Tag Team titles tonight, what would happen to them?
Think they'd split up for good?
[Bradshaw] Call Dr. Shelby.
No, they're not gonna split up for good. Wow.
They're a great tag team.
[Jerry] Dr. Shelby doesn't make house calls.
He'd charge you if you call him.
[Michael] Could be the turning point of the match, both men down,
center of the ring.
Daniel Bryan's got to get to Kane. Watch this again, collision here.
Big counter.
And here's Kane off the tag, Big Red Monster, going right for Sandow,
went for the chokeslam.
And Sandow caught a right hand, did you hear that?
[Jerry] Might've rather had the chokeslam.
[grunts]
[Bradshaw] Bad news for Team Rhodes Scholars.
This is exactly what they didn't want.
[Michael] The strength of Kane, side slam, cover, hook to the leg and a kick-out.
[Bradshaw] One of the best big men this sport's ever seen.
This is scary, this big man going to the top rope.
[Jerry] He's gonna fly.
[Bradshaw] That's not a flying goat.
-[Jerry] No, it's not. -[Bradshaw] That's a flying tanker.
[Michael] Well, he didn't get a chance to fly because he was grounded by Sandow.
And now the fight is at the top rope.
[Jerry] Well, he may still get a chance to fly.
Now he's flying.
[Michael] Three hundred and twenty-five pounds.
Sandow roll through. Kane missed. Sandow looks to take advantage.
An odd swinging neckbreaker, but effective nonetheless.
Cover, hook to the leg, and Kane at two.
[Bradshaw] Sandow didn't get all he wanted there.
Not enough to take the big man down.
[Michael] Team Rhodes Scholars, Team Hell No
and the Tag Team Championship, all terms trending worldwide on Twitter.
-Cody Rhodes, look out. -[Jerry] Are you kidding me?
[Michael] Right for the dual chokeslam, tag was made.
Daniel Bryan making the tag from behind unbeknownst to Team Rhodes Scholars.
Daniel Bryan is the legal man.
Sandow has no clue as Sandow goes into the cover.
-There was a tag. -What?
[Michael] Daniel Bryan is perched at the top rope,
Daniel Bryan, missile dropkick,
caught Sandow on the jaw.
-Cody Rhodes. -[Bradshaw] Oh, no.
There goes Clark Gable.
[Michael] Thanks for coming, Cody, you are gone with the wind.
As Daniel Bryan wrestles Sandow onto the mat,
going for the yes, the no lock, locked in, Sandow taps out.
-[bell ringing] -Tag Team Champions retained.
["Veil of Fire" playing]
[Lilián] Here are your winners and still the WWE Tag Team Champions,
Team Hell No.
[Michael] Kane and Daniel Bryan, what a week.
They graduate from anger management.
People claim they were too soft now to defend the titles.
They tossed that out the window.
Team Hell No still the Tag Team Champion.
[Bradshaw] And I hope Dr. Shelby paid full price for this
while he's sitting home watching The Quack.
[Michael] You can call him a quack or whatever you want.
In my estimation, he's extremely successful.
Dr. Shelby, I'm gonna go on record again,
should be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.
[Jerry] What? What?
[Bradshaw] Well, if you can make peace between Kane and Daniel Bryan,
-you've done something. -[crowd cheering]
[Bradshaw] Ridiculous.
Tonight, we're at the United Airways Center in Phoenix, Arizona.
It is Royal Rumble night.
The Royal Rumble match is almost upon us.
And when you talk about the Royal Rumble match,
it is simply all about the numbers.
["What Makes a Good Man?" playing]
[narrator] It's anticipation of the amazing.
[Michael] Edge is going to WrestleMania.
[narrator] Unvarying in unpredictability and the epitome of excitement.
[Michael] Welcome to the Royal Rumble.
[narrator] For over a quarter century, it has shown us how to defy the odds.
Thirty Superstars, one winner.
A main event championship opportunity at WrestleMania XXIX awaits
at the 26th annual Royal Rumble match.
The numbers tell the story.
Thirty-six, the total number of WWE Hall of Famers
who have competed in the Royal Rumble match.
These legends combine to headline 25 main events of WrestleMania.
Seven hundred twenty-four since 1988,
over 700 entrants had tried to win the Rumble match only to be eliminated.
[exciting music playing]
[narrator] Thirty-nine Hall of Famers.
Shawn Michaels holds the all-time record
for eliminating the most competitors.
[Jerry] How does he do that?
[narrator] Not far behind is Kane,
who has tossed a total of 35 participants in 13 consecutive Rumbles
with a record 11 eliminations in 2001.
[Bradshaw] Kane is going crazy here.
[narrator] Two hundred one thousand, four hundred ninety-seven pounds,
the astronomical mass of humanity that has competed in the Royal Rumble match.
[Vince] You wanna know where the defense? There's the big pal.
[narrator] That's over 100 tons, or 457 Big Shows.
Four hundred forty thousand and four.
[Jerry] Take a look, they're here in numbers.
[narrator] That's how many numbers of the WWE Universe
have been in attendance at the Royal Rumble
to witness a number of memorable moments.
Sixty-two minutes, 12 seconds.
Rey Mysterio survived brutal competition for over an hour to set the record
for the longest appearance in a Rumble match.
-[Jerry] He did it. -[Michael] No way.
Rey Mysterio did it!
[narrator] Three Stone Cold victories in the Royal Rumble match,
more than any other Superstar in history.
Two seconds, for 20 long years,
The Warlord held the record
for the shortest time in the Rumble match, that was until 2009.
[Jerry] Oh! What?
I think The Warlord's record may have been broken.
I wasn't ready, I wasn't ready.
[narrator] Number one, the first entrant is at a definite disadvantage
where time is not on their side.
Yet a number that has produced the same amount of winners
as the coveted number 30 spot.
Twenty-seven, perhaps the luckiest number in the Rumble match,
producing a record four winners.
And since 1993, 58% of Royal Rumble winners
have gone on to win the Championship at WrestleMania.
Every WWE Superstar is eligible to enter the Royal Rumble,
making this one of the most unpredictable nights in WWE history.
["What Makes a Good Man?" playing]
♪ Show me how To understand ♪
♪ Understand What makes a good man? ♪
-♪Tell me now ♪ -♪Tell me now ♪
-♪ Hey, walk the line ♪ -♪ Walk the line ♪
-♪ Hey, understand ♪ -♪ Understand ♪
♪ What makes a good man? Good man ♪
[narrator] There's only one Road to WrestleMania
and it begins at the Royal Rumble.
[crowd] Five, four, three, two, one!
[buzzer blaring]
[crowd cheering]
They said we were dysfunctional, but we're still the Tag Team Champions.
-Still the tag Team Champions. -[Vickie] Excuse me, excuse me.
Daniel, Kane, as managing supervisor of Raw,
I am happy to give you your entry numbers into the Royal Rumble match.
-Good luck. [chuckles] -[Kane growls]
[chuckles]
Interesting.
-Well? -Well, what?
-Aren't you gonna show me? -Show you what?
Show me your number.
Oh, let me think about it for a second. No!
-[crowd cheering] -No?
What do you mean, no? It's the rules, I show you mine,
you show me yours.
[crowd cheering]
Trust me, you would feel very inadequate.
[crowd cheering]
What does that mean? Just show it to me.
Daniel, it's bad strategy
to reveal your number before Royal Rumble match to anyone.
See you out there, partner.
Not if I see you first.
[chuckles]
Yeah, that's highly unlikely.
[chuckles]
No.
[Michael] You know, WrestleMania XXVI was just up the road in Glendale
but tonight, we're in downtown Phoenix at the US Airways Center
for the 26th annual Royal Rumble.
But it's not just about tonight, it's been a fun weekend all over Phoenix.
King, you and I have been here all week and what a blast we've had.
Absolutely. I mean, Superstars everywhere,
all over the city and the fans, the fans were great.
And all a part of Royal Rumble events, we had things
like Superstar appearances, autograph sessions, interactive panels
which were a lot of fun, and an eight-man tournament
involving our NXT developmental stars, the winner with an opportunity
to get into the Royal Rumble match.
[upbeat music playing]
[announcer] Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the WWE Royal Rumble Fan Fest.
♪ What does it take to get you higher? ♪
When we invade a city, we do it right.
We have literally taken over Phoenix.
♪ What does it take to get you excited? ♪
-Who's gonna win the Rumble tomorrow? -You.
-Feed me more. -[crowd] Feed me more.
♪ What does it take to get you feel? ♪
And I'm shaking just because I'm standing here.
Don't shake, don't shake.
[fan 1] That was very exciting to see the NXT tournament,
to see who's gonna advance to the Royal Rumble.
[announcer] Bo Dallas, congratulations.
I'm going to the Royal Rumble.
Doesn't matter who wins the Rumble, no one's beating CM Punk.
We don't have the seven-second delays in these, do we?
-[Triple H] No, this is live. -Ah, that's not gonna be good.
We're putting some talent on a stage, from a particular instant,
a particular group, and they're just talking about it
from a behind-the-scenes standpoint.
Well, we use the term "Shooting Straight" for these panels,
and so that's what we did.
[Bret] The reality of it all was that I'm not a very angry guy.
It took a real man like Shawn to bring all that out of me.
-It's a gift. -[crowd laughing]
[crowd] Royal Rumble.
[Sheamus] I'm very honored to be here via Make-A-Wish.
[soft music playing]
It's pretty heartwarming to meet Eli and his family.
♪ I raise my hands And look up to the sky… ♪
What's the best part about coming to schools like mine
to talk about the Be a STAR program?
Well, I get to meet cool guys like yourself,
and to spread a really, really good message.
[all] Don't be a bully, be a star.
We as Superstars, we've been given this awesome platform
of influence to these kids.
[Julia] These are people that are on T.V. who have been bullied,
who have had to come up with solutions to that bullying.
And the great thing about it is that they've taken
those experiences and they turned them into something positive.
If we all looked the same, talked the same, walked the same,
the world would be very boring.
So you guys have to embrace yourselves for everything that's different
about you guys.
We kicked off the Royal Rumble week with the Be a STAR program, and today,
we're doing the reading celebration.
We're here to encourage literacy, trying to spread the message,
building strong minds, trying to get the kids to read.
They have a unique way of presenting this, to challenge these kids to get involved.
It all begins with the kids.
We had an awesome day with these kids.
They were really receptive to what we have to say.
[kids] Become a reading superstar!
[bell ringing]
[Justin] Ladies and gentlemen, this is the Royal Rumble match.
[crowd cheering]
[Justin] Now, two Superstars will begin in the ring.
Every 90 seconds, a new participant will enter the match.
Elimination occurs when you are thrown over the top rope
and both feet touch the floor.
This will continue until all 30 Superstars have entered the match.
The last remaining Superstar will be declared the winner
and will earn a championship match at WrestleMania.
[crowd cheering]
["Here to Show the World" playing]
♪ I'm here to show the world Come on ♪
[Jerry] Well, there we go.
[Justin] Introducing the first participant,
being accompanied to the ring by AJ Lee and Big E Langston.
From Hollywood, Florida, weighing 213 pounds,
Dolph Ziggler.
[Michael] Well, Dolph Ziggler this past Monday on Raw won
the Beat The Clock Challenge where he earned an opportunity
to choose what spot he would enter the Royal Rumble match.
[Jerry] Hey, shut up, don't interrupt me.
That's a little more than a good luck kiss, isn't it?
[Bradshaw] Yeah, how unfair was it for Vickie Guerrero to change the rules
midstream on Dolph Ziggler.
[Michael] Well, I actually agree with you, John.
-I think Vickie-- -[Bradshaw] You should agree with me.
It was a fit of jealous rage after Dolph kissed AJ right in front
-of his former manager, Vickie Guerrero. -[Bradshaw] Just 'cause Dolph likes…
[Michael] And Vickie got upset and told Dolph,
"You could choose number one or number two."
[Bradshaw] Just because Dolph likes the WWE version of Kathy Bates.
[Jerry laughing]
[Michael] Only…
[Jerry] That was a pretty hot kiss, wasn't it, JBL?
[Michael] Well, remember the last time AJ Lee gave…
[Bradshaw] Not as hot as y'alls hug on Monday night.
[Michael] One of the last times AJ Lee gave somebody a good luck kiss
was at WrestleMania this past year, Daniel Bryan,
and he got beaten 18 seconds by Sheamus.
[Jerry] Well, that's true.
I stand before you all alone
in the spotlight exactly where I belong.
[crowd cheering]
And tonight when this Royal Rumble match comes to a close,
it's gonna be exactly the same, me standing in the middle
of this ring all by myself as the winner of the Royal Rumble match.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Only twice in history has someone won from the number one spot.
-Only twice in history has… -And I don't even care who number two is,
so just send him out already.
[Michael] Well, only twice in history has someone won
from the number two position.
The question is who will be the man to start the Rumble match
against Dolph Ziggler?
-["Break the Walls Down" playing] -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Oh, my.
[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] You gotta be kidding me! This place is rocking.
Wow.
-This arena is shaking. -[crowd cheering]
[Justin] Introducing the second participant,
from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, weighing 227 pounds,
-Chris Jericho. -[Michael] He's back.
[Jerry] Fifteen thousand-plus are on their feet for Y2J.
[Bradshaw] The first undisputed Heavyweight Champion,
Chris Jericho is back.
[Michael] A six-time World Champion, a record nine-time
Intercontinental Champion.
♪ Jericho ♪
-[Jerry] And maybe the original show-off. -[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] Oh, wow.
[Bradshaw] What a treat. What a great treat we have today.
It is electric in Phoenix.
♪ What you want I'll break you down ♪
[crowd chanting] Y2J! Y2J! Y2J!
[Michael] And this is very interesting, guys, because the last time
we saw Chris Jericho was the night after SummerSlam back in August.
Dolph Ziggler put his Money in the Bank briefcase on the line
against Chris Jericho's contract.
Jericho lost, Jericho's contract terminated here in WWE.
And here tonight on the grand stage of the Rumble,
they start off the Rumble match.
[Jerry] Oh, man, I can't even imagine a better way to kick off
-the Royal Rumble than these two. -[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] This place is electric.
[Michael] It is chilly in here at the US Airways Center.
Jericho and Ziggler officially starting the 2013 Royal Rumble,
and the Road to WrestleMania, and here we go.
[Bradshaw] The Road to WrestleMania has begun.
[Michael] This is Chris Jericho's seventh Royal Rumble.
Last year, he was among the two final men
before being eliminated by Sheamus.
[Jerry] Can you imagine Jericho being here tonight?
[Michael] Uh-oh, Jericho, remember, over the top rope,
both feet hit the floor, you are eliminated.
Chris Jericho making sure that doesn't happen.
[Jerry] Jericho could throw a huge monkey wrench into everybody's plans.
-Here we go. -[Michael] Dolph Ziggler hanging on,
lands on the apron.
Try-- And he's got to get back into the ring,
very dangerous position there for Ziggler.
He's already gone over the top rope, and Jericho looking to take advantage.
[Jerry] I don't think ten minutes ago anyone,
anywhere would have dreamed that Chris Jericho
could be in the main event at WrestleMania this year.
[crowd chanting indistinctly]
[Michael] A thunderous chant here in Phoenix.
I never lost it, baby!
[Michael] Chris Jericho, how psyched does Jericho look
as Ziggler is teetering on the top rope?
Jericho would love to end Dolph Ziggler's Rumble plans
-as we await entry number three. -[Bradshaw] This doesn't end well.
[Michael] Whoa! Superplex top rope, who's coming in at three?
-[buzzer blaring] -["Smoke & Mirrors V2" playing]
[Michael] And it's Cody Rhodes.
Cody Rhodes enters his fourth Royal Rumble match.
[Bradshaw] The mustache is back.
[Michael] And Rhodes went right after Chris Jericho.
And Chris Jericho, clothesline after clothesline to Cody Rhodes,
-chop after chop, Jericho looks great. -[Jerry] Watch your back.
[Michael] But Ziggler right back on Jericho, and here we go.
For most of the match, it's every man for himself,
but as Shawn Michaels once said,
"You'll see strange alliances in this matchup."
[Jerry] Well, there's nothing strange about the alliance here.
Both Cody Rhodes and Dolph Ziggler would love to eliminate,
no matter what the cost, eliminate Chris Jericho.
[Bradshaw] You find a way to eliminate the biggest threat.
Chris Jericho is the biggest threat in there right now.
[Jerry] And there he may go.
[Michael] Trying to hang on on the top rope.
Ziggler and Cody trying to eliminate him.
You know Bret Hart once said, guys, that each entry to the Rumble
changes the entire complexity of the event.
Jericho's entrance did just that, moments ago.
[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] Going for the Walls. Can he get a turn?
And there it is, the Walls of Jericho,
and Ziggler from behind.
[Bradshaw] The key is just simply survive.
You can't win the Royal Rumble until you get to the very--
till all 30 people get in the ring.
[Jerry] Oh, man.
[Bradshaw] But you can certainly lose it before that.
[Michael] And look at Dolph Ziggler, Chris Jericho--
Oh, into the bottom rope as we await entry number four
-in the 2013 Royal Rumble. -[Bradshaw] This is getting fun.
-[Jerry] Time is flying by. -[buzzer blaring]
-["S.O.S." playing] -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] And here come indeed the Trouble in Paradise for Jericho,
Ziggler, and Rhodes, here comes Kofi Kingston.
Entering his fourth Rumble.
Kofi Kingston, the man who won a Slammy Award
for hand-standing his way around the ring avoiding elimination last year,
is taking it to Cody Rhodes.
[Jerry] What an entrance this young man is making,
coming in like a house on fire.
[Michael] And Kofi went right after
-Cody Rhodes. -[Jerry] Uh-oh.
And Ziggler from behind, Kofi Kingston missed
the Trouble in Paradise.
[Jerry] Well, Kofi coming in right now is exactly what Chris Jericho needed.
Takes the focus off of Y2J over there for the time being.
[Michael] And Kofi Kingston-- Just like a rubber band man.
[Jerry] That is so great.
[Michael] And Dolph Ziggler, show-offs-- Staying alive momentarily.
[Bradshaw] Gotta find a way to get back in.
[Michael] And Cody Rhodes went right after Kofi.
[Bradshaw] If Ziggler gets knocked to the floor, he's out.
[Bradshaw] And now, Jericho and Rhodes working together.
[Michael] Strange bedfellows are always made in the Rumble.
[Jerry] Now, Jericho trying to get Rhodes out of there.
[Michael] And then Rhodes going right after Jericho.
Cody Rhodes in last year's Royal Rumble--
[Bradshaw] What an opportunity it is for somebody.
[Michael] Cody Rhodes in last year's Rumble eliminated more men
than anyone else, he tossed six out of last year's matchup.
[groans]
[Jerry] Jericho with the foot
right underneath the face of Cody Rhodes, but you got to get the man
over that top rope, get his feet on the floor to eliminate him.
And look at this teetering, Dolph Ziggler is in trouble.
[Michael] And now, Cody Rhodes looking to eliminate
both Dolph and Kofi as we await entry number five.
-[buzzer blaring] -["La Vittoria E Mia" playing]
[Jerry] Santino.
[crowd cheering]
[Bradshaw] Don't blink.
[Michael] Hey, you shouldn't say that about Santino Marella,
even though Santino holds the record for being eliminated at one second
in a Royal Rumble match.
A couple of years ago, Santino Marella was in the final two,
the year Alberto Del Rio won the Rumble, and now Santino looks to eliminate
Cody Rhodes, and maybe Chris Jericho.
Santino Marella, Jericho hanging on.
[Jerry] Santino thinks he's won it.
Santino, they gotta go all the way out and both feet have to touch the floor.
[Michael] And there's another 25 men
-that still have to enter. -[Bradshaw] He's really not
-the brightest guy. -[Jerry] No.
He may not be the sharpest knife in the drawer,
but he can still cut you, watch! Here we go.
[Michael] And The Cobra has come alive.
Oh, man, Jericho quite the snake charmer there.
[Bradshaw] I saw what you did there.
[Michael] Santino tossed over the top rope.
[Bradshaw] I told you don't blink, and The Cobra.
[Jerry] Look at Cody Rhodes.
[Bradshaw] Does that count twice, you eliminate Santino and The Cobra?
[Michael] Santino Marella was first eliminated.
Jericho wants to add Cody Rhodes to that list.
[Jerry] Cody hanging on for dear life and he saved himself for the time being.
[Michael] Rhodes and Kingston and Ziggler and Jericho remain.
[Jerry] Well, it's not good for Kofi Kingston right now.
[Michael] Now, Kofi's in all kinds of trouble.
Ziggler and Rhodes working together to try to eliminate
the human yo-yo, Kofi Kingston.
We are awaiting entry number six.
[Jerry] The leg strength of Kofi Kingston coming into play--
A lot of leg strength.
-[buzzer blaring] -[Michael] And who will it be?
["More Than One Man" playing]
[Michael] Which member of the Three Man Band?
[Bradshaw] Does it matter?
[Michael] And Drew McIntyre, the jokester, the ribber of the group.
From Ayr, Scotland, Drew McIntyre.
Remember, 3MB with all three members in this match.
So, they have a 10% chance of winning the Royal Rumble match this year.
[Bradshaw] Heath Slater's mom said that, that they have a 10% chance.
I am not sure these guys add that well.
[Jerry] Well, Jinder Mahal guaranteed that one of the three members
would be victorious here at the Royal Rumble.
[Michael] Kofi Kingston over the top, ran into a big boot
by the former Intercontinental Champion, Drew McIntyre.
The ring beginning to fill with Superstars, five in.
Santino, the only to be eliminated so far. Maybe Kofi Kingston will join him.
Jericho trying to eliminate both men, trying to get both Drew and Kofi
over the top rope.
[Jerry] Jericho ever the opportunist--
[Michael] Meanwhile, look at the other side of the ring.
-[Jerry] What you gotta do. -[Michael] Dolph Ziggler over the top,
lands on the apron. Now, the show-off's gotta fight
himself back into this.
[Bradshaw] Dolph Ziggler has got to understand, he's got to be careful.
He gets knocked off that apron… There he goes, get back in, Dolph.
[Jerry] And there goes that alliance that we saw momentarily
between Dolph Ziggler and Cody Rhodes.
[crowd cheering]
[Bradshaw] Wow.
[Jerry] Drew McIntyre really taking it to Kofi Kingston right now.
[Bradshaw] Drew McIntyre making a good showing for himself.
-[Jerry] He's a big guy. -[Michael] Look at Chris Jericho,
-look at Jericho, Jericho, Jericho. -[Jerry] Yup.
[Michael] Well, he's dangling, he's dangling
both feet gotta hit the floor.
-The referee-- -[Bradshaw] Well, the referee
-is right there. -[Michael] Yeah, Charles Robinson
in great position as Jericho pulls himself back to the apron
-as we await entry number seven. -[buzzer blaring]
[Bradshaw] First one has to keep fighting.
["Making Moves" playing]
[Michael] And here he is the Big Deal, Titus O'Neil of the Prime Time Players.
-[Bradshaw] Pick up your wash rag, King. -[Jerry] You're right about that. Whoa!
Titus O'Neil taking it to all the participants in this Royal Rumble.
[Michael] Now, if Titus wins the Royal Rumble match,
he can buy a lot of wash rags.
[Bradshaw] I'm not sure he would, but he could.
[Michael] And now, Kofi Kingston-- You ever thought you'd see that?
Kofi and Cody trying to work together, but Titus O'Neil and the bark
that represents his fraternity from down in Florida.
[Bradshaw] You can't win unless you get to the end, Michaels.
So, you'll gonna all kinds of crazy alliances here,
people trying to make it to the end.
Millions of dollars. Millions of dollars.
-[Jerry] Millions of dollars. -[Bradshaw] The strength of Titus O'Neil.
[Michael] Just flinging Kofi Kingston around the ring.
[Jerry] He should've flung him over the top rope while he had the chance.
[Michael] Talking about the Royal Rumble match,
the great Harley Race who was in the first ever in 1988 once said that,
"You get in there and you go. There's no strategy."
-Just stay alive. -[Jerry] Here we go.
[Michael] McIntyre's eliminated by Jericho.
[Bradshaw] There goes the hair man.
-Watch it, watch it. There goes Jericho. -[Bradshaw] There goes Jericho.
[Michael] Now, Ziggler would love to eliminate Jericho
and ruin the homecoming for Chris Jericho tonight.
And now, Titus O'Neil goes right after Dolph Ziggler.
-Dolph Ziggler hanging on. -[Jerry] Oh, man, oh, man.
[Michael] For the moment. Ziggler has got to get back into the ring.
Notice how Ziggler has got himself draped around the ropes like--
[Jerry] That's exactly what you have to do.
[Michael] Using the rope like an octopus to his advantage.
[crowd chanting] Y2J! Y2J! Y2J!
[Michael] And we are now under ten seconds as we now await entry number eight.
[crowd] …three, two, one.
[Jerry] I don't know how you guys both thought of an octopus at the same time--
-as you saw Dolph hanging to that rope. -[buzzer blaring]
[Jerry] Great minds think alike. What?
["Gold-Lust" playing]
[Michael] Now, there's a reason that Cody has that look.
[Jerry] It's him.
[Michael] Because here comes his brother, the most bizarre Superstar
in history, Goldust.
[Jerry] Team Goldie.
[Michael] And you guys gotta bear with me because I got to look back
into my record book here because I wasn't expecting
this here tonight.
And Goldust goes right after his brother, Cody Rhodes.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Oh, wait a minute, shades of Goldust.
That was a little Goldust from Cody.
[Jerry] Goldust-esque.
[Michael] And there's the real thing right there.
[Bradshaw] That is the real Goldust.
And now, I see-- I'm looking now, it looks like this is Goldust's
eighth Royal Rumble ever, looking to eliminate his brother
Cody Rhodes, who barely hangs on.
[Bradshaw] Goldust made his debut in the Royal Rumble 1991,
tag teaming with his daddy, The American Dream.
[Michael] This is so great already.
[Bradshaw] And now, he's putting a whupping on his brother, Cody.
[Michael] Goldust chants ringing through the US Airways Center in Phoenix.
Goldust unloading on Cody Rhodes.
[Bradshaw] Dr. Shelby would've had a field day with him
and Booker T as Bookdust.
[Michael] Well, you know, Goldust, he's been pretty vocal on Twitter
about the actions of his brother, and his brother's attitude
ever since joining Damien Sandow.
[Jerry] We might have to call in Dr. Shelby to have a little session
with Goldust and Cody Rhodes about this sibling rivalry.
[Michael] And now, Ziggler and Kingston. We now await entry number nine.
[Jerry] I love the unpredictability of the Royal Rumble.
-[buzzer blaring] -[Bradshaw] Who's next?
["All About The Power" playing]
[Michael] It is the Harvard Law School graduate, David Otunga.
[Bradshaw] All right. It's Jennifer Hudson's husband.
[Michael] Otunga entering his third Royal Rumble match.
♪ Everything you ever had Yeah it's tasting kinda sour… ♪
[Michael] And all three of us here at ring side have been a part
of the Royal Rumble match.
John, you've actually been in five in your career.
One year, you lasted nearly 36 minutes.
As Otunga goes right after Goldust.
[Bradshaw] You've been in one, hadn't you, Michael?
-[Michael] Last year. -[Bradshaw] How long did you last?
[Michael] Almost two minutes.
[Bradshaw] Did anybody last less than you?
-[Michael] Yes. -[Bradshaw] Who?
-[Michael] Jerry "The King" Lawler. -[Bradshaw] How long did he last?
[Michael] Less than a minute.
[Bradshaw] You lasted longer than Jerry Lawler?
-[Michael] Yes. -[Bradshaw] Wow.
-Did you beat him at WrestleMania too? -[Michael] Yes.
[Jerry] Hey, listen, I've stopped listening, you can stop talking.
[Michael] And Otunga has got Jericho pinned to the corner.
[Jerry] David Otunga got to be very careful,
his face got rearranged in recent match. I don't know if you noticed that.
[Michael] You know, Cody Rhodes was hanging out the corner
catching his breath moments ago.
That's smart.
[Bradshaw] And Otunga going after Jericho.
Jericho, one of the first ones in. He's like low hanging fruit.
[Michael] "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan who won the Royal Rumble in 1988.
He once said, "You get in the corner, you protect yourself,
you move and hit, you stay out of harm’s way."
[Jerry] Look at Titus.
[Michael] Titus O'Neil not able to do that.
[Bradshaw] Uh-oh, here goes Goldust.
[Michael] Hanging on the apron is Titus.
Cody Rhodes not to able to eliminate his brother either.
The ring is filling up with Superstars.
[Jerry] You see Kofi Kingston has Dolph Ziggler in trouble.
[Michael] Number ten, we're a third of the way through,
ladies and gentlemen, of the 2013 Rumble.
["More Than One Man" playing]
[Michael] And there he is, the Axl Rose of the Three Man Band, Heath Slater,
who Tweeted earlier this week that the Royal Rumble,
in his mind, is nothing but-- Nothing more than a 30-man mosh pit.
[Jerry] So that means you follow Heath Slater, Cole?
[Michael] Yeah, I follow him on Twitter.
[Jerry laughs]
[Bradshaw] You admit that? We're on air, Michael.
-[Jerry] That's what I meant. -[Bradshaw] We're on air.
[Michael] And Heath Slater, he's unloading on Otunga,
Titus and Kofi, Goldust and Ziggler, Rhodes and Jericho.
Now, Slater turns his attention to Goldust.
[Bradshaw] At least Beyoncé could've sang if she wanted to.
These guys have never even sang, lip sync, anything.
[Jerry] You mean they're total Milli Vanilli?
[Bradshaw] Total Milli Vanilli. They're what happens when the late-night
posse went to a karaoke bar.
[Michael] You know there's been a number of times in this match
that Ziggler's gone over the top rope and landed on the apron.
One of these times, his luck is gonna run out.
Odds against you, the more you go over that top rope
obviously, and Jericho with a personal vendetta against Ziggler.
[Jerry] Oh, man. Ziggler's head driven into that turn buckle.
[Bradshaw] And from there, Jericho can just knock Ziggler to the floor.
[Michael] Or "My Ziggy", as AJ would call him.
[Jerry] Yup.
-[Jerry] What's her pet name for him? -[Michael] My Ziggy.
[Jerry] And his pet name for her is Napkin 'cause she's been on so many men's laps.
[Michael] Well, ladies and gentlemen,
we could tell you this, Dolph Ziggler and Chris Jericho
have both lasted now 15 minutes in the Royal Rumble match
since starting one and two.
So, John, at some point, the time could become a factor for both these guys.
[Bradshaw] All you have to do is survive, make it to the end.
You can't win if you don't make it to the end.
-[Michael] Who's entering number 11? -["Written In My Face" playing]
[Michael] Last year's Royal Rumble winner, trying to become only the fourth man
in history to win back to back Rumble matches,
and joining the likes of--
Look at this! Irish Curse Backbreaker.
To join Hogan and Michaels and Austin.
Sheamus, looking to join that illustrious group here tonight.
[Jerry] Oh, man, Sheamus cleaning house.
[Michael] Sheamus last year won from entering number 22.
Tonight he hopes to do it from entering number 11.
-Titus. -[Jerry] Oh, Titus hangs on.
-[Michael] Yeah, momentarily perhaps. -[crowd cheering]
[Bradshaw] He's out to go, clobbering. Listen to this.
-This is Sheamus at his best. -[Michael] Otunga.
Oh, Titus eliminated, it's like pinball out here.
[Bradshaw] Otunga is undefeated as a lawyer.
I could feel he's about to be disbarred for this.
[crowd] …five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten.
-[Jerry] Uh-oh. Uh-oh. -[Michael] Brogue Kick.
Thanks for coming, Otunga.
[Michael] He might have to sue for medical malpractice.
And now, look at… at Slater and Rhodes
focusing on last year's Rumble winner as we await entry number 12.
-[crowd] …four, three, two, one. -[buzzer blaring]
["Shrine" playing]
[Jerry] Look out.
[Michael] Yes, Tensai marching to the ring.
Over the years in WWE, he's been in a number of Rumble matches,
this marks Rumble match number six.
[Jerry] Well, you heard that statistic earlier,
about how much weight-- How many Superstars have competed,
this is obviously the biggest man in this year's Royal Rumble so far.
[Michael] And, you know, as the match fills up with Superstars,
it brings to mind a quote from Jake Roberts,
who was the first person to ever eliminate a man in the Royal Rumble.
He said, "When the ring fills up with Superstars,
it gets to be so dangerous, there are so many people
in such a small space, there's nowhere to go,
and there's nowhere to hide."
-[crowd cheering] -[Jerry] I hid under the ring once.
[Michael] Yeah, I know that. Great strategy, however.
Mr. McMahon, remember the year he won? He ran all around the arena.
[Bradshaw] You saying he's scared?
[Michael] I'd say that it was tremendous strategy by the boss.
[Bradshaw] Nice save.
[Jerry] JBL, can you say…
[Michael] Ziggler and Slater trying to hang on.
[Bradshaw] Save that. It's disgusting.
Go ahead. Bring up the fact that great men drive Bentleys.
-Go ahead, Michael. -[Michael] Well, they do.
[Bradshaw] And there you go.
[Jerry] Heath Slater teetering on the edge of the ring there
with a foot in his throat, he's back in now.
[Michael] And now, we await entry number 13 in the 2013 Royal Rumble.
-[buzzer blaring] -["Somebody Call My Momma" playing]
[Michael] It's about to get funky down in this house with The Funkadactyls.
In his first Rumble,
his name is Brodus Clay.
[Bradshaw] Somewhere there's a sasquatch sitting with La Toya Jackson
watching their little kid at the Royal Rumble.
[Michael] It's big old Brontosaurus.
If he can ever get off all his bling, he'll enter the ring.
And here comes Brodus.
-[crowd cheering] -[Bradshaw] Brodus had The Funkadactyls.
[Michael] Now, look at again, again, Ziggler is in trouble
as Brodus goes right after Jericho.
It seems like since starting number one in this match,
Dolph Ziggler has been in trouble since the get-go.
[Jerry] Look at the two big men going at it in there.
[Michael] Again on the apron.
[Bradshaw] How unbelievable would it be at WrestleMania if Dolph Ziggler
is the main event of the championship match
and with Money in the Bank?
He could cash in against himself.
[Michael] Oh, Goldust sent flying
across the ring by his brother, Cody Rhodes.
[Bradshaw] We could call Richard Dawson. We got a family feud.
[Jerry] He's only been dead ten years.
But that's okay. Call him anyway.
[Michael] And now, it's Cody Rhodes on the apron of the ring.
-[Bradshaw] He was great in Honduras. -[Jerry] Trouble for Cod-- Ooh.
[Michael] And now Cody and his brother.
[Bradshaw] Two brothers outside of the apron.
[Michael] Yeah. Both went on the apron.
Both went over the top rope, who's gonna be eliminated?
Cody back into the ring.
[Jerry] Well, lucky for Cody there.
[Michael] Dustin-- Goldust, I should say, hung up on the top rope.
And Goldust headed to the steel post, eliminated.
Cody Rhodes has eliminated his own brother from the Royal Rumble.
[Bradshaw] Is The Dream smiling with this or what?
[Jerry] This does call for Dr. Shelby.
-[Michael] Entry number 14 on his way. -[buzzer blaring]
-["Booyaka 619" playing] -[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] Oh, baby.
[Michael] From just up the I-10 in San Diego, Rey Mysterio's here.
-The winner of the 2006 Royal Rumble. -[Jerry] Oh, man.
[Michael] Rey Mysterio, who set a record when he entered at number two,
lasted over 62 minutes.
-[Jerry] And watch this. -[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] Rey Mysterio, I think just delivered one 619 like that--
Was that a conference call?
[Michael] And look at Rey Mysterio up to the top rope.
Rey Mysterio, what's he gonna do here? He's gonna drop the dime.
And speaking of time, Ziggler, Jericho, over the 20-minute mark
in this year's 2013 Rumble.
[Jerry] And Rey up on the shoulders of Cody Rhodes.
[Michael] Mysterio knows what it's like to last,
not only number two in 2006, but he entered at number one in 2009.
Rey Mysterio is fourth overall in all-time minutes lasted
in Royal Rumble matches, at over 170 minutes.
[Jerry] Sheamus, Brodus Clay there, Kofi, all trying to get
Tensai over that top rope, that's gonna take a village
to get him out of there.
[Michael] Yeah. Tensai, a moose, very difficult to eliminate,
as is as Brodus Clay.
-[Bradshaw] A moose? -[Michael] Yeah.
[Michael] How would you describe him?
[Jerry] Like a big tattooed hippo.
-[crowd] …five, four, three, two, one. -[Michael] Number 15 on his way.
-[buzzer blaring] -[Jerry] Who is it?
-["One Two Three" playing] -[Michael] And Darren Young hopes to last
a bit longer than his partner, Titus O'Neil did.
It's his first Rumble for the other half of the Prime Time Players.
And look at everybody now, ganging up on the big man
-who's been eliminated, Brodus Clay. -[Jerry] Wow.
[Michael] See you, bye. Go back to the dance hall.
[Jerry] Darren Young came in and made the difference.
Look at Kofi.
[Bradshaw] Sasquatch lovers are very upset about Brodus Clay leaving.
[Michael] Kofi Kingston trying to hang on, but he eliminates Tensai.
-[Bradshaw] There goes the other big man. -[Jerry] Wow, did you guys feel that?
[Michael] Tensai's been eliminated.
[Bradshaw] That was about 800 pounds of man right there,
thrown out in two people.
[Michael] And look at Ziggler trying to eliminate Kofi, who lands on--
Kofi just landed on Tensai's back. Kofi is still alive.
[Bradshaw] Wait a minute, Kofi is not disqualified.
[Michael] No, Kofi is still alive. Both feet have to hit the floor.
Tensai-- They got to get Tensai out of here.
[Jerry] Wait a minute.
I think Kofi just got him under there with a kick.
-[crowd cheering] -[Jerry] What's Kofi gonna do?
[Michael] He's in a predicament now because Kofi's not been eliminated,
but how the hell would Kofi Kingston get back to the ring?
It's impossible.
[Bradshaw] He's like a bird when the world is on fire.
Where do you land?
What do you think he's gonna do now?
[Michael] What did they used to do in Star Trek, teleport themselves?
I think that's what Kofi better try to do here.
[Bradshaw] Jump, Carl Lewis, jump for it.
[Michael] I don't think there's anybody that's gonna be in…
[Bradshaw] He's gonna try. Jump for it.
[Michael] …beam him all the way over to the ring.
Beam me up, Kofi.
[Jerry] Let's take a look one more time, this is what happened.
Kofi, he was teetering-- he had to save himself by jumping
all the way across and landed on Tensai's back.
[Bradshaw] It'll take a bigger jump than beaming in Mexico City.
Give me the chair, John. Give me the chair.
-Come on. Give me the chair. -Chair?
-[Jerry] Give him the chair. Come on. -A chair for what?
I don't know. Just give him the chair. He wants it.
I've got to see this. I've got to see this.
[laughs] I got to see this. I got to see this.
This is gonna be good. I don't know what he's gonna do.
-[buzzer blaring] -[Michael] Meanwhile, entry number 16
-heading to the ring, and it's Bo Dallas. -["Anything" playing]
[Michael] This is the young man from NXT who won the eight-man tournament
at the Royal Rumble Fest to earn his way into the Royal Rumble match tonight.
Meanwhile, high drama building ringside.
-Kofi Kingston has not been eliminated. -[Bradshaw] This is unbelievable.
-[Michael] Kingston is still alive. -[Bradshaw laughs] I love it. I love it.
[Michael] And look at the referee staring Kofi down as well.
Hang on, lookit, Kingston's using the chair.
-[Bradshaw] This is awesome. -[Michael] He's using the chair.
[Bradshaw] This is incredible.
[Michael] He's using the chair like a pogo stick.
[Bradshaw laughing] I get an assist.
[Michael] Kofi Kingston gives the assist to Bradshaw.
[Bradshaw] That's the craziest thing I've ever seen.
[Jerry] I can't believe it. Kofi is safe.
[Bradshaw] Kofi's still in the Rumble.
-[Michael] He is the most innovative man… -[Bradshaw] Now give me my chair back.
[Michael] …in Rumble match history.
See you, bye, Darren. Darren eliminated.
Kofi Kingston, Disaster Kick and after all…
[Jerry] Oh, no. You got to be kidding me.
[Michael] After all that, Kofi Kingston eliminated by Cody Rhodes.
And in the celebration, Sheamus trying to catch Cody.
[Jerry] One of the most unique things I've ever seen in the Royal Rumble
and it only buys Kofi Kingston about another extra minute of time.
[Michael] Well, we now await entry number 17.
[crowd] …five, four…
[Michael] Great strategy by Kofi though, but Cody just took advantage.
-[buzzer blaring] -[Jerry] Let's talk a little bit
about Bo Dallas when we get a chance. He's still in there.
-["Show Me How It's Done" playing] -[Michael] Here we go. Here we go.
Yes, yes, yes.
-[Jerry] Oh, my God. It can't be. -[Bradshaw] The Godfather.
I love it. He's back. He's back. The Godfather.
[laughs] I love it. He's back from Vegas.
He brought his rat pack.
[Jerry] And look at this, everyone in the arena…
-[Bradshaw] The Godfather! -[Jerry] …they're in shock.
[Bradshaw] What could happen next? This is great.
-[Jerry laughing] This is… -[Bradshaw] That's my guy.
One of the most entertaining characters in the history
of World Wrestling Entertainment, The Godfather. He's back.
This is great.
-[Michael] And Godfather just slide… -[Jerry] Whoa, whoa, whoa!
[Bradshaw] No, no, no, no.
[Michael] He's been eliminated by Ziggler.
[Bradshaw] Oh, no.
-Why did you do that, Ziggler? -[Jerry] What are you doing?
[Michael] Godfather was a--
In like a half dozen previous Rumbles, but
I don't think he ever lasted that short.
[Jerry] But how great was it just to see The Godfather?
He's still with us.
-[crowd cheering] -[Bradshaw] He's going out in style.
[Jerry] The WWE Universe.
[Bradshaw] That's my man right there.
[Jerry] I love The Godfather.
[Bradshaw] Who doesn't love The Godfather, King?
[Michael] Hey, whether he's eliminated or not, Godfather is gonna party tonight,
we know that.
[Bradshaw] When I grow up, I wanna be The Godfather.
[Michael] And Chris Jericho, meanwhile, who started this match at number two
is still in there, Dolph Ziggler, the number one entry, still in there.
Number 18 on his way in the Rumble.
-[crowd] …three, two, one. -[buzzer blaring]
-["Rebel Son" playing] -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Wade Barrett, the Intercontinental Champion
entering his third Rumble.
[Jerry] This is one bad dude right here.
[Michael] The man who says that around his waist…
the Intercontinental Championship means something again.
-[Bradshaw] Would you disagree? -[Michael] No, not at all,
the Barrett Barrage would love to win the Rumble tonight,
put himself on the map.
[Jerry] Wade Barrett touching the sunshine, isn't that right?
Now, Cole, you better not disagree.
[Michael] I would never disagree with this man.
[Jerry] Look at the strength of Wade Barrett, manhandling Sheamus.
[Bradshaw] Andy Murray lost to Djokovic so he's a Scot again,
no longer a Brit.
[Michael] Unless you're talking about the Australian out there.
As Wade Barrett…
[Bradshaw] People know what I'm talking about.
[Michael] Chris Jericho looked to eliminate Sheamus.
Sheamus, last year's Rumble winner, looking to stay alive
and become a repeat Rumble winner this year.
[Jerry] Dolph Ziggler laid out there by Rey Mysterio-- Whoa, dropkick.
Rey is in precarious position right now, get back to the center of that ring.
[crowd] Eight, seven, six, five, four…
[Jerry] Let Godfather come back in for a do-over.
[Bradshaw] Please come back, Godfather. Please come back, please come back.
-[buzzer blaring] -[Michael] Entry number 19.
-["The Time Is Now" playing] -[crowd cheering]
[Bradshaw] There's no one on their feet here…
Sitting down, sorry, I got excited.
[Michael] And you talk about me.
[Bradshaw] I'm used to hanging out with that other guy on SmackDown.
He's terrible.
-[Jerry] As the winner. -[Bradshaw] He's brought me down bad.
[Michael] The winner of the 2008 Rumble gets ready to head to the ring
and the forces are ready.
John Cena called everyone out last week, said he was winning the Rumble this year,
and here we go. The brawl is on. Everybody wants Cena.
[Jerry] John Cena is welcomed to the Royal Rumble with a beatdown.
-And here comes Cena. -[Bradshaw] It was a beatdown.
[Michael] John Cena says 2013 is his year.
-[Jerry] Look out. -[Michael] Slater.
[crowd cheering]
-[Jerry] Cody Rhodes? Cody Rhodes. -[Michael] Cody Rhodes.
-[crowd cheering] -[Michael] John Cena is on fire.
[crowd cheering]
[Bradshaw] Uh-oh. There goes Y2J. There goes Y2J.
[Michael] Jericho trying to hang on. And now, Ziggler.
[Jerry] I can't believe that Ziggler tried to save Jericho, but he did.
[Michael] Well, Cody Rhodes was in the match nearly 30 minutes,
but he didn't last as he ran into the buzzsaw who is Cena.
[Bradshaw] Hey, what a great matchup this is.
Bo Dallas, first NXT contestant ever to be in the Royal Rumble
going against the ten-time WWE Champion, John Cena.
[Michael] Yeah. Bo Dallas who's the so called "fire and desire"
from NXT, our developmental--
[Bradshaw] This is how you make a name for yourself.
This would be unbelievable if he eliminated John Cena.
[Michael] Are you kidding me? Guys, we're two-thirds
of the way through the Rumble. Who's number 20?
["Hallelujah from Messiah" playing]
[Michael] It is Damien Sandow's first Royal Rumble match.
[Jerry] Damien Sandow comes in and immediately goes after Bo Dallas.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] The ring is filling up with Superstars.
I can tell you this because there is-- Rey Mysterio.
Wade Barrett, both men hanging on.
[Bradshaw] They both got to get back in the ring.
-[Jerry] Did you see how fast-- -[Bradshaw] Rey is over the top rope.
If Rey gets knocked to the floor here, he's out.
-All right, there goes Rey. -[Jerry] Mysterio.
-[Michael] Mysterio eliminated by Barrett. -[Bradshaw] Drop it down on that, 619.
See you.
[Michael] Entry number one, Ziggler, entry number two, Jericho,
both men have lasted now over half an hour, over 30 minutes
in this match here tonight, Rumble 2013.
-[crowd cheering] -[Jerry] Jericho, look at this.
Going after the Walls of Jericho on John Cena.
-[Bradshaw] Chris Jericho-- -[Jerry] But he couldn't get it,
couldn't get it.
[Michael] Well, that's not gonna get Cena over that top rope, I can tell you that.
[crowd] Nine, eight, seven, six…
[Michael] Entry 21 on his way.
[crowd] …three, two, one.
[Jerry] That strength in John Cena frees himself from the grip of Jericho,
but he's right back in it.
[Michael] Going for the Walls again is Jericho…
-["Flight of the Valkyries" playing] -[Jerry] Got it. He's got it locked in.
[Michael] And as Daniel Bryan enters his second Rumble tonight.
In 2011, he came in at number two, tonight at number 21.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Earlier tonight, Daniel Bryan and Kane knocked off Damien Sandow
and Cody Rhodes with the Tag Team titles on the line.
[Bradshaw] We had a cobra in the match earlier, now we got a goat.
[Michael] And Daniel Bryan went after Ziggler,
a former World Heavyweight Champion.
[Jerry] Listen to this yes chant from the Universe.
[Michael] Wade Barrett.
[crowd chanting] Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes!
[Michael] Daniel Bryan is leaving bodies in his wake.
[Jerry] The feet are flying.
[Bradshaw] But you got to get them over the top rope.
[Michael] And Daniel Bryan is the only man standing right now in the ring.
[Jerry] Trying to eliminate Jericho.
-[Bradshaw] Daniel Bryan. -[Michael] Sheamus trying to aid as well.
Jericho is hanging on. He came in at number two.
Cena's in trouble too.
Jericho dangling, pulls himself back up to the apron.
[Jerry] And John Cena, as you said, still dangling over there in that corner.
[Michael] And Sheamus and Daniel Bryan who, of course, met at WrestleMania
last year for all of 18 seconds before Sheamus beat Bryan
-for the World title. -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Entry number 22, as the familiar
Cena chants still the arena.
-[buzzer blaring] -["Miracle" playing]
[Michael] And the United States Champion, Antonio Cesaro enters
his first Royal Rumble.
Earlier tonight on the pre-show, Cesaro successfully retained
his title against The Miz.
[Bradshaw] Cesaro says he loves America. It just needs a people transplant.
[Michael] Well, Antonio Cesaro said that he's going to dedicate his victory
in the Rumble match to his home away from home,
the United States of America.
[Michael] I wonder what Antonio Cesaro thinks of Tina Turner renouncing
her United States citizenship and becoming a Swiss citizen.
-[crowd cheering] -[Jerry] What's love got to do with it?
[Michael] Well, ask Tina Turner. She speaks German now.
[Bradshaw] Cesaro speaks five languages.
[Michael] And Cena is in trouble now with Wade Barrett.
You know, guys, you're talking about Bo Dallas earlier, the NXT upstart.
-[Jerry] He's still there. -[Michael] Bo Dallas has lasted
over ten minutes so far in this match.
[Jerry] Well, that's a victory in itself for that young man.
He's got to be proud.
What a kick there.
[Bradshaw] How unbelievable would it be for Bo Dallas to end up
the Champion here today?
To go to the championship at WrestleMania.
[Michael] Well, that's the beauty of the Royal Rumble match.
I mean, anything can happen.
Every man for himself here tonight once those strange alliances break away
as we now await entry number 23.
Hillbilly Jim once said, "The name says it all,
the Royal Rumble, you hooked me."
-[buzzer blaring] -["Land Of Five Rivers" playing]
[Michael] And we're hooked on number 23, The Great Khali.
You know, the Great Khali as he enters his seventh Rumble match, back in 2007,
he eliminated seven men in one Royal Rumble match.
However, he became only the first man to ever be eliminated
by a Diva, Beth Phoenix eliminated Great Khali in one year.
[Bradshaw] Does Bret Hart know this is about to be his nephew?
[Michael] We'll find out. Bret Hart's got an exclusive interview
on WWE.com right now
as Khali unloads on the Superstars in the ring.
[Bradshaw] Dating a Punjabi princess.
-Natty Hart. -[Michael] Natalya. Natty Hart?
-[Bradshaw] Well, they call her Natty. -[Michael] Natalya Neidhart.
-[Bradshaw] They call her Natty. -[Michael] But she's not a Hart.
You called her Natty Hart.
Sheamus just elapsed to 20 minutes-- eclipsed 20 minutes in the ring
here tonight at the Royal Rumble match.
[Bradshaw] Well, I'm upset about this interspecies relationship.
[Michael] Sheamus may not make 21 as Cesaro looks to eliminate Sheamus.
[Jerry] You've never dated outside your species. [laughing]
[Michael] Did you just call it an interspecies relationship?
-[Bradshaw] Yes. -[Michael] What is wrong with you?
[Bradshaw] Yeah, Anvil's Daughter and the Punjabi guy here.
-[Jerry] He's a Punjabi giant. -[Bradshaw] If that's not
an interspecies relation, I have no idea what it is.
I don't know how PETA is allowing any of that.
[Michael] Anyway, let's move to number 24.
[Jerry] We're at number 24 already? This is amazing.
[buzzer blaring]
-["Veil of Fire" playing] -[Michael] He is one of the greatest
performers in Royal Rumble history.
He is entering his 16th Rumble in a record-setting 14th in a row
for the Big Red Monster, Kane.
Listen to some of these records, 2001, 11 Superstars eliminated in one match.
He went to the final two that year before it was won by Austin.
Kane looking to eliminate Dolph Ziggler, and get the show-off
out of the ring, dangles again.
Dolph Ziggler has survived and survived and survived and survived tonight.
I think Ziggler spent more time in the apron than actually in the ring
in this match.
[Bradshaw] Spent more time on the apron than my old Tag Team partner.
[Jerry] You see Kane and Daniel Bryan, I thought they were gonna try
to double team The Great Khali, but Khali getting the upper hand.
[Michael] Well, Kane overall in his career has the third
most eliminations in Royal Rumble history, at 35.
[Jerry] Look at Sheamus.
[Michael] Kane has been in five final fours,
and Sheamus looks to just survive here.
[Bradshaw] Sheamus, last year's Royal Rumble winner,
trying to make it back to back.
[Jerry] Give me your take on this, Cole, right now in the ring.
Who would be more difficult to eliminate, Kane or Khali?
-[crowd counting] -[buzzer blaring]
-[Bradshaw] Cole's not listening. -[Jerry] I see that.
["Radio" playing]
[Michael] Well, here is the man who enters his third Rumble.
He has one million Twitter followers.
[Bradshaw] Are you gonna answer Jerry's question?
-Who's gonna be harder to eliminate? -[Michael] At this point?
[Bradshaw] You got a Hall of Famer asking you a question.
[Michael] I was gonna say Khali, but he was just eliminated.
[Bradshaw] Yeah, post fact, you go back in there, "Oh, Khali."
[Michael] And Kane is eliminated by his own partner,
his own tag team partner, Daniel Bryan eliminated Kane.
[Bradshaw] But, yeah, Dr. Shelby's a genius.
Yeah, right, Michael.
-[Jerry] Oh, man. -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Daniel Bryan's feet have not touched, moment of truth for Kane.
Will he eliminate his partner? Will he let Bryan survive?
[Jerry] Daniel Bryan is saying put me back in.
-[Michael] Will Kane hold grudges. -[Bradshaw] Will he hold the GOAT?
-Yes! Yes! Yes! -No! No!
[Jerry] Can he ride?
[Michael] I guess you can call Kane the GOAT in this match.
At least from Daniel Bryan's point of view.
[Bradshaw] Why call Kane a goat?
[Michael] It was a sports reference, John.
I know you don't watch much of it, but anyway, look at Ziggler.
[Bradshaw] Kane's a goat?
[Michael] Looking to be eliminated by Zack Ryder.
You know, a guy blows something and he's called the GOAT,
just like he blew it for Daniel Bryan. I mean, hello.
[Bradshaw] Kane would be the GOAT, you moron.
-[Michael] That's what I said. -[Bradshaw] I got-- No, you said Kane--
-[buzzer ringing] -["Voices" playing]
[Michael] Here comes entry number 26, the Royal Rumble winner
of 2009, "The Viper" Randy Orton who says, "I need to win tonight."
-[Jerry] Randy Orton. -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Randy Orton exploding out of the curtain.
He's definitely one of the all-time Rumble competitors,
uppercut from Orton to Bo Dallas.
[Bradshaw] I'm not sure Bo Dallas knew what he was walking into.
Longtime WWE Champion.
-[Jerry] This is a game young man. -[Michael] Yeah.
You got to give him credit. Bo Dallas hanging in there.
[Bradshaw] Give him all the credit in the world,
he needs to get back in the ring.
[Michael] Randy Orton with Ziggler and Dallas.
-[Bradshaw] This is bad news. -[Jerry] What? Is he gonna do this?
Oh, yes.
-[Michael] A double DDT. -[crowd cheering]
-[Bradshaw] Ryder. -[Michael] RKO to woo, woo, woo.
-[crowd cheering] -[Jerry] Oh, got Zack.
[Michael] And Zack Ryder, see you, bye.
Chris Jericho, Dolph Ziggler. They started this matchup the first two slots.
Both have lasted now over 40 minutes in the 2013 Royal Rumble.
You know, a lot of these Superstars are tallied before they enter the ring,
you can check that out at top right now to see what they have to say
-as we now await entry number 27. -[buzzer blaring]
["Three Man Band" playing]
[Michael] And for Jinder Mahal, he enters at the lucky 27 spot,
four victories more than any other entry spot from number 27.
[Jerry] And he's the man who, out of his own mouth, guaranteed
that one of the members of 3MB would win this year's Royal Rumble.
[Michael] He's gotta do it on his own
because Drew and Slater, long gone.
[Jerry] Look at John Cena being manhandled here by Antonio Cesaro.
[Michael] Cena again hanging on, Cesaro, U.S. champion, eliminated by Cena.
Cena has been a beast.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] You know, as this match rolls on,
we mentioned 40 minutes for Jericho and Ziggler.
I mean, what do you do if you're those guys?
How do you dig down deep just to survive here?
[Bradshaw] Yeah, but you got to wonder also about Chris Jericho.
-[Michael] I'm sorry. His name's King. -[Bradshaw] I know his name is King.
And when he asked you a question a second ago,
you stood there like typical, throwing Frisbees over your head
like some guy sitting down. Please, I'm talking.
[Michael] That's now the third time he used that in this match.
[Bradshaw] No, it's the second time.
[Michael] As you see, the Superstars filling the ring,
John Cena looking to send Ziggler over the top rope.
Ziggler surviving again, but again, King, how do you keep lasting?
[Jerry] Well, I was gonna say, as you were saying JBL?
[Bradshaw laughing] As I was saying? Thank you, King.
As I was saying, you got to wonder how Jericho is in such good ring shape.
He's been off with his band Fozzy, he's been doing great work
all over the world, and he comes in here, he lasts 40 minutes
with some of the greatest Superstars in the history of sports entertainment.
-[buzzer blaring] -[Michael] Here comes number 28.
["I Came to Play" playing]
[Michael] This is gonna interesting because I received a medical update
a little bit ago about The Miz, during his matchup and here he goes
straight away with Antonio Cesaro.
Miz taking the brawl to Cesaro, he's supposed to enter
this Royal Rumble matchup, but he has turned his viciousness
at the Champion. Here's the deal on Miz, from what we understand,
Miz injured his ankle during the pre-show coming up the top rope earlier tonight,
the match against Cesaro.
We'll have to see if that's gonna come into play as Miz enters in at number 28.
[Jerry] I'm sure between now and then or then and now,
he went back to the trainer's room and got taped up, heavily taped,
but you're right, that's not the-- doesn't bode well for The Miz. Whoa!
[Michael] Mahal is eliminated. So, what did Mahal say about winning?
[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] Well, he said one of the members of 3MB would win,
and he is definitely wrong.
[Michael] Yeah, they crashed to the bottom of the charts tonight.
Barrett and Sheamus is…
[Bradshaw] They're not even on the charts. They don't play music.
They don't even play the jukebox.
This isn't a real band.
Do they play the radio?
-[Michael] No. -[Bradshaw] Never even played iTunes.
-[Michael] And look at-- -[Bradshaw] This isn't a real band.
It's three car wrecks in a pileup, that's all it is.
[Michael] Meanwhile, Wade Barrett trying to eliminate Sheamus.
They developed quite the rivalry over the past couple of months,
a very physical one of that.
Randy Orton turns his attention to Dolph Ziggler.
Things are getting hairy. Two men left before we get into the…
[Jerry] Whoa, whoa, whoa! Sheamus in big trouble here.
[Michael] This'll be number 29. Who will enter at number 29?
Ziggler again on the apron, but again surviving.
[buzzer blaring]
["Ancient Spirit" playing]
[Michael] And this is Sin Cara who's missed a couple of months
with a knee injury.
Sin Cara returning to the Royal Rumble match
with that innovative, unorthodox style, unloading.
Sin Cara at number 29.
We're awaiting one man to finish out the roster for the 2013 Royal Rumble.
[Jerry] What a battle this has been.
[Michael] You know, Miz in the matchup still.
He lasted longer than any man last year, 45 minutes, and Cena, Cena's in trouble.
Sheamus looking to dump Cena over the top rope.
John Cena hanging on the apron.
[Bradshaw] See if he can find a way back in.
[Michael] He's gotta get back in there, Ziggler again on the apron.
[Bradshaw] Sheamus can't get him out. Cena's strong.
[Michael] Look at Bo Dallas.
Bo Dallas, Bo Dallas trying to eliminate Barrett.
Cena is in trouble. Bo Dallas eliminates Wade Barrett.
-[Jerry] What? -[Michael] The NXT upstart.
[Bradshaw] Wow, that's huge.
[Michael] Bo Dallas, he has been in this match over 20 minutes.
What a thrill for Bo Dallas who won a tournament yesterday
to get here, an NXT tournament of eight men, Dallas the lone survivor,
and he's eliminated the Intercontinental Champion.
[Jerry] Yeah. Well, in his first day here in the big time,
he may have made the wrong man his mortal enemy.
[Michael] And look at Sheamus now, looking to eliminate Sandow.
I am so surprised that Ziggler is still in there.
He's been on the top rope. He's been on the bottom rope.
He's been dangling off the apron, but he's still surviving.
[Jerry] Are you more surprised that Ziggler's still in there
-or that Bo Dallas is still in there? -[Michael] Both. And Jericho.
Lot of surprises here in this Rumble match.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] And now, Jericho again hanging on.
Jericho-- Look at Wade Barrett.
Wade Barrett-- Wade Barrett eliminated Bo Dallas.
[referees speak indistinctly]
[Bradshaw] You were right, King. He made the wrong man mad.
-[Jerry] Exactly. -[Bradshaw] Here we go now. Here we go.
-Here we go. -[Bradshaw] Lights out. Lights out.
Come on, rookie. Get up, rookie.
[Jerry] This is totally uncalled for here.
[Michael] The Bull Hammer elbow and this is ridiculous.
[Bradshaw] Good night, rookie. No, it's not.
[Michael] That young man, Bo Dallas lasted over 20 minutes.
He eliminated the Intercontinental Champion.
[Bradshaw] Yeah. And he shouldn't have done it.
[Michael] And Barrett doing that as we…
[Bradshaw] Oh, wah, wah, wah.
[Michael] Are you ready, gentlemen? Number 30 is about to arrive.
Only two men have won from number 30 in history,
-Cena and Undertaker. -[buzzer blaring]
["Meat On the Table" playing]
[Bradshaw] This is a game changer.
[Michael] Will Ryback join them?
Ryback says this is a match he was made for, that he thrives on it.
"I will not be afraid. I will not be intimidated."
And the monster, the Leviathan, Ryback.
[Bradshaw] This is the last guy you want to enter number 30.
[Jerry] He's fresh.
He's strong, and look at him showing off that strength right now.
-Look out, Mr. Sandow. -[Michael] And Damien Sandow eliminated.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Sin Cara may have chosen his opponent…
[Bradshaw] Just jump over the top ropes, Sin Cara. It would be easier.
[Michael] …a bit more wisely.
He's leaving, smart. No, he's not.
[Michael] Oh, man, just swatting Sin Cara away like a nasty fly.
-And the power of Ryback… -[Jerry] Oh, no.
[Michael] …is on full display at the Rumble.
[Jerry] But look at Ryback from behind.
-[Michael] Wait, is that-- -[Bradshaw] Smart by Miz.
[Michael] And Miz trying to eliminate Ryback.
Remember they've had a bit of a history, Miz and Ryback--
Miz eliminated by Ryback.
We are now down to six men. Codebreaker.
Cena, Jericho, and Ryback. Sheamus, Orton, and Ziggler.
[Bradshaw] You got to get them over the top rope.
[crowd cheering]
-[Jerry] Look at this. -[Michael] Lionsault.
[crowd cheering]
-[Michael] Sheamus. -[Jerry] And he's hanging on.
[Michael] Sheamus 30 minutes in, still in there.
Still in there.
[Bradshaw] Better get back in the ring, Sheamus.
[Michael] Codebreaker to Ziggler.
[Bradshaw] Hanging on again.
-[Jerry] Smart move by Ziggler. -[Michael] Look at the amount of stars.
This is like an All-Star team up right now.
Ziggler, Jericho eliminated by Ziggler.
[Michael] Ziggler sticks it to Jericho again.
We are down to five.
[Bradshaw] What a great performance by Chris Jericho.
[Michael] Ziggler, Jericho, Ryback, Cena.
[Jerry] And I think it's really time to give the devil his due.
Dolph Ziggler starts at number one, he's still hanging in there.
[Bradshaw] Chris Jericho lasted 47 minutes, 53 seconds.
We are down to five.
Orton and Sheamus, Ziggler, Ryback, and Cena.
[grunts]
[Jerry] Coming clotheslines from Randy Orton.
[Michael] Yeah, Dolph Ziggler's approaching
-the 50-minute mark in this match. -[Jerry] Ooh.
-[crowd booing] -[Michael] Ryback shoulder-first.
-RKO to Ziggler. -[crowd cheering]
[Bradshaw] But Ziggler's still in there.
[Michael] Went for the RKO.
-RKO to Cena. -[Jerry] Oh, man.
[Bradshaw] But you got to get rid of them. Went for the Brogue Kick.
RKO to Sheamus. The Viper striking.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Uh-oh. Ryback not where he wants to be.
-Randy Orton is on fire. -[crowd cheering]
[Bradshaw] What a performance at the Royal Rumble
-Randy Orton is putting on. -[Jerry] Look at the carnage.
Look at the bodies of all the Superstars laid to waste by Randy Orton.
[Bradshaw] One of the all-time Rumble greats.
-[crowd cheering] -[Bradshaw] One of the all-time greats.
[Michael] And Randy Orton looming to that place.
[Jerry] Randy Orton entering at number 26, still fresh.
[Bradshaw] And RKO-- Ryback--
And now Ryback, after a great performance by Orton,
-sends The Viper home. -[crowd cheering]
-[Jerry chuckles] Oh, man. -[Michael] We are down to four.
Hey, wait, wait, wait, wait. Ryback, Cena, Ziggler, Sheamus.
-[crowd cheering] -[Ryback grunts]
[Jerry] This is-- This is classic.
[Michael] Ziggler, who entered at number one,
Sheamus looking to eliminate him.
[Bradshaw] He's on the apron again.
[Michael] Sheamus entered at 11.
-Brogue Kick. There goes Ziggler. -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] We are down to three. Sheamus, Ryback, and Cena.
-[indistinct chatter] -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Dolph, 49 minutes, 46 seconds in the Rumble.
Think about this though, let's set the-- Let's reset here.
Sheamus, last year's Rumble winner.
Cena, 2008 Rumble winner. Ryback in his first Rumble ever.
What gonna give here in the final three?
[Bradshaw] This is something you're gonna tell your grandkids about.
This is history in the making.
[Jerry] Catch your breath. Here we go again.
One of these three Superstars is going to WrestleMania.
[Bradshaw] Sheamus looking to win back-to-back.
-Wow. -[Michael] John Cena looking
to make this his year.
Ryback looking to make his career right here.
[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] And Sheamus and John Cena thinking alike, going after Ryback.
-[Michael] Double suplex to Ryback. -[crowd cheering]
[Bradshaw] Strange alliances happen.
[crowd jeering]
[Michael] Cena and Sheamus with a long history.
Sheamus once beat Cena for the WWE Championship,
but they're looking back at the sign, it's all about WrestleMania XXIX
at MetLife Stadium in New York and New Jersey on April 7th,
and now Sheamus and Cena unloading in the middle of the ring.
[Bradshaw] This is to headline WrestleMania.
-[crowd cheering] -[Jerry] Oh.
-[Bradshaw] One of these three men… -[Jerry] Here we go.
[Bradshaw] …is going to the show as the main event, Michael.
[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] You can't see me. Here we go.
-Ryback with a mean hook clothesline. -[Bradshaw] You can see that.
[Jerry laughs] Almost takes Cena's head off,
and now Ryback says, "Finish it now."
[Bradshaw] We're watching history, guys.
[Michael] And it's shell shock time. Shell shock time.
-[crowd cheering] -[Michael] Stomping around the ring.
Sheamus fights out.
-[Sheamus grunts] -[Jerry] Whoa.
-[Michael] Ryback on his shoulders. -[Bradshaw] White noise. White noise.
-[indistinct chatter] -[crowd cheering]
[Bradshaw] White noise has engulfed the US Airways Center.
But how is Sheamus gonna get him over the top rope?
It's not enough to beat him. You got to get him over the top rope.
[Michael] Now, Sheamus, you know the wheels are turning.
Sheamus knows how to win this thing. He won it last year.
Guaranteed he's got strategy for this moment.
-[indistinct chatter] -[crowd cheering]
[screams]
[Michael] The Celtic Warrior is lining up.
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting]
[Michael] Went for the Brogue Kick, and Ryback counters,
-and there goes Sheamus. -[crowd cheering]
-[grunts] -[Michael] And we are down to two.
[Jerry] Oh, my gosh, just like that. Sheamus going for the Brogue Kick,
and the next thing he knows, he's out of the Royal Rumble.
[Michael] Sheamus lasted 37 minutes, 24 seconds,
but remember what happened in the fall.
Remember the night John Cena sat in the middle of ring and told Ryback,
"It's your time."
Tonight, these two men face off in the final two
of the Royal Rumble match.
[Bradshaw] That's not happening tonight. It's not if it's Ryback's time.
-He's gonna have to earn it. -[Michael] One of these two men…
-[crowd chanting] -…will main event WrestleMania.
[crowd chanting] Feed me more! Feed me more! Feed me more!
-[Jerry] Oh! -[Bradshaw] John Cena unloading.
-[crowd cheering] -[Bradshaw] Cena unloading on Ryback.
-Ryback, spinebuster. -[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting] Feed me more! Feed me more!
[Bradshaw] Here comes the Meat Hook.
[crowd chanting] Feed me more!
[Michael] Cena struggling to his feet. That spinebuster took the wind out of him.
-But the Meat Hook Clothesline… -[Jerry] Whoa!
-[Michael] Drop toehold, Cena… -[John groans]
-…STF, STF, STF. -[crowd cheering]
-[Michael] Tap out doesn't matter. -[John groans]
[Michael] He's gotta get Ryback over the top rope.
-But can Cena put the damage? -[both groan]
[Michael] Will the damage be done here?
[Bradshaw] But if you whittle it down, Michael,
you still got to get Ryback
-somehow on his feet over the top rope. -[Michael] Yeah.
But if there's one man that could pick Ryback's
lifeless carcass up and put him over the top rope, it's John Cena.
[Jerry] I got to agree with you there. This does not look good for Ryback.
[Michael] Cena with that inhuman strength, and John Cena wearing Ryback down.
-If Ryback passes out… -[Bradshaw] Ryback's going out. Fading.
-[Michael] And if Ryback passes out… -[crowd cheering]
…all Cena's gotta do is lift that body over the top rope.
[Jerry laughs] Oh, that's it. Ryback is out.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Now, John Cena with the inevitable task
as he shoots the hack of trying to figure out
how to get Ryback up and over the top rope.
-[Jerry] Look at John Cena. -[Bradshaw] Unbelievable.
[Michael] John Cena has got Ryback back to his feet,
absolute strength by John Cena powering Ryback to the top rope.
[crowd cheering]
[Bradshaw] Uh-oh. Ryback is back.
-[Michael] Ryback-- -[Jerry] He's no longer out.
[Michael] Staying alive. Top rope, there's a press from the top rope.
And now, bashing Cena's skull over the mat.
Oh, man.
[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
-[Michael] Ryback eliminated. -[bell ringing]
[Bradshaw] He's down. He's down.
[Michael] John Cena is going to WrestleMania.
[announcer] And the winner of the Royal Rumble,
-John Cena! -[crowd cheering]
-[Jerry] John Cena has done it. -["The Time Is Now" playing]
[Bradshaw] That's it, John, WWE Champion is going back to the--
To the main stage, to the grandest of them all, WrestleMania.
[Michael] John Cena has made history tonight.
John Cena becomes only the fourth man
to win two Royal Rumble matches.
There was Austin…
There was Austin.
There was Shawn Michaels. There was Hogan, and now there is Cena.
And now John Cena gets to choose which title he'll battle for
on April 7th at MetLife Stadium in New York and New Jersey
-at WrestleMania XXIX. -I'm going to WrestleMania!
[Michael] John Cena said 2013 will be his year.
[Jerry laughs]
[Bradshaw] John Cena is going to WrestleMania.
[Jerry] Wow. Look at this, it looked bad for John Cena,
but in a blink of an eye.
-This is how quick your career can change. -[bell ringing]
[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] John Cena eliminates Ryback just that quickly…
and now John Cena will headline WrestleMania.
[Bradshaw] Guys wrestle their entire life.
They never make it to the main event at WrestleMania.
John Cena is going back to the main event…
-We're going to WrestleMania! -[Bradshaw] …at WrestleMania.
[crowd cheering]
-[Michael] The emotion from John Cena. -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] John Cena is back on track in a huge way.
-[indistinct chatter] -New York City, here we come.
-[Jerry] What a rumble. -[indistinct chatter]
[Jerry] I don't know about Cena,
but-- I don't know about you guys, but I'm drained. Wasn't that something?
[Bradshaw] I loved it, King. I loved it.
-[Michael] And WWE's coming home… -[music fades]
-[Michael] …to WrestleMania… -["Champion" playing]
…MetLife Stadium New York, New Jersey, April 7th, 70 days away.
We know John Cena's gonna be the main event,
and we have now to decide who he's gonna face for a title.
Boy, I'll tell you what. Well, we're gonna find out shortly.
One man and then, uh-- [hesitates]
I mean, it's gonna be history no matter who he takes on.
Yeah, it's gonna be history, and as we want another thank you--
-Thank you here tonight… -Oh, yeah.
…at the Royal Rumble.
[Jerry] Yeah, we wanna send out a thank you
to Clement Marfo and the Frontline for "Champion".
It's one of the official Royal Rumble theme songs,
and it's available now on iTunes.
[Michael] And what Jerry was alluding to is what is up next.
It is for the WWE Championship. It is our main event.
CM Punk versus The Rock.
The Rock, of course, the people's champ. CM Punk, the man who is anti-people.
They clash next at the Royal Rumble.
[music fades]
-[intense music playing] -[crowd cheering]
[CM Punk] The Rock came in and showed me an incredible lack of respect.
He tries to make Raw's 1000th episode all about him.
[Michael] Can you believe it?
[CM Punk] And that's exactly when I showed him
the kind of man he's dealing with come Royal Rumble.
There's good guys and there's bad guys in this world,
and make no mistake about it, I am a bad, bad man.
-["Champion" playing] -[CM Punk] Rock, this is not
a popularity contest, this is the WWE, and I am its champion.
[Michael] A championship he has held.
[commentator 1] Two hundred nineteen.
[commentator 2] Three hundred and seventy-nine.
[CM Punk] In your face, jerks.
[Michael] Four hundred twenty-eight days.
[CM Punk] And I will not allow The Rock to take this from me.
♪ I'm feeling ten feet tall Unstoppable, I'm the champion ♪
Best in the world!
-[announcer] Here comes the man. -[Michael] It is electric, finally.
[crowd cheering]
CM Punk, The Rock is back to stop you, and after ten long years,
The Rock is back to win that.
You know, they know, time's up.
♪ Mama said knock you out So I'mma do her proud ♪
♪ And knock this sucker out Bullet through the brow ♪
♪ I do this… in style ♪
♪ It’s like an official warning To the public I'm about… ♪
[CM Punk] Rock, come Royal Rumble, understand when you step in the ring…
-[music fades] -[intense music playing]
[Jerry] No, no, no, no, The Shield.
[CM Punk] Your arms are just too short to box with God.
-[crowd cheering] -[Jerry] There's The Rock.
[Michael] The Rock unloading, but again, too many men, that pack-of-dog mentality.
[Jerry] This is not good this close to the Royal Rumble.
[CM Punk] I have nothing to do with The Shield, there is no proof.
-[pants] -[Vince] You guys think
you're pretty clever, right? But if you're clever enough that somehow
The Shield gets involved in your match at the Royal Rumble,
I'll be clever enough to take some severe consequences,
stripping you of the WWE Championship.
[Rock] CM Punk, The Rock's got this,
-you are working with The Shield. -["Champion" playing]
[Rock] The Rock's heart says he just don't give a damn.
♪ Why you coming back for more? I'm undefeatable, I'm the champion ♪
You're playing Little League and I'm in the big leagues,
and I'm swinging for the fence.
♪ I'm feeling ten feet tall Unstoppable, I'm the champion ♪
The Rock is gonna kick your candy ass at Royal Rumble.
♪ Why you coming back for more? ♪
[Rock] You don't get to win because I'm the best in the world,
and that's a fact.
[music concludes]
[crowd cheering]
Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome my guest at this time,
-The Rock. -[crowd cheering]
Rock, we're just moments away from your WWE Championship match
with CM Punk, but last Monday on Raw after a brutal attack by The Shield--
[crowd chanting indistinctly]
Finally, The Rock has come back to Phoenix.
[crowd cheering]
You wanna ask The Rock about The Shield.
Yeah, last week, The Rock's busted up lung--
Busted up lung, coughing up blood. The Rock has been through it all,
you wanna ask The Rock about adversity. What he's been through?
The Rock has been through it all, adversity all his life,
years at University of Miami, one goal,
the National Football League, but what happens on draft day?
Nothing, nada.
The Rock doesn't get drafted, I get kicked in the ass and sent home,
and say, "You just ain't good enough, so go home."
After that, a year later, 24 years old,
the only thing I had to my name was the seven bucks in my pocket,
that was it.
We've all gone through adversity, it's what we do every day.
It's like the man who wakes up, works years,
years at the job only to get passed up by--
For the promotion, and then it's your family,
it's your loved ones, God forbid, they get stricken with cancer.
Like my mom, stricken with cancer.
Stricken with cancer, wasn't promised tomorrow,
but she's here tonight to watch me.
[crowd cheering]
She didn't quit. She didn't quit.
No, she didn't quit, just like all of you don't quit,
just like I don't quit, I'll never quit.
CM Punk says each and every single one of you don't count.
[crowd booing]
You have no idea, no idea
how much each and every single one of you count.
You count to me for all the love you give, all the love, all the support.
It ignites me, it moves me, it inspires me.
That's why in this moment, I'm reaching out my hand
to all of you around the world, all of you who believe,
all of you who have faith,
all of you who live your life getting knocked down,
get right back up, just to say, "Just bring it."
It's my hand touching your hand 'cause tonight,
-we are gonna end 434 days of misery. -[crowd cheering]
Tonight, when you hear-- Tonight… tonight, Team Bring It
around the world,
when you hear the one, two, three, it is proof that we all count
'cause tonight is the night, you and The Rock,
we beat CM Punk, we become WWE Champion, and we become one.
-If you smell… -[crowd cheering]
-…what The Rock is cooking. -[crowd chanting]
[crowd cheering]
[indistinct chatter]
[bell ringing]
The following contest set for one fall,
it is for the WWE Championship.
-["Cult of Personality" playing] -[crowd cheering]
♪ Look in my eyes, what do you see? ♪
♪ The cult of personality ♪
♪ I know your anger, I know your dreams ♪
♪ I've been everything you want to be ♪
♪ Oh, I'm the cult of personality ♪
♪ Like Mussolini and Kennedy ♪
♪ I'm the cult of personality ♪
♪ The cult of personality The cult of personality ♪
-It's clobbering time! -[Michael] You know, ladies and gentlemen,
we've talked all night about the numbers, how the Royal Rumble is about numbers.
Here's one number that everyone needs to know.
Four hundred thirty-four… 434 days,
over 14 months, that CM Punk has been WWE Champion.
John, it's the sixth longest reign ever.
CM Punk calls it, quote, "My life's work."
[Bradshaw] Unquote. You line them up, you bunch them up,
CM Punk has beat them all.
Are you finally gonna acknowledge, Michael,
tonight, that CM Punk is the best in the world?
His record says he is.
[Jerry] Well, CM Punk calls it his life's work.
The Rock calls those 434 days of misery.
♪ You still love me ♪
♪ I tell you One and one makes three ♪
[Michael] Yeah, guys, I don't think there's any doubt
that if CM Punk can beat The Rock here tonight at the Royal Rumble…
he's gonna be in the conversation when you talk about the best ever.
[Bradshaw] He already is. How could he not be, 434 days?
You just spurted out that little fact yourself.
How could CM Punk right now
not be considered one of the best ever?
How could he not be right now considered the best in the world?
[Michael] He's a two-time WWE Champion, a three-time world champion.
[Bradshaw] Rock last won a championship ten years ago, Michael.
They brought me so that you could talk about that,
but you haven't done it yet.
[Michael] CM Punk's also won a Tag Team title,
an intercontinental title, he's a two-time Money in the Bank winner.
But tonight, he goes one-on-one…
with The Great One.
[music fades]
-[indistinct chatter] -[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting] CM Punk! CM Punk! CM Punk!
-["Electrifying" playing] -♪ If you smell… ♪
♪ What The Rock is cooking ♪
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] It's just a different feeling when this man walks into an arena.
It is nothing short…
of electric.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] The Brahma Bull, The Rock, promised the world
that he would win the WWE Championship tonight,
a very bold promise for a man who hasn't been in the ring in months,
against a man who has been champion for over 14 months.
[Bradshaw] And The Rock's last championship was ten years ago.
Another person that called himself the greatest, 1974,
ten years before Muhammad Ali beat Sonny Liston,
ten years later he beat George Foreman in Zaire.
The Great One is trying to do something that the greatest boxer
just did ten years later, win a championship.
[Jerry] Well, we talked about The Rock's promise.
You heard it moments ago,
but you gotta remember that CM Punk also made a promise.
He promised the WWE Universe that at the end of Royal Rumble,
-he would still be the WWE Champion. -[crowd cheering]
[Bradshaw] Somebody's promises are gonna be broke.
-[Michael] And there's Rock's mother. -Whoo!
[Michael] Looking on and cheering her son.
-[indistinct chatter] -[crowd cheering]
Introducing first, the challenger from Miami, Florida,
weighing 265 pounds,
The Rock.
[crowd cheering]
And his opponent accompanied to the ring by Paul Heyman,
from Chicago, Illinois,
weighing 218 pounds, he is the current
WWE Champion, CM Punk.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] It's getting emotional already.
The WWE Championship, over a 50-year history.
Only five other men have hold the title-- Have held the title longer than CM Punk.
[crowd chanting] CM Punk!
[Michael] It is a big fight feel in Phoenix.
Fifteen thousand-plus engaged in Punk Rock.
[Jerry] Oh, a big fight feel is right. It doesn't get any bigger than this.
[Michael] The Rock is a third generation Superstar, his grandfather,
the late great "High Chief" Peter Maivia, his father Rocky Johnson.
The Rock's won seven WWE Championships, his longest reign 119 days.
-CM Punk, two WWE titles. -[bell ringing]
[Michael] Four thirty-four for his reign this time,
and they come out of the box here rumbling.
[Jerry] Oh, here we go. Here we go. Fists are flying.
The Rock laying the smackdown, but here comes Punk.
[Michael] And CM Punk,
who definitely has to be in better ring condition,
you would imagine, than The Rock.
You know what, Jerry?
We talked about this for the past few weeks,
a lot of people are asking why a man, a great movie star like The Rock
and all he's accomplished over the past ten years
since leaving WWE--
Went for the Rock Bottom, great counter by Punk.
Why Rock would come back here to try to win the WWE title?
[Jerry] Well, and I told you once, I'll tell you again,
it is in The Rock's blood. His grandfather, a great Superstar.
His father, a great Superstar, Rock grew up in this business.
[grunts]
[Michael] And now, they're fighting outside the ring.
Remember, for Rock, he's got to get the champ back inside.
He cannot win the WWE title via disqualification or count out,
only by pinfall or submission here at the Rumble.
[indistinct chatter]
[Michael] Oh, big right hand from The Rock.
And Rock wasting little time
rearranging the furniture here at ringside.
The Spanish announce table targeted first.
[crowd chanting] CM Punk!
[Michael] And Punk with a direct kick to the hamstring.
[crowd chanting] Let's go, Rocky! CM Punk!
[Michael] And now, Punk putting the lid back on the…
[Bradshaw] Respectful guy.
-…Spanish announce table. -[Bradshaw] Very respectful.
[Jerry chuckles] Oh, man.
[Bradshaw] About time those Spanish guys got some respect.
[Michael] And Rock unloading with a right hand and The Brahma Bull
and CM Punk gonna take a breather.
But again, Rock back on the attack, but he runs into a boot
to the gut by CM Punk.
I want you guys to notice something.
[crowd chanting] CM Punk!
[Michael] You saw the kick right to the chest of Rock there.
Remember this past Monday night on Raw,
The Rock, the victim of a triple powerbomb in the hands of The Shield,
he… he suffered internal injuries and internal bleeding.
So, perhaps Punk will direct his strategy toward the midsection of The Rock.
And look at Heyman.
-[Jerry] Oh, look at this walrus. -[Michael] Behind the referee's back.
-[crowd cheering] -[indistinct chatter]
[Michael] And now Punk with a clothesline.
-A huge… -[Bradshaw] Paul Heyman is a genius.
-Absolute genius. -[Jerry] He's a goof is what he is.
[Bradshaw] He's a genius.
He once managed three straight world championships.
That's never been done before.
Give Heyman his due.
[Michael] Punk with the mind games.
[Jerry] CM Punk cannot seem to make up his mind on what he wants
to happen to the Spanish announce table.
[indistinct chatter]
[Michael] Oh, right back to the ribs and again,
the target of the attack, the midsection back
to the internal injuries, the internal bleeding suffered
by Rock this past Monday night.
[indistinct chatter]
[Michael] Rock-- Well, Rock was very candid
when asked about the injuries,
but he said he'd be here tonight, ready to go, and he is.
[Bradshaw] It's just six days ago.
There's no way that Rock is recovered completely from that.
[crowd chanting] Rocky! Rocky! Rocky!
[Michael] Over 15,000 here tonight at Phoenix, the familiar "Rocky" chants.
-[grunts] -[Jerry] Ooh.
[both grunt]
[Bradshaw] Well, I'll tell you one thing,
if Rock did have internal injuries, what CM Punk is doing right now
-is not helping anything. -[groans]
[Michael] Yes, snapmare takedown by Punk and then a kick straight to the spine.
[crowd chanting]
[Michael] You know, you alluded to it earlier, John,
Rock hasn't been a WWE Champion in ten-and-a-half years.
-Punk again focusing on the midsection. -[both grunt]
[Michael] That's 3,808 days…
Rock hasn't held the title.
[Bradshaw] The Rock might wanna go back to Saturday Night Live after this.
[crowd chanting indistinctly]
[Michael] The devious Heyman, a representative for Punk, looking on.
[indistinct chatter]
[Jerry] When you see that smug look on the face of Paul Heyman,
you can't help but hope that at some point in this match…
-[Michael] Here comes Rock. -[Jerry] …Rock would get to deliver
one of those to that big walrus.
[Michael] And again right back to the midsection for Punk.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Punk into the cover.
Would love to put Rock away, but that cover was more to make
Rock exert himself and kick out again with the problems
in the midsection, but again, Punk right back.
Look at him, to put Rock away here.
[Bradshaw] I've never seen The Rock look in better shape.
He is fighting a battle-hardened champion in CM Punk.
[Michael] And CM Punk, every night he goes--
CM Punk has very little time, with the exception
of a knee surgery last month that caused him nearly a month of absence.
[Jerry chuckles] Do you know what is great?
The Rock's in pain, but he's still talking smack to CM Punk.
Yeah, CM Punk looking to wear Rock down, referee Mike Chioda,
right in Rock's face.
Making sure The Rock doesn't give in,
doesn't tap out here to the WWE Champion.
[both groan, grunt]
[Michael] Rock using the knees to the back of the head of CM Punk to break the hold.
You know, Rock's had a great history at the Royal Rumble,
he won the Royal Rumble match
-back in 2000. -[Jerry] Oh, wow.
-[indistinct chatter] -[Jerry] Man.
[Michael] And Rock, inverted atomic drop that time, and oh, there's, uh,
Punk right to the face.
-[indistinct chatter] -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Classic Royal Rumble match back in 1999
when Rock and Mankind we're involved in the "I quit" match.
[Jerry] Once again, back to those internal injuries
that Punk is certain Rock has…
everything that he can do to the abdomen of The Rock,
CM Punk is gonna do.
[Michael] Ironic we saw Chris Jericho here earlier tonight.
Rock's last match at the Royal Rumble back in 2002 was against Chris Jericho
when Jericho was the undisputed champion.
[groans]
[Bradshaw] Rock's hurt.
-[Michael] And Punk's does-- -[Bradshaw] He's hurt bad.
-Tremendous strategy by CM Punk. -[indistinct chatter]
[Bradshaw] That's what I mean, Michael, this is a battle-hardened champion.
[Michael] And, you know, this past Friday night on SmackDown, John,
you were there, you saw the confidence that oozed out of the pores of CM Punk
when he was talking about this match tonight because he knew Rock was hurt.
[crowd chanting]
-[Rock groans] -[Jerry] Oh, man.
[Michael] And again, right back to the midsection.
-[groans] -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Punk cover, hooks the leg, forces Rock again to power out.
Tell us about that, John,
exerting pressure again on the midsection every time you gotta kick out, right?
[Bradshaw] Every time.
Punk is simply trying to cover him, he's not necessarily trying to win,
he's making The Rock try-- No, forcing him to work.
[Jerry] Guys, I… I disagree a bit.
I just think that CM Punk is confident that Rock has,
he saw it last week, some internal damage.
And he's going after that-- He's going after The Rock's stomach,
his intestines, his lungs possibly, wherever that blood came from last week.
That's what Punk is going after.
[Bradshaw] You got to understand also, CM Punk, I keep saying it over and over,
is a battle-hardened champion. Rock is in tremendous shape,
but there's nothing like being in ring shape
and longer this goes, the more this favors CM Punk.
-[Jerry] Look at this. -[Bradshaw] That's why Punk is…
[Michael] Oh, and Heyman again with a cheap shot.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] But again, John, explain that to us,
what do you mean ring shape, what does that mean?
[Bradshaw] You can only get in shape for something by doing that,
by playing football, by playing basketball, by wrestling,
in a-- in a wrestling ring. That's the only way.
You can't do the stair stepper, you can't do the elliptical,
there's no replication for doing…
-[Jerry] Ooh! -[Bradshaw] …the sport to get in shape,
and that's what CM Punk is.
-[Michael] Oh, wait, wait. -[Bradshaw] He's never been better.
[Michael] Wait, guys. I don't know if we caught this.
And I'd like to go back up to the ring for just a moment because off that kick,
-CM Punk, he landed gingerly… -[Mike] One!
[Michael] …on his left knee,
-that is the surgically repaired knee… -Two!
[Michael] …where he had that torn meniscus fixed…
-Three! -[Michael]…a few-- a few weeks ago.
CM Punk landed a…
[Jerry] Well, he must be okay…
-if he's gonna try this. -[Michael] …landed gingerly
as he goes to the top rope.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Again, Punk off the top rope and he takes Rock down,
but again look at this. That's what I'm talking about guys.
He went back to the left knee.
He tweaked it a bit in the ring, and now…
[Michael] …it seems to be bothering him again.
-[Bradshaw] The Rock doesn't realize it. -Two!
-[indistinct chatter] -[crowd chanting indistinctly]
[Bradshaw] I don't think The Rock realizes he has an opening.
Again, because Rock's just been beaten up here
and punished a good ten, fifteen minutes by CM Punk.
[Michael] Watch this. Right here,
this is what I was talking about right there.
That's where he tweaked the surgically repaired knee,
-and here's the second one, King. -[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] That's-- There's a move right there
that if you did tweak it first time, I don't know why in the world
he went for that second move off the top rope
-when you got a bad knee. -[Michael] Yeah.
But look at Rock, now he knows.
To your point, John, I think Rock does realize what happened,
-and now he's… -[Bradshaw] Rock sees his opening.
[Michael] Yeah, now, he's switching his attack to the injured knee.
[Bradshaw] We got us a different ballgame.
[Jerry] Yep. Turnabout is fair play,
this is what we saw Punk do the entire match up
to now, go after Rock's weak spot, now Rock's doing the same thing.
[audience member 1] Get up, Rock!
[audience member 2] There's no shame in walking away.
[Jerry] You know, JBL, in all the years you competed,
I was the same way as soon as you see any… any spot,
any spot on your opponent's body that you think is injured,
-that becomes a bullseye. -[Bradshaw] You're right, King.
You're a Hall of Famer, you know that very well.
-[indistinct chatter] -[Michael] Punk, the champion.
[Bradshaw] When you're going after a champion,
when you have somebody like The Rock,
you find any weakness whatsoever, you better go after it.
[Michael] Punk right-- Went right back to the injured knee,
but this is what being a champion means to him.
He says he's the best in the world. He says the title belongs to him.
-[Bradshaw] It does. -[Michael] Blood, sweat,
and tears earned him the right to be called the champ.
And that's why he's pulling off moves like that in this match tonight.
He said the people don't matter. All that matters to him is the WWE title.
Six!
[Bradshaw] And he's right. It's all that does matter.
Eight!
[Jerry] Punk had said, "Rock will sing, he'll dance, he'll entertain,
but I'm the best in the world."
And we got the walrus, Paul Heyman out here
to keep reminding of him of it constantly throughout the match.
Punk-- Oh, he missed. Rock moved out of the way.
Back to the injured knee, and now, The Rock sees his opening.
[CM Punk groans]
-[crowd cheering] -[groans]
[Michael] And now the punishment begins at the hands of the people's champion.
[CM Punk groans]
[Michael] And I think the pace is now slowed in The Rock's favor.
[Jerry] And as long as he can keep CM Punk down on that mat with that knee hurting,
it is in The Rock's favor-- Look at this. Oh.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Rock into the cover. First one in the matchup for The Rock,
hooks the leg near-fall.
WWE title up for grabs here. Punk, the champion. Rock, the challenger.
[crowd chanting] CM Punk! CM Punk!
[Michael] Uh-oh. Rock promised he'd win the WWE title tonight,
and he could be closing in. Looking for the Rock Bottom.
Remember Rock said Punk would panic when it was locked in,
but Punk didn't there.
Punk weathered that storm.
[Jerry] You got to know that CM Punk was expecting to go to sleep tonight.
[Bradshaw] This might be over with. It's about to be over.
[Michael] Went for the Go To Sleep, Rock caught it.
-And he caught the bad knee. -[crowd cheering]
-[Michael] Sharpshooter time. -[Jerry] What?
[Michael] Bad knee and all.
And Punk rolling through, trying to catch The Rock…
[overlapping chatter]
-[Michael] Submission maneuver locked in. -[Jerry] He's got it. He's got it.
[Michael] Will Rock tap out? Will Rock tap out?
[Bradshaw] Punk's between Rock and the ropes.
[Michael] Yeah, great move for Punk to get there.
Great wing, great wherewithal for Punk.
[crowd chanting] Rocky! Rocky! Rocky!
[Michael] Now, what's Rock gonna do?
[Jerry] Punk asking the referee to watch for the tap out.
[crowd chanting] Rocky! Rocky! Rocky!
[Michael] WWE fans trying to will Rock back into this.
He's in a real…
-[Jerry] Whoa. Whoa. Whoa. -[Michael] Look at Rock, great counter.
Shoulders down, and it forces Punk to break the hold
'cause he had to kick out.
And now Rock unloads with a right and another right by the Rock,
and here comes The Rock, DDT.
[crowd cheering]
[Jerry chuckles] Both of these Superstars have been drained.
I mean, they've given it their best shots here.
[Bradshaw] Instincts don't go away. Heart of a champion doesn't go away.
[Jerry] I wish he would go away.
[Michael] A look of concern on the face of Heyman.
[Bradshaw] The greatest manager of all time, Paul Heyman.
[Michael] Yeah. And… and at this point, it's turning point of the match perhaps.
Both men down. First to his feet gains the advantage.
[speaks indistinctly]
[Michael] And it's Rock, he's in position.
[Jerry] If at first you don't succeed.
[Michael] Punk turns around. It's time for the--
[Michael] Went for the Rock Bottom and look at Punk, Punk caught him.
Punk caught him.
-Great counter by Punk. -[Jerry] This is it.
-No, wait, Rock rolled through. -[Michael] Rock rolled through.
-Rock going to the sharpshooter again. -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] This time, Rock rolls him on his belly, Punk is in the sharpshooter.
-Submission hold, Hall of Famer… -[Bradshaw] That leg's hurt.
-That leg's hurt. -[Michael] Hall of Famer,
-Bret Hart's here. -[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] Watch this. He's gonna make that tap, he's gonna tap.
[Michael] Who-- Move this to perfection. And now Rock taking over,
looking to win the title with the sharpshooter.
-[indistinct chatter] -[crowd cheering]
-[Jerry] Wow, how can CM Punk hold on? -[Michael] And Punk's got nowhere to go.
Rock's got the sharpshooter locked in.
Will the 434-day reign end right here for the champion?
[Jerry] You better tap, Punk. You'll destroy your legs.
[Michael] Now, Punk trying to make it to the bottom rope, he's fingertips away.
-[indistinct chatter] -[Michael] Rock's forced to break.
-[indistinct chatter] -[crowd cheering]
[Bradshaw] Punk's fighting for respect. It's a powerful force.
-[Jerry] Oh. -[indistinct chatter]
[Jerry] Punk rolled out of the-- Or Punk rolled out of the ring,
-and his legs just collapsed on him. -[indistinct chatter]
[crowd cheering]
[Mike] Let's go! Get him back in this ring.
Come on, get him back in this ring.
Come on. Two.
-[Rock grunts] -[Michael] Oh. Oh, man.
[crowd cheering]
[Bradshaw chuckles] Well, he's trying to use
-that Spanish announce table. -[Jerry] Oh, baby.
[Bradshaw] And The Rock now. Here we go.
[Michael] He's gonna clear out the Spanish announce table.
Rock looking to use it for his advantage. WWE Champion Punk in trouble.
[Jerry] You can tell that The Rock has some evil intentions.
[Michael] Yeah, Punk trying to crawl back into the ring
-and trying to crawl away. -[Jerry] No, no.
[Bradshaw] Rock's still gotta beat him in the ring though.
[Michael] Right, guys, but…
Rock's gonna make Punk pay first. Oh.
-[indistinct chatter] -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Oh, man, what is Rock gonna do here?
[Jerry] CM Punk is-- I don't know, but I'll tell you one thing,
we got the best seat in the house to see it.
This is great. Oh, man.
[Michael] Big right hand by Rock unloaded on the champion.
-[grunts] -[Michael] Oh!
And Punk caught Rock with a kick in the temple.
[indistinct chatter]
[Michael] The fight continues out here. Uh-oh, Rock, Rock, Rock, Rock.
Now, what has Punk got in mind?
Go to sleep?
Punk calling for the go to sleep, but The Rock.
Punk with a huge smile on his face-- Wait a minute.
-Oh, my God. -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Both men, the table collapsing under the weight of both men.
[Jerry] Well, that may have saved CM Punk because I think
The Rock was about to Rock Bottom Punk all the way to the floor.
[indistinct chatter]
-[Michael] Rock went for the Rock Bottom. -[Bradshaw] Rock's hurt.
-[Michael] And the Spanish table… -[Bradshaw] Rock's hurt.
-…collapsed under the weight of both men. -[Bradshaw] I think it saved CM Punk.
I think it hurt The Rock.
-They both collapsed in a pile. -[Michael] Rock was favoring his knee.
[Bradshaw] I'm not sure who got the worst of that.
[Michael] I'm not sure either. But Rock's back to his feet.
Rock makes it back into the ring, it causes the break in the count,
smart move by The Rock.
Now, he's gotta try to get the champ, CM Punk, back into the ring.
[Bradshaw] Still has the instincts of a champion, those never go away.
[Michael] You can't win via count out or disqualification.
-[Bradshaw] That's Rock Bottom. -[Michael] Rock Bottom.
[crowd cheering]
Two!
-Three! -[Michael] The referee
on the count of three, Rock's got to get the champion
-back in the ring. -[Bradshaw] No kidding.
[Michael] A count out saves the title for Punk.
Five!
-[Jerry] Oh, Rock, come on. -[Michael] Now, a count of five.
-[crowd cheering] -Six!
[Michael] Come on, we got to see a winner.
[Bradshaw] Get back in the ring.
[Michael] Rock trying to drag Punk back into the ring…
and he gets Punk back into the ring, Rock rolls,
and a cover goes for title here, Rock going for the title, Punk at two.
[crowd cheering]
[Bradshaw] Telling you, Punk is fighting for respect, that is a powerful force.
[Jerry chuckles] Punk is fighting for his life right now.
He was close to kissing the WWE title goodbye.
[indistinct chatter]
[crowd chanting] CM Punk! CM Punk! CM Punk!
[Bradshaw] They both took a nasty spill through that Spanish announce table.
[Michael] Yeah, the weight was just too much
as Rock went for the Rock Bottom.
It looked like he had injured his knee, but Rock not showing any ill effects here
off the Rock Bottom into the floor outside the ring.
-[Jerry] Oh, man. -[Bradshaw] Wow. What a kick.
What a kick.
[Michael] A thunderous roundhouse kick to the temple.
[Bradshaw] Rock doesn't know where he at, he doesn't know where he's at.
[Michael] And Paul Heyman screaming at Punk,
trying to get the champion back into this to take advantage.
-Two! Three! -[indistinct chatter]
[Jerry] Oh, this is not good. This is not good for anybody right now.
[Michael] Somebody's got to make it back to his feet before ten here.
But even if Rock does and Punk's counted down,
I mean, this is a-- The person who this is most crucial for is Rock.
-[indistinct chatter] -Seven! Eight!
[Michael] Right now at a count of eight,
Rock stirring, Punk is stirring, Rock using the rope, Punk is up.
-Punk is up. -[Jerry] So is Rock.
[Michael] So is Rock, breaking the count.
[Bradshaw] We're still going.
[Michael] Yeah, we're back to a stalemate between champion and challenger.
Punk right back to the hamstrings.
[Jerry] Who's got the most left in the tank?
[Michael] Yeah, you notice how Punk went back.
Punk went back to the injured knee momentarily there.
-[crowd cheering] -[Jerry chuckles] Oh, man.
[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] There's no quitting either one of these Superstars.
-[Michael] Not at all. -[Bradshaw] This is a championship match.
-[Michael shouts indistinctly] -[Bradshaw] This is everything you want.
-[Michael] Spinebuster. -[crowd cheering]
[Bradshaw] Oh, baby, here we go.
[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] Yes. I think we are gonna see
the most electrifying move in all of the sports.
[Michael] Look at the people. Look at the people.
[Jerry] That's because it's the People's Elbow.
-What the… -[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] What just happened?
[Michael] What the-- Who the hell? Wait a minute.
[indistinct chatter]
[Michael] Someone is there,
somebody is destroying our announce table here.
[Michael] Who the hell is that? They're attacking Rock.
Holy cow, King. King, look at-- You know who that is?
-[Jerry] Look out. -[Michael] King.
-Oh, my God, it's The Shield. -[Jerry] No!
[Michael] The Shield. The Shield. That was The Shield,
and they just triple powerbombed Rock to the table.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Ladies and gentlemen, the-- King, that was The Shield.
The referee doesn't see it. The referee doesn't see it.
-[Jerry] Ref? -[Michael] He has no idea
-The Shield did that. He has no idea. -[Jerry] Chioda…
Chioda, it was The Shield.
[Bradshaw] Shut up, you stooge.
[Michael] I think he did something to the referee too.
I think The Shield did something to the referee.
-Chioda has no idea what happened. -[Michael] Chioda, it was The Shield.
-The Shield attacked The Rock here. -[Bradshaw] Stay out of it, Michael.
Stay out of it. Seem if The Rock's all right.
[Bradshaw] Rock…
Rock was just triple bombed through a table.
[Michael] And look at CM Punk.
CM Punk feigning that he didn't see a damn thing.
This is highway robbery. Ref?
We are-- We were-- We were three feet away from The Shield
-as they attacked The Rock. -[Bradshaw] Shut up, you stooge.
[Michael] Three feet away from Reigns and Ambrose
and Rollins as they triple powerbombed Rock to this table.
[Bradshaw] It doesn't matter, Michael.
-[Michael] Oh, come on, Punk. -[Bradshaw] The referee didn't see it.
[Michael] It was The Shield.
The Shield was out here, Punk, they put the guy through the table.
-Who? -[Michael] The Shield. That's who.
-I have nothing to do with The Shield. -[crowd chanting] Rocky! Rocky!
Oh, please.
[crowd chanting] Rocky! Rocky! Rocky!
[Michael] This is ridiculous. Look at Heyman.
-Look at Heyman. -[Bradshaw] I told you
he's the smartest manager in the history of wrestling.
[Michael] Oh, this is ridiculous.
[Bradshaw] It's bigger than D.B. Cooper, they just pulled off a hijack.
[Michael] And Punk is gonna be proud of this?
-[Bradshaw] This is it. -[Michael] He's gonna be proud
-of breaking his knee? -[Bradshaw] The Rock promised
he'd leave champion. That promise is just broken.
-Count it out, Chioda. -[Jerry] This is just not right.
-[crowd] One, two, three. -[Jerry] No way.
-[bell ringing] -[Bradshaw] Day 435 will be tomorrow
-for CM Punk. -["Cult of Personality" playing]
[Bradshaw] Admit it now, Michael, he's the best in the world.
[announcer] Still the WWE Champion, CM Punk.
[Michael] This is absolutely horrendous.
[Bradshaw] It's all fair, Michael, in love and war.
CM Punk is the best in the world.
-Now, would you please acknowledge that? -[Michael] No,
we are not gonna acknowledge it. How is that fair?
We watched The Shield, three feet away from us,
walk out here and triple bomb The Rock through a table.
[Bradshaw] Michael, I saw the exact same thing you saw.
Michael Chioda, the referee, didn't see it.
CM Punk is about to leave the Royal Rumble, champion.
[Jerry] So, you're saying it's not cheating if you don't get caught?
-[Michael] That is a-- -[Bradshaw] Oh, oh,
-you're one to talk, King. -[Michael] This is stupid.
-This is absolutely stupid. -[Jerry] Rock, you all right?
[Michael] This is infuriating.
[Bradshaw] The greatest manager in the history of sports entertainment,
Paul Heyman is standing there with the best in the world, CM Punk.
[Michael] Are you-- Are you serious right now?
-[Bradshaw] Yes, I'm serious. -[Michael] How could you call this man
the best in the world?
[Bradshaw] Because he's gonna be champion 435 days starting tomorrow.
[Michael] He survived again
-because of the damn Shield. -[Bradshaw] Yes, he did.
He has beaten everyone that has been put in front of him.
I saw the same thing you saw, Michael.
Wah, wah, wah. You don't try to sport the-- Shut up!
-[crowd cheering] -["No Chance In Hell" playing]
[Jerry] Hold the phone.
[Bradshaw] The chairman.
-[music fades] -Uh, it seemed to me that,
CM Punk, your celebration is over.
-[crowd cheering] -[speaks indistinctly]
I told you, if The Shield got involved in your matchup,
we would strip you of the championship.
-[crowd cheering] -[Michael] Yeah. Yes.
Oh, I know, I know, I know. Technically we couldn't--
Technically, we couldn't see The Shield involved, right?
So, that means we're all stupid, it wasn't The Shield?
[crowd cheering]
CM Punk, it is my duty as chairman of the board.
-[crowd cheering] -[Jerry] Oh, boy. Yeah. Yeah.
-[Bradshaw] Shut up, cheerleader. -[Jerry chuckles] Oh, boy.
-To officially… -[crowd cheering]
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
[pants]
We ain't ending this night like that.
[crowd cheering]
You don't take it from him…
I am.
-[crowd cheering] -[pants]
Restart the match now.
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting indistinctly]
This match is over!
You heard the man, restart the match.
-[Jerry] Oh, my God. -[Bradshaw] I love it. Let's go.
[Michael] That's why The Rock's the people's champion.
Give the people what they want.
-Give them a conclusion, fair and square. -[bell ringing]
-[Jerry] Look out here. -[Michael] Come on.
They didn't give Rock a chance.
They didn't give Rock a chance to get ready here.
[Bradshaw] Would you quit being so biased?
If you won't shut up, Michael, I put you through a table.
[Jerry] Look out. Look out. Look out now. Look out.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Referee doing his job, separating these two men,
at least allowing Rock to get back to his feet.
The "Rocky" chants filling the arena here…
-[Bradshaw] Look, I love this. -[Michael] …in Phoenix.
[Bradshaw] I think this is great.
-Oh, man. -[Michael] Knee to the temple.
[Michael] Punk looking to put Rock away off the clothesline.
-Punk is livid. -[Bradshaw] He should be.
[Michael] After the decision was overturned.
-[crowd cheering] -[speaks indistinctly]
[Michael] Punk badmouthing Rock, top rope, patented elbow connecting.
And Rock should've just stayed outside the ring.
-It's elementary at this point. -[Bradshaw] Goodnight. Goodnight.
-[Michael] Rock kicked out. -[crowd cheering]
[Jerry chuckles] Oh, it ain't over until it's over, and it ain't over yet.
[Michael] And CM Punk off the kick-out by Rock,
looking to make an emphatic statement here.
[Bradshaw] CM Punk hits this, it's over.
[Michael] Punk could've been stripped of the championship tonight.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] But instead Rock wanted to win the matchup his way, fair and square.
[Jerry] That sinister grin on the face of Punk signaling to the world,
it's time for The Rock to go to sleep.
-Goodnight, Rock. -[Bradshaw] And CM Punk with The Rock
-up on his shoulders going for the GTS. -[Bradshaw] See you in Hollywood.
[Michael] Rock struggling through, Rock gets out of it,
-Rock now, spinebuster to Punk. -[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] Oh, boy. Oh, my gosh. This is vintage Rock.
Here he comes. Another People's Elbow, yes.
[Bradshaw] What do you gotta do to beat this guy?
-[Jerry] Cover. Hook to the leg. -[crowd] One, two, three.
-[crowd cheering] -[bell ringing]
-[Bradshaw] You're kidding me. -[Michael] The Rock has done it!
-The Rock has done it. -["Electrifying" playing]
[announcer] The winner of this match and new WWE Champion,
The Rock.
[Michael] The ten-year wait is over.
[Bradshaw] Unbelievable.
[Michael] The Rock is again the people's champion.
[Bradshaw] Ten years, just like Muhammad Ali came back
and won the world championship, The Rock, The Great One.
[Jerry] Well, The Rock made a promise to the WWE Universe and to himself,
and he's kept that promise here tonight.
[Michael] The Rock has climbed the mountain.
The Rock has reached the Promised Land. He wins his eighth WWE Championship.
[Bradshaw] To come back after ten years.
Making movies in Hollywood, to come back and prove
you're still the most electrifying man in sports entertainment,
The Great One, The Brahma Bull, The Rock is champion.
[Jerry] Now you're singing his praises, JBL.
-[Bradshaw] I love a good fight, King. -[Jerry chuckles]
And that sign says it all, finally, ten years worth the wait.
[crowd cheering]
[Bradshaw] I had no problem with what The Shield did.
I had no problem with Mr. McMahon overturning it.
[Jerry] Watch this.
[Bradshaw] And I had no problem with this either.
[Jerry] Punk thought he had him.
But The Rock was fired up, ready to lay the smackdown on CM Punk
after 434 days of what The Rock called misery.
-[crowd cheering] -[Jerry] The People's Elbow.
-[Bradshaw] Unbelievable. -[Jerry] Ends it all.
[crowd chanting] One, two, three.
-[crowd cheering] -[bell ringing]
[Bradshaw] It is hard to call, but what an incredible comeback.
One of the greatest comebacks in the history of sports,
The Rock, after ten years, becomes the world champion.
[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] There it is.
Once again, The Rock reigns supreme, WWE Champ.
[Bradshaw] WWE Champion again.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] What a celebration in Phoenix.
[Bradshaw] What an incredible night.
What an incredible pay-per-view. This is WWE.
This is what we do at our best.
Welcome back to The Great One, the WWE Champion again, The Rock.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] An electric moment at the Royal Rumble.
-[Jerry chuckles] Wow. This was great. -[crowd cheering]
[Bradshaw] Maybe the greatest of all time right there in our ring.
[Jerry] That's why they call him "The Great One."
-[Bradshaw] Unbelievable. -[Jerry] He delivered tonight.
[Bradshaw] We have watched history…
and what a gem it was.
[Michael] Finally, The Rock has come back as WWE Champion.
Thanks for joining us at the Royal Rumble,
and welcome, everybody, to the Road to WrestleMania.
Goodnight from Phoenix.
-[crowd cheering] -[shouts inaudibly] WrestleMania.