-[victorious music playing] -[crowd cheering]
[music concludes]
-[crowd cheering] -Well, that went really well.
-I think it was. I think I'm right. -There we go.
And ooh! Here we go.
-Oh, what a night. [sighs] -[chuckles]
It's kind of chilly down here in Florida, wouldn't you…
It is. It's cold in Florida. It's not supposed to be [laughs]
It's gonna be hot on the ring, I can tell you that. Really hot.
-Oh, look, there's JoJo. -[JoJo] Mr. McMahon.
JoJo. JoJo. How you doing, JoJo?
-I am great-- -I'm doing great.
Thank you very much for asking. What a great night.
-She didn't ask-- She didn't ask you. -Oh.
So, your family's history with Roman Reigns
-has been well-documented and-- -Oh, it really has because,
you know, we're giving Roman Reigns an opportunity, here like none other.
Think about it. Roman Reigns…
Roman Reigns, for the first time ever, will compete in a Royal Rumble match
defending the championship. Imagine if you're Roman Reigns,
you make history by successfully defending that title tonight.
-That's history in the making. -It is history in the making
and Roman will have the same opportunity as the other 29 competitors,
to win the Royal Rumble match, to go on to WrestleMania
as the WWE World Heavyweight Champion.
-I love this night… -[chuckles]
…almost as much as I love me.
-I thought you were gonna say me. -And you.
That's not nice to make fun of JoJo.
[menacing music playing]
[narrator] Here stands a time-tested arena,
a place where countless warriors have sought
but only few have achieved.
[announcer] The Royal Rumble!
[narrator] Now, one's immortality awaits again,
as 30 will battle to etch their place in history.
But fate twists its cruel hand…
-[dramatic music playing] -[Michael] The Roman empire
has toppled the McMahon family.
[narrator] …and an unprecedented event occurs.
There's gonna be hell to pay!
[Bradshaw] There is a reckoning coming.
Roman Reigns, it'll be you defending your championship
against 29 other men in a Royal Rumble match.
[narrator] One versus all.
[Michael] Never before in the history of WWE
has its champion faced such odds!
[Chris] Anyone but you, Roman.
[Michael] The return of Chris Jericho. The odds are astronomical.
Twenty-nine other men Roman Reigns would have to get through.
[Bradshaw] Including "The Beast Incarnate," Brock Lesnar.
[Michael] Brock Lesnar is staring down at Roman Reigns.
The beasts come into the Royal Rumble.
[narrator] Tonight, an empire of one must rise…
-[man] Believe that. -Is that all you got?
[narrator] …and like the gladiators of old,
fight, fight against tyranny.
-[Stephanie] The first entrant… -Roman Reigns!
[narrator] Fight for what is his.
[Roman] This is my life,
and no one is gonna take that away from me.
[narrator] Fight for survival.
[Michael] Everyone gunning for Roman Reigns.
[narrator] Thirty men, one champion.
Let the Royal Rumble begin.
[Vince] One versus all.
[music concludes]
[empowering music playing]
[narrator] And now Chex Mix presents
WWE Royal Rumble, one versus all.
-[uplifting music playing] -[crowd cheering, applauding]
[Michael] Welcome to the road to WrestleMania!
You are looking live at the sold-out Amway Center in Orlando, Florida.
15,170 WWE fans are ready
for the 29th annual Royal Rumble.
-[crowd cheering] -[bell ringing]
[Lilián] The following is the Last Man Standing match
and it is for the Intercontinental Championship.
Now, in this match, there are no pinfalls,
no count-outs, no submissions, and no disqualifications.
The only way to win is by incapacitating your opponent
until he cannot stand back up to the referee's count of ten.
-["Retaliation" playing] -[crowd cheering]
[Lilián] Introducing first from Cincinnati, Ohio,
weighing in at 225 pounds,
he is the Intercontinental Champion, Dean Ambrose.
[Michael] Here comes our resident Lunatic.
This will mark the first time in his WWE career that Dean Ambrose
will be in a Last Man Standing match.
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Ambrose asylum.
And from ringside everybody, I'm Michael Cole,
joined by the legendary JBL and Byron Saxton joining us
for the Royal Rumble. Are you guys ready?
You better believe I'm ready. The road to WrestleMania starts tonight.
And how about kicking it off,
Last Man Standing match, doesn't get better than this.
Dean Ambrose defending his title against this man.
["Fight" paying]
[Lilián] Introducing "The Challenger," from Marieville, Quebec, Canada
weighing in at 266 pounds, Kevin Owens.
[Michael] The Royal Rumble is being broadcasted live
in over 206 countries and territories tonight
and we have an international feel at ringside.
We are joined by our Spanish announcers, Carlos Cabrera and Marcelo Rodriguez.
[speaks Spanish]
[Michael, in English] And also here with us at ringside tonight,
from French Groupe AB, Philippe Chéreau, Christophe Agius.
[speaks French]
[Michael, in English] Kevin Owens on your left,
Ambrose on your right. Kevin Owens has been in a horrible mood
since losing the Intercontinental Championship
to Dean Ambrose last month
at the Tables, Ladders & Chairs pay-per-view event.
Byron, he has not been the same since that night.
[Byron] Well, Kevin Owens has actually said ever since that loss,
"I'm still the Intercontinental Champion." "I still own that championship."
[Bradshaw] He certainly has the opportunity tonight.
[Michael] Earlier tonight on our…
-Royal Rumble Kickoff show… -[bell ringing]
…Kevin Owens said he'd go right after Dean Ambrose
like we're seeing here.
Kevin Owens wants to destroy his opponents,
destroy their body and their mind and soul and he can't think of anything better
than to bring a big fight to this matchup tonight.
[Bradshaw] Starting off about as slow as Hagler Hearns.
[Byron] Remember, Dean Ambrose is the one who wanted this match.
He initially made the challenge to Kevin Owens.
"I want you, Last Man Standing."
[Michael] And it's #LastManStanding
to talk about this matchup on social media tonight.
Ooh, and what a right hand by Kevin Owens.
You're going my way!
-[Michael] Remember, no disqualifications. -[crowd exclaiming]
[Michael] Anything goes. No count-outs, no pinfalls, no submissions.
You got to incapacitate your opponent to the point
that they can't make it back to their feet by a count of ten.
[Byron chuckling] Look at Ambrose begging for more.
[grunts]
[Michael] Seems like this match, John, would be right up Ambrose's alley.
[Bradshaw] Yeah, the intransigence of Dean Ambrose
a lot of people see it as a virtue. I see it as a vice.
[wrestlers grunt]
[Michael] Ambrose gonna deliver the running bulldog to Kevin Owens.
And Kevin Owens rolling right out here to our announce table
and Dean Ambrose wasting little time.
-[Byron] No such thing as-- -[Michael] Ambrose gonna fly,
-and Ambrose-- -[Byron] Whoa!
[Michael] And Owens turning right into…
[crowd cheering, applauding]
[groans]
[Byron] Michael Cole just got taken out by Kevin Owens.
[chuckling] We got Dean Ambrose on our announce table!
Talk about a chaotic way to kick off the Royal Rumble.
[Bradshaw] Yeah, and somewhere in there is Michael Cole.
-[crowd gasping, clamoring] -[Byron] We knew this had to happen, John.
You knew it had to happen this way between these two.
-They absolutely cannot stand each other. -[crowd cheering]
[Byron] Wow.
-That was just-- He was hit with an iPad. -[Bradshaw] Michael Cole's laptop-- iPad.
[crowd cheering]
[Byron] I'll tell you what, as much as we talk about the chaos
and instability that Dean Ambrose loves--
Ooh!
I think he's brought the same out of Kevin Owens.
[indistinct chatter]
[Bradshaw] I think he has as well, looking like-- Michael?
[Charles] One, two…
-three, four… -[crowd counting]
[Byron] Remember, the key is to keep your opponent down for that ten count.
-[Bradshaw] Uh-oh. -[crowd cheering]
-[Bradshaw] Oof! -[crowd exclaiming]
[Michael] Good, hit him, Dean. Get him with a stick.
[groans]
[Michael] And Ambrose teeing off on Kevin Owens with that kendo stick.
Anything goes here tonight.
[Byron] That's all legal, we said here earlier. This is--
This is like going to Disneyworld for Ambrose,
all these toys at his disposal.
[Michael] John, I'm gonna set you up with a softball here.
I can't really see because my glasses are broken.
[Bradshaw chuckling]
[Michael] And Kevin Owen, a cannonball right through the barricade
-into the timekeeper's area. -[Byron] Ambrose saw that.
[crowd chanting] Holy shit! Holy shit!
-[Michael] Dean Ambrose has come to fight… -One…
-…and so has Kevin Owens. -…two…
[Bradshaw] That could be it right there.
-…three… -[crowd cheering]
…four…
five…
[Michael] And remember, count of six now, Ambrose has got to make it to his feet…
-…six, seven… -…by a count of ten or the match is over.
We'll have a new Intercontinental Champion.
Ambrose struggling back to his feet,
Kevin Owens back on the attack now with a kendo stick.
-[groans] -[Bradshaw] Little tit for tat.
[Michael] What a wild scene to start off the Royal Rumble here tonight.
And there's another look at the cannonball from Kevin Owens.
[Byron] Well, Kevin Owens said we'd see a different side of him
that we've never seen before. I'd say he's delivering.
[grunts]
[Michael] John, I think we all knew what Kevin Owens was capable of
but he may take this to a new level tonight.
[Bradshaw] Yeah, we talked about that "Never say die" attitude
of Dean Ambrose, that may be Dean Ambrose's undoing.
[indistinct chatter]
-Stay down! -[Byron] With that attitude
of Dean Ambrose,
"Don't think about repercussions for tomorrow. If you feel it, do it."
He felt like challenging Owens in this Last Man Standing match.
Now he's finding out what it's like.
[Michael] Well, guys, think about this, though.
There's the Senton by Owens.
This is about the prestigious Intercontinental Championship,
And that's why I'm the next champ!
[Michael] A title that Chris Jericho has held nine times.
Ric Flair has held this title.
-Edge, Booker T, Triple H, Stone Cold… -One!
…The Rock, JBL, among others.
And of course the first ever Intercontinental Champion,
the man who invented the Royal Rumble match concept,
-Pat Patterson. -[Bradshaw] A thirty-plus-year history.
[Michael] Oh, and Ambrose driven into the barricade again.
[Bradshaw] And believe me,
that is something worth fighting for and both these gentlemen understand that.
[Michael] Kevin Owens explained that the Intercontinental Championship history
was rewritten when he won the title last year.
[crowd jeering]
[Michael] Dean Ambrose, however, said he respects its lineage,
respects those who've come before him and held this championship.
One, two, three, four…
[Michael] Here comes the steel chair.
-[Byron] Oh, boy. -[Michael] And another one.
As anything goes, last man standing.
[Byron] We're gonna see the depths of how devious the mind of Kevin Owens
could get right here.
[Bradshaw] Last man standing got put on the map
with Mick Foley and The Rock, 1999.
[Michael] Oh!
[Bradshaw] But it's been around for a long time…
-[Michael] Oh! -…in one form or another,
Iron Mike, Dibiase, and Dory Funk Sr.,
they're legendary for their battles in Amarillo
that were effectively last man standing.
[Michael] John, this is the fourth Last Man Standing match
-in the history of the Royal Rumble. -[Charles] One…
[Michael] The first one in 2004 between Triple H and HBK.
-Cena and Umaga had a great one in 2007. -…two, three, four…
[Bradshaw] That's a little bit on the arrogant side.
-[Michael] A little bit? -[Byron] The official on four.
-Ambrose back at a count of five. -[Bradshaw] And not terribly bright.
[Byron] Yeah, you're in a Last Man Standing match…
[Bradshaw] Come on, Kev, you got a shot to keep this guy down.
…for the Intercontinental Championship and you're--
-Oh, boy! -[Michael] Oh, and Ambrose
may make him pay And then Kevin Owens with a right hand.
[Bradshaw] And Michael, what you were saying, 2007,
John Cena, Umaga still one of the greatest matches I’ve ever seen.
[Michael] And Del Rio and Big Show were in a classic as well…
-[grunts] -…in the 2013 Royal Rumble.
Now, look at Kevin Owens, what's he gonna do here now
with these two steel chairs set up? Ambrose fights out.
-And a big forearm by Owens. -[Bradshaw] Oh!
[Michael] Ambrose whacking, and down goes Kevin.
[Bradshaw] Wow. That is a shot.
[Michael] What a clothesline by Dean Ambrose.
[Bradshaw] It's like the Lunatic was shot out of a cannon.
[groans]
[Michael] Watch this impact, and just feel it at home. Boom!
[Byron] A little extra "oompfh" for you, Kevin Owens.
Three, four…
[Bradshaw] That brings a smile to an old man, right there.
[Michael] Remember, on SmackDown, Thursday night, Byron,
it was Dean Ambrose who called this match,
he called it a carnival ride of destruction.
[Byron] Well, a carnival ride is not too far
-from Dean Ambrose at the moment. -[screams] I'm the man!
[Bradshaw] Look, Dean Ambrose may not mind taking a lot of punishment, believe me.
Kevin Owens doesn't mind dishing out a lot of punishment.
[Byron] And Kevin Owens didn't like the fact
that Dean Ambrose called him a bear.
-One, two, three… -[Michael] That took off on social media
with WWE fans making fun of Kevin Owens and they drove him up the wall.
…four, five, six…
[Michael] Well, he does kind of resemble a bear, a grizzly bear.
[Bradshaw] Yeah, you saw what happened in The Revenant, didn't you?
[Byron] Well… bear one.
You think the last one was bad?
-[exclaims] -[Michael] Again, Kevin Owens…
trying to put Ambrose through the chairs, but Dean Ambrose stopped that time again.
Went for the clothesline, Kevin Owens is waiting for him.
[Bradshaw] Uh-oh.
[Michael] Powerbomb time-- No, back body drop.
-Owen through the chairs. -[crowd cheering]
[groans]
-One, two… -[crowd counting]
…three…
-…four… -[Bradshaw] Hey, the potential
is certainly here to have a double count-out.
That happened to me and Kurt Angle one time on SmackDown
in a Last Man Standing match.
[Michael] Referee waves it off as both men make it back to their feet.
Kevin Owens outside. What's Dean Ambrose thinking about here?
[Byron] That's a million-dollar question.
[Bradshaw] He doesn't know.
[Michael] Ambrose! Owens caught him and drives him into the apron,
the same apron, and now into the steps.
The apron that Ambrose called, "Living on the edge,"
the steps that Ambrose called, "The bear trap" for Kevin Owens.
And Owens turning it around on Ambrose.
[Bradshaw] The problem is what happens when you catch a bear.
-[Kevin roars] -[Byron] Oof!
[Bradshaw] What do you do then?
[Byron] Right at the edge of those steel steps too.
One, two…
[Michael] Now the referee at a count of of two.
-…three, four… -[crowd chanting] This is awesome!
-…five… -[Michael] Count of five now.
[Bradshaw] Then the Universe chant, "This is awesome."
[Michael] It won't be awesome for Dean Ambrose
if he can't make it to the count of ten. Referee now at a count of seven.
-…six, seven, eight… -[Michael] Count of eight, now.
Dean Ambrose trying to use the stairs to pull himself back to his feet.
And he does, the referee's gonna wave off the count.
[crowd cheering]
-[Byron] Watch this. -[Michael] Into the apron!
-[Byron] Kevin Owens… -[groans]
[Byron] I thought he was trying to get away for a moment there,
but it was all part of the game plan,
create some separation to make Dean Ambrose pay for it.
[Michael] And now, Kevin Owens going for the tables.
Kevin Owens has pulled out chairs, kendo sticks,
steel steps, and now, tables.
[Bradshaw] We got a Home Depot under that ring.
[Byron] Like we said, anything at their disposal,
anything you can utilize to keep your opponent down for that ten-count.
[Bradshaw] You're right, Byron.
The only thing that limits you is your imagination…
-…three, four… -…and these guys are very imaginative.
-Thanksgiving's in November, moron. -[crowd laughing hysterically]
[Michael] Owens mouthing off at the WWE universe here.
[Byron] Nothing new there.
He's setting a--
[Michael] I can't imagine what he has in mind for that.
-Dean Ambrose is worse for wear here. -[crowd jeering]
[Michael] Last Man Standing for the Intercontinental Championship.
-We knew it wasn't gonna be pretty. -[Bradshaw] Another table.
[crowd cheering]
[crowd member 1] I feel like you're wasting your time right now.
[Michael] Ambrose pulling himself back into the ring
as Owens now is concentrating on setting up tables at ringside.
Ambrose…
trying to re-gather some of his strength, and Owens is stacking tables now.
[Bradshaw] Oh, my God. Kevin Owens is certainly giving
Dean Ambrose a lot of time here.
[crowd cheering]
[crowd member 2] I like your tattoo!
It looks like The Rock's!
[Byron] There are some devious plans in mind for Ambrose.
[Bradshaw] You think?
-[Michael] What is Kevin-- -[Byron] Oh, my God.
[Michael] He's not thinking about this, is he?
You gotta be kidding me. Is he gonna go up to the--
To the top rope, trying to superplex him through the table?
-[Byron] No. -[Michael] Dean Ambrose trying to block.
-[Bradshaw] He better block. -[crowd yelling, jeering]
[Byron] Ambrose with a headbutt.
-[groans] -[Byron] Dean Ambrose fighting back.
[Michael] Now it's Kevin Owens in trouble, tethering high above on the top rope.
Ambrose with a steel chair to the face,
and that chair wrapped around the head of Kevin Owens.
[crowd member 4] You got this!
-[Michael] And Kevin Owens… [chuckles] -[Bradshaw] Look like Robin Williams
in Mork & Mindy, sitting in the chair wrong.
[Michael] Oh, and Ambrose right-handed chop,
and another right and another chop.
[Byron] Chairs swinging all over the place.
We got Ambrose striking at will.
-Look at Ambrose go. -[crowd cheering]
-[Bradshaw] Ambrose is getting there-- -[Michael] Oh, what a superkick!
[Byron] Oh, watch out.
[Michael] Went for the pop-up powerbomb.
-Ambrose countered. -[Byron] Great counter.
Dirty Deeds!
[Bradshaw] But a pinfall doesn't matter, it's gotta be a ten-count.
-One, two, three… -[crowd counting]
[Michael] Count of three now. Ambrose makes it back to his feet.
Can he-- And he does. And now, Kevin Owens though is still down.
Referee still continues the count, and Kevin Owens at a count of six.
Owens at a count of seven, trying to make it back to his feet,
trying to pull himself up, and he does at eight.
[Bradshaw] All you gotta do is get to your feet.
[Michael] Owens is out of it.
I don't think he's got a clue where he is, guys.
-Back to one knee. -[crowd jeering]
[Michael] Oh, and Ambrose looking for Dirty Deeds again.
-Right into the steel chair. -[Michael] Oh!
-[Michael] Punishment time from Ambrose. -[groans]
[Byron] That might be the fatal blow for Kevin Owens.
-[Bradshaw] I think you're right, Byron. -One, two…
-three… -[Michael] And now, the referee at three.
Kevin Owens must make it back to his feet, guys.
He's in La-La Land.
-He's got no clue where he is. -…four, five…
-six… -[Michael] Count of six.
Ambrose looking to retain his title. Count of seven.
Kevin Owens is down and out. Count of eight.
Kevin Owens has nowhere to go. Count of nine.
And he rolls out of the ring and onto his feet.
Great move.
[Bradshaw] What a brilliant move by Kevin Owens.
[Byron] I'd give it to Kevin Owens. That was smart.
-[Bradshaw] Talk about ring awareness. -[Michael] Great strategy by Owens.
[Bradshaw] The only chance that Kevin Owens had
was to roll out and get his feet down on the floor.
[crowd] Fight, Owens, fight! Fight, Owens, fight! Fight, Owens, fight!
[Michael] The "Fight, Owens, fight" chant now ringing through the Amway Center.
Dean Ambrose won't let that bother him. There's the wreckage.
[Bradshaw] Kevin Owens is trying to stay awake right now.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Okay, so how about some tables on this side
as Kevin Owens has climbed into the wreckage
that was once the time keeper's area.
And now it's Ambrose setting up tables.
[Byron] It's like Kevin Owens’s plan kind of backfired
-on the other side of the ring. -[crowd chanting indistinctly]
[Michael] He's set it up down here somewhere.
[Bradshaw] Well, it's a little close.
-You get the full-- -[Michael] Oh, my God,
and Owens bounced off the announce table again.
And now Kevin Owens is in trouble.
Placed on the table by Dean. What he…
No idea what's going through Ambrose's head.
[Bradshaw] Ambrose doesn't know what's going through his own head.
That's why I am the Intercontinental Champion!
-[crowd cheering] -[Bradshaw] Oh, my goodness.
[Michael] Dean Ambrose climbing up to the top rope,
-Kevin Owens is sprawled on the table. -[Bradshaw] This is not thought through.
[Michael] Ambrose, elbow through Kevin Owens’s chest!
Table imploding.
[crowd chanting] Holy shit! Holy shit!
-Holy shit! Holy shit! -One…
two…
[Byron] "Do whatever you gotta do to survive the moment,"
that's the mantra for Dean Ambrose.
[Michael] Yeah, but Dean Ambrose doing this…
hurt himself. Both men are down. The official at a count of six.
-Now, it's seven. -[crowd cheering]
Charles Robinson, the official at eight.
-Both men back to their feet. -[Bradshaw] They're both up.
[crowd applauding]
[Michael] What an incredible match this has been.
[Bradshaw] Do you see how much pride both these competitors
not only have in themselves, but that Intercontinental Championship?
[crowd chanting] This is awesome!
[Bradshaw] This is what a championship in the Royal Rumble is all about.
[Michael] Again, watch Dean Ambrose from the top rope,
he drives the elbow through the chest of Owens.
Both men go crashing through the table.
Three…
[Michael] Now, referee has begun a count in the ring now.
-…four… -[Michael] A count of four.
Owens back to his feet. Count waved off.
[Bradshaw] I'll tell you what, if the whole night's gonna be like this,
this is gonna be a Royal Rumble to remember.
[crowd yelling, jeering]
[Michael] Dean Ambrose just makes some stuff up as he goes along.
[grunts]
[Bradshaw] I think he has no game plan whatsoever.
[Byron] I told you, whatever he feels in the moment.
[Kevin yowls]
-I hate you! [groans] -[Dean] I hate you.
[Michael] Kevin Owens very vocal toward the champion, Ambrose.
[Byron] These two have brought out the absolute worst in each other.
[Bradshaw] I don't know, Byron. I kind of like it.
[Michael] Another table set up.
Owens back to the top rope now, courtesy of Dean Ambrose.
[both grunt]
[Michael] Uh-oh. Oh, my God. Look at this.
-[Byron] Oh! -[Michael] Oh, no!
Right through the table,
Kevin Owens driving Ambrose through the table.
[crowd chanting] Holy shit! Holy shit! Holy shit! Holy shit!
One…
two…
[Michael] It's about the Intercontinental Championship.
Who has the will to survive? Who will persevere?
-The official now at a count of five. -…three, four, five…
[Byron] Who's gonna be able to walk after this match?
[Michael] The challenger, Kevin Owens, the champion, Dean Ambrose.
The official at a count of seven. Owens is back to his feet.
The champion, Ambrose, at eight, trying to make it back up.
The official-- And Ambrose just makes the count,
-just beats the count. -[Bradshaw] Just barely.
Stay down!
[grunts]
[Michael] And Owens imploring Ambrose to stay down and he might now.
Pop-up powerbomb at the most opportune moment.
[Bradshaw] I think Kevin Owens
just got his Intercontinental Championship back.
-One, two… -[Michael] Kevin Owens now will sit
-and watch as the official counts to ten. -…three…
-four… -[Michael] A count of four.
The champion has not moved off the pop-up powerbomb.
-We're now at five. -…five, six…
-seven. -[Michael] A count of seven.
-Ambrose has till ten. Count of eight. -…eight, nine…
[Michael] Ambrose is stirring. Can he make it back?
And he does, somehow, at a count of ten, and then he collapses to the mat.
[Byron] Kevin Owens looks shocked.
-[crowd exclaiming] -[grunts]
-[Byron] Lord. -[groans]
[Michael] Owens is gonna make sure Ambrose stays down this time…
with a chair.
How do this guy keep Dean Ambrose down?
Somebody explain to me
how this did not keep the champion Dean Ambrose down.
[Bradshaw] Well, it did for nine and a half.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] What does Kevin Owens do?
I don't think they're about to play musical chairs.
[Byron] Wow.
You did this! You did this!
[Michael] Kevin Owens saying that Ambrose brought this upon himself
when he took the intercontinental title from his last month at TLC.
[Bradshaw] Uh-oh. Oh, God.
[Michael] Ambrose laid across the chair as Kevin Owens going up top. Oh!
[Bradshaw] Kevin Owens through the tables!
-[Byron] Oh, man! -[Michael] Owens through the tables!
Kevin Owens through not one, but two tables.
[Byron] Talk about a touch move for Dean Ambrose.
One, two, three…
[Michael] Count of three from the official.
-…four… -[crowd counting]
-…five, six… -[Michael] Halfway to ten for Ambrose.
[Michael] A count of six. Owens has got to beat ten.
A count of seven, Owens hasn't moved. A count of eight.
-…seven, eight, nine… -[Michael] Kevin Owens hasn't moved.
-Count of nine. -…ten!
[Michael] Dean Ambrose is still your Intercontinental Champion.
-[bell ringing] -["Retaliation" playing]
[Lilián] Here is your winner
and still the Intercontinental Champion,
Dean Ambrose!
[Michael] What a match.
Dean Ambrose retains…
to kick off the Royal Rumble.
[Byron] Ambrose earned that one big time.
[Bradshaw] It was just a matter of survival.
[Michael] But you can't take anything away from Kevin Owens.
We talked about Owens’s attitude…
when Kevin Owens came to fight tonight.
But in the end, it was Dean Ambrose retaining his title.
Kevin Owens was looking to do something real nasty
-to Dean Ambrose… -[music concludes]
…and Ambrose with the wherewithal
to knock Owens off the top rope and through two tables.
[Byron] Well, there's Ambrose doing something really nasty
-to Kevin Owens. -[Bradshaw] An absolute war of attrition.
[Michael] Look at his landing. Oh!
["Retaliation" playing]
[Byron] We wondered if the intransigence of Dean Ambrose
was a virtue or a vice.
Today, it got him the Intercontinental Championship.
[Michael] The Lunatic Fringe…
is a very apt name for that man.
Dean Ambrose is still your Intercontinental Champion.
[music concludes]
[upbeat music playing]
[narrator] Doesn't it seem like the wireless world today…
-[mascot] Ooh! -…could use a smile?
-At Cricket Wireless, we think so. -[chuckles]
[narrator] That's why prices for our plans are all in.
Taxes and fees included.
-[yelps] -[narrator] And we've got more
4G LTE coverage nationwide than T-Mobile or Sprint.
That's a whole lot of network for not a lot of dough.
-[mascots chattering] -[narrator] It's what makes Cricket
the happiest place in the whole wireless world.
["Here We Go" by Disable Danger playing]
Come on!
Oh, my God! Welcome to reality!
[laughs]
Why is this so hot by the way?
You're in camp WWE, man. Whoo!
Now you're riding with us.
Upgrade!
Were you cool or like a douchebag who partied?
Oh, definitely a douchebag that partied.
[laughs]
[Stone Cold] Live on the WWE Network, Steve Austin Show podcast.
Talk about how you got into the business.
I've got a serious question for you now.
You have a very interesting story.
[Ric] Camp WWE is the most fun on earth!
It's me, it's me, Vince McMahon! [laughs]
I get all the dip*****.
Something funny, Big Show?
-My name is… -It does not matter
what my name is.
♪ Uh-oh, here we go again ♪
-[narrator] This is WWE Fastlane. -[sports cars engines revving]
[Michael] The greatest event in live entertainment
-is WrestleMania. -[crowd cheering]
[Ric] It's all fun from here!
-[group laughs] -[group chuckles]
♪ Uh-oh, now here we go! ♪
[laughs]
[music concludes]
["Denial" by We Are Harlot playing]
[Michael] Some of the great programming coming your way in 2016,
only on the WWE Network.
We are live tonight and sold out at the Amway Center.
Fifteen-thousand, one-hundred and seventy WWE fans
on hand for the Royal Rumble.
Guys, what a way to kick off the Rumble with that Last Man Standing match.
I'm still getting over all the chaos we just witnessed
-between Dean Ambrose and Kevin Owens-- -An incredible title match.
Well, you know, ladies and gentlemen, up next,
the Usos are gonna meet The New Day for the Tag Team titles.
A couple of weeks ago, Chris Jericho returned to WWE,
interrupting The New Day,
and, well, what would happened was we had a tag team match
between the Usos and New Day and Chris Jericho
would be out here in the Usos corner.
[Byron] There you see Xavier Woods doing what he's done so many times,
constant distraction, trying to divert.
But this time, you had Chris Jericho there to kind of equalize the odds a little bit.
-[trombone honks] -[Michael] Yeah.
Kidnapping Francesca the Trombone of Xavier Woods.
[Byron] Yeah, I call this the day the trombone died.
[screams]
[Bradshaw] You're mocking someone's sorrow, Byron.
[Byron] It was funny.
[Michael] And what would happen at this point is,
the Usos would go on to win the matchup
and earn their self an opportunity tonight at the tag team championship.
Why?!
[screams, sobs heavily]
[Big E, over speakers] Orlando!
Don't you dare be sour!
Clap for your world famous
two-time champs and feel the power!
It's a new day! Yes, it is!
-["New Day, New Way" playing] -[crowd cheering, applauding]
[crowd chanting] New Day rocks! New Day rocks! New Day rocks!
Stop, stop, stop.
-Pipe down. Pipe down. -[Kofi] Stop.
The New Day has been deep in mourning
ever since we lost our dearest sweet Francesca the Trombone!
[crowd exclaiming] Aw!
[crowd chanting] Francesca! Francesca!
Francesca! Francesca! Francesca!
So having said that,
we want everybody in here to take a moment to bow your horns…
as we have a moment of silence…
for Francesca.
[upbeat trombone playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Bradshaw] Oh, no.
-[The New Day] Yeah! -[crowd cheering]
Everyone, welcome the newest member
of The New Day, Francesca 2!
[crowd cheering]
But Woods, what happened to Francesca 1?
Kof, Kof, I can't mourn forever. You know, a brother's got… needs.
Oh. True.
But the power of positivity helped me through these hard times
and the power of positivity is going to ensure
that we retain our WWE
-World Tag Team Championships. -Whoo!
Oh, wait, hold up, hold up, hold up! Let's not forget…
let's not forget the Royal Rumble match
and the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, baby!
-Baby! -That's right!
Because 2016
for The New Day will be all gold everything. [chuckles]
-I'm talking gold chains. -Ooh!
-And gold teeth. -[Xavier] Ooh!
And golden eye.
-And gold kicks. -Oh, snap!
Oh, and-- Whoa, golden unicorns.
-What? -Oh, wow.
-Oh, wow. Oh, wow. -Wow.
-Because-- -Hey, hey, hey!
Stay golden, pony boy.
-New Day rocks! New Day rocks! -[crowd chanting] New Day rocks!
-[upbeat trombone playing] -New Day rocks!
New Day rocks! New Day rocks!
-New-- -["So Close Now" playing]
[yells in Samoan]
-[chants in Samoan] -[chants in Samoan]
-[screams] -[music concludes]
[in English] And when we say, "Us," y'all say, "O"!
-[both] U… -[crowd] …so!
[shout indistinctly]
-["So Close Now" playing] -[bell ringing]
[Eden] The following contest scheduled for one fall
is for the WWE Tag Team Championship.
Introducing the challengers,
at combined weight of 479 pounds,
they're the Slammy Award-winning Tag Team of the year,
Jimmy and Jey, the Usos!
[Michael] Well, ladies and gentlemen, a very emotional interview
with the Usos earlier tonight on the Royal Rumble Kickoff show
because both Jimmy and Jey were talking about Jey's injury last year
which cost him over six months of action.
And they talked about how tonight is the first straight-up match
since that injury nearly ten months ago against The New Day.
So, tonight, they hope to become three-time Tag Team Champions.
[Byron] That was tough for the Usos because they felt like they lost a step.
They were helpless, they watched The New Day's rise
in the tag team division
and all they could do was sit on the sidelines.
And now tonight is a chance for the Usos to get back on track.
[Michael] #TagTeamTitles to talk about this matchup tonight.
The New Day have held the Tag Team Championship for 154 days
-since they won at SummerSlam… -[bell ringing]
…at Brooklyn back in August.
[Byron] It's been almost a year
since the Usos last held the Tag Team titles.
[Bradshaw] The Freebird Rule
actually started down here in Florida with Ole Anderson.
[crowd chanting] New Day rocks! New Day rocks!
[Michael] So, This is Jimmy Uso starting things off
against Kofi Kingston.
Kofi and Big E
will be working this matchup for The New Day here tonight.
[Bradshaw] It's so good that New Day is over mourning Francesca.
-[Byron] That's so highly disturbing. -[Bradshaw] It's like when Lassie dies,
you just replace her.
-[Michael] You know, we can-- -[Bradshaw] And name it Lassie Two.
[Michael] We can say what we want about The New Day,
but they are in-demand, and you guys got an opportunity
to catch The New Day on ESPN SportsCenter with The Coach last Tuesday night.
How entertaining were they?
[Byron] Well, in fact, ESPN actually
-released a Vine… -[Michael] Oh!
…featuring The New Day, it was the most viewed Vine online.
[Bradshaw] Yeah, we found Coach's booty.
-[Michael] Speaking of that… -Shame on you, Uso.
…who's "Rooty, Tooty, and Booty" in The New Day, Byron?
[Byron] I believe Rooty is Kofi,
Tooty is Xavier, and of course, Booty is Big E.
[Michael] And here's Jey Uso, and of course, the words of Chris Jericho
this past Thursday night on SmackDown, on the new home of USA.
-U… -[crowd] …so!
[Byron] I like that name. It gives them a little street cred.
Come on.
[Bradshaw] You would know nothing about street cred, Byron.
[Byron] Well, you'd be surprised.
-[Kofi grunts] -[Michael] Kofi sent out of the ring.
[grunts]
[Michael] Remember, the Usos must win via pinfall or submission
to win the Tag Team titles tonight,
count-out, disqualification does not help them.
[crowd jeering]
[Byron] Despite Jey's time off, you know, the Usos
won Slammy Award-winning Tag Team of the Year for the second year.
They felt like that put extra pressure, an extra wanted pressure on them
to come out here and deliver.
One, two.
[Bradshaw] I thought that was a terrible [indistinct].
-[Xavier] Kofi, let's go! -[Byron] Well, you and The New Day.
[Bradshaw] That's why you don't give plebeians the right to vote.
You just let people like me decide.
-[Michael] Oh, man. -[grunts]
[Kofi] Come on!
[Xavier] E, come on!
[Michael] And Big E, there's the reversal.
-[Xavier] Yeah! -[Kofi] Yeah!
[Michael] Oh, and treaded shoulder first into the steel post.
[crowd cheering]
-[crowd member 5] Come on, Big E! -[crowd member 6] Let's go, Big E!
[Michael] The New Day have been so effective as Tag Team Champions.
Talk all you want about their attitude and style, but there's no doubt
they've done everything in their power to hold the gold.
-They've spent over 150 days as champs. -[Bradshaw] Oh, watch Big E!
-[Michael] Oh, Big E driven… -[Jey screams]
…towards the barricade and now right into it.
[Jey] You don't want more of this. You don't want more of this.
[Michael] And Jey Uso gonna send Xavier Woods…
-Oh, and Xavier! -[Bradshaw] Oh! Come on.
[Michael] Well, a great move outside the ring
despite the fact that he's not even part of this matchup.
[Byron] That's part of the reason why New Day has been so successful.
They always got that third man as a difference maker.
-New Day! -[crowd] Rocks!
-Oh! -[groans]
[Michael] And now The New Day in firm control, thanks to Xavier Woods.
What? What?
Thank you, Xavier Woods. Thanks for the power of positivity.
[Michael] By the way, you're not even in the match.
-[Byron] It doesn't matter to him. -[Michael] And Kofi Kingston now.
[Xavier] I am in the match!
[yells indistinctly] It's my job!
[Michael] You're not legally in the match. And here's the cover
by Kofi, hook to the leg and a kick-out…
[Byron] I wish Xavier would get dry mouth.
…by Jey Uso at two.
-[crowd chanting] -We're gonna wait. We're gonna wait.
-Come on! -[crowd cheering]
-[crowd booing] -Not today.
-I play when I want to. -[Michael] And it just goes over…
-Xavier Woods, quite the-- -[Xavier] I play when I want to.
…quite the showman…
no doubt about that.
-[Byron] He's seeking attention. -[Michael] And he does play a pivotal role
with The New Day. We often talk about the numbers game
but, John, it's effective.
[Bradshaw] It's incredibly effective. Look, it took a--
-New Day a while-- -[Michael] Oh, no!
Both men going for a superkick, they got caught up and Kofi Kingston
able to take control, and now, Big E with a splash.
[Byron] Three hundred pounds.
[Michael] And this could be enough to put Jey Uso away
to retain the title-- And a near fall.
Your brother's soul is ours! You will be next!
Yeah, it's a-- Hey, hey, hey!
[Michael] And watch, this is over 300 pounds, John.
[Bradshaw] What an athlete.
[Michael] Splash!
[crowd chanting] New Day rocks! New Day rocks!
[Byron] Again, that speaks of the chemistry
that The New Day has, like them or not.
[Bradshaw] It took them a little while to get together as a team
but once they did it, they became the best team in WWE.
[Michael] Yeah, there's no doubt. I can't argue that point.
[crowd chanting] New Day rocks! New Day rocks!
-New Day rocks! New Day rocks! -[Bradshaw] A rhythmic beating.
[Kofi] Drop him!
-[Xavier] Whoa! -[Byron] Oh, man. Jeez.
[Michael] And Big E, is it enough?
[Michael] And nope, feet under the ropes, referee--
Great call by the official, Mike Chioda.
[Byron] Look at how harsh the impact was, it even took Big E off his feet.
[Michael] Jey Uso doesn't know where he's at.
And now Kofi up over the top rope.
[Bradshaw] Should manage some of those NFL coin flips.
[Xavier] Get him, get him, get him. Kof, here we go.
[Michael] This is the pace that The New Day wants.
Isolate Jey Uso,
don't allow the Usos to get rolling,
-flying around the ring. -[trombone honking]
[crowd cheering]
[trombone honking]
-[Michael] Oh! -[Xavier] Oh! No, no, no, no!
[Michael] Hope he's got a sound effect for that.
Uh-oh, Kofi with a handful of hair.
[Xavier] That's it. Get him, Kofi. Get him, Kofi. No, no!
-[Michael] And Kofi… Oh, what a kick! -[Byron] Oh!
[Michael] Kingston knocked off the apron to the floor.
This buys Jey Uso some time to regroup and perhaps get to his brother, Jimmy.
[Byron] Half that time windows closing real fast.
[Bradshaw] Yup, New Day knows it.
-[indistinct chatter] -[crowd jeering]
[Michael] Tags. Big E and Jimmy are legal.
And Jimmy Uso looking to turn up the heat.
[wrestlers grunt]
[Byron] Jimmy trying to change the tide of this matchup now,
get the advantage in the corner of the Usos.
-Oh! -[crowd cheering]
-[crowd exclaiming] -[Michael] And Jimmy sends Kofi flying,
-Big E misses with the clothesline. -[Byron] Whoa!
[Michael] Samoan drop!
-[grunts] -[Michael] And Kofi…
[Bradshaw laughing]
-Let's go! -[Xavier] No, no, no, no!
[Bradshaw] I don't think New Day's going to like what's about to happen here.
-U… -[crowd] …so!
[Michael] John, we spoke about Umaga earlier on tonight.
[Bradshaw] Yup.
-[Michael] And shades of him right there. -[Bradshaw] Here's to you, Uncle Umaga.
[Michael] How about one for daddy, Rikishi? Nope.
-[Bradshaw] 'Cause daddy sure didn't-- -[Michael] Top rope. Oh, man!
[Bradshaw] Daddy never did that.
[Michael] Is it enough off the corkscrew from the top rope?
And a kick-out at two.
Come on, E! Come on, E!
[Byron] The last thing you want now if you're Jimmy Uso
is to let frustration start to creep in.
[Michael] And they got to stay focused.
Two-time Slammy Award-winning Tag Team of The Year, back-to-back years.
-[Xavier] Go! Go, go! -[Michael] Jimmy going up top.
Kofi Kingston now on the apron.
-Jey Uso gonna make him pay. -[screams]
-And Jey-- Oh! -[crowd screaming]
[Michael] Driven up and over the barricade,
and into the WWE Universe, and now Big E taking advantage.
Jimmy was distracted watching his brother go flying
over the barricade, and Big E with the belly-to-belly.
Is it enough, hooks the leg, to retain the titles?
-Almost had him, a near-fall. -[Byron] Oof!
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Tag team division has become so competitive here in WWE.
[crowd chanting] New Day rocks! New Day rocks! New Day rocks!
[Byron] A lot of unicorn fans here.
[Michael] Scary look on the face of Big E.
-[Bradshaw] This is more scary. Oh! -[Michael] And right into the knee.
And now Kofi Kingston trying to run interference.
-[crowd jeering] -No! [groans]
-[Michael] Whoa! -[Byron] Whoa!
[Michael] Jey comes flying out of the WWE universe.
And Big E-- Oh, man! Come on, shoulder to the gut.
[wrestlers groan]
[Xavier] E, E, E!
[Bradshaw] Three-hundred-pound high speed battering ram in Big E.
[Michael] There are bodies everywhere, and Xavier Woods
imploring his teammates to get back to their feet.
[indistinct chatter]
Come on, come on!
[Byron] Just bodies flying everywhere.
You got Jey Uso taking out Kofi on the outside and Big E full speed.
[crowd booing]
[Michael] And Big E looking to rally his team.
The New Day's Tag Team titles up for grabs.
-[trombone honking] -[crowd chanting] New Day rocks!
[Byron] I think those ribs of Jimmy Uso could be bruised or worse.
[Michael] Kofi Kingston going to the top rope.
Finish him!
-Finis-- -[Michael] Uh-oh.
Oh, Kofi-- Oh, and Big E went into the steel post.
Kingston, Trouble in Paradise, missed.
-Superkick. -Byron] On the body.
[Michael] Tag!
[Byron] Oh, it's giving the chance now for the Usos.
[crowd cheering]
[Byron] This could be it. Is it enough to win the Tag Team titles?
[Michael] Foot under the bottom rope.
Great ring presence by Kofi Kingston.
-[Byron] Well, I'm not… -What you doing? What you doing?
[indistinct yelling, clamoring]
[Michael] What is he saying?
[Byron] I'm not so sure Xavier didn't have something to do with that.
-[Michael] Perhaps he did. -[Jimmy laughs]
-[crowd member 7] Get him, Big E! -[Michael] And now, Big E.
Oh, man, driving him spine first into the barricade.
And Kofi Kingston from behind, rolling him up,
grabs the tights, roll through for the Tag Team titles.
-Kick-out at two. -[Byron] So close.
[grunts]
[Michael] Tag.
[Bradshaw] Uso doesn't notice the tag.
[Michael] I thought there was a tag, right?
[Bradshaw] I thought there was too, but I don't think Uso knows.
-I'm not sure Chioda does. -[Michael] Big E is the legal man.
-[Byron] Oh, no. -[Michael] Big E is the legal man.
-[crowd cheering] -[Michael] Big ending.
-[crowd] One, two, three! -[bell ringing]
[Michael] What a bomb by Big E and The New Day.
-["New Day, New Way" playing] -[Eden] Here are your winners,
and still the WWE Tag Team Champions, The New Day!
[Michael] You know what, guys? Say what you want,
but you got to take your hat off to The New Day.
[Byron] No, it was smart, smart move by Big E.
made the tag… Jey Uso had no clue.
[Byron] The New Day is still your Tag Team Champions.
[Bradshaw] The power of Big E is extraordinary.
-[Michael] And here's the tag by Big E. -[Bradshaw] Uso never saw it.
[crowd exclaiming] Oh!
[Byron] Jey thought they were on the verge of winning back
-those Tag Team titles… -[Byron] Watch this.
-Watch this. -…and talk about an interception
-and a big ending. -[Byron] Wow.
[crowd] One, two, three.
-[Michael] The New Day is still… -[bell ringing]
-…your tag team champions. -Not on my watch! Oh, not on my watch!
[upbeat trombone playing]
[Byron] And Francesca Number Two is alive and well.
Hey, hey, hey, hey!
[Byron] Look at this, midair, Big E catching Jey Uso,
perfect positioning for the big ending.
[Michael] You know, The New Day would get flagged
-if they had that celebration in the NFL. -[Bradshaw chuckles]
That's why it's great we're not the NFL.
[Michael] The New Day, still your Tag Team Champions.
-[Bradshaw] Goodell would've fined them. -[indistinct chatter]
-[Michael] Twice. -[The New Day cheers]
[narrator] WWE Create a Superstar.
Seth Rollins has gone samurai.
And Roman Reigns has joined special ops.
Now, you can mix and match with other figures for hundreds of ways
to create the next champion with WWE Create a Superstar.
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With Create a WWE Superstar ring builder, and with over 20 combinations,
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[gentle music playing]
Even after 30 years, I've never experienced anything like this.
Being in the moment with fans, face to face with Triple H…
it's gonna be epic.
[narrator] WWE Network takes you inside entertainment's biggest event,
an emotional first.
Out there is maybe 70,000 people.
I've never wrestled in front of that many people before
so I am absolutely losing my mind.
[narrator] A rising empire.
[Roman] To be able to main-event WrestleMania,
that's a moment I think every performer hopes for.
[narrator] And a legendary debut.
This will be the biggest event of my whole career.
Sting was nervous. He was nervous. He was excited. He was wound up.
[Sting] It can be intimidating for sure.
[narrator] WWE 24 WrestleMania, Silicon Valley,
tonight immediately following the Royal Rumble, only on WWE Network.
Again, that takes place tonight, immediately following the Royal Rumble,
only on the WWE Network.
And, you know, WrestleMania, not only the biggest day of the year
for WWE fans, but the biggest day of the year for WWE superstars
and Divas, as JBL could attest to.
I've been blessed to have been in a lot of WrestleManias,
and it's the biggest thing we do in sports entertainment.
The feeling backstage is palpable.
-This is incredible to watch. -And you mentioned backstage,
because this is a pretty incredible program, exclusive,
never-before-seen backstage footage of the likes of Sting
getting ready for his first-ever WrestleMania match.
It's pretty incredible and it happens tonight.
Well, one man who has been apart of WrestleMania over the years,
none other than the legendary, "Y2J" Chris Jericho.
And this past Monday night on raw, Jericho held what he called
the biggest highlight reel in history
with Roman Reigns who delivered a spear to Brock Lesnar.
[Byron] Yeah, Reigns wanted retribution for getting F5 a week before.
But then you saw the league of nations get involved,
trying to insert their name into the Royal Rumble match picture.
[Michael] Yeah and then Brock Lesnar would bring the League of Nations
to what he calls "Suplex City."
And then he would deliver an F5 to Sheamus.
But watch what happens next, Roman Reigns,
payback to the F5 a week prior from Brock Lesnar,
a second spear from Reigns before the Wyatt family would attack.
[crowd chattering]
[Michael] The Wyatts were trying to make a statement here
about the dominance they could have in the Royal Rumble match.
[Byron] Roman's currently tried to fight off every member of this family,
but there's only so much you could do against The Wyatts.
[Michael] Yeah, and what's scary about this is that Strowman and Harper
and Erick Rowan worked for the cause tonight.
And the cause is Bray Wyatt.
Things like this could happen.
And I think after what they did to Reigns and Brock Lesnar
this past Monday, there may not be any doubt
that bray Wyatt could indeed be the favorite
-in this year's Royal Rumble match. -[screams]
-Follow the buzzards. -[crowd cheering]
[crowd cheering]
We are war.
We are pestilence.
We are famine.
We are death.
We have slaughtered the beast
and we have slaughtered the chosen one.
And tonight…
we're gonna slaughter them all. [chuckles]
One by one, they will fall.
And when the dust settles,
I will truly have the whole world in my hands.
He's got the whole world in his hands.
[laughs]
[inhales deeply] The apocalypse is here.
Run.
-[bell ringing] -[Lilián] The following contest
is scheduled for one fall
and it is for the United States Championship.
-[crowd cheering] -["Realeza" playing]
[Bradshaw] There he is.
[Lilián] Introducing first, from San Luis Potosi, Mexico,
weighing in at 239 pounds, he is the United States Champion,
Alberto Del Rio.
[Michael] You know, guys, quite the rivalry has developed
between this man, the United States Champion,
Alberto Del Rio, and Kalisto.
They've been going back and forth over the united states Championship
for the past couple of weeks.
I wanted to show you what happened two weeks ago,
Thursday night on SmackDown on our new home at the USA network.
Kalisto was the US Champion at this time.
[Byron] Yeah, first title defense against Alberto Del Rio but,
look what happens here. Kalisto going out.
King Barrett saves Alberto,
which led to Kalisto taking that nasty fall
-and Del Rio taking advantage. -[Michael] King Barrett, of course,
the league of nation brother of Alberto Del Rio.
And that cross arm breaker would force Kalisto to tap out.
Del Rio retain… regaining the United States title.
At the Royal Rumble,
I'm gonna beat Alberto Del Rio one more time.
-for the title. -[responds in Spanish]
[crowd cheering]
As far as the United States title is concerned, you're nothing.
-[speaks in Spanish] -[crowd gasping]
Hello, it's nice to meet you.
-[grunts] -[laughs]
-Get off me! [grunts, groans] -[grunts]
-[Sheamus] Stay down! -[grunts, groans]
[Michael] That was the welcoming party for Kalisto,
-the League of Nations. -["Realeza" playing]
[Byron] Yeah, or the League of Bullies.
[Michael] John, you've called him one of the great
United States Champions of all time, Mr. Del Rio.
[Bradshaw] He certainly is Mexico's greatest export.
["Lucha Lucha" playing]
[Kalisto chants] Lucha! Lucha! Lucha Lucha!
-Lucha! Lucha! Lucha Lucha! -[crowd chanting] Lucha! Lucha! Lucha!
[Kalisto chants] Lucha! Lucha!
[Lilián] Introducing the challenger
[continues announcing in Spanish]
[announcing in Spanish]
Kalisto!
[Michael] Oh, ladies and gentlemen, we invite you to watch
your favorite TV shows and movies online with Hulu,
and get next day unlimited instant screening access
to all your WWE weekly programs, including Raw,
SmackDown, Main Event, NXT, and more.
Visit hulu.com for a free trial
and start watching your favorite WWE shows today.
Kalisto looking to win back the United States Championship tonight.
You can use #USTitle to talk about this matchup on social media.
In a WWE Facebook exclusive video earlier today,
as Alberto Del Rio was arriving at the Amway Center,
he told our reporter that he is going to squish that little mosquito,
Kalisto, and end his fairy tale dream tonight.
-[bell ringing] -[Byron] Yeah, Alberto says all that stuff
but the fact that he and his League of Nation brothers
had to attack Kalisto last week
tells me he knows Kalisto is a threat to that United States Championship.
-John, Del Rio also… -[Bradshaw] They didn't have to,
-they wanted to. -Del Rio also says that
real champions don't wish on stars. They don't need luck or tricks.
[crowd chattering]
[Michael] And Kalisto is gonna use his quickness here tonight
but he's gonna fight toe to toe with Del Rio as you see here.
[Bradshaw] Remember, Del Rio did what nobody else could do.
He is the one who's put John Cena on the shelf.
[grunts]
[Michael] Alberto Del Rio, cover, hooks the leg, kick-out.
Returned to WWE back in October at the Hell in the Cell event
in Los Angeles and beat Cena that night for the United States title.
-[Alberto shouts in Spanish] -[crowd boos]
[Michael] Thinking about the whirlwind of a month that Callisto's had.
[Byron] Yeah, a month ago, he was in the midst of a tag team division.
Sin Cara goes down with a dislocated shoulder,
he seizes an opportunity to challenge for the United States Championship,
and he wins that United States Championship.
[crowd chattering]
[crowd] Two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight…
[Michael] Kalisto gonna try…
to fight back if he can, but Del Rio dominating in the early going.
And there's Kalisto with a kick to the lower back.
[Michael] There's a counter for you.
[Michael] Oh, and down goes Del Rio again,
and Kalisto gonna fly right from the second rope.
-Oh. -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Kalisto said in an interview earlier tonight that,
" 'Lucha' means 'fight,'
and that's exactly what I plan to do to win back the US title."
[Byron] Yeah, fight against the face of the struggle,
fight to overcome obstacles.
[crowd chattering]
[Michael] And Kalisto-- Oh, right to the-- I believe the arm.
I thought it was the chest, but the arm of Alberto Del Rio.
[Byron] Kalisto said he's been David his entire life.
He's used to fighting Goliaths.
[Bradshaw] Yeah, but this isn't the valley of Elah,
this isn't a fairy tale,
and Kalisto doesn't have five rocks and a stupid little sling.
[Michael] Running enzuigiri, is it enough for Alberto Del Rio
to put Kalisto away, who manages to stay in it.
[Bradshaw] In the real world, Goliath wins.
[Michael] However, as we take another look at Kalisto flying,
which he needs to do to win back the championship,
-but this stopped him in his tracks. -[crowd exclaims]
[Michael] That top rope enzuigiri hurt Del Rio,
but John, you know how dangerous the lucha libre style is.
Here's another cover by Del Rio,
and a kick-out by Kalisto. You had a great rivalry with the--
with Rey Mysterio throughout your career here.
He beat you, in fact, retired you,
so you know what's it's all about to be in there with a smaller man.
-A man who's an underdog. -[Bradshaw] And that, now you're talking,
about Michael, I had the sniffles and that was well-documented.
-I was sick. -[Michael] You have the sniffles tonight,
you're out here working.
And here is Del Rio as Kalisto makes it back to his feet,
-fighting back. -[grunts]
[Bradshaw] And there's a lot of similarities
between Kalisto and Rey Mysterio. They're both little annoying pests.
[Michael] And here is Kalisto again, and look at this.
Oh, and there's a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker.
And again, Del Rio stopping Kalisto.
And, Byron, this is what Del Rio needs to do,
keep Kalisto grounded tonight.
[Byron] Yeah, the last thing you want to do is let Kalisto
increase the tempo of this matchup.
Get him rolling with all those high-flying maneuvers
that has made him successful on so many different occasions.
[Bradshaw] And just like I did with Rey Mysterio,
Alberto Del Rio is manhandling Kalisto.
[Michael] Oh, Del Rio again off the top rope.
Del Rio, cover.
-Is it enough to put Kalisto away? -One, two--
-And a kick-out. -[Bradshaw] Del Rio and I
have actually talked about this, about how fun it is to beat up
these little masked Luchadores.
We sit around and laugh about it all the time…
-[Byron] Yeah, it's all-- -…while we throw them into barricades.
-[Byron] It's all fun. -[Bradshaw] We throw them over our head.
[Byron] It's all fun. It's all games. Bring the swat-- The fly swatter.
But Del Rio had that same attitude when Kalisto defeated him.
So he better take Kalisto seriously.
[Michael] Oh, I think he's taking him seriously, Byron.
Look what he just did there.
[Bradshaw] He's a four-time world champion,
one of the greatest US Champions of all time.
[Michael] And he won the biggest Royal Rumble match in history, 40 men,
Del Rio knows all about competing at the Rumble.
-[Bradshaw] 2011. -[grunts]
[Bradshaw] I mean, 2000,
Del Rio would have represented his country, Mexico,
and Mexico would have had the money to send him to the Olympics.
[Michael] A Hurricanrana sends Del Rio flying,
and now Kalisto once again looking to try to take control.
[Byron] You know, what's amazing is that Kalisto looked up to guys
like Eddie Guerrero, Rey Mysterio, and all…
[Bradshaw] Kalisto looks up to everybody, Byron. He's short.
[Byron] My point is, he also looked up to Alberto Del Rio
-for all of his accomplishments. -[Michael] Oh, no!
Knees right to the mid-section.
Great reversal by Del Rio for the victory tonight.
Kalisto on-- Grabs the bottom rope.
[Bradshaw] He should look up to Del Rio.
Del Rio is what a champion looks like.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Man, remember, guys. Kalisto won the Slammy Award
for the OMG Moment of the Year.
A Salida Del Sol off the top of the ladder.
But tonight, it's been a majority of Del Rio dominating,
driving Kalisto into the barricade.
[Bradshaw] How great is Alberto Del Rio?
[Michael] He promised to show that Kalisto's winning the championship
was a fluke.
Now, he wants to maim this young man.
[Bradshaw] That is everything you want in a champion.
[Byron] Well, look, at the end of the day, Del Rio was embarrassed.
He was embarrassed that he lost to Kalisto.
He had egg on his face.
[Bradshaw] Yeah, and apparently, that egg's been removed
because he has the championship back.
[Michael] Well, look at Del Rio again. We saw him try to do this last week,
trying to remove the mask of Kalisto, and he almost has it off.
And John is a…
[Byron] How disrespectful is that?
[Michael] Yeah. As a great Luchador, that mask means everything
And Byron hit the nail on the head.
Complete disrespect shown by Del Rio.
And Del Rio should understand the tradition of the heritage
of wearing the mask.
[Bradshaw] Well, he certainly should.
his uncle Mil Máscaras and his father, Dos Caras.
Maybe he thinks that Kalisto doesn't deserve
to be wearing a mask like his great uncle Mil Máscaras wore.
[Michael] Well, Del Rio called Kalisto a little mosquito earlier
and he swatted him away like one. And there's the kick…
that won Del Rio the Championship against Cena,
and a kick-out by Kalisto at two.
[Bradshaw] Kalisto lives and dies with those high risk maneuvers
-watch this kick. -[Michael] Watch this.
Boom!
[Michael] But John, Kalisto still was able to kick out.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] And the moment is not lost on Del Rio
about what this night's all about.
[Bradshaw] I told you, there's a lot of similarities
with him and Rey Mysterio. He's an annoying little pest
that won't go away, like a cockroach in a mask.
[Byron] Yeah. They've both been champions,, though.
[Michael] Del Rio looking for the rolling cross armbreaker.
He got Kalisto to tap to that to win back his championship.
Went for the running enzuigiri again, this time, Kalisto ducked underneath it.
Now Kalisto from the second rope, measuring Del Rio,
-trying to build a little momentum. Wow! -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Spinning DDT right off the second rope,
cover, is it enough to take out Del Rio? At two, he kicks out.
That may have been Kalisto's last gasp, last opportunity against the champion.
[crowd chattering]
[Michael] Kalisto, second rope, again, this time connects.
Last time, swatted away by Del Rio, Kalisto to the midsection.
And now Kalisto starting to bring the pace where he wants it,
face first goes Del Rio.
It's for the United States Championship, is it enough?
Near fall by Kalisto.
[Byron] This is where Kalisto starts to thrive.
[crowd chattering]
[Michael] Can't get frustrated, though.
He knows how difficult it is to put Alberto Del Rio away,
one of the great athletes of our generation,
-but that there is a thing of beauty. -[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting] Lucha! Lucha! Lucha! Lucha! Lucha!
[Bradshaw] How annoying is that "Lucha" chant?
[Byron] It's inspiring if you're Kalisto. Oh!
[Michael] And Kalisto's partner in the Lucha Dragons,
Sin Cara, out with a shoulder injury,
and Kalisto has seized the opportunity as a singles competitor.
[Michael] Oh, no, that's it. Splat! Thanks for coming.
But Kalisto wisely--
maybe just on instinct, able to roll under the bottom rope
and get himself out of harm's way.
-Watch that impact. -[crowd cheering]
[Bradshaw] The Luchador playing the role of Flat Stanley.
-Put a chalk line around it. -[crowd chanting]
Del Rio is out here tonight to make a point.
[Byron] Oh, he's making that point, all right.
[Bradshaw] That's what he came out here for.
I just said that, Byron.
-[crowd chattering] -[grunts]
[Michael] Again, Kalisto showing signs of life,
-kick yet to the midsection. -[screams]
-[Byron] Whoa! What the-- On earth? -[Michael] Look at this. Is it enough?
-Kick-out at two. -[Byron] What the heck was that?
[Bradshaw] Something Kalisto went for, but missed.
That's why you call it high risk.
There's so much Kalisto has in his arsenal,
nothing we haven't seen yet.
[Michael] And Del Rio going up to the top rope,
Kalisto trying to make it back to his feet. Del Rio!
-Kalisto makes him pay. -[crowd chattering]
[Michael] What is he thinking here?
Oh, Del Rio though, with a great counter, right hands down to Kalisto.
Kalisto's in trouble.
Headbutt by Del Rio, Kalisto does not want to be there.
Del Rio about to plant his boots right on his lips.
[Bradshaw] Lucha about to get planted.
[Michael] And Kalisto able to move out of the way,
Del Rio hit hard.
-[Byron] Oh! -[Michael] Kalisto now, Salida Del Sol.
-Here's the cover, shoulders down. -[crowd] One, two…
[Michael] Kalisto, oh, no.
Del Rio grabbed the bottom rope. I thought we had a new champion.
[Bradshaw] I guarantee you, Kalisto thought the same thing.
That is the greatness of Alberto Del Rio.
[Michael] Yeah, tremendous ring awareness from Del Rio.
Salida Del Sol, too close to the bottom rope.
[Michael] That was a smart move by Del Rio,
to dump Kalisto out of the ring, buy himself a little bit of time.
-Looking to regroup the champ. -[crowd cheering]
[Byron] Kalisto trying to reel himself back into this match.
[screams]
[Michael] Off the top. And he rammed right into the double knees!
And Del Rio to retain
-the United States Championship! -One, two…
-[Michael] But Kalisto's still in it. -Hey, he kicked-out!
What do you want me to do?
[Michael] Now, Del Rio's the one getting frustrated.
[breathes heavily]
[Byron] Del Rio's having a hard time putting that mosquito away.
[Michael] Watch this impact. Knees right to Kalisto!
-One, two… -[Kalisto grunts]
[Michael] And again, Del Rio flooring Kalisto with a kick,
and now Alberto Del Rio has pulled the protective covering
off the top turnbuckle.
The steel turnbuckle has been exposed by Alberto Del Rio.
[Byron] That speaks desperation and frustration.
Hey, come on! Yeah!
[Michael] And Kalisto, he caught Del Rio.
[Bradshaw] Didn't catch him clean, though.
[Byron] Enough to take him off his feet.
[grunts]
[Michael] Now Kalisto launched, lands on the second rope,
just averted disaster with that top turnbuckle.
And now Del Rio bounced face first off the turnbuckle.
-Kalisto, again. Is it enough? -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Here's the cover, hook to the leg on Del Rio
-for the championship, and he does it! -[bell ringing]
[Michael] Kalisto does it! Kalisto wins the title!
-[crowd chanting] Lucha! Lucha! Lucha! -[Lilián] Here is your winner
-and the new WWE United States Champion… -[crowd chanting] Lucha! Lucha! Lucha!
-…Kalisto! -["Lucha Lucha" playing]
[Byron] You believe in lucha now, John?
You believe in making the impossible possible?
-'Cause Kalisto just did it again! -[Bradshaw] I believe…
I believe Del Rio can never go back to Mexico.
[Michael] Kalisto, a two-time United States champion.
-[Bradshaw] I never thought I'd hear that. -[Michael] What a match tonight.
-Kalisto wins the title… -[chants] Lucha! Lucha! Lucha!
-…and the celebration begins. -[crowd chanting] Lucha! Lucha! Lucha!
[Bradshaw] That "Lucha" chant drives me nuts.
[Byron] Let's watch the closing moments of this matchup.
Kalisto, oh! Del Rio's plan backfiring, and then a little Salida Del Sol.
-One more look. Boom! -[Kalisto grunts]
[Byron] And that is the move that would secure Kalisto…
-One, two, three! -[bell ringing]
…his now second United States Championship reign.
-[chants] Lucha, Lucha, Lucha, Lucha! -["Lucha Lucha" continues]
[Bryon] Come on, John, let me hear you. Lucha, Lucha!
[Michael] Well, ladies and gentlemen, you know before every pay-per-view,
we have our Kickoff Show
that can be seen on many digital platforms.
And it also has an all-star panel,
which is hosted by our very own Renee Young.
Thank you very much, Cole.
What a night we have already had and there's still so much more to come.
I mean, like you said, Cole, this has been the Kickoff panel.
It's not just me, we have an awesome panel.
Please welcome "The Savior Of Misbehavior," Corey Graves.
We've got WWE Hall of Famer, Booker T.
And WWE Hall of Famer, Jerry "The King" Lawler.
-Mosquitoes buzzing around here. -Welcome.
What a night, we just saw Kalisto, now a two-time United States champ.
Guys, I told you. Any given Sunday, it happened tonight,
Kalisto, two-time United States champ? I'm like a proud papa,
me being the guy who brought the United States Championship to the WWE.
Awesome!
[Renee] Well, the United States title now in new hands again.
However, not the same case for the Intercontinental title.
Yeah, how about the way we kicked off the night?
Absolute chaos, anarchy, brutality, and Dean Ambrose able to overcome the odds
to stand tall as your Intercontinental Champion.
And somehow, someway,
he's still gotta get the Royal Rumble match tonight.
He better get out the duct tape and super glue,
-I mean, I don't know. -[laughs]
And still to come, we've got that Royal Rumble matchup,
-that's what we're here for. -We talked about what we've already seen,
but it's, like you said, it's yet to be seen.
The Royal Rumble match, do you think Kevin Owens is gonna make it?
I don't know, man. I'm still saying, surprise, surprise, surprise,
what surprises does the Royal Rumble match have in store for us?
Well, one surprise that we don't have is knowing now
that Jack Swagger and Mark Henry
are now being entered into the Royal Rumble.
We had them in a Fatal 4-Way earlier on the Royal Rumble Kickoff Show.
Now let's head back down to Michael Cole who's got all the highlights.
[Michael] Yeah, this Fatal 4-Way matchup
with Swagger and Henry against Sandow and Young,
-the Dudleys, and The Ascensions. -[menacing music playing]
[Michael] Remember, first team to gain pinfall or submission
would get into the Royal Rumble match later on tonight.
Here's the closing moments of this matchup.
[Byron] Talk about a chaotic ending to this Fatal 4-Way matchup.
One, two, three!
[Byron] The Dudleys looking to put away Ascension
to secure their spot in the Royal Rumble matchup,
but watch what happens here.
Bubba would go for the cover, and in the midst of all this,
Jack Swagger will hook on the Patriot Lock to take Bubba out of the mix.
And in the meantime, Mark Henry comes in, takes out Bubba,
but then realizes, "Hey, I got my pick."
"I can actually cover Viktor," as he does, and with that,
-Mark Henry and Jack Swagger… -One, two, three!
-…now have earned themselves spots… -[bell ringing]
-…in the Royal Rumble matchup. -[Michael] And what you didn't see
is Mark Henry had made a tag prior to the big splash.
Henry and Swagger teammates earlier,
they'll be combatants in the Royal Rumble match later tonight.
[chuckles] Hmm.
[Heyman clears throat]
[clicks tongue]
-[crowd cheering] -Madam McMahon.
Ooh! "Madam McMahon," that's a new one.
I can sense the exhilaration
emanating from every single one of your pores tonight.
[groans] Paul,
-please don't talk about my pores. -No, I understand how happy
-you and your father are. -Don't even think about my pores.
It's wonderful to see the both of you like this,
and you should be. The most unique Royal Rumble in history,
the biggest WrestleMania in WWE history only ten weeks away,
you and your father are on a billion-dollar cloud nine,
and after tonight, a multibillion-dollar cloud nine,
because you will be going into WrestleMania
at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas, with a new, reigning, defending,
undisputed WWE Heavyweight Champion of the world,
Brock Lesnar.
Get to the point, Paul. Why are you really in here?
-I mean, you're buttering me up-- -Buttering you up?
-Oh, au contraire, Madam McMahon… -You're always here for something.
…I am here to let you know I am prepared to renegotiate
-Brock Lesnar's contract after tonight. -Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!
When Brock Lesnar eliminates the entire League of Nations,
and then when he focuses in on and eliminates the entire Wyatt Family,
-Brock-- -Brock Lesnar,
as long as he takes his aggression out on Roman Reigns, Paul,
then I'll be more than happy to negotiate.
Oh, that's how you feel.
Tonight, the Roman Empire gets taken down
to… [whispering] …Suplex City.
-[majestic music playing] -[both] Coming to the WWE Network!
[narrator] From the masters of the 5 Second Pose,
and Tables, Ladders & Chairs
comes a new show
that is completely balls-out ridiculous.
-Slap a donkey and call me Bertha. -[upbeat rock music playing]
Vince will have, like, a throne in there to take a dump on. Let's go.
You see this, huh, funny boy? You see this?
It totally reeks of awesomeness.
-Can I have the sandwich, please? -[wrestler] No.
-That's the best we could do? -Two, three, and a four.
["Ride of the Valkyries" playing]
-Do you think you can teach me how to rap? -No.
Nobody gives our intern a hard time but us, right?
-Exactly. -At least we don't look like Papa Shango.
[laughs]
Motions to penis. [grunts]
What's going on in my office?
-[overlapping chatter] -Shut up!
Fella!
"R-Truth is like that annoying uncle."
-[screams] -Wow, weirdo!
Totally agree, Dad.
-[laughs] -I created Doink the Clown.
-Would you go to the prom with me? -Hello!
-I feel high! -Yes, so high!
Thank you.
-My arm hurts. -Seriously, look. Look at us.
-I can't move it. -What happened to my career?
[narrator] The Edge and Christian Show That Totally Reeks of Awesomeness.
Coming Sunday, February 21st,
immediately following WWE Fastlane, only on WWE Network.
-Where's my agent? -You have an agent?
[narrator] Engines on, drivers, get ready.
This is the course to beat.
The race to WrestleMania.
["Watch This" playing]
♪ Now everybody watch this, I got this Now somebody watch this, I got this ♪
-[narrator] This is WWE Fastlane. -[music concludes]
-["Denial" playing] -And that happens four weeks from tonight,
Cleveland, Ohio, as the final pay-per-view stop
on the road to WrestleMania. So many things are gonna play out,
gonna shape what happens in WrestleMania, at Fastlane.
Take this as an example. Last year's Fastlane,
Roman Reigns met Daniel Bryan in a match that determined
Roman Reigns going into the main event against Brock Lesnar in WrestleMania.
The most important stop on the road to WrestleMania, Fastlane.
Well, coming up next at the Royal Rumble, a very important stop for two Divas.
[Byron] Yeah, former friends, former workout partners, travel buddies,
now opponents for the Divas Championship
-as Becky Lynch will challenge Charlotte. -[menacing music playing]
[Michael] Yeah, two women who were once best friends
torn apart by greed, jealousy, and the need to be the best.
-[uplifting music playing] -[Becky] When I was growing up in Ireland,
this right here, this was all I ever wanted to do.
So, last summer, when I made my debut on Raw,
it was literally a dream come true.
[Michael] Becky Lynch, one of the most energized Divas you will find.
She is fun to watch.
And what made that moment even better
was that I was able to share it and do it with my best friend.
[Bradshaw] Bred to be a champion, genetically superior, Charlotte.
[Charlotte] Yeah, it definitely was a nice moment…
but moments don't last.
They're fleeting.
This, this is what it's always been about.
[Michael] There's the bridge, into the figure-eight, taps out!
Charlotte wins the title! Charlotte's the Champion!
[Charlotte] I earned this.
Honestly… [chuckles] …it's kind of owed to me.
As a friend, I could not have been happier for her.
We trained together.
I know how much work she put into it. She earned it.
But what's she's done since then…
[Byron] Charlotte has utilized her father to win matches.
That's no secret.
-[bell ringing] -I can't stand behind that.
Becky's a good girl.
Becky was my best friend,
but being best friends doesn't get you to the top,
and it definitely doesn't keep you on top.
I think a champion should be a role model.
She's playing dirty, in some cases, flat-out cheating.
If that's the kind of champion Charlotte wants to be, that's fine.
That's fine, and she learned that from her father, but you know what?
That's not the kind of champion I'm gonna be.
[Michael] And now, from behind! Charlotte pummeling her friend, Becky!
[dramatic music playing]
Who is Becky to say that I'm not a champion?
How my dad has lived his entire life is how a champion acts.
I feel like I got stabbed in the back before I knew I was in a fight.
Becky tries to act like she's the victim.
No, I'm the victim.
I have empowered Becky from the beginning and this is what I get in return?
I think when you've got a fear of losing something,
and something that's so important to you,
sometimes, people are gonna do anything that they can
to get what they want,
and I think that's exactly what Charlotte's doing.
[dramatic music builds]
Nothing would mean more to me than winning the Divas Championship,
but first, Charlotte, I need an answer.
You think I'll hand over a free title match? Please.
But you never back down from a challenge, unless of course,
you've become as much of a coward in your old age as your daughter.
[crowd cheering]
You want a shot at the greatest of all time?
You got it. Whoo!
-Whoo! -[Michael] Wait a minute, Ric.
You may have want to check with your daughter.
No, I was fine with my dad's answer.
Everyone thinks I was shocked. No, I was happy.
I'm the greatest athlete, male or female, this company's ever seen.
What has Becky ever done?
Nothing.
I know the odds might be against me.
I know that Charlotte's gonna have Ric in her corner, but you know what?
She could bring the whole Flair clan for all she wants.
I've already made her tap, I've already pinned her,
and I'm gonna do it again.
And at Royal Rumble, I am taking home the Divas Championship.
[music concludes]
-["Celtic Invasion" playing] -[crowd cheering]
♪ Whoa, whoa ♪
♪ Whoa… ♪
[Michael] In a WWE Facebook video earlier today,
Becky Lynch arrived at the Amway Center. She was outside, signing autographs,
taking pictures with the hundreds of fans who showed up to…
Early here today, and she told a reporter that tonight,
her life goal can be accomplished…
-Whoa! -…and she can't stop thinking about it.
Biggest match in the career of Becky Lynch happens right now.
[crowd chanting] Let's go, Becky! Let's go, Becky! Let's go, Becky!
[Michael] And the WWE Royal Rumble is presented by Chex Mix.
Watch Royal Rumble for a deliciously unpredictable surprise
from Chex Mix, or visit wwe.com/chexmix now.
["Recognition" playing]
[Michael] Accompanied by her Hall of Fame father, Ric Flair,
this is the Divas Champion, Charlotte.
And if you wanna know how Charlotte's attitude has changed…
all you got to do is read the tweet she sent out earlier today,
and that tweet simply said, "Bow down to the Queen."
[Byron] And talk about an extreme personality makeover
that Charlotte has gone over… She came with WWE in July,
two months later, she wins the Divas Championship,
and then all of a sudden,
it's not about paving your own way, doing things the right way.
Now, it's all about the arrogance
that has become synonymous with the Flair name.
[Bradshaw] Byron, your obfuscation of the story is monumental,
because Charlotte, and what's going on here,
is that she is preordained for greatness.
Not to be Calvinistic,
but some people just have a date with destiny,
and that is Charlotte.
[crowd cheering]
-[music concludes] -[bell ringing]
The following contest, scheduled for one fall,
is for the Divas Championship!
Introducing first, the challenger,
from Dublin, Ireland, Becky Lynch!
[crowd cheering, applauding]
And her opponent, from the Queen City,
she is the Divas Champion, Charlotte!
[crowd booing]
[Michael] And we invite you to use the #DivasTitle.
Talk about this matchup on social media.
[indistinct chatter]
Come on, back it up, back it up, back it up.
[Byron] You know, Becky Lynch used to stay up 'til 4:00 am,
growing up in Ireland, just to watch the Royal Rumble.
It was her favorite event, and now to think,
she could be mere moments away
from wining the Divas Championship at the very same event.
[Michael] It was back in September at Night of Champions
that Charlotte defeated Nikki Bella,
to end Nikki Bella's record-setting
-301-day reign as Divas Champion. -[bell ringing]
[Michael] Tonight, Charlotte comes in, holding the title for 124 days,
and we're underway.
Charlotte backing Becky into the corner.
[Bradshaw] Some, now, are just in the wrong generation.
-Eh? Think about it. -[Michael] Oh, nice takedown by Becky.
[Bradshaw] Think how many times Ricky Steamboat
would've been World Champion
if he hadn't been in Ric Flair's generation.
Maybe that's the same thing that's happening to Becky.
Maybe she would be World Champion if it wasn't for Charlotte.
[Michael] Charlotte makes it to the ropes.
Becky was going to force for the Disarm-her,
her submission maneuver.
Becky does own a victory over Charlotte in recent weeks,
but tonight, it's about the Divas Championship.
[Byron] Becky's even admitted. "I've been a little naive."
"I've tried to hold on to this friendship, but now,
that feeling has been replaced with adrenaline, with anger,
-and motivation to become champion." -Yeah! Whoo!
[Michael] Yeah, but that man right there could be a factor tonight
as Becky bridges out of a possible cover.
Rolls through now.
Everybody talks about the athleticism of Charlotte.
-Becky is right there with her. -[Bradshaw] She certainly is.
[Michael] Oh, and a nice tackle by Becky Lynch.
Deep arm drag,
and Becky controlling the Champion as Charlotte begs for a time.
[Bradshaw] The Intangible can always be the Nature Boy, right there in the corner.
[Byron] And Becky's well aware of that.
She said, "Oh, Charlotte, bring the whole family, I don't care."
[Michael] Yeah, but how about how Becky outplayed
The Dirtiest Player in the game a couple of weeks ago
to get this matchup?
[Byron] Newfound confidence that Becky has.
[crowd chanting] Let's go, Becky!
[Michael] Another deep arm drag sent Charlotte flying,
and another one, and Becky Lynch, into the armbar has the Champion reeling.
[Byron] And trying to get Charlotte a little disoriented here
in the early portion of this matchup.
[Michael] Listen to the WWE fans, firmly in the corner of Becky Lynch.
[Bradshaw] Hey, there's a little precedence for this.
Laila Ali used to bring her father, Muhammad Ali, to the ring.
-[wrestlers grunt] -[Bradshaw] She retired undefeated.
[Michael] Yeah, but Muhammad didn't interfere with that. Cover.
And Charlotte, before the ref could get in position,
-kicks-out. -[Ric] Come on, Charlotte!
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Two women who key part… integral part of the Divas Revolution,
as Byron mentioned, this summer.
Charlotte perhaps going for the figure-four,
she'll turn that into a figure-eight, her submission move.
Takedown by Charlotte, belly-to-back, now into her own armbar.
[Ric] Come on, Becky! You got it!
[Byron] It all comes down to the fact that Charlotte felt threatened.
-She felt threatened… -[crowd chanting] Becky! Becky!
…the moment that Becky Lynch pinned her
in what was supposed to be a friendly competition.
[Michael] And Becky sends Charlotte flying out of the ring.
[Bradshaw] She felt threatened the moment she won the championship,
Byron, and there's no such thing as a friendly competition.
[Michael] Shoulder to the gut by Charlotte, and now Becky-- Block.
And Charlotte driven on the turnbuckle,
and now Becky Lynch knocks the Champion down again.
And the Nature Boy's gotta start spinning some wheels in his head,
trying to figure out how to creep some strategy to his daughter.
It's been all Becky here in this matchup.
And Charlotte, missed with the big boot, and a clothesline by Becky Lynch!
[Byron] I told you, Becky was ready for this.
She was ready for any potential distractions.
[Michael] Oh, no, no, no!
[laughs] Whoo! Whoo! Whoo! [grunts]
[Michael] And Charlotte from behind!
I mean, I don't even know how to describe what just happened.
[Byron] I'll describe it, it was low. It was desperate.
-[Michael] Disgusting. -[Byron] That too.
[Michael] But Charlotte took advantage anyhow
and now Charlotte right back in control, thanks to her father, Ric Flair.
And John, I'd love to hear how you're gonna condone
-those actions of the Nature Boy. -[Byron] Yeah, yeah, please.
[Michael] Thought so.
-Throw by Charlotte. -[Bradshaw] Very simple of 'em.
Whoo!
One, two…
[Michael] And a kick-out by Becky.
-[Charlotte] This is my title, Becky. -Watch her hair, Charlotte.
-[official] One, two, three! -[Becky groans]
[crowd chanting] Let's go, Becky! Let's go, Becky!
Get her, baby!
[crowd chanting] Let's go, Becky!
[Michael] We're in Orlando tonight, and of course, both of these young ladies,
Charlotte and Becky Lynch… Look at this.
Becky taking Charlotte down, and a kick-out.
Really made their names in NXT.
[Byron] You could say this is the city where the Divas Revolution
-really first got its legs. -[mockingly] "Let's go, Becky"!
[Michael] Right up the road at the Performance Center, and of course,
Full Sail University.
Charlotte, cover, again on Becky and a kick-out.
Charlotte, a former NXT Women's Champion.
[Ric] Come on, Charlotte.
[Bradshaw] I mean, Charlotte is one of these athletes
that transcends the generation, transcends the genre,
like a Mia Hamm or a Brandi Chastain.
Charlotte is good for the Divas Division.
[Michael] It's interesting, as Charlotte and Becky,
who hone their craft in many different ways,
and then all came together at the Performance Center
and proved they were the elite in the world,
and now here they are on the main stage of the Royal Rumble.
"…Becky"!
[Byron] Look at that. The road these two traveled,
you know, Charlotte, she had the spotlight already,
the moment she walked in the door, and she was Ric Flair's daughter.
[Michael] This has become a trademark of Charlotte's attack.
[Bradshaw] Yeah, but from that, you have to say, Byron,
she earned everything that Charlotte has got.
[Michael] Using those long, powerful legs to control Becky Lynch.
[Byron] On the flip side, I mean, there were times when
I would conversate with Becky Lynch, who would be in tears
'cause she just wanted an opportunity to get seen on NXT.
[Michael] And again, Byron, I do wanna go back to a point
John just made 'cause I do agree with it heavily,
and that is Charlotte has earned everything.
She became… And here we go, shoulders down and a kick-out.
Charlotte became Divas Champion
before her father, Ric Flair, ever got involved.
[Byron] Oh, no doubt about it.
[Michael] But now she has taken on the characteristics of her dad,
the two time Hall of Famer.
[Bradshaw] She'll remind you of a great champion like a Mildred Burke
-or Alundra Blayze. -Come on, Becky, huh?
[Bradshaw] An incredible athlete.
[Byron] Yeah, but she's also not shied away
from using her father as a clutch.
[Bradshaw] It's not Charlotte's fault
that Becky doesn't have a father who's a Hall of Famer.
-[Michael] Yeah. -That's why I'm the Champ.
-[grunts] -Had enough, Becky, huh?
[Bradshaw] Did you call Arnie Skaaland a clutch
when Bruno Sammartino went out with him in the Garden? No.
-That's Flair's job. -[Byron] A little different scenario here.
[John] Come on, Becky!
[Byron] Fell backward, Mike. Becky threw in the towel.
[Michael] And look at Charlotte now, really wearing Becky Lynch down.
And Charlotte in control. Becky trying to do what she can
to fight out of this situation.
But it has been… Becky back to her feet.
Charlotte could be in trouble, up on Becky shoulders.
Could be a turning point of the match. Charlotte trying to fight out of it.
[crowd member 8] Let's go, Becky!
-[Ric] Come on, Charlotte. -[Bradshaw] Critical moment, here.
[Byron] Yeah, so opens up some valuable recovery time for Becky Lynch.
…three… four…
-five… -[Michael] Referee at a count of five and…
Becky needs to get back up here. We don't…
Trying to get back to her feet, Charlotte as well.
Look at the look in Charlotte's eyes.
And Becky blocked. Forearm right to the jaw,
another block, and another forearm.
And Becky Lynch is taking it to the Champion.
You go to love the fire of Becky Lynch.
What a clothesline! Down goes the Champ. And a another one, and here comes Becky.
And Becky with that side kick, caught her in the jaw.
[Byron] Oh, yeah.
-[screams] -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] And Becky sends the Champ reeling.
I think she's setting her up for the Exploder Suplex
she uses out of the corner, but…
[Bradshaw] Yep, and Charlotte knew exactly what was coming.
[Michael] I think the two ladies know each other so well,
and a neck breaker by Charlotte.
Picture perfect move by the Champion.
Center of the ring, looking for the figure-eight.
And Becky saw that coming and caught her with a right.
-[Byron] Your point, Michael-- Ah! -[Michael] Look at Becky!
Charlotte rolls her through, shoulders down, Becky able to get out.
[Byron] Your point, Michael, they do know each other so well,
that's why you're seeing all these counters.
[Bradshaw] And there it is!
Becky, cover, for the championship to win the title at the Royal Rumble,
and Charlotte able to get the shoulder up.
Becky been struggling with her footwear throughout this matchup.
Will that cost her?
Here's the leg drop. Again, Becky going for another one.
Caught her that time.
Another great throw by Becky up. It explains the cover.
Is it enough to put Charlotte away for the championship?
And again, Charlotte got her shoulder up.
[Bradshaw] Becky's gotta get a better cover
if she wants to win that Championship.
[Byron] Did you see that look on Becky's face?
She can taste it right now. She can taste that Divas Championship.
[Michael] WWE Universe has been alive this entire matchup for Becky Lynch,
as she tried to setup Charlotte for a Disarm-her,
Charlotte rolled through though, shoulders down, Becky able to kick-out.
Spear!
From out of nowhere, Charlotte hit the spear,
and Becky still kicks-out.
Another cover by Charlotte and another kick-out by Becky.
[Byron] Yeah, but not a whole lot of luster behind those kick-outs, though.
[Michael] And now Charlotte's got to be wondering,
"What do I have to do to put this lady away here?"
Off the spear, she thought she won, Becky stayed in it.
This is my title.
[crowd chanting] Becky! Becky! Becky! Becky! Becky! Becky!
-[grunts] -[Byron] Wow.
[Michael] What a forearm, right to the nose, and another one.
And now Becky fighting back.
No!
[Michael] Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait! My God, no, no, no, no, no!
[Byron] We saw this last week in SmackDown.
[Michael] Rolls through, Becky rolls in!
Becky's got her, Becky's got her! Is Charlotte gonna tap?
-Is Charlotte gonna tap? -[Bradshaw] Charlotte's in trouble.
[Michael] Charlotte is in deep, deep trouble!
Trying to make it to the bottom rope.
And able to reverse, there's the power of Charlotte!
Great power by the Champion! Shoulders are down.
[Charlotte grunts]
-[Michael] Oh! -[Ric] Yes! Yes, Charlotte, yes!
-[Michael] That could be it. -That's great, baby. That's great!
[Michael] The Nature Boy thinks it is, and Becky again, is in this match!
-[grunts] -[Ric] Come on, baby.
[Michael] Charlotte very frustrated, guys.
-[groans] -You're doing great, baby!
[Byron] Yeah, it's almost like competing against yourself
because these two ladies do know each other so well.
It's gonna be frustrating.
[Bradshaw] Yeah, and just like her father found out,
every night that Charlotte competes, everybody that comes against her
brings their A-game 'cause it's a Championship.
-[Michael] Oh, no! -[Bradshaw] Oh, no!
-[Byron] Missed you! -[Michael] Baseball slide into her dad!
Becky looking to take advantage, from behind to win the championship!
-Charlotte kicks-out again! -[Byron] No! Oh!
[screams]
[Michael] She's got it! Becky's got her in the Disarm-her.
Oh, come on!
The Nature Boy just threw a jacket at Becky,
and pulled Becky out of the submission move.
-Get down! -[Michael] Charlotte!
-Spear! -[Byron] Oh!
Not like this!
-One, two, three. -[bell ringing]
[Michael] Charlotte retains the Divas Championship thanks to her dad.
[Eden] Here is your winner and still the Divas Champion, Charlotte!
[Michael] Couldn't quite make out what happened
in the middle of that sequence.
We know that the Nature Boy threw his sport jacket at Becky,
forcing Becky to come out of the submission.
As Becky went to Ric, Charlotte was able to take advantage
and turned it into a spear to retain her championship.
[Byron] Is there no end to how low these two will stoop
just to get a victory?
[Bradshaw] Are you just now realizing
that Ric Flair's the Dirtiest Player in the Game, Byron?
-[Michael] And then this. -You see this?
[grunts]
-Charlotte, come on. That's enough! -You want more?
[Michael] Now this is absolutely pathetic!
Come on, no! Charlotte, come on!
[Byron] All right, Charlotte, you won the match.
-Charlotte, stop it! Come on! Charlotte! -[Byron] Come on. Stop! Enough!
-[crowd jeering] -[pants]
[Bradshaw] I gotta admit, that's too far, but…
[speaks indistinctly]
[crowd booing]
Really? [indistinct]
-Unbelievable. [continues indistinctly] -[crowd jeering]
-["Sky's the Limit" playing] -[crowd cheering]
-[Michael] Wait just a minute. -[Byron laughs]
[Michael] The Boss is in the house! Sasha Banks!
The third member of the NXT trio that exploded into the WWE in the summer
-to start the Divas Revolution. -[Byron] Surprise, Charlotte.
♪ 'Cause I gon' gon' pushed 'em all Out the way ♪
♪ I had a dream That I made it here in the spotlight ♪
♪ Woke up, see my life in the shade Now that's not quite ♪
♪ Hustling every day I'm on my way to that sharp light ♪
♪ It's my destiny to be bigger Yeah, I got fight ♪
[Byron] Guys, I'm not sure The Boss is here to talk.
♪ Never listening to criticism I built my own ♪
♪ From the bottom I've gotten myself in my own zone ♪
[Michael] Oh, my… What the…
My spotlight, Becky.
[Michael] She just said, "My spotlight."
Well, what do you want, sister?
-Yeah, I'm stood right here. -[crowd] Sasha! Sasha! Sasha! Sasha!
-What do you want? -You know what I want.
Wait. Let me just hold her…
-[both chuckle] -[crowd booing]
See you later, sister. Let me help you out.
Whoo!
-Hey, I got you. -I'll be right here.
Come on, baby.
-[crowd cheering] -[Michael] Sasha from behind!
Bank Statement time!
Sasha Banks making a statement with a Bank Statement!
[Byron] You thought you were safe, Charlotte?
Think again.
[Michael] That is what it's all about.
The Boss wants an opportunity at the Divas Championship.
[Byron] Yeah, from a Bank Statement to a bold statement.
["Sky's the Limit" playing]
♪ Had a dream, I had it made and… ♪
[Michael] As Sasha said, it's her turn in the spotlight.
[Byron chuckles]
♪ Destined to break in I found my way, yeah ♪
[Michael] Charlotte wants to play dirty?
Sasha knows how too.
Again, watch Sasha Banks.
Seizing the opportunity.
As you said, Byron, a bold statement with the Bank Statement.
[Byron] Charlotte thought, "Yeah, I'm in the clear."
Not so much.
A clear and direct message, a Bank Statement to the Divas Champion.
And a message from Sasha Banks that, "I want the Divas Championship."
♪ Had a dream I had it made and ♪
♪ Now there's nothing Dragging down me, yeah ♪
♪ 'Cause I gon' gon' pushed it All out the way ♪
[music concludes]
["Here We Go" by Disable Danger playing]
-Come on! -Oh, my God.
-Welcome to reality. -[laughs]
-Why is this so hot, by the way? -You're in camp WWE, man. Whoo!
Now you're riding with us. Upgrade!
Were you cool or like a douchebag who partied?
-Oh, definitely a douchebag who partied. -[laughs]
[Stone Cold] Live on the WWE Network, Steve Austin Show podcast.
Talk about how you got into the business. I got a serious question for you now.
You have very interesting story.
-[Ric] Camp WWE is the most fun on earth! -It's me, it's me, Vince McMahon! [laughs]
I get all the dip*****. Something funny, Big Show?
-[Christian] My name is-- -It does not matter what thy name is.
♪ Uh-oh, here we go again ♪
[narrator] This is WWE Fastlane.
[Michael] The greatest event in live entertainment,
it's WrestleMania!
[Ric] It's all fun from here.
-[group laughs] -[group chuckles]
♪ Uh-oh, now here we go! ♪
[laughs]
[music concludes]
["My House" playing]
♪ It's my house Come on, turn it up, uh! ♪
♪ Hear a knock on the door And the night begins ♪
♪ Pour yourself something cold Baby, cheers to this ♪
♪ Welcome to my house Baby, take control now ♪
♪ We can't even slow down We don't have to go out ♪
♪ Welcome to my house Play that music too loud ♪
♪ Show me what you do now We don't have to go out ♪
-♪ Welcome to my house ♪ -♪ It's my house, come on ♪
[Michael] That says it all.
We are 70 days away from WrestleMania as the Road to WrestleMania begins tonight
at the Royal Rumble.
What a night it's been, and we're gonna find out
who's heading to WrestleMania as the WWE World Heavyweight Champion
in just a moment with the Royal Rumble match.
WWE and Chex Mix gave one lucky group of fans
a day of deliciously unexpected fun at the WWE Performance Center
right here in Orlando.
They thought they were arriving for a focus group, but instead,
-they got a pretty good surprise. -[music fades]
Today, we're gonna give some of the members of the WWE Universe
the best experience they could wish for.
And they don't even know what it is.
-Good morning. -[crowd] Good morning.
So, Chex Mix wants to get a WWE fan opinion
on some different packaging.
We're gonna look at font, and placement, and font size, all of that stuff.
-[crowd cheering, applauds] -[Big Show] Hi guys.
As much fun as this is,
I got some completely different in mind for all of you.
-Come on in, guys. -[wrestlers applaud]
[Big Show] You're gonna get unprecedented access to everything.
-You're gonna be able to cut promos. -I will be the best.
-How are you doing? -Boom.
[Big Show] You're gonna be part of live events.
Interact with your superstars,
unlimited access that no one has ever got before.
If you guys wanna d o your own WWE entrance,
you guys have an opportunity to do that. Anyone up for that?
[attendee] The absolute coolest thing I have ever got to do.
[crowd] This is awesome! This is awesome!
Getting to be involved in the live event, that was so much fun.
Probably best day of my life. Don't tell me, fiancée.
To come here today has been unreal.
I still feel like this is a dream and somebody's gonna wake me up from it.
[crowd cheering, applauds]
Thank you, Chex Mix. You made a dream come true. [chuckles]
[crowd] Chex Mix! Chex Mix! Chex Mix!
I wish I was a part of that. That seemed like a blast.
-Hey, Byron gets to play announcer. -[laughs]
Why are you laughing? That's not funny at all.
Ladies and gentlemen, coming up next,
it's the Royal Rumble match, one versus all.
And when it comes to the Royal Rumble match,
now in its 29th year, it's all about the numbers.
[narrator] The Royal Rumble, a WWE tradition since 1988.
The rules are simple.
Thirty men, each trying to toss the other over the top rope.
If your two feet hit the floor, your day is done.
If you outlast your 29 opponents, your prize,
a trip straight to the main event of WrestleMania.
The Rumble was an event that holds an indescribable aura.
It engulfs us because we know history will be made.
-[Jerry] What? -[Michael] Edge has done it!
-[Ross] Brock Lesnar! -[Michael] John Cena!
[Ross] Batista! Randy Orton!
[Michael] The Undertaker has won the Royal Rumble match!
[narrator] Twenty-eight Royal Rumbles have come and gone,
in which 811 competitors have succumbed to elimination.
A record, 42 of those men
have been eliminated by "The Big Red Machine," Kane.
[Ross] My god, Kane is cleaning house. Kane is dominant.
[narrator] Forty-six WWE Hall of Famers have entered the Rumble over the years,
but only eight can say they actually won it,
including our favorite Texas Rattlesnake, who was the only person to win the Rumble
-on three occasions. -[crowd roars]
[Stone Cold] And that's the bottom line 'cause Stone Cold said so.
[narrator] We've seen an ultimate underdog last a record,
62 minutes, 12 seconds.
[Michael] Rey Mysterio did it!
[narrator] While we've seen others literally vanish in the blink of an eye.
I wasn't ready! I wasn't ready!
-[narrator] The Rumble. It's intense… -[Jerry] Look at this!
-[Michael] Are you kidding me? -[Jerry] He saved himself!
-…emotional… -[Vince] John Cena is number 30!
-…unpredictable. -[Jerry] This arena is shaking!
[narrator] Every year, we witness history.
But this year, well, we've never seen anything like this.
But the next time you defend that Championship,
it will be you against 29 other men in a Royal Rumble match!
[narrator] For the first time ever, one Champion faces 29 challengers.
Suddenly, the numbers mean more than ever before.
To continue his empire,
Roman Reigns will need to come away
with his second consecutive Rumble victory.
Something we haven't seen in 18 years.
And while Roman may hold the record for most eliminated
in a single Rumble, with 12,
with the target planted firmly on his back this year,
he may need to eliminate 29.
There are 15 former World Champions on the active roster.
Men who have been to the promised land,
and would love nothing more than to go back.
And Roman could find himself facing six former Royal Rumble winners,
superstars who've already shown that they are fully capable
to walk away the Rumble winner.
With all these obstacles,
Roman finds himself with only a slim chance
of walking out still WWE World Heavyweight Champion.
Leading us to the biggest number of all for Roman Reigns, one,
the number at which he will enter this year's Royal Rumble match,
truly making it one versus all.
[Michael] The odds are astronomical.
[Byron] Everyone gunning for Roman Reigns.
[Bradshaw] A big bullseye on the back of the Champion.
[Michael] Never before has a Champion faced such odds.
[Byron] This challenge may even be too much for Roman Reigns.
[buzzer blaring]
[crowd cheering]
[bell ringing]
[Lilián] Ladies and gentlemen, it is time for the Royal Rumble match!
and it is for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship!
Now, this match will start with two participants in the ring.
Every 90 seconds, another superstar will join in.
This will continue until all 30 participants join the match.
Now, eliminations occur when a superstar is thrown over the top rope
rope with both feet hitting the floor.
The last man in the ring will be declared the Royal Rumble winner
and the WWE World Heavyweight Champion!
-["The Truth Reigns" playing] -[crowd booing]
[Lilián] Ladies and gentlemen, the number one entrant,
from Pensacola, Florida, weighing in at 265 pounds,
he is the WWE World Heavyweight Champion,
Roman Reigns!
[Michael] Ladies and gentlemen, it's been 18 years
since we've had back to back winners in the Royal Rumble match.
It happened in 1997, 1998, when "Stone Cold" Steve Austin did it.
In order to retain his WWE World Heavyweight Championship,
Roman Reigns must become a back-to-back winner
of the Rumble match tonight.
[Bradshaw] One of the other guys who won a back-to-back was HBK,
and in 1995, he started out just like Roman Reigns,
number one.
[Michael] Very mixed reaction for Roman Reigns
as he comes into the Amway Center here tonight in Orlando, Florida.
Not unexpected,
Roman Reigns has really done a lot over the past year
to really win over many of the WWE Universe, the WWE fans,
but he comes in here tonight as the WWE World Heavyweight Champion,
which means he has a target on his back,
29 other superstars gunning for that title.
[Byron] In the words of Pink Floyd, right now,
Roman Reigns has to make himself "comfortably numb"
to the monumental challenge that lies ahead.
[Michael] And John, you know WWE fans,
you performed in front of the WWE Universe for 20 years of your career.
WWE fans, in many ways, like change. And in the Rumble match,
they like to see different people win this event each and every year.
[Bradshaw] It's one of the reasons the Royal Rumble
is one of the greatest pay-per-views that we've ever done, and, well,
the WWE Universe is so great, you can't tell them what to do.
They do whatever they want, they have a mind of their own!
And now, it is time to find out who drew number two.
["Roar of the Lion" playing]
[Michael] From the League of Nations,
Rusev will enter his third Royal Rumble match tonight.
[Lilián] From Bulgaria,
being accompanied by the "Ravishing Russian," Lana,
weighing in at 138 kilos, the "Bulgarian Brute," Rusev!
[Michael] Guys, this is interesting
because here are two men who have a penchant
for eliminating men in the Royal Rumble match.
In his first Rumble, Rusev eliminated six men.
In Roman Reigns' first Rumble, he set a record by eliminating 12 men.
Who will eliminate here tonight at the Royal Rumble match?
[Byron] You have to think about the irony here.
-Roman Reigns eliminated Rusev last year… -[bell ringing]
…to win the Roman Reigns matchup.
[Michael] And here we go. Rusev and Roman Reigns start things off
in the 2016 Royal Rumble match.
-The Road to WrestleMania is underway. -[Bradshaw] I can promise you one thing,
they got a long way to go and they can't keep up this pace.
[Michael] In 29 years of the Royal Rumble match,
two superstars have won the entire thing entering number one,
two superstars have won the entire match entering number two.
The odds not in the favor of either one of these men.
[Bradshaw] On the record, as you saw, that Byron voiced over,
was Rey Mysterio, 2006.
Sixty-two minutes, 12 seconds.
Also Mr. McMahon at number two, 1999.
[Michael] And look at Rusev, looking to eliminate Roman Reigns.
If Roman Reigns is eliminated here, guaranteed to have a new Champion tonight.
[Byron] Imagine what that would do for Rusev,
to be the man who eliminated Roman Reigns from the Royal Rumble matchup.
[Michael] Hey, the McMahons could start the party early.
[Bradshaw] Can you imagine if Rusev eliminates Roman right now?
We know for sure we'll have a new WWE World Heavyweight Champion.
[Michael] Roman went through the second rope,
not over the top. Remember,
over the top rope both feet hit the floor, you're eliminated.
Reigns went through the second rope, he's still in this match.
I'm not sure if Rusev realizes, but I didn't think he did.
I think Rusev thought that Reigns may have been eliminated.
-[Byron] Just realized that drive-by. -[Bradshaw] There was a translation--
[Michael] And a spear by Roman!
And now Rusev sent over the top rope, and he's eliminated!
And Roman Reigns said in a tweet earlier today,
"Line them up, throw them over."
[Byron] This is key for Roman Reigns, keep the numbers down,
keep the advantage in your corner.
-[buzzer blaring] -["Phenomenal" playing]
[crowd cheering]
-[Michael] Is it… Can it be? -[Byron] It is!
[Michael] The Phenomenal One is here, AJ Styles!
-[Byron] Oh, my gosh! -♪ We some southern boys, with the… ♪
[Michael] It has been rumored for weeks
that the hottest free agent in sports entertainment
was heading to WWE.
-[Bradshaw] Former-- -[Michael] Styles is here!
[Bradshaw] Former IWGP Champion, same as Brock Lesnar.
♪ No, they don't want none No, they don't want none ♪
[Byron] An 18-year veteran,
a mastermind of offensive innovation.
-♪ We some country boys… ♪ -[Michael] A star around the world.
♪ Kings of the south We never had nothing ♪
[Michael] Roman Reigns realizes what he faces now.
[Byron] And I can't believe what we're about to see.
♪ They don't want none No, they don't want none ♪
-♪ No, they don't want none ♪ -[music fades]
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] And here we go, Roman Reigns grabbing AJ Styles,
looking to eliminate him right out of the box.
-[screams] -[Michael] Oh, no, Styles!
Looked like he was looking for the Styles Clash there.
[Michael] Styles caught him!
[Byron] Some of that innovative offense I've talked about.
-[Michael] Now, Roman Reigns, Samoan drop. -[crowd booing]
[Bradshaw] Styles has competed all over the world, but he's in there now
-with the WWE World Heavyweight Champion. -[crowd counting down]
[Michael] And who is gonna enter at number four?
[buzzer blaring]
-["#MMMGORGEOUS" playing] -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] In his first Royal Rumble match,
it's "Prince Pretty," Tyler Breeze.
[Byron] There's nothing else we can say.
Tyler Breeze may be the most gorgeous superstar
to ever enter the Royal Rumble matchup.
♪ Could it be my walk, or just my stick? ♪
[Michael] And look at Roman Reigns, Breeze caught AJ Styles!
And Tyler Breeze with a kick right to the back of the head.
-And there he caught him! -[Byron] Wow.
[crowd cheering]
[Byron] Breeze is all about becoming relevant,
-becoming talked about, believe me. -[Michael] If he eliminates Roman Reigns,
-he'll be talked about all right. -[Bradshaw] You're darn right he will.
[Michael] He'll be applauded the world over by the McMahons.
[crowd] AJ Styles!
[Michael] Tyler Breeze already delivering his finishing maneuver, The Beauty Shot,
and now he looks to eliminate Roman Reigns.
-And AJ Styles back in the mix. -[crowd] AJ Styles!
-[Byron] Look at this. -[Michael] "AJ Styles" chants
from the capacity crowd, here at the Amway Center.
And now it's Styles looking to eliminate Tyler Breeze.
Roman Reigns… And Breeze is out!
[Bradshaw] Get a selfie of that.
[Michael] I guess both could credit for that elimination, Styles and Reigns.
[Byron] And now it's back to this bit of a surreal matchup.
-between Roman Reigns and AJ Styles. -[Bradshaw] If Roman gets credit,
that's Roman's 19th elimination in his third year.
[crowd counting down]
-[buzzer blaring] -[Michael] Number five.
["Rising Sun" playing]
[Michael] The Social Outcasts.
[Byron] But which one?
[Michael] Reigns and Styles continue fighting in the ring
as the Social Outcasts now,
Slater, and Dallas, and Rose, and Curtis Axel!
[Bradshaw] The chains are off.
[Michael] Curtis Axel gonna be the entry into the Rumble.
Remember, he was attacked last year on the entranceway by Erick Rowan.
[Bradshaw] Yeah, he was never actually eliminated.
-[Michael] He never even got in the ring. -[Bradshaw] He's been in the Rumble
-for over a year now. -[Michael] That's what Axel claims,
but he never actually got in the ring.
And now, there you go, John, the chains are off.
[Byron] The more tensed member of The Social Outcasts.
[Michael] And Axel, AJ Styles into the corner,
catches Axel with the right, now a chop.
[Bradshaw] Wow.
[Byron] And again here,
Roman Reigns trying to make quick work of Curtis Axel.
[Michael] Now look at Slater on the apron.
Remember, no disqualifications in a Royal Rumble match.
-[Byron] That's right. -[Michael] AJ Styles!
That was Adam Rose that went flying. And now Bo Dallas knocked off the apron.
[Bradshaw] That's inspirational.
[Byron] Clearly The Social Outcasts at least had a game plan
-coming out here together. -[Michael] And Axel eliminated by Styles,
-and Styles and Reigns remain in the ring. -[Byron] Game plan over.
[Bradshaw] Chains are back on.
[crowd counting down]
[Michael] We are awaiting entry number six.
-[buzzer blaring] -["Break the Walls Down" playing]
♪ Break down the walls For those about to rock… ♪
[Michael] It is Y2J, Chris Jericho.
No, Roman, the road does not getting any easier.
This is Chris Jericho's ninth Royal Rumble.
He's eliminated 15 men in his illustrious career.
[Bradshaw] Chris is the first undisputed Champion.
This would be a first if he wins this
because no one from position number six has ever won the Royal Rumble.
[Byron] This is why Chris Jericho came back to WWE,
-to enter the Royal Rumble matchup. -[music concludes]
[Michael] Jericho, Styles, Reigns.
[Byron] What a sight.
[Michael] Jericho went right after Roman Reigns,
went right after the Champion.
Now Styles' gonna pay for it too.
Jericho all fired up.
And Roman shoulder first into the post.
And now Styles.
Perfectly placed kick to the ribs, and another one.
[Byron] Stinging kicks.
[Michael] AJ Styles setting up Chris Jericho.
Looking for the Styles Clash,
now Chris Jericho gonna try to turn it in, perhaps, to the Walls.
-As we await entry number seven. -[crowd counting down]
[Byron] Boom!
-[buzzer blaring] -["Man On Fire" playing]
[Michael] Ladies and gentlemen, arguably the greatest performer
in Royal Rumble match history.
"The Demon," Kane enters his 17th Royal Rumble, which is a record.
He also holds the record with 42 eliminations in his career.
[Byron] Talk about a game changing entry.
[Michael] And Kane goes right after Reigns,
right after Jericho.
AJ Styles meets "The Demon," Kane, for the first time in his career.
Big boot!
Kane once held the record
of most eliminations in one Rumble with 11,
before it was broken by Roman Reigns a couple of years ago.
[Byron] I'm sure it might add a little bit more motivation.
[Michael] Jericho, over the top, hanging on.
[Byron] Kane is having his will, teeing away in this matchup.
[Michael] Yeah, but he still needs to eliminate Styles, Reigns, or Jericho,
-three men still in this match with Kane. -[Bradshaw] Yeah, you're right.
Beating people up doesn't necessarily help you.
You gotta get 'em over the rope and to the floor.
[Michael] And now he's trying to eliminate styles.
Styles is tethering top rope,
uses the headbutt to try to climb back into this thing.
[crowd counting down]
-[buzzer blaring] -["Gold-Lust" playing]
[Michael] And at number eight, entering his 11th Royal Rumble match,
"The Bizarre One" Goldust.
[Bradshaw] In 2009, Randy Orton won from this position.
[Michael] John, as the ring begins to fill up with more superstars…
Kane goes right after Goldust.
Does it become much more difficult to function in a match
when the ring is full of superstars or when there's less of them in there?
[Bradshaw] When there's more superstars in there.
Because all you gotta do is make a mistake.
Somebody catches you, tips you over the top rope, you're done.
[Michael] Running bulldog by Goldust and now unloads with the right hands.
AJ Styles with a kick.
[Bradshaw] The key is, this is a war of attrition.
You can't win the Royal Rumble right now,
but you can lose the Royal Rumble right now.
-You've gotta last until the very end. -[Byron] Yeah, but check this out,
with all these added superstars in the ring,
Roman Reigns could kind of buy himself a little recovery time.
[Bradshaw] It's one of the reasons only seven have won
from the top ten spots.
[Michael] Now Reigns back in it with a right hand to Goldust.
Kane, Reigns, Goldust, Styles, and Jericho, in the Royal Rumble match.
[crowd] AJ Styles! AJ Styles!
[Byron] Crowd still buzzing over AJ Styles.
[Michael] Goldust, now, focusing on Jericho in the corner.
Kane has turned his attention to Reigns.
-[crowd counting down] -[Michael] Number nine coming.
-[buzzer blaring] -["Meat On the Table" playing]
[Michael] For the fourth time, Ryback enters the Royal Rumble match.
It's feeding time for The Big Guy.
-♪ Feed me more ♪ -[Byron] Every new year,
Ryback creates a vision board of his goals,
and the number one thing on that list this year,
"Become WWE World Heavyweight Champion."
[Michael] Ryback to Jericho and Styles.
Reigns now, Kane and Goldust in there as well.
And Ryback going after everybody… But Kane with the right.
Spinebuster!
-Feed me more! Feed me more! -[crowd] Feed me more! Feed me more!
[Bradshaw] Ryback's got bodies lying everywhere,
but the key is, you gotta get one of… There you go, Ryback.
[Michael] Jericho, hung up and caught himself.
Thought he was going over but able to catch himself and hang on.
Jericho, still in it. Styles to Reigns.
-[grunts] -[Byron] Uh-oh.
-That could be Ryback in danger. -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Ryback may be eliminated here by Goldust.
Maybe a short run on the Rumble
if Goldust and Jericho have something to say about it with the big guy.
Ryback over the top rope, both feet though have to hit the floor,
and he hangs on to the bottom rope.
[wrestlers groan]
[Byron] One thing with the Royal Rumble too, you see
weird alliances like Kane and Chris Jericho.
[crowd counting down]
[Bradshaw] You got to make alliances sometimes but in the end,
-everybody is gonna turn on everybody. -[buzzer blaring]
-["New Day, New Way" playing] - ♪ It's a new day, yes it is! ♪
[Michael] Well, it's The New Day but which member?
Let's go! [grunts]
[Michael] Well, there you see it, Kofi Kingston.
We are a third of the way through the Royal Rumble.
And according to our graphic,
Kofi Kingston is gonna be joining the fray,
and you got to love seeing Kofi Kingston in the Rumble.
He has been responsible for some of the great
Royal Rumble moments over the years.
[Bradshaw] He once borrowed my chair
and used it as a pogo stick to get back in the Rumble.
[Michael] He once walked on his hands around the ring
without getting eliminated.
[Byron] Kofi's actually called himself, "Mr. Royal Rumble,"
because of all those outside the box antics.
[Michael] And now Reigns looks to go after Kofi.
-Jericho still hanging in there. -[wrestlers clamoring]
Roman Reigns has been in the Royal Rumble match
over 15 minutes so far. He entered at number one.
Kingston and Reigns, Kane, and Jericho,
Ryback, Styles, and Goldust in this matchup.
-[Byron] Oh! Wow. -[Michael] Styles set for a ride.
What a back body drop.
[Byron] Got the taste of the power from Ryback.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Watch the height of Styles off this back drop.
[Bradshaw] Man, oh, man.
[Michael] And Styles though came off the top rope to take out Jericho.
And guys, in a Rumble match, very risky going to top rope.
-Styles hanging on and stays in it. -[Byron] Whoa!
[Bradshaw] This is AJ Styles' obviously first Royal Rumble match,
trying to get noticed, taking a couple of risks.
[Michael] Yeah, but you go up to that top rope,
-you're trying to be picked off. -[crowd counting down]
[Michael] Number 11 coming.
-[buzzer blaring] -[whistle blowing]
-["Making Moves" playing] -[Michael] Titus O'Neil.
And this is a big night for Titus.
He just won a Fathers Incorporated Spirit Award.
And now Titus O'Neil with the shoulder tackle.
Titus O'Neil went to Goldust
and Titus O'Neil looking to do some damage in his third Royal Rumble match.
[Byron] Well, Titus has been a champion outside the ring,
all the charity work he does, all the goodwill.
Now, it's time to be a champion inside the ring.
[Michael] Driving that knee to the spine of Jericho and then sling him away.
-AJ Styles caught by Titus O'Neil. -[Byron] Yup!
[Bradshaw] You think he'd quit jumping at that big man.
Yeah!
-[Michael] Titus fired up. -[Bradshaw] You got to be.
Here in his home state of Florida. What a story that would be for Titus.
[grunts]
[Byron] Titus trying to equalize every single threat in this matchup.
Watch Goldust.
[Michael] Goldust over the top rope, hanging in there.
[Michael] It's been a while, guys, since we've had an elimination.
[Byron] Oh! And Goldust just eliminated!
-[Bradshaw] Spoke too soon, Michael. -[Michael] I did. I jinxed him.
[grunts]
[Byron] Well, just like that, you got this alliance once again
of Jericho and Kane coming after you.
[wrestlers grunting, clamoring]
[Byron] And then that alliance ends.
-Uh-oh, Roman's in trouble. -[Michael] Yeah.
Roman is in deep, deep trouble.
Roman Reigns may be eliminated at the far side of the ring.
Styles here, but Reigns stays in it. Styles now is in trouble.
[crowd counting down]
-[buzzer blaring] -["What’s Up?" playing]
[Michael] And entering at number 12 is R-Truth.
R-Truth's eighth Royal Rumble match.
[Byron] I'm just happy he knew what day the Rumble was on.
What? Wait a minute.
[Michael] What is he doing?
John, do you have any idea what R-Truth is doing here?
[Bradshaw] I know what he's doing, Michael, I don't know why.
He's putting a ladder in the ring.
But I don't know why.
[Michael] Wait a minute. No, no, no, no, no.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] I think R-Truth thinks he's in a ladder match for the championship.
[Bradshaw] Oh, poor R-Truth. That young man is not always--
[Michael] I think he was expecting the WWE World title
to be hung above the ring.
And he'd climb the ladder and grab it.
[Byron] Well, he got the day right, just the wrong event.
[Michael] Either that or the briefcase, maybe he thought
it was the Money in the Bank ladder match and he's eliminated by Kane.
[Bradshaw] Poor Truth, he got confused.
[Byron] What does he always say? "My bad."
[Bradshaw] "My bad, this was on me."
[Michael] And now Kofi from behind.
Probably wanna be attacking Kane from behind…
[Byron] Yeah. I get what he was trying to do.
[Michael] Wait. And Kofi Kingston-- Oh!
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Kofi still in it. Feet have not touched the floor.
Big E saved Kofi.
-No, no, no, no, no. Let's go. -No!
[Byron] That was pretty resourceful. I got to admit. [chuckles]
[crowd chanting] New Day rocks! New Day rocks! New Day rocks!
[Michael] And Kofi still not eliminated.
What do you call it, John, a unicorn stampede?
[Bradshaw] A unicorn stampede, that's what it is.
[Michael] Or did somebody else make that up?
[Bradshaw] Well, it depends if you talk to Mario or not.
[Michael] And Kofi is having to cope out here at ringside.
-Ryback is close to being eliminated. -[Byron] Yeah, by Roman Reigns.
[Michael] And we're waiting for number 13 to enter this match.
-Ryback still in it. -[buzzer blaring]
[Michael] Feet didn't hit the floor.
-["Live In Fear" playing] -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] And this is number 13.
How appropriate that Luke Harper enters at 13.
Harper, the first member of the Wyatt family
to enter the Royal Rumble match.
[Byron] This could be a very compelling scenario
depending on when all those other Wyatt family members enter this matchup.
[Bradshaw] This is the number that Jim Duggan entered
when he won the very first Royal Rumble in 1988, 20-person Royal Rumble.
[Michael] And Harper doesn't even wait to get in the ring
before he goes right after Ryback.
The Wyatt family have had their issues with Ryback over the past month.
Harper has not entered. Now he does, he's in.
[wrestlers clamoring]
[Byron] Talk about how the Wyatts have taken the opportunity
the last few weeks to strike fear in the hearts.
-[Michael] Oh, wait a minute. -[Bradshaw] What?
-[Michael] Wait a minute. -[Bradshaw] What the…
[Michael] McMahon's out here.
The League of Nations are mauling Roman Reigns.
[Bradshaw] There's no disqualification.
[Michael] Sheamus, and Del Rio, and Rusev are mauling Reigns,
and Mr. McMahon is directing traffic.
Mr. McMahon's orchestrated this whole thing.
-[Vince] Oh, no! No! -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] The Royal Rumble match continues
but the League of Nations are destroying Roman Reigns.
Barricade, then the steps.
[Byron] Come on.
[Michael] I mean, John, you can't even condone this.
[shouting indistinctly]
-[Michael] How do you condone this? -[Bradshaw] I'm not condoning it.
[Rusev screams, grunts]
[Bradshaw] Look, Roman Reigns is a tough guy but…
Get out of here!
…even Roman's not gonna make it through this.
[Michael] I mean, this is just a mugging, a mugging.
And you can't do anything about it. The match continues.
Mr. McMahon, the boss, is out here
leading the charge by the League of Nations.
[Byron] Just trying to smother the fire
-of Roman Reigns. -[Michael] And now a brogue kick.
-[crowd counting down] -[buzzer blaring]
["Written In The Stars" playing]
[Michael] And right now, entering at number 14
is Stardust, his eighth Royal Rumble match,
but the story continues outside the ring.
The League of Nations is now destroying our announce table.
[Bradshaw] Look, I can't condone it but I can explain it.
-Look, it's very simple. -[Michael] They've destroyed
the French announce table, the Spanish announce table as well.
-[Bradshaw] You don't cross the boss. -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Roman Reigns, he--
He's defenseless, guys, Roman Reigns is defenseless.
What the hell is Rusev doing?
Rusev, what are you doing? Get down from there!
Rusev, get down, get down!
-Get down. Oh, my God! -[Bradshaw] We saw this in 2007.
-[Michael] Oh, my God! Oh, my God! -[Bradshaw] God!
[Michael] Rusev splashing through Roman Reigns
and through the table.
[crowd chanting] Holy shit!
[Michael] Mr. McMahon is laughing about this.
[screams]
[Michael] The boss is laughing about this. The League of Nations are celebrating.
[crowd cheering]
Come here, boss.
[Bradshaw] There's a reason Mr. McMahon has survived this long.
[Michael] Yeah. But how the hell do you condone this?
[Bradshaw] I'm not condoning it…
-[Michael] John, this is the champion. -…Michael, I'm explaining it.
[Michael] The champion is defending his title in the Rumble match…
[Bradshaw] The champion was def--
…and he was beaten to hell by the League of Nations.
[crowd jeering, clamoring]
[Michael] This is the most ridiculous…
[Byron] As if facing 29 other guys wasn't tough enough,
wasn't a big enough obstacle, now this.
[Michael] It's one of the most ridiculous things
I've ever seen in this match.
Meanwhile, the match continues in the ring.
I believe Kofi Kingston was eliminated
as all of this action was happening outside here.
[Byron] It's kind of hard to pay attention in this match
with this massacre that just happened outside the ring.
[buzzer blaring]
[Michael] Number 15 enters now and it's the Big Show,
his 11th Royal Rumble match.
He's eliminated 30 men in his career.
And twice, Big Show has been a Royal Rumble match runner-up.
["Crank It Up" playing]
[Byron] Big Show was the first one to declare
that he was gonna enter the Royal Rumble matchup.
[Bradshaw] Well, I think we know this, we're gonna have a new champion tonight.
[Michael] Four different years Big Show was eliminated
by the eventual Royal Rumble match winner.
[wrestlers grunt]
-[Byron] Oh, watch Ryback. -[Michael] Ryback again in trouble.
But, guys, the story continues here at ringside,
officials and EMTs still attending to Roman Reigns
who's now made his way towards the entranceway
as the action continues in the ring.
[Byron] I'm still shocked at what just happened.
[Michael] Titus O'Neil eliminated by Big Show.
You see the stretcher there at ringside. Roman Reigns being helped to the back.
Now, I wanna point out-- Ryback now eliminated by Big Show
with the knockout punch. I wanna point out,
as Luke Harper runs into a clothesline,
Roman Reigns has never been officially eliminated in this Royal Rumble match.
He's still officially in the match but after that beat down, he--
For all intents and purposes--
[Bradshaw] Yeah. A lot of good that's gonna do him.
Look, Roman Reigns is an incredibly tough guy.
We saw that last year at WrestleMania with Brock Lesnar.
He survived what I don't think anybody else in the planet can do,
but even Roman Reigns is not gonna survive that.
[crowd counting down]
[Michael] We now wait for entry number 16.
AJ Styles still in this match.
-[buzzer blaring] -[Michael] He came in at number three.
["Break Orbit" playing]
[Michael] The man that gravity forgot.
The man who made his name right here in Orlando, Florida
as the longest reigning NXT champion in history,
Neville makes his way quickly to the ring.
[Byron] Slammy Award-winning Breakout superstar of the year.
[Michael] Yeah, wasted little time breaking out in the Royal Rumble match.
-[wrestlers grunt] -[Michael] Look at Neville go.
This is Neville's very first Royal Rumble match.
And now look at Roman Reigns.
Roman Reigns is being placed on that stretcher as Neville stays in it.
[Byron] Neville told me earlier he had to pinch himself.
He was so excited about being in his first Royal Rumble matchup.
[Michael] And look at Roman Reigns
refusing to be carted out of here on a stretcher.
He's gonna walk to the back under his own power
but he has been seriously hurt by the League of Nations.
[Bradshaw] Roman refused to be on that gurney.
[Byron] In the meantime, the match goes on.
[Bradshaw] Well, it doesn't help you to be on the gurney
if you got broken ribs.
[Michael] And like I told you, what happened during the assault,
Kofi Kingston was eliminated by Chris Jericho,
nothing Big E and Xavier could do to save Kofi there.
So, the ring is filled with Neville and Stardust, Big Show and Harper, Kane,
AJ Styles and Chris Jericho. And Styles has had
an incredible performance so far in his very first Royal Rumble,
-entering at number three, still in it. -[crowd chanting] AJ Styles!
[Michael] We're more than halfway through the field.
[Byron] And the opportunity still hovers above.
[Michael] And the "AJ Styles" chant still ring in the Amway Center.
-[crowd chanting] AJ Styles! -[Michael] Stardust is still in this.
We are awaiting entrant number 17.
[Byron] Neville catching himself to survive, too.
[crowd counting down]
-[buzzer blaring] -[Byron] Oh, ooh!
-[crowd cheering] -["Live In Fear" playing]
[Michael] Oh, boy, the black sheep of the Wyatt family, Braun Strowman,
entering his very first Royal Rumble match,
which means he joins his Wyatt family brother,
Luke Harper, who is in this match already.
[Byron] The new face of destruction. This man has been
a difference maker in the Wyatt family.
[Michael] And he may be a difference maker in this match tonight.
-[Byron] Absolutely. -[Michael] Kane, looking for a chokeslam,
and Braun Strowman looking to fight him off.
Remember the battles that the Wyatt family
had with Kane and his brother, the Undertaker.
Eliminated! Strowman eliminated Kane!
[Byron] Just like that. Just like that.
[Michael] Man, look at this face-off. Look at this face-off!
The world's largest athlete and Braun Strowman.
[wrestlers grunt]
[Michael] Strowman and Big Show exchanging rights.
Big Show backed up to the rope.
Uh-oh.
-[Byron] Chug along. -[Michael] Strowman
may have met his match, guys.
[Byron] Uh-oh!
[Michael] Oh, no, Strowman, Strowman!
Backing Big Show up, look at Strowman.
Big Show maybe out too, Big Show is fading.
Big Show is fading to Braun Strowman.
And Strowman has eliminated--
Oh, no, no! Not yet! Not yet! Big Show hanging on.
Big show hanging on desperately. But not anymore, Big Show is out.
Strowman has eliminated Kane and the Big Show.
[Bradshaw] Hey, a guy who I don't think was as big as Braun Strowman,
Big John Studd, won this thing in 1989.
[Byron] This Braun Strowman is something else.
[Michael] Big Show will have to wait another year to win his very first
Royal Rumble match,
-as we await number 18. -[crowd counting down]
[Bradshaw] Who in the world is gonna get rid of Braun Strowman?
-[Byron] That's a good question. -[buzzer blaring]
["Fight" playing]
[Michael] Kevin Owens who was put through two tables earlier tonight
in a hellacious Last Man Standing match with Dean Ambrose
is gonna drag his body out here for the Rumble match.
[Bradshaw] That's a true prizefighter right there.
[Byron] I got to agree with you, John, you may not agree with Kevin Owens' antics
but the fact that he is still walking, barely walking,
but entering this Royal Rumble match.
[Bradshaw] That's a gunfighter limping back to the O.K. Corral.
You got to admire that from Kevin Owens.
[Michael] It is Kevin Owens's very first Royal Rumble match.
-And Owens and AJ Styles. -[Byron] Oh, look at this. [laughing]
[grunts]
[Michael] Oh! Styles hanging on. Neville thought he eliminated him.
[grunts]
[Michael] Oh, here we go. Oh, and Kevin Owens!
[Byron] We've seen AJ a couple times now go for that Styles clash.
[Michael] And Owens eliminates AJ Styles.
AJ Styles was in this match for 28 minutes.
Nothing to be ashamed about in his WWE debut.
[Byron] Yeah, extremely impressive performance from AJ Styles.
[grunts]
-[crowd cheering] -[indistinct chatter]
[Byron] With one elimination after the other, the match continues on.
[Michael] And look at Kevin Owens now with Neville perched up on the top rope.
Looking to eliminate Neville.
[crowd chanting] AJ Styles! AJ Styles!
AJ Styles! AJ Styles!
[Michael] And the WWE fans applauding the effort of AJ Styles
in his debut match in WWE.
As Chris Jericho now looks to eliminate Kevin Owens.
[crowd member 9] Bye, bye, AJ.!
[Byron] Wise that Kevin Owens braced himself on that top rope.
-[crowd counting down] -[Michael] Number 19 coming.
-[buzzer blares] -[Bradshaw] Who's it gonna be?
-["Retaliation" playing] -[Michael] The winner
of the Last Man Standing match tonight,
the Intercontinental Champion, Dean Ambrose,
his third Royal Rumble match.
Banged up, bandaged up, and the Lunatic Fringe is ready to go.
And Kevin Owens is waiting for him.
[Byron] I wonder who's worse for wear, Kevin Owens or Dean Ambrose.
[grunts]
[Michael] And look at Ambrose and Owens go.
[Byron] Picking up right where they left off earlier on tonight.
[crowd cheering, applauding]
[Byron] Imagine how pleasing it would be for Dean Ambrose to get rid of Kevin Owens
in this match, take away his chance to become WWE Heavyweight Champion.
[crowd chanting indistinctly]
[Michael] It's been an incredible Royal Rumble tonight.
We started things off with that Owens and Ambrose match,
Last Man Standing.
-[groans] -[wrestlers grunt]
[Michael] What happened to Roman Reigns earlier tonight,
I mentioned he was never eliminated. The League of Nations dragging him out.
Right out here, in front of the announce table.
Mr. McMahon orchestrating things, directing traffic as the League of Nations
dissected and beat the hell out of Roman Reigns.
-And then, this from Rusev. -[Byron] Yeah, if that wasn't enough,
Rusev crashing down through the announce desk
onto the lifeless body of Roman Reigns.
[Michael] And Roman Reigns was helped out by medics
but he did leave under his own power.
And Roman Reigns running out of time to return to this Royal Rumble match
to defend his WWE World Heavyweight Championship.
[crowd counting down]
-[buzzer blaring] -["World's Apart" playing]
[Michael] What? At number 20,
it is Sami Zayn. Former NXT champion.
Who WWE fans got a taste of, when he took John Cena's US Open Challenge.
And Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn, once former…
They were best friends, now they're bitter enemies.
[Byron laughing] Oh-ho, you're seeing it right now!
[Michael] Kevin Owens cost Sami Zayn months of his career.
And now, Zayn going right after Owens.
Zayn and Owens, they battled for the NXT title,
and now tonight, battling in the Rumble match.
[Byron] What a moment for redemption for Sami Zayn,
an opportunity of a lifetime, and he's taking advantage of it.
[Michael] And Owens, a clubbing blow from behind.
All these superstars fighting for the right to become
WWE World Heavyweight Champion, Kevin Owens eliminated.
Zayn eliminated Owens. Byron, how good must that have felt?
[Byron] Sami Zayn must feel like a million bucks after that elimination
but he can't celebrate long.
He's got Harper and Jericho now trying to take his dream away.
[Bradshaw] Yeah, that will take your elation away.
[Michael] Strowman, and Neville, and Ambrose,
Stardust, Harper, Jericho, Zayn.
We are two-thirds of the way through the field
for the 2016 Royal Rumble match.
[Byron] We are about to get another.
[crowd counting down]
[buzzer blaring]
[Michael] Oh, God.
["Live In Fear" playing]
[Michael] At number 21,
entering his second Royal Rumble match, Erick Rowan.
But, guys, what this means is three members of the Wyatt family
will now be in the Royal Rumble match at the same time,
Rowan, Harper, Strowman, with Bray Wyatt still to come.
And Rowan now goes right after Chris Jericho.
[Michael] Suplex by Rowan.
[Byron] Assuming what happens with these other Wyatt family members
in this matchup, this could up being the perfect plan for the Wyatt family
in the Royal Rumble matchup.
[Bradshaw] Well, if you're one of these guys who's not a Wyatt,
you better find a way to make an alliance real quick.
Because, believe me, they are working as a team.
[Michael] Looking what the Wyatt family did to Reigns and Brock Lesnar
Monday night on RAW-- Neville hanging in on one arm,
feet did not hit the floor, still in this matchup.
Harper with a clothesline, Neville eliminated.
[Byron] Now, you're just seeing little by little the Wyatts
completely controlling the tempo of this Royal Rumble match.
[Michael] Stardust, lights out, eliminated.
[Bradshaw] The Wyatts are taking over.
[Michael] Jericho going after Strowman, Harper and Rowan after Ambrose.
And Strowman doing the same thing to Jericho he did to Big Show,
looking to take him out. Sami Zayn just…
Chris Jericho has been in this match for 29 minutes.
And he may be out soon. Jericho may be fading,
trying somehow to stay in there. Braun Strowman,
look at what he's doing to Jericho, Jericho may be out, guys.
[Bradshaw] The size of Braun Strowman.
[Michael] We are waiting entry number 22.
[crowd counting down]
[buzzer blaring]
["Some Bodies Gonna Get It" playing]
[Michael] Earlier tonight in our Kickoff Show, Mark Henry
and Jack Swagger won a Fatal 4-Way Tag Team matchup to earn the right
to be in the Rumble match tonight.
It is Mark Henry's eighth Royal Rumble match.
And he's hinted over the past few weeks, it could be his last.
Mark Henry looking to win his very first Rumble here in Orlando.
The world's strongest man after Harper and now Braun Strowman.
[Byron] It could be your last, you got to take advantage of it,
-but you also right now at the… -[Bradshaw] Look at that.
-[Michael] Oh, man. -[Byron] The Wyatts.
[Michael] That was to the 400-pound Mark Henry.
[Byron] That's sick, that is just six straight for Braun Strowman.
-And now, all three Wyatt family members. -[Michael] Oh, and Henry eliminated.
Kane, Big Show, Henry, all eliminated by Strowman and the Wyatt family.
[Byron] John, you were right earlier, if your name is not Wyatt,
you are an endangered species in this matchup.
[Bradshaw] Yup. You better form an alliance quick.
Because right now, the Wyatts are taking over.
[Michael] Wow.
[Byron] You know how much Sami Zayn was looking forward to an opportunity
to get another shot here in WWE but…
-[Michael] Oh, Sami Zayn, see you, bye. -[Bradshaw] There goes Sami Zayn.
[Michael] Dumped out by Strowman.
I'll tell you, the Wyatt family has eliminated everybody.
Ambrose is gonna try to fight through this but…
[Bradshaw] We've only got Dean Ambrose
and Chris Jericho out there and three of the Wyatts.
[Michael] Well, I don't see any help coming any time soon.
-[crowd counting down] -[Michael] As we await entry number 23.
[buzzer blaring]
["Next Big Thing" playing]
[Michael] Perhaps I spoke too soon.
The Beast Incarnate. His second Rumble ever.
His first one in 2003, he came away the winner.
[Bradshaw] The only one he's entered, Michael, 2003, he came away the winner.
[Michael] And look at Brock, Brock Lesnar.
-Welcome to Suplex City. -[Bradshaw] Suplex City!
[Michael] See you, Luke. Lesnar wants to be champion.
He wins this match, he is.
Lesnar had the WWE World Title ripped away from him
at last year's WrestleMania.
He wants to go back to WrestleMania as the champion this year.
[crowd] Suplex City!
[Michael] Lesnar to Strowman. The big man's down.
[Bradshaw] What a clubbing blow by Lesnar.
Brock Lesnar's as close as you can get to an indestructible human being.
[Michael] Rowan, eliminated.
-[Bradshaw] Brock is the equalizer. -[Michael] Suplex to Harper.
Watch this clubbing right hand by Lesnar.
[Bradshaw] That looked more like a right hook than a clothesline.
-Look at this. -[Byron] Oh, no way.
[Michael] Lesnar going for a German on Strowman who backs him into the corner,
fires out of it with elbows to the face of Lesnar.
Man, this is a sight to see,
Braun Strowman and the Beast, Brock Lesnar,
shoulder first goes Strowman.
[Bradshaw] You're right, one of the strongest guys in the world,
-Braun Strowman… -[Michael] Down goes Strowman again.
…and the Beast Incarnate, Brock Lesnar.
[Michael] Number 24 on the way.
[crowd counting down]
-[buzzer blaring] -["Get On Your Knees" playing]
[Michael] It is his sixth Rumble, the real American, Jack Swagger.
who along with Henry won that match in our Kickoff Show
`to advance to the Rumble match tonight.
[Byron] One of those superstars, who did get the chance
at the last minute, had to recharge his mind.
[Bradshaw] And Swagger is one of the few guys
who actually wanna get into this Rumble.
-Maybe not. Maybe on his way out. -[Michael] F5!
-Swagger eliminated. -[Bradshaw] Brock just threw
a former World Champion out of the ring with ease.
[Byron] Imagine all the confidence Brock Lesnar has right now.
[Michael] Jack Swagger was in this match exactly 15 seconds.
Nowhere near the record though that was set by Santino.
[Byron] Look at how quickly Lesnar has changed
the entire complexion of this match.
[Michael] Chris Jericho, however, the longest man
in this matchup so far, 35 minutes.
And Lesnar has just, to your point, Byron, just taken over.
[Byron] He's neutralized the Wyatt family.
[Bradshaw] Completely changed the complexity of the match.
[Michael] Right to the kidneys of Strowman, who's still down,
feeling the effects of Lesnar. Brock Lesnar in with a big knee
and Strowman's still in this.
[Byron] This animalistic mindset, Brock saw Strowman…
[Michael] Lesnar again with the knee.
…Brock saw Strowman stirring a little bit, he said,
"All right, let me take this one out again, let me take him off of his feet."
[Bradshaw] Brock had chopped the big, giant Strowman down.
-[Michael] Number 25 coming. -[crowd counting down]
[buzzer blaring]
[announcer] Awesome!
["I Came To Play" playing]
♪ I came to play, there's a price to pay ♪
♪ Time for you to get down On your knees and pray ♪
♪ Say goodbye to the good old days… ♪
[Michael] It is The Miz. Entering Royal Rumble for the ninth time.
[Michael] So, Miz, come on, Miz. Go get him. The Beast is ready.
[Byron] Oh, Miz wanna head back to sunset boulevard.
That's not a sight you wanna see.
[Michael] Yeah, but here's the guy, The Miz, who main-evented WrestleMania
as the WWE World Heavyweight Champion.
He knows what it's about to be on that main stage.
Keep looking at me like that, I'll turn Suplex City into Mizney World.
-The most awesome place in the world. -[Michael] Aren't you supposed to be
-in the match? -[Miz] Yeah, I'm supposed to be
in the match. I'm still in the match.
-[Michael] And you know it's for the WWE-- -[Miz] Don't you understand, Michael Cole?
Michael Cole? It's all about strategy in the Royal Rumble match.
You pick the perfect time for the perfect opportunity.
-This is not the perfect time. -[Michael] Maybe you're scared to get
-Suplexed by Brock Lesnar. -[Miz] Michael Cole, I have been
in the WWE for ten years.
I am what's called a veteran. Thank you very much.
I think I know how to win a Royal Rumble match.
[Michael] Have you ever been to Suplex City?
[Miz] Have you ever been to Orlando? Because Orlando's where I won the WWE
World Heavyweight Championship for the first time.
And it's where I will win the second
WWE World Heavyweight Championship under my reign.
[Michael] But you do have to be in the ring to do that, Miz.
[Miz] Absolutely. And I'm saving my energy.
I'm harnessing it.
[Bradshaw] Are you gonna, like, wait until Brock and Braun
get thrown out first before you get in?
[Miz] What did I say? The perfect time for the perfect opportunity.
-[Byron] That sounds like the first time… -Let everyone else use all their energy,
use all the suplexes he wants.
-[Michael] Another Suplex. -[Byron] There's a Suplex.
[Michael] Brock has delivered like a dozen Suplexes already.
[Byron] Yeah, right on his neck, there you go.
[Michael] And Harper eliminated by Lesnar. But who is not eliminated?
[Bradshaw] Braun Strowman, and Chris Jericho, and Dean Ambrose.
-[Miz] And? -[Michael] The Miz.
-[Miz] Thank you. -[Byron] Who hasn't been in the match yet.
[Bradshaw] It's actually a really good strategy, Miz.
-[Miz] Thank you very much, JBL. -[Michael] Number 26.
-[crowd counting down] -[buzzer blaring]
["Realeza" playing]
[Michael] He's entering his third Rumble, he won in 2011,
the largest Royal Rumble in history but he's very upset
because earlier tonight, he lost his United States Championship to Kalisto.
But Del Rio was part of that beatdown with Rusev and Sheamus
on Roman Reigns earlier tonight that sent Reigns back to the locker room.
And look at Del Rio go.
[Byron] Yeah, here's a chance for retribution,
right in the hands Brock Lesnar.
[Bradshaw] Yeah, went to a front chinlock.
[Michael] And now, it's Ambrose and Del Rio ganging up on Lesnar
as Braun Strowman turns his attention to Chris Jericho,
and Miz is still with us on commentary.
[Miz] And if I'm Chris Jericho, I'm trying to get away.
I'm trying to stick and move out of Braun Strowman's reach.
[Michael] Why don't you go in there and show him how to do that, Miz?
[Byron] He's still collecting himself.
-[Miz] Collecting myself? I'm observing. -[Michael] Another Suplex.
[Miz] Have you ever been in the ring? No. Have you ever been in the ring?
JBL says I'm smart.
He is a former WWE World Heavyweight Champion.
-Thank you very much. -[Bradshaw] I think Miz is great…
-[Miz] Thank you very much. -…you know, let these guys fight it out
-among themselves. -[Michael] Lesnar and Strowman again.
Lesnar looking to take out the big man.
Braun Strowman teetering. The Beast Incarnate, Lesnar.
-Here comes Brock. -[Bradshaw] No way.
[Michael] Look at these two. Down goes Strowman.
-Lesnar has wiped out the Wyatt family. -[Byron] That's how you do it.
That's how you do it! Keep it going, Brock.
[Bradshaw] You talk about a game changer.
Brock Lesnar has eliminated the Wyatt family.
[Byron] Brock Lesnar owns the game right now.
[Michael] Think about what the Wyatts did to him Monday night.
Lesnar, well, he knew the Wyatts had that coming in his mind.
[Bradshaw] If I'm Jericho, Ambrose, and Del Rio, I'd gang up on Brock Lesnar.
-[crowd counting down] -[Michael] Number 27.
[Byron] That would be the second smartest thing to do,
other than standing outside the ring,
-letting everybody wear themselves out. -[buzzer blaring]
["Live In Fear" playing]
[Michael] Oh, here's The Eater of Worlds, Bray Wyatt.
Problem is, his Wyatt family,
all three members have been eliminated by Brock Lesnar.
So, Wyatt goes in alone into the Royal Rumble match.
[Byron] Yeah, it seemed for a while there, Bray may have the perfect game plan
but you're right, now, he's got to win this thing by himself.
[Bradshaw] This is the lucky number that more people want from
this number 27, than any other.
-Bray Wyatt… -[Michael] Hold on, hold on.
Oh, wait a minute.
Wait a minute.
Strowman, and Rowan, and Harper back on the apron.
They've got Lesnar cornered. Bray Wyatt directing traffic.
Harper in after Lesnar, and now, Rowan, and now, Strowman,
and remember, there's no disqualification at the Royal Rumble match,
and Bray Wyatt's in as well.
The Wyatt family have ganged up on Lesnar.
[Byron] This is maybe the perfect game plan after all. Wow.
[Michael] The Wyatt family, four on one against the Beast, Lesnar.
Brock trying to fight back, sends Rowan and Harper
flying out of the ring. They've already been eliminated.
Strowman eliminated, well, twice now. And now, it's Brock and bray.
[Bradshaw] Nowhere to run, bray.
I'd find the place.
-[Michael] Suplex city. -[Bradshaw] Yeah.
He found the place all right.
[Michael] Going for the F5.
Harper with a kick to Lesnar, right to the face.
This is ridiculous.
[Byron] Yeah, but there's nothing that can stop them.
There's nothing that can stop the Wyatt family.
[Bradshaw] You're exactly right. It's a no disqualification.
[Michael] And now, Sister Abigail to Brock Lesnar.
[Byron] Just like we saw on Monday night.
What are you waiting for? Get him out.
[Michael] Bray Wyatt screaming, "Get him out."
Brock Lesnar with three members of the Wyatt family,
Lesnar is eliminated.
Brock Lesnar's been screwed by the Wyatt family.
[Bradshaw] And Bray Wyatt is still in the Royal Rumble.
[Michael] And so is Chris Jericho.
Ambrose, and Del Rio, and Miz.
[Byron] This Wyatt family may have just gotten rid of the biggest threat
-to this Royal Rumble match. -[Bradshaw] Took four people to dump
-Brock out of the Royal Rumble. -[Michael] And the fans here in Orlando
tonight are shocked.
[Bradshaw] You never want a target on your back.
[crowd counting down]
[Bradshaw] And Brock Lesnar definitely had a target.
[Michael] Number 28 on his way.
-[buzzer blaring] -["Here to Show the World" playing]
[Michael] And for the eighth time in his career,
Dolph Ziggler enters the Royal Rumble match,
prime position for the showoff.
[Bradshaw] Batista twice has won from this number, number 28.
You know when I said that there's a perfect time
and there's a perfect opportunity for everything?
[Michael] Oh, Fameasser.
-Jericho… -[Miz] I'll tell the director
to call action because it's time for the Miz to join the Royal Rumble.
[Michael] The Miz is gonna join the fray, Chris Jericho at 42 minutes,
been in this Royal Rumble match the longest. And Miz
trying to eliminate Dolph Ziggler, didn't happen.
Skull crushing finale from The Miz.
[Bradshaw] You got to love Miz's strategy.
I wouldn't have gone in there with Brock and the Wyatt family.
[Byron] Well, let's see if that strategy pays off now.
[Michael] Well, everybody's down, Miz is the only one on his feet right now.
Now, looking to eliminate Dolph Ziggler again.
And now, Jericho getting involved. Bray Wyatt back on his feet after Ambrose.
Dolph is still in it, hanging on the apron.
[Byron] Dolph, at this point, the freshest man in this matchup.
[Michael] Jericho, whipped into the corner. Here comes Miz.
[Bradshaw] Miz could walk out here WWE World Heavyweight Champion.
[Michael] Yeah, he could, so could the other guys in the ring
or the man who's gonna enter at number 29.
[crowd counting down]
-[buzzer blaring] -["Written in My Face" playing]
[Michael] Another League of Nation winner-- uh, member.
And a winner of the 2012 Royal Rumble match,
Sheamus, entering his fourth Royal Rumble match here tonight.
[Byron] You know, Sheamus is upset that he never got his one on one rematch
for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.
This becomes his opportunity.
-[Micheal] Hey. Reigns. -[Bradshaw] Whoa.
[Michael] Roman Reigns with the Superman Punch.
Reigns is back in the Rumble. There goes Miz.
Reigns is back.
[Byron] How is he even standing?
[Michael] Samoan drop by Roman Reigns. Del Rio, eliminated.
Oh, from behind, Ziggler, Ziggler.
-Superman Punch. -[Bradshaw] Wow.
[Michael] And Bray Wyatt runs right into Roman Reigns.
Remember, Reigns was never eliminated.
He was pulled under the bottom rope by the League of Nations,
went to the back to receive medical attention but he's back
-in the Rumble match. -[Bradshaw] Yeah, but no matter how much
bravado Roman Reigns shows, he is hurting.
[Byron] And remember that target that Roman Reigns' had on his back
-now has been renewed. -[Michael] But John,
Reigns has got to be out here. He's defending his WWE
World Heavyweight Championship in this match.
It's about keeping his title.
Jericho and Wyatt, Dolph and Roman, and Ambrose.
-Superman Punch. -[Byron] And how about this?
How about the fact that Roman Reigns
is the only one standing tall in this match right now?
[Michael] With number 30 on his way.
[Bradshaw] Well, think, Byron though, you don't wanna be standing tall,
you wanna get everybody out of the ring.
[buzzer blaring]
["My Time" playing]
[Michael] Oh, my God.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Ladies and gentlemen, for the ninth time in his career,
Triple H is in the Rumble match.
He won in 2002.
He's eliminated 28 men in his career. Twice he's been a Rumble match runner-up.
[Bradshaw] He has the most accumulated time in the Royal Rumble, Triple H.
[Michael] And more importantly, The Game is a 13-time
WWE World Heavyweight Champion.
[Byron] Think about this.
allegedly Roman Reigns just happens to draw number one
in this Royal Rumble match, and then, Mr. McMahon orchestrates his assault
from the League of Nations, and now, at number 30,
the COO, Triple H with one target in mind, the champion.
[Michael] Yeah, but look at this way, if Reigns can win this thing,
with everything Mr. McMahon and now Triple H is throwing at him,
Reigns will have definitely earned it.
Earn the trip to WrestleMania with the title.
What a moment.
We have not seen Triple H since Roman Reigns
sent him to the hospital over a month ago.
Ziggler went right after to Triple H.
Pedigree.
[Byron] This has been building, and building, and building.
[Michael] Bray Wyatt went after Reigns, spear.
[crowd cheering]
-[Byron] Here we go. -[Michael] Now, Triple H and Roman Reigns
unloading, middle of the ring.
Long time, building this.
[Bradshaw] You have to understand, this isn't the COO of the company
right here, this is The Game, the 13-time World Champion.
[Michael] And then, Roman Reigns' hunger,
Roman Reigns has defended his turf, Roman Reigns has defended his title.
[Bradshaw] Yeah, but this isn't The Game's first rodeo
as they say, believe me.
[Michael] Oh, and there is the knee to the face.
Triple H going for the pedigree.
Roman Reigns fighting out, Triple H up high.
[Byron] Now, Sheamus back in.
[Michael] Dean Ambrose looking to eliminate Triple H.
Is he in there? He's still in. Brogue kick.
Oh.
Jericho, still in this match.
-Jericho, at 48 minutes, Lionsault… -[Bradshaw] Lionsault.
…to Bray Wyatt, 48 minutes and counting for Jericho.
Reigns is still in it. Roman, still in it. Ziggler with a zigzag.
[Bradshaw] This is anyone's game right now.
[Byron] Triple H, on the apron, yet to be eliminated, maybe he will be now,
just hung on, just hung on.
Dolph can't believe it.
Triple H sidestep Dolph, Dolph is in there too.
Both men still in this match.
[Bradshaw] We know this, one of these guys will leave here
-WWE World Heavyweight Champion. -[Michael] Fameasser.
[Byron] Is it Ambrose, or Triple H, or Ziggler, Jericho, Wyatt, or Reigns?
It won't be Ziggler, Dolph eliminated.
[Bradshaw] We're down to five.
[Byron] Oh, look at this face off.
[Michael] Triple H has battled so many men in his career.
But never the Eater of Worlds.
Although, maybe a compromise can be made.
-[Bradshaw] Cerebral assassin. -[Michael] Oh, guess not.
-[Byron] Yeah. -[Michael] Bray Wyatt…
[Bradshaw] Don't make a deal with the devil.
…going right after Triple H.
[Byron] Not many people tell Bray Wyatt what to do.
[Bradshaw] Oh, Bray Wyatt understands
what it does for him if he eliminates Triple H tonight.
Talk about continuing to make a major name for yourself.
[Michael] Triple H, though, gonna make him pay, went for the Pedigree.
Bray Wyatt, Sister Abigail time. Sheamus!
It's amazing how the League of Nations
continues to watch the back of The Authority, isn't it?
And now, Sheamus.
[Bradshaw] League of Nations knows
-what's in their best interest. -[Michael] And Triple H
eliminating Bray Wyatt.
[Byron] The association's paying dividends for the League of Nations at the moment…
[Michael] And now Roman Reigns from behind,
looking to eliminate Sheamus and Triple H both at the same time.
[Bradshaw] How cool that would have been for Roman Reigns?
[Michael] Chris Jericho and he caught him, that running enzuigiri.
Now Dean Ambrose, Jericho hangs on the apron.
Sheamus…
trying to eliminate Ambrose in the other side of the ring.
Ambrose, just desperation, trying to survive.
Oh, look at Jericho, Jericho perched up on the top rope.
Swinging neck breaker by Ambrose.
Jericho, top rope with a crossbody.
Triple H…
went for the pedigree. Going for the walls.
Triple H reversed.
-Oh. -[Bradshaw] Code breaker.
Come on, baby.
[Michael] And Ambrose eliminates Jericho.
And that has…
put Ambrose a little bit of revenge.
Remember, they had their differences in a Tag Team match a last summer,
Ambrose and Jericho.
Jericho was in this matchup over 50 minutes, great performance.
Superman Punch.
Reigns, Triple H, Sheamus, Ambrose, the four that remain,
one of these four will be WWE World Heavyweight Champion.
[Bradshaw] Heading down that final straightaway.
[Michael] Ambrose lands on his feet, Dean Ambrose now,
Sheamus misses wildly, Ambrose with the right,
here comes the Lunatic Fringe.
[Bradshaw] How is Dean Ambrose even standing after that
Last Man Standing match and all this time in the Royal Rumble?
[Michael] Who knows? Brogue kick, he's not standing anymore.
[Bradshaw] No, he's not.
[Byron] That Brogue kick will put a quick end to any dreams you have.
[Bradshaw] Sheamus, this is where you got to get Ambrose over the top rope.
[Michael] That would be the nail on the coffin.
Sheamus missed, got hang up on the top rope,
Sheamus barely hanging on. Superman Punch, sweet, sweet revenge.
-Roman Reigns eliminated. -[crowd cheering]
[Bradshaw] Oh, my gosh.
[Michael] Roman Reigns is no longer champion.
We are guaranteed to have a new WWE World Heavyweight Champion.
And it's gonna be Triple H or Dean Ambrose.
The authority and Mr. McMahon finally did it.
[Bradshaw] Yeah, but can you imagine The Authority if somehow Dean Ambrose
finds a way to get Triple H over that top rope?
[Michael] I don't think anyone expected this scenario,
Triple H and Dean Ambrose,
the final two men in the 2016 Royal Rumble match.
Ambrose, fired up, here we go,
Ambrose and Triple H, middle of the ring, backs into the corner.
[Bradshaw] Ambrose can walk out here Intercontinental Champion
and Heavyweight Champion.
[Michael] It's all about the title and Ambrose doing everything he can.
[Byron] And if you're Ambrose, you forget about how this night started.
You forget about the punishment that has been done to your body.
[Michael] Face off the knee.
Wacky line.
Who's gonna be champion? Who's gonna main-event WrestleMania?
-What a moment. -[Byron] I got goosebumps out here.
Are we on the verge of seeing the Lunatic Fringe?
[Michael] Ambrose runs into a boot by Triple H.
[Bradshaw] Triple H could be 14-time world champion.
[Michael] Ambrose, Triple H over the top rope. Ambrose is gonna do it.
-Ambrose is gonna do it. -[Bradshaw] He hung on. He hung on.
[Michael] Triple H still hanging on.
-[Byron] Is this gonna be it? -[Bradshaw] Here we go.
[Michael] Triple H caught him with a knee to the face.
How the hell is Triple H still in this match?
-Oh, oh. Ambrose eliminated. Triple H… -[bell ringing]
-…is a 14-time WWE champion. -[Eden] Ladies and gentlemen,
-your Royal Rumble winner and the new… -["The Game" playing]
…WWE World Heavyweight Champion,
Triple H.
[Bradshaw] Triple H is a 14-time WWE World Heavyweight Champion.
Triple H will main-event WrestleMania!
[Byron] I can't believe what I'm seeing right now.
[Michael] And Stephanie McMahon in the ring,
celebrating with her husband, as is Mr. McMahon.
What a great night for The Authority. What an incredible Royal Rumble match.
[Byron] This is a cryptic quote that The Authority has made famous.
They always say, in the end, The Authority wins.
[Michael] This is the big moment here, Roman Reigns eliminated by Triple H,
confirming that we would have a new WWE World Heavyweight Champion.
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the road to WrestleMania!
[fireworks] entlemen, welcome to the road to WrestleMania!