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Welcome to PWInsider.com's coverage of WWE's Royal Rumble. We will be updating this page throughout the show with results, so check back often.
The Royal Rumble opened with a cool video montage of past Royal Rumble moments, leading into shots of entrants in this year's event. When it got to Randy Orton, the video package turned into a recap of Orton insulting Stephanie McMahon and punting Vince McMahon on Raw. Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler, in somber tones, said that the McMahon family were keeping details of Vince's injury quiet. They also said Randy Orton would be reprimanded, but didn't know if it would be a fine, suspension or termination (Uh, wasn't Vince going to fire him BEFORE the kick to the head?). They then said "the show must go on".
ECW Champion Jack Swagger vs. Matt Hardy.
Matt Striker and Todd Grisham called this match. Matt and Swagger had a staredown before the introductions, which were done "big fight" style. They locked up, with Hardy breaking clean in the corner, but threatening to throw a punch. They locked up again, and the fans chanted for Hardy as Swagger backed Matt in a corner and tried to punch him, but Hardy blocked it and decked Swagger. Matt hit a series of punches, and Swagger bailed out to the floor. Matt went outside and hit another punch, rammed Swagger into the apron and tossed him into the ring. Matt caught a kick attempt and hit a clothesline. Swagger bailed out of the ring again and tried to regroup.
Swagger got back in and went for a takedown, finally pulling Matt down and applying a hammerlock. Hardy got to his feet, but Swagger rolled him back to the mat and continued to work on the arm. Matt elbowed out of the hammerlock and went for a Twist Of Fate, but Swagger pulled off and fell in a corner. Hardy dropkicked him into the turnbuckles, then hit a bulldog for a two count. Hardy went to the second rope, but Swagger shoved Hardy over the top and to the floor, landing on his shoulder. Swagger threw Matt back in and hit some short-arm shoulderblocks. Swagger tossed Matt into the ropes for another shoulderblock and a two count. Swagger applied an overhead wristlock. Swagger kicked Hardy in a corner, but Matt fought back with punches. Swagger yanked Hardy's arm against the top rope. Hardy went for a clothesline, but Swagger blocked it and hit a boot to the face for a two count.
Swagger went back to work on the arm with an armbar, yanking Hardy up off the mat with it twice. Hardy got to his feet and hit Swagger with his good arm. Hardy then hit an upkick from the mat, and a pair of clotheslines with his good arm. Hardy hit a inverted bulldog for a two count, then a regular bulldog for two. Hardy went to the second rope and hit an elbow to the back of the head for a two count. Hardy called for a Twist Of Fate, but Swagger grabbed him and hit an overhead belly-to-belly suplex for a two count. Swagger went for a cradle suplex, which Hardy blocked, but Swagger then hit a armbreaker for a two count. Swagger put Hardy on the top rope and went for a superplex, but Hardy knocked him to the mat. Matt hit a moonsault for a near fall. Matt then went for a Twist Of Fate, but Swagger shoved it off. Swagger ran into an elbow, and Matt went for a Side Effect. Swagger elbowed out of it and threw Hardy shoulder first into the ringpost. The announcers speculated that Hardy might have hit his head as well. Swagger pulled Hardy out of the corner and hit the gut wrench powerbomb for the pin at the ten minute mark.
Winner: Jack Swagger.
Matt Hardy looked dejected as he left the ring, actually sitting on the ringsteps at one point to collect himself.
They showed how earlier tonight, Randy Orton arrived, with a lot of people staring at him in silence.
Women's Champion Beth Phoenix vs. Melina.
Santino Marella accompanied Phoenix. Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler are calling this match. They locked up, and Phoenix threw Melina down on her knees. Melina grabbed a headlock, but Phoenix powered out of it and flipped her to the mat. Phoenix applied a reverse bear hug. There was a chant for Santino, and he actually gave the crowd the "cut it" gesture. Melina foot stomped and elbowed out of the bearhug, but went down when she tried a shoulderblock. Melina used a flying headscissors to go into am armbar. Phoenix lifted Melina while in the amrbar, then put her in a corner. Melina jumped on Phoenix, but Beth dumped her to the mat. Phoenix hit a running knee in the corner for a two count, then applied a kneebar. Melina went for the ropes, but Phoenix pulled her back to center ring. Phoenix bent the kneebar so far, Melina was being in hit in the head with her own foot! Phoenix released it, and Melina hit a kick near the ropes, but Phoenix planted her with a side slam. Phoenix put Melina in a corner, then pressed her overhead and walked around the ring with her. Melina slid out and there seemed to be some miscommunication. Melina hit a jawbreaker, and slid under Phoenix and grabbed a sunset flip for two. Melina rammed Phoenix to the mat by her hair and scored a two count, then booted a charging Phoenix and hit a second rope Thesz Press, followed by a mulekick. Melina went for a legdrop on a standing Phoenix, but Phoenix stopped it. Melina went for a bodyscissors, which Phoenix blocked, but Melina swung around her, rolled up Phoenix with a sunset flip and got the three count at the six minute mark.
Winner and new Women's Champion: Melina.
Coverage continued on the next page.
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