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1/31 THIS DAY IN HISTORY: THE RADICALZ DEBUT IN WWF

By Mike Johnson on 2014-01-31 08:00:19

January 31st

On this day in history in ....

1935 - Lord Lansdowne defeats Jack Reynolds to win the National Wrestling Association World Welterweight Title in San Francisco, California, ending his third reign.

1942 - Robo Negro defeats Bobby Bonales in Mexico City, Mexico for the Mexican National Welterweight Title.

1948 - Ron Etchison defeats Albert Mills to win the vacant Montana State Heavyweight Title in Helena, Montana.

1951 - Daniel Aladana defeats Steve Morgan to win the Mexican National Heavyweight Title in Mexico City, Mexico.

1955 - Bob Geigel and Boris Kalmikoff defeat Jesse and Johnny James in a tournament final for the vacant NWA Southwest Tag Team Title in Abilene, Texas.

1957 - Dory Funk, Sr. defeated Dizzy Davis to win the Amarillo NWA North American Heavyweight Title in Amarillo, Texas.

1958 - Karloff Lagarde defeats Blue Demon for the NWA World Welterweight Title in Mexico City, Mexico.

1964 - Rocky (Larry) Hamilton defeats The Stomper to win the Central States NWA United States Heavyweight Title in St. Joseph, Missouri.

1966 - Black Terror (Bobby Graham) and John Tolos defeats Paddy Barrett and Tom Geohagen for the Vancouver NWA Canadian Tag Team Title in Vancouver, British Columbia.

1966 - Tony Borne and Jay York defeat Shag Thomas and Bearcat Wright to win the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Title, ending Thomas and Wright's second reign.

1970 - Ben Justice and The Stomper defeat The Skull Brothers for the Detroit NWA World Tag Team Title in Detroit, Michigan.

1972 - The WWWF held an event at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. The results:
- King Curtis defeated Tomas Marin.
- Victor Rivera defeated Stan Stasiak.
- WWWF World Tag Team Champions Karl Gotch and René Goulet defeated The Rugged Russians in two straight falls to retain the title.
- Pampero Firpo defeated Manuel Soto.
- Sonny King and Gorilla Monsoon defeated Ernie Ladd and Jimmy Valiant.
- Chief Jay Strongbow defeated Fred Blassie by disqualification.
- WWWF World Heavyweight Champion Pedro Morales defeated Prof. Tanaka by disqualification to retain the title, after Tanaka hit the referee in the eyes with salt that was meant for Morales.

1981 - The WWF held an event at Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland. The results:
- Special Delivery Jones defeated Johnny Rodz.
- Bulldog Brower defeated Manuel Soto.
- Yoshiaki Yatsu defeated Jose Estrada.
- Hulk Hogan defeated Tony Atlas by disqualification.
- WWF Heavyweight Champion Bob Backlund fought Sgt. Slaughter to a double-countout to retain the title.
- Jose Estrada (subbing for Rick Stallone) vs. Larry Sharpe ended in a draw.
- Pat Patterson and WWF Tag Team Champions Tony Garea and Rick Martel defeated Lou Albano and The Moondogs (King and Rex) in a two-out-of-three falls match.

1981 - The Fabulous Freebirds (Terry Gordy and Michael Hayes) defeat Ted DiBiase and Stan Frazier to win the NWA National Tag Team Title in Atlanta, Georgia, to begin their second reign.

1981 - Les Thornton wins his second NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title in Dothan, Alabama, defeating Jerry Stubbs.

1981 - The Grappler defeats Killer Karl Kox in Greenwood, Mississippi for the Mid-South Mississippi Heavyweight Title, beginning his second reign.

1984 - The Zambuie Express (Elijah Akeem and Kareem Muhammad) defeat Norvell Austin and Sweet Brown Sugar for the vacant AWA Southern Tag Team Title in Memphis, Tennessee. The Zambuie Express, who had won the title by forfeit from The Fabulous Ones (Steve Keirn and Stan Lane), had been stripped of the title when winning by forfeit was disallowed.

1984 - Danny Little Wolf defeats Teddy Marshall to win the Canadian Junior Heavyweight Title in Burlington, Ontario.

1987 - Bad News Allen defeats Kevin Sullivan for the Florida NWA Southern Heavyweight Title in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, ending Sullivan's third reign.

1987 - Tinieblas defeats Bill Anderson in Los Angeles, California to win the WWA World Heavyweight Title.

1988 - Satanico wins his third Mexican National Middleweight Title, defeating Mogur in Mexico City, Mexico. At the same event, Tony Arce, Emilio Charles, Jr., and Vulvano defeat Jerry Estrada, Hombre Bala and Pirata Morgan for the Mexican National Trios Title.

1990 - Jushin Liger wins his second IWGP Junior Heavyweight Title, defeating Naoki Sano in Osaka, Japan.

1992 - The WWF held an event at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. The results:
- Rick Martel pinned Kerry Von Erich with his feet on the ropes. This match aired on the February 24 edition of Prime Time Wrestling.
- Shawn Michaels pinned Jimmy Snuka after a back suplex. This match aired on the March 2 edition of Prime Time Wrestling.
- The Warlord (with Harvey Wippleman) pinned Hercules after a running powerslam. This match aired on the February 17 edition of Prime Time Wrestling.
- Jim Duggan and Sgt. Slaughter defeated The Nasty Boys (Brian Knobbs and Jerry Sags) by countout, after Duggan attacked Knobbs on the floor with his 2x4 and Slaughter shoved Saggs into the ringpost.
- Chris Walker pinned Kato with a flying bodypress.
- The Undertaker (with Paul Bearer) pinned Bret Hart after hitting him with the urn.
- Repo Man pinned Virgil with a back elbow. This match aired on the May 11 edition of Prime Time Wrestling.
- Randy Savage (with Miss Elizabeth) pinned Jake Roberts after the flying elbowdrop.

1992 - The Dark Patriot (Doug Gilbert) defeats The Patriot to win the Global Wrestling Federation North American Heavyweight Title in Dallas, Texas, ending The Patriot's second.

1993 - The WWF held an event at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, Ontario. The results:
- Tatanka defeated Damien Demento.
- Randy Savage defeated WWF Intercontinental Champion Shawn Michaels by countout.
- Tito Santana defeated Skinner.
- Typhoon defeated The Berzerker.
- Jim Powers defeated The Predator.
- WWF Champion Bret Hart defeated Yokozuna (subbing for Bam Bam Bigelow) by countout.
- The Steiner Brothers (Rick and Scott) defeated The Beverly Brothers (Beau and Blake).
- Razor Ramon defeated The Big Bossman.
- Mr. Perfect defeated Ric Flair.

1993 - The Universal Wrestling Association held its 18th Anniversary Show at El Toreo in Naucalpan, Mexico. The results:
- El Sagrado and Sato defeated Rey Richard and Titere.
- The King, Villano I and UWA World Tag Team Champion Villano V defeated Kennich, Karloff Lagarde and El Rudo.
- King Lee, Enrique Vera and UWA World Tag Team Champion Villano IV defeated El Engendro, Killer and Scorpio, Sr.
- UWA World Trios Champions Los Misionares de la Muerte (Black Power II, UWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion Negro Navarro and WWF Light Heavyweight Champion El Signo) defeated Shu el Guerrero, Scorpio, Jr. and Dr. Wagner, Jr. to retain the title.
- Crash the Terminator (Bill DeMott), Goliath el Gigante and Eddie Watts defeated Dos Caras and Los Cowboys (Silver King and UWA World Light Heavyweight Champion El Texano).
- Canadian Vampire Casanova (Vampiro) defeated UWA World Heavyweight Champion Canek to win the title. This ended Canek's 11th reign.

1994 - The Moondogs (Rex and Spot) defeat The Rock 'n' Roll Express (Robert Gibson and Ricky Morton) to win the USWA Tag Team Title in Memphis, Tennessee. At the same event, Eddie Gilbert wins his third USWA Unified World Heavyweight Title, ending Lawler's 17th reign.

1996 - Damian (Ultraman 2000) defeats Octagon to become the first International Wrestling All-Stars World Light Heavyweight Champiio

1997 - Dan Cooley defeats K.C. Thunder in Shawsville, Virginia for the Southern States Wrestling Heavyweight Title.

1998 - WCW held Boston Brawl, a pay-per-listen event plagued by technical difficulties with the Internet broadcast, at the FleetCenter in Boston, Massachusetts. The results were:
- Goldberg pinned Sgt. Buddy Lee Parker.
- WCW World Television Champion Booker T pinned V.K. Wallstreet to retain the title.
- WCW Cruiserweight Champion Chris Jericho defeated Dean Malenko by submission to retain the title.
- Steve McMichael pinned Greg Valentine.
- The Steiner Brothers (Rick and Scott) defeated Raven and Saturn, when Scott pinned Saturn.
- Chris Benoit defeated Eddie Guerrero by submission.
- Bret Hart defeated Ric Flair by submission.
- Lex Luger, WCW United States Heavyweight Champion Diamond Dallas Page, and Larry Zbyszko defeats Randy Savage and WCW World Tag Team Champions The Outsiders (Scott Hall and Kevin Nash), when Luger made Savage submit.
- Sting pinned Hulk Hogan in a steel cage match.

1998 - ECW held the fifth-annual, and final, Hostile City Showdown at the ECW Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The results:
- Chris Chetti and Jerry Lynn defeated The Full Blooded Italians (Little Guido and Tracy Smothers).
- Rob Van Dam and Sabu defeated Axl Rotten and Balls Mahoney by disqualification.
- Spike Dudley pinned Gran Naniwa.
- Justin Credible pinned Gran Hamada.
- The Triple Threat (ECW World Heavyweight Champion Shane Douglas and ECW World Tag Team Champions Chris Candido and Lance Storm) fought Bam Bam Bigelow and ECW World Television Champion Taz to a no contest.
- Al Snow pinned Doug Furnas.
- In a four-way dance, Rob Van Dam & Sabu defeated The Dudley Boyz (Buh Buh Ray & D-Von), The Gangstanators (Kronus & New Jack) and Tommy Dreamer & The Sandman. D-Von pinned Kronus, Sabu and RVD pinned The Dudleys, and Sabu pinned Sandman.

1999 - Shohei "Giant" Baba, founder of All Japan Pro Wrestling, dies of liver failure at the age of 61.

2000 - The WWF won this week of the Monday Night War, with WCW Monday Nitro earning a 2.8 rating on TNT, with WWF RAW is WAR more than doubling that, with its 6.6 rating on USA Network. This night was one of the few times that both shows took place in the same state, in this instance less than 300 miles apart.

WCW Monday Nitro was live from the First Union Arena in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. The results were:
- In a WCW Cruiserweight Title tournament match, Lash LeRoux pinned Evan Karagias.
- WCW World Tag Team Champions The Mamalukes (Big Vito and Johnny the Bull) defeated Crowbar and David Flair in a Bensonhurst Street Fight.
- Booker T vs. Big T ended in a no contest.
- Billy Kidman pinned The Wall.
- WCW Hardcore Champion Brian Knobbs vs. Lex Luger ended in a no contest.
- Norman Smiley defeated Shane Helms.
- Diamond Dallas Page pinned Disco Inferno.
- Creative Control (Gerald and Patrick) and WCW United States Heavyweight Champion Jeff Jarrett defeated Ric Flair, Terry Funk and WCW World Heavyweight Champion Sid Vicious.

WWF RAW is WAR was live from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at the Pittsburgh Civic Arena. The weekend's episode of Jakked was taped as well. The results:
- In a dark match, Papi Chulo pinned Julio Fantastico.
Jakked:
- D'Lo Brown and The Godfather defeated The Headbangers (Mosh and Thrasher).
- The Big Bossman pinned Steven Richards.
- Prince Albert pinned Gangrel.
- Mideon pinned Funaki.
RAW is WAR:
- WWF Tag Team Champions The New Age Outlaws (Billy Gunn and Road Dogg) vs. Steve Blackman and Al Snow ended in a no contest. At the start of the match, Chris Benoit, Eddie Guerrero, Dean Malenko and Perry Saturn, who all had recently left WCW, made their WWF debuts, showing up at ringside with front row seats. At one point, Road Dogg was thrown outside the ring, and fell over the ringside wall and into the four men's laps. He climbed back over the wall and then noticed who he fell on, appeared dumbfounded, then shoved Benoit. Benoit and Malenko attacked Road Dogg, while Guerrero and Saturn got in the ring and attacked Billy Gunn. Saturn suplexed Gunn, then Guerrero hit the frog splash on him. Malenko and Benoit brought Road Dogg into the ring, and Road Dogg sustained a Benoit diving headbutt following a Malenko suplex. After the men left the ring, exiting up the ramp and into the back, Jim Ross dubbed the men as "radicals", which would be the stable's name, The Radicalz. After the commercial break, Cactus Jack was seen talking with the men backstage, indicating that he was who brought them to the WWF.
- Christian (with Edge) pinned D-Von Dudley (with Bubba Ray Dudley) after the Unprettier. After the match, The Hardy Boyz put the Dudleys through tables.
- Big Show defeated Too Cool (Grandmaster Sexay and Scotty 2 Hotty) in a handicap match.
- The Rock pinned Kurt Angle after the People's Elbow, after Tazz stopped Angle from leaving and thew him back into the ring. This was Angle's first official pinfall loss.
- X-Pac (with Tori) pinned WWF Intercontinental Champion Chris Jericho (with Chyna) after the X-Factor, after Tori hit Jericho with his title belt while he had X-Pac locked in the Walls of Jericho.
- Hervina (Harvey Wippleman) pinned WWF Women's Champion The Kat in a Lumberjill Snowbunny match to win the title, becoming the first, and only to date, male wrestler to hold the title. The lumberjills were B.B., The Fabulous Moolah, Ivory, Jacqueline, Luna and Mae Young.
- Crash and Hardcore Holy defeated Viscera in a handicap match, after Hardcore dropkicked Crash ontop of Viscera.
- Bubba Ray Dudley (with D-Von Dudley and The Acolytes (Bradshaw and Faarooq)) defeated Matt Hardy (with Jeff Hardy) by disqualification, after D-Von tried to give Bubba Ray a chair, which was intercepted by Matt, who then hit Bubba with it. After the match, The Dudleys and Acolytes took out Edge and Christian and The Hardy Boyz.
- WWF Champion Triple H (with Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley) defeated Cactus Jack (subbing for Kane) by disqualification, when The Radicalz interfered on Cactus' behalf.

2001 - OVW held Christmas Chaos in Louisville, Kentucky at the Louisville Gardens. The show featured many stars from the WWF, who had wrestled the previous night in Columbus, Ohio. The results were:
- The Minnesota Stretching Crew (Shelton Benjamin and Brock Lesnar) defeated Sly Skraper and Johnny Spade.
- Randy Orton defeated Slice Robbie D.
- Rob Conway defeated Ron Waterman.
- The Suicide Blondes (Derrick King, Jason Lee and Rip Rogers) defeated Sean Casey, Buddy Landel and Chris Michaels.
- Russ McCullough defeated The Damaja.
- Flash Flanagan and Trailer Park Trash defeated Rico Constantino and OVW Hardcore Champion Mr. Black.
- Big Show defeated Mark Henry.
- Team Xtreme (Jeff Hardy, Matt Hardy and Lita) defeated The Disciples of Synn (Synn and OVW Southern Tag Team Champions Damian and Payne).
- OVW Heavyweight Champion Nick Dinsmore defeated Chris Benoit by disqualification to retain the title, after Rico Constantino interfered.
- Kane pinned Leviathan (Batista) after the chokeslam, after Steve Austin interfered and gave Leviathan a Stone Cold Stunner, just after Team Xtreme stopped the The Disciples of Synn from interfering.

2001 - The Dupps (Bo and Jack) win their second Memphis Championship Wrestling Southern Tag Team Title by defeating Shooter Schulz (subbing for American Dragon) and Spanky in Corinth, Mississippi.

2003 - Tomohiko Hashimoto and Sanshiro Takagi defeat GENTARO and Takashi Sasaki for the Dramatic Dream Team KO-D Tag Team Title in Tokyo, Japan.

2004 - The Ultimate Fighting Championship held UFC 46: Supernatural at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Preliminary bouts:
- Matt Serra defeated Jeff Curran by unanimous decision in a Lightweight bout. All three judges scored the bout 30-27.
- Josh Thomson defeated Hermes Franca by unanimous decision in a Lightweight bout. All three judges scored the bout 29-28.
- Georges St. Pierre defeated Karo Parisyan by unanimous decision in a Welterweight bout. The judges scored it 29-28, 30-27 and 30-27. This was St. Pierre's UFC debut.
Pay-per-view bouts:
- Lee Murray defeated Jorge Rivera by submission (triangle armbar) at 1:45 of round one in a Middleweight bout.
- Frank Mir defeated Wes Sims by knockout (punches) at 4:21 in round two in a Heavyweight bout.
- B.J. Penn defeated UFC Welterweight Champion Matt Hughes by submission (rear naked choke) at 4:39 of round one to win the title. Penn would leave the UFC in May for K-1, leaving the title vacant.
- Renato Verissimo defeated Carlos Newton by unanimous decision. All three judges scored the bout 30-27. This bout was originally to be a Welterweight (170 pounds) bout, but Newton and Verissimo agreed to fight at a Catchweight of 175 pounds, due to Newton having trouble losing weight for the fight.
- Vitor Belfort defeated UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Randy Couture by TKO (doctor stoppage) 49 seconds into the first round to win the title. Belfort landed a grazing punch to Couture's left eyelid, and after the fight doctor inspected the cut, called for the fight to end.

2004 - Pro Wrestling ZERO-ONE held a pay-per-view event at Differ Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. The results:
- Josh Daniels and Jonny Storm defeated Buffy and Mace, when Daniels pinned Mace.
- Osamu Namiguchi, Yoshihito Sasaki and Tatsuhito Takaiwa defeated BAMBI, Kohei Sato and Kuroge Wagyuta, when Takaiwa pinned BAMBI.
- Tom Howard defeated Prince Nana.
- Samurai Shiro (Shiro Koshinaka) defeated C.W. Anderson.
- Ape the Man and NWA Intercontinental Tag Team Champion Shinjiro Otani defeated Pimpinela Escarlata and Charly Manson, when Ape pinned Manson.
- NWA Intercontinental Tag Team Champion Masato Tanaka defeated Steve Corino by referee stoppage to become the first NWA United National Heavyweight Champion.
- NWA International Lightweight Tag Team Champion Leonardo Spanky defeated NWA International Lightweight Tag Team Champion Low Ki and Frankie Kazarian in a triple threat match, by pinning Kazarian.
- Hashif Khan defeated Magma the Kirawea.

2004 - Zack Mercury defeats Kenny Omega for the Canadian Wrestling Federation Heavyweight Title in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

2004 - Antonio Thomas defeats Maverick Wild in Ludlow, Massachusetts to win the Eastern Wrestling Alliance Heavyweight Title.

2004 - Bigg and Kid Cupid defeat Quinn Magnum and Scottie Gash for the Pro Wrestling eXpress Tag Team Title in McKeesport, Pennsylvania.

2004 - Brad Attitude and Brad Rainz defeat Mikael Yamaha and Gemini Kid for the Carolina Wrestling Federation Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Title in Seagrove, North Carolina. This began and ended both teams' second reigns.

2004 - Trevor Michaels defeats Da Munchies (Sheik-Abdul Hassan and Dick Trimmins), Charlie Mansun, Jay Scott and Bobby Shields in a six-way match to win the vacant Keystone Championship Wrestling Hardcore Title in Altoona, Pennsylvania. This began Michaels' second reign, as he had been stripped two weeks earlier due to a scheduling conflict.

2005 - WWE held a "Supershow", airing a live RAW, then taping the February 4 edition of SmackDown!, from the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California. RAW got a 4.1 rating on Spike TV and SmackDown! did a 3.2 on UPN. SmackDown! featured the first two matches in the Road to WrestleMania Tournament, to determine who would face the WWE Champion at WrestleMania 21. The results were:
- In a dark match, Tajiri defeated Psicosis.
RAW:
- WWE Intercontinental Champion Shelton Benjamin pinned Simon Dean after the exploder suplex. After the match, Simon said that the only reason Benjamin beat him was because he was on the Simon System. Benjamin proved that wrong though, as he returned to the ring, Stinger Splashed Dean in the corner, and hit him with a second exploder suplex.
- Maven pinned The Hurricane after driving both knees into Hurricane's back after he missed a flying neckbreaker.
- Chris Benoit and Chris Jericho vs. World Tag Team Champions La Résistance (Rob Conway and Sylvian Grenier) ended in a double-disqualification, when the referee lost control of the match.
- Muhammad Hassan (with Daivari), who issued an open challenge to any American, defeated Sgt. Slaughter by submission with the Camel Clutch following an STO.
- Shawn Michaels and Randy Orton defeated Ric Flair and World Heavyweight Champion Triple H (with Batista), when Orton pinned Triple H after Michaels hit the Sweet Chin Music and Edge interfered, spearing HHH instead of his intended target, Shawn Michaels.
- Kane pinned Gene Snitsky in a steel cage match after a chokeslam onto the steel cage door.
SmackDown!:
- Kurt Angle defeated Nunzio in a Kurt Angle Invitational match by submission with the ankle lock. Nunzio took the place of the local wrestler originally scheduled to face Angle, in retaliation for Angle stealing Nunzio's Royal Rumble entry number the night before.
- Rey Mysterio pinned Mark Jindrak with a roll-up.
- Big Show defeated WWE Tag Team Champions The Basham Brothers (Doug and Danny) in a handicap match, by pinning Doug after a chokeslam.
- In a Road to WrestleMania Tournament first round match, The Undertaker and Rene Dupre fought to a double-countout, after Luther Reigns grabbed Undertaker's leg, keeping him from getting back in the ring after throwing Dupre into the ring steps.
- In a Road to WrestleMania Tournament first round match, Booker T pinned Eddie Guerrero after reversing a suplex into a roll-up and grabbing Guerrero's tights.
- In a dark match after the show, Big Show defeated Orlando Jordan and WWE Champion John "Bradshaw" Layfield in a handicap match.

2010 - WWE held the 2010 Royal Rumble.  Buck Woodward filed the following PPV report:

Welcome to our coverage of tonight's WWE Royal Rumble event.  Check back throughout the evening for updates from the show.

The Royal Rumble opened with a video package focusing on the Rumble match, the WWE Title bout and the World Title match.

ECW Champion Christian vs. Ezekiel Jackson.

Savannah was the ring announcer, since it was an ECW match.  Michael Cole, Jerry Lawler and Matt Striker are the announce team, and will be calling all the matches. Jackson was accompanied by William Regal.

Christian circled Jackson at the start, then they locked up and Jackson shoved him to the mat.  Christian grabbed a waistlock, but Jackson powered out of it and took Christian down to the mat.  Christian threw a slap at Jackson as Jackson trash talked him.  Jackson chased Christian out of the ring and back in, and Christian hit some shots on Jackson as he re-entered, then dropkicked him off the apron and to the floor.  Christian hit a springboard dive out of the ring onto Jackson.  Christian leapfrogged Jackson as he got back in the ring, then ducked under him and hit a slap.  Christian went for a whip, but Jackson blocked it and slammed Christian.

Jackson missed an elbowdrop, but hit Christian with some forearm shots and worked him over in a corner.  Jackson whipped Christian back and forth between corners.  Christian grabbed an arm for a Killswitch attempt, but Jackson elbowed it away.  Jackson went for a press slam, Christian floated over it and tripped Jackson into the ropes.  Christian choked Jackson against the middle rope, then slid out of the ring for a right hand.  Christian went to the second rope, but Jackson yanked him down to the mat.  Christian rolled to the floor, and William Regal went at him, but the referee stopped him and sent Regal to the back.

Jackson grabbed Christian on the floor and threw him into the ring steps.  Jackson rolled Christian back into the ring and stomped him.  Jackson put Christian in a head vice, then lifted Christian off the mat by the head and threw him to the mat for a two count.  Jackson hit a delayed vertical suplex, but Christian kicked out at two.  Jackson stretched Christian between the middle and top rope and hit a forearm to the chest, then a shot to the back.  Christian threw a kick to the gut and went for a sunset flip, but Christian picked him up by the throat and threw him to the mat with a chokeslam for a two count.  Jackson stood on Christian's throat, then put him in a chinlock.  Christian elbowed out, and hit a few right hands.  Christian ducked a chop by Jackson, but Jackson blasted him with a clothesline to the back of the head.

Ezekiel used a reverse full nelson on Christian, then put him on the top rope for a superplex.  Christian fought it off and sent Jackson off the ropes.  Christian hit a flying reverse elbow off the top rope, but Jackson got to his feet.  Christian avoided a charge and hit a middle rope dropkick for a two count.  Christian went for the Killswitch, but Jackson fought it off.  Jackson went for a slam, but Christian floated over and hit a sloppy reverse DDT.  Christian went for a top rope headbutt, but Ezekiel moved out of the way and hit a clothesline for two.  Ezekiel went for a uranage, but Christian reversed into a Killswitch, but Jackson shoved it off.  Jackson hit a backbreaker for a two count.  Jackson missed a clothesline in a corner and Christian hit a pendulum kick and followed with a Tornado DDT for a two count.

Jackson got to his feet and blasted Christian with a clothesline for a two count.  Christian tried for another Killswitch, but Jackson lifted Christian, who floated over and applied a sleeperhold.  Jackson pulled Christian forward and put him over his shoulder.  Jackson rammed Christian into the turnbuckles twice in a powerslam position, but then Christian floated behind him and hit the Killswitch for the pin at the 12-minute mark.

Winner: Christian.

Backstage, Teddy Long and Tiffany were chatting, when Cryme Tyme entered.  Cryme Tyme complained that there were two of them, and only one Rumble spot for them.  They wanted Long to try and get them both in.  Long said it wasn't possible.  Cryme Tyme said they worked out a deal, and brought in Great Khali.  Cryme Tyme said Khali would give his spot for a kiss from Tiffany.  Tiffany was not thrilled about it.   Ranjin Singh entered to say there would not be a deal between them.  Teddy Long then made a "Pants On The Ground" joke about Cryme Tyme.  The Miz entered and said no one would remember that joke five years from now, but they would remember him winning the Royal Rumble.  Teddy Long informed the Miz that since this was a PPV, there were no Raw guest hosts, and he was in charge. Long told Miz in addition to being in the Rumble, he would finally defend the U.S. Title against MVP tonight.

Cody Rhodes approached Randy Orton backstage, and said he would be there for Orton in his title match with Sheamus.  Rhodes then told Orton that Ted DiBiase hadn't been the same since his movie came out.  Rhodes said that DiBiase had been talking about winning the Rumble and beating Orton for the WWE Championship. Rhodes told Orton he could count on him though, and left.

United States Champion The Miz vs. MVP.

Miz went on the attack at the bell with punches and kicks, but MVP came back with a clothesline for a one count.  MVP hit some knees to the midsection and a vertical suplex for another quick cover.  Miz kicked a charging MVP, but MVP responded with a backdrop.  Miz tried to run out of the ring, but MVP hit a back suplex.  Miz rolled to the floor, but MVP went after him and dropped him throat first across the security wall.  MVP rolled Miz into the ring, but Miz kicked MVP on the apron, then knocked him into the announce table on the floor.

Miz stomped MVP on the outside and rolled MVP into the ring.  Miz hit a legdrop, then drove a knee into MVP's back.  Miz hit some shoulderblocks in the corner, then the between-the-rope clothesline.  Miz went to the top rope, and hit a double axhandle for a two count.  Miz put MVP in a chinlock, MVP fought up, and Miz went for a backdrop, only to have MVP kick it away.  MVP hit a flapjack, then a clothesline and a chop.  MVP hit a facebuster on a knee, and called for the Ballin' elbowdrop.  He hit it, then went for the Playmaker, but Miz shoved it off.  Miz ran right into MVP's kick, and MVP got a two count.  Miz rolled to the apron, and went MVP went after him, Miz yanked him throat first across the top rope.  Miz went for a kneelift, but MVP avoided it and hit a shoulder block.

MVP went for a running kick, but Miz ducked it and went for a Skull Crushing Finale, but MVP blocked it and turned it into a Victory Roll for two.  MVP got more two counts with a jackknife and a backslide. Miz rolled to the floor.  MVP went after him and threw him back into the ring.  As MVP got back in, Miz grabbed him and rolled him into a small package for a three count at the seven minute mark.

Winner: The Miz.

The Miz jumped up and started trash talking MVP, face to face.  MVP grabbed Miz and gave him a Playmaker before leaving.

Backstage, Chris Jericho approached Big Show.  Show said Jericho is jealous that he and Miz have more chemistry than he and Jericho had.  Jericho said he wasn't jealous, and Miz was only using him for his own purposes.  Show said Jericho did the same thing.  Jericho said he and Show were the best tag team ever.  Jericho said he knew Show would be on his side tonight.  Show said if he had to, he would throw Jericho and Miz out of the ring.  R-Truth entered, saying if Show didn't eliminate Jericho, he would.  Jericho said if R-Truth wanted to get a piece of him, he had to go through Big Show.  Jericho looked behind him, and Show was gone.  Truth told Jericho he had to go solo tonight.

Backstage, Ted DiBiase approached Randy Orton and said he was there for him tonight.  Orton asked where Cody was, and DiBiase said he didn't know, and that all Cody has been talking about is winning the Rumble.  Orton said he was about to go beat Sheamus, and he doesn't need Cody or Ted to do it.

WWE Champion Sheamus vs. Randy Orton.

They reviewed the events leading to this match as Sheamus came to the ring.  Orton came out second, to a more positive reaction, while they showed how he laid out Sheamus on Raw last week.  Then they did the "big match" introductions for both men. Jerry Lawler pointed out the differences in skin color between the two Caucasians.  Seriously.

The two men had a staredown at the bell, with chants starting up for Orton.  They locked up and Orton grabbed a side headlock.  They collided on a shoulderblock as Sheamus shoved him off, then Orton blasted him with a standing dropkick.  They locked up again, and Orton backed Sheamus into the ropes.  Orton hit a forearm, but Sheamus came back with a double axhandle, then hit an armbreaker. Orton rolled to the floor, and Sheamus followed, laying him out on the floor with a forearm uppercut.  Sheamus slammed Orton's arm into the steel ringsteps.  Back in the ring, Sheamus applied an armbar on the injured arm.  Sheamus picked up Orton for a slam, but Orton floated out of it and hit a chopblock to the leg.

Orton went to work on Sheamus' leg, stomping it and dropping a knee on it.  Orton hit a kneedrop for a one count.  Orton stomped Sheamus in the side of the head, then applied a spinning toe hold.  Sheamus kicked off the move, and got to his feet limping.  Sheamus tossed Orton shoulder first into the ringpost, then did it a second time.  Sheamus rammed Orton into the corner with a shoulderblock, then hit a second.  Sheamus went for a third, but Orton kicked him in the head, then stomped his leg.  Orton went to the floor and slammed Sheamus' leg across the ring apron. Orton then whipped his leg against the ring post.  Sheamus fell to the floor, as Orton got back in.

Orton tossed Sheamus back into the ring, and kicked him in the ribs.  Sheamus fought back with a punch to the gut and a cross armbreaker for a two count.  Sheamus applied an armbar, and Orton tried to get out of it with body blows.  Sheamus switched to an overhead wristlock, and Orton punched out of it.  They traded punches, with the crowd cheering each shot.  Sheamus got the better of it, so Orton kicked him in the gut and hit a forearm uppercut.  Orton went for a whip, but Sheamus reversed it and hit a backbreaker for a two count.

Sheamus went for a Crucifix Bomb, but Orton slid out of it, kicked Sheamus in the knee, and then kicked him in the head, sending him to the floor.  Sheamus got on the apron, and Orton grabbed him for the elevated DDT.  Orton hit the move, but Sheamus grabbed the ropes at the two count.  Orton measured Sheamus for a punt, but Sheamus rolled out of the ring and to the floor.  Orton went after Sheamus and hit an uppercut, but Sheamus ran Orton into the ringpost twice and tossed him back in the ring.  Cody Rhodes came out and hit Sheamus on the floor.  The referee started arguing with Rhodes, while Sheamus got back in the ring.  Orton hit Sheamus with an RKO and covered him, but the referee disqualified Orton for Rhodes hitting Sheamus at the 14-minute mark.

Winner via disqualification: Sheamus.

Cody Rhodes got in the ring and was apologetic for costing Randy the match.  The fans were chanting for an RKO.  Rhodes kept apologizing.  Orton slugged Rhodes, and then started ramming his head into the mat, saying "You screwed everything up!" over and over.  Ted DiBiase came out to try and calm things down, and Orton slugged him as well.  Orton stomped both men, saying "You're both done".  DiBiase and Rhodes were still trying to apologize.  Sheamus was getting back up.  Orton stopped his attack, and turned as Sheamus blasted him with a pump kick.  Sheamus walked off, then Rhodes & DiBiase left together.  Orton was left laying in the ring.

A video on the events leading to Women's Title match was shown.

Women's Champion Michelle McCool vs. Mickie James.

No Layla with McCool as she made her entrance.  McCool got on the mic and said James was nowhere to be seen.  Layla made some fat jokes, then out came "Piggy James", aka Layla in the fat suit from Smackdown.  As Layla was coming out, the real Mickie James ran out.  She gave Layla a Thesz Press on the floor and threw her into the security wall. The bell then rang for the match.  Layla got on the apron and distracted Mickie.  Michelle charged for a kick, but Mickie moved and McCool kicked Layla off the apron.  Mickie hit Michelle with a DDT and pinned her.

Winner and new Women's Champion: Mickie James.

Mickie knocked Layla on top of Michelle.  The babyface Divas came out with a big sheet cake, and the rubbed it in the faces of Michelle and Layla, and then walked off.

The showed a video of the events leading to the World Title match.

World Champion The Undertaker vs. Rey Mysterio.

They said Mysterio was weighing in at 175, while Undertaker is close to 300 pounds.  Rey threw some kicks at Undertaker's legs at the bell, then hit some punches in a corner.  Undertaker grabbed Rey and just flung him over the top rope and to the floor.  Rey got on the apron and Undertaker approached him.  Rey hit a shoulderblock from the apron and some punches.  Rey went for a springboard, but Undertaker punched him in mid-jump and sent him to the floor.  Undertaker went outside and pounded Rey, then put him in the ring apron.  Undertaker went for the ring apron legdrop, but Rey rolled out of the way.  Taker landed on his feet, hit Rey, pulled him back across the apron and hit the legdrop.

Undertaker got back in the ring and went for a chokeslam, but Rey turned it into a rana and sent Undertaker into the ropes.  Rey went for a 619, but Taker caught it.  Undertaker went for a tombstone, but Rey kicked Undertaker repeatedly to escape it.  Undertaker hit Rey and went for a legdrop, but Rey moved.  Rey went for a springboard bodypress, but Taker kicked him with a big boot.  Rey rolled to the floor.  Undertaker went outside and hit him with a big boot and a few more kicks.  Undertaker missed one running kick and got his leg wrapped around the ringpost.  Rey slid into the ring then hit a baseball slide kick into the hung up leg, crushing it against the ringpost.

Rey went for a jump off the apron into a rana on the floor, but Undertaker caught it.  Undertaker went for a powerbomb, but Rey grabbed the ropes and pulled himself free and onto the apron.  Rey then hit Undertaker with an Asai moonsault.  Rey got back in the ring, then went for a baseball slide kick on Undertaker on the floor.  Undertaker, who had a bloody nose, side stepped it, grabbed Rey by the throat, and tossed him into the security wall.  Undertaker rolled Rey into the ring and got a two count, then a series of short-arm shoulderblocks.  Undertaker lifted Rey by his arm in a wrist lock and threw him across the top rope.  Undertaker rubbed his forearm in Rey's face.

Undertaker pounded Mysterio in a corner, then hit a side slam for a two count.  Undertaker picked up Rey from the mat, and Mysterio threw a punched of leg kicks, but Taker decked him with one punch.  Undertaker, who had a lot of blood on his nose and mouth, went after Rey again, and Rey hit a jawbreaker.  Rey kicked a charging Taker, then a spinning DDT.  Undertaker sat up, but Rey dropkicked him back down, then hit a springboard legdrop for a two count.  Rey hit some shots, then bounced off the ropes and was decked by Undertaker with a clothesline.  Undertaker went for a Last Ride, but Rey floated over it and tripped Undertaker into the ropes.  Rey hit a 619, but Taker stood up as it hit him, stumbling.  Rey hit a springboard dropkick to Undertaker's back, sending him into the opposite set of ropes. Mysterio hit a second 619, then went for a springboard, but Undertaker caught him and hit a Last Ride powerbomb for the pin at the 12-minute mark.

Winner: The Undertaker.

Backstage, Shawn Michaels was watching the Undertaker match.  Kane approached him, and said Shawn's obsession with Undertaker was "unhealthy", and noted he was the man who has eliminated more than any other in a Rumble match, as well as the only man to face Undertaker twice at Wrestlemania.  Kane left, and Triple H entered.  He and Shawn wished each other luck, and Shawn said he and the Undertaker was meant to be.  Triple H said "I know, and that's why I know you'll find another way" before leaving.

The video package for the Royal Rumble was shown.   They are doing 90-second intervals this year.  We will be posting updates throughout this match.

30-Man Royal Rumble, the winner to receive a championship match at Wrestlemania.

Number one is Dolph Ziggler.

Number two is Evan Bourne.

Bourne and Ziggler trash talked at the start, then stared at the Wrestlemania sign.  Bourne hit some kicks to the leg, then went for a whip.  Ziggler reversed, but Bourne hit a rana and a spinkick.  Ziggler fought back with punches, then dropkicked Bourne.  Bourne came back with a double knee driver.  Bourne used a rana to send Ziggler over the top rope, but Ziggler stopped himself.  Ziggler hit Bourne with a Zig Zag.  Ziggler tossed Bourne out, but he landed on the apron and kicked Ziggler.  Bourne hit Air Bourne on Ziggler.

Number three is CM Punk.

Punk hit Bourne with a clothesline and elbow, then missed a spinkick.  Bourne hit a kick, then charged Punk.  Punk moved and Bourne collided with Ziggler.  Punk threw out Ziggler, then Bourne.

Dolph Ziggler and Evan Bourne are eliminated.

Punk got on the mic and said this would be a historic night for the Straight Edge Society. He said more men would be eliminated, or they could be "saved" if they want.

Number four is JTG.

JTG went on the attack, hitting a clothesline and dropkick.  JTG got up on the ropes to punch Punk in a corner, but Punk dumped him to the floor.

JTG is eliminated.

Punk continued his promo, saying not everyone can win the Rumble, and not everyone can be saved.

Number five is the Great Khali.

Punk tried to convince Khali that he could "save him."  Punk tied to get Khali to pledge to the Straight Edge lifestyle.  Khali chopped him instead.  Khali put Punk in the head vice.

Number six is Beth Phoenix.

Phoenix got in the ring and faced off with Khali, who had thrown Punk to the mat.  Khali picked up Phoenix and put her on the ring apron.  Khali told her to leave.  Phoenix grabbed Khali and kissed him, at the same time pulling him over the top rope.  Khali fell to the floor.

The Great Khali is eliminated.

Phoenix gave Punk a clothesline, then went to throw him over the top rope.  Punk slid out of her attempt and gave Phoenix the GTS.

Number seven is Zack Ryder.

Punk threw the unconscious Phoenix out of the ring.

Beth Phoenix is eliminated.

As Ryder got in the ring, Punk got on the mic and said Ryder had potential.  Punk then hit Ryder with the mic.  Punk pounded Ryder, and there was a slight "CM Punk" chant.  Punk threw Ryder over the top rope.

Zack Ryder is eliminated.

Punk got back on the mic, saying he is better than everyone.

Number eight is Triple H.

Triple H and Punk stood face to face, then Triple H blasted him with right hands and a facebuster to the knee.  Punk battled back, but Triple H gave him a spinebuster.

Number nine is Drew McIntyre.

McIntyre took his time coming down, watching Triple H pound Punk.  Triple H dared McIntyre to get in the ring.  Triple H gave McIntyre a jumping knee.  Triple H went for a Pedigree on Punk, but Punk blocked it and went for a GTS.  Triple H blocked the GTS and threw Punk out of the ring.

CM Punk is eliminated.

McIntyre worked over Triple H with punches and the brawled in a corner.  

Number ten is Ted DiBiase.

DiBiase ran right into a Triple H clothesline.  Triple H clotheslined McIntyre, then DiBiase powerslammed Triple H.  McIntyre and DiBiase double teamed Triple H.

Number eleven is John Morrison.

Morrison went right after DiBiase, hitting a leg lariat, then tackled McIntyre and pounded him on the mat.  Morrison gave McIntyre a DDT, but DiBiase attacked Morrison and stomped him.  DiBiase went for Dream Street, but Morrison gave him a Pele Kick.  Morrison gave McIntyre Starship Pain.  Triple H clotheslined Morrison.

Number twelve is Kane.

Triple H punched DiBiase in a corner.  Kane went to the top rope and clotheslined Triple H.  Kane punched everyone in the ring, and clotheslined DiBiase in a corner, then gave him a side slam.  Kane hit a double choekslam on Morrison and McIntyre, then gave HHH a big boot.  Kane punched DiBiase as he jumped off the ropes and tried to eliminate him. Kane chokeslammed Triple H when he went after Kane.

Number thirteen is Cody Rhodes.

Rhodes stopped Kane from eliminating DiBiase, and Legacy stomped Kane.  Rhodes gave DiBiase a legsweep.  Rhodes gave McIntyre a clotheslined.  Rhodes backdropped Morrison to the apron.  Morrison went to springboard in, but Rhodes dropkicked him in mid-air.  Legacy went back to work on Kane, but Triple H broke it up. McIntyre worked over Morrison, until Kane attacked him.  HHH tossed Cody out, but he held onto the ropes.

Number fourteen in MVP.

As MVP walked out, Miz ran up behind him and blasted him with the U.S. Title belt.  Miz walked off, leaving MVP unconscious in the aisle.  Morrison hit McIntyre with a Flying Chuck Kick as he was about to DDT Kane.  MVP was helped to the back by referees, so I guess he is out.

MVP is eliminated due to being unable to compete.

Number fifteen is Carlito.

Carlito took turns hitting everyone in the ring, but Legacy grabbed him and whipped him into the ropes.  Carlito hit Legacy with a double springboard elbow.  McIntyre whipped Carlito into Morrison, and Carlito monkeyflipped him.  Carlito gave Triple H a Backstabber, then gave one to McIntyre, then one to DiBiase.

Number sixteen is The Miz.

Miz grabbed Carlito from behind and hit the Skull Crushing Finale.  MVP ran back out, tackled Miz and the two flipped over the top rope and to the floor, where they brawled.

Miz is eliminated, and if MVP wasn't before, he is now!

Legacy almost eliminated Triple H, but Kane broke it up.  McIntyre almost eliminated Morrison, Triple H almost eliminated Carlito.

Number seventeen is Matt Hardy.

Hardy gave McIntyre a Twist Of Fate, and Cody Rhodes a Side Effect.  Matt got on the second rope, but Kane shoved him to the floor.

Matt Hardy is eliminated.

Triple H came up behind Kane and pushed him over the top rope.

Kane is eliminated,

Triple H went on a spinebuster spree, then was about to Pedigree Rhodes, when McIntyre chop blocked his leg.

Number eighteen is Shawn Michaels.

Shawn backdropped Carlito from the ring.

Carlito is eliminated.

Shawn gave Legacy reverse atomic drops, then tossed out Cody Rhodes, then Ted DiBiase.

Cody Rhodes is eliminated.

Ted DiBiase is eliminated.

John Morrison missed a springboard kick on Michaels, and Michaels tossed him out.

John Morrison is eliminated.

DX double teamed McIntyre and clotheslined him from the ring.

Drew McIntyre is eliminated.

DX stood face to face.

Number nineteen is John Cena.

John Cena charged the ring, hit a double shoulderblock on DX, then picked up Triple H and swung his legs into Shawn while hitting a suplex.  Cena gave DX a double Five Knuckle Shuffle.  Cena tried to eliminate Michaels, but Triple H stopped him, and gave Cena a Pedigree.  Shawn then superkicked Triple H out of th e ring.

Triple H is eliminated,

Number twenty is Shelton Benjamin.

Benjamin went after Cena and Michaels, hitting Paydirt on Michaels.  Benjamin went for it on Cena, but Cena blocked it and tossed Benjamin from the ring.

Shelton Benjamin is eliminated.

Michaels gave Cena a back suplex.

Number twenty-one is Yoshi Tatsu.

Tatsu gave Michaels a spinkick, then hit Cena with a series of kicks.  Tatsu gave Michaels a rolling mare and a kick, but missed Cena with a kick.  Cena clotheslined Tatsu and tossed him out.

Yoshi Tatsi is eliminated.

Michaels pounded Cena, who came back with a bulldog.  Cena worked over Michaels with punches in a corner.

Number twenty-two is Big Show.

Show actually jogged to the ring.  Show hit headbutts on Michaels and Cena.  Show went to throw Michaels over the top rope, but Michaels held onto Show's neck to avoid being eliminated.   Michaels got back in and Cena almost dumped him, but Michaels skinned the cat, trying to grab Show in a headscissors.  Show tossed Michaels off, into the ring.  Show chokeed Michaels with his boot.

Number twenty-three is Mark Henry.

Big Show stared down Henry, as Michaels and Cena were laid out.  Henry and Show went chest-to-chest and Show shoved him.  Henry started to lift Show, but Show stopped him with a right hand.  Cena punched SHow and hit a shoulder block.  Henry headbutted Show, then Cena hit another shoulderblock.  Henry slammed Big Show.  Cena went to lift Henry in a fireman's carry, but collapsed.

Number twenty-four is Chris Masters.

Show speared Henry.  Michaels and Masters went at it, with Masters hitting a press slam.  Masters then went for a Masterlock on Big Show, and Show snap mared Masters over the top rope and to the floor.

Chris Masters is eliminated.

Mark Henry went to eliminate Big Show.

Number twenty-five is R-Truth.

Truth got behind the Show and Henry pile and pushed them over the top rope.

Big Show and Mark Henry are eliminated.

R-Truth went back and forth, taking down Michaels and Cena with his trademark moves.  Truth almost had Michaels off, but he fought back in.

Number twenty-six is Jack Swagger.

Swagger clotheslined Truth and hit a V-Bomb on Cena.  Swagger then hit one on Michaels as well, then suplexed Cena.  Swagger suplexed Michaels, then rammed Truth into a corner and powerslammed him.  Michaels chopped Swagger, but Swagger came back with a clothesline.  Michaels went over the top rope, but held on.

Number twenty-seven is Kofi Kingston.

Kingston gave Swagger a top rope bodypress, a dropkick and a Boom drop.  Kofi charged Swagger and Swagger lifted him, but Kofi used a bodyscissors to pull Swagger over the ropes and drop him to the floor.

Jack Swagger is eliminated.

R-Truth and Kofi went at it, with Truth backdropping him from the ring.  Kofi held on, grabbed Truth with a headscissors, and pulled him out of the ring.

R-Truth is eliminated.

Number twenty-eight is Chris Jericho.

Jericho laid out Kingston, but Cena hit Jericho with an Attitude Adjustment.  Michaels gave Cena a DDT. Michaels went to the top rope and dropped an elbow on Jericho.  Michaels stomped for Sweet Chin Music, but Kofi hit him with Trouble In Paradise.  Cena picked up Kofi in a fireman's carry and tossed him out.

Kofi Kinston is eliminated.

Jericho gave Cena a Codebreaker.

Number twenty-nine is Edge.

Jericho stared at Edge, getting angry.  Jericho charged Edge, but missed a clothesline.  Edge gave Jericho a spear, then Michaels, then Cena.  Edge threw Jericho over the top rope.

Chris Jericho is eliminated.

Michaels went for Edge, and Edge gave him a reverse facebuster.  Cena went for Edge, and Edge gave him a reverse DDT.  Edge went to eliminate Michaels.

Number thirty is Batista.

The final four are Cena, Michaels, Edge and Batista.

Batista gave Edge a spinebuster, gave Michaels a powerslam and gave Cena a spinebuster.  Edge gave Batista a spear, then Cena gave Edge an Attitude Adjustment.  Michaels gave Cena a reverse atomic drop, then one for Batista.  Michaels slammed Cena, then Batista. Michaels gave Cena a top rope elbowdrop.  Michaels gave Batista an enzugiri.  Michaels went to the top rope and dropped an elbow on Batista. Michaels stomped for a superkick, and gave it to Cena, then gave one to Batista.  Edge charged Michaels, and they both went over the top rope.  They fought on the apron, and Michaels superkicked Edge back into the ring.  Batista charged Michaels, and he tried to hold on, but fell to the floor.

Shawn Michaels is eliminated.

Michaels threw the referee to the floor that told him he was eliminated.  He got back in the ring, but referee Charles Robinson got in to stop him.  Michaels superkicked Robinson. Michaels was finally convinced to leave the ring.  Michaels was screaming as he left.

Back in the ring, Batista kicked Cena and went for a Batista Bomb, but Cena backdropped him.  Batista went for a clothesline, but Cena ducked and pulled down the top rope.  Batista went over the top rope and to the floor.

Batista is eliminated.

Edge was measuring Cena for a spear.  Cena got up slowly, seemingly knowing it was coming.  Cena dodged the spear, and kicked Edge in the chest.  Cena then charged Edge, but Edge sidestepped him and tossed Cena out of the ring.

John Cena is eliminated.

Winner: Edge.

Edge did the ceremonial pointing at the Wrestlemania sign, as fireworks went off. That ended the show.

2011 - WWE broadcast Raw.  Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:

We are live from Providence, Rhode Island and your announcers are Jerry ‘When do I get to point at the Wrestlemania Sign’ Lawler and Michael Tingle Time’ Cole.

We start off with the man who made the Royal Rumble so much fun at the end of the match, Ricardo Rodriguez. Ricardo introduces the man who outlasted thirty-eight other men and a superhero, Alberto Del Rio. Ricardo is followed to the ring by a mariachi band.

Alberto tells the band to stop so he can address the people of Providence. Alberto reminds us who he is, but we already knew that. Alberto says that the people never listen. He says that he told everyone it was his destiny to win the Royal Rumble, but they did not listen. Ricardo tells them that they never listen and he told them. Alberto says that tonight we are going to celebrate him. He says that he is going to headline Wrestlemania as he points at the sign.

Even though the people do not deserve it, he hired the best mariachi in Mexico. They only play for the Mexican President and him. He says that this is not Justin Bieber music, it is real music.

Alberto has something important to tell everyone. He can choose his opponent for Wrestlemania and he has made his decision. Alberto says that he will make his decision right now. Alberto says that the championship he will wrestle for is the . . .

It is time to be Awesome, but we still have to hear Michael Cole gush over the most electrifying man crush in sports entertainment. Miz comes to the ring.

Miz congratulates Alberto for winning the biggest Royal Rumble in history. It is almost as important as winning Money in the Bank, cashing it in, and beating Randy Orton three times to retain his title. Miz tells Alberto that he hopes he faces him at Mania because he knows that he will be champion.

Miz says that Edge will lose his title at the Elimination Chamber. Miz says that Edge was celebrating last night and he was telling everyone that he would beat Alberto at Wrestlemania. He says that Edge said that Alberto’s cars were rentals. Miz says that you can ask Alex. Alex says that he heard Edge say that he has no respect for a second rate JBL and Tito Santana knock off.

Alberto says that he knows Miz and he says that it is a ploy to make Alberto choose Edge instead of him. Alberto wants to know if Miz is lying to him. Miz responds with a few ‘reallys’. Miz says that Edge is afraid of Alberto because of what Alberto did to Edge’s buddy, Edge. Miz says that he wanted to tell Alberto the truth.

Edge’s music plays and he comes out to the ring. Edge tells Alberto that Miz is right. He says that he does not like Alberto and he does not respect him. Edge says that he would never say those things behind Alberto’s back, he would tell it to Alberto to his face. Edge says that he will be champion at Wrestlemania and he will beat Alberto. Edge says that he is the rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrated rrrrrrrrrrrrrr superstar, but we already knew that.

Alberto says that it is his destiny to be the greatest of the great and at Wrestlemania he will be the new . . . World Heavyweight Champion.

Edge congratulates Alberto and he punches Alberto.

The band, Miz, and Riley leave the ring. Alberto kicks Edge and then he goes el kabong on Edge and then puts Edge in a cross arm breaker.

Alberto picks up the World Title belt and then he leaves the ring.

We go to commercial.

We are back and we have a moments ago moment of Alberto Del Rio’s announcement.

It is time for the first buzzkill of the night as the Raw General Manager’s only friend stands up for something other than WWE or Miz and he climbs Mount Mac. He quotes that there will be a Raw Rumble match tonight. There will be seven superstars in the match. The winner will face the WWE Champion at the Elimination Chamber. The other six will be in the Elimination Chamber match. The participants are: Randy Orton, CM Punk, John Morrison, R Truth, Sheamus, Jerry Lawler, and John Cena.

Match Number One: Husky Harris and Michael McGillicutty versus Santino Marella and Vladimir Kozlov with Tamina for the WWE Tag Titles

 

Santino and Michael start things off and Santino with a single leg trip into a side head lock. Michael backs Santino into the corner and he punches Santino on the break. The referee pulls Michael out of the corner. Michael misses a splash into the corner and Vladimir is tagged in and he connects with head butt and then runs Michael into the corner and hits a series of shoulders. Michael with a kick to the knee and the head. Harris tags in and he kicks Kozlov and punches him.

Kozlov pushes Harris and then takes Harris to the mat with a waist lock into a front face lock. Santino tags back in and he punches Harris. Santino with punches but when he tries for a cross body he bounces off Harris and goes to the mat. Michael tags in and Michael is Irish whipped into the corner and then Harris with a splash in the corner and Michael gets a near fall.

Michael with a neck breaker for a near fall and then he throws Santino to the floor as we go to commercial.

We are back and Michael with a near fall on Santino. Michael with a front face lock on Santino as he tries to make the tag. Michael with a forearm to the back but Kozlov with a head butt. Kozlov and Harris tags in and he sends Harris into the turnbuckles and then he kicks Harris and hits a head butt to the midsection and gets a near fall. Michael with a drop kick to Kozlov and Santino tags in. Michael charges at Santino but ducks and Michael goes to the floor. Santino with the Cobra for the three count.

Winners: Santino Marella and Vladimir Kozlov

After the match, Randy Orton comes out and gives Michael McGillicutty an RKO and then he does the same thing to Harris.

Orton stares at the crowd as he moves around the ring waiting for the rest of Nexus to come to the ring and to get the shot of Orton with the Wrestlemania sign behind him. Orton stands over Harris who is face first on the mat after suffering a cobra and RKO within two minutes. Orton backs up and lines up for a field goal of Harris’ head.

Orton hears a voice in his head, along with the entire building as CM Punk tells Orton not to do that. Punk is flanked by David Otunga and Mason ‘Nottista’ Ryan. Punk tells Orton that it is something he shouldn’t do and something Punk would not do. Punk asks if he has to say please. He says that he is not going to beg Randy, but he gives Orton some advice not to do it. Punk says that if he kicks Harris in the skull, there will be serious consequences and repercussions.

Orton thinks about it and consequences be damned because he kicks Harris and it is good from 45.

Punk, Otunga, and Ryan run to the ring, but Orton is able to escape into the crowd.

We go to commercial with Punk and Orton staring each other down from a distance.

We are back with a Moments Ago Moment of Randy Orton’s revenge on Michael McGillicutty and Husky Harris including a field goal kick to Harris’ head.

Ted DiBiase comes to the ring with Maryse and he has something to say to Jerry Lawler. He says that it doesn’t thrill him to say that Jerry’s career is over while his is just getting started. Jerry doesn’t need any more opportunities and he should step aside for the future. Ted tells Jerry to give him his spot in the Raw Rumble.

Jerry gets up but Cole interrupts and he will speak to Ted. Cole asks how disrespectful a man can be. He says that Jerry Lawler is a legend and a Hall of Famer. He says that Lawler is the Scene Stealer. He is not going to let his ego get him out of this match.

Lawler takes the mic and he tells Ted and Michael that he is not giving up his spot to anybody. The Road to Wrestlemania has always been under construction for him. He has been in the WWE for 18 years and he has never competed in a match at Wrestlemania. Jerry says that his Road to Wrestlemania starts in the ring tonight. If it wasn’t for Cole, he would probably be the WWE Champion right now. He says that he knows that he can beat the Miz and he will be in the Raw Rumble and he will win it.

Ted pushes Jerry and then he runs away. Jerry wants to punch Ted but he puts Maryse between them. Maryse looks at Ted and she slaps Ted for making her a human shield. Lawler punches Ted as well.

Cole tells Jerry to behave and then he reminds Jerry that if he touches him, he will be fired. Cole lectures Lawler about how to behave and Lawler really wants to do what everyone wants him to do.

We go to commercial.

We are back with a person walking into a cabin and then we see the date 2/21/11.

Lawler and Cole are joined by The Bellas because the announcing has been great so far.

Match Number Two: Daniel Bryan with Gail Kim versus Tyson Kidd

 

Bryan works on the arm and then he works on the wrist but Kidd reverses. Bryan escapes and he hits an arm drag. Kidd with a knee and punch followed by forearms and elbows to the head. Kidd with a snap mare and kicks to the back for a near fall. Kidd blocks a hip toss and Kidd with an arm drag. Bryan kicks Kidd to the apron.

Kidd with a dragon screw leg whip and then he tries for a Sharpshooter but Bryan applies the LeBell Lock and Kidd taps.

Winner: Daniel Bryan

After the match, the Bellas go into the ring and they are taken care of by Gail Kim. Referees come to the ring to help separate the ladies.

Edge and Miz are walking in split screen as we go to commercial and Michael Cole wishes that he was Alex Riley so he could be so close to Miz.

We are back with the Slam of the Week: Miz eliminating John Cena even though he isn’t in the match last night.

Match Number Three: Edge versus Miz with Alex ‘Michael Cole’s closest friend’ Riley versus Edge in a Champion versus Champion There Must Be A Winner Match

 

They lock up and go to a stalemate. They lock up again and Miz with a hammer lock. Edge with a forearm and elbow to the head. Edge with a swinging neck breaker and he gets a near fall. Edge kicks Miz while we go to split screen from the opening segment. Back to the action in the ring and Edge chokes Miz in the ropes. Miz gets pulled to the floor by Alex Riley but Edge pulls Miz back to the apron but Miz drops Edge’s injured arm on the top rope and then he pulls Edge to the floor and Edge is sent shoulder first into the ring steps.

Miz rolls Edge back in and he gets a near fall. Miz with elbows to Edge and then puts Edge in a key lock as he works on the injured arm. Miz with a stunner to the arm and he gets a near fall. Miz slams the injured arm into the mat. Miz distracts the referee and Riley punches Edge and Miz gets a near fall. Miz with an arm bar on Edge’s injured arm. Edge with a spinning heel kick and both men are down. Miz returns to the arm and slams it into the mat again. Miz with a modified Fujiwara arm bar. Edge makes it to the ropes.

Edge rolls to the apron and he connects with a shoulder and slides into the ring and gets a near fall. Miz with a single arm DDT and then he slams the arm into the mat. Miz works on the wrist again. Miz with a kick to Edge but then each man tries for big boots and they both go down.

Edge with a flapjack but he still shows the effects of what Miz has been doing to the arm. Edge with an inverted side slam and then he kicks Miz in the corner. Miz with an Irish whip but Edge with a sunset flip out of the corner and he gets a near fall. Miz with a kick to the head and he gets a near fall.

Edge pulls at his hair and he tries for a spear but Miz sees it coming and he moves out of the way and goes into the turnbuckles.

There is voice from the crowd and it is John Cena and he tells Miz that he can do it.

Miz turns around and Edge hits a spear and gets the three count.

Winner: Edge

After the match, Cole wants to know if Miz is okay while he tells Riley to help Miz. Cole goes over to Miz and then he tells Riley to take care of Cena.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler talk about Steve Austin hosting the new Tough Enough.

Vickie Guerrero comes out and she has something to say Excuse Me about. Vickie says that Edge may have won his match tonight, but his odds of winning on Friday are nearly impossible. Vickie says that she has quite a surprise for Edge. The World Title will be defended in a way that it has never been defended before. Vickie welcomes everyone to watch Smackdown on Friday to witness that occasion.

We see a photo from last night when Michelle McCool also had someone pinned during the Divas Title Match.

We see Michelle and Layla in the back earlier tonight and they talk about they each did their part but Layla points out that Michelle kicked her with her big boot. They both blame the referee and everything is okay.

Match Number Four: Eve Torres and Natalya versus Michelle McCool and Layla

 

Natalya and Michelle start things off and Natalya with a near fall. Natalya with a side head lock take down but Michelle with a head scissors. Natalya with a back body drop and then Layla tags in. Layla gets into the turtle position when she sees Natalya. Natalya taps Layla on the shoulder and then gets her up for a back breaker. Layla runs to Michelle for protection.

Natalya watches things and then she hits a butterfly suplex on Layla and gets a near fall. Eve tags in and Eve hits a drop kick and then kicks Layla in the hip and midsection. Eve with a standing moonsault for a near fall. Layla with a back heel kick but Eve runs Layla into the corner and puts her on the turnbuckles. The referee deals with Natalya and Michelle kicks Eve in the head. Layla hits Diamond Dust and gets the three count.

Winners: Layla and Michelle McCool

We go to commercial.

Josh ‘What did I do to deserve this assignment’ Mathews replaces Jerry Lawler at the announce table and he says what everyone wants to do to Cole.

The Raw General Manager interrupts the pre match festivities. Cole quotes that since the Usos are in the ring with the Great Khali and The World’s Strongest man, they don’t have a chance. The match is going to be altered. They will compete in a dance off instead.

Dance Contest Number One: Mark Henry and Great Khali with Runjin Singh versus the Usos

 

The Usos go first and then they are followed by Henry and Khali.

It is time for the vote of the fans, but before we find out, The Usos attack Sexual Curry. Khali with a choke slam and Mark with the World’s Strongest Slam.

Your winners are Sexual Curry.

We have an earlier tonight moment of Randy Orton’s attack on Michael McGillicutty and Husky Harris so after losing to the Cobra, they are attacked by the Viper.

We go to commercial.

We are back and it is still raining outside the cabin as a man in a black trench coat enters. What will happen on 2/21/11?

We are back and it is time for Cole and Mathews talk about Triple H’s new movie The Chaperone and we have a trailer for the day it will be in theaters to be able to be sold at Wal-Mart.

As John Morrison comes to the ring, we take a look at what John Morrison did last night to avoid being eliminated.

We are told that Edge and Kelly Kelly will face Dolph Ziggler and LayCool for the World Title.

Match Number Five: Raw Rumble featuring R Truth, Jerry Lawler, John Cena, Sheamus, John Morrison, Randy Orton, and CM Punk

 

John Morrison starts things off with Sheamus and they lock up with Sheamus taking Morrison to the mat with a side head lock. Sheamus with a shoulder tackle but Morrison with a drop toe hold and arm drags into an arm bar. Sheamus with a forearm and then he sends Morrison into the turnbuckles and he tries to eliminate Morrison. Morrison kicks Sheamus and punches him. Morrison with more punches but Sheamus punches back. Morrison with more punches and then he mounts the corner. Sheamus pushes Morrison away and hits the uranage back breaker.

Number Three is John Cena. Sheamus waits for Cena and Cena punches Sheamus and hits a bulldog out of the corner. Cena with a suplex and then he gets Morrison up for the Attitude Adjustment but Morrison lands on his feet and hits an enzuigiri. Morrison kicks Sheamus and then he kicks Cena. Morrison tries to eliminate Sheamus but Sheamus stops him and Cena pulls Morrison out of the way to work on Sheamus. Sheamus takes care of Cena and punches Morrison.

Number Four is CM Punk. Punk with a running knee to Cena followed by a bulldog. Punk with a kick to Morrison’s head and then he goes after Sheamus. Punk kicks Morrison and then he goes after Cena. Punk with a leg lariat and then he tries to eliminate Morrison as they rekindle their ECW feud. Sheamus tries to eliminate Cena while Morrison and Punk are in the ropes. They all stay in the match. Cena with a belly-to-belly suplex.

We are waiting for Number Five and it is R Truth. Truth with clotheslines to Cena and then he hits a hip toss followed by a leg lariat. Truth sends Morrison over the top rope but he holds on and skins the cat. Morrison and Truth both skin the cat but Truth has trouble with the ropes. Sheamus waits for Truth to get back into the ring and he goes after Truth. Punk with a DDT to Cena after escaping an Attitude Adjustment. Truth holds on to the ropes while Sheamus tries to eliminate him.

Jerry Lawler is Number Six and he punches everyone. Lawler tries to eliminate Punk but Sheamus makes the save for Punk. Sheamus with a European uppercut and then he tries to eliminate Lawler. Cole seems happy that Lawler is about to be eliminated but Lawler holds on to the bottom rope. Morrison tries to eliminate Truth while Punk kicks Cena.

It is time for the final participant, Randy Orton and CM Punk rolls under the ring. Orton pulls up the ring apron to look for Punk and Orton grabs someone and it is Punk. Orton punches Punk before they enter the ring. Orton with clotheslines to Morrison and Sheamus. Orton clotheslines Punk over the top rope but Truth eliminates Orton. Orton stares at Truth as we go to commercial.

We are back and Morrison and Lawler try to eliminate Truth while Sheamus with an inverted neck breaker on Cena. Truth holds on to the ropes while Cena hits the two flying shoulder tackles and then it is time for the Blue Thunder Bomb and we finish off the Legendary Sequence with the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cena sends Truth into the turnbuckles and then he sends Morrison into the corner too and he gets Morrison and Truth up for a super duper Attitude Adjustment and Truth is eliminated. Morrison tries to eliminate Cena from the apron and they are both on the apron as they battle. Cena and Morrison hold on to the ropes and Morrison with a kick to the back. Sheamus tries to eliminate them but he goes to the apron as well. They fight on the apron and Lawler watches from the other side. Sheamus kicks Cena back into the ring. Sheamus with a clothesline to Lawler.

Morrison tries to suplex Sheamus to the floor but Sheamus tries to suplex Morrison back into the ring. Morrison with a shoulder and then he tries to slide in but Sheamus with a knee. Morrison has his feet in the ropes and he stays in the match. Morrison sends Sheamus over the top rope to the apron. Sheamus with a slingshot shoulder tackle to Morrison. Cena with a drop toe hold and then he puts Sheamus in the STF and he taps like it means something. Morrison with the corkscrew split legged moonsault that barely grazes Cena who was on top of Sheamus. Lawler sends Morrison over the top rope but Morrison’s feet did not hit the ground. Morrison with a springboard round kick to Cena. Morrison tries for the springboard round kick but Sheamus catches him. Morrison goes to the apron and Sheamus with the pump kick to eliminate Morrison.

Cena with an Attitude Adjustment to Morrison and then Lawler hits a drop kick on Cena. Cena stands by the ropes and he tries to eliminate Cena. Cena goes to the apron and he tries to eliminate Cena. Sheamus knocks Lawler out of the way. Sheamus punches Cena but he is able to hold on to the ropes. Sheamus punches Cena some more while Lawler watches. Sheamus sends Lawler into Cena and Cena is eliminated.

Sheamus sets for the pump kick but Cena pulls Lawler out of the way and Sheamus goes over the top rope to the floor.

Winner: Jerry Lawler

After the match, Cena raises Lawler’s hand in victory.

We see Miz and Alex Riley watching in the back as he sees his opponent at the Elimination Chamber Pay Per View. Cole says that Miz will have the night off as he continues to insult his broadcast partner.

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