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2012 - DGUSA held the Open the Golden Gate iPPV. Stu Carapola filed the following iPPV report:
Welcome to PWInsider.com's live, ongoing coverage of Dragon Gate USA: Open The Golden Gate! For information on ordering the iPPV of the show, click on the poster above.
Low Ki vs BxB Hulk
Low Ki takes Hulk down with a waistlock and gets a double leg ride, Hulk slips out the back but Ki gets a heel hook. Hulk rolls out and Low Ki gets behind and tries what looks like some kind of chinlock, but Hulk counters to a stepover toehold and gets a rear chinlock to boot. Ki gets out and takes Hulk to the ropes where he tears into him with a hard chop to the chest. The camera work is awful here, they keep wandering across the ring and the camera doesn't move with them, like right now where I can just barely tell Ki has Hulk in a headscissors. Hulk gets out so Ki goes to a side headlock, then some European uppercuts. Ki with a Mongolian chop, but Hulk gets a kick to the midsection and then a short dropkick to the ribs. Hulk with a chop, but Ki with a series of his own in retaliation and covers for 2. Ki chokes Hulk in the corner with his boot and takes him over with a side headlock. Ki with the mount and slaps Hulk in the head, then floats in front to take a double underhook and turn it into a suplex for 2. Ki with a bodyscissors and a rear chinlock, but Hulk makes the ropes. Ki with a full nelson, Hulk kicks his way out and hits a twisting enziguiri to gain a bit of momentum.
Hulk with a flurry of kicks and a cover for 2, then he shuts Ki down with a rear chinlock and then converts that into a seated abdominal stretch while repeatedly punching Ki in the ribs. He picks Ki up and gets a scissor kick to the top of the head for 2, Ki tries to fight back but Hulk with a big kick and then ties Ki up in a surfboard and repeatedly kicks Ki while he's got him trapped in the hold. He turns it into a half crab and more kicks, this time to the back of the head. Ki with an enziguiri out of nowhere and then opens up with more kicks. Ki with a series of runnig forearms off the ropes, then a snapmare and indy kick to the back for 2. Ki ducks a kick and gets one right to the jaw and another to the back of Hulk's head and gets 2. Hulk reverses a whip, but instead of a whip of his own he pulls Ki into a spinkick to the side of the head. Sweet. Ki with a double stomp off the top rope and covers Hulk for the win.
Winner: BxB Hulk
Solid match, but nowhere near what I would have expected from these two. They never seemed to get into gear, but Ki was so over with the crowd that I don't think it really mattered.
Chuck Taylor comes out before the next match and I can't really make out what he says, but the gist seems to be that Rich Swann's not here so he'll take on one of the Young Bucks in a singles match instead. The Bucks come out and say that they came here for a tag match, so they guess it'll be 2-on-1. They jump Taylor, but Scorpio Sky of all people comes running out of the back and clears the Bucks out. I again can't hear what Taylor says, but I'm pretty sure I know what he was trying to say.
Chuck Taylor & Scorpio Sky vs Young Bucks
Taylor dumps Matt to the floor and follows him out with a dropkick through the ropes as Sky takes Nick out with a flying headscissors. Sky whips Nick hard into the corner and covers for 2, then hits a side backbreaker on Nick and holds him over his knee for a dropkick from Taylor for 2. Nick manages to drag Taylor back to his own corner and tags out to Matt, who beats Taylor down with double axhandles. Bucks with a double team something that I missed because the cameraman was behind the referee, but it got 2 on Taylor. Matt spits at Sky on the apron, then whips Taylor to the corner but charges right into his boots, and Taylor htis a dropkick off the second rope, ducks to avoid a charging Nick, and makes the hot tag. Scorpio Sky comes in and cleans house on Nick, hitting a springboard crossbody off the second rope and suplexing Matt to the floor. Sky coversNick for 2, then tags out to Taylor, who runs right into a superkick from Nick. Taylor responds with a high knee, as does Sky, followed by a Lionsault from Taylor for 2. Bucks with a double clothesline in the corner, Nick with a double stomp off the top on Sky, followed by a twisting Diamond Cutter off the top rope for 2. Taylor hits Sole Food on the apron on Nick, Sky follows Nick to the floor with a dive through, and Taylor gets Matt in a half crab in the ring. Bucks with a double Tombstone on Sky that only gets 2. Bucks go for their finish, but Taylor nails Nick and Sky hits a top rope Frankensteiner. Taylor with the Awful Waffle on Matt for 2, but Nick hits Sky low and they hit More Bang For Your Buck for the win.
Winners: Young Bucks
Good match, tons of action in this one, but the camera work isn't the greatest so far.
Masato Yoshino vs Naruki Doi
Bit of a technical problem on my end: my internet connection drops for several minutes, and comes back as Yoshino hits the Lightning Spiral on Doi. Yoshino with Sol Naciente, but Doi becomes the first person I've ever seen get out of the move and Catches Yoshino with a Tiger suplex for 2. Doi with a fast series of open hand strikes, but Yoshino with Tormelino and then Sol Naciente again, Yoshino picks Doi's leg out from under him, and Doi goes down and eventually passes out.
Winner: Masato Yoshino
I can't really give much in the way of thoughts on this one since I only saw the last few minutes, but what I saw was very good. Incidentally, technical issue was on my end, not DGUSA's.
AR Fox comes out before the next match and says that since Sami Callihan destroyed his mentor Sabu and put him through a table, he wants the Anything Goes Match to become a Tables Match now.
Tables Match: Sami Callihan vs AR Fox
Fox and Callihan go at it on the floor, with Callihan booting Fox in the face and Fox responding in kind before ramming him into the ring apron. Fox gets into the ring, then comes right back out with a flipping move that wipes Callihan out. Fox goes back inside and comes through the ropes with another dive, but Callihan moves and Fox lands ribs first right on top of the guardrail. That looked really painful. Callihan chokes Fox out with his ring jacket, then rolls him into the ring and sends a table in after him. Callihan repeatedly bashes Fox in the head with the table, then puts the table flat, legs up, on the mat and slams Fox on top of it. Drool is dripping from Callihan's face as he picks Fox up and slams him onto the table a second time. Callihan sits on Fox's back, hooks his arms under his legs, and rams forearms into the unprotected back of Fox's head. Callihan sets the table up, but the legs appear to have broken from when he was slamming Fox on them earlier, and Fox baseball slides Callihan's legs out from under him, then hits a rolling cannonball in the corner. Callihan rolls out to the apron and Fox tries to come off the top rope with a legdrop, but Callihan moves and Fox lands hard on his rear end. Callihan takes one of the ringside chairs and bashes Fox with it, then takes a piece of the guardrail, turns it into a bridge between the rail and the ring apron, and backdrops Fox onto it. Fox is in a lot of trouble here as Callihan rolls him back into the ring and slaps him around, Callihan spits in Callihan's face and hits a Codebreaker to send Callihan out into a laying position on that piece of rail. Fox with a standing moonsault that almost sends Callihan through the rail, then sends him back into the ring and sets up the table in the corner. Fox lays Callihan on the table and goes to the top rope for a coast to coast, but Callihan pops up and nails him and hits a running power bomb over the top rope and onto that piece of guardrail. That was SICK. Callihan takes the table and throws it onto Fox at ringside, then sets it up at ringside and puts Fox through it with a running powerbomb.
Winner: Sami Callihan
Ye gads, these two destroyed each other in this one. They were hampered a bit by a table that just didn't want to behave and do what they needed it to, but they improvised and got to the finish regardless, plus the spots with the guardrail were insane and I hope Fox is okay.
INTERMISSION
Jon Davis vs Caleb Konley
Konley with a go behind into a waistlock, then goes to a headlock but Davis counters to a side headlock of his own and avoids a leg sweep to get a rolling cradle for 2. Wow! Davis continues to outwrestle Konley in a chain wrestling sequence, and Konley makes it to the ropes to get a break. Konley tries an Irish whip, but Davis won't budge so Konley gets a boot to the midsection, then gets the whip but Davis comes back and catches Konley on a leapfrog attempt and powerslams him for 2. Konley rolls out to the floor so Davis goes after him and continues brutalizing him before knocking Larry Dallas on his ass. Konley uses the distraction to jump Davis from behind, then rolls him into the ring and hits a running European uppercut for 2 before catching him in a rear chinlock. Chop exchange that Davis wins handily, and Davis reverses another Irish whip, misses a big boot, and Konley tries a Frankensteiner but Davis holds his ground and powerbombs Konley into the turnbuckles. Konley with a rollup out of nowhere, then a running knee and goes for a Lionsault, but Davis gets the knees up and takes him out with a hard clothesline and a Pounce...and the iPPV goes out completely. When it comes back, we're already onto the next match and I have no idea what happened in the finish here, so we'll just pick back up with the next match already in progress.
PAC vs Akira Tozawa
PAC tries a springboard dropkick into the ring, but Tozawa falls to his back and gets the knees up and PAC crashes down midesction first on Tozawa's knees. Tozawa appears to be busted open hardway, and he hits a series of sentons on PAC before licking the blood off his own face. They go toe to toe in the ring before Tozawa goes to the eyes and catches a three quarter nelson. Tozawa snapmares PAC and gets a modified surfboard, then chokes PAC in the corner with his boot. Tozawa tries to whip PAC across the ring, PAC blocks and gets a sole butt, whips Tozawa across the ring and charges, gets backdropped to the apron, tries to springboard back in, but gets dropkicked to the apron and Tozawa hits a baseball slide to send him out to the floor. Tozawa goes for a dive through the ropes, but PAC *catches him*, hits an overhead release suplex on the floor, and pops back into the ring to hit a dive that plows through Tozawa and nearly send them both through the guardrail. PAC takes a good long time to recover before rolling Tozawa back into the ring and popping him about eight feet in the air for a flapjack and follows up with a northern lights suplex for 2. That just made Tozawa mad, and he destroys PAC with Kobashi chops in the corner. PAC says to bring it on, so Tozawa gets a straight right jab to PAC's jaw and sends him to the ropes, PAC tries a sunset flip, Tozawa rolls through and gets a Shining Wizard for 2. Tozawa calls for the brainbsuter, PAC drops down to block, Tozawa gets a pair of rolling elbows and a bicycle kick, PAC dodges another and hits a bicycle kick of his own but Tozawa flattens him with a backdrop suplex, then Tozawa charges PAC and PAC sidesteps so Tozawa comes off the ropes right into a snap German suplex. AWESOME sequence. PAC goes to the top rope and comes off with something Tozawa dodges, so he goes across the ring and to the top rope but Tozawa follows him up and hits a top rope German suplex that gets full rotation. Tozawa slowly crawls over and makes a cover, but PAC gets out at 2 so Tozawa hauls him back to his feet, and PAC is almost dead weight. Tozawa puts PAC back up top and goes for a backdrop suplex, but PAC blocks and elbows Tozawa off the corner and then goes for the Spiral Tap, Tozawa gets his knees up and goes for a German suplex but PAC reverses to one of his own for 2. Tozawa with a bicycle kick, German suplex, and then a second one with a bridge for a V-E-R-Y close 2. Tozawa goes for another German but PAC blocks it so PAC straitjackets the arms and hits the suplex and finally manages to put PAC down for 3.
Winner: Akira Tozawa
Holy crap was this awesome! This was really, really, really good and easily the match of the night so far.
Open The United Gate Title Match: CIMA & Ricochet vs Masaaki Mochizuki & Jimmy Susumu
CIMA and Mochizuki start us off as I discover that CIMA apparently got booted out of Blood Warriors. CIMA beat Mochizuki for the Open The Dream Gate Title, and Mochizuki gets some revenge by just destroying CIMA with kicks. Susumu and Ricochet come in and Ricochet outmaneuvers him with a series of armdrags that send Susumu to the floor. Susumu comes back in and tags out to Mochizuki, who destroysRicochet with more kicks, including one to take Ricochet's leg out from under him, and gets a heel hook. CIMA comes in and Mochizuki picks his ankle as well and gets a double single leg crab. They both make the ropes, so Susumu comes in and ties up CIMA's leg with a stepover toehold. CIMA escapes and takes Susumu down and ties him up in a figure four stump puller. He rolls it backward into a cradle for 2, then tags out to Ricochet and they connect with a double dropkick for 2. Susumu drives Ricochet back into his own corner and tags out to Mochizuki, who continues gleefully disassembling Ricochet. Ricochet blocks a suplex and shoves him backward into CIMA, who refuses to double team Mochizuki and instead comes in and gets a snapmare and legdrop for 2. Mochizuki pops up and just kicks CIMA in the face and CIMA goes down in a heap. Susumu with a double leg on CIMA and Mochizuki comes off the ropes with a running kick to the chest. Susumu covers for 2, then gets a seated abdominal stretch on CIMA that he rolls backward into a guillotine for 2.
CIMA blocks a bodyslam and gets a slam of his own and a rolling senton, then Ricochet tags in and immediately covers for 2. Ricochet with a modified triangle choke on Susumu, but Susumu makes the ropes to force the break. Ricochet with a snapmare and comes off the ropes, but fakes Susumu out and dropkicks Mochizuki off the apron instead. CIMA comes back in and gets a drop toehold on Susumu, gets an Indian deathlock, and suplexes Mochizuki as Ricochet comes off the ropes with a baseball slide to Susumu's grill. CIMA back to the Indian deathlock, putting all his weight on Susumu's knees, but Susumu makes it to the ropes so the champions hit a series of kicks to Susumu and then CIMA with a running bulldog/clothesline that takes out both opponents. Susumu gets an exploder suplex out of nowhere on CIMA, then one on Ricochet, and he makes the hot tag to Mochizuki, who takes CIMA out with a twisting kick off the second rope and then takes Ricochet's head off with a running boot. Mochizuki with another big boot, but Ricochet no-sells and hits a lungblower and a standing 630 for 2. Ricochet blocks a kick from Mochizuki and fires in several of his own, but Mochizuki isn't fazed and flattens Ricochet with another kick. Ricochet tries a Pelle kick but Mochizuki catches the boot and goes to an anklelock as Susumu gets CIMA in a figure four. Ricochet escapes with an enziguiri, but Susumu dumps Ricochet to the floor before going for a figure four on CIMA, who catches him in a figure four for 2. CIMA with a bridging O'Connor roll for 2, Susumu goes for a backslide, CIMA rolls through and Susumu gets a DDT for 2. CIMA rolls through a sunset flip and hits a series of kicks and an elbowdrop, then Ricochet springboards off his back into a shooting star press for 2 on Susumu. Mochizuki kills both champions with kicks, but Ricochet with a Codebreaker, CIMA with a lungblower, and Ricochet with a standing shooting star press for 2. Mah goodness.
CIMA with running double knees in the corner on Mochizuki followed by the Perfect Driver for 2. CIMA and Susumu fight on the floor as Mochizuki blocks a suplex and knocks Ricochet silly with another spinning kick to the face. Ricochet really needs to stop daring Mochizuki to bring it with the kicks. Mochizuki with a running Yakuza kick in the corner, followed by one from Susumu, double knees from Mochizuki, and a double team kick into a powerbomb that CIMA barely breaks at 2. Double clothesline to CIMA, he no-sells, so Mochizuki destroys him with kicks, CIMA no-sells, so Mochizuki with more kicks, lariat to the back of the head by Susumu, and CIMA drives Mochizuki to the floor. Susumu backdrops CIMA to the apron, CIMA with a headscissors back in, Ricochet out of nowhere with a 619 around the ringpost, and CIMA with a coast to coast on Susumu, Air Raid Crash on Mochizuki, and Ricochet hits a 630 on both men for the closest 2 you've ever seen. Ricochet goes back up and Susumu nails him and goes for a top rope suplex, CIMA comes over and gets Susumu on his shoulders and Ricochet dropkicks Susumu into an Ocean Cyclone suplex for 2. CIMA picks Susumu up, but Susumu with a pair of lariats, CIMA goes for another Schwein but Susumu counters to a crucifix for 2. Susumu kills him with a lariat, CIMA with a superkick, Susumu with a lariat, Mochizuki with a flying kick, and Susumu with another hard lariat for 2. Ricochet gets a spinning enziguiri on Susumu and CIMA hits another Schwein, but Susumu gets out at 2. CIMA with an implant DDT and top rope double knees for the win.
Winners: CIMA & Ricochet
Great match, but the champions barely have time to celebrate when Akira Tozawa and BxB Hulk run in, dump Ricochet out of the way, and attack CIMA, Susumu,and Mochizuki. Low Ki runs in and everybody stops and stares at him, then he gets the microphone...and I can't hear a word he says. The crowd chants for Tozawa, and then he puts over Mochizuki and Ricochet, and then turns his attention to CIMA. They were both in Zero-One back in the day but never crossed paths, so they're going to do it here. He tells CIMA to shake his hand, and CIMA obliges. I had my volume all the way up and couldn't hear most of what he said, so I apologize if my recap was a little light on that one.
Well, some good wrestling on here, but this show was absolutely fraught with technical issues. The camera work was all over the place for the first couple of matches, you could barely hear most people on the house mic, and the show dropped completely for about ten minutes, and when it came back up the chat window next to the video was full of people asking what happened, what they missed, and whether anyone else got kicked out. I'll give them a Mulligan on this one since their production values are usually top notch, but between stuff like that, Johnny Gargano having to cancel out due to his injury, and Rich Swann missing the show due to travel issues, this show had a lot working against it.
Still, Tozawa-PAC and the main event were great and I'm really looking forward to watching Low Ki face off against Tozawa and CIMA, so once they have the chance to take the video home, edit it, and put it up on WWNlive.com, I'd say it's worth the cost of watching the replay for sure.
2012 - WWE broadcast Smackdown. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We begin with a look back at the horrible attack by Big Show when he inflicted serious bodily harm on AJ Lee who was innocently standing at ringside watching her boyfriend’s match.
We are live on tape from Tucson, Arizona and your announcers are Josh ‘Signed Epstein’s Mother’ Mathews, Booker ‘Manny Esposito’ T and Michael ‘Sal Garrelli’ Cole.
Big Show makes his way to the ring to address the fans before his big Triple Threat Steel Cage Match on Sunday night.
Show starts off by saying he is sorry. Show says that he already told AJ but he wants to tell everyone else that he is sorry and that he apologized and AJ forgave him immediately. Show wants everyone else to do the same. Show says that he is having trouble forgiving himself. The collision was not an isolated incident. When he was young, he didn’t know his own strength. He always ended up hurting other kids when he was younger. When he came to the WWE, he thought all of that was behind him.
He thought that being a freak and things not being his fault would go away when he came to the WWE. Show says that he loves what he does. Show says that he has been here for thirteen years and he loves his job.
After what happened to AJ, he says that he doesn’t have the heart to go on with his career. Show says that he is very honored and proud to be in the Triple Threat Match on Sunday, but after Sunday he is going to have to do some soul searching . . .
Daniel Bryan’s music interrupts Show and Daniel makes his way to the ring and it does not look like Show apologized to him.
Bryan stands face to pec with Show and he says that everything is okay because Show is sorry. Bryan tells Show that he put a 95 pound woman in the hospital. Show says that it was an accident. Bryan says that AJ may have accepted the apology, but she was heavily medicated and does not even remember the visit.
Bryan says that he remembers because he remembers everything. Bryan says that he always thought that the WWE was a place for athletes, not genetic freaks. Bryan tells Show not to mention Andre because Show is no Andre the Giant.
Bryan tells everyone that Show has them fooled. Show has no plans to reassess his career. It is empty talk just like all of the apologies. If Show was really repentant, he would not be apologizing to AJ, him, or the people. Show would do the honorable thing and retire right now. Bryan pokes the giant and he tells him to do the right thing and leave.
Bryan slaps Show in the face and Show looks like he wants to pull of Bryan’s head. Bryan slaps Show again and Show grabs Bryan by the throat and he backs him into the corner. Show tells Bryan that what happened to AJ was an accident. He calls Bryan an ass and then he tells Bryan that what happens on Sunday will not be.
Mark Henry’s music plays and he makes his way to the ring because he is in the Triple Threat Match on Sunday and shouldn’t be kept out of the segment.
Henry says that he was compelled to come out and remind Bryan and Show that it is a Triple Threat Steel Cage Match on Sunday. Henry says that he doesn’t care about Show’s hurt feelings. He doesn’t care about Bryan’s Napoleon Complex. He sure doesn’t care about some 95 pound girl in a training bra. Henry says that Show knows what he is capable of so he doesn’t have to sweet talk him. Henry tells Bryan to get in his face if he wants to talk to him.
Henry tells Bryan that after weaseling out of the title match last week, he is going to rip off his skin on principle.
Bryan blames the lumberjacks for what happened.
Before Mark can do anything, Interim Boyfriend of Aksana and General Manager of Smackdown Teddy Long comes out and he tells the playas in the ring that they are a few days from the Royal Rumble. Teddy says that Wade Barrett is going to face Randy Orton tonight in a main event, we might as well have another main event. Since Daniel Bryan faced the Big Show two weeks ago and he faced Mark Henry last week, so it is only fair that Mark Henry faces the Big Show tonight.
We see the Barrett Barrage: Viper Hunt Edition video package.
We go to commercial.
We are back and we go to the Goldman Box where Cody says that through the kindness of his heart, he is giving the Wish Troll meets Jap-Anime reject a non-title match. He says that Justin can tell his grandkids that he lost to the man who won the Royal Rumble Match.
Match Number One: Cody Rhodes versus Justin Gabriel in a Non Title Match
Rhodes with a kick but Gabriel flips over Rhodes’ back and he hits a round kick for a near fall. Rhodes hits the Alabama Slam for a near fall. Rhodes with kicks to Gabriel and then he knees Gabriel and hits a side Russian leg sweep. Rhodes with an arm bar. Gabriel with a punch and monkey flip followed by a kick to the leg and chest. Gabriel with a jumping back spin kick and a flying forearm.
Rhodes rolls to the floor and Gabriel hits a corkscrew pescado and then sends Rhodes back into the ring. Gabriel with a springboard cross body and Rhodes rolls through and gets a near fall. Gabriel with an STO and then he tries for the springboard moonsault but Rhodes moves. Gabriel lands on his feet but Rhodes with Beautiful Disaster followed by Cross Rhodes for the three count.
Winner: Cody Rhodes
Santino is talking to Teddy in the office and he says that he has the perfect match. He says that it is an Extreme Loser Leaves Town Match where the loser has to join a group of monkeys, go into a spaceship and leave the planet Earth. Teddy says that he isn’t going to do that. Yoshi is in and he says that it is out of the world.
Santino says that he wants to introduce Teddy to the next Tag Team Champions, Santoshi.
Yoshi says they are Yoshitino.
They duck season/rabbit season for a while until the man who has been fired more times than Billy Martin, Drew McIntyre enters the office. Teddy says that Drew’s career has been on thin ice. Teddy points out that Drew said that he would be able to beat Santino in a blindfold match, but he couldn’t even win after cheating.
Drew tells Teddy that Babe Ruth struck out five times in a game. Teddy tells Drew that he might have struck out, but more often than not, Babe knocked it out of the park. Teddy tells Drew that he will have to knock it out of the park against Sheamus tonight.
Drew thanks Teddy for the opportunity and then Teddy tells Drew to batter up because his match is next.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Two: Drew McIntyre versus Sheamus in a This Time We Really Mean That You Will Be Fired If You Lose Match . . . We Really Do
Sheamus blocks a punch and Sheamus with punches. Drew with a kick and punches. Sheamus blocks a hip toss and Sheamus with a short arm clothesline for a near fall. Sheamus sends Drew into the turnbuckles and Irish whips him. Drew with a kick but Sheamus with the rolling fireman’s carry slam and gets a near fall. Drew goes to the apron and Sheamus grabs him and Drew drops Sheamus on the top rope.
Drew with a drop kick to Sheamus. Drew with the Neverending Story in the corner followed by a Northern Lights suplex for a near fall. Drew with an arm bar but Sheamus with punches. Drew with a suplex and he gets a near fall. Drew with a kick to the back. Sheamus with a series of forearms to the back followed by a short arm clothesline and a few double sledges. Sheamus with a power slam.
Drew with a punch to the head but Sheamus with the Brogue Kick for the three count.
Winner: Sheamus
We go to commercial.
We are back with the Royal Rumble By the Numbers video package.
We have the WWE Rewind: Last week’s Texas Tornado Tag Match between the Usos and the tag champions.
Rosa Mendes es en La Caja De Goldman and she says two months ago, nobody knew Epico and Primo, but now they are tag team champions.
Match Number Three: Santino Marella and Yoshi Tatsu versus Epico and Hunico with Rosa Mendes in a Non Title Match
Santino and Yoshi bow with no end in sight. Santino and Primo start things off and Santino with a hip lock take down and then he floats over and then does the trombone after celebrating his achievement. Santino with a drop toe hold and Yoshi is tagged in and he hits a double sledge and then chops Primo. Primo kicks Yoshi and Epico makes the blind tag. Yoshi chops Primo and Epico hits him from behind.
Epico with a butterfly suplex and he gets a near fall. Epico with a rear chin lock but Yoshi punches Epico. Yoshi with a backslide for a near fall. Santino tags in and he punches Epico and does a split followed by a hip toss and a diving head butt for a near fall but Primo breaks up the cover. Primo clotheslines Yoshi over the top rope to the floor.
Primo turns around and gets hit with the Cobra but Epico is the legal man in the match and he hits the lungblower for the three count.
Winners: Epico and Primo
Mark Henry is getting ready for his match and Daniel Bryan stops by. Henry tells Daniel that he better have a good reason to be here after what happened last week. Daniel Bryan says that last week was because of Teddy Long since he sent out the lumberjacks. Daniel says that this week is on Teddy too. Daniel says that he was going to give Mark a rematch because he respects him. Daniel wants to talk about the Big Show and says that Show does not belong in the match on Sunday. Daniel says that Teddy wants Show to be the champion and that is why he is in the match on Sunday.
Henry wants to know what Bryan’s point is.
Daniel says that this is the last opportunity to right an obvious wrong. We know that Mark can pin Big Show, but he needs to hurt him. Daniel asks Mark how many people Show has injured and then Bryan points out that Show even hurt his girlfriend. Daniel says that for the good of every Superstar in the WWE, someone has to teach Show a valuable lesson and Mark is the person to teach him that lesson.
We go to commercial.
We are back and before our next match, Wade Barrett with his Black Barrage Blazer comes to the ring. Wade asks for some decorum in the building. He says that there is a lot of pageantry and emotion attached to tonight’s Smackdown. It must be due to the return of the Viper. Wade says that he has it on authority that Orton is letting his ego get the best of him. He might be physically ready to go, but he is broken spiritually.
You don’t go through what Orton did and come out the same person. It is time for a video package of the Barrage.
Barrett says that it looked like Orton had fallen and he couldn’t get up. That is why Orton is a shell of a man. The voices in Orton’s head are telling him that Barrett is a vicious competitor.
Randy Orton’s music plays and he is walking through the back.
Match Number Four: Wade Barrett versus Randy Orton
They fight in the ramp and then Orton with a clothesline when they enter the ring. Orton with a clothesline into the corner and then he punches Barrett. Officials come to the ring to break up a scheduled match.
Barrett gets out of the ring but Orton catches up to Barrett and hits him from behind. Orton sends Barrett into the apron and he punches him. Orton spits his venom at the referees and they back off.
Teddy Long appears on the stage and he half-heartedly waves some wrestlers to come out to restore some order.
Curt Hawkins, Trent Barreta, and Tyler Reks make their way to the ring and they do about as well as the referees.
Barrett punches Orton while they hold him. Barrett gets into the ring and Orton follows after him and he spears Barrett. People come into he ring to break things up and we have pandemonium as Barrett escapes.
Orton is held off by Reks, Hawkins, Barreta, and the Usos. Orton thanks them for being peacekeepers by getting RKOed. Reks is first, followed by Hawkins. Barrett leaves and Barreta gets one. The Usos feel left out and they get RKOed.
We go to commercial.
We are back with another Royal Rumble Flashback and it is to 2006 when Rey Mysterio set the record for longest time in the Rumble match that was previously held by someone.
Daniel Bryan is in the back with Kaitlyn and he tells her that she needs to do a favor for AJ since they are best friends. Bryan tells Kaitlyn to tell Show that Mark Henry is going to try to injure him tonight in the match to keep Show out of the match at the Royal Rumble.
Kaitlyn wants to know if she is doing AJ or Daniel a favor. Bryan points out that AJ loves Daniel. Kaitlyn agrees but she wants Daniel to tell her how he really feels about AJ. Bryan says that he is a private person and that Show needs to talk to Kaitlyn as soon as possible.
We see footage from last week’s Flag Match between Ted DiBiase and Hunico.
Match Number Four: Hunico with Camacho versus Ted DiBiase
Ted’s hand is taped up and he avoids Hunico and connects with a hip toss and clothesline. Ted with a boot to the head for a near fall. Hunico punches Ted’s wrist and then he takes Ted to the mat and he connects with a leg drop to the arm and he applies an arm bar. Ted with punches and then he hits the rebound clothesline.
Ted tries for Dream Street but Hunico is able to escape due to Ted’s injury. Hunico with an arm breaker and then he hits a twisting fireman’s carry slam for the three count.
Winner: Hunico
After the match, Hunico signals Camacho and they attack Ted. Camacho with forearms to the back and Ted writhes in pain against the ringside barrier. Camacho holds Ted’s arm while Hunico stomps on the broken wrist.
We go to the back where Aksana’s music and lighting precede her appearance on screen in Teddy’s office. Teddy excuses himself to do something and Natalya storms in and forces normal lighting in the office. Natalya wants a rematch against Tamina. Aksana say that she saw Tamina squash Natalya like grape a few weeks ago. Natalya says that she will beat that whack job and then she will take care of Aksana.
Aksana tell Natalya that what she do with Teddy in private . . . Teddy interrupts by telling Aksana to kayfabe their relationship.
Teddy tells Aksana since she wants to compete, she will face Natalya. Natalya tells Aksana that she cannot wait to make Aksana cry.
There is a questionable noise in the office and Natalya runs away.
Teddy says that he needs to check on Ted DiBiase. Aksana leaves with Teddy. Santino enters and he smells something bad.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Alex Riley is in the ring and he is going to have to feel the Funk in a few minutes.
Before our next match, we see the moment that William Regal made his play for the next season of Dancing with the Stars only to have Brodus hit the cross body.
Match Number Five: Alex Riley versus Brodus Clay with the Funkettes
Alex wants to show his dance moves and Brodus does the Shimmy before hitting an Exploder suplex and then Brodus with a splash into the corner and then he hits the cross body for the three count.
Winner: Brodus Clay
After the match, it is time for the Funkettes to join Brodus in the ring to dance.
We go to commercial.
We are back with the Raw Rebound.
Match Number Six: Aksana versus Natalya
Natalya looks for Tamina and Aksana with a rollup for the three count.
Winner: Aksana
After the match, Natalya attacks Aksana from behind and she puts Aksana in the Sharpshooter and Aksana taps out.
Tamina comes to the ring and she hits a Samoan drop and then Tamina goes up top for the Superfly Splash.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Seven: Big Show versus Mark Henry
Before the match starts, the World Heavyweight Champion makes his way to ringside to watch the match and see his opponents for Sunday up close and personal.
Show with a kick and forearms followed by a head butt and Henry goes to the floor. Show goes after Henry and he kicks and punches Henry. Show puts Henry back into the ring and he connects with a head butt. Show with chops to Henry. Henry with punches and Henry lands awkwardly and the referee checks on him.
We go to commercial with Henry on the ground.
We are back and Daniel Bryan enters the ring while Big Show is declared the winner by count out.
Winner: Big Show by count out
Bryan hits Show with the chair and then Show biels Bryan and leaves the ring.
Bryan gets his title belt and Show goes after him with the chair. Bryan back pedals and then he tosses the belt to Show and hits a drop kick. Bryan hits Show with the chair and then he chokes Show with the chair. Bryan continues to attack Show’s leg with the chair.
They go back into the ring and Bryan applies the LeBell Lock. Show powers out of the hold and Show choke slams Bryan and he gets ready to knock out Bryan but Daniel gets out of the ring and crawls up the ramp to safety.
2013 - WWE broadcast the 2013 Royal Rumble from New Orleans. Mike Johnson filed the following PPV report:
Pre-Game Show:
Matt Striker and Tony Dawson are the hosts. They reviewed tonight's PPV card.
Josh Mathews interviewed Big Show backstage about his Last Man Standing bout against WWE World champion Alberto Del Rio. They showed clips of how Del Rio won the belt on Smackdown a few weeks back. Show was upset looking at the footage and asked Mathews why he was showing that and not when Show buried Del Rio on Friday. He said that Alberto hit the lottery when he won the belt, but that doesn't mean he has what it takes to beat Show twice.
At that point, the feed crashed on both my iPad and Youtube. That's the first time that's happened to a WWE pre-game show feed. There are 51,000 people trying to watch it live as I post this, by the way, far more than usual. Interest is up folks!
The feed returned with a video feature on the Rumble match. It's the annual video of different stats.
WWE United States champion Antonio Cesaro vs. The Miz
Big pop for Miz. They showed the clips of Miz having the figure four passed on to him on Raw by Ric Flair. The announcers pushed it as a tribute to Flair.
They locked up and exchanged standing headlocks. Cesaro shoulderblocked Miz down but Miz caught him with a small package for a two count.
Miz worked over Cesaro with a side headlock on the mat. Cesaro backed Miz up into the ropes and used a shot to the mid-section to wear him down. He used a tilowhirl backbreaker and cinched in a surfboard variation to wear Miz down.
Miz fought back with several rights but was caught with a sitdown slam while he was rebounding off the ropes. Cesaro peppered Miz with uppercuts.
Cesaro continued to work over Miz, garnering several two counts. Miz fired back and went back and forth with Cesaro. Miz got the better of him and hit the running clothesline in the corner. Dawson actually said, "What a maneuver!"
Miz covered Cesaro, who kicked out at the last second. Miz hurt his ankle. Cesaro took him down and tried pin Miz with his feet on the ropes but was caught. He argued with the ref but was rolled up for a two count.
Miz went for the figure four but Cesaro escaped and went to the floor. Miz went to grab him but was pulled into the ring apron. Cesaro rolled him in, hit the Neutralizer and scored the pin.
Your winner and still U.S. champion, Antonio Cesaro.
Decent but short match.
They pushed CM Punk vs. The Rock to close out the pre-game show.
WWE ROYAL RUMBLE 2013 PPV
WWE World champion Alberto Del Rio vs. Big Show - Last Man Standing
Backstage, Del Rio was walking with Ricardo when they encountered WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart. Hart wished him good luck but said Big Show is as big and bad as they come. He said he knows what it's like to be World champion and said Del Rio reminds him of a Mexican Bret Hart. Alberto thanked him and said Bret reminds him of a Canadian Alberto. Ricardo gushed over Bret, who gave him a pair of Hart sunglasses.
When the bell rang, Show went right after Alberto and chopped him hard in the chest. Del Rio fired back with several kicks but was wiped out. Show slammed Alberto but was kicked away during a charge into the corner. Del Rio came off the buckles but Show laid him out in mid-air. Show drilled him with a back splash but was nailed with a low dropkick, Del Rio nailed him with a kick, followed by a superkick.
Show shrugged it off and went for a powerbomb but Alberto turned it into a rana. Del Rio came off the ropes with a leaping enziguiri. He then nailed another in the corner. He went for the cross armbreaker but Show lifted him up mid-attempt and slammed him down. Del Rio went to the outside, where Show chopped him hard. He rolled the champion back into the ring, then grabbed a chair from ringside. Del Rio nailed Show before he could use it and peppered Show with a series of shots across the back.
Del Rio went to the top with the chair but was caught and chokeslammed on the way down. The referee began counting. Del Rio rolled to the outside, where Show slammed him on the floor. Show dragged Alberto to the aisle but was kicked low and then kicked in the head. The ref began counting Show out. Show barely made it up and was kicked off by Show. They battled towards the entrance staging.
Show whipped Del Rio into a hanging metal piece of the stage and then ripped a piece of fluorescent light tubes from it. He nailed Alberto with it twice, shattering it the second time. Show pulled a table over towards the set piece. He climbed up and then pulled Alberto up with one arm. They battled on top of the swinging piece and gave Del Rio a nasty looking chokeslam through the table. Del Rio's trajectory going down was crazy. Alberto pulled himself up at nine to break the count, then collapsed again. Show was stunned he even got up at all.
Show dragged the champion back to the ring and signaled for the KO punch. Alberto saw it coming and rolled back out of the ring. Show grabbed the top of the steel ring steps and threw them at Del Rio, who ducked. They hit the ringpost. Ricardo nailed Show and was wiped out. Show charged the champ, who moved out of the way. Show wiped out the area where the timekeeper and ring announcers sit. Show recovered at seven but was beaten with a chair over the back again and again.
Del Rio placed Show's KO hand on the ring steps and smashed it with a chair, then shot him with a fire extinguisher. Show was trapped in the cross armbreaker as Ricardo duct-taped Show's feet to the bottom ropes. Lying, cheating and stealing? Alberto let go and Show, hurt, was unable to get to his feet since he was trapped.
Your winner and still World champion, Alberto Del Rio!
Really good match that told a good story and had some fun plunder. I never thought I'd see the day where WWE uses light tubes. I thought the finish was a little hokey but the work from both men was really good and from a storyline standpoint, it gives Show a reason to demand a rematch. I would have preferred something clean, but that's just me.
Matt Striker interviewed Dolph Ziggler. He said that Vickie Guerrero is bitter and jaded. He said he was choosing number one because that's exactly what he is. Striker tried to tell him how long the odds were for him but AJ Lee cut him off and questioned him for saying "her Ziggy" not being able to do it and warned him to leave. Langston then began interviewing Ziggler like an old school sports reporter. Ziggler said he was going to break the record for longest lasting talent in the Rumble, win, cash in his Money in the Bank and become World champion, then win the WWE title and unify the belts at Wrestlemania.
The announcers sent it to a video feature where Rumble competitors cut promos about the match. Antonio Cesaro said he was going to be the latest non-American to win the Rumble, except he was better than Edge or Del Rio. The Prime Time Players had a funny promo. Randy Orton said tonight was his night. He said he needed the win and was gong to take it. John Cena cut a promo saying that he has a target on his back but at the end of the night, everyone will see the champ is here. Wade Barrett said he was going to bring prestige to the Rumble just like he did the IC strap. Sheamus said he was going to use the Brogue Kick to win back to back Rumbles. Ryback said that every 90 seconds, another man hits the ring and said, "Feed me more." Good package and it did more to sell the Rumble match than the segment that closed Raw this week!
WWE Tag Team champions Daniel Bryan & Kane vs. Cody Rhodes & Damien Sandow.
Cody and Bryan started out and went back and forth with some good back and forth exchanges. Bryan dropkicked Cody and then locked him into a bow and arrow. Kane tagged in and drilled Rhodes with a series of punches but was caught with a dropkick. Kane was backed into the challenger's corner and worked over. Kane fought his way out and nailed an elbow on Sandow before tagging Rhodes back in. Sandow's facial expressions are just so great.
Bryan drilled him with a series of kicks to the chest, followed by one of the head and a series of several more in the corner. Sandow went to the floor. Rhodes checked on him, Bryan hit a suicide dive through the ropes on both. Rhodes pulled the ropes down on Bryan as he rebounded and he crashed to the floor. Sandow drilled him into the apron and rolled him into the ring. Rhodes beat Bryan down and cinched in a single leg Boston Crab. Sandow and Rhodes worked over Bryan until he nailed Rhodes with a kick. Sandow cut Bryan off. Rhodes locked in an over the shoulder backbreaker.
Bryan tried to leap to make a tag to Kane but was caught by Rhodes. Bryan turned it into a DDT and tagged Kane. Kane went for a chokeslam on Sandow, who slipped out and ate a right hand instead. Kane nailed Rhodes and hit a side slam on Sandow for a two count. Sandow fought back but was caught for a chokeslam, Rhodes attacked Kane. Bryan made a blind tag and hit a missile dropkick on Sandow. He then sent Cody into a Kane chokeslam. Bryan locked in the No Lock and Sandow tapped.
Your winners and still WWE Tag Team champions, Daniel Bryan and Kane!
Another good match. Some nice back and forth wrestling here. I would have loved a little more time but you have got to save it for the Rumble.
They aired the always awesome Rumble stats video.
Backstage, Daniel Bryan and Kane were celebrating their win. Vickie Guerrero showed up and handed them their Rumble entrance numbers. Bryan showed Kane his and Kane said "No." Bryan said that was the rules - "I show you mine, you show me yours." Kane told him he would feel inadequate. Kane said he would see Bryan out there. Bryan said, "Not if I see you first." Kane said it was, "highly unlikely." Good bit.
The announcers discussed the Royal Rumble fanfest and showed highlights of their weekend.
They aired the always awesome Rumble stats video.
Backstage, Daniel Bryan and Kane were celebrating their win. Vickie Guerrero showed up and handed them their Rumble entrance numbers. Bryan showed Kane his and Kane said "No." Bryan said that was the rules - "I show you mine, you show me yours." Kane told him he would feel inadequate. Kane said he would see Bryan out there. Bryan said, "Not if I see you first." Kane said it was, "highly unlikely." Good bit.
The announcers discussed the Royal Rumble fanfest and showed highlights of their weekend.
The Royal Rumble!
We will update as often as possible!
Dolph Ziggler was number one. He cut a promo saying the spotlight was on him and at the end, he would be again. He said he didn't care who would be number two so send him out.
Number two was the returning Chris Jericho and holy sh** , what a pop! Jericho had a huge smile on his face. Of course, all this plays into Ziggler having run Jericho out of the company. Jericho has a new tattoo on his left arm.
They locked up and started going back and forth with a hot pace. Jericho came off the ropes and nailed Ziggler, then tossed him over the top to the apron. He tried to nail Ziggler and toss him to the floor, but Ziggler fought back. They battled on the top and Jericho superplexed him into the ring.
#3 was Cody Rhodes. Rhodes clotheslined Jericho. He and Ziggler doubled up on Jericho and tried to toss him out. Ziggler was kicked off. Rhodes tried to kick him low but Jericho took down Cody and tried to turn it into the Walls of Jericho. Ziggler clotheslined Jericho and choked him against the ropes.
#4 was Kofi Kingston. He came in with a big springboard clothesline on Rhodes and peppered him with fists in the corner. Ziggler went after him but Kingston rebounded and went for Trouble in Paradise. Ziggler ducked and tried to toss Kingston out of the ring. Kingston bounced off the ropes and tossed Ziggler over. He landed on the apron. Everyone battled in the ring. Ziggler was almost tossed over again by Kofi but scissored his legs around Kingston.
#5 was Santino Marella. JBL said, "Don't blink." Santino tried to toss Jericho out but failed. He pulled out the Cobra but was quickly tossed. Marella is the first eliminated. Everyone else battled.
#6 was Drew McIntyre. He drilled Kingston with a hard kick to the chest. Rhodes worked over Ziggler in the corner. Jericho tried to force Kingston and Drew out. Jericho was tossed out but held onto the ropes, dangling above the floor, before pulling himself in. Lots of Jericho chants.
#7 was Titus O'Neal. He drilled everyone with shoulderblocks but was doubled on by Cody and Kingston. He clotheslined them both as they rebounded off the ropes. Titus drilled Kingston with a backbreaker and flung him down hard. Jericho hit a springboard dropkick off the buckles, sending Drew to the floor and eliminating him. Ziggler tried to toss Jericho, who saved himself and tossed Ziggler over the top. Ziggler again saved himself.
#8 was the returning Goldust. Cody Rhodes was immediately waiting for him and they battled in the center of the ring. Dolph got involved and was nailed. Dust hit the ring sliding uppercut on his brother and kicked away at Rhodes. Big "Goldust" chant.
#9 was David Otunga. He clotheslined Jericho in the corner and used his boot to choke him. Ziggler tried to toss Kingston over the top. The Rhodes brothers worked over Titus. Titus was tossed over the top but landed on the apron. Rhodes used that chance to try and toss his brother but failed.
#10 was Heath Slater.
#11 was last year's winner Sheamus. Big pop. He nailed the Irish Curse backbreaker and rolling Samoan Drop on everyone who dared get in his way. He tossed Titus over the top and drilled him with clubbing shots across the chest. Otunga tried to attack him but Sheamus tossed him into Titus, who crashed to the floor and was eliminated. Otunga then got drilled with the shots to the chest and ate a Brogue Kick. Otunga is eliminated. Ziggler and Rhodes attacked Sheamus and kicked him in the corner.
#12 was Tensai. He beat Sheamus in the corner with a series of headbutts as the crowd catcalled, "Albert." He nailed a series of shoulderblocks in the corner on Sheamus but turned his attention to Jericho. Sheamus tried to toss out Slater. Kingston worked over Ziggler. Jericho chopped away at Tensai.
#13 was Brodus Clay, who danced his way to the ring. Sheamus beat Ziggler all over the place and on the apron. Ziggler is working his rear off here. Goldust tossed his brother over the top but Cody landed on the apron. Goldust was pulled over the top as well and they battled on the apron. Rhodes was clotheslined back into the ring and ran his brother into the ringpost. Goldust crashed to the floor, eliminated.
#14 was Rey Mysterio. He hit the ring with ton of hot offense, nailing 619s on Ziggler and Jericho. Rhodes grabbed him or a Fireman's Carry, trying to toss him over. Sheamus and Clay doubled on Tensai. Slater battled with Clay and teamed with Rhodes to try and toss him
#15 was Darren Young. Everyone battled in the ring. Slater and Kingston battled back and forth. Ziggler ended up on the outside again as Jericho tried to force him to the floor. Otunga clotheslined Goldust down. Everyone worked to toss Clay. Kofi used a rana over the ropes to take out Tensai. He ended up on the apron and Dolph shoved him off. Kingston landed on Tensai's back and then leapt to the announcer's table, so he never hit the floor. He had no way back and asked JBL for his chair. JBL said he had to see this and Kingston stood on the chair and bounced it back to the ring. That is pretty damn inventive.
#16 was Bo Dallas. Kingston ducked Darren Young and pulled down the ropes, sending him to the floor. Rhodes nailed the Beautiful Disaster on Kingston and that sends him to the floor. That Kingston stuff was awesome.
#17 was the Godfather, who we broke would be in the Rumble during today's Elite-only Hot News Hotline. He had a couple of lovely ladies with him. He hit the ring and Ziggler immediately dropkicked him over the top to the floor, eliminating him. Godfather put his pimp hat back on and strutted back out with the ladies. Ziggler and Dallas battled in the corner.
#18 was Intercontinental champ Wade Barrett. He caught Sheamus with the Black Hole Slam and tried to force him over the top. Jericho joined in on the assault but Sheamus held onto the ropes. Rhodes dropkicked Rey.
#19 was John Cena. All the heels lined up waiting for Cena, agreeing to take him out Everyone except Rey and Sheamus, who were recovering, jumped Cena. He battled back and tossed Slater and Rhodes. Cena grabbed Jericho and tried to toss him but Ziggler saved him, then began battling Jericho. Dallas paired off with Cena and tried to toss him out.
#20 was Damien Sandow. Barrett tossed Rey out but Rey recovered. Barrett then wiped him out and sent him to the floor. Cena and Jericho reprised their battles.
#21 was Daniel Bryan, who went right to work on Sandow. Ziggler attacked him but was drilled with a series of kicks in the corner. Wade Barrett then ate a series of kicks as the Arena exploded with "Yes" chants. Bryan tossed Jericho over the top but he saved himself. Bryan and Sheamus battled. Cena and Barrett battled back and forth.
#22 Antonio Cesaro slowly stalked his way to the ring. He immediately went after Bryan and then Sheamus. Lots of dueling Cena chants. Dallas and Ziggler battled in the corner. The announcers pushed that Dallas even lasting the ten minutes he's been in the ring has been a victory for him. Sandow worked over Jericho in the corner.
#23 was Great Khali. Cesaro battled Sheamus in the corner as Khali chopped everyone else down in the ring. Cesaro almost tossed Sheamus. Khali chopped Dallas in the corner.
#24 was Kane. They noted this was his 14th Rumble in a row. Kane tossed Ziggler out but Ziggler held onto the ropes and saved himself again. Kane and Bryan briefly worked over Khali but he nailed them both. Sandow almost tossed Sheamus over but he survived. Cena worked over Dallas in the corner.
#25 was Zack Ryder. He charged the ring and nailed Ziggler with the Rough Ryder. Khali tossed over by Kane. Bryan then tossed his own partner over, eliminating Kane. Cesaro knocked Bryan out into Kane's arms. Bryan asked Kane to put him back in and they argued yes and no. Bryan pulled himself towards the ring but Kane dropped him to the floor. That was funny. Ziggler and Ryder battled back and forth.
#26 was Randy Orton. He laid out a ton of people and tossed Ryder.
#27 was Jinder Mahal. Cesaro tried to use a gut-wrench suplex to toss Cena but Cena out-maneuvered him and tossed Cesaro. You could hear the Arena booing that one. Jericho and Ziggler battled back and forth, Mahal battled with Dallas. Cena hit a catapult on Ziggler, who went over the top but saved himself. Cena and Mahal worked over Dallas.
#28 was Miz, who began brawling in the aisle with Cesaro before heading to the ring. The announcers claimed Miz hurt his ankle during the pre-show. Sheamus eliminated Mahal. Barrett attacked Sheaus and they battled back and forth. Miz nailed Censa with a neckbreaker and began battling with Jericho. Barrett worked over Sheamus' bac and tried to toss him. Orton worked over Ziggler, who again saved himself.
#29 was Sin Cara, making his return from his knee injury. He was cut off by Miz but nailed him with several kicks. Barrett and Dallas fought. Sheamus tossed Cena over the top but he landed on the apron. Dallas grabbed Barrett in a facelock and flips Barrett over the ropes to the floor. Sheamus tried to toss sandow but failed. Orton and Ziggler battled in the corner. Cena joined the fray and Ziggler aired off with him. Barrett grabbed Dallas from the floor and eliminated him. Barrett nailed him with the Bullhammer on the floor.
Miz was worked over Jericho
#30 was Ryback. He wiped out Cara and tossed him to the floor. Jericho nailed the Lionsault on Sheamus. Jericho tossed him over the top and nailed the springboard dropkick on him. Ziggler sent Jericho to the floor and finally kicked him to eliminate Jericho. Jericho was awesome here. Orton clotheslined Sheamus down, RKO'd Ziggler and Cena. He ducked a Brogue Kick and nailed Sheamus with another. He then nailed the hanging DDT on Ryback. He went to RKO Ryback but was sent into the ropes and clotheslined over the top to the floor. Sheamus and Ziggler battled back and forth until Sheamus nailed the Brogue Kick and wiped out Ziggler.
We are down to Ryback, Sheamus and Cena. They jumped Ryback and nailed a double suplex. Sheamus escaped Shellshock and hit White Noise on Ryback. He went for the Brogue Kick but Ryback ducked and backdropped him over the top to the floor. Sheamus is eliminated.
We are down to Cena and Ryback. They went nose to nose. The crowd began chanting, "Feed me more." Ryback nailed a spinebuster on Cena. Ryback went for the Meathook but Cena dropped down and locked in an STF following a drop toehold. Ryback fought his way out but Cena backed Ryback to the ropes. Cena was shoved off and Ryback came down with a Thesz Press. He worked over Cena but in the end, Cena tossed him out.
Your winner, John Cena!
That was an awesome Rumble. Ziggler, Jericho, Rhodes, Kingston, Barrett, and Dallas all had really good showings. Loved this match.
WWE champion CM Punk vs. The Rock
Great promo from Rock, saying that like his mother when she had cancer, he would not give up. They showed his mom in the crowd.
The ring entrances had a really big time feel to them. This may be the last real dream match in pro wrestling, folks.
They immediately began brawling at the bell. Punk got the better of the exchange nd worked him over in the corner. He whipped Rock into the corner but Rock came out charging with a clothesline. He went for the Rock Bottom but Punk slipped out. Rock clotheslined him to the floor and followed. He slammed Punk's face into the ringside table and then slammed him into the barricade. He went to use the Spanish table but Punk nailed him and tossed Rock back into the ring. He placed the lid back on the table and bowed to the announcers.
Punk returned to the ring where he and Punk battled back and forth. They ended up back on the floor, where Paul Heyman slapped Punk. Rock turned to him but was attacked by Punk from behind. Punk again put the lid back on the Spanish announce table and picked up Rock for a suplex on the floor, dropping him chest first across the guard rail, trying to "re-injure" Rock's Raw injuries.
Back in the ring, Punk worked over Rock and locked him in body scissors. Rock elbowed his way out of it but Punk nailed him in the mid-section to cut him back off. Punk locked in a triangle choke. Rock fought his way out but Punk cut him off with a clothesline. Punk acted like he was kicked dirt on Rock while he was down. Punk pulled Rock to the ropes and nailed him with a series of right hands and choked him against the ropes.
Punk continued the assault on Rock's mid-section. They claimed it looked like Punk may have hurt his knee again. Punk kept working over Rock on the floor, but missed a dive to the floor. They returned to the ring, where Rock began working over Punk's bad knee with stomps. He nailed a Side Russian Legsweep for a two count. Rock set up for the Rock Bottom but Punk nailed him with a series of elbows to the head. Punk went for GTS but Rock blocked the knee and took out Punk. Rock went for the Sharpshooter but Punk rolled it into the Anaconda Vise.
Rock fought his way out and nailed a DDT on Punk. He locked the Sharpshooter on Punk who battled and finally fought his way to the ropes. They went to the floor, where Rock laid out Punk with a clothesline and again tried to set up the Spanish Announcer's table. Punk tried to escape back into the ring but was stopped. Rock slammed his head into the table. Punk caught Rock with a kick to the head and set up for a GTS through a table. Punk was set up for the Rock Bottom but the table collapsed before the move could be executed. Rock grabbed at right knee Man, the last thing they need is for THAT guy to get hurt. Rock nailed the Rock Bottom on the floor. Both men fought to recover as the referee counted them down.
Rock tossed Punk into the ring and covered him for a close two count. Both men were down on the mat trying to recover but got back to their feet. Punk began drilling Rock with kicks but wobbled on his bad leg. Rock and Punk battled back and forth. Rock nailed a flying clothesline as he rebounded off the ropes and hit a spinebuster on Punk.
Rock went for the People's Elbow but the lights went out. The Shield attacked Rock but no one could see it. The announcers still said it was the Shield. They superbombed Rock through the other announcing table. The referee was apparently knocked silly during all this. Punk sat up in the ring smiling and acting like he didn't see anything. Punk tossed Rock into the ring and covered him for the win.
Your winner, CM Punk!
Punk stomped Rock out of the ring and celebrated with the title and Paul Heyman.
Out came Vince McMahon, looking pissed. He told Punk that his celebration was over. He told him that if the Shield got involved, Punk would be stripped of the title. Vince said that no one could see the Shield but they aren't stupid. He was about to strip Punk but Rock, down on the floor, grabbed a mic and told Vince McMahon they weren't ending the night like that.
"You don't take it from him. I am. We start the match now."
Punk protested but McMahon restarted the match. A beaten Rock rolled into the ring. They rang the bell and Punk stomped the hell out of him. Punk waited for Rock to get to his feet and nailed the running knee in the corner. Punk nailed the Macho Man flying elbow for a two count. Punk called for the GTS. Rock slipped out, hit the spinebuster and the People's Elbow, then pinned Punk.
Your winner and new WWE champion, The Rock!
Rock celebrated with the belt to close the PPV. They showed his mother celebrating and cheering in the first row.
A very good main event to close a really good PPV. No bad matches over the entire three hours. Great kick off to 2013 and Wrestlemania.
2014 - Former WWE champion CM Punk walks out of WWE for good after a meeting with Vince McMahon and Triple H. Punk would consider the decision to walk away a retirement. In November 2014, Punk broke his silence on the decision to leave during an episode of The Art of Wrestling with Colt Cabana:
Punk then talked about the Raw the day after The Rumble. He said that he went and was belligerent about taking the concussion test and was argumentative. He was told he had to take a piss test and that set him off, because they had amended the Wellness Policy so guys could work to remove their strikes to keep their jobs and, "keep using drugs."
Punk said he was getting mixed signals and stories as to whether he was working Raw that night or not and what he was doing and said, "I f***ing had it." Punk said he hated telling people to "f*** off" but he was at the breaking point.
Punk said that he was telling the company to take care of him right now and not worry about asking him to sign visas for future tours and take a piss test. He said that his ribs were broken, his knees are shot and he's hurt. He was saying, "F***ing help me!" and the reaction was that Punk had to do all these things they were asking him to do and not any concern about him when something was obviously wrong.
That's when he decided to go to Vince McMahon's office...
Punk goes to Vince McMahon's office. Punk said he went to see Vince and Triple H offered to leave them alone. Punk told him to stay because he needed to stay and hear what Punk had to say as well.
Punk stated that he told McMahon that he doesn't love "this anymore" and that he was, "hurt, sick and confused." He told Vince that he doesn't know what they are doing as a business anymore. He said that Vince says it's a team effort, but it's an individual effort by Punk to find what's necessary to even come here [to work].
Punk said he was concussed and hurt and all Vince cared about is what segment Punk is in, how soon he can put his tights on and when he can go pee in this cup and, "I don't want to do it anymore."
Punk said that he spoke openly about bringing back Dave Bautista as a babyface and asked how they could not see what a bad idea that was. Punk said that Baustista visited him at home in Chicago recently and they talked about all of this and Bautista agreed, with Punk warning the websites not to try and stir trouble between the two. He said he is friends with Bautista and is just giving a recanting of what happened.
Triple H told him, "Dave just took the piss test" to which Punk replied, "Did you?" and "He had nothing to say."
Punk said that when he signed his deal with WWE [Money in the Bank 2011] that he told Vince McMahon that if he didn't live up to what he said he could be for the company, that if he was a fraud and didn't deliver. that Vince should fire him.
Punk said that he sold more shirts than John Cena until he was asked to turn heel and Vince said he owed him one. He worked with "guys who were dangerous" and Vince said he owed him one and all Punk wanted was the main event of Wrestlemania. Punk said that if Vince doesn't see him at that level, then he needs to fire Punk because then he will "go somewhere else and I will get more f***ing over because I know I can." Punk said he told Vince that he had shackled Punk and creatively stifled him and he no longer wanted to be there.
Punk then told Vince McMahon that he doesn't understand how Daniel Bryan wasn't figuring into Vince's main event plans for Wrestlemania because "he is white hot" just like two years ago when Punk was and Vince didn't go with Punk then. [Note from Mike Johnson: At the time this took place,. Sheamus vs. Daniel Bryan was set to be fifth from the top at Wrestlemania 30.] Punk told Vince said instead, "You fed me to this guy" and pointed to Hunter.
Vince said this, "was the concussion talking" and Punk was indeed working a main event at Wrestlemania 30, because, "You're wrestling Triple H."
Punk said he turned to Triple H and politely said, "All due respect, I do not need wrestle you. You need to wrestle me. I do not want to wrestle you. I seriously resent you for not putting me over three years ago when you should have. That would have been best for business but you had to f***ing come in and squash it. Then, I had to lose to f***ing Truth and Miz. Like, it didn't make any business sense then and it doesn't make any business sense now and I'm in a position now where I can tell you that I don't have to nor do I want to wrestle you at Wrestlemania."
Punk said he didn't care if he was supposed to win, which he was. "I didn't want to give him the f***ing privilege."
Punk said that HHH was gritting his teeth and never liked Punk. He said it was one of those situations where you hear stories in the dirt-sheets [Mike: I hate that stupid term] how Hunter says this about Punk and all that but when he and Hunter were in a room alone together, "Never any good vibes. Always negative. The way he would look sideways at me. The way he looked at me. For instance, a simple courtesy call - 'Hey, that is the European tour. You can't do the movie. We've going to have Randy do it.' - but he thought he didn't have to do that, because I was a piece of sh**."
Cabana pointed out that when Punk was super-hot in 2011, HHH came out of retirement and beat him and then went back into retirement.
Punk said that Hunter said that Punk WAS in the main event of Wrestlemania last year, vs. Undertaker, and that he had the best match. Punk said, "I'm not f***ing stupid. The main event is the last match." He said WWE promotes it as a bunch of main events but everyone knows what the true main event is, the final match. Punk said that he deserved it then and at that point [January 2014] Daniel Bryan deserved it and he told Vince and Triple H, "You are just going to give it to Bautista and Randy?"
Punk asked that when you look at the guys on the WWE roster, to ho and see how many were actually in the main event of Wrestlemania. Punk explained that he needed to go be in that position and work with people at the same or better level so he could be a better asset to the product and draw more. He said that NHL players have to play with other NHL players to get better and he needed to work at that top level so he could improve.
Punk said he was told he wasn't a draw, but would ask them, "How do you know?" He said whenever he was given the ball, he tossed it, caught it and then shoved it down their throats but at the end of the day "It was an old, out of touch man's decision."
Punk said that WWE changed it's plans when he walked and he was "so f***ing stoked" that Daniel Bryan got to have that main event at Wrestlemania.
Going back to the conversation with Vince McMahon and Triple H, Punk said that Hunter tried to tell him that he was in the main against Undertaker to which Punk replied, "Tell me I got the same amount of money as you, Brock, Cena, Rock, whoever" and, "Once again, he had nothing to say."
Vince stood up with tears in his eyes. Punk offered his hand and Vince hugged him and Punk lightly patted him on the back. Hunter offered his hand and Punk shook his hand and said, "Goodbye" and walked out. That was the last time he's seen either.
2014 - With Punk having walked out, WWE had to change their plans for Wrestlemania 30. The first signs of that were on the Raw broadcast that evening. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
In case you missed the Royal Rumble, we saw Bray Wyatt set his sights on John Cena, giving him Sister Abigail after Cena’s loss to Randy Orton.
We are in Cleveland, Ohio and your announcers are Jerry ‘How many days until pitchers and catchers report’ Lawler, John ‘Winking Lizard’ Layfield, and Michael ‘Did you know that the WWE Network is coming in 4 weeks . . . we have instructions on the app’ Cole.
As the Wrestlemania sign hangs in the opening shot, Stephanie McMahon and Triple H make their way to the ring.
We see footage from Brock Lesnar’s victory over Big Show and the barrage of chair shots by Lesnar on Show.
Stephanie and Hunter do the ‘Official Point to Wrestlemania Sign’ gesture and then Stephanie welcomes everyone to Raw. She says last night we witnessed one of the most satisfying, epic Royal Rumble pay per views in history.
Hunter whimpers and wonders if people did not get what they wanted. Hunter says that is too bad. He says that it was a wonderful night. Randy Orton defended his WWE World Championship by defeating John Cena. It was a night when Brock Lesnar destroyed the Big Show. It was a night where their good friend returned after four years to defeat 29 other superstars and win the Royal Rumble. Batista secured his spot in the main event of Wrestlemania.
Stephanie says that there is one more stop on the Road to Wrestlemania and that is the Elimination Chamber. Randy Orton will defend the WWE World Championship in the Elimination Chamber.
Daniel Bryan’s music plays and he makes his way to the ring.
The crowd shows their approval for Daniel and Daniel tells them to stop the ‘Yessing’ because Hunter and Stephanie don’t like it. They don’t like the ‘Daniel Bryan’ chants either so they better stop because they don’t want to make the Authority mad.
Stephanie says the people would never fall for Daniel’s cheap parlor tricks but she was wrong.
Daniel says that he had one of the toughest matches in his career. Win, lose, or draw, when you talk about the greatest moments of the Royal Rumble, you are talking about his match.
Hunter says that it was a good little effort.
Daniel says that when people talk about the biggest disappointments in the Rumble, they are probably talking about him not being in the Rumble match. Daniel says that he came to them time and time again and wanted to be in the Royal Rumble. The people wanted him to be in the Royal Rumble.
There is a Yes Movement. Every time he knocked on their door to be in the Royal Rumble, Hunter and Stephanie said no.
Stephanie says that they have to look out for the health and well-being of the superstars and divas. They did not want Daniel to be put in jeopardy.
Daniel asks Hunter and Stephanie how many times has he wrestled all members of the Shield or Wyatt Family. How many times has he wrestled more than once.
Hunter says that they did not want him to wrestle more than once last night.
Daniel says that they are not looking at what is best for business.
Stephanie says that Daniel has a very myopic view. Did everyone come to this arena to see only Daniel Bryan? The crowd chants ‘Yes’.
Daniel asks the people if they came to see Randy Orton and the crowd chants ‘no’. Did they come to see Triple H? ‘NO’. People can come and watch whoever they want. The people get to pick their favorites. Daniel tells Hunter and Stephanie to listen to the people.
Stephanie says that she cannot figure out what everyone is saying because they are saying different things.
Daniel brings up the fact that they announced that the WWE World Championship will be defended at the Elimination Chamber and he wants to be in that match.
Daniel says that he wants the match, the people want this match. Daniel says that they should not leave this ring until he gets what he wants.
Hunter and Daniel get face to face.
Hunter says that it sounds good, but they are not the only people in the ring and it appears that they have company.
The Shield make their way to the ring. Daniel Bryan gets a chair and he waits for them to make their way over the ringside barrier, no matter how they do it.
Reigns hits Bryan from behind and then it is a three on one attack because the chair is not in the picture.
Sheamus makes his way to the ring and he takes on the Shield but they make it a three on one attack on him.
John Cena makes his way to the ring and he battles with the Shield and it is a three on three battle.
We go to commercial.
We are back and during the commercial break we were told that there will be a six man tag match and the winning team goes into the Elimination Chamber match.
Zeb points out what the gato dragged in. The only people who wear masks where he comes from are criminals. The only crime is that neither of them have been deportadoed. Zeb gets everyone to chant ‘We The People’.
Match Number One: Sin Cara and Rey Mysterio versus Antonio Cesaro and Jack Swagger (with Zeb Colter)
Rey and Cesaro start things off and Cesaro with a hammer lock and he slaps Rey in the head. Rey with a snap mare and kick to the knee. Cara tags in and they Irish whip Cesaro and Cara with a rana to Cesaro.
Swagger tags in and Cara with a head scissors and head lock take down combination. Cara with a head scissors to Swagger followed by a handspring elbow for a near fall. Cara tries for a sunset flip but Swagger pulls Cara up and Swagger goes over the top rope when he charges at Cara. Cara with a suicide dive onto Swagger. Zeb yells at Swagger and Cesaro. Zeb slaps Swagger and Cesaro has to hold Swagger back.
Swagger with a knee and belly-to-belly slam to Cara. Swagger with a running shoulder tackle. We go to commercial.
We are back and Cesaro with an elbow to Cara. We see footage from the commercial that aired on the app of Swagger hitting a running shoulder on Cara on the floor. Swagger tags in but Cara with a DDT and both men are down.
Cesaro tags in and Cara sends Cesaro over the top rope to the floor. Cesaro pulls Rey off the apron to prevent Cara from making the tag. Cesaro with a waist lock but Cara counters with a rollup for a near fall. Cesaro with a dead lift into a power slam for a near fall. Swagger tags back in and they hit a double hip toss into a throw for a near fall.
Swagger misses the Swagger Bomb and Cesaro misses Cara. Cara crawls across the ring and tags in Rey. Rey with a head scissors but Cesaro sends Rey to the apron. Rey with a shoulder and then he hits a seated splash. Rey with a bulldog for a near fall. Rey with a round kick for a near fall. Swagger breaks up the cover and Cara with a drop kick to Swagger.
Cara sends Rey into Cesaro for a head scissors that sends Cesaro into the ropes. Rey with a 619 but Cara misses the swanton. Cesaro with a European uppercut when Cara tries for a springboard move and Cesaro hits the Gotch Style Neutralizer for the three count.
Winners: Antonio Cesaro and Jack Swagger
We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time for Bad News Barrett. Barrett bangs his gavel and then he demands some decorum. He says that he has some bad news. Bad News for the television viewers. We will have a match tonight between Miz and Dolph Ziggler. It is a match that has been entitled, the Battle of Cleveland. He says that he is grateful that it is not called The Battle for Cleveland. That is the type of match that will have two losers. Cleveland is a town inhabited exclusively . . . by losers.
It is time to take a look at one of the original programs from the WWE Network, The Monday Night Wars.
Xavier Woods joins the announce team for this match.
Match Number Two: Fandango (with Summer Rae) versus R Truth
Truth with a shoulder tackle and Truth tries for an O’Connor Roll but Fandango with an elbow. Emma is in the crowd while Truth gets a near fall with a back slide. Truth with a leaping split and Fandango rolls to the floor. Truth chases after Fandango and Fandango puts Summer between him and Truth.
Fandango with a clothesline followed by punches before they return to the ring. Fandango with a near fall. Fandango with a short arm clothesline and he gets a near fall. Fandango with a suplex and he gets a near fall. Fandango with a knee to the midsection. Fandango with an Irish whip but he runs into an elbow.
Truth with a knee and he hits a suplex into a stunner for a near fall. Truth misses a scissors kick but Fandango does not miss with a spinning heel kick and he gets a near fall. Fandango goes up top for the FandangoBama Jam but Truth moves and he hits What’s Up for the three count.
Winner: R Truth
Randy Orton walks in the back and we go to commercial.
We are back and Brad Maddox is in the ring.
Brad reminds us what his name and job is before he introduces the WWE World Champion, Randy Orton.
Orton says the champ . . . is here. Despite what most of you thought was going to happen last night, he beat John Cena again and he has the two titles in his grasp. Some might say it was a hollow victory but he does not give a damn because he won.
Then he gets to work this morning and he finds out in less than a month, he has to defend his title against five other superstars in the Elimination Chamber. Randy wants to know whose idea that was. Randy demands respect because he is the Champion of Champions. He is the face of the WWE.
Batista’s music plays and he makes his way to the ring.
Batista congratulates Randy on his victory. It was a hell of a performance last night. Like he said last week, he is back for three reasons. To win the Royal Rumble, to headline Wrestlemania, and walk out of Wrestlemania as the WWE World Champion. Two down and one to go. He does not care who he faces at the Superdome. It is not personal. He does not care if it is Randy Orton, the Shield, John Cena, Daniel Bryan, or the winner of the Elimination Chamber match.
On April 6th, he doesn’t care if Randy or the Authority like it or not, he is walking out of Wrestlemania as the WWE World Champion and there is nothing that Orton can do about that.
Brock Lesnar’s music plays and he comes to the stage with Paul Heyman and Brock does the Brock Bounce. Brock makes his way to the ring.
Paul Heyman tells Brad who he is and he stands before Brad as the advocate for BROCK LESNAR. His client has authorized him to inform Brad that his patience is running thin. Brad needs to go to the Authority that they have two choices tonight. Choice Number One is that since Brad is the GM and he is a promoter, let’s make history tonight in Cleveland, Ohio to authorize a match with the reigning and defending WWE Champion against the Beast Incarnate BROCK LESNAR.
Paul says that his client is not an unreasonable man so he is just suggesting. The other option is to put the obvious Number One Contender Brock Lesnar against the So Called Number One Contender Batista.
No matter who makes the decision, the winner is the WWE Universe.
Paul wants their answer tonight . . . or else.
Match Number Three: Dolph Ziggler versus Miz
They lock up and Ziggler with a side head lock. Ziggler with a shoulder tackle and Miz tries for a hip toss but Ziggler moves. Ziggler misses a clothesline and Miz with a knee. Miz with an Awesome Clothesline and then he goes up top and Ziggler with a drop kick when Miz comes off the turnbuckles. Ziggler misses a Fameasser but Ziggler with a sleeper. Ziggler gets Miz to the mat. Miz with a snap mare and kick for a near fall.
Miz sets for the Skull Crushing Finale but Ziggler with a rollup for a near fall. Miz goes for the figure four leg lock but Ziggler gets to the ropes and Miz releases the hold. Miz goes for the Figure Four again but Ziggler with an inside cradle for a near fall. Miz with an inside cradle for a near fall. Ziggler with a Zig Zag for the three count.
Winner: Dolph Ziggler
Match Number Four: Curtis Axel and Ryback versus Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso
Ryback and Jey start things off. They lock up and Ryback pushes Jey into the corner and he punches Jey but Jey punches back. Ryback catches Jey and he runs Jey into the turnbuckles a few times to work on the back. Ryback pulls of Jey’s shirt and throws it at Jimmy. Axel tags in and he kicks Jey. Axel with a drop kick.
Jey with a punch but Axel with a Northern Lariat and he bites Jey’s forehead. Ryback tags back in and Axel with a running elbow and Ryback with a splash. Ryback with a delayed vertical suplex for a near fall. Ryback punches Jey but Jey punches back. Ryback with an elbow and forearm.
Axel tags in and he chops Jey. Axel with another chop. Ryback tags in and he punches Jey while Axel runs his forearm against Jey’s head. Ryback with an snap mare and back heel kick. Ryback with a reverse chin lock. Jey with punches. Ryback with an Irish whip but Jey moves and Ryback goes to the floor. Axel helps Ryback into the ring and Axel tags in.
Axel prevents the tag for a moment but Jimmy tags in and he clotheslines Axel and then he kicks Axel in the back of the leg and Axel flips like his dad. Jimmy with punches in the corner. Jimmy misses the running butt splash. Ryback makes the blind tag and Jimmy with a Samoan drop to Axel.
Jey makes the blind tag and he hits a super kick while Ryback set for the marching muscle buster. Jimmy tags in and he hits the superfly splash for the three count while Jey hits a plancha onto Axel.
Winners: Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso
We go to commercial.
Alberto Del Rio is in the Goldman Box. He says that Batista will not make it to Wrestlemania.
Match Number Five: Kofi Kingston versus Alberto Del Rio
They lock up and Del Rio backs Kofi into the corner and he kicks and punches Kofi in the corner. Del Rio with a snap mare and kick to the head. Del Rio chokes Kofi in the ropes. Kofi with kicks to Del Rio followed by punches. Kofi with a drop kick. Kofi leaps into the corner and he punches Del Rio before rolling back to the mat. Del Rio with boots to Kofi and Kofi goes down.
Del Rio with a clothesline for a near fall. Del Rio with a forearm to Kofi but Del Rio misses a splash into the ropes and Del Rio goes to the floor. Kofi with a suicide dive onto Del Rio. Kofi sends Del Rio into the ring and Del Rio with an enzuigiri to Kofi while Kofi is on the apron. Del Rio pulls Kofi to the floor and he sends Kofi into the ringside barrier. Del Rio gets a near fall.
Del Rio with a reverse chin lock. Kofi with punches but Del Rio pulls Kofi to the mat by the hair. Del Rio with a double sledge from the turnbuckles and then he kicks Kofi. Del Rio sends Kofi into the turnbuckles. Del Rio punches Kofi and the crowd chants for JBL and JBL acknowledges them and Del Rio yells at JBL.
Del Rio and Kofi fight on the turnbuckles and both men fall off the turnbuckles. We go to commercial.
We are back and Del Rio with a near fall. Del Rio with a reverse chin lock. We see footage during the break when Del Rio hit a step up enzuigiri to the back of the head. Back to live action and Kofi with a jawbreaker and sunset flip for a near fall. Del Rio with a German suplex for a near fall.
Del Rio looks at the Wrestlemania sign and he charges into an elbow from Kofi followed by a kick. Kofi with a tornado DDT. Kofi with chops and a drop kick but Del Rio with a kick. Kofi with a rollup for a near fall. Kofi with a flying clothesline and then he hits the Boom Drop.
Kofi sets for Trouble in Paradise but Del Rio moves. Del Rio goes to the apron and then Kofi goes for SOS and hits it but Del Rio gets his foot on the rope to stop the count. Del Rio with a tilt-a-whirl back breaker. Del Rio points to the sign and he signals for the cross arm breaker. Del Rio tires for the float over and Kofi counters with an attempted Trouble in Paradise. Del Rio ducks and hits a lungblower for a near fall.
Del Rio goes up top and Kofi crotches Del Rio. They fight on the turnbuckles while Kofi goes for a superplex but Kofi gets caught in the ropes and Del Rio with a double stomp. Del Rio sets for the super kick and he connects. Del Rio gets the three count.
Winner: Alberto Del Rio
We go to commercial.
Match Number Six: Cody Rhodes and Goldust versus Billy Gunn and BG James for the WWE Tag Team Titles
BG has something to say to Cody and Goldust and Cody attacks BG and the referee has to stop them.
Goldust and Gunn start things off and Gunn tells Goldust to suck it. Goldust with a shoulder tackle and forearm for a near fall. Goldust with an arm drag and Gunn goes to the floor to regroup and get fanned with JBL’s hat. Gunn takes his time getting back into the ring and he tags in James.
They lock up and Goldust with a side head lock and shoulder tackle for a near fall. James backs into the corner and the referee warns Goldust. Goldust with a punch and he sends James into the turnbuckles. Cody tags in and comes off the turnbuckles with an elbow. Cody with a side head lock take down for a near fall.
Cody gets a near fall and he applies an arm bar on James. James with an Irish whip but Cody with an elbow and Cody goes to the turnbuckles for a moonsault but James goes to the floor and we have a stand off. Cody tells James to get his old ass in the ring.
James with a kick but Cody with a kick and punches. Cody with a snap mare and arm bar. Cody with knee drops to the arm and he gets a near fall. James with a punch followed by jabs. Cody with a drop kick when James starts to gyrate and Cody gets a few near falls.
Goldust tags in and he punches James. Goldust with a snap mare and knee drop for a near fall. Goldust with an arm bar. James runs Goldust into the corner and Gunn tags in and he punches Goldust. Gunn punches Goldust and connects with knees to the midsection. James tags in and he kicks Goldust. Goldust with a punch.
Goldust with a side head lock but Gunn tags in. Goldust with kicks and a drop down uppercut. Goldust with a reverse atomic drop and Gunn with a boot to the head and both men are down as we go to commercial.
We are back and Gunn with an Irish whip but Goldust with a power slam for a near fall. Both men are down and the referee starts his count. James tags in and Goldust kicks him and Goldust hits Code Red for a near fall. Gunn and Cody tag in and Cody with clotheslines and hits a drop down uppercut. Cody with a leaping knee to Gunn and a kick to James.
James sends Cody to the apron and Cody hits a springboard double drop kick. Cody misses Beautiful Disaster and Gunn with a clothesline.
Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman make their way to the ring and Brock gives Cody an F-5 and the referee calls for the bell.
Winners: Cody Rhodes and Goldust (by disqualification)
After the match, Goldust falls victim to the F-5.
Paul says that the Authority came up with Choice Number Three. You will see Brock Lesnar versus . . .
No One.
This is what happens when Brock Lesnar does not get what he wants.
Brock hits Goldust and Cody with a chair.
Match Number Seven: AJ Lee, Tamina Snuka, Aksana, and Alicia Fox versus Nikki Bella, Brie Bella, Namoi, and Cameron
Aksana and Cameron start things off and Cameron turns her back and Aksana grabs the hair. Cameron tags in Brie and Brie with a drop kick for a near fall. Brie with a kick and front face lock. Nikki tags in and Brie with a snap mare followed by a drop kick to the back of the head.
Alicia tags in and Nikki with a snap mare. Alicia misses a clothesline but she does not miss with a tilt-a-whirl back breaker for a near fall. Alicia runs Nikki into the corner and AJ tags in. AJ kicks Nikki in the corner and snap mares Nikki and applies a reverse chin lock and body scissors.
AJ with knees and a neck breaker for a near fall. Aksana with a kick and then she hits a side slam. Aksana gets a near fall. Tamina tags in and she slams Nikki. Tamina with a rear chin lock. Tamina with an Irish whip and she throws her vest at Nikki. Tamina puts Nikki on the turnbuckles and connects with forearms to the back and Tamina puts Nikki in the tree of woe..
Nikki escapes the turnbuckles and she kicks Tamina. Nikki with a drop kick and she tags in Naomi. AJ tags in as well. Naomi with drop kicks to AJ. AJ with an Irish whip and Naomi uses her rear end to inflict damage on AJ. Naomi with a flying shoulder tackle and then hits a leaping leg drop for a near fall. The Bellas take care of Naomi.
We have a triple suplex and the ring clears out. AJ with a back heel kick but Naomi with the Rear View for the three count.
Winners: Naomi, Cameron, Nikki Bella, and Brie Bella
We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time to find out who will join the Ultimate Warrior in the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2014. Jerry Lawler is in the ring and the next inductee is Jake Roberts.
Did you know that you can check out Jake Roberts and Ultimate Warrior matches on the WWE Network. Now it is time to take a look at Wrestlemania Rewind, which will appear on the WWE Network.
We are told that Christian will return on Smackdown.
Match Number Eight: John Cena, Sheamus, and Daniel Bryan versus Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, and Roman Reigns in an Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match
Ambrose and Cena start things off and they lock up and Ambrose with a side head lock. Cena with a shoulder tackle and Ambrose backs into his corner. Rollins tags himself in and he has to hold Ambrose back. They lock up and Rollins with a waist lock and Cena with a snap mare. Rollins with a front face lock into a side head lock.
Cena with a punch to Rollins and Reigns tags in. They lock up and Cena with a side head lock but Reigns with a shoulder tackle. Reigns with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Cena tries for the Attitude Adjustment but Reigns gets to his feet.
Sheamus tags in and they lock up. They lock up again after a clean break and some words. Reigns punches Sheamus. Sheamus with punches and a knee but Reigns with punches. Sheamus with a kick and neck breaker. Reigns with a shoulder and punch. Rollins tags in and punches Sheamus.
Sheamus with a kick to Rollins followed by an Irish whip and Finlay slam. Sheamus with a kick to the back. Sheamus with the forearms to Rollins on the apron. Rollins gets off Sheamus’ shoulders and he drop kicks Sheamus in the knee. Ambrose tags in and he kicks Sheamus. Ambrose with punches to Sheamus in the ropes and then he runs his forearm against Sheamus’ face and Sheamus with a clothesline.
Bryan tags in and he kicks Ambrose. Bryan with an Irish whip and drop kick in the corner. Bryan with a super rana and Bryan gets a near fall. Bryan with European uppercuts but Ambrose with a shot to the throat and he tags in Rollins. Bryan with a drop toe hold and he sets for the surfboard and he gets Rollins up. Bryan with a rear chin lock and Rollins gets a near fall.
Sheamus tags in and he kicks Rollins while Bryan still has him in the surfboard. Sheamus with a leg drop for a near fall. Cena tags in and they hit a double suplex. Cena gets a near fall. Cena with punches and an Irish whip. Rollins with an elbow and clothesline for a near fall as we go to commercial.
We are back and Ambrose rakes Cena’s eyes and then he applies a leg lace while tagging in Rollins. Rollins with kicks to Cena. Rollins pie faces Cena but Cena with punches. Cena with an Irish whip but he runs into a boot and Rollins with a Blockbuster for a near fall. Reigns tags in and hits running drop kick on the apron to Cena’s head and Cena grabs the ropes to stop the count.
Reigns sets for the Superman punch and he connects. Reigns misses a spear when Cena moves out of the way. Reigns holds his leg and he struggles to get back into the ring. Reigns with an elbow and he gets a near fall. Ambrose tags in and he punches Cena. Ambrose stomps on the hand and then he punches Cena. Ambrose with jabs to Cena and then he runs his forearm across Cena’s face. Ambrose with a hard Irish whip.
Cena with an Irish whip and both men are down. Rollins tags in and he stomps on Cena’s back to stop him from making the tag. Rollins knocks Bryan off the apron and then he draws Sheamus into the ring to allow the Shield to get Cena back into their corner.
Ambrose tags in and they hit a double suplex. Ambrose gets a near fall. Ambrose with a reverse chin lock. Ambrose with a sleeper but Cena backs Ambrose into the corner. Ambrose with a knee to the midsection and Ambrose with a DDT but Cena kicks out.
Cena hits the Attitude Adjustment out of nowhere and both men are down. Rollins and Bryan tag in and Bryan drop kicks Reigns to the floor. Rollins with an Irish whip and Bryan flips out of the corner and Bryan with a suicide dive onto Ambrose. Bryan with a missile drop kick to Rollins. Bryan with a series of kicks followed by a round kick for a near fall.
Sheamus with a shoulder to Reigns but Reigns with a spear to Sheamus. Reigns with a spear to Cena and Cena falls to the floor. Bryan with a flying boot to Reigns to send him to the floor. Rollins with an O’Connor Roll for a near fall. Rollins and Bryan exchange punches. Bryan lands on his feet on a German suplex attempt. Rollins with a Buckle Bomb for a near fall. Rollins with a running forearm into the corner and he goes up top.
Bryan moves and Bryan with a German suplex and Rollins falls into the corner. Bryan misses the running drop kick into the corner. Rollins with a near fall but Bryan counters with the Yes Lock. Ambrose breaks up the Yes Lock but Sheamus with a Brogue Kick to Ambrose. Rollins with a knee to Sheamus from the turnbuckles.
Rollins misses a splash into the corner and then they both go for a cross body and both men are down. Cena tags in and so does Reigns. Cena with a drop toe hold into the STF but Reigns rolls over and he powers out of the hold.
The Wyatt’s graphic shows up and The Wyatts attack Cena.
Winners: Daniel Bryan, Sheamus, and John Cena (by disqualification)
After the match, Cena, Bryan, and Sheamus fight with the Wyatts. Cena sends Harper to the floor. Rowan and Wyatt go to the floor.
After hearing the result of the match, The Shield are not happy with the Wyatts. They attack the announce table.
We go to credits.
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