ECW CHAMPIONSHIP
Ezekiel Jackson w/William Regal v. Christian (c)
Winner: Christian
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT: CRYME TYME, TEDDY LONG, TIFFANY, GREAT KHALI, and THE MIZ
Cryme Tyme tries to trick The Great Khali to give up his spot in the Rumble match. Teddy Long mentions the infamous coin flip skit from last years Rumble that allowed for JTG to have a breakthrough performance in last years Rumble. Ranji Singh comes to Khali's rescue declining Cryme Tyme’s deal of a kiss from Tiffany for Khali's spot. The Miz joins the segment citing that in five years he'll be remembered as the Royal Rumble winner and all of them would be irrelevant. Teddy Long announces The Miz v. MVP next. What this match proclaims is that the WWE is still very high on both these young men. Even though the MVP-to-Raw experiment seemed to loose steam for a while, his recent program with The Miz has been hot and both men have worked the stick well enough to get people to care for this feud. The Miz gets his PPV rub by defending his championship (take that Morrison marks!).
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT: RANDY ORTON & CODY RHODES
Randy Orton seems confident in walking away with the WWE Championship in his match with Sheamus. That all changes when, Cody Rhodes mentions Mr. Hollywood - Ted Dibiase – and that he overheard Dibiase state that he would be facing Orton for the title at Wrestlemania. All this interaction does is tease the Legacy break up.
WWE United States Championship
MVP v. The Miz (c)
The Miz successfully defends the United States Championship over Montel Vontavious Porter - MVP. MVP’s one-on-one opportunity for the championship has finally arrived - thanks to Teddy Long, who still proudly brings with him the Bragging Rights trophy. To begin, The Miz was very methodical about his game plan. He let MVP's emotion get the best of him and this allowed The Miz to slow MVP down. He was precise and calculative. He would take his time to plan out his moves three steps ahead of MVP. The Miz did not have to defeat MVP, MVP had to defeat The Miz. And every time that MVP got the upper hand he would get carried away showboating and not thinking about how he would defeat The Miz. It was because of this that The Miz caught MVP off guard and got a clean victory. It was not cheap nor was it a let down; as both superstars got a nice rub from telling this short, but sweet, story - one that was highlighted by The Miz’s thoughtful planning. The Miz's post match celebration further proved that he wasn't sweating MVP during their match because he was more focused on the bigger picture – The Royal Rumble. This new awareness from The Miz goes to show you how far this young man has come around from his days as a Divas Search Host. MVP knows that he was outsmarted and took out his frustration by taking a cheap shot at The Miz and giving him the Playmaker. After MVP leaves ticked off The Miz goes back to being serious as he, too, knew that his taunting left his guard down.
Winner: The Miz
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT: BIG SHOW, CHRIS JERICHO and R-TRUTH
The Miz is getting a boost from having being teamed up with the only man to hold the ECW, WCW, and WWE Championship The Big Show. And this break-up of Jerishow has been handled nicely. Chris Jericho tells Show that he should do the right thing - to which Big Show responds that he is looking out for himself and himself only this time around. R-Truth's new push is definitely off to a good start. First some air time with Jericho on Superstars, then a victory on Smackdown. R-Truth says he'll toss out Jericho if The Big Show doesn't. R-Truth is being given the chance to shine on Smackdown and we'll see if he will be taken far.
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT: TED DIBIASE & RANDY ORTON
Ted Dibiase gains an edge over Cody Rhodes when he tells Randy Orton that he overheard Rhodes saying that Rhodes was going to win the Royal Rumble and that Sheamus was going to loose the championship at Wreslemania. Randy Orton is having doubters in his group - or so it seems. Orton leaves determined more than ever.
WWE CHAMPIONSHIP
RANDY ORTON V. SHEAMUS (c)
Finally Randy Orton gets his chance at the WWE Championship. Now that John Cena is no longer champion and Sheamus has moved on from Cena - for a shot while - people were hoping for Orton to walk out of the Royal Rumble with the WWE Championship. As the two stood face-to-face the crowd in Atlanta was pulling for Randy Orton - as was I. The match began with Sheamus taunting Orton - mocking him more like it. Randy Orton didn't flinch. Randy Orton was focused. Sheamus got the upper hand, however. After the bell, the match eventually spilled outside and Sheamus slammed Orton's left arm onto the steel steps. By attacking Randy Orton's left arm Sheamus had the advantage because Orton was not able to pull off his thrilling RKO finisher. Orton took out Sheamus by attacking his thigh - keeping the big strong man from hitting his deadly bicycle kick. As the referee checked on an ailing Orton Cody Rhodes decided to try and help his fellow Legacy brethren by jumping over the barricade and striking Sheamus as he made his way back into the ring. Unfortunately for Orton, this time the help didn't pan out the way he would have liked. Rhodes blatantly attacked Sheamus in front of the referee's face. The referee questioned Cody's decision to do that - then Randy Orton took down Sheamus with the RKO. The referee DQ'd Randy Orton and awarded the match to Sheamus - still your WWE Champion. What followed was more important, though. With everyone in attendance wanting Orton to hit another RKO on Rhodes, he opted for just a good old school beat down of his brethren. Ted Dibiase - who initially sparked Orton's distrust of Rhodes earlier in the night - came to Cody's rescue. This didn't sit too well with Randy as he beat down Dibiase too. The Legacy pleaded with Randy Orton and Orton finally stopped and looked at what he had done; until he turned around and got wiped out by Sheamus’ bicycle kick. As Sheamus walked out Dibiase focused his eyes on one thing, and it wasn’t Cody Rhodes or Randy Orton; rather, the WWE Championship.
Winner: Sheamus
WWE WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP
Michelle McCool (c) v. Mickie James
Even though this match was the shortest match on the card it was my favorite match of the night. Why? Well, because I made it on pay-per-view - twice! Anyway, this has been one of the best storylines in the women's division in a while. Michelle McCool plays the blonde-bitch role way too good. Add alongside her Layla - who has been doing a marvelous job in every role the WWE has given her from William Regal to Michelle McCool - and you have two Divas that know how to draw heat. And in the sports entertainment business - those that draw advance (ask The Miz!). The build up to this feud featured tons of vignettes and they told a story about jealousy. Instead of getting a one-on-one match we're succumbed to Michelle McCool drawing heat and jobbing out to Mickie James in twenty seconds (and twenty seconds after that I get on TV). It was a good way to cap-off the feud they had going. Now it makes more sense for Beth Phoenix to get into the title picture as McCool v. Phoenix wouldn't draw as much if Mickie wasn't in there as the defending champion.
Winner: Mickie James - NEW WWE Women's Champion
WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Rey Mysterio v. Undertaker (c)
Once Undertaker's gong stroke for the first time Rey Mysterio stood alert. Mysterio was the huge underdog going in - but came out of it as a legitimate challenger to the Undertaker's World Championship. Once the bell rang the Undertaker hunted his smaller foe cornering him and looking to take down the quick superstar. But it was that quickness that Mysterio used to his advantage by dodging the Deadman and striking him quickly with kicks. The Undertaker finally caught Mysterio off guard and launched him over-the-top rope. That seemed to be the trend throughout the match. Every time Mysterio would get the upper hand with his quick strikes and lucha-libre style offense - if you can still call it that - Taker would counter with a huge right hand or a big boot. He even caught Rey in the act of doing a 619, countering it into the set up for the Tombstone. Give Rey credit as he fought out of it busting Taker's nose. Mysterio tried the entire night to out perform the Undertaker - and he did, that just wasn't enough to overpower the Deadman. Finally, after connecting with his second 619 Rey Mysterio was caught in the air on his attempt of the West Coast Pop and powerbombed hard onto the mat by The Undertaker for the pin.
Winner: The Undertaker
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT: KANE, SHAWN MICHAELS, and TRIPLE H
Kane tells Shawn Michaels that his thought process is unhealthy. Kane knows what his brother, The Undertaker, is all about because he is the only man to have faced him twice at Wrestlemania. With that Kane leaves letting the information sink in. Triple H arrives afterwards and confronts his best friend for his actions but Shawn Michaels tells him that Triple H was right in thinking HBK was being unselfish. However, Michaels says that facing The Undertaker was his destiny.
1. Dolph Ziggler
2. Evan Bourne
I thought the Rumble match would feature two main eventers opening to allow things to start off with a bang. Instead, they started "with two of WWE's young guns," as Michael Cole likes to call them. This early entry makes it official that, even though Dolph Ziggler has the charisma and talent, he will always be Nicky from the Spirit Squad. The two get their 90 seconds to shine as the ‘young guns’ of the WWE until the uncharacteristic #3 entrant makes an impact.
3. CM Punk
Traditionally, the #3 entrant has been given to those superstars with an opening act marquee name. This year the WWE did something different and brought in a guy that everyone had fallen into obscurity after dropping the World title to The Undertaker. But, as soon as that familiar guitar rip hit CM Punk was put into play again. Instantly he hit the ring and disposed of the young stars. He made quick of his opponents and used the time to preach his Straightedge Society. And just like that, CM Punk is back in business. Just as Punk said, "excuse me. It's clobbering time." (Ziggler and Bourne eliminated)
4. JTG
For the second year in a row, we see who the WWE favors from the duo that seem doom to being another good tag team without a Tag Team title victory. JTG still has a bright future and he will shine when Cryme Tyme breaks up. For now, he's still in a tag team so he falls to CM Punk's resurgence into the main event. (JTG eliminated)
5. The Great Khali
The giant was sent out next and CM Punk vowed to make him greater! The Great Khali was in control of CM Punk until he met his match by -
6. Beth Phoenix
- who became the second woman to ever enter the Royal Rumble. And she made sure she turned in a memorable performance. In eliminating The Great Khali Beth Phoenix won over the live audience. She did not, however, let her mind get distracted because she had a goal set and that was to win the Royal Rumble. Punk comes charging at her but Phoenix is able to mount a small amount of offense - and that was enough to make the crowd erupt - before falling prey to the GTS. (Khali eliminated)
7. Zack Ryder
"Oh radio, tell me everything you know!" Ryder is the only victim of CM Punk to not loose any heat during Punk's tirade because Punk told Ryder what he – and my fellow Ryder fanatics – already knew: that, “[Ryder has] potential!”. Ryder was blindsided by Punk’s mike work and was quickly disposed of. During Ryder's time the crowd really got into Punk chanting in favor of the Straightedge Superstar. Punk got back to working the stick claiming that he was better than whoever the next superstar was. (Phoenix and Ryder eliminated)
8. Triple H
As The Game made his way to the ring, Punk looked as if the statement he just made was true. His look went from having fun to being fierce and intense as he stared down The Game. This look alone showed how bad Punk wanted to dispose of Triple H and continue his Straightedge march to Wrestlemania. Punk didn't back down and gave it to Triple H in their 90 second encounter. But he wasn't able to throw him out.
9. Drew McIntyre
As The Game made his way to the ring, oh wait no sorry I meant the guy that looks like Hunter Hearst Helmsly - the Intercontinental Champion Drew McIntyre! As Drew McIntyre made is slow descent towards the ring Triple H was able to gain the edge over CM Punk. Triple H called for McIntyre to not take his time and McIntyre didn't back down. Drew hit the ring and got taken down by The Game. Punk tried to take advantage of Triple H but he got the GTS countered and Triple H launched him over-the-top. (Punk eliminated)
10. Ted Dibiase
"The Marine!" proclaims Matt Striker, enters the Rumble. His mind may have been elsewhere - Randy Orton perhaps? - but he was quickly awaken with a hard delivered clothesline by Triple H. This was the part of the Rumble where things started to slow down. The WWE let the men that they are planning the future with shine for a few minutes with an in-ring veteran.
11. John Morrison
Add to that future, The Shaman of Sexy. Even though The Miz got the call for a PPV match over Morrison, John Morrison will still be a top star in the WWE. Morrison makes his entrance and gets to interact with Ted Dibiase, another future star, as well as continue his feud with Drew McIntyre.
12. Kane
The WWE next sends out a loyal company man that is satisfied with putting over the younger talent. Kane came in at an opportune time to show his dominance. Though, he did not get a single elimination he made sure people knew he was always a force to be reckoned with in the Rumble match.
13. Cody Rhodes
The perfect time to have distinction between Cody Rhodes and Ted Dibiase was passed on when Rhodes saved Ted Dibiase from the grips of Kane. Legacy worked together as a team - naturally - and pounced on Kane. Rhodes focused his attention on the other stars, primarily John Morrison. I see Cody Rhodes making his way over to Smackdown after the trade and having some great matches with Morrison - nice tease we had here.
14. MVP
In continuing his feud with The Miz, MVP doesn't make it all the way out as he gets clobbered with the U.S title from behind. MVP gets taken to the back as the stars of tomorrow and the two of today continue to battle it out.
15. Carlito
Matt Striker said it best when this man came out, "very interesting entry here". Carlito has been up and down his entire tenure with the WWE. Sending this guy out at this moment is saying that he's going to be stuck where he's at - a marquee name that won't get over alå Dolph Ziggler. Carlito is being trusted with getting a lot of people over lately, and he's doing a good job of it. He even gave Sheamus a small rub by rooting for him against John Cena.
16. The Miz
Mr. Awesome himself makes his way to the ring. The Miz and MVP were two candidates that needed a strong showing at the Royal Rumble. They both entered the event looking to make a statement as both lasted a combined 5:10 in the match itself. This year was much similar, however, the difference was that both men gained heat in their rivalry allowing the audience to continue to want to see both superstars in action. It is because of their post-match altercation and The Miz's attack on MVP that both men got a huge push this night. Their simultaneous elimination gives MVP the edge in their feud - he drew last blood, if you will. The Miz and MVP's feud is far from over as tonight was just a short detour in where they will be taking both men. Seems that The Miz and Big Show are gearing up for a short stint against MVP and... (Mark Henry perhaps? - we'll see later). (Miz and MVP eliminated)
17. Matt Hardy
The man who last year made one of the best moves of his career - turned on his brother. This year he enters the Rumble match and is disposed of within thirty seconds. Matt needs Jeff, enough said. Kane gets his only elimination in his 12th appearance at the annual event; and, then Triple H sneaks up behind Kane and knocks him out. (Hardy and Kane eliminated)
18. Shawn Michaels
The man that is hell bent on facing The Undertaker in a rematch of last years Mania match makes his entrance in the Rumble - his twelfth, tied with Kane for most Rumble appearances. At this point Carlito is told to hit the showers because he tries to attack someone that's already over - The Heartbreak Kid. Michaels cleans house, taking out: The Legacy and John Morrison. Drew McIntyre receives a slight push in that it required the Unified Tag Team Champions to eliminate the Intercontinental Champion - add to that, the fact that McIntyre was the only one eliminated by two people - it screams volumes as to what the WWE has in store for this (true) young gun. (Carlito, Rhodes, Dibiase, Morrison, and McIntyre eliminated)
19. John Cena
With DX left standing in the ring the logical choice to send out next, was John Cena. Cena has acted as the catalyst in in the DX break-up. Going all the way back to when DX and Cena's triple threat match at Survivor Series was announced. John Cena is the least common factor for DX because all three men are over as huge faces; even though they all want the World Title they will all eventually do whatever it takes. What a better way to show them go at it, again, than in 90 seconds at the Royal Rumble. After a pedigree on John Cena HBK does what no one thought he would do - at least this early in the Rumble - he eliminates Triple H with the Sweet Chin Music. Michaels made it known to Hunter that despite The Game's quest for the championship, Shawn Michaels is going after history at Wrestlemania in wanting to face and defeat The Undertaker. (Triple H eliminated)
20. Shelton Benjamin
As a friend of mine would say, "take that smarks!". Mr. I'll Never Get Passed the Mid Card - Benjamin enters the ring and shows his skills against HBK and John Cena. Smarks loved every minute of it because Shelton can wrestle but he lacks the charisma to be a main eventer. After a short performance John Cena destroys what (little) high hopes Benajamin had and quickly disposes of him to continue to battle Shawn Michaels. (Benjamin eliminated)
21. Yoshi Tatsu
The Japanese sensation was given some huge exposure in the short shift he was given, going at it with the likes of HBK and John Cena. Similarly to Benjamin, though, Tatsu lacks the charisma (and mike skills) needed to be a main star in the company. Tatsu gets his small rub and is tossed out by Cena. (Tatsu eliminated)
22. Big Show
With two top stars in the ring and less than 10 entrants left to enter The Big Show comes out to slow things down. He did run down to the ring quicker than most thought he was able to move, though. Big Show was able to put on his typical giant performance as more meat entered the ring.
23. Mark Henry
The Worlds Strongest Man was sent out to do exactly what Big Show did, slow down the pace. He battled the giant and put some offense in against John Cena and HBK. Nothing special here - Mark Henry will always have a paycheck as long as he can put over talent and slow things down when needed to. Also, this short face-to-face is just a tease in what could be a tag team feud in the making: Miz-Big Show v. MVP-Mark Henry.
24. Chris Masters
Another guy, similar to Carlito in that his future looked bright once upon a time - then he learned how to write a book in 30 days on how to loose weight and was never given the chance to amount to anything again. Masters got his Rumble payday after some offense on HBK. Then he tried to apply the masterlock on The Big Show and paid the price. (Masters eliminated)
25. R-Truth
Truth is finally being given a chance to run with the ball. His rise to the top tier of the Smackdown brand was slowly being written back at Bragging Rights when he was on the winning team. Then, he was teamed with Kofi, Henry, MVP, and Christian at Survivor Series to battle Legacy, Punk and Regal. His short stint with Punk did great for him and a clean victory over Chris Jericho two nights before escalated his stock value. Truth makes a huge impact this night when he takes out the two giant men - ask Shawn Michaels how that worked out for him in 1996! (Show and Henry eliminated).
26. Jack Swagger
A star that is still a bit green but the WWE has been slowly building him up right. His run in ECW was proof that they are high on this talent. Also, his surprise trade to the Raw brand and mike work against Randy Orton was more big time exposure. Sending Swagger out now - this late in the Rumble - was great for the youngster to get a good rub by going up against the guy that the WWE is also high on at the moment from the blue brand - Truth. Look for Jack Thwagger to continue to show off his dominance and move up the company ladder.
27. Kofi Kingston
The way the Royal Rumble has been panning out anyone that lasts for more than two entrants should feel good for themselves because it is saying a lot. However, if you're given the chance to take out two of the stars the WWE is high on at the moment - you should be feeling great about only staying in the Rumble a short amount of time. Kingston cleans house of Swagger and Truth but does so using great athletic ability, which doesn't kill any of the heat that Truth and Swagger gained from their entrance. (Swagger and Truth eliminated)
28. Chris Jericho
The man that earlier in the night said he will main event Wrestlemania makes his way to the ring. With only two more to enter this entry all it does is save Jericho from working a long night and also gives him the chance to be in the final six - which for Jericho means more bragging rights. The one thing that caught me by surprise was that Jericho didn't eliminate Kofi Kingston, instead John Cena FU'd Kofi all the way out. (Kingston eliminated)
29. Edge
The Rated R Superstar makes his long awaited return to the WWE! And is now the favorite to win the Royal Rumble (which I predicted after last years Rumble). Edge makes his way to the ring and quickly spears down everyone. He focuses his attention more on Chris Jericho, the man that's been bad mouthing him all year long. Jericho's short Rumble stint is only consequence, I think, due to his TMZ mugshot because Edge flings Chris Jericho all the way over-the-top and is left wondering what just happened. (Jericho eliminated).
30. Batista
This is the perfect entrance for Batista. Simply because it allows for him to enter the Rumble thinking he'd win it all being how big he is. His new focus on the championship puts his mind at ease seeing as he is only three people away from a main event match at Mania. The opening story of the Rumble was CM Punk and the closing story of the Rumble was Shawn Michaels. Michaels' elimination by the hands - literally- of Batista elevated Batista into the spotlight on the road to Wrestlemania; but now also forces HBK to explain himself to Triple H - not the Undertaker. Batista charges at Cena and is duped out of the ring. The John Cena and Batista stare down at the end of the Rumble gives you an insight at the match that will be one of the main events at the granddaddy-of-them-all! Batista distracted John Cena long enough for Cena to loose focus of the goal at hand and allow Edge, The Ultimate Opportunist, to win the 2010 Royal Rumble. (HBK, Batista, Cena eliminated)
Winner: Edge
The Final Four combatants no one would have predicted going into the Rumble. People would talk about HBK, John Cena, Triple H and anybody from a list of top talent: Kofi Kingston, Ted Dibiase, and CM Punk. No one thought that Batista and Edge would have been the other half of the final four – yes Edge was talked about; but until #29 came out no one thought he would be in the final four.
Many may think that this is a bad idea because the younger talent weren't given the chance to shine - but I rejoice in proving that the young stars were given the chance to show what they got. New stars are not made over night people - Sheamus is not as over as one would like a World Champion to be. This title reign is just his test for the future and he's doing the best he can – which is really good I might add, though he still needs a clean victory over someone. Ted Dibiase got his final four rub last year and he got his main event tease in Randy Orton' match this night. CM Punk was able to preach his way through the Rumble - yes Triple H shut him down but it was Punk's tenacity that outweighed his elimination and gave light upon Punk's reemergence in the WWE. Kofi was the only one that I thought took a step back for me this night because it was John Cena that eliminated him. That can only lead to a match I think, but neither of them are turning heel anytime soon. A John Cena v. Kofi Kingston match in the future - or an altercation at the Elimination Chamber - would cement Kofi in the main event. But still, the fact that Kingston was tossed out with ease by “The Champ” doesn't really sit well with me. I may be reading too much into this – I hope.
All-in-all I thought the Rumble was great - sure it may be a bias opinion because I was there live and got on TV a bunch of times. But, if you really sit back and analyze how the talent was used it shows you what direction the WWE is looking to go. TNA is on the verge of poking their noses where it doesn't belong - Monday nights - and tonight the WWE told everyone that they're ready and are just waiting to pull the trigger on their young talent and decimate TNA. Now all paths lead to Wrestlemania and this year it looks like it'll be one of the best, I’ll post my thoughts on where the WWE seems to be headed going into the Elimination Chamber and what, I think, the Wrestlemania XXVI card will look like this year.
