Rosemont Horizon
Chicago, Illinois
30 Man Royal Rumble *Winner faces the TWF Champion at WrestleMania 3
TWF TITLE MATCH CHALLENGER... HOLLYWOOD HOGAN VS. TRIPLE H
TWF INTERCONTINENTAL/EUROPEAN TITLE MATCH CHALLENGER... EDGE VS. RHYNO
UFC TITLE MATCH CHALLENGER.... TRAVIS WAKEMAN VS. KEN SHAMROCK
TWF LIGHTHEAVYWEIGHT TITLE MATCH CHALLENGER.... X-PAC VS. ESSA RIOS
STREET FIGHT "TOO HOT" SCOTT TAYLOR VS. JORDAN ROCKWELL
GRUDGE MATCH SPIKE DUDLEY VS. "HIGH OCTANE" DAMION WEST
TWF TAG TEAM TITLE MATCH CHALLENGERS.... SEAN O'HAIRE AND CHUCK PALUMBO VS. STRIFE AND BAHAMUT
RESULTS
THE TWF LOGO IS SHOWN AND A VIDEO PACKAGE BEGINS TO PLAY. THE VIDEO DEPICTS THE RETURN OF ROWDY RODDY PIPER AS TWF COMMISSIONER AND THE STUNNED LOOKS ON THE FACES OF VINCE McMAHON AND WALLY WILLSON. LIGHTNING STRIKES ON THE SCREEN AND THE OLD NWO THEME BY JIMY HENDRIX HITS. THE VIDEO THEN SHOWS SHAWN MICHAELS SUPERKICKING VINCE McMAHON AND TURNING ON THE NWO, FOLLOWED BY THE TAG TEAM MATCH THAT SAME NIGHT BETWEEN VINCE AND VAL VENIS AGAINST TRIPLE H AND SHAWN MICHAELS. THE FOOTAGE IS PAUSED AND AN AREA OF THE SCREEN LIGHTS UP WHERE HOLLYWOOD HOGAN IS COMING OUT OF THE CROWD. OLD FOOTAGE IS SHOWN FROM WCW BASH AT THE BEACH WHEN HULK HOGAN TURNED ON RANDY SAVAGE AND JOINED THE NWO. THE ROYAL RUMBLE THEME "FEEL SO NUMB" BY ROB ZOMBIE HITS AS A PICTURE OF TRIPLE H STANDING EYE TO EYE WITH HOGAN APPEARS. Narrator:"In a classic WrestleMania rematch, two gladiators from different ends of the spectacle will collide". PAST ROYAL RUMBLE WINNERS, INCLUDING THE UNDERTAKER AND TRAVIS WAKEMAN ARE SHOWN. Narrator:"Tonight, in perhaps the most exciting match of the year, thirty men will look to claim a spot in the main event of the grand daddy of 'em all". THE WRESTLEMANIA LOGO IS SHOWN FOLLOWED BY A QUICK LOOK AT THE 30 RUMBLE PARTICIPANTS.
Narrator:"Who has the strength, skill and luck of the draw to come out on top"? THE ROSEMONT HORIZON IS SHOWN FROM THE INSIDE AS FIREWORKS GO OFF FOR A FULL MINUTE. Narrator:"And now, TWF Entertainment presents, the 2002 Royal Rumble"!
Jim Ross:"Twenty four thousand strong have jam packed the Rosemont Horizon here in Chicago King for the Royal Rumble and folks, as part of the TWF's ongoing overseas promotion plan, tonight's event is being broadcast in fifty nine other countries"! Jerry Lawler:"Oh boy J.R., I can't wait! It's gonna be the NWO's night! The TWF Title's comin' back to the family"! J.R.:"You act like you're part of it King. But folks, tonight, Hollywood Hogan has returned and he will face the game, Triple H for the richest prize in our business"! AN ENGINE REVS AND HIGH OCTANE's MUSIC HITS. HE AND MOLLY MAKE THEIR WAY DOWN THE AISLE. Lawler:"Not only that J.R., but the NWO has three guys in the Royal Rumble! Oh it's gonna be great"! J.R.:"Well fans, we start things tonight with a weird situation as High Octane and Molly come down the aisle and King, this is all over asking Molly out for a cup of coffee". SPIKE's MUSIC HITS AND HE COMES OUT TO A GOOD POP. Lawler:"It's over a lot more than that J.R.. Molly is High Octane's manager, you can't just ask her out on a date"! J.R.:"It was a friendly date King and you used a very key word in there, Molly's his manager. There's never been any indication these two are involved in any other way. In any event folks, this will be a high flying match and one mistake could make the difference". "High Octane" Damion West vs. Spike Dudley Before the match got underway, Spike gave Molly a flirtatious wink and she winked back. High Octane saw this and went after Spike, dropkicking him in the back and knocking him out of the ring. West followed him out and whipped Spike into the gaurd rail and then into the ring steps. He rolled Spike into the ring and hit a swinging neckbreaker and got a 2 count. He then tried an irish whip but Spike countered it and hip tossed West. He then used a rollup pin to get a 2 count. In all, the match featured over a dozen near falls. Spike ducked a clothesline and grabbed High Octane by the neck and tried for the Dudley Dog. But after bouncing off the corner, Spike was tossed to the mat. When he got up, he was drilled by the "Head on Collision". But Spike was too close to the ropes and got his foot on the bottom rope at the last second. Frustrated, High Octane began to pound on Spike's back with hard forearm blows. He then whipped Spike in and caught him with a flying back elbow. West then asked Molly to come up on the apron and when she did, he kissed her, making sure Spike saw it. He then picked Spike up and went for an irish whip but Spike reversed it and High Octane went right into Molly, knocking her to the floor. Spike then jumped on High Octane's shoulders, spun around and used a victory roll for a quick 1....2...3. Match Time: 6:39 AFTER THE MATCH, HIGH OCTANE THREW A FIT, POUNDING THE MAT WITH CLOSED FITS AND YELLING AT MOLLY FOR THS MISHAP. J.R.:"One mistake cost High Octane as Spike took advantage of him losing focus on the match". Lawler:"Does that tell you something J.R.? High Octane and Molly have more than just a manager-wrestler relationship! Spike better not mess with her anymore"! J.R.:"He may not, but he walks away with a win and he's climbed another rung on the ladder of success in the TWF".
BACKSTAGE TERRY FUNK HAS JUST DRAWN HIS NUMBER OUT OF THE SPINNER FOR THE ROYAL RUMBLE WHEN MICHAEL COLE COMES IN. Michael Cole:"Terry Funk, one of the all time greats in this business. You have come to the TWF for a one time appearance to participate in the Royal Rumble. But it won't be a one time appearance if you win it". Terry Funk( puts his arm around Cole) "Hey Mean Gene, how ya doin'"? Cole:"Actually, I'm Michael Cole, not Mean Gene". Funk:"Yeah, whatever. Ya know, I'm just here to have fun and kick some ass. That's what I got in wrestling to do in the first place". JUST THEN, NAILS WALKS IN WEARING AN NWO SHIRT AND HIS TRADEMARK HOCKEY MASK READY TO DRAW HIS NUMBER. Cole:"Well Terry, isn't there a few men in that match who you are somewhat intimidated by"? Funk:"Me, intimidated. Please Todd Pettengill, I don't get intimidated". Cole:"The name is Michael Cole". NAILS WALKS OVER Nails:"I'd be intimidated old man, intimidated by the New World Order". Funk:"Hey, I remember you. You're that mask wearing freak Nails". Nails:"You're damn right Funk and I promise, if I see you in the Rumble tonight, I'm gonna make sure I put you out for good". NAILS WALKS OUT AS FUNK KIND OF SNIKCERS.
X-PAC's MUSIC HITS AND HE COMES OUT TO A FAVORABLE RESPONSE. J.R.:"Emotions are already running high in the back and what about Terry Funk King? The guy is still at it". Lawler:"He better stay away from the NWO if he knows what's good for him". ESSA RIOS' MUSIC HITS AND HE COMES OUT TO A MIXED REACTION. AROUND HIS WAIST IS THE TWF LIGHTHEAVYWEIGHT TITLE. J.R.:"In my opinion this will be one of the best Lightheavyweight matches we've seen here in a long time folks as it will match the high flying lucha libre style of Essa Rios against the quick, fast footed attack of X-Pac". TWF Lightheavyweight Title Match Challenger.... X-Pac vs. Essa Rios The pace in this one was lightning quick as X-Pac's educated feet gave him a decided advantage. After a great series of arm drags and reversals by both men, X-Pac caught Rios on the chin with a spin kick. X-Pac then positioned Rios for the Bronco Buster but Rios had it well scouted. Rios moved out of the way and X-Pac landed very awkwardly on the bottom turnbuckle. Rios then used an amazing arm flip in which he bounced on the top rope and then he followed that with a set back flip into a cover to get a long 2 count. Rios then body slammed X-Pac and went to the top rope for his moonsault but X-Pac narrowly rolled out of the way. As Rios came to his feet, X-Pac bounced off the ropes and used a flying clothesline as his adrenaline began to pump. Rios ducked a clothesline and he and X-Pac began to trade right hands when X-Pac tried to counter with a spinning heel kick. But Rios ducked and hit the "Rios Driver" literally out of nowhere to get the pin. Match Time: 3:25 J.R.:"Wow, what a match! That one gave you your money's worth"! Lawler:"X-Pac didn't see that coming! Heck, I don't think anyone did"! J.R.:"Essa Rios has solidified his position as the best lightheavyweight in the game folks but the division is heating up and we'll see more matches just like this one down the road".
BACKSTAGE SPIKE DUDLEY IS WALKING BACKSTAGE WITH A TOWEL AROUND HIS NECK, STILL BREATHING HEAVY. SATURN COMES UP. HE IS WEARING A PAIR OF ARMY FATIGUES. Perry Saturn:"Hey Spike, good win tonight man". Spike:"Thanks Perry, good luck in the Royal Rumble". Saturn:"Thanks, I'm gonna need it with the number I drew". Spike:"What did you get"? Saturn:"Well, I wanted number thirty, but I got nineteen". Spike:"Hey, that ain't bad. Ya never know". Saturn:"Yeah, ya never know, talk to ya later Spike".
FOOTAGE IS SHOWN FROM RAW IS WAR OF CHUCK PALUMBO AND SEAN O'HAIRE WINNING THE TAG TEAM BATTLE ROYALE. "THE KINGS" BY RUN DMC HITS AND PALUMBO AND O'HAIRE COME OUT TO A GOOD REACTION. J.R.:"It's time for the tag team title match here at the Royal Rumble and I'm sure this duo hasn't forgot what happened to them at War in the Winter last month". "BOMBSHELL" BY POWERMAN 5000 ROCKS THE LOUDSPEAKERS AS STRIFE AND BAHAMUT MAKE THEIR WAY DOWN THE AISLE. THEY BOTH ARE CLUTCHING THEIR TAG BELT IN ONE HAND AS THE CROWD IS GIVING THEM A HECK OF AN OVATION. Lawler:"Well I'm not really into any of these teams J.R. but even I have to give Strife and Bahamut credit, they've been worthy champions". J.R.:"That's for sure King. Palumbo and O'haire will have their hands full in this one but they are riding the momentum they started on RAW in which they went through every other team in the TWF to get here". TWF Tag Team Title Match Challengers... Chuck Palumbo and Sean O'haire vs. Strife and Bahamut Strife and Bahamut's gameplan was to use their size and strength to outwit and outpower Palumbo and O'haire. The strategy worked well early as Strife pounded away on O'haire. But after a scoop slam, Strife missed an elbow drop and O'haire used on spinning back elbow to the mid section followed by a superkick on the locomotive. He then tagged in Palumbo who came in and stung Strife with hard right hands. After wearing Strife out, Palumbo whipped him to the corner and charged in, but Strife moved out of the way and had enough time to make the tag to Bahamut. Bahamut came in and took on both men, hitting them with several high impact moves. After a running powerslam on Palumbo, Bahamut ducked a clothesline from O'haire and put him down with a hard chokeslam. He then tagged in Strife as the match broke down. Strife clotheslined Palumbo but O'haire lowblowed Bahamut. Strife and O'haire began to trade right hands as Palumbo got up. O'haire ducked a wild swing and he and Palumbo drilled Strife with a double superkick. O'haire made the cover 1.....2...., but Strife got a shoulder up. O'haire then went to the top rope but Palumbo tried to charge Strife from behind. Strife moved and Palumbo went flailing into O'haire, hitting him in the groin and knocking him to a straddle position on the turnbuckle. Bahamut then delivered "What Legends are Made of" to Palumbo as Strife brought O'haire off the turnbuckle with the "Derailer" to get the 1.....2.....3. Match Time: 8:51 J.R.:"Oh boy what a match! That was great tag team action and it shows that the division is going in the right direction King"! Lawler:"Yeah, Strife and Bahamut have survived again". SUDDENLY, PALUMBO AND O'HAIRE GET INTO A HEATED ARGUMENT WHICH SOON TURNS INTO A SHOVING MATCH. THEN, PALUMBO REELED BACK AND PUNCHED HIS PARTNER! A STRUGGLE ENSUED ON THE MAT. AS THE TWO MEN GOT UP, PALUMBO CHARGED O'HAIRE BUT HE SIDESTEPPED HIM AND TOSSED HIM OVER THE TOP ROPE BY HIS HAIR. PALUMBO WALKED UP THE ENTRANCEWAY BACKWARD, POINTING AT O'HAIRE AS IF TO WARN HIM OF SOMETHING. J.R.:"What was that all about King"? Lawler:"They're just frustrated J.R.. They thought they could win this one tonight". J.R.:"Well they are long time partners and it was a disappointing loss, but nothing to throw a partnership away over".
BACKSTAGE AN ANGRY X-PAC IS RANSACKING HIS DRESSING ROOM, POUNDING ON THE LOCKER AND TURNING OVER A REST BENCH. X-Pac: (screaming to himself)"I'm sick of this shit! I'm going nowhere"!
J.R.:"Apparently the frustrations have caught up with X-Pac as well, he's really taking that loss earlier tonight hard". Lawler:"God I guess". J.R.:"Folks, let's take a look at what's led to the next match as we're about to see Rhyno put two titles on the line against the up and coming Edge". A VIDEO PACKAGE IS SHOWN CONTAINING ALL OF THE ALTERCATIONS BETWEEN EDGE AND RHYNO LEADING TO THIS MATCH, ENDING WITH FOOTAGE FROM RAW OF RHYNO ATTACKING EDGE IN THE ARENA PARKING LOT AND "GORING" HIM INTO THE BACK OF HIS OWN CAR. "NEVER GONNA STOP" BY ROB ZOMBIE HITS AS EDGE COMES OUT OF A SMOKE FILLED ENTRANCEWAT DONNING HIS TRADEMARK TRENCH COAT. THE CROWD COMES UNGLUED UPON SIGHT OF HIM. J.R.:"Listen to this ovation! Edge is ready to go King, we're gonna see a new champion tonight"! RHYNO's MUSIC HITS AS HE COMES OUT TO VERY LOUD BOOS. THE IC TITLE IS AROUND HIS WAIST AND HE IS CARRYING THE EUROPEAN TITLE IN HIS RIGHT HAND. Lawler:"Don't get too carried away J.R.. Rhyno is one of the toughest men in the TWF and it's gonna take a lot more than crowd support to beat him and take all the gold"! J.R.:"Tremendous oppurtunity for Edge to go to that next level in his career and show he can win a mega match like this one". TWF Intercontinental/European Title Match Challenger... Edge vs. Rhyno Great Match! This one had everything as these two went all out. Edge looked very good early, hitting all of his main moves and countering Rhyno's. Edge used an inverted bulldog, a flying clothesline from the middle turnbuckle, an inverted russian leg sweep and a small package in succession, all drawing long 2 counts. After both men built some momentum by ducking clotheslines and bouncing off the ropes, Edge leapfrogged Rhyno and caught him with a jumping back claf kick. When Rhyno got up, Edge ducked another wild right hand and hit Rhyno with the Edge-O-Matic. Rhyno's feet came up in the air and Edge grabbed them as referee Mike Chioda counted the 1.....2....., but Rhyno again kicked out. Edge hit Rhyno with a few more right hands and then bounced off the ropes but Rhyno countered with a devastating spinebuster. Edge immediately grabbed the back of his head as Rhyno began to stomp away at his chest. Rhyno then used an overhead suplex and covered Edge 1....2..., but Edge slipped a shoulder up. Rhyno tried a suplex but Edge blocked it with his leg and used a suplex of hos own. After a perfect ddt, Edge went to the top rope. But he misjudged Rhyno's resiliency and as he came off the top, Rhyno "Gored" him in mid air as the crowd came out of their seats in disbelief! "HOLY SHIT, HOLY SHIT" chants began to echo through the arena as Rhyno rolled on top of Edge and got the 1....2.....3. Match Time: 11:27 J.R.:"I don't even know how to describe that other than to say it looks like a major car wreck in Chicago King! My god, what impact that was"! Lawler:"You got that right J.R.! I think Rhyno put a hole through Edge"! J.R.:"Edge definitely wrestled his heart out but he had nothing left after that move"! BACKSTAGE TWF OFFICIAL TONY GAREA, WHO IS WATCHING OVER THE NUMBER DRAWING FOR THE ROYAL RUMBLE IS MIXING UP THE REMAINING NUMBERS IN THE SPINNER WHEN ALL 4 MEMBERS OF EXTREME JAPAN WALK IN TO MAKE THEIR SELECTIONS. THEY ALL CHOOSE A NUMBER AND THEY ALL SEEM DISPLEASED WITH WHAT THEY GOT.
PARKING LOT A BLACK CAR PULLS UP AND PARKS IN THE ENTRANCEWAY. NOBODY GETS OUT BUT A CLEVER CAMERAMAN GETS A CLOSEUP OF A MICHIGAN LICENSE PLATE THAT IS PERSONALIZED AND READS "BOOTY DADDY".
J.R.:"Now who's here King"? Lawler:"I'm not sure J.R., but doesn't that car look a little familiar to you"? J.R.:"Not off hand but it could be anything King, who knows the way tonight has gone. In any event fans, we are ready for perhaps the most volatile situation of the night and it pits two dangerous men vying for a title that represents toughness, take a look". A VIDEO PACKAGE DEPICTING THE LONG STANDING RIVALRY BETWEEN TRAVIS WAKEMAN AND KEN SHAMROCK IS SHOWN, DATING BACK TO WHEN WAKEMAN FIRST ARRIVED IN THE TWF IN 1999. TRAVIS WAKEMAN'S NEW PERSONALIZED THEME "MAKE WAY" BY METHOD MAN HITS AS PYRO POUNDS IN THE BACK. WAKEMAN AND TRISH COME OUT AND ARE IMMEDIATELY MET BY BOOS. WAKEMAN HAS A VERY CONFIDENT LOOK ON HIS FACE. Lawler:"It's all about who's tougher tonight J.R., it's about a lot of other things, a lot of personal issues lie in here as well. But does this man look at all afraid to you"? KEN SHAMROCK's MUSIC HITS AND HE COMES OUT WITH THE UFC TITLE AROUND HIS WAIST. AS THE CROWD LOUDLY CHEERS, SHAMROCK WALKS UP THE RING STEPS AND HITS HIMSELF IN THE HEAD TO GET HIMSELF READY. J.R.:"He doesn't look afraid King, you're right, but when I think of tough, the first person that comes to my mind is this man. Until someone proves otherwise, this is the toughest man maybe anywhere on the planet". UFC Title Match Challenger.... Travis Wakeman vs. Ken Shamrock This one was all Wakeman early as he had Shamrock completely off his game. Wakeman didn't allow himself to get into a mat war with Shamrock, instead keeping about a 3-4 foot distance and going at Shamrock with quick jabs and amatuer go behinds. In one such instance, Wakeman used a go behind and ducked a back elbow by Shamrock, he then used a northern lights suplex into a nice armbar to score a point. Wakeman's target then became the lower back and he began to drop knees in and stomp that area. He even locked in the "Round Table" but Shamrock used a very nice escape counter. Wakeman tried for a side headlock but Shamrock used a fierman's carry and then began to kick and Wakeman's head and then he caught him with a belly to belly suplex. He then began to work on Wakeman's right leg, looking to set up the ankle lock. Wakeman tried to fight off the attempts but Shamrock was relentless. Wakeman kicked Shamrock away and then clotheslined him over the top rope, his own momentum bringing him out. Then came the turning point. Once both men got to their feet, Shamrock grabbed Wakeman's foot and tripped him up. In a nasty scene, he picked Wakeman's knee up and rammed it as hard as he could into the ring steps. Wakeman writhed in pain on the floor as Shamrock got a psychotic look on his face. Concerned, Trish came over to check on Wakeman. Throughout the match, she had hovered over the ringside judges scorecard until this point. Shamrock came out and told Trish "Get the hell out of the way"! He then rolled Wakeman back into the ring and locked in a twisting, pulling side leg lock. In a great deal of pain for nearly 1 minute, Wakeman had no choice but to tap out. Match Time: 11:59 Lawler:"I don't think I've ever seen Wakeman tap out! This can't be J.R."! J.R.:"A very physical match has come to an end and at what price is the question. Shamrock retains the title but what a war". Lawler:"Well somethin' tells me J.R., this ain't over between these two". J.R.:"That may be the most physical match I've ever seen and if it's not over between the two, someone's career could be threatened".
BACKSTAGE Tony Garea:"Okay Texan, come on up, you get the last number in there". MIKE "THE TEXAN" SMITH STOPS THE SPINNER AND GRABS THE NUMBERED BALL. The Texan:"Alright! Now I can live with that"? Lawler:"What'd he draw"? J.R.:"We'll have to wait till the Rumble to find that out King. Wait a minute, what's this"? Lawler:"Yahoo, Stacy"! CARNEY's DRESSING ROOM STACY IS LOOKING IN A MIRROR AS CARNEY IS HITTING A PUNCHING BAG IN THE CORNER. THE PUNCHING BAG HAS MATT HARDY's FACE ON IT. STACY LOOKS AT HIM THROUGH THE MIRROR, A WORRIED LOOK ON HER FACE. J.R.:"Oh boy folks, can you imagine if those two come face to face in the Royal Rumble tonight". Lawler:"If I were Carney, I'd be in the same mood J.R., Matt has messed with his woman". J.R.:"I know he has King, but folks, switching gears somewhat, up next is our Street Fight and King, this one dates back to Doomsday and if you thought the last match was brutal, you better turn your head for most of this one". A VIDEO PACKAGE CHRONICOLING THE ENTIRE JORDAN ROCKWELL/ATTACKER ANGLE IS SHOWN DARING BACK TO DOOMSDAY IN OCTOBER AND CULMINATING WITH SCOTT TAYLOR REVEALED AS THE MAN WHO RESPONSIBLE, TURNING ON HIS FRIEND AND NEW BREED LEADER. SCOTT TAYLOR's NEW THEME BY NAUGHTY BY NATURE HITS AND HE COMES OUT TO THE LOUDEST BOOS OF THE NIGHT. Lawler:"Taylor's got some guts J.R., a lot of men wouldn't be coming out here alone like this". J.R.:"Is it guts or is it stupidity? I don't think I've ever been as disappointed in an individual as I have been with this guy here". "ROCK HARD" BY JA RULE HITS AS LITA AND JORDAN ROCKWELL COME OUT. THEY ARE SPORTING THE NEWEST ITEM IN THE TWF SHOPZONE, THE NEW "NEW BREED 4-EVER" T-SHIRT. NOTICEABLY ABSENT ON THE SHIRT IS TAYLOR. Lawler:"Rockwell has gotta be a ticking time bomb J.R., this isn't humane"! J.R.:"Oh, but it was humane to run a man over? To attack him from behind with a steel pipe while wearing a mask? Rockwell's suffered enough King, it's Taylor's turn to now"! Street Fight Jordan Rockwell vs. "Too Hot" Scott Taylor Rockwell came out like a madman but Taylor was ready for that, absorbing some of Rockwell's shots and then ducking a haymaker punch and planting him with a pump handle slam. But Taylor soon fell victim to a hard clothesline and a superkick. Rockwell then threw him outside the ring and the assault continued. Rockwell took his hand and slammed it into the ring steps 3 times before wrapping his left arm around the steel post. He then grabbed an electrical cord from around the gaurd rail and began to choke Taylor out. With the cord still wrapped aroung his neck, Rockwell brought Taylor into the ring and threw him over the top rope, hanging him. After freeing Taylor, Rockwell pounded on his head with right hands before going out of the ring and grabbing a kendo stick. As Taylor staggered to his feet, Rockwell broke the kendo stick over his skull. Rockwell then sat down into a reverse armbar and Taylor didn't even seem to be concious. Rockwell pulled Taylor up and hit "Extreme Measures" but as referee Tim White got to a 2 count, Rockwell pulled him up. He then drug him to the corner and went up to to the turnbuckle. He flipped over Taylor while holding him around the neck, a devastating variation of "Extreme Measures". This time, White made the 3 count and the match was over. Match Time: 6:58 J.R.:"Well fans, for the sake of Scott Taylor's future, the match is over but I can't say I'm sorry for him King". Lawler:"What do you mean J.R.? Nobody deserves that! He could've killed him"! J.R.:"Oh my god, look out"! JUST THEN, A MASKED MAN CAME OUT OF THE CROWD AND BLASTED ROCKWELL IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD WITH A STEEL PIPE! AS ROCKWELL LAY FLAT ON HIS FACE, THE MAN TOOK OFF HIS MASK, REVEALING HIMSELF AS SCOTT STEINER! LITA CAME INTO THE RING AND COVERED ROCKWELL, SACRIFYCING HERSELF IN ORDER TO ENSURE NO MORE DAMAGE WAS DONE TO ROCKWELL. BUT TAYLOR PULLED HER OFF AND STEINER LOCKED IN THE "STEINER RECLINER". HE FINALLY LET IT GO AND HE AND TAYLOR WALKED OFF. LITA, TEARS FLOWING FROM HER EYES, CAME IN TO CHECK ON ROCKWELL. Lawler:"Oh my god J.R., this is, this is serious". J.R.:"You're damn right it's serious and I want some answers! What is Scott Steiner doing in the TWF"?!
BACKSTAGE X-PAC OPENS HIS DRESSING ROOM DOOR. HALL AND NASH ARE ON THE OTHER SIDE. X-Pac:"Come on in guys, we gotta talk". HALL AND NASH ENTER AND THE DOOR CLOSES.
CAMERAS FOLLOW SCOTT STEINER AND SCOTT TAYLOR WHO HURRIEDLY LEAVE THE ARENA IN THE BLACK CAR THAT PULLED UP EARLIER.
J.R.:"Fans I'm still stunned about what just happened out here, but we've got a TWF Title match to focus on next". Lawler:"Oh yeah J.R., it's time for the gold to come back to the family. The game is over in just a few minutes". J.R.:"Well that remains to be seen King but fans, it was just days ago on RAW, when Triple H teamed with Shawn Michaels against Val Venis and Vince McMahon and no one would've guessed what Vince had up his sleeve". THAT VERY FOOTAGE FROM PRIMETIME IS REPLAYED.
HOLLYWOOD HOGAN's NWO THEME BY JIMY HENDRIX HITS AND HE COMES OUT PLAYING THE AIR GUITAR. THE FANS ARE GIVING HIM A LOT OF HEAT AND HE LOVES IT. Lawler:"There he is J.R., the soon to be crowned TWF champion"! J.R.:"This man is perhaps the most recognized superstar of all time and he has had tremendous success in World title matches. However, this one will be of a different magnitude". "THE GAME" BY MOTORHEAD HITS AS TRIPLE H COMES OUT WITH THE TW TITLE AROUND HIS WAIST. AS THE CROWD GETS LOUDER AND LOUDER, HE POURS WATER OVER HIS HEAD, SHAKES IT OFF AND WALKS DOWN THE RAMP, VERY DETERMINED. Lawler:"He is the game J.R., I will admit that but Hogan is a proven winner. He's beaten all the greats J.R."! J.R.:"It won't be a Ric Flair-Harley Race classic or anything of that nature but it could change things as they stand in the present day TWF dramatically". Lawler:"Can you imagine the power the NWO would have almost immediately with Hogan as champion J.R.". J.R.:"I don't even wanna think about it". TWF Title Match Challenger... Hollywood Hogan vs. Triple H Hogan gave Triple H fits throughout, using several eye rakes and back rakes to slow him down. Hogan hit the game with a suplex and a hard clothesline after whipping him to the corner. After a nice scoop slam, Hogan charged with a clothesline but Triple H ducked and used a very quick neckbreaker. That turned the tide as Triple H dropped a knee drop to get a 2 count. He backed Hogan into the corner and while grabbing the ring ropes, began to kick away at his chest. Triple H tried an irish whip but Hogan reversed it. Hogan swung with a clothesline but Triple H ducked. But as he came off the other side, Hogan stuck his trademark big boot right in his face. Hogan then went to the corner and began to loosen one of the turnbuckle pads. But Triple H came from behind and hammered him in the back. That led to a jumping knee to the face and another 2 count. Hogan then used a thumb to the eye and whipped him into the ropes but he put his head down too early and Triple H used the facebuster to the knee. Triple H was in position for the win when to everyone's shock, down the ramp came his ex-wife Stephanie McMahon! She was wearing an NWO T-shirt! Helmsley was stunned as she got closer to the ring. Then, Hogan came from behind and spun Triple H around. Triple H blocked his right hand and went for a body slam but Hogan used a nice small package, grapevining one of Helmsley's legs as Steph grabbed the other, pulling it down as referee Earl Hebner counted the 1......2.....3. and Hogan had done it! Match Time: 8:13 Lawler:"I knew it! I knew it J.R.! The NWO has got all the power"! J.R.:"Hogan is the champion but what is Stephanie McMahon doing here? This is a night I will never forget folks and it's these surprise appearances that are making it that way"! Lawler:"Well she's the billion dollar princess J.R., she's Vince's daughter! I think she can do whatever she wants"! BACKSTAGE Michael Cole:"What a crazy night guys. I'm backstage here at the Rosemont Horizon and I can tell you that Jordan Rockwell suffered a slight concussion and a good sized bump on his head due to the attack by Scott Steiner earlier tonight but he is coherent now as he is with Lita and a few paramedics as we spaek. As for Travis Wakeman, it was at first feared that he had ligament damage in his knee but he will have an MRI done tommorow to find out the extent of the injury. Paramedics back here said they didn't expect him to have any serious damage". J.R.:"Okay Michael, I know our fans at home appreciate that update
but now fans it's time for what we've all been waiting for. Let's take a look at the Royal Rumble match". "FEEL SO NUMB" BY ROB ZOMBIE HITS AS THE 30 PARTICIPANTS ARE SHOWN.
HOWARD FINKEL EXPLAINS THE RULES AND THEN THE NWO THEME HITS AS WILLIAM REGAL COMES OUT AS THE MAN WHO DREW NUMBER 1. Lawler:"Oh no, Regal couldn't have gotten a worse draw J.R., this is terrible". J.R.:"The odds are definitely not in his favor". EXTREME JAPAN's THEME HITS AND THE BIGGEST RISK TAKER IS WRESTLING HISTORY, HAYABUSA COMES RUNNING TO THE RING. THE BELL RINGS AND THE MATCH IS UNDER WAY. ORDER OF ENTRY 1. William Regal 2. Hayabusa 3. Drew Blood 4. Jeff Hardy 5. Kevin Nash 6. Nails 7. Yuji Matasamo 8. Vlad the Impaler 9. Christian 10. Masa Chono 11. Leviathan 12. Scott Hall 13. Muta 14. Justin Sane 15. Mr. Perfect 16. Ahmed Walker 17. Val Venis 18. Carney 19. Perry Saturn 20. Nemesis 21. Rob Van Dam 22. Terry Funk 23. Tazz 24. Chris Benoit 27. Big Show 28. Mike "The Texan" Smith 29. Eddie Guerrero 30. Matt Hardy
Hayabusa and Regal started things off and Regal gained control early, hitting Hayabusa with several forearms to the face and a double knee to the head. He then used a double underhook powerbomb and signaled to the crowd that he was gonna eliminate Hayabusa. He grabbed him by the back of his mask but Hayabusa, as he was running with Regal, jumped on the middle ring rope and flipped over Regal. He then dropkicked him in the back of the head, right out of the ring. Drew Blood and Jeff Hardy joined the fray and Drew Blood dodged a charging Hayabusa and threw him over the top rope. But then in a huge surprise, Jeff hit Drew with "Poetry in Motion" and threw Drew Blood out, not even 2 minutes after he had come in. As the ring began to fill, Nails and Vlad the Impaler double teamed "Big Sexy" Kevin Nash as Jeff Hardy and Yuji Matasamo traded turns trying to eliminate each other. Nash fought both men off, shoving Nails to the mat and kneeing Vlad in the midsection. Nails then charged Nash but got caught with a boot to the face. As Nails stumbled around trying to recover, Jeff Hardy dropkicked him out of the ring. Nails then planted Vlad with the "Jacknife". Nash then turned around and launched Matasamo out. Christian and Masa Chono joined the match and Chono went right after Nash, but Nash dominated him, backing him into the corner and hitting him with some hard elbows. Vlad recovered from the Jacknife and clotheslined Matt Hardy out of the ring. Moments later, Christian ran at him but he backdropped him to the floor as well. Chono, Vlad and Nash were the only 3 men in the ring at this time and Vlad and Chono teamed up on the big man. As the clock was counting down for a new superstar to join the fray, Chono and Vlad each lifted one leg and dumped Nash out, surprising many in attendance. The Leviathan then came out and he and Vlad went toe to toe as Chono took a breather in the corner. Leviathan was fresh and began hammering Vlad to the mat. But Vlad hung on in each attempt to eliminate him and then Chono came from behind and attacked the "Demon of the Deep". Out came Scott Hall as the crowd went nuts. He went right after Chono and Vlad, hitting both with discus punches. But he forgot about Leviathan and when he turned around, Leviathan crushed him with a clothesline that knocked him to the floor. Muta was next out and this is when the Rumble began to get interesting as he and Chono worked as a unit, staying in the ring for over a half an hour together. Muta took on Vlad while Chono held his own with Leviathan. After taking a pounding from the two, Extreme Japan came out on top as Chono caught Vlad with a ddt and he and Muta double superkicked Leviathan, knocking him up against the ropes. Muta then kicked him again on the side of the head, taking him out. Vlad picked up where he left off with Muta when Justin Sane came out of nowhere and almost uplifted Muta out of the ring. Chono saw this and came and locked in a variation of the chicken wing on Sane. Muta then put him in the corner and used 3 blistering knifedge chops. But Sane reversed it and chopped Muta's chest, leaving it red. He then got a running start and came at Muta but Muta backdropped him over the steel turnpost and to the floor. 1O seconds later, Chono undercut Vlad and Muta superkicked him to the floor. Chono and Muta were running the ring! Ahmed Walker and Mr. Perfect, making his full time return to a great ovation, were the next 2 guys out. They decided to pair off as Walker took Muta and Perfect went after Chono. After a headscissors takedown on Walker, Muta came over and he and Chono used a double jumping bulldog on Perfect. Walker came from behind and hammered Chono on the back but strength in numbers was too much as Muta lowblowed him and the two tossed him together. They tried to do the same to Perfect but in one of the hightlights of the match, Perfect moved out of the way of a double superkick and clotheslined Muta. He then used the "Perfect Plex" on Chono but instead of dropping him in the ring, he just "Perfect Plexed" him to the floor. An angry Muta came at him from behind but Perfect sidestepped him and launched him high in the air to the floor. Perfect climbed to the middle turnbuckle and raised his arms as the crowd came to their feet, he was the only man in the ring. Val Venis, Carney and Saturn soon joined the competition. Saturn and Perfect traded shots as did Venis and Carney. Saturn countered a "Perfect Plex" with a jab to the ribs and then Saturn hit him with a jumping knee drop. Saturn and Venis exchanged shots as Carney moved over to Perfect. Perfect began to dominate Carney, slowing him down with a knee to the gut and then some polished right hands. Val was all over Saturn and after a fisherman suplex of his own, Val stood over Saturn and began to do his hip swivel taunt when Saturn grabbed him by the tights and flung him toward the ropes. Then, in possibly the upset of the night, Saturn crescent kicked Venis to the floor! Nemesis and Rob Van Dam joined the match and moments later, the crowd came to it's feet when Terry Funk's old music hit and he came down the aisle. Funk went right after the Hardcore champ, RVD and had him reeling against the ropes. Nemesis was dominating the much smaller Carney as Perfect muscled Saturn over the top rope. As Perfect and Saturn argued, Nemesis chokeslammed Carney. Right when Perfect turned around, he was ran over by a running boot from Nemesis and eliminated. Funk hit RVD with a hard headbutt and went up top for his famous moonsault but RVD kipped up and jumped on the middle turnbuckle, pushing Funk to the floor. Seconds later, Tazz came out and he and RVD, no strangers, went at it, trading hard shots. RVD caught him with a step over spin kick and then he grabbed him by the back of the head and ran him out. He then went to Nemesis. Nemesis picked up RVD to chokeslam him to the floor but RVD hooked his feet to the ropes to block it. As Nemesis tried to seperate his feet from the ropes, Carney came and dropkicked both men to the floor simultaneously. Chris Benoit, The Undertaker and The Rock were the next 3 numbers. The Rock and Undertaker wasted no time trading shots, with the Undertaker's soup bone right hands prevailing. After 2 conscutive german suplexes, Carney back elbowed Chris Benoit and charged him but Benoit locked in the Crossface. Carney fought his way out of it and charged Benoit. Benoit backdropped him and he landed on the apron. The Undertaker swung at Carney but he ducked. However, Benoit hit him and knocked him off the apron, to the floor. The Big Show walked down the aisle and he and The Undertaker met toe to toe in the center of the ring and they began to wail away on each other. Benoit and The Rock had a short series in which The Rock whipped him to the ropes and went for a samoan drop. Benoit slid off his shoulders but when he landed, Undertaker grabbed him by the back of the head and threw him out of the ring. The Big Show and The Rock had a physical confrontation as Mike "The Texan" Smith came down the aisle. He came in and got in the middle of The Rock-Big Show brawl and was immediately chokeslammed by Big Show. The Rock then threw him out and he and Big Show again traded blows. The Texan lasted a TWF record low 43 seconds. Eddie Guerrero came out next and he and The Rock squared off as The Undertaker and Big Show went another round. Big Show went for a chokeslam but Undertaker kicked him in the groin and The Rock came from behind with a ton of momentum and pushed the 500 pounder out! Down to the nitty gritty, Matt Hardy entered the match number 30. But he was only in it for a little over 2 minutes. As he tangled with Eddie Guerrero, Carney came in and delivered the "Carney Drop". The Rock then picked Matt up and tossed him out. As Guerrero took a breather, The Rock and The Undertaker traded blows and The Rock began to get the best of him. He spit into his right hand and went for a big shot but The Undertaker ducked and wrapped a hand around The Rock's throat. He then chokeslammed him to the floor. This left Latino Heat and The Deadman. Guerrero was unsure about how to attack The Undertaker as he circled to avoid him. He made the right move by dropkicking his kneecap. After a few hard shots to the back, Guerrero hit a swinging neckbreaker. He then went to the top rope looking for the kill but when he jumped off, The Undertaker snatched him out of the air and dropped him with the "Tombstone". The Undertaker picked up the lifeless body of Guerrero and heaved him to the floor to win the match. Match Time: 1:08:22 J.R.:"The same man who won this match two years ago has won it again and now The Undertaker has his ticket punched! He'll wrestle in the main event at WrestleMania three"! Lawler:"I don't know how the NWO is gonna like this outcome! But they'll think of something. Remember, they have Stephanie now"! J.R.:"Oh don't remind me! Where is this company going"?!
THE NEXT TIME THE TWF IS ON PPV
EXTRA RUMBLE NOTES MOST ELIMINATIONS MUTA, VLAD THE IMPALER, MR. PERFECT, THE UNDERTAKER & THE ROCK: ALL WITH 3
MOST TIME IN THE RING MASA CHONO: 37:19 MUTA: 32:34 VLAD THE IMPALER: 32:22
