Nagai Stadium
Osaka, Japan
A VIDEO PACKAGE OF THE EVENTS LEADING TO THIS YEAR's ROYAL RUMBLE FROM BOTH RAW AND PRIMETIME WAS SHOWN BEFORE THE FREE 4 ALL LOGO CAME ONTO THE SCREEN AND THE ARENA, WHERE FANS WERE BEGINNING TO FILE IN, WAS SHOWN. AL SNOW AND THE HONKY TONK MAN CAME INTO THE PICTURE FROM A SPOT HIGH IN THE ARENA. Al Snow: "Hello fans and welcome to Free 4 All from Osaka, Japan! We are here to get you all set for what will be one hell of a pay-per-view, the Royal Rumble"! Honky Tonk Man: "Superstars are backstage as we speak drawing thieir numbers and I got a sneak peek of the number Matt Hardy drew and all I gotta say is he may be right when he says 2003 may be the year of Mattitude"! Snow: "Well you're right Honky, the superstars are drawing their numbers and will be up until the start of the Royal Rumble! Now we all know that the luck of the draw is as important as any aspect of that match and for any of you fans who would like to see the order of entry for this year's Royal Rumble match, all you have to do is log on to TWF.com and go to the Superstar Corner, the entire list will be there in about forty five minutes"! Honky Tonk Man: "Well I've just been told that Randy Orton and John Cena are about to draw their numbers, let's go back there now"! THE SCENE SHIFTS BACKSTAGE WHERE TONY GAREA IS COORDINATING THE DRAWING. RANDY ORTON DRAWS A NUMBER AND AS HE AND CENA BEGIN TO WALK OUT, "CRAZY STICK" MIKE MARCELLUS WALKS IN WEARING A HOCKEY JERSEY WITH THE JAPANESE FLAG SUN ON IT. Randy Orton: "What are you doing, you're not in the Royal Rumble"? John Cena: "Yeah chump, this match is for real talent". Mike Marcellus: "I was told to come see how many people still need to draw. And if it's for real talent, how come both you momma's boys are in it"? MARCELLUS TURNS AROUND BUT IS ATTACKED FROM BEHIND BY ORTON AND CENA. AFTER TAKING A BEATING, MARCELLUS FIGHTS THEM OFF BEFORE DRILLING CENA INTO THE BRICK WALL, SIMILAR TO A CROSS CHECK IN HOCKEY. HE LEAVES BOTH MEN DOWN AND LEAVES. Honky Tonk Man: "What crawled up his ass"? Snow: "Those two punks Orton and Cena and they look worse than he does"! A-Train vs. Malice In front of about half the capacitu crowd, these two, who've had some real brawls in recent memory, fought to a double count out. However, it took several members of Japanese security to break them up. BACKSTAGE SAM WILDE AND NEMESIS ARE SHOWN DRAWING THEIR NUMBERS. SAM WILDE SEEMS A LITTLE UNHAPPY BUT NEMESIS DOESN'T REALLY REACT TO THE NUMBER HE GETS. Al Snow: "Well folks, Nemesis and Sam Wilde have selected their numbers but we have just received word that John Cena has a badly bruised back and he will not be able to compete in tonight's Royal Rumble. RAW Owner Stephanie McMahon has given his spot to the Crazy Stick Mike Marcellus"! Honky Tonk Man: "That's a travesty! Attack and man and then take his place, great going Steph"! Snow: "I'd watch yourself there country boy"! Sean 0'haire w/Carney vs. Jamal w/Rosey This was an intense match that could've gone either way. After O'haire caught Jamal with a flying clothesline, Rosey tried to get involved but Carney was there to cut him off. After dodging a big avalanche in the corner, O'haire drilled Jamal with a superkick to win it. Snow: "Well folks, we are moments away from the Royal Rumble as nearly 55,000 people have filled the Nagai stadium here in Osaka, Japan. If you have not ordered this event yet, you have just a few minutes to do so"! Honky Tonk Man: "And remember, if you wanna see what number some of these superstars have drawn, just log on to TWF.com and go to the superstar corner, the entire list is now there"! Snow: "That's all we got folks, for the loudmouth country boy, I'm Al Snow, enjoy the Rumble"! *** NOTE TO MEMBERS: YOU CAN GO TO THE MOST RECENT SUPERSTAR CORNER FOR THAT LISTING. THE TWF LOGO FLASHES ACROSS THE SCREEN FOLLOWED BY ALL THE COPYRIGHT INFORMATION. A DARK ROAD THEN APPEARS AS THE CAMERA VIEW IS SHOWN FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF SOMEONE ON A MOTORCYCLE. THE FINGERLESS GLOVES ON HIS HANDS CLUTCH THE HANDLEBARS. FROM THE THICK FOG ON THE ROAD APPEARS THE IMAGE OF EVERY MAN SCHEDULED TO COMPETE IN THE ROYAL RUMBLE ALONG WITH THE RAW AND PRIMETIME LOGOS. THE ENGINE ROARS AS THE MOTORCYCLE MAKES IT's WAY DOWN THE LONELY ROAD. AS THE MOTORCYCLE COMES TO A STOP, THE ROAD ENDS WHERE THERE IS A VERY BRIGHT LIGHT COMING AHEAD WHICH CONTAINS THE WRESTLEMANIA 4 LOGO. A FIGURE STEPS OFF THE BIKE WEARING BLACK STEEL TOE BOOTS. THE CAMERA FOCUSES ON THE MAN WHO IS THE UNDERTAKER, THE WORLD TITLE HANGING FROM HIS RIGHT HAND. Undertaker: "This ain't gonna be an easy road". THE SHOT THEN GOES INSIDE THE SOLD OUT NAGAI STADIUM AS THE ROYAL RUMBLE LOGO APPEARS ON THE SCREEN. THE IMAGE OF A SUN THEN RISES AND SITS ATOP THE LOGO BEFORE THE WORDS ROYAL RUMBLE IS SPELLED OUT IN JAPANESE LETTERS. ON THE SET, FIREWORKS GO OFF FOR A GOOD 20 SECONDS AS THE CROWD GOES NUTS. "And now... TWF Entertainment presents.... a joint production of RAW and PrimeTime.... the 2003 Royal Rumble"! Jim Ross: "Welcome to the 2003 TWF Royal Rumble live from Osaka, Japan and I gotta say King, the fans down here are as loyal as they are in the states"! Jerry Lawler: "I can't believe this J.R., it's like WrestleMania"! J.R.: "In addition to the 55,000 fans in attendance and all of you watching at home in the U.S., the Royal Rumble is being seen by thirty one countries tonight"! Lawler: "Well all the superstars have selected their numbers J.R., their fate is sealed"! THE LIGHTS DIM AS "BLACK RAIN" BY EVE HITS AND BLACK SMOKE COMES OUT OF BOTH SIDES OF THE SET AS AKASHA COMES OUT WITH THE WOMEN's TITLE AROUND HER WAIST. J.R.: "In addition to the big Royal Rumble in which the winner goes to the main event at WrestleMania, we have two blockbuster title matches tonight from each respective division"! Lawler: "Well speaking of title matches J.R., we're starting things off with one"! "IT JUST FEELS RIGHT" HITS AS LITA COMES OUT TO ONE OF THE BIGGEST POPS OF THE NIGHT. J.R.: "Well in case you missed Free 4 All fans, Lita was scheduled to give an interview but flu like symptons kept her from doing that. However, she has insisted on competing in this match tonight"! Lawler: "You don't think that has anything to do with Akasha's black dust, do you J.R."? J.R.: "I refuse that has anything to do with it. However, I Lita's condition could play a big factor in this huge title match". TWF Women's Title Match Challenger... Lita vs. Akasha The bell sounded and the 2 women met in the center of the ring. Akasha made contact with a bitch slap but this infuriated Lita and she came back with a hard right hand. She backed the champion to the corner with more hard right hands before referee Charles Robinson stepped in for a clean break. But he didn't get one as Akasha thumbed Lita in the eye and then blasted her with a hard forearm. Akasha then punished Lita with her bruising style, ramming the back of Lita's head into the mat several times. Lita was in a lot of trouble as Akasha seemed to be toying with her. Akasha then bounced off the ropes after a hard body slam but she missed with an elbow and Lita shook off the pain and just went after Akasha with everything she had. After a headscissor takedown got a 2 count, Lita hit a nice swinging neckbreaker. She went for another cover but Akasha kicked out after 2. Lita was determined to keep the pressure on and hit a tornado ddt which got a 2 and a half. Shocked that Akasha kicked out, Lita baited her into catching her leg and cracked the back of her head with an enziguri. She rolled Akasha over as Robinson made the count 1.....2....., but Akasha got the right shoulder off the mat. Frustrated, Lita slammed Akasha and went upstairs, looking for her patented moonsault. But Akasha countered by getting her knees up in Lita's gut. Lita was slow to get up and when she did, she stumbled right into a kick to the midsection followed by the "Cloud of Darkness". Akasha hooked the leg and got 1.....2.....3. Match Time: 12:21 J.R.: "Well I'll be damned, Akasha has survived and that's about all"! Lawler: "But she won J.R.! That's all that matters"! J.R.: "Well I suppose in the end it is. But my hat is off to these ladies! Like them or not, they've put on another great wrestling match in their division and I dare someone to show me better in ring action from their women than what the TWF has night in and night out"! BACKSTAGE... RAVEN AND KANYON ARE SHOWN. Kanyon: "So you mentioned the masterpiece to Shane"? Raven: "Of course I did". Kanyon: "And what'd he say"? Raven: "Well I obviously didn't give him the jist of it. But this is genius, this is Shakespearean. Besides, Shane can't stand the guy". Kanyon: "Ya got a point". BACK AT RINGSIDE, CHUCK PALUMBO's MUSIC HITS AND HE AND SHAWN STASIAK COME OUT TO A GOOD POP. J.R.: "Even though I tune into PrimeTime every time it's on, I can't say that I know just what in the hell Raven's masterpiece is! But it's now time for the RAW tag team title match as you see the challengers come out and King, this all started because of what was supposed to be advice, take a look". FOOTAGE IS SHOWN FROM RAW A FEW WEEKS BACK WHEN CHRISTOPHER NOWINSKI AND MR. PERFECT SET UP AN ADVICE STAND OUTSIDE THE ARENA. A WOMAN CAME UP TO ASK ABOUT BEING A TWF DIVA AND WAS INSULTED ABOUT HER WEIGHT. Lawler: "Ahahahaha! That was great J.R."! Lawler: "And why is Stasiak with him? Because Perfect and Nowinski turned him down that same night"? J.R.: "Let's get one thing perfectly clear. Perfect and Nowinski are nothing more than a couple of pompous jackasses! They're the last ones who should be giving advice"! Lawler: "Well they've got gold around their waists, I'd take it"! RAW Tag Team Title Match Challengers.... Chuck Palumbo and Shawn Stasiak vs. Mr. Perfect and Christopher Nowinski As Perfect and Nowinski got into the ring, Stasiak and Palumbo wasted no time getting the action started. The bell sounded but with all 4 men in the ring, referee Chad Patton had his hands full. After Stasiak hip tossed Perfect off an irish whip, Palumbo powerslammed Nowinski and the champions exited the ring to regroup as the challengers received a hand. The pace was calmed down and Palumbo started things off with Perfect. After gaining position, Perfect blasted Palumbo's chest with his hard knifedge chops. After a snapmare, he tagged in Nowinski who came in and kicked Palumbo right in the back. After a hard backbreaker, Nowinski sent him to the ropes but put his head down to early and Palumbo kicked him in the chest. That led to a discus punch and Palumbo made the tag. Stasiak came in and took it to Nowinski, hammering him with some stiff rights and lefts before ramming him into the turnbuckle. Stasiak then knocked Perfect off the apron with a cheap shot but Nowinski reversed an irish whip and Perfect grabbed Stasiak's leg from the floor. Stasiak turned his back but took his eye off Nowinski who caught him with a knee in the back. Stasiak's lower back then became the focal point of the champions attack. For the next 9 minutes, Stasiak was isolated against on their half of the ring and they exhibited smart tag team wrestling with their frequent tags. After a suplex, Perfect drilled Palumbo with a right hand. All riled up, Palumbo tried to get in but was cut off by Patton. This allowed the champs to double team Stasiak. They then sent him to the ropes but Stasiak kicked Perfect in the chest when he put his head down a shade early before dropping Nowinski with a clothesline. Stasiak then ducked a clothesline from Perfect and hit a nice reverse ddt. This allowed him the time to tag in Palumbo who came in as the crowd came alive. After hitting each man with 3 right hands each, Palumbo hit Nowinski with a double underhook belly to belly suplex. Perfect came from behind with a double sledge to the back when Stasiak got back in. After clotheslining Nowinski out of the ring, Stasiak followed him and they were brawling on the floor. In the ring, Perfect went for a vicious backhand off an irish whip but Palumbo ducked a blasted him with a superkick. The echo was hear throughout the stadium as Palumbo hooked the near leg for the victory. Match Time: 14:32 Lawler: "No way"! J.R.: "This has gotta be considered a huge upset folks but Shawn Stasiak and Chuck Palumbo have done it"! STASIAK AND PALUMBO WERE AWARDED THE BELTS AND THE CROWD WAS DEFEANING AS THEIR MUSIC PLAYED AND THEY WALKED UP THE RAMP, HOLDING THEM UP. Lawler: "I don't believe it J.R.! I wouldn't have guessed that in a million years"! J.R.: "Well believe it, we've got new tag team champs"! BACKSTAGE... STEPHANIE McMAHON's OFFICE.... STEPHANIE IS ON THE PHONE. Stephanie: "Yes, all I want is a little more information on him. I know he competeted in the strongest man stuff. (pauses) Well I know you counseled him. Yes, I know he's a little dangerous. (long pause while she listens) Listen, I understand your concerns and trust me, I greatly appreciate them. But I think I will be able to handle Nathan Jones here on RAW". OTHER SIDE OF THE STADIUM.... ENTRANCE.... THE FANS INSIDE GO WILD WHEN THE DOORS OPEN AND SHAWN MICHAELS ENTERS DRESSED IN STREET CLOTHES AND WEARING A COWBOY HAT. BACK AT RINGSIDE, CHRIS TIRPAK's NEW MUSIC HITS AS HE AND BRADSHAW COME OUT TO A BIG POP. J.R.: "Well Shawn Michaels is here in Japan and now seems like a great time to send it over to our broadcast colleagues Michael Cole and Bobby Heenan, take it away guys"! Bobby Heenan: "And he didn't even call me a weasel tonight". Michael Cole: "No but he should've. Fans, as J.R. just mentioned, Shawn Michaels is in the building tonight but before we start the Royal Rumble tonight, there are still spots to be filled and that's what we're about to determine Brain". "MAKE WAY" BY METHOD MAN HITS AND TRISH LEADS OUT TRAVIS WAKEMAN AND BROCK LESNAR TO A HOARD OF BOOS. Heenan: "There are two spots left and the winners of this match are gonna get them. Now despite all the problems these two have had, I can't bet against them". Cole: "Well they are former champions but during their tenure in power on PrimeTime, I don't know if there are two guys who wanted their hides more than Tirpak and Bradshaw"! Royal Rumble Qualification Match Wakeman Enterprises w/Trish vs. Chris Tirpak and Bradshaw Wakeman started things off with Tirpak and took him to the mat quickly. But Tirpak popped up out of a top wrist lock and cracked Wakeman with a right hand. He then tagged in Bradshaw who came in ready to pound on W.E.. He sent Wakeman to the ropes and used a backbody drop, sending Wakeman high in the air. He then charged him when he got up with a football like block but Wakeman dodged him and he collided with Tirpak. Wakeman tagged in Lesnar as Tirpak and Bradshaw's problems were only beginning. Lesnar backed Bradshaw to the corner and just drove his shoulder into his gut several times. After a big powerslam, Lesnar had a cover but Tirpak broke it up. Lesnar continued to pound on the big Texan before tagging Wakeman back in. Wakeman worked on the right leg of Bradshaw, trying to break his vertical base. After an inverted swinging neckbreaker that was a beauty, Wakeman brought back in the power with Brock. Lesnar whipped Bradshaw to the corner and charged in but Bradshaw moved and he went shoulder first into the post. Bradshaw was able to tag in Tirpak and realizing this was their best chance, Tirpak jumped in and hit Brock with a backdrop suplex before a big legdrop. However, Lesnar was able to kick out at 3. After planting Lesnar with a jumping ddt, Tirpak made the cover but Wakeman came in to break it up. Bradshaw had seen enough and he came in with a hammering forearm to Wakeman's back. He then bounced off the ropes looking for the "Clothesline from Hell" but Wakeman used a lowbridge and sent him sailing to the floor. As Wakeman looked down at Bradshaw, Tirpak came from behind and launched him to the floor. Tirpak dusted his hands off but when he turned around, Lesnar lifted him up and hit the "F5" to get the 1....2....3. Match Time: 13:35 Cole: "And the F5 has sent Wakeman and Lesnar into the Royal Rumble and what a tough break for Tirpak and Bradshaw"! Heenan: "Yeah, now they get to hit the showers and watch it from the back"! Cole: "Wait a minute, there's Raven and Kanyon"! WAKEMAN GOT UP AND WAS RECOVERING WHEN RAVEN AND KANYON CAME OUT. BROCK STOOD TALL IN THE RING AS KANYON GOT ON THE APRON. BUT JUST THEN, RAVEN KICKED WAKEMAN IN THE GUT AND HIT HIM WITH THE EVENFLOW ON THE FLOOR! THE CAMERAMAN GOT A GREAT PICTURE OF LESNAR SMILING. RAVEN AND KANYON THEN CONTINUED TO STOMP AWAY AT WAKEMAN. Cole: "What the hell"! Heenan: "What are they doing?! They're with Brock"? Cole: "Apparently Brain! FINALLY, RAVEN AND KANYON STOP THE ATTACK AND LEAVE WAKEMAN LAYING AS TRISH GOES OVER TO CHECK ON HIM. RAVEN, KANYON AND BROCK ALL WALK UP THE RAMP, ARMS RAISED. But ya gotta wonder how this will affect Wakeman in the Royal Rumble tonight"! BACKSTAGE.... IDALIS IS STANDING WITH TATSUMI FUJINAMI. Idalis: "Mr. Fujinami, how good does it feel that the Royal Rumble is in Japan tonight"? Tatsumi Fujinami: "Well it feels great and we are here tonight to show the top company in nortern America, the TWF, that New Japan is as good as they are"! Idalis: "Would you care to mention what number your man Hakushi drew"? Fujinami: "Well I'm not gonna mention it, it's not a great number, but he is one of the best wrestlers in all of the world and tonight, you'll all see that". THE SCENE SHIFTS TO ANOTHER PART OF THE ARENA WHERE JOHNATHAN COACHMAN AND TEDDY LONG AND JAZZ ARE STANDING IN FRONT OF THE RAW LOGO. Johnathan Coachman: "Well Teddy, later tonight, Ron Simmons gets his shot at regaining the TWF World Title against The Undertaker and.... Teddy Long: "And what? Why don't you ask why none of my men are entered in the Royal Rumble? Or why don't you tell me why Jazz here has no match tonight? These are all questions Stephanie McMahon will answer on RAW next week. Hell, the Japanese people never even went through the crap that the blacks did and there's plenty of Japanese guys here tonight and competing tonight. If I wasn't mistaken, I'd say the TWF is like the old south in the 1800's! But onto tonight, Ron Simmons is ready, oh you better believe it. He's ready to make all his people proud and the Black Panthers should be here soon to meet with brother Simmons so I gotta go Coach". Coachman: "One last thing Teddy, if Simmons loses tonight, will he make good on his statement that he would quit"? Long: "Oh now you're questioning brother Simmons' word? Ya know Coach, sometimes I wonder if you really are a black man". TEDDY LONG AND JAZZ WALK AWAY. BACK AT RINGSIDE, CHONO AND MUTA's MUSIC HITS AND THEY COME OUT TO A BIG
POP.
Cole: "It's time for the TWF Tag team title match Brain and this has
gotta be the only place in the world where these two would get
cheered"!
Heenan: "Of course, these two men are legends in Japan and what a monumental moment it would be if they could win the gold heretonight"!
TWO BLUE FLARES STREAK FROM ABOVE THE SET AS EVOLUTION's MUSIC
HITS AND THEY COME OUT TO A MILD RESPONSE WITH THE TAG TEAM TITLES AROUND THEIR WAIST.
Cole: "Well in order to do that, they're gonna have to defeat the team that took the titles from Wakeman Enterprises"!
Heenan: "Well as we saw just a little bit ago Cole, Wakeman Enterprises has imploded and they were on their way to that in that match with these two. Evolution has to face a cohesive unit tonight"!
Cole: "In my mind, it's the best tag team match in the TWF in months! Two great teams are set to do battle"!
TWF Tag Team Title Match
Challengers... Masahiro Chono and The Great Muta vs. Evolution
As Evolution got into the ring, they were jumped by Chono and Muta. The crowd grew very loud in support of their countrymen as referee Jim Korderas had a heck of a time getting control. After a high and low kick from Chono and Muta to Frankie Kazarian, they set Nova up for a spike piledriver but Kazarian was
able to dropkick Chono before he could execute the move. Muta came off the ropes anyway but Nova got him in the stomach with a right hand followed by a
wicked spin kick. Nova then sent Chono over the top ropes and got down on his hands and knees near the ring ropes as Kazarian bounced off the far side
and used his own partner as a launching pad, taking Chono out with a suicide
dive. Inside the ring, Nova worked over Muta with his speedy offensive attack, dazzling the pro challenger crowd with some great moves. Kazarian
got back into the ring and Nova whipped Muta to the ropes and went down low with a hard fist as Kazarian came off the top rope with a gorgeous sunset
flip to get the 1…..2….., but Muta kicked out in the nick of time. Kazarian then set Muta up on his knee as Nova bounced off the ropes but Chono tripped
him up and pulled him to the floor. Chono then picked Nova up and dumped him throat first over the unique Japanese ring barricade. Inside the ring,
Kazarian blocked a roundhouse and locked Muta in a side headlock. He was looking for a springboard bulldog but Chono nailed him with a right hand.
Chono then got into the ring as Korderas tried to get someone out. But Muta
used the oppurtunity to spit his trademark mist in the face of Kazarian. Muta then stepped off to the side as Chono used a devastating snap neckdrop
and covered Kazarian for the 1…..2…..3. The fans went crazy as Chono and Muta were handed the titles.
Match Time: 9:27
Heenan: "They did it Cole!
This is great! Champions we can all be proud of"!
Cole: "The referee never
had control! There wasn't one tag made in that entire match! And how can you
be proud of a team that spits mist in the face of their opponents to
win"?!
Heenan: "I'm proud they repesent the TWF and PrimeTime and so are the 50,000 plus people that are here"!
Cole: "Well when we get back to the
states, they'll get booed like usual because everyone knows Evolution just got screwed"!
CHONO AND MUTA ARE SHOWN WALKING UP THE LONG RAMP WITH THEIR TITLES AS NOVA CHECKS ON THE CONDITION OF HIS PARTNER.
BACKSTAGE….. DRESSING ROOM...
SAM WILDE IS BEGINNING TO LACE HIS BOOTS WHEN HE NOTICES A GOLD ENVELOPE SLIDE UNDERNEATH THE DOOR. HE GETS UP AND GRABS THE ENVELOPE.
AFTER OPENING IT, HE NOTICES IT SAYS "HELLO, CAN YOU COME OUT AND PLAY"?
WILDE SLIDES THE NOTE BACK UNDER THE DOOR AND BACKS AWAY SLOWLY.
BACK TO THE ACTION, ZEROEX' MUSIC HITS AND HE COMES OUT TO A DECENT RESPONSE.
J.R.: "J.R. and the King back with you folks and as I always like to say, business is about to pick up"!
Lawler: "This one could be the slobberknocker of the year! These two men don't like each other a
bit"!
J.R.: "But there was a time when they did, take a look".
A VIDEO PACKAGE IS SHOWN OF THE OLD HARDCORE REVOLUTION.
THE VIDEO SHOWS HOW THE GROUP DISSIPATED AND THINGS BETWEEN ZEROEX AND NAILS BEGAN TO SOUR.
NAILS' NEW CUSTOM THEME,
"HELL's GAURDIAN" BY SLIPKNOT HITS AND HE COMES OUT TO A LOT OF HEAT FROM THE JAPANESE CROWD.
Lawler: "These two have waited a long time for
this J.R. and I'll admit ZeroEx is tough but nobody is tougher than Nails! He's proven it time and time again"!
J.R.: "Well I gotta give the hockey
masked psycho some credit but with ZeroEx' kickboxing and martial arts
background, I smell an upset".
TWF Toughman Title Match
Challenger... ZeroEx vs. Nails
As the bell rang, both men circled each other, trying to figure a way to strike. Each time Nails got in close, ZeroEx belted him with a sharp kick. Realizing he needed a new plan, Nails went down low for
ZeroEx' legs but caught a vicious combo to the head by ZeroEx who competes with boxing gloves. ZeroEx was frustrating the champion and he caught Nails
charging in with a roundhouse to the head. He then threw him through the ropes to the floor. ZeroEx followed him out and kicked him a few more times
in the gut before Nails retaliated with a lowblow and then used his hard mask as a weapon by headbutting the challenger. A furious Nails then rammed ZeroEx into the guard rail before bringing out a bag full of weapons from under the ring. He got out a singapore cane and just blasted ZeroEx across
the back with it. He then removed the protective padding from one side of the ring and slammed him on the hard concrete. Nails then reached into the
crowd and grabbed a fans beverage and threw it in ZeroEx' face. Nails had
taken control of the match and after suplexing ZeroEx on the steel ramp, he
reached into his back pocket and pulled out his trusty brass knucks. Waiting for ZeroEx to get up, Nails stalked him. Finally, he took a big swing but
ZeroEx ducked and caught him with a vicious jumping uppercut that the crowd was amazed by. ZeroEx then walked Nails up the ramp and rammed him in to the
set before driving him into the steel entryway with a sidewalk slam. Getting a second wind, ZeroEx yelled into the crowd before setting up for his Spiral
Bomb. But Nails reversed his position and countered with a backdrop, sending
ZeroEx off the set and down almost 10 feet to the floor! The fans loved the brutality as the sadistic Nails went down for the finish. Under the entry
way, Nails came out with a cinder block and broke it over ZeroEx's head. A small pool pf blood formed as referee Mike Chioda made the 10 count before
awarding the match to Nails by KO.
Match Time: 10:36
J.R.: "You gotta be
kidding me! A cinder block to the head! Jesus Christ"!
Lawler: "He may have killed him J.R."!
J.R.: "ZeroEx may be seriously hurt but the bad
blood that existed between these two just got a lot worse"!
ZEROEX IS CHECKED BY EMT's FROM A JAPANESE HOSPITAL AS NAILS LOOKS DOWN ON HIM FROM ATOP THE RAMP, THE TOUGHMAN TITLE IN HIS RIGHT HAND.
BACKSTAGE...
CAMERAS CATCH THE TAIL END OF A BRAWL BETWEEN TOMMY DREAMER AND SABU THAT SECURITY IS HAVING A
HECK OF A TIME BREAKING UP.
OTHER SIDE OF THE
ARENA... MATT HARDY's DRESSING ROOM...
MATT HARDY IS SHOWN GETTING READY WITH THE HURRICANE.
Hurricane: "Tonight is the night my friend, the night Mattitude and his sidekick The Hurricane ride high"!
Matt Hardy: "Wait a minute, let's not get carried away. Just because I drew number twenty three does not mean I'm going to win the Rumble. (brief pause) Yeah right, who are we kidding, I've got this one in the bag"!
Hurricane: "With your skill and wit and my Hurri-powers
combined, Mattitude will be a force to be reckoned with for some time to come. Come my friend, to the Matt-Cave".
THE HURRICANE JUMPS OUT OF THE DRESSING ROOM.
Matt Hardy: (to himself) "Matt-Cave? I like it".
MATT SMILES AS THE SCENE CUTS BACK TO THE PRIMETIME ANNOUNCE POSITION. Cole: "Well fans hold onto your seats, I believe we are about to be witness to a classic"! KID GUNDAM's MUSIC HITS AND THE CROWD GOES WILD AS JIM CORNETTE LEADS HIM DOWN THE AISLE. Heenan: "Listen to this ovation! They love these two! The japanese are not humanoids like the fans we are used to dealing with"! Cole: "Well I don't know that they care too much for Cornette, but Gundam is from Osaka and he got his start right here in Nagai stadium and tonight, it could be the scene of the biggest victory of his young career"! "WHATEVER" BY OUR LADY PEACE HITS AS CHRIS BENOIT COMES OUT TO A GREAT POP AS WELL. Heenan: "Well the circumstances are gonna be a lot different than last month at War in the Winter because tonight, it's in Japan and it's two out of three falls. Plus, Gundam still has Cornette with him". Cole: "Well you're right about one thing, it will be two out of three falls. But you have to remember Brain that Benoit spent a good part of his career right here in Japan and he earned a lot of respect down here so I can't go against the Wolverine"! Heenan: "Cornette has Gundam ready for this one. No chance Gundam loses in front of his people and family". 2 out of 3 falls Kid Gundam w/Jim Cornette vs. Chris Benoit FALL 2 The first fall was nothing less than outstanding as Benoit and Gundam locked up. Benoit used an amatuer takedown to get Gundam where he wanted him.... on the mat. But Gundam kicked his way out of a top wrist lock and blasted Benoit with a hook kick to the face. Gundam then went for his old Skewer ddt but Benoit countered it into the Crossface but Gundam immediately grabbed the bottom ring rope. Both men had a sense of urgency to win it quickly to gain the advantage but after a furious exchange, Benoit caught Gundam with a short arm clothesline and decided to dramatically slow the pace. Benoit then began to methodically work the right shoulder, locking in a fujiwara armbar that pulled the shoulder out awkwardly. After a pendulum backbreaker, Benoit went right to the shoulder with a shoulder breaker and covered Gundam who kicked out at 2. Benoit made sure Gundam was grounded and every time he tried to fight his way up, Benoit pounded him back down with hard forearms to the back. He again tried to lock in the Crossface but Gundam escaped. After ducking a clothesline, Gundam hit a hard swinging ddt that brought him right back into it. After an exchange of knifedge chops, Gundam blocked a right hand and connected with a nasty spinning roundhouse. He then shot Benoit to the corner and tried to hit a tumbling back elbow but Benoit caught him and wrapped his arms around his waist. He then spun around and delivered 3 consecutive german suplexes before popping up with his throat slash gesture. From there, Benoit went to the top rope, obviously looking for his diving headbutt but Cornette jumped on the apron and grabbed Benoit's foot. But Benoit was able to shake him off and he jumped off anyway but Gundam showed his uncanny reaction time and caught him in the chops with a savot kick that snapped the head back. Gundam hooked the left leg deep and got the 1....2....3. Fall Time: 9:09 Cole: "Wow, that was tremendous"! Heenan: "But look who came out on top Cole! This is his night"! Cole: "Well we now have a sixty minute break between falls but Chris Benoit is gonna have to reach down deep. He has been put into a position where one mistake will cost him the match"! Heenan: "And Gundam can be a little more agressive with his attack". Fall 2 As soon as 60 seconds had elapsed, Gundam was back all over Benoit. But it soon became clear how much the first fall took out of both men. Gundam used a martial arts combination and set up and kick to the head but Benoit ducked and used his hand to sweep out Gundam's feet. He then caught him with a clothesline before again hitting a german suplex. Benoit was getting into a zone when Cornette again got on the apron. Referee Tim White went over and warned Cornette of a DQ but Benoit reached right over White and hit Cornette with a hard right hand. Just then, Gundam went for a big superkick but Benoit moved and Gundam clipped White in the jaw, knocking him silly. The action continued and after another german suplex, Benoit had about an 8 count when he went to try and get Gundam up. But out came Hayabusa through the crowd and into the ring with a pair of nunchucks. He twirled the nunchucks while waiting for Benoit to turn around and when he did, crack! the nunchucks met his skull and Benoit went down in a heap as Cornette was able to get White up and he made the 3 count. Heenan: "Ahahahaha! How do ya like that? Two falls to none"! Cole: "This is a damn shame and we apologize that a great match like this had to end this way! White doesn't have a clue where he is"! Heenan: "But he was still able to make the three count and that's all that matters... Uh oh, look at this". JUST THEN, GUNDAM AND HAYABUSA GOT A CANADIAN FLAG FROM SOMEWHERE. GUNDAM TOSSED IT ON THE MAT AND BEGAN TO STOMP IT. Cole: "Oh boy, these two will pay for this". Heenan: "I love this Cole, don't go.... hey, wait a minute"! JUST THEN, DYLAN JANSENS CAME RUNNING OUT AND GUNDAM AND HAYABUSA DISAPPEARED. Cole: "Dylan Jansens has made the save but you can bet next month's mortage that Benoit won't forget this"! Heenan: "What's he doing? He's not from Canada"! JANSENS IS SHOWN IN THE RING CHECKING ON BENOIT WHO HAD A LACERATION OVER HIS EYE. Cole: "Yeah, but he and Benoit have had each other's back lately and thank god someone did, this could've gotten real ugly"! BACKSTAGE... THE FANS LOUDLY CHEER WHEN THEY SEE JORDAN ROCKWELL STANDING NEXT TO IDALIS WITH THE UNIVERSAL TITLE OVER HIS SHOULDER. Idalis: "Jordan Rockwell, in just a little while, you will put that title on the line against Drew Blood. Now, one would be remissed if they did not mention the fact that this man has had your number in the past. Do you feel you need to defeat Drew Blood to truly be considered the best right now"? Jordan Rockwell: (Holds up title) Ya see this Idalis? This title says that you are the best on PrimeTime. This is something that Drew Blood has never had. But to answer your question Idalis, yes, I believe I do need to beat Drew Blood, so I can silence the naysayers, so I can get that monkey off my back. So Drew, you may have had my number in the past but you haven't faced me one on one since we were rookies.... big difference". ROCKWELL WALKS AWAY AS THE SCENE CUTS TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ARENA WHERE JOHNATHAN COACHMAN IS STANDING WITH AUSTIN PYROMANIA. Johnathan Coachman: "Austin, we have just received word that you will be a surprise entrant in the Royal Rumble after even you yourself declared yourself out". Austin Pyromania: "Well Coach, my ankle is not one hundred percent but I'm gonna go in there for one reason. Koo Bear, if I get my hands on you, you're not gonna know what hit ya"! Coachman: "Oh boy, J.R., back to you and the King"! SIRENS BLARE AND "HOLLA IF YA HEAR ME" IS HEARD AS SCOTT STEINER COMES OUT TO A LOT OF BOOS WITH NIDIA AT HIS SIDE. J.R.: "Folks we thank you for making this year's Royal Rumblesuch a booming success and the action contiunes here as Scott Steiner and Nidia, the unlikely pair, make their way out"! Lawler: "Well he likes to talk about his freaks and his peeks J.R. and he's got a nice freak with him tonight! Look at Nidia"! AN ENGINE REVS AND "DOWN WITH THE SICKNESS" PLAYS AS HIGH OCTANE COMES OUT TO A GOOD REACTION. J.R.: "Well some say High Octane is crazy for asking for this match but I respect him and Steiner better be ready, High Octane is more than capable of pulling this off"! Lawler: "But we still got one more thing J.R., who's in High Octane's corner"! AS STEINER STANDS ON THE FLOOR AT RINGSIDE STILL WEARING HIS HEAD GEAR AND SHADES, HIGH OCTANE GETS A BIG GRIN ON HIS FACE BEFORE "REAL AMERICAN" HITS AND HULK HOGAN COMES OUT TO AN ABSOLUTELY DEAFENING RESPONSE. J.R.: "Oh my god, Hogan's back"! STEINER CAN'T BELIEVE HIS EYES AS HOGAN MAKES HIS WAY DOWN TO THE RING. Lawler: "I can't hear you"! J.R.: "This is insane! The roof is gonna blow off this place"! Lawler: "Don't worry Steiner, just stay calm". J.R.: "If High Octane was a huge underdog, I doubt he is now"! Scott Steiner w/Nidia vs. "High Octane" Damion West w/Hulk Hogan Capitalizing off the response Hogan got that shook the arena, High Octane blitzed Steiner with a fast strike attack. After some quick kicks to the ribs, he hit a beautiful standing dropkick before whipping him to the ropes and catching him with a spinwheel kick. High Octane was feeling it as he went to the top rope and came flying off by Steiner caught him in mid air and followed through with an overhead belly to belly throw. Steiner's strength became a big factor as he stomped away at High Octane to the cheer of Nidia. Steiner then laid High Octane over the middle turnbuckle and choked the life out of him, using every second of referee Jack Doan's count. Steiner then backed off High Octane as Nidia came and choked him behind Doan's back. Hogan came over and Nidia scurried back to her corner. Steiner then lifted High Octane up for a backbreaker before sending him so hard to the corner that he fell flat on his face. Steiner then delivered another backbreaker but this time, he bent him awkwardly across his knee. Steiner laid him across the middle rope again and pulled Doan away as Nidia came over to choke him again. But this time, Hogan came over and grabbed Nidia by the hair. Suddenly, Steiner jumped out of the ring and blasted Hogan across the back with a steel chair. But when he got into the ring, High Octane was waiting with a ddt. He followed that up by bouncing off the ropes and hitting a flying forearm that was right on the button. After a swinging neckbreaker, High Octane went up top, presumably for the Octane Splash but Nidia reached up and swept his feet out from under him. As he straddled the top turnbuckle, Steiner climbed off and amazingly pulled off a frankensteiner to get the 1....2....3. Match Time: 7:03 Lawler: "He got him! He got him"! J.R.: "Yes King, unfortunately Steiner has won this match but give High Octane credit, he gave it a hell of a run"! Lawler: "Wait a minute, the genetic freak isn't done"! STEINER LOCKED IN THE "STEINER RECLINER" AS NIDIA WAS IN HIGH OCTANE's FACE YELLING. THE BELL CONTINUED TO SOUND WHEN HOGAN GOT UP WITH THAT LOOK IN HIS EYES. THE CROWD CAME ALIVE AS HE ENTERED THE RING. STEINER RELINQUISHED THE HOLD AND THREW A RIGHT HAND BUT HOGAN BLOCKED IT AND CAME BACK WITH 3 OF HIS OWN BEFORE SENDING HIM TO THE ROPES AND CATCHING HIM WITH THE BIG BOOT. STEINER RETREATED AS "REAL AMERICAN" PLAYED. Lawler: "What is Hogan doing"? J.R.: "He's coming to the aid of someone who I'm sure he now considers a friend and don't forget King, it was Steiner who put Hogan on the shelf for months"! Lawler: "Oh the fans are just yuckin' this up aren't they! You haven't seen Steiner for the last time Hogan"! STEINER AND NIDIA WALK UP THE RAMP AS HOGAN DOES HIS POSES FOR THE CROWD. BACKSTAGE.... STADIUM ENTRANCE... TEDDY LONG AND THE REST OF CIVIL RIGHTS IS AT THE ENTRANCE. Teddy Long: "Okay guys, here they come". ABOUT 8 MEN WEARING LONG BLACK TRENCH COATS ENTER. IT's THE BLACK PANTHERS. Long: "Gentlemen, it's so nice to have you hear". Black Panther member: "We wouldn't miss this for anything. We love what you are doing in the TWF, keeping the dream alive and helping the black race acheive equality in this white man's world. Brother Simmons, we wish you the best of luck tonight". Ron Simmons: "Thank you, I will not disappoint". Lawler: "The Black Panthers are here J.R."! J.R.: (sarcastically) "Oh gee King, ya think they'll give us an autograph? But anyway folks, I don't think the Black Panthers will be at our next pay-per-view event which is Code Red. It'll be live from the Savvis Center in St. Louis"! Lawler: "Ya never know J.R.". BACKSTAGE.... DYLAN JANSENS' DRESSING ROOM.... DYLAN JANSENS IS GETTING READY FOR THE ROYAL RUMBLE WITH CHRIS BENOIT. Chris Benoit: "Well thanks for your help out there. I could kill that bastard with his nunchucks". Dylan Jansens: "Don't worry about it Chris, you'll get the chance. THEIR IS A KNOCK AT THE DOOR. Come in". SHAWN MICHAELS ENTERS. Shawn Michaels: "Hey guys, what's happening"? Benoit: "Shawn, what are you doing here"? Michaels: "Well Chris, Dylan here chose me as the leader of his enforcer group for his new year's resolution and I came to introduce you both to the men I've chosen to help with the job. They are arguably one of the best tag teams this business has ever seen.... SHAWN OPENS THE DOOR AND HAWK AND ANIMAL, THE ROAD WARRIORS ENTER. Jansens: "Oh Shawn, I gotta say I'm impressed". JANSENS AND BENOIT SHAKE HANDS WITH HAWK AND ANIMAL. Michaels: "Our job is to help the owner of each division with internal problems and alike and that's what we intend to do". Hawk: "Yeah, it's gonna be a rush". Michaels: "Well we'll probably see you guys on PrimeTime". Jansens: "Thanks Shawn". MICHAELS AND THE ROAD WARRIORS LEAVE AS JANSENS AND BENOIT KNOCK FISTS. BACK AT RINGSIDE, THE CIVIL RIGHTS LOGO APPEARS AND BOOS ARE IMMEDIATELY HEARD AS TEDDY LONG LEADS RON SIMMONS OUT TO THEIR MUSIC. J.R.: "Well I gotta like the enforcers King, that should help both Shane and Stephanie immensely"! Lawler: "Well more so Shane than Steph because RAW's such a smoother running show"! J.R.: "Well folks, it's time for the World title match. Two months ago at Deadly Games, we saw this man defeat five others to win the Gates of Hell match and Civil Rights has been outta control ever since! A win here by The Undertaker would put a huge dent in that group"! Lawler: "I don't think it'll happen though J.R., Simmons is too focused and he is being watched by some real life members of the Black Panthers"! "YOU'RE GONNA PAY" HITS AND THE CROWD COMES TO THEIR FEET AS THE UNDERTAKER APPEARS WITH THE WORL TITLE IN HIS RIGHT HAND. J.R.: "Well I've been involved in this business long enough to know that The Undertaker is as good as there has ever been in the big match situation and not only that, but we have been told that Ron Simmons has asked the rest of Civil Rights to remain in the back for the entire match which shocks me"! Lawler: "Well instead of this being Simmons' last match, I think it will be the end of the road for the deadman"! TWF World Title Match Challenger... Ron Simmons w/Teddy Long vs. The Undertaker As the bell sounded, it looked like a heavyweight boxing match as the two men slugged it out in what was nothing more than a knockdown drag out fight. After a rake of the eyes, Simmons gained control and sent Undertaker to the ropes, taking him out with a flying shoulder block. But Simmons couldn't keep the deadman down as The Undertaker took stomps and right hands and began fighting back with some of his own. After ducking a clothesline off an irish whip, Undertaker showed shades of his old self when he caught Simmons with his flying lariat. That led to the Old School forearm to the back which the crowd loved and The Undertaker was ready to put the finishing touches on a successful title defense. But Teddy Long jumped up on the apron only to get a soup bone right hand from The Undertaker. But when Undertaker turned around, he was dropped with a spinebuster by Simmons who went for the cover and got 1.....2....., but Undertaker got a shoulder up. Simmons then whipped him in and caught him with his trademark powerslam but Undertaker kicked out of that as well. Long got on the apron again but Undertaker reversed an irish whip and sent Simmons right into him. As Long fell to the floor, Simmons was nearly decapitated by a big boot. The Undertaker then lifted his open hand as the crowd came to their feet. As Simmons got up, Undertaker slapped his hand around his throat and delivered the Chokeslam from Hell and covered him for the 1......2......3. Match Time: 8:56 Lawler: "No, no, no! Teddy what happened"?! J.R.: "The Undertaker has extinguished the flame of Civil Rights and successfully defended his title! Where does this cult, I mean this group go from here"?! Lawler: "Well if this is the last we've seen of Ron Simmons, I wanna commend him on a great career"! SIMMONS IS SHOWN LYING IN THE RING AS LONG CRAWLS UP WITH THE HELP OF THE APRON. "YOU'RE GONNA PAY" HITS AS THE UNDERTAKER WALKS UP THE RAMP CARRYING THE GOLD. BACKSTAGE.... AKASHA IS STANDING WITH JOHNATHAN COACHMAN. Coachman: "Akasha, we saw you successfully defend the title against Lita tonight in what might be the best Women's match this company has ever seen. Do you plan on a rematch with Lita"? Akasha: "Question is Coach, will Lita be up for a rematch? She's had those flu-like symptoms and that stroke of bad luck ya know? Besides, right now, I'm gonna go sit in the darkness of my dressing room and watch my Spawn win the Royal Rumble". AKASHA WALKS AWAY. BACK AT RINGSIDE, THE LIGHTS GO OUT AND THE IMAGE OF BLOOD DRIPS FROM THE SET AS A SMALL RING OF FIRE FORMS IN THE ENTRANCE AND DREW BLOOD's MUSIC HITS AND HE MAKES HIS WAY OUT WITH A STOIC LOOK ON HIS FACE. Cole: "Here comes the challenger for the Universal Title and we would be lying if we didn't say we think this could be a match of the year candidate folks, let's take a look at the history between these two men". A VIDEO PACKAGE IS SHOWN OF THE HISTORY BETWEEN DREW BLOOD AND JORDAN ROCKWELL, SHOWING HIGHLIGHTS OF ALL THEIR ENCOUNTERS. DREW BLOOD SITS IN THE CORNER WITH HIS BLACK CLOAK COVERING HIS FACE AS "ROCK HARD" BY JA RULE HITS AND JORDAN ROCKWELL COMES OUT TO A HUGE CHEER WITH THE UNIVERSAL TITLE AROUND HIS WAIST. Heenan: "Maybe these people are humanoids! They're cheering Rockwell"! Cole: "And rightfully so! He has earned respect around the world! However, it's been well documented that he has failed against Drew Blood. Will tonight be his night"?! TWF Universal Title Match Challenger.... Drew Blood vs. Jordan Rockwell In what was an intense battle for the belt, two old rivals locked horns and the crowd loved the action. They knew each other's tendencies so well that nothing really worked for the first few minutes. After a collar and elbow tie up, Rockwell locked in a side headlock and really shook Drew Blood, trying to weaken him. But Drew countered with some elbows to the rib cage before getting in a thrust to the throat. Drew then delivered a snap ddt for the first impact move of the match. But from there, Drew decided to go for Rockwell's weakness, attacking his left knee. Rockwell chose not to wear a brace as it's been slowing him down and this turned out to be a critical factor in the outcome. Drew drovethe base of his knee into Rockwell's, creating extreme pain. He kept the pressure on the knee for over 2 minutes before pulling him up. But Rockwell reversed an irish whip and countered with a back body drop. He went down to 1 knee because of the pressure on it but Rockwell, who is known for his heart, stuck it out. He pulled Drew up and delivered right hand after right hand before driving him into the mat with a stump piledriver. Rockwell went for a cover but didn't even get a 2 count. Undaunted, Rockwell continued to bring it to the challenger, hitting him with a spinning belly to belly suplex. Again he went for the cover and got 1.....2..., but Drew kicked out. Rockwell went for an irish whip but it was reversed and Drew caught him with a calf kick. Drew then locked in the Death Trap and had Rockwell in a lot of trouble. But behind the crowd, Rockwell was able to free an arm and jab Drew Blood in the ribs to break the hold. Drew came at him with a clothesline but Rockwell used a drop toe hold and locked in the STF. The pain was etched on Drew Blood's face as he fought his way to the ropes and finally he did. Rockwell then went for an irish whip but Drew Blood held his arm and scored with the "Blood Bath". He hooked the leg and got 1.....2..., but the will and determination of Rockwell kept him in it. After a few right hands, Drew went for an irish whip but Rockwell reversed it right into position for the Rock Smasher. But when he went to lift him up, his knee gave out and he let go long enough for Drew to counter with a small package, grapevining the legs for the 1.....2.....3. Match Time: 11:56 Cole: "Oh no, he didn't get him like that did he"? ROCKWELL WAS STUNNED AS DREW SLID OUT OF THE RING AND WAS AWARDED THE TITLE AS HIS MUSIC CAME ON. Heenan: "It certainly did end like that! We've got a new champion"! Cole: "The problematic knee of Jordan Rockwell has cost him this match and Drew Blood has just claimed the spot of the best the TWF has to offer in my opinion"! Heenan: "He's gonna be tough to beat Cole, real tough"! Cole: "Well fans, that means that it's now time for the Royal Rumble in which the winner will go to WrestleMania against the champion of his respective division. Let's send it over to J.R. and the King who are gonna call it". J.R.: "It's gonna be our pleasure guys and keep up the great work you're doing on PrimeTime. Fans, this will be thirty men, every two minutes, another man enters the fray. The only way to be eliminated is to be thrown over the top rope and have both feet touch the floor. The last man standing will be declared the winner". Lawler: "Not only that J.R., but it will be the first time RAW superstars have competed against PrimeTime superstars since King of the Ring"! J.R.: "Well before we get started, let's send it back to the Coach who is with our new tag team champions". BACKSTAGE.... Coachman: "Thanks J.R., right now I'm with Shawn Stasiak and Chuck Palumbo, the two guys who pulled off probably the upset of the night. Guys, how does it feel"? Shawn Stasiak: "It feels great Coach. To be able to beat those two punks, it felt great. But for me personally, I finally get to step away from the criticism as a guy who couldn't do this". Chuck Palumbo: "Ya know Shawn and I have known each other a lot longer than most people think and we make up a great team. I'm not surprised we won. And Perfect and Nowinski, or anyone else for that matter, if you want a shot at these titles, come get some". THE TWF's INTERNATIONAL TOUR! 3 WEEKS AWAY! LIVE FROM SINGAPORE! BACK AT RINGSIDE, RING ANNOUNCER HOWARD FINKEL ASKS THE MAN WHO DREW NUMBER 1 TO COME OUT. "THE GAME" BY MOTORHEAD HITS AS TRIPLE H MAKES HIS WAY OUT. J.R.: "The Game! The Game has drawn number one"! Lawler: "No J.R., this is not fair"! J.R.: "Well stranger things have happened but the odds are definitely not in Triple H's favor and ya gotta wonder how different things would be if he would have defeated Kevin Nash in that big match on RAW". Lawler: "Well who's number two"? "POEM" BY TAPROOT HITS AS MATT "KOO BEAR" TAYLOR COMES OUT WITH JACKIE GAYDA AT HIS SIDE. J.R.: "Oh boy, this young man better hope that Austin Pyromania isn't scheduled out here soon"! Lawler: "Pyromania? He's got the cerebral assassin to worry about first"! Royal Rumble Match * Winner gets shot as his division's champion at WrestleMania 4 *Note: The order of entry can be viewed in the latest edition of the Superstar Corner. As the bell rang, both men were tentative about making a mistake and kept it simple. Triple H grabbed him in a side headlock but Taylor backed him to the ropes and sent him to the other side. They collided but neither man budged. Triple H threw a right hand that was blocked and Koo Bear returned fire with some right hands of his own. They then tied up in the corner and as they struggled for position, the third entry, Sam Wilde hit the ring. He and Taylor immediately double teamed Triple H and after a double back body drop, they knocked fists. But when Wilde turned his back, Taylor nailed him from behind. Taylor tried to force Wilde out but Triple H came from behind and dumped Taylor to the floor. Triple H and Wilde went at it until Eddie Guerrero hit the ring and 2 minutes later, Tommy Dreamer got involved. Dreamer brought with him his singapore cane but Sabu came from behind and attacked Dreamer. He then blasted him over the head with the cane which busted it. Not even officially a part of the match yet, Dreamer was decimated. After catching Guerrero with his facebuster to the knee, Triple H turned and clotheslined Wilde out of the ring. As he taunted Wilde, Guerrero came from behind with a dropkick that knocked him to the floor. Triple H was furious as he was escorted to the back. Randy Orton was the next guy out and he decided to work on Dreamer. He then rolled him into the ring and Guerrero picked him up and threw him right back out. Orton and Guerrero went at it for a moment until Travis Wakeman joined the match and he was on fire when he hit the ring. He nailed Orton with a clothesline and caught Guerrero with a belly to belly suplex. He then tossed Guerrero over the ropes but Eddie skinned the cat and came back in. The Patriot of SMW was out next and he wasted no time targetting Wakeman. After a scoop slam, Patriot hit a nice elbow drop off the second turnbuckle and moments later, the God of War Aries came out. Aries and Orton traded shots as The Patriot and Guerrero double teamed Wakeman. After Patriot caught Wakeman with a powerslam, Guerrero snuck up on Orton from behind and dumped him out. But Wakeman fought off The Patriot and caught him with a t-bone suplex and then drilled Guererro with a clothesline, this time eliminating him just as #10 Strife came in. Strife and Wakeman traded heavy right hands as The Patriot and Aries tried to push one another out. 2 more minutes were up and New Japan's entrant, Hakushi got into it. He and Aries worked on the Patriot but Patriot showed a lot of toughness, fighting off both men. After a discus punch on Aries, he ran through Hakushi with a clothesline but Aries grabbed him by the back of his mask and launched him out the ring. The clock ticked down and Raven slowly made his way out. But Wakeman wasn't gonna wait as he slid under the bottom rope and attacked him in the aisle. They fought out there while in the ring, Strife took on both Hakushi and Aries until the monstrous Nathan Jones came out. Nathan Jones drilled Hakushi with a big boot as Strife hit a full nelson slam on Aries. The two looked across the ring at each other before they were trading blows. After whipping Wakeman into the stairs, Raven got into it but was immediately jumped on by Hakushi. Wakeman got back into it as Strife nailed Jones with a big boot. Wakeman whipped Raven into Strife but Raven ducked his big boot and was able to power him out with a backdrop. Charlie Haas was on his way down the aisle when Nathan Jones was cut not paying attention and eliminated by Hakushi. Haas got in and helped Raven with Wakeman as Aries and Hakushi went at it. The clock ticked down and Austin Pyromania came out. He had a slight limp but he still went in full throttle, catching Aries with a hard clothesline and nearly elminating Hakushi. He took down Haas with a german suplex before ducking a clothesline from Raven and hitting a big ddt. But when he turned around, Wakeman measured him for a hard clothesline when the sound of glass breaking was heard and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin came out to a huge pop. In the meantime, Aries was thrown out by Haas and Wakeman eliminated Hakushi. Austin hit both Raven and Haas with Stunners but Wakeman was able to hit Austin with his own version of the Stunner. As Wakeman stood over Austin, Pyromania came from behind and tossed him out of the ring! Raven spit at Wakeman who tried to get back in but was held off by security. The next man out was the Lightheavyweight champion Dylan Jansens and he and Wakeman exchanged some words. But as Jansens drew closer to the ring, Pyromania caught him with a baseball slide. The only two men standing were Stone Cold and Pyromania and they turned and looked at each other. They made a head nod to work together and that they did. As Raven dumped Haas out of the ring, Stone Cold hit Raven with a succession of rights, the last one knocking him out of the ring as Rob Van Dam joined the fray. This is when things really picked up as Nemesis was out next. Pyromania came at RVD with a clothesline but RVD ducked and caught him with a spin kick that knocked him out of the ring. Just then, Nemesis and Jansens butted heads as Kevin Nash came down the aisle. Nash entered the ring and immediately went after Stone Cold. But after ducking his big boot, Stone Cold hit the Thesz press as Nemesis launched Jansens to the floor. RVD then hit Nash with the "5 star Frogsplash" as Spawn came out next. Austin and Spawn traded shots before Austin turned his focus to Nemesis with a Stunner. RVD then hit Nemesis with a martial arts kick that took him out. After a big elbow off the middle turnbuckle on Spawn, Austin got back up there and raised two middle fingers but it was a big mistake as RVD came from behind and pushed him out. The look on Austin's face could kill. Brock Lesnar, Matt Hardy, Sabu and Rhyno had entered the ring at this point and the scrum was getting more intense as the ring filled. The combatants were doing everything they could to hang in there but in a matter of 30 seconds, Brock Lesnar was thrown out by Spawn who in turn was dropkicked out by RVD and then Rhyno slammed Matt Hardy out of the ring. Mike Marcellus, Kanyon, Bahamut, Batista were out next and there was only one entry left. It belonged to Rey Mysterio. Sabu was the next victim of RVD who caught his longtime rival with a spin kick to the jaw and then pushed him over the ropes. Kevin Nash and Mike Marcellus double teamed Bahamut as RVD went at it with Batista and Kanyon tried to force Mysterio out. Mysterio refused to go though as he squirmed away and caught Kanyon with a great dropkick to the face. As Nash held Bahamut's arms back, Marcellus came off the ropes with a right hand but Bahamut moved and then booted Nash out. But as Bahamut celebrated, he was tossed over by Kanyon. Bahamut and Nash then fought all the way up the ramp as Batista gorilla press slammed Marcellus to the floor. Marcellus was the last hope for RAW as the others went at it, getting down to the nitty gritty. As Batista and RVD traded blows, Kanyon continued his fight with Mysterio went Mysterio nailed him with a jumping enziguri. Mysterio then laid Kanyon over the middle rope and yelled out "6....1...9" but as he hit the ropes, Rhyno Gored him with so much force it knocked him to the floor. Kanyon was then caught with a spinning heel kick by RVD which stunned him enough to send him over the ropes. Batista and Rhyno looked at each other and decided to go at RVD together. RVD did his best to fight them off but they had him on the brink of elimination. However, RVD hung in there and Batista and Rhyno began shoving each other. After a right hand by Rhyno, Batista nearly beheaded him with a clothesline and then bounced off the ropes when he got up but RVD back footswept Rhyno and Batista went into the ropes. Rhyno then got up and pushed him out. It was down to the final two and the fight lasted almost anither 5 minutes. As the old rivals traded shots, Rhyno hit a spinebuster out of nowhere and seemed poised to win it. He tossed RVD over but RVD held onto the ropes and then got a shoulder into the midsection. He rolled over Rhyno's back back into the ring and then caught him with a spin kick to the head. That led to a cartwheel moonsault and RVD opened his eyes very wide and leapt to the top rope, looking for the "5 star" on Rhyno. But Rhyno rolled out of the way and charged RVD when he got up with the "Gore". But RVD moved and caught him with a jump kick to the face and then clotheslined him over the top to win it. "ONE OF A KIND" BY BREAKING POINT HIT AND THE CROWD WENT NUTS AS RVD WAS DECLARED THE WINNER. Lawler: "It's RVD J.R.! RVD is going to WrestleMania"! J.R.: "We would have liked to see the winner come from RAW but congratulations are in order for Rob Van Dam"! Lawler: "We used to have him on RAW J.R."! J.R.: "We certainly did but tonight, RVD has shined for the whole TWF and he has a ticket to the main event at WrestleMania 4"!
RUMBLE FACTS Most Eliminations: Rob Van Dam- 7 Most Time in the ring: Rob Van Dam- 29 mins., 12 secs. Travis Wakeman- 19 mins., 36 secs.
PPV Buyrate: 892,000 buys
