San Antonio, Texas
January 26, 2004
FOLLOWING THE DISPLAY OF THE LEGAL DISCLAIMER, A JAM PACKED ARENA IS SHOWN AT THE VERY FIRST WRESTLEMANIA FROM FILE FOOTAGE.
Narrator: "The industry of sports entertainment anticipates WrestleMania year round as the biggest event in the twelve month period.
SHOTS OF SEVERAL TWF SUPERSTARS ARE SHOWN IN ACTION.
Twelve months of grueling matches and hard work to get to the pinnacle. Tonight, one man will punch his ticket straight to the main event at WrestleMania.
A PICTURE OF ROB VAN DAM AFTER WINNING LAST YEAR's ROYAL RUMBLE IS SHOWN.
One year ago, that dream came true for the whole damn show in the land of the rising sun.
A DOOR IS THEN SHOWN SLAMMING SHUT. ON IT, THE WORD "DRAWING ROOM".
TONIGHT, IN THE ULTIMATE CRAPSHOOT, THE DREAM WILL BE REALIZED FOR ANOTHER MAN.
TRAVIS WAKEMAN IS SHOWN IN ACTION.
AND WHILE THE DREAMS AND LEGACY OF ONE MAN MAY BE FOREVER DASHED......
ALL 29 OTHER ENTRANTS ARE SHOWN IN FLASHING ORDER.
ANOTHER IS BOUND TO TAKE OFF.
THE ROYAL RUMBLE LOGO POPS UP AND "NUMB" BY LINKIN PARK STARTS TO PLAY.
And now, TWF RAW, PrimeTime and Reeses Fast Break present...... the 2004 Royal Rumble"!
CAMERAS OPEN UP INSIDE THE SBC CENTER WHERE FIREWORKS ARE POPPING OFF AND "NUMB" CONTINUES TO PLAY.
Michael Cole: "I guess you could say it's an excited crowd.... wow! This is the Royal Rumble, the beginning of the stretch drive to WrestleMania and Jesse, tonight, fifteen superstars from RAW and fifteen from PrimeTime are gonna be in the ring at the same time and one of them is gonna come out with a trip to the main event at the biggest event of the year"!
Jesse Ventura: "The Royal Rumble has always been my favorite events Michael and it's because there is such an open field as to who'll come out on top! But we both know it's gonna be xomeone from PrimeTime"!
Cole: "Well there will be plenty of RAW action tonight as well... J.R.....
Jim Ross: "That's your opinion Jesse but I know the King and I would beg to differ! King, are we ready for this or what"?!
Jerry Lawler: "You better believe it J.R. and I love the fact that Ventura is so high on PrimeTime because it's great when people are wrong! All my money is on Kurt Angle tonight"!
CAMERAS FOCUS ON THE CANADIAN FLAG WHICH IS SUSPENDED ON A POLE WHICH EXTENDS FROM ONE OF THE TURNBUCKLES.
JUST THEN, THE CANADIAN NATIONAL ANTHEM HITS AND ROB STORM COMES OUT, LED BY JIMMY HART BUT WELCOMED BY SOME LOUD BOOING.
J.R.: "That's not a bad bet King and as you see Rob Storm with his new manager Jimmy Hart, we are starting the Royal Rumble with a Canadian flag match"!
Lawler: "And we all know who the fans up north are rooting for.... this guy"!
VAL VENIS' MUSIC HITS AND HE COMES OUT TO A GOOD CHEER.
J.R.: "Well of course, because according to him, he's Canada's favorite son! That's b.s. and you know it King. One thing people tend to forget about Val Venis, well two things. One, he's a former World champion and two, he's Canadian"!
Lawler: "Well you heard what Storm said, the people there are ashamed of him".
J.R.: "Did you hear any of them say that? I didn't think so. I'm sure they're about as happy that he is Canadian as they are he has Jimmy Hart in his corner"!
Lawler: "Oh, now there's something wrong with Jimmy Hart"?
J.R.: "You're damn right there is... he's a cheater! That was evidenced in his first appearance last week on RAW"!
Lawler: "Well to me, Rob Storm looks more focused than I've ever seen him and that has to be attributed to Hart's influence"!
Flag Match Rob Storm w/ Jimmy Hart vs. Val Venis Referee Charles Robinson was assigned the opening bout for the Rumble and the hatred between Storm and Venis boiled over as soon as the bell rang. Val tackled him and wailed away with some hard right hands. Only a few found their target however and Storm was able to kick his way out of the predicament. They locked up in a collar and elbow tie and Storm used a go behind but Val clipped him with a back elbow followed by 2 more right hands. Storm was able to reverse an irish whip though and he caught Val with a calf kick. Storm then went after the lower back of Val, first stomping at it and then dropping him across his knee with a backbreaker. Storm then locked in a half crab but Val did a push up and powered his way out of it. Storm charged him but Val countered with a nice spinebuster. Val then went to the corner and climbed up, looking to grab the flag. But before he could get his grasp on it, Storm came from behind and swiped his feet out. He then pulled Val down in a tree of woe position and drilled him with a sliding dropkick. Val was given a bloody mouth from the shot but upon being pulled up, he flung Storm's arms up and hit him with a series of right hands before running him to the ropes with a kneelift. He then used his russian leg sweep before again going to the turnbuckle. He climbed up and had his fingertips on the pole of the flag but Storm showed some great athleticism by dropkicking Val off the turnbuckle and all the way to the floor. Storm then pulled Robinson away as Hart got in some kicks to the gut. Val was able to pull himself back up on the apron and Storm tried to pull him into the ring. But Val dropped down and dropped his head over the top rope. He then clocked Jimmy Hart and got into the ring. Val was feeling it as he pummeled Storm with right hand after right hand but the always thinking Hart yelled "hey Val" in his megaphone, causing Val to turn which allowed Storm to take him out with a chop block. Back to the lower back went Storm but he was still yet to make an attempt to get the flag. Storm then whipped Venis into the corner and charged in but ran right into a back elbow from Val. Val then exploded out with a running kick but blasted referee Robinson when Storm moved. As Val tried to get Robinson up, Storm got the megaphone and cold cocked Venis. He then locked in a half crab again as Jimmy Hart stunningly climbed up the turnbuckle and got the flag. He tossed it to Storm who grabbed it and was holding it as Robinson came to and he called for the bell. Match Time: 9:17 Lawler: "Ah look at that J.R.! What a representation of Canada"! J.R.: "If Canada wants to be represented by a couple of damn cheaters then I'm even more proud to be an American! This was nothing more than a couple of guys shopping at the bargain basement to get a win! And what about Jimmy Hart going and getting the flag? Does he dress Storm too"?! STORM AND HART WALKED UP THE RAMP. STORM WAVED THE FLAG AS HART YELLED "WE WON" THROUGH HIS MEGAPHONE AND THE CROWD COLLECTIVELY BOOED. Lawler: "He got him a win J.R. and I'm sure that's what Storm hired him to do is win"! J.R.: "Well I just feel so sorry for Val Venis and I know most people in Canada feel the same damn way"! BACKSTAGE.... DRAWING ROOM..... TAYLOR MADE IS SHOWN WITH DESIRE AND TERRI IN THE DRAWING ROOM. HE REACHES INTO THE SPINNING TUB OF BALLS AND PULLS OUT HIS NUMBER FOR THE ROYAL RUMBLE. HE LOOKS AT IT AND GIVES A SMALL SIGN. Desire: "Wow, with a number like that, you're gonna have to go all night". Terri: "Oh believe me, he can". Taylor Made: "Come on girls, I have to get ready". CAMERAS SWITCH TO ANOTHER PART OF THE BACKSTAGE AREA WHERE SEAN O'HAIRE IS STANDING WITH A NEW LOOK ESSA RIOS. HE IS SPORTING A TRENCH COAT AND DARK SHADES AND HAS BLACK HAIR WITH RED TIPS. Sean O'haire: "Look Essa, your appearance is better now and you've followed all my advice. So tonight, if you wanna become Lightheavyweight champ, cheat to win". Essa Rios: (in better English than usual) "I will senor O'haire, I will". BACK AT RINGSIDE, ESSA RIOS' MUSIC HITS AND HE COMES OUT TO SOME HEAT. Cole: "Cheat to win? What is wrong in the head of Sean O'haire"? Ventura: "Nothing. He's guided this talented superstar Essa Rios into this position and I agree with him, cheat to win"! THE ULTIMO DRAGON's MUSIC HITS AND HE COMES OUT WEARING THE LIGHTHEAVYWEIGHT TITLE TO HIS IMPRESSIVE, FIRE FILLED ENTRANCE. Cole: "Well I just think that, title match or not, Essa Rios is going down the wrong path and tonight, he's gonna meet one of the most talented wrestlers in the world"! Ventura: "Well I'm not gonna take anything away from the Ultimo Dragon Cole, but I am gonna disagree with your idea that he's going down the wrong path. Just because you've been a goody damn two shoes all your life, doesn't mean that makes for a model superstar. Sean O'haire is a positive influenece on Rios"! Cole: "Yeah whatever, maybe they'll get invited to the White House. But on a serious note, fans should be treated to one heck of a title match here"! TWF Lightheavyweight Title Match Challenger.... Essa Rios vs. The Ultimo Dragon The bell sounded and right away, Rios seemed the quicker of the 2, bating the Dragon into 2 hip tosses and a wheel kick. He then whipped him to the ropes and showed a little bit of a power side with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. He went into a cover for a quick 2 count. Rios then whipped him to the corner and scored with a handspring back elbow before a vicious piledriver that stuffed the champion into the mat. Rios made another cover but again, Ultimo kicked out at 2. But Ultimo was staggered and Rios capatalized. After a powerslam, Rios went to the top rope and came off with a big guillotine legdrop. Even the crowd thought it was over as referee Jim Korderas made the count but before he could get to 3, Ultimo rolled his left shoulder up. A focused Rios stayed on the champion but after reversing an irish whip to the corner, Ultimo bounced off the ring ropes and caught him with a jumping 1 handed bulldog. Ultimo then peppered the challenger with his trademark kicks, first to the body and then a jumping spin kick to the face. Ultimo hit a snap suplex before going to the apron. He hopped up on the top ring rope for a springboard clothesline but Rios ducked. He then used an Oklahoma roll and got another very near fall. Essa then went to the top rope for a missile dropkick but Ultimo was able to swat it away. After a backhand chop to the gut, he caught Essa with a swinging neckbreaker. Ultimo then called for the Dragon DDT finisher but Rios had it scouted and he pushed him into the ropes before dropkicking him in the back. Rios then dropped him with a backdrop suplex before again going to the top rope. But that was where he'd already made a mistake and Ultimo countered a hurracanrana attempt into a sit down powerbomb for the 1.......2....., but Rios was able to escape defeat. Ultimo then threw a kick when Rios got up but the challenger grabbed his foot, only to be blasted with an enziguri. Ultimo then hit the Asai moonsault off the ring ropes and his knee slammed right on Rios' face, possibly knocking him out cold. Korderas got down to count the 1......2......3 after Ultimo hooked the leg. Match Time: 7:37 Cole: "What a moonsault! The Asai moonsault has propelled the Ultimo Dragon to a successful title defense"! Ventura: "It took everything he had to do it Cole! Rios came up just short"! Cole: "Well he didn't cheat and he didn't win but Rios has nothing to be ashamed of! Ultimo was just the better man tonight". ULTIMO DRAGON HELD THE TITLE UP IN THE AIR AS HE STOOD ON THE TURNBUCKLE WITH HIS MUSIC PLAYING AND THE FANS LOUDLY CHEERING. DRAWING ROOM..... FLANKED BY LOW KI AND MORTIS, CHRISTOPHER DANIELS AND SHANE THOMPSON REACH IN AND SELECT THEIR NUMBERS. DANIELS DOESN'T LOOK IMPRESSED AS HE WALKS OUT OF THE ROOM BUT THE CAMERA GOES BACK AND FOCUSES ON A SNICKERING THOMPSON WHO IS JUST STARING AT THE PIECE OF PAPER WITH THE NUMBER HE JUST DREW ON IT. THE SHOT SWITCHES TO ANOTHER PART OF THE BACKSTAGE AREA WHERE JONATHAN COACHMAN IS WITH TRIPLE H. Coachman: "Triple H, in just a little while, you will be a participant in the Royal Rumble, your thoughts"?
Triple H: "My thoughts Coach? My thoughts are that I shouldn't have to take part in this thing tonight. I should be in the TWF title match against The Undertaker and I should be getting my title back! Instead of that, the chump Hogan and my ex witch.... excuse me, I mean wife Stephanie give the match to High Octane.
THE FANS INSIDE THE ARENA CHEER.
Fact is, as always people around here are jealous of me and that's because I've beaten them all! From Octane and Hogan to Shawn Michaels and even Jordan Rockwell! So bottomline, tonight I'm going to........(pauses) what the hell do you want"?
THE CAMERA TURNS AND THE FANS IMMEDIATELY CHEER AS JORDAN ROCKWELL IS SHOWN WEARING A ROYAL RUMBLE T-SHIRT.
Jordan Rockwell: "Ya know, I'm standing over there listening to you talk about how Hogan and Stephanie gave the title match tonight to Octane and how you've beaten Hogan, Octane, and HBK. Now I may've been hit over the head too many times but I could swear you mentioned my name as well".
Triple H: "You're damn right! Everyone knows I beat you back at Doomsday for the title".
Rockwell: "Ooooooh! you mean this?
On the hanging monitor, footage from Doomsday is shown when Victoria interfered and Triple H used a sledgehammer.
Rockwell: "Wow! That seems different from this".
As Triple H watches and gets furious, old footage from MeltDown plays showing Rockwell using a fisherman suplex to pin Triple H for the TWF title.
Triple H: "You son of a...........
Rockwell: "Ya know what amuses me? (gets up in Triple H's face) You have to go through the rest of your career knowing you never could beat me on your own, ain't that a bitch"!
Rockwell starts laughing right in his face as he turns and walks away leaving Triple H fuming. BACK TO THE RING, JAZZ' MUSIC PLAYS AND THE CIVIL RIGHTS LOGO APPEARS ON THE TWF TRON AS SHE AND TEDDY LONG MAKE THEIR WAY OUT. J.R.: "Wow, that got a little heated". Lawler: "Why is Rockwell wallowing in the past? He couldn't carry Triple H's.... J.R.: "Okay King and you probably couldn't carry his. Women's title match is next and this is one of the toughest, most physical female competitors we've ever seen folks". Lawler: "And she knows what it's like to be Women's champion J.R., plus, she's got Teddy Long with her". GAIL KIM's MUSIC HITS AND SHE COMES OUT WITH THE WOMEN's TITLE AROUND HER WAIST. SHE IS ALSO WEARING A LONG RED COAT AND BLACK GLASSES. J.R.: "This will be a major contrast of styles as this woman will have to avoid Jazz' power attack if she's gonna remain champion". Lawler: "Jazz could squash her like a bug if she gets her hands on her J.R. but Gail Kim is very quick and tonight..... she better be extremely quick"! TWF Women's Title Match Challenger.... Jazz w/ Brother Long vs. Gail Kim Brother Long gave Jazz some last minute instructions but Gail frustrated her early with a couple slaps upside the head. Jazz gave chase but Gail stuck her head between the ropes to prevent any contact. As soon as Jazz backed away, she slapped her again. Jazz chased her as she left the ring but Long stopped her and yelled at her to focus. But Gail jumped over the top rope with a suicide dive, taking her out. Both women got up but Jazz reversed a whip, sending Gail right into the ring steps. She then lifted her up and dropped her throat first over the barricade. Jazz rolled her into the ring and after a delay suplex, she rolled her over and locked in an STF. Gail was fortunate to be close to the ropes and she grabbed the bottom one to break the hold. But Jazz stayed on the attack, dropping her across her knee with a backbreaker and then getting some very high elevation on a big legdrop. She went for a cover but could only get a 2 count. Jazz then went for her chicken wing facedrop but Gail rolled her forward using her leg strength and got a very near fall. Jazz got up and charged with a clothesline but Gail ducked and took her down with a unique headscissor. She then went to the top rope and hot a twisting moonsault splash to get the 1........2......, but Jazz kicked out, to the surprise of many. Gail picked her up and went for an irish whip but Jazz reversed it and just slid her under the bottom rope and to the floor. Outside the ring, Long stood over Gail berating him but Gail got up and shoved him. Long though shoved her back, knocking her to the floor. Referee Jack Doan saw this and called for the bell as Jazz went outside the ring and both her and Long were putting the boots to Kim. Match Time: 8:47 J.R.: "Well the referee has called for the bell here but the mugging hasn't stopped". Lawler: "Look at this"! JUST THEN, ALE MIRAN CAME OUT AND KNOCKED JAZZ DOWN WITH A CLOTHESLINE. LONG GRABBED HER FROM BEHIND BY THE HAIR BUT ALEX TURNED AND KICKED HIM RIGHT IN THE GROIN AREA, TO THE DELIGHT OF THE FANS. GAIL HAD SLID INTO THE RING AND HER MUSIC PLAYED. SHE HAD A WEIRD LOOK ON HER FACE WHILE STARING AT MIRAN AS SHE WAS GIVEN HER BELT. J.R.: "Gail Kim is gonna keep her title here via disqualification but what does Alex Miran have to do with this"? Lawler: "Whatever it is, it's news to Gail Kim". J.R.: "Alex Miran came to her aid here and she almost seems upset about it". BACKSTAGE...... CHAVO GUERRERO IS SHOWN REVIEWING SOME PAPERWORK WHEN HIS EXCITED UNCLE ENTERS. HE QUICKLY PUTS THE PAPERS UNDERNEATH HIM. Eddie Guerrero: "Hey there Chavo.... are you ready for tonight homes"?! Chavo Guerrero: "Yeah man, I'm ready. Let's go get 'em". Eddie: "Something the matter Chavito"? Chavo: "No Eddie, I'm okay. I just have something to do real quick". Eddie: "Okay man, I don't know what could be so top secret. But make it quick Chavo, our match is next". THE SCENE SWITCHES TO ANOTHER PART OF THE ARENA WHERE A CONVERSATION IS GOING ON BETWEEN A-TRAIN AND TED DIBIASE. Ted Dibiase: "Look big man, this is five thousand dollars cold hard cash". A-TRAIN LOOKS AT A PIECE OF PAPER BEFORE HANDING IT TO DIBIASE. A-Train: "Oh alright, but go before I change my mind". DIBIASE HANDS HIM THE MONEY. Dibiase: "Good choice my man". DIBIASE GOES AROUND A CORNER BUT AS THE CAMERA STILL SHOWS A-TRAIN, HIS LAUGH CAN BE HEARD ECHOING THROUGH THE HALLWAY. DRAWING ROOM IDALIS IS SHOWN IN THE DRAWING ROOM STANDING NEXT TO TRAVIS WAKEMAN WHO HAS JUST SELECTED HIS NUMBER FOR THE ROYAL RUMBLE. Idalis: "So Travis, you gonna let it out? What number did you get"? Travis Wakeman: "Does it matter? Idalis, whether I have number one or number thirty, no one wants this as bad as I do tonight. I am gonna win that Rumble tonight and end all this talk of my legend coming to an end. SOMEONE IN THE ROOM CLEARS THEIR THROAT AND HULK HOGAN COMES UP. Hulk Hogan: "Let me tell you something brother, you've got a hell of a long way to go before you can call yourself a legend. These fans may love you now, but if you don't win that rumble and you can never again be Universal champion, you won't be a legend, you'll be forgotten". Wakeman: "Hogan, the last time I checked, you were not my opponent tonight. So why the hell are you in my face"? HOGAN STEPS ASIDE AND WAKEMAN WALKS BY HIM AND EXITS THE ROOM. "VIVA LA RAZA" HITS AND THE CROWD INSIDE THE ARENA COMES TO IT's FEET AS LOS GUERRERO's COME OUT. EDDIE IS ALL FIRED UP BUT CHAVO SEEMS A LITTLE DISTANT. Lawler: "What is up with Wakeman and Hogan J.R."? J.R.: "We saw a confrontation between the two similar to that one at the TWF awards show earlier this month but to be honest with ya, I don't know what it's about"? Lawler: "Well let's focus on this tag team title match J.R. and is it just me, or does Chavo seem like he's not nearly as into this as his uncle Eddie is"? LA RESISTANCE's MUSIC HITS AND THEY COME OUT WAVING THE FRENCH FLAG WITH WILLIAM REGAL LEADING THE WAY. BOTH DUPREE AND GRENIER HAVE ON THEIR CAPES, BERETS AND THE RAW TAG TEAM TITLE BELTS. J.R.: "No King, it's not just you and I would love to know what's gotten into Chavo because I truly feel that when at their best, Los Guerrero's are the best pure tag team in the entire TWF"! Lawler: "Well that's a bold statement J.R. but they are facing one heck of a team tonight, a team who is led by William Regal"! J.R.: "Well there's no doubt that Regal is the wild card in this one and these two teams have met on a couple occasions. This is the rubber match if my notes are correct". Lawler: "Well without a dedicated Chavo, it's gonna be a long night for uncle Eddie"! RAW Tag Team Title Match Challengers.... Los Guerrero's vs. La Resistance w/ William Regal The bell sounded and Chavo started the match with Sylvan Grenier. After some basic chain wrestling, Grenier put him on the mat with a shoulder as he bounced off the ropes. Chavo backed up, as if deciding a new strategy but made an abrupt tag to Eddie. Eddie was a little confused but he climbed through the ropes and locked up with Grenier. He whipped him to the mat with consecutive armdrags before locking in an armbar. Grenier wheeled around and got to his feet, escaping the hold with 2 jabs to the gut. But after bouncing off the ropes, Eddie drilled him with a superb dropkick. He went to make the tag but Chavo was consumed in an argument with Regal and Grenier was able to tag in Rene Dupree who came in and took Eddie down with a backdrop suplex. He then locked in a side headlock and used all his weight to apply pressure on him. Eddie seemed to be fading fast as his face turned beet red. Referee Chad Patton checked the arms and they flailed to the mat twice. But on the third time, Eddie kept it up.... barely. Dupree knew he had Eddie in a tough situation so he began to bury his knee in the small of his back. After a backbreaker, he tagged in Grenier who came in with a big clothesline. Grenier went back to the headlock and Eddie was in a lot of trouble. But the crowd began to clap and stomp and Eddie got up, using the last bit of energy he had. He elbowed Grenier 3 times in the gut and hit the ropes, ducking a clothesline before catching him with a flying forearm that would've made fellow countryman Tito Santana proud. Eddie dove to make the tag but at the same time, Regal pulled Chavo off the apron. Eddie had seen enough andhe came flying over the ropes with a plancha that took out Regal and his partner and nephew, Chavo. Eddie got back into the ring but Grenier was waiting with a low blow that Patton didn't see. Grenier tagged out and Dupree came in, looking to put on the finishing touches. But Patton, although doing his best to maintain control, became distracted by the brawl going on on the floor between Chavo and Regal. Patton yelled for Regal to go to the back but in the ring, Grenier had gotten one of the tag belts and he sized Eddie up. But when Eddie escaped the clutches of Dupree, Grenier clocked his own partner. Eddie then picked up the belt and cracked Grenier over the head with it. The crowd again rose to their feet as Eddie climbed the turnbuckle and slapped his chest. He then came off with the Frog Splash and landed it with a ton of impact. He hooked Dupree's near leg and Patton jumped into position to count the 1........2.......3. "VIVA LA RAZA" HIT AND PATTON HANDED EDDIE THE VERY BELT HE NAILED GRENIER WITH AND EDDIE RAISED IT HIGH IN THE AIR. J.R.: "They've done it! Eddie and Chavo Guerrero have won the tag team titles"! Lawler: "Well how come Chavo doesn't look so happy about it"? CHAVO WAS ON THE FLOOR, WATCHING HIS UNCLE CELEBRATE AND FINALLY, EDDIE INVITED HIM INTO THE RING. J.R.: "What's he mad about? He's just became one half of the RAW tag team champs for god sake"! Lawler: "I don't know J.R., but something isn't right". EDDIE HANDED HIS NEPHEW THE OTHER TITLE BELT AND RAISED HIS ARM IN THE AIR. J.R.: "Well if anything, Chavo should be thanking Eddie to no end for winning that match, well by himself". Match Time: 12:36 BACKSTAGE..... CARNEY AND REY MYSTERIO ARE SHOWN IN THE BACKSTAGE AREA. Carney: "So what number did you get man"? Rey Mysterio: "Not as good as yours man". Carney: "Yeah, finally something went right". Mysterio: "Listen bro, there's no need to panic about the Elements. Yes it hurt that Jansens left, but we have always been tough together and we always will be. You gotta believe that man". JUST THEN, CHRIS BENOIT COMES UP. Chris Benoit: "I just thought I'd remind you guys that tonight in the Rumble, friendships go by the wayside. It's every man for himself". BENOIT WALKS AWAY AND CARNEY LOOKS AT MYSTERIO AND JUST SHRUGS HIS SHOULDERS. JUST AROUND ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ARENA NEXT TO A MERCHANDISE STAND, BROCK LESNAR IS TALKING WITH RANDY ORTON AND RIC FLAIR WHEN "STONE COLD" STEVE AUSTIN COMES UP. HE HAS A REFEREE's SHIRT IN HAND. Stone Cold: "Hey boys". Brock Lesnar: "What the hell do you want? Did I ask for you"? Stone Cold: "Does it matter"? Lesnar: "Hey, I'm the champ around here and I deserve to be treated with a hell of a lot more respect"! Stone Cold: "Is that right? Well, you are the champ. And I know how much you like being the champ. And Chris Tirpak brought up a good point. He tells me that he thinks you're gonna try and get yourself disqualified tonight so you can keep your little belt. Well you know what I say to that? Uh-Uh! So tonight Brock, I saw fit to put these referee stripes on and be the referee of that match! CROWD INSIDE CHEERS And trust me champ, if you do anything to get yourself disqualified, I'm gonna take that title and give it to Chris Tirpak anyway! See ya in the ring"! AUSTIN WALKS AWAY Randy Orton: "He can't do that"! BACK AT RINGSIDE, "HELL's GUARDIAN" BY SLIPKNOT LOUDLY PLAYS AND NAILS COMES DOWN THE AISLE TO A LOT OF BOOING. J.R.: "More title action here at the Royal Rumble and King, we both know that RAW is the top program on cable but do we really wanna be represented by this man"? Lawler: "I wouldn't mind it J.R.! Nails is one of the all time greats here in the TWF and like it or not, he's not as offensive as the man who is the champ"! "BASIC THUGANOMICS" HITS AND JOHN CENA COMES OUT SPORTING A SAN ANTONIO SPURS #21 TIM DUNCAN JERSEY. J.R.: "Well that depends in how you look at things but it looks like Cena is ready to say something"! Lawler: "Imagine that". John Cena: "Chill, chill, chill. Yo Nails, I know you're ready to get this but I got somethin' to. I mean, I think you'd be a lot more successful if you dropped the psycho image, trust me, it ain't workin'. You'd be better off sittin' at home doin' what you do best..... jerkin'. But it's all good dawg we know how you got your name. Some of your stories would put Michael Jackson's to shame. THE CROWD SAYS "OHHHHH" IN UNISON. But unlike Michael, you'll never be caught, you leave without a trace. Now somethin' tells me that that is why you hide your face"! NAILS LEAVES THE RING AND COMES BACK UP THE AISLE TO MEET CENA. Lawler: "Nails has heard enough"! J.R.: "This one will be a street fight which is right up Nails' alley and the comments by Cena may have just made him more focused on taking the title"! Street Fight/TWF King of Cable Title Match Challenger..... Nails vs. John Cena Cena seemed to get Nails to do exactly what he wanted to do as he anticipated a right hand and blocked it before nailing him with 3 of his own that backed him all the way back to the ring. Cena shook his hand out after hitting the hockey mask 3 times. He rolled Nails into the ring which sounded the bell but when he got into the ring, Nails kicked him in the midsection and got down, choking him. Cena knew he was in for a long battle and he slid out of the ring, only to have Nails follow him. Nails gave him a shot across the back before sending him face first into the steel post. Nails then removed the padding around the ring in one spot, exposing the concrete. He loaded Cena up for a piledriver but Cena countered with a backdrop and Nails landed hard on the cement. Cena, who was bleeding for a small cut over his left eye, picked Nails up and whipped him into the steel steps. He then grabbed a steel chair and folded it up as the crowd continually got louder. Cena took a swing but hit nothing but the steps when Nails move. The vibration of the steel on steel shot caused Cena to drop the chair and Nails then pushed him into the apron. After a vicious uppercut, he rolled Cena into the ring and grabbed the same steel chair and rolled it into the ring. He then reached under the apron and pulled out a table, sliding it into the ring as well. Nails came into the ring and set the table up. He then set Cena on the table and grabbed the steel chair before climbing to the top rope. He was looking to put Cena away but the Dr. of Thuganomics hopped up off the table and fell into the ropes, knocking Nails down. Cena then hit the ropes and put Nails down with the Throwback right when he got up. Cena was in control which brought the other two members of Anarchy, Inc., Justin Sane and ZeroEx out. They got into the ring and after a roundhouse kick from ZeroEx, they both put the boots to the champ. ZeroEx and Sane then picked him up and double suplexed him over the top rope and to the floor. Cena landed very awkwardly when curiously, Stacy Kiebler came out to check on him. As this was going on, Austin Pyromania snuck up from behind the ring and came in with Nails' own fire poker. Nails got up and Pyromania cracked him with it, knocking him to the mat. Pyromania then dropkicked Sane out of the ring and ducked a roundhouse from ZeroEx before tossing him over the top rope as well. Meanwhile, a staggered Cena had gotten back into the ring and when Nails got up, he scooped him up onto his shoulder and hit the "F-U", right through the table. Splinters of wood spread throughout the ring as Cena made the cover and referee Mike Chioda counted the 1.....2......3. Match Time: 8:40 Lawler: "Well I don't know how he did it J.R., but John Cena has won this match"! "BASIC THUGANOMICS" PLAYED AND CENA WAS HANDED HIS BELT AS PYROMANIA AND STACY JUST WALKED BACKSTAGE. J.R.: "Well he owes a lot to Austin Pyromania and that situation just gets wierder and wierder King". Lawler: "It definitely does but I can assure you that this won't be the last either of these men here from Nails"! BACKSTAGE..... CAMERAS IN THE BACKSTAGE AREA FIND STACY AND PYROMANIA WALKING AND WHEN THEY TURN THE CORNER, "STONE COLD" STEVE AUSTIN IS COMING UP THE OTHER WAY. Stone Cold: "Hey Pyro! PYROMANIA TURNS AROUND AND STONE COLD COMES UP AND SHAKES HIS HAND. That was one hell of an ass whoopin' out there son.... well done". Austin Pyromania: "Thanks". AUSTIN WALKS AWAY AND STACY SMILES AS PYROMANIA JUST LOOKS AT HIS HAND ALMOST IN DISBELIEF. AFTER A SHORT PAUSE, THE SOUND OF BREAKING GLASS IS HEARD AND "STONE COLD" STEVE AUSTIN COMES OUT TO THE BIGGEST POP OF THE NIGHT. HE IS WEARING THE REFEREE SHIRT. Cole: "Stone Cold Steve Austin is on his way to the ring, bringing his own set of rules"! Ventura: "I can't believe that Shane McMahon would allow this Cole! This puts Lesnar at a huge disadvantage"! "TNT" BY AC/DC HITS AND CHRIS TIRPAK COMES OUT TO A HUGE CHEER. Cole: "Tonight, this man has a chance to do what no superstar has done in the TWF and that is to win all three major titles in under a year"! Ventura: "That would be an incredible feat Michael and I'm sure if Steve Austin has his way, he will"! A CORD STRIKES AND OUT COMES THE UNIVERSAL CHAMPION BROCK LESNAR. HE IS WELCOMED BY THOUSANDS OF BOOS BUT IT DOESN'T SEEM TP PHASE HIM. Cole: "Are you kidding? Do you think that Stone Cold would risk his position as Enforcer of PrimeTime just to cost Lesnar the title"? Ventura: "This is Steve Austin we're talking about. The beer swiiling, middle finger giving rule breaker that has never given a damn about much of anything"! Cole: "I expect Austin to uphold all of the rules in this match and I think he's out here for good reason. Tirpak got in Lesnar's face and said he wanted the pain and until Austin forced Brock into this match, he tried to duck the challenge of Tirpak"! Ventura: "Oh come on Cole! You and I both know that Brock said Tirpak is not in his league"! Cole: "Well if he's not in his league, he should embarrass him in this one, right"?! TWF Universal Title Match Challenger.... Chris Tirpak vs. Brock Lesnar As soon as the bell rang, Tirpak's gameplan became apparent.... attack, attack, attack. Tirpak would not let up on Lesnar who was trying to do his best to defend his shots. Finally, Austin seperated the two and Lesnar got in a thumb to the eye followed by a hard clothesline. Brock then looked to slow things down, wrapping his legs around Tirpak and just squeezing his upper torso area. The energy of Tirpak was quickly being drained but he was able to finally elbow his way out of the hold. He got up and hit the ropes but ran right into an overhead belly to belly suplex and Brock went back to the bear hug like hold on the mat. Austin continually asked Tirpak if he wanted to give it up but Tirpak yelled "No" every time. Finally, Tirpak pulled him up and whipped him to the ropes but Tirpak came flying back with a clothesline. Brock got up but Tirpak scooped him up and dropped him with a variation of the Michinoku Driver to get a 2 count. Tirpak then launced him over the top rope to the floor and he followed him out. Tirpak picked him for a suplex right on the floor. Brock grabbed at his back in pain but Tirpak didn't relent. After whipping Brock right into the post, Tirpak got into the ring. Austin made him back away from the ropes to give Brock a chance to get back in and as Brock began to get up, he made his way back over. Tirpak tried to pull Lesnar up but Brock went down with a shoulder to the gut and dropped him over the top rope with a guillotine. Brock then went and grabbed a steel chair and slid it into the ring. But Austin took the chair and threw it out the other side, to the cheer of the crowd. Brock got into the ring and got in Austin's face and it was a mistake. Tirpak took control with a backdrop suplex followed by 2 big elbow drops. He then whipped Brock into the corner and drove a shoulder hard into his gut before picking him up and spiking him into the mat with a piledriver. Brock flopped over and Tirpak hooked the leg to get the 1....2......, but Brock kicked out. Tirpak stayed on him and after a big body slam, he went for an irish whip but Brock reversed it. Brock put his head down too soon though and Tirpak countered with a sunset flip. Brock did a good job of holding his balance, not letting Tirpak roll him up and he fell straight down into a cover, grabbing the middle ring rope. Austin started to count the 1......2....., but when he saw Lesnar holding the ropes, he just gave him a double middle finger. Brock was incensed by this and he shoved Austin. Austin just shook his head and shoved him back and Tirpak rolled him up for the 1......2....., but again, Brock powered out. Tirpak landed a few more right hands before hitting the ropes and rocking Lesnar with a clothesline. He hit the ropes again and caught the champ with a flying shoulder tackle. Tirpak was feeling it and the crowd was on their feet as he hit the ropes again but this time Brock was waiting with a judo takedown that slammed Tirpak's head into the mat. Brock then quickly pulled him up and lifted him onto his shoulders for the "F5". Austin got down to make the count but somehow, Tirpak kicked out at 2! But enough had been taken out of the challenger and after a huge powerbomb, Brock went to the top rope for the move of the night..... a shooting star press! Brock landed it perfectly and hooked the leg as Austin made the 3 count. AUSTIN COULD IMMEDIATELY BE SEEN SAYING "DAMN IT". Cole: "Can you believe that?! Brock Lesnar is two hundred and ninety five pounds and he just crushed Chris Tirpak with a shooting star press"! Ventura: "It was two on one Cole! Brock beat Tirpak with a biased referee"! Cole: "Look out Austin"! AS SOON AS AUSTIN TURNED TO LEAVE THE RING, LESNAR CRACKED HIM WITH HIS UNIVERSAL TITLE BELT AND LOOKED DOWN AT HIM AS THE CROWD BOOED. BROCK's MUSIC THEN HIT AND HE LEFT TO A LOT OF HEAT AS AUSTIN GRABBED THE BACK OF HIS HEAD. Ventura: "He deserved that Cole! Austin deserved that"! Cole: "That's the Enforcer of PrimeTime! Brock can't do that! Besides, Austin's not a man you have to attack from behind! If Brock wanted to fight him, all he would've had to do is say so"! BACKSTAGE..... STRIFE COMES OUT OF THE DRAWING ROOM AND COMES ACROSS THE UNDERTAKER. Undertaker: "Let's see big man. STRIFE SHOWS HIM HIS NUMBER. Not bad, not bad. Ya see, the way I look at it, if you can get through the Rumble tonight, you and I can meet in a WrestleMania rematch. I know you want that, right"? Strife: "I'll take care of it on my end, you just beat High Octane tonight". STRIFE WALKS AWAY AND UNDERTAKER JUST KINDA LAUGHS. BACK INSIDE THE ARENA, "ROCK HARD" BY JA RULE HITS AND JORDAN ROCKWELL COMES OUT ALONG WITH RHYNO TO A HUGE CHEER. Cole: "Tag team titles are about to be put on the line and Jesse, we could be looking at the new champions"! Ventura: "Just a couple weeks ago, many people thought these two would be facing each other tonight but if they can stay on the same page, you're absolutely right Cole". "STAND BACK.... THERE's A HURRICANE COMIN' THROUGH" IS HEARD AS THE DYNAMIC DUO's MUSIC HITS AND THEY COME OUT TO A GOOD CHEER. Cole: "Well don't count these two out. The Hurricane and Cyclone have formed quite a combination"! Ventura: "Well Rockwell gave up his spot in the Royal Rumble just to get this match and that may've answered some of Rhyno's questions about whether he was for the team or for himself". Cole: "We've already seen the Ultimo Dragon and Brock Lesnar retain their titles tonight. Can the Dynamic Duo continue that trend"? TWF Tag Team Title Match Challengers..... Jordan Rockwell and Rhyno vs. The Dynamic Duo As the bell sounded, Rockwell started things off with Cyclone who offered a handshake. Rockwell accepted and the match was underway. After a lockup, Cyclone went into a go behind but Rockwell dropped to one knee and brought him over his back. He then locked in a reverse chin lock but Cyclone worked his way up and drove a couple elbows into his midsection. Cyclone then hit the ropes and went for a dropkick but Rockwell swatted it away. After aswinging neckbreaker, Rockwell made the tag to Rhyno who came in looking to overpower Cyclone, and he did just that. After several hard right hands, Rhyno drove his shoulder into the gut of Cyclone 5 times. He then whipped him to the corner and tagged in Rockwell but after whipping Cyclone to the ropes, he exploded off with a flying clothesline that took both men out. Cyclone then tagged out and Hurricane came in. They whipped Rockwell into the ropes and caught him with a double back elbow. After a few overhand rights, Hurricane caught Rockwell with a gorgeous dropkick before again tagging in Cyclone who shot himself in with a flying legdrop. He only got 2 off the cover but Rcokwell was in trouble. Cyclone hooked him up for a Gory Special and then turned and knocked Rhyno off the apron with a dropkick. Hurricane tagged back in and went to the top rope where he caught Rockwell with the Overcast. He hooked a leg and got 1......2...., but Rockwell kicked out. Hurricane was not going to let Rockwell catch his breath and he sent him to the ropes for a jumping clothesline. Hurricane pulled him up but Rhyno came in and put him down with a devastating spinebuster. Rockwell rolled into a cover to get a very near fall. Rockwell then tried to position Hurricane for the Tranquilizer but Cyclone came in and booted him in the head. After referee Brian Hebner restored some order, Hurricane hit the ropes and went for a crucifix but Rockwell countered into a samoan drop. He then whipped Hurricane to the corner but Hurricane bounced out and nailed him with a jumping enziguri. Rockwell fell to the mat, flat on his face and Hurricane rolled him over, pulling his near leg way back as Hebner made the count 1........2......., but Rockwell rolled his right shoulder off the mat just in time. Hurricane quickly ascended the turnbuckle and came flying off with a cross body block but Rockwell caught him in mid air. He spun him around and dropped him with the Scarlet Fever. He went into a cover and hooked the leg as Rhyno came into the ring and stopped a breakup attempt by Cyclone with the Gore. Hebner got into position and counted the 1.......2.......3. Match Time: 12:19 Cole: "New champions! Rockwell and Rhyno have reached their goal"! Ventura: "That one could've gone either way Michael but what an effort by the new champions"! Cole: "Wait a minute, Hurricane and Cyclone have the belts". HURRICANE AND CYCLONE HANDED ROCKWELL AND RHYNO THE BELTS AND THE CROWD LOUDLY CHEERED AS "ROCK HARD" PLAYED AGAIN. Ventura: "What is this? Are the gonna kiss too"? Cole: "This is something we don't see enough of in our business, it's called sportsmanship Jesse. The Dynamic Duo are giving Rockwell and Rhyno their just due as they have reached the top of the mountain"! BACKSTAGE...... HIGH OCTANE IS SHOWN IN THE BACK, HOPPING IN PLACE AND DOING SOME SHADOW BOXING AS SHAWN MICHAELS WATCHES. Shawn Michaels: "It's time man, go earn some respect". HIGH OCTANE KNOCKS FISTS WITH MICHAELS AND THEN WALKS OFF. J.R.: "What a night it's been here at the Royal Rumble King but our next pay-per-view event will be Code Red in February". Lawler: "That's right, we will be headed to Lebron James country for that one"! J.R.: "The Gund Arena in Cleveland will be the place for the RAW division event but King, are you ready"? Lawler: "Oh boy, am I ever"! J.R.: "Folks, the TWF World title match is just a heartbeat away". A VIDEO PACKAGE CHRONICOLING THE EVENTS LEADING TO THE WORLD TITLE MATCH IS SHOWN. AN ENGINE LOUDLY REVS AND "DOWN WITH THE SICKNESS" HITS AS HIGH OCTANE COMES OUT TO A HUGE POP. J.R.: "This is it.... the chance of a lifetime for High Octane"! Lawler: "It's huge J.R. and no one would've ever thought this guy would be here"! J.R.: "He's been an underdog his entire life and tonight is no different but King, I have a feeling The Undertaker's in for a lot more than he's bargaining for"! A RED LIGHT FLASHES OVER THE CROWD AND "DEADMAN WALKIN'" IS HEARD, LEADING INTO "YOU'RE GONNA PAY". THE UNDERTAKER RIDES OUT ON HIS BIKE TO A DEAFENING CHEER, THE WORLD TITLE IS AROUND HIS NECK. Lawler: "The Undertaker seems to be taking this one very lightly J.R. and I think he'll get the win, just not as easy as he thinks he will". J.R.: "I've always called The Undertaker the lifeblood of the TWF but tonight, he might be facing the man with the biggest heart". Lawler: "It's simple for High Octane, he has to use his speed in this one, he cannot brawl with The Undertaker or he'll have quick work made out of him"! J.R.: "The winner has the inside track on the main event at WrestleMania"! TWF World Title Match Challenger.... "High Octane" Damion West vs. The Undertaker The bell sounded and Octane circled the much bigger champion, looking for a way to strike. He threw a kick but Undertaker caught his leg and flipped him into the air. Octane landed on his feet though and ducked a clothesline before catching him with a well placed dropkick that knocked him against the ropes. Octane followed up with a couple of hard rights before backing up for a flying forearm but Taker pulled the top rope down and he went sailing to the floor. Ignoring referee Earl Hebner's instructions to let him get back in, Undertaker slid under the bottom rope and picked Octane up, dropping him face first across the PrimeTime announce table as Ventura and Cole scrambled to get out of the way. Undertaker then pulled him up and whipped him right into the ring steps and Octane winced in pain. Taker rolled him back into the ring and dropped a big leg across his throat. Taker covered him very nonchalantly and Octane kicked out. Taker opened up on him after tossing him into the corner, bombarding him with right hands and back elbows. He whipped him to the corner and buried him with a follow clothesline before hitting the ropes, looking for a running boot. But Octane ducked and caught him with a back footsweep that brought him back into it. With Undertaker on the mat, his size was gone and Octane attacked the right leg like a starved vulcher. After several stomps on the leg and knee area, Octane propped it up on the second rope and jumped into the air, sitting down on the knee. Undertaker yelled in pain as Octane repeated the move two more times. He then hit the ropes after Taker got to his feet and found the mark with the flying forearm he went for earlier. Octane made the cover but Taker was up at 2. Octane then kicked him in the kidneys several times before shooting him to the far corner. He followed in but Taker caught him and tried to drop him on the top turnbuckle with the snake eyes but Octane was able to land and caught him with some sort of mule kick. He then went to the top rope and hit a standing moonsault to get a fall so close Hebner was unsure how to call it. He decided to let the match continue and High Octane had the deadman reeling, primed to become the new champion. After coming off the top rope with a double axe handle that made Taker rock backwards, Octane hit the ropes but ended up eating a big boot. Taker then pulled him up by the throat and set him up for the chokeslam. But Octane was able to wiggle out of his grasp and then ducked a clothesline before landing the "Head on Collision" out of nowhere. He covered him as the crowd came to their feet and Hebner counted the 1.......2......., but it wasn't enough as Taker still had life. Octane was shocked but he went to the top rope. He waited for The Undertaker to turn around and when he did, he came off looking for a top rope hurracanrana. But Undertaker caught him on his shoulders and lifted him into the air by his tights, dumping him with the "Last Ride". Undertaker went into the cover and there was no kicking out as he retained the World title. Match Time: 16:12 J.R.: "A truly amazing match and what an effort! What an effort by a man who has sure as hell earned my respect, High Octane"! Lawler: "I think he's earned the respect of everyone here"! THE MUSIC STOPPED PLAYING AND UNDERTAKER WALKED UP TO OCTANE WHO WAS USING THE ROPES TO PULL HIMSELF UP. JUST THEN, THE UNDERTAKER, SEEMINGLY IN DISBELIEF, SHOOK OCTANE's HAND AND THEN RAISED HIS ARM IN THE AIR AS THE CROWD WILDLY CHEERED. Lawler: "Look at this"! J.R.: "He had to take an ass beating to do it, but High Octane has also earned the respect of the deadman"! THE UNDERTAKER WALKED BACKSTAGE AND "DOWN WITH THE SICKNESS" PLAYED AGAIN AS THE FANS GAVE HIGH OCTANE A STANDING OVATION. Lawler: "This is amazing"! J.R.: "This is a moment.... listen to this"! THE OVATION CONTINUED TO GO ON AS A VIDEO PACKAGE WAS SHOWN TO BUILD UP THE ROYAL RUMBLE MATCH, SHOWING ALL 30 COMPETITORS. BACK TO LIVE ACTION, HOWARD FINKEL IS IN THE RING. Howard Finkel: "It is now time for the Royal Rumble"! THE FANS COME TO THEIR FEET AND CHEER AS FINK EXPLAINS THE RULES. Ventura: "It's your lucky night J.R., you get to call the Rumble with the Body"! J.R.: "How come I don't feel lucky then? But anyway Jesse, we are gonna call this thing together, you got a pick"? Finkel: "And now, the man who drew number one"! "BOMBSHELL" BY POWERMAN 5000 HITS AND BAHAMUT COMES OUT TO A LOT OF BOOS. Ventura: "Well, not Bahamut, that's a horrible number for him"! J.R.: "Well I know the King's pick is Kurt Angle and it's not a bad one because we know he's gonna enter this thing somewhere with a number between twenty and thirty"! Ventura: "And let's not forget about the man who won this thing last year, Rob Van Dam"! THE SOUND OF SIRENS BLARES OVER THE LOUDSPEAKERS AND SCOTT STEINER's MUSIC PLAYS AFTER HIS VOICE SAYS "HOLLER IF YA HEAR ME". J.R.: "Scott Steiner's gonna have to pull an all nighter if he's gonna win this thing"! Ventura: "We're starting things off with a RAW guy and a PrimeTime guy and that's what makes this Royal Rumble match so unique J.R."! J.R.: "But only one man can take a spot in the main event at WrestleMania"! 30 Man Royal Rumble Match The bell sounded to start the journey known as the Royal Rumble and Steiner and Bahamut, two heavy hitters, wasted no time going at it. They traded shots until Steiner blocked a right hand and caught Bahamut with a haymaker that rocked him back. Steiner tried to lift the big man over the top rope but he couldn't break Bahamut's leverage. The bell sounded for #3 to get in and it was Austin Pyromania. He went at Steiner and caught him with 2 hard right hands followed by a big wheel kick. But when he got up, Bahamut ran through him with a clothesline. Steiner got up and fired back at Bahamut with some more right hands before backing up for a Steiner Line but Bahamut picked him up and dumped him out of the ring for the first elimination. As Bahamut stared down at Steiner, Pyromania jumped on his back, trying to lock in a sleeper hold. But Bahamut got a grasp of him and walked to the edge of the ring, flinging Pyro over his shoulders all the way to the floor. Pyromania landed very hard on his back side as he was eliminated. Bahamut stood alone in the ring and the buzzer sounded, bringing out the oldest man in the field, Animal. Animal slid into the ring and Bahamut immediately went at him, stomping away at him. But Animal absorbed the shots and fired back with a round of his own. He then tried to lift Bahamut out and he had him on the verge of elimination when #5 entered the fray, A-Train. A-Train ran to the ring and hammered Animal across the back. Bahamut was momentarily saved but when he went for a running boot, he caught A-Train with it and Animal then clotheslined him out of the ring. A-Train and Animal traded shots until Mark Jindrak came out and he was pumped up. He hit the ring and hit anything that moved, catching Animal with a wonderful dropkick. The 3 men battled until #7 made his way out and it was Joe Corey. Corey targeted Jindrak and the two traded shots as Animal and A-Train struggled to get each other out. Animal was trying to get A-Train out but the mammoth Train was holding the bottom ring rope to keep himself in. Taylor Made then hit the ring and he and Corey teamed up to wear down Jindrak. Meanwhile, A-Train had reversed his position and he dumped Animal out of the ring. On the other side, Taylor held Jindrak up for Corey but Jindrak ducked a clothesline and Corey nailed Taylor. A-Train tried to catch Jindrak off gaurd with his Pump Kick but Jindrak saw it coming and he used A-Train's own momentum to push him out of the ring. But when he turned around, he was dropped by a Joe Corey clothesline. Corey and Taylor appeared to be on the same page once again and they sent Jindrak to the ropes, planting him with a double flapjack. But Corey made a rookie mistake by turning his back on everything and Taylor snuck up from behind and dumped him out. Corey was furious as he was ordered to the back and Taylor and Jindrak traded shots as the only two men in the ring. Jindrak was getting the better of Taylor until Matt Hardy came in at #9. Matt went right at Jindrak and dropped him with a reverse DDT. But Matt turned and caught Taylor with a discus punch. Hardy went back to working on Jindrak when Taylor came from behind and tried to dump him out. Hardy grabbed the bottom rope and pulled himself in. Jindrak and Taylor were going at it but Matt took Jindrak out with a chop block from behind and then he whipped Taylor over the top rope and to the floor. As Hardy and Jindrak went at it, Christopher Daniels came out followed by Nathan Jones and Billy Gunn. Jones was dominant as he took on all the other men, dropping Billy with a sidewalk slam and kicking Hardy right in the face. Jindrak and Daniels each dropkicked him in the legs from behind but Jones got up and blasted them both with a clothesline. On the other side of the ring, Hardy had gone up to the top rope and he kicked Jones right in the face. But before he could come off with whatever he intended to do, Jindrak dropkicked him off all the way to the floor. Jones tried to catch Jindrak with a running boot but he avoided him and Jones got hung up on the top rope. Jindrak and Gunn each grabbed one side of the rope and jerked it up and down and finally, Jindrak knocked him over and out with a right hand. Billy then tried to get a quick elimination of Jindrak but he couldn't do it. Axl Irvin was next to enter the match and he and Daniels were involved in a slugfest. Irvin blocked a right hand and kicked him in the gut before grabbing him and tossing him over the top rope. Daniels was able to "skin the cat" and pull himself back in. He then dropkicked Irvin in the back, nearly knocking him out. Rey Mysterio came in at #14 and he went right at Daniels. Meanwhile, Billy and Jindrak were stuck in a heated battle. Irvin came over and took on both men but after superkicking Mysterio, Daniels lifted Irvin over the top rope and to the floor. But moments later, Mysterio pulled off the biggest elimination to that point by countering a powerbomb by Daniels and whipping him out of the ring using his legs. Chris Benoit had entered the match and he took out his own Elements partner with a sharp clothesline. That started a fierce battle between Benoit and Mysterio while on the other side of the ring, Jindrak countered the "Fame-Asser" but Billy ducked an ensuing clothesline and threw him out of the ring, ending an impressive run. Next out was Triple H and he started by nailing an unsuspecting Billy Gunn from behind. He then pulled up Mysterio and Benoit after they had caught each other with a double clothesline and gave them each a Pedigree. But Billy had returned to his feet and he knocked Triple H out of the ring with a clothesline! Triple H had only spent 34 seconds in the ring! Triple H had blown a gasket and he tried to get back into the ring but was held back by several referees. This would start a huge run for Billy Gunn. Batista and Sean O'haire came out next but the next elimination was Chris Benoit by Billy Gunn after he was hit by the 6-1-9. Sean O'haire went to the showers 20 seconds after he got into the ring when he missed a jumping spin kick on Billy Gunn and was tossed out. The fans erupted when Travis Wakeman came out at #19 but Batista went outside the ring. Wakeman came in and cleaned house, nailing Gunn and Mysterio with clotheslines. He had Gunn teetering on the top rope but something made him turn around and Batista just cracked his skull with a chair shot that knocked him clean out. As Batista disposed of the chair, Billy Gunn muscled Wakeman out of the ring, destriying his hopes of nullifying the New Year's Battle royale stipulation. The fans vehemently booed as Shelton Benjamin and Jon Heidenreich entered the rumble. Heidenreich and Batista had one heck of a brawl going on but still at ringside, a woozy Wakeman made sure Batista was not gonna win it either, pulling him out when Heidenreich got him near the ropes. Wakeman and Batista brawled all the way into the back as some of the agents came out to break it up. In the ring, Billy Gunn was on cruise control, catching Benjamin with the "Fame-Asser". Randy Orton came out next right as Shelton Benjamin was eliminated by the smallest man in the field, Rey Mysterio. Randy Orton and Billy Gunn had the best fight of the Rumble, taking turns trying to get each other out. The 23rd entrant was the Locomotive Strife and he entered the ring with a purpose, knocking every man down with boots and right hands. Mysterio went for a hurracanrana on the big man Strife but he caught him and tossed him backwards but he landed on the apron, only to be eliminated by a Billy Gunn right hand when he turned around. Billy then caught Strife completely off gaurd with a clothesline that took him out. Billy was up to 8 eliminations when Randy Orton came from behind and tried to throw him out. But Billy was able to hang on as Carney entered the match. Carney went right at Orton as Heidenreich came over and tried to get Billy out. The 4 men continued battling as the 2003 winner, Rob Van Dam entered at #25. RVD was a loose cannon, catching Orton and Carney with spinning heel kicks and dropping Gunn with a step over heel kick. Heidenreich grabbed him and lifted him up for a gorilla press slam but RVD escaped and dropkicked him in the back. He then ran and pushed the big man over the top rope and to the floor, seconds after Orton had eliminated Carney with a hip toss that took him out of the ring. Shane Thompson came in with #26 and he was hitting anything that moved. Gunn went down with a right hand and RVD got caught with a superkick. Orton came from behind and tried to dump him out but Thompson rolled back in under the ropes. Orton got down and used 2 hands to choke Thompson as Kid Gundam came in next. The IC champion targeted RVD with his attack and he caught him with several kicks to the body. Billy Gunn came over and tried to eliminate RVD but caught a sharp kick from Gundam. RVD then went to the top rope but Billy fell into the ropes and knocked him into a straddling position. Gundam went for another kick but Gunn ducked and pushed him into RVD which knocked him off the apron. Billy had wrestled the perfect Rumble until he went for a flying body splash on Gundam in the corner and missed. Gundam then scored with a savat kick that was right on the money and knocked Billy out of the match. #28 was Kurt Angle's spot and he came in going right after Shane Thompson. Gundam and Orton traded shots until the man with number 29, Charlie Haas came in. Haas took on Angle and they had one heck of a fight. Meanwhile, Gundam had his bell rung by a Shane Thompson superkick that knocked him out on the apron. Thompson then used a baseball slide to get him out of the ring. Orton immediately tried to dump Thompson out but again was unsuccessful. The bell sounded 1 final time and the word "REVENGE" appeared in flames on the TWF tron. As the lights went out, a spotlight picked up Nemesis slowly walking down the aisle. Orton stood mesmerized looking at him and Angle took advantage, coming from behind and dumping him out. Nemesis got into the ring and went wild, nailing each man with a hard right hand. He then delivered chokeslams to Thompson and Angle. But Haas had slid out of the ring as Ted Dibiase came out, giving him some advice. Nemesis picked Angle up, trying to put him out but Haas charged into the ring and lifted a leg of Nemesis' and he pushed him over the top rope to the floor. It was down to the last 3....... Haas, Angle and Thompson. Haas and Thompson quickly turned their focus to Angle, trying to get him out. Angle stood his ground but was soon victimized by the numbers game. After a belly to belly suplex by Haas, Thompson went to the top rope and came flying off with an elbow drop. Dibiase yelled "get him out" and Haas pulled him over to the ropes. Just then, Thompson tried to pull a fast one and eliminate Haas. Haas hung on and shoved Thompson. Thompson shoved him back when Angle came from behind and grabbed Thompson by the back of the head and threw him out. Thompson landed on the apron though and Haas threw a clothesline that Angle ducked and turned into a german suplex. As Haas fell back, he hit Thompson which knocked him to the floor. It was down to the last 2 men and they went for nearly another 6 minutes. After a brilliant mat war, Angle hit the Angle slam and was ready to finish it. He tried to drop Haas over the ropes but Haas wrapped his legs around Angle's body and brought him over the top rope. Dibiase held Haas' arm to prevent him from going over as well and Angle crashed to the floor as the bell sounded. J.R: "What the heck? Charlie Haas has won the Rumble"! Ventura: "It's all about the money tonight J.R."! J.R.: "Charlie Haas entered this thing at number twenty nine..... a number Dibiase paid for"! Ventura: "Everybody's got a price J.R. and this is the ultimate example"! HAAS AND DIBIASE CELEBRATED IN THE RING AS THE SHOT FADED OUT. RUMBLE MATCH NOTES: Most Eliminations: Billy Gunn- 9 Most Time in the Ring: Billy Gunn- 31:47
