LionDen
01-28-2013, 05:13 AM
Pre-Game Show:
Matt Striker and Tony Dawson are the hosts. They reviewed tonight's PPV card.
Josh Mathews interviewed Big Show backstage about his Last Man Standing bout against WWE World champion Alberto Del Rio. They showed clips of how Del Rio won the belt on Smackdown a few weeks back. Show was upset looking at the footage and asked Mathews why he was showing that and not when Show buried Del Rio on Friday. He said that Alberto hit the lottery when he won the belt, but that doesn't mean he has what it takes to beat Show twice.
At that point, the feed crashed on both my iPad and Youtube. That's the first time that's happened to a WWE pre-game show feed. There are 51,000 people trying to watch it live as I post this, by the way, far more than usual. Interest is up folks!
The feed returned with a video feature on the Rumble match. It's the annual video of different stats.
WWE United States champion Antonio Cesaro vs. The Miz
Big pop for Miz. They showed the clips of Miz having the figure four passed on to him on Raw by Ric Flair. The announcers pushed it as a tribute to Flair.
They locked up and exchanged standing headlocks. Cesaro shoulderblocked Miz down but Miz caught him with a small package for a two count.
Miz worked over Cesaro with a side headlock on the mat. Cesaro backed Miz up into the ropes and used a shot to the mid-section to wear him down. He used a tilowhirl backbreaker and cinched in a surfboard variation to wear Miz down.
Miz fought back with several rights but was caught with a sitdown slam while he was rebounding off the ropes. Cesaro peppered Miz with uppercuts.
Cesaro continued to work over Miz, garnering several two counts. Miz fired back and went back and forth with Cesaro. Miz got the better of him and hit the running clothesline in the corner. Dawson actually said, "What a maneuver!"
Miz covered Cesaro, who kicked out at the last second. Miz hurt his ankle. Cesaro took him down and tried pin Miz with his feet on the ropes but was caught. He argued with the ref but was rolled up for a two count.
Miz went for the figure four but Cesaro escaped and went to the floor. Miz went to grab him but was pulled into the ring apron. Cesaro rolled him in, hit the Neutralizer and scored the pin.
Your winner and still U.S. champion, Antonio Cesaro.
Decent but short match.
They pushed CM Punk vs. The Rock to close out the pre-game show.
WWE ROYAL RUMBLE 2013 PPV
WWE World champion Alberto Del Rio vs. Big Show - Last Man Standing
Backstage, Del Rio was walking with Ricardo when they encountered WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart. Hart wished him good luck but said Big Show is as big and bad as they come. He said he knows what it's like to be World champion and said Del Rio reminds him of a Mexican Bret Hart. Alberto thanked him and said Bret reminds him of a Canadian Alberto. Ricardo gushed over Bret, who gave him a pair of Hart sunglasses.
When the bell rang, Show went right after Alberto and chopped him hard in the chest. Del Rio fired back with several kicks but was wiped out. Show slammed Alberto but was kicked away during a charge into the corner. Del Rio came off the buckles but Show laid him out in mid-air. Show drilled him with a back splash but was nailed with a low dropkick, Del Rio nailed him with a kick, followed by a superkick.
Show shrugged it off and went for a powerbomb but Alberto turned it into a rana. Del Rio came off the ropes with a leaping enziguiri. He then nailed another in the corner. He went for the cross armbreaker but Show lifted him up mid-attempt and slammed him down. Del Rio went to the outside, where Show chopped him hard. He rolled the champion back into the ring, then grabbed a chair from ringside. Del Rio nailed Show before he could use it and peppered Show with a series of shots across the back.
Del Rio went to the top with the chair but was caught and chokeslammed on the way down. The referee began counting. Del Rio rolled to the outside, where Show slammed him on the floor. Show dragged Alberto to the aisle but was kicked low and then kicked in the head. The ref began counting Show out. Show barely made it up and was kicked off by Show. They battled towards the entrance staging.
Show whipped Del Rio into a hanging metal piece of the stage and then ripped a piece of fluorescent light tubes from it. He nailed Alberto with it twice, shattering it the second time. Show pulled a table over towards the set piece. He climbed up and then pulled Alberto up with one arm. They battled on top of the swinging piece and gave Del Rio a nasty looking chokeslam through the table. Del Rio's trajectory going down was crazy. Alberto pulled himself up at nine to break the count, then collapsed again. Show was stunned he even got up at all.
Show dragged the champion back to the ring and signaled for the KO punch. Alberto saw it coming and rolled back out of the ring. Show grabbed the top of the steel ring steps and threw them at Del Rio, who ducked. They hit the ringpost. Ricardo nailed Show and was wiped out. Show charged the champ, who moved out of the way. Show wiped out the area where the timekeeper and ring announcers sit. Show recovered at seven but was beaten with a chair over the back again and again.
Del Rio placed Show's KO hand on the ring steps and smashed it with a chair, then shot him with a fire extinguisher. Show was trapped in the cross armbreaker as Ricardo duct-taped Show's feet to the bottom ropes. Lying, cheating and stealing? Alberto let go and Show, hurt, was unable to get to his feet since he was trapped.
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Your winner and still World champion, Alberto Del Rio!
Good match that told a good story and had some fun plunder. I never thought I'd see the day where WWE uses light tubes. I thought the finish was a little hokey but the work from both men was really good and from a storyline standpoint, it gives Show a reason to demand a rematch. I would have preferred something clean, but that's just me.
Matt Striker interviewed Dolph Ziggler. He said that Vickie Guerrero is bitter and jaded. He said he was choosing number one because that's exactly what he is. Striker tried to tell him how long the odds were for him but AJ Lee cut him off and questioned him for saying "her Ziggy" not being able to do it and warned him to leave. Langston then began interviewing Ziggler like an old school sports reporter. Ziggler said he was going to break the record for longest lasting talent in the Rumble, win, cash in his Money in the Bank and become World champion, then win the WWE title and unify the belts at Wrestlemania.
The announcers sent it to a video feature where Rumble competitors cut promos about the match. Antonio Cesaro said he was going to be the latest non-American to win the Rumble, except he was better than Edge or Del Rio. The Prime Time Players had a funny promo. Randy Orton said tonight was his night. He said he needed the win and was gong to take it. John Cena cut a promo saying that he has a target on his back but at the end of the night, everyone will see the champ is here. Wade Barrett said he was going to bring prestige to the Rumble just like he did the IC strap. Sheamus said he was going to use the Brogue Kick to win back to back Rumbles. Ryback said that every 90 seconds, another man hits the ring and said, "Feed me more." Good package and it did more to sell the Rumble match than the segment that closed Raw this week!
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WWE Tag Team champions Daniel Bryan & Kane vs. Cody Rhodes & Damien Sandow.
Cody and Bryan started out and went back and forth with some good back and forth exchanges. Bryan dropkicked Cody and then locked him into a bow and arrow. Kane tagged in and drilled Rhodes with a series of punches but was caught with a dropkick. Kane was backed into the challenger's corner and worked over. Kane fought his way out and nailed an elbow on Sandow before tagging Rhodes back in. Sandow's facial expressions are just so great.
Bryan drilled him with a series of kicks to the chest, followed by one of the head and a series of several more in the corner. Sandow went to the floor. Rhodes checked on him, Bryan hit a suicide dive through the ropes on both. Rhodes pulled the ropes down on Bryan as he rebounded and he crashed to the floor. Sandow drilled him into the apron and rolled him into the ring. Rhodes beat Bryan down and cinched in a single leg Boston Crab. Sandow and Rhodes worked over Bryan until he nailed Rhodes with a kick. Sandow cut Bryan off. Rhodes locked in an over the shoulder backbreaker.
Bryan tried to leap to make a tag to Kane but was caught by Rhodes. Bryan turned it into a DDT and tagged Kane. Kane went for a chokeslam on Sandow, who slipped out and ate a right hand instead. Kane nailed Rhodes and hit a side slam on Sandow for a two count. Sandow fought back but was caught for a chokeslam, Rhodes attacked Kane. Bryan made a blind tag and hit a missile dropkick on Sandow. He then sent Cody into a Kane chokeslam. Bryan locked in the No Lock and Sandow tapped.
Your winners and still WWE Tag Team champions, Daniel Bryan and Kane!
Another good match. Some nice back and forth wrestling here. I would have loved a little more time but you have got to save it for the Rumble.
They aired the always awesome Rumble stats video.
Backstage, Daniel Bryan and Kane were celebrating their win. Vickie Guerrero showed up and handed them their Rumble entrance numbers. Bryan showed Kane his and Kane said "No." Bryan said that was the rules - "I show you mine, you show me yours." Kane told him he would feel inadequate. Kane said he would see Bryan out there. Bryan said, "Not if I see you first." Kane said it was, "highly unlikely." Good bit.
The announcers discussed the Royal Rumble fanfest and showed highlights of their weekend.
They aired the always awesome Rumble stats video.
The Royal Rumble!
We will update as often as possible!
Dolph Ziggler was number one. He cut a promo saying the spotlight was on him and at the end, he would be again. He said he didn't care who would be number two so send him out.
Number two was the returning Chris Jericho and holy sh** , what a pop! Jericho had a huge smile on his face. Of course, all this plays into Ziggler having run Jericho out of the company. Jericho has a new tattoo on his left arm.
They locked up and started going back and forth with a hot pace. Jericho came off the ropes and nailed Ziggler, then tossed him over the top to the apron. He tried to nail Ziggler and toss him to the floor, but Ziggler fought back. They battled on the top and Jericho superplexed him into the ring.
#3 was Cody Rhodes. Rhodes clotheslined Jericho. He and Ziggler doubled up on Jericho and tried to toss him out. Ziggler was kicked off. Rhodes tried to kick him low but Jericho took down Cody and tried to turn it into the Walls of Jericho. Ziggler clotheslined Jericho and choked him against the ropes.
#4 was Kofi Kingston. He came in with a big springboard clothesline on Rhodes and peppered him with fists in the corner. Ziggler went after him but Kingston rebounded and went for Trouble in Paradise. Ziggler ducked and tried to toss Kingston out of the ring. Kingston bounced off the ropes and tossed Ziggler over. He landed on the apron. Everyone battled in the ring. Ziggler was almost tossed over again by Kofi but scissored his legs around Kingston.
#5 was Santino Marella. JBL said, "Don't blink." Santino tried to toss Jericho out but failed. He pulled out the Cobra but was quickly tossed. Marella is the first eliminated. Everyone else battled.
#6 was Drew McIntyre. He drilled Kingston with a hard kick to the chest. Rhodes worked over Ziggler in the corner. Jericho tried to force Kingston and Drew out. Jericho was tossed out but held onto the ropes, dangling above the floor, before pulling himself in. Lots of Jericho chants.
#7 was Titus O'Neal. He drilled everyone with shoulderblocks but was doubled on by Cody and Kingston. He clotheslined them both as they rebounded off the ropes. Titus drilled Kingston with a backbreaker and flung him down hard. Jericho hit a springboard dropkick off the buckles, sending Drew to the floor and eliminating him. Ziggler tried to toss Jericho, who saved himself and tossed Ziggler over the top. Ziggler again saved himself.
#8 was the returning Goldust. Cody Rhodes was immediately waiting for him and they battled in the center of the ring. Dolph got involved and was nailed. Dust hit the ring sliding uppercut on his brother and kicked away at Rhodes. Big "Goldust" chant.
#9 was David Otunga. He clotheslined Jericho in the corner and used his boot to choke him. Ziggler tried to toss Kingston over the top. The Rhodes brothers worked over Titus. Titus was tossed over the top but landed on the apron. Rhodes used that chance to try and toss his brother but failed.
#10 was Heath Slater.
#11 was last year's winner Sheamus. Big pop. He nailed the Irish Curse backbreaker and rolling Samoan Drop on everyone who dared get in his way. He tossed Titus over the top and drilled him with clubbing shots across the chest. Otunga tried to attack him but Sheamus tossed him into Titus, who crashed to the floor and was eliminated. Otunga then got drilled with the shots to the chest and ate a Brogue Kick. Otunga is eliminated. Ziggler and Rhodes attacked Sheamus and kicked him in the corner.
#12 was Tensai. He beat Sheamus in the corner with a series of headbutts as the crowd catcalled, "Albert." He nailed a series of shoulderblocks in the corner on Sheamus but turned his attention to Jericho. Sheamus tried to toss out Slater. Kingston worked over Ziggler. Jericho chopped away at Tensai.
#13 was Brodus Clay, who danced his way to the ring. Sheamus beat Ziggler all over the place and on the apron. Ziggler is working his rear off here. Goldust tossed his brother over the top but Cody landed on the apron. Goldust was pulled over the top as well and they battled on the apron. Rhodes was clotheslined back into the ring and ran his brother into the ringpost. Goldust crashed to the floor, eliminated.
#14 was Rey Mysterio. He hit the ring with ton of hot offense, nailing 619s on Ziggler and Jericho. Rhodes grabbed him or a Fireman's Carry, trying to toss him over. Sheamus and Clay doubled on Tensai. Slater battled with Clay and teamed with Rhodes to try and toss him
#15 was Darren Young. Everyone battled in the ring. Slater and Kingston battled back and forth. Ziggler ended up on the outside again as Jericho tried to force him to the floor. Otunga clotheslined Goldust down. Everyone worked to toss Clay. Kofi used a rana over the ropes to take out Tensai. He ended up on the apron and Dolph shoved him off. Kingston landed on Tensai's back and then leapt to the announcer's table, so he never hit the floor. He had no way back and asked JBL for his chair. JBL said he had to see this and Kingston stood on the chair and bounced it back to the ring. That is pretty damn inventive.
#16 was Bo Dallas. Kingston ducked Darren Young and pulled down the ropes, sending him to the floor. Rhodes nailed the Beautiful Disaster on Kingston and that sends him to the floor. That Kingston stuff was awesome.
#17 was the Godfather, who we broke would be in the Rumble during today's Elite-only Hot News Hotline. He had a couple of lovely ladies with him. He hit the ring and Ziggler immediately dropkicked him over the top to the floor, eliminating him. Godfather put his pimp hat back on and strutted back out with the ladies. Ziggler and Dallas battled in the corner.
#18 was Intercontinental champ Wade Barrett. He caught Sheamus with the Black Hole Slam and tried to force him over the top. Jericho joined in on the assault but Sheamus held onto the ropes. Rhodes dropkicked Rey.
#19 was John Cena. All the heels lined up waiting for Cena, agreeing to take him out Everyone except Rey and Sheamus, who were recovering, jumped Cena. He battled back and tossed Slater and Rhodes. Cena grabbed Jericho and tried to toss him but Ziggler saved him, then began battling Jericho. Dallas paired off with Cena and tried to toss him out.
#20 was Damien Sandow. Barrett tossed Rey out but Rey recovered. Barrett then wiped him out and sent him to the floor. Cena and Jericho reprised their battles.
#21 was Daniel Bryan, who went right to work on Sandow. Ziggler attacked him but was drilled with a series of kicks in the corner. Wade Barrett then ate a series of kicks as the Arena exploded with "Yes" chants. Bryan tossed Jericho over the top but he saved himself. Bryan and Sheamus battled. Cena and Barrett battled back and forth.
#22 Antonio Cesaro slowly stalked his way to the ring. He immediately went after Bryan and then Sheamus. Lots of dueling Cena chants. Dallas and Ziggler battled in the corner. The announcers pushed that Dallas even lasting the ten minutes he's been in the ring has been a victory for him. Sandow worked over Jericho in the corner.
#23 was Great Khali. Cesaro battled Sheamus in the corner as Khali chopped everyone else down in the ring. Cesaro almost tossed Sheamus. Khali chopped Dallas in the corner.
#24 was Kane. They noted this was his 14th Rumble in a row. Kane tossed Ziggler out but Ziggler held onto the ropes and saved himself again. Kane and Bryan briefly worked over Khali but he nailed them both. Sandow almost tossed Sheamus over but he survived. Cena worked over Dallas in the corner.
#25 was Zack Ryder. He charged the ring and nailed Ziggler with the Rough Ryder. Khali tossed over by Kane. Bryan then tossed his own partner over, eliminating Kane. Cesaro knocked Bryan out into Kane's arms. Bryan asked Kane to put him back in and they argued yes and no. Bryan pulled himself towards the ring but Kane dropped him to the floor. That was funny. Ziggler and Ryder battled back and forth.
#26 was Randy Orton.
#27 was Jinder Mahal. Cesaro tried to use a gut-wrench suplex to toss Cena but Cena out-maneuvered him and tossed Cesaro. You could hear the Arena booing that one. Jericho and Ziggler battled back and forth, Mahal battled with Dallas. Cena hit a catapult on Ziggler, who went over the top but saved himself. Cena and Mahal worked over Dallas.
#28 was Miz, who began brawling in the aisle with Cesaro before heading to the ring. The announcers claimed Miz hurt his ankle during the pre-show. Sheamus eliminated Mahal. Barrett attacked Sheaus and they battled back and forth. Miz nailed Censa with a neckbreaker and began battling with Jericho. Barrett worked over Sheamus' bac and tried to toss him. Orton worked over Ziggler, who again saved himself.
#29 was Sin Cara, making his return from his knee injury. He was cut off by Miz but nailed him with several kicks. Barrett and Dallas fought. Sheamus tossed Cena over the top but he landed on the apron. Dallas grabbed Barrett in a facelock and flips Barrett over the ropes to the floor. Sheamus tried to toss sandow but failed. Orton and Ziggler battled in the corner. Cena joined the fray and Ziggler aired off with him. Barrett grabbed Dallas from the floor and eliminated him. Barrett nailed him with the Bullhammer on the floor.
Miz was worked over Jericho
#30 was Ryback. He wiped out Cara and tossed him to the floor. Jericho nailed the Lionsault on Sheamus. Jericho tossed him over the top and nailed the springboard dropkick on him. Ziggler sent Jericho to the floor and finally kicked him to eliminate Jericho. Jericho was awesome here. Orton clotheslined Sheamus down, RKO'd Ziggler and Cena. He ducked a Brogue Kick and nailed Sheamus with another. He then nailed the hanging DDT on Ryback. He went to RKO Ryback but was sent into the ropes and clotheslined over the top to the floor. Sheamus and Ziggler battled back and forth until Sheamus nailed the Brogue Kick and wiped out Ziggler.
We are down to Ryback, Sheamus and Cena. They jumped Ryback and nailed a double suplex. Sheamus escaped Shellshock and hit White Noise on Ryback. He went for the Brogue Kick but Ryback ducked and backdropped him over the top to the floor. Sheamus is eliminated.
We are down to Cena and Ryback. They went nose to nose. The crowd began chanting, "Feed me more." Ryback nailed a spinebuster on Cena. Ryback went for the Meathook but Cena dropped down and locked in an STF following a drop toehold. Ryback fought his way out but Cena backed Ryback to the ropes. Cena was shoved off Ryback came down with a Thesz Press. He worked over Cena but in the end, Cena tossed him out.
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Your winner, John Cena!
That was an awesome Rumble. Ziggler, Jericho, Rhodes, Kingston, Barrett, and Dallas all had really good showings. Loved this match.
WWE champion CM Punk vs. The Rock
Great promo from Rock, saying that like his mother when she had cancer, he would not give up. They showed his mom in the crowd.
The ring entrances had a really big time feel to them. This may be the last real dream match in pro wrestling, folks.
They immediately began brawling at the bell. Punk got the better of the exchange nd worked him over in the corner. He whipped Rock into the corner but Rock came out charging with a clothesline. He went for the Rock Bottom but Punk slipped out. Rock clotheslined him to the floor and followed. He slammed Punk's face into the ringside table and then slammed him into the barricade. He went to use the Spanish table but Punk nailed him and tossed Rock back into the ring. He placed the lid back on the table and bowed to the announcers.
Punk returned to the ring where he and Punk battled back and forth. They ended up back on the floor, where Paul Heyman slapped Punk. Rock turned to him but was attacked by Punk from behind. Punk again put the lid back on the Spanish announce table and picked up Rock for a suplex on the floor, dropping him chest first across the guard rail, trying to "re-injure" Rock's Raw injuries.
Back in the ring, Punk worked over Rock and locked him in body scissors. Rock elbowed his way out of it but Punk nailed him in the mid-section to cut him back off. Punk locked in a triangle choke. Rock fought his way out but Punk cut him off with a clothesline. Punk acted like he was kicked dirt on Rock while he was down. Punk pulled Rock to the ropes and nailed him with a series of right hands and choked him against the ropes.
Punk continued the assault on Rock's mid-section. They claimed it looked like Punk may have hurt his knee again. Punk kept working over Rock on the floor, but missed a dive to the floor. They returned to the ring, where Rock began working over Punk's bad knee with stomps. He nailed a Side Russian Legsweep for a two count. Rock set up for the Rock Bottom but Punk nailed him with a series of elbows to the head. Punk went for GTS but Rock blocked the knee and took out Punk. Rock went for the Sharpshooter but Punk rolled it into the Anaconda Vise.
Rock fought his way out and nailed a DDT on Punk. He locked the Sharpshooter on Punk who battled and finally fought his way to the ropes. They went to the floor, where Rock laid out Punk with a clothesline and again tried to set up the Spanish Announcer's table. Punk tried to escape back into the ring but was stopped. Rock slammed his head into the table. Punk caught Rock with a kick to the head and set up for a GTS through a table. Punk was set up for the Rock Bottom but the table collapsed before the move could be executed. Rock grabbed at right knee Man, the last thing they need is for THAT guy to get hurt. Rock nailed the Rock Bottom on the floor. Both men fought to recover as the referee counted them down.
Rock tossed Punk into the ring and covered him for a close two count. Both men were down on the mat trying to recover but got back to their feet. Punk began drilling Rock with kicks but wobbled on his bad leg. Rock and Punk battled back and forth. Rock nailed a flying clothesline as he rebounded off the ropes and hit a spinebuster on Punk.
Rock went for the People's Elbow but the lights went out. The Shield attacked Rock but no one could see it. The announcers still said it was the Shield. They superbombed Rock through the other announcing table. The referee was apparently knocked silly during all this. Punk sat up in the ring smiling and acting like he didn't see anything. Punk tossed Rock into the ring and covered him for the win.
Your winner, CM Punk!
Punk stomped Rock out of the ring and celebrated with the title and Paul Heyman.
Out came Vince McMahon, looking pissed. He told Punk that his celebration was over. He told him that if the Shield got involved, Punk would be stripped of the title. Vince said that no one could see the Shield but they aren't stupid. He was about to strip Punk but Rock, down on the floor, grabbed a mic and told Vince McMahon they weren't ending the night like that.
"You don't take it from him. I am. We start the match now."
Punk protested but McMahon restarted the match. A beaten Rock rolled into the ring. They rang the bell and Punk stomped the hell out of him. Punk waited for Rock to get to his feet and nailed the running knee in the corner. Punk nailed the Macho Man flying elbow for a two count. Punk called for the GTS. Rock slipped out, hit the spinebuster and the People's Elbow, then pinned Punk.
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Your winner and new WWE champion, The Rock!
Rock celebrated with the belt to close the PPV. They showed his mother celebrating and cheering in the first row.
A very good main event to close a really good PPV. No bad matches over the entire three hours. Great kick off to 2013 and Wrestlemania.
Matt Striker and Tony Dawson are the hosts. They reviewed tonight's PPV card.
Josh Mathews interviewed Big Show backstage about his Last Man Standing bout against WWE World champion Alberto Del Rio. They showed clips of how Del Rio won the belt on Smackdown a few weeks back. Show was upset looking at the footage and asked Mathews why he was showing that and not when Show buried Del Rio on Friday. He said that Alberto hit the lottery when he won the belt, but that doesn't mean he has what it takes to beat Show twice.
At that point, the feed crashed on both my iPad and Youtube. That's the first time that's happened to a WWE pre-game show feed. There are 51,000 people trying to watch it live as I post this, by the way, far more than usual. Interest is up folks!
The feed returned with a video feature on the Rumble match. It's the annual video of different stats.
WWE United States champion Antonio Cesaro vs. The Miz
Big pop for Miz. They showed the clips of Miz having the figure four passed on to him on Raw by Ric Flair. The announcers pushed it as a tribute to Flair.
They locked up and exchanged standing headlocks. Cesaro shoulderblocked Miz down but Miz caught him with a small package for a two count.
Miz worked over Cesaro with a side headlock on the mat. Cesaro backed Miz up into the ropes and used a shot to the mid-section to wear him down. He used a tilowhirl backbreaker and cinched in a surfboard variation to wear Miz down.
Miz fought back with several rights but was caught with a sitdown slam while he was rebounding off the ropes. Cesaro peppered Miz with uppercuts.
Cesaro continued to work over Miz, garnering several two counts. Miz fired back and went back and forth with Cesaro. Miz got the better of him and hit the running clothesline in the corner. Dawson actually said, "What a maneuver!"
Miz covered Cesaro, who kicked out at the last second. Miz hurt his ankle. Cesaro took him down and tried pin Miz with his feet on the ropes but was caught. He argued with the ref but was rolled up for a two count.
Miz went for the figure four but Cesaro escaped and went to the floor. Miz went to grab him but was pulled into the ring apron. Cesaro rolled him in, hit the Neutralizer and scored the pin.
Your winner and still U.S. champion, Antonio Cesaro.
Decent but short match.
They pushed CM Punk vs. The Rock to close out the pre-game show.
WWE ROYAL RUMBLE 2013 PPV
WWE World champion Alberto Del Rio vs. Big Show - Last Man Standing
Backstage, Del Rio was walking with Ricardo when they encountered WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart. Hart wished him good luck but said Big Show is as big and bad as they come. He said he knows what it's like to be World champion and said Del Rio reminds him of a Mexican Bret Hart. Alberto thanked him and said Bret reminds him of a Canadian Alberto. Ricardo gushed over Bret, who gave him a pair of Hart sunglasses.
When the bell rang, Show went right after Alberto and chopped him hard in the chest. Del Rio fired back with several kicks but was wiped out. Show slammed Alberto but was kicked away during a charge into the corner. Del Rio came off the buckles but Show laid him out in mid-air. Show drilled him with a back splash but was nailed with a low dropkick, Del Rio nailed him with a kick, followed by a superkick.
Show shrugged it off and went for a powerbomb but Alberto turned it into a rana. Del Rio came off the ropes with a leaping enziguiri. He then nailed another in the corner. He went for the cross armbreaker but Show lifted him up mid-attempt and slammed him down. Del Rio went to the outside, where Show chopped him hard. He rolled the champion back into the ring, then grabbed a chair from ringside. Del Rio nailed Show before he could use it and peppered Show with a series of shots across the back.
Del Rio went to the top with the chair but was caught and chokeslammed on the way down. The referee began counting. Del Rio rolled to the outside, where Show slammed him on the floor. Show dragged Alberto to the aisle but was kicked low and then kicked in the head. The ref began counting Show out. Show barely made it up and was kicked off by Show. They battled towards the entrance staging.
Show whipped Del Rio into a hanging metal piece of the stage and then ripped a piece of fluorescent light tubes from it. He nailed Alberto with it twice, shattering it the second time. Show pulled a table over towards the set piece. He climbed up and then pulled Alberto up with one arm. They battled on top of the swinging piece and gave Del Rio a nasty looking chokeslam through the table. Del Rio's trajectory going down was crazy. Alberto pulled himself up at nine to break the count, then collapsed again. Show was stunned he even got up at all.
Show dragged the champion back to the ring and signaled for the KO punch. Alberto saw it coming and rolled back out of the ring. Show grabbed the top of the steel ring steps and threw them at Del Rio, who ducked. They hit the ringpost. Ricardo nailed Show and was wiped out. Show charged the champ, who moved out of the way. Show wiped out the area where the timekeeper and ring announcers sit. Show recovered at seven but was beaten with a chair over the back again and again.
Del Rio placed Show's KO hand on the ring steps and smashed it with a chair, then shot him with a fire extinguisher. Show was trapped in the cross armbreaker as Ricardo duct-taped Show's feet to the bottom ropes. Lying, cheating and stealing? Alberto let go and Show, hurt, was unable to get to his feet since he was trapped.
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Your winner and still World champion, Alberto Del Rio!
Good match that told a good story and had some fun plunder. I never thought I'd see the day where WWE uses light tubes. I thought the finish was a little hokey but the work from both men was really good and from a storyline standpoint, it gives Show a reason to demand a rematch. I would have preferred something clean, but that's just me.
Matt Striker interviewed Dolph Ziggler. He said that Vickie Guerrero is bitter and jaded. He said he was choosing number one because that's exactly what he is. Striker tried to tell him how long the odds were for him but AJ Lee cut him off and questioned him for saying "her Ziggy" not being able to do it and warned him to leave. Langston then began interviewing Ziggler like an old school sports reporter. Ziggler said he was going to break the record for longest lasting talent in the Rumble, win, cash in his Money in the Bank and become World champion, then win the WWE title and unify the belts at Wrestlemania.
The announcers sent it to a video feature where Rumble competitors cut promos about the match. Antonio Cesaro said he was going to be the latest non-American to win the Rumble, except he was better than Edge or Del Rio. The Prime Time Players had a funny promo. Randy Orton said tonight was his night. He said he needed the win and was gong to take it. John Cena cut a promo saying that he has a target on his back but at the end of the night, everyone will see the champ is here. Wade Barrett said he was going to bring prestige to the Rumble just like he did the IC strap. Sheamus said he was going to use the Brogue Kick to win back to back Rumbles. Ryback said that every 90 seconds, another man hits the ring and said, "Feed me more." Good package and it did more to sell the Rumble match than the segment that closed Raw this week!
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WWE Tag Team champions Daniel Bryan & Kane vs. Cody Rhodes & Damien Sandow.
Cody and Bryan started out and went back and forth with some good back and forth exchanges. Bryan dropkicked Cody and then locked him into a bow and arrow. Kane tagged in and drilled Rhodes with a series of punches but was caught with a dropkick. Kane was backed into the challenger's corner and worked over. Kane fought his way out and nailed an elbow on Sandow before tagging Rhodes back in. Sandow's facial expressions are just so great.
Bryan drilled him with a series of kicks to the chest, followed by one of the head and a series of several more in the corner. Sandow went to the floor. Rhodes checked on him, Bryan hit a suicide dive through the ropes on both. Rhodes pulled the ropes down on Bryan as he rebounded and he crashed to the floor. Sandow drilled him into the apron and rolled him into the ring. Rhodes beat Bryan down and cinched in a single leg Boston Crab. Sandow and Rhodes worked over Bryan until he nailed Rhodes with a kick. Sandow cut Bryan off. Rhodes locked in an over the shoulder backbreaker.
Bryan tried to leap to make a tag to Kane but was caught by Rhodes. Bryan turned it into a DDT and tagged Kane. Kane went for a chokeslam on Sandow, who slipped out and ate a right hand instead. Kane nailed Rhodes and hit a side slam on Sandow for a two count. Sandow fought back but was caught for a chokeslam, Rhodes attacked Kane. Bryan made a blind tag and hit a missile dropkick on Sandow. He then sent Cody into a Kane chokeslam. Bryan locked in the No Lock and Sandow tapped.
Your winners and still WWE Tag Team champions, Daniel Bryan and Kane!
Another good match. Some nice back and forth wrestling here. I would have loved a little more time but you have got to save it for the Rumble.
They aired the always awesome Rumble stats video.
Backstage, Daniel Bryan and Kane were celebrating their win. Vickie Guerrero showed up and handed them their Rumble entrance numbers. Bryan showed Kane his and Kane said "No." Bryan said that was the rules - "I show you mine, you show me yours." Kane told him he would feel inadequate. Kane said he would see Bryan out there. Bryan said, "Not if I see you first." Kane said it was, "highly unlikely." Good bit.
The announcers discussed the Royal Rumble fanfest and showed highlights of their weekend.
They aired the always awesome Rumble stats video.
The Royal Rumble!
We will update as often as possible!
Dolph Ziggler was number one. He cut a promo saying the spotlight was on him and at the end, he would be again. He said he didn't care who would be number two so send him out.
Number two was the returning Chris Jericho and holy sh** , what a pop! Jericho had a huge smile on his face. Of course, all this plays into Ziggler having run Jericho out of the company. Jericho has a new tattoo on his left arm.
They locked up and started going back and forth with a hot pace. Jericho came off the ropes and nailed Ziggler, then tossed him over the top to the apron. He tried to nail Ziggler and toss him to the floor, but Ziggler fought back. They battled on the top and Jericho superplexed him into the ring.
#3 was Cody Rhodes. Rhodes clotheslined Jericho. He and Ziggler doubled up on Jericho and tried to toss him out. Ziggler was kicked off. Rhodes tried to kick him low but Jericho took down Cody and tried to turn it into the Walls of Jericho. Ziggler clotheslined Jericho and choked him against the ropes.
#4 was Kofi Kingston. He came in with a big springboard clothesline on Rhodes and peppered him with fists in the corner. Ziggler went after him but Kingston rebounded and went for Trouble in Paradise. Ziggler ducked and tried to toss Kingston out of the ring. Kingston bounced off the ropes and tossed Ziggler over. He landed on the apron. Everyone battled in the ring. Ziggler was almost tossed over again by Kofi but scissored his legs around Kingston.
#5 was Santino Marella. JBL said, "Don't blink." Santino tried to toss Jericho out but failed. He pulled out the Cobra but was quickly tossed. Marella is the first eliminated. Everyone else battled.
#6 was Drew McIntyre. He drilled Kingston with a hard kick to the chest. Rhodes worked over Ziggler in the corner. Jericho tried to force Kingston and Drew out. Jericho was tossed out but held onto the ropes, dangling above the floor, before pulling himself in. Lots of Jericho chants.
#7 was Titus O'Neal. He drilled everyone with shoulderblocks but was doubled on by Cody and Kingston. He clotheslined them both as they rebounded off the ropes. Titus drilled Kingston with a backbreaker and flung him down hard. Jericho hit a springboard dropkick off the buckles, sending Drew to the floor and eliminating him. Ziggler tried to toss Jericho, who saved himself and tossed Ziggler over the top. Ziggler again saved himself.
#8 was the returning Goldust. Cody Rhodes was immediately waiting for him and they battled in the center of the ring. Dolph got involved and was nailed. Dust hit the ring sliding uppercut on his brother and kicked away at Rhodes. Big "Goldust" chant.
#9 was David Otunga. He clotheslined Jericho in the corner and used his boot to choke him. Ziggler tried to toss Kingston over the top. The Rhodes brothers worked over Titus. Titus was tossed over the top but landed on the apron. Rhodes used that chance to try and toss his brother but failed.
#10 was Heath Slater.
#11 was last year's winner Sheamus. Big pop. He nailed the Irish Curse backbreaker and rolling Samoan Drop on everyone who dared get in his way. He tossed Titus over the top and drilled him with clubbing shots across the chest. Otunga tried to attack him but Sheamus tossed him into Titus, who crashed to the floor and was eliminated. Otunga then got drilled with the shots to the chest and ate a Brogue Kick. Otunga is eliminated. Ziggler and Rhodes attacked Sheamus and kicked him in the corner.
#12 was Tensai. He beat Sheamus in the corner with a series of headbutts as the crowd catcalled, "Albert." He nailed a series of shoulderblocks in the corner on Sheamus but turned his attention to Jericho. Sheamus tried to toss out Slater. Kingston worked over Ziggler. Jericho chopped away at Tensai.
#13 was Brodus Clay, who danced his way to the ring. Sheamus beat Ziggler all over the place and on the apron. Ziggler is working his rear off here. Goldust tossed his brother over the top but Cody landed on the apron. Goldust was pulled over the top as well and they battled on the apron. Rhodes was clotheslined back into the ring and ran his brother into the ringpost. Goldust crashed to the floor, eliminated.
#14 was Rey Mysterio. He hit the ring with ton of hot offense, nailing 619s on Ziggler and Jericho. Rhodes grabbed him or a Fireman's Carry, trying to toss him over. Sheamus and Clay doubled on Tensai. Slater battled with Clay and teamed with Rhodes to try and toss him
#15 was Darren Young. Everyone battled in the ring. Slater and Kingston battled back and forth. Ziggler ended up on the outside again as Jericho tried to force him to the floor. Otunga clotheslined Goldust down. Everyone worked to toss Clay. Kofi used a rana over the ropes to take out Tensai. He ended up on the apron and Dolph shoved him off. Kingston landed on Tensai's back and then leapt to the announcer's table, so he never hit the floor. He had no way back and asked JBL for his chair. JBL said he had to see this and Kingston stood on the chair and bounced it back to the ring. That is pretty damn inventive.
#16 was Bo Dallas. Kingston ducked Darren Young and pulled down the ropes, sending him to the floor. Rhodes nailed the Beautiful Disaster on Kingston and that sends him to the floor. That Kingston stuff was awesome.
#17 was the Godfather, who we broke would be in the Rumble during today's Elite-only Hot News Hotline. He had a couple of lovely ladies with him. He hit the ring and Ziggler immediately dropkicked him over the top to the floor, eliminating him. Godfather put his pimp hat back on and strutted back out with the ladies. Ziggler and Dallas battled in the corner.
#18 was Intercontinental champ Wade Barrett. He caught Sheamus with the Black Hole Slam and tried to force him over the top. Jericho joined in on the assault but Sheamus held onto the ropes. Rhodes dropkicked Rey.
#19 was John Cena. All the heels lined up waiting for Cena, agreeing to take him out Everyone except Rey and Sheamus, who were recovering, jumped Cena. He battled back and tossed Slater and Rhodes. Cena grabbed Jericho and tried to toss him but Ziggler saved him, then began battling Jericho. Dallas paired off with Cena and tried to toss him out.
#20 was Damien Sandow. Barrett tossed Rey out but Rey recovered. Barrett then wiped him out and sent him to the floor. Cena and Jericho reprised their battles.
#21 was Daniel Bryan, who went right to work on Sandow. Ziggler attacked him but was drilled with a series of kicks in the corner. Wade Barrett then ate a series of kicks as the Arena exploded with "Yes" chants. Bryan tossed Jericho over the top but he saved himself. Bryan and Sheamus battled. Cena and Barrett battled back and forth.
#22 Antonio Cesaro slowly stalked his way to the ring. He immediately went after Bryan and then Sheamus. Lots of dueling Cena chants. Dallas and Ziggler battled in the corner. The announcers pushed that Dallas even lasting the ten minutes he's been in the ring has been a victory for him. Sandow worked over Jericho in the corner.
#23 was Great Khali. Cesaro battled Sheamus in the corner as Khali chopped everyone else down in the ring. Cesaro almost tossed Sheamus. Khali chopped Dallas in the corner.
#24 was Kane. They noted this was his 14th Rumble in a row. Kane tossed Ziggler out but Ziggler held onto the ropes and saved himself again. Kane and Bryan briefly worked over Khali but he nailed them both. Sandow almost tossed Sheamus over but he survived. Cena worked over Dallas in the corner.
#25 was Zack Ryder. He charged the ring and nailed Ziggler with the Rough Ryder. Khali tossed over by Kane. Bryan then tossed his own partner over, eliminating Kane. Cesaro knocked Bryan out into Kane's arms. Bryan asked Kane to put him back in and they argued yes and no. Bryan pulled himself towards the ring but Kane dropped him to the floor. That was funny. Ziggler and Ryder battled back and forth.
#26 was Randy Orton.
#27 was Jinder Mahal. Cesaro tried to use a gut-wrench suplex to toss Cena but Cena out-maneuvered him and tossed Cesaro. You could hear the Arena booing that one. Jericho and Ziggler battled back and forth, Mahal battled with Dallas. Cena hit a catapult on Ziggler, who went over the top but saved himself. Cena and Mahal worked over Dallas.
#28 was Miz, who began brawling in the aisle with Cesaro before heading to the ring. The announcers claimed Miz hurt his ankle during the pre-show. Sheamus eliminated Mahal. Barrett attacked Sheaus and they battled back and forth. Miz nailed Censa with a neckbreaker and began battling with Jericho. Barrett worked over Sheamus' bac and tried to toss him. Orton worked over Ziggler, who again saved himself.
#29 was Sin Cara, making his return from his knee injury. He was cut off by Miz but nailed him with several kicks. Barrett and Dallas fought. Sheamus tossed Cena over the top but he landed on the apron. Dallas grabbed Barrett in a facelock and flips Barrett over the ropes to the floor. Sheamus tried to toss sandow but failed. Orton and Ziggler battled in the corner. Cena joined the fray and Ziggler aired off with him. Barrett grabbed Dallas from the floor and eliminated him. Barrett nailed him with the Bullhammer on the floor.
Miz was worked over Jericho
#30 was Ryback. He wiped out Cara and tossed him to the floor. Jericho nailed the Lionsault on Sheamus. Jericho tossed him over the top and nailed the springboard dropkick on him. Ziggler sent Jericho to the floor and finally kicked him to eliminate Jericho. Jericho was awesome here. Orton clotheslined Sheamus down, RKO'd Ziggler and Cena. He ducked a Brogue Kick and nailed Sheamus with another. He then nailed the hanging DDT on Ryback. He went to RKO Ryback but was sent into the ropes and clotheslined over the top to the floor. Sheamus and Ziggler battled back and forth until Sheamus nailed the Brogue Kick and wiped out Ziggler.
We are down to Ryback, Sheamus and Cena. They jumped Ryback and nailed a double suplex. Sheamus escaped Shellshock and hit White Noise on Ryback. He went for the Brogue Kick but Ryback ducked and backdropped him over the top to the floor. Sheamus is eliminated.
We are down to Cena and Ryback. They went nose to nose. The crowd began chanting, "Feed me more." Ryback nailed a spinebuster on Cena. Ryback went for the Meathook but Cena dropped down and locked in an STF following a drop toehold. Ryback fought his way out but Cena backed Ryback to the ropes. Cena was shoved off Ryback came down with a Thesz Press. He worked over Cena but in the end, Cena tossed him out.
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Your winner, John Cena!
That was an awesome Rumble. Ziggler, Jericho, Rhodes, Kingston, Barrett, and Dallas all had really good showings. Loved this match.
WWE champion CM Punk vs. The Rock
Great promo from Rock, saying that like his mother when she had cancer, he would not give up. They showed his mom in the crowd.
The ring entrances had a really big time feel to them. This may be the last real dream match in pro wrestling, folks.
They immediately began brawling at the bell. Punk got the better of the exchange nd worked him over in the corner. He whipped Rock into the corner but Rock came out charging with a clothesline. He went for the Rock Bottom but Punk slipped out. Rock clotheslined him to the floor and followed. He slammed Punk's face into the ringside table and then slammed him into the barricade. He went to use the Spanish table but Punk nailed him and tossed Rock back into the ring. He placed the lid back on the table and bowed to the announcers.
Punk returned to the ring where he and Punk battled back and forth. They ended up back on the floor, where Paul Heyman slapped Punk. Rock turned to him but was attacked by Punk from behind. Punk again put the lid back on the Spanish announce table and picked up Rock for a suplex on the floor, dropping him chest first across the guard rail, trying to "re-injure" Rock's Raw injuries.
Back in the ring, Punk worked over Rock and locked him in body scissors. Rock elbowed his way out of it but Punk nailed him in the mid-section to cut him back off. Punk locked in a triangle choke. Rock fought his way out but Punk cut him off with a clothesline. Punk acted like he was kicked dirt on Rock while he was down. Punk pulled Rock to the ropes and nailed him with a series of right hands and choked him against the ropes.
Punk continued the assault on Rock's mid-section. They claimed it looked like Punk may have hurt his knee again. Punk kept working over Rock on the floor, but missed a dive to the floor. They returned to the ring, where Rock began working over Punk's bad knee with stomps. He nailed a Side Russian Legsweep for a two count. Rock set up for the Rock Bottom but Punk nailed him with a series of elbows to the head. Punk went for GTS but Rock blocked the knee and took out Punk. Rock went for the Sharpshooter but Punk rolled it into the Anaconda Vise.
Rock fought his way out and nailed a DDT on Punk. He locked the Sharpshooter on Punk who battled and finally fought his way to the ropes. They went to the floor, where Rock laid out Punk with a clothesline and again tried to set up the Spanish Announcer's table. Punk tried to escape back into the ring but was stopped. Rock slammed his head into the table. Punk caught Rock with a kick to the head and set up for a GTS through a table. Punk was set up for the Rock Bottom but the table collapsed before the move could be executed. Rock grabbed at right knee Man, the last thing they need is for THAT guy to get hurt. Rock nailed the Rock Bottom on the floor. Both men fought to recover as the referee counted them down.
Rock tossed Punk into the ring and covered him for a close two count. Both men were down on the mat trying to recover but got back to their feet. Punk began drilling Rock with kicks but wobbled on his bad leg. Rock and Punk battled back and forth. Rock nailed a flying clothesline as he rebounded off the ropes and hit a spinebuster on Punk.
Rock went for the People's Elbow but the lights went out. The Shield attacked Rock but no one could see it. The announcers still said it was the Shield. They superbombed Rock through the other announcing table. The referee was apparently knocked silly during all this. Punk sat up in the ring smiling and acting like he didn't see anything. Punk tossed Rock into the ring and covered him for the win.
Your winner, CM Punk!
Punk stomped Rock out of the ring and celebrated with the title and Paul Heyman.
Out came Vince McMahon, looking pissed. He told Punk that his celebration was over. He told him that if the Shield got involved, Punk would be stripped of the title. Vince said that no one could see the Shield but they aren't stupid. He was about to strip Punk but Rock, down on the floor, grabbed a mic and told Vince McMahon they weren't ending the night like that.
"You don't take it from him. I am. We start the match now."
Punk protested but McMahon restarted the match. A beaten Rock rolled into the ring. They rang the bell and Punk stomped the hell out of him. Punk waited for Rock to get to his feet and nailed the running knee in the corner. Punk nailed the Macho Man flying elbow for a two count. Punk called for the GTS. Rock slipped out, hit the spinebuster and the People's Elbow, then pinned Punk.
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Your winner and new WWE champion, The Rock!
Rock celebrated with the belt to close the PPV. They showed his mother celebrating and cheering in the first row.
A very good main event to close a really good PPV. No bad matches over the entire three hours. Great kick off to 2013 and Wrestlemania.