Survivor Series 2009 WWE Title John Cena (C) vs Triple H vs Shawn Michaels
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00:00Are you ready?
00:05I think you can tell us what to do.
00:10You think you can tell us what to wear.
00:14You think that you're better.
00:18Well, you better get ready.
00:22Bow to the masters.
00:26Break it down.
00:28Let's go.
00:33DeGenerate is just a super boy.
00:35He just got tired of doing what you told him to do.
00:38Like a freak for everything.
00:41Like a freak, little man.
00:43Freak, yeah.
00:44Well, ladies and gentlemen, a show of solidarity.
00:51Tonight for DeGeneration X as they enter as one.
00:55But will they survive every man for himself
00:59in this Triple Threat Match for the WWE Championship?
01:16Triple H says an implosion will not happen tonight
01:20because it doesn't matter who wins
01:22as long as the WWE title comes home to DeGeneration X.
01:52Can they stay together?
01:54Or will there be an implosion between Shawn and Triple H?
01:58My own personal opinion is I believe what Triple H said.
02:04I got faith in these guys.
02:06I think, you know, hey, there are tag teams like Chris Jericho.
02:12You can't be serious.
02:13What?
02:14You know better.
02:15You're a Hall of Famer.
02:16You've held more championships than anyone
02:18in the history of this industry.
02:20How can you possibly tell me that one of these two men
02:23will not find a way to become the WWE Champion?
02:28Oh, I'm not saying that.
02:29I'm not saying they won't find a way.
02:31I'm not saying they won't find a way.
02:33I think one of these guys may well find a way,
02:35but I don't think they will implode.
02:38I think they will.
02:39They have to.
02:41Well, I guarantee you we're going to find out in a few minutes.
02:43They have to?
02:50John Cena!
02:58He is the most controversial WWE Champion in history.
03:02There is only one John Cena.
03:15You can see it there, the motto, the mantra of the Cena Nation,
03:19never give up, never quit, never back down.
03:25Well, that mantra is going to be tested here tonight.
03:32For John Cena, he needs that DX implosion.
03:36He can ill afford a two-on-one assault
03:38with his championship on the line.
03:41He's even been trying to stir it up a little bit with DX,
03:44saying, you two are fooling yourself.
03:46You've got to make a choice.
03:48It's about the most coveted title in the history of the WWE.
04:04You can't see me.
04:07The Cena Nation fans can certainly see the champ.
04:10The champ is here.
04:19Ladies and gentlemen, this is a triple threat match
04:23for the WWE Championship.
04:29Introducing the challengers first,
04:31from Greenwich, Connecticut, weighing 255 pounds,
04:35he is The Game, Triple H!
04:44Introducing next, from San Antonio, Texas,
04:47he is The Heartbreak Kid, Shawn Michaels!
04:57And from West Newbury, Massachusetts,
04:59weighing 240 pounds,
05:01he is the current WWE Champion, John Cena!
05:14Ladies and gentlemen, if DX remain on the same page tonight,
05:18there's absolutely no doubt in my mind
05:20that John Cena will lose the WWE Championship.
05:25Well, the question is,
05:26which one of these great superstars
05:29will win, be victorious here tonight?
05:31I mean, this is...
05:33You guys will have to agree with this.
05:35I mean, is it going to be Shawn or is it going to be Triple H?
05:39Well, the last time the WWE title changed hands in this city
05:42was 2000, and that match featured The Game, Triple H.
05:46Oh, sweet champion!
05:47What in the world?
05:48Shawn Michaels!
05:49I told you, King!
05:50I told you!
05:51I called it!
05:52Look at the look on Cena's face!
05:54What?
05:55There, ladies and gentlemen, is Vintage Shawn Michaels!
05:57I love it!
05:58Shawn Michaels has made a career
06:00about being in the center of the storm,
06:02and he did it again!
06:04What?
06:05Let's go.
06:06Here we go now.
06:07Let's go.
06:08Here we go now.
06:09Come on!
06:11What?
06:14Did that just happen?
06:15Look at this again!
06:16Watch, watch, watch!
06:17Come on, come on!
06:18Yeah!
06:19Sweet chin music!
06:21And it is Michaels and Cena
06:23for the WWE Championship for the moment!
06:25Triple H is out of the game!
06:27Shawn Michaels has ego!
06:29Shawn Michaels has pride!
06:31And he's also the legendary showstopper.
06:33He's won a world title on four different occasions
06:36because of actions like that.
06:37And he's the greatest performer
06:39in the history of sports entertainment
06:41because of that!
06:42King, I value your opinion.
06:44I respect you.
06:45What do you think?
06:46I told you.
06:47What do you think, sir?
06:48I'm at a loss for words right now.
06:49Look at Michaels.
06:50Here comes the shot.
06:51And remember, first man to gain pinfall or submission
06:53wins the WWE Championship under Triple Threat rules,
06:55and Michaels wants that to be himself.
06:57Let's remember.
06:58The Survivor Series is very sentimental to Shawn Michaels.
07:01After doctors told HBK he would never compete again,
07:04Shawn Michaels returned to the Survivor Series
07:06in Madison Square Garden,
07:08first ever Elimination Chamber.
07:10In 2002, to win the world title that night.
07:12Who will ever forget Shawn Michaels in 1997,
07:15the infamous match against Bret Hart
07:17at Survivor Series in Montreal.
07:19How could you guys think of all of these facts
07:22after what we just saw?
07:24I love it!
07:25I'm still in shock!
07:26John Cena looking to put HBK away.
07:30Cena, fist to suplex.
07:31Quickly into the cover.
07:32Cena looks to retain the title.
07:33Hooks the leg.
07:34May have him in a kick out.
07:36Shawn Michaels just delivered sweet chin music
07:40on his partner and his friend.
07:42Triple H, I mean, just as soon as the match started.
07:45It goes back to what we spoke about.
07:47The WWE Championship.
07:48The most important thing.
07:49But if you look back on Shawn Michaels' history,
07:51it shouldn't be that much of a shock.
07:53And look at Shawn Michaels.
07:54Yeah.
07:55In trouble.
07:56John Cena.
07:57Pedal to the metal.
07:58And for Cena, this is the best thing
08:00that could happen to him.
08:01Take one of the members of DX out of the equation.
08:03This has got to give the advantage to John Cena now.
08:06Well, the pop culture icon, John Cena,
08:09always gets a reaction, whether positive or negative.
08:12Think about what it's meant to John Cena
08:14to be in Survivor Series.
08:15Last go.
08:16Look at this!
08:17John Cena going for the attitude adjustment.
08:19Looking to put Shawn Michaels away.
08:21This could be over early.
08:22And Michaels!
08:23Ow!
08:24Oh!
08:25A modified DDT out of the attitude adjustment.
08:30It still could be over early.
08:31And Shawn Michaels trying to move that 250-pound body.
08:34He does.
08:35Hooks the leg.
08:36Well, Shawn Michaels with the W.
08:37Not that way.
08:38Take one more look.
08:39As John Cena kicks out.
08:40Listen, remember John Cena's storied neck injuries.
08:44Bam!
08:45Right there.
08:46And you talk about that, because last year,
08:47it was here at Survivor Series.
08:48John Cena returned from neck surgery
08:50to win the championship in his hometown of Boston
08:53against Chris Jericho.
08:55And for Shawn Michaels, taking the championship
08:58Taking the champion out at the knees.
09:00C-L-O!
09:01C-L-O!
09:02C-L-O!
09:03C-L-O!
09:04C-L-O!
09:05C-L-O!
09:06C-L-O!
09:07C-L-O!
09:08C-L-O!
09:09And Michaels dissecting Cena.
09:11Did you see Cena's face?
09:13The grimace that crossed his face
09:14when Shawn delivered that final top lock.
09:17Well, Shawn Michaels knows that John Cena
09:19has worked on his neck.
09:20Almost rebuilt his neck.
09:22And that's why Shawn is going right now
09:24to the weakest point.
09:25Going for the figure four leg lock.
09:27That is Shawn Michaels.
09:29C-L-O!
09:30C-L-O!
09:31C-L-O!
09:32This is one of the, if not the,
09:34most excruciating maneuver you can ever be placed in.
09:38Yeah, Cena may have to tap here.
09:40Shades of Hall of Famer Ric Flair.
09:41If you move your own knee around,
09:43your patella, it moves around.
09:45Imagine the force on the knees of John Cena.
09:48And Michaels wore those knees and those legs out
09:50with the chop blocks before he went for the figure four.
09:53If Cena taps out and he submits here,
09:55he will lose the WWE title.
09:58And remember, Triple H has been a non-factor,
10:00ladies and gentlemen.
10:01Taken out at the beginning of this matchup
10:03by Sweet Chin Music and his own partner.
10:06And Cena rolls his belly reverse to the front.
10:08Whoa, whoa, whoa.
10:12Rolling over puts the pressure on your opponent's knees,
10:15takes it off of your own knees,
10:16and right there, you saw,
10:17that may be the only way out for John Cena.
10:19Yeah, the devilish thing about that figure four leg lock
10:22is it's your own leg applying the pressure
10:24to your own knee.
10:30Two of the greats.
10:34It is a big fight atmosphere inside the Verizon Center.
10:38The WWE Universe hanging on every move.
10:41Oh, nobody home.
10:46Michaels sidesteps.
10:48Cena crashes and burns.
10:52Now what?
10:55We alluded to it earlier on in the Triple Threat match
10:57with The Undertaker involved.
10:59There's no disqualifications or countouts
11:01for the pinfall or submission.
11:02It's gotta occur inside the ring.
11:04But the champion does not have to be pinned.
11:06And look at Shawn Michaels.
11:08He takes out Cena.
11:11The DX Army in mass.
11:13The Soldiers of Fortune are out tonight.
11:17Michaels just looked into our eyes here at ringside.
11:19A smile crossing his face.
11:21And Shawn Michaels is moving into another zone.
11:26This is not the DX Shawn Michaels.
11:28This isn't the fun loving Shawn Michaels.
11:30This is the Shawn Michaels who's battling
11:32for a championship, ladies and gentlemen.
11:34And Shawn is enjoying this.
11:36Look at the look in the eyes of the Heartbreak Kid.
11:40It's almost back to the future tonight for Michaels.
11:44Long before the controversy of John Cena,
11:47there was a handsome young man
11:48that walked the halls of the WWE.
11:50And look at this.
11:51John Cena looking for attitude adjustment.
11:55And from behind, it's Triple H.
11:57Ironically, Triple H saving his partner Michaels.
12:01How ironic is that?
12:02Look at this.
12:06Sparkbuster.
12:12Well, what goes around comes around.
12:21Come on, get it back straight.
12:23They say you're always more inclined
12:25to take out damage on your best friend.
12:37And just take a look here.
12:39Earlier on, just watch.
12:44And then this.
12:51It brings us to where we are right now.
12:55WWE Championship on the line.
12:58Triple Threat Match, the Survivor Series.
13:02Oh, my gosh.
13:05Shawn Michaels flattened right through our announce table.
13:09Now the Game and John Cena in the ring.
13:13Again, it was Shawn Michaels
13:15that super kicked the Game right off the bat.
13:19Michael Cole, you've lost your headset.
13:24Cena man just lost his match.
13:26Look at this. Here's the cover.
13:28And a kick out by Cena at two.
13:31Shawn Michaels has not moved here at ringside.
13:36And now the Ace of Spades.
13:38There are many crowns, but only one king.
13:41The Game, Triple H.
13:44And the 13-time world champion
13:46allows, gets the chance now to turn his
13:49complete focus on John Cena.
13:53They say it's all about the Game and how you play it.
13:55It's all about control and how you take it.
13:59Triple H has been involved in so many
14:01great Survivor Series moments over the years.
14:03But perhaps nothing like we saw early on in this match
14:07when Shawn Michaels turned his back on his friend.
14:09I still can't believe what we saw.
14:12The match not even two seconds old.
14:14Sweet chin music delivered.
14:16But as I said, what goes around comes around.
14:18Now we look down, Shawn Michaels flattened
14:21through the announce table.
14:23King, this is essentially two matches in one.
14:25Shawn Michaels vs. John Cena
14:27and Triple H vs. John Cena.
14:29Triple H looking to win for a 14-time world title.
14:32And a kick out by John Cena at two.
14:34And you're right about that.
14:35And John Cena has absorbed twice the punishment.
14:44Guys, I'm about maybe three or four feet away
14:47from Shawn Michaels.
14:48Neck breaker.
14:49He has not moved.
14:50Cover, cover, cover by Triple H.
14:52Hooks the leg.
14:53Champion's in trouble.
14:54And a kick out again by Cena.
14:58Another example of the dogged determination of the champion.
15:03Triple H knows Cena well.
15:05They've been through so many battles over the years.
15:07He will not take this for granted.
15:09He knows he's gotta punish Cena,
15:11wear him down to pin the champion.
15:14Oh!
15:21Again, it's the courage of John Cena,
15:23the resiliency of the champion.
15:25Well, watch out here.
15:26Going for the pedigree!
15:27The pedigree!
15:28Cena trying to not allow Triple H to hook the right arm.
15:33Those big shoulders and biceps may have been
15:35the only thing to save John Cena.
15:37Whoa, look out!
15:38Triple H launched.
15:44Cena favoring the back slowly to his feet.
15:47Triple H with an explosive clothesline.
15:53What an impact as Triple H again goes for the cover.
15:56Will he win the title here?
15:58And Cena kicks out.
16:08Boy, Triple H just has regained control in this match.
16:11Nowhere to be found in the early going.
16:13And you saw, I think I saw the game glance in this direction
16:18just to check on the condition of Shawn Michaels.
16:20And Shawn Michaels, as you said earlier, Matt,
16:22he hasn't moved.
16:23A driven spine first.
16:25Off the spine buster to the table.
16:29And now the game.
16:31And John Cena trading bombs.
16:34That pounding ground attack.
16:39There's that running shoulder block.
16:41And Cena's building momentum, ladies and gentlemen.
16:44Triple H misses wildly.
16:49You feel it?
16:50You feel it, Michael?
16:51You feel it, Matt?
16:52I think John Cena feels it.
16:54He's got the power.
16:55He's got the power.
16:56He's got the power.
16:57He's got the power.
16:58He's got the power.
16:59He's got the power.
17:00He's got the power.
17:01He's got the power.
17:02John Cena feels it.
17:04You can't see me.
17:08It's coming.
17:15Five knuckles shot.
17:16And John Cena.
17:21Measuring Triple H.
17:23Perhaps for the attitude adjustment.
17:25Looking to put the game away.
17:26Up top.
17:27Here's Michaels.
17:28Michaels is back in the ring.
17:30And Shawn Michaels saving Triple H.
17:32Shoulder first goes Cena.
17:34And now, ladies and gentlemen, we are down to this.
17:38Uh-oh.
18:00A moment for the edges.
18:01Interrupted momentarily by Cena.
18:03Shawn Michaels takes advantage again.
18:05In front of the atomic drop.
18:12I guess you guys are right.
18:14This just goes to show what that WWE title means.
18:22Running high knee.
18:23Running high knee.
18:29Remember, the pinfall can take place right here, gentlemen.
18:32Yeah, champion does not have to be involved in the decision.
18:34Triple H can pin Shawn Michaels and win the WWE title.
18:40Shawn Michaels.
18:46Both men down.
18:47Cena's down outside the ring.
18:50I got a feeling.
18:52Watch Shawn Michaels.
18:53Yes.
18:54Tip up.
18:55Pop it up like a pimple.
18:56Oh, my God.
18:57Oh, no.
18:59And Triple H has all the momentum going his way.
19:08Now, the game measuring Shawn Michaels, I think, for pedigree.
19:12Yes.
19:13And Shawn Michaels looking to counter.
19:15Can he do it?
19:16He does.
19:17Shawn Michaels falls to the backdrop.
19:19But what did that take out of Shawn Michaels?
19:21Let's talk about the back injuries of Shawn Michaels
19:24compounded by the spine buster on our deteriorated announce table.
19:28And where is Shawn going now?
19:30Shawn Michaels, the main event, the showstopper,
19:33looking to stop the game.
19:37How many times have we seen this over the years?
19:40But Michaels and John Cena.
19:44Oh, my God.
19:46That's the resilient champion.
19:50That may be the end of Shawn Michaels.
19:52Out of desperation, if nothing else.
19:54Look at Cena.
19:55Cena.
19:56Cena going up top.
20:01Going homeward for the leg drop.
20:05Now, Michaels regaining his balance up to the top rope.
20:08Shawn Michaels, top rope.
20:10Cena's in trouble.
20:12Look out.
20:13Finish it.
20:14And this is why we fall in love with this craft.
20:17Yeah, look at Triple H.
20:19Sends Shawn out there.
20:21After the elbow to the heart of Cena.
20:23Drop toe hold.
20:25STF.
20:26STF.
20:27STF.
20:30Triple H scratching and clawing.
20:34But he's in trouble.
20:36Cena's got all the weight of his 250-pound frame
20:39on the back of Triple H.
20:41A vile submission hold.
20:43Pressure on the legs, head, and neck.
20:46Can the game hang on?
20:48Triple H trying somehow to make it to the ropes.
20:50He might have to tap out.
20:51Triple H may have to tap out as he crawls desperately
20:54for the bottom rope.
20:56Look at the way Triple H's face is distorted.
20:59Look at the massive arms of John Cena.
21:01He's literally clawing.
21:04Trying to get there.
21:05Fingers away.
21:06Fingertips away.
21:08And Shawn Michaels.
21:10Look at this.
21:11Crossface.
21:13Michaels with a submission hold.
21:16Will Cena tap out?
21:18On the injured neck of the champion.
21:24Will Cena tap out?
21:26If he does, Michaels is champion.
21:29Shawn's gonna win this thing.
21:31And notice Shawn Michaels' hands are over John Cena's mouth and nose.
21:35Not only is Cena in pain, but Cena can't breathe.
21:38I don't think he can reach the rope either.
21:40His one arm is tucked.
21:42Caught between the legs of Michaels.
21:43Cena needs to use his strength.
21:45Look at this.
21:46Look at this.
21:47You've got to be kidding me.
21:49Look at this.
21:50Brute strength of Cena.
21:54And Shawn Michaels battles out of a predicament.
21:57Again.
21:58Oh, no!
21:59A drop toehold.
22:00Into the STL again.
22:01And now it's Michaels' time to writhe in pain.
22:04And remember the damage that's already been done to Michaels' back.
22:07The spine buster through the table.
22:10And look at Michaels.
22:12Trying to make it.
22:13All three of these men great champions.
22:18The desire and the guts.
22:20Can Michaels get there?
22:23I don't think he can.
22:24It's about the WWE title.
22:26Michaels is flailing.
22:28But Michaels is literally inches away.
22:31He's got to tap.
22:32He's got to tap.
22:33He's got to tap.
22:34He wanted to tap, but he didn't.
22:37The will and resolve.
22:38He broke it.
22:39He broke it.
22:40Oh, my God.
22:41What an atmosphere at Survivor Series.
22:44This is unreal.
22:48Three of the all-time greats battling out for the WWE championship.
22:54To cap off what has been an unbelievable night in Washington.
22:58Yeah, but right at the moment, you've got to say it's still advantage.
23:02Cena.
23:03Well, Shawn Michaels injured back.
23:05John Cena's injured neck.
23:07Is Triple H the most fresh?
23:11Forget about it.
23:14That's it.
23:16Shawn Michaels tuned up the band and delivered.
23:20Triple H.
23:21Look at that.
23:22Triple H.
23:23Turned around.
23:24Triple H.
23:25Into the cover.
23:26He doesn't even know it.
23:27Cena kicks out.
23:33Oh, my God.
23:34Sweet chin music from Michaels.
23:36He hit Hunter as he fell out of the ring.
23:38Triple H landed on Cena in a pitting situation.
23:41But Cena, on instinct alone, kicked out.
23:45It is raucous inside the Verizon Center.
23:48Wow.
23:49Everyone on their feet in the nation's capital.
23:57Take a look right here.
23:59The kick.
24:00What must it take?
24:02On the game.
24:05And then, somehow, the game.
24:10Or John Cena able to get his shoulder up.
24:13I thought it was over.
24:21Oh, the tension.
24:22The drama.
24:24What is going to happen?
24:26It is electric inside the Verizon Center.
24:29Everyone on their feet.
24:31Everyone trying to figure out which man will blink first.
24:36Guys, we're never going to forget this moment.
24:38We will never forget this match.
24:40Who will survive?
24:42It's what Survivor Series is all about.
24:44Cena measuring Triple H.
24:46Can he take advantage?
24:48Attitude adjustment.
24:50Can Cena capitalize?
24:54Or was that the last gasp for the WWE Champion?
24:59Well, I don't see how the game could take any more.
25:02Look who's stirring.
25:03Look who's stirring, ladies and gentlemen, outside the ring.
25:06The Heartbreak Kid has got life left.
25:10Look at the will in Michaels.
25:13Well, it would be ironic if somehow Shawn were able to...
25:17Both are crawling.
25:18Towards the game.
25:19Both men are crawling toward the game.
25:21Who's going to get there first?
25:25Triple H taken out by the attitude adjustment.
25:28Cena and Michaels crawling their hurt bodies.
25:31They both got an arm on.
25:33And shoulders are down.
25:35And Triple H kicked out.
25:38Who would have been champion there?
25:41I don't know.
25:42Is that the official's discretion?
25:44I guess.
25:45I don't know.
25:46You may never know.
25:48We don't have to worry about that right now.
25:50Triple H managed to kick out, keeping the matchup alive for all three men.
25:59What a match, guys.
26:01Who's got the most left in the tank here?
26:04Who's got the momentum?
26:05I have no idea.
26:06I don't think there's a momentum right now.
26:09And look at Michaels.
26:10See how Michaels wouldn't allow Cena to use the rope to get back to his feet?
26:13This is truly about who can survive.
26:17And Shawn Michaels back to his feet.
26:19With the help of Cena, I think.
26:21These men are both...
26:23For the WWE title.
26:25These men are both...
26:27For the WWE championship.
26:29Wait for Sweet Chin Music again.
26:33Shawn Michaels.
26:36Going for a pound on everybody.
26:39And look at this.
26:41Oh, Triple H.
26:42Going for the pedigree.
26:43Going for the pedigree.
26:44Sweet Chin Music.
26:46Good night, Triple H.
26:47The passion.
26:48The dedication.
26:49The WWE championship.
26:51Attitude adjustment.
26:52Attitude adjustment.
26:53Right on to Triple H.
26:54Goes to the cover.
26:55Darin Cena retaining the WWE championship.
27:03And still WWE champion.
27:09Cena.
27:11That is what Survivor Series is all about.
27:15It's about surviving, ladies and gentlemen.
27:18Surviving to keep your WWE title.
27:24What a match.
27:27What a match.
27:31What a Survivor Series.
27:33Absolutely awesome.
27:48What a match.
27:49What a match.
27:50What a match.
27:51What a match.
27:52What a match.
27:53What a match.
27:54What a match.
27:55What a match.
27:56What a match.
27:57What a match.
27:58What a match.
27:59What a match.
28:00What a match.
28:01What a match.
28:02What a match.
28:03What a match.
28:04What a match.
28:05What a match.
28:06What a match.
28:07What a match.
28:08What a match.
28:09What a match.
28:10What a match.
28:11What a match.
28:12What a match.
28:13What a match.
28:14What a match.
28:15What a match.
28:16What a match.
28:17...
28:28Boy oh boy.
28:29Let's...
28:30Let's go all the way back and see how this match started with a shot of shocks.
28:36Who would've believed it.
28:38I would've believed it.
28:39But that's been Shawn Demo his entire career.
28:42He's been controversial.
28:43He's been the show-stopper.
28:45a little payback from Triple H.
28:47Well, as we said, what goes around comes around.
28:53And here comes the payback.
28:55The game driving Shawn right in and through our announce table.
29:00But that wouldn't keep Shawn Michaels down and out.
29:03He almost, Triple H almost took advantage of the situation there.
29:07But Shawn Cena, with a whiff of wind, managed to kick out.
29:14And then look at this, right towards the end,
29:17Shawn Michaels being backdropped right into the arms of Cena.
29:21Then more sweet chin music.
29:24But as Shawn turned around, he turned right around into an attitude adjustment,
29:28right on top of the game.
29:29And that was it.
29:30And Cena took advantage.
29:32Kicked the closest man to ya.
29:34Picked up the big ball.
29:36And that's what Cena's all about.
29:38He's still the WWE Champion.
29:40Well, he never gave up and it paid off.
29:42What a match!
29:43Thanks for joining us for the 23rd Annual Survivor Series.
29:47Whoo!
29:48Good night, everybody, from our nation's capital.
29:51Down for the three and ten.
29:54We'll be right back.
29:54We'll be right back.
29:56We'll be right back.
29:59We'll be right back.