FULL MATCH - 2008 Royal Rumble Match_ Royal Rumble 2008
FULL MATCH - 2008 Royal Rumble Match_ Royal Rumble 2008
Madison Square Garden hosts an unforgettable Royal Rumble Match featuring The Undertaker, Shawn Michaels, Triple H, Batista and more Superstars and Legends: Courtesy of WWE Network.
Madison Square Garden hosts an unforgettable Royal Rumble Match featuring The Undertaker, Shawn Michaels, Triple H, Batista and more Superstars and Legends: Courtesy of WWE Network.
Transcript
00:00Ladies and gentlemen, let's get ready to rumble.
00:10Woo!
00:11Woo!
00:12Woo!
00:13Woo!
00:14Woo!
00:15Woo!
00:16Woo!
00:17Woo!
00:18Woo!
00:19Woo!
00:20Woo!
00:21Woo!
00:22Woo!
00:23Woo!
00:24Woo!
00:25Woo!
00:26Woo!
00:27Woo!
00:28Woo!
00:29Last year's Royal Rumble winner, representing SmackDown, The Undertaker.
00:43And what's interesting about this gentleman is that The Undertaker
00:48entered at number 30 last year to win the Rumble match.
00:52In order to make it two in a row, he's got to do it from spot number one.
00:58And history tells us that it's not impossible, but
01:02it's very, very difficult to win from this position.
01:05Only a couple of times have superstars gone from number one to win the Royal
01:10Rumble match.
01:11But if one man can do it, it's the man who's 15 and 0 at WrestleMania.
01:16And that would be The Undertaker.
01:19The Undertaker has the ability to pick off superstars one at a time as they come
01:25to the ring every 90 seconds.
01:28It will be most interesting to see who the Demon of Death Valley
01:32will face as his opening adversary.
01:36This Rumble match is so important to The Undertaker,
01:41a man who has been robbed out of the World Championship
01:46time and time again over the past year.
01:50But with a win tonight, he will guarantee himself
01:54a championship match at WrestleMania.
01:58Yeah, but from where I sit, The Undertaker's got a long way to go, baby.
02:02Number one, the worst spot to be.
02:04Well, there he is, and I guarantee he's thinking about his opportunity.
02:09Hang on, hang in there, win the Royal Rumble, and
02:13go to WrestleMania, and face the champion.
02:16And no one has ever been better at WrestleMania than The Undertaker.
02:21He's got a long way to go, and he's got a long way to go, baby.
02:24And he's got a long way to go, and he's got a long way to go, baby.
02:28And no one has ever been better at WrestleMania than The Undertaker.
02:32Ho, ho, ho.
02:34Ho, ho, ho.
02:37I know I'm sexy, I've got the looks, and the drives.
02:45Introducing entrant number two, HBK,
02:53HBK.
02:57Hey.
02:58Well, this is service ammuning WWE ironing.
03:04The two men that finished the Royal Rumble last year are starting
03:09the Royal Rumble this year.
03:11And it was one of the most classic endings to a Royal Rumble match in history
03:16last year.
03:17Two of the greatest superstars in the history of WWE battling it out for
03:22the opportunity to go to WrestleMania.
03:25Wow, this is gonna be good.
03:28This is gonna be great.
03:29And JR, we mentioned earlier that Shawn Michaels did go from number one
03:33to win the Royal Rumble match a number of years ago.
03:36I'm not your boy toy.
03:43Certainly history can be made by Shawn Michaels winning this Rumble,
03:48becoming the only second three-time winner.
03:51These are ten men that we'll all see someday in the WWE Hall of Fame.
03:56Undertaker would love to strike.
03:58Rockwell has got to move and dart.
04:00But it's not about pinfalls or submissions.
04:03That's right, JR.
04:04And that's why you can see both Undertaker and
04:07HBK going right at it right away.
04:10And I was gonna mention, Taz, you've been in Rumble matches before.
04:13What's the strategy, especially right out of the box here?
04:15Well, right out of the box is to try and eliminate your opponent, ASAP.
04:20And avoid the top rope and getting chucked over it.
04:22Because you're done once that happens.
04:25The other thing you'd like to do is go ahead and eliminate your opponent here
04:28so that you'll just be sitting waiting for your next opponent.
04:31That's a good point, King.
04:32Absolutely.
04:33And let's not forget, Coach has been in Rumble matches, too.
04:36Well, you don't need to ask me what needs to be done to win.
04:39I think lots of people have forgotten Coach has won Rumble appearances.
04:43Watch out.
04:44Obviously, I never won.
04:46Undertaker's in a bad spot.
04:47I'm sorry.
04:48Uh-oh.
04:49Shawn Michaels in a bad spot right here.
04:50You want to stay away, as Taz said, from the top rope.
04:53Michaels is there.
04:54Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
04:56Michaels avoided the contact from The Undertaker just barely.
05:01Michaels back in the ring.
05:02Now The Undertaker in a precarious position on the apron of the ring on the outside.
05:07Shawn Michaels sees it.
05:08Uh-oh.
05:09Uh-oh.
05:10Michaels trying to capitalize.
05:11Look at this.
05:14We'll have our third competitor momentarily.
05:175, 4, 3, 2, 1.
05:20Who's it going to be?
05:21Oh!
05:22Ah!
05:23Who is it?
05:24It's Santino Uribe!
05:30Santino Uribe, the former Intercontinental Champion,
05:34who is somewhat resistant about his girlfriend posing for Playboy,
05:39has got bigger things to worry about now.
05:41Yeah.
05:42It'll take a miracle for Santino, another miracle,
05:45for him to survive these-
05:46Oh!
05:47Wow!
05:48Oh, madame me, Santino's in trouble.
05:52Get up, spaghetti breath.
05:54Wait a minute.
05:55Oh!
05:56Thanks for coming.
05:57Oh, look at this!
05:58Look at this!
05:59Michaels trying to capitalize.
06:01That's what you got to do in this type of a matchup.
06:03You got to look for your openings and opportunity at every turn.
06:06Hits every man for himself.
06:07We've said it.
06:08We've said it once.
06:09We've said it 1,000 times.
06:10But you just saw it there.
06:12See, Morello gets eliminated quickly.
06:15Now the 90-second clock continues to roll.
06:18Our fourth competitor of 30 in this every man for himself Royal Rumble match
06:25will be here in just a few seconds.
06:27Old school.
06:28Old school Undertaker.
06:29Oh, yeah!
06:30Look at that!
06:31And Shawn Michaels with enough wear with it all
06:34and such a veteran-like maneuver
06:36to use the Undertaker's own momentum against the Deadman.
06:40And Shawn Michaels has got to put that 6'11",
06:43300-pound body over the top rope.
06:47And what you want to do is what Shawn Michaels do
06:49and attempt to try to wear down the Undertaker,
06:52which is a feat in itself,
06:53before he can throw the Deadman over the top rope.
06:56And maybe get some help.
06:576, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.
07:00The Undertaker's got to have a vote on his channel.
07:03Being so big, who's number four?
07:08From SmackDown, the 7'3", 420-pound former world champion,
07:13The Great Khali.
07:15And you have to consider this guy a favorite
07:17simply because of his size, his strength,
07:19and how difficult he will be to throw over the top rope.
07:22And if anybody has an advantage, it is Khali,
07:25who in the past has manhandled the Undertaker.
07:27And the Phenom realizes it.
07:29And he's unloading on the Punjabi Nightmare.
07:32Those hard shots from the Undertaker,
07:34not having the-
07:35Oh, man!
07:37That big right hand just had.
07:40And don't forget, The Great Khali won a battle royal
07:43to become World Heavyweight Champion.
07:45He's got experience in this type of matchup.
07:47Very successful experience.
07:50Great Khali just stomping away at The Undertaker.
07:53From the days of The Great Andre the Giant,
07:55the bigger men, the biggest men in battle royals,
07:58have always had an advantage.
08:01And that's going over the top rope
08:03is what we're talking about here.
08:05Undertaker unloading with the right hands.
08:09Uh-oh!
08:12Look at how big Khali is.
08:13The Undertaker such a shade under seven feet tall.
08:17Hey!
08:18Undertaker with a counter.
08:21It's unusual to make a man like The Undertaker look small,
08:24but Khali's doing it.
08:25Let's realize Khali's much more fresher
08:27than The Undertaker is at this point
08:30Oh, and for the chop!
08:32Khali!
08:33He's got him!
08:34He's out!
08:35Khali is out!
08:36And Shawn Michaels trying to sneak up behind The Undertaker again
08:39and eliminate The Undertaker who's eliminated Khali.
08:42I would consider that an upset
08:44simply because of how quickly The Great Khali was eliminated.
08:47That's huge that Khali's out of his thoughts already.
08:50Hey, hey, hey!
08:51Going to be the last ride for Shawn Michaels.
08:55Hardcore Khali hits the ring!
08:58One half of the World Tag Team Champions.
09:01He's tougher than a $2 steak, no doubt about it.
09:04But I gotta say about The Great Khali,
09:06being 7'3", where most of his body was over the top rope,
09:10worked against Khali just a couple of moments ago.
09:13Oh, and Undertaker!
09:16Is this why strategy guys to go after the fresher man
09:19like The Undertaker's doing?
09:20I think you have to.
09:21I mean, absolutely.
09:22I think The Undertaker's doing the right thing.
09:23Especially with a heavy hitter like a Hardcore Khali.
09:27He can cause damage quickly, and the Deadman realizes that.
09:30One can only imagine what it would mean for an athlete
09:33like Hardcore Khali to win the Royal Rumble match
09:36and headline WrestleMania against the champion of his choice.
09:40Oh!
09:41Well, and that's one of the great things about the Royal Rumble.
09:44Anybody can win it.
09:45And Royal Rumble winning the Royal Rumble
09:48may be the only opportunity that some of the superstars
09:50would ever have to beat him in WrestleMania.
09:52Uh-oh.
09:53Beat him in WrestleMania.
09:54Look out here.
09:55Undertaker eliminated Shawn Michaels last year.
09:57Will he do it again this year?
09:59Shawn just petering on the top rope.
10:01Michaels holding on for dear life on the rope.
10:05Watch Shawn Michaels scissoring up to take his arm.
10:07And Khali can take advantage.
10:08Won't bend in that precarious situation.
10:10Now, Khali had a clear open shot at The Undertaker.
10:13Boy, there's gratitude for you.
10:15That's how Royal Rumble match work, guys.
10:17How about another one, guys?
10:19Stop beating him up.
10:20I love it.
10:22Entry number six.
10:24Uh-oh.
10:28Take a look at this one-half of the WWE Tag Team Champions,
10:32John Morrison.
10:33And I can tell you, last night at an appearance,
10:36the Tag Team Champions were mauled by 500 frantic female fans
10:41who tried to climb in their limo.
10:43Well, that has absolutely nothing to do with what's going to happen here.
10:45Because John Morrison is in deep, deep trouble.
10:48The point I was making is I think the champs were up all night partying,
10:51and that's not a good thing to say.
10:53Well, Morrison's getting mauled, but it's not by female fans right now.
10:56Took the words out of my mouth.
10:57Well, you got to wonder if it was Morrison.
10:59Hey, well, remember, Morrison's a former ECW champion in his own right.
11:03You can't take him lightly.
11:04No.
11:05He's a tremendous athlete also.
11:07That was a very athletic move by Morrison to prevent himself from being eliminated,
11:11being able to hold on the ropes.
11:13This is risky here.
11:14Shawn Michaels going to the top rope to perform an offensive maneuver.
11:17Yeah, you want to stay away from those top ropes.
11:19Up to the elbow.
11:20But it worked.
11:22You guys, let's not forget John Morrison went over the top rope
11:25with both feet.
11:26Must hit the ground in order to be eliminated.
11:29Hey, you hear that, guys?
11:32I think the band is being tuned up.
11:36Went for sweeps here.
11:37And Morrison's out.
11:38Oh, a head shot.
11:40No.
11:41Entry number seven.
11:42Who's it going to be?
11:46Was he eliminated there?
11:47I don't know.
11:48Hometown boy's in the house though, baby.
11:50Uh-oh.
11:51And if you ask most superstars what championship they would challenge for
11:54if they win the World Rumble, they would say the WWE championship
11:57for the heavyweight title.
11:59But Tommy Dreamer is well consumed with looking at becoming ECW champion.
12:04Tommy Dreamer getting extreme, baby.
12:06That's a big, big moment for Tommy Dreamer from nearby Yonkers, New York.
12:13And the arena that he grew up coming to watch the WWE in.
12:18Yeah, Dreamer hit the ring and took the fight to everybody.
12:21He didn't avoid anyone.
12:23And then he ran into the boot of The Undertaker.
12:26Dreamer obviously a sentimental favorite here in the garden,
12:30as he should be.
12:32Morrison in trouble.
12:33Oh, whoops.
12:34He's over the top rope and on the apron.
12:36And he hunks Shawn up.
12:38Morrison again shows his agility by saving himself
12:42out there in a real precarious spot.
12:45Dreamer's trying to eliminate The Undertaker.
12:47He's got one of his legs over.
12:50Hey, King Taz, let me ask you a question here.
12:52As the ring starts to fill up like this, how much more difficult is it
12:56as you see Holly close to being eliminated?
12:58It's very difficult.
12:59You want to try and get your back to a corner so you can't get jumped from behind.
13:02If you can, but you've got to stick and move.
13:04But you've got to watch your back at all times.
13:06Undertaker right now, in my opinion, is actually in a good spot.
13:10Undertaker a long way from the top rope.
13:13Number eight will be joining us momentarily.
13:16Three, two, one.
13:18Our eighth entrant is.
13:20Oh, yeah.
13:23Oh, man.
13:25The man who won the 2005 Royal Rumble.
13:28And here's the man that I picked on WWE.com to win it all this year.
13:32Batista, the animal, the former world champion,
13:35who vowed Friday night to win this Rumble match.
13:39Oh, man.
13:44Uh-oh.
13:45And remember the history of last year between these two men.
13:50The epic battles in cages and less than standing matches.
13:54Well, let's get ready to rumble.
13:55Wait, look at Dreamer.
13:56Well, Tommy, Dreamer obviously doesn't care about those.
13:59Yeah.
14:00Oh, oh, oh.
14:01There he goes.
14:02He will now.
14:03Batista eliminates Dreamer.
14:06And Shawn Michaels looks to be a little worse for wear
14:09in more ways than one.
14:11As Michaels up on the top rope.
14:12The Undertaker standing free,
14:14which doesn't bode well for the other competitors in the ring.
14:18Mahali and HBK have been in a stalemate.
14:20The corner from-
14:21Oh!
14:22Wow!
14:23Oh, poor Morrison.
14:24Oh, man, he got thrilled.
14:25You think Batista's fired up?
14:27Guys, I know it's every man for himself,
14:29but with so many favorites already in this match,
14:31would you consider teaming up to get out of Batista?
14:34Or an Undertaker?
14:35Or an HBK?
14:36I think that's a great idea if you can,
14:38but, you know, those allies don't last long.
14:40They can change every second, more or less.
14:42And who, as Mr. McMahon said earlier,
14:44who can you really trust?
14:45Absolutely no one at the end of the day
14:48in the Royal Rumble match.
14:50Mahali's hanging on here.
14:52Boy, these 90 seconds fly by, don't they?
14:54They sure do.
14:55Who is it?
14:56Hornswoggle!
14:57Whoa!
14:58Oh, no!
14:59Mr. McMahon's illegitimate son!
15:02Yeah, but Hornswoggle looks all fired up!
15:05Yeah!
15:06Corny!
15:07Hey!
15:08He's a McMahon, for God's sakes!
15:10Hornswoggle and Mick Foley
15:11win a tag team qualifying match
15:13to get into this thing.
15:14And what does Hornswoggle have up his sleeve?
15:17Hey, wait a minute.
15:18Don't-
15:19Shades of Jerr, the King of-
15:20Yeah, whoa!
15:21Knock it, I did that once.
15:22It works!
15:23Batista's feared the Undertaker.
15:24Shades of their rivalry from last year.
15:27Unfinished business between Batista and the Undertaker.
15:31As Batista looks to eliminate his fierce rival.
15:36My man, well, there's six active competitors.
15:40Hornswoggle is absent without leave,
15:44out of the ring right now.
15:45Well, Jay, he went home!
15:46Well, Jay, you can't fault him
15:47because of the luck of the draw.
15:49Finley's not out here yet,
15:50so really, Hornswoggle has no protection.
15:53Whoa!
15:54The Great Protector Finley.
15:55Mr. McMahon put in charge of protecting his son, Hornswoggle.
15:59Oh, the boss seems to be trying to drive a wedge
16:01between those two.
16:03Watch out here.
16:04There you go!
16:05Hardcore Holly hanging tough.
16:07Taking it to Shawn Michaels.
16:10Oh, Michaels!
16:11Whoa, whoa, whoa!
16:12Oh, Michaels-
16:13Held on by one hand!
16:16Entry number ten.
16:21From SmackDown, Chuck Columbo,
16:23who absolutely sniffed on Friday night.
16:30Yeah, here's a man Chuck Columbo
16:32simply has not been making any friends as of late.
16:36Chuck Columbo, the Freshman,
16:38taking out Batista.
16:40Batista's in trouble.
16:41You see Undertaker and Batista in this matchup
16:43and how much it means to them
16:45to get back to WrestleMania,
16:46both being robbed out of the World Championship
16:49on a number of occasions by Edge and Vickie Guerrero
16:52in recent months.
16:53Undertaker measuring John Morrison.
16:57Morrison hanging on.
16:58Morrison hanging on there.
17:00That's the third or fourth time
17:01that Morrison has done that.
17:02He's got tremendous flexibility
17:04because John Morrison, now the Deadman,
17:06has got Columbo cornered.
17:09Morrison's got an advantage in this sort of match
17:11with his agility, his flexibility.
17:14Look at this.
17:15Morrison hanging on here.
17:16That's very tough to do.
17:18A lot of shoulder and hand strength.
17:21Morton has a great natural athleticism.
17:23Oh, that fight.
17:24Oh, Batista may be in trouble.
17:26John Morrison in trouble once again.
17:28Can we see a Shawn Michaels?
17:30Whoa.
17:31Look at this.
17:33Morrison's got...
17:35Number 11 coming.
17:36And Morrison's trying to reverse that.
17:38Michaels could be flying over the top in a moment.
17:40Yeah, nice exit by Morrison.
17:42Who's up now?
17:44And from SmackDown,
17:46the arch enemy of Chuck Columbo,
17:49J.B. Noble.
17:50You see him all taped up
17:52after the brutal assault
17:53at the hands of Columbo Friday night.
17:56And Noble making a beeline.
17:59Well, you know, you go into this Royal Rumble match
18:01with a target on your body with injury,
18:02but here comes Noble.
18:03Look at this.
18:04But again, Noble's got to focus himself on the matchup
18:06and not let his emotions for Michelle McCool
18:09focus on just Columbo as he's doing here.
18:12I don't think he can hear you, though.
18:15Well, Columbo's to be ashamed of his actions.
18:19I don't blame on Noble,
18:20but Noble's at a distinct disadvantage.
18:22Oh!
18:24Hard kick.
18:25Eliminating Noble.
18:26Well, to your point, Cole,
18:27I think his emotions got in the better of him,
18:29didn't they?
18:31Well, that may have eliminated a few of his ribs.
18:35See how smart the Undertaker is?
18:36He saw the opportunity to attack Columbo from behind
18:39when Columbo eliminated J.B. Noble.
18:41Boom, he attacked and smacked by the Deadman.
18:43And referee Marty Elias calling for the trainer
18:46to come out here and aid J.B. Noble
18:48after that vicious kick to those injured ribs.
18:50Sixth man in the ring,
18:52but the seventh,
18:54Hornslaugher,
18:56is out of harm's way at the Rumble.
18:57Well, I think Hornslaugher may be the smartest man
19:00in the Rumble so far.
19:05So the referee number 12 is...
19:09Oh, Morrison!
19:10Morrison!
19:12Morrison hangs on again!
19:16CM Punk just qualified for the Rumble matchup
19:19last night.
19:20Barely made it into this matchup.
19:22Yeah, but what about the mood?
19:23Punk is in a bad mood.
19:26Unfortunate CM Punk.
19:28CM Punk.
19:29For the CCW Championship,
19:31the new champion, Chavo Guerrero.
19:33Uh-oh.
19:34Wait a second.
19:35Punk has not had a great week.
19:38Punk is not happy.
19:40Oh!
19:41What a clothesline may have shattered
19:43the nose of CM Punk.
19:47And Michaels showing the scars already
19:49from the matchup
19:50as he entered at number two.
19:52And Shawn Michaels almost went out right there.
19:55Shawn Michaels at number two,
19:56Undertaker number one,
19:58and they're both still alive in the Rumble.
20:02Watch this clothesline.
20:03Feel this impact!
20:04And again, that's the veteran instincts,
20:06the savviness of the Undertaker
20:08to nail a man while he's attempting one move
20:11and capitalize does the Deadman.
20:13That was the Undertaker and Michaels
20:14working together, I guarantee you.
20:16Absolutely.
20:17Colombo looking to eliminate
20:18a second man in the matchup.
20:19Hey, hey, hey!
20:20Nice!
20:21Wow!
20:22The referees were right there.
20:23Both feet didn't hit the floor,
20:24but there's that knee again.
20:26Michael didn't hang on that time.
20:28Colombo is out.
20:29Turn around, turn around!
20:30Oh!
20:31Oh!
20:32Shawn Michaels,
20:33as you mentioned before, JR,
20:34the wherewithal of the ring
20:35to see who's vulnerable,
20:36and he goes right after that man.
20:38Hey, hey, hey!
20:40Oh, my God!
20:41Shawn Michaels
20:43hanging on for near life as well.
20:49Cody Rhodes, one-half of the tag champions,
20:51making his first appearance ever
20:53in the Royal Rumble match.
20:55JR, what's interesting about this,
20:56you got both tag team champions
20:57in the same ring at the same time here.
20:59Are they gonna work together
21:00or against each other?
21:01I don't think so.
21:02I think it's gonna be every man for himself,
21:04especially knowing the personality
21:06of Hardcore Holly.
21:07He's as much a son to Cody Rhodes
21:10and it was me and you in the Rumble.
21:12Look out.
21:13It's every man for himself.
21:14And besides that, JR,
21:15the prize at the end of the tunnel, baby,
21:17to go to WrestleMania,
21:19main event WrestleMania champion of your choice.
21:21Hey, my friends in need it.
21:23Well, look what happened there.
21:24Cody Rhodes actually came to the aid
21:26of his partner, Hardcore Holly,
21:28going after The Undertaker.
21:29Well, I'm gonna tell you something.
21:30Cody Rhodes right now,
21:31I don't care what you say about him,
21:32he's gotta have butterflies in his stomach
21:34the size of eagles
21:35in the first Royal Rumble ever
21:37and now in the grasp of The Undertaker.
21:40But look at this kid.
21:41Michaels and The Undertaker
21:43have been in this match over 18 minutes
21:45as we speak.
21:46JR, I was gonna ask,
21:47when does the fatigue start to set in
21:49for those guys who entered early
21:50like Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker?
21:52I gotta believe at any time,
21:53especially the punishment
21:55that Michaels himself has taken.
21:58It's not just the physical punishment,
21:59either, guys.
22:00It's the mental punishment.
22:01When you get to this match
22:02all like The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels,
22:04you don't know who's coming after you next.
22:06They know you're at your weakest point
22:08because you're more tired.
22:10Well, you're right.
22:11The Undertaker and Shawn
22:14beat the heck out of each other
22:15for the first 90 seconds.
22:18Here's where some business will pick up.
22:21350 pounds,
22:23the first man to qualify for the Rumble
22:25from Monday Night Raw,
22:27Umaga.
22:31Umaga's getting nasty in a hurry.
22:35Big, powerful, super heavyweight.
22:38And the speed, JR,
22:39the quickness of Umaga.
22:41Uh-oh.
22:42Oh!
22:43Wow.
22:44That's impressive.
22:45Have you ever seen anyone absorb
22:47that many chops from Hardcore Holly?
22:50Umaga eliminates Hardcore Holly,
22:53who entered at number five.
22:54And look at Umaga,
22:55just beating down Batista.
22:59Check this out,
23:00that big Samoan spike.
23:02You can hear the impact.
23:04And, guys, it's really where
23:05the luck of the draw starts to come in.
23:06And Umaga's so fresh,
23:07so devastating,
23:08the other guy's starting to wear down.
23:10But you can see it right now.
23:11But if you notice,
23:12as each athlete comes in
23:14and their number is called,
23:15they aggressively go to work quick.
23:17Because you're fresh.
23:18Whoa!
23:19Look at Shawn Michaels!
23:20You're fresh.
23:21You want to go to town quick
23:22on someone who has fatigue.
23:23But they're fresh now,
23:24but we still have half the field to go.
23:26So how fresh are these superstars
23:27gonna be in another 30 minutes?
23:29Well, not as fresh.
23:30Shawn Michaels needs to get away
23:31from those ropes.
23:33That's the number 15 coming.
23:38Shawn Michaels taking a big chance here
23:40on this side of your screen.
23:41Where's he going?
23:46Oh, man.
23:47Uh-oh.
23:48Not just another pretty face.
23:50It's a 6'6", 300-pound Snitsky.
23:54Got that,
23:55the big psycho lunatics on Raw.
23:58Hey, what's up over there?
23:59Well, this Snitsky
24:01Snitsky.
24:02HD has given Snitsky's teeth
24:05an entirely new personality.
24:07I feel like a share a subway car
24:08with Snitsky at about midnight.
24:10I want to share a subway sandwich
24:12with Snitsky at midnight.
24:14Look at that.
24:15I think it's pretty obvious
24:16that this is the biggest Royal Rumble
24:18as far as size that we've ever seen.
24:21I'm about to see Snitsky
24:22hook up with Umaga.
24:25I think there's a very good chance
24:27of seeing that.
24:28Oh!
24:29Cody Rhodes
24:30Cody Rhodes looking to eliminate Snitsky.
24:32Cody taking a big chance.
24:34That's a big chance.
24:35Exactly, JR, by Cody Rhodes.
24:37Cody's hanging on.
24:38Sometimes you've got to take chances, though,
24:40with this type of a matchup.
24:43Morrison seems certainly intent
24:46on eliminating Shawn Michaels.
24:47Yeah, no doubt, King.
24:48I mean, what's his hell bent
24:49on trying to rid the Royal Rumble match
24:51of Shawn Michaels?
24:52I'll tell you what, King and I
24:53have been around long enough.
24:54Shawn Morrison looks like a young Shawn Michaels.
24:57Just look at him at a glance.
24:58Athletically, the balance,
25:00you know, I don't know about the heart
25:01and all that stuff.
25:02As the day goes along,
25:03Morrison's darn sure impressive
25:06in this Royal Rumble matchup.
25:07And he's got the cockiness
25:08of a young Shawn Michaels as well.
25:10Number 16.
25:16Well, speaking of Morrison,
25:17here comes the other half
25:18of the Tag Team Champions,
25:20John Morrison, Umaga, The Miz.
25:22And in theory, this would be
25:23an advantage to John Morrison.
25:29Morrison and Miz,
25:31WWE Tag Team Champions.
25:33And the one thing that Miz and Morrison
25:35have in common besides being champions
25:37is that they both despise CM Punk.
25:39As you can see right here.
25:40Yeah, Joey, what were you saying
25:41about arrogance and all that stuff?
25:43I think Miz has just as much
25:45as John Morrison.
25:46It's amazing that they're
25:47two colossal egos.
25:49Egos can coincide,
25:50and they are still
25:51WWE Tag Team Champions.
25:53Oh, look at The Undertaker now
25:54locking up there with Umaga.
25:56That's gonna be interesting.
26:00Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
26:01There you go.
26:02Nope.
26:03Not this time.
26:04It's gonna take a lot more than that.
26:05Maybe this is it.
26:06Here we go, Undertaker.
26:07This could be big right here.
26:09You gotta attack Umaga's lower body.
26:11Eliminating Umaga would be huge
26:13in this-
26:14400 pounds.
26:16Over 400 pounds of Umaga
26:18hanging on.
26:19Picking that ankle.
26:21Well, not pretty,
26:22but it's effective.
26:23That's serious.
26:27Whoa.
26:28Number 17.
26:31Great double teaming
26:32by the W-
26:33Oh.
26:36Gold standard, baby,
26:37right here.
26:38Shelton Benjamin
26:39who's looking to hit
26:40the mother load.
26:41He wants to be
26:42world champion
26:43at WrestleMania.
26:44Look at this.
26:45Check it out.
26:46Unbelievable.
26:47Wow.
26:48Unbelievable.
26:50What athleticism
26:51by Shelton Benjamin
26:52who may be the best
26:53pure athlete.
26:54I don't think there's
26:55no doubt in that, Joe.
26:56I think-
26:58I think Shelton Benjamin-
26:59Oh, you gotta be kidding me.
27:00What?
27:01Shelton's gone.
27:02What?
27:03I guess there is
27:04stopping Shelton Benjamin now.
27:05Switching music.
27:07Just turned the music off
27:08on Shelton Benjamin
27:10who wowed us
27:11with his athleticism.
27:12Shelton's dreams
27:13might have just been shattered.
27:14His jaw may have
27:15just been shattered.
27:17I'm just getting ready
27:18to say all this nice stuff
27:19about him.
27:20Well, Shelton's athleticism
27:21amazing as you can see.
27:22The vertical leap
27:23the vertical leaping ability
27:24but look at the kick.
27:27Shawn Michaels
27:28switching music.
27:29Oh, my God.
27:31I'm shocked.
27:32Shelton never saw that coming.
27:33Never saw it coming.
27:34He's right.
27:35Again, the craftiness
27:36the experience
27:37of an HBK.
27:42Michaels and The Undertaker
27:43were the first two men
27:44in this Royal Rumble.
27:45They have survived
27:46thus far.
27:51What?
27:54You gotta be kidding me.
27:55The Hall of Famer.
27:58Mark of the Garden.
28:00The Superfly.
28:02Superfly Jimmy Snuka.
28:04Oh, my gosh.
28:05And what an ovation.
28:07A standing ovation
28:08from 20,000 plus.
28:12The Hall of Famer
28:13Jimmy Superfly Snuka.
28:17Jimmy Snuka
28:18in the Royal Rumble match.
28:21You gotta watch out.
28:22Anything can happen
28:23in the WWE
28:24if Snuka starts hitting
28:25those headbutts.
28:26Look at that.
28:28You don't see that much.
28:31Snuka's headbutts
28:32staggered The Undertaker
28:34and Snusky
28:35walked right into one.
28:37What is The Miz thinking about?
28:41How about icing his chest?
28:42There you go.
28:46I think it's safe to say
28:47that Miz and Jimmy Snuka
28:48are two completely
28:49human beings.
28:50Different human beings.
28:52Geez.
28:53I was gonna say complete.
28:54I'm not so sure.
28:55Different.
28:5618 men have been entered.
28:57Michaels and The Undertaker
28:58have been in this match
28:59over 25 minutes.
29:10What a matter.
29:11You gotta be kidding me.
29:12The hits just keep on coming.
29:14Another Hall of Famer.
29:16I'm having flashbacks.
29:17The hot rod.
29:19Roddy.
29:20Roddy.
29:21Piper.
29:23What a roof off the joint.
29:27Piper came to fight.
29:30How cool is this?
29:33This is awesome, man.
29:35Look at this.
29:36Go get him, hot rod.
29:38Oh, yeah.
29:42Roddy.
29:43Roddy.
29:44Piper.
29:45Two Hall of Famers.
29:47Look at the look on Snuka's face.
29:53Piper and Snuka.
29:55It's like Piper-
29:56Here it is.
29:57Piper's been revisited.
30:04I don't think I've ever seen
30:05the Royal Rumble stop like this before.
30:07It's like Pawnee of the Red Sea.
30:11It's deja vu all over again.
30:14Here in Madison Square Garden.
30:16With Roddy Piper and Jimmy Superfly Snuka.
30:22It was like as if time stood still for a few moments.
30:26It was surreal.
30:33From SmackDown at number 20,
30:36here comes Kane.
30:38And what a Royal Rumble history this man had.
30:41Still holds the record for 11 eliminated men
30:44in one Royal Rumble match.
30:46And I was one of them.
30:48So I know what you're saying.
30:51There goes Piper and Snuka.
30:53Kane doesn't care who you are.
30:56Kane eliminates two Hall of Famers.
31:00And Kane has been in the Royal Rumble
31:01every year since 1999.
31:05A tremendous run for the Big Red Machine.
31:07Making his presence felt here
31:09in the Royal Rumble match.
31:11Kane went right to work as he entered the ring.
31:14Eliminating the two Hall of Famers.
31:20Kane is a former WWE Champion.
31:22But love the opportunity.
31:24Because as we have said,
31:25the winner of this match, this one match,
31:28earns the right to be in the main event
31:30at WrestleMania against the champion of his choice.
31:34Undertaker measuring,
31:37measuring Brother.
31:41Brother versus Brother.
31:42Here he comes.
31:44He went for Shawn Michaels.
31:46Very smart, very smart by The Undertaker.
31:49Michaels never saw it coming.
31:53I spin the face of people
31:55who don't want to be cool.
31:59I can't believe we're already
32:00up to our 21st entrance.
32:02Shawn Michaels may be-
32:05That's disrespectful, but Carlito.
32:07It might be effective though.
32:09Start to say Michaels may be competing
32:11with a broken nose
32:12just from the looks of things.
32:17And again, Michaels knocked over
32:18that replica.
32:19Shawn Michaels continues to be so resilient.
32:24And with that great heart holding on.
32:26Uh-oh.
32:27That was a little nuts right there.
32:29Wait a minute.
32:30Nice counter.
32:32Punk and Boris weren't together for a moment.
32:34Backstabber.
32:36Backstabber.
32:39Carlito, a second generation star.
32:43Yes.
32:44Oh, nice bulldog by another second generation star.
32:47And Cody Rhodes.
32:48Cody Rhodes took the opportunity
32:49to hit those ropes.
32:50Spring off with a bulldog.
32:51Again, you don't see that type of maneuver
32:53often in a Raw Rumble type match.
32:55And some of the young superstars.
32:56Tremendous showing so far in the Rumble match.
32:58Cody Rhodes and John Morrison.
33:01CM Punk too.
33:023, 2, 1.
33:12Well, this is Foley's baby boy.
33:15With the drive-in from Long Island.
33:19Mick Foley.
33:22Entrant number 22.
33:32Mick Foley cleaning house.
33:34Phone hanging.
33:35Oh, man.
33:37Oh, there you go.
33:38The DDT on Kane.
33:41A lot of bodies in this ring.
33:44You're right, you're right, Taz.
33:45You're at the point now
33:46where you really gotta watch your back.
33:47Watch where you're going.
33:48Big bodies also, Coach.
33:49Big bodies.
33:51This thing is really
33:52the star studdedness of this Royal Rumble.
33:56This match now with these men in the ring
33:58is just pretty damn impressive.
34:03Look at this.
34:04Morrison.
34:05Morrison wants a tight kick.
34:07And I think we're starting to see
34:09the length of time that The Undertaker
34:11has spent in the ring
34:12starting to take its toll on the Deadman.
34:14And on Shawn Michaels as well.
34:16And let's keep our eye on Umaga.
34:18Fresh, he's near 400 pounds.
34:20Is Umaga at this point in the match
34:22the favorite to win it?
34:24It could be.
34:25His body is built for this type of match.
34:27That heavy lower body
34:30is vital in this type of match-up.
34:36Kennedy!
34:39Well, he's fresh.
34:41He's talented.
34:43You better get in the ring, bud.
34:44Get to work.
34:45And Mr. Kennedy and Shawn Michaels
34:48have had quite the battles in recent weeks
34:50on Monday Night Raw.
34:52But Kennedy goes right toward the
34:54one-half of the world tag team.
34:56It's Cody Rhodes.
34:59Kennedy's got a different approach to this
35:02than other men that we've seen in this match.
35:04He's picking his spots.
35:06Not just going wild. I like it.
35:08Oh, wow.
35:09The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels
35:11have just passed the 30-minute mark
35:14in this Royal Rumble match.
35:16The Undertaker just sits up.
35:18He's knocked right back down by Mr. Kennedy.
35:20Mr. Kennedy and The Undertaker over the years
35:22have had a tremendous rivalry as well.
35:24You guys, I know it's every man for himself.
35:27Oh, wait.
35:28Undertaker with his second win.
35:30Look at the eyes!
35:32The attempt!
35:33The choke slam!
35:35Oh, the wind may have just rushed out of the body
35:37of Mr. Kennedy.
35:38And there's a lot of wind in that body.
35:40Did The Undertaker just get a second win?
35:42Looks like it.
35:43Maybe a third.
35:44Undertaker's got momentum.
35:45Oh!
35:46And Undertaker's stocking him up
35:48by Corbin in the corner.
35:49Kravaga and Snitsky.
35:51Undertaker, though, he has the capability
35:54of pacing himself.
35:56And he knows when to bring it up
35:58to that next level.
35:59And we're witnessing it right now.
36:00It's adaptation.
36:01The Undertaker's learned to adapt over the years
36:03and change his style.
36:05And Undertaker is still in this thing.
36:07Back to entry number one.
36:10Oh, man.
36:15And at 500 pounds,
36:17the quarter-ton titan Big Daddy V
36:20is the heaviest competitor
36:22in the Royal Rumble match.
36:24Snitsky looking right at the Undertaker.
36:26Undertaker!
36:28Gotta be.
36:29Whoa!
36:30What a shocker.
36:32Oh!
36:33You said something about shockers, huh?
36:37Both The Undertaker and Michaels.
36:40Oh!
36:41Kennedy eliminates Shawn Michaels
36:43after Michaels had eliminated The Undertaker.
36:47Throughout this whole Royal Rumble match,
36:49throughout this whole Royal Rumble match,
36:51every time The Undertaker
36:53hit an offensive move on someone,
36:55Shawn Michaels tried to follow up.
36:58Wait a minute.
36:59Undertaker.
37:00What the hell is he doing?
37:01Oh, my God!
37:03The Undertaker just dropped a huge leg
37:06out of his frustration and anger
37:09on Snitsky on the SmackDown announcement.
37:12I'll tell you one thing right now.
37:14The Undertaker wanted another world title opportunity,
37:16and I would hate to be any superstar
37:18in that SmackDown locker room.
37:21That's what happened tonight.
37:22There you see Snitsky eliminated,
37:24and then it was Shawn Michaels
37:26who eliminated The Undertaker.
37:28And then Kennedy took the opportunity, boom,
37:31to dump out HBK.
37:33You got to give Kennedy credit.
37:34It shows you how impressive swing team music is.
37:38Whoa.
37:39As Michaels used it to eliminate
37:42both Chuck Mitchell and The Undertaker.
37:44Cody hanging on.
37:45Hey, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait.
37:47Look at this.
37:48He's got him.
37:49His both feet have to touch.
37:50Both feet have to touch the floor.
37:52Uh-oh.
37:55Whoa.
37:56World's strongest man.
37:58Here comes your new favorite.
38:00I hope somebody reinforced the ring.
38:02The 400-pounder.
38:04At least 400 pounds,
38:06and that brought us in for 24,
38:08Big Daddy V, who's around the 500-pound mark.
38:11And this is interesting as well, JR,
38:13because Big Daddy V and Mark Henry
38:15have forged this relationship
38:16led by Matt Stryker in recent weeks.
38:18Will they work together?
38:19Can you imagine?
38:20That would be a half ton of humanity
38:22working as a team to eliminate people.
38:25Hey.
38:26That's Hornswoggle.
38:27I forgot about him.
38:28I forgot about Hornswoggle.
38:30Whoa!
38:32Hornswoggle McMahon just helped eliminate The Miz.
38:36And right back under the ring went Hornswoggle.
38:38Great strategy by Hornswoggle.
38:40Stick and move.
38:41Stick and hide.
38:43Oh, God.
38:45The Miz is gonna have to live with the fact
38:47that he was eliminated by Hornswoggle.
38:49Yeah, but the only saving grace is
38:51Miz was eliminated by McMahon.
38:55And watch Raja Undertaker taking on his rage,
38:59his rage on Snitsky.
39:00Check it out.
39:01Yeah.
39:02And that's what I'm talking about.
39:03Undertaker wanted to have that championship opportunity
39:07so badly.
39:08Snitsky's just now getting to move around over there.
39:12Look at Big Daddy V
39:13trying to muscle out two competitors.
39:15I couldn't even see it was two competitors.
39:17Big Daddy V engulfing both Morrison and Kennedy.
39:204, 3, 2, 1.
39:24Now who?
39:25Number 26.
39:26Ooh, Chavo.
39:28The new ECW champion, Chavito.
39:32Yes, Chavo Guerrero, who arguably stole
39:35the ECW championship this past Tuesday
39:38with Edge as his accomplice.
39:40Well, you should see a pup right away
39:42going right after Chavo.
39:44Chavo needs and wants to get a piece of Chavo Guerrero.
39:49Well, you can't let emotions take the best of you
39:51like Jamie Noble did with Chuck Palermo earlier.
39:54Ooh.
39:55Guys on the side, though.
39:56Just take a look at this.
39:57Oh!
39:58See you later, John Morrison,
39:59but a great showing by what happened
40:01to the WWE Tag Team Champion.
40:03Morrison came in at number 6, eliminated by Kane.
40:06Morrison in this match a long time,
40:08an impressive outing.
40:10A moment ago, Kennedy was trying to figure out
40:12how to grab one of the limbs of Big Daddy V,
40:14and he couldn't figure it out.
40:15There was no instructional manual.
40:17And Mark Henry and Batista.
40:19Mark Henry cost Batista the world championship
40:21a couple of years ago, injuring his triceps.
40:24Those two back to work on one another.
40:26I'm not sure, but right now we may have
40:28the most superstars still in the ring
40:31at any given time in this rumble.
40:33A lot of humanity.
40:35Look at Hortswoggle.
40:36Uh-oh.
40:37Not this time.
40:38Oh, no.
40:39Hortswoggle.
40:40Oh, he's in, baby.
40:41He's officially in.
40:43Oh, my God.
40:45How unfair is this?
40:47Somebody help Paul Hortswoggle here.
40:49And here he is, the Great Protector.
40:51Finlay!
40:52Finlay, the Great Protector,
40:54with a shillelagh unloading on Big Daddy V and Mark Henry.
40:58Finlay jumped the time clock, didn't he?
41:00I don't know if Finlay was even gonna be next or not.
41:02Is Finlay actually legal here right now?
41:04I don't think Finlay cares.
41:05I think you're right.
41:06You saw Friday night on SmackDown
41:08when Great Khali put those big mitts on Hortswoggle.
41:10Finlay stepped it up a notch, went into another gear.
41:13The emotions flowed out of his body to protect Hortswoggle.
41:16Well, Miz McMahon said that you can't trust Finlay.
41:19He told Hortswoggle that, but I don't know.
41:22But, Dan, is he taking Hortswoggle back?
41:24Where are they going?
41:25Is Hortswoggle out of the Royal Rumble match?
41:27I don't think Hortswoggle ever went over the top rope.
41:29That's a good point.
41:30I don't know.
41:31And take a look at some of the humanity we still got in the ring.
41:34We've got Umaga.
41:35We've got Big Daddy V.
41:36We've got the World's Strongest Man, Mark Henry.
41:39Don't forget Mick Foley.
41:40We've got some size in this bad boy right now.
41:42And Mick Foley is still in there.
41:44Let's not forget about Mick Foley.
41:46Umaga.
41:47Hey, guys, are we at the point in this match
41:49that you've got to start thinking about maybe teaming up
41:52and helping each other out?
41:54Yeah, I think if you can.
41:56I've just been notified that Finlay has been disqualified
41:59for using that shillelagh in the Royal Rumble match.
42:03Coach, you mentioned teaming up and Big Daddy V
42:05and Kennedy teamed up for a moment.
42:07Finlay jumped the gun, didn't wait for his entry.
42:11I'll give Finlay credit for putting the well-being of
42:15Lawrence Swoggle ahead of his own Royal Rumble wishes.
42:18That's how much Lawrence Swoggle means to Finlay.
42:20And we've seen that in recent weeks.
42:22An opportunity to go to WrestleMania.
42:24I'm ready to die.
42:27Yeah.
42:28Elijah Burke and his first Royal Rumble matchup.
42:31And perhaps the pugilistic proficient of Elijah Burke
42:35will keep his opponents at bay.
42:37Elijah's got to clean.
42:38Distance between himself and some of these monsters.
42:41Batista working on his 35th minute.
42:4535 minutes for Batista.
42:47Wait a minute.
42:48Batista, as I understand, is the longest.
42:50Wait, hold on.
42:51Batista's on the outside.
42:52Was he eliminated?
42:53I didn't see Batista go over the top.
42:55Maybe he fell from the bottom rope or something.
42:58Look at this cannon.
42:59Big Daddy V, they've certainly had enough collisions,
43:02colossal collisions.
43:05Hey, hey, hey.
43:06Hey, hey, hey.
43:07Chavo, the man who took the ECW title from CM Punk.
43:10Yeah, now trying to take Punk out.
43:11He does.
43:12Trying to steal the WrestleMania title opportunity from Punk
43:15as well.
43:16What more can Chavo Guerrero do to CM Punk?
43:19Well, this is what happened to Batista.
43:20Let's check this out.
43:22Samoan Spike.
43:23OK, he went under the bottom rope.
43:25That was a Samoan Spike from Umaga on Batista.
43:29Batista is still eligible.
43:31Batista has not been eliminated.
43:33You have to go over the top rope,
43:34and both feet must hit the floor.
43:376, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.
43:44Time's up.
43:49Well, it's time to play the game.
43:52And nobody wants to win the Royal Rumble match
43:55any more than that man who had to work his ass off
43:59to get back in it.
44:01Now, here's your new favorite.
44:03You're not kidding, buddy.
44:04The King of Kings.
44:06The game coming up.
44:07Trish is a daisy.
44:08There's his first elimination.
44:10If you're in this Rumble match, that's the worst man you want
44:13coming out right now.
44:15Uh-oh.
44:16The 11-time champion with a face buster and a 500-pound man.
44:21Triple H.
44:22Look at this.
44:23No way to be kidding me.
44:24He got one man eliminating Big Daddy V.
44:27That's impressive.
44:28And that was the game.
44:31Triple H has exploded here.
44:34And now the game at Mick Foley.
44:37Oh, yeah.
44:39We need to talk about history between Triple H and Mick Foley.
44:42In this building.
44:44In the year 2000.
44:46We'll never forget that.
44:47Oh.
44:48Oh, my God.
44:49What a crash.
44:50Oh, what a crash.
44:51That's right.
44:52Mick Foley and Elijah Burke both eliminated.
44:55They look like a pileup out on I-95.
44:58We're in the wrong place at the wrong time.
45:00For the L.A.E., 95 is not too close here.
45:02And just like that, a lot of bodies are gone.
45:05It opens up a lot of space in the ring right now.
45:08Yeah, but look at the bodies that remain.
45:10Kennedy, Kane, Mark Henry, Umaga, and Triple H.
45:14Carlito, Chavo, the ECW champion.
45:19There's a lot of beef and a lot of superstar power
45:23still left in this matchup.
45:25You see that shot in the back of the head of the ECW champion
45:28by the King of Kings.
45:29Nasty.
45:30And, guys, at this point, is it anybody's ballgame?
45:33I think, speaking of game, I mean, I think it might be
45:36Triple H's ballgame here.
45:38He drew a great number, Triple H did.
45:41A great number, and it's very fresh.
45:43I think Umaga's skull just struck the steel ring post
45:46not once but twice.
45:47Uh-oh.
45:49Triple H.
45:50Pedigree on Umaga.
45:52Pedigree to Umaga.
45:53Remember the game.
45:54Had to win matches and do everything he could
45:57to get back to the Royal Rumble.
45:59Who's number 30?
46:00After being prohibited from being in it.
46:03What?
46:06What?
46:08What the hell?
46:09What is this?
46:11It's John Cena.
46:13John Cena.
46:17Oh, my gosh.
46:18Number 30.
46:19This is unbelievable.
46:21You've got to be kidding me.
46:22Oh, my God.
46:23Triple H's expression told the entire story.
46:29The rock is exploding off of Madison Square Garden.
46:35John Cena, the 30th entrant in the Royal Rumble match.
46:40Yes, indeed, this is just fantastic.
46:44All the action has stopped in the ring.
46:47You've got to be kidding me.
46:49John Cena just told Triple H, it's go time.
46:53Cena running right to the biggest man, Mark Henry.
47:01Down goes Henry.
47:03Down goes Tom.
47:04Look at Cena.
47:08Are you kidding me?
47:10Oh, my God.
47:11John Cena's going nuts.
47:13Look at this.
47:14Cena's a little nice in the face.
47:16No way.
47:19Well, I guess there's no ring lost on John Cena.
47:22Turn around.
47:24It looks like John Cena has totally recovered from that torn pectoral muscle.
47:28Wait a minute.
47:29Wait a minute, guys.
47:30Look at this.
47:31Do you believe your eyes?
47:32Look at this confrontation.
47:34What have we seen?
47:35It's all about the WrestleMania main event.
47:37Who's going to WrestleMania?
47:39Who's going to be in the main event?
47:44Oh, again.
47:45And John Cena.
47:47This is nuts.
47:48Right hand.
47:52Cena now at a disadvantage.
47:54No.
47:55But not for long.
47:57Look out.
47:58The cover for the game.
48:01The stakes get high.
48:03Oh.
48:04Umaga.
48:05Never forget the dangerous Umaga.
48:08Who just shocked the world and won it all.
48:11Somehow, I had forgotten that there was anybody else in the ring.
48:14Look at this.
48:15Batista's in it.
48:16We forgot about Batista outside the ring.
48:19There he goes.
48:20Kennedy.
48:22Timing's everything.
48:23Batista picked his spot.
48:25Eliminated Kennedy.
48:27Look at the stars that are left in this match.
48:30The stars are shining.
48:32And there goes Umaga.
48:34That's a big one.
48:35Uh-oh.
48:36Speaking of big, a couple of big ones.
48:38We are down to four.
48:39McCain.
48:41McCain going to try to load up.
48:43Whoa, whoa.
48:44An evolution reunion.
48:45Down to three.
48:46It's down to three.
48:48A big one.
48:49Batista, Cena, who's going to WrestleMania.
48:52Oh, my gosh.
48:58This is absolutely amazing.
49:00I'm getting goosebumps.
49:01This is nuts.
49:02Almost 21,000 of our fans on their feet.
49:08Batista has been in here in this match over 40 minutes.
49:12Could that be the difference?
49:15Over 40 minutes for that man, the animal.
49:18Uh-oh.
49:20Come on.
49:24Batista said, come on.
49:26No fear.
49:28No intimidation.
49:30It's a psychological warfare here.
49:40Here we go.
49:43That's a physical warfare.
49:47As every man prints out who's going over the top rope.
49:53Both feet must touch the floor.
49:56The winner goes to WrestleMania in the main event against the champion.
50:00Look out.
50:02Yeah, smart.
50:03Batista, he nailed Cena.
50:05That goes right at the AAA.
50:07No wasted motion.
50:08Oh, man.
50:09Batista taking control here.
50:14John Cena shocking the WWE world.
50:18Returning here tonight at the Royal Rumble.
50:22Batista almost beheads both John Cena and Triple H.
50:28In 2005, Cena and Batista, the last two men standing in that Royal Rumble.
50:33Uh-oh.
50:35Power, velocity, intensity.
50:38Timing, though.
50:39Timing by Triple H.
50:41Pedigree, no.
50:42What a counter.
50:43Oh, wow.
50:44That was really impressive.
50:46Big time spine buster.
50:49A liver quivering, spine jarring spine buster.
50:54And now Batista measures both Cena and the Game.
50:57Yeah, Batista's not rushing into it.
51:05Cena able to counter.
51:09Look at this.
51:10And the Game then took advantage and eliminates Batista.
51:16Oh, my God.
51:17It's down to Cena and the Game.
51:20Who's going to WrestleMania?
51:24Two proud Monday Night Raw superstars, the Game and John Cena,
51:31both know what it's all about to headline WrestleMania.
51:35But both of them cannot do it.
51:37Only one can.
51:39And I'll tell you what.
51:40You got to give Triple H some credit.
51:42According to that WrestleMania sign.
51:44That's what he's saying.
51:46You got to give Triple H credit.
51:47He could have attacked John Cena right away once Batista was eliminated,
51:51but he waited.
51:52Well, it's been Triple H's mission and his goal to get to WrestleMania
51:57and be the champion.
51:59It's been John Cena's mission just to get back from surgery.
52:03And don't forget the history between these two
52:06who headlined WrestleMania against one another.
52:11Both men should be fresh in the respect of the Game.
52:15The 29th entrant, Cena, the 30th entrant.
52:19This match continues until one man is thrown over the top rope
52:23and both their feet touch the floor.
52:26The Game with the right hand staggers Cena.
52:32This will be a fist fight.
52:35And it hits the physicality, the emotion in the garden.
52:41It's scintillating.
52:43This is great.
52:44This is nuts.
52:45I love it.
52:49Uh-oh, uh-oh, uh-oh.
52:55The lightning rod, John Cena, able to counter the Game.
53:05John Cena taking a lot of time.
53:07John Cena, you can't see me.
53:09What about a little five-knuckle shuffle?
53:12Oh!
53:13Cena dropping the big hammerlock right hand into the face of Triple H.
53:20Could the end be near?
53:23Again, it's not about pins or submissions.
53:28It's about eliminations.
53:31And the Game counters.
53:34Look at the chapter pedigree of Cena.
53:37Oh, oh!
53:38Gosh, what a collision.
53:40Both men down.
53:41They cannot be counted out.
53:43Can't see nor the Game.
53:45And it's down to this, just these two.
53:48Cena at number 30, Triple H number 29.
53:54Check this out.
53:55Double impact.
53:57Both these amazing athletes having similar ideas,
54:01delivering thunderous clotheslines.
54:04They have that collision.
54:19The heart, your soul, wanting to go to WrestleMania.
54:24And that's what these two men have.
54:26The passion to headline WrestleMania.
54:29But again, only one time.
54:31And what a DDT.
54:34And that may be the deciding factor there.
54:38Certainly advantage to the Game right now if he could just,
54:41well, I started to say if he could just get the cover,
54:43but cover's not going to do any good.
54:44You got to get John Cena over the top rope.
54:49These men somehow, someway are able to stand.
54:52It's the Game who rises first.
54:55Cena, Cena now in a precarious position.
55:01Cena holding on to the top rope.
55:04But the Game's so strong, so powerful.
55:07With the heart and the soul to headline WrestleMania.
55:12Cena counters.
55:14But not for long.
55:15Cena countered.
55:18The power of the Cena Strength.
55:20Cena's there.
55:21And Cena does it.
55:23Oh!
55:27Ladies and gentlemen,
55:29the 2008 Toronto Rumble winner is
55:36John
55:42Cena!
55:45When we start this historic night,
55:48the last man I thought that would headline WrestleMania
55:52would be John Cena.
55:54Because I didn't think John Cena was physically able
55:57to return to combat in the WWE.
56:01And my, my, how wrong I was.
56:03Not only did John Cena return,
56:06he had prevailed.
56:07Unbelievable.
56:10So now we know what happened
56:14at the main event at WrestleMania.
56:18Look at this.
56:19The power of Cena.
56:21Triple H had it in his grasp.
56:24Cena with a will and a strength.
56:27My God, the strength of Cena.
56:30It's superhuman on this occasion.
56:33Superhuman is right.
56:35Look at this.
56:36Oh, how dangerous.
56:39A superhuman display of physical strength
56:43and mental toughness by John Cena.
56:46And John Cena has won the 2008 Royal Rumble
56:52in a huge, huge shocker.
56:55John Cena will now go on to WrestleMania,
56:58but the question is,
57:00who, which champion will John Cena choose to face?
57:08♪♪♪
57:13♪♪♪
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57:28♪♪♪