?WWE Royal Rumble PPV Results
January 30, 2011
Live from Boston, Mass.
Report by James Caldwell, PWTorch assistant editor
The first WWE PPV of 2011 opened with a standard Rumble video package
highlighting the winner of the Rumble match advancing to WrestleMania. Past
winners highlighted included "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, Rey Mysterio, Triple
H, John Cena, The Rock, and Edge (last year). The video transitioned into
plugging the "biggest Rumble ever" with 40 instead of 30 wrestlers. Who will
headline WrestleMania? Who will be...The One?
Arena: Live from Boston, pyro shot off and Michael Cole introduced the show
with a claimed attendance over 15,000.
In-ring: Tony Chimel introduced the first match of the PPV tonight for the
World Hvt. Title. Cue up Edge's theme music to bring out the World champion
first to a strong reaction. They cut to the announcers to begin the
bickering between Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler. Matt Striker will be the
third wheel, as usual. As Edge completed his ring intro, they replayed
events from Friday's Smackdown when Vickie Guerrero banned Edge's Spear.
Cole said Vickie can "do whatever she wants" because she's the acting GM. In
that case, why not just strip Edge of the title and give it to Ziggler?
Flawed Logic instance #1.
Vickie Guerrero then interrupted Edge's intro and excused herself. Vickie
reminded everyone of what the announcers just focused on before telling
"sweetheart" Edge to hit the Spear just one time tonight. Vickie chanted,
"spear, spear, spear" over and over before cackling with laughter. Vickie
reinforced that if Edge uses the Spear tonight, he will lose the World Title
to her boyfriend, Dolph Ziggler. Out came #1 contender Ziggler as Cole
promoted Vickie's decision-making. "And there we have Michael Cole's
opinion," Lawler quipped. Lawler then hyped Edge having "that look in his
eyes" tonight that he has something else in mind for Ziggler. Chimel handled
the formal ring intros for the World Title match. Cue the opening bell.
1 -- World Hvt. champion EDGE vs. DOLPH ZIGGLER (w/Vickie Guerrero) -- World
Hvt. champion
Early signage noticeable on the hard camera side: "Congratulations YAMATO"
and about five or six "We Hate Sign Guy" signs. Cole noted early on that
Edge won the Royal Rumble match last year. Edge started off the match in
control as Cole posed the question of whether Ziggler's nerves are a factor
in his first World Title match on a big stage. Edge slammed Ziggler into the
barricade ringside before dropping him throat-first across the railing.
Vickie screamed at Edge, which distracted Edge momentarily to give Ziggler
an opening to take control of the match. Ziggler got over his aggressiveness
with multiple strikes and blows while Vickie cheered on from ringside.
Ziggler continued to work over Edge as a loud "Let's Go Edge" chant broke
out. Edge fought back with blows to the forehead before catching Ziggler in
the corner to slingshot him into the top turnbuckle. Ziggler fell backward
into Edge, who sunset flip pinned him for a two count. Ziggler came back
with a neckbreaker, though, and was slow to make a cover for a nearfall.
Ziggler regrouped and went back to work on Edge with a tight reverse
chinlock. Ziggler then dropped a standing elbow for a nearfall. Vickie took
a deep breath. Ziggler then rammed Edge off the ring apron into the
guardrail on the floor.
Back in the ring, Ziggler covered Edge for a two count. He reapplied a
reverse chinlock and the crowd immediately started a rallying clap. They
were too early, as Ziggler locked in the hold again. Edge then made it to
his feet and elbowed out of the hold. They ran the ropes, then collided
mid-ring with dual cross-body blocks. Another sign facing the hard camera
was the traditional football signage of a "D" and a picture of a fence for
"Defense." Cue up Cole and Lawler talking about offensive vs. defensive
strategies in the match.
At 10:00, Edge and Ziggler slowly made their way back to their feet. Edge
ducked a clothesline, then nailed a flying forearm smash. And a second. Edge
scored a two count, but not close to victory yet. Ziggler suddenly cut off
Edge, then wanted the Rocker Dropper, but Edge countered in mid-air with a
sit-out powerbomb for a close two count. Edge, not able to use the Spear,
went up top looking for a high-risk move, but Ziggler cut him off. Ziggler
landed multiple headbutts as the camera focused on the WrestleMania signage
hanging atop the arena. Edge then nailed a headbutt to floor Ziggler before
coming off the top with a cross-body block. Ziggler rolled through, though,
but only scored a two count. The crowd gasped.
A vocal minority started a brief "Let's go Ziggler" chant as Ziggler went
for a cover, but it was only good for a two count. Ziggler teased the
Zig-Zag, but Edge blocked. Edge then slapped on a Sharpshooter, which popped
the crowd. Edge wasn't able to sit down on the hold, though, and the
challenger reached the bottom rope for a break. Edge then measured Ziggler
for a flying splash on the ropes, but Ziggler moved and Edge ate the ropes.
Ziggler followed up with a Rocker Dropper and immediately made a cover, but
Edge kicked out, drawing a strong reaction.
Both men were slow to their feet after the close nearfall. Edge landed a big
boot off the ropes, then got that look in his eyes, but he couldn't use the
Spear. Edge backed away to the corner for his usual finisher, but realized
he would lose the title. Edge walked over to Ziggler, who suddenly slapped
on the sleeperhold. Edge fought out, though, and nailed the Impaler DDT. He
had a cover, but Vickie yanked the ref away from the count. Vickie argued
with the ref on the ring apron as Edge slowly approached her. Vickie slapped
him, then Ziggler nearly collided with Vickie. Edge scored a nearfall on a
roll-up, then Vickie slapped Edge two more times.
Suddenly, Kelly Kelly came to ringside and tackled Vickie ringside. Kelly
blasted Vickie as Edge watched. From behind, Ziggler snuck up on Edge and
dropped him with the Zig-Zag. Cole sold that it was over, but Edge kicked
out, quieting an excited Cole on commentary. The crowd soaked in the wild
sequence as both men sold exhaustion on the mat. At 18:00, Ziggler went for
the sleeperhold again and Edge dropped down to one knee. The crowd rallied
behind Edge as Edge sold fading away in the hold. Edge showed some life
before lifting Ziggler up on his back. You could see it coming with a ref
bump as Edge wildly tried to escape. Edge then dropped Ziggler with a
backpack jawbreaker.
Edge and the crowd realized the situation: ref down, Vickie down. Edge got
that crazy look in his eyes and looked for an opening to drop Ziggler with
the Spear. Edge went for the Spear and connected. Edge collapsed to the mat
as the ref came to life. Cole accused Edge of acting. "C'mon, ref, you
fool!" Cole shouted. Edge then sold slowly coming to life before measuring
Ziggler, who slowly came to life. Edge then dropped Ziggler with Christian's
Killswitch finisher and the crowd popped. Striker called it a "shout-out" to
his buddy. Edge with the cover for the pin and the win. Striker tried to
cover for Edge not pinning Ziggler immediately after "cheating," while Cole
ranted and raved.
WINNER: Edge at 20:45 to retain the World Hvt. Title. Excellent match. Nice,
slow build to the high points of the match, a hot crowd invested in the
match, and believable nearfalls. After dipping into the bag of tricks for
this match, WWE has to be careful not to over-do it the rest of the PPV.
(***3/4)
WrestleMania video package: 63 days away.
Announcers: Striker, Lawler, and Cole were shown on-camera again. Cole said
it must be the Rumble because they're starting with two big title matches.
They transitioned into plugging Miz vs. Orton for the WWE Title up next. Cue
up a video package recapping their feud on Raw.
Backstage: The Miz and Alex Riley were shown backstage. Josh Mathews asked
Miz for his final thoughts before facing Randy Orton. Miz said there is a
reason why he is a champion and people like Orton, Orton, and even Tom Brady
are not champions. Big heat live in the crowd for the Brady reference. Riley
said Miz is going to out-class and beat Orton tonight, then advance to
WrestleMania. Miz whispered that he's The Miz...and he's Awesome.
In-ring: Randy Orton was out first as the challenger for the WWE Title
match. Lawler dropped the word "wrestler," saying he likes to watch a
wrestler's body language and look in his eyes before a match. Lawler said he
likes what he sees from Orton. After a pause, The Miz and Alex Riley came
out to the ring as Cole stood up and claimed Miz is a role model for kids
that he talks to. Lawler and Striker wanted to know who lets Cole talk to
kids. Cole continued to talk up Miz as a top-draw in WWE as Miz held up the
WWE Title belt in Orton's face. Justin Roberts handled the formal ring
intros before the opening bell.
2 -- WWE champion THE MIZ (w/Alex Riley) vs. RANDY ORTON -- WWE Title match
The match started similarly to Edge vs. Ziggler with Orton dominating Miz.
Cole went back to TLC when Miz "beat" Orton to claim Orton has to prove
something. Striker was slow to reference Miz using chicanery to beat Orton
in the tables match, prompting another rant from Cole. Orton continued to
dominate before Miz landed an elbow smash, but Orton fired back with right
hand strikes to the forehead. The commentary was pretty horrible early on
before Riley helped get some heat on the match by slingshotting Orton
throat-first across the top rope behind the ref's back. Cole continued to
focus on everything except the match as Miz slowed down the pace. Lawler
finally cut off Cole and firmly stated, "One day. One day, you are going to
get yours."
Miz continued to work over Orton, who fired back with a right hand to the
forehead. Miz then cut off Orton with an elbow smash for a one count. They
went to a replay of Orton landing a haymaker, but Miz not backing down and
maintaining control of the match. Miz went back to a reverse chinlock
center-ring as Cole talked up Miz as a five-tool athlete. Orton and Miz
ducked clotheslines, then Orton landed a back drop to get some breathing
room. Miz then hit an emphatic boot to the face and Cole declared Miz's
journey to WrestleMania before Orton kicked out at two.
Miz went up top looking for a high-risk move, but Orton cut him off. Orton
landed a right hand to the jaw before executing a one-step, one-arm
superplex from the top rope. Very fluid, but it only resulted in a two
count. Riley paced ringside as the crowd waited for something to happen.
Orton blocked left-hand jabs before the two men started trading bombs and
kicks. Orton then landed a fallaway backbreaker and the crowd came to life.
Orton measured Miz for his trademark DDT from the second rope, but Miz
back-dropped Orton over the top rope to the floor. Miz then hugged the ref
so he couldn't see Riley put the boots to Orton ringside.
Back in the ring, Miz continued to work over Orton and slow the pace. Cole
talked about himself as Orton fought back with right hand strikes before Miz
dumped Orton to the outside. They were at the base of the announce desk.
Orton teased a powerbomb, but Miz blocked and slingshot Orton face-first
into the ringpost. Orton sold being KO'ed and Miz quickly re-entered the
ring. The ref began his ten count and Miz smiled to the crowd. At six, Orton
stirred. At seven, Orton reached his feet. At eight, Orton slid back into
the ring and suddenly nailed Miz with a double knee smash out of nowhere.
Orton landed two right hand strikes, then Miz came back with left-hand
blows.
Orton suddenly exploded out of the corner with a clothesline before nailing
the trademark snap powerslam. "That's what I was afraid of," Cole said.
Orton began stomping on Miz before landing a flying knee to the face for a
two count. At 16:00, Orton measured Miz and delivered a boot to the gut.
Riley suddenly hopped on the apron and Orton chased him off. Miz then hit
the Reality Check, but Orton kicked out in time. Orton teased the RKO, Miz
teased the Skullcrushing Finale, then Orton hit the Angle Slam for a two
count.
Miz rolled to the floor and demanded the WWE Title belt. Riley talked to Miz
as Miz suddenly walked into a thunderous clothesline from Miz on the floor.
Orton threw Miz back into the ring, then chased off Riley with a slow,
deliberate walk toward him. Orton returned to the ring, where Miz dropped
him for a two count. Miz slowly reached his feet and went for a running
boot, but Orton ducked and rolled up Miz for a two count. Orton nailed a
European uppercut, then caught Miz with the spike DDT from the second rope.
Cole said it doesn't look good for Miz. Orton dropped down to the mat
setting up for the RKO and Miz slowly made his way to his feet.
Suddenly, the New Nexus members sans C.M. Punk walked to the ring. Orton was
distracted as Riley snuck in the back door. Orton grabbed him, though, and
chucked Riley clear over the top rope onto all of the Nexus members. Back in
the ring, Miz wanted the Skullcrushing Finale on Orton, but Orton countered
with the RKO. It looked like a new champ, but C.M. Punk suddenly snuck in
the back door and grabbed Orton to execute the Go 2 Sleep. Punk draped Miz
on top of Orton, slid back out of the ring, the ref returned to the ring,
and Miz scored a three count on Orton to retain the WWE Title. Cole jumped
up and down declaring Miz the winner. Lawler wondered aloud what this is all
about with Nexus and Miz. Miz sold being completely KO'ed after taking the
RKO. Riley then helped him out as Cole declared him still WWE champion.
WINNER: Miz at 19:50 to retain the WWE Title. Eh. There were some big
moments during the match, but mainly a slow match with the crowd sitting on
their hands waiting for the finish. WWE dipping back into the bag of tricks
for a second big title match was a bit much. It looks like a Punk vs. Orton
feud is in the works culminating at Mania. (**1/4)
Elimination Chamber plug: The sound of glass breaking filled a brief preview
video for the Chamber PPV in February.
Backstage: Grisham read an "official public statement" from Cody Rhodes
talking about his chance to enter the Royal Rumble being taken away from him
two weeks ago on Smackdown. Cody said Rey Mysterio has not apologized to him
and he appreciates the fans's privacy. Back to the announcers, Cole said
it's a tragedy. Lawler just shook his head.
Fan video: They rolled footage from earlier in the day with WWE fans saying
who they think will win the Rumble tonight. Cena, Sheamus, Del Rio, Big
Show, Wade Barrett, Punk, Mysterio, Santino, Del Rio, Cena, McIntyre, Kofi
Kingston, and Cena were selected.
In-ring: Layla and McCool were out first for the pre-Rumble Divas Title
match. Lawler said he's not looking forward to this match because of the
disadvantage for Natalya. Natalya was out next, but before the bell could
sound, the Raw GM buzzed. Cole was stuck at the announce table and struggled
to make the five-foot trip to the GM podium. "Shut up, Cole!" a fan
cat-called. Cole read that since Mr. Long is incapacitated on Smackdown, the
GM is changing the Divas Title match. What about Vickie? Cole read that the
GM gets enough complaints about Cole, so he's not going to fill his inbox
with more complaints on this match. It will now be a Fatal Four-Way match.
Cue up...Eve's theme music to bring out Eve as the fourth participant in the
match.
3 -- Divas champion NATALYA vs. EVE vs. MICHELLE MCCOOL vs. LAYLA --
Four-way Divas Title match
Layla and McCool had an early miscommunication and found themselves on the
floor. Natalya tried to follow up on the outside, but Lay-Cool took her out.
Back in the ring, Layla and McCool found themselves standing alone together.
They didn't act, though, which gave Natalya plenty of time to recover and
take them out. Layla and McCool had another miscommunication with McCool
accidentally popping Layla with a big boot. Eve emerged in the picture and
hit a moonsault on Layla, who was still KO'ed by McCool. She scored a pin,
but in the background, McCool rolled up Natalya. The ref only saw Eve
pinning Layla, though, and Eve is the new Divas champion.
WINNER: Eve at 5:14 to capture the Divas Title. Ugh. Natalya, on a roll as
champion, loses the title in a four-way match, Eve wasn't even in the match
going into the PPV, and there was more Lay-Cool teased tension that will
likely play out on Smackdown the next two months. (neg. * for the booking)
Backstage: Daniel Bryan was hugging Gail Kim. Josh Mathews asked Bryan about
playing the ultimate underdog in the Rumble match. Suddenly, the Bellas
walked in and said they come in peace. They apologized to Bryan and Kim for
flipping out last week. The Bellas then noted it's clear why Gail and Bryan
are a couple since they're both at a level below the Bellas. Gail took
exception and another catfight broke out. Bryan and Josh took the worst of
it. Order was finally restored and Gail said she's tired of them.
source: pwtorch.com
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