Royal Rumble (2008)

Infobox Wrestling event
name=Royal Rumble (2008)


tagline=
theme="Stand Up For Rock 'N' Roll" by Airbournecite web|first=Kara|last=Medalis|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/overtheropes/news/airbourne|title=The Royal Rumble goes Airbourne|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-09-19]
promotion=World Wrestling Entertainment
brand=Raw
SmackDown!
ECW
date=January 27, 2008
venue=Madison Square Garden
city=New York, New York
attendance=20,798cite web|first=Louie|last=Dee|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/matches/5267610321112/results/|title=Royal Rumble Results - Next stop: Orlando|publisher= WWE|accessdate=2008-01-28]
lastevent=Armageddon (2007)
nextevent=No Way Out (2008)
event=Royal Rumble
lastevent2=Royal Rumble (2007)
nextevent2=Royal Rumble (2009) [ [http://www.wrestleview.com/news2008/1206300186.shtml WWE announces PPV dates for the Royal Rumble & No Way Out (2009) ] ]

Royal Rumble (2008) was the twenty-first annual Royal Rumble professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). It took place on January 27, 2008 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York and was the first WWE pay-per-view broadcast in high definition.Citation|title=WATCH IT! Coming Up On Pay Per View|newspaper=WWE Magazine|issue=Holday 2007|pages=36-37|year =2007|date=November 2007 ] cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/play/sweepstakes/roll2therumble/rules/|title=Roll to Royal Rumble Jackass Style|accessdate=2007-10-12| publisher=WWE] cite web| url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/wwehdfaqs|title=How do I get WWE HD on my HDTV?|last=Clayton|first=Cory|accessdate=2008-01-19|publisher=WWE] As a tradition, the winner of the Royal Rumble match received a match at WrestleMania for his choice of the WWE Championship, World Heavyweight Championship, or ECW Championship.cite web|url= http://www.indemand.com/viewProduct.jsp?prodId=76078&page_sectionId=2|title=iN DEMAND WWE: Royal Rumble|accessdate=2007-12-18| publisher=iN Demand] Similar to the previous year, there was an uneven distribution of participants in the Royal Rumble match between the brands (with eleven from Raw, ten from SmackDown, and seven from ECW).

The main event was the annual 30-man Royal Rumble match, which featured wrestlers from all three brands. John Cena, the thirtieth entrant, won the match by last eliminating Triple H, the twenty-ninth entrant. The predominant match on the Raw brand was Randy Orton versus Jeff Hardy for the WWE Championship, which Orton won by pinfall after performing an RKO.cite web|author=Dale Plummer and Nick Tylwalk|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2008/01/28/4797664.html|title=Cena wins Rumble in surprise return|accessdate=2008-01-29|date=2008-01-28|publisher=SLAM! Sports] The primary match on the SmackDown! brand was Edge versus Rey Mysterio for the World Heavyweight Championship, which Edge won by pinfall after spearing Mysterio in mid-air.cite web|author=PyroFalkon |url=http://www.oowrestling.com/recaps/ppv/20080127.shtml|title=WWE Royal Rumble 2008|accessdate=2008-01-29|date=2008-01-28|publisher=Online Onslaught] The featured matches on the undercard were Montel Vontavious Porter versus Ric Flair in a Career Threatening match and John "Bradshaw" Layfield versus Chris Jericho.

The event had 533,000 buys, up on the Royal Rumble 2007 figure of 491,000 buys.cite paper|title=WWE® Reports 2008 First Quarter Results|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|date=2008-05-06|url=http://corporate.wwe.com/news/documents/1Q2008PressRelease.pdf|format=PDF|accessdate=2008-08-06]

Background

The main feud on the "Raw" brand was between the Intercontinental Champion Jeff Hardy and Randy Orton, with the two feuding over Orton's WWE Championship. Orton retained the WWE Championship at Armageddon against the returning Chris Jericho after being disqualified, when the then-"SmackDown!" broadcaster JBL ran-in, and booted Jericho in the head. Orton retained the championship as titles do not change hands on disqualifications.cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/armageddon/matches/554660432/results/| first=Bryan|last=Robinson|publisher=WWE|title=Saved by a 'wrestling god'|date=2007-12-16|accessdate=2008-01-05|publisher=WWE] On the same night earlier, Jeff Hardy had defeated Triple H to earn the opportunity to face Orton at the Royal Rumble for the WWE Championship.cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/armageddon/matches/554660433/results/|first=Greg|last=Adkins|publisher=WWE|title= Hardy masters The Game|date=2007-12-16|accessdate=2008-01-05|publisher=WWE] The following night, on the December 17, 2007 edition of "Raw", Hardy teamed up with Shawn Michaels to take on Orton and Mr. Kennedy. Hardy gained advantage over Orton, and pinned the champion after a Swanton Bomb to earn the victory for himself and Michaels.cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/12172007/articles/earlyrumblings|title=Early Rumblings |first=Greg|last=Adkins| date=2007-12-17|accessdate=2008-01-05|publisher=WWE] Two weeks later, on the last "Raw" of 2007, Hardy and Orton met face-to-face in an in-ring segment. Orton looked set to RKO Hardy, but Hardy countered, and delivered the Twist of Fate to Orton.cite web|first=Corey|last=Clayton| url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/12312007/articles/ortonattack|title=Orton’s attack shatters Hardy’s momentum, maybe more|accessdate=2008-01-08|date=2007-12-31|publisher=WWE] Later in the night, Hardy looked set to defeat Santino Marella, until Orton appeared on the "Raw" TitanTron and stated that he had kicked Jeff's brother Matt where his appendix used to be, proceeding further to punt him in the head. [cite web|first=Bryan|last=Robinson|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/01072008/articles/jeffhardyrage|title=From 'Rainbow-haired' to red with rage|accessdate=2008-01-08|date=2008-01-06|publisher=WWE] The following week on a special "Raw Roulette" edition of "Raw", Hardy defended his Intercontinental Championship against Umaga in a Steel Cage match. Hardy managed to overcome the odds in the Cage, jumping off the top of the cage onto Umaga and hitting a Whisper in the Wind to defeat The Samoan Bulldozer. [cite web|first=Bryan|last=Robinson |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/01072008/articles/ortonsgamble|title=Has Orton's high-stakes gamble backfired?|accessdate=2008-01-16|date=2008-01-07|publisher=WWE] On the January 14, 2008 edition of "Raw", Hardy agreed to face Orton that night with his Intercontinental Championship on the line.cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/01142008/articles/jeffvengeance|title=Vengeance ... but at what cost?|date=2008-01-14| author=Bryan Robinson|accessdate=2008-01-24|publisher=WWE] However, as soon as the bell rang for the match, Orton immediately low-blowed Hardy, getting himself disqualified. Orton tried to deliver an RKO to Hardy on the concrete floor outside that he had exposed by removing the black floor padding, but Hardy retaliated and the two began to brawl up the ramp. And when Orton looked set to kick Hardy in the head, the Intercontinental Champion countered and back-dropped Orton onto the arena floor below. Hardy then climbed 30-foot above on the "Raw" set, and then Swanton Bombed off the side of the set onto Orton below. The following week on "Raw", Hardy and Orton were scheduled to "shake hands", but Hardy instead shook the hands of "people he respected more than Orton", like Lilian Garcia, Jerry Lawler, Jim Ross and several fans in the crowd before re-entering the ring to confront Orton. Then a frustrated Orton ordered Hardy to shake hands with him, but Hardy hit a Twist of Fate on the WWE Champion instead. [cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/articles/5591196/jeffsdestiny|title=Randy's twist of fate just days away?|date=2008-01-21|author= Bryan Robinson|accessdate=2008-01-24|publisher=WWE]

The main feud on the "SmackDown!" brand was between Rey Mysterio and Edge with the two feuding over the latter's World Heavyweight Championship. Mysterio won a Beat the Clock Challenge on the January 4, 2008 edition of "SmackDown!" defeating Edge with 90 seconds to go, and securing an opportunity for the World Heavyweight Championship at the Royal Rumble. [cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/articles/5546496/beattheclock|title=Time on Rey's side|first=Louie|last=Dee|accessdate=2008-01-05|date=2008-01-04|publisher=WWE]

The rivalry between Chris Jericho and John "Bradshaw" Layfield started in Jericho's WWE Championship match against the defending champion, Randy Orton, at Armageddon. During the match, Orton whipped Jericho over "SmackDown!" announce table straight into JBL. On Jericho's process to get up, he ended up "nudging" JBL out of his way. Later in the match, Jericho had Orton trapped in the Walls of Jericho, when, JBL stormed into the ring and gave a kick to Jericho's face, thus giving the win to Jericho, but via disqualification, and hence, Jericho did not win the WWE Championship. [cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/armageddon/matches/554660432/results|title=Saved by a 'wrestling god'|first=Bryan|last=Robinson| accessdate=2008-01-28|date=2007-12-16|publisher=WWE] This led to an argument the next night on "Raw", where Jericho, who was angry about not becoming the new WWE Champion, ended up stating to JBL, who confronted Y2J via satellite from the "Raw" TitanTron, that "John, you are no longer a wrestling god, you're a wrestling afterthought." Afterwards, JBL gave his farewell address as "SmackDown!" color commentator on the December 21, 2007 airing of "Friday Night SmackDown!" and announced his return as an active wrestler on "Raw". [cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/articles/5811806/bluewithoutjbl|title=Blue without JBL| first=Mike|last=McAvennie|accessdate=2008-01-28|date=2007-12-21|publisher=WWE] When JBL made his return to "Raw" on December 31, entering in his personal limousine with balloons and confetti shooting from the ceiling, and proceeded to address the crowd, Jericho quickly interrupted his promo and the two got engaged in a brawl along the barricade. The following week, Jericho was put into a handicap match against Snitsky and JBL. The match started with Snitsky and Jericho in the ring, but, soon after Jericho hit a Springboard dropkick on Snitsky, JBL came into the ring and attacked Jericho from behind. JBL get the better of this confrontation as he hit Jericho on the head with the ring bell and tied a cable wire around his neck. JBL then dragged Jericho, by the wire, from near the ring to the "Raw" set, where he assaulted him some more. Jericho suffered from a bruised larynx, burns around his neck and had difficulty speaking for a week. [cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/articles/5591196/whoneedssaving|title=Who will need 'saving'?|first=Bryan|last=Robinson| accessdate=2008-01-28|date=2008-01-21|publisher=WWE]

Ahead of the annual Royal Rumble match, several qualifying matches for the match took place on Raw. The first qualifying match was on the December 31, 2007 edition of "Raw" as Umaga quickly defeated Jim Duggan to earn a place in the Rumble. Snitsky also defeated Drew McIntyre at a house show in White Plains, New York to also qualify for the Royal Rumble.cite web|url= http://www.wrestlingrevealed.com/blog/index.php|title=Snitsky Qualifies For Royal Rumble] Triple H failed to beat Ric Flair; therefore he was no longer allowed to compete in the Royal Rumble match, by orders made by Raw General Manager William Regal. However, after Triple H destroyed part of the lower TitanTron on the January 14 "Raw", Vince McMahon announced he would allow Triple H a second chance at the Royal Rumble if he could defeat his opponent on January 21 edition of "Raw". [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/results/5868918/|title=Stay of execution|date=2008-01-14|last=Adkins|first=Greg| accessdate=2008-01-15|publisher=WWE] The Game defeated Snitsky, Mark Henry and William Regal in a gauntlet match to gain entry. [cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/results/5591192/|title=Triple Play|date=2008-01-21|author=Greg Adkins|accessdate=2008-01-23| publisher=WWE]

Royal Rumble qualification matches

*Umaga defeated Jim Duggan - "Raw", December 29 (aired December 31) [cite web|url=http://onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/071231.html|title=Raw results - December 31, 2007|accessdate=2008-01-30|publisher=Online World of Wrestling]
*Snitsky defeated Drew McIntyre - Raw house show, January 4
*Hardcore Holly defeated Trevor Murdoch - Raw house show, January 5cite web|first=Adam|last=Martin|date=2008-01-05|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/news2006/1199588061.shtml|title=Raw House Show Results - 1/5 - Poughkeepsie, NY|publisher=WrestleView|accessdate=2008-02-20]
*John Morrison and The Miz defeated Jimmy Wang Yang and Shannon Moore - SmackDown!/ECW house show, January 6 [cite web|url=http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/columns/67411|title=The Wrestling News Experience: 01.21.08|accessdate=2008-05-02|publisher=411Mania]
*Hornswoggle and Mick Foley defeated The Highlanders (Robbie and Rory McAllister) - "Raw", January 7 [cite web|first=Greg|last=Adkins|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/01072008/|title=High-stakes Game|accessdate=2008-01-30|date=2008-01-07|publisher=WWE]
*Jamie Noble defeated Chuck Palumbo - "SmackDown!", January 8 (aired January 11) [cite web|url=http://onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/080111.html|title=SmackDown! results - January 11, 2008|accessdate=2008-01-30|publisher=Online World of Wrestling]
*Cody Rhodes defeated William Regal - Raw house show, January 11cite web|first=Adam Martin|date=2008-01-12|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/news2006/1200163588.shtml|title=Second report from 1/11 Raw House Show from Jacksonville, Florida|publisher=WrestleView|accessdate=2008-02-20]
*Carlito and Santino Marella defeated two unknown opponents in a tag team match at a Raw house show, January 12cite web|first=Adam|last=Martin|date=2008-01-13|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/news2006/1200249082.shtml|title=Carlito & Santino qualify for the 2008 Royal Rumble|publisher=WrestleView|accessdate=2008-02-20]
*Shawn Michaels defeated Trevor Murdoch - "Raw", January 14 [cite web|first=Greg|last=Adkins|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/01142008/|title=Stay of execution|accessdate=2008-01-30|date=2008-01-14|publisher=WWE]
*Triple H defeated Snitsky, Mark Henry, and William Regal in a Over the Top Rope Gauntlet match - "Raw", January 21 [cite web|first=Greg|last=Adkins|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/01212008/|title=Triple Play|quote=After earning his spot at the Royal Rumble, Triple H showed the crowd that he fully expects to adorn his waist soon.|accessdate=2008-01-30|date=2008-01-21|publisher=WWE]
*CM Punk defeated Chavo Guerrero - WWE supershow, January 26 [cite web|first=Jeremy|last=Unknown|url=http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/news/67852/WWE-Supershow-Results---Providence,-Rhode-Island-1.26.08.htm|title=WWE Supershow Results|accessdate=2008-05-02|date=2008-01-26|publisher=411Mania]

Event

Before the event went live on pay-per-view, Shannon Moore and Jimmy Wang Yang defeated Deuce 'n Domino in a dark match.cite web|url= http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/rumble.html#2008|title=Royal Rumble 2008|accessdate=2008-01-31|publisher=Pro Wrestling History] The first match that aired was a non-title "Career Threatening" match between the WWE United States Champion Montel Vontavious Porter (MVP) and Ric Flair, in which had Flair lost, he would have had to retire from wrestling. At the start of the match, Flair started out working on MVP's left arm. Flair attempted to get the Figure-Four Leg lock on MVP, but MVP turned it into a small package for a two count. MVP knocked out Flair with a Running Big Boot in the corner and went for a pin, but Flair managed to get his foot on the rope just in time when the referee Charles Robinson counted to three. After the three count, the referee did not call for the bell as he had noticed Flair's leg on the bottom-rope and restarted the match. The match ended when MVP tried going for the Playmaker, but Flair countered the attempt into the Figure-Four Leg Lock, to which MVP eventually tapped out. Hence, Flair won and kept his career alive.cite web|url=http://www.pwwew.net/ppv/wwf/january/2008.htm|title=Royal Rumble 2008|accessdate=2008-01-29|publisher=PWWEW.net]

The second match was between John "Bradshaw" Layfield (JBL) and Chris Jericho. The match began with Jericho trapping Layfield in the Walls of Jericho. However, JBL got to the ropes and slid out of the ring with Jericho quickly following him. JBL strangled Jericho with the ring ropes and later, plunged him onto the ropes. Jericho recovered and clotheslined JBL out of the ring. When they got in again, JBL threw Jericho into the ring post, as a result of which, Jericho was busted open. JBL tried to take advantage of this situation, but Jericho still fought back. The fight went outside the ring, where JBL began clearing the "ECW" announce table. But Jericho grabbed a steel chair and hit Layfield with it. The referee immediately disqualified Jericho. But Jericho ignored the fact that he had lost the match and started to strangle JBL with some wires by the ring, in the same process Layfield did to Jericho on "Raw".

The third match was for the World Heavyweight Championship with champion, Edge taking on Rey Mysterio. During the match, Vickie Guerrero stood up from her wheelchair, attempting to comfort Edge. Mysterio had Edge set up for the 619, and Vickie jumped in the way, risking herself. Edge then recovered, and speared Mysterio for the pinfall.

The fourth match was between the Intercontinental Champion Jeff Hardy and Randy Orton for the latter's WWE Championship. Early in the match, Hardy performed a Baseball Slide on Orton who hit head-first into the barricade outside due to the impact. Knowing he couldn't win the WWE Championship via a count-out victory, Hardy brought the knocked-out Orton into the ring. Later, Orton took advantage in the match, as he applied a Body Scissors on Hardy, followed by a choke-hold. Some of the other main highlights of the match were Hardy performing a Whisper in the Wind on Orton that hit him on the head; and, later hitting a Moonsault from the top-rope to Orton outside the ring. When Hardy brought Orton back in the ring and tried to deliver a Twist of Fate, Orton suddenly reversed it into an RKO and pinned Hardy to retain his WWE title.

Hornswoggle spent most of the match under the ring. After he entered the ring, Big Daddy V and Henry started to double team him. Finlay, who was the next scheduled entrant, came out early, attacked them both with his shillelagh and was immediately disqualified. He left the ring with Hornswoggle, who left through the ropes and never returned.

References

External links

* [http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/ Official Royal Rumble website]