Royal Rumble (2005): Difference between revisions
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==Notes== |
==Notes== |
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{{trivia|date=January 2008}} |
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*For the second year in a row, Chris Benoit remained in the Royal Rumble match from the beginning of the match until the thirtieth entrant. |
*For the second year in a row, Chris Benoit remained in the Royal Rumble match from the beginning of the match until the thirtieth entrant. |
||
*This was the fifth year a Royal Rumble match participant did not make it to the ring to compete: Randy Savage (1991), Bastion Booger (1994), Skull (1998), Spike Dudley (2004), Scotty 2 Hotty (2005). |
*This was the fifth year a Royal Rumble match participant did not make it to the ring to compete: Randy Savage (1991), Bastion Booger (1994), Skull (1998), Spike Dudley (2004), Scotty 2 Hotty (2005). |
Revision as of 16:14, 25 January 2008
Royal Rumble 2005 | |||
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![]() | |||
Promotion | World Wrestling Entertainment | ||
Brand(s) | RAW SmackDown! | ||
Date | January 30 2005 | ||
City | Fresno, California | ||
Venue | Save Mart Center | ||
Attendance | 12,000 | ||
Pay-per-view chronology | |||
|
Royal Rumble 2005 was the eighteenth annual Royal Rumble professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). It took place on January 30 2005 at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California,[1][2] which is why it used the West Side Story theme. The official theme song was "Find The Real" by Alter Bridge.[3]
In the event, John "Bradshaw" Layfield defeated The Big Show, and Kurt Angle in a Triple Threat match to retain the WWE Championship; Triple H defeated Randy Orton to retain the World Heavyweight Championship, and; Batista won the Royal Rumble match, entering twenty-eighth, and last eliminating John Cena.[4][5]
Report
Background
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1c/Triple_H-WorldHeavyweight-Champ%40Commons.jpg/150px-Triple_H-WorldHeavyweight-Champ%40Commons.jpg)
The main feud heading into Royal Rumble on the RAW brand was between Triple H and Randy Orton over the World Heavyweight Championship. Their feud started on the August 16 2004 edition of RAW when Orton was kicked out of Evolution by Triple H.[6] Triple H won the Elimination Chamber match for the vacated title at New Year's Revolution, three weeks before Royal Rumble, with the illegal help of Batista and Ric Flair, the other members of Evolution.[7] The night after on RAW, Orton won a match against Batista to earn a title shot at Royal Rumble.[8] The following week, after a verbal confrontation between the two in the arena, Triple H ambushed Orton backstage. They fought until Orton tried to use a steel chair, and Triple H hightailed.[9] On the January 24 edition of RAW, Orton faced Flair in a match. During the match, as the referee was knocked down, Triple H came in, and beat Orton down with Flair. Orton managed to fight off both, and win the match.[10]
The main feud on the SmackDown! brand was between John "Bradshaw" Layfield, The Big Show, and Kurt Angle over Layfield's WWE Championship. On the December 16 2004 edition of SmackDown!, Angle challenged Layfield to a title match, and during the match, Layfield's group, The Cabinet, interfered to end the match via disqualification. They continued to attack Angle until The Big Show came out, beat down everyone, and signaled to Layfield that he wanted the title.[11] The Triple Threat match between the three at Royal Rumble was made.[12] Layfield then set up Angle to anger The Big Show, and Angle did the same to Layfield in response. After realizing this, Layfield aligned himself with The Big Show, and confronted Angle. Layfield then turned on The Big Show, and beat him down with Angle.[13] On the January 27 edition of SmackDown!, Long made a Last Man Standing match between Layfield and Angle for their beat down on The Big Show, and the two eventually turned on each other. The match was later revealed to be The Big Show's idea.[14]
Event
Role: | Name: |
---|---|
Commentator | Michael Cole (SmackDown!) |
Jerry "the King" Lawler (RAW) | |
Jim Ross (RAW / Royal Rumble match) | |
Tazz (SmackDown! / Royal Rumble match) | |
Spanish commentator | Carlos Cabrera |
Hugo Savinovich | |
Referee | Mike Chioda (RAW) |
Jack Doan (RAW) | |
Brian Hebner (SmackDown!) | |
Earl Hebner (RAW) | |
Jim Korderas (SmackDown!) | |
Nick Patrick (SmackDown!) | |
Chad Patton (RAW) | |
Charles Robinson (SmackDown!) | |
Ring announcer | Tony Chimel |
Howard Finkel | |
Bingo machine tumbler | Christy Hemme |
Torrie Wilson | |
General manager | Eric Bischoff (RAW) |
Theodore Long (SmackDown!) | |
WWE Chairman | Vince McMahon |
Before the event went live on pay-per-view, Maven defeated Rhyno in a match taped for Sunday Night HEAT.[2][15][16] The first match that aired was between Edge and Shawn Michaels. Edge mocked Michaels by performing some of Michaels' signature taunts during the match. Edge gained the advantage after a sitout rear mat slam outside the ring. Michaels fought back until Edge left the ring. Michaels came after him, but, with the referee's distraction, Edge hit a spear outside the ring, and another inside. Michaels then knocked Edge off the second rope, and hit a diving elbow drop. Edge countered a superkick attempt into an electric chair drop, and applied the Edgecator. Michaels broke the hold, and attempted a roll-up, but Edge rolled through, and pinned Michaels while holding the ropes.[2][4][5][15]
The second match was a Casket match between The Undertaker and Heidenreich. The match started back and forth until Heidenreich sent The Undertaker into the side of the casket. The Undertaker came back, applying the triangle choke until Gene Snitsky interfered, and attacked The Undertaker. Snitsky and Heidenreich double-teamed The Undertaker, and called for the casket to be opened. Kane was revealed to be inside the casket, and he climbed out. He attacked Snitsky and Heidenreich, and fought Snitsky into the audience. Heidenreich sent The Undertaker into the steel steps, and pushed the casket into him. Heidenreich put The Undertaker in the casket after applying the cobra clutch. The Undertaker stopped the lid from closing with his arm, and gained control briefly. Heidenreich fought back, and put The Undertaker in the casket again. The Undertaker fought out of it, and hit a chokeslam, and a Tombstone Piledriver before putting Heidenreich in the casket, and closing the lid to win the match.[2][4][5][15]
The third match was the Triple Threat match for the WWE Championship between the champion John "Bradshaw" Layfield, The Big Show, and Kurt Angle. Angle stayed on the outside of the ring, leaving The Big Show to beat down Layfield. Angle came in to break up a pinfall attempt, and The Big Show dominated both men until Angle hit him with a low blow, and a television monitor to send him through an announce table. This left Angle and Layfield, with Angle having the advantage. The Big Show returned, and continued to dominate, sending Layfield through the security wall, and hitting Angle with a flapjack onto a steel chair. At this time, Luther Reigns, Mark Jindrak, Doug Basham, and Danny Basham attacked The Big Show as Orlando Jordan helped Layfield back into the ring. Layfield hit Angle with a Clothesline from Hell, and pinned him to retain the title.[2][4][5][15]
The fourth match was between Triple H and Randy Orton for the World Heavyweight Championship. Evolution was banned from ringside for this match. Orton had control at the start of the match until Triple H countered an RKO attempt by throwing Orton out of the ring. Triple H kept the advantage, and targeted Orton's left knee until Orton kicked him into an announce table. Orton kept the advantage until he suffered a kayfabe concussion from missing a DDT. Triple H knocked both Orton and the referee down with a clothesline, and took out a sledgehammer from beneath the ring. He tried to hit Orton with it, but Orton pulled him into the ringpost. Triple H hit another clothesline, and a Pedigree to win, and retain the title.[2][4][5][15]
The final match was the Royal Rumble match. Before the match began, Kurt Angle stole Nunzio's entrance number, taking his spot in the match. After the tenth entrant, RAW General Manager Eric Bischoff came to ringside, and SmackDown! General Manager Theodore Long also came out soon after. The participants then divided into their brands, and fought against each other until they worked together to eliminate Muhammad Hassan, the thirteen entrant. Scotty 2 Hotty, the fifteenth entrant, was attacked by Hassan during his entrance, and never entered the match. Kurt Angle, the twentieth entrant, dominated upon entering the match until Shawn Michaels eliminated him. Angle came back in later to eliminate Michaels, and continued to attack him afterwards. Jonathan Coachman, the twenty-first entrant, spent a lot of his time in the match holding onto the bottom rope as he is not a wrestler.[2][4][5][15]
The final four participants remaining were Batista, John Cena, Edge, and Rey Mysterio. Edge fought with Mysterio, and threw him over the top rope, but he stayed on the apron. Edge then hit a spear to eliminate Mysterio. Cena and Batista then eliminated Edge as he was attacking them. Cena tried to hit Batista with an FU to the outside, but Batista fought off. Batista then attempted a Batista Bomb to the outside, but was countered with a headscissors takedown by Cena, sending both over the top rope, and touching the floor at the same time. The RAW referees believed Batista to be the winner while the SmackDown! referees believed Cena to be winner. WWE Chairman Vince McMahon eventually ordered the match to be restarted. Batista tossed Cena over the top rope after a Spinebuster to win the match.[2][4][5][15]
Aftermath
The following weeks on RAW surrounded Batista's choice of which champion to face at WrestleMania 21. Triple H devised a scheme to have Batista almost run over by a limousine resembling Layfield's so Batista would challenge Layfield instead of himself.[17] Batista became aware of the scheme, and chose to face Triple H for the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania, leaving Evolution.[18] He won the title,[19] and their feud continued until he was drafted to SmackDown! on June 30.[20] Batista remained champion until the January 13 2006 edition of SmackDown! when he surrendered the title due to injury.[21] He remained a main-eventer when he returned half a year later.[22]
John Cena went on to win the Road to WrestleMania Tournament to earn a shot at the WWE Championship at WrestleMania,[23] and started a feud with John "Bradshaw" Layfield. He defeated Layfield for the title, and their feud ended after Cena retained his title in an "I Quit" match at Judgment Day. Cena was the champion for most of the following two years.[24]
Randy Orton, Kurt Angle, and The Big Show all moved away from the title picture after Royal Rumble. Orton briefly feuded with Christian before moving on to feud with The Undertaker, which spanned for nine months.[17][25] Angle feuded with Shawn Michaels after their encounter in the Royal Rumble match.[26] After losing his title match at No Way Out,[27] The Big Show faced Akebono in a sumo match at WrestleMania,[28] and briefly feuded with Carlito Caribbean Cool afterwards.[29]
Results
- Sunday Night HEAT match: Maven defeated Rhyno (7:01)[2][16]
- Edge defeated Shawn Michaels (18:32)[2][4][5][15]
- The Undertaker defeated Heidenreich in a Casket match (13:20)[2][4][5][15]
- John "Bradshaw" Layfield defeated The Big Show and Kurt Angle in a Triple Threat match to retain the WWE Championship (12:04)[2][4][5][15]
- Layfield pinned Angle after a Clothesline from Hell.[2][4][5][15]
- Orlando Jordan, Doug Basham and Danny Basham interfered on Layfield's behalf, Luther Reigns and Mark Jindrak interfered on Angle's behalf.[2][4][5][15]
- Triple H defeated Randy Orton to retain the World Heavyweight Championship (21:28)[2][4][5][15]
- Batista won the 2005 Royal Rumble (51:27)[2][4][5][15]
- The final two contenders were John Cena and Batista. Batista tried to hit Cena with a Batista Bomb but was countered with a headscissors takedown by Cena, sending both over the top rope and touching the floor at the same time. While a dispute by RAW and SmackDown! officials started over who the actual winner was, a restart was eventually ordered by Vince McMahon. Batista tossed Cena over the top rope after a Spinebuster.[2][4][5][15]
Royal Rumble match entrances and eliminations
Red ██ indicates a RAW superstar, blue ██ indicates a SmackDown! superstar. A new entrant came out approximately every 90 seconds.
Entrant[2][15] | Eliminated by[2][15] | Time[15] | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Eddie Guerrero | 11 | Edge | 28:11 |
2 | Chris Benoit | 25 | Flair | 47:26 |
3 | Daniel Puder | 1 | Holly | 4:09 |
4 | Hardcore Holly | 2 | Benoit and Guerrero | 1:59 |
5 | The Hurricane | 3 | Benoit and Guerrero | 1:04 |
6 | Kenzo Suzuki | 4 | Mysterio | 3:31 |
7 | Edge | 28 | Batista and Cena | 40:19 |
8 | Rey Mysterio | 27 | Edge | 38:25 |
9 | Shelton Benjamin | 10 | Edge | 14:35 |
10 | Booker T | 9 | Guerrero and Mysterio | 10:42 |
11 | Chris Jericho | 21 | Batista | 28:22 |
12 | Luther Reigns | 7 | Booker | 7:13 |
13 | Muhammad Hassan | 5 | Edge, Jericho, Benoit, Booker, Benjamin and Reigns | 0:54 |
14 | Orlando Jordan | 8 | Booker | 3:36 |
15 | Scotty 2 Hotty | 6 | Attacked by Hassan on his way to the ring | 0:00 |
16 | Charlie Haas | 13 | Michaels | 6:20 |
17 | René Dupreé | 16 | Jericho | 11:32 |
18 | Simon Dean | 12 | Michaels | 0:20 |
19 | Shawn Michaels | 15 | Angle[1] | 4:56 |
20 | Kurt Angle | 14 | Michaels | 0:37 |
21 | Jonathan Coachman | 23 | Flair | 13:48 |
22 | Mark Jindrak | 19 | Kane | 8:15 |
23 | Viscera | 17 | Cena | 3:00 |
24 | Paul London | 18 | Snitsky | 3:15 |
25 | John Cena | 29 | Batista | 15:28 |
26 | Gene Snitsky | 20 | Batista | 3:38 |
27 | Kane | 22 | Cena | 3:54 |
28 | Batista | - | WINNER | 10:54 |
29 | Christian | 24 | Batista | 2:09 |
30 | Ric Flair | 26 | Edge | 1:58 |
^ Kurt Angle returned to the ring after being eliminated, and eliminated Shawn Michaels.
Notes
- For the second year in a row, Chris Benoit remained in the Royal Rumble match from the beginning of the match until the thirtieth entrant.
- This was the fifth year a Royal Rumble match participant did not make it to the ring to compete: Randy Savage (1991), Bastion Booger (1994), Skull (1998), Spike Dudley (2004), Scotty 2 Hotty (2005).
- This was also the second time Scotty 2 Hotty was attacked at the entrance ramp before he could enter the ring for the Royal Rumble match. In 2002, he was attacked by the Undertaker, but still managed to enter the ring and participate in the match.
- During Vince McMahon's appearance during the finish, McMahon tried to run and slide into the ring but legitimately tore both his quadriceps muscles when he hit the ring apron. McMahon had to make his decision over the match while sitting in the ring.
References
- ^ Starr, Noah (2007-02-26). "Arena Report - Save Mart Center". WWE. Retrieved 2008-01-02.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y "Royal Rumble 2005 results". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2008-01-09.
- ^ Arceneaux, Billy (2005-01-30). "WWE Velocity 1/29/05 - The Eve of the Royal Rumble". Lords of Pain. Retrieved 2008-01-02.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t Plummer, Dale. "Batista claims the Rumble". SLAM! Sports. Retrieved 2008-01-02.
{{cite web}}
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- ^ Schaeffer, Steven (2004-08-17). "WWE Raw Report 8-16-2004". Lords of Pain. Retrieved 2008-01-02.
- ^ "New Year's Revolution 2005 Main Event". WWE. Retrieved 2008-01-02.
- ^ Watson, Bill (2005-01-10). "RAW Results - 1/10/05". Lords of Pain. Retrieved 2008-01-02.
- ^ Obal, Alex (2005-01-17). "411's WWE Raw Report 01.17.05". 411mania. Retrieved 2008-01-09.
- ^ Watson, Bill (2005-01-24). "RAW Preview - 1/24/05". Lords of Pain. Retrieved 2008-01-02.
- ^ Berthelot, Brandon (2004-12-16). "WWE Smackdown Results 12-16-04". Lords of Pain. Retrieved 2008-01-02.
- ^ Berthelot, Brandon (2004-12-30). "WWE Smackdown Results 12-30-04". Lords of Pain. Retrieved 2008-01-02.
- ^ Berthelot, Brandon (2005-01-20). "WWE Smackdown Report 1-20-05". Lords of Pain. Retrieved 2008-01-02.
- ^ Berthelot, Brandon (2005-01-27). "WWE Smackdown Report 1-27-05". Lords of Pain. Retrieved 2008-01-02.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x "WWE Royal Rumble 2005". Hoffco, Inc. Retrieved 2008-01-09.
- ^ a b c Martin, Adam (2005-01-30). "Royal Rumble (RAW & SmackDown) PPV Results - 1/30/05 - Fresno". WrestleView. Retrieved 2008-01-02.
- ^ a b Watson, Bill (2005-12-14). "RAW Results - 2/14/05". Lords of Pain. Retrieved 2008-01-02.
- ^ Bryant, Micheal (2005-12-21). "RAW Results - 2/21/05". Lords of Pain. Retrieved 2008-01-02.
- ^ "WrestleMania 21 Main Event". WWE. Retrieved 2008-01-02.
- ^ "JACKPOT!". WWE. 2005-06-30. Retrieved 2008-01-02.
- ^ "New World Heavyweight Champion". WWE. 2006-01-13. Retrieved 2008-01-02.
- ^ Hoffman, Brett (2006-08-20). "Bittersweet victory for the Animal". WWE. Retrieved 2008-01-02.
- ^ "No Way Out 2005 Results". WWE. Retrieved 2008-01-02.
- ^ "History of the WWE Championship". WWE. Retrieved 2008-01-02.
- ^ Walsh, Carl (2005-02-28). "RAW Results - 2/28/05". Lords of Pain. Retrieved 2008-01-02.
- ^ Berthelot, Brandon (2005-02-03). "WWE Smackdown Results - February 3, 2005". Lords of Pain. Retrieved 2008-01-02.
- ^ "No Way Out 2005 Main Event". WWE. Retrieved 2008-01-02.
- ^ "WrestleMania 21 Results". WWE. Retrieved 2008-01-02.
- ^ Berthelot, Brandon (2005-05-12). "WWE SmackDown! Results 5-15-05". Lords of Pain. Retrieved 2008-01-02.