This Day In History - January 30th

January 30th
On this day in history in ....

1904 - George Hackenschmidt defeats Ahmed Madrali in London, England to become the recognized undisputed World Heavyweight Champion, outside of North America. Hackenschmidt, who had been claiming the title for four years by then, had already won World Championship tournaments in Austria, France, Germany and Russia in 1901. He would gain worldwide championship recognition on May 4, 1905, when he defeated American Heavyweight Champion Tom Jenkins in New York City, New York.

1948 - Yukon Eric defeats Sonny Myers for the Texas Heavyweight Title in Houston, Texas.

1951 - Ben and Mike Sharpe defeat Primo Carnera and Sandor Szabo to win the San Francisco NWA World Tag Team Title, beginning their third reign.

1959 - Maurice and Paul Vachon defeat George and Sandy Scott to win the Stampede International Tag Team Title in Calgary, Alberta.

1963 - Édouard Carpentier defeats Killer Kowalski in Montreal, Quebec to win Montreal's World Heavyweight Title. This began Carpentier's third reign and ended Kowalski's 12th.

1964 - Fred Blassie wins his fourth WWA World Heavyweight Title in Los Angeles, California, defeating Édouard Carpentier, ending his second reign.

1965 - Larry Hennig and Harley Race defeat The Crusher and Dick the Bruiser for the AWA World Tag Team Title in Minneapolis, Minnesota, ending Bruiser and Crusher's second reign.

1967 - The WWWF held an event at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. The results:
- Ricky Sexton defeated Tony Nero by disqualification.
- Bobo Brazil and Arman Hussian defeated Luke Graham and Tank Morgan.
- Baron Mikel Scicluna and WWWF United States Tag Team Champion Antonio Pugliese fought to a draw.
- WWWF United States Tag Team Champion Spiros Arion defeated Bill Miller.
- The Ox defeated Smasher Sloan.
- Gorilla Monsoon defeated Lou Albano (subbing for Louis Cerdan).
- The Sheik defeated Miguel Perez.
- WWWF World Heavyweight Champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Bull Ortega.

1967 - Jackie Fargo and Herb Welch defeat Professor Ito (Umanosuke Ueda) and Tojo Yamamoto to win the Mid-America NWA World Tag Team Title in Memphis, Tennessee.

1968 - Billy Red Lyons and Fritz Von Erich defeat Spiler #1 (Don Jardine) and Gary Hart for the NWA American Tag Team Title in Dallas, Texas.

1968 - Lloyd and Orest Antonation defeat Jake and John Banman for the Madison Wrestling Club All-Star Tag Team Title in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

1968 - Frank Dalton defeats Eddie Sullivan for the NWA Louisiana Heavyweight Title in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

1970 - Abdullah the Butcher defeats Dave Ruhl to win the Calgary NWA Canadian Heavyweight Title in Calgary, Alberta, ending Ruhl's fifth reign.

1970 - Nick Bockwinkel defeats Joe Scarpa (Chief Jay Strongbow) for the NWA Georgia Television Title in Atlanta, Georgia.

1970 - Danny Hodge wins the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title for the fifth time, defeating Umanosuke Ueda.

1970 - Aiko Kyo and Yoshiko Miyamoto defeat The Masked Killer and Masked Marie in Tokyo, Japan for the American Girls' Wrestling Association International Tag Team Title.

1971 - The Professional (Doug Gilbert) defeats Takachiho (The Great Kabuki) in a tournament final for the vacant NWA Beat the Champ Television Title.

1971 - Ciclón Negro defeats Tarzan Tyler to win the NWA Florida Brass Knuckles Title in Miami, Florida.

1972 - Eddie Sullivan and Rip Tyler defeat Mike Boyette and Bob Kelly for the Gulf Coast NWA United States Tag Team Title in Pensacola, Florida, beginning their second reign.

1976 - Dusty Rhodes defeats The Spoiler in Atlanta, Georgia to win the NWA Georgia Heavyweight Title, ending Spoiler's second reign.

1982 - El Modulo defeats Rocky Morton for the Mexican National Featherweight Title in Azteca, Mexico.

1982 - Woody Farmer defeats Mike York to win the California State Heavyweight Title in Bakersfield, California.

1983 - Jacques Rougeau defeats Terry Taylor for the AWA Southern Heavyweight Title in Memphis, Tennessee.

1984 - World Class Championship Wrestling held a Wrestling Star Wars event in Fort Worth, Texas at the Terrant County Convention Center. The results:
- The Junkyard Dog defeated Kamala by disqualification.
- The Super Destroyers (Bill and WCCW Television Champion Scott Irwin) defeated WCCW American Tag Team Champions Brian Adias and Iceman King Parsons to win the title, beginning their second reign.
- The Fabulous Freebirds (Terry Gordy and Michael Hayes) defeated Kerry Von Erich and WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion David Von Erich.
- NWA World Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair fought Mike Von Erich to a draw to retain the title.
- WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion Chris Adams defeated WCCW American Heavyweight Champion Jimmy Garvin to win the Heavyweight title. This ended Garvin's second reign and began Adams' second.

1986 - Dos Caras defeats Canek in Toluca, Mexico to win the UWA World Heavyweight Title, ending Canek's sixth reign and beginning his second.

1987 - Makhan Singh (Mike Shaw) defeats Owen Hart for the Stampede North American Heavyweight Title in Calgary, Alberta, beginning his second reign.

1991 - WCW held Clash of the Champions XIV: Dixie Dynamite at the Georgia Mountains Center in Gainesville, Georgia. The show aired live on TBS, earning a 3.9 rating. The results:
- Sting and WCW United States Heavyweight Champion Lex Luger defeated WCW World Tag Team Champions Doom (Butch Reed and Ron Simmons) by disqualification, when Simmons threw Sting over the top rope.
- WCW World Television Champion Tom Zenk pinned Bobby Eaton with a backslide.
- The Fabulous Freebirds (Jimmy Garvin and Michael Hayes) defeated Allen Iron Eagle and Tommy Rich, when Garvin pinned Eagle following a double-team DDT behind the referee's back. The referee was getting Rich out of the ring after he tagged in Eagle without the referee seeing the tag.
- Sid Vicious pinned Joey Maggs after the powerbomb.
- Terry Taylor pinned Ricky Morton, when Morton landed on his head after missing a dropkick and bouncing off the ropes. During the match, Alexandra York came to the ring and a pre-taped promo played announcing Taylor as the latest member of the York Foundation.
- Ranger Ross pinned El Cubano with a sunset flip.
- Arn Anderson and Barry Windham defeated Chris and Mark Youngblood, when Anderson pinned Chris after a lariat and a superplex from Windham.
- Brian Pillman pinned Sgt. Buddy Lee Parker with a crossbody off the top.
- Missy Hyatt defeated Paul E. Dangerously in an arm wrestling match, after Dangerously became distracted by Missy's cleavage. Two-time Billboard Disc Jockey of the Year, Warren "Rhubarb" Jones of WYAY 106.7 FM in Atlanta, Georgia, was the ring announcer for the match.
- WCW World Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair fought WCW United States Tag Team Champion Scott Steiner fought to a draw to retain the title. The winner of the match was to defend against New Japan Pro Wrestling's Tatsumi Fujinami in Tokyo, Japan in March.

1992 - Tarzan Goto defeats Big Titan to win the FMW World Martial Arts Title in Osaka, Japan.

1993 - Terry Gordy and Steve Williams win their fifth AJPW Unified World Tag Team Title, ending the second reign of Toshiaki Kawada and Mitsuharu Misawa in Chiba, Japan.

1994 - The Universal Wrestling Association held its 19th Anniversary Show at El Toreo in Naucalpan, Mexico. The results:
- Pequeño Goliath and Fuercita Guerrera defeated Pequeño Chucky and Micro Konnan.
- Blackman II and Shogun defeated Bad Boy I and Lobo Rubio.
- Adrian el Exotico, Pimpinela Escarlata and Luis Mariscal vs. Nuevo Audaz, Super Pinochio and Super Ratón ended in a draw.
- Super Astro, Halcon Dorado, Jr. and King I defeated Black Power, Shu el Guerrero and UWA World Tag Team Champion Villano IV.
- Karloff Lagarde, Jr. defeated UWA World Welterweight Champion Celestial to win the title, ending Celestial's third reign.
- Villano III, UWA World Light Heavyweight and Tag Team Champion Villano V and Yamato defeated UWA World Heavyweight Champion Canek, UWA World Junior Light Heavyweight Champion Gran Hamada and Transformer.

1997 - Chad Ripley defeats Spice Richards to win the Canadian Wrestling Federation Light Heavyweight Title in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

1998 - Chip Fairway wins his second IWA Mid-South Television Title in Lexington, Kentucky, defeating Cash Flo, ending his second reign.

1998 - Robert Thompson defeats Michael Modest to win the All Pro Wrestling Universal Heavyweight Title in San Jose, California. This ended and began both men's second reign.

1999 - Robby Royce defeated Hysteria for the NWA Canadian Junior Heavyweight Title in Winnipeg, Manitoba, ending Hysteria's second reign.

1999 - Brickhouse Brown defeats Don Brodie in Cleveland, Mississippi to win the NWA Southern Television Title.

1999 - Pat McGuire defeats Gator B. Long for the Future of Wrestling Heavyweight Title in Oakland Park, Florida.

1999 - Rik Ratchett defeats Lupus to win the Independent Wrestling Federation Heavyweight Title in Verona, New Jersey, to begin his second reign.

1999 - Iron Cross defeats Steve Flynn in Kingsport, Tennessee for the Southern States Wrestling Appalachian Heavyweight Title. At the same event, Frank Parker and Roger Anderson win their seventh SSW Tag Team Title, ending the fourth reign for Bam Bam and Danny Christian.

2000 - The PRIDE Fighting Championships held Grand Prix 2000 Opening Round at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan. The event featured the opening round of that year's 16-man Openweight Grand Prix Tournament, PRIDE's first-ever tournament. The winners advanced to PRIDE's next event on May 1, also at the Tokyo Dome, featuring the remainder of the tournament. The results of the show were:
- In an opening non-tournament bout, Wanderlei Silva defeated Bob Schrijber by submission (rear naked choke) at 2:42.
- Gary Goodridge defeated Osamu Tachihikari by submission (forearm choke) at 0:51.
- Akira Shoji defeated Ebenezer Fontes Braga by decision after 15:00.
- Kazuyuki Fujita defeated Hans Nijman by submission (choke) at 2:48.
- Kazushi Sakuraba defeated Guy Mezger by forfeit after 15:00. The forfeiture occurred due to Mezger and his corner refusing to continue into overtime, citing the conditions of his PRIDE contract, which stated that he would only fight 15 minutes with no overtime.
- Mark Coleman defeated Masaaki Satake by submission (neck crank) at 1:14.
- Igor Vovchanchyn defeated Alexander Otsuka by decision after 15:00.
- Mark Kerr defeated Enson Inoue by decision after 15:00.
- Royce Gracie defeated Nobuhiko Takada by decision after 15:00.

2000 - Minoru Tanaka defeats Naoki Sano in Tokyo, Japan for the Independent World Junior Heavyweight Title.

2001 - Tony Jones is awarded the vacant UPW Southern California Heavyweight Title in Santa Ana, California, after he made Frankie Kazarian submit in a six-man tag team match.

2003 - Danny Doring defeats The Bruiser to win the Maryland Championship Wrestling Heavyweight Title in Glen Burnie, Maryland, ending Bruiser's fifth reign.

2004 - The first NWA New South Cruiserweight and Heavyweight Champions are crowned in Greenville, Mississippi, as Krazy D defeats Chris Sanders for the Cruiserweight title, and Doug Gilbert defeats Black Jack Tatum for the Heavyweight title.

2005 - WWE holds the 18th-annual Royal Rumble pay-per-view event, at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California. This event made Fresno the first city to host more than one Royal Rumble event. San Antonio, Texas and New York City, New York would join that list in 2007 and 2008, respectively. In the main event, Batista won the Royal Rumble match from the #28 entry position, last eliminating #25 entrant John Cena. Both men had gone out of the ring at the same time, ala 1994 with Bret Hart and Lex Luger, prompting Vince McMahon to come to the ring to start the match, McMahon was injured while getting into the ring, slamming his thighs into the metal frame on the side of the ring, resulting in a double quadricep tear. The ironman of this Rumble match, for the second straight year, was Chris Benoit, who was the second man in, and lasted 47 minutes and 26 seconds, and was one of the final five men in the ring along with Batista, Cena, Rey Mysterio, and Ric Flair, before being eliminated by Flair.
Here is Buck Woodward's original report on the event:

2005 ROYAL RUMBLE REPORT
by Buck Woodward

The Royal Rumble PPV broadcast opened with a video package on the history of the Royal Rumble (different than the one that closed Heat), followed by the "West Side Story" Rumble commercial, with action clips inserted.

Edge vs. Shawn Michaels.

Edge charged Michaels as he entered the ring, but Michaels backdropped him and clotheslined him from the ring. Michaels skinned the cat back into the ring, leaving Edge frustrated on the floor. They locked up in the ring, and Michaels hit some chops in the corner, then rammed Edge headfirst into the opposite turnbuckle. Michaels went for a backdrop, but Edge caught him with a neckbreaker. Edge slugged Michaels to the mat over and over with punches, but Michaels responded with a series of rights. Edge raked the eyes of Michaels, but HBK caught him with a Thesz press and hit a series of rights. Michaels flung Edge over the top rope and to the floor. Michaels missed a baseball slide, and they slugged it out on the floor. Edge drove Michaels into the floor by the back of his head, and went back into the ring. Edge hit a baseball slide, and rammed Michaels face first into the ring apron.

Back in the ring, Edge hit a series of punches, then whipped Michaels hard into a corner. Edge kicked Michaels, and used the ropes to jump up for a kneedrop. Edge elbowed Michaels in the back of the head, but Michaels fought back with chops and punches. Michaels went for a rana, but Edge dropped him into a powerbomb for a two count. Edge applied a chinlock and bodyscissors on Michaels. There was blood on Edge's arm, I believe from a cut on the arm. Michaels fought out of the bodyscissors, but Edge maintained the chinlock and turned it into a sleeper. Edge slugged Shawn Michaels to the mat and mocked HBK's pose. Edge whipped Michaels hard into a corner, but HBK backdropped Edge to the apron. Edge grabbed Michaels and pulled him throat first across the top rope. Edge picked Micheals up off the mat and threw him down by the hair.

Edge went for a back suplex, but Michaels shifted his weight and landed on top for a two count. Edge came right back with a clothesline and returned to the chinlock. Michaels mounted a comeback, hitting two reverse atomic drops and a back elbow. Michaels hit a series of rights in a corner, and when Edge tried to grab Michaels, he went into a sunset flip for two. Michaels catapulted Edge into the corner and cradled him for a two count. Edge bailed out of the ring and headed up the aisle, but Michaels went after him and hit a chop, then rammed him face first into the ring apron. The referee tried to stop Michaels from fighting on the floor, which gave Edge the opening to spear Michaels on the floor. Michaels barely got in at the nine count.

Edge measured Michaels for a spear, mocking HBK's stomping in the corner. Edge hit the spear, but Michaels got a shoulder up at two. Edge put Michaels on the top rope for a superplex, but Michaels fought him and headbutted Edge to the mat. Michaels hit a top rope elbow, but was unable to make a cover. Michaels got up and started stomping in the corner. Michaels went for the superkick, but Edge ducked it and hit the electric chair for a two count. Edge whipped Michaels across the ring, and Michaels went for a sunset flip, but Edge rolled through it and applied his modified Sharpshoooter. Michaels went for the ropes, but Edge pulled him back into the center of the ring. Michaels finally made the ropes to force the break. Edge went for the move again, but Michaels turned it into a small package for a two count. Edge went for a slam, but Michaels floated over, and they traded reversals on a rollup, with Edge getting the three count by using the ropes for leverage at the nineteen minute mark.

Winner: Edge.

Edge was ecstatic over his win, while Michaels glared at him.

Backstage, Eric Bischoff and Teddy Long were arguing over who had the better brand. Torrie Wilson and Christy Hemme were with them, to assist in the number draw for the Royal Rumble. Ric Flair and Eddie Guerrero came in first. They both drew, and Ric Flair was happy with his number, while Guerrero was not happy with his. Guerrero shook hands with Flair and hugged him, wishing him luck in the Rumble. Guerrero left, and Flair realized that Guerrero switched numbers with him when they were hugging.

Backstage, Heidenreich talked about how he hated caskets. Gene Snitsky entered, and told Heidenreich that he hated caskets too, but he liked Heidenreich. They stared at each other, breathing heavy, for a long time.

The history leading to Undertaker vs. Heidenreich was shown.

Undertaker vs. Heidenreich - Casket match.

The four druids wheeled the casket to ringside, then left. Heidenreich came out, then Undertaker made his big entrance. Undertaker grabbed a side headlock at the bell and pulled Heidenreich towards the side of the ring where the casket was. Undertaker hit a shoulderblock, blocked a Heidenreich hiptoss, and hit his own hiptoss and followed with an armdrag. Taker dragged him near the casket again, but Heidenreich broke free. Heidenreich grabbed a headlock and hit his own shoulderblock. Heidenreich grabbed a headlock again, and hit another shoulderblock. Undertaker grabbed a single leg takedown and applied a single leg crab. Heidenreich went for the ropes, and after the break, left the ring. Heidenreich tried to regroup on the floor, but Taker went after him, hitting a knee to the midsection. Heidenreich reversed a whip and sent Undertaker back first into the casket, then rammed him head first into it twice.

Back in the ring, Heidenreich hit a series of punches in a corner and stomped Undertaker down. Heidenreich went to work on Taker's ribs with bodyshots, yelling "My World". Undertaker jumped up and applied a triangle choke while lying across the top ropes (which is legal, since this is a no-DQ match). They fell off the ropes, and Taker maintained the triangle choke. Gene Snitsky ran in and attacked Undertaker, hitting a clothesline. Snitsky helped Heidenreich up, and they gave Undertaker a double suplex. Heidenreich and Snitsky dropped elbows on Undertaker, and dragged him towards the casket. The referees opened the casket, and Kane popped out of it. Kane attacked Heidenreich and Snitsky, taking both men out of the ring. Kane battled Snitsky into the crowd, leaving Undertaker and Heidenreich.

Back at ringside, Heidenreich was wheeling the casket away from ringside. Undertaker rammed Heidenreich into the casket, but Heidenreich reversed a whip and sent Taker into the ring steps. Heidenreich pulled up the padding at ringside. Heidenreich rammed the casket into Undertaker, then took him into the ring and applied a cobra clutch. Undertaker was placed in the casket, but Heidenreich couldn't close the lid. Undertaker came back, and legdropped Heidenreich on the casket, but when they went back into the ring Heidenreich hit a sideslam. Heidenreich tried to cover for a pin, but there are no pins in the match. Heidenreich rolled Taker into the casket again, but Taker grabbed Heidenreich by the throat and battled out. Undertaker hit a chokeslam, then delivered the tombstone and rolled Heidenreich in for the pin at the 13 minute mark.

Winner: The Undertaker.

Backstage, Theodore R. Long wanted Eddie Guerrero to give him back the number. Evolution busted in demanding the number. Triple H called Guerrero a "jumping bean". Eddie played dumb, then gave Ric back the number. Long then told Guerrero to give "it" back. Turns out, Guerrero had also taken Flair's wallet. Guerrero and Long left, while Triple H and Batista argued over whether they should go over the game plan for Randy Orton now, or whether Batista should go draw his number. Flair made the peace.

Christian drew his number, and was very happy. John Cena entered, and Christian got in Cena's face, saying rapping wasn't that hard. Cena dared Christian to freestyle right now. Christian asked Tyson Tomko to give him a beat, and Tomko said no. Christian did a silly rap about winning the Rumble. Cena responded with a rap making fun of Christian's sexuality.

WWE Champion John Bradshaw Layfield vs. Kurt Angle vs. Big Show.

Angle came to the ring first, then Big Show, the JBL made his usual limo entrance. The match started with Big Show dominating JBL in the ring, slamming him and dropping a leg, while Angle watched from the floor. Angle ran in when Show covered JBL, and broke up the pin. Show swatted Angle around, whipping him hard into a corner. JBL tried to suplex Show, but Show reversed it. Show hit Angle with a big boot. Show clotheslined Angle and JBL over the top rope and to the floor. Show punched JBL and rammed Angle into the ring steps. Show whipped JBL into the ring post, and gave Angle a butt-butt. Show cleared off the announce table and set up the ring steps next to it. Show set up to chokeslam JBL through the table, but Angle hit Show with a lowblow. Angle hit Show with a TV monitor, and Show fell off the steps and through the table.

Angle then went after JBL, ramming him into the security wall. In the ring, Angle armdragged JBL and put him in an armbar. JBL fought out of it, but missed a big boot, and Angle applied a top wristlock. Angle droped his knee into JBL's arm, but JBL came back with a right hand. JBL clotheslined Angle in the corner, but missed a charge and Angle hit a German suplex. JBL fought off a second attempt and went for the Clothesline From Hell, but Angle ducked it and hit a second German suplex. Angle went for the Angle Slam, but JBL floated out and hit a boot to the face for a two count. Big Show made it back into the ring and cleaned house with clotheslines and headbutts. Show slammed JBL, then slammed Angle on top of him.

Show whipped JBL and Angle into the corner together, gave them a reverse avalanche, and clotheslined both to the mat. Show went for a double chokeslam, but Angle kicked his leg. Angle gave Show a chopblock and JBL gave Show a clothesline at the same time. Angle gave JBL a German suplex, then covered Show for a two count. Angle gave Big Show an Angle Slam, but JBL kicked Angle out of the ring. JBL set up for the Clothesline From Hell, but Big Show gave him a chokeslam. JBL got his foot on the bottom rope at the two count, then rolled out of the ring. Show rammed JBL with a shoulderblock at ringside, and they went through the security wall. Angle was in the ring with a chair, JBL was laid out at ringside, and Big Show headed back into the ring.

The Bashams came out to check on JBL. In the ring, Angle went to use the chair, but Show gave Angle a flapjack, with Angle going headfirst into the chair. Show covered Angle, but Mark Jindrak pulled the referee out of the ring. Luther Reigns and Mark Jindrak attacked Big Show, ineffectively, in the aisle. Orlando Jordan came out and threw JBL back into the ring. JBL hit Angle with a clothesline and got the pin at the twelve minute mark, while Show was fighting Jindrak and Reigns in the aisle. Show tried to get back in, but was too late to break up the pin.

Winner: John Bradshaw Layfield.

Post-match, JBL celebrated in the aisle, while Show stared at him from the ring.

Backstage, Carlito Caribbean Cool sucked up the Batista, and asked him to sign his petition to get rid of Theodore R. Long. Batista said he wouldn't, and Carlito was about to spit apple, when Batista reminded Carlito of what he did with La Resistance last week on Raw. Batista said Carlito should imagine what he could do with a petition.

Batista went to draw his number, and Eric Bischoff was making fun of Theodore R. Long for all the interference in the previous match. Long said that everyone knew Evolution would be interfering in the Raw World Title match. Bischoff then said he would ban Evolution from ringside. Bischoff asked Batista if he wanted to tell Triple H about the new stipulation. Batista smirked and said he would.

A commercial for Wrestlemania was shown, spoofing Forrest Gump, with Eugene playing Forrest.

The history leading to Orton vs. Triple H was shown.

World Champion Triple H vs. Randy Orton.

Triple H was bragging about being the champion before the bell, and Orton slapped him. Orton quickly grabbed a backslide for a two count and worked over Triple H with right hands, then hit a backdrop. Orton went for an RKO, but Triple H shoved it off and went to the floor. Orton followed him and rammed Triple H into the ring apron. Orton hit a dropkick for a two count, then beat Triple H down in a corner. Triple H hit a knee to the gut to stop Orton's momentum, then delivered a series of punches in a corner. Orton came back with a reverse atomic drop, then went for an RKO, but Triple H tossed Orton over the top rope and to the floor.

Triple H pulled Orton into the ring, and stomped him and choked him down. Triple H hit Randy Orton with a right hand, but ran into a boot to the face. Orton hit some right hands, but Triple H floated over a slam and clipped him knee. There was a brief "Randy sucks" chant. Triple H rammed Orton's leg into the ringpost. Triple H hit a chopblock to the leg, then dropped an elbow on it. Triple H lifted Orton by the leg and slammed his knee into the mat. Triple H yanked at the leg, the dropped an elbow on it. Triple H applied a leglock, then dropped a knee across it. Triple H went for a figure four, but Orton reversed it into a small package for two. Triple H went back after the leg and applied a figure four leglock.

Orton struggled in the hold for a long time, then made the ropes. Triple H went after the leg from the floor, but Orton kicked him into the Spanish announce table. Triple H made it back into the ring, and Orton a side neckbreaker. Orton hit a series of right hands and a neckbreaker for a two count. Orton hit another neckbreaker for another two count, then a powerslam for another two. Orton armdragged Triple H off the ropes, then hit a top rope bodypress for a two count. Orton complained about the count.

Orton went for a backdrop, but Triple H hit a facebuster on his knee and went for a Pedigree, but Orton countered it into a catapult. Orton went for an RKO, but Triple H shoved him into the corner and hit a jumping knee for a two count. Orton was bleeding from the mouth. Triple H went for a Pedigree, but took too long, and Orton spun out and hit a clothesline for a two count. They went to the floor, and Orton rammed Triple H into the ring steps. Back in the ring, Orton hit a series of punches and forearms in the corner. Orton went for a DDT, but Triple H hooked the top rope and Orton fell hard to the mat. Orton fell to the floor, dazed, as the announcers talked about how the back of his head hit the mat. The referee stopped a countout and asked Orton if he could continue. Orton slowly made it into the ring, and the referee was checking on him, when Triple H rammed Orton into the referee, knocking out the ref and sending Orton back to the floor. Triple H went under the ring and pulled out a sledgehammer. Triple H went towards Orton, but Orton grabbed Triple H by the trunks and sent him face first into the ringpost. Triple H rolled back into the ring.

Orton, still dazed, got in the ring and picked up the hammer, but Triple H hit him with a clothesline. Triple H picked up the hammer, but seeing the referee starting to get up, dropped it at ringside. Triple H hit a Pedigree and got the three count at the 21 minute mark.

Winner: Triple H.

The announcers were selling that Orton had suffered a concussion from the DDT attempt.

Backstage, we saw that Nunzio had become the final Smackdown entrant in the Royal Rumble, and he already had his number picked. Kurt Angle grabbed his number, and asked Nunzio if he wanted to fight over it. Nunzio backed away, and Angle took the number.

JBL and his cabinet came into the Rumble drawing room, celebrating with champagne. JBL said he was going to buy Theodore R. Long a "40-ounce of Malt", and was acting drunk. Long informed JBL that at No Way Out, he would face Big Show in a Barbed Wire Steel Cage match. JBL quickly sobered up after hearing that.

Jim Ross and Tazz got to call the Rumble together.

The Royal Rumble.

Wrestlers will enter in 90 second intervals. As always, I will do my best to keep up with the action.

Eddie Guerrero was number one. He made his entrance in a lowrider.

Chris Benoit was number two.

They locked up, and struggled on the ropes. They locked up again, and Benoit hit an armdrag. They mat wrestled, with Guerrero grabbing a hammerlock and a headlock. Guerrero snapmared Benoit and applied a headlock. Guerrero hit a shoulderblock and Benoit retaliated with a chop.

Daniel Puder was number three.

Guerrero and Benoit were fighting it out in a corner, and Benoit stomped down Guerrero. Puder stalled on the floor, then took the mic and said the fans were about to witness history. Puder said he was going to be the first Tough Enough champion to win the Royal Rumble. Puder got in the ring, and was beaten down in a corner by Benoit and Guerrero. They took turns chopping Puder hard in the corner, then gave him a double suplex. Benoit gave Puder a back suplex, and Guerrero gave him the Three Amigos.

Hardcore Holly was number four.

Holly picked up Puder and chopped him in the corner while Benoit and Guerrero watched. Guerrero said he wanted to hear who chopped louder, so Holly and Benoit took turns. Then, Guerrero took a turn chopping him. Holly hung Puder on the ropes and kicked him in the gut. Holly gave Puder the Alabama Slam.

Hurricane was number five.

Holly threw Puder over the top rope. Daniel Puder is eliminated.

Benoit and Guerrero tossed Holly over the top rope as Hurricane was coming out. Hardcore Holly is eliminated.

Benoit and Guerrero went after Hurricane, but Guerrero turned on Benoit and tried to eliminate him. Hurricane hit Guerrero with a blockbuster, but Benoit chopped him.

Guerrero backdropped Hurricane over the top rope. Hurricane is eliminated.

Kenzo Suzuki was number six.

Guerrero dropkicked Kenzo, and Benoit hit a snap suplex. Kenzo tried to battle back with chops, but Guerrero and Benoit double teamed him. Guerrero hit a back suplex on Kenzo, then Benoit grabbed Guerrero and tossed him over the top rope, but Guerrero landed on the apron.

Edge was number seven.

Edge rammed Guerrero in a corner with shoulderblocks, went to fight with Benoit and Kenzo, then went back to Guerrero, hitting a dropkick. Edge tried to dump Guerrero out, but Eddie held on. Edge then went to work on Kenzo, but Benoit chopped Edge and hit a clothesline. Kenzo went after Benoit again.

Rey Mysterio was number eight.

Mysterio went after everyone when he first got in, and gave Edge a bulldog. Mysterio dropkicked Benoit.

Mysterio used a headscissors to pull Suzuki over the top rope and to the floor. Kenzo Suzuki is eliminated.

Guerrero hit Mysterio and Benoit with tilt-a-whirl backbreakers. Edge went after Eddie in a corner, choking him.

Shelton Benjamin was number nine.

Benjamin hit Edge with a reverse elbow, then punched Eddie Guerrero and backdropped him. Benoit kicked Mysterio in the corner. Benoit tried to dump Mysterio, and Guerrero tried to dump Benoit. They all twisted together in the ropes. Benoit teased eliminating Guerrero with a suplex. Mysterio gave Benjamin a spinning headscissors.

Booker T was number ten.

Rey Mysterio and Benjamin went over the top rope, but both kept their feet off the floor. Eric Bischoff came down, cheering on Edge.

Chris Jericho was number eleven.

Jericho gave Benjamin a reverse elbow, then chopped Edge in a corner. Jericho gave Edge a back suplex. Benoit chopped Benjamin. Booker T worked over Jericho on the ropes. Theodore R. Long came down, cheering on Mysterio. Bischoff was cheering on Jericho now.

Luther Reigns was number twelve.

Reigns went after Jericho, choking him in a corner. The fighting settled down into a four on four, Smackdown vs. Raw fight. The fans went nuts as they lined up, staring at each other, and then started brawling. Guerrero backdropped Benjamin to the apron, but he held on.

Muhammad Hussan was number thirteen.

Everyone stopped fighting to watch Hussan walk to the ring. They surrounded him as he entered the ring, and pounded him down.

Rey gave Hussan a 619, then everyone lifted him and tossed him out. Muhammad Hussan has been eliminated.

Orlando Jordan was number fourteen.

Jordan went right after Luther Reigns, but Benoit started chopping him. Benjamin beat Jericho down in a corner. Mysterio was on the apron, hiding from the action. Jericho was put on the apron, while Benjamin tried to punch him off. Mysterio went after Luther Reigns with a kick.

Scotty 2 Hotty was number fifteen.

Hassan attacked Scotty as he was coming to the ring and put him in a camel clutch before leaving. Benoit and Mysterio tried to put Jordan over the top rope. Benjamin gave Edge a Stinger Splash and dumped him over the top rope, but Edge landed on the apron.

Charlie Haas was number sixteen.

Booker gave Haas a spinkick and Jordan a superkick.

Booker T eliminated Luther Reigns and Orlando Jordan, one after the other.

Mysterio dropkicked Booker T in the back, sending him towards Eddie Guerrero, and Guerrero pulled down the top rope so he would fall over it and out of the ring. Booker T was eliminated.

Scotty 2 Hotty was helped to the back from the Hassan attack, so he is eliminated due to being unable to compete.

Benjamin gave Mysterio an exploder suplex.

Rene Dupree was number seventeen.

Haas and Benjamin double teamed Dupree, using their old tag team maneuvers.

Benjamin charged Edge, Edge ducked, and Benjamin jumped onto the top rope, but Edge shoved him off the top and to the floor. Shelton Benjamin is eliminated.

Simon Dean was number eighteen.

Mysterio gave Guerrero a rana, and a facebuster.

Edge grabbed Guerrero and threw him over the top rope to the floor. Eddie Guerrero is eliminated.

Simon Dean was warming up at ringside, entering just before the next one came out.

Shawn Michaels was number nineteen.

Michaels went right after Edge, then clotheslined Simon Dean over the top rope and to the floor. Simon Dean is eliminated.

The fans chanted for Eddie Guerrero as he was walking to the back.

Haas and Michaels went at it, while Benoit went after Dupree. Jericho joined in on stomping Dupree. Rey kept ducking away from Edge.

Michaels backdropped Haas over the top rope. Charlie Haas is eliminated. JR mistakenly called him Rene Dupree.

Kurt Angle is number 20.

Kurt Angle started suplexing and Angle Slamming everyone. Michaels went for a superkick, but Angle caught it and applied an ankle lock. Michaels escaped it and superkicked Angle, sending him over the top rope. Kurt Angle is eliminated.

Jonathan Coachman was number twenty one.

Coach hit Benoit, then scurried away form him. Benoit went after Coach, while Coach held onto the bottom rope as tightly as he could. Jericho straddled Dupree on the middle rope. Jericho tried to eliminated Rey Mysterio, with Mysterio trying to pull him out with a headscissors, but neither went over.

Mark Jindrak was number twenty two.

Kurt Angle ran back in, tossed Shawn Michaels over the top rope, then hit him with the ring steps. Michaels was busted open, and Angle mauled him with punches, then applied an ankle lock. Agents and referees came out to pull Angle away. I guess Michaels is eliminated due to being unable to continue, or due to Angle tossing him over the top.

Jericho and Benoit double teamed Coach.

Viscera was number twenty three.

Jindrak tossed Mysterio over the top rope, but Mysterio held on. Viscera knocked down Jericho and slammed Mysterio. Benoit fought Dupree. Edge stomped Coach.

Paul London was number twenty four.

London went after Dupree, and was thrown down on the mat. Dupree did the French Tickler dance, and Jericho grabbed Dupree and tossed him over the top rope. Rene Dupree is eliminated.

John Cena was number twenty five.

Cena went after everyone, until Viscera stopped his assault. Cena came right back and backdropped Viscera out of the ring. Viscera is eliminated.

Benoit and Cena went at it. Mysterio gave Coach a bronco buster.

Gene Snitsky was number twenty six.

Snitsky went after Edge, then Jericho. London jumped on Snitsky's back with a sleeper. Snitsky dumped London to the apron. Snitsky clotheslined London, who did a flip bump to the floor. Paul London is eliminated.

Cena lifted Snitsky for an FU, but Snitsky floated out and hit a boot to the face.

Kane was number twenty seven.

Kane hit Snitsky with a clothesline, then chokeslammed Edge, then Benoit, then Cena, then Jericho, then Mysterio, then tossed Jindrak over the top rope. Mark Jindral is eliminated.

They brought out a stretcher for Paul London. Coach went after Kane, then Kane grabbed him by the throat. Snitsky saved Coach, and gave Kane a powerslam.

Batista was number twenty eight.

Batista clotheslined Snitsky out of the ring. Gene Snitsky is eliminated.

Batista and Kane went face to face. They exchanged shots, and Batista powerbombed Kane.

Jericho dove at Batista, and Batista caught him and dumped him over the top rope. Chris Jericho is eliminated.

Christian was number twenty nine.

Batista was fighting Edge, Benoit was fighting Mysterio. Coach was hiding. Christian went after Cena.

Mysterio gave Kane 619, and Cena lifted Kane and dumped him out. Kane is eliminated.

Mysterio and Cena seemed to be talking about working together.

Ric Flair was number thirty.

Flair tossed Coach into Batista, and Batista gave him a spinebuster. Flair then tossed Coach from the ring. Jonathan Coachman is eliminated.

Batista eliminated Christian with a press lam over the top rope.

Flair and Batista eliminated Chris Benoit together. Chris Benoit is eliminated.

Flair tried to eliminated Batista, which didn't work. Edge and Rey Mysterio dropkicked Batista.

Edge tossed Ric Flair from the ring. Ric Flair is eliminated.

Final four are John Cena, Rey Mysterio, Batista and Edge.

Edge gave Batista a spear, then gave one to Cena. Edge measured Mysterio for one, but Mysterio leapfrogged him. Mysterio gave Edge the 619. Edge ducked a West Coast Pop, and tossed Rey over the top rope. Rey held on, but Edge speared him and knocked him to the floor. Rey Mysterio is eliminated.

Cena and Batista gave Edge a double backdrop over the top rope to the floor. Edge is eliminated.

Cena and Batista were the final two men. They traded punches, then Cena lifted Batista in a fireman's carry. Batista kept grabbing the ropes to block elimination and punched his way out of it. Batista lifted Cena for a powerbomb, but they fell towards the ropes, and both went over the top rope and fell to the floor.

The Raw referees said Batista won. The Smackdown referees said Cena won.

Vince McMahon, ran (yes, ran) to the ring, ticked off. He even slipped getting into the ring, and looked annoyed. Batista grabbed Cena and tossed him over the top rope again. Cena ran back in, grabbed Batista and tossed him over the top rope. Howard Finkel announced that, by order of Vince McMahon, the match be restarted.

Cena grabbed Batista and went for an FU, but Batista floated out and hit a spinebuster. Batista then tossed Cena over the top rope to win the match. John Cena is eliminated.

Batista is the winner of the 2005 Royal Rumble, and will be in the main event at Wrestlemania!

2005 - Puck defeats Pain to win the Italian Championship Wrestling Interregional Heavyweight Title in Busto Arsizio, Italy.

2005 - "Portuguese Princess" Ariel defeats Cindy Rogers to win the NWA North Jersey Women's Title in Passaic, New Jersey. Warpath also defeats Chris Candido for the NWA North Jersey Heavyweight Title at the same event, with Warpath then losing that title to Rockin' Rebel.

2005 - Dick Togo defeats MIKAMI in Tokyo, Japan for the Dramatic Dream Team KO-D Openweight Title, ending MIKAMI's third reign.

2006 - WWE held a "Supershow", airing a live RAW and taping the February 3 edition of Friday Night SmackDown! at the TD Waterhouse Centre in Orlando, Florida. RAW got a 4.5 rating on USA Network, SmackDown! got a 2.9 on The CW. The results:
RAW:
- Rob Van Dam pinned Snitsky with the Five-Star Frog Splash.
- Triple H pinned Chavo Guerrero after the Pedigree.
- World Tag Team Champions Big Show and Kane defeated Carlito and Chris Masters, when Show pinned Masters after a double chokeslam.
- Shelton Benajmin (with Momma Benjamin) pinned Goldust after an Exploder suplex.
- Edge (with Lita) defeated WWE Champion John Cena by disqualification, when Lita grabbed the title belt and hit Edge in the head with it, to save him, as Cena had Edge up for the FU.
SmackDown!:
- WWE Tag Team Champions MNM (Joey Mercury and Johnny Nitro (with Melina)) defeated The Mexicools (Psicosis and Super Crazy), when Mercury pinned Crazy after Melina hit Crazy with her boot.
- Bobby Lashley pinned Chad Dick (with James Dick) after the Dominator.
- Tsuki pinned Octagóncito with an armdrag into a crucifix.
- Chris Benoit defeated Finlay (subbing for the injured WWE United States Champion Booker T (with Sharmell), who did guest commentary) by disqualification, when Sharmell hit Benoit with one of Booker's crutches while Benoit had Finlay in the Crippler Crossface, with The Boogeyman making the save.
- Mark Henry (with Daivari) and Randy Orton defeated Rey Mysterio and World Heavyweight Champion Kurt Angle, when Orton pinned Mysterio by blocking a sunset flip attempt.

2006 - Esteban Molina defeats Ruff Ryder Rashaan in Pound, Wisconsin to win the NWA Wisconsin Heavyweight Title.

2007 - WWE tapes the February 2 edition of Friday Night SmackDown! and airs a live edition of ECW from the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. ECW got a 1.7 rating on SciFi, while SmackDown! got a 3.1 rating on The CW. The results of the show:
ECW:
- Matt Striker pinned CM Punk by blocking a sunset flip into the ring and grabbing the ropes.
- Hardcore Holly pinned Rob Van Dam after the Alabamaslam.
- ECW World Champion Bobby Lashley pinned Test after a running powerslam. After the match, the lights in the arena went out, The Undertaker's bell sounded, and when the lights came back on The Undertaker, who had won the Royal Rumble Match two nights earlier, and Lashley stood alone in the ring. Test attempted to hit Taker with a chair but was chokeslammed for his efforts. Undertaker then motioned that he wanted Lashley's title.
SmackDown!:
- WWE United States Champion Chris Benoit pinned Finlay with a roll-up.
- Deuce 'N Domino defeated WWE Tag Team Champions Paul London and Brian Kendrick, when Domino pinned Kendrick after Deuce hit the Crack 'Em in the Mouth.
- Mr. Kennedy pinned Vito after the Green Bay Plunge.
- Ashley defeated Jillian Hall and Kristal in a bikini contest, hosted by JBL. Jillian opted to sing Britney Spears' 'Oops...I Did it Again' instead of disrobe, JBL took the mic from her and said that "Michael Hayes singing 'Badstreet' was better than that."
- The Miz pinned Matt Hardy after the Mizard of Oz, after Joey Mercury interfered and hit Hardy in the jaw with his protective facemask.

2007 - Peter Goodman defeats champion Lil' Nate, John Williams and Frankie Kazarian in a four-way match to win the Impact Zone Wrestling Heavyweight Title in Tempe, Arizona, beginning his second reign.


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