WWE 2008; The E is Entertainment!

Live from Madison Square Garden!
THE ROYAL RUMBLE

BANG! Pyrotechnics explode as we get set for the twenty-first annual Royal Rumble! Airbourne's "Stand Up For Rock & Roll" comes through the sound system in the historic Madison Square Garden. The arena is sold out, no tarp offs or empty seats. This is it, the big time, the first Pay-Per-View of 2008, The Royal Rumble. Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler are the first to greet us to tonight's historic event. The really cover the Orton/Hardy match indepthly. Joey Styles and Tazz are the next team to get to speak and they run down the CM Punk/Chavo Guerrero feud over the ECW Championship. Then finally, Michael Cole and The Coach explain the whole Edge/Rey Mysterio events as of late and then a huge "WOOOOOOOOOOO!" comes over the system. Ric Flair makes his way to the ring, the crowd chanting and doing Flair's signature "WOOOO!" with him. This could be Flair's last match...ever.

United States Championship
Ric Flair v. MVP (c)
A solid way to kick off the show here. The Garden crowd was as expected, a roaring madhouse. Flair got the early offense in, with his signature chops to the chest and chopblocks to the knee. MVP did hold his own in this matchup though. MVP hit some brutal elbows to the nose of Flair and a few heel attacks. Eventually, Flair started to wear down, and MVP then really went to work. He locked in a key abdominal stretch and it seemed like Flair was done for. All those years of work, shot down. But no! New hope as Flair battles out of it, hitting more chops, wearing down MVP. Flair then made his usual stroll after knocking MVP down with a clothesline. MVP didn't take too kindly to this and ran after Ric...only to be met with the steel post. Flair then went to the top and nailed a clothesline. He was all ready to lock in the figure-four, but MVP countered into a small package...FOR A CLOSE TWO. Flair is still alive. After another few minutes of back and fourth action, Flair once again got MVP down on the mat and locked in the Figure-Four this time. MVP almost got to the ropes, but Flair dragged him back to the center of the ring. Nowhere to turn, MVP had to submit! Ric Flair is alive for another day, and is also the NEW United States Champion! Flair celebrated with the crowd afterward and MVP laid in the ring. Good way to start us off!
Winner and NEW United States Champion: Ric Flair

Backstage, we see William Regal, Theodore Long and Armadon Estrada with the Royal Rumble ball picker. With them, is Torrie Wilson, Kelly Kelly, and Maria, who will help pick the numbers. Vince told the 3 general managers that the picking will begin now and that his son, Hornswoggle, will have the first pick. Hornswoggle, who is wide-eyed and smiling at the divas, with his mouth open, looks at the picker. Maria spins the wheel and picks the ball for Hornswoggle. Hornswoggle opens up the ball and starts running around the office! Vince stops him and asks him what he got. Woggle shows him and Vince gets an extremely mad expression on his face, as Hornswoggle continues to run around.

Royal Rumble Qualifier
Chris Jericho v. John 'Bradshaw' Layfield
Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler were on commentary for this one. Jericho got one, if not the biggest, pop of the night from all the New Yorkers. He is in his hometown here. JBL got some good heat on his way out and the crowd pretty much stayed silent for the whole match. JBL got the match going with an oreay of lefts and rights, right square to Jericho's jaw. JBL worked on Jericho's upperbody in the early going. Just stomping on Chris while he was on the ground and giving him some hard chops in the corner, really worn down Jericho fast. JBL did hit a few backbreakers in the beginning, but Jericho changed the course of this match, by nailed a russian legsweep to reverse a backdrop. Jericho then locked in a headscissors, which got JBL reeling. Chris capitalized on JBL's state and started to hit some bigger moves, including an incredible springboard dropkick. JBL was in place for the lionsault, but Jericho missed it, but landed on his feet. An ensurgi then landed on the chin of Layfield. Jericho then took final advantage, by hitting his pattened face smash, then to seal it off, the Codebreaker, for the 3 count. Chris Jericho will be competing in the Royal Rumble match a little later on this evening! JBL then laid out the ref afterward, which got some real heat.
Winner: Chris Jericho

We go backstage again, were more superstars are picking numbers. Triple H walks in, goes face to face with Vince, then picks his number. He smiles...then walks away. Next to come in is Santino Marella. He asks Maria to pick his ball and when he opens it up, he starts screaming. He told Vince that this is an outrage and he stormed out. Everyone starts to chuckle as we go to Todd Grisham.

Todd is with Randy Orton's challenger this evening, Jeff Hardy. Todd asks Hardy if he is focused and ready for tonights match. Jeff said that tonight's match isn't just about the WWE championship. Jeff wants to win this one for the whole Hardy family. When Orton attacked Matt Hardy, he made it personal, so Hardy is going to take away Orton's title, just like Orton took away Matt's oppurtunity for a spot in the Royal Rumble. Hardy walks off as Grisham sends it back down to ringside.

ECW World Championship
Chavo Guerrero v. CM Punk (c)
This was the shortest match of the night. It only went for about 8 minutes and the crowd really wasn't into it at all. Punk got a decent pop, but nothing major. No real heat on Chavo either. Chavo went on the early offense, nailing some kicks and suplexes to start the match. Punk quickly turned it around and nailed some nice judo kicks to the upperbody of Chavo, which had him feeling the effects. Punk almost hit the GTS about 4 minutes in, but Chavo battled out of it. Chavo then connected with various backbreakers and german suplexes. He then put Punk through the 3 amigos and went for the frogsplash, but hit the mat instead. Punk then took control again, nailing a facewash in the corner, then the knee/bulldog combination. It was all but over, when Punk lifted Chavo back upon his shoulder's looking to hit the GTS. BAM! Punk connects and we have a winner! Punk celebrates with the crowd, with his belt still up high.
Winner and Still ECW Champion: CM Punk

We once again go backstage with superstars picking their positions in the Rumble. In comes Chris Jericho, who is sporting his new shirt (NOW AVAILABLE ON SHOP.WWE.COM!). Chris picks himself a ball and smiles. He laughs in Vince's face and then walks out. The World Tag Champs, Holly and Rhodes walk in together, looking to pick their numbers. Hardcore said that the person with the lower number pays for the hotel. Cody laughingly agrees to the little bet and they both take a number. They show eachother and Holly laughs. Looks like Rhodes has the lower number tonight!

Michael Cole and The Coach once again rundown the World Championship match between Edge & Rey Mysterio. They date back to Edge's title win and the use of the Edgeheads. Then, it recaps how Vickie Guerrero mistreated Rey and disgracing the name of Guerrero. Then Edge makes his way out the ring and we are ready for this match!

World Heavyweight Championship
Rey Mysterio v. Edge (c)
Rey Mysterio got one gigantic pop here. Crowd, especially kids go crazy for Rey. I don't blame them. Edge got tremendous heat, maybe the most of the night. Match was solid and never stopping action, because these two can deliver. Everyone forgets that these two used to be tag champions together. Go figure. Anyway, Rey got the early offense in, hitting a variety of aerial moves to keep Edge off balance and off his game. A beautiful senton got a close two on Edge. Edge eventually got back on his game, hitting his usual moveset, that got the crowd going again. Edge continued to get booed, aslong as he was in control of the action. Edge went old school on everyone's ass, during the match, when he hit the electric chair drop. When was the last time he used that? I miss his brood days. Anyway, Edge got the close two on that. Edge missed the spear after this and it really changed the tide of the match. Rey then went back to his aerial based attacks, including moonsaults, springboards, and that flipping bulldog move that he always does. Edge almost appeared to be over with, when Rey gave him a drop toehold into the second rope. Edge quickly rolled out of the ring and then under the ring. Here we go again. "Edge" then appeared again, but was it Edge? Anyway, Rey once again set him up for a 619 and connected this time. Then Edge again rolled out of the ring and under it again. He quickly came back from under it, looking like nothing happened to him. Rey again hit a 619 on Edge, but again. Edge gets out of the ring and under it. Rey looks at the bottom of the apron, when Edge appeared on the opposite side of the ring! He connects with a devastating spear and gets the 3 for the win. Turns out that the Edgeheads played a big part in this match, because they are the ones who took the 619s from Rey, not the real Edge. Anyway, Rey shook his head as the 3 Edges walked up the ramp.
Winner and Still World Champion: Edge

We go backstage for the last time tonight, where people are picking their spots in the Rumble. Ken Kennedy had just left as we got back there and from the looks of it, he wasn't too happy. There are only 2 balls left. Who hasn't picked yet? Well, in steps Batista, how picks one of the two balls. He seems pretty content with his choice. Vince asks who hasn't picked yet. No one answers, then Vince tells everyone that he has actually entered the Royal Rumble. He takes the last ball and walks off.

A video package of the Jeff Hardy/Randy Orton feud is shown. It covers the whole feud, for about the past month and a half. They focused on Jeff's crazy stunts and Orton's attack on Matt Hardy. Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler once again join us for this match.

WWE Championship
Jeff Hardy v. Randy Orton (c)
When Hardy was introduced to the New York crowd, he got a hellacious pop. The crowd was just completely bezerk for him, especially the younger crowd and you can hear it. Orton's reaction was the complete opposite of Hardy's, some major boos. The ref held the title and rang the bell. A regular tie up started us off and from there on, the match was pretty even. Hardy hit some pretty impressive springboard dropkicks on Orton, which got the crowd directly into it. But Orton was able to slow the match down, with his usual headlocks and restholds. Orton then hit his usual backbreaker, that got a close two. Orton then went on to nail some ugly uppercuts and such, and then went back to restholds and headlocks. He was able to slow down the pace of the match to his speed and level, not Hardy's. The crowd eventually got Hardy back into it, by cheering him on and he battled out of a headlock, with elbows to the gut. On bought dropkicks, and some crazy aerial attacks from Hardy. Hardy even hit a wicked corkscrew moonsault, but it only got a 2 somehow. Hardy sent Orton to the outside, after a big clothesline. The ref tried to convince Hardy not to do anything crazy, but there he goes. Off the ropes and a huge Plancha to the outside! Hardy just got in at a 5 count and Orton just got in at a 8 1/2 count. Back to where we started, only that the men where extremely worn out. Hardy hit some kind of DDT and then a whisper in the wind. He went for a twist of fate, but Orton reversed it into a RKO! He got a 2.99999999 count. Orton started to argue with the ref and that allowed Hardy to gather himself and nail a twist of fate on Orton. He climbed the turnbuckle, looking for the signature Swanton Bomb. Orton started to stir though and Hardy had to resort to a crossbody...but ORTON REVERSES INTO A RKO! Orton gets the 3! What a match this was! Orton did get some cheers afterward and quickly got up the ramp, with his gold over his shoulder. Hardy got a big hand afterward.
Winner and STILL WWE Champion: Randy Orton

Lillian Garcia then reviewed the rules of our main event, the Royal Rumble. The crowd is extremely pumped up for this one. Joey Styles and Jerry Lawler will be on commentary for this match, a great pair I might say... here we go!

THE ROYAL RUMBLE!

How It Went:
01: Cody Rhodes (eliminated 4th by Khali)
02: Elijah Burke (eliminated 7th by Michaels)
03: Ken Kennedy (eliminated 23rd by Jericho)
04: John Morrison (eliminated 2nd by Kennedy)
05: Santino Marella (eliminated 1st by Rhodes)
06: The Great Khali (eliminated 9th by Batista)
07: Tommy Dreamer (eliminated 3rd by Khali)
08: Snitsky (eliminated 6th by Michaels)
09: Shawn Michaels (eliminated 27th by Undertaker)
10: Jimmy Wang Yang (eliminated 5th by Snitsky)
11: Hardcore Holly (eliminated 8th by Khali)
12: Curt Hawkins (eliminated 10th by Batista)
13: Batista (eliminated 14th by Kennedy/Henry)
14: Shannon Moore (eliminated 11th by Kennedy)
15: Carlito (eliminated 13th by Michaels)
16: Brian Kendrick (eliminated 12th by Michaels)
17: Mark Henry (eliminated 18 by Michaels/Kane)
18: Jamie Noble (eliminated 16th by Finlay)
19: Kane (eliminated 21st by Michaels)
20: Zach Ryder (eliminated 15th by Kane)
21: Finlay (eliminated 17th by Henry)
22: Shelton Benjamin (eliminated 22nd by Jericho)
23: Mick Foley (eliminated 20th by Kennedy)
24: The Miz (eliminated 19th by Mick Foley)
25: Undertaker (WINNER!)
26: Chris Jericho (eliminated 25th by Triple H)
27: Umaga (eliminated 24th by Triple H)
28: Vince McMahon (eliminated 29th by Undertaker)
29: Triple H (eliminated 26th by Michaels)
30: Hornswoggle (eliminated 27th by Vince McMahon)

The Final Four: It was down to Shawn Michaels, Hornswoggle, Vince McMahon and Undertaker. Michaels and Taker put on a show as Vince and 'Woggle watched. For the second straight year in a row, Taker was able to eliminate Michaels. While this was going on, Vince quickly turned on Hornswoggle and threw him over the top rope. Vince did his usual walk and celebrated and then turned around and was met by a chokeslam. Taker then tossed him over and got the win for the second straight year. The end of the Royal Rumble saw the Undertaker celebrating with the creatures of the night, with the lighting all purple. So long from New York City.