WWE Royal Rumble PPV
January 29, 2012
St. Louis, Missouri (Scottrade Center)
Report by: Adam Martin of Wrestleview.com
The WWE opening promo plays.
A video package runs hyping the goal of winning the Royal Rumble and the history of the match.
A graphic opening hits welcoming us to the 2012 WWE Royal Rumble. We go live inside the Scottrade Center where a huge display of pyro goes off. Michael Cole notes we are sold out tonight in St. Louis. Cole is joined by Jerry “The King” Lawler and Booker T on commentary.
The steel cage begins to lower as we kick off the first match of the night.
WWE World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan is out first.
WWE World Heavyweight Championship – Steel Cage, Triple Threat Match
Daniel Bryan (c) vs. Big Show vs. Mark Henry
Lilian Garcia handled the ring introductions for the challengers Mark Henry and Big Show followed by the champion Daniel Bryan. Bryan tries escaping when the bell rings and Henry pulls him down. Bryan takes a big shoulder block from Big Show. Big Show splashes Henry against the side of the cage three times. Bryan tries to escape again, but Big Show pulls him back down by his leg and launches him back inside the ring. Big Show with a big chest chop to Bryan in the corner. Bryan attempts a comeback with a chest chop, but Big Show grabs him by the head and launches him into the cage. Bryan dodges a knockout punch attempt. Bryan takes Big Show off his feet kicking away at his knee. Bryan with big kicks to the chest of Henry and follows with a kick to the head. Henry sling shots Bryan face first into the side of the cage. Big Show drops Henry with a kick to the jaw. Bryan gets a Lebell Lock on Big Show. Henry breaks it up. Big Show drops Henry with a knockout punch. Bryan jumps up to the top of the cage and Big Show follows. Bryan dodges a chokeslam attempt and holds onto Bryan’s arm. Bryan is dangling over the cage on the outside. Bryan slips out and falls to the ground to get the win as a frustrated Big Show looks on.
Winner and still WWE World Heavyweight Champion: Daniel Bryan
A promo for the WWE Elimination Chamber PPV airs.
A video package runs hyping John Cena in preparation for Cena vs. The Rock at Wrestlemania 28.
WWE Divas Champion Beth Phoenix, Natalya and The Bella Twins vs. Kelly Kelly, Eve, Alicia Fox and Tamina
We start with Natalya and Tamina. The two exchange shots and chest chops. Tag to Eve who connects with a standing moonsault. Tag to Beth Phoenix. Eve catches Beth with a kick to the face and jumping clothesline. Beth gets her knees up when Eve attempts a flip dive. Tag to Nikki Bella who chokes Eve. Tag to Alicia Fox who hits a clothesline and dropkick combos to Nikki. Nikki drops Alicia down face first and works over her with a choke. Tag to Kelly Kelly who takes out Nikki with a facebuster. Kelly with her twisting head scissors takedown. Kelly with another facebuster and Brie breaks it up. All of the girls being brawling. Kelly goes up top, jumps and takes everyone out in what Cole calls “Diva Dominos.” Beth tags herself in big time and connects with the Glam Slam to get the win.
Winners: WWE Divas Champion Beth Phoenix, Natalya and The Bella Twins
After the match, Beth Phoenix continues to blow off The Bella Twins wanting to celebrate.
We see highlights from Raw when Kane gave Zack Ryder a chokeslam through the metal stage.
Backstage, we see Zack Ryder being rolled up in a wheelchair and a brace around his back/chest. John Laurinaitis walks up welcoming Ryder to a special room he has setup for him. Laurinaitis says whatever Ryder wants he will provide adding, “Woo Woo Woo…You know it!” Eve walks up and hopes Laurinaitis gets fired.
John Cena vs. Kane
The bell rings and John Cena runs up with some big rights. Kane drops Cena quickly and lands some rights of his own. Cena clotheslines Kane over the top rope and Kane pulls him out. Kane with a kick to the face of Cena and then applies a headlock keeping Cena grounded. Cena fights to his feet with knees and right hands. Fans boo when Cena gets in offense and cheer when Kane gets in offense. Kane with a quick suplex and goes back to a headlock on Cena. Cena fights to his feet, attempts a comeback and Kane cuts it off with a big uppercut. Cena drops Kane’s jaw off the top rope, but eats a clothesline from Kane when he jumps back in. Kane tries to suffocate Cena with his hand and Cena falls to his knees. Cena counters out and gets the STF locked on. Kane powers out and connects with a side slam.
Kane goes up top, jumps and catches Cena with a flying clothesline. Kane lifts his arm up and calls for the chokeslam on Cena. Cena drops Kane with a big shoulder block and then connects with his twisting powerbomb. Loud booing as Cena raises to his feet. Kane chokes Cena when he goes for the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cena counters out and Kane with a big boot that drops Cena. Kane lifts Cena up to the top turnbuckle and gets in another uppercut shot. Cena knocks Kane away sending him back to the mat below. Cena stands up on the top turnbuckle, smiles and connects with a Five Knuckle Shuffle from the top. Kane counters an AA attempt. Cena dives in and drops Kane going after his knee. Kane then kicks Cena out of the ring. Kane leaves and the referee begins the count.
Kane with a headbutt to Cena on the outside. The referee reaches the 10 count and calls for the bell.
Winner: Double Countout
After the bell rings, the fight continues with Cena hitting Kane with what looks to be a trash bin. They brawl to the backstage area as Kane slams Cena down face first over a production box. Cena tosses Kane into a few trash bins. Kane grabs a chair and drives it into the gut of Cena. Kane cracks it over his back and then gets in one more shot to the head. Kane sees Zack Ryder’s room and kicks down the door. Kane uses his hand to suffocate Ryder and then rolls him out of the room in his wheelchair. Kane wheels Ryder back inside the arena and dumps him near the ring. Kane tosses Ryder inside the ring and Eve runs in trying to get Kane to stop. Kane picks up Ryder and connects with a Tombstone Piledriver as Eve drops to her knees in shock. Cena hits the ring and starts throwing rights at Kane. Cena attempts an AA, but his back gives. Kane with a chokeslam on Cena. Kane leaves the ring smiling as Eve attends to Ryder. WWE officials hit the ring to check on Cena and Ryder. Ryder is put on a stretcher as Cena sits up looking on upset.
A video package runs hyping The Rock in preparation for Cena vs. The Rock at Wrestlemania 28.
Brodus Clay vs. Drew McIntyre
Drew McIntyre distracts Brodus Clay going in with quick offense right away. McIntyre attempts corner clotheslines and Clay shrugs them all off. Clay with an overhead suplex and corner splash. Clay hits the ropes and splashes McIntyre hitting what he calls “What The Funk.” Clay covers McIntyre.
Winner: Brodus Clay
After the match, Brodus Clay dances with his girls.
A promo for Raw tomorrow night is shown.
A video package runs hyping CM Punk vs. Dolph Ziggler tonight.
WWE Championship
Special Guest Referee: John Laurinaitis
CM Punk (c) vs. Dolph Ziggler w/ Vickie Guerrero
Before the match, John Laurinaitis makes the announcement that he will oversee the match at ringside and have another WWE referee handle the duties for the WWE Championship match. We got ring introductions for the challenger Dolph Ziggler and champion CM Punk. Before the match starts, Laurinaitis gets in the ring and sends Vickie Guerrero to the back. Vickie heads to the back screaming.
The bell rings and CM Punk goes for a quick rollup on Dolph Ziggler. Ziggler dodges a GTS attempt by Punk early on. Punk with kicks to the body of Ziggler. Series of counters and Ziggler catches himself on the ropes doing some Ric Flair strutting. Punk gets Ziggler in an abdominal stretcher and hammers away with elbows. Punk drops Ziggler over the top rope and Ziggler falls to the outside. Punk with a suicide dive catching Ziggler. Punk goes up top, Ziggler trips him up, Punk falls back on the corner and to the mat. That could have ended pretty badly as we see a replay of Punk landing on his neck. Ziggler with a reverse neckbreaker and follows with a series of elbow drops. Ziggler with a elbow to the shoulder of Punk and then keeps Punk grounded applying a deep headlock right away.
Punk goes for the Anaconda Vice and Ziggler counters out going back to a headlock. Ziggler with a quick dropkick that drops Punk. Ziggler goes for a Fameasser, but Punk counters catching Ziggler, turns and plants him with a big powerbomb. Punk with a series of right hands and chops to Ziggler. Punk with a reverse neckbreaker, running high knee and running bulldog combo on Ziggler. Ziggler counters another GTS attempt, catapults Punk into the corner, Punk holds on, cross-body, Ziggler rolls through and Punk counters a Zig Zag attempt. Punk catches Ziggler with a big kick to the head. Punk with a scoop slam on Ziggler, stares down John Laurinaitis and connects with a flying elbow off the top turnbuckle for a two count. Ziggler counters another GTS and pushes Punk into the referee.
The referee is down as Punk gets the Anaconda Vice locked on. On the outside, Laurinaitis is checking on the knocked out referee. Ziggler was tapping out and the referee was still down. Punk yells at Laurinaitis. Ziggler attempts a rollup, but Punk rolls through and has Ziggler beat for a second time as the crowd counts the pinfall out loud. Laurinaitis puts the referee back in the ring. Punk and Laurinaitis argue. Punk gets Ziggler up for the GTS and hits Laurinaitis out of the ring in the process. Punk with the GTS on Ziggler, hooks the leg and the referee is still trying to recover. Punk yells at Laurinaitis saying “the next GTS is for you clown shoes!” Punk has Ziggler up for another GTS, but Ziggler counters in mid-air with a Fameasser. Ziggler covers and gets a close two.
A frustrated Ziggler starts kicking and punching away at Punk. Punk catapults Ziggler into the corner and connects with the GTS. Punk covers Ziggler, Laurinaitis jumps in the ring and counts the pinfall along with the referee.
Winner and still WWE Champion: CM Punk
After the match, John Laurinaitis grabs the WWE Championship and hands it to CM Punk. Laurinaitis leaves the ring and heads up the ramp as Punk celebrates his win with the WWE Championship in hand. We then see highlights of the match leading to the finish.
A promo runs hyping that Wrestlemania 28 is 63 days away.
A video package runs focusing on the history of the Royal Rumble.
30-Man Royal Rumble Match
#1: The Miz
The Miz grabs a mic and says every superstar backstage has been laughing at him all day beacause he is the #1 entrant in the Royal Rumble tonight. He added those are the same superstars that said he would never headline a Wrestlemania or become WWE Champion. Miz promises to win tonight and move on to headline Wrestlemania 28.
#2: Alex Riley
Miz and Riley exchange shots. Riley drops Miz with a big clothesline. Miz with a big boot to Riley. Miz is tossed over, but holds on. Riley charges and Miz holds down the top rope.
Alex Riley is eliminated
#3: R-Truth
Truth tackles Miz. Miz with an elbow to Truth. Truth catches Miz with a flying side leg. Truth dumps Miz to the ring apron. Miz fights back in and Truth avoids a Skull Crushing Finale. Truth with a modified suplex plant. Time expires.
#4: Cody Rhodes
Rhodes with his Beautiful Disaster kick to Truth. Rhodes holds Truth for Miz. Miz with a kick and right hands to Truth. Miz holds Truth for Rhodes who gets in some shots of his own. Rhodes with a kick to the groin of Truth against the ropes. Time expires.
#5: Justin Gabriel
Gabriel goes up top and takes out both Rhodes and Miz. Rhodes fires back with kicks to Gabriel on the mat. Rhodes with chops to Gabriel in the corner. Miz works over Truth in the other corner. Time expires.
#6: Primo
Primo with a series of clotheslines when he hits the ring. Miz tosses Truth over the top rope.
R-Truth is eliminated
Truth pulls Miz out of the ring and eats part of the floor. Miz is still in the match. Time expires.
#7: Mick Foley
Foley with right hands to Primo. Huge reaction for Foley in St. Louis. Foley tosses Primo over.
Primo is eliminated
Foley with a running knee to the face of Rhodes and follows with a double arm DDT. Time expires.
#8: Ricardo Rodriguez
Ricardo goes after Rhodes in the corner. Gabriel with a dropkick to Ricardo. Ricardo with a kick and forearms to Gabriel. Foley and Ricardo toss Gabriel over.
Justin Gabriel is eliminated.
Time expires.
#9: Santino
Santino with a high back body drop on Ricardo followed by an atomic drop. Santino gives Ricardo a wedgie and tosses him over.
Ricardo Rodriguez is eliminated.
Santino takes out his Cobra and Foley takes out Mr. Socko. We get a stand off as time expires.
#10: Epico
Foley with Mr. Socko to Epico and tosses him over the top rope.
Epico is eliminated
Miz and Rhodes, who remain legal, get back involved going after Foley and Santino. Rhodes tosses Santino over.
Santino is eliminated
Foley with Mandible Claw to Miz. Rhodes tosses Foley over.
Mick Foley is eliminated
Time expires.
#11: Kofi Kingston
Kingston with tons of offense on Miz and Rhodes. Boom Drop over Miz. Time expires.
#12: Jerry “The King” Lawler
Lawler leaves his post at ringside on commentary and hits the ring. Lawler with big right hands to Miz and Rhodes. Lawler drops a fist from the second rope on Miz. Rhodes tosses Lawler over.
Jerry “The King” Lawler is eliminated
Time expires.
#13: Ezekiel Jackson
Jackson takes out Rhodes and Miz with shoulder blocks. Jackson goes to work on Kingston with a side slam. Time expires.
#14: Jinder Mahal
Mahal goes after Jackson with a quick neckbreaker. Time expires.
#15: The Great Khali
Khali with a series of chops including a big one on Mahal. Khali tosses Mahal over the top rope.
Jinder Mahal is eliminated
Khali sends Jackson over the top rope.
Ezekiel Jackson is eliminated
Time expires.
#16: Hunico
Hunico with a big springboard cross-body on Kingston. Time expires.
#17: Booker T
Booker leaves his post at ringside much like Lawler and hits the ring. Loud chants for Booker. Kingston is nearly eliminated with his hands on the floor. Miz pushes his legs up and Kingston headstands across the floor and lands his feet on the steel steps without touching the floor. Time expires.
#18: Dolph Ziggler
Booker nearly eliminates Hunico. Khali stares down Ziggler. Time expires.
#19: “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan
Duggan cleans house as he gets a huge reaction in St. Louis. Duggan gets a USA chant. Rhodes tosses Duggan over the top rope.
“Hacksaw” Jim Duggan is eliminated
Booker T is eliminated
The Great Khali is eliminated
Time expires.
#20: Michael Cole
Cole puts on his wrestling headgear and starts jumping up and down in the ring. Time expires.
#21: Kharma
Kharma levels Cole. Cole climbs over the top rope and both Booker and Lawler pull Cole out.
Michael Cole is eliminated
Ziggler yells at Kharma to get out. Kharma double hooks Ziggler and gives him a huge facebuster. Kharma tosses Hunico out.
Hunico is eliminated
Ziggler tosses Kharma out.
Kharma is elimianted
Time expires.
#22: Sheamus
Sheamus with some big powerslams early on when he hits the ring. Kingston is tossed out by Sheamus.
Kofi Kingston is eliminated
Sheamus with forearm chest shots to Rhodes and Miz. Time expires.
#23: “Road Dogg” Jesse James
Road Dogg is decked out in DX gear as he drops a knee over Rhodes and hits the Pumphandle Slam on Miz. Time expires.
#24: Jey Uso
Uso with a corner splash on Road Dogg. Time expires.
#25: Jack Swagger
Swagger with a series of clotheslines to anyone near him. Time expires.
#26: Wade Barrett
Barrett with huge right hands leveling anyone in his path when he hits the ring. Barrett tosses Road Dogg out.
“Road Dogg” Jesse James is eliminated
Time expires.
#27: David Otunga
Otunga goes to work on Rhodes in the corner when he hits the ring. Time expires.
#28: Randy Orton
Orton takes out Barrett right away. Orton with a series of powerslams on Sheamus and Barrett. HUGE reaction for Orton. Orton with his DDT through the ropes on both Rhodes and Ziggler. Orton tosses Jey Uso out. RKO on Barrett. Barrett is gone.
Jey Uso is eliminated
Wade Barrett is eliminated
#29: Chris Jericho
Jericho starts leveling people with elbows. Jericho tosses out Otunga.
David Otunga is eliminated
Time expires.
#30: Big Show
Big Show helps Swagger get tossed out. Big Show drops him with a knockout punch when Swagger pushes back.
Jack Swagger is eliminated
Big Show tosses Miz and Rhodes out.
The Miz is eliminated
Cody Rhodes is eliminated
Big Show tosses out Ziggler.
Dolph Ziggler is eliminated
We are down to Big Show, Sheamus, Randy Orton and Chris Jericho. Big Show with a chokeslam on Jericho. RKO on Big Show by Orton. Orton tosses out Big Show lifting him over. Jericho tosses out Orton.
Big Show is eliminated
Randy Orton is eliminated
We are down to Chris Jericho and Sheamus. Sheamus yells, “Come on fella!” Lock up and Sheamus drops Jericho. Sheamus tosses Jericho to the corner attempting to toss him over. Jericho is holding on to the bottom rope. Jericho kicks Sheamus away. Jericho with a missile dropkick. Sheamus with a backbreaker over his knee on Jericho. Jericho counters a powerbomb attempt and clotheslines Sheamus over. Sheamus holds on. Jericho with a dropkick to Sheamus. Sheamus is clutching to the bottom rope. Sheamus with a springboard shoulder block taking out Jericho. Sheamus tries tossing Jericho over. Jericho hangs on and elbows Sheamus. Sheamus catches Jericho with a high elbow. Jericho drops Sheamus and gets the Walls of Jericho locked in. Jericho breaks the hold. Sheamus gets to his feet. Sheamus tosses Jericho over. Jericho holds on with his feet nearly touching the floor. Jericho sends Sheamus into the corner. Jericho is getting up on the top turnbuckle. Sheamus is attempting a superplex. Sheamus falls off crotching himself on the top rope. Sheamus nearly eliminates himself, but holds on. Jericho rolls in. Jericho with the Codebreaker on Sheamus. Jericho with right hands to Sheamus against the ropes. Jericho has Sheamus hanging over the top rope. Jericho slaps Sheamus repeatedly. Sheamus pushes Jericho away. Sheamus catches Jericho, tosses him over and Jericho again nearly gets eliminated hanging on. Jericho stands up and Sheamus catches him with the Brogue Kick to eliminate Jericho.
Winner of the 2012 Royal Rumble: Sheamus
After the match, we see highlights of Chris Jericho and Sheamus leading to the final elimination. Back live, Sheamus celebrates up on the top turnbuckle as pyro goes off around the Wrestlemania 28 logo and in the entrance area.