[loopydate]

JANUARY 9, 2005 - ROYAL RUMBLE

The Road to WrestleMania 21 officially kicks off tonight! Both World Titles on the line, four long-running feuds coming to an end, and thirty of the top Superstars in World Wrestling Entertainment will battle it out in a timed-entry battle royal, the Royal Rumble match! The winner of that match will go onto WM21 to face the world champion of their choice!

The night kicks off with the latest battle in the war between Shelton Benjamin and the co-leader of the Natural Born Ministry, the Undertaker!

Shelton Benjamin vs. Undertaker

Weak headbutt on Shelton by Undertaker. Lame kick from Undertaker. Shelton Benjamin takes a right hand to the temple from Undertaker. Running clothesline from Undertaker, sloppily done. Shelton Benjamin elbows Undertaker in the face to break a hammerlock. Fallaway slam by Shelton Benjamin. Gutwrench into a powerbomb, Undertaker hits hard. Cover for a two count. Undertaker drops out the back of a Shelton Benjamin bodyslam attempt. Powerslam from Undertaker on Shelton. There's a two count on the pin. Side suplex from Undertaker. Pin, but Shelton is out just before the three count. Undertaker misses a clothesline. Double arm suplex by Shelton Benjamin, Undertaker hits hard. Undertaker comes up with a right hand out of nowhere. Shelton takes a vertical suplex. Undertaker moves in for the kill. Chokeslam!!! That shook the ring. 1....2....3!! Undertaker gives a murderous look toward Shelton Benjamin...and attacks! Shelton gets dropped to the canvas, then battered with a barrage of rights and lefts. Undertaker leaves the ring having left Shelton down and out. **1\2 rating. Perfectly Acceptable Wrestling.

Overall Rating: 73%
Crowd Reaction: 76%
Match Quality: 69%

After the match, Undertaker grabs the ringside microphone and says that Shelton Benjamin's days are numbered. And that number... is one!

Paul London and Matt Hardy Version 2.0 have put on an incredible series of matches for London's Cruiserweight Title. Tonight, they meet for the very last time in a falls-count-anywhere match!

Falls-Count-Anywhere for the Cruiserweight Title - Paul London (c) vs. Matt Hardy Version 2.0

Paul London dropkicks Matt after leaping off an upturned shopping cart. Lightning kick by London on Matt. Cover for a two count. Matt powers out of a headlock. Spinning back kick from Matt Hardy Version 2.0. Second rope flying axe handle, London goes down. There's a two count on the pin. Matt Hardy Version 2.0 sets up a chair, then bounces off it to hit a flying avalanche into the corner Pinfall attempt gets a 2.9999. Second rope flying axe handle, London goes down. They brawl to the outside and into the crowd. Dropkick connects, London falls to the concrete floor. There's a two count on the pin. Sharp kick. They wind up back in the squared circle. London drops out the back of a Matt Hardy Version 2.0 bodyslam attempt. London crushes Matt with a big legdrop. There's a two count on the pin. DDT from the top rope by Paul London. That looked brutal. Cover, but there's a last second kick-out. Flying elbow from Paul London. Face slam on the table by London. Matt reverses a Paul London hammerlock. Second rope flying axe handle, London goes down. Diamond Dust from Matt Hardy Version 2.0, London is out. Matt Hardy Version 2.0 moves in for the kill. Here it comes - Twist Of Fate. 1....2...3, it's finished. Good **** rating.

Overall Rating: 89%
Crowd Reaction: 87%
Match Quality: 91%

Since joining the Elite, Rey Mysterio's biggest threat has been from the "Crippler" Chris Benoit. The 2004 King of the Ring has been all over Rey for months, and tonight Rey will defend the U.S. Title one last time against Benoit in a two-out-of-three falls match!

2-out-of-3 Falls for the United States Title - Rey Mysterio (c) vs. Chris Benoit

FIRST FALL: Chris Benoit snap suplexes Rey...with authority! ('With authority', trademark G.Monsoon 1986.) Massive backbreaker, Rey got planted. Early reports indicate that the back was *not* actually broken, so the move's name should actually be backhurter. Cover for a two count. Rey Mysterio comes up with a right hand out of nowhere. Rey Mysterio scores with a back heel kick on Benoit. Spin kick by Rey Mysterio to the face. There's a two count on the pin. Benoit walks into a face crusher variation. Pinfall attempt gets a 2.9999. Legsweep out of Nowhere. Where is Nowhere, and why do moves keep coming out of there? Does it have a factory? Benoit kicks Rey Mysterio in the gut to reverse the momentum. Tiger bomb by Chris Benoit, executed perfectly. Hooks the leg for a two count. Emerald Fusion by Chris Benoit on Rey. Hooks the leg for a close fall. Rey Mysterio takes a butterfly suplex from Benoit. Double arm suplex by Chris Benoit, Rey hits hard. Rey kicks Chris Benoit in the gut to reverse the momentum. Second rope flying axe handle, Benoit goes down. DDT from the top rope by Rey Mysterio. That looked brutal. Pin, three count, it's over. Rey Mysterio pins Benoit. SECOND FALL: Stiff high kick on Benoit by Rey Mysterio who has evidently been watching some old AJPW tapes recently. Rey Mysterio scores with a back heel kick on Benoit. Flying elbow from Rey Mysterio. Spin kick by Rey Mysterio to the face. Benoit reverses a waistlock. Vertical suplex by Chris Benoit. Brutal T-Bone suplex by Benoit, Rey got folded in half. Hooks the leg for a two count. Rey Mysterio ducks a clothesline attempt. Lightning kick by Rey on Benoit. Hooks the leg for a two count. Vicious kick to the teeth from Rey Mysterio. Cover, but there's a last second kick-out. Chris Benoit pulls a mule kick out of nowhere. Rey walks into a stiff sit-out jaw breaker. Cover gets three. Chris Benoit pinned Rey. THIRD FALL: Rey hits a wicked chop that echoes through the building. Benoit blocks the suplex attempt. Benoit drives a forearm into the chest of Rey. We have our mandatory ref bump, as he goes down after accidentally getting caught by an elbow to the face. Belly to back suicideplex, Rey got folded up big time. Cover, but there's no one to count for Chris Benoit. Benoit walks into a trip. Driven DDT by Rey Mysterio. The ring shook violently, instantly making it better at selling than some of the current roster. Flying cross body off the top rope! I'll give a 0.8 on the Steamboat scale for that effort. Hooks the leg for a two count. Diamond Dust from Rey Mysterio, Benoit is out. Pin, but Benoit is out just before the three count. Rey Mysterio misses a big legdrop after stalling too long. Tiger bomb by Chris Benoit, executed perfectly. Pin : 1 - 2 - 2.9999999. Rey blocks a kick from Chris Benoit. Chris Benoit can barely stand. West Coast Pop!!! That shook the ring. 1....2....3!! END OF BOUT. Rey Mysterio climbs each turnbuckle in turn, working the crowd as he celebrates his victory Almost wandered into *** match territory, but there was too much that dragged it down so it only gets a **3\4 rating.

Overall Rating: 83%
Crowd Reaction: 89%
Match Quality: 72%

Last month at Starrcade, Randy Orton ended his best-of-five series with Rob Van Dam with a big victory. By virtue of that win, Orton has earned this next match - a World Title shot against the manbeast Rhyno!

World Title Match - Rhyno (c) vs. Randy Orton

Rhyno slams Randy Orton. Rhyno only gets knees on a splash. Randy Orton fires off some right and left hands. The referee bumps after catching a wild right hand and is down. Brutal seated powerbomb on Rhyno. Cover, but there's no one to count for Randy Orton. Rhyno ducks a wild right hand. Rhyno slams Randy Orton down. Nice piledriver on Orton. Cover for a two count. Lifting DDT by Rhyno, looked good. Pinfall attempt gets a 2.9999. Randy Orton elbows Rhyno in the face to break a hammerlock. Driven full nelson slam on Rhyno. Pinfall attempt gets a 2.9999. Rhyno counters an arm wringer with an elbow to the side of the head. Randy Orton is in trouble. Gore! GORE! GOOOOOOOORE!!! That shook the ring. 1....2....3!! Rob Van Dam comes running down the aisle with a chair and into the ring! Orton turns...and is dropped by a vicious chair shot! Rob Van Dam has left Orton down and bloodied. It gets a ***1\2 rating.

Overall Rating: 91%
Crowd Reaction: 96%
Match Quality: 82%

Eric Bischoff appears on the TitanTron after RVD's assault on Orton and announces that he's sick and tired of these two jumping each other and costing each other matches. Tomorrow night on RAW, these two will face off for the last time in an I Quit match! And to make sure this is the last time... the loser will be forced to leave RAW!

At Starrcade just two weeks ago, Tajiri picked up the biggest victory of his career when he unseated The Rock to become WWE Champion. Tonight, The Rock cashes in his rematch clause in a Hardcore Match!

Hardcore Match for the WWE Title - The Rock vs. Tajiri (c)

Rock hits a right hand. Tajiri eats a trash can. Rude Awakening on Tajiri by Rock. Back elbow connects, Tajiri staggers backward. The Rock gets taken down out of nowhere. Hip toss onto a chair by Tajiri. Lightning kick by Tajiri on Rock. There's a two count on the pin. The Rock comes up with a right hand out of nowhere. The Rock hits a bulldog off the ropes. There's a two count on the pin. Lifting DDT by The Rock, looked good. Pin : 1 - 2 - 2.9999999. Tajiri ducks a wild right hand. Tajiri hits a wicked chop that echoes through the building. Tajiri walks into a trip. Big backdrop on Tajiri, executed well. Tajiri gets knocked to the ground by Rock. Here it comes - The People's Elbow, forget about it. 1....2...3! The Rock climbs each turnbuckle in turn, working the crowd as he celebrates his victory Great match, a ****1\4 rating i think.

Overall Rating: 95%
Crowd Reaction: 99%
Match Quality: 89%

Two of the most exciting members of the Elite have been engaged in one of WWE's most brutal feuds over the last couple of months. Tonight, Eddie Guerrero and Chris Jericho will do battle one last time in a Ladder Match!

Ladder Match - Eddie Guerrero vs. Chris Jericho

Flying DDT off the middle of the ladder by Chris Jericho. Super frankensteiner on Eddie, who hit hard. Eddie pushes out of a Chris Jericho hold. Standing leg lariat by Eddie Guerrero on Jericho. Hard back suplex on Jericho. Anyone remember when that was Shawn Michaels's finisher? HBK-style splash from the top of the ladder! Driven DDT by Eddie Guerrero. The ring shook violently, instantly making it better at selling than some of the current roster. Jericho blocks a punch. Jericho crushes Eddie with a sweet running senton. Back heel kick off the second rope, Eddie goes down. Second rope flying axe handle, Eddie goes down. Flying elbow by Chris Jericho from the top of the ladder. Eddie counters an arm wringer with an elbow to the side of the head. Hard back suplex on Jericho. Anyone remember when that was Shawn Michaels's finisher? Springboard dropkick from Eddie Guerrero. Nicely done. Eddie Guerrero floors Chris Jericho...and climbs the turnbuckles. Through the air, Frogsplash! Eddie Guerrero sets the ladder up and climbs it, grabbing the prize for the victory. Eddie Guerrero remains in the ring, celebrating the victory. This one gets a ***1\4 rating, it was a good bout.

Overall Rating: 91%
Crowd Reaction: 98%
Match Quality: 78%

It is now time for the Royal Rumble match! The thirty participants drew numbers randomly backstage earlier. The men who drew #1 and #2 will start the match. Every two minutes thereafter, another Superstar will enter the match. Eliminations occur when someone is thrown over the top rope with both feet hitting the floor. The winner of the match will earn a shot at the world title of his choice at WrestleMania 21!

Royal Rumble Match

Rey Mysterio and Shelton Benjamin are the first two competitors. Dropkick connects, Shelton goes down. Rey uses a basement dropkick to the knee. Entry # 3 : Rob Van Dam! Driven DDT by Rey Mysterio. The ring shook violently, instantly making it better at selling than some of the current roster. Rob Van Dam got thrown over the top rope by Rey. (Elimination # 1) Entry # 4 : William Regal! Shelton Benjamin with a spinning neckbreaker on Regal. Belly to belly suplex by Shelton. Entry # 5 : Billy Gunn! Rey Mysterio scores with a back heel kick on Shelton. Shelton walks into a face crusher variation. Entry # 6 : Damien! Damien hits some punches. Billy Gunn got thrown over the top rope by Damien. (Elimination # 2) Entry # 7 : Rico Constantino! Regal takes a headbutt from Damien. Brutal powerbomb on Regal. Entry # 8 : Tommy Dreamer! Shelton slams Tommy Dreamer. Tommy Dreamer got thrown over the top rope by Shelton. (Elimination # 3) Entry # 9 : Carlito! Bodyslam by Damien. William Regal got eliminated by Damien. (Elimination # 4) Entry # 10 : Nunzio! Carlito takes a flying neckbreaker from Rey Mysterio. Rey went for the elimination, but Carlito held on to the ropes. Entry # 11 : The Hurricane! Hurricane receives some punishment. The Hurricane was eliminated by Damien. (Elimination # 5) Entry # 12 : Chris Kanyon! Shelton hits a right hand. Rico Constantino was eliminated by Shelton. (Elimination # 6) Entry # 13 : Paul London! Big backdrop on Nunzio, executed well. Nunzio got eliminated by Kanyon. (Elimination # 7) Entry # 14 : Christian! Kanyon gets slammed. Shelton Benjamin scores with a big spinebuster. Entry # 15 : John Cena! Damien hits a right hand. Massive lariat, apparently Damien has been watching The Best Of Stan Hansen again. Entry # 16 : Haas! Kanyon takes a headbutt from Damien. Damien threw Chris Kanyon over the top rope. (Elimination # 8) Entry # 17 : Matt Hardy Version 2.0! Big forearm by Christian, ripping a page from the NOAH playbook. Christian threw Carlito over the top rope. (Elimination # 9) Entry # 18 : Test! Spin kick by Rey Mysterio to the face. Test was eliminated by Rey. (Elimination # 10) Entry # 19 : Bubba Ray Dudley! Matt Hardy Version 2.0 hits a rolling kick on Bubba. Bubba Ray Dudley got bundled out by Matt. (Elimination # 11) Entry # 20 : D-Von Dudley! London hits a massive spinning kick to the jaw. London went for the elimination, but Christian held on to the ropes. Entry # 21 : John Layfield! Cena slams John Layfield down. Layfield receives some punishment. Entry # 22 : Dave Batista! Layfield hits a punch, but takes one right back. CLUBBERIN', CLUBBERIN', THEY BE CLUBBERIN' TONY! Sorry, flashback moment. D-Von tried to eliminate John Layfield, who hung onto the top rope. Entry # 23 : A-Train! Matt hits a wicked chop that echoes through the building. Springboard dropkick from Matt Hardy Version 2.0. Nicely done. Entry # 24 : Sean O'Haire! Spear by Damien. Damien tried to eliminate Dave Batista, who hung onto the top rope. Entry # 25 : Eddie Guerrero! Stiff high kick on Haas by Matt Hardy Version 2.0 who has evidently been watching some old AJPW tapes recently. Tiger suplex on Haas, right from out of the Misawa playbook. Entry # 26 : Chavo Guerrero! Big clothesline on Chavo. O'Haire tried to eliminate Chavo Guerrero, who hung onto the top rope. Entry # 27 : Chris Jericho! Rey hits a dropkick on Paul London. Paul London got eliminated by Rey. (Elimination # 12) Entry # 28 : Brock Lesnar! Chavo hits a dropkick on Sean O'Haire. Chavo went for the elimination, but Sean O'Haire held on to the ropes. Entry # 29 : Rene Dupree! Hard back suplex on Chavo. Anyone remember when that was Shawn Michaels's finisher? Jericho hits a massive spinning kick to the jaw. Entry # 30 : Chris Benoit! Chanelling the spirit of Misawa, Shelton Benjamin uses a forearm to the face. Chavo Guerrero got bundled out by Shelton. (Elimination # 13) John Cena fires off some right and left hands. Cena tried to get Dave Batista over the top rope, but Gravity made the save. D-Von receives some punishment. Flying shoulder tackle by Cena sends D-Von to the mat. Stiff chop lights up Shelton. Cena went for the elimination, but Shelton Benjamin held on to the ropes. Double arm suplex by Brock Lesnar, Dupree hits hard. Rene Dupree was eliminated by Lesnar. (Elimination # 14) O'Haire bodyslams D-Von Dudley. Death valley driver by Sean O'Haire, D-Von Dudley got planted. Weak headbutt on Layfield by D-Von. D-Von threw John Layfield over the top rope. (Elimination # 15) Matt gets rocked with a brutal elbow to the jaw by Benoit. Benoit tried to eliminate Matt Hardy Version 2.0, who hung onto the top rope. D-Von takes a headbutt from Damien. D-Von Dudley got thrown over the top rope by Damien. (Elimination # 16) O'Haire slams Dave Batista. Death valley driver by Sean O'Haire, Dave Batista is down and hurt. Back suplex on Damien, which is a backdrop to you NOAH fans. Spear! Damien is down and hurt. Standing leg lariat by Chris Jericho on Lesnar. Brock Lesnar got thrown over the top rope by Jericho. (Elimination # 17) Belly to belly suplex by Benoit. A-Train got thrown over the top rope by Benoit. (Elimination # 18) Flying shoulder tackle by O'Haire sends Matt to the mat. Matt Hardy Version 2.0 was eliminated by O'Haire. (Elimination # 19) Super frankensteiner on Eddie, who hit hard. Rey tried to get Eddie Guerrero over the top rope, but Gravity made the save. Rey Mysterio scores with a back heel kick on Batista. Rey threw Dave Batista over the top rope. (Elimination # 20) Big backdrop on Shelton, executed well. Shelton Benjamin was eliminated by Cena. (Elimination # 21) Christian fires off some right and left hands. Christian drives a thrust kick into the chest of Cena. John Cena fires off some right and left hands. Big clothesline on Christian. Benoit receives some punishment. Flying shoulder tackle by Cena sends Benoit to the mat. Benoit gets slammed. Massive lariat, apparently Cena has been watching The Best Of Stan Hansen again. Spinning back kick from Haas. Haas tried to get Christian over the top rope, but Gravity made the save. Chanelling the spirit of Misawa, John Cena uses a forearm to the face. Chris Jericho got bundled out by Cena. (Elimination # 22) Back suplex on Damien, which is a backdrop to you NOAH fans. Belly to back suicideplex, Damien got folded up big time. Standing leg lariat by Rey Mysterio on Christian. Rey tried to get Christian over the top rope, but Gravity made the save. Haas takes a butterfly suplex from Benoit. Chris Benoit snap suplexes Haas. Damien hits some punches. Damien went for the elimination, but Sean O'Haire held on to the ropes. Haas gets caught with a short powerbomb from Benoit. Belly to belly suplex by Benoit. Chris Benoit uses move #193 (arm-BAR). Gut buster, Christian hits hard. Haas receives some punishment. Massive lariat, apparently O'Haire has been watching The Best Of Stan Hansen again. Christian walks into a spike slam. Haas tried to get Christian over the top rope, but Gravity made the save. Cena receives some punishment. John Cena got eliminated by Christian. (Elimination # 23) Back suplex on O'Haire, which is a backdrop to you NOAH fans. Christian threw Sean O'Haire over the top rope. (Elimination # 24) Nice piledriver on Eddie. Damien tried to get Eddie Guerrero over the top rope, but Gravity made the save. Brutal T-Bone suplex by Benoit, Haas got folded in half. Benoit went for the elimination, but Haas held on to the ropes. Gut buster, Rey hits hard. Christian threw Rey Mysterio over the top rope. (Elimination # 25) Benoit drives a thrust kick into the chest of Eddie. Benoit went for the elimination, but Eddie Guerrero held on to the ropes. Kick from Eddie Guerrero to the leg. Tornado DDT from Eddie Guerrero, Christian got planted. Haas takes a headbutt from Damien. Big clothesline on Haas. Big forearm by Chris Benoit, ripping a page from the NOAH playbook. Emerald Fusion by Chris Benoit on Damien. Running knee lift from Haas. Haas tried to eliminate Christian, who hung onto the top rope. Hard impact russian legsweep by Benoit. If you're going to get impact, 'hard' is probably a good way to go. Benoit threw Damien over the top rope. (Elimination # 26) Christian hits a right hand. Belly to belly off the top rope, Haas got folded up big time. Benoit takes a flying neckbreaker from Eddie Guerrero. Eddie Guerrero strikes Benoit. Christian uses move #193 (arm-BAR). Northern Lights Bomb very nearly crushes the spine of Eddie. Spinebuster by Chris Benoit. Benoit went for the elimination, but Christian held on to the ropes. Christian takes a back suplex. Benoit tried to eliminate Christian, who hung onto the top rope. Eddie gets rocked with a brutal elbow to the jaw by Benoit. Benoit tried to get Eddie Guerrero over the top rope, but Gravity made the save. Gut buster, Christian hits hard. Christian gets caught with a belly to belly suplex from Haas. Belly to belly suplex by Benoit. Haas got thrown over the top rope by Benoit. (Elimination # 27) Benoit gets caught with a short powerbomb from Christian. Chris Benoit was eliminated by Christian. (Elimination # 28) Spinning bulldog in the corner, Christian is down. Tiger suplex on Christian, right from out of the Misawa playbook. Christian reverses a Eddie Guerrero hammerlock. Eddie Guerrero was eliminated by Christian. Almost a *** rating, but there were some bits that dragged, so **3\4 instead.

Overall Rating: 68%
Crowd Reaction: 62%
Match Quality: 74%