Royal Rumble (2010)

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Royal Rumble (2010)
File:Royal Rumble (2010).jpg
Promotional poster featuring various WWE wrestlers
Tagline(s) I Am The One
Theme
song(s)		 "Hero" by Skillet[1]
"Martyr No More" by Fozzy[2]
Information
Promotion World Wrestling Entertainment
Date January 31, 2010
Attendance 16,697[3]
Venue Philips Arena
City Atlanta, Georgia
Pay-per-view chronology
TLC: Tables, Ladders, and Chairs (2009) Royal Rumble (2010) Elimination Chamber (2010)
Royal Rumble chronology
Royal Rumble (2009) Royal Rumble (2010) Royal Rumble (2011)

Royal Rumble (2010) was the twenty-third annual Royal Rumble professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). It took place on January 31, 2010 at the Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia and featured talent from the Raw, SmackDown and ECW brands.[4] As has been customary since 1993, the Royal Rumble match winner received a match at that year's WrestleMania, (in this instance: WrestleMania XXVI) for his choice at either the WWE Championship, the World Heavyweight Championship, or the ECW Championship.

Six professional wrestling matches were featured on the event's supercard, a scheduling of more than one main event. The main event was the annual 30-competitor Royal Rumble match which featured wrestlers from all three brands. Edge, the twenty-ninth entrant, won the match by last eliminating John Cena, the nineteenth entrant. The primary match on the Raw brand was for the WWE Championship between reigning champion Sheamus and Randy Orton, which Sheamus won by disqualification. The primary match on the SmackDown brand was between The Undertaker and Rey Mysterio for the World Heavyweight Championship, which The Undertaker won to retain the championship. The featured match on the ECW brand was between Christian and Ezekiel Jackson for the ECW championship, which Christian won.

Background

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See also: Professional wrestling

Royal Rumble featured professional wrestling matches involving different wrestlers from pre-existing scripted feuds, plots, and storylines that were played out on Raw, SmackDown, ECW and WWE Superstars—World Wrestling Entertainment's (WWE) television programs. Wrestlers portrayed a villain or a hero as they followed a series of events that built tension, and culminated into a wrestling match or series of matches.[5] All wrestlers were from WWE's Raw, SmackDown and ECW brands—a storyline division in which WWE employees are assigned to a television program of the same name.[6]

The pay-per-view featured the annual Royal Rumble match, which has been featured at every Royal Rumble event since its inception. It features 30 wrestlers, and the match ends when one wrestler remains in the ring, after all 29 other wrestlers have been eliminated via being tossed over the top ring rope and having both feet touch the floor.[7] The winner would earn a world championship match of their choosing at WrestleMania XXVI.[8]

On the December 15, 2009 episode of ECW, general manager Tiffany made an announcement that the ECW brand would host a competition called the "ECW Homecoming", in which the winner will face Christian for the ECW Championship at Royal Rumble. Featuring current and former wrestlers from the ECW brand, the first round of the competition consisted of eight singles matches. The winners of the matches would then qualify to the "Homecoming Finale" on the January 12, 2010 episode of ECW, where they would fight in an eight-man battle royal that will determine the competition winner. The first two qualifying matches were featured later that night with Ezekiel Jackson defeating Vladimir Kozlov and Kane defeating Zack Ryder.[9] On the December 22, 2009 episode of ECW, Jack Swagger returned in a losing effort to Yoshi Tatsu, while Vance Archer advanced with a victory over Goldust.[10] On the December 29, 2009 episode of ECW, Matt Hardy and Evan Bourne defeated Finlay and Mike Knox respectively to qualify.[11] The two remaining qualifying matches were held on the January 5, 2010 episode of ECW and saw Shelton Benjamin defeating Chavo Guerrero and CM Punk defeating Mark Henry to qualify.[12] Ezekiel Jackson won the "Homecoming Finale", last eliminating Kane, to earn the right to face Christian at Royal Rumble.[13]

On the January 4 episode of Raw, a fatal four-way match was held to determine the number one contender for WWE United States Championship featuring Montel Vontavious Porter, Mark Henry, Carlito and Jack Swagger. Porter emerged victorious by pinning Swagger, and earned a match against The Miz for the championship.

It was announced on December 31, 2009, on the company's official website that The Undertaker would be defending the World Heavyweight Championship at Royal Rumble; the means of determining the challenger was stated to be via the "Beat the Clock Sprint", a series of matches that sees who ever wins their match in the fastest time would be declared the number-one contender. The sprint, held on the January 1, 2010, episode of SmackDown, consisted of four matches involving CM Punk, Kane, Chris Jericho, Rey Mysterio, Dolph Ziggler, R-Truth, Matt Hardy, and Batista. The wrestler who won his match in the quickest time would earn the championship match. CM Punk defeated Matt Hardy in his match, setting the time at 7:20. The next match featured Kane and Ziggler; both failed to beat the time limit and the match ended in a draw. Rey Mysterio defeated Chris Jericho one second faster than Punk's time, with 7:19. The final match was Batista versus R-Truth; the match resulted in another time-limit draw, due in part to interference from Mysterio. Despite Mysterio's fastest time, on-screen consultant Vickie Guerrero overruled the result, announcing a match the following week between Mysterio and Batista, who had disputably won his match.[14] The match between the two on the January 8 episode of SmackDown was declared a no contest following both men being incapacitated.[15] A rematch between the two was held the following week, this time inside a steel cage. Mysterio won the match, earning the right to face The Undertaker at Royal Rumble.[16]

The main event for Raw was determined on the January 11 episode with guest host Mike Tyson announcing the winner of a Triple Threat match later that night between John Cena, Kofi Kingston, and Randy Orton would advance to face Sheamus at Royal Rumble for the WWE Championship. Orton ultimately won with the help of Legacy, who took out Cena and Kingston for him.[17]

Since November of the previous year, WWE Women's Champion Michelle McCool had been relentlessly insulting Mickie James over a perceived weight issue.[18] The two had a match at TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs, which saw McCool win, continuing the torment.[19] James confronted McCool on the January 15 episode of SmackDown during a mocking monologue about James, leading to the champion assaulting her. It was also confirmed that day that McCool would defend her title again at Royal Rumble against James.[16]

Event

Before the event aired live on pay-per-view, an untelevised match was shown to the crowd pitting the fan favorite team of Gail Kim, Kelly Kelly, Eve Torres, and Bella Twins (Nikki and Brie) against the villainous team of Maryse, Katie Lea Burchill, Jillian Hall, Alicia Fox, and Natalya in a 10-Diva tag team match. Kelly Kelly earned the victory for her team.[20]

Preliminary matches

After the show commenced, the first match to air on the live show was a singles match and featured Christian defending the ECW Championship against Ezekiel Jackson. Jackson was accompanied by William Regal. Both men earned the advantage over each other in earlier part of the match until Regal tried to interfere by attempting a cheap shot on Christian but the referee noticed it and sent him to the back to the locker room.. Jackson got the upper hand and dominated Christian for most of the match and got several near falls on the champion. Christian would eventually Sleeper hold. Jackson caught Christian and drove his lower back in the corner twice. Jackson attempted it a third time until Christian hit the Killswitch. Christian followed it by pinning Jackson to retain his title.[21]

After the match, a backstage segment featured SmackDown General Manager Theodore Long appreciating the ECW General Manager Tiffany for booking the ECW Championship match. They were interrupted by Cryme Tyme (JTG and Shad), The Great Khali and the WWE United States Champion The Miz. Long then booked Miz to defend the WWE United States Championship against Montel Vontavious Porter (MVP). Miz controlled the earlier part of the match until MVP hit Miz with a Playmaker (overdrive neckbreaker). MVP would continue to dominate Miz until Miz left the ring to recover. When MVP followed Miz outside the ring Miz went back to the ring, and when MVP re-entered the ring Miz pinned him with a small package to retain his title.[22]

File:Rhodes stunned.jpg
Randy Orton attacking Cody Rhodes, after Rhodes' interference resulted in Orton being disqualified during his WWE Championship match.

The third match featured Sheamus defending the WWE Championship against Randy Orton. Sheamus got control of Orton and dominated most of the match, hitting his power moves and injuring Orton's left arm. Sheamus tried to hit Orton with Pale Justice (crucifix powerbomb, but Orton countered the move with a Rope Hung DDT for a near-fall. Orton tried to punt Sheamus in the head but Sheamus countered and targeted Orton's left arm. As Sheamus was about to regain momentum, Orton's teammate Cody Rhodes interfered by jumping the guard rail and attacking Sheamus, resulting in the referee awarding Sheamus the victory by disqualification. After the match, Orton confronted and eventually attacked Rhodes. Ted DiBiase came out to rescue Rhodes but was also attacked by Orton, after which Sheamus knocked out Orton with a Brogue Kick and celebrated his victory.[23]

The fourth match of the event featured Michelle McCool defending the WWE Women's Championship against Mickie James. McCool was accompanied by Layla. Before the match began, McCool started taunting James by calling her "Piggy James" and Layla had worn a fat suit to mock James. James came out for the match and hit Layla with a clothesline and entered the ring to start the match. As the match started, Layla tried to attack James but McCool accidentally hit Layla with a Big Boot. James took the advantage and hit McCool with a Mickie DT. James followed it by pinning McCool for her fifth and final WWE Women's Championship.[24]

Main event matches

The fifth match featured The Undertaker defending the World Heavyweight Championship against Rey Mysterio. Mysterio used his quickness against Undertaker to get the upper hand but Undertaker quickly got control of Mysterio and tried to hit a Last Ride elevated powerbomb. Mysterio countered the move by jumping into the ropes and hit a backflip by bouncing off the ropes. Mysterio got the control of Undertaker and hit many of his quick moves. Following a second Last Ride attempt, Mysterio tossed Undertaker into the ropes and hit his "619" (tiger feint kick). Mysterio hit a second 619 on Undertaker and tried to splash him through the ropes but Undertaker caught Mysterio and hit a Last Ride to retain his title.[25]

File:Shawn furious.jpg
Shawn Michaels after his elimination from the Royal Rumble match

The final match on the card was the main event, the 2010 Royal Rumble match. The match was started by Dolph Ziggler and Evan Bourne, but both were quickly eliminated by the third entrant CM Punk. After eliminating both men, Punk began talking on the microphone, boasting of his intention to win the match. Punk also eliminated the fourth entrant, JTG, before being stopped by The Great Khali, the fifth entrant. The sixth person to enter the match was WWE Diva Beth Phoenix, who became only the second WWE Diva to participate in a Royal Rumble, after Chyna. Phoenix eliminated Khali, but pulling him over the top rope while kissing him, but was eliminated by Punk immediately afterward. Punk also eliminated Zack Ryder, number seven to enter the match, after hitting him with the microphone. Triple H entered in the eighth position, and quickly began dominating Punk and the ninth competitor Drew McIntyre. Punk was the seventh person eliminated when Triple H threw him over the top rope. Ted DiBiase joined the match as entrant number 10, and allied himself with McIntyre, with the duo double teaming Triple H. Entrants 11, 12, and 13 were John Morrison, Kane, and Cody Rhodes respectively, who all briefly dominated the match upon their entrance. Rhodes allied himself with his regular tag team partner DiBiase, with the pair focusing in on Kane. Montel Vontavious Porter, the fourteenth entrant, was attacked by The Miz during his ring entrance and taken backstage by medical personnel without entering the match. The fifteenth entrant Carlito joined the match, followed by The Miz at number 16. Porter returned to the match, entering and immediately eliminating both himself and The Miz. The seventeenth entrant, Matt Hardy, was quickly eliminated by Kane, who was in turn immediately eliminated by Triple H who proceeded to control the match. He was joined by his tag team partner, the other half of D-Generation X, Shawn Michaels, and between them they eliminated all other competitors in the match, leaving the duo alone in the ring.

Edge after winning the Royal Rumble match.

Michaels and Triple H were immediately joined by the nineteenth entrant, John Cena. After Triple H was attacked by Cena, Michaels performed a "Sweet Chin Music" (superkick) on Triple H and eliminated him. Entrant number 20, Shelton Benjamin was quickly eliminated by Cena, as was the twenty-first entrant, Yoshi Tatsu. Entrants 22 and 23, The Big Show and Mark Henry entered and took control of the match. Competitor 24, Chris Masters, was quickly eliminated by The Big Show. As Henry and The Big Show were trying to lift each over the ropes, the twenty-fifth entrant R-Truth joined the match and eliminated both men from behind. Jack Swagger and Kofi Kingston entered the match, with Kingston eliminated both Swagger and R-Truth. Chris Jericho entered the ring as the twenty-eight participant. Cena eliminated Kingston before Edge, the twenty-ninth entrant, entered the ring, making his return following a six-month hiatus due to injury. Edge speared all the competitors in the ring, before eliminating Jericho. Batista was the final participant in the match, entering at number 30. Batista eliminated Michaels, who tried to rejoin the match only to be stopped by the referee, and leaving three final competitors. Cena eliminated Batista and Edge eliminated Cena to win the 2010 Royal Rumble match.

Aftermath

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Main articles: Elimination Chamber (2010) and WrestleMania XXVI

After failing to win the Royal Rumble match and losing an Elimination Chamber qualifying match to Randy Orton,[26] Shawn Michaels cost The Undertaker the World Heavyweight Championship against Chris Jericho in the SmackDown Elimination Chamber match at Elimination Chamber.[27] As a result, Michaels challenged Undertaker to a rematch of their WrestleMania XXV match at WrestleMania XXVI. Undertaker agreed on the term that if Michaels lost, he would retire from professional wrestling.[28] A stipulation was added that the match would be contested under no disqualifications and no countouts.[29] At WrestleMania, Undertaker defeated Michaels to extend his WrestleMania winning streak to 18–0 and Michaels was forced to retire.[30]

As a result of winning the 2010 Royal Rumble match, Edge earned the opportunity to wrestle for a world championship of his choosing at WrestleMania XXVI. After Chris Jericho won the World Heavyweight Championship from The Undertaker in an Elimination Chamber match at Elimination Chamber,[27] Edge announced that he would wrestle Jericho for the title.[28] At WrestleMania, Jericho defeated Edge to retain the title.[31] The rivalry ended after Edge defeated Jericho in a Steel Cage match at Extreme Rules.[32]

John Cena eliminated Batista from the Royal Rumble match, which started a conflict between Batista and Cena. On the February 1, 2010 episode of Raw, Cena rescued Bret Hart from an assault by Batista and Vince McMahon.[26] After the show ended, Cena tried to help Hart but was attacked by Batista.[33] At Elimination Chamber, Cena won the WWE Championship from Sheamus in an Elimination Chamber match. After the match, McMahon ordered Cena to defend the title against Batista. Batista defeated Cena to win the WWE Championship.[34] At WrestleMania XXVI, Cena defeated Batista to regain the WWE Championship.[35] Cena would retain the title against Batista in a Last Man Standing match at Extreme Rules and in an "I Quit" match at Over the Limit, which forced Batista to quit WWE.[36][37]

After the Royal Rumble, Christian and Ezekiel Jackson continued to feud over the ECW Championship. On the final episode of ECW on February 16, 2010, Jackson defeated Christian in an Extreme Rules match to become the final ECW Champion.[38] Afterwards the ECW Championship along with the brand itself became defunct.

Reception

The Royal Rumble received generally positive reviews from critics. The Sun in a positive review gave praise to Edge's Rumble victory and Rey Mysterio's and The Undertaker's performances in the World Title match, though criticized the US title match as rushed and poorly booked, and the short length and quality of the Rumble match. The Women's Title match was praised for its build up prior the event, but received mostly negative reviews because of the little time the match had. Overall they awarded the event an 7 out of 10.[39]

The event earned 462,000 pay-per-view buys, an increase of 12,000 on the 2009 Royal Rumble.[40]

Results

No. Results Stipulations Times[41]
1D Eve Torres, Kelly Kelly, Gail Kim and The Bella Twins (Brie Bella and Nikki Bella) defeated Maryse, Natalya, Alicia Fox, Katie Lea Burchill and Jillian Hall[20] 10-Diva tag team match N/A
2 Christian (c) defeated Ezekiel Jackson (with William Regal)[21] Singles match for the ECW Championship 11:59
3 The Miz (c) defeated Montel Vontavious Porter[22] Singles match for the WWE United States Championship 07:30
4 Sheamus (c) defeated Randy Orton by disqualification[23] Singles match for the WWE Championship 12:24
5 Mickie James defeated Michelle McCool (c) (with Layla)[24] Singles match for the WWE Women's Championship 00:20
6 The Undertaker (c) defeated Rey Mysterio[25] Singles match for the World Heavyweight Championship 11:09
7 Edge won by last eliminating John Cena[42] 30-wrestler Royal Rumble match for a world championship match at WrestleMania XXVI 49:24
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  • (c) – refers to the champion(s) heading into the match
  • D – indicates the match was a dark match

Royal Rumble entrances and eliminations

Red ██ and "Raw" indicates a Raw wrestler, blue ██ and "SD" indicates a SmackDown wrestler, purple ██ and "ECW" indicates an ECW wrestler.[43]

Draw Entrant Brand Order Eliminated by Time Eliminations
1 Dolph Ziggler SD 2 CM Punk 02:29 0
2 Evan Bourne Raw 1 02:26 0
3 CM Punk SD 7 Triple H 10:04 5
4 JTG SD 3 CM Punk 00:25 0
5 The Great Khali SD 4 Beth Phoenix 01:39 0
6 Beth Phoenix SD 5 CM Punk 01:37 1
7 Zack Ryder ECW 6 00:32 0
8 Triple H Raw 17 Shawn Michaels 17:55 3
9 Drew McIntyre SD 16 Triple H & Shawn Michaels 14:43 0
10 Ted DiBiase Raw 14 Shawn Michaels 13:40 0
11 John Morrison SD 15 11:37 0
12 Kane SD 11 Triple H 10:59 1
13 Cody Rhodes Raw 13 Shawn Michaels 10:54 0
14 Montel Vontavious Porter Raw 9 Himself 00:07 1
15 Carlito Raw 12 Shawn Michaels 07:34 0
16 The Miz Raw 8 Montel Vontavious Porter 00:17 0
17 Matt Hardy SD 10 Kane 00:20 0
18 Shawn Michaels Raw 27 Batista 20:45 6
19 John Cena Raw 29 Edge 22:11 4
20 Shelton Benjamin ECW 18 John Cena 00:48 0
21 Yoshi Tatsu ECW 19 00:29 0
22 Big Show Raw 22 R-Truth 05:04 1
23 Mark Henry Raw 21 03:09 0
24 Chris Masters Raw 20 Big Show 00:29 0
25 R-Truth SD 24 Kofi Kingston 05:22 2
26 Jack Swagger Raw 23 02:06 0
27 Kofi Kingston Raw 25 John Cena 03:51 2
28 Chris Jericho SD 26 Edge 02:24 0
29 Edge SD — Winner 07:19 2
30 Batista SD 28 John Cena 05:24 1

See also

References

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  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  29. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  32. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  33. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  35. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  38. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  40. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  42. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  43. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

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