Royal Rumble January 24, 2016
The pre-show kicked off as always with an all-star panel consisting of Jerry "The King" Lawler, Booker T, David Otunga and recent NXT call-up Corey Graves. The atmosphere in the Amway Center was thick with excitement for one of the "big four" pay-per-views a few moments from starting.
With introductions squared away and the hype for Roman Reigns' "one against all" title match in the Royal Rumble, the crowd turned their attention to Lillain Garcia in the middle of the ring for the beginning of the pre-show.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is a Fatal Fourway Tag Team match, with the winners going on to enter the Royal Rumble later tonight," Lillian Garcia, voice like a biracial angel, smiled cheerfully into the camera as she made her first introductions for the pre-show match.
The first team to make their way to the ring were the recently returned Dudley Boyz. To no surprise, the live audience cheered the returning legends on while D-Von hyped the crowd and Bubba stared straight ahead while he marched to the ring. A familiar "E-C-Dub" chant echoed through the arena in memory of the defunct business that made Bubba and D-Von household names.
"Hello, everybody, and welcome to Royal Rumble kick-off," Michael Cole told the camera as it panned over to commentary. "Michael Cole joined always by JBL and Byron Saxton. We start off the night with tag team action. The Dudley Boys, former WWE Tag Team Champions in their own right, are looking to earn their spot in the Royal Rumble tonight."
JBL chimed in. "You know, The Dudley Boyz are looking ready and eager to get a spot in the Royal Rumble. I'm interested to see how they'll cooperate if they get in the ring at the same time. Do you think D-Von could eliminate Bubba if it meant a chance at being WWE Champion?"
"Introducing first, from Dudleyville, Bubba and D-Von: The Dudley Boyz!"
The next team to enter, Konnor and Viktor of The Ascension, earned a mixed reaction from the crowd. They hadn't been as dominant as they used to be in NXT, but they still showed up every week and wreaked havoc on the WWE tag team division.
"Introducing next, Viktor and Konnor: The Ascension!"
Michael Cole spoke again. "Konnor and Viktor, of course former and longest reigning NXT Tag Team Champions. Do you think their mind set is the same as the Dudley Boyz? As in, if they do qualify, they know they will have to turn on each other at some point?"
"I think that goes without saying, Michael," Saxton pointed out. "I don't think either team hasn't thought out a strategy when it comes to facing one another."
In a surprise twist, the third team to arrive was that of Mojo Rawley and Zack Ryder. They were an NXT team and weren't announced for the event prior to the show starting. The energetic entrance theme caused the audience to erupt in cheers for the fan favorite Zack Ryder and his tag team partner.
"Introducing next, Zack Ryder and Mojo Rawley: The Hype Bros!"
"This is a pleasant surprise," Cole spoke. "Ryder and Rawley are an NXT tag team, but it looks like they might have a chance at being WWE Champion tonight. Ryder is a former United States and WWE Tag Team Champion, but winning the WWE TItle would be a huge boost for either man's career."
"Great opportunities create memorable moments, Cole," JBL added.
Lastly, to a lesser pop than The Hype Bros, Damien Sandow and R-Truth came next. Sandow, no longer The Miz's stunt double, waved to the crowd in a snarky sense of entitlement in his dark blue robe. His proud demeanor quickly soured when Truth's music replaced his. The crowd noticeable cheered more when Truth came down to the ring, dancing along to his theme.
"Our one odd ball team here," Cole stated. "R-Truth is replacing Darren Young, who was supposed to originally be Sandow's partner, but Young couldn't make it due to travel complications."
"Great opportunities create memorable moments, Michael!" Saxton stated.
The bell rang. Each team started with one person starting out, making it a traditional Fatal Four-Way with the other partner on the apron.
"Fatal Four-Way tag, one member from each team starting out. You can only tag in your partner, but it's the first fall to decide a winner," Cole began, as R-Truth, Zack Ryder, Konnor and Bubba Ray circled the ring. "Winning tag team earns a spot in the Royal Rumble. Ryder locking up with Truth while Bubba Ray shoots for a takedown on Konnor. Konnor with a good sprawl there, catching Bubba before he could try anything. Ryder with a hammerlock and he throws Truth out of the ring, over the top rope. Now, this isn't the Royal Rumble match, gentlemen, but if it were, Truth's night would be over."
The next several minutes passed by without anything too exciting happening. The Hype Bros almost got a pinfall win via the Hype Ryder on Truth, but Viktor was there in time for the save.
"Sandow with a big boot to Ryder, knocking him clean off his feet. Truth going for the Lie Detector, and he connects with Viktor," Cole commentated as the match progressed.
Truth went for the cover, but Sandow pulled him off before the referee could count the fall. Sandow yelled something at Truth, then covered Viktor for himself. D-Von shoved Truth, causing him to tumble in Sandow. Konnor, with a bone crushing spear, sent himself and D-Von out of the ring.
"What are you doing?!" Sandow screamed at Truth. "I had the pin!"
"You didn't have jack squat, Standown!" Truth yelled back.
"My name is Sandow!" Sandow yelled before throwing a wild strike at Truth. Truth ducked, forcing Sandow to connect with Mojo for a big clothesline.
Sandow spun around again, only to be on the receiving end of a heel kick from Truth. Sandow staggered back and hit the ropes, just as Viktor sprung back to his feet only to be dropped by Truth's Lil' Jimmy finish. Sandow, still dazed from Truth's kick, fell on top of Viktor. Truth looked around the ring at the bodies of his opponents, shrugged, then jumped on top of Sandow to make the cover official.
1!
2!
3!
R-Truth jumped to his feet. Sandow remained unconscious on top of Viktor.
"I'm goin' to Money in the Bank!" Truth yelled over the cheering crowd and his entrance music.
Cole chuckled. "Well, regardless of where Truth thinks he's going, he and Sandow have a one way ticket to the Royal Rumble later on. Great effort by both men, even if there was some miscommunication there at the end."
Backstage, Renee Young stood in the interview area, waiting for Cole to throw the attention over to her.
"Tonight's event has been great so far," Renee spoke to the camera. "In a few short moments, we will see Roman Reigns defend his WWE Championship in the Royal Rum-"
A sudden clamor of noise came from off-screen. Rusev, Sheamus, Alberto Del Rio and Wade Barret walked into the shot, cutting Renee off.
"Renee, nobody wants to hear what you have to say," Rusev so rudely put, earning boos from the crowd. "What we do want to hear, is how I plan on winning the Royal Rumble and being WWE Champion."
"Now hold on," Sheamus cut in. "I t'ought I was winning the match tonight. Roman Reigns stole my title after I was unfairly knocked out during my title match. If anyone should be WWE Champion, it's me."
Del Rio and Barret exchanged a look, but didn't say anything. Sheamus and Rusev started bickering to the point where no word could be heard clearly.
From Renee's right, Dean Ambrose came on screen with his recently retained Intercontinental Championship title slung over his shoulder.
"Ladies, ladies, you all need to relax," Ambrose told the group of arguing men. "I think what's best for… Not business. What's best for the people, is if we just settle this in the ring. Now we could just stand here and argue about who has the bigger johnson and what not, but that won't prove anything."
The League of Nations muttered with each other, then walked off screen. Ambrose gave Renee a once over, nodded his head, then left in the other direction.
"Ladies and gentlemen, it is now time for the Royal Rumble match," Lilian Garcia announced after the tolling of the bell. "And it is for the WWE Championship!"
Roman Reigns arrived first to the ring. He descended the stairs in the audience, his WWE Championship wrapped securely around his waist. He looked all business, as he had to be when going into the toughest title defense he had to face so far.
"Charlotte Flair, The New Day and Dean Ambrose all successfully retained their titles tonight," Cole spoke as Reigns made his way to the crowd barricade. "But I think it's safe to say none of them had to face a challenge like the one Roman Reigns will be up against tonight."
"Thirty men, one championship," JBL added. "Roman will have to fight through twenty-nine other Superstars to retain his title. It might as well be impossible."
Roman handed his title off to the timekeeper and took to the ring. He posed on the turnbuckle, to his usual mixed reaction, then stepped inside the squared circle.
"Introducing first, the entrant who drew number one: WWE Champion, Roman Reigns!"
Roman backed into a corner. He was noticeably nervous, but determined nevertheless.
"Introducing the individual who drew number two…"
A deep inhale brought the crowd to its feet. NXT Champion, Finn Balor, walked out onto the stage to the biggest ovation the pay-per-view had seen all night. In a rare occurrence, the Irishman wasn't wearing his demon paint for the occasion, but he was carrying his NXT Title.
"This is what the Royal Rumble is all about!" Cole exclaimed over on commentary. "Surprise entrants, debuts and returns. NXT Champion, Finn Balor, has his sights set on being a double champion here tonight!"
Balor lifted his arms with the crowd during the crescendo in his entrance theme. Reigns looked surprised that Balor was his first obstacle, but he hadn't lost any look of determination.
"What a sight to see," JBL said. "NXT Champion vs WWE Champion. Balor and Reigns for the first time ever!"
Balor stood in the opposite corner of Reigns. The crowd began an "NXT! NXT!" chant in favor of the developmental brand's world champion. The bell rang, and the match was officially underway.
Reigns charged across the ring, looking for a spear right out of the gate. Balor was quick on his feet though and hurdled Reigns just before he could make contact. Balor backpedaled across the ring, then sprinted forward and hit Reigns with a shotgun dropkick, sending the WWE Champion back into the corner. Balor seemed to have the upper hand, but Reigns quickly shut him down with a Superman punch.
Reigns and Balor continued struggling for the upper hand. Roman tried a few times to toss Balor effortlessly over the top rope, but the NXT Champion held on and slipped back in the ring before he could be eliminated.
The countdown started for entrant number three. Balor kicked Reigns off, but Reigns came back with a huge Spear, that knocked both men off their feet.
As the timer reached zero, the lights in the arena went off. Less than a second later, the lights came back on and Luke Harper was standing in the middle of the ring. Harper picked Balor up by the scruff of his neck and sent him back down to the mat with a chokeslam. Reigns traded blows with the Wyatt Family member, but Harper shoved him off and nearly took the champ's head off with a big boot.
Number four saw Social Outcast member, Adam Rose, take to the ring. He squared up with Harper, but then found himself soaring over the top rope just as quickly as he entered.
Number five came Curtis Axel, who wisely hesitated for a second beside his Social Outcast partners. Reigns hit Harper with a Superman punch, finally knocking the big man off his feet. Axel slid into the ring and offered the defending champion a high five. Reigns shook his head and threw Axel over the top rope.
Number six came Goldust. He quickly targeted Balor and tried to eliminate him, but Balor caught himself on the apron and stayed alive.
Number seven was Heath Slater. Slater looked around the ring from the outside, waiting for an opening to where he could enter the match and not get eliminated right away like Axel and Rose did. Balor hit Reigns with a slingblade, and Slater took that as his chance to enter. Harper caught him right away and threw him outside to be caught by his teammates.
Number eight, Chris Jericho, ran to the ring and clotheslined Goldust over the top rope to officially end the night for him. Jericho hit Harper, Reigns and Balor with a Codebreaker.
The timer started counting down again. Jericho hit Harper with another Codebreaker. Balor ducked a clothesline from Jericho, then flipped it into a pele kick. Reigns, still staggering somewhat from Jericho's finisher, hit Balor with a Spear and fell to the mat with him.
Number nine was Bo Dallas. Dallas, the last of the Social Outcasts with a chance at winning the match, didn't enter the ring right away. He huddled with Rose, Axel and Slater on the outside, discussing a game plan going forward. After another moment, Dallas finally entered the ring. With everyone still down from Jericho's offense or Reigns' Spear, Dallas took a victory lap around the inside of the ring.
As the timer ticked down from ten again, Dallas was still running around the ring. Jericho charged him, but Dallas surprisingly hit a Bo-Dasszler on the former world champion. The buzzer sounded just as Bo stood waiting in the middle of the ring. The lights dropped again and, less than a second later, Bray Wyatt was in the ring behind Bo.
Bo, sensing someone was behind him, slowly started to turn around. His smile quickly faded when he locked eyes with the leader of The Wyatt Family. Bo nodded his head slowly, held up his hands in silent surrender, then casually walked across the ring and pushed himself over the top rope, eliminating himself without any effort from Bray. Bray cackled, mocking the cowardly act from Bo. The Social Outcasts chastised Bo for his lack of effort, but they all ran for the backstage area when Bray dropped down in his Spiderwalk stance.
Harper threw a barely standing Balor to Wyatt, who dropped the NXT champ with Sister Abigail. Next went Jericho, who fell victim to the move next. Harper dragged Reigns to his feet, but Roman Speared Bray before he had a chance to hit Sister Abigail. Reigns spun back around and hit another Spear on Harper. Reigns backed into the corner near the ring steps by the commentary tables when the timer for number eleven reached zero.
An unfamiliar entrance theme started to play in the arena. Reigns stared quizzically at the stage, also unsure who was making their entrance. The words "I am…" appeared on the titantron. The men in the ring, those who were still able to function correctly after the barrage of finishers, all turned their attention to the entrance ramp as the word "Phenomenal" crossed the tron and the crowd completely lost their minds.
Recent signee, AJ Styles marched on to the stage. He dropped his hood and spread his arms out to the side, finally making his debut in the WWE.
Reigns shook his head in disbelief. Bray crawled over to Harper and whispered hushed instructions to him.
As AJ climbed the ring steps, Reigns emerged from his corner to meet the new Superstar. Before Styles could even stare down the champ, Jericho hit Reigns with a Codebreaker. Jericho turned in Styles direction.
"What the hell do you think you're doing here?!" Jericho screamed across the ring.
Jericho suddenly was thrown over the top rope by Balor, but he hung on with only one foot hitting the floor. Balor stood front and center when Styles finally entered a WWE ring for the first time. Balor and Styles looked each other over, the crowd quickly connecting their pasts together and loving every second of it. Instead of taking swings at each other, Styles and Balor turned their attention to Harper and Bray, who had gotten to their feet again.
Harper, a creepy grin across his face, waved at his opponents. "Hello, AJ!" He called over the rambunctious crowd. He suddenly stopped smiling. "Bye bye, AJ!"
Harper and Bray charged forward at Balor and Styles. The four men exchanged hellacious punches with each other. Bray locking up with Balor, while Harper traded blows with Styles.
Number twelve came Kane, who Chokeslammed Styles, Balor and attempted to attack Harper, but he, along with Bray, overpowered him and pummeled him to the ground.
Number thirteen came Ryback. Ryback and Harper fought each other for the most part. Jericho tried sneaking up behind Styles and throwing him out, but Styles clung to the top rope and avoided elimination.
Number fourteen was Stardust. As soon as Stardust entered the ring, he was hit with a Spear by Roman Reigns. Ryback hit Reigns with Shellshock, then tossed Stardust over the top rope. Ryback went back for Reigns, but the defending champion fought back and stopped himself from being eliminated.
Number fifteen came Alberto Del Rio. Del Rio hit a few superkicks on Jericho, Balor and Wyatt. Ryback ran at Del Rio for a clothesline, but Del Rio pulled down the bottom rope and sent Ryback to the outside.
Number sixteen was R-Truth. Truth ran to the ring, pulled up the ring skirt and removed a ladder form under the ring. With the ladder erect in the middle of the ring, Truth ascended it like he was trying to win a ladder match.
"Where's the briefcase?!" Truth cried from atop the ladder.
Kane brought him down and threw him out of the ring. Roman threw Kane out after him.
Number seventeen ticked down again. When the timer hit zero, the lights went out for a third time. When they came back, Braun Strowman was standing in the middle of the ring. Right away, Strowman tossed Balor over the top rope and down to the floor. Jericho attempted a Codebreaker, but Strowman caught him and slammed him down to the mat. Del Rio charged the big man, but Strowman tossed him in the air and caught him in his patent Triangle Sleeper.
Number eighteen came Rusev. Rusev helped fight off Strowman with a running superkick. Bray tried to get the upper hand on Rusev, but Reigns Speared Bray nearly out of his shoes. For his efforts, Reigns got kicked in the head by Rusev.
Number nineteen was Kevin Owens. Owens ducked a clothesline from Jericho and threw him out of the ring.
With no other option left, Reigns, Owens, Styles, Del Rio and Rusev backed into a corner opposite of the Wyat Family.
Number twenty came and the lights went down, a gong sounded in the arena. When the lights came back on, Wyatt was standing in the middle of the ring with Roman set up for Sister Abigail and Eric Rowan standing by his side. Bray slammed Roman down, then Del Rio, Owens, Styles and Rusev charged Bray, Braun, Rowan and Harper.
Twenty one was The Miz. Instead of entering the brawl in the ring, The Miz went to sit at the commentary booth.
Twenty two was Dean Ambrose. Ambrose ran to the ring to help the fight against the Wyatt Family. Ambrose dropped Wyatt with Dirty Deeds, but Harper caught him with a chokeslam. Rowan lifted Styles onto his shoulders, but Del Rio kicked Rowan in the chest, causing him to stumble and drop Styles.
Twenty three was Sheamus. Sheamus charged the ring and hit Rowan with a Brogue Kick and sent him over the top rope. Strowman then threw Sheamus out after his partner. Rusev and Del Rio tried to throw Strowman over, but the bigger man fought back and easily overpowered both individuals.
Twenty four was Wade Barret. Barret hit Styles with a Bull Hammer as soon as he entered the ring.
Owens tried to throw out Ambrose, but the Intercontinental Champion held on. Reigns fought with Harper in the corner and tried to shove the big man out. Harper fought back and shoved Reigns away, but Rusev came out of seemingly nowhere and pushed Harper over the top rope. Bray then threw out Rusev, but then was himself eliminated by Del Rio. Del Rio turned around right into Braun Strowman, who picked him up and threw him into the group of people outside.
Owens, Ambrose, Styles, Reigns, Strowman and The Miz was all that remained when number twenty five, Damien Sandow, made his way to the ring.
"What the hell do you think you're doing out here?!" Miz shouted at Sandow when the former stunt double rounded the ring. "You have no right to be in this Royal Rumble! I'm an A-Lister, you are a loser!"
Sandow grabbed Miz by the coattails and dragged him to the ring. With the crowd cheering him on, Sandow rolled Miz into the ring. Sandow ran to throw Miz out, but Miz jumped out of the way and sent Sandow over the top rope. Sandow held on, pulled himself back into the ring, then turned the tables on the Miz and threw him out instead. Strowman tossed Sandow out immediately afterwards, earning himself deafening boos from the live audience.
Twenty six was the returning Sami Zayn. Owens stared in disbelief when his former best friend ran on down to the ring. Owens and Zayn exchanged blows in the middle of the ring. Zayn caught the upper hand and threw his former friend over the top rope and down to the floor. Zayn turned around right into a big boot from Strowman.
As Strowman lifted Zayn above his head, Brock Lesnar entered at number twenty-seven. Braun dropped Sami on the mat, then ate a Spear from Reigns. Reigns stood up and was immediately lifted into an F5. Lesnar hit an F5 on Styles, then Ambrose, then Zayn. He tried to lift Strowman, but couldn't quite get the big man up. Strowman fought back and backed Lesnar into the ropes.
Twenty eight was Kofi Kingston. Kingston sprang from the ropes, over Strowman's head and right into a Spear from Reigns. Lesnar scooped Reigns up again and dropped him with another F5. Ambrose kicked Lesnar in the gut and hit Dirty Deeds. Styles moved to throw out Ambrose, but Dean caught himself. Strowman caught Styles mid-jump and threw him over the ropes. Lesnar pushed out Strowman, but then Lesnar himself was thrown out by Reigns.
Though he was eliminated, Lesnar slipped back in the ring and hit Ambrose, Reigns, Kingston and Zayn with an F5. Angry about being eliminated, Lesnar stormed out of the ring and back up the ramp.
Dolph Ziggler entered next to find all his opponents flat on their backs. He picked Zayn up and easily tossed him out of the ring. He tried Kingston next, but Kofi landed on the apron. Dolph superkicked Kofi, but Kofi jumped back far enough to land in the front row of the audience. With help from the fans, Kofi pushed himself back onto the barricade and avoided touching the floor. Kofi jumped from the barricade, to the ring steps, then walked onto the apron. However, Ziggler was waiting for him and finally dropped him to the floor with another superkick.
Reigns Speared Ziggler just as he turned around to go after Ambrose. Reigns turned to throw another Spear at Ambrose, but he paused when they locked eyes. Ambrose shook his head and yelled something to his former teammate.
Number thirty's music hit and Reigns' face turned pale. Triple H, fresh from a beating at the hands of the current WWE Champion, arrived to the arena as the last entrant. Reigns and Ambrose stood at the ready, but a rejuvenated Ziggler caught Dean's eye. Triple H brought the fight to Reigns, while Ambrose fought Ziggler. Reigns backed Triple H into a corner and almost had him lifted over the ropes, but Triple H jumped back at the last second and instead threw Reigns to the outside just as Ziggler hit the floor on the other side of the ring.
The final two, a fresh Triple H and a tired but ready to fight to the death Ambrose, remained in the ring. Triple H pulled himself to his feet with help from the ring ropes. Ambrose, tank top torn from his torso and back still covered in welts from his Last Man Standing match with Kevin Owens, limped to the center of the ring to stand nose to nose with Triple H.
Triple H pointed at the WrestleMania sign, then traced his hands around his waist, signaling to Ambrose he wanted the title. Ambrose grinned, blood covering his white teeth, then swung for Triple H's head. The two men brawled center ring, jockeying for the upper hand. Triple H brought his knee up for a stiff shot to Ambrose's gut, sending the lunatic into the ropes. Ambrose hit the ropes and countered with a jaw jacking lariat. Triple H quickly got back to his feet, but Ambrose kicked him in the gut and hooked both arms for Dirty Deeds.
Triple H pushed against Ambrose, sending them both into the ropes on the opposite side of the ring the hard camera was on. Ambrose grabbed for the top rope, forcing himself and Triple H over. Both men hit the outside, falling apart but both very clearly on the floor. Ambrose, still on his feet, turned to the referee for the final decision.
Mike Chioda raised Ambrose's hand in victory. John Cone waved off Chioda's decision, then raised a still prone Triple H's hand in victory. The time keeper rounded the ring with the WWE Championship. Ambrose tore the belt from the time keeper and lifted it above his head in victory. Cone took the belt from Ambrose, shook his head, then pointed at Triple H. Chioda, standing his ground, waved off Cone's decision and handed Ambrose the belt back.
Lillian Garcia approached the referees, needing an answer as to who won the match and who is the official champion.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of this match is…" Lillian Garcia leaned in while Chioda and Cone both gave her their results. "Both Dean Ambrose and Triple H!"
"What? That's insane!" Byron Saxton exclaimed over on commentary.
"No! You can't have two WWE Champions! Restart the damn match!" JBL yelled.
Triple H finally got to his feet. "No, dammit we are settling this now!" Triple H yelled to the referees. "Restart the damn thing! Get Ambrose back in the ri-"
Ambrose suddenly kicked Triple H in the gut and dropped him with Dirty Deeds. WWE Title wrapped snugly in his arms, Ambrose rounded the ring, swiped his Intercontinental Championship from the time keeper's area, then hightailed it away from ringside and into the WWE Universe.
"Wait, what the hell?" Cole exclaimed. "Dean Ambrose! Dean Ambrose has the WWE Championship! But the official decision was a draw!"
"Dean Ambrose just stole the WWE Championship!" JBL yelled.
Ambrose, a title belt on each shoulder, climbed the stairs in the crowd. He turned back towards the ring, yelling something the microphones couldn't pick up. He lifted both belts above his head, soaking in the crowd losing their minds for him.
"What… What does this mean for the WWE Championship? Triple H is out cold!" Saxton pointed out.
"It means we better tune into RAW tomorrow to get some answers!" Cole concluded.
The show ending graphic came on the screen with a shot of Triple H, forehead busted open, pulling himself off the ringside floor. Ambrose stood in the WWE Universe, a title in each hand raised above his head.