Chapter Sixty Three: Royal Rumble pt II
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(A/N: Sorry everybody, but it took me a while to find a good free replay of the Rumble. I wouldn't have been able to work in Machetti with my normal amount of detail if I hadn't.
This chapter is going to start with the Royal Rumble in progress. Machetti is going to come in at entry Number 15 after Snitsky. I'm switching them because I think Entry Number 14 is bad luck and I don't want Machetti to have the bad luck. It won't really change anything since Snitsky didn't eliminate anyone when he came in. So I just wanted to give everyone a heads up on that.
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The Royal Rumble was in progress. Undertaker and Shawn Michaels who had come in at numbers one and two respectively were still in the ring. But so was Hardcore Holly, John Morrison, Batista, CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, and the most recent entry Snitsky. The timer appeared again and started counting down, the fans counted along with it. TEN… NINE… EIGHT… SEVEN… SIX… FIVE… FOUR… THREE… TWO… ONE… Riot Time hit and Machetti came running out from the back as Entry Number Fifteen.
Machetti looked like he had recovered a bit from his match with Umaga because he quickly slid in the ring and started taking down everyone. Morrison goes down with a corkscrew dropkick. CM Punk came over and Machetti took him down with a jumping calf kick. Batista came over and grabbed Machetti then whipped him into the ropes. Machetti came off of the ropes, did a handspring and ended up with his legs around Batista's neck, he quickly took him down with a head scissors.
Machetti got back up but suddenly dropped down to the ground and dodged a Sweet Chin Music from Shawn Michaels. Michaels staggered off balance and Machetti quickly jumped up and hit a spinning wheel kick, knocking Michaels on his back. Machetti got back up but Holly came over and chopped him across the chest. Machetti staggered backwards but came back and chopped Holly across the chest in return. Machetti followed up and shoved Holly back into the ropes. Machetti then jumped up and hit Holly with a dropsault, Holly was knocked backwards and toppled over the top rope and fell down to the floor. HARDCORE HOLLY IS ELIMINATED!
Machetti smirked at Holly then turned around, but ended up in a goozle from Undertaker. Taker lifted Machetti up into the air and destroyed him with a vicious chokeslam. Undertaker pulled Machetti up off of the mat and went to dump him over the top, but Machetti reached down and wrapped his arms around the top and middle rope, then quickly got his leg in too, keeping Undertaker from getting him over the top. While hanging on with one arm Machetti took his elbow and drove it into Undertaker's temple, sending the Deadman staggering backwards. Machetti got free from the ropes then ran at Undertaker jumped up and kicked him in the back of the head with an enzuigiri. Taker fell down to his knees, then Machetti jumped up and hit ANOTHER enzuigiri, sending Undertaker down to the mat.
Machetti got back up and Batista charged across the ring looking for a spear, but Machetti jumped up into the air and leap-frogged Batista causing the Animal to run full speed into the steel ring post behind Machetti. Batista pulled away from the post and slumped down in the corner, but Machetti came back over and rained down some hard right hands on him.
Around the ring the other superstars were pairing off. Michaels was working over CM Punk in one corner while Snitsky and stomping on John Morrison in another one. Undertaker had just gotten back up and he went over to help Michaels with Punk. Cody Rhodes suddenly came out of nowhere and launched himself onto Snitsky's back, knocking Snitsky halfway over the top rope. Machetti left Batista in the corner and came over to try and dump Snitsky out, but Undertaker came over and grabbed Machetti and whipped him back into the corner then clubbed him over the head with a big forearm.
Michaels came over and brought Morrison over to another corner while Rhodes finally took Snitsky over the top rope with a head scissors. But Snitsky managed to land on the ring apron so both of them were safe. Snitsky fought free from Rhodes and got back in the ring. Punk came over and attack Snitsky, Rhodes got back in the ring and he and Punk double-teamed the monster. Meanwhile Batista was still recovering in the corner.
Morrison left Michaels and attacked CM Punk leaving Snitsky and Rhodes to go at it. HBK was left unattended so he went across the ring and attacked Batista who was still down in the corner. One the other side of the ring Undertaker drove Machetti's face into the top turnbuckle, then pulled him back and rammed Machetti's shoulder into the ring post. The clock started to count down, TEN… NINE… EIGHT… SEVEN… SIX… FIVE… FOUR… THREE… TWO… ONE…the Miz's theme hit.
CM Punk had just gotten Morrison onto his shoulders and was looking for the GTS, but Miz ran in the ring and got there in time to help his partner. Morrison slipped off of Punk's shoulders while Miz kneed Punk in the stomach. Miz pushed Punk into the ropes and tried to dump him over, but Punk held on. Morrison came over and grabbed onto Punk as well and helped his partner struggle to eliminate the Straight Edge Superstar.
Around the ring, Snitsky was ramming his shoulder into Rhodes' stomach in one corner, while in another Michaels was still working over Batista. Across the ring from them Undertaker had Machetti pushed down on the top rope and was attempting to get him over, but Machetti had his right leg wrapped around the middle and bottom ropes. Undertaker reached down and grabbed Machetti's other leg and tried to dump him over, but Machetti wrapped his arms around all three of the ropes and held on as tightly as he could. Undertaker clubbed Machetti's legs, allowing him to drop down, but Machetti landed safely on the ring apron. But then the timer appeared again and started counting down. In the time it had taken the timer to reach zero Miz and Morrison were on the top rope choking Punk on the top turnbuckle. Undertaker was trying to push Machetti out from under the bottom rope. Rhodes was mounting an offense on Snitsky in another corner and Batista had Michaels backed against the final corner.
When the buzzer sounded Shelton Benjamin's theme hit and ECW's Gold Standard ran out from the back. Benjamin got in the ring and ran across it, then jumped up onto the middle rope and grabbed Morrison and Miz, Benjamin dropped down dropping both Miz and Morrison throat-first on the top rope, almost eliminating them in the process. Benjamin turned around and faced Punk. Punk went to kick Shelton but Shelton caught his leg then hit his running bulldog/DDT finisher. Benjamin stood back up SWEET CHIN MUSIC! Michaels came out of nowhere and knocked Shelton out of the ring, SHELTON BENJAMIN IS ELIMINATED!
With Shelton gone things started settling again. Michaels went back to working over Batista, but Batista caught him with a drop toe hold, causing HBK to go face first into the middle turnbuckle. At the same time Miz, Morrison, and Punk were all down recovering on the ground in the corner opposite them. Machetti ducked a right hook from the Undertaker, causing the Deadman to punch the turnbuckle behind Machetti. Machetti followed up and grabbed Taker and rammed his head into the top turnbuckle he had just punched. Across the ring from them Snitsky had Rhodes back in a corner.
Batista left Michaels and went over to Machetti, then two of them worked together and attempted to get Undertaker over the top, but Taker held on and wasn't going anywhere. Snitsky finally left Rhodes and went to the corner across the ring and choked Michaels on the bottom turnbuckle with his foot. Across the ring, Miz was back up and was stomping on CM Punk's back while Morrison held him down. Undertaker hit Batista with a shot to the face, knocking the Animal on his back, then he grabbed Machetti and pushed him back against the ropes as the timer started to count down again. In the ten seconds Miz went after Rhodes and left Morrison to deal with Punk. Snitsky was still working over Michaels in the corner and Undertaker was working over both Batista and Machetti with some hard punches to the head.
JIMMY SNUKA'S THEME MUSIC HIT! The Superfly was the Number 18 Entry. In the time it took Snuka to get down in the ring, Undertaker and Michaels had switched opponents, Undertaker punched at Snitsky and Michaels pushed Machetti back into the corner and stomped his midsection. Snuka got in the ring and tossed Morrison into Snitsky as he ran at him, then Jimmy took down Punk with a headbutt. HBK left Machetti and Batista and went over to Snuka but the Superfly chopped the Showstopper across the chest, raked his eyes, then nailed a headbutt. Undertaker came over and got a headbutt of his own from Snuka. Snuka hit Undertaker with a second headbutt sending him staggering into the ropes, then Jimmy took down Snitsky with a chop to the chest. Miz ran across the ring but Superfly took him down with a chop to the chest as well. Miz got back up, but was knocked back down with another chop and then a headbutt.
Batista left Machetti in the corner and went over to Snuka and punched him in the face, but Snuka came back with a punch of his own, sending the Animal staggering backwards. The superstars all broke down into separate brawls in the four corners as the timer started counting down again. The buzzer sounded and BAGPIPES PLAYED! THE HOT ROD ROWDY RODDY PIPER WAS HERE!
"You've gotta be kidding me!!" exclaimed JR as Piper came out from the back and headed down towards the ring. Piper pulled off his jacket, shirt, and kilt, leaving him in a pair of black spandex pants. As Piper got in the ring all the action in it stopped, everyone just watched the Hall of Famer get in. Superfly turned around and faced the Rowdy One. Piper rushed at Snuka punched him in the face, but Snuka didn't move. Snuka stayed still after another punch then blocked the overhead chop the Piper followed up with and hit a punch of his own.
Snuka took Piper down with a chop to the chest. Piper got back up and poked Snuka in the eyes, then elbowed Snuka on the back of the head. The timer started counting down again as the action around the ring picked up again. The buzzer sounded and a red blast of pyro exploded. Slow Chemical hit and Kane came out from the back as the Number 20 Entry.
Almost everyone was brawling on one side of the ring, Piper had Snuka backed against the ropes as Kane stepped over the top rope and got in the ring. Kane crossed the ring and dumped both Snuka and Piper over the top, JIMMY SNUKA AND RODDY PIPER ARE ELIMINATED! Kane turned around and hit Batista with an uppercut, then hit Morrison with a shot to the face, then took down Michaels with a punch to the face as well. Kane turned around and Machetti ran right into an uppercut, knocking him on his back. Miz came over but found himself in a goozle, CHOKESLAM!
Kane turned around and punched Machetti in the face as he was getting up in the corner then kicked him in the stomach and pushed him back into the turnbuckle. Kane grabbed Machetti's legs and tried dumping him over the top, but Machetti held on. Michaels came over and helped Kane, both of them worked together and attempted to eliminate Machetti. Machetti lashed out his leg and kicked Kane in the face, while behind him Undertaker raised his arm up into the air and called for a chokeslam on his 'brother'. But instead he grabbed Michaels, Undertaker lifted Michaels and went for a chokeslam but Machetti rushed over and clubbed him on the back, causing Taker to drop Michaels. The timer counted down and the buzzer hit again, I spit in the face of people that don't want to be cool.
But as the Crafty Caribbean came down to the ring, Machetti had other concerns. He was currently facing BOTH Kane AND Undertaker. Machetti held out his arms and shook his head, the sight of the Brothers of Destruction standing in front of you would intimidate anyone. Machetti dove forward and slid in between Kane and Undertaker, but Kane turned around and grabbed his ankle just as Carlito got in the ring. Carlito and spat apple Rhodes' face, then clubbed him across the back and took him down. Carlito started trading shots with Michaels and almost took him out of the match as well, but HBK landed on the ring apron.
Meanwhile the Brothers of Destruction continued to work over Machetti. Kane pressed Machetti down to the mat with his foot, while Undertaker stomped on his back. Morrison attacked Carlito and whipped him into the ropes, but Carlito came off looking for a double springboard back elbow on Morrison and Punk. Punk and Morrison tried to toss Carlito out, but Carlito rolled free ducked a kick from Punk BACK-STABBER!
In another corner, Machetti was still in trouble. Undertaker and Kane shot out their hands and grabbed Machetti around the throat. Undertaker and Kane lifted Machetti up into the air, DOUBLE CHOKESLAM!! Machetti was flat on his back while the Brothers of Destruction turned their attention on Morrison and Rhodes. Michaels and Punk were both down, while Batista worked over Miz in one corner.
The timer started counting down again, when the buzzer sounded a familiar car crash played through the arena. Mick Foley came out from the back to a loud ovation from the crowd. Foley got in the ring and got attacked by Kane and Morrison. Morrison got knocked down with a shot to the face while Kane and Foley traded shots near the ropes. Snitsky came over but got decked with a wild punch from Foley. Foley followed up by taking down Miz, Punk, Rhodes, and Michaels as they all came over. In another corner Undertaker had Batista up in the air… LAST RIDE!
Kane staggered back into the middle of the ring, but Machetti suddenly lunged out of a corner and took him down with a missile dropkick. Machetti pulled Kane up and backed him into a corner. Around the ring Snitsky just hit Undertaker with a sidewalk slam, Carlito was working over Michaels. Rhodes, Punk, Miz, and Morrison were all brawling on one side of the ring. While Foley and Batista just took each other down with a pair of clotheslines. The Timer counted down again and the buzzer sounded Kennedy… Kennedy!
Mr. Kennedy came out from the back and headed down to the ring, immediately joining the fray. Kennedy beat down Rhodes in one corer, then hit a running facewash, driving Rhodes' back into the ring post. Kennedy turned around and grabbed Miz, MIC CHECK!! Kennedy got back up and grabbed Punk, ANOTHER MIC CHECK!! In the middle of the ring Undertaker sat up but Kennedy kicked Taker in the face and knocked him on his back. Kennedy stomped on Taker and mouthed off at him, but Taker suddenly reached up and grabbed Kennedy around the throat. Undertaker got up, CHOKESLAM!!
Undertaker punched Carlito then ran over to a corner and hit a body splash on Morrison. Undertaker backed across the ring while Machetti and Snitsky attacked Morrison. Snitsky held Morrison's arms behind his back while Machetti worked him over with shots to the mid section. But Undertaker ran over BODY SPLASH ON ALL THREE MEN! Undertaker followed up and took Snitsky down with a punch, and then Punk. Undertaker went over to Carlito and kicked him in the face, then grabbed Michaels and gave him a headbutt. Undertaker went back into the middle of the ring as the timer started up again and counted down. The buzzer sounded and Big Daddy V's theme music hit. In the ring Snitsky backed Undertaker back into the ropes, but Undertaker grabbed Snitsky with a goozle. Undertaker pushed Snitsky backwards across the ring, then pushed him over the top rope and out of the ring. SNITSKY IS ELIMINATED! Undertaker turned around, SWEET CHIN MUSIC! Shawn Michaels hit the super kick and knocked Taker over the top rope and down to the floor. UNDERTAKER IS ELIMINATED!!
Undertaker landed on his feet and glared at Michaels. But suddenly Kennedy and Machetti came from behind, grabbed Michaels' legs and dumped him over the top, nearly knocking him into Undertaker. SHAWN MICHAELS IS ELIMINATED! HBK sat up and stared at Machetti and Kennedy. Undertaker stared down at Michaels then turned and punched Snitsky in the face, then took him over to the barricade. Michaels got up to his knees and stared at Kennedy and Machetti who were standing together by the ropes. Kennedy mocked Michaels with a smirk on his face, he and Michaels' former protégé had just eliminated him. "It's every man for himself," the loud mouth taunted. Suddenly Machetti grabbed Kennedy and tossed Kennedy over, but Kennedy grabbed onto the ropes and ended up on the ring apron. Machetti stared at Michaels and shrugged. Kennedy rolled back into the ring and got up then he and Machetti started trading punches.
Michaels ran around the ring to the back to get his bloody nose treated but Undertaker wasn't done yet. Taker threw Snitsky on top of the announce table, then followed up up by nailing Snitsky with a leg drop on top of the Smackdown announce table. Undertaker then got back up then turned and headed to the back, while he action in the ring continued. Kane and Big Daddy V were brawling in one corner, while Kennedy was working over Rhodes in the next one. Miz was on the ground, and Morrison was working over Carlito in the third corner. In the final corner Machetti and Foley were working over Batista.
Kennedy threw Rhodes over the top rope, but Cody hung on and attempted to skin-the-cat. Rhodes reached his legs up around Kennedy's neck, but Kennedy shoved Rhodes back off, but Cody held on for dear life and his feet didn't touch the floor. Cody came back up and took Kennedy over the top with a head scissors, but Kennedy managed to land next to Rhodes on the ring apron, both of them were safe for now. The timer counted down and the buzzer sounded, then Mark Henry's theme music hit and the World's Strongest Man came out from the back.
Henry jogged down to the ring and attacked Batista in a corner. While Machetti left and attacked Morrison who had just knocked down Foley. One the other side of the ring, Rhodes sent Miz staggering away from him, then he punched Carlito in the face. Big Daddy V turned away from Kane and attacked Punk. Kane crossed the ring and attacked Mark Henry and hit him with a few headbutts, but they didn't do anything. Kane ran to the ropes and came back, but ran right into a shoulder block from Henry.
Kennedy grabbed Miz and dumped him over the top, but Miz managed to hang on. Hornswoggle suddenly came out from under the ring and grabbed Miz's arm. Hornswoggle pulled Miz down off of the ring apron and to the floor, THE MIZ IS ELIMINATED! The Miz looked shocked, but Hornswoggle quickly scurried back under the ring. Back in the ring, Machetti had Kane down in one corner and was stomping on him. Carlito was working over Batista, while Foley worked over Rhodes, and Kennedy fought with Morrison. But in the middle of the ring CM Punk was in the most trouble. Both Henry and Big Daddy V had Punk in the double torture rack that they had used on Undertaker on a couple of occasions.
V and Henry left Punk lying in the middle of the ring. Big Daddy V went off and smothered Morrison and Kennedy and attempted to eliminate both of them, while Henry fought with Henry fought with Batista on the other side of the ring. The timer appeared and started counting down again. Oooo Chavo! Entry Number 26 was the new ECW World Champion, Chavo Guerrero. Guerrero got in the ring and Punk, who had recovered enough to stand, immediately went after him. Punk and Chavo traded shots vicious shots, but Punk ended up taking control after driving his shoulder's into Chavo's chest and knocking him down to the ground. Punk then rained down a barrage of hard right hands, but Chavo rolled over so he was on top of Punk and went off on the Straight Edge Superstar with a barrage of rights of his own.
On the other side of the ring, Morrison ran at Kane and Machetti. Machetti dove out of the way and Kane shot Morrison up into the air with a back drop. Morrison grabbed onto the ropes and landed on the ring apron. But Kane turned around and connected with a big boot, knocked Morrison off of the apron and down the floor. JOHN MORRISON IS ELIMINATED!
Things broke down a bit now. Chavo and Punk were going at it on their own in one corner, while Batista and Mark Henry were fighting in the corner opposite them. Machetti took down Carlito with a chop across the chest, then side-stepped Rhodes, causing him to go crashing into the empty third corner behind him. In the fourth corner everyone else was ganging up on Big Daddy V in an attempt to eliminate the near five hundred pounder.
But Kane pulled Kennedy away, and Big Daddy V beat Foley down into the corner. Henry left Batista and attacked Cody Rhodes, but Batista suddenly got up and sprinted across the ring, then hit a clothesline to the back of Big Daddy V. Machetti was walking across the ring catching a breather when Kane whipped Kennedy towards him. Machetti moved out of the way and Kennedy went into the rope then came back, Kane lifted his leg BIG BOOT ON KENNEDY!
Henry pushed Rhodes over the top, but Cody was holding onto the ropes, keeping himself form going anywhere. Hornswoggle came back out from under the ring and attempted to pull Rhodes down to the floor like he had with Miz, but Henry reached down and grabbed the Leprechaun, then lifted him with one hand and brought him into the ring. Hornswoggle backed away from Henry as the timer started counting down, but suddenly he found himself backed up against Big Daddy V. Both Big Daddy V and Mark Henry grabbed onto Hornswoggle's shoulders.
Chavo came over and the three of them surrounded the leprechaun. The three superstars looked like they were ready to crush the tiny wrestler, but then the timer started counting down. Machetti suddenly ran over and jumped on Big Daddy V's back and locked in a sleeper. V staggered backwards while Hornswoggle attempted to get away from Henry and Guerrero. Dropped down and crawled through Henry's legs, but Chavo grabbed Hornswoggle's leg and pulled him up. Both Henry and Guerrero surrounded Hornswoggle as the buzzer sounded. My Name is Finlay and I Love Ta Fight!
Finlay ran down to the ring and went crazy on Henry and Chavo with his shillelagh. Both Chavo and Henry hit the mat after two shots a piece. Machetti slid off of Big Daddy V's back and hit a corkscrew dropkick, launching him towards Finlay. Finlay swung his shillelagh around and clubbed V across the head causing Big Daddy V to go crashing down to the mat.
Machetti suddenly ran over and threw Finlay over the top rope and he went crashing down to the floor. FINLAY IS ELMINATED! Finlay got back up and glared at Machetti as he picked up Hornswoggle. "Catch!" Machetti called out to Finlay as he tossed Horny over the top rope to Finlay. Finlay caught Hornswoggle and placed him down on the ground next to him. HORNSWOGGLE IS ELIMINATED! Finlay nodded at Machetti, then took Hornswoggle and let him to the back. Machetti quickly turned around and took Kennedy down with a running clothesline.
Big Daddy V came after Machetti and pushed him into the ropes and attempted to get him over, but Machetti kept his leg wrapped around the bottom rope. While in a corner Carlito was attempting to lift one of Henry's tree trunk-sized legs. Kane pulled Kennedy up to his feet and tossed him into turnbuckle in an empty corner. Across the ring Chavo was fighting Rhodes in the third corner, while Foley and Batista were fighting CM Punk.
Machetti elbowed Big Daddy V in the temple sending him staggering away. Big Daddy V turned around and grabbed Kane from behind and allowed Kennedy to get in free shots. Machetti ran across the ring and clotheslined Foley into the turnbuckle, giving CM Punk a breather. While in the corner next to them Chavo, Batista, and Rhodes were all fighting. Henry tossed Carlito over the top rope, but Carlito held on and rolled back into the ring. The timer started counting down and the buzzer hit. Elijah Burke's theme played.
Burke tossed his towel to the side and got in the ring. Elijah hit two shots to the face of Chavo and knocked him down. Across the ring Batista lifted Kennedy up onto his shoulders, but Machetti jumped up and hit dropkick, causing Batista to drop Kennedy and fall to the ground. Machetti ran at Batista and hit a baseball slide, sending Batista under the bottom rope and down to the floor. The officials on the outside seemed concerned with Batista, but he hadn't gone over the top rope, so he was still in the match.
Back in the ring, Kane and Big Daddy V were choking each other with both hands. Punk hoisted Chavo up into the air and onto the ring apron. But Chavo grabbed Punk and pulled him out of the ring, Punk hit the floor, CM PUNK IS ELIMINATED! Foley took down Burke with a clothesline, but Machetti came over and clubbed him on the back. Carlito and Rhodes fought in a corner while Kennedy was stalked by Henry and Big Daddy V. But then the timer started counting down again. TEN… NINE… EIGHT… SEVEN… SIX… FIVE… FOUR… THREE… TWO… ONE!Time to Play the Game!
The crowd cheered loudly as Triple H's music hit. Triple H was the Number 29 Entry! The Game walked down to the ring and got right it work. Chavo ran at Triple H but got taken down with a clothesline. The same thing happened to Carlito. Triple H punched Cody Rhodes in the head to take him down as well. HHH pulled Cody back up then tossed him over the top rope and down to the floor, CODY RHODES IS ELIMINATED! Triple H turned back around and took down Burke with a punch. Big Daddy V came over but HHH teed off with a pair of punches, then went to whip him into the ropes. BDV reverse, but the Game came back and hit a facebuster. Triple H grabbed the groggy Big Daddy V, ran with him, then tossed him over the top and down to the floor. BIG DADDY V IS ELIMINATED!
Machetti came from behind and clubbed Triple H on the back, then pushed him into the ropes. Machetti whipped HHH across the ring, but Triple H came back and hit Machetti with a facebuster, Machetti was launched up into the air, and crashed down to the ground. Triple H turned back around and traded shots with Mick Foley. Triple H grabbed Foley and threw him into Elijah Burke. Both Foley and Burke went over the top and crashed down to the floor. MICK FOLEY AND ELIJAH BURKE ARE ELIMINATED!! TRIPLE H IS ON FIRE!!!
Triple H turned back around and went after Machetti the corner. HHH hit a string of right hands on the visibly tired Machetti. The Game dragged Machetti across the ring and rammed Machetti's head into the top turnbuckle. Triple H turned Machetti around and went off on him with some shots to the stomach. Triple H grabbed Machetti and threw him into the corner Kane was recovering in. Triple H went across the ring and punched Chavo, and then Carlito. Triple H went back across the ring and punched him as well. Triple H went to whip Machetti across the ring, but Machetti reversed, sending HHH into the corner instead.
Machetti ran across the ring, did a handspring then a front-flip, TURNBUCKLE SENTO—TRIPLE H MOVED!! Machetti went back-first into the turnbuckle and crashed down to the floor. Triple H pulled Machetti up and dragged him into the middle of the ring, kicked him in the stomach, then bent him over. He was going to go for the Pedigree! But before Triple H hooked Machetti's arms Machetti grabbed HHH's legs and flipped him onto his back. Machetti fell backwards and launched Triple H face-first into the corner. Triple H staggered away from the turnbuckle as the timer appeared and started counting down.
Machetti went over to capitalize but Triple H got his arm up and punched Machetti in the face, sending the Intercontinental Champion staggering backwards. Machetti came back and hit and uppercut on Triple H, dazing the Game but then the buzzer hit, it was time for the Number Thirty Entrant to make his appearance. My Time Is Now hit and the crowd roared with cheers (and boos) as John Cena came out from the back. He was supposed to be out for six months but he came back in four! Triple H and Machetti stopped fighting and turned to stare at Cena as he came out from the back. Carlito, Chavo, and Mark Henry all stopped fighting and stared at Cena as well.
"Remember me?" mouthed Cena as he stood in front of the ring. Machetti dove to the side as Mark Henry came out of nowhere and took HHH down with a clothesline from behind. Cena went off on Henry with a barrage of punches, Cena ducked a punch from Henry, then ran passed him, bounced off of the ropes and took down Henry with a running shoulder block. Machetti stayed and watched in the corner as Cena spun around and took down Carlito with a clothesline. Cena then got up and took down Chavo with a running clothesline.
Cena grabbed Carlito then tossed him over the top rope, Carlito went crashing to the floor. CARLITO IS ELIMINATED! Cena turned around and grabbed Chavo Guerrero and tossed him over the top rope as well, CHAVO GUERRERO IS ELIMINATED!
Mark Henry was on the other side of the ring recovering against the ropes, but Cena ran over, grabbed Henry and dumped him over the top and down to the floor, MARK HENRY IS ELIMINATED!!
Triple H got back up while Cena taunted in the middle of the ring. Cena turned around and noticed Triple H standing in the middle of the ring. Around the ring, Batista, Kane, and Kennedy were all down. Machetti was simply leaning back in the corner and watching. This would be good. Cena walked up to Triple H and the two of them stood nose-to-nose in the middle of the ring. Triple H struck first with a shot to the face, but Cena came back with a punch of his own. HHH and Cena traded shots in the middle of the ring the fans cheered and booed as the two superstars brawled.
Triple H took control with a knee to the stomach, then pushed Cena back into the ropes and whipped him across the ring. Triple H bent down as Cena bounced off of the ropes, but Cena stopped short and kicked the Game in the face. Cena ran back to the ropes, bounced off and ran at Triple H, but HHH caught him SPINEBUSTER ON CENA!! But Machetti suddenly came out of nowhere and hit a jumping calf kick, the sound of Machetti's boot connecting with Triple H's jaw echoed around the arena. Triple H staggered backwards and fell on his ass. Machetti reached down and pulled Triple H up then held him in front of him.
Machetti went to launched HHH up into the air for the Machete's Blade, but when the Game was up in the air Batista ran in SPEAR ON MACHETTI! Triple H fell to the ground and rolled away, while Batista stood over Machetti and taunted. Batista turned around and saw Kennedy leaning against the ropes, but Batista ran over and clotheslined Kennedy over the top rope and down to the floor, MR. KENNEDY IS ELMINATED! Batista stood tall in the middle of the ring. There were only five superstars left. Cena and Machetti were down, while Kane was recuperating in the corner. Triple was down on the other side of the ring.
Machetti was the first one back, with some help from the ropes. But Batista ran over and clotheslined Machetti over the top rope, BUT MACHETTI HUNG ON! Batista didn't notice and turned around and taunted, while the Animal wasn't looking Machetti skinned-the-cat and got back in the ring, then crawled across the ring into an empty corner to recover. Batista stared out at the crowd and didn't notice Kane getting up behind him. Batista turned around… right into a goozle from Kane. But then Triple H came over, only to get caught with a goozle of his own.
Kane held Triple H and Batista both by the throat looking for a double chokeslam. But the two former Evolution members kicked Kane in the stomach and whipped him across the ring. Machetti pulled down the top rope, KANE SPILLED OUT DOWN ONTO THE FLOOR! KANE IS ELIMINATED! Machetti got back up and saw Kane glaring at him. "That was for chokeslamming me before!" said Machetti before turning and facing the other three men in the ring, Cena had actually just gotten up to his feet. Machetti, Triple H, Batista, and John Cena were the Final Four of the 2008 Royal Rumble.
Batista stared at the other three men and raised his arms up into the air, Thumbs up… Thumbs down! Cena retaliated by doing the 'You Can't See Me!' Triple H fired back by doing the crotch chop. Batista, Cena, and Triple H all turned and looked at Machetti expectantly. Machetti looked thoughtful for a moment then smiled sheepishly. He didn't have a signature taunt. The other three superstars grinned while Machetti flipped them off then turned around, in a 'screw this' manner. Batista rushed over to Machetti to take him from behind, but Machetti suddenly spun around and hit an uppercut, sending Batista staggering backwards.
At the same time Cena rushed at Triple H and started trading punches, all four men were brawling in the ring. Cena was on fire he connected with a series of five right hands to the face to Triple H, sending the Game staggering backwards into the corner. Meanwhile in the corner opposite Machetti was fighting Batista. Batista swung at Machetti, but Machetti ducked it then rammed Batista back into the corner. But Batista suddenly reached out and grabbed Machetti's throat and switched places with him, pushing Machetti back into the corner where he had been. Batista went off on Machetti with a few shots to the stomach. Both Cena and Batista grabbed their respective opponent and whipped them across the ring.
Machetti and Triple H went at each other full speed but Machetti suddenly dropped down and slid in between HHH's legs, he kept going and took Cena down with a clothesline. Triple H ran full speed into Batista who caught him and slammed him down to the mat, SPINEBUSTER!! Batista shot back up to his feet and rushed across the ring, Machetti turned around not seeing Batista coming, SPEAR! BATISTA SPEARED MACHETTI!
Machetti rolled across the ring and over to the ropes while Batista set his sights on the recovering John Cena. Cena got up and turned around to face Batista. Batista kicked Cena in the stomach then bent Cena over, looking for the Batista Bomb. Cena suddenly shot back up and launched Batista off of him for a back drop. Batista got up and staggered back into the ropes, but Triple H ran over and clotheslined Batista over the top and down to the floor. BATISTA IS ELIMINATED! HHH leaned against the ropes but Machetti suddenly ran over grabbed Triple H's legs then dumped him over the top and down to the floor. TRIPLE H IS ELIMINATED! Triple H sat up on the floor and stared at the Intercontinental Champion in disbelief. Machetti waved to Triple H then turned to face Cena who was getting back up.
Machetti backed up onto the other side of the ring while Cena walked out to meet him. This was it, the final two, Machetti and John Cena. The winner would go on to fight in the main event at WrestleMania. Cena was the obviously the fresher of the two, he had just entered the Rumble at Number 30. Machetti on the other hand had come in at Number 15 and had been in the ring going on thirty minutes now. Not to mention that he had already competed in a brutal match against Umaga earlier in the night. Machetti was showing clear signs of fatigue, but he wasn't going to give up now, not when he was this close to achieving his goal.
Cena and Machetti met in the middle of the ring and locked up, Machetti hit a knee to the stomach and whipped Cena into the ropes. Cena came back and Machetti dropped down onto his stomach, causing Cena to run over him. Cena went to the ropes on the other side of the ring, bounced off of them and came back, but this time Machetti jumped up and landed on Cena's shoulders then sent him flying across the ring with a hurricurana. Cena staggered back up to his feet, but Machetti ran at him and whipped him into the corner. Machetti stepped back then ran at Cena did a handspring and then a front flip and nailed the turnbuckle senton.
Machetti rolled away from Cena and shot up to his feet while Cena staggered forward. Machetti quickly grabbed Cena and picked him up, looking for the Machete's Blade, but Cena slid out of it and slipped behind Machetti. Cena picked Machetti up and slammed him down to the mat with a SPINOUT POWERSLAM! Cena got up and walked around Machetti and looked down at him, Cena did the 'You Can't See Me' taunt then ran to the ropes. Cena came off FIVE KNUCKLE SHUFF—Machetti nipped up. Cena ended up driving his fist down into the empty canvas.
Cena staggered back up and Machetti shoved him back into the ropes, Cena came back and Machetti lifted him up and held him in front of him, looking for the Machete's Blade again. But Cena slipped free and suddenly lifted Machetti up onto his shoulders. Cena carried Machetti over to the ropes and went to F-U him out of the ring, but Machetti wiggled free and took both of them over the top rope and out onto the ring apron with a head scissors takedown.
Cena and Machetti quickly got back up and stared trading shots on the ring apron, if either of them fell of it was all over. Machetti ducked a right hook from Cena then caught him with a surprise uppercut, sending Cena staggering backwards. Machetti ran in and went for a clothesline, but Cena ducked down and got Machetti on his shoulders. Cena ran along the ring apron, then launched Machetti off of his shoulders with a vicious F-U OFF OF THE RING APRON! Machetti went flying and slammed upside-down into the barricade. Machetti slumped against the barricade with his feet up in the air and his back on the floor. Machetti eventually fell to the side and his feet connected with the floor. MACHETTI IS ELIMINATED! CENA WINS THE ROYAL RUMBLE!!
Machetti stared up at the rafters as My Time Is Now hit. Cena celebrated in the ring as the fans cheered/booed him as a result. Machetti pushed himself up off of the floor and stared at Cena, Cena glanced at Machetti and saluted him. Machetti smirked then point to Cena, pointed to himself, then gestured to an invisible belt around his waist. Machetti wanted a shot at the belt if Cena won it. Cena nodded and then Machetti headed to the back, leaving Cena in the ring to celebrate as the Royal Rumble went off the air.
---x---
Well, there you go. It took a while, but I finally found a replay of the Royal Rumble to use. Cena wins the Rumble, but who's he gonna face at 'Mania? What's gonna happen on the next episode of Raw?
'Till Next Time…
Peace!