Results:Detroit "RKO" City
By: Craig Tello
January 25, 2009
DETROIT — In the 2009 Royal Rumble, 30 men collided with the shared aspiration of performing at the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania, but it was only one individual (with help from his two associates) who ascertained the opportunity to solidify his “Legacy.” That man is Randy Orton.
Days after the Legend Killer callously punted Mr. McMahon to the shock and disgust of the WWE Universe, Orton now proceeds toward the most important night of his career – ironically, at the celebration of the event birthed 25 years ago by the individual he felled on Raw, the WWE Chairman himself.
Even with the seemingly infinite eyes of the WWE Universe narrowed in on the Legend Killer’s every move given his actions on Monday, Orton maintained focus in Detroit, shaking off any internal crisis of conscience. And, looking at his 29 Rumble opponents – Undertaker, Chris Jericho, Big Show and surprise entrant Rob Van Dam to name a few – he truly had no other choice.
At No. 8, Orton entered the over-the-top rope struggle and was quickly followed by second-generation allies in Ted DiBiase and Cody Rhodes. All joining the match within the first half of its near 59-minute duration, the triumvirate changed the “every man for himself” element inherent of the Rumble and instead employed an effective collaborative strategy to eliminate the likes of Kane, Big Show and others.
Rounding out a virtual “who’s who” of WWE’s greatest Superstars (many Orton has both fought and defiled in the past), this year’s 30-man encounter boasted a WWE Tag Team Champion, as well as the Intercontinental, United States and World Tag Team Champions, not to mention four past Rumble victors – all falling short of the Legend Killer’s luster.
Among them was Triple H who mounted the last strike against all three Legacy members. In the closing moments of the collision, The Game fought off a 3-on-1 attack and ousted both DiBiase and Rhodes, only for the viper-likened Orton to slither forth and eject his former mentor to secure a World Title bout on the Grandest Stage of Them All.
Twenty-five years after his father “Cowboy” Bob Orton tussled in the main event of the very first WrestleMania, the Legend Killer will give life to a new family Legacy at the silver anniversary celebration of the Biggest Spectacle of Them All. Maybe.
Though the Rumble-winning Orton’s spot in the main event of WrestleMania XXV should be soundly sealed, there still linger reparations to be made for his vindictive assault on the concussed WWE Chairman. The 2009 Royal Rumble Match winner still awaits imminent reprimand, be it a fine, suspension or possibly even termination.
A quarter-century of spectacle, pomp and gallantry will be celebrated in Houston on April 5. Typically, the question to be asked of the Rumble winner is which World Title they will opt to target on that night. In this controversy-laden scenario, however, the uncertainty lies elsewhere. Given the retribution-ridden history of the McMahon clan, will Randy Orton even be competing in WWE by the time WrestleMania XXV rolls into Reliant Stadium?
Edge def. Jeff Hardy (New WWE Champion)
Results:Royal Rumble: Hardy's twisted fate brings gold to Edge
By: Lennie DiFino
January 25, 2009
DETROIT – On a night that saw SmackDown General Manager Vickie Guerrero inform Jeff Hardy he would defend his title in a No Disqualification Match, the biggest shock came when Hardy’s brother, Matt, violently turned his back on Jeff, costing him the title and giving Edge the WWE Championship.
The bitter betrayal rocked the WWE Universe, as it initially appeared as if Matt Hardy was coming to Jeff’s aid during the No Disqualification Match. After encouraging Jeff to deliver a Con-Chair-To to Edge, Matt administered his own twist of fate, crashing his brother’s head in with a steel chair.
Matt Hardy’s mindset was certainly shaken as of late with the loss of the ECW Championship, and his failed attempt to regain his gold earlier in the night against ECW Champion Jack Swagger – but nothing could have prepared anyone in the WWE Universe for Matt’s horrific attack on his own brother.
What will Matt Hardy have to say for his actions at Royal Rumble? How will Jeff Hardy react to being cheated out of the WWE Championship by his own brother? And what happens now that Edge has reclaimed the gold he covets?
World Heavyweight Champion John Cena def. JBL
Results:Beating the odds
By: Aubrey Sitterson
January 25, 2009
DETROIT – Going into the Royal Rumble, JBL was intent on becoming the new World Heavyweight Champion. But despite the begrudging efforts of the self-made millionaire’s employee, Shawn Michaels, The Champ John Cena persevered, defeating the Longhorn Loudmouth and retaining his coveted title.
JBL took to the ring with his eyes on the prize, going so far as to install Shawn Michaels in his corner as extra insurance. Though HBK had been upfront about his distaste for the self-proclaimed “wrestling god,” there were two things motivating him to assist his boss. Michaels had been promised not only a hefty payment in the event of Layfield’s victory, but also a spot in the Royal Rumble if his employer were to become the new World Heavyweight Champion.
In order to earn his payday, HBK involved himself in the match while the referee was incapacitated, first performing Sweet Chin Music on his employer and then also kicking The Champ in the jaw. With both ring warriors lying prone, Michaels dragged the self-proclaimed “wrestling god” on top of Cena in order to give JBL the win. But even The Showstopper wasn’t enough to put down The Champ, who recovered and hit his signature hold to best the No. 1 contender.
Shawn Michaels’ employment with JBL had begun weeks prior, as a last ditch effort by HBK to provide for his family in the face of the collapsing stock market. Since then, Michaels has reluctantly done his boss’ bidding, disqualifying the Longhorn Loudmouth’s opponent to gain JBL No. 1 contendership – even allowing himself to be defeated by Layfield for the World Title opportunity. Having already weakened John Cena one-on-one the week before, HBK even attacked Cena at JBL’s bidding on the Raw prior to the Royal Rumble in a further attempt to put The Champ at a disadvantage. Throughout it all, however, The Showstopper has struggled to maintain his integrity.
The World Heavyweight Championship Match saw John Cena dividing his attention between the dangerous JBL and Michaels, waiting just outside the ring. But at the Royal Rumble, the self-made millionaire learned the hard way that even when the deck is stacked against him, The Champ perseveres.
Melina def. Beth Phoenix (New Women's Champion)
Results:Viva Melina!
By: Greg Adkins
January 25, 2009
DETROIT - Facing the power of Beth Phoenix in the ring must feel akin to going over Niagara Falls in a barrel. Both tasks are daunting, perilous and often end with bone-crushing drops.
At the Royal Rumble, however, Melina not only survived the drop, she emerged victorious over The Glamazon to recapture her third Women’s Championship.
Capitalizing on her first opportunity at gold since suffering a broken ankle last summer, the resilient Diva countered Phoenix’s significant size and strength advantage with speed, agility and determination to put an end to the five-month reign of The Glamazon, as her boyfriend, Santino Marella, looked on in disbelief. After facing injury, adversity and underhanded attacks at the hands of Rosa Mendes, an intern-hopeful of Phoenix, Melina was able to overcome long odds to once again reign supreme.
While Melina went for nearly two years without holding the Women’s Title, judging by the resolve she displayed during her Rumble match, the Latina bombshell isn’t prepared to relinquish the gold anytime soon.
ECW Champion Jack Swagger def. Matt Hardy
Results:Solidification with a Swagger
By: Michael Burdick
January 25, 2009
DETROIT - Before a capacity crowd in the Joe Louis Arena, the undefeated ECW Champion Jack Swagger solidified his reign by successfully defending his title against former champion Matt Hardy.
The match proved to be an intense battle from the beginning, with Hardy showing tremendous intestinal fortitude as he fought through a painful left arm injury inflicted by the ECW Champion in the onset. However, Swagger eventually scored a decisive victory, countering Hardy’s Side Effect before hurling his challenger into the unforgiving steel ringpost, allowing him to hit the gutwrench powerbomb for the victory. Following the match, Hardy loomed outside the ring, with a look of absolute disappointment consuming his face.
Since his emergence four months ago as part of ECW General Manager Theodore Long’s New Superstar Initiative, "The All-American American" has quickly established himself as the new face of the Land of the Extreme. Like him or hate him, he commands the attention of the WWE Universe with a smug smile and unending confidence that is only outdone only by his uncanny ability to deliver. He quickly fought his way to the top – earning convincing victories over top-caliber Extreme Superstar contenders from ECW Original Tommy Dreamer to Finlay – before finally earning an opportunity at the gold.
From the moment Matt Hardy won the Extreme championship, he heroically pledged to be a fighting champion, taking on all comers. And he lived up to that credo until the end, battling Swagger bravely before losing the title less than two weeks ago on ECW on Sci Fi. Although Hardy looked to stand a great chance at reclaiming the gold, defeating Swagger with a Twist of Fate in tag team action on SmackDown just over a week ago, Swagger refused to be denied at the Royal Rumble.
This second victory over Hardy clearly shows that Jack Swagger has carved his place in the annals of Extreme glory. But, who will emerge Tuesday night on Sci Fi to try and take the smile off the new face of ECW?
