DANIEL Byan kicked off the Royal Rumble by retaining his World Heavyweight Championship. He retained his title by escaping the cage in a match where Big Show did the majority of the work. Mark Henry did little and looked protected following the hyper-extended knee he suffered earlier in the week. The crowd were notably behind Bryan throughout, but the match went at a slow pace and had no memorable spots.
Beth Phoenix teamed with Natalya and the Bella Twins to beat Kelly Kelly, Eve Torres, Tamina and Alicia Fox in a bonus/filler Divas match. Kelly Kelly launched off the top rope to the outside landing on all 7 other Divas during the match. Phoenix won by hitting Kelly Kelly with a Glam Slam.
John Cena and Kane fought to a double count-out in the grudge match of the night. The 2 men were so intent on brawling, that the referee’s count was ignored as they headed backstage. Kane got the upper hand on Cena and found Zack Ryder watching the match from a wheelchair. Kane took him to the ring and planted him with a Tombstone Piledriver before delivering a Chokeslam to Cena, who was trying to save Ryder. Kane left both men laid out in the ring. Ryder getting laid out by Kane is starting to feel old already and the match made Cena look weak only 2 months before he faces The Rock at Wrestlemania 28.
Brodus Clay beat Drew McIntyre in a quick squash match next. McIntyre had to win to earn a shot in the Rumble, but against the Funkasaurus he had no chance.
CM Punk retained his WWE Championship against Dolph Ziggler in what felt like an awkward finish. Laurinaitis employed a standard WWE referee before the match started for inside the ring and he refereed from outside the ring. The standard referee took a bump and Laurinaitis checked on him, rather than calling the match – which Punk had won 3 times! Punk eventually hit Ziggler with a GTS and the standard referee came round to make the count. Laurinaitis joined in with the count, which made for a strange ending.
Sheamus made history in the main event by winning the Royal Rumble match. He fended off favorites Chris Jericho and Randy Orton to become the number 1 contender for a championship of his choosing at Wrestlemania 28.
The last 4 men in the Royal Rumble were Sheamus, Chris Jericho, Randy Orton and Big Show. Big Show entered the Rumble in the number 30 spot after missing out on regaining the World Heavyweight Championship earlier in the night. He was eliminated by Orton, who was then eliminated quickly by Jericho.
Jericho and Sheamus fought for over 5 minutes to determine who would leave the winner of the 2012 Royal Rumble, but Sheamus eventually won by nailing Jericho with a Brogue Kick after Jericho managed to hang onto the ropes from a previous elimination attempt.
There were several notable surprise entrants in the Royal Rumble match including: Booker T, Jerry Lawler, Michael Cole, Road Dogg, Hacksaw Jim Duggan, Kharma, Ricardo Rodriguez and The Great Khali. Some surprises are welcome, but there was too much comedy in the most anticipated match of the year.
Quick Results
1. Daniel Bryan beat Big Show and Mark Henry in a steel cage match to retain the World Heavyweight Championship.
2. Beth Phoenix, Natalya, Brie Bella and Nikki Bella beat Kelly Kelly, Eve Torres, Tamina and Alicia Fox. Beth pinned Kelly to get the win.
3. John Cena and Kane ends in a Double Countout.
4. Brodus Clay beat Drew McIntyre.
5. CM Punk beat Dolph Ziggler to retain the WWE Championship.
6. Sheamus wins the Royal Rumble
Loading ...
