Chris2K

The bell rang, and my singles match with The Incredible Koyama began.

I got the first shot in with a back kick, but an attempted right hand was avoided. Koyama came back at me with a throat thrust that knocked me down, and picked me back up, just to hit another one to knock me down again.

Koyama went for a Seated Back Kick, but I avoided it and began to go back on the attack. A punch connected, and I knocked Koyama down with a running clothesline. With him down, I hit an elbow drop, and then followed that with a leg drop.

I went to pick him up, but he fought back and regained control. A throat thrust didn't knock me down, but a rolling wheel kick did. He went for a Flip Legdrop, but I saw it coming and moved out of the way.

I tried to pick him up for a bodyslam, but the move was broken, and he nearly took my head off with a Lightning Kick.He picked me back up and went for a Seated Neck Plant, but I broke the move, and responded with a backbreaker.

I stomped away at him, before picking him up and looking for an enziguri, but he took away my standing leg with a legsweep, and followed that up with a Seated Dropkick. A flip legdrop connected, but I managed to fight back when he went to pick me up.

I went on the attack with a Front Facelock, but my attempt to turn it into a DDT failed, and he hit a Seated Face Plant. Another Flip Legdrop connected, but I avoided a Seated Dropkick.

I picked Koyama up and went for a Twisting Neckbreaker, but he reversed it again. I broke up a Seated Face Plant and went for a DDT, but he slipped out and hit a running dropkick to the back of my head.

He went for a triple kick combination, and then missed a basement dropkick. I picked him up and hit an Arm Wringer, before nailing him with a Piledriver.

I tried to pick him up but he fought back, however I ducked a Lightning Kick, and hit an Inverted Atomic Drop. I was getting more confident, and went for a Big Legdrop, but Koyama moved, and I hit the mat.

Koyama hit a Running Dropkick, but missed ANOTHER Flip Legdrop. I went for a Front Facelock, but he reversed it into a Seated Neck Plant. He hit two seated dropkicks and a flip legdrop, and I was definitely struggling. He picked me up and hit a Face Crusher, and covered me for a three count.

I'd lost my first match.

-------------------------

The Incredible Koyama def. C2K by Pinfall

Time: 17 Minutes

Rating: B-

-------------------------

Show results:

C2K - LOST TO - The Incredible Koyama

Ninja Shunji - LOST TO - Hachigoro Maeda

Deano Machino - LOST TO - The Tic

Kentsueki Karasu and Insane Machine - BEAT - Konosuke Hama and Masked Cougar

Koji Kojima interview

Koki Ishibashi interview

Dark Eagle - BEAT - Emerald Angel

Koji Kojima - BEAT - Koki Ishibashi

-------------------------

I had four new messages on my phone:

- WLW Meeting

WLW had requested a meeting with me following my try out match.

- Backstage Rumour

Apparently, the Incredible Koyama had been very generous in his assessment of me to the management.

- Microphone Tips

The advice on mic skills Mr. Miwa had given me made me improve.

- Psychology Tips

The advice on Psychology Haru Kurofuji had given me made me improve.

WLW Meeting

I was a bit worried about going to this meeting after losing my match, but it turned out there was nothing to worry about. They offered me a $20 per-appearance contract.

My next show was scheduled to be another try-out, this time at United States Pro Wrestling this Saturday.

-------------------------------------

If you have any suggestions on what you'd like to see, let me know. As I don't know exactly what makes a WreSpi diary good or not, I'd like some input to make it better .

Yes, a Wrestling Spirit diary is here. This will tell the story of one man's quest to go from a rookie fighting as a jobber in the smallest wrestling federations in the world to being the biggest superstar on the planet.

Here are the stats for this man, named C2K.

Style: Sports Entertainer

Size: Heavyweight

Power: 16

Technique: 2

Speed: 12

Stamina: 24

Psychology: 8

Toughness: 10

Safety: 19

Charisma: 31

Microphone Skills: 19

Superstar Look: 15

I then worked with my mentor to set up my moveset. You'll see what I've got when I start my matches .

My training was complete, and it was time to start my career. I suddenly got a phone call, which surprised me as I didn't even know I had a phone.

Woman: Hi, this is Sophie. I'm your assistant, and I'll make sure your career runs smoothly. Give me a call to hear your messages, and for any news in the world of wrestling.

Just as Sophie hung up, another phone call came.

Man: C2K! What's up, man! This is Jerry, and I'll be you're agent. I'll help you with trying to climb up the wrestling ladder, making deals, sorting contracts and arranging meetings. Let me know when you want to get started.

C2K: Well, immediately! Get on the phone to anyone who'll listen!

Jerry: Haha, I thought you'd say that, so I've already done it. You have some meetings today with the following promotions who might want you to work for them:

Canadian Charisma Championship Combat (Canada)

Coastal Zone Combat Wrestling (USA)

Los Angeles Wrestling (USA)

Men of Steel Combat (UK)

Mexican Wrestling Arts (Mexico)

Ultimate Combat Ring (Europe)

United States Pro Wrestling (USA)

World Level Wrestling (Japan)

C2K: Wait... I have to go to all those countries?

Jerry: No you muppet, just ring them!

C2K: Oh, ok. Cheers Jerry.

Jerry: No problem, good luck mate.

I got back on the phone immediately and called up all the companies Jerry had listed, and got a hell of a lot of good luck:

Canadian Charisma Championship Combat: Try Out

Coastal Zone Combat Wrestling: $20 per appearance for 6 months.

Los Angeles Wrestling: $20 per appearance for 6 months.

Men of Steel Combat: Try Out

Mexican Wrestling Arts: $20 per appearance for 6 months.

Ultimate Combat Ring: Try Out

United States Pro Wrestling: Try Out

World Level Wrestling: Try Out

With my bookings all sorted, I looked at my schedule.

WLW Reach Down - Wednesday Week 1

I flew to Japan very quickly (OOC: don't argue with the travelling times ) and got to the WLW arena as soon as possible. When I got inside, the card for the night was on the wall:

C2K vs. The Incredible Koyama

Ninja Shunji vs. Hachigoro Maeda

Deano Machino vs. The Tic

Kentsueki Karasu and Insane Machine vs. Konosuke Hama and Masked Cougar

Koji Kojima interview

Koki Ishibashi interview

Dark Eagle vs. Emerald Angel

Awesome Thunder vs. Koji Kojima

I had to get ready, so I went into the locker-room. Inside were eight of my fellow workers, and I decided to introduce myself to them. I asked four of them for help with my psychology, and four for help with my mic skills.

Haro Karufuji: Helps with psychology

Booger Man: Doesn't help.

Kentsueki Karasu: Helps with psychology

Beetle Kimura: Helps with psychology

Awesome Thunder: Helps with mic skills

Mr. Miwa: Helps with mic skills

Takayuki Kajiwara: Helps with mic skills

Dark Eagle: Helps with mic skills

So now it was time to fight...

RAW UPPER TIER

Choose One Person

Triple H - Over: 95

RAW MIDCARD

Choose TWO People

Randy Orton - Over: 78

Test - Over: 75

RAW WOMEN & MANAGERS

Choose One

Eric Bischoff - Over: 92

RAW WEAPONS

Choose One From The Top List OR Two From The Bottom

LIST ONE

Chair

SMACKDOWN UPPER TIER

Choose One

Kurt Angle Over: 99

The Undertaker Over: 89

SMACKDOWN MIDCARD

Choose TWO

Sean O'Haire - Over: 74

Shelton Benjamin - Over: 74

SMACKDOWN WOMEN & MANAGERS

Choose One

Torrie Wilson - Over: 75

SMACKDOWN WEAPONS

Choose One From The Top List OR Two From The Bottom

LIST ONE

Ring Post

SD Predictions

Sean O'Haire

Nathan Jones & Matt Morgan

Johnny Stamboli as Doug's partner.

Eddie Guerrero

Chris Benoit & Kurt Angle

And I vote Letitia. Go back to the Addams family, bitch.

Glad of the win, even if the red card wasn't deserved and the second goal was a fluke.

Ricketts might be going on loan to my local club Swindon...

I take consolation in the fact that although they scored five, Arsenal, the "best team in the country" conceded four goals to a team who had previously scored 8 in the last 12 matches.

I 'obtained' it, played two friendlies, uninstalled it.

Way too many 03/04 flashbacks.

Urgh.

←

I don't know how anyone can say this is bad. It's the best football management game ever. And yes, of COURSE there are similarites to 03/04, IT'S THE SAME GOD DAMN SERIES. What did you expect, a completely new game?

Anyway, so far as Chelsea manager I have experienced:

Delight: Beating Arsenal 5-3 at Highbury

Despair: Losing to FC Copenhagen twice in the Champ. League

Relief: Grabbing a last minute equaliser against Barcelona in the Champ. League

Friendliness: Nice words being said about me by Kev Keegan and Gary Megson

Obnoxiousness: Santini and Benitez saying I won't win the Premiership.

'In your face'ness: I then beat Spurs 5-0, and Liverpool 2-1 after those comments.

Anger: When Arjen Robben kept shooting and missing in a 0-0 draw with Birmingham.

The only thing I haven't experienced yet is success .

Cheers for letting us know G4L

I don't believe TNA have made a bid for him yet.

Wait this isn't The Ring....

Excuse me

The thing I'm most worried about is that when it arrives, I won't want to play it.

I ordered it the day I knew it was going to be released on the 5th (admittedly that was only Saturday), but the thought of playing it made me want to play CM4. I'm now managing Coventry, and pretty much enjoy staying there and managing them.

So it's up to FM2005 to make me want to play it over my current game. And with a delivery date going further and further back, it might have a struggle on its hands

Damn my late ordering. Doubt I'll get it by next week at this rate.

Excellent news about the release date. God bless those Italians.

Hopefully Play.com will get it to me on Thursday as well, so I can play it without worrying about stopping to watch The Simpsons on C4

PREVIEW

The trainer and pupil unite…

The Tough Enough trainer Al Snow and his prize pupil Maven will team up against 3 Minute Warning on this week’s Heat, after two weeks ago we saw Maven save his teacher from a beatdown by Rico and Rosey. Rico has enlisted the help of Jamal to form the 3 Minute Warning line-up, and this match will be tonight’s main event.

However, Rico does not get the night off, as he goes up against the ever-unpredictable Goldust! And also on the show, Tommy Dreamer takes on Christopher Nowinski, and Christian goes against Spike Dudley.

All on Heat, Sunday evening, at 7/6 CT on TNN!

Talking of embarrassment, our defence is abysmal right now. Conceded five in seven, now we've conceded seven in the last three?

What the hell's going wrong?

25th January 2004

Hosted by Josh Matthews and Ernest Miller

Match #1

Chris Kanyon vs. Ricky Marvin

Kanyon gets a nice pop for his return, but apart from that the crowd really couldn’t be less interested. Kanyon busts out some of his usual unique moves, nearly taking the match with a flipping neckbreaker. It is Kanyon that wins however, after hitting the Flatliner on Marvin to take the pinfall.

Winner by Pinfall: Chris Kanyon

Crowd: 51%

Match: 77%

Overall: 57%

Stars: *3/4

~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~

Recap #1

Brock Lesnar and Kurt Angle

Royal Rumble 2003

Kurt Angle vs. Chris Benoit

Angle heads over and crotches Benoit on the top rope. Angle then sets him up, and delivers an Angle Slam from the top rope! Angle covers, and retains his title in this incredible match!

And later…

Royal Rumble Match

The Rock charges at Brock, but Brock sidesteps him, and Rock goes between the second and third ropes. Brock thinks he’s won, and begins celebrating, but The Rock gets back in, and goes to eliminate Brock. Brock lands on the apron, and The Rock charges at him, hoping to knock him off, but Brock manages to backdrop him over the top to the floor to win the 2003 Royal Rumble!

SmackDown! – 23rd January

Brock Lesnar’s music is playing, however it is WWE Champion Kurt Angle and his associate Paul Heyman that come to the ring, with Angle beginning the speech.

Angle: Last Sunday night, your Olympic Hero was involved in not only the match of the night, but quite possibly the match of the decade so far. Kurt Angle. Chris Benoit. Two of the greatest wrestlers in the history of this business, went at it tooth and nail, and as I say, provided the fans with one of the greatest matches the WWE has ever seen. But more importantly, when people look back and say “wow, that was a great match”, they will also say “and Kurt Angle won it”. And I did win it, and I won it convincingly. I walked into the Royal Rumble a champion, and I walked out of it with my title around my waist. But I’m not here to celebrate my achievements, oh no, there are plenty of other times to do that, I’m here because I have some business to take care of. It’s not wrestling, oh hell no, I’m a match-of-the-decade wrestler, I don’t have to waste my talents in Albany. Oh it’s true. No I’m here to talk about the man who won the Royal Rumble last night, Brock Lesnar. But for that particular announcement, I will hand over to my business partner Paul Heyman.

Heyman: Thank you very much Mr. Angle, and may I be the first to congratulate you on your success last night. Now Brock Lesnar, you achieved something spectacular last night, you won the Royal Rumble match. And I congratulate you, you did very well. HOWEVER. I am under the belief that you think that winning that match gets you a shot at Kurt Angle’s WWE Championship at WrestleMania XIX. But Brock, allow me to refer back to the contract. The contract that states you can NEVER receive a title shot whilst Kurt Angle is the champion, regardless of whether you win the Royal Rumble. So I’m soooooo sooooorry to have to break the news to you, but I’m afraid you won’t be getting a title shot after all!

As if on cue, Brock Lesnar comes out with a smile on his face, and a microphone of his own. He climbs into the ring, and goes eye-to-eye with Kurt Angle.

Lesnar: If you don’t mind, I decided that tonight I’d have a bit of representation of my own…

And without a pause, SmackDown! General Manager Stephanie McMahon makes her way out with another microphone, and joins the three men in the ring.

Steph: Paul, Kurt, before we get into this, allow me to remind you that I am the general manager of SmackDown!, and as far as power is concerned, none of your contracts can stand up to the power I have. But as my father would say, there is an interest of fairness involved here. Instead of doing what I was going to do, I’m gonna give you and Kurt a choice. Either you give Brock his title shot at WrestleMania, or Kurt will be IMMEDIATELY stripped of his title, and I will crown Brock the new champion right now!

Heyman and Angle discuss the options for a few seconds.

Heyman: Fine. Fine. Brock, you get your title shot at WrestleMania, but if you lose, you will NEVER get near Kurt Angle’s WWE Title again!

Rating: 86%

~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~

Match #2

Johnny Stamboli vs. Billy Gunn

Stamboli’s current form is superb, and after the commentators show a replay of him press-slamming Rikishi out of the Royal Rumble, this match begins. The match is a fairly close contest throughout, and it is only in the latter stages that Stamboli takes control after hitting a huge Spinebuster. Stamboli then lifts Gunn up and hits the Fuhget-about-it, before taking the pinfall victory.

Winner by Pinfall: Johnny Stamboli

Crowd: 66%

Match: 76%

Overall: 63%

Stars: **

~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~

Recap #2

John Cena and Rey Mysterio Jr.

Royal Rumble 2003

Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. John Cena

Loser enters Royal Rumble at #1

He swings it at Rey, but the referee catches his arm to stop him using it. Rey then dropkicks Cena, and he lands on the second rope. Rey comes off the other side of the ring and looks for the 619, but Cena hits him with the chain as he swings round. Rey stumbles back, and Cena nails a Fireman’s Carry Slam! Cena covers Rey, and takes the victory! Rey Mysterio Jr. will be number one in the Royal Rumble!

SmackDown! – 23rd January

Backstage, Rey Mysterio Jr. is with everyone’s favourite announcer called Josh Matthews, Josh Matthews.

Josh: Rey Mysterio Jr., bad luck at the Royal Rumble last night, despite being the number one entrant you did a hell of a job…

Rey: Yeah Josh, I was the number one entrant. Maybe I wouldn’t have been if John Cena hadn’t punked me out like he did. You know, I’m sick of that Vanilla Ice rip-off thinking that he’s better than small people like me, better than Latino people like me, and when he can’t back up his words, he cheats his way to success. But I’m gonna make sure that he doesn’t get his own way for much longer.

Josh: Well how are you gonna do that?

Rey: You’ll see Josh. You’ll see.

And later..

John Cena vs. Chris Benoit

At this time Rey Mysterio Jr. wanders out to ringside, but doesn’t get involved in the match. However, his presence is enough to distract Cena, who starts getting into a war of words with Rey. Cena goes over to get the chain he so often uses, but he can’t find it… until he sees Rey waving it in the air as he makes his way up the ramp. Cena angrily turns around, and gets locked straight in the Crippler Crossface! Cena fights it for a bit, but soon taps out to the devastating submission hold! Rey swings the chain around his head as he walks up the ramp as SmackDown! goes off the air!

Rating: 84%

~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~

Recap #3

Los Guerreros and Team Angle

Royal Rumble 2003

Los Guerreros vs. Team Angle

Shelton charges at Eddie and gets back body dropped for his trouble, and Eddie heads to the top rope again. Frog Splash meets knees, and Shelton then heads to the top rope looking for a Splash, but Eddie rolls out of the way. Eddie heads outside to get a chair, and he throws it in the ring, but the referee removes it. Eddie then comes in with a title belt, but gets kicked in the gut, and then DDTed by Benjamin on to it. Benjamin pins Eddie with his feet on the ropes, and takes the win and the titles!

SmackDown! – 23rd January

Team Angle vs. The APA

Faarooq comes in to take Shelton out of the ring, as Bradshaw gets ready to hit the Clothesline from Hell, but Charlie ducks and Faarooq takes the clothesline instead! Haas then rolls Bradshaw up, and from the outside, Shelton holds down Bradshaw’s legs to make sure that Haas gets the pinfall. After the match, Los Guerreros come out to the top of the stage. They and Team Angle do a quick “I want the belts/well come get them” sequence, before both Team Angle turn around, and Shelton gets a Clothesline from Hell and Haas gets Spinebustered by Faarooq. Los Guerreros walk off laughing, as the APA celebrate in the ring.

Rating: 69%

~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~

Match #3

MAIN EVENT

Los Guerreros vs. Nunzio and Chuck Palumbo

The former-WWE Tag Team Champions have a point to prove, and they go out all guns blazing, taking control of the match right away. In fact, Chavo nearly takes the match early on with a Brainbuster on Nunzio, only Palumbo interfering stops the three count. Palumbo tags himself in, and after a double suplex on Chavo, the FBI begin to take control. Palumbo comes off the ropes with a big elbow drop for a two count, and soon Chavo is very isolated. However, he reverses an attempted Jungle Kick into a clothesline, and gets over to his corner to tag in Eddie. Eddie comes in and knocks both Chuck and Nunzio down, before dropkicking Nunzio over the top rope. Chuck runs at Eddie but gets a Belly to Belly throw for his trouble, and soon Palumbo is also thrown over the top rope. Nunzio comes in and tries to attack Eddie from behind, but Chavo stops him, and hits a Brainbuster. Eddie the ascends to the top rope, and hits the Frog Splash! The referee makes the count, and Los Guerreros take away the win!

Winners by Pinfall: Los Guerreros

Crowd: 76%

Match: 99%

Overall: 78%

Stars: ****1/2

~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~

Overall Show: 67% (-4%)

~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~

Best Match: Los Guerreros vs. Palumbo/Nunzio

Worst Match: Johnny Stamboli vs. Billy Gunn

Best Recap: Angle/Lesnar

Worst Recap: Los Guerreros/Team Angle

Show MVP: Chavo Guerrero Jr.

Show Idiot: Billy Gunn

~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~

PREVIEW

They Lie, They Cheat, They Steal...

Velocity welcomes Los Guerreros to this week's show, as they go into a tag team match against two members of the Full Blooded Italians, Nunzio and Chuck Palumbo.

Another FBI member is in action when Johnny Stamboli takes on 'The One' Billy Gunn, and Chris Kanyon resumes his WWE career!

Catch Velocity at 11/10 p.m. CT on TNN!

23rd January 2003

Hosted by Michael Cole and Tazz

~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~

The show kicks off with Brock Lesnar’s music playing, however it is WWE Champion Kurt Angle and his associate Paul Heyman that come to the ring, with Angle beginning the speech.

Angle: Last Sunday night, your Olympic Hero was involved in not only the match of the night, but quite possibly the match of the decade so far. Kurt Angle. Chris Benoit. Two of the greatest wrestlers in the history of this business, went at it tooth and nail, and as I say, provided the fans with one of the greatest matches the WWE has ever seen. But more importantly, when people look back and say “wow, that was a great match”, they will also say “and Kurt Angle won it”. And I did win it, and I won it convincingly. I walked into the Royal Rumble a champion, and I walked out of it with my title around my waist. But I’m not here to celebrate my achievements, oh no, there are plenty of other times to do that, I’m here because I have some business to take care of. It’s not wrestling, oh hell no, I’m a match-of-the-decade wrestler, I don’t have to waste my talents in Albany. Oh it’s true. No I’m here to talk about the man who won the Royal Rumble last night, Brock Lesnar. But for that particular announcement, I will hand over to my business partner Paul Heyman.

Heyman: Thank you very much Mr. Angle, and may I be the first to congratulate you on your success last night. Now Brock Lesnar, you achieved something spectacular last night, you won the Royal Rumble match. And I congratulate you, you did very well. HOWEVER. I am under the belief that you think that winning that match gets you a shot at Kurt Angle’s WWE Championship at WrestleMania XIX. But Brock, allow me to refer back to the contract. The contract that states you can NEVER receive a title shot whilst Kurt Angle is the champion, regardless of whether you win the Royal Rumble. So I’m soooooo sooooorry to have to break the news to you, but I’m afraid you won’t be getting a title shot after all!

As if on cue, Brock Lesnar comes out with a smile on his face, and a microphone of his own. He climbs into the ring, and goes eye-to-eye with Kurt Angle.

Lesnar: If you don’t mind, I decided that tonight I’d have a bit of representation of my own…

And without a pause, SmackDown! General Manager Stephanie McMahon makes her way out with another microphone, and joins the three men in the ring.

Steph: Paul, Kurt, before we get into this, allow me to remind you that I am the general manager of SmackDown!, and as far as power is concerned, none of your contracts can stand up to the power I have. But as my father would say, there is an interest of fairness involved here. Instead of doing what I was going to do, I’m gonna give you and Kurt a choice. Either you give Brock his title shot at WrestleMania, or Kurt will be IMMEDIATELY stripped of his title, and I will crown Brock the new champion right now!

Heyman and Angle discuss the options for a few seconds.

Heyman: Fine. Fine. Brock, you get your title shot at WrestleMania, but if you lose, you will NEVER get near Kurt Angle’s WWE Title again!

Rating: 83%

~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~

Steph: Well now that’s sorted, you three can leave the ring and head backstage.

They do. Honestly.

Steph: Now recently the Cruiserweight Title and its champion Billy Kidman have been overlooked, and I wish to rectify that as soon as possible. However, there is no number one contender currently decided, so to get one, a tournament has been decided. Tonight, Matt Hardy will take on Brian Kendrick, and Scotty 2 Hotty will take on Jamie Noble. Next week, Tajiri will take on Nunzio, and Shannon Moore will take on Funaki. The winners will meet each other the week after, then we will have a final on the next week’s show to decide who will face Billy Kidman at No Way Out!

Rating: 92%

~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~

Match #1

Cruiserweight Title #1 Contender Tournament

Matt Hardy vs. Brian Kendrick

The tournament kicks off with Hardy and Kendrick going at it, both hoping to advance to the semi-final stage. However, it’s Matt that dominates the match, getting close falls after a Side Effect, and again after a Leg Drop. Kendrick tries to hit the Sliced Bread #2 to take the match, but Matt reverses out of it, and hits the Twist of Fate on Kendrick to take the win, and move forward in the tournament.

Winner by Pinfall: Matt Hardy

Crowd: 69%

Match: 86%

Overall: 77%

Stars: ***1/4

~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~

In a pre-taped promo, we see The Big Show standing in a room on his own.

Show: The Royal Rumble was my time. It was my destiny to win it. I took the number thirty slot, the best time to enter the match.

[Highlights of Show defeating Edge one week ago]

Show: Nobody was supposed to deny me. This was my chance, my opportunity to go to WrestleMania. But Benoit did it. Benoit interfered in the Rumble, and sent me over the top rope.

[Highlights of Benoit bringing the top rope down]

Show: So when I come back to the WWE next week, I’m gonna come and find you Benoit. I’m gonna hunt you down, and when I find you, you’re gonna know what I felt like when you eliminated me. Hurt. Sorrow. Embarrassment. And despair.

Rating: 77%

~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~

Match #2

Cruiserweight Title #1 Contender Tournament

Jamie Noble vs. Scotty 2 Hotty

The second match of the tournament kicked off with the returning Scotty 2 Hotty taking on Jamie Noble, but seems to be suffering from ring-rust, and spends most of the contest under Noble’s thumb. However, Scotty shows his spirit by kicking out a number of times, and not tapping out when Noble locks in the trailer hitch. Scotty eventually manages to hit a facebuster, and sets up for the W.O.R.M. Scotty hits it, but Noble kicks out at one! Shocked, Scotty reverts to Plan B, and lifts Noble up in a suplex position, before dropping him face-first on the mat, which gets the three count!

Winner by Pinfall: Scotty 2 Hotty

Crowd: 64%

Match: 95%

Overall: 79%

Stars: ***3/4

~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~

We cut from the show to see a vignette. It starts with the outside of a mansion, and we zoom in to see an old man standing there in a suit.

Servant: This way please.

The camera speeds up as it moves through numerous rooms of the mansion, and finally settles on a youngish man with a half-beard, wearing what looks like an expensive suit.

Man: Oh there you are. About time too. You see, I’ve been waiting for a chance to come to the WWE and show just how good I am. Sure, I have money… ok, I have a hell of a lot of money, more than you commoners will ever see in your life, but that doesn’t mean that I can’t wrestle! So get ready ladies and gentlemen, because when I arrive, I’m gonna make wrestling look the way I made my money; Easy.

[EZ Money: Coming Soon to SmackDown!]

Rating: 81%

~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~

Match #3

WWE Tag Team Title Match

Team Angle vs. ???

Team Angle come out not knowing who their opponents will be, but they soon find out as some familiar music plays, and the APA come out!

The match starts off as a four man brawl, which Bradshaw and Faarooq understandably win, knocking both Haas and Benjamin over the top rope with clotheslines. The new Tag Team champions head back in, and try to double team Faarooq, only to get double clotheslined. The match finally settles into a one on one format, with Shelton going against Faarooq. Shelton tries to use his technical skills to overcome Faarooq, but the former-WCW Champion just pummels him to the mat, and tags in Bradshaw. Bradshaw goes for one of his trademark clotheslines, but Shelton ducks and hits a dropkick. Haas tags in, but runs straight into a sidewalk slam from Bradshaw. Shelton comes in to try and attack Bradshaw, but an attempted crossbody gets turned into the Last Call Fallaway Slam. Faarooq comes in to take Shelton out of the ring, as Bradshaw gets ready to hit the Clothesline from Hell, but Charlie ducks and Faarooq takes the clothesline instead! Haas then rolls Bradshaw up, and from the outside, Shelton holds down Bradshaw’s legs to make sure that Haas gets the pinfall.

Winners, and still WWE Tag Team Champions: Team Angle

Crowd: 79%

Match: 92%

Overall: 85%

Stars: ***3/4

After the match, Los Guerreros come out to the top of the stage. They and Team Angle do a quick “I want the belts/well come get them” sequence, before both Team Angle turn around, and Shelton gets a Clothesline from Hell and Haas gets Spinebustered by Faarooq. Los Guerreros walk off laughing, as the APA celebrate in the ring.

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Backstage, we arrive in Stephanie McMahon’s office, when someone knocks on the door, and enters.

Steph: Hi. I think I know what you want.

The camera pans around to see The Undertaker standing there.

Taker: And what’s that?

Steph: To get your hands on the Big Show?

Taker: That’s right.

Steph: Well he’s not here this week, but I can make a match between you and him for next week’s show.

Taker: You do that.

And with that, The Undertaker leaves…

Rating: 87%

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Backstage, Rey Mysterio Jr. is with everyone’s favourite announcer called Josh Matthews, Josh Matthews.

Josh: Rey Mysterio Jr., bad luck at the Royal Rumble last night, despite being the number one entrant you did a hell of a job…

Rey: Yeah Josh, I was the number one entrant. Maybe I wouldn’t have been if John Cena hadn’t punked me out like he did. You know, I’m sick of that Vanilla Ice rip-off thinking that he’s better than small people like me, better than Latino people like me, and when he can’t back up his words, he cheats his way to success. But I’m gonna make sure that he doesn’t get his own way for much longer.

Josh: Well how are you gonna do that?

Rey: You’ll see Josh. You’ll see.

Rating: 93%

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Match #4

MAIN EVENT

Chris Benoit vs. John Cena

Chris Benoit, hoping to make his way back to the top of the WWE Championship race soon, goes up against a confident John Cena, who is currently unbeaten in the month of January. Cena tries to take control early on, but he cannot match the intensity and drive of Benoit, who keeps reversing any attempted move from Cena into a move of his own. Cena eventually takes control after a rake to the eyes, and hits a suplex for a two count. Cena takes things aerial with a high crossbody that also gets two, but an attempted Fireman Carry Slam gets reversed into a German Suplex from Benoit, which in turn provides a second. After a third German Suplex is hit, Benoit signals that he is going to the top rope, but an attempted Swandive Headbutt misses, and both men are left down on the mat. At this time Rey Mysterio Jr. wanders out to ringside, but doesn’t get involved in the match. However, his presence is enough to distract Cena, who starts getting into a war of words with Rey. Cena goes over to get the chain he so often uses, but he can’t find it… until he sees Rey waving it in the air as he makes his way up the ramp. Cena angrily turns around, and gets locked straight in the Crippler Crossface! Cena fights it for a bit, but soon taps out to the devastating submission hold! Rey swings the chain around his head as he walks up the ramp as SmackDown! goes off the air!

Winner by Submission: Chris Benoit

Crowd: 82%

Match: 88%

Overall: 85%

Stars: ***3/4

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OVERALL SHOW: 82% (+2%)

TV RATING: 5.37 (-0.48)

Attendance: 8,024

Takings: $320,960 (-something)

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Match of the Night: Scotty vs. Noble

Worst Match of the Night: Hardy vs. Kendrick

Best Segment: Rey interview

Worst Segment: Big Show interview

Show MVP: Stephanie McMahon

Show Idiot: Brian Kendrick

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Was it me, or did that show suck write-up wise?

The Jericho/Jackie's not my own doing. I ran a competition at another forum where the winner of the RR predictions chose a NWO match. Jayden, another EWBite, decided to choose Jericho vs. Jacqueline. God... love him.

So now I have to build up that angle. I'm so looking forward to it.

Thanks for the feedback though guys. SmackDown will be up soon despite a small problem, involving my laptop crashing and me losing the whole game. I've re-booked all the shows though, so I'm up to date

PREVIEW

THE RUMBLE WINNER’S NIGHT

Brock Lesnar became the 2003 Royal Rumble winner on Sunday, eliminating The Rock to take the prize, and getting a first class ticket to the WrestleMania Main Event. Having prohibited Brock from having a title match up until now, what will Paul Heyman and Kurt Angle have to say about this result?

Speaking of Angle, he and Chris Benoit had one hell of a match at the Royal Rumble, and as a result, Angle has been granted the night off. However, the true fighter Benoit refuses to have a break, and will be in action against John Cena! Also, the new WWE Tag Team Champions, Team Angle, will have their first title defence tonight, against a surprise team of Miss McMahon’s choosing!

Who will the team be? Find out on SmackDown! only on UPN! (8/7 CT)

20th January 2003

Hosted by Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler

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The show starts off in the same way that the World Title match last night finished, with Kane coming to the ring. The BRM lights the ringposts, before speaking into a microphone he brought with him.

Kane: Last night… last night was the moment I have been waiting for. For three months, I’ve been ignored, I’ve been mis-used, and all that time people have been laughing at me, sniggering at me, reminding me constantly that I’m a joke. And last October when HHH and Flair tried to label me as a necrophiliac was the lowest point in my life. I knew I was innocent, but HHH continued to mock me, continued to get into my brain and convince me that I was a bad person. And for a time it worked, for a time I believed I wasn’t good enough to be among the big stars in World Wrestling Entertainment because I was a freak. But people convinced me I wasn’t. But they were WRONG. I AM a freak, and what’s more, I’m a damn good one! And last night, was when I proved to HHH, to myself and to the world that I will NOT be laughed at any more, because I know I’m a vicious son of a b***h, and when I Chokeslammed Triple H and Scott Steiner last night, it made me proud to remember the days when I was unstoppable…

Coming out to offer a rebuttal is Triple H accompanied to the top of the ramp by Ric Flair.

HHH: Oh boo-hoo-hoo, you’re being picked on, you’re being laughed at. Well guess what Kane, this isn’t a school playground, this isn’t a social club, this is the WWE, and that kinda stuff happens. I don’t care about that, what I care about is the fact that you cost me the chance to defeat Scott Steiner and get him out of my way..

Kane: Oh look, if it’s not our World Champion. What an honour it is to have such a virtuous and courageous man here, the kind of man that interferes with someone’s opportunity to win the Royal Rumble and go to WrestleMania.

HHH: What you think you were gonna get away with Chokeslamming me? You think I’d let you get away with ruining my match? I thought you knew me better than that Kane, and I thought you would have been expecting me to come back and get my revenge. So you sob all you want, but you know one person who won’t be sobbing? Randy Orton, the guy, the INNOCENT guy that you assaulted last night. Orton had nothing to do with any of this except the fact that he looked up to, and respected Ric Flair and myself.

Kane: Maybe he should look up to and respect someone with some class?

HHH: What like you? The murderer? The necrophiliac? The freak? Kane, you have no place being in this industry, and you have no place involving yourself in my affairs. The only thing you deserve is to be locked away again, only this time, someone should throw away the damn key!

Kane is irate at this, and heads out of the ring after HHH, but gets Flair instead. Flair doesn’t last long, getting knocked down with one Kane punch, as security and road agents come out to separate Kane and HHH. Soon after, RAW General Manager Eric Bischoff comes out.

Bischoff: You know, last night was an embarrassment for me. Not only did a SmackDown! competitor win the Royal Rumble, but even the World Title match that was our Main Event ended prematurely! So you guys are not in my best books! But I have made a decision, and it’s one that effects not only you three, but the other man effected by last night’s events, Scott Steiner. Tonight, in this very ring, it’s gonna be Triple H and Ric Flair taking on Kane and Scott Steiner!

Rating: 83%

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Match #1

Jeff Hardy and Rob Van Dam vs. Christian and Batista

This battle comprising four of the beaten Royal Rumble competitors gets off to a quick start, with Jeff and RVD using their speedy high risk moves to take control, but Jeff eventually crashes and burns after trying a railrunner on Batista, but gets caught and viciously slammed on the rampway. Jeff remains on the outside for the majority of the match, with RVD suffering from being in what is effectively now a handicap match. He does however manage to get some shots in on Christian, but his brief spell of offense is broken by a thunderous clothesline from Batista. Batista then lifts RVD up, and gives him the demon bomb, before walking off, allowing Christian to get the cover and the win. After the match, Jeff comes back to try and help RVD up, but gets ignored by Mr. Monday Night, who heads to the back by himself.

Winners by Pinfall: Batista and Christian

Crowd: 76%

Match: 86%

Overall: 81%

Stars: ***1/4

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Match #2

Jacqueline vs. Stacy Keibler

This is definitely not a classic technical wrestling match, in fact some people would probably say it’s not even a wrestling match. Lots of punching and kicking, mainly from Jacqueline who dominates most of the match, finally ending the brutality with a Tornado DDT.

Winner by Pinfall: Jacqueline

Crowd: 70%

Match: 25% :lol

Overall: 56%

Stars: DUD

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But Jacqueline isn’t done yet, and she gets a microphone from Lillian Garcia.

Jacqueline: Now y’all just saw me kick this skinny little girl’s ass, and I’m sick and tired of having to fight these girls who have no idea what being a mean sister’s like! So instead of fighting these legally blonde cast-offs, I wanna fight some of those tough guys who think that women’s wrestling’s a load of crap! So if an…

Jacqueline is cut off by the Y2J Countdown, as Chris Jericho comes out, fresh from coming third in the 2003 Royal Rumble.

Jericho: For god’s sake, would you PLEASE, SHUT, THE HELL, UP! Nobody cares about what some woman like you has to say, I’ve learnt from the past that women have no place being around a wrestling ring, let alone in one. Hell, I had to share my Intercontinental Title with a woman not so long ago, and it was one of the most embarrassing moments of my career, if not my life! So why don’t you go backstage and make all the thirsty guys a nice cup of coffee or something?

Jacqueline: Well you seem mighty arrogant about how good you think you are, how ‘bout you come down here and show me what you’re made of?!

Jericho: You know, some of us just went through hell in a Royal Rumble match not 24 hours ago, I don’t have time to play games with you.

Jacqueline: This ain’t no game, this is wrestlin’, and if you haven’t got the guts, then you’re just as much of a wimp as you look!

Jericho: Ok, ok, I didn’t want to have to do this, but I am TRYING to make this show more enjoyable for my fans, and I know this is what they want me to do!

Jericho drops the mic, and runs to the ring. He goes to clothesline Jacqueline, but Jacqui ducks and hits a low blow on Jericho, before DDTing him! Jacqueline heads up the ramp laughing and with a broad smile, as Jericho gets to his knees with a shocked and embarrassed look on his face!

Rating: 85%

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Backstage, Jonathan Coachman is with Scott Steiner.

Coach: Scott Steiner, last night you may have been able to take away HHH’s World Heavyweight Title, however Kane interfered, Chokeslamming both Triple H and you to the mat, and causing the match to be ruled a no contest. Now in tonight’s RAW Main Event, you will be teaming with Kane to take on Triple H and Ric Flair. How do you feel about this?

Steiner: You think it matters if I care about this? What’s done is done, and there’s no point in moaning about it. Sure, last night I was pissed off that I couldn’t get the job done because of Kane, but there’ll be plenty of chances in the future. What matters to be right now is that I get my re-match for the World Title, be it on next week’s RAW, or be it at No Way Out. Tonight is just one more step towards the Big Bad Booty Daddy becoming the World Champion!

Rating: 82%

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Match #3

World Tag Team Title Match

Lance Storm and William Regal vs. Booker T and Goldust

The former-champions exercise their rematch clause straight away, hoping to make Regal and Storm’s reign as champions as short as possible. Booker and Goldust actually dominate the match for quite some time, concentrating mainly on wearing down Lance Storm. However, a cheap shot from William Regal allows the UnAmericans back into the match, and for the second night in a row they try to wear down Goldust’s lower back. Storm goes for the Canadian MapleLeaf, but Goldust manages to roll him up for a two count, and gets the tag to Booker T. Booker starts to dominate Storm, and gets ready to hit the Scissors Kick. However, as he runs back to hit the Kick, Regal nails him in the back of the head with some brass knuckles, and Storm grabs him in a small package to retain the titles!

Winners, and still World Tag Team Champions: William Regal and Lance Storm

Crowd: 82%

Match: 83%

Overall: 82%

Stars: ***1/4

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Match #4

The Hurricane vs. Test

Test, still angry over being eliminated from the Royal Rumble by the combined forces of Hurricane and Matt Hardy, apparently challenged Hurricane to this match as soon as he returned to the locker-room last night. Test displays an arrogant side as he tosses the cruiserweight around the ring, but doesn’t seem too alert when Hurricane surprises him with a shining wizard that gets a two count. Test tries to nail him with the Big Boot, but Hurricane ducks and rolls through to take the pinfall and an upset victory!

Winner by Pinfall: The Hurricane

Crowd: 71%

Match: 84%

Overall: 77%

Stars: ***1/4

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Backstage, we see Jacqueline walking through the halls. She comes across Trish Stratus, and the two begin to talk.

Trish: Hey Jacquie, did you say that our Women’s Division is ‘a load of crap’?

Jacqueline: No foo’, I said that the guys think it is. We work our butts off every week but we never get the recognition we deserve, and maybe we will now I’ve sorted out that ego of Chris Jericho!

Trish: Yeah, that was awesome, the way you just punched him right in the nuts! I wish I could’ve…

Suddenly, Chris Jericho appears from behind, and smashes Jacqueline over the head with a chair! Jericho threatens Trish as well, sending the young Canadian running, as Jericho stands over Jacqueline’s body smirking!

Rating: 80%

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Match #5

MAIN EVENT

Triple H (World Heavyweight Champion) & Ric Flair vs. Kane & Scott Steiner

This slow and steady match starts off with Kane going up against Ric Flair, and the 16-time world champion doesn’t get much of a chance to do much damage to the Big Red Machine, getting pummelled from pillar to post, before he eventually gets a thumb to Kane’s eye, and tags in the World Champion HHH. HHH starts off with a knee to the face of Kane, and continues to slug away. He then hits a suplex on Kane, but misses an elbow drop when he comes back off the ropes. Kane tags in Steiner, who immediately gets to work on HHH with clotheslines and an elbow drop of his own. HHH turns the tide by elbowing Steiner in the neck as he goes for a suplex, and Flair comes back in. Flair tries to work on Steiner’s leg, but Big Poppa Pump is too powerful, and hits an Overhead Suplex on Flair for a two count. Flair regains control after a cheap shot from HHH, and locks in the figure four on Steiner, who is still suffering from the effects of the Indian Deathlock last night. Steiner manages to reach the ropes, and kicks Flair away as he goes to put the move back in. Steiner goes over to tag in Kane, but HHH pulls Kane off the apron, and the two begin brawling on the outside. Back in, Flair pulls something from his tights, and hits Steiner over the head with it, but only gets a two count! Flair can’t believe it, and starts ranting and raving, but he runs straight into a Reverse DDT from Steiner! Steiner makes the cover, and gets the victory!

Winners: Scott Steiner and Kane

Crowd: 90%

Match: 70%

Overall: 83%

Stars: **3/4

But before Steiner can celebrate, Randy Orton and Batista run in, and begin assaulting him! Orton hits what looks like a modified version of a Diamond Cutter, and then Batista comes in and hits the Demon Bomb! Kane comes back in to take them out, and succeeds for a while, clotheslining both Orton and Batista to the mat. Kane gets ready to hit a Chokeslam on Flair, but HHH attacks him from behind. Flair gives Kane a low blow, and HHH hits the Pedigree to complete the beatdown! RAW goes off the air with Batista, Orton, Flair and HHH standing over a fallen Steiner and Kane!

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OVERALL SHOW: 79% (-1%)

TV RATING: 5.56 (+0.29)

Attendance: 8,043 (+27)

Takings: $321,720 (+$1,080)

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Best Match: Lance Storm & William Regal vs. Booker T and Goldust

Worst Match: Jacqueline vs. Stacy Keibler

Best Segment: Jacqueline/Jericho confrontation

Worst Segment: Jericho attacking Jacqueline

Show MVP: Chris Jericho

Show Idiot: Stacy Keibler

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PREVIEW

THE ROYAL RUMBLE FALLOUT

Last night's Royal Rumble was set to provide plent of discussion points, and that it did with the Big Red Machine Kane making an appearance in the World Title match between HHH and Scott Steiner, brutally attacking both the World Champion and the Number One Contender, making the match a no contest!

However, HHH gained his revenge by attacking Kane during the Royal Rumble match, sending the masked man tumbling over the top rope to the floor and elimination! What will both men have to say about their actions tonight?

Also, Chris Jericho seemed mighty upset not to win the Rumble, and attacked both the eventual winner Brock Lesnar and the runner-up The Rock. What will Jericho say about his Rumble performance? And will we see any sign of The Rock?

Find out, tonight on RAW (9/8 CT on TNN).

The only segment of Heat that matters involves HHH, Ric Flair and Randy Orton arriving in the building, and giving an interview to Terri.

Terri: Mr. Flair, last week on RAW, Randy Orton came out to attack Scott Steiner after he had beaten you in a match…

HHH: Woah, woah, woah, let me handle this one. Last week on RAW you saw Ric Flair getting beaten, I won’t argue that. But you also saw the dawning of a new era. You see, Ric may have lost, but he accomplished what he wanted to, and that was to weaken Scott Steiner. Now I could obviously beat Scott Steiner no matter what condition he was in, but considering I’ve been out of the ring since Armageddon one month ago, it always helps to have an advantage.

Terri: Well that’s great Triple H, but what about Randy Orton? How does he fit in?

Flair: I’ve been watching Randy Orton for some time, and behind this incredible physical specimen is the heart, and the drive to succeed in this business! I have it, Triple H has it, and Randy Orton has it. The thing is, I’m not the man I used to be, and Triple H can’t be at this level forever. So it’s time to breed a new man to come and take over where we left off, someone who people will be talking about for years to come. It’s the way of this business; it’s just evolution.

Flair, Orton and HHH walk off into the arena to prepare for the night ahead…

Rating: 86%

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19th January 2003

Hosted by: Jim Ross & Jerry Lawler (RAW matches), Michael Cole & Tazz (SmackDown! matches)

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Match #1

Loser enters the Royal Rumble at Number One

Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. John Cena

The Royal Rumble kicks off with the match to decide who enters at the dreaded Number One, as the feuding pair go at it. Cena starts off in control of the match, and immediately starts trying to focus on Rey’s legs in order to ground the cruiserweight from using his high-flying offence. Cena throws Rey into the corner and follows up with a flying punch to the face, and then clotheslines him down to the mat. Cena goes for a running fist drop, but Rey rolls out of the way to make Cena miss the move. Rey starts with some right hands of his own, before sending him into the corner. Cena moves, but Rey jumps on to the turnbuckle, and dives off it again with a crossbody that gets a two count. Rey throws Cena to the ropes, but is reversed and met with a knee to the abdomen, sending Rey flying across the ring. Cena comes off the ropes himself and drops a knee across Rey’s neck, and gets a two count. Rey tries to fight back, but Cena’s brawling skills are far more advanced and more powerful, meaning that any fist fight is easily won by Cena. Cena tries an armlock, but Rey uses his speed to get out of the move, and turns it into a headscissors. Cena rolls out of the ring following the move to catch his breath, but is soon watching Rey fly from the top rope to the outside with a tumbling flip that nails Cena and knocks him down. Rey rolls Cena back in and hops on to the apron, waiting for Cena to get up so he can hit the West Coast Pop. Cena however catches Rey as he lands on him, and Powerbombs Rey to the mat, but a cover only gets two. As does a second. Cena heads to the corner of the ring, and picks up his chain. He swings it at Rey, but the referee catches his arm to stop him using it. Rey then dropkicks Cena, and he lands on the second rope. Rey comes off the other side of the ring and looks for the 619, but Cena hits him with the chain as he swings round. Rey stumbles back, and Cena nails a Fireman’s Carry Slam! Cena covers Rey, and takes the victory! Rey Mysterio Jr. will be number one in the Royal Rumble!

Winner by Pinfall: John Cena

Crowd: 86%

Match: 81%

Overall: 84%

Stars: ***1/4

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Match #2

World Tag Team Title 3-Way Match (Elimination Rules)

Booker T and Goldust (World Tag Team Champions) vs. The UnAmericans (Lance Storm and William Regal) vs. 3 Minute Warning (w/ Rico)

The champions were immediately under pressure, as 3 Minute Warning and Storm and Regal teamed up on one each of them. However, both Booker and Goldust managed to fight back, and were soon the only team left standing in the ring. The match evened out so that only Jamal and Booker were left in the ring, and a more controlled environment was sustained. Booker took charge of the match with some chops and kicks to the Samoan, and soon took Jamal off his feet with a spin kick to the face. A cover only gets two however. Booker picks Jamal up, and goes to throw him against the ropes, but Jamal reverses it, and Rosey gets a shot in on Booker, before Booker stumbles into a sidewalk slam from Jamal. Jamal covers, but also only gets two. Meanwhile, Lance Storm takes the top turnbuckle pad off his corner, and signals to Jamal to bring Booker over. Booker however reverses Jamal’s attempt to send him into the exposed turnbuckle, and sends the Samoan into it instead. Booker then tags in Storm himself, and the Canadian is forced to take on a prospective ally. Storm unloads some right hands at Jamal, and knocks him down with a strong dropkick. Storm tags in Regal, who uses his usual unique offence to keep Jamal down. However, Regal makes the mistake of heading too near to the Goldust/Booker corner, and Booker tags himself back into the match. Booker keeps attacking Jamal, and eventually kicks him in the gut, and comes off the ropes to hit a Scissors Kick. Booker covers as Goldust comes in to take care of Rosey, and 3 Minute Warning are eliminated!

Regal comes back in with a cheap shot to Booker, sending the 5-Time WCW Champion to the mat. Regal then drops a knee to the back of Booker’s head, and then locks in the Regal Stretch to try to make Booker tap out. However, Goldust is on hand to break up the hold before much damage can be done. Both men get back to their feet, and Booker hits a series of chops that light up Regal’s chest. Goldust gets the tag, and comes in to clothesline Regal to the mat. Goldust goes after Lance Storm as well, but gets punched in the face, and rolled up by Regal for a two count. Regal is ten able to focus on Goldust, hitting an Underhook Powerbomb for another two count, and working away at Goldust’s lower back with a backbreaker and repeatedly dropping knees and elbows onto Goldust’s back. A tag to Storm brings more punishment to Goldust, and soon the plan of the UnAmericans is revealed, as Storm locks in the Canadian Mapleleaf submission hold. Goldust is left in the centre of the ring, desperately trying to reach the ropes so the hold can be broken, and after a long struggle, he finally gets there. Goldust gets back to his feet, and he and Storm hit a double clothesline, meaning both men are left down on the mat. Goldust crawls to his corner to try and tag in Booker, but Regal manages to distract the referee at the perfect moment, and he doesn’t see the tag. Booker runs into the ring, but the referee stops him as he didn’t see the tag being made. This allows Regal to put on his brass knuckles, and nail Goldust right between the eyes with them. Storm crawls over after the referee turns around, and counts the three, making Regal and Storm the new World Tag Team Champions!

Winners and NEW World Tag Team Champions: Lance Storm and William Regal

Crowd: 82%

Match: 82%

Overall: 81%

Stars: ***1/4

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Backstage, Josh Matthews is with Brock Lesnar.

Josh: Brock, tonight’s the night, the 2003 Royal Rumble, the chance to go to the main event of WrestleMania, and seeing as Paul Heyman and Kurt Angle refuse to let you have a title shot, and are willing to give anyone a title shot who eliminates you, you’re going to be a marked man tonight.

Brock: I am gonna be a marked man, there’s no doubting that, but you know what, I don’t mind that. I don’t mind it, I can handle the pressure, I can take whatever any of those 29 guys throw at me. In fact, I’m not worried about having a bounty on my back, it just makes me more determined to do what I have to do, which is throw 29 other guys over the top rope, and take my position in the main event of my first ever WrestleMania.

Rating: 78%

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Match #2

WWE Tag Team Title Match

Los Guerreros (WWE Tag Team Champions) vs. Team Angle (w/ WWE Tag Team Title Belts)

Eddie and Haas start things off in this heated battle, with both men trading arm locks and other holds, before they both get to their feet, with neither getting an advantage. Haas tags in Benjamin for him to try his luck, but he can also not get past Guerrero’s defence, and he gets knocked down to the mat by a dropkick. Eddie brings Shelton over to his corner and tags in Chavo, who stomps away at Benjamin, before hitting a snap suplex that gets him a two count. Chavo goes to pick him up, but Shelton rolls over and throws him between the middle ropes, and Chavo lands hard on the outside. Shelton distracts the referee, which allows Haas to come over and throw Chavo into the steel ringpost. He then picks him up, and drops him face-first on the barricade. Haas pleads innocence when the referee sees him, and he rolls Chavo back in the ring, where Shelton gets a two count. Shelton hits a suplex of his own on Chavo, and tags in Haas, who runs in to drop an elbow on Chavo. Haas picks Chavo up, and takes him down again with a fireman’s carry, maintaining the facelock. Chavo however manages to get back to his feet, and he hits a back suplex that gets him a two count, as Benjamin comes in to break the count, and add a few stomps to Chavo for good measure. This gives Haas the opportunity to tag Shelton in legally, and the former NCAA competitor continues the assault on Chavo, taking Chavo down via his legs, and hooking in a leglock. Chavo keeps trying to reach the ropes but Shelton keeps pulling him back into the centre of the ring. Shelton pulls him so far back that he himself is able to use the ropes to add extra leverage to the hold, however the referee sees this, and the hold is broken. Chavo and Shelton get back to their feet, but their heads collide, and both fall down to the mat. Chavo manages to crawl over to his corner, and he makes the hot tag to Eddie! Eddie comes in like a CASA EN FUEGO~! and clears house, taking out Shelton with a clothesline, and dropkicking Haas over the top rope. Eddie heads to the top rope, but Benjamin gets up in time and crotches him. Shelton sets up for a superplex, but Chavo hits a double axe handle to the back, and Eddie flips over and hits a huge neckbreaker to get a 2 and a half count. Haas comes back in with a tag team title belt, and goes to hit Eddie, but Chavo knocks him down, and the belt falls out of his hands. Eddie spies the belt on the floor, and smiles, but the referee removes it before it can be used. Eddie argues with the referee, but Shelton rolls him up for a two count. Shelton charges at Eddie and gets back body dropped for his trouble, and Eddie heads to the top rope again. Frog Splash meets knees, and Shelton then heads to the top rope looking for a Splash, but Eddie rolls out of the way. Eddie heads outside to get a chair, and he throws it in the ring, but the referee removes it. Eddie then comes in with a title belt, but gets kicked in the gut, and then DDTed by Benjamin on to it. Benjamin pins Eddie with his feet on the ropes, and takes the win and the titles!

Winners, and NEW WWE Tag Team Champions: Team Angle

Crowd: 87%

Match: 96%

Overall: 91%

Stars: ****1/2

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Match #3

World Heavyweight Title Match

HHH (World Heavyweight Champion w/ Ric Flair) vs. Scott Steiner

The match starts off with quite a bit of stalling by both men, until Steiner finally makes a move and unloads several right hands, and clotheslines HHH to the mat. HHH rolls out of the ring, and is counselled by Flair before heading back in. A clothesline is ducked, and HHH starts with some right hands, before throwing Steiner to the ropes and meeting him with a high knee for a two count. HHH continues the assault with a knee drop, before picking Steiner up and hitting a Suplex for another two count. HHH goes for the Pedigree to finish things early, but Steiner backdrops out of it. Steiner catches HHH as he runs towards him, and hits a technically… interesting Overhead Suplex for a two count. Steiner hits the kiss bicep-elbow drop, and then rolls off to do some press-ups to the crowd’s delight. Steiner hooks HHH up for a Suplex, but HHH hooks his leg around Steiner’s, and they drop down to the mat with HHH locking in an armbar. HHH releases the hold and goes after Steiner’s legs with the Indian Deathlock, trying to focus on one of Steiner’s many weak points. Steiner manages to make the ropes to stop the hold, but the damage has been done, and Steiner is forced to limp through the rest of the match. HHH goes for the Pedigree once again, but again Steiner manages to get out of the move, this time elevating HHH over the top rope to the floor. Steiner follows HHH outside and throws the World Heavyweight Champion into the steel steps, but his attempt at throwing HHH into the ringpost is reversed, and Steiner’s head meets the steel. HHH rolls Steiner back into the ring, and sets him up for the Pedigree… and hits it! HHH is about to cover when…

The lights go out, and a barrage of red pyro goes off on the top of the stage, and Kane comes running down! Kane slides into the ring, and immediately starts attacking HHH with right hands, before setting him up for, and then delivering a mighty Chokeslam to the World Champion! Steiner stumbles back to his feet, and HE gets a huge Chokeslam as well! The referee calls the match to a halt, deciding a no contest due to the interference, as Kane stands over the two fallen men and lights the ringposts up!

Match ruled a No Contest, Triple H is still World Champion

Crowd: 89%

Match: 83%

Overall: 87%

Stars: ***1/4

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Match #4

WWE Women’s Championship Match

Molly Holly vs. Victoria

The only women on the card tonight go at it, and with both females not being fan favourites, as well as the crowd still excited by Kane’s return, this match is used as a food break by the fans, and very few people are actually interested in it. Perhaps working this out, the match is very short, running no longer than four minutes, as Victoria takes the win and defends her title, after an attempted Widow’s Peak is reversed, and then reversed once more by Victoria into a roll-up that takes the victory, and Victoria retains her Women’s Title.

Winner and still Women’s Champion: Victoria

Crowd: 45%

Match: 72%

Overall: 58%

Stars: **1/2

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Match #5

WWE Heavyweight Title Match

Chris Benoit vs. Kurt Angle

The crowd immediately get pumped up for this one, expecting a great match between the two great wrestlers, and with the WWE Title up for grabs, the wrestlers themselves are also ready for it. The match starts with Benoit immediately trying to lock the Crossface in, but Angle rolls out of it, and then out of the ring to refocus. Angle comes back in, and this time he drops Benoit with a leg takedown, and goes for the Ankle Lock, but this time Benoit rolls out of it and out of the ring. Back in, Benoit and Angle start trading chops, which Benoit unsurprisingly wins, and he throws Angle into the ropes, and meets him with a knee to the gut. Angle gets back to his feet, and runs into another attempted Crippler Crossface, but the Olympic Gold Medallist makes the ropes before Benoit can lock it in. Both men get to the feet, and Angle lifts a charging Benoit up and over the top rope, but Benoit lands on the apron. Shoulder to the gut of Angle, and Benoit drops Angle’s neck over the top rope. Back in, and a cover gets two. Benoit lifts Angle up, but Angle reverses a throw to the ropes, and hits an Overhead Belly to Belly Suplex as he comes back, and gets a two count himself. Angle locks in a front facelock, but Benoit powers out and hits a back suplex that gets another two count.

Benoit goes to throw Angle to the corner, but it’s reversed, and Benoit goes face-first into the turnbuckle, and Angle hits a German Suplex with a bridge to get a two count. Angle waits for Benoit to get up, and tries to hit the Angle Slam, but Benoit ducks it and turns it into a bridged German Suplex of his own for a two count. Benoit throws Angle shoulder-first into the ringpost, and tries to lock in the Crossface, but again Angle manages to counter it, this time into a Full Nelson hold, and he hits a Dragon Suplex! The impact of the move sends Benoit sprawling out of the ring, and Angle soon follows. Angle picks Benoit up, and drops him leg first on the ringsteps. He then sees Benoit getting up, and goes to clothesline him, but Benoit leg-trips him and Angle’s shoulder crashes into the steps. Both men head back inside, and Benoit hits a perfect German Suplex, and maintains the waistlock, before hitting a second one. However, as he goes for a third, Angle rolls through and grabs hold of Benoit’s leg, before locking the Ankle Lock in and dragging Benoit to the centre of the ring!

Angle continues to yank away at Benoit’s ankle, with Benoit screaming in pain. Benoit crawls closer and closer to the ropes, and finally reaches them, forcing Angle to break the hold. However, Angle soon grabs Benoit’s leg and pulls him away from the ropes, and locks the Ankle Lock in again, but this time Benoit rolls through, and puts the Sharpshooter on Angle! Now it’s Angle’s turn to desperately get to the ropes, but Benoit continues to pull him back when he gets within touching distance. Angle finally manages to make it though, and Benoit is now forced to let go of the hold. Benoit waits for Angle to get back to his feet before charging at him with an attempted clothesline, but Angle sees him coming and quickly hits the Angle Slam! Angle covers, but Benoit JUST kicks out before the three count! Angle covers again, but again he only gets two. The straps come down, and Angle goes back to the Ankle Lock, but Benoit once again rolls through, Benoit goes for the Sharpshooter, but Angle kicks him away. Angle goes for the Angle Slam again, but Benoit reverses, and it’s Angle that now suffers from an Overhead Suplex, and following the familiar taunt, Benoit heads over to the top rope. However, due to the damage he suffered as a result of the Ankle Lock, Benoit takes longer than he would have liked to get to the top rope, and this gives Angle the time he needs to get back to his feet. Angle heads over and crotches Benoit on the top rope. Angle then sets him up, and delivers an Angle Slam from the top rope! Angle covers, and retains his title in this incredible match! The crowd give Benoit a standing ovation as he leaves, despite being on the losing end of this match.

Winner, and still WWE Champion: Kurt Angle

Crowd: 88%

Match: 100%

Overall: 92%

Stars: *****

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Match #6

2003 Royal Rumble

90 Second Intervals

Howard Finkel announces the rules of the match.

Finkel: It is now time for the Royal Rumble match! Earlier today, a random draw took place to decide which number the wrestlers would enter the Royal Rumble match. In a moment, Rey Mysterio Jr. who lost earlier to get the number one entry and the wrestler who drew number two will enter the match. Every ninety seconds thereafter another wrestler will enter the match, according to the number they drew. An elimination occurs when a wrestler goes over the top rope, and both feet touch the floor. The last man standing at the end of the match will go on to face their respective brand’s champion at WrestleMania!

The first man in, as we found out earlier on in the evening is Rey Mysterio Jr., and coming in at number two is Matt Hardy. The two cruiserweights put on a good show, with some quick moves and a bit of daredevilry from Rey, but neither man comes close to being eliminated.

Entering at Number Three is Tajiri, Matt Hardy’s opponent from Velocity, and very soon Tajiri and Rey begin teaming up on the Sensei of Mattitude. However, Matt manages to fight both of them off with thumbs to their eyes as they try to get him over the top rope.

Entering at Number Four is the first RAW competitor in Test. The big Canadian wreaks havoc on the three cruiserweights in the ring, and a HUGE Big Boot to the face sends Tajiri flying over the top rope, becoming the first man to be eliminated.

1st Elimination: Tajiri by Test

Entering at Number Five is Test’s fellow Canadian Christian. The multi-time Tag Team champion goes straight after Rey Mysterio Jr., and they trade elimination attempts, with Rey landing on the apron but not going fully out. Test and Matt Hardy battle on the other side of the ring, but neither man even attempts to eliminate the other.

The Rumble gets a dose of superhero as The Hurricane comes out at number six, and he immediately helps his North Carolina friend Matt Hardy out with Test, and they begin to double team the Canadian. Christian comes over to help his friend, but he also gets double teamed by the North Carolina duo.

Bubba Ray Dudley comes out at number seven, and he pairs off with Christian, as two members of two of the greatest tag teams in WWE history go at it. Meanwhile, Matt Hardy and Hurricane manage to eliminate Test with a double clothesline, after both men avoid Test’s Big Boot, and he crotches himself on the top rope. After a handshake between Matt and the Hurricane, Matt eliminates the Hurricane as he turns around, breaking their small partnership.

2nd Elimination: Test by Matt Hardy and Hurricane

3rd Elimination: Hurricane by Matt Hardy

In at number eight is Full Blooded Italian Big Vito, and he immediately gets to work on Rey Mysterio Jr., almost eliminating the cruiserweight with his punches alone. Meanwhile, Bubba Ray tries to eliminate Christian, but the Canadian holds on to the top rope for dear life.

Another potential ally for Matt Hardy arrives in the shape of the number nine entrant Shannon Moore. The two Mattitude members try to eliminate Bubba Ray, but the Dudley Boy is able to withstand their attacks, and then hits the Bubba Bomb on Shannon. Rey manages to get some shots in on Vito, but the big Italian still maintains his dominance over the masked man.

Batista enters at number ten, and immediately the field begins to disperse a little. Bubba Ray is the first to go, getting on the receiving end of a devastating clothesline from the big man, and soon after, Big Vito gets taken out by a big kick to the face. Batista continues to try and dominate the opponents, and an attempted double clothesline from Shannon and Matt gets reversed into Batista clothesline both of them to the mat.

4th Elimination: Bubba Ray Dudley by Batista

5th Elimination: Big Vito by Batista

Next in at number eleven is Maven, but the Tough Enough winner doesn’t last long against the might of Batista, and is press-slammed out of the ring by the big monster. Christian tries to eliminate Batista cheaply after the elimination of Maven, but Batista turns round and clotheslines Christian out of his boots. With Christian, Rey, Matt and Shannon all down, Batista needs a good opponent…

6th Elimination: Maven by Batista

… and he gets it as Rob Van Dam enters to a big pop at number twelve. RVD unloads some forearms to Batista, and a spinning heel kick knocks Batista onto the second rope, where Rey Mysterio follows up with a 619. Rey begins celebrating, but Christian gets back to his feet and tries to eliminate him. However, Rey skins the cat, and stays in the Rumble.

Another big name enters at thirteen, as A-Train slowly walks to the ring. A-Train squares off with RVD, but he fares no better than Batista, getting missile-dropkicked to the mat by RVD. Meanwhile, Christian and Shannon Moore begin to battle, as do Rey and Matt Hardy. Batista gets back to his feet, and he and A-Train double team RVD with a double clothesline.

Jeff Hardy enters at number fourteen to the delight of the teeny girls, and immediately he starts trading blows with his brother Matt, a contest Jeff wins. Jeff tries to eliminate Matt, but Matt manages to stay on the apron. Shannon comes over to attack Jeff, and goes to throw him off the ropes, but Jeff reverses and sends him straight into Matt, knocking him off the apron. Shannon looks over in shock, which allows Jeff to come up behind him, and both members of Mattitude are eliminated, before they begin arguing on the outside.

7th Elimination: Matt Hardy by Shannon Moore

8th Elimination: Shannon Moore by Jeff Hardy

Rikishi enters at fifteen, upping the big man total even more. Jeff and Rey manage to double team Batista, as RVD and Christian form an unlikely partnership to try to get rid of A-Train. Rikishi gets in, and decides to try and help RVD and Christian, but instead they turn to attack him, leaving A-Train dangling over the top rope. Rikishi absorbs the punches from RVD and Christian, and sends them flying into the air with a double clothesline.

Nunzio enters at sixteen, and resumes his mini-feud with Rikishi. However the leader of the FBI doesn’t do much damage to Rikishi, and he is sent flying over the top rope following a superkick. A-Train also follows Nunzio out, as he charges at Jeff and Rey, only to get backdropped over the top rope by the two cruiserweights.

9th Elimination: Nunzio by Rikishi

10th Elimination: A-Train by Rey Mysterio Jr. and Jeff Hardy

Another FBI member enters next, Chuck Palumbo, and as he passes his fallen leader, he appears to be ordered to go after Rikishi. Chuck does just this, and hits a Jungle Kick on the big Samoan. However, Rikishi leans against the ropes following the kick, and comes back with a Superkick of his own, which sends Palumbo over the top rope as well. Jeff and Rey have now ended their partnership and are battling each other, as are RVD and Batista.

11th Elimination: Chuck Palumbo by Rikishi

The final member of the FBI enters next, Johnny Stamboli, and he also goes straight after Rikishi. However, Stamboli fares much better than his allies, and catches Rikishi’s kick as he goes for it. Stamboli then does an incredible feat, by lifting Rikishi up in a gorilla press position, and dropping the 400-pounder out of the ring! With the crowd suitable stunned, they also see Jeff get tossed over the top rope by Batista, sending the teeny girls into floods of hysteric tears.

12th Elimination: Rikishi by Johnny Stamboli

13th Elimination: Jeff Hardy by Batista

Entering at number nineteen to a loud pop is Shawn Michaels, and the two-time Royal Rumble winner immediately gets to work on Batista, whilst Rey Mysterio, still in the contest after entering at number one, pairs off with Christian. RVD meanwhile rolls under the bottom rope, and heads to the timekeeper’s position to get a steel chair.

The next wrestler in has the lights going out in the arena. Footsteps are heard, before “Deadman Walking” comes over the PA system. Suddenly, The Undertaker comes riding out on his motorbike, returning to the WWE after an absence at the hands of the Big Show, and heads straight to the ring. Back inside, RVD takes the steel chair he obtained earlier, and hands it to Christian, and nails a Van Daminator that sends Christian flying out of the ring! However, Batista comes over and tries to eliminate RVD, and Christian comes over and pulls RVD over the top rope with him!

14th Elimination: Christian by Rob Van Dam

15th Elimination: Rob Van Dam by Batista

Entering at 21 is John Cena, and he immediately goes after Rey Mysterio Jr. following their encounter earlier tonight. Meanwhile, The Undertaker and Batista are going at it, whilst Stamboli falls victim to a Sweet Chin Music from Shawn Michaels.

The buzzer goes off, and the lights go out again. The red pyro at the top of the stage goes off again, and Kane makes his second appearance of the night, charging to the ring with a purpose. Kane immediately starts making an impact, Stamboli gets thrown over the top rope, Cena and Rey head over together with Cena touching first, Batista gets Chokeslammed over the top with one hand, and Shawn Michaels goes in-between the second and top rope, and is therefore not eliminated. Soon only Kane and The Undertaker, the brothers of destruction, are left in the ring, and they begin to slug it out.

16th Elimination: Johnny Stamboli by Kane

17th Elimination: John Cena by Kane

18th Elimination: Rey Mysterio Jr. by Kane

19th Elimination: Batista by Kane

As ‘Taker and Kane fight, the twenty-third entry arrives in the shape of Rico, who decides to wait outside for The Undertaker and Kane to end. However, he is met by a Sweet Chin Music from Shawn Michaels, and is unwillingly rolled into the ring. Meanwhile, The Undertaker has taken control against Kane, and unloads a series of rights and lefts to his body. Kane however gets a huge upper thrust in, sending The Undertaker to the mat.

At 24 is the RAW mystery entrant, but it’s not a mystery for very long, as ‘IF YOU SMELL….” Echoes throughout the arena, and The Rock sprints out to a massive ovation. The Rock immediately goes after Kane, unloading the right hands, and hitting the spit punch to send him to the ropes. Rico gets the same treatment, but the final punch this time sends him up and over the top rope to elimination-ville. The Rock and Shawn Michaels then meet eyes, and soon two icons of the wrestling industry are exchanging punches. A flying clothesline knocks HBK down, but Michaels nips up, and takes Rock down with a flying forearm.

20th Elimination: Rico by The Rock

The twenty-fifth entry is Edge, and he gets straight into the fight, stomping away at a fallen Undertaker. He then goes over to Kane, and tries to eliminate the big red machine. All of a sudden Triple H comes out despite not being in the Rumble, grabs the chair left behind by RVD, and smashes it over the skull of Kane! The Big Red Machine tumbles to the mat, and is eliminated! Triple H runs for his life before Kane can get back to his feet, whilst Edge looks on in both shock and happiness at eliminating Kane.

21st Elimination: Kane by Edge

Number twenty-six is Randy Orton, and he is in no hurry to get to the ring considering that The Undertaker, Shawn Michaels, The Rock and Edge are waiting for him. In the ring, Edge and The Undertaker are now brawling, as are The Rock and HBK. However on the outside, Kane spots Orton, and remembering that Orton is an ally of HHH, begins beating him down. He sends him into the ringsteps, and then headfirst into the ring post. Orton is then Chokeslammed on the mat outside, and rolled into the ring, with Kane sending a message to HHH.

Entering at number twenty-seven is Brock Lesnar, upping the huge names in the ring by one more. Lesnar takes down Michaels with a clothesline, then Edge, then The Rock, but runs into a Chokeslam attempt from The Undertaker. Brock however knees him in the stomach, picks The Undertaker up, and dumps him over the top rope! Brock continues his rampage by throwing Orton over the top rope, and then trying to eliminate Edge, but failing.

22nd Elimination: The Undertaker by Brock Lesnar

23rd Elimination: Randy Orton by Brock Lesnar

Number twenty-eight is Sean Morley, as the commentators speculate that Eric Bischoff might have something to do with Morley coming in as late as possible. Morley tries to assault Brock, but ends up getting a huge Spinebuster for his reward. Michaels is back to his feet, and he puts a sleeper hold on Brock to take the big man down to his knees, and eventually down to the mat.

As we knew from RAW, Chris Jericho is number twenty-nine, and he takes his sweet time in getting to the ring. However, Michaels spots him, dismounts Brock, and heads between the ropes to go after him. Jericho runs around the ring trying to avoid the Showstopper. Jericho slides into the ring, and stomps on Michaels’ back when he gets in. Jericho tries to eliminate HBK straight away, but Michaels reverses it and hits a Manhattan Drop.

And the last entrant makes his way in, the Big Show, possibly the man with the largest advantage in both size and condition. Show makes his way in, and very soon it’s Chokeslams for everyone. One to Rock, one to Edge, one to Morley, one to Jericho, but HBK stops him from Chokeslamming him by kicking him in the nuts. Michaels tries to eliminate Show with a Superkick, but Show catches his foot, and monstrously slams him to the mat. Show picks up Michaels, and throws him over the top rope! Michaels lies down on the outside, still suffering from the effects of his slam. However the Big Show is also suffering from the low blow HBK gave him, and is still holding… that area. Edge gets back to his feet, and tries to Spear him, but ends up getting tossed over the top rope instead.

24th Elimination: Shawn Michaels by the Big Show

25th Elimination: Edge by the Big Show

Five men are left, and apart from the Big Show, they’re all down on the mat. Big Show gets The Rock back to his feet, but the Great One starts hammering away at the Big Show with his trademark right hands. Suddenly, Chris Benoit comes to ringside, but does not get in the ring. The Rock keeps the right hands going, and goes for the big punch, which sends Show towards the ropes. Benoit climbs up on the apron, and pulls the top rope down, meaning that the Big Show topples over the top rope to the floor, and is eliminated!

26th Elimination: Big Show by The Rock

Benoit heads to the back, as the Final Four are left in the ring:

The Rock (24)

Chris Jericho (29)

Sean Morley (28)

Brock Lesnar (27)

All of a sudden, Brock gets hold of Chris Jericho, lifts him up on to his shoulders and delivers the F5! Then Brock comes back, and walks into a Rock Bottom from The Rock! Morley then comes over, and gets a HUGE Spinebuster from The Rock, setting him up for the People’s Elbow! Off comes the elbow pad, and off each rope goes the People’s Movie Star. The elbow is dropped, before Rock picks Morley up and tosses him over the top rope!

27th Elimination: Sean Morley by The Rock

The Rock goes over to pick Chris Jericho up, but gets a low blow for his trouble. Jericho tries to throw Rock over the top rope, but Rock holds on, and sticks a thumb to Jericho’s eye to stop him. Brock comes back over, and Jericho is lifted on to his shoulders once again. However, instead of hitting the F5, Brock goes to the ropes, and dumps Jericho over the top rope!

28th Elimination: Chris Jericho by Brock Lesnar

But Chris Jericho, being the bad loser that he is, gets hold of a chair, and despite the two referee’s best efforts, heads back into the ring, and smashes the chair over the head of both The Rock and Lesnar, sending them both to the mat. Jericho leaves, his anger having been taken out on the last two remaining competitors. For a while, The Rock and Brock remain on the mat, but they soon both get to their feet, and begin trading right hands. The Rock gets the upper hand, but it met by a knee to the gut. Lesnar goes for a fireman’s carry, but Rock reverses, and goes for the Rock Bottom, which is also reversed with an elbow to the head. The Rock charges at Brock, but Brock sidesteps him, and Rock goes between the second and third ropes. Brock thinks he’s won, and begins celebrating, but The Rock gets back in, and goes to eliminate Brock. Brock lands on the apron, and The Rock charges at him, hoping to knock him off, but Brock manages to backdrop him over the top to the floor to win the 2003 Royal Rumble!

29th Elimination: The Rock by Brock Lesnar

Brock begins to celebrate in the ring, but The Rock gets back in after him. The Rock extends his hand to a loud cheer, and Brock goes to take it. However, The Rock draws Brock in, and nails him with a Rock Bottom! The crowd begin booing The Rock as the Royal Rumble heads off the air!

Winner of Royal Rumble 2003: Brock Lesnar

Crowd: 76%

Match: 82%

Overall: 79%

Stars: ***1/4

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OVERALL SHOW: 81%

PPV BUYRATE: 1.67

Attendance: 17,147

Takings: $4,175,000 (PPV), $1,028,820 (Gate)

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Match of the Night: Chris Benoit vs. Kurt Angle

Worst Match of the Night: Victoria vs. Molly

Best Segment: Flair/HHH/Orton interview

Worst Segment: Brock interview

Show MVP: Kurt Angle

Show Idiot: Molly Holly

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18th January 2003

Hosted by Josh Matthews and Paul Heyman

Match #1

A-Train vs. Funaki

Not a particularly competitive match, but Funaki’s selling actually made the match very exciting. A-Train seemed to be trying to prove a point about his chances of winning the Royal Rumble, and showed just what a powerful individual he is. Train unsurprisingly picks up the win after hitting the De-railer.

Winner by Pinfall: A-Train

Crowd: 60%

Match: 80%

Overall: 70%

Stars: ***

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Recap #1

Hype for Angle vs. Benoit

SmackDown! – 9th January

Backstage, WWE Champion Kurt Angle is intending to leave the building, despite not appearing on the show thus far. Josh Matthews manages to catch up with him to get a word.

Josh: Kurt, in just moments Chris Benoit will take on Rey Mysterio Jr. to decide who will take you on for the WWE Championship at the Royal Rumble. Aren’t you going to stay around to watch the match?

Angle: Watch the match? Josh Matthews, Tough Enough loser, why on earth would I, Kurt Angle, Olympic Gold Medal winner, want to waste my time watching a match I really have no interest in whatsoever. You see Josh, I have beaten Chris Benoit on many occasions, and, let’s face it, Rey Mysterio Jr. hardly poses much of a threat. The only threat I can see is the other five dwarves being jealous that Dopey and Grumpy are getting a chance at the Number One Contendership!

Josh: Aren’t you being a little cocky in your approach to this match?

Angle: Cocky? Me? I severely doubt that. Now if you don’t mind, I have a limousine waiting for me, and besides, I don’t want to talk to you any more. Goodnight.

And with that, Kurt walks off into the night…

Later that night…

Chris Benoit vs. Rey Mysterio Jr.

However, Rey cannot go on avoiding Benoit, and ends up being German Suplexed with great power, so Rey goes all the way over and finishes up on his back. With Rey down, Benoit heads to the top rope, and nails the Swandive Headbutt! Benoit makes the cover, and gets the three count to become the Number 1 Contender!

SmackDown! – 16th January

Sharmell: Kurt, last week you bragged that you didn’t mind who won the Number One Contender match for a shot at your WWE Title. Now you know that you’ll be facing Chris Benoit at the Royal Rumble, are you still as confident?

Angle: Well first of all Sharmin…

Sharmell: It’s Sharmell!

Angle: Whatever, first of all, I wasn’t bragging, I was just confident in my own abilities. Is that a crime? I am a 2 time WWE champion, and a former WCW Champion, and an Olympic gold medallist? Have YOU ever won any of those? Of course not! Has Chris Benoit ever won any of those? No, he hasn’t.

Sharmell: Well if you do beat Chris Benoit, how do you feel about the possibility that Brock Lesnar might win the Royal Rumble, and face you at WrestleMania?

Angle: You think I haven’t thought about that? Your Olympic Hero is not some idiot that goes around thinking that everything’s gonna work out. I’m willing to sweat, I’m willing to bleed, and I’m also willing to give a WWE title shot to the person who eliminates Brock Lesnar from the Royal Rumble!

Sharmella: You’d willingly put your title on the line just so you don’t have to defend against Brock?

Angle: You know, you’re smarter than you look. Now if you don’t mind, I have a 6-Man match to prepare for.

Rating: 85%

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Recap #2

Team Angle & Los Guerreros

SmackDown! – 9th January

But their joy is short-lived, when Team Angle run out from the back and attack the victors from behind. Benjamin hits a Superkick on Chavo, and then Haas and Benjamin both hit a Double Dropkick on Eddie to knock him out of the ring. Spying Los Guerreros’ title belts on the mat, the two young rookies take turn in putting the belts on each other, and apparently enjoying having the gold around their waists, they head off, leaving Los Guerreros lying in and out of the ring, beaten and beltless.

SmackDown! – 16th January

Steph: And whilst we’re on the subject of the Royal Rumble event, I have decided that, after their actions on last week’s SmackDown!, Team Angle will get a shot at the WWE Tag Team Titles that they stole from Los Guerreros! And not only that, the teams will have singles matches against each other tonight to build up for that match! So tonight, expect to see Eddie Guerrero against Shelton Benjamin, and Charlie Haas against Chavo Guerrero!

Later that night…

Charlie Haas vs. Chavo Guerrero Jr.

Just as Chavo is about to hit a second Brainbuster, Shelton Benjamin runs out, and grabs hold of Chavo’s foot to prevent the move from going through. Chavo looks round at Benjamin, but this allows Haas to come from behind Chavo and roll him up, getting the three count! Shelton and Charlie get into the ring and celebrate extravagantly, but Eddie Guerrero comes from the back to make sure that no more damage is done to his nephew.

Eddie Guerrero vs. Shelton Benjamin

The result this time however is in favour of Los Guerreros, as Eddie takes the match after hitting the Frog Splash on the already downed Shelton. Eddie goes to reclaim his WWE Tag Team Title from the timekeeper, but Charlie Haas runs in from the crowd and takes it before Eddie can, and flees the scene before either Eddie or Chavo can stop him!

Rating: 80%

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Match #2

Johnny ‘The Bull’ Stamboli vs. Brian Kendrick

Stamboli, without the FBI backing him up at ringside, was determined to prove that he was a contender for the Royal Rumble, and really gave Brian Kendrick an exhibition of how dominating he can be. After a series of brutal punches, knees to the midsection and a few suplexes, Stamboli takes the match after hitting the Fuget-about-it.

Winner by Pinfall: Johnny Stamboli

Crowd: 58%

Match: 78%

Overall: 68%

Stars: **3/4

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Recap #3

John Cena & Rey Mysterio Jr.

SmackDown! – 2nd January

Backstage, Josh Matthews stands with John Cena, who faces off against Eddie Guerrero later tonight. Cena proceeds to cut an anti-Latino rap, going through all the stereotypes such as Eddie should be cutting his lawn and making burritos instead of wrestling him tonight, which doesn't go down very well with the Albuquerque fans.

It also doesn't go down very with Rey Mysterio Jr., who happens to be walking past Cena whilst he speaks. Mysterio challenges Cena to prove how much 'tougher' he is, but instead of fighting Rey, Cena chooses to punk him out with the microphone he was using. Cena then walks off, as Josh Matthews tries to help Rey back to his feet.

Later that night…

Eddie Guerrero vs. John Cena

It does however distract the referee, and this allows Cena to grab the chain he brought to the ring with him, and nail Eddie with it right between the eyes. The referee turns around to see Cena covering Eddie, and he counts the three to give Cena the win!

As Cena celebrates however, Rey Mysterio Jr. comes running down to the ring, hoping to avenge both the attack on his fellow Latinos and Cena’s physical attack on him from earlier on. Rey ducks an attempted clothesline by Cena, and nails him in the back. He then runs to the ropes and hits the 619 on the master of thuganomics. Rey heads to the top rope, but instead of hitting another move on Cena, he dives off the top rope and lands a plancha on B-Squared! Rey jumps back up and heads off down the ramp with his music playing, having sent Cena a message!

Later still…

Edge and Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. A-Train and Big Show

A-Train on the other hand takes advantage of John Cena running in and nailing Rey with his chain as he goes for the 619, and A-Train wastes little time in hitting the Derailer to take the pinfall victory.

SmackDown! – 16th January

Backstage, Josh Matthews is with Rey Mysterio Jr.

Josh: Rey, last week we saw you lose out to Chris Benoit in a match to decide the Number One contender for the WWE Title. How do you feel?

Rey: Well obviously I’m disappointed, I really wanted to get a shot at Angle’s title at the Royal Rumble, but I’m not gonna just give up, no way. I’m entering the Royal Rumble match, and I’m gonna try to do my best to win the match. Obviously there’s gonna be twenty-nine other guys…

Suddenly, John Cena appears.

Cena: Oh no no no no, Rey Rey, you don’t need to worry about those other 28 guys, cos you need to worry about me. You know Rey, we’ve had our certain differences recently, and when it comes to the Royal Rumble, your puny little ass is mine.

Rey: Well it’s great you think that John, but believe me, if you wanna get rid of me, you gotta catch me first.

John: You know what? That won’t be too hard.

Cena then nails Rey with the microphone right between his eyes, does the “you can’t see me” taunt, before walking away.

Later that night

Brock Lesnar, Chris Benoit and Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. Kurt Angle, John Cena and A-Train

With the other four men out, Cena takes advantage of the referee trying to bring order to the match, and wraps the chain he wears around his wrist. He then waits for Rey to turn around and face him, and he smashes him in the face with the chain. Cena covers, and takes the cheap victory!

But soon after…

Now John Cena, seeing as you don’t seem to be able to grasp how to win a match fairly, you and Rey Mysterio will have another match at the Rumble, a match that decides which one of you two will enter the Royal Rumble match at Number One!

Rating: 74%

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Match #3

MAIN EVENT

Matt Hardy vs. Tajiri

The two Royal Rumble participants went head-to-head, not for a title or any advantage in the Rumble match, but for pride, and maybe a slight psychological boost. Matt takes control of the match following a cheap shot to the eye, and hits the Side Effect for a two count. He follows up with two suplexes, and then went to the second rope. He takes his time going ‘aaaah’ in preparation for the leg drop a bit too seriously, and stalls for longer when he hears the crowd booing. This gives Tajiri the time he needs to roll out of the way, and the leg drop hits nothing but Matt. Tajiri now takes the initiative and starts unloading a series of stiff kicks to Matt’s chest. A whip to the corner is reversed, but this allows Tajiri to lock in the Tarantula on Matt! Matt stumbles away following the hold, and is met full in the face by a Buzzsaw Kick! Tajiri makes the cover, and takes the victory. Tajiri celebrates up the ramp as Velocity fades out!

Winner by Pinfall: Tajiri

Crowd: 78%

Match: 84%

Overall: 81%

Stars: ***1/4

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OVERALL SHOW: 71% (-3%)

TV RATING: 4.22 (-0.22)

Attendance: 8,009 (+504)

Takings: $320,360 $20,160

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Best Match: Matt Hardy vs. Tajiri

Worst Match: Johnny Stamboli vs. Brian Kendrick

Best Recap: Angle/Benoit

Worst Recap: Cena/Rey

Show MVP: Tajiri

Show Idiot: Brian Kendrick

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E-MAILS

ChrisBenoit@ToothlessAgression.com: Please can I have some matches with Kurt Angle?

ShawnMichaels@VinceRussoForgiven.com: Can I get some matches with Christian?

Sophie@WWE.com: LaLutte FLI, Xplosion, Fake You TV and HWA TV are getting destroyed by us in the ratings.

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ROYAL RUMBLE CARD

Royal Rumble Match

Participants

Bubba Ray Dudley

Rico

Jeff Hardy

Test

Rob Van Dam

Batista

Chris Jericho (#29)

Christian

Shawn Michaels

Kane

Randy Orton

Maven

Hurricane

Sean Morley

MYSTERY ENTRANT

Big Show (#30)

Edge

Rey Mysterio Jr. (Possibly #1)

John Cena (Possibly #1)

Brock Lesnar

A-Train

Rikishi

Nunzio

Chuck Palumbo

Johnny Stamboli

Big Vito

Tajiri

Matt Hardy

Shannon Moore

MYSTERY ENTRANT

-----------------------

WWE Championship Match

Kurt Angle © vs. Chris Benoit

-----------------------

World Heavyweight Title Match

Triple H © vs. Scott Steiner

-----------------------

WWE Tag Team Title Match

Los Guerreros © vs. Team Angle

-----------------------

WWE Women’s Championship Match

Victoria © vs. Molly Holly

-----------------------

World Tag Team Title Match

Booker T & Goldust © vs. 3 Minute Warning vs. Lance Storm and William Regal

-----------------------

Loser enters #1 in the Rumble

John Cena vs. Rey Mysterio Jr.

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Cheers for the feedback Essa

PREVIEW

24 Little Hours...

The Royal Rumble is just 24 hours away, and this is celebrated on this week's Velocity, with four Royal Rumble participants involved in matches!

In action will be A-Train, Johnny Stamboli, and a one-on-one match between Matt Hardy and last week's beaten main eventer Tajiri!

Don't miss Velocity this Saturday at 11/10 p.m. CT on TNN!

Come on guys, I need more than two predictors! There will be a prize for the winner...

I've got my own diary now, so I'm just a booking consultant. Of course, that still means I can't predict your matches, as I still know the results .

CARD

Royal Rumble Match

Participants

Bubba Ray Dudley

Rico

Jeff Hardy

Test

Rob Van Dam

Batista

Chris Jericho (#29)

Christian

Shawn Michaels

Kane

Randy Orton

Maven

Hurricane

Sean Morley

MYSTERY ENTRANT

Big Show (#30)

Edge

Rey Mysterio Jr. (Possibly #1)

John Cena (Possibly #1)

Brock Lesnar

A-Train

Rikishi

Nunzio

Chuck Palumbo

Johnny Stamboli

Big Vito

Tajiri

Matt Hardy

Shannon Moore

MYSTERY ENTRANT

-----------------------

WWE Championship Match

Kurt Angle © vs. Chris Benoit

-----------------------

World Heavyweight Title Match

Triple H © vs. Scott Steiner

-----------------------

WWE Tag Team Title Match

Los Guerreros © vs. Team Angle

-----------------------

WWE Women’s Championship Match

Victoria © vs. Molly Holly

-----------------------

World Tag Team Title Match

Booker T & Goldust © vs. 3 Minute Warning vs. Lance Storm and William Regal

-----------------------

Loser enters #1 in the Rumble

John Cena vs. Rey Mysterio Jr.

-----------------------

START PREDICTING!