Royal Rumble (2006)

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Royal Rumble (2006)
Details
Promotion World Wrestling Entertainment
Brand (s) RAW
SmackDown!
Date January 29, 2006
Venue AmericanAirlines Arena
City Miami, Florida
Attendance 14,500
Pay-per-view chronology
New Year's Revolution (2006) Royal Rumble (2006) No Way Out (2006)
Royal Rumble chronology
Royal Rumble (2005) Royal Rumble (2006) Royal Rumble (2007)

Royal Rumble (2006) was the nineteenth annual Royal Rumble professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). It took place on January 29, 2006 in the AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami, Florida and featured talent from the Raw and SmackDown! brands.

The main match on the SmackDown! brand was Kurt Angle versus Mark Henry for the World Heavyweight Championship, which Angle won with a roll-up.[1] The predominant match on the Raw brand was Edge versus John Cena for the WWE Championship, which Cena won after forcing Edge to submit to the STFU.[2] The primary match on the undercard was the annual 30-man Royal Rumble match, which starred talent from both brands. Rey Mysterio, the second entrant, won the match by last eliminating Randy Orton, the thirtieth entrant.[3]

Contents

[edit] Report

[edit] Background

John Cena, who challenged Edge for the WWE Championship.
John Cena, who challenged Edge for the WWE Championship.

The main feud heading into the Royal Rumble was between John Cena and Edge battling over the WWE Championship. The feud started at New Year's Revolution 2006 when Cena won an Elimination Chamber also involving 5 other superstars.[4] However, immediately after the match, Vince McMahon came out and stated that Edge was cashing in his Money in the Bank contract that he won at WrestleMania 21.[5] Edge then came out with Lita and, two spears later, he pinned Cena to become WWE Champion.[6][7] Then the next night Edge held a live sex celebration which got smashed up by Cena and Cena delivered an FU on Lita and sent a message to Edge.[8]

The secondary feud was between Kurt Angle and Mark Henry over the World Heavyweight Championship. The World Heavyweight Championship was originally held by Batista. He defended the title against Henry at a SmackDown! live event in a steel cage match. Henry was disqualified in the match and Batista retained the title but his triceps were injured.[9] As a result, he was forced to vacate the title on January 13 edition of SmackDown!. Later on, a 20-man battle royal was arranged to determine the new World Heavyweight Champion. RAW superstar Kurt Angle won the battle royal last eliminating Mark Henry and winning the vacant title[10][11] thus also starting a rivalry between the two. This also made Angle leave RAW and shift to SmackDown!.

[edit] Event

Other on-screen talent
Role: Name:
Commentator Michael Cole
(SmackDown! / Royal Rumble match)
Jerry "The King" Lawler
(Raw / Royal Rumble match)
Joey Styles (Raw)
Tazz (SmackDown!)
Spanish commentator Carlos Cabrera
Hugo Savinovich
Referee Mike Chioda (Raw)
Mickie Henson (Raw)
Chris Kay (SmackDown!)
Jim Korderas (SmackDown!)
Nick Patrick (SmackDown!)
Charles Robinson (SmackDown!)
Interviewer Todd Grisham
Josh Mathews
Ring announcer Tony Chimel (SmackDown!)
Lilian Garcia (Raw)
General manager Theodore Long (SmackDown!)
Vince McMahon (Raw; interim)
Bingo machine tumbler Candice Michelle
Victoria
Torrie Wilson

Before the event went live on pay-per-view, Finlay defeated Brian Kendrick in a match that aired on HEAT.[12] The opening match was a 6-Way Cruiserweight Open match for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship which was held by Kid Kash at the time. He issued an open challenge to all previous Cruiserweight Champions for the title. Funaki, Jamie Noble, Nunzio, Paul London and RAW superstar Gregory Helms joined the match to challenge Kid Kash for the Cruiserweight Championship. In the beginning, everyone thought that Paul London would win the match after he hit all of the challengers a breath-taking shooting star press. Gregory Helms caught and drove him to the mat with a vicious flying neckbreaker. Kid Kash seized the opportunity and nailed London with a Dead Level. He covered London but Nunzio and Funaki broke up the count. Jamie Noble held Funaki in the dragon sleeper. Helms hit Noble a shining wizard but Noble avoided the move. Helms threw Noble out of the ring and then pinned Funaki after a shining wizard to win the Cruiserweight title.[13][14][12]

The second match was a divas match between Mickie James and Ashley Massaro. Trish Stratus was the Special Guest Referee of this match. Before the match started, Mickie told Trish backstage that she loved her. While the match started, Ashley worked over Mickie's arm. While Ashley pounded Mickie into the corner, Trish pulled Mickie. Mickie would later up work out on Ashley's back and neck. Ashley made a comeback in the match but finally Mickie powerbombed her to win the match.[15][12]

The third match was between The Boogeyman and John "Bradshaw" Layfield. JBL was supported by his valet Jillian Hall. In the match, JBL tried to do everything to measure out Boogeyman. Finally, JBL had Boogeyman measured and went for the Clothesline from Hell but he whiffed on the move and was sent crashing shoulder first into the post. Boogeyman nailed JBL with a pumphandle slam to win the match. After the match, he tried to throw worms in JBL's mouth but JBL threw his valet Jillian into the ring and Boogeyman threw worms in her mouth.[16][12]

Triple H, who was the first entrant in the Royal Rumble match.
Triple H, who was the first entrant in the Royal Rumble match.

The fourth match was the 2006 Royal Rumble match. Triple H drew as the No. 1 entrant while Rey Mysterio drew No. 2. Mysterio came out to the ring in a lowrider to pay tribute to his late friend Eddie Guerrero who came to the ring in lowriders. Mysterio and Triple H fought off each other in the beginning of the match. Later on, the two teamed up to eliminate No. 3 entrant Simon Dean. Mysterio eliminated No. 4 entrant Psicosis on his own. Ric Flair drew No. 5 but he made a mistake by charging Triple H as Flair stood near the ropes. Triple H simply sidestepped the charge and eliminated Flair from the match. No. 6 entrant was Big Show and No. 7 entrant was Jonathan Coachman. Coach was quickly eliminated with a swat of Big Show's hand. Bobby Lashley drew No. 8 while Big Show's World Tag Team Championship partner at the time, Kane drew. No. 9.

Big Show and Kane teamed up to eliminate Lashley and then the two targeted each other trying to chokeslam each other. Triple H took the advantage and eliminated both men from behind shocking the entire world. In addition, Tatanka and Rob Van Dam returned to WWE television in this Royal Rumble match with Tatanka drawing No. 15 while RVD drawing No. 20. Shawn Michaels entered No. 25 into the match and started attacking his enemies. He went on to eliminate Trevor Murdoch, Johnny Nitro and Shelton Benjamin which received him a spot to the final six.

As Michaels eliminated Benjamin from the match, Mr. McMahon's music hit which distracted Michaels. McMahon made his way to the ring while Shane (not an official entrant) eliminated Michaels from behind. Michaels returned to the ring and tried to attack Shane until Triple H beat him and Michaels superkicked Triple H. As a result, Triple H, Mysterio, Carlito, RVD and Randy Orton remained the final five participants. Carlito worked on RVD but RVD countered and threw him out of the ring with the final four participants remaining. Mysterio and RVD formed an alliance against two former Evolution partners Triple H and Orton. RVD tried to hit Orton a five-star frog splash but Triple H attacked RVD and then threw Mysterio into RVD which sent RVD crashing to the floor.

Triple H, Mysterio and Orton were the final three participants. Triple H and Orton teamed to eliminate Mysterio but failed to do so instead Mysterio hit both men a 619 and then eliminated Triple H from the match. Triple H returned to the ring and brutally assaulted Mysterio by knocking him into the steel steps and threw him back into the ring which helped Orton a lot. Orton tried to eliminate Mysterio but until Mysterio countered and surprisingly eliminated Orton to win the 2006 Royal Rumble match. Mysterio was very glad by winning the Royal Rumble match and he paid tribute to Eddie by winning the match saying that he had won the match for Eddie.[3][12]

Edge as WWE Champion.
Edge as WWE Champion.

The fifth match was between John Cena and Edge for the WWE Championship with Edge defending the title in their New Year's Revolution rematch.[6] Cena entered the ring on a large steel catwalk-like scaffold that had been lowered from the ceiling. Before Cena's entrance, fireworks started throughout the arena. Cena had the match in control in the beginning but later on he was forced to retreat to the floor on multiple occasions. Finally, Cena had enough and followed him, but Edge used Lita as a decoy. Edge speared Cena into the steel ring steps and following a baseball slide which threw Cena into the crowd. Edge remained in control and set Cena on the top rope but was subsequently pushed down. Cena went for a top rope splash but Edge moved away. Cena would make a comeback and try an FU but failed. Cena made a comeback during the conclusion of the match. He went for a Five Shuffle Knuckle but was distracted when Lita jumped on the apron to draw Cena's attention. Edge recovered as Cena and Lita argued, but when Edge charged, Cena sidestepped and Edge ran into Lita. Cena took advantage of the situation and quickly hit Edge an F-U and then put him into an STFU. Edge couldn't escape so he submit making Cena the new WWE Champion.[2][12][17]

Mark Henry, who challenged Kurt Angle for the World Heavyweight Championship.
Mark Henry, who challenged Kurt Angle for the World Heavyweight Championship.

The main event was between Kurt Angle and Mark Henry for the World Heavyweight Championship. Angle defended the title in this match against Henry. Angle began the match in trying to put Henry down but instead Henry dumped him to the floor, where Angle was beaten by former manager Daivari. Henry controlled Angle using his power but Angle managed to apply the ankle lock. After Henry kicked out after an Angle Slam, Angle locked in ankle lock once more. Daivari jumped up on the apron drawing the referee's attention and when Henry broke the hold again, he sent Angle crashing into the referee. At that point, Kurt got a chair. Daivari tried to stop him but Kurt hit Daivari instead with a chair. When Kurt tried to use the chair, Henry blocked the attempt and tossed Angle to the mat. As Henry advanced though, Angle hit him a low blow followed by two chair shots. Angle went for the pin but Henry kicked out. Angle untied one of the turnbuckle pads on the middle rope. Angle ended up in that corner, but as Henry charged, Angle sidestepped and tripped him into the exposed steel. Angle rolled up Henry to retain the World Heavyweight Championship but as Angle celebrated, there was all darkness and The Undertaker's music hit. Undertaker made his return on WWE television and it was his first appearance on WWE television since Armageddon 2005. He feared Angle and then the ropes went down and the ring collapsed.[1][12]

[edit] Aftermath

Chris Benoit and Booker T continued their feud over the WWE United States Championship. Benoit went on to win the title from Booker at No Way Out.[18] Rey Mysterio was awarded a match against Kurt Angle for the World Heavyweight Championship which was scheduled to take place at WrestleMania 22 but before that, Mysterio defended his spot against Randy Orton at No Way Out. Orton won the match and Mysterio's title shot. Mysterio would later be readded to the match, forming a triple threat match between Angle, Mysterio and Orton.[19] At No Way Out, Angle defended the World Heavyweight Championship against The Undertaker successfully.[20]

In February, the Road to WrestleMania tournament was arrange to determine a new #1 contender to Cena's WWE Championship. This was an 8-man tournament on RAW. Triple H, Rob Van Dam and Big Show faced each other in the final round of the tournament which was a triple threat match. RVD hit Big Show a Five Star Frog Splash but when he made the pin, Triple H pulled the referee. While the referee broke out, Big Show was able to kick out. Triple H took advantage and hit RVD a Pedigree to win the tournament and become the #1 contender to the WWE Championship.[21] At WrestleMania 22, Cena defeated Triple H to retain the WWE Championship via submission after forcing Triple H to submit with the STFU.[22]

[edit] Results

Numbers in parentheses indicate the length of the match.

[edit] Royal Rumble entrances and eliminations

Red ██ and "RAW" indicates a RAW superstar, blue ██. and "SD!" indicates a SmackDown! superstar. A new entrant came out approximately every 90 seconds.

Draw Entrant Brand Order Eliminated by Time
1 Triple H RAW 28 Mysterio 1:00:09
2 Rey Mysterio SD! - WINNER 1:02:12
3 Simon Dean SD! 1 Mysterio and Triple H 0:45
4 Psicosis SD! 2 Mysterio 1:15
5 Ric Flair RAW 3 Triple H 1:20
6 The Big Show RAW 7 Triple H 9:02
7 Jonathan Coachman RAW 4 Big Show 0:30
8 Bobby Lashley SD! 6 Big Show & Kane 4:17
9 Kane RAW 8 Triple H 3:33
10 Sylvan SD! 5 Lashley 0:18
11 Carlito RAW 26 Van Dam 38:29
12 Chris Benoit SD! 17 Orton 30:31
13 Booker T SD! 9 Benoit 0:18
14 Joey Mercury SD! 22 Nitro 29:14
15 Tatanka SD! 12 Mercury & Nitro 14:09
16 Johnny Nitro SD! 23 Michaels 25:45
17 Trevor Murdoch RAW 13 Michaels 13:41
18 Eugene RAW 15 Benoit 16:25
19 The Road Warrior SD! 10 Van Dam 2:49
20 Rob Van Dam RAW 27 Mysterio 23:52
21 Orlando Jordan SD! 21 Orton 16:09
22 Chavo Guerrero RAW 11 Triple H 0:59
23 Matt Hardy SD! 14 Viscera 7:42
24 Super Crazy SD! 16 Mysterio 7:40
25 Shawn Michaels RAW 25 Shane McMahon[1] 12:55
26 Chris Masters RAW 19 Carlito 7:01
27 Viscera RAW 18 Carlito & Masters 5:20
28 Shelton Benjamin RAW 24 Michaels 6:51
29 Goldust RAW 20 Van Dam 3:09
30 Randy Orton SD! 29 Mysterio 13:04

^ Shane McMahon was not a participant in the Royal Rumble match.

[edit] Notes

  • Rey Mysterio broke the record for lasting the longest in a Royal Rumble match, 1:02:12. The previous record was 1:01:34, set by Chris Benoit at the 2004 Royal Rumble. Mysterio also became the first superstar in WWE history under 200 pounds to ever win the Royal Rumble, as well as the first masked superstar to win.
  • Glen Jacobs (Isaac Yankem D.D.S., Fake Diesel, Kane) made his tenth appearance in a Royal Rumble match, tying the record for most Royal Rumble appearances with Solofa Fatu (Fatu, The Sultan, Rikishi). It also marked his eighth consecutive appearance in the Royal Rumble as Kane, breaking the previous record of seven consecutive appearances held by himself, Owen Hart and Rick Martel.
  • During the Rumble match, Shane McMahon came in and eliminated Shawn Michaels after being distracted by Vince McMahon. This marked the second consecutive year that Michaels was eliminated by somebody other than a qualified participant. In 2005, he was eliminated by Kurt Angle after having already eliminated Angle earlier.
  • The Angle/Henry match marked the first time that two former Olympians battled for a world title in history.

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d Kurt Angle def. Mark Henry to retain the World Heavyweight Championship. WWE (2006-01-29). Retrieved on 2007-12-10.
  2. ^ a b c John Cena def. Edge to win the WWE Championship. WWE (2006-01-29). Retrieved on 2007-12-10.
  3. ^ a b c Rey Mysterio wins the Royal Rumble match. WWE (2006-01-29). Retrieved on 2007-12-10.
  4. ^ WWE Champion def. Kurt Angle, Shawn Michaels, Kane, Chris Masters and Carlito to retain (Elimination Chamber match). WWE (2006-01-08). Retrieved on 2007-12-10.
  5. ^ WrestleMania 21 official results. WWE (2005-04-03). Retrieved on 2007-12-10.
  6. ^ a b Edge def. John Cena to become new WWE Champion. WWE (2006-01-08). Retrieved on 2007-12-10.
  7. ^ Edge's first WWE Championship reign. WWE. Retrieved on 2007-12-10.
  8. ^ Sex Gone Bad. WWE (2006-01-09). Retrieved on 2007-12-10.
  9. ^ WWE 2006 Live Event Results. Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved on 2007-12-10.
  10. ^ New World Heavyweight Champion. WWE (2006-01-13). Retrieved on 2007-12-10.
  11. ^ Kurt Angle's first World Heavyweight Championship reign. WWE. Retrieved on 2007-12-10.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Royal Rumble 2006 results. Online World of Wrestling (2006-01-29). Retrieved on 2007-10-12.
  13. ^ a b Gregory Helms def. Kid Kash, Nunzio, Funaki, Jamie Noble and Paul London to win the Cruiserweight Championship. WWE (2006-01-29). Retrieved on 2007-12-10.
  14. ^ Gregory Helms' third Cruiserweight Championship reign. WWE. Retrieved on 2007-12-10.
  15. ^ a b Mickie James def. Ashley. WWE (2006-01-29). Retrieved on 2007-12-10.
  16. ^ a b The Boogeyman def. JBL. WWE (2006-01-29). Retrieved on 2007-12-10.
  17. ^ John Cena's second WWE Championship reign. WWE. Retrieved on 2007-12-10.
  18. ^ Chris Benoit def. Booker T to win the United States Championship. WWE (2006-02-19). Retrieved on 2007-12-10.
  19. ^ Randy Orton def. Rey Mysterio to win Rey's World Championship match at WrestleMania 22. WWE (2006-02-19). Retrieved on 2007-12-10.
  20. ^ World Heavyweight Champion Kurt Angle def. Undertaker. WWE (2006-02-19). Retrieved on 2007-11-21.
  21. ^ "Big Time" Pedigree. WWE (2006-02-20). Retrieved on 2007-12-10.
  22. ^ WWE Champion John Cena def. Triple H. WWE (2006-04-02). Retrieved on 2007-12-10.

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