Looking ahead to the Royal Rumble

[Guest humanoid92]

(Note: This is a bit long-winded, but stick with me. Basically this is just how I would organize this year's Royal Rumble. Just some ideas about what to do that I'm getting out there.)

 

Seeing as how this month's PPV is pretty much a filler show, I've been looking ahead to the Roayl Rumble, and what can be done to turn things around in preparation for Wrestlemania. So here's what I came up with for the Royal Rumble:

 

The Smackdown side of the equation is pretty obvious. We'll get the Brock/Big Show rematch for the WWE Title.

 

The Raw side is a little less obvious. After Armageddon either HHH or HBK will be World Champion. Neither is the right choice at this particular point, but it looks as if HHH will be going over. But how to get the belt off HHH? The only babyface on Raw other than Shawn that's even close to being ready to be World Champion today is RVD (or Booker, but logic points to him and Goldust winning the Tag Belts at Armageddon, and RVD has nothing else to do). I say go ahead with the RVD experiment and do it right away. For the last few weeks now, HHH has been bitching about getting his Title back. In a perverse way, he's playing the underdog despite being the heel. They've already blown the whole "RVD as the underdog babyface" angle, so why not go about it a different way? Have RVD beat HHH on Raw the night after Armageddon, the night after he regains his Title. This will drive HHH nuts since he just got his Title back but blew it again right away. This sets up an instant feud, as HHH is chasing his Title and trying to prove that he still has what it takes to be on top, and RVD is able to taunt Hunter (I'm sure the fans will get behind him) and also look out to prove that his win wasn't a fluke. Of course, the payoff has to be RVD successfully defending the Title against HHH at the Rumble. If HHH regains it, it's all for nothing. But if RVD beats him on PPV to retain the Title, then it really solidifies him as Champion. It's a different twist on things. I think it can work well, and maybe it isn't the perfect way to do things, but given the corner they've already painted themselves into, I think it's a pretty good way to go about things.

 

So that leaves us with World Title matches of Brock/Big Show and RVD/HHH. Throw in a secondary Title match from each show, and that rounds out the non-Rumble part of the card. Set up the Kidman vs. Noble rematch and give Noble the Cruiserweight Title back. Then have the Raw Tag Titles on the line, with Regal & Storm (who would go over Booker & Goldust on TV a few weeks prior) going up against the Dudley Boys. Whether you like Regal & Storm as a team or not, the WWF is serious about them. And this frees up bigger stars like Jericho and Booker to be booked as serious threats in the Rumble match.

 

So what to do about the Rumble match itself? Each show should get fifteen entrants. By combining the two shows, there shouldn't be many week spots. There should be significant star power that should make the outcome truly unpredictable. The last few years only a select three or four people have been hyped at having a chance at winning the Rumble. That's the wrong approach. Sure, everyone knows a main eventer will win. Even back in the day, everybody knew that the Virgil's and Repo Man's of the world didn't have a prayer. But it shouldn't be narrowed down just to three or four people either. Raw can heavily hype Shawn Michaels, Scott Steiner (should he end up there), Chris Jericho, Booker T, Kane, and Ric Flair (who enters for one last shot at past glory) as being their favorites. Smackdown can hype The Rock (it's that time of year... he should be back), The Undertaker (he'll be back), Edge, Kurt Angle, and Chris Benoit as the favorites from their show. I'd also like to see Stephanie hype a mystery entrant who will represent Smackdown (I'm sure you know where I'm taking that one).

 

Overall, the lineup for participants in the Rumble would be pretty impressive:

 

Mystery Entrant, Shawn Michaels, The Rock, The Undertaker, Scott Steiner, Chris Jericho, Booker T, Kurt Angle, Chris Benoit, Edge, Kane, Ric Flair, Eddie Guerrero, Rey Mysterio, Rikishi, Batista, Goldust, Christian, Chavo Guerrero, Matt Hardy, Jeff Hardy, Test, John Cena, Tommy Dreamer, Rico, Albert, Tajiri, Spike Dudley, Chris Nowinski, Maven

 

Those fifteen are all pretty credible (especially if built up properly before the match), and the other ones have been established enough to seem like they belong.

 

The stipulations to the Rumble could actually add intrigue to the match. Whoever wins the Rumble would earn a Wrestlemania Title shot at the Champion of their respective show. So if a Smackdown wrestler were to win, he'd get a Title shot against the Smackdown Champion at Wrestlemania, and if a Raw talent were to win, he'd get a shot at the Raw Champ. So not only do we not know who's winning the Rumble, but we don't know whose Title will be on the line at the main event of Wrestlemania either.

 

(As for the show who doesn't win the Rumble, they can determine their #1 contender for Wrestlemania by having an eight man tournament spread out over a few weeks of TV, with the finals culminating at No Way Out. But that can all be announced after the Rumble.)

 

So after explaining all that, here's my Royal Rumble card:

 

Cruiserweight Title: Jamie Noble over Billy Kidman ©

Raw Tag Team Titles: Lance Storm & William Regal © over The Dudley Boys

World Title: RVD © over HHH

WWE Title: Brock Lesnar over The Big Show ©

Royal Rumble Winner: Kurt Angle

 

Hopefully this win would put Kurt on the next level, and of course it would build to the Angle/Lesnar Wrestlemania showdown. I don't need to explain that feud because it writes itself, and a few months ago I remember somebody here writing a wonderful piece on how to book it.

 

And with RVD, Brock, and Angle winning the three most important matches of the show, it's something a lot different that what we're accustomed to. That's what the product needs.

 

I know this is getting long, but this is the basic outline (entrances and eliminations) of how I'd do the Rumble itself. Since there are so many guys that are legitimate contenders, I say spread them out throughout the match and have them (at least those who are capable) last awhile. Everyone ends up looking good.

 

My Rumble booking:

 

#1 Goldust

#2 Christian

 

There's a history here, what with their tag teams recently feuding with each other. Both can last awhile and both are worth watching go at it one on one for awhile.

 

#3 Chris Benoit

 

The first Smackdown guy. As a heel, he teams with his fellow Canadian to put a hurting on Goldie. A Raw guy and a Smackdown guy work together.

 

#4 Rey Mysterio

 

This evens the face/heel alignment. And Mysterio and Benoit have a past with each other (they're 2 of the "Smackdown 6")

 

#5 Kurt Angle

 

Might as well stick him in there towards the beginning. Again, there's lots of history in there with him and Benoit and Rey. Also, there's five guys that can really work in there, so it will make the match easy to get into right off the bat.

 

#6 Tommy Dreamer

 

Nothing notable here...

 

#7 Dave Bautista

 

He's gonna get lost later in the match, so they might as well have him pull a lesser version of Diesel circa 1994 and put him in here. He dominates the guys that have been in there for awhile and quickly gets rid of Dreamer.

 

#8 Tajiri

 

He gets in some token offense, then is eliminated by Bautista. Meanwhile, the first five workers carry the match. After initially working together, Angle and Benoit are now mixing it up.

 

#9 Chris Jericho

 

A third major name (Angle, Benoit) in the top ten. Someone of his caliber is sure to grab everyone's attention, even though it's still early in the match. He works with Christian for awhile, before Christian tires of him and they turn on each other. Every man for himself.

 

#10 Chavo Guerrero

 

Again, he fits in there with Rey, Angle, and Benoit. There are now eight guys in the ring. Lots of action.

 

# 11 Edge

 

First major babyface in awhile. Hits the ring like a house on fire until Batista grounds him. Let the Smackdown 6 put on a show. Lots of good workers in there now.

 

#12 Rico

 

Batista destorys Edge, but misses a charge (rookie mistake) and Edge backdrops him out and over to eliminate him. Batista had a good run, scoring the first eliminations of the match, and doesn't look bad, as Edge simply outsmarted him, not overpowered him. Also, he was eliminated by a Smackdown guy, so it's not like they'll ever meet again.

 

#13 Eddie Guerrero

 

Now all of the Smackdown 6 are in there. They put on a show for awhile, as Eddie and Chavo work together, though Eddie later cheapshots Chavo from behind and tries to blame it on someone else. A complex sequence ends with Rey going for one too many high flying manuever, allowing Angle to eliminate him.

 

#14 Maven

 

Last year, he eliminated the Undertaker. Can he pull off another upset this year? The answer is no, but at least the tease is there.

 

#15 The Rock

 

Crowd goes crazy. The Rock beats on everyone, and thwarts a double team attempt by the Guerreros. Rico tries his luck, and pays for it, as The Rock eliminates him.

 

#16 John Cena

 

Cena makes his Rumble debut, as we are now past the half way point. Goldust, Christian, Benoit, Angle, Jericho, Chavo, Edge, Eddie, Maven, Rocky, and Cena are now in the ring. Getting pretty crowded in there. Jericho eliminates Maven.

 

#17 Booker T

 

Another one of the favorites to win. Not much happens. Everyone pairs off.

 

#18 Albert

 

Albert takes up more space. Time for someone to clear things out a bit...

 

#19

 

... The countdown ends, the buzzer goes off... there is a five second pause... and the glass breaks... Steve Austin (Stephanie's mystery entrant) runs down to the ring as the crowd EXPLODES. Austin dominates, hitting everything in his path. Christian, after lasting an impressive 35 minutes, is gone. Chavo? See ya. Albert is next, followed by Goldust. Austin and The Rock both kind of dump Cena out and over to eliminate him. Austin soaks up the cheers, having just dumped five guys in two minutes, as #20 enters.

 

#20 Chris Nowinski

 

Nowinksi comes down and goes right for Austin. Big mistake. Austin destorys him and tosses him right out. Austin stops to salute the crowd on the turnbuckles, and Chris Benoit, savvy veteran, nails him from behind and sends him out over the top. Benoit has eliminated Austin! Austin is pissed, gets back up, climbs back into the ring, and eliminates Benoit. Now Benoit is pissed, and the two have a super-hot brawl all the way to the back. Insta-feud.

 

#21 Matt Hardy

 

Mattitude takes his time entering the ring, being careful to avoid the Benoit/Austin brawl that is just reaching the curtain. He enters the ring, joining Angle, Jericho, Edge, Eddie, The Rock, and Booker.

 

#22 Shawn Michaels

 

Everyone is still out of breath from Austin's return, followed by his sudden elimination two minutes later. He came and went just like that. Michaels is a clear favorite, a two-time Rumble winner, and jacks up the crowd again. No recovery time here. This is an exciting Rumble.

 

#23 Test

 

He's big and he's drawn a late number, so he's put over as a serious threat.

 

#24 Scott Steiner

 

Another big name hits the ring.

 

#25 Rikishi

 

Again, he's big and he's drawn a late number, so he's put over as a serious threat.

 

#26 Jeff Hardy

 

Always an underdog, Jeff has come close to winning the Championship before. Can he win the Rumble?

 

#27 The Undertaker

 

One of the big favorites, Taker hits the ring strong and soon eliminates Test.

 

#28 Ric Flair

 

He once one it at #3, now he's third from the bottom. Will Flair make one last memory at Wrestlemania? Meanwhile, Matt eliminates his brother.

 

#29 Spike Dudley

 

The ultimate underdog has drawn a lucky number. Scott Steiner eliminates Matt Hardy. He later eliminates Rikishi as well.

 

#30 Kane

 

Those remaining in the ring are as follows: Angle, Jericho, Edge, Eddie, Rocky, Booker, Michaels, Steiner, Undertaker, Flair, Spike, and Kane. Eddie quickly gets rid of Spike, and there's no real dead weight left.

 

The match lasts for a solid 12-15 minutes after the final entrant, with the eliminations going as follows: Kane eliminates Flair, Steiner eliminates Kane, Michaels eliminates Eddie, Booker eliminates Steiner, and The Rock eliminates The Undertaker. This leaves us with the final six: Angle, Jericho, Edge, Rocky, Booker, and Michaels.

 

Edge is the first to go, courtesy of Angle, who has been in the ring for about an hour now. After a few minutes of action, the last eliminations happen in relatively rapid succession. The Rock is tossed by Jericho, as is Booker. Michaels dumps Jericho, and Angle gets rid of Michaels after some wicked sequences, to win the 2003 Royal Rumble and earn a WWE Title shot at Wrestlemania 19.

 

That's my idea of a good Rumble, anyway. I know some things would have to break right for it to work, like Austin and Rock's return, and HHH actually doing something for the good of the company, but I really think that a show similar to this would be a major step in the right direction.

 

I'd like to hear everyone else's thoughts on my idea of the Rumble, and also what you guys would do for the Rumble in hopes of improving the company.

 

Thanks.

[ChrisMWaters 0]

It's a great plan, great idea overall!

 

HOWEVER...one thing I would change...

 

Take out one competitor in the match...replace with Hogan. Have an Austin/Hogan Staredown sometime in the match.

 

That's just my idea though.

[Guest Chuck Woolery]

Nova's gotta be in the rumble, I believe.

 

Other than that, nice work. I would pop like hell if I was there.

[Guest chirs3]

The Smackdown side of the equation is pretty obvious. We'll get the Brock/Big Show rematch for the WWE Title.

 

But what about the NO REMATCH clause, hmmmm?

[Guest humanoid92]

But what about the NO REMATCH clause, hmmmm?

Ahhh... this is the WWE. If their clauses and stipulations meant anything, Stephanie would be off TV forever... and we all saw how that one worked out.

[Guest Brian]

I can't see Angle coming in that early just because he may not be around before then and will probably be a surprise entrant.

[Guest bob_barron]

Austin coming back and getting eliminated two minutes later may piss off a lot of people. Overall I kinda like the idea even though poor Goldust gets a shitty number two years in a row

[Guest CanadianChris]

Why, why, WHY must you tease us with images of HHH jobbing and RVD getting pushed? Only makes me more cynical about the actual product.

[Guest Spaceman Spiff]

I'm disturbed by the lack of Hurricane/Shane Helms, Kanyon, and Rhyno on this PPV

[Guest Goodear]

I like it, although I would put off RVD winning the Title until the actual pay-per-view and having him take down Triple H in tag matches and the like during the shows (so you'd still have a similar build, but the blow off would be a bit bigger).

 

I would also flip The Rock's and Michaels' spots so Angle can have a program with Rock until No Way Out, leading to Wrestlemania and giving Angle a whole lot of momentum that he'll need for the fans to give him some more credibility.

[Guest humanoid92]

I'm disturbed by the lack of Hurricane/Shane Helms, Kanyon, and Rhyno on this PPV

Holy crap, I forgot Hurricane... my bad. Also, I'm not sure on the timetables for the returns of Rhyno and Kanyon, so that's why I neglected to include them.

[Guest Goodear]

Will Randy Orton be back by then too? I don't know...

 

 

Drop Nowinski or Rico for Hurricane...

[Guest humanoid92]

Austin coming back and getting eliminated two minutes later may piss off a lot of people. Overall I kinda like the idea even though poor Goldust gets a shitty number two years in a row

Yeah but the whole point is a quick return. Comes out of nowhere, and then it's over before you know it. Don't give them too much too soon. Try to do something like that to draw people in and hope they watch for him on TV. The way I figure it's a great way to jumpstart an Austin/Benoit feud. Benoit can talk about how he busted his ass to return from a neck injury that would have ended most people's careers because he loves wrestling, and that's his life. He can call Austin a coward for leaving and that can add to it all. I figure a long program with Benoit would finally help elevate him, and also satisfy Austin, since he'd be on Smackdown working with people he wants to work with. Give Austin his big comeback win at No Way Out, then put Benoit over at Wrestlemania, where it really matters. There's no rush to put Austin back in the Title picture right away.

[Guest Spaceman Spiff]

I'm disturbed by the lack of Hurricane/Shane Helms, Kanyon, and Rhyno on this PPV

Holy crap, I forgot Hurricane... my bad. Also, I'm not sure on the timetables for the returns of Rhyno and Kanyon, so that's why I neglected to include them.

Rhyno might not be back, but Kanyon is in OVW right now and should be back in January

[Guest Brian]

Austin coming back and getting eliminated two minutes later may piss off a lot of people. Overall I kinda like the idea even though poor Goldust gets a shitty number two years in a row

Yeah but the whole point is a quick return. Comes out of nowhere, and then it's over before you know it. Don't give them too much too soon. Try to do something like that to draw people in and hope they watch for him on TV. The way I figure it's a great way to jumpstart an Austin/Benoit feud. Benoit can talk about how he busted his ass to return from a neck injury that would have ended most people's careers because he loves wrestling, and that's his life. He can call Austin a coward for leaving and that can add to it all. I figure a long program with Benoit would finally help elevate him, and also satisfy Austin, since he'd be on Smackdown working with people he wants to work with. Give Austin his big comeback win at No Way Out, then put Benoit over at Wrestlemania, where it really matters. There's no rush to put Austin back in the Title picture right away.

My WrestleMania plan. Austin vs. Benoit. Except I might be worried about that kicking off a double turn because right now people are going to side with Austin and they have to milk whatever drawing they have out of that.

 

They need to kick in the extra stipulation that whichever brand the winner comes from gets to be in the main event of Mania, thus putting more on the line.