#'s Given away

[Guest Choken One]

Once Again, The WWE has taken one of its biggest attractions, The Royal Rumble pay per view event that headlines a 30 Man over the top rope “battle royal”, considered the March Madness of Professional Wrestling merely for the countless gambling/betting/office pool possibilities.

 

The Royal Rumble is always a special Attraction because it stands out from most matches, it lasts around from 50-65 minutes and involves 30 of the biggest stars (most of the time). One of the great appeals of the match is the randomness factor, how you won’t know who is coming out next. Many of us have seen or participated in games where fans would bet on what # the eventful winner would draw or if there was a large enough crowd, they draw a number out themselves and they would “represent” the wrestler who grew that #.

 

However, With weeks of hype still to come for the 2004 edition of the Rumble, Once again the WWE has tinkered with the art of the rumble and that is unveiling a wrestler’s entry # and in this case it’s Chris Benoit the proverbial underdog, whom is “forced” to enter at #1, which would mean a hour long battle with 29 other superstars. This isn’t the first time; we’ve the fans have been privy to the identity of a wrestler’s “drawn” #.

 

In 1990, The Million Dollar Man openly offered bribes in exchange for the #30 entry, which with all logic is the best # to draw. He still lost.

 

In 1992, Ric Flair (eventful winner) revealed on an interview segment on the Funeral Parlor that he would be #3 and indeed he was, also, the recent champions, Hogan and Undertaker got the right to draw # from #20 to #30. UT didn’t luck out and drew #20 as Hogan drew #26.

 

This practice ended until 1996. In an effort to make the long forgotten FREE FOR ALL pre-ppv show on the short lived prevue channel they had a showdown between Hunter Hearst Helmsley and Duke Drosse. Where the winner would get the lucky #30 spot and the loser would fall to the #1 slot. HHH lost via Ref’s Decision and went to last 44 minutes while Drose lasted a few seconds.

 

In 1999, this practice returned when Steve Austin and Vince McMahon were forced to enter #1 and #2 respectively, also, In a special “CORPORATE RUMBLE” between members of DX and the Corporation, Chyna shocked many by sneaking the win away from the hands of Vince McMahon. Chyna lasted scant minutes. McMahon Won.

 

In 2000, Another Match was made to determine who would draw #30 and that Match was won by X-Pac.

 

In 2003, HBK, in hopes of imitating his 1995 performance of drawing #1 and winning it all (although it’s tarnished by the fact he lasted merely 38 minutes)…Jericho, wanting to equal Shawn selected #2 despite having the choice of ANY number of his choosing. (but he DID outlast Shawn's 1995 showing although didn't win)

 

So who else is annoyed by this practice?

[NYU 0]

So who else is annoyed by this practice?

Not me.

 

It's nice that you did all that research though.

[Guest Choken One]

So who else is annoyed by this practice?

Not me.

 

It's nice that you did all that research though.

Research? This shit is imbedded in my mind.

[The Amazing Rando 0]

well it doesn't bother me...

 

 

I mean...it hurts the suspense...but it adds to the drama of it all...

[Brocklock 0]

Didn't Rikishi win a match in 2001 to get number 30.

[RavishingRickRudo 0]

... I miss the old rumble music.

 

I miss Mene Gene's Royal Rumble update showing all those participating in the rumble.

[Guest Ghettoman]

Whats to be annoyed about, is the mystery really ruined by running one or two angles into it?

[Guest Choken One]

Didn't Rikishi win a match in 2001 to get number 30.

yes he did.

[cbacon 0]

... I miss the old rumble music.

 

I miss Mene Gene's Royal Rumble update showing all those participating in the rumble.

Ah yes, better yet , Vince McMahons introductions to the 1992 Rumble. "THE UNDEEEEEEERRRRRTAKER!!!!"

[Guest Man Of 1,004 Modes]

I don't find it annoying really, but I like the "I can't wait to see who it will be" suspense.

 

Of course, it's not the same anymore, because the last rumble I was really like that was in 1996, because 1997 was the first year all the stars came in #20-30 and pretty much was like that for the rest of the time.

 

 

#1-19 pretty much means nothing anymore unless they pull a iron man winner, then it's obvious when you see, say, Kurt Angle come in as #7, because everyone will suspect he wins.

[NYU 0]

Of course, it's not the same anymore, because the last rumble I was really like that was in 1996, because 1997 was the first year all the stars came in #20-30 and pretty much was like that for the rest of the time.

 

 

#1-19 pretty much means nothing anymore unless they pull a iron man winner, then it's obvious when you see, say, Kurt Angle come in as #7, because everyone will suspect he wins.

I agree with the first point. Especially after the VERY anti-climactic ending of the Royal Rumble last year. We have Shawn Michaels at #1 and Jericho at #2, along with a few other Main Eventers thrown in later on, and Brock winds up winning after drawing #29. If a face is going to win the Royal Rumble, they should have to struggle a little to do it - and the bookers should at least make sure there's PROPER competition in the ring. It was an obvious conclusion Brock would win as soon as he got into the ring. They really need to change stupid things like that. I remember feeling a little underwhelmed after the Rumble last year, so I hope it won't repeat itself again.

 

And as for the other point, eh, the Rumble still has the ability to surprise. When people saw the Undertaker come in with a relatively early number in 2002, I'm sure many thought he was going to do some major damage and remain until near the very end. Then he wound up being eliminated by Maven. The Rumble's not ALWAYS predictable - it just feels that way.

[Guest deadbeater]

Then they messed with the following feud, and UT took Nathan Jones under his wing instead of Maven.

[NYU 0]

Then they messed with the following feud, and UT took Nathan Jones under his wing instead of Maven.

Well, no, that was 2003. In 2002, they decided to have the Undertaker have a months-long feud with a 53-year-old man, instead of possibly bringing someone new like Maven onto a higher level.

[cawthon777 0]

In 1990, The Million Dollar Man openly offered bribes in exchange for the #30 entry, which with all logic is the best # to draw. He still lost.

 

In 1992, Ric Flair (eventful winner) revealed on an interview segment on the Funeral Parlor that he would be #3 and indeed he was, also, the recent champions, Hogan and Undertaker got the right to draw # from #20 to #30. UT didn’t luck out and drew #20 as Hogan drew #26.

In 1990, Dibiase drew #1. In 1989, he bought #30 from - I believe - either Akeem or the Bossman.

 

Flair didn't give away his number on the Funeral Parlour. He said he drew #3 on the CHV version of the Rumble when interviewed by Lord Alfred. No one in the arena or at home saw that interview.

[Guest TheZsaszHorsemen]

What you need to understand, Choken, is the difference between surprise and suspense. Hitchcock once put it like this:

 

Say two men are talking at a large table, and suddenly a bomb goes off; killing them. That's surprise. But if you already know that bomb is there... and you watch these two men talk at this table about a subject that has now become meaningless, and you know the seconds are draining away on both their lives and wondering... hoping... that they'll get away from the table in time. That's suspense. And suspense is always better than surprise.

 

The surprise factor is good. But it's almost always better to know, and hope against hope that your hero can overcome the most impossible odds and fufill his dream.

 

Plus, just giving Benoit #1 after the recent events of SmackDown without any explanation would be just a bit too convienient.

[Guest Sturgis]

In 1990, The Million Dollar Man openly offered bribes in exchange for the #30 entry, which with all logic is the best # to draw. He still lost.

I think he did that in 89', but not in 90' when I belive he just got lucky.

 

Does it annoy me? Somewhat, but their is suspense on both sides of the spectrum, and in the case of the Million Dollar Man it fit his character to a tee.

[Guest drdrainoscott]

In 1990, The Million Dollar Man openly offered bribes in exchange for the #30 entry, which with all logic is the best # to draw. He still lost.

In 1990, Dibiase drew #1. In 1989, he bought #30 from - I believe - either Akeem or the Bossman.

Yeah, and the dumb thing about that was, while it was never revealed which member of the Twin Towers he bought the number from, both Towers entered around the 20 mark. So it wasn't a bad number to begin with.

 

Before I went to college, my brother and I would always make a big spectacle of Rumble day. We treated it like it was Super Bowl Sunday. During the day, we would usually watch an old Rumble (usually 1992), and then have two contests. First, we would each predict the order that we thought the 30 guys would come out to prior to the Rumble. The person who got the most right would get $5. Then, while the Rumble was taking place, we would try to guess the wrestler that was going to come out next. Every correct guess was worth a dollar. I was always really good at it for some reason, and in 2000 (I think) I got like 7 correct, even guessing D-Lo coming in at #1. I miss those days.

[Sonic Reducer 0]

I'm not really bothered by it that much ... as long as #30 isn't given away.

[ChrisMWaters 0]

I'm not really bothered by it that much ... as long as #30 isn't given away.

So I'm guessing you didn't like 1990 when Mr. Perfect said he was Number 30?

[cawthon777 0]

I'm not really bothered by it that much ... as long as #30 isn't given away.

So I'm guessing you didn't like 1990 when Mr. Perfect said he was Number 30?

Or tonight when - I'm guessing - Mark Henry gets that spot.

[deancoles 0]

Randy Orton should get number 30.

[Guest Your Olympic Hero]

Flair didn't give away his number on the Funeral Parlour. He said he drew #3 on the CHV version of the Rumble when interviewed by Lord Alfred. No one in the arena or at home saw that interview.

If Flair would have given away the number beforehand, it would have taken away from Bobby Heenan's heart attack he had when Flair came out so early. Ah, the good ole days of Gorilla & The Brain

[Guest Anglesault]

Randy Orton should get number 30.

To minimize the time he's in the ring?

[deancoles 0]

Randy Orton should get number 30.

To minimize the time he's in the ring?

Yeah,and because he can act all cocky during his Pre Rumble interview.

[Guest Anglesault]

Randy Orton should get number 30.

To minimize the time he's in the ring?

Yeah,and because he can act all cocky during his Pre Rumble interview.

But mainly To minimize the time he's in the ring?

[deancoles 0]

Randy Orton should get number 30.

To minimize the time he's in the ring?

Yeah,and because he can act all cocky during his Pre Rumble interview.

But mainly To minimize the time he's in the ring?

Ok i admit it,i don't want to waste £10 on a royal rumble with the "coffee boy" of HHH staying in for 45 minutes at least.

[TheFranchise 0]

I said it last year, and i'll say it this year.

 

I DONT WANT to know who's number one.

 

It spoils the fun.

 

Of course, i didn't like Bret having TWO number one entries - but hey.

 

I also miss the great line..

 

"Now, let's all find out... Who drew... NUMBER ONE!"

[Toxxic 0]

Making a #1 entry can make sense, and in the case of Benoit vs Heyman, it does. Offering #30 as some sort of reward or favour can also make sense, and since henry has that favour left over it would make sense for him to call it in for this purpose. As long as no other numbers are given out, I can live with this.

 

The other thing is it can make the Rumble seem more important. If Henry's had that favour since Survivor Series he can say that he's been waiting until now to call it in specifically to get the #30 slot (please note I won't know what's happened on Raw til Friday, or until I see Dames' review, so if Henry has or has not done this I'm not retarded - just unimformed).

[Youth N Asia 0]

While I like the Rumble, it continues to disapoint me.

 

Before the match you can always cut out 25-28 of the guys right off the bat. It's always down to just a couple people anyway.

 

They never give #2 the same credit they do #1...even though they're in the ring at the same time really.

 

They make too big a deal out of #30...it never pans out.

 

Last year bugged me cause everyone knew Brock was going to win...but they saved him for #29. It would have done better for him to show up early and dominate.

[Guest Choken One]

Exactly...I'm not sure what was the point of having Brock enter at #29 esp since the only other shot (jericho) was already gone...He should have been #21 right before Jericho went out to give some sort of surprise.

 

Kinda like in 1993 where only Yoko and Taker were the "real" shots and they saved Yoko for #27(the best # in rumble history) well after 'Taker was out.

 

I'm sure Yoko had the ability to last another ten minutes.

 

I wonder if there is any reason the #27 is such a lucky number for rumbles...