The Lloyd

WWF NEWS SUCCESSFUL ANKLE SURGERY FOR THE GODFATHER APA member Godfather will miss up to four months of action following ankle surgery. Faarooq and Bradshaw may look to replace the 40-year old veteran in the group, but after Bradshaw’s actions at the Royal Rumble, the group could conceivably be finished too. FORMER CHAMPIONS JUMP TO WCW Following the arrivals of Rey Mysterio and Bill DeMott from WCW, the WWF now have spaces on their roster with the departure of X-Pac and the Dudley Boyz. Rumours are that more big names will be changing allegiances in the coming months with a number of contracts due for renewal around WrestleMania season. MARTY JANNETTY TO RETIRE? Vince McMahon doesn’t often show the ‘soft’ side of his character, but insiders at the WWF have commented on how great it was that he gave Marty Jannetty one last run as Champion before he retires. Injuries have caught up with the former ‘Rocker’, and while he may have a few matches left in him, it’ll soon be time for him to step away.

Aha yeah, I like to be a few shows ahead at least... It allows me to take an extended break and still have plenty to post... and not feel the pressure to 'get a show written in time'. I feel like i'm probably too far ahead? But since it's two TV shows a week (with the same set of wrestlers), it seems like it's not that far. That may or may not make sense, but it does in my head

Thanks man. Rumble Matches have kind of been my speciality for a while. They're so much fun to book/put together in my mind... then really painful to write, (and probably read). But I like the format too, and how it's laid out. He certainly did. I signed him while Togg was still playing. We had some incredible bidding wars for some big names like Rey (and others, which I won't mention yet ) It was fun playing in that way with him, but I always wanted to do an 'Invasion' in this time period, and this allowed me the opportunity... Will Rey be an 'Invader' though...?! Remains to be seen... WCW HISTORY *by Togg* | SHOW HISTORY | CURRENT ROSTER | THE CHAMPIONS Here's how to find the updated roster, champions, show history, and also the history of Togg's WCW up until this point... This is the point at which I started booking, writing, and playing myself after we put it on indefinite hold for around 8 months... So apologies if some storylines suddenly get dropped I think I did okay with most of them. A couple of guys will get big pushes you won't see coming, in the coming weeks too, but I think you'll like them... I also had to change the worker pics etc, due to a change of laptop. But it all flows nicely I think. As I keep mentioning, I have the next TWENTY THREE shows written up now, which includes No Way Out, WrestleMania 18, and I'm about to start the week of Backlash too. So there's plenty more in the bank, and I've got plenty more in the tank :D

January 2002, Week 3… In The Booth: Jim Ross, Michael Cole and Tazz The Time Is Now We kicked off the show with a hype video, showing the two big matches tonight... Big Show will challenge 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin for the WWF World Heavyweight Title... The winner of that match, may well make it to the WrestleMania Main Event... to face the winner of the 30-Man Royal Rumble Match... Favourites include Hardcore Champion The Undertaker... Kane... Rikishi... and 'The Great One' The Rock...!! The video showed how dominant 'Taker, Kane and Rikishi have been in previous Rumble Matches, and that The Rock won the Rumble Match two years ago... But whoever wins the World Heavyweight Title Match later in the show, will provide an incredibly difficult test for whoever walks out as the Rumble Match winner tonight... Paid For Protection Once the show went live, we got our opening match pretty quickly... Beginning with William Regal and Dean Malenko heading to the ring... flanked by Bradshaw, Faarooq, and The Godfather... who strolled to the ring, and put black gloves on... showing they meant business... Regal and Malenko have paid The APA to protect them... as the rules of this match stated that if The Dudley Boyz put Regal through a table BEFORE tonight's match began, the match would be cancelled... and they haven't managed to do it... The Dudleyz made their entrance next, and they had a proposition for the APA... Bubba Ray Dudley: “Ey, Protection Agency... I got an offer for you... These men paid you, to make sure the match goes ahead, without us putting Regal through a table before it began... Well... Once the match DOES begin... We want you to ATTACK these men... and if you do, we will pay you DOUBLE what they pay you...” The APA shook their heads, and showed they weren't interested... Except for Bradshaw... The bell rang, and Bradshaw just exploded, hitting a 'Clothesline From Hell' on Regal...!! Faarooq and The Godfather pulled him back, but the group were then asked to leave the ring, while The Dudleyz attacked Dean Malnko...!! The APA left the ring, with Bradshaw stating that it was 'good business' to do what he just did... Malenko and Regal were on the back foot from the beginning here, fighting with their backs largely on the mat. Particularly Regal, who was in agony after the shock 'Clothesline From Hell' from Bradshaw. Malenko fights well on his back, but every time he started to fight off one of the Dudley Boyz, the other one came over and delivered a well-placed stomp to the face or shoulder! It didn't take long for Malenko to go through a table, and the Dudleyz needed to just get the weakened Regal through a table, after months of trying. Regal came to life after avoiding a D-Von clothesline, as he collided with his brother Bubba Ray! Regal hit a brilliant butterfly suplex on D-Von, and headbutted Bubba extremely hard. He then locked Bubba in the 'Regal Stretch', and Bubba tapped and tapped, to no avail. D-Von and Regal fought, until the British brawler shoved the Dudley Brother off the apron, and through a table! Malenko was up at this point, and began to help Regal out some more. In the end, the four men brawled up into the crowd. They found themselves up high on a balcony area, where a whole bunch of tables were set up. D-Von and Malenko had already gone through, so the focus of the two teams was to put Bubba and Regal through tables. D-Von and Malenko were the first two to fall off the balcony though, headbutting each other and falling through two tables each! Bubba and Regal then fought, with both men holding onto a rail with one hand. The two men punched each other, but when Regal kicked Bubba's forearm, he let go with his hand, and fell backwards through another couple of tables!! Somehow, Regal survived, and won the match for his team!! 81 Winners: Dean Malenko & William Regal Finish: Table Elimination Molly Day Backstage, Val Venis walked up to the Holly Cousins... and wanted to speak to Molly Holly... Hardcore and Crash left them to it... but Hardcore gave Val a knowing look, as if to say: “If you don't look after my Cousin, I'll kill you...” - which probably wasn't far from what he was thinking... Val Venis: “Hey, Molly... Ummm... I was wondering... When would you like to go for our date...?! See... I was thinking tonight, but I'm in the Royal Rumble Match... and so is Hardcore, right...?! So it's a big night...” Molly Holly: “Well... Since tonight's off the table... how about tomorrow night...?! Saayyy... Once RAW finishes...?! We can go and grab a bite...!” Val said yes, and Molly walked away... but not before stroking 'The Big Valbowski's' chest seductively... which he loved... For months now, Mr. Perfect has been getting involved in D'Lo Brown's business, and trying to stop the rise of the young star. All the while, taking another young star under his wing in the form of Mr. Sexay. Perfect's protege was instrumental in him getting the advantage early on, but the referee caught him in the act following a forearm to D'Lo's face on the outside of the ring! Sexay was sent to the back, and told to stay there, much to the enjoyment of the crowd! But it didn't deter Perfect for long, and he continued to maintain control. The veteran went for his 'Perfect Plex' late on, but D'Lo rolled him up for a close two count. For the finish, Perfect was attempting the 'Perfect Plex' again, but D'Lo shoved him off the second rope. He then leapt from the heavens, and landed his 'Lo-Down' Frog Splash, and continued his impressive run! 67 Winner: 'The Read Deal' D'Lo Brown Finish: 'Lo-Down' Mysterious Phone Call We cut backstage, and found 'Latino Heat' Eddie Guerrero on the phone... but we didn't know who he was taking to... Eddie Guerrero: “You're here...?! Ohhh man, I can't believe it... When me and The Radicalz arrived... it was big... But now you...?! Awesome, man... Awesome... I'll see you later tonight...!! Hopefully...!!” Four Light Heavyweights in action here, for Marty Jannetty's Championship. The veteran flier has been Champion for almost eight months now, capturing the Title from Jerry Lynn. He's defended it on multiple Pay-Per-Views, and has been an excellent Champion, but after carrying the division on his back for months, it was time for someone else to step up tonight. X-Pac's New Generation X stable has fallen apart around him, and a win here would put some of the pieces of his career back together in a big way. Scotty Too Hotty's tag team partner: Grandmaster Sexay turned his back on him a number of months ago, and Scotty was floundering for a while until some big victories in recent weeks got him here. But Jeff Hardy perhaps needed this win the most. His Brother Matt has turned into a crazed lunatic, and who knows what he'd do to Jeff if he was unsuccessful here. We'll never have to find out thankfully for Jeff, because he won it by pinning Jannetty following his 'Swanton Bomb'! 77 Winner: and NEW WWF Light Heavyweight Champion: Jeff Hardy Finish: 'Swanton Bomb' Mr. Popular Backstage, Val Venis was minding his own business, when Terri and her 'Boys' (Albert and Perry Saturn) walked up... Terri: “Val... I... WANT you...” Val was taken aback... He has asked out, and arranged a date with, Molly Holly already tonight... and now Terri wants him too... Albert and Perry Saturn stood behind their manager, with their arms folded, and much like Hardcore Holly earlier, they glared at Val, warning him to look after her...!! Terri: “Tomorrow night... After RAW... Me and you, big boy...!! Don't let me down...” Val now has TWO dates... on the same night... The announce team asked how the heck he's going to handle that...!! Interesting mixed tag team match here, with three competitors who don't wrestle full-time. Vince and Shane like to think they're rough and tough fighters, but the 'mean streets of Harvard' didn't teach them much. Triple H exposed them both early on, making them tag the fresher man in constantly, and controlling the match like the former four time WWF World Heavyweight Champion he is. However, Vince and Shane managed to cheat, and gain the upper hand, after Shane grabbed Tiple H's legs, and wrap his arms around them; leading to Vince slamming into 'The Game' with a ferocious forearm. Vince and Shane stomped on the Husband of their Daughter and Sister respectively, until the referee forced Shane out of the ring. From there, the Father and Son duo dominated 'The Game', keeping him in their corner, and not allowing the tag. After a few minutes, Triple H came out of the corner swinging though. He knocked Vince off the apron, and tackled Shane with a Spear. The crowd came alive, and were desperate for Steph to tag in. Triple H crawled and crawled, and finally made the tag, to the delight of everyone! Steph spent a long time in the ring, without doing anything. She and Shane stood across the ring from one another, with Shane shouting at her. She unleashed a brutal slap to her Brother, before tagging back out, and then knocking her Dad off the apron again!! Triple H then hit a 'Pedigree' on the stunned Shane McMahon, and won the match!! 70 Winners: Triple H & Stephanie McMahon Finish: 'Pedigree' Rumble Preview Ahead of the historic Royal Rumble Match, we took a look at some of the potential winners... The obvious favourites are perhaps The Rock and The Undertaker... Two motivated former World Heavyweight Champions, with a point to prove... and The Rock won the Rumble Match two years ago... But if Undertaker wins it, how will the match with Champion: 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin at WrestleMania...?! Both Undertaker and Austin are members of the 'Four Man Power Trip' alongside Vince and Shane McMahon... Other names who could be considered some of the 'favourites' include Chris Jericho... The Intercontinental Champion, who earned a 'late entrance number' by beating both Eddie Guerrero and his friend Chris Benoit... Benoit will be coming out early though, so that perhaps takes him out of the running... Meanwhile Eddie will be coming out somewhere around the half-way point the field... Undertaker's Brother Kane has an incredible record in Rumble Matches, and his size gives him a huge advantage too... The WWF World Tag Team Champions: Edge and Christian are in there, and if they get drawn close together, could both go all the way... The same could be said for Matt Hardy and 'Senior' Shelton Benjamin... But the dark horses could perhaps be the three big, strong, Islanders: Haku, Umaga and Rikishi... Three of the hardest men to move around and therefore three of the hardest men to eliminate... and rumour has it they'll be working together out there...!! If that happens, then one of them will surely win it all... But now... It's time for the men who drew entrants #One and #Two... Entrant #One: WWF World Tag Team Champion Edge Entrant #Two: 'The Crippler' Chris Benoit Edge and Chris Benoit were two potential winners going into the match, and so they would both have been disappointed to start the match as entrants one and two. However, winners have come from those two positions before, and quite often getting on a roll can build up the momentum needed to win it. Both men attempted an elimination in the opening ninety seconds, but both men survived, and we got our third entrant. Eliminations: None Entrant #Three: Rikishi Another potential winner in Rikishi entered the fray, and the crowd began to buzz about the star power in this match. Edge and Benoit dislike each other, and they got beaten down by big 'Kishi. If they'd put their differences aside, they could have worked together to try and stop the big Samoan. Rikishi's slow, methodical, attack, and his slow walk to the ring, didn't allow him enough time to get any eliminations though. Eliminations: None Entrant #Four: Hardcore Holly Hardcore Holly has had an interesting few weeks, Main Eventing Smackdown this past week against 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin, and also losing his Hardcore Championship to The Undertaker before that. He was fired up tonight, and his chops to Rikishi had an extra bit of spice behind them! He also dropkicked Benoit so hard, the 'Crippler' almost fell out of the ring through the ropes! No eliminations yet, the ring was starting to fill up. Eliminations: None Entrant #Five: Spike Dudley The fifth entrant in the match was the first one not considered a potential winner, but Spike still made a solid impact to begin with. He knocked Edge and Benoit over with lariats – the two Canadians having been in the match for the longest time. Hardcore Holly was surprised by Spike hitting a springboard cross-body block!! But when the Dudley Cousin went for the same move on Rikishi, the big Samoan just swatted him out of the way! Eliminations: None Entrant #Six: 'The Big Valbowski' Val Venis Val Venis ran to the ring, right on time to save Hardcore Holly from being eliminated by Chris Benoit. Holly didn't know what to make of Val saving him, but the tension was cut by a double clothesline by Rikishi. Val was lucky not to be eliminated himself by the big Samoan, but 'Kishi turned his attention to Spike Dudley, squashing him with a leg drop. The final moments of the 90 seconds saw Edge hit a 'Spear' on Hardcore Holly, as we got our next entrant. Eliminations: None Entrant #Seven: 'The Samoan Bulldozer' Umaga Umaga hit the ring, and started stacking up victims. Spike Dudley was the first to go; sent flying over the top rope by a shoulder tackle in what could be the elimination of the night. Hardcore Holly got unlucky next, fighting with Rikishi, and then ending up on the apron having gone over the top rope. He chopped Rikishi a few times, and backed him up, but Umaga kicked him under the chin and eliminated the former Hardcore Champion. Umaga and Rikishi then stared each other down, but were interrupted by the next arrival. Eliminations: Spike Dudley and Hardcore Holly by Umaga (2) Entrant #Eight: Jerry Lynn Jerry Lynn flipped and flew around the ring, and his offence was incredibly effective until he came up against Umaga. The powerful Samoan swatted him away like he was a fly. Chris Benoit then began chopping Umaga's chest, and the big man was in trouble, but Rikishi made the save!! Benoit was on the back foot, and then 'Kishi popped Benoit onto his shoulder, and tipped him up and out of the match for his first elimination! Eliminations: Chris Benoit by Rikishi (1) Entrant #Nine: Haku Haku arrived just in time to stop Rikishi and Umaga from fighting each other! The veteran was the voice of reason for the two big men, and he convinced them to start killing people! Edge came running at Rikishi, but the fun-loving Samoan threw him out of the match by the back of his head. Val Venis was the next to go, tipped up and out of the match by Umaga. Haku got in on the action, throwing Jerry Lynn out! The three islanders looking dominant as the buzzer sounded. Eliminations: Edge by Rikshi (2)... and Val Venis by Umaga (3)... and Jerry Lynn by Haku (1) Entrant #Ten: Test Test surveyed the situation, and decided to wait for the eleventh entrant, as it looked like Rikishi, Umaga and Haku would be working together from now on. But Haku had a plan. He and Rikishi slid out of the ring on opposite sides, and surrounded the young Canadian. Umaga remained in the ring, and Test decided to take his chances with the least experienced member of the extended family. As soon as Test stood up after sliding into the ring, Umaga pounced and hit a clothesline, sending Test packing! Eliminations: Test by Umaga (4) Entrant #Eleven: K-Kwik The dominance from the Islanders continued, as K-Kwik came skipping to the ring. Kwik slid in, and joined Rikishi, Haku and Umaga, who were all now in the ring. The youngster hit a right hand on Rikishi, kicked Haku on the knee, and then slapped Umaga's chest. Everything seemed to stop as Umaga glared at Kwik. He turned away, shouting “MY BAD” at the top of his voice. He turned to leave, but was confronted by Rikishi and Haku. He turned back around, only to be thrown out by Umaga for his fifth elimination! Eliminations: K-Kwik by Umaga (5) Entrant #Twelve: 'The Great One' The Rock The Rock's arrival got the biggest pop of the night by far. He is incredibly over right now, but his interaction with Rikishi, Umaga and Haku on Smackdown this past week got the fans buzzing about what the four of them could achieve in this match. Now all four of them were in the ring together, with nobody else to stop them currently, but eighteen more men to come through the curtain. Rock took a while to get into the ring, but when he did, all the four family members did was stare each other down. Eliminations: None Entrant #Thirteen: 'The Ugandan Giant' Kamala It was amazing to see Kamala make his way to the ring, accompanied by Harvey Wippleman and Kim Chee. His slow entrance only heightened the anticipation to see The Rock and his other three 'Family' members unite to eliminate the entire field. Kamala climbed onto the apron, while his managers pointed at Umaga! The Rock, Rikishi and Haku stepped aside, and allowed the two big men to square off. The fight didn't last long though, because we got some 'Latino Heat' next. Eliminations: None Entrant #Fourteen: 'Latino Heat' Eddie Guerrero Another loud pop for the much loved and appreciated Eddie Guerrero here. Eddie attempted something similar to Test earlier, where he didn't get into the ring right away. Kamala and Umaga continued their fight, hitting slaps and chops to one another, and attempting to over power each other. Meanwhile on the outside of the ring, Eddie was avoiding confrontations with Haku and Rikishi by jumping onto the apron, and hopping over their arms as they attempted to grab him! He didn't make it into the ring, until... Eliminations: None Entrant #Fifteen: 'The American Badass' The Undertaker The Rock was finally ready to fight someone on The Undertaker's arrival, and 'The Great One' got ready for what would be a war against the member of the Four Man Power Trip. Right as they were about to lock up though, Eddie blasted The Rock from behind, and the fight was on. Eddie continued to evade Rikishi and Haku, but the shock elimination came next, when Undertaker tipped an angry Rikishi up and over the ropes to the floor! Kamala was the next to go, after flattening Umaga, he was choked by Undertaker, and then pushed towards, and then over, the ropes! An instant impact by The Undertaker, but now, despite Rikishi being eliminated, 'Taker and Eddie were outnumbered against the Islanders. The next man in would even the numbers up, but isn't very trustworthy. Eliminations: Rikishi & Kamala by The Undertaker (2) Entrant #Sixteen: 'The Bad Guy' Razor Ramon Razor Ramon joined Eddie Guerrero and The Undertaker to battle The Rock, Umaga and Haku. Razor and Eddie's past has been 'sketchy' at best, but they seemed to work together well here, as they battled the Headshrinkers. Rock came closest to an elimination in this section of the match, actually tipping Ramon onto the apron. But the slimy 'Bad Guy' dropped to the mat, and slid back in under the ropes. No eliminations here, and the ring was beginning to fill up again. Eliminations: None Entrant #Seventeen: Faarooq Faarooq got a huge pop when his music hit, as the fans love The APA. Bradshaw should be coming out later, but The Godfather isn't in action tonight. The powerful veteran began taking names, and slamming people with spine busters. It was Rock, Umaga and Haku versus Undertaker, Eddie Guerrero and Razor Ramon came in, but Faarooq didn't take sides. He slammed everyone, including his old friend The Rock! This section of the match ended with Faarooq trying to eliminate Ramon! Eliminations: None Entrant #Eighteen: Batista The crowd erupted at a brand new entrance music, and when the HUGE, imposing, youngster walked onto the stage! Batista was HERE on the 2002 Royal Rumble! He made an instant impact, hitting a brutal Spear on The Undertaker!! The crowd cheered him big time, and he lapped it up. His offence was hard-hitting and impactful, but with the amount of opponents he took down in that 90 second period, there was no time to pick any of them up, and throw them out over the top rope. Eliminations: None Entrant #Nineteen: 'The One' Billy Gunn Billy Gunn entered the match, right as The Rock, Umaga and Haku started to take control again. The Islanders beat down everyone else in the match, but didn't see The Undertaker grab a steel chair from under the ring. 'The American Badass' Crashed the chair off of Rock's head, before turning it on Umaga and Haku too. Undertaker then grabbed Haku by the throat, and threw him over the top rope. Umaga charged at him, and 'Taker used the big Samoan's momentum against him to get another elimination, and leave The Rock alone out there! Eliminations: Haku & Umaga by The Undertaker (4) Entrant #Twenty: 'The Big Red Machine' Kane The crowd booed Undertaker, who was happy with his eliminations, but when his brother Kane's music hit, the crowd erupted. Kane only had eyes for 'Taker here, and the two big men shared big right hands. The Brothers Of Destruction then locked onto each others' throats for chokeslams, but out of nowhere Batista exploded into life, and slammed into Kane! The newcomer grabbed the masked veteran by the back of his head, and threw him out over the top rope in the shock elimination of the night! Eliminations: Kane by Batista (1) Entrant #Twenty One: Rey Mysterio Rey Mysterio was HERE, at the WWF Royal Rumble!! The 27 year old masked flier made an instant impact, taking Batista down with a low dropkick to the shin, and following it up with a baseball slide kick to his ear!! He then hit a beautiful head scissors take down on The Undertaker, spinning around four times in the middle of the ring. Billy Gunn and Faarooq were next to feel Mysterio's unique brand of offence, both taking Seated Sentons from the second rope, one after the other.. Eliminations: None Entrant #Twenty Two: Mr. Sexay The ring was beginning to fill up again now. Mr. Sexy was keen to put Rey Mysterio down and throw him out of the match, but the masked youngster held on to the top rope and his lack of height meant his feet were nowhere near the floor. Faarooq hit a spinebuster on Razor Ramon, while The Undertaker was looking dominant against both The Rock and Eddie Guerrero. Some big names still to arrive in this match, and we soon got our next entrant. Eliminations: None Entrant #Twenty Three: 'Senior' Shelton Benjamin Shelton Benjamin's arrival caught the attention a number of people, but when he takes the mask of and starts throwing people around, he's more of a technician than he is an intimidating presence like Batista for example. Shelton looked great out there, but we got two BIG eliminations in this 90 second period. Razor Ramon and The Undertaker conspired to get rid of The Rock!! They double teamed him over the top rope, and when he stood on the apron to gather himself and deliver a right hand to Ramon, Undertaker came out of nowhere and kicked him in the face. As 'The Great One' crumpled into a heap on the floor, the crowd booed loudly. However, the boos didn't last long, because Eddie Guerrero nipped in behind his rival Razor Ramon, and eliminated him! 'The Bad Guy' landed right next to The Rock, and the crowd began to get behind Eddie more than ever! Eliminations: The Rock by The Undertaker (5)... and Razor Ramon by Eddie Guerrero Entrant #Twenty Four: Bradshaw One of those interesting moments, where someone enters who has a tag team partner already in the match! Bradshaw joined Faarooq here, and the APA began dominating guys like Billy Gunn, Shelton Benjamin and Mr. Sexay. There were no eliminations in this period, but Eddie Guerrero and Rey Mysterio began working together here. They double-teamed both The Undertaker and Batista, with some nice offence, and it became clear that they were very good friends! Eliminations: None Entrant #Twenty Five: Christian Christian ran to the ring, but his tag team partner Edge was already long eliminated. He immediately put Batista down with a DDT, and then followed it up with an 'Unprettier' on Mr. Sexay. The shocking moment of this period saw Faarooq and Batista brawl over the top rope and both land on the apron! The veteran Faarooq managed to slam Batista into the ring post, but he did it right as Bradshaw came charging in at the big man from inside the ring! Batista fell to the floor, and Bradshaw booted his own partner out of the match too! He had no time to apologise, because Billy Gunn was on him. But Bradshaw managed to get Gunn up and over the rope too! Eliminations: Batista by Faarooq (1)... and Faarooq & Billy Gunn by Bradshaw (2) Entrant #Twenty Six: 'Broken' Matt Hardy Matt Hardy arrived, and immediately saved his fellow Hardy Family member Shelton Benjamin! Hardy went on to hit his 'Twist Of Fate' on Christian, and then told Shelton to throw the Tag Team Champion out of the match! A very giving move from Hardy, gifting an elimination to his friend. 'The Broken' Hardy Brother knocked almost everyone over, but came unstuck against Rey Mysterio. The high-flier avoided contact with both Hardy and Shelton, and dropped them both with drop toe hold, and they both laid out across the second rope. Before he could hit his finisher though, we got our next entrant. Eliminations: Christian by Shelton Benjamin (1) Entrant #Twenty Seven: Jushin Thunder Liger Another masked flier, with an incredible reputation around the world, strolled to the ring. Jushin Thunder Liger slid under the ropes, and instantly fought Rey Mysterio. They flew around the ring at a frantic pace, and impressed the entire audience, the announce team, and the other six men left in the match. They took each other down with a double cross-body, and were then both chokeslammed by The Undertaker a few moments before the buzzer sounded. Eliminations: None Entrant #Twenty Eight: 'Y2J' Chris Jericho A brilliant draw for the Intercontinental Champion Chris Jericho here, who earned the right to get a late entry by beating Chris Benoit and Eddie Guerrero a few weeks ago. Jericho attempted to make an impact straight away, and throw another favourite in Eddie Guerrero out of the match. But Eddie held on, and pulled himself back into the ring under the ropes! Jericho hit a spinning back elbow on Jushin Thunder Liger, and then a brilliant 'Lionsault' on Mr. Sexay, who had done extremely well to last this long! Eliminations: None Entrant #Twenty Nine: Tatanka It was great to see another veteran in Tatanka hit the ring. Ten people out there now, but the field was about to be thinned slightly ahead of the final entrant. Once again, Matt Hardy hit a 'Twist Of Fate', this time on Rey Mysterio, and then told Shelton to eliminate the masked man. Benjamin did just that, and Rey's debut ended on a low, but a strong performance from the small youngster. Just as soon as Mysterio was gone, Liger soon followed, being thrown out by the dominant Undertaker. Eddie Guerrero nearly followed, also at the hands of the Hardcore Champion. But 'Latino Heat' held on for dear life and wriggled back through the ropes and back into the match. Eliminations: Rey Mysterio by Shelton Benjamin (2)... and Jushin Thunder Liger by The Undertaker (6) Entrant #Thirty: 'The Olympic Hero' Kurt Angle The return of the former Olympic Gold Medallist, Kurt Angle after a month out, received a huge pop from the crowd! The now bald former World Heavyweight Champion walked to the ring with a purpose. He slid under the ropes, and started throwing people! German Suplex, after German Suplex, and Angle looked like a machine! The bald head suited him, and as he pulled down the straps on his singlet, he looked like a badass! He hit an 'Angle Slam' on Mr. Sexay, over the ropes, and the protege of Mr. Perfect fell to the floor and landed hard. Bradshaw was the next to go. He'd been a little quiet after eliminating his friend and partner Faarooq earlier in the show, and he was tipped up and out while attempting to eliminate Shelton Benjamin, by Shelton's 'leader' Matt Hardy. The Undertaker picked up his 7th elimination, by getting rid of the veteran Tatanka. Eliminations: Mr. Sexay by Kurt Angle (1)... Bradshaw by Matt Hardy (1)... Tatanka by The Undertaker (7) Matt Hardy somehow convinced Chris Jericho to join his cause as a one-off next, and the group of Matt, Jericho and Shelton Benjamin began to dominate everyone. Despite being hated by the fans, Kurt Angle and The Undertaker were cheered a little, as the trio tried to eliminate them both. Eddie Guerrero laid motionless by the ropes on the other side of the ring, looking like he was in an extreme amount of pain. As Shelton and Jericho approached him though, it became clear that he was 'playing possum'. He shoved Shelton out through the ropes, thus not eliminating him. He then tipped Jericho up and out over the top rope. The furious Jericho grabbed Eddie's leg from outside, but as Shelton got back in and charged at Eddie, he too was flipped over the top! Shelton landed on Jericho, taking both men out in the process, and suddenly the crowd began to rise for Eddie. The only fan favourite left in the match, and we were down to our Final Four... Eliminations: Chris Jericho & Shelton Benjamin by Eddie Guerrero (3) The crowd could feel we were getting close to a winner, with Eddie Guerrero, The Undertaker, Matt Hardy and Kurt Angle making up an unlikely Final Four, and they came alive. Angle was getting some cheers, as the crazy Hardy Brother, and the big 'American Badass' Hardcore Champion began picking on Eddie, and he stepped in to break things up. He did that by hitting a German Suplex on Matt Hardy, who let out a pained yelp as he was lifted up and over his own head! 'Taker was mad at Angle though, and he grabbed the former Olympian by his throat and pushed him backwards until he was over the top rope, and he fell hard to the floor. Meanwhile, Matt Hardy staggered around and tried to regain his composure. As he fell towards the ropes, Eddie tripped him, and then pulled the ropes down, sending the 'Broken One' over and out of the match! A strong performance from Hardy though. Undertaker saw Eddie get the elimination, and his gaze swiftly turned to 'Latino Heat'... Eliminations: Kurt Angle by The Undertaker (8)... and Matt Hardy by Eddie Guerrero (4) Undertaker glared at Eddie as the fan favourite pulled himself up to his feet. From under the ropes, Matt Hardy reached out and pulled his foot though, in retaliation from being eliminated by him! 'Latino Heat' shook Hardy free, but only in time to be kicked in the face by a big Undertaker boot. As boots go, that one was vicious, and it may have ended another man's night. 'Taker picked up the lifeless Guerrero, and looked like he could just throw him out of the match at any moment he chose to. Eddie struggled and tried to get free of the big Hardcore Champion's grasp, but he was having his way with 'Latino Heat' now. A defiant chokeslam almost sent him through the mat, and if this were a Hardcore Title defence or any normal match, he could have been pinned there and then. Undertaker threatened to hit the 'Last Ride' powerbomb on Eddie, OVER the ropes, and to the floor. But the athletic Guerrero managed to counter it with a head scissors, and tried to throw 'Taker over the ropes with his legs! Undertaker fell towards the ropes, but only took one or two steps, and held the ropes with his large hands. He didn't seem impressed by the counter, but was even less impressed when Eddie Guerrero popped up behind him, and dropkicked him in the back! 'The American Badass' looked nothing like a Badass as he flopped and floundered over the top rope, and hit the apron, before falling to the floor! Completely embarrassed, and eliminated, but we had our winner!! Eliminations: The Undertaker by Eddie Guerrero (5) 79 Winner: 'Latino Heat' Eddie Guerrero Runner Up: The Undertaker Other members of The Final Four: Kurt Angle & Matt Hardy Most Eliminations: The Undertaker Iron Man: Eddie Guerrero Run! After the match was over, and his elimination was confirmed, an embarrassed and furious Undertaker slid back into the ring and went after Eddie Guerrero...!1 'Taker ran at Eddie, but 'Latino Heat' was able to drop to the floor, and slide out of the ring... He ran around the ring and up the stage with his arms in the air, as the crowd cheered extremely loudly... Undertaker just got more and more angry...!! 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin is one of the toughest men in the entire world, and he is also an outstanding wrestler. He can beat up anyone, and he can have an amazing wrestling match with anyone too. However, there are always exceptions to that rule, and the giant of a man Big Show is one such exception. Not to say this wasn't an amazing match, there just wasn't much 'wrestling'. Austin did also try to beat Big Show up, but not many men can stand toe-to-toe with the Giant. Austin's tactics played right into Show's massive hands, and the charismatic big man went right after the World Heavyweight Champion's weakened neck. Despite Big Show's dominance, 'The Texas Rattlesnake' showed all of his experience and went to the outside of the ring on countless occasions in order to buy some rest time, and create some separation. He made Big Show chase him, and tried to blow him up. It worked to a degree, with Austin hitting a drop-toe-hold and Big Show falling face-first onto the ring steps. From there on, it was all Austin. The World Heavyweight Champion looked amazing out there. He took his eye off the ball late on, and ate a big right hand from his 7 foot tall opponent. But after kicking out at two, it wasn't long before he hit the 'Stone Cold Stunner' and picked up a massive victory, against formidable opponent. 87 Winner: and STILL WWF World Heavyweight Champion: 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin Finish: 'Stone Cold Stunner' Quick Results: Dean Malenko & William Regal [def.] The Dudley Boyz D’Lo Brown [def.] Mr. Perfect Jeff Hardy [def.] Marty Jannetty, Scotty Too Hotty & X-Pac to WIN the WWF Light Heavyweight Title Triple H & Stephanie McMahon [def.] Vince & Shane McMahon Eddie Guerrero won the Royal Rumble Match Steve Austin [def.] The Big Show to RETAIN the WWF World Heavyweight Title Bonus Questions: 1). Which Match will be the Match Of The Night...? Austin vs Big Show 2). What will the Overall Rating of the Show be...? 87 (within 5 gets a point, spot on gets 2 points) 3). Who will be in the Final Four of the Royal Rumble Match...? Eddie Guerrero, The Undertaker, Kurt Angle & Matt Hardy (point for each) 4). Who will be the Iron Man of the Rumble...? Eddie Guerrero 5). Who will get the Most Eliminations...? Undertaker (8)

1) Mechawolf vs. Ivelisse 2) Savio Vega vs. Marty The Moth 3) Los Parks vs. ??? w/Salina de la Renta 4) King Muertes vs. Apolo w/5150 - Death Match Bonus Question: Who will Salina bring to fight Los Parks? Noooo idea... If it's trios, maybe I'll go American Wolves and Hammerstone??

Just while I wait for the Rumble Predictions to come in, I thought I'd do a quick update on this project - don't worry, it's all positive. I still have a ton of ideas, probably about a years worth for now, but more will come. I'm currently writing April Week 2!! So around 10 weeks ahead of where you guys are reading/predicting. WrestleMania 18 is in the books (sadly no Rock/Hogan this time around). But it was a fun show. I've also begun the Invasion Angle. The reason I first wanted to play in this era was to do a better job of the best/biggest/most important and also worst/most wasted, single angle of all time. It has kind of already begun where you guys are reading, you just don't know yet... Then at 'Mania it really kicks off... Hope you're enjoying what I'm putting out there. As always, thoughts, ideas, feedback is all welcome Lloyd

So Wade Barrett has robbed me? Great!! I've got some WiFi, so here we... GO!! > Tag Team Table Elimination Match: Dean Malenko & William Regal [vs] Bubba Ray & D-Von – The Dudley Boyz Grudge Match: 'The Real Deal' D'Lo Brown [vs] Mr. Perfect w/ Mr. Sexay WWF Light Heavyweight Title Match: Marty Jannetty © [vs] Scotty Too Hotty [vs] Jeff Hardy [vs] X-Pac Mixed McMahon Tag Team Match: Triple H & Stephanie McMahon [vs] Vince & Shane McMahon WWF World Heavyweight Title Match: 'The World's Largest Athlete' Big Show [vs] 'The Texas Rattlesnake' Steve Austin © The 2002 Royal Rumble Match: The Rock | The Undertaker | Kane | Rikishi | Razor Ramon | Eddie Guerrero | Edge | Christian Chris Jericho | Chris Benoit | Bradshaw | Faarooq | Matt Hardy | Shelton Benjamin | Test | Val Venis Billy Gunn | K-Kwik | Mr. Sexay | Umaga | Haku | ???? | ???? | ???? ???? | ???? | ???? | ???? | ???? | ???? Bonus Questions: 1). Which Match will be the Match Of The Night...? __________________ 2). What will the Overall Rating of the Show be...? __________________ (within 5 gets a point, spot on gets 2 points) 3). Who will be in the Final Four of the Royal Rumble Match...? _________, _________, _________, _________ (point for each) 4). Who will be the Iron Man of the Rumble...? __________________ 5). Who will get the Most Eliminations...? __________________

JANUARY 2002, WEEK 3… In The Booth: Michael Cole and Tazz A Night Of Revenge A packed edition of Smackdown kicked off with a video package, hyping two big matches scheduled for the final show before the Royal Rumble Pay-Per-View, which is this Sunday Night... In the Main Event, Hardcore Holly will battle WWF World Heavyweight Champion 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin in a non-title match... Holly and Austin are no strangers to each other, but Holly will be out for revenge on 'The Texas Rattlesnake' for the cheap shot Stunner on RAW... But before that, Austin's fellow 'Four Man Power Trip' stablemate The Undertaker, will fight Austin's opponent for his World Title at the Rumble: 'The World's Largest Athlete' Big Show...!! Show will also be out for revenge, following 'Taker's attack on him from RAW... Show was ordered by Mick Foley to return the Championship Belt that Austin had left in Show's truck... While delivering the Belt to Austin, Undertaker jumped Show from behind... and Show is not happy about it... That HUGE match... is next... 'The World's Largest Athlete' Big Show [vs] 'The American Badass' The Undertaker A hard-hitting battle to kick us off here as Big Show prepared for his Title shot against Steve Austin with a dominant win. Undertaker controlled the pace for much of the contest, but as soon as Show got rolling late on, he was never going to be slowed down, not even by 'The American Badass'. For the finish, 'Taker desperately tried to stand in front of a moving train and grabbed Show around the throat. But 'The World's Largest Athlete' swatted his arm away, and then slammed his own hand into Undertaker's throat. He hoisted the Hardcore Champion up, and then slammed him down with the 'Show Stopper'! 88 Winner: 'The World's Largest Athlete' Big Show Finish: 'Show Stopper' Chokeslam Friend With Val-Uable Benefits Backstage, The Holly Cousins (Hardcore, Crash and Molly) were stood around a monitor, watching the action... when Val Venis walked up to the group... Hoping to get a word with them... Crash Holly: “Sorry Val, can't stop... Gotta run to the ring, and PIN Undertaker...!! And WIN the Hardcore Championship!!” Hardcore Holly reminded Crash that the Hardcore Championship is no longer defended under the 24/7 rules that it used to be... He followed Crash away, telling his Cousin he needed to prepare for his match with Steve Austin, and doesn't have time to chase Crash around the arena again... Once Molly and Val were alone, 'The Big Valbowski' said that it was in fact Molly he wanted to speak with... Val Venis: “Not sure if you saw The Rock and I on RAW this week... He uhh... Made me feel pretty small... But since I've been meaning to do this for a while... I kinda thought that Molly Holly and 'The Big Valbowski' could uhh... Grab a drinkski some time...?!” Molly was nervous, but said that she'd like that... She suggested that maybe at the Royal Rumble, they'll see each other again, and come up with a plan and a date... and then trotted off in the direction of Hardcore and Crash... Table For One? Ahead of the next scheduled match, an Over The Top Rope Challenge, featuring five tag teams... The APA were reassuring Dean Malenko and William Regal, that tonight, The Dudley Boyz would NOT be putting them through tables... If they manage to put Regal through one, then their scheduled Tables Match at the Royal Rumble, would be called off... Bradshaw: “Boys... Yu know, over the weeks, you have paid us a LOT of money for our protection...!! So rest assured... We're out there to make sure those Damn Dudleyz don't get their pesky hands on ya... So let's go to the ring... right now... and make sure their night ends in disappointment...!!” Over The Top Rope, Five Team Challenge: Edge & Christian | William Regal & Dean Malenko | The APA | The Dudley Boyz | Albert & Perry Saturn w/ Terri Really fun match here, with the major story being The Dudleyz trying to get their hands on William Regal. When Faarooq was the first man eliminated, things seemed easier, but Bubba soon followed him out of the match, thanks to Dean Malenko. D-Von got rid of Malenko, and then the field opened up even further as Christian and Perry Saturn were taken out by Bradshaw. One member of each team were left now, but when Bradshaw fell next, D-Von's eyes widened. He took care of Albert by tipping him up and over the ropes and then had the chance to go after Regal. However, Edge nearly speared him out of his boots! Edge threw D-Von out, and then used Regal's momentum against him to eliminate him too, and win the match! 77 Winners: Edge & Christian More Names Added After the match was over, D-Von Dudley began to chase William Regal up the ramp...!! However, as he got to the stage, the big Texan Bradshaw arrived through the curtain, and took D-Von's head off with the 'Clothesline From Hell'... Bradshaw looked like a beast as he came through the curtain and took D-Von out... Regal was extremely grateful... but Christian passed them both on the stage, and joined the victorious Edge in the ring... Edge: “WWF Tag Team Champions... and now, one of us is going to WIN the Royal Rumble... and go on, to Main Event WrestleMania...!!” Christian: “And for any of you, who have flash photographyyyyy... Get your cameras ready, for the photo opportunity... to see Edge and I... as the final two... and then a battle to the DEAAAATH...!! Hahahaha!!” Kwik Gunns Backstage, K-Kwik and Billy Gunn were stood talking about the end of their relationship with X-Pac... K-Kwik: “We're DONE with 'New' Generation X...!! And thank GOD, right...?!” Billy Gunn: “I feel like... if the team has 'New' in the title... they're gonna SUCK...!!” K-Kwik: “Yeah dawg... Rapid Fire... Kwik and Gunn... We a full time tag team now... Best of luck to X-Pac at the Royal Rumble... But we won't be watchin' his Light Heavyweight Title Match... because WE... are IN the Royal Rumble Match...!! Oh... You didn't... You didn't know, already...?! Well now it's official...!!” Spike Dudley [vs] Bill DeMott DeMott's second match as a WWF employee went the same way as the first, with a very strong performance and a win. Spike Dudley's 2002 has been extremely mixed, but he was splatted on the mat with a powerbomb to end it. 67 Winner: Bill DeMott Finish: 'Powerbomb' The Perfect Deal We took a look at a video package next, hyping the Royal Rumble contest, between 'The Real Deal' D'Lo Brown, and Mr. Perfect... Perfect has called D'Lo Brown's integrity into question, but one thing that is unquestionable, is Brown's win/loss record in the past six months...!! Including a win over Perfect's protege Mr. Sexay at Armageddon last month... D'Lo's beaten Perfect in a tag team match recently too... But can he stop him on Pay-Per-View... 1 on 1...?! And how much of an influence at ringside will Mr. Sexay be...?! Clicked In The Ring We were in catering next, where 'The Game' Triple H was talking with a backstage worker... when 'The Bad Guy' Razor Ramon strolled up to the pair... Razor Ramon: “What's up Chico... Listen... I know I lost... But I really loved our match last week... We should do it again some time...!!” Triple H: “Any time... any place, man... And hey... Good luck in the Rumble...” Ramon and 'The Game' seemed respectful towards one another... but you can never trust 'The Bad Guy'... Scotty Too Hotty & Marty Jannetty [vs] Jeff Hardy & X-Pac Scotty and Jannetty worked well together here, but Jeff Hardy was on fire. He flew around the ring and ringside area, but with X-Pac the legal man late on, he just kind of stopped. He dropped to the floor, not allowing Pac to tag out when he needed to. The fun-loving Scotty then put Pac down with a Bulldog from the second rope. 76 Winners: Scotty Too Hotty & Marty Jannetty Finish: 'Bulldog' ¾ of The Family 'Broken' Matt Hardy, Lita and 'Senior' Shelton Benjamin were backstage next... Talking about The Family's rivalry with 'The Big Red Machine' Kane... Matt Hardy: “Kearne... You might think, you're some big... bad... machine, that is red... But the real machine, is the Hardeh Family... As Lita and I continue to grow our group... THIS machine... grows stronger... While Kearne... His cogs... His wheels... begin to cease up... In the Rumble metch... 'Senior' Benjamin and I... will DELETE... twenty seven men... AND one... Big... Red... breaking down... Machine...!!” Royal Rumble Entrance Number Decider: 'Latino Heat' Eddie Guerrero [vs] 'The Crippler' Chris Benoit [vs] 'Y2J' Chris Jericho A complicated concept in this one, with the three competitors knowing that a win would earn them an entrance number for the Royal Rumble Match between 26 and 30. Whoever is pinned, will enter the match between the 1st and 5th entry point. As for the third man, not involved in the deciding fall, he'll get a number right in the middle (between 13 and 17). Benoit and Jericho teamed up early on, naturally, but Eddie Guerrero managed to plant some seeds of doubt between the two men by lying down as if he'd been knocked out, and opening up the opportunity for one of them to pin him. The two Canadians argued about who would make the pin, allowing Eddie to roll Jericho up. Benoit broke the pin up on that occasion, but that was the theme of the match. Dominance from Benoit and Jericho, and then Eddie surviving by any means necessary. For the finish, Eddie managed to come off the top rope onto Benoit with his 'Frog Splash', but Jericho pulled him off the cover. Eddie and Jericho then collided heads, and 'The Belt Collector' landed on his friend for an 'accidental' cover! Eddie didn't break the pin up, so it'll be Jericho entering the Rumble late, Benoit coming out early, and Eddie somewhere in the middle of the pack! 86 Winner: 'Y2J' Chris Jericho Finish: 'Frog Splash' Family Ties Backstage, Rikishi was packing his gear into a bag, when Haku and Umaga walked up... Haku: “You see this Umaga...?! I owe, this man, a lot... He brought me back, to the WWF... one year ago... and HE, will be the hardest man to eliminate, in the Royal, Rumble... Match on Sunday...!!” Rikishi smiled, and shook Haku's hand... Umaga is very familiar with 'Kishi, as the two big Samoans are actually Brothers...!! And they shared a knowing nod, and a smile... Rikishi: “Umaga... My Brother... Haku... You are like Family to us, too... Three of us, in the Royal Rumble... Maybe I'd be impossible to eliminate, with you two, watching my back...?!” At the mention of he three of them potentially working together in the 30-Man Over The Top Rope Match, another Samoan, who is also related to Rikishi and Umaga... and who also considers Haku as Family, walked up... This was The Rock's only appearance on the entire episode of Smackdown... He didn't say anything at all... But the intense look in his eyes, as he looked at all three of his fellow Islanders, was enough to create a buzz in the crowd, and from the announce team... If The Rock, Rikishi, Haku and Umaga, are in the ring at the same time... and they work together... They'll create four immovable objects, and surely will instantly be the favourites to make up the Final Four... Hardcore Holly [vs] 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin Arguably the biggest match of Hardcore Holly's career here, a Main Event on TV against the WWF World Heavyweight Champion, 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin. Holly has faced Austin once before this calendar year, but this one being the final match of the night, and the final match before the Royal Rumble, made it all the more special. The pair of rough, tough, SOBs brawled all over ring side, and hit each other's faces off the announce desk, and the ring steps. But in the end, it was Austin driving Holly's ribs and lower back into the guard rail that proved the difference maker. Holly was winded, and unable to hit his unique brand of offence, in the end falling victim to the most devastating move in the entire wrestling industry – the 'Stone Cold Stunner'. The show ended with Austin raising his Belt, and talking trash to the fans in attendance. It's now time, for the ROYAL RUMBLE!! 95 Winner: 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin Finish: 'Stone Cold Stunner' Quick Results: Big Show [def.] The Undertaker Edge & Christian won a 5-team Over The Top Rope Battle Royale Bill DeMott [def.] Spike Dudley Scotty Too Hotty & Marty Jannetty [def.] Jeff Hardy & X-Pac Chris Jericho [def.] Chris Benoit and Eddie Guerrero Steve Austin [def.] Hardcore Holly Show Rating: 91

Posting the show now as we're off on holiday tomorrow and I don't know what my internet connectivity will be like. So if you know where I live, yu know... don't rob me...

> 'The World's Largest Athlete' Big Show [vs] 'The American Badass' The Undertaker Over The Top Rope, Five Team Challenge: Edge & Christian | William Regal & Dean Malenko | The APA | The Dudley Boyz | Albert & Perry Saturn w/ Terri Spike Dudley [vs] Bill DeMott Scotty Too Hotty & Marty Jannetty [vs] Jeff Hardy & X-Pac Royal Rumble Entrance Number Decider: 'Latino Heat' Eddie Guerrero [vs] 'The Crippler' Chris Benoit [vs] 'Y2J' Chris Jericho Hardcore Holly [vs] 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin

JANUARY 2002, WEEK 3… In The Booth: Jim Ross, Michael Cole and Tazz Start The Show, Big We kicked off the final RAW before the Royal Rumble... with Number One Contender to the WWF World Heavyweight Title: Big Show, heading to the ring... The fun-loving Giant had 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin's Championship Belt with him... after Austin left it in Show's truck, while trying to steal it... WWE Commissioner Mick Foley demanded that Show bring the Belt back to Austin tonight, or risk forfeiting his Title shot against 'The Rattlesnake'... Big Show: “That's right, me and this baby have had some fun together... but for now at least... our time has come to an end, and she has to go back to Steve Austin... BUT... Only for six days... because at the Royal Rumble this comin' Sunday... I'm getting' her BACK...!!” Show said he'd done his bit... He'd brought the Title to RAW... and if Austin wants to get the Belt... he should come and TAKE it from Big Show...!! The Giant laid the Belt in the centre of the ring, and dared Austin to show his face... Which he did... Austin stomped to the ring, but was unsure about climbing in there with the Big Show... He demanded a microphone, and then shouted that he KNEW Big Show would pull a stunt like this... and so he had a plan... Suddenly, from behind Show, The Undertaker slid into the ring...!! The Hardcore Champion began brawling with Show... but the Giant gained the upper hand... He then hit a Show Stopper (Chokeslam) on Austin... right next to the Belt...!! Austin rolled away, and rolled over the Belt, just about having the wherewithal to grab the Gold as he rolled... 'Taker and Show continued to fight, until they were pulled apart by referees and officials... K-Kwik [vs] X-Pac Two former friends, and former New Generation X members, but X-Pac has treated K-Kwik like dirt for too long. Kwik stood up to him here, but Pac was too good for most of the match. In the end though, as Billy Gunn made his way to the ring, Kwik was able to roll Pac up in a tight small package, and score the win! 57 Winner: K-Kwik Finish: 'Small Package' Straight Shooter After the match, K-Kwik, Billy Gunn and X-Pac... Collectively known as New Generation X, stood across the ring from one another and glared at each other... It looked like the three NGX members would embrace, and bury the hatchet... but Kwik dropped to the floor, and rolled out under the bottom rope... He shook his head, and told X-Pac he would never join back up with him... He then gave Billy Gunn a clear ultimatum... Come with me, or stay with X-Pac... Gunn took a second to think about it, as he stood with his hands on his hips... and then jumped down and out of the ring to follow his 'Rapid Fire' teammate...!! Dudley's Heads Shrunk Bubba and D-Von Dudley headed to the ring next, absolutely furious with the APA for 'harbouring fugitives' in the form of Dean Malenko and William Regal... If The Dudleyz can put Regal through a table before the Royal Rumble pay-per-view, their Tables Match at the Rumble is cancelled... but the APA are protecting both Malenko and Regal... Bubba Ray Dudley: “Dose STINKIN'... Posh... technical... wrestlers... I mean, who likes dat...?! Not us... We like that gritty... hardcore... tables... tables... tables...!! So our match at the Royal Rumble will be a clash of styles, and it won't work... Nobody wants to see that... If Regal just comes out here... My brother D-Von and I will put him through a table... and be done with it...!!” Regal didn't arrive... but Bradshaw did... The APA member strolled onto the stage... Bradshaw: “Listen Boys... Regal and Malenko might be posh, but they didn't have enough money to pay us for Protection right up to the Rumble...” The Dudleyz high-fived... they looked like they were about to be told that Bradshaw would bring Regal and Malenko out to the ring right now...!! Bradshaw: “Buuuutt... They DID have enough money, to join our poker game... and, as much as it pains me to admit, they have played a few good hands... I'm glad you boys are in the mood to fight tonight... because at Regal's request... we've booked you some opponents...” Bubba and D-Von's faces dropped when the music of their opponents hit... The Headshrinkers (Haku & Umaga) [vs] The Dudley Boyz Very competitive match here. The two big, bad, Islanders were in control early on, but as the shock of their arrival eased, the Dudleyz were able to settle into a spell of dominance. They controlled the veteran Haku, until the intimidating Umaga made the hot tag. He was unstoppable at that time, and sent Bubba and D-Von flying. In the end, winning it with his 'Samoan Spike' to Bubba. 64 Winners: The Headshrinkers (Haku & Umaga) Finish: 'Samoan Spike' The Great One, Out Of Twenty Nine In the locker room backstage, The Rock was packing his bag up... when Val Venis walked in... Val told Rock that he'd heard his challenge on Smackdown... but that Mr. Sexay beat him to answering it... Otherwise, 'The Big Valbowski' would have come to the ring, and challenged The Rock... thus confirming his entry into the Royal Rumble Match this Sunday... The Rock: “He beat you to answering the challenge...?! Well... You beat him to the gimmick, brother...!! Now listen, listen... Can you hear that...?! That, rumble...?! The growing sounds of the millions... AND MILLIONS, of Rock's fans... They're stompin' their feet... They're comin' outta their chairs... can you HEAR it...?! Val... The people wanna know... Are you... in the Royal Rumble Match, this Sunday...!?” Val Venis: “Weeeeell Rock... Actually, I am...” The Rock: “IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU'RE IN THE ROYAL RUMBLE MATCH THIS SUNDAY...!! Yu see... It doesn't matter if the twenty nine other spots are filled by Grizzly Bears... Nothing... AND THE ROCK MEANS... NOTHING... is going to stop 'The People's Champion'... from WINNING... The Royal Rumble...!! Because, yu see... 'Valbowski'...!? Let's get this clear, right now... The Rock is gonna 'throwski'... Your 'Candy Asski'... Over the top 'ropeski'... IF YA SAMEEEELLL... What The ROCK... IS... Cookin'...!!” Rock outstretched his hand... and Val reluctantly shook it... before 'The Great One' wished one of his opponents luck in the Rumble... The sincerity was clear from the huge fan favourite... but Val understandably looked a little annoyed by the outburst... Al Snow [vs] Bill DeMott Debut for Bill DeMott here. The former ECW fighter made a great showing, in a fun match against another veteran in Al Snow. Snow got the crowd behind him well, but DeMott put him down with a vicious powerbomb to win it. 70 Winner: Bill DeMott Finish: 'Powerbomb' Brave, Or Stupid Backstage, The Undertaker was talking with 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin, Vince and Shane McMahon... The Four Man Power Trip were interrupted by former Hardcore Champion: Hardcore Holly... Hardcore Holly: “So the Hardcore Title is no longer defended under 24/7 rules... Well... That's your decision Mr. McMahon... But HEY... I got an idea... How about you give me a re-match... for THAT...!!” Undertaker looked at the men with him, and realised how much they outnumbered Holly... He treated the Holly Cousin with utter disrespect... which angered the fighter from Alabama... Hardcore Holly: “Tell ya what then... Give me a match, with AUSTIN... On Smackdown...!! For THAT...!!” Vince took over at this point, realising this situation would either turn physical, or Holly would just never shut up... Vince McMahon: “Mr. Holly... with respect... My Champions are planning to hold these Belts for a LONG time... So we have to be creative with how they are defended... The 24/7 ruling for the Hardcore Title, just... Wasn't in our best interests... And neither is making you the Number One Contender... However... A non-Title Match... Against 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin on Smackdown... IS something I can get behind... So you have your match... Now... Leave us alone...” Holly walked away, looking pleased to have got what he wanted... D'Lo Brown & Eddie Guerrero [vs] Mr. Perfect & Test Due to an injury to Mr. Sexay, Test stepped in to replace him for this match. Rumours are Sexay WILL be cleared for the Royal Rumble Match, so his spot won't need to be filled. Test was awesome out there, and a more than adequate replacement. He gelled well with Perfect, but was ultimately pinned after the 'Frog Splash' from Eddie, when D'Lo Brown stood between Perfect and the pin! D'Lo and Perfect will finally go 1 on 1 at the Royal Rumble! 76 Winners: D'Lo Brown & Eddie Guerrero Finish: 'Frog Splash' Canadians Can Hit Hard Right after the match, Intercontinental Champion Chris Jericho, and his silent back-up Chris Benoit, sprinted to the ring... Their arrival convinced Mr. Perfect to get one over on D'Lo Brown, hitting a 'Perfect DDT', before exiting the ring...!! Jericho and Benoit knocked Eddie down, and began beating him up...!! D'Lo tried to help, but he was also put down... Jericho then locked Eddie in the Walls Of Jericho... before screaming at Benoit to grab him a microphone... Chris Jericho: “Eddie...!! You STUPID IDIOT...!! You wanna talk s**t about us...?! HUH...?! STUPID IDIOT...!! WE are the favourites for the Royal Rumble... Because WE will WAIT for each other, to be in the ring, at the same time...!!” Jericho was mid tirade, when WWF Commissioner Mick Foley strolled onto the stage... Mick Foley: “Alrighty Chris... and Chris... That's enough...!! At the Royal Rumble, I won't lie... I'm a little concerned that having you two Canadians in the Royal Rumble Match... at the same time... gives a slight, but significant unfair advantage, over the rest of the field... But, I can't just split you up, and have one enter early, and one enter late... because that could be considered favouritism...” Foley surmised that the best course of action, would be to give BOTH Jericho and Benoit, the opportunity to EARN a late number in the Rumble Match... He said that this week on Smackdown, Jericho... Benoit... and Eddie Guerrero will compete in the Triple Threat Match... On the line, will be THREE varying degrees of entrance numbers... Winner, enters in the final five spots... the man pinned or submitted enters within the first five...!! Chris Jericho: “Foley...!! YOU STUPID IDIOT...!! Me and Chris'll just team up, and make sure one of us beats Eddie...!! That way, one of us goes in late... Eddie goes in early... and the other... well... he'll just be... What'll he be...?!” Mick Foley: “No Chris... Winner is 26-30... Loser is 1-5... But the man NOT involved in the fall will enter between 14 and 17...!! Which is NOT a good entry point...!! So one of you, will have a prize TWICE as good as the other if you team up on Eddie like that... Good luck deciding who gets what...!!” Jericho and Benoit looked furious... but Eddie Guerrero ran behind them, and shoved Benoit INTO Jericho...!! Before sliding out under the ropes... Benoit kicked the bottom rope in frustration...!! Show Time After a commercial break, we were in Foley's office... as the WWF Commissioner had Big Show with him... Big Show: “Alright Foley... I did what you asked... I brought the Championship Belt, that Austin left in MY car... back to him... and then Undertaker jumped me... Tryina' get an advantage over me at the Rumble... Well... If I'm gonna get attacked from behind... I'm gonna deal with it head on... Give me 'Taker... On Smackdown...!!” Foley thought for a second, and then told Big Show he was on... But warned him to be careful what he wishes for...!! Spike Dudley [vs] 'The Japanese Buzzsaw' Tajiri Spike Dudley's confidence going into this match was extremely high following his win against Chris Benoit on Smackdown, and an impressive performance against Razor Ramon before that. However, he will have been disappointed to lose this one in the way he did. Chris Benoit made his presence known at ringside again, costing Spike the match! 37 Winner: 'The Japanese Buzzsaw' Tajiri Finish: 'Buzzsaw Kick' Big Red Reckoning Walking through a corridor backstage, The Hardy Family came across the large masked fan favourite Kane...!! Matt Hardy: “Kaerne... My brother, 'Senior' Benjamin and I... do not FEEEEEAR you... You hide behind a mask... While we show our faces to the wold... And while Jeff wins the Light Heavyweight Title... Shelton and I will enter the RRRRumble Match that is ROYALE... Throw 28 other men over the top rope... Including you... Now move...” Hardy began to barge past Kane... but the masked big man stood firm... he tilted his head, and cracked his knuckles... Before grabbing 'Broken' Matt by the throat...!! The hold didn't last long, because Jeff Hardy and Shelton Benjamin soon got involved, and took Kane down to the floor... Lita then began delivering kicks and stomps as the Hardy Family took liberties with 'The Big Red Machine'... 'The Game' Triple H [vs] 'The Bad Guy' Razor Ramon An amazing Main Event between two excellent in-ring performers here, as Ramon and Triple H got ready for their differing scheduled matches for the Royal Rumble pay-per-view. 'The Game' will battle Vince and Shane McMahon, alongside his own wife Stephanie McMahon in a mixed tag team match! Razor will join the other 29 entrants in the Royal Rumble Match for the first ever time, and in six nights, could be the man to win the match, and go on to Main Event WrestleMania! On this night, just six nights before the Rumble, the two tore lumps out of each other. Triple H ended up with a small cut above his eye, and a fat lip, while Ramon's ribs took a beating on the outside of the ring. For the finish, Ramon was looking for his 'Razor's Edge', but 'The Game' slid off his back, and landed on his feet behind him. As the pair span around, Triple H kicked 'The Bad Guy' in the gut, and put him down with the 'Pedigree'! 96 Winner: 'The Game' Triple H Finish: 'Pedigree' Show's Over! The match was over, but as Triple H celebrated... his two opponents for Sunday headed onto the stage, and began to stroll to the ring... Vince and Shane began unbuttoning their suit jackets, as 'The Game' got ready to fight them 2 on 1... But to the delight of all the fans, the two McMahon's didn't see Big Show appear behind them...!! Vince and Shane removed their suit jackets, and handed them off to Big Show... Without realising it was him... They took their watches off too... handing them to Show, who threw them over his shoulder... Then, Vince and Shane realised what was happening... and with their eyes widening, they slowly turned around to meet their fate...!! Big Show grabbed them both by the backs of their heads, and slammed their heads together...!! Triple H sold the move in the ring like it had happened to him... Vince and Shane fell to the floor... 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin then headed out... but he was met on the stage by Hardcore Holly...!! Holly unleashed a barrage of offence on Austin's face, as the two traded right hands... But just as the fan favourite gained the upper hand, he was kicked in the head by the arriving Undertaker... The Hardcore Champion approached the ring, where Big Show had joined Triple H in between the ropes... 'Taker rallied his troops... Austin, Vince and Shane all joining his side... but he decided to live to fight another day, and the Four Man Power Trip headed back up the ramp to safety... Austin hit a 'Stone Cold Stunner' on his opponent for Smackdown this week, Hardcore Holly for good measure... and the group exited the arena... Quick Results: K-Kwik [def.] X-Pac The Headshrinkers [def.] The Dudley Boyz Bill DeMott [def.] Al Snow D'Lo Brown & Eddie Guerrero [def.] Mr. Perfect & Test Tajiri [def.] Spike Dudley Triple H [def.] Razor Ramon Show Rating: 89

> K-Kwik [vs] X-Pac The Headshrinkers (Haku & Umaga) [vs] The Dudley Boyz Al Snow [vs] ??? D'Lo Brown & Eddie Guerrero [vs] Mr. Perfect & ??? Spike Dudley [vs] 'The Japanese Buzzsaw' Tajiri 'The Game' Triple H [vs] 'The Bad Guy' Razor Ramon

JANUARY 2002, WEEK 2… In The Booth: Michael Cole and Tazz The Challenge Is Open The Rock opened the show tonight, to a thunderous ovation... The Rock: “FINALLY... The Rock... HAS COME BACK... to Philadelphiaaaaaa...!! And 'The Great One' is out here... to re-iterate the challenge from RAW... If ANYONE not confirmed for the Royal Rumble Match, wants to make a name for themselves... and step up to the plate against 'The Great One'... ” Rocky paced back and forth... But he didn't have to wait long... A man NOT confirmed for the Royal Rumble Match made his way onto the stage... flanked by Mr. Sexay... the veteran technician Mr. Perfect...!! Mr. Perfect: “I'm not in the Royal Rumble Match... And you want someone who IS... to announce their entry by facing you in a match...?!” The Rock: “Yeah you got it genius...!! Now let The Rock ask you a question... Tell... tell... tell The Rock this... You're called Mr. Perfect...?! He's called Mr. Sexay...?! The people wanna know... The Rock wants to KNOW... Do you think you are Perfect... and Sexay...?!” Mr. Perfect: “I woul...” The Rock: “IT DOESN'T MATTER, WHAT YOU THINK!! The Rock could wipe a Monkey's ASS with what you THINK... So Mr. Perfect... You wanna enter the Royal Rumble Match... Be just another victim for The Rock to eliminate... Then get in this ring... and go 1... on 1... with 'The Great One'...!!” Perfect began to remove his robe, but stopped short of taking it off... He then revealed that he is NOT entering the Royal Rumble Match this year... But that Mr. Sexay IS...!! Rock smiled, and raised his eyebrow... Rock vs Sexay 1 on 1... next... w/ 'The Great One' The Rock [vs] Mr. Sexay w/ Mr. Perfect This match was short to kick us off tonight, but it was a lot of fun and very even and open. Sexay is as cocky as they come, and although he controlled the pace of the match, he took his eye off the ball at the crucial moment. Rocky fought back into it, and eventually hit his 'Rock Bottom' for the win. 78 Winner: 'The Great One' The Rock Finish: 'Rock Bottom' Match Made We learned that on RAW next week, D'Lo Brown has found a tag team partner to fight Mr. Perfect and Mr. Sexay in tag team action... D'Lo Brown and Eddie Guerrero will team up to make a very much in-form unit... but will they be cohesive enough to defeat Perfect and Sexay...?! D'Lo and Perfect will finally meet 1 on 1 at the Royal Rumble... and a match less than one week away from the encounter could build or destroy all of 'The Real Deal's' momentum... Wrongly Accused In the Commissioner's Office, Mick Foley had asked 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin to join him... Mick Foley: “I mean... Who LOSES their Championship Belt... I mean, misplaces it...?!” Foley was referring to Austin leaving his Belt in Big Show's truck on RAW, where Show then drove off with the Belt...!! Austin was furious, and said he was leaving the show early tonight, to go and find it... But Foley had other ideas... Mick Foley: “Your punishment for losing it... is a match in the Main Event tonight... So no... you can't leave early... because you're going to be fighting a man who you and I both know, knows a thing or two about cars... RIKISHI!!” Austin rolled his eyes... He knows how difficult a match against the big Samoan Rikishi is... He implored Foley to punish Big Show for stealing the Belt... and Foley said he needs to give 'The World's Largest Athlete' the chance to bring the Belt back... So... Show has until Monday Night RAW to return Austin's property... Even though in less than two weeks, he might just win it straight back at the Royal Rumble...!! Spike The Burger Backstage, 'The Crippler' Chris Benoit was taping his wrists ahead of his upcoming match... When Spike Dudley appeared behind him... Benoit slapped Spike's cheeseburger out of his hand on RAW, and Spike was here for revenge tonight... He'd already requested a match with Benoit for later on, but he took his want of revenge to another level by creeping up on Benoit, and slamming a cheeseburger, complete with salad, burger relish, and gherkin, into 'The Crippler's' face... and then running away...!! Benoit was absolutely beside himself with anger!! w/ Edge and Christian [vs] Terri's Boys (Albert & Perry Saturn) w/ Terri The WWF Tag Team Champions look unbeatable at the moment, despite being up against two big, strong, bulls in Albert and Perry Saturn. Terri's Boys will be disappointed to have lost in the end, after a dominant display, but Edge's 'Spear' is like a bullet to the chest, and Saturn stayed down after being caught with it. 80 Winners: Edge and Christian Finish: 'Spear' Tough Enough After losing the Hardcore Title to The Undertaker, Hardcore Holly has understandably been in a bit of a funk... He lost the re-match, and now 'Taker has redefined what it means to be 'Hardcore'... 'The American Badass' said that you have to be tough... not use weapons... or sneak attacks... and with the help of Vince McMahon, has ENDED the 24/7 ruling... Hardcore Holly: “Undertaker wants to talk about being 'tough'... He says, bein' Hardcore Champion proves he's the tough-est... rough-est... man een the eendustry... Well... I'll prove I'm tougher than heem... any time... any place...!!” Before Holly could finish, The Dudley Boyz walked up... Bubba Ray Dudley: “Oh, you're TOUGH...?! Lemme tell ya somethin' Holly... De way we see it... You're the OPPOSITE of tough... You're so sawft... dat if I put you through that table... your flesh would CUT...” Hardcore Holly said that if Crash Holly was here, they'd fight The Dudleyz in a tag team match tonight... But they told him there's plenty of other 'sawft' partners to choose from... w/ Spike Dudley [vs] 'The Crippler' Chris Benoit w/ Chris Jericho As soon as the bell rang, Spike Dudley immediately regretted stuffing a cheeseburger into Chris Benoit's face. 'The Crippler' battered him from pillar to post, and he left the match with multiple injuries. However, he DID manage to score the win, when Eddie Guerrero showed up! 'Latino Heat' slid Chris Jericho into the ring, and then threw him out over the top rope!! Eddie ran away from Benoit, and the bizarre distraction allowed Spike to roll Benoit up for the shock win! For the second time in the night, Benoit was left absolutely furious!! 78 Winner: Spike Dudley Finish: 'Roll Up' Protection Hardcore Holly was walking backstage... Looking like he was trying to find a partner for a tag team match with The Dudley Boyz later tonight... He stumbled across a great opportunity... The Godfather: “Hardcore Holly... Ma man...!! Listen, the boys (Faarooq and Bradshaw) are currently playin' some cards with William Regal and Dean Malenko... and they think, I should offer to join you tonight... against those damn, Dudley Boyz...!!” Godfather said that normally, to 'purchase' an APA member to compete in a match as a tag team partner, would cost Holly a LOT of money... but... Since it's him... and since Regal and Malenko have already paid them to protect them from The Dudleyz, this one's on the house...!! Holly liked what he was hearing... and shook the big Godfather's hand... Scotty Too Hotty [vs] Marty Jannetty A fascinating match here, between two Light Heavyweights, scheduled to compete as part of the Fatal-4-Way Match at the Royal Rumble, for Jannetty's Light Heavyweight Title. Jannetty has been an excellent Champion so far, holding the Gold for an impressive eight months. But he came up short here against an in-form challenger in Scotty Too Hotty! 59 Winner: Scotty Too Hotty Finish: 'Bulldog' Rapid Fire Backstage, K-Kwik and Billy Gunn – known as Rapid Fire as a tag team, were talking about Kwik's feud with X-Pac... K-Kwik: “Dawg...!! X-Pac makes me feel THIS big... (gestures really small) at times... So I'll tell you what I'm gonna do... I'm gonna FIGHT him, on RAW... 1 on 1... and Billy... I know he's your boy, but you better pick a side, man...!!” Cliqueing Into Place K-Kwik and X-Pac will be going 1 on 1 on RAW... but we soon learned of another match taking place... as Triple H will return to action!! 'The Game' has suffered a lot of injuries in recent months... and a match against 'The Bad Guy' Razor Ramon could be the last thing he needs, this close to his clash against Shane and Vince McMahon at the Royal Rumble...!! Despite Triple H and Razor's previous friendship, this one promises to be a barn burner...!! Hardcore Holly & The Godfather [vs] The Dudley Boyz The Dudleyz picked a fight with the wrong man in Hardcore Holly tonight. The Alabama native wanted to rip their arms off at times, and he hit harder than anyone else in the entire show too. Godfather had some nice moments backing Holly up, but the 'Alabama Slam' to D-Von made a big impact and was impossible to kick out of! 64 Winners: Hardcore Holly & The Godfather Finish: 'Alabama Slam' Dead Man Walking After the match was over, The Undertaker headed onto the stage with a microphone to address Hardcore Holly... The Undertaker: “Listen, Bob... I know you throw a great dropkick... I know you throw a mean chair shot... hell... I'm sure you throw a solid right hand, right...?! But these things don't make you tough, Bob... What makes you tough, is standing up for what you believe in... fighting guys 1 on 1... man to man... No sneak attacks... No roll-ups... No weapons to gain an unfair advantage... If you EVER want this Title back... you are going to have to earn it, son...!!” Holly stood with his hands on his hips while 'Taker was talking, and then demanded a microphone once he was done... Hardcore Holly: “Hey 'Taker... Whilst I appreciate the advice, an' all... Remind me again how you WON that there Hardcore Title...?!” Undertaker won the Belt by interfering in Holly's Title defence a few weeks back, taking full advantage of the 24/7 ruling placed on the Hardcore Title at the time... which 'The Deadman' has now abolished... Holly put 'Taker in his place, but then challenged him to a fight... 1 on 1... man to man... No weapons... No roll-ups from behind... No sneak attacks... Undertaker said there's no way Holly is getting another Title shot, so he should go back to his 'Squad' where he belongs...!! Wrong Turn The Hardy Family were walking and talking backstage next, when they turned a corner and found 'The Big Red Machine' Kane coming towards them... Matt Hardy: “Eet is truly... WONDER FULLLLLL... To see you Kane... Let me ask you, Crimson Machine... Do you theenk you have a chance in the Rumble that is Royal...?! And what would happen if you stand across the ring from Senior Benjamin and Myself...?!” Kane didn't respond... He just tilted his head to the side, and sized Matt Hardy up like he wanted to eat him...!! Matt Hardy: “The bigger they are Kairne... The harder they fall... But you know all about that, don't you...?! You know... that at tha Royal Rumble... Eet is not the BIG man who prevails... It pays to be small, but mighty... My vessel may be smaller in stature... But my mind... my spirit... my soul AND my life experiences... Mean that at the Royal Rumble Match... I weeell... DELETE YOU...!!” Kane stepped forwards, and the entire Hardy Family ran in the opposite direction...!! Rikishi [vs] 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin As punishments go, a match against big Rikishi was up there as one of the worst Steve Austin could have hoped for after losing his World Heavyweight Title Belt. Mick Foley has given Big Show until Monday Night on RAW to bring the Belt back, but until then, he's punishing Austin for being careless. Austin did everything he could to avoid the 'Stink Face', and escaped the match without taking the horrible move. But he also would have walked away with a few bruised ribs following a 'Bonsai Drop', and a saw jaw after a vicious Super Kick. For the finish, the charismatic Samoan was attempting a 'Kishi Driver', but Austin wriggled free and landed on his feet behind him. As Rikishi turned around, Austin kicked him in the stomach, and hit the 'Stunner'. 94 Winner: 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin Finish: 'Stone Cold Stunner' Title On Tour As Austin had his hand raised in the ring, a pre-taped from earlier in the day, video package interrupted him... and it was his Royal Rumble opponent: 'The World's Largest Athlete' Big Show...!! Big Show: “HEYYYYY!!! Austin...!! Say HELLO... To my LITTLE FRIEND...!!” Show was clearly drunk, in the back of a limo, and riding around town with the World Heavyweight Title Belt...!! He told Austin he was 'celebrating early', because at the Royal Rumble, he's leaving with the Belt again...!! Champagne was flowing... Show had some friends with him, some male, some female... and the big man decided he wanted to climb out of the sunroof...!! He held the Belt tightly, but waved at fans... It soon became clear where he was... He was in Vegas...!! The scene sped up, and the group headed into The Bellagio Casino...!! Back live, Austin was livid... and began remonstrating with the referee... At this point, Rikishi got up, and slammed into the World Heavyweight Champion... Austin fell and landed perfectly in the corner for his 'Stink Face'... but as 'Kishi 'backed that ass up', Austin kicked out, and scrambled out under the bottom rope...!! 'The Texas Rattlesnake' ran to the back, and Rikishi showed Austin he was 'this close' to getting the 'Stink Face' as the show went off the air... Quick Results: The Rock [def.] Mr. Sexay Edge and Christian [def.] Terri's Boys Spike Dudley [def.] Chris Benoit Scotty Too Hotty [def.] Marty Jannetty Hardcore Holly & The Godfather [def.] The Dudley Boyz Steve Austin [def.] Rikishi Show Rating: 89

> 'The Great One' The Rock [vs] ???? Edge and Christian [vs] Terri's Boys (Albert & Perry Saturn) w/ Terri Spike Dudley [vs] 'The Crippler' Chris Benoit w/ Chris Jericho Scotty Too Hotty [vs] Marty Jannetty Hardcore Holly & The Godfather [vs] The Dudley Boyz Rikishi [vs] 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin

JANUARY 2002, WEEK 2… In The Booth: Jim Ross, Michael Cole and Tazz Hardly Worth His Time We kicked off the show with The Hardy Family heading to the ring, ahead of Matt and Jeff's scheduled match with the WWF Tag Team Champions: Edge and Christian... Matt Hardy: “I do not concern myself, with meaningless matches like this... No CHAMPIONSHEEEEPS are on the line... due to The Brood Brothers being cowards, and not defending their Tag Team Titles... So... Senior Benjamin is going to take my place...!!” Matt claimed that a Matt Hardy match is a delicacy... and should be enjoyed with a glass of wine... He also said he's saving his 'vessel' for the gruelling Royal Rumble Match... w/ Edge and Christian [vs] Jeff Hardy & 'Senior' Shelton Benjamin w/ Matt Hardy & Lita Amazing opener, and one which Shelton Benjamin held his own despite his limited experience on the roster. Jeff Hardy was wild though, and when he tagged in late on, he threw his body at the Tag Champs, and they couldn't handle him. They also couldn't handle Matt Hardy at ringside, who pulled Edge's leg when Lita had the referee's attention. Jeff hit the 'Twist Of Fate', but then flew at Christian on the apron. Shelton was legal, and he planted a 'T-Bone Suplex' on Edge! 80 Winners: Jeff Hardy & 'Senior' Shelton Benjamin w/ Matt Hardy & Lita Finish: 'T-Bone Suplex' Open Challenge 'The Great One' The Rock was backstage next... with a challenge for anyone NOT confirmed in the Royal Rumble Match... The Rock: “The most Electrifying Man in ALL of entertainment...Says that with fifteen confirmed entrants into The Rock's Royal Rumble... There needs to be more... We're only half way through... And on The Rock's show Smackdown... A challenge... From The Brahma Bull... To any Jabroni not confirmed... To announce their entry... By going ONE... ON ONE... WITH THE GREAT ONE...!!” Rock paced back and forth... and said that twenty nine men won't be enough come the Royal Rumble... The Rock: “1997... The Rock's first Rumble Match... 1998, Runner up... 2000, Winner... 2001, Final Three... Yu see The Rock has a great record in the Royal Rumble... and that's going to continue... Nobody can stop 'The Great One'... Not Undertaker, Not Chris Jericho, Not Kane, and certainly not... BleuagheahuheughrghROKEN... Matt Hardy...!! TWENTY, NINE... MEN... twenty... nine... men... It won't be enough... Because FINALLY... THE ROCK... IS COMING BACK... TO WRESTLE... MANIA...!!” Local Enhancement Talent [vs] 'The Japanese Buzzsaw' Tajiri Tajiri destroyed this young local worker in 3 short minutes here, hitting his 'Buzzsaw Kick' after a brutal showing! 18 Winner: 'The Japanese Buzzsaw' Tajiri Finish: 'Buzzsaw Kick' Chris-Respectful Backstage, Eddie Guerrero was minding his own business, when Chris Jericho and Chris Benoit confronted him... Jericho did all of the talking, Benoit stayed quiet, as he often does... Chris Jericho: “HEY!! Guerrero...!! We saw you helped The Rock out, and gave him some advice to help him beat Benoit on Smackdown...!! NOT smart man... Winning builds confidence... and a confident Rock is the LAST thing we need heading into the Royal Rumble you IDIOT...” Jericho said he's got Kane tonight, but doesn't need to worry too much about that 'Big Red Moron'... Eddie smirked, and gingerly pointed over Jericho's shoulder... The two Canadians took a couple of seconds, and then slowly turned around, expecting to see Kane stood behind them... But a few feet away, this man was eating a hamburger... Spike Dudley paused as the two confused men glared at him... They turned around to fight Guerrero, but he was gone... completely...!! They had no idea where he'd gone, and it angered them even more... To the point that Benoit slapped the burger out of Spike's hands...!! w/ 'The Samoan Bulldozer' Umaga w/ Haku [vs] Steven Richards Much like Tajiri a little earlier, this was as one-sided as they come. Steven Richards managed a couple of super kicks to the big, strong, jaw of Umaga, but eventually he was put down by the 'Samoan Spike'. 48 Winner: 'The Samoan Bulldozer' Umaga w/ Haku Finish: 'Samoan Spike' The Big, Brave, Show We saw highlights next, of Big Show damaging 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin's truck... Rumour has it, Austin will be HERE later tonight... Thoughts are, he'll be out for revenge...!! Kwik To Be Blamed Backstage, X-Pac was holding court with the rest of New Generation X... and he was blaming K-Kwik for Pac's loss on Smackdown... X-Pac: “Kwik... You let me down... AGAIN... It's YOUR fault I lost to Scotty Too Hotty... As a group, we have two spots in the Royal Rumble Match... I already have the Light Heavyweight Title shot... So it's going to be you two... and you'd BETTER not let me down again...!!” X-Pac slapped Kwik around the back of his head...!! Kwik was furious, and wanted to fight X-Pac there and then... but the cocky 29 year old sloped away, laughing while Billy Gunn held his tag team partner back... w/ Hardcore Holly w/ Crash and Molly Holly [vs] 'The American Badass' The Undertaker © Another excellent match here, between two men who know how to thrive in a fight like this! It was open and even, and could have gone either way. But eventually, 'Taker kicked Crash Holly in the face on the outside and sent him flying over the ring steps! Hardcore knocked 'The Dead Man' down with a clubbing blow to the back of the head, and then checked on his cousin. As he got up to confront Undertaker though, he was caught with a Chokeslam on the ring apron! The impact was enough to win it, but Undertaker hit his 'Last Ride' Powerbomb for good measure, and retained his Title. 82 Winner: and STILL Hardcore Champion: 'The American Badass' The Undertaker © Finish: 'Last Ride' Hardcore, You Know The Score! The Undertaker grabbed a microphone after the match... and had something to say about the Hardcore Title... The Undertaker: “Hardcore...?! This ain't no Hardcore Title... You got guys like 'Hardcore Holly'... Think they're tough, coz they run around and hit people with trash cans and cookie trays... You wanna be tough...?! You'll put down the weapons... stop the sneak attacks, and the 24/7 rule... and FIGHT me... 1 on 1... Man to Man... In the ring...!! Hardcore Holly did just that tonight... and he wasn't MAN enough to stop me... He can't sneak attack me, roll me up, or pin me in my sleep... There is NO 24/7 rule, as long as I'm the Champion...!!” Undertaker continued to run his mouth, until Hardcore Holly dropkicked him from behind, and sent him crashing through the ropes and to the floor...!! Holly wanted to continue the fight, and prove he IS man enough to stand up to 'The American Badass'... but Undertaker grabbed his Belt, hopped on his Motorbike, and rode it up the ramp...!! Those Who Train Together... After seeing a number of video packages showing Vince and Shane McMahon not taking their training seriously ahead of their upcoming mixed tag team match with Triple H and Stephanie McMahon at the Royal Rumble... We got a video of 'The Game' in the gym... proving that he IS taking that match seriously... 'The Cerebral Assassin' was looking like a beast in his natural habitat... beasting it up and stacking... But the camera panned to reveal his training partner... His wife, Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley was also training, and looking like she too was taking the match seriously... 'The Real Deal' D'Lo Brown [vs] Test D'Lo and Test are both on the rise right now, and both have had some big wins lately. D'Lo's win/loss record continued to improve with a huge victory on the road to the Royal Rumble, and his scheduled match with Mr. Perfect! 73 Winner: 'The Real Deal' D'Lo Brown Finish: 'Lo-Down' Not The Perfect Preparation As D'Lo Brown was getting his hand raised by the referee, he was jumped from behind by Mr. Perfect and Mr. Sexay...!! Brown will fight Perfect at The Royal Rumble in under two weeks, and this was by no means the ideal preparation for him... A win over Test gives 'The Real Deal' some great momentum, but the post-match attack hurt him... Perfect hit a beautiful DDT, followed by the 'Perfect Plex', in which he held D'Lo's shoulders down... Sexay dropped down and counted to three... before raising Perfect's hand, and proclaiming that his win/loss record over D'Lo was 'PERFECT'...!! Agents Of Protection Backstage, in their office with a door but no walls, the three members of The APA were sat playing cards... Bradshaw won the hand, like he always does, and Faarooq and The Godfather couldn't believe it... Faarooq: “DAMN!...” The Godfather: “How do you always win Bradshaw...?! I mean, GAAAD...!!” Faarooq: “Yeah, and hey man... You never told us what was in that envelope last week...!!” Bradshaw began to answer, when there was a knock at the door... William Regal and Dean Malenko were stood the other side of it, but the three APA members could clearly see them, due to there being no wall... Faarooq: “Who is it...?!” Regal and Malenko looked at each other, and then walked in through the door... as soon as they stepped through, all three APA members cheered, and seemed so happy to see them... Even though they saw them from the other side of the door... The fan favourite technical wrestlers had a wad of cash with them, which Bradshaw took and popped into a small safe... He told them that their money would buy them a weeks worth of guaranteed protection... presumably from The Dudley Boyz... William Regal: “Good sirs... A week will not be enough... We need two... We saw how you dealt with them in the ring last week, and we were very impressed...” Bradshaw: “Well flattery will get you everywhere my man... Tell you what we'll do... We'll watch your backs for two weeks... and keep those Dudleyz away from ya... IF... You sit with us, so we can drink some beers... smoke some cigars... and play some cards...!!” w/ 'The Big Red Machine' Kane [vs] 'The Belt Collector' Chris Jericho © w/ Chris Benoit Kane and Jericho put on an exceptional Main Event here, with Jericho desperate at times, to retain his Intercontinental Title. 'The Belt Collector' would be down to zero Championships if he lost this one, so he did everything he could do to retain. Benoit got involved on multiple occasions, and even tried to rip Kane's mask off at one point. His great work at ringside allowed Jericho to score the win using his 'Code Breaker', after Kane tried to grab 'The Crippler' over the top rope from inside of the ring. Kane got his shoulder up at 3, but the referee called for the bell, deciding his kick out was too late. 92 Winner: and STILL Intercontinental Champion: 'The Belt Collector' Chris Jericho © w/ Chris Benoit Finish: 'Code Breaker' Stone Cold, Sobering As promised to the fans earlier in the night, WWF World Heavyweight Champion 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin WAS in the building... He had a backstage worker with him, and was dragging him towards the parking lot... He pointed at the trucks in front of him, and the guy he was holding by the collar of his shirt, pointed at one in particular... Steve Austin: “This one, right here...?! Right... Get the keys... NOW...!!” The backstage worker turned out to be a valet parker... He went to the lockbox, and pulled out a set of keys... and handed them to Austin, who let go of the man, and told him to 'beat it', before kicking him in his behind as he scampered away... 'The Texas Rattlesnake' slung his Belt into the passenger seat, and climbed in... He was out for revenge after Big Show damaged his truck, and he was going to STEAL Show's tonight...!! But he soon realised that wasn't going to happen... Big Show arrived on the scene, and reached into his truck window... Pulling Austin out through it!! 'Stone Cold' flailed and kicked his legs, as Show dragged him across the parking lot... He delivered a chest chop right under Austin's chin, and sent the WWF World Heavyweight Champion to the floor in agony... Big Show snatched his keys from Austin's trembling hands... and then stomped on his Royal Rumble opponent a couple of times for good measure... Show got in the truck, and drove off... leaving Austin to realise he'd LOST his Title Belt...!! It was still on the seat in Show's truck...!! Quick Results: Jeff Hardy & Shelton Benjamin [def.] Edge and Christian Tajiri [def.] Local Enhancement Talent Umaga [def.] Steven Richards The Undertaker [def.] Hardcore Holly D'Lo Brown [def.] Test Kane [def.] Chris Jericho Show Rating: 85

> Edge and Christian [vs] Jeff Hardy & 'Senior' Shelton Benjamin Local Enhancement Talent [vs] 'The Japanese Buzzsaw' Tajiri 'The Samoan Bulldozer' Umaga w/ Haku [vs] Steven Richards w/ Ivory Hardcore Title Match: Hardcore Holly [vs] 'The American Badass' The Undertaker © 'The Real Deal' D'Lo Brown [vs] Test Intercontinental Title Match: 'The Big Red Machine' Kane [vs] 'The Belt Collector' Chris Jericho ©

JANUARY 2002, WEEK 1… In The Booth: Michael Cole and Tazz Show Some Revenge We kicked off the show with Big Show... the challenger to the WWF World Heavyweight Title against Champion 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin at the Royal Rumble... and he was asking a camera man to follow him as he walked through the backstage area... Big Show: “Hey Austin...!! You wanna resort to throwing a drink at me...?! Like we're chicks, in a bar...?! Well... Two can play at that game, sister...” Show burst through a door, and backstage workers backed out of the way... The giant was referring to Austin throwing a drink over him in catering on RAW... and he was here for revenge... He kicked another double door open, and headed into the parking lot... Right in front of him, was the unmistakeable truck belonging to Steve Austin...!! Big Show: “Look at this truck, huh...!! Wouldn't it be a DAMN shame, if someone took their keys... and made a nice, deep scratch, all the way around...!!” Show began to scratch, from nearside rear wing, all the way to the back...!! He then picked up a lead pipe from the floor nearby, and began smashing it off the bonnet... He continued to trash the truck... smashing windows, and denting panels... before taking out a can of spray paint... and writing 'BIG SHOW' on the side...!! New Generation Of Opinions We cut to the ring after what was a pre-taped segment to kick us off... and X-Pac, Billy Gunn and K-Kwik were strolling out together... X-Pac: “Royal Rumble... The legendary Marty Jannetty, defends his Light Heavyweight Title... against... ME... Possibly the greatest Light Heavyweight in the company right now... and Jeff Hardy, who has a very bright future ahead of him... And... Scotty Too Hotty...?! Are you serious right now, bro...?! No way is Scotty in that match... He should be nowhere NEAR that match... He's not on our LEVEL...!!” Scotty responded by heading onto the stage, and telling X-Pac that he should back up what he's saying, and fight the former Too Cool member there and then... Pac agreed, and we had a match...!! w/ Scotty Too Hotty [vs] X-Pac w/ New Generation X X-Pac's mouth was writing cheques that his ass couldn't cash in the end, because Scotty Too Hotty was fired up, and keen to prove a point. He used the chip on his shoulder to overwhelm X-Pac early on, and eventually pick up a big win with his 'Jumping Bulldog'! 67 Winner: Scotty Too Hotty Finish: 'Jumping Bulldog' Latino Tips Backstage, The Rock and Eddie Guerrero were walking towards the men's locker room, and talking... the camera could just about pick up what they were saying... and they seemed on good terms... The Rock: “Well The Rock wanted to congratulate you, on beating Razor Ramon on RAW... It seems The Rock'll see your Mexican ass in the Royal Rumble Match...!!” Eddie Guerrero: “Hahaaaa... That's right amigo... Hey, don't choo have Chris Benoit 1 on 1 tonight...?! I can give you a few tips if you like...?! I know heem well...!!” Rock nodded, as Eddie closed the door of the locker room... Val Venis & Al Snow [vs] Sexay & Perfect Val and Al don't get along at all, and Snow's antics in the match angered Venis to the point of distraction a number of times. For the finish, Venis was looking for his 'Money Shot' splash on Mr. Perfect, but Mr. Sexay shoved Val off the top rope, and hopped up himself to hit the 'Hip Hop Leg Drop'. Val bemoaned Al moments earlier and didn't see that Sexay had blind tagged into the match! 73 Winners: Sexay & Perfect Finish: 'Hip Hop Leg Drop' Time To Call The Car Rental Company We immediately cut to the parking lot, where 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin and The Undertaker walked out and came across Austin's truck...!! The look on Austin's face was a picture, as the two Champions stood in disbelief... Austin's World Heavyweight Title Belt dropped down to his side... and his other hand went to his head... and he looked visibly upset... Undertaker was angry, and he caught a glimpse of Big Show off in the distance...!! He shouted at the giant... and he and Austin stomped towards him...!! What 'Taker and Austin didn't see, was that standing behind Big Show, was Hardcore Holly... Standing behind him, was his Cousin Crash... The two members of the Four Man Power Trip backed up... realising they were outnumbered, and that their opponents included a man who could hide the other two with his large frame... Hardcore Holly had something to say to the new Hardcore Champion: The Undertaker... Hardcore Holly: “I ain't afraid o' you 'Taker... On RAW... I wanna re-match for my Title... You p***y out, or try and screw me over, you're a DEAD man...!!” The Japanese Buzz RAW We learned next that Tajiri will be in singles action again on RAW... 'The Japanese Buzzsaw' is currently undefeated in three 1 on 1 matches, however he tasted his first loss in the five way Light Heavyweight Title number one contendership match on RAW this past week... But he'll be keen to get back on track on Monday Night... The APA (Faarooq & Bradshaw) [vs] The Dudley Boyz Four hard-hitting tag team wrestlers here, beating lumps out of each other. Bradshaw was on fire, and everything he did was impactful. For the finish though, it was Faarooq's brilliant Spine Buster that did for Bubba Ray Dudley. 78 Winners: The APA (Faarooq & Bradshaw) Finish: 'Spine Buster' Vince And Shane Balboa II A video package aired next, the second instalment of Vince and Shane McMahon in 'training' for their upcoming mixed tag team match against Vince's Daughter Stephanie McMahon and her Husband Triple H... Last time out, Vince and Shane prepared to face their family members, by sitting in a bar, and drinking whiskey... This time, they were sat in Vince's Family home... as his wife Linda McMahon served them an awesome looking roast chicken dinner... She put the plates down, and then left the room to go and grab hers... Vince McMahon: “You know Shane O... I am SO glad Stephanie and Hunter aren't here, to RUIN this meal...!!” Shane McMahon: “That's what I'm thankful for...” Vince McMahon: “We really should have more chicken than this though... LINDA... HEY LINDA... Bring us more Protein, Pal...!! Ha ha ha ha... Gotta get that protein... right Shane O...?!” Vince and Shane continue to not take their upcoming match seriously... They got drunk together last week on RAW... they're eating a huge Family meal here... and they're in no way preparing physically for a fight against Triple H and Stephanie McMahon... It's clear they probably don't need to do much preparing for Steph, but 'The Game' is a different proposition... and could legitimately beat them both on his own...!! Spike Dudley [vs] 'The Bad Guy' Razor Ramon A non-contest here, as Razor dominated Spike. 'The Bad Guy' was angry about his loss to Eddie Guerrero from RAW, and he took that anger out on the small Dudley Cousin. Mercifully ending it with his 'Razor's Edge' after six minutes. 79 Winner: 'The Bad Guy' Razor Ramon Finish: 'Razor's Edge' Not Very Regal We cut backstage immediately following the match, and found Spike Dudley's Cousins, Bubba Ray and D-Von, attacking William Regal...!! The Dudley Boyz knew that if they could put Regal through a table before the Royal Rumble, they wouldn't have to go through with their scheduled match with Regal and Dean Malenko at the huge event... Luckily for Regal, D-Von struggled to set the table up, and the delay was enough for Malenko to arrive on the scene and run The Dudleyz off...!! w/ 'The Headshrinkers' Haku & Umaga [vs] 'Terri's Boys' (Saturn & Albert) w/ Terri A fist-fight got us started here, and all four men were in the ring, and hitting hard. The referee finally got control, and we were treated to a solid tag team fight, in which Haku and Umaga came out on top, after the latter hit his 'Samoan Spike' on Perry Saturn! With this victory, Haku and Umaga now qualify for the Royal Rumble Match!! 63 Winners: 'The Headshrinkers' Haku & Umaga Finish: 'Samoan Spike' Target Acquired The opening segment of RAW this week, saw Matt and Jeff Hardy, and 'Senior' Shelton Benjamin, attack the WWF Tag Team Champions: Edge, Christian, and the Light Heavyweight Champion: Marty Jannetty, ahead of their scheduled match with New Generation X... Tonight, Edge and Christian were here to respond to The Hardy Family... who have stated that they weren't targeting the two Canadians... They wanted to take out Marty Jannetty... Edge: “So... The Hardyz and Shelton wanted to soften up Marty Jannetty up ahead Jeff's Title shot at Royal Rumble... and they weren't going after us...?! No... I don't buy it...” Christian: “They didn't go after X-Pac did they...?! He was out next, and he is ALSO in that Light Heavyweight Title match... Besides... Targeting us or not, what were we supposed to do...?! Just stand back and watch our friend and partner for the night get beaten up...?!” Edge: “I know Matt Hardy... and he's up to something... If he wants the Tag Team Titles, he and Jeff can prove they deserve them... against US... on RAW...!!” Christian: “Yeah, but in a NON-TITLE MATCH...!!” w/ 'The Great One' The Rock [vs] 'The Crippler' Chris Benoit w/ Chris Jericho Rock and Benoit are two of the early favourites to win this years Royal Rumble Match, and based on their performances in this one, it's easy to see why! Rock and Chris Jericho have had some harsh words for each other, and physical confrontations, in recent weeks, as Jericho is also a potential winner in a little over two weeks time. Benoit has had Jericho's back, but Jericho has somehow managed to throw a steel chair and hit Kane on more than one occasion. This fantastic match saw Benoit hit multiple suplexes, and attempt to make Rock tap out to a number of submission holds. The Sharp Shooter, and the 'Crippler Crossface' did some damage to 'The Great One'. However, Rock managed to get to the ropes both times, and Benoit had to break the holds. In the end, Rock countered a German Suplex attempt, and pulled Benoit in for the 'Rock Bottom' to pick up a big win! 94 Winner: 'The Great One' The Rock Finish: 'Rock Bottom' Big Red Revenge Right after the match, The Rock and Benoit were joined in the ring by Chris Jericho, who went right after 'The Great One'!! Benoit soon joined in the attack, and it was 2 on 1... The two Canadians thought they could take The Rock out here, and make it so he didn't make it to the Royal Rumble... Either that, or at least weaken him and lessen his chances of winning it... But Rocky got some help, after a big pyro explosion on the stage... Kane stomped to the ring, and the menacing masked big man's arrival, climbing over the ropes, saw Jericho and Benoit make their exit through the ropes, and over the guard rail... Kane will battle Jericho for the IC Title next week on RAW... and 'The Belt Collector' won't be able to run away from Kane on that night...!! Quick Results: Scotty Too Hotty [def.] X-Pac Sexay & Perfect [def.] Val Venis & Al Snow The APA [def.] The Dudley Boyz Razor Ramon [def.] Spike Dudley Haku & Umaga [def.] Perry Saturn & Albert The Rock [def.] Chris Benoit Show Rating: 89

> Scotty Too Hotty [vs] X-Pac w/ New Generation X Val Venis & Al Snow [vs] Sexay & Perfect The APA (Faarooq & Bradshaw) [vs] The Dudley Boyz Spike Dudley [vs] 'The Bad Guy' Razor Ramon 'The Headshrinkers' Haku & Umaga [vs] 'Terri's Boys' (Saturn & Albert) w/ Terri 'The Great One' The Rock [vs] 'The Crippler' Chris Benoit

JANUARY 2002, WEEK 1… In The Booth: Jim Ross, Michael Cole and Tazz Hardy Comounded We kicked off the Season Premiere of RAW in bizarre circumstances, as The Hardy Boyz and 'Senior' Shelton Benjamin were backstage, attacking Edge, Christian and Marty Jannetty, who were scheduled to compete in a six-man tag team match to open the show... Lita was also there, cheering her men on... but referees and officials soon broke up the melee, and their arrival ensured that there was just enough left of the WWF Tag Team, and Light Heavyweight Champions to get to the ring, and start the show...!! Edge, Christian & Marty Jannetty [vs] New Generation X (Pac, Gunn & Kwik) A little worse for wear after the beatdown to open the show, the three Champions struggled early on here. X-Pac will blame K-Kwik for his team losing the match, but the New Generation X member got complacent and thought he could take the night off out there since Edge, Christian and Jannetty were assaulted backstage. X-Pac's laid back attitude would eventually cost his team, and lead to Kwik getting beaten in the middle of the ring with Edge's 'Spear'. 81 Winner: Edge, Christian & Marty Jannetty Finish: 'Spear' Vince And Shane Balboa A video package aired next, showing Vince and Shane McMahon in 'training' for their upcoming mixed tag team match against Vince's Daughter Stephanie McMahon and her Husband Triple H... Vince and Shane were preparing to face their family members, by sitting in a bar, and drinking whiskey... Vince McMahon: “You know Shane O... Your Mom and I don't even like having them over for DINNER... Let alone fighting them in a tag team match...” Shane McMahon: “What I hate... is the way she thinks she's better than me... She thinks you love HER, more than you love me... I mean... What do you love the most...?! Whiskey... Golf... WWF... In that order... All three of those things you can do WITH me... and she just IGNORES them... She's barely even on WWF TV these days...” Vince and Shane continued to shoot the breeze, and by the looks of the time lapse video, drank way into the night... The thought of the two was that they didn't need to prepare or train to fight Stephanie McMahon... However, they may be underestimating Triple H somewhat... Protection Agency Special Delivery Backstage, in the office with a door but no walls, Bradshaw, Faarooq and The Godfather were playing cards together and nursing beers... An unknown and very young delivery guy approached the table, and Faarooq shouted 'DAMN!' and told him to knock before entering... The scared man backed up, and then knocked on the door from the 'outside' of the office... Faarooq suddenly became a little more accommodating, and the man said he had a delivery for 'Mr. Bradshaw'... Bradshaw: “Thanks boys... I'll take this...” Bradshaw snatched a brown envelope from the kid's hand, and opened it at the top... pulling out a piece of paper a small amount so that he could see the top of it... and then closed and sealed the envelope again, before shoving ALL of his poker chips into the centre of the table... Bradshaw: “Alright boys... I am ALL IN...!!” Faarooq and The Godfather folded... and Bradshaw took the pot... a little disappointed not to get called... Five Pack Challenge – Winner joins Light Heavyweight Title Match at Royal Rumble: | | | | Scotty Too Hotty | Crash Holly | Spike Dudley | Tajiri | Mr. Sexay The two main stories of this match were the feud between Scotty Too Hotty and Mr. Sexay, and then everyone trying to survive 'The Japanese Buzzsaw' Tajiri. In the end, Scotty rolled Sexay up to score the win, but all four of Tajiri's opponents came out of this one feeling the effects of his striking; particularly the kicks! 62 Winner: Scotty Too Hotty Finish: 'Roll-Up' Table Service Dean Malenko and William Regal headed to the ring next... With a challenge to make... William Regal: “Ladies and Gentlemen... The Dudley Boys have targeted us, however it is time we turned the 'Tables' on them... If you will... And it's time for the targETS... to become the targETERS...!! And furthermore... We... don't want to wait... We want Bubba Ray and D-Von... RIGHT this minute...!!” It didn't take long for The Dudleyz to answer the challenge... and they stomped onto the stage and down the ramp... However, as they got half way down the ramp, they stopped and backed up a few steps until they got to the stage again... Bubba Ray Dudley: “Woa woa woa... Regal... Just becoz' you're a Royal in your home country... Don't mean you can come in here... and bowss US around, you hear me...?!” D-Von Dudley: “If we're doin' this... We're doin' this, on OUR terms... If you have a problem with that... then take it up with your King...!!” Regal said he answers to nobody... especially two punks like The Dudleyz, who sneak attack people, and put them through tables... Bubba reminded him that they haven't put HIM through a table yet... but he's their next target... William Regal: “How about this gentlemen... We give you what you want... you give us, what we want... Here's our offer... We'll give you the opportunity to put us BOTH through a Table... in a Tables Match... You give us that match... at the Royal Rumble...!!” The Dudleyz accepted the challenge, but told them that the match is OFF...!! IF they put Regal through a table before the pay-per-view!! Because they would have already gotten what they wanted... to put Regal through a table...!! No Disqualifications Match: 'Latino Heat' Eddie Guerrero [vs] 'The Bad Guy' Razor Ramon For possibly the final ever time, Eddie Guerrero and Razor Ramon went 1 on 1 here, and this time in a No Disqualification Match! Eddie started brightly, and used weapons almost immediately. But Ramon used the no rules stipulation to commit acts that would normally call for disqualification,such as a thumb to the eye right in front of the referee, and a vicious low blow. In the end though, it was Eddie's mastery of the kendo stick that gave him the edge. With both men on the top rope, Eddie had one tied around his wrist, and he pulled it up and smacked Ramon in the face with it. As 'The Bad Guy' landed, Eddie hopped off and landed his 'Frog Splash' finisher! 80 Winner: 'Latino Heat' Eddie Guerrero Finish: 'Frog Splash' Royal Rumble Entrant announcement Being the Season Premiere of RAW, it was time for Commissioner Mick Foley to make an announcement about THREE more entrants in the 30-Man Royal Rumble Match... Mick Foley: “With guys like The Rock... Chris Jericho... Eddie Guerrero and Razor Ramon, who we just saw in action, all already confirmed... It's time to add a few more potential winners to what I think, is going to be the GREATEST line up in Royal Rumble history... and no... Yours truly is NOT going to be an entrant... So, let's add three names right now... Three men I know VERY well...!! 'The Crippler'... Chris Benoit...!! 'The Big Red Machine'... KANE...!! 'The American Badass' The Undertaker...!!” Catering In catering, Big Show was eating some food with a few unknown friends... when 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin walked up behind him... Austin completely crossed the line with Show, by dropping a drink over the back of his head...!! Show got up quickly to fight Austin, but the WWF World Heavyweight Champion was out of his reach, and almost out of the room... Show was furious...!! w/ Hardcore Holly © w/ Crash & Molly [vs] Al Snow This was looking like a really fun Hardcore Title Match, between two veteran fighters. But another very experienced competitor hit the ring out of nowhere!! Nobody would have seen this coming!! 'The American Badass' had just been confirmed as an entrant in the Royal Rumble Match, and the Four Man Power Trip member wasn't here to mess around. He chokeslammed everyone that moved, including Crash Holly, who was at ringside in his Cousin's corner. Molly got out of there as quickly as she could though, and survived 'Taker's onslaught. Eventually, the big man hit his 'Tombstone' on Hardcore Holly, and took full advantage of the 24/7 Ruling to take his Championship! 77 Winner: and NEW Hardcore Champion: The Undertaker Finish: 'Tombstone Piledriver' The Islanders WWE Commissioner Mick Foley was shown watching the action from his office... and he was stunned to see The Undertaker win the Hardcore Championship... Foley was the first ever Hardcore Champion, and he would have never expected a guy in 'Taker's position to capture the Gold... Or even want to... But now 'The American Badass' will have to deal with the 24/7 Ruling... Before Foley could fully process what had just happened, there was a knock at his door... Haku and Umaga... Two extremely intimidating Pacific Islanders were very respectful towards Foley... but told him they were disappointed to not be named as competitors in the Royal Rumble Match earlier on... Foley thought about what they were saying, and was careful not to anger the two big men... Mick Foley: “On Smackdown... we're going to have a Tag Team Qualifier... Win and you're in, okay...?! Your opponents, are two big, strong, men, who ALSO want to get spots in the match... 'Terri's Boys'... Albert and Perry Saturn...!!” Rikishi [vs] Test Speaking of big, dangerous, Islanders, Rikishi was in action next. He and his opponent Test are both confirmed entrants for the Royal Rumble, and they put on a solid but short singles match here. In the end, Test hit his vicious 'Big Boot', and won it. 65 Winner: Test Finish: 'Big Boot' Imperfect Win/Loss Record Last week on Smackdown, Mr. Perfect made reference to D'Lo Brown's near perfect win/loss record in 2001... Where he only lost a handful of matches, to the likes of Kurt Angle, Chris Jericho and The Undertaker... Perfect said it was good, but not 'Perfect'... D'Lo decided to respond to his future Royal Rumble opponent in an interview with Jonathan Coachman in the back... D'Lo Brown: “What was Mr. Perfect's win/loss record in '01...?! I don't know, but I DO know it wasn't as good as mine... But my record being good, and his being... not so good... doesn't make a lick of difference... Because 2002 is a NEW year... Our match is a NEW match...!! And I've got a feelin' everything's gonna be comin' up Brown for the next 12 months...” Kane & The Rock [vs] Chris Jericho & Chris Benoit Chris Jericho hid behind his vicious friend Benoit in this one, and let 'The Crippler' do a lot of the heavy lifting out there. When Rock was isolated, and began to struggle against Benoit's constant takedowns and submission attempts though, Jericho was more than happy to get in there and do some damage. Rock eventually fought 'Y2J' off, and made it to the tag, bringing big Kane into the match. Neither Jericho nor Benoit could handle 'The Big Red Machine', and the match changed completely around. For the finish, Jericho attempted a springboard cross-body, but Rock caught him and put him down with a 'Rock Bottom'. Benoit was the legal man though, but as he spun Rocky around, he too was caught with the same move, and was pinned. 88 Winners: Kane & The Rock Finish: 'Rock Bottom' Big Red Ma Chair After the match was over, Chris Jericho slid back into the ring with a steel chair... He threw it at The Rock, but not for the first time, 'The Great One' ducked, and it hit Kane... bouncing off his mask and knocking him over...!! Jericho's face was a picture, as he ran away as quickly as he could... Kane was furious, but he knew he wouldn't catch the Intercontinental Champion, so he let him run... Benoit joined Jericho on the stage... and now as we heard earlier tonight, all four of these men will compete in the Royal Rumble Match... Quick Results: Edge, Christian & Marty Jannetty [def.] New Generation X (Pac, Gunn & Kwik) Scotty Too Hotty [def.] Crash Holly, Spike Dudley, Tajiri & Mr. Sexay Eddie Guerrero [def.] Razor Ramon Hardcore Holly [def.] Al Snow to retain the Hardcore Title. Then The Undertaker beat Hardcore Holly FOR the Hardcore Title Test [def.] Rikishi Kane & The Rock [def.] Chris Jericho & Chris Benoit Show Rating: 85

Ah thanks mate. Hope to see you predicting Competition for this month has just started

Looks a great start to me buddy. Love the Canadian scene in the Cverse.

Block A: Citizen X vs Ricky Douglas Hollywood Brett Starr vs A MYSTERY OPPONENT HBS would be young here right? Not a bad thing, but we'll go with MO Winner of Match 1 vs Winner of Match 2 MO again Block B: Cameron Vessey vs Riley McManus Casey Valentine vs Max Mayhem Winner of Match 1 vs Winner of Match 2 They're both extremely talented (now), and I'm sure in 2010 they had chops too Winner of Block A vs Winner of Block B The Atlanic Connection vs The Awesomeness © for the MAW Tag Team Titles Mean Jean Cattley vs American Patriot © for the MAW Title Bonus Question: Who is the Mystery Opponent? Remmy Skye Thanks for the nice comment about my diary. For MAW you could make a run for growth I think but early on it's probably about stabilising and you'll lose some talent. Historian is the king of growing companies like this so if you get stuck, he's a good one to check in with

I'll be following along buddy. If you need any help, drop me a DM

> Edge, Christian & Marty Jannetty [vs] New Generation X (Pac, Gunn & Kwik) Five Pack Challenge – Winner joins Light Heavyweight Title Match at Royal Rumble: Scotty Too Hotty | Crash Holly | Spike Dudley | Tajiri | Mr. Sexay No Disqualifications Match: 'Latino Heat' Eddie Guerrero [vs] 'The Bad Guy' Razor Ramon Hardcore Title Match: Hardcore Holly © w/ Crash & Molly [vs] Al Snow Rikishi [vs] Test Kane & The Rock [vs] Chris Jericho & Chris Benoit

Thanks so much for all your Predictions this month... Deafstroke and Summer bagged the Armageddon prize, and have sent me their picks already... Satyr24 - you know how this works. I'll send you your prize via DM soon. Congratulations for getting the highest score of the month and winning the (terrible) prize!