IWE Royal Rumble (2004)

From Iwe

Royal Rumble (2004)
Promotional poster featuring Dustin Simpson
Theme song(s)	"Nothing Left to Lose" by Puddle of Mudd
Imformation
Promotion	International Wrestling Entertainment
Brand(s)	Raw Smackdown
Date	January 25, 2004
Attendance	17,289
Venue	Wachovia Center
City	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Pay-per-view chronology
Armageddon (2003)	Royal Rumble (2004)	No Way Out (2004)
Royal Rumble chronology
Royal Rumble (2003)	Royal Rumble (2004)	Royal Rumble (2005)

Royal Rumble (2004) was the seventeenth annual Royal Rumble professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by International Wrestling Entertainment (IWE). It took place on January 25, 2004 at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The main event was the annual 30-man Royal Rumble match, which Kevin Hunter won by last eliminating The Big Marc. Hunter broke the longevity record last held by Bob Backlund staying in the match for over one hour.

The undercard featured a Last Man Standing match between Triple K and Ryan Barnhart for the World Heavyweight Championship, Rob Lesnar versus Hardcore Murnion for the IWE Championship, Brian McAlmond versus Chavo McAlmond, Scott Wright versus James Noble for the IWE Cruiserweight Championship and Evolution (Ric Flair and Jesse Dern) versus Dudley Boyz (Harlen and Scott) in a Tables match for the World Tag Team Championship.

[edit] Background

Royal Rumble featured professional wrestling matches that involved different wrestlers from pre-existing scripted feuds, plots, and storylines that were played out on Raw and SmackDown! – International Wrestling Entertainment's (IWE) primary television programs. Wrestlers portrayed a villain or a hero as they followed a series of events that built tension, and culminated into a wrestling match or series of matches. The event featured wrestlers from IWE's Raw and SmackDown! brands – a storyline division in which IWE employees were assigned to a television program of the same name.

The buildup to the Royal Rumble match started on January 1, 2004 edition of SmackDown, when Dustin Simpson interrupted a promo of the SmackDown General Manager Paul Heyman about Tribute to the Troops in Iraq event. This angered Heyman and Heyman forced Simpson to compete in a Handicap match with a partner and the two needed to win the match to gain entry in the Royal Rumble match. Simpson's partner was revealed to be Kevin Hunter and the two defeated Full Blooded Italians (Nunzio, Chuck and Johnny Stamboli) in a Handicap match to qualify for the Royal Rumble match. As a result, all the three members of Full Blooded Italians lost their spots in the Royal Rumble match. If Simpson and Hunter would have lost, neither would have been able to participate in the match. After the match, Matt Borske announced that he would participate in the Royal Rumble match and would win it. Later that night, Hunter insulted Heyman and Heyman forced Hunter to compete at the #1 spot in the Royal Rumble. On January 5 edition of Raw, Kane announced that he was going to win the Royal Rumble but was confronted by Booker T, who claimed that he would eliminate Kane from the match and win the match. On January 8 edition of SmackDown, Hunter defeated Full Blooded Italians in a Handicap Mini Royal Rumble to retain his spot in the Royal Rumble. On January 12 edition of Raw, Coldberg defeated Matt Hooper and announced that he would participate in the Royal Rumble match. On January 15 edition of SmackDown, several qualifying matches were held for the Royal Rumble, including a battle royal between Full Blooded Italians, which Nunzio won. On January 19 edition of Raw, Coldberg, Kevin McAlmond, Kyle Van Dam, Booker T, Steven Larson and Khris Jericho won matches to qualify for a Battle Royal to determine the #30 entrant of the Royal Rumble match. Coldberg won the Battle Royal and earned the #30 spot in the Royal Rumble.

The main rivalry heading into the event from the SmackDown brand was between Rob Lesnar and Hardcore Murnion over the IWE Championship. The rivalry could be dated back to September 12, 2002 edition of SmackDown, when Lesnar defeated Murnion in a non-title match and injured him by breaking his neck, putting him out of action for over a year. A year later, at Survivor Series, Murnion returned to IWE from injury to take revenge from Lesnar. On November 20 edition of SmackDown, Murnion was fired by the SmackDown General Manager Paul Heyman for attacking Lesnar. On December 18 edition of SmackDown, Heyman announced that Murnion would team with Shane Linguini in a tag team match against A-Train and Brandon Martin, in which Murnion could get a match of his choosing if he won but if he lost, his IWE contract would be terminated. Murnion and Linguini won the match, allowing Murnion to wrestle a match of his choosing. On January 1 edition of SmackDown, Murnion intentionally got disqualified in a match against Big Show by brutally assaulting him. On January 8 edition of SmackDown, Murnion defeated Big Show in a Street Fight. As a result, Big Show placed a restraining order on Murnion and Lesnar stayed with Big Show to protect himself from Holly. On January 22 edition of SmackDown, Murnion attacked Lesnar during a Handicap match pitting Lesnar, Big Show, Brandon Martin and Peter against Dustin Simpson and Kevin Hunter in a Handicap match. This led to a match between Lesnar and Murnion for the IWE Championship at Royal Rumble.

The main rivalry heading into the event from the Raw brand was between Triple K and Ryan Barnhart over the World Heavyweight Championship. At Armageddon, Triple K defeated then-champion Coldberg and Kane in a No Disqualification Triple Threat match to win the World Heavyweight Championship. On December 15 edition of Raw, Barnhart and Kyle Van Dam defeated Evolution (Triple K, Ric Flair and Batista in a Handicap match, when Barnhart pinned Triple K. As a result of pinning Triple K, Barnhart earned a World Championship match against Triple K on December 29 edition of Raw. Barnhart seemingly pinned Triple K to win the title but the Raw General Manager Eric Bischoff declared the match a draw because both men's shoulders were down on the mat during the pinfall. As a result, Triple K retained the title. On January 5 edition of Raw, the self-proclaimed Sheriff of Raw Stone Cold Steve Johnson announced that Triple K would defend the title against Barnhart in a Last Man Standing match at Royal Rumble.

A secondary rivalry heading into the event from the SmackDown brand was between Brian McAlmond and Chavo McAlmond. At Survivor Series, Nuss Brothers (Doug and Danny) defeated Los McAlmonds (Brian and Chavo) to retain the IWE Tag Team Championship. After the event, Los McAlmonds started to break up as a team when Chavo began blaming Brian for the team's recent failure. On November 20 edition of SmackDown, Los McAlmonds defeated World's Greatest Tag Team (Charlie Lynch and Junior Remeriz) but after the match, Lynch and Remeriz attacked Chavo and injured his leg. This caused Chavo to blame Brian for the injury. On November 27 edition of SmackDown, Chavo was attacked again and he blamed Brian again. This continued on December 4 edition of SmackDown, when Brian helped Chavo in defeating Remeriz in a one-on-one match. Chavo blamed Brian for stealing the spotlight that Chavo needed. On January 1 edition of SmackDown, Brian and Chavo finally broke up the team after losing to World's Greatest Tag Team. However, on January 8 edition of SmackDown, Matt Borske reunited Los McAlmonds and earned them a Tag Team Championship match against Nuss Brothers, which Los McAlmonds lost. After the match, Los McAlmonds finally ended when Chavo attacked Brian and caused him to bleed. As a result, Chavo became a villain. On January 15 edition of SmackDown, Borske informed Brian that the SmackDown General Manager Paul Heyman had made a match between Brian and Chavo at Royal Rumble

Another secondary rivalry heading into the event from the SmackDown brand was between Scott Wright and James Noble over the IWE Cruiserweight Championship. On January 1 edition of SmackDown, Wright defeated Tajiri to win the Cruiserweight Championship. On January 8 edition of SmackDown, Tajiri and Noble were scheduled to have a #1 contender's match for the Cruiserweight Championship, but Noble was not present on the show. As a result, the SmackDown General Manager Paul Heyman ordered Noble's manager Nidia to replace Noble in the match. Tajiri easily defeated Nidia. After the match, Tajiri tried to assault Nidia, but Wright rescued her. This prompted Noble to come out and attack Wright as he thought that Wright was trying to harm Nidia. On January 15 edition of SmackDown, Noble defeated Tajiri to become the #1 contender for the Cruiserweight Championship at Royal Rumble.

The secondary rivalry heading into the event from the Raw brand was between Evolution (Ric Flair and Batista) and Dudley Boyz (Bubba Harlan and Scott) over the World Tag Team Championship. At Armageddon, Flair and Batista defeated Dudley Boyz in a Tag Team Turmoil match to win the Tag Team Championship. On December 29 edition of Raw, Flair served as the special referee during a match pitting Dudley Boyz against two enhancement talents. Flair awarded the victory to enhancement talents by disqualifying Dudley Boyz. Batista then came out and attacked Dudley Boyz from behind. On January 5 edition of Raw, Flair and Batista defeated Dudley Boyz to retain the Tag Team Championship. On January 12 edition of Raw, Batista defeated Scott in a one-on-one match. After the match, Flair tossed a table into the ring and Batista set it up but Bubba Harlan entered the ring and chased Flair and Batista. On January 19 edition of Raw, Evolution member Kevin McAlmond defeated The Hurricane in a match. After the match, Flair and Batista came out to congratulate Orton. Hurricane's tag team partner Rosey came out to check on him but was attacked by Batista. It led to Dudley Boyz coming out to deliver a 3-D on Flair through the table but Jonathan Coachman ran down to stop them and was hit with a 3D on the table by Dudley Boyz. This led to a Tables match between Dudley Boyz and Evolution for the Tag Team Championship at Royal Rumble.

[edit] Royal Rumble qualification matches

• Dustin Simpson and Kevin Hunter defeated Nunzio, Chuck, and Johnny Stamboli in a Handicap match – SmackDown!, December 30 (aired January 1)
• Rikki defeated Tommy Brown – Heat, January 12 (aired January 18)
• Brandon Martin defeated Liam Phillips – Velocity, January 13 (aired January 17)
• Rikishi defeated Scotty 2 Hotty – SmackDown!, January 13 (aired January 15)
• The World's Greatest Tag Team (Junior Remeriz and Charlie Lynch) defeated Nuss Brothers (Doug and Danny Basham) – SmackDown!, January 13 (aired January 15)
• Nunzio defeated Chuck Palumbo and Johnny Stamboli in a Triple Threat Battle Royal – SmackDown!, January 13 (aired January 15)
• Big Show defeated Funaki – SmackDown, January 13 (aired January 15)
• Tajiri defeated Kevin Kidman – SmackDown!, January 20 (aired January 22)
• A-Train defeated Shane Linguini – SmackDown, January 20 (aired January 22)
• Bradshaw defeated Akio and Sakoda in a Triple Threat match – SmackDown!, January 20 (aired January 22)

[edit] Event

Before the event aired live on pay-per-view (PPV), Tara Courtney defeated Molly Murnion by pinning her after a Gory Neckbreaker, which Courtney calls Widow's Peak. The match aired live on Heat.

[edit] Preliminary matches

As the event concluded, the first match that aired was a Tables match for the World Tag Team Championship. Evolution (Batista and Ric Flair) defended the titles against Dudley Boyz (Bubba Harlan and Scott). The object of the match was to knock any member of the opposing team through a table. Batista had a mic in his hand when he was making his entrance with Flair. He started insulting Dudley Boyz, causing Dudley Boyz to attack Flair and Batista in the aisle. They brawled at ringside. Bubba Harlan grabbed a table from under the ring and slid it into the ring. Dudley Boyz set up the table and suplexed Flair on it but Batista moved the table out of the way first. As a result, Dudley Boyz began double-teaming Batista until Scott clotheslined Batista over the top rope to the floor. Flair started attacking Bubba Harlan by chopping him into the table in the corner. Bubba Harlan fought back and rammed Flair’s head into the table. Flair eventually climbed the top rope but Bubba Harlan slammed him to the mat. Jonathan Coachman interfered in the match as he distracted Dudley Boyz. Dudley Boyz tried to perform a Diving Headbutt Low Blow, which they call Whassup but Flair threw Scott out of the way. D-Von clotheslined Flair, allowing Batista to perform a Spinebuster on Scott through the table to retain the Tag Team Championship.

The next match featured Scott Wright defending the IWE Cruiserweight Championship against James Noble. In a match pitting cruiserweight action, Noble dominated Wright in the earlier match until Wright started gaining momentum in the match by using his high-flying maneuvers such as a Hurricanrana and quick speed. At one point, Noble ran through the ropes but his manager Nidia caught his legs, thinking that it was Wright. As a result, Noble was distracted. Wright took advantage and performed a Tiger Feint Kick, which he calls 619 on Noble and followed it with a Springboard Legdrop, which he calls Droppin Da' Dime to win the match and thus retained the Cruiserweight Championship.

The third match was between Brian McAlmond and Chavo McAlmond. Chavo's real-life father Chavo McAlmond, Sr. managed him in the match. Brian was dominating the match until Chavo Sr. began interfering in the match and continuously interfered and attacked Brian throughout the match. However, Brian started gaining momentum by applying an Armbar on Chavo. Chavo escaped by performing a Belly to Back Suplex and got a near-fall. Chavo started dominating the match until Brian regained his momentum and performed three consecutive Vertical Suplexes, which he called Three Amigos on Chavo and followed it with a Frog Splash to win the match. After the match, Brian punished both Chavo and Chavo Sr. by continuously attacking them and made Chavo bleed from his mouth.

[edit] Main event matches

The SmackDown brand main event was between Rob Lesnar and Hardcore Murnion for the IWE Championship. Lesnar and Murnion started fighting at ringside until they returned to the ring where Lesnar applied a Bearhug on Murnion. Lesnar followed up by stomping away at Murnion and then suplexed him. Lesnar continued to dominate the match until Murnion started making a comeback in the match by performing a Clothesline on Lesnar and dropkicking him. Murnion followed it by performing his finisher, a Flapjack Spinebuster, which he calls Alabama Slam. Murnion then applied a Full nelson. Lesnar tried to get out of the hold but could not get released until he rolled out of the ring. Murnion rolled out to the ring with Lesnar and continued to apply the hold until Murnion returned to the ring and pulled Lesnar on the ring apron. Lesnar broke the hold by jumping to the floor and snapping Murnion's neck over the top rope. This allowed Lesnar to perform a fireman's carry facebuster, which he called F-5 on Murnion to retain the IWE Championship.

The Raw brand main event was also the final match on the undercard. It was a Last Man Standing match between Triple K and Ryan Barnhart for the World Heavyweight Championship. The match went back and forth with Triple K and Barnhart battling each other and in a brutal action, both men started bleeding. Triple K made the first attempt at performing a Double Underhook Facebuster, which he calls Pedigree on Barnhart onto a steel chair. However, Barnhart countered and dropped Triple K onto the steel chair. Barnhart proceed to beat Triple K and made his first attempt at performing a Superkick, which he called Sweet Chin Music on Triple K, but Triple K low blowed Barnhart. Triple K eventually performed a DDT before performing a Pedigree on Barnhart and waited for the 10 count but Barnhart got up at 9 count. Triple K was shocked. Barnhart took advantage and performed a Sweet Chin Music on Triple K, knocking him down. However, Barnhart fell down himself and both of them were unable to answer the referee's 10 count. As a result, the match ended in a draw and Triple K retained the World Championship.

The main event was the annual 30-man Royal Rumble match, where the winner would get to wrestle the world champion of his brand at WrestleMania XX. Kevin McAlmond and the IWE Intercontinental Champion Kevin McAlmond were the first two entrants. As the match started, Hunter and McAlmond battled each other until Steven Larson entered at #3 and began attacking both Hunter and McAlmond. Tajiri entered at #4 and performed a Handspring Back Elbow on McAlmond. McAlmond battled Larson and Hunter battled Tajiri until Bradshaw entered at #5 and began dominating all the participants by finishing off McAlmond, then Larson, then Tajiri, with three consecutive Lariats, which he called Clothesline from Hell. Bradshaw attempted to perform a Clothesline from Hell on Hunter but Hunter countered it into a Crossface, which he called Crippler Crossface. Bradshaw got out of the hold by picking Hunter up and tossing him over the top rope. However, Hunter jumped on the apron and eliminated Bradshaw instead. Peter entered at #6 and attacked McAlmond, before focusing on Hunter. Tajiri battled Larson and applied a Rope Hung Boston Crab, which he calls Tarantula on Larson. Peter performed a Spinebuster on Hunter and attempted to perform a Striking Spear, which he calls Gore, on Hunter but Hunter avoided the move and Peter instead crashed a rope hung Tajiri. This caused Tajiri to get eliminated from the match. Hunter then tossed Larson over the top rope, eliminating him.

Matt Hooper entered at #7 but was quickly tossed over the top rope by Hunter but Hooper landed on the apron. Peter tried to eliminate Hooper but Hooper stayed in the ring. Scott Hunter entered at #8 and started dominating all of the participants of the match. Hooper and McAlmond and Orton battled in the corner, where Hooper had nearly eliminated McAlmond until Hunter attacked Hooper and McAlmond was saved from being eliminated. Brandon Martin entered at #9 and he performed a Sitout Powerbomb on Hunter and a Big Boot on Hardy. The Hurricane entered at #10 and performed a Diving Crossbody on Hooper. Hurricane then began fighting Martin, who dominated Hurricane and eliminated him by tossing him over the top rope. Martin then tried to eliminate Hooper in the same way, but Hardy landed on the apron and stayed in the ring. Hunter began fighting Peter Rhyno, Hunter battled McAlmond and Hooper battled Martin until Booker T entered at #11. Booker attacked Hunter and then performed a Scissors Kick on McAlmond. Booker then eliminated Hunter from the match. Kane entered at #12. Morgan started attacking Kane but Kane performed a Chokeslam on Martin. Kane performed a Big Boot on Peter and then Kane chokeslammed McAlmond. Eventually, The Undertaker's entrance theme music began playing in the arena and the lights went out. When the lights came back, Kane was distracted and Booker eliminated Kane from behind.

Following Kane's elimination, Spike Dudley entered at #13. Kane was angered at it and he thought that it was Dudley, who played Undertaker's music. An enraged Kane performed a Chokeslam on Dudley on the ramp and Dudley was knocked out which meant that he was unable to participate in the Royal Rumble. Rikishi entered at #14. Along with Rikishi's entrance, Hunter backdropped Peter over the top rope, eliminating him. Rikishi started attacking Hooper and performed a Stink Face on Martin. Branden Claassen entered at #15 and started battling Hooper before dropkicking him over the top rope to eliminate him. However, after eliminating Hooper, Claassen was eliminated himself by Rikishi when Rikishi performed a Savate Kick on Duprée, causing him to fall over the top rope. A-Train entered at #16 and began attacking Rikishi. Hunter eventually eliminated Martin. McAlmond began dominating the match as he eliminated Rikishi and then backdropped Booker over the top rope to eliminate him. Hunter battled A-Train, while Junior Remeriz entered at #17. Benoit eliminated A-Train and Benjamin tried to perform a Superkick on McAlmond, but McAlmond ducked the move and eliminated Benjamin. The first two entrants of the match, Hunter and McAlmond were left remaining. Ernest Miller entered at #18, along with his manager Lamont. Instead of using the opportunity of eliminating the knocked out Hunter and McAlmond, Miller and his manager Lamont danced to Miller's entrance theme. However, Hunter and McAlmond recovered and ruined the dance as Hunter tossed Lamont over the top rope and McAlmond eliminated Miller from the match. Following Miller's elimination, Hunter and McAlmond continued to battle each other.

Matt Borske entered at #19 and began fighting Hunter while McAlmond recovered in the corner. Rikki entered at #20 and began battling McAlmond. Rikki performed a Roundhouse Kick on McAlmond while Hunter performed three consecutive German Suplexes on Borske in a row. McAlmond recovered and backdropped Rikki over the top rope, eliminating him. Test's music began playing at #21 but Test did not appear, as he was found knocked out at backstage by some doctors and the Raw Sheriff Stone Cold Steve Johnson. Johnson ordered someone to replace Test and gave him the #21 entry number. This person was revealed to be Mick Foley who immediately started attacking McAlmond. Foley performed a Flying Clothesline on McAlmond, eliminating McAlmond and himself in the process. Foley and McAlmond continued to fight each other after their eliminations. Khristian entered at #22 and started battling Hunter and Borske. Foley and McAlmond numerously attacked each other, where Foley was about to perform a Mandible Claw on McAlmond until Nunzio entered at #23 and Foley turned his focus on Nunzio and performed a Mandible Claw on Nunzio, knocking him down. McAlmond attacked Foley and then retreated to the backstage. Borske battled Khristian and Hunter in the ring while Nunzio sat in the ringside, instead of entering the ring. The IWE United States Champion Big Show entered at #24 and began dominating the participants in the match.

Khris Jericho entered at #25 and started fighting Angle. Big Show knocked the heads of Jericho and Khristian together before battling Jericho. Khristian started attacking Big Show. Hunter, Borske, Khristian and Jericho tried to eliminate Big Show but failed. Charlie Lynch entered at #26 and was double-teamed by Jericho and Khristian. Jericho eventually eliminated Khristian. Billy Morgan entered at #27 and performed a Legdrop Bulldog, which he called Fameasser on Borske. Morgan then performed a Fameasser on Jericho and fought Big Show and Lynch. Dustin Simpson entered at #28 but instead of entering the ring, he focused on Nunzio, who was sitting in the ringside. Simpson tossed Nunzio into the ring and began attacking him until Big Show started attacking Simpson. Big Show and Nunzio double-teamed Simpson until Nunzio attempted to eliminate Big Show but failed. Simpson started attacking Big Show and tried to eliminate him while Nunzio tried to eliminate Hunter. Kyle Van Dam entered at #29 and started dominating all the participants of the match. Nunzio tried to eliminate KVD but Haas battled Nunzio. Big Show battled Morgan and Simpson performed a Fireman's Carry Takeover, which he called F-U, on Borske. Coldberg entered at #30 and performed a Spear on Big Show and then speared Morgan.

Coldberg punched several wrestlers including Borske, Jericho, KVD, Simpson and Lynch. Nunzio jumped on Coldberg's back while Coldberg eliminated Lynch from the match. KVD kicked Coldberg. Coldberg speared Nunzio and then clotheslined Morgan over the top rope, eliminating him. Coldberg picked up Nunzio in a Military Press and threw him over the top rope, eliminating him from the match. Coldberg started attacking Big Show, until Rob Lesnar interfered in the match and performed a F5 on Coldberg and left the ring. Coldberg was distracted and when he recovered, Borske eliminated him from behind. Hunter, Borske, Jericho, Simpson and KVD all teamed up against Big Show when Big Show picked up Simpson and Borske performed a Chop Block on Big Show. RVD performed a Slingshot Legdrop and followed it with a Five-Star Frog Splash on Big Show. All the five participants tried to eliminate Big Show, but Big Show shoved all of them and eliminated Simpson. KVD attempted to perform a Monkey Flip on Big Show, but Big Show tossed him over the top rope, eliminating KVD. Big Show backdropped Jericho over the top rope but Jericho landed on the apron and entered the ring. Jericho applied an Elevated Boston Crab, which he calls Walls of Jericho on Big Show. Borske attacked Jericho and Big Show picked up Jericho and eliminated him.

Big Show chokeslammed Hunter and fought Borske. Borske performed an Olympic Slam, which he calls Angle Slam on Big Show and then performed an Borske Slam on Hunter. Big Show eventually tried to perform a Chokeslam on Borske but Borske rolled it into an Ankle Lock. Big Show was near the ropes, and he flipped out of the Ankle Lock, causing Borske to get eliminated. Big Show landed on the apron. Hunter climbed the top rope and performed a Flying Forearm on the back of Big Show's neck, sending Big Show back into the ring. Big Show tried to perform a Chokeslam on Hunter, but Hunter countered it into a Crippler Crossface. Hunter eventually landed on the apron and continued to apply the Crippler Crossface on Big Show. He dragged Big Show over the top rope, who flipped over and got tossed on the floor over the top rope, getting eliminated. As a result, Hunter won the Royal Rumble match and became the second person in history to win the match at #1 spot. He also broke Bob Backlund's longevity record in 1993 by staying in the match for 1:01:30.

[edit] Aftermath

[edit] Results

[edit] Royal Rumble entrances and eliminations

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

¹ Test was originally the 21 entrant but he was found unconscious and replaced by Foley.