Historically Speaking: A Royal Preview

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“With a tear in my eye, this is the greatest moment of my life.” – Ric Flair, moments after winning the WWF Championship at Royal Rumble 1992

The Opening Chapter
It’s no secret that over the past two weeks I’ve shown my love for the Royal Rumble event. Its uniqueness and randomness always bring out an entertaining spectacle. Faced without seeing it on pay per view live for the first time in three years, I may even break down and order the webcast so as to not miss out. And rather to continue the trend of looking back, this week will be a preview of the “most entertaining 60 minutes on television” by briefly breaking down each Rumble match participant in a combination of smart/kayfabe terms. The booking is a little more volatile going to WrestleMania than it has been in the past few years so while the winner should still be fairly easy to predict, where everyone else fits in could be interesting. It should account for great fun.

30 Men…
Batista
One of only four or five people that has a real chance at winning the Rumble match this year. There’s still a possibility he could head to WrestleMania to challenge Edge for the World Championship or he could jump to RAW to challenge Randy Orton, but those seeds seem to be locked up by Undertaker and Triple H respectively. I look for Batista to be a big-time player in this year’s Rumble, probably a final four appearance, but no victory. He might have to settle for a big man showdown with Bobby Lashley this year.

Shelton Benjamin
Benjamin is finally regaining some of the momentum he had back in 2005 but this won’t be his match to win. He might be able to work in a couple of memorable near eliminations or high spots but his table is set for WrestleMania with either a ECW Championship match against CM Punk or a token Money in the Bank appearance.

Big Daddy V
The man is a Rumble veteran, competing in his ninth Rumble match under his fourth different gimmick. His role will continue to be the same, a big man who looks imposing in a battle royal setting only to get dumped either by many men or one super man. This does look to be V’s best chance at getting on a WrestleMania card in years thanks to the push he has sustained since his most recent gimmick overhaul.

Carlito
Carly will continue his trend of being a warm body that can be used in whatever role that is needed for him. Depending on how Rumble booking goes this year he could either spend a lot of time in the Rumble match taking up space or used as quick cannon fodder for whoever the nearest big name is. His WrestleMania chances right now are 50/50 at best.

Tommy Dreamer
This looks the start of a swan song for Dreamer based upon the angle started in his column on wwe.com. He’ll be good for bringing some plunder shots into the match, but nothing more. Dreamer got his WrestleMania moment last year, it’s not looking good for a repeat this year.

Finlay
To me Finlay is the definition of a mid-card technician. He’s a guy that is uber-talented and can be called upon to hold together a successful match. I’m sure this year he will play a bigger part as there will be some Hornswoggle shenanigans he’ll be in on. Plus it looks it could lead to a decent WrestleMania spot for the Irishman to finally blow off this leprechaun “deal” angle with Mr. McMahon.

Mick Foley
I have been pretty much over Mick Foley for the past few years. Every time he comes back for another random run it just cheapens his legacy even more. Apparently 2008 is his “final year” but I’ll believe that when Terry Funk finally retires for good. Foley’s role in this match looks to set up whatever he has planned for WrestleMania.

Kane
Kane has been hyped up for a decade now as a threat in the Royal Rumble match, but he’s always ended up in the bridesmaid role at best. Some years he performs better than other. Kane has essentially been in the same spot on the card for almost a decade now. This year doesn’t look to change the formula. I’m sure he’ll find himself a cushy mid-card spot at the big show in WrestleMania.

Great Khali
Just on sheer size alone, Khali is bound to make an impact in this year’s Rumble. His role this year could go one of two ways, either a strong, dominating performance or a quick spot involving some shenanigans from the Irishmen. He’ll be secure in his spot and keep his over-ness regardless.

Mark Henry
With the plethora of super heavyweights in this year’s Rumble someone will have to be a quick sacrifice and it looks like Henry might be that sacrificial lamb. I expect Henry to pull a quick in-and-out duty to put over someone strong. He’s built up enough that he could earn himself a WrestleMania slot, but at this point it could really go either way.

Hardcore Holly
Bob Holly is a long-time veteran of WWE and the Royal Rumble match so he knows what to do in a setting like this. He’ll be a guy that can fade nicely into the background until it is time for a streak of eliminations. Even though he is currently World Tag Team Champion, that belt doesn’t give a guy much security when it comes to making the big payday in April.

Hornswoggle
I am really over this whole Hornswoggle McMahon thing. His push has exceeded all of my wildest expectations. If this were TNA the Internet cool guys would be flaming Russo alive for some of this garbage. With that tangent aside, expect some comedy shenanigans from the little guy and perhaps even him helping on a couple of eliminations before his eventual elimination sometime midway through the match.

Ken Kennedy
I’ve read a few comments pegging Kennedy as a potential winner for this year, but I just don’t see it yet. He might be final six guy that puts in a really solid showing but I just don’t see him getting this type of a big win quite yet. I’m sure he’ll have a prominent spot on the WrestleMania card, I just haven’t quite figured out where yet.

Santino Marella
I would really expect Santino to play a Nunzio or Jerry Lawler type character where he plays the cowardly heel. He will be good for sneak eliminations, hiding outside or under the ring and turning on his alliances. This is the type of match where Marella’s personality can really shine through. His best chance for a WrestleMania payday is in some skit with his “lovely Maria.”

Shawn Michaels
It seems pretty obvious that this year’s Rumble winner will be someone who has previously won a Rumble match already, unfortunately Michaels looks to be about fourth on that list. He has all the tools, pedigree, sustained push and everything that is needed to win another Rumble match, but this doesn’t look to be HBK’s year. I’m sure he’ll find himself in a high profile WrestleMania appearance, but it won’t be because he won the Rumble.

The Miz
Last year Miz was used in the comedy spot of the Rumble but the man has grown immensely as a performer this past year. He probably won’t make of an impact in the Rumble match but his Tag Championship could help him earn his way onto WrestleMania.

John Morrison
This could be a match where John Morrison could really shine as a long-tenured guy. I really see him getting an early number and lasting through the majority of the match, while quietly putting on a solid performance. His stock has risen immensely since 2005 and it’s hard to believe this is the same guy who won Tough Enough back in 2003. He seems like a guy who will be a lock for this year’s WrestleMania Money in the Bank, especially after being left off the card the past two years.

Jaime Noble
I am a big fan of Noble and glad he finally got a spot on a pay per view after spending over a year on the sidelines or as a jobber. He’ll be good for a comedy spot and then a quick elimination by one of the match’s world-beaters. Don’t expect much of WrestleMania performance for Mr. Noble unfortunately.

Chuck Palumbo
Mid-card filler. Next.

Cody Rhodes
The commentators can have a field day talking about how this young rookie is making his first Rumble appearance and could springboard this into a main event spot at WrestleMania only a “few months” into his career, but in all reality he’ll be fed to one of the match’s monsters to look impressive. I would be surprised if he shows up as a participant at WrestleMania.

Snitsky
In a match already populated by Khali, Henry, V and Umaga, Snitsky doesn’t look to pose much a threat. I can really see him having a really quick showing in the match to put over someone in a fairly meaningful way. I don’t think he’ll make the WrestleMania main show this year, but somebody’s gotta win the pre-show battle royal right?

Triple H
One of the two real favorites walking into the match. His struggle to get into the Rumble will lead to a perfect story if he emerges victorious. His story this year is played much like Lex Luger’s in 1994: the hero who has to earn his way into the match and then wins the big one. If he doesn’t win he’ll be an easy top four finalist. His ticket for WrestleMania looks to be punched into a WWE Championship match so whether it’s here or in February’s Elimination Chamber, Hunter should be in for a nice payday in the Citrus Bowl.

Umaga
Of all the “monsters” included in this year’s Rumble, I really expect Umaga to go the farthest and have the best showing. The other participants listed looked like they’re just setting up for a Diesel or Rikishi like run where the big Samoan goes on an elimination streak before eventually going out fairly early in the match. I’m sure Umaga will also see action at WrestleMania this year, perhaps as a fun spoiler in Money in the Bank.

Undertaker
The other real favorite coming into Rumble 2008. He seems to be on a collision course with Edge for WrestleMania, which will at least provide a fresh match-up. Whether the World Championship is on the line is another question, but logic seems to point to that, perhaps in an Elimination Chamber. Much like Triple H he doesn’t really need this win but it maybe just a necessary step to get where they’re going.

The Remaining…
As of press time (ha!) on Wednesday night, six spots still remain for the Rumble match. While I fully expect CM Punk and Chavo Guerrero to either meet in an ECW Championship match and/or be part of the Rumble that still leaves at least four spots. Jimmy Yang and Shannon Moore have been rumored for weeks now to be entered in the event so it’s likely they could show up. The other possible entrants could be other mid-card filler like Elijah Burke and comedy charaters like Colin Delaney. But the fanboy in me hopes for a series of surprise entrants and returns to help make the match memorable. It’s been rumored that Big Show is returning and this would be a perfect spot for it. And as of today Bobby Lashley may or may not even be with the company anymore so his rumored return appearance looks doubtful. Then of course there are the rumored debuts of Chris Harris and Ron Killings and their entrances would make for some memorable surprises.

The Perspective
The Rumble match provides for a plethora of fantasy booking options and surprises. For me that’s what makes the event so entertaining. Even if you think you know the winner (Triple H or Undertaker, BTW) you really don’t know how the entire will play out. You can keep your 60-minute one-on-one scientific classic, give me an entertaining 30 man battle royal. I mean where else are you going to see The Great Khali in a potential match of the year candidate?

For this week the vault is closed…

Linked to the Pulse
Check out the results to IP’s 2007 Wrestling Awards

David B. reminds us all when Shannon Moore was relevant for a couple of weeks back in 2006

Blatt is still battling ECW. He had the same response I did when Chavo actually won the ECW Championship

Recent History
This is the section where I can ramble through my thoughts on this past week in wrestling, whether it be the television shows, pay per views, or any news that came out. Kinda like Vh1’s “Best Week Ever,” but this should be less annoying…hopefully.

TNA continues to amaze how they combine such talented in-ring athletes with just complete utterly stupid angles and skits. I really like how Tomko and Amazing Kong are the best-booked athletes on the entire show. The Shark Boy stuff was fun for about a minute but then just went south in a hurry. I’m all for a lot of the roster getting a share of airtime, but Sharky? So now that we know Abyss and Judas are brothers, what’s next, Ministry of Darkness part deux? I mean the New Church of Disciples name is just sitting right there waiting to be drug out of the mothballs.

SmackDown just seemed on autopilot this week. Nothing horribly offensive, nothing horribly entertaining, just there. Chavo Guerrero got to main event two weeks in a row so huzzah for elevation. The Ric Flair-MVP interview was by far the best part of the show, which shouldn’t come to surprise anyone with Flair on the mic.

RAW sure felt kind of flat for the go-home show before Royal Rumble. Yeah, we get it; you’re in HD now. Where’s my show-ending Rumble brawl? I did dig the Jeff Hardy music video though; it’s really helping his rise to main event status.

I must say, I didn’t really expect they’d put give Chavo Guerrero the ECW Championship. I also enjoyed all the work to put over the Rumble match tonight, what with the battle royal and the stats video package. I also like how Colin Delaney has been put through virtually all of the roster’s monsters. I can’t be the only one who would get perverse joy out of seeing a Dungeon of Doom-esque stable of Great Khali, Big Daddy V, Mark Henry, Snitsky & Umaga, am I?

This Day in History
I figured if we are talking history around here we should pay homage to what has happened on this very day in the years gone by. It will either make you long for the old days or be happy for what we have now.

1963 – Lou Thesz defeated Buddy Rogers for the NWA Heavyweight Wrestling title
1988 – NWA Bunkhouse Stampede was held at the Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, NY
1993 – WWF Royal Rumble was held at the Arco Arena, Sacramento, CA
1998 – WCW Souled Out was held at the Hara Arena, Dayton, OH
1998 – Chris Jericho defeated Rey Mysterio, Jr. for the WCW Cruiserweight title
1999 – WWF Royal Rumble was held at the Arrowhead Pond, Anaheim, CA
1999 – The Rock defeated Mankind for the WWF Heavyweight title
2000 – Sid Vicious defeated Kevin Nash for the vacant WCW Heavyweight title

1959 – Akira Maeda was born
1961 – Reggie Bennett was born
1997 – Dr. Jerry Graham died of a stroke at 58
2000 – Bobby Duncum, Jr. died of a drug overdose at 34

The Assignment
It’s important to know your history to know where you have come from and where you are going. Back when Nova was in charge of the WWE developmental system he implemented mandatory history assignments for the students of the developmental territories so they would know pro wrestling’s history and they would learn just how many moves Nova created and apparently the best ways to get on-line prescriptions. I feel Nova had a great idea there and every week I will assign a book or DVD for you to check out and learn from. They are not only educational but very entertaining.

This week it’s only appropriate to highlight a Royal Rumble from years past as The Assignment. After thinking back to all twenty of them, I would say my favorite may be the 1992 edition. Ric Flair went coast-to-coast back before it was the cliché thing to do. And with fifteen years elapsed it’s fun to look back and see the pedigree of athletes that were all contained in one match. At the time it had major WWF stars in Flair, Hogan, Savage, Undertaker, Piper and Sid and a former WWF Champions in Sgt. Slaughter and Col. Mustafa (Iron Sheik). Plus there were top ‘80s stars like Snuka, Volkoff, Valentine, Von Erich, Santana, Duggan, Martel, DiBiase and Roberts. Then there were guys like IRS (Mike Rotunda), Berzerker (John Nord), Repo Man (Barry Darsow) and Skinner (Steve Keirn) who were big stars previously but were stuck in dead gimmicks here. And to top it all off budding singles guys like Davey Boy Smith and Shawn Michaels would go on to become huge main event stars through the nineties and beyond. It’s not often you find that much talent in one spot.

The undercard wasn’t too bad either as there was a decent New Foundation-Orient Express opening match, a WWF Tag Title match between Legion of Doom and The Natural Disasters and Roddy Piper’s only Championship victory, as he beat The Mountie to win the Intercontinental Title. Definitely pick it up for historical purposes.

Mark was a columnist for Pulse Wrestling for over four years, evolving from his original “Historically Speaking” commentary-style column into the Monday morning powerhouse known as “This Week in ‘E.” He also contributes to other ventures, outside of IP, most notably as the National Pro Wrestling Examiner for Examiner.com and a contributor for The Wrestling Press. Follow me on Twitter here.