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So, Kelly Kelly is our drum tumbler, huh? She can tumble for me anytime!
Was that "All Grown Up" Mania promo lame or what?
I didn't pay much attention to the ECW match, and given the state of the brand right now, not to mention the lameass non-finish, I don't blame myself one bit.
Things picked up significantly with the Smackdown Title match. it looked as if Mr. Kennedy took his role as challenger seriously, and he is a top draw for the brand in my book. Batista had an above average night as well, and he's gradually increasing his status as a legit champ.
The next backstage at the drawing segment had me laughing! Especially Kelly holding the balls and Simmons' "DAMN!" I still pop for that!
The Last Man Standing Match was the show of the undercard. Just freaking AWESOME! I was wide-eyed throughout the match, and it's an early candidate for Match of the Year! Umaga has certainly come a long way in the past several years, and he's well deserving of his role as challenger. Cena was amazing as well!
Rumble observations:
Finlay and Edge had some of the best Rumble performances, each going over a half hour.
I applaud the member of Creative who decided to make the Miz this year's Bushwhacker Luke!
I was glad that Khali was not much of a factor after Taker arrived.
I don't know why Stlyes and Tazz were left out of the Rumble commentary. ECW not representing is wrong.
HBK did a great job in the final minutes of the match. I was surprised that he was the last to be eliminated.
It's nice to see that the "#30 curse" has finally been lifted!
The Royal Rumble was a show well worth the money. The rumble match has its moments, but the Last Man Standing stole the show in my mind. Of course, there were low-quality elements, but they made up for them in a good way.
Rating: Good
Ken Kibby
California
**********
In a sea of mundane and throwaway single-brand pay-per-views, the Royal Rumble can always be counted upon to deliver the goods in a unique, "grand-slam event" kinda way... until this year, that is. This year, WWE's braintrust delivered the first-ever "Royal Slumber". From stagnant in-ring action, to a medley of trifling and flat backstage segments, to the largely uninspired booking of the Rumble match itself, this was a case of WWE Creative truly misfiring on all cylinders. Batista, Lashley, Cena... whatever work ethic they might possess, management is woefully mistaken in thinking they're ready to carry ANYONE to quality world title matches, let alone 300 pound waffles like Test and Umaga. Earth to Stamford-- greenhorns like these are what US and Intercontinental titles runs were made for. Perhaps most evident of the brain-draught plaguing Titan Towers though was the Rumble itself, in which seasoned stars like Benoit, Booker, RVD and Finlay, as well as shining prospects Carlito and CM Punk, were all booked to make as little impact as possible before being unceremoniously discarded, often times at the hands of (d'oh!) the Great Khali! (WWE, it is wrong of you on SO MANY LEVELS to make me long for the Giant Gonzalez.) Just when I thought of tuning out, sweet merciful relief was administered in the form of the Undertaker and Shawn Michaels showdown. Watching these two Superstars square off -- these greying relics of the Attitude Era -- was cathartic. And after the previous two hours, they shone like lighthouses on the fog. HBK even jobbed cleanly (well, sort of; no pinfall). Funny how Vince left it to a pair of 40-somethings close to retirement to provide the best in-ring action and emotional resonance of the evening. It's something he would've ripped on WCW for doing in the past. Sadly now, it's indicative of how little WWE Creative has given us to care about for the future.
Scott,
Brooklyn
**********
I enjoyed the Royal Rumble even though I didn't understand some things that went down, I clearly enjoyed it.
MNM vs Hardys was a good match which showcases what's wrong with the WWE as far as tag teams two teams that have workers on different brands make the show while the tag champs (Kendrick and London) didn't even make the show nor the Rumble.
Nothing says bathroom break more then Lashley vs Test and what baffles me is that they buried the legacy of ECW with this match having Test walk out of the match. WWE is killing ECW and the memory people who didn't know the real ECW like I do or most readers is that they think this is what ECW was and that is sad.
There are some people that can carry Batista to a good match and Ken Kennedy did it following the same thing they did during one of their Smackdown matches which was working on the leg. Batista needs to be in their with someone who can mask his weakness in the ring ( like Benoit, Finlay, Taker).
Last Man Standing was good and the ending was great cause it doesn't kill Umaga and that was important even though Cena won it was like wow he had to do everything it took to do it.
The Rumble match is always good and it was a treat to see two of the all time best go at it but before I get into that I guess we are gonna see Booker-Kane go at it in a feud. I like how Khali (cant believe I am saying this) look like a monster but he throws a weak headbutt. It took what all of almost 10 years for us to see HBK vs Taker again and I expected Michaels to win but Taker winning made sense cause of all the big names to win the Rumble he never won one. It makes sense cause your probably see a 4 way for the WWE Championship at Mania (hope I am wrong) and for one last run at the top Taker vs Batista. I am all for Undertaker maineventing Mania for all that man has done for the company and he mainevented only one Mania vs Sid (the worst main event in Mania history) he deserves it. My hats off too the WWE usually the best TV is before Mania and the Royal gets a thumbs up, best pay-per-view since Wrestlemania 22.
Cam
