Royal Rumble 2009 Recap and Results

ECW Championship: Champion Jack Swagger vs. Matt Hardy - When Matt tried to do hit the side effect, Jack reversed it and caused Matt to hit his head and shoulder into the ring post. Swagger then hit the gut-wrench power bomb to get the win. Winner: Jack Swagger

Women's Championship: Champion Beth Phoenix vs. Melina - Beth Phoenix controlled most of the match and at one point used Melina’s flexibility against her and forced her to kick herself in the back. When Beth tried to finish the match with her Glam slam, Melina reversed it and rolled up Beth to get the three-count and win the title. Winner and new champion: Melina

- JBL is in the locker room with Shawn Michaels. JBL tells Shawn that if he wins the title tonight, Shawn will get all of his money, Shawn will never have to work for him again, and he will allow Shawn to compete in the Royal Rumble. After JBL leaves the room, the Undertaker stares at Shawn and tells him that “Sometimes it is hell getting to heaven.”.

World Heavyweight Championship: Champion John Cena vs. JBL - When the referee got knocked out following a JBL boot to the face, Shawn Michaels entered the ring. He gave the Sweet Chin Music to JBL. He then gave it to John Cena. Michaels then placed JBL on top of Cena and left the ringside area. When a new referee entered the ring, he started to make the count but Cena kicked out at two. JBL then went for clothesline which Cena ducked and then hit the throwback (formerly known as the FU) to get the win. Winner: John Cena

- A commercial for the Legends of WrestleMania game is shown. Amazingly, the Ultimate Warrior is in the game. However, Randy Savage was not shown in the commercial as the mystery of the relationship between the WWE and Savage continues.

WWE Championship: Champion Jeff Hardy vs. Edge - Jeff Hardy came to the ring first. Vickie Guerrero then came out and made the match a No Disqualification Match. Edge then came to the ring with Chavo Guerrero. During the match, Jeff set Chavo up on the announce table then jumped off of a ladder to crash both men through the table. A few minutes later, Jeff countered a spear attempt with the Twist of Fate. Jeff then climbed to the top rope for the Swanton Bomb and was able to connect despite Vickie Guerrero trying to stop him. However, she pulled the referee out of the ring before he could count to three. Matt Hardy came out to help his brother. When it looked like the brothers were going to give the conchairto to Edge, Matt whacked his brother in the head with a steel chair. Edge then covered Jeff for the win. Both Edge and Vickie Guerrero had a look of surprise on their faces at the shocking turn of events. Winner and new champion: Edge

- Next month, the WWE and World Heavyweight Championship will each be defended in Elimination Chamber Matches at No Way Out.

- Todd Grisham talks to Randy Orton about his attack on Vince McMahon last week. Chris Jericho walks in and tells Orton and says that he agrees with what Randy did to Mr. McMahon. Chris tells Randy he is saying that because he is an honest man and that he feels that this will be Randy's final night of employment in the WWE.

The Royal Rumble - The list is in the order of entrance. Anyone eliminated during that wrestler’s time interval will be listed in italics. This year, there is a 90-second interval.
1: Rey Mysterio
2: John Morrison
3: Carlito
4: MVP
5: The Great Khali
6: Vladimir Kozlov - Great Khali, MVP, Carlito
7: Triple H - Vladimir Kozlov
8: Randy Orton
9: Cryme Tyme (JTG won a coin toss to get in over his partner using a 2-headed coin)
10: Ted DiBiase
11: Chris Jericho
12: Mike Knox
13: The Miz - John Morrison & The Miz
14: Finlay
15: Cody Rhodes
16: The Undertaker - JTG
17: Goldust - Goldust
18: CM Punk
19: Mark Henry
20: Shelton Benjamin
21: William Regal - Mark Henry
22: Kofi Kingston - Shelton Benjamin
23: Kane - William Regal
24: R-Truth
25: Rob Van Dam
26: The Brian Kendrick - Kofi Kingston, Brian Kendrick
27: Dolph Ziggler - Dolph Ziggler
28: Santino Marella - Santino Marella
29: Jim Duggan
30: Big Show - Jim Duggan, R-Truth, CM Punk, Rey Mysterio, Mike Knox, Finlay, Rob Van Dam, Chris Jericho, Kane, Big Show, and Undertaker
Final Four: The Legacy (Orton, Rhodes, & DiBiase) and Triple H
- While trying to deliver a pedigree to Rhodes, Orton tried to eliminate Triple H but Triple H ducked and appeared from Triple H’s view to be eliminated.
- Triple H gave Rhodes a pedigree and then eliminated DiBiase
- Triple H eliminated Rhodes
- Immediately after eliminating Rhodes, Orton sneaked up behind Triple H and eliminated him.
Winner: Randy Orton

What does this event mean for the future?
Randy Orton is guaranteed a main event title match at WrestleMania XXV. However, his situation for assaulting WWE Chairman Vince McMahon will have to be settled first. As far as his opponent goes, both of the titles he has a choice of going for will be up for grabs in separate Elimination Chamber matches.
Of course, the issues between the Hardys will need to be settled in the coming weeks. It also appears that the seeds for a match between Shawn Michaels and the Undertaker were sown.

Overall Thoughts
Mid-way through the Edge-Hardy match, my wife turned to me and said: “This show s***s”. I couldn’t disagree with her. However, the Hardy match did pick up towards the end and there was a surprise ending to that match. As far as the Rumble goes, this was one of the weaker Rumble matches. This show was not worth the $40 price tag.

Match Results

• ECW Title: Champion Jack Swagger beat Matt Hardy
  
• Women’s Title: Melina won the title from Beth Phoenix
  
• World Heavyweight Championship: Champion John Cena beat JBL
  
• No DQ Match for the WWE Championship: Edge beat Jeff Hardy to win the title
  
• Randy Orton won the Royal Rumble

_{Photo: © 2009 World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. All Rights Reserved.}