Opened: July 16th, 2004
« Screen Captures · Digitals · Video1 · Video2 »
Lilian Garcia introduced the Royal Rumble 2009 winner, Orton, who walked out onto the stage with Cody Rhodes, Ted DiBiase, and three unknown guys in suits. Michael Cole said they understand Orton will be reprimanded tonight. Jerry Lawler said what he said last night – that Vince McMahon suffered a concussion and perhaps neck injuries. Lawler said what Orton did last week was one of the most appalling things he’s ever seen in WWE. Orton introduced the three men in suits as “my attorneys and my therapist.” He spoke slowly as he talked about being a third-generation WWE Superstar (how is that possible when “WWE Superstars” were invented in 1985; before that, WWF and WWWF performers were old fashioned “rasslers”?) Orton said he’s been diagnosed with IED – Intermittent Explosive Disorder. He read a statement saying it affects 16 million Americans where an individual, when provoked, suffers a loss of control and outbursts of physical violence. He said after being slapped by Stephanie McMahon and his job threatened by Vince McMahon, he had become sufficiently provoked. He said everyone saw his face when it was over. “I was not responsible for my actions,” he said, noting that his therapist can confirm WWE knew of his condition and did nothing about it, which is why if Stephanie McMahon chooses to fire him tonight, he will sue her and WWE.
He said that is just the first lawsuit, but there happens to be a second. He said that last night he won the 2009 Royal Rumble. Cody and Ted applauded, and so did a lot of fans. He said he is “more superior than everyone in this company” which means he will sue if he doesn’t get the main event slot at WrestleMania. He said if Steph chooses to fire him, not only will she be faced with two lawsuits, but she’ll lose Ted and Cody because they have both vowed to me to walk if he is fired tonight.
He said he had one more piece of business to attend to. He read another statement off of a piece of paper. He read an apology to Mr. McMahon and his family and all of the fans. The crowd booed him. Cole and Lawler discussed Orton blaming his actions on a medical condition. Lawler said he can’t really believe he can read an apology and get away with it. “What kind of competitor brings out two attorneys and a therapist?”
-They cut backstage to Stephanie who had her cartoon angry face on as she watched him on the monitor. Strange segment. Orton sure put pressure on the McMahons not to suspend him, as if winning the Rumble wasn’t enough. His delivery was strong, if not a touch comical given his leaning on lawyers and a therapist.
Stephanie McMahon walked to the ring to her intro song to address the Orton situation. Stephanie said he can’t give a half-hearted apology and expect to get away with what he did last week. She called him to the ring. Orton’s music played and he walked out, flanked by DiBiase, Rhodes, his two lawyers, and his therapist. Orton said if Steph fired him, she’ll be subjecting herself to a nightmare. “I’ll be gone, Cody and Ted will be gone, the star power in the Raw locker room will be crippled.” Orton’s therapist said IED is a serious issue, and ignoring his condition qualifies as extreme negligence. He said his client will not get down on his knees and apologize. He said there will be extreme consequences. She asked if that was “some kind of threat.” It’s hard to see it as anything else.
Orton said he has the legal right to be at WrestleMania because he won the Rumble. He said he will file an injunction so this year there will be no WrestleMania if he’s prohibited from competing. He asked what she plans to do about that. The rest of the Raw locker room walked out onto the stage including Jericho, Mike Knox, Kane, Jamie Noble, and the rest of the heels and babyfaces. Orton asked what they were all looking at. He said he doesn’t care if they don’t have a WrestleMania. He said he’d take each of them down with him if Steph tries to take him down. He turned and challenged Steph to fire him. He got red-faced and said, “I am begging you to fire me.” He said he’d sue this company for all it’s worth. He repeated “Fire me now! Let me hear the words your father was about to say right before I kicked him in the skull!” He leaned into her forehead and demanded to be fired. Steph said, “Firing you would be too easy.” She broke into a smile and said, “We’ve got bigger plans.”
Shane McMahon stepped out onto the stage as his music played. He looked very emotionally distraught. He took off his jacket, welled up with tears, and then took off his watch. He stepped into the ring ands tared down Orton. Orton, DiBiase, and Rhodes stepped backward as he walked toward them. Shane dove at Orton and speared him. DiBiase and Rhodes pulled him free and held him. Shane broke free with elbows and punched away at Orton. DiBiase and Rhodes again pulled him off and took him down. Shane broke free again and mounted Orton with a barrage of punches. He should be World Champion! He’s the toughest guy on the planet. Shane took Orton down with a series of punches. Orton fell back like Andre Arlovski. It’s kind of embarrassing to watch this. It’s like a flashback to Eric Emrby in World Class booking himself in a completely over the top manner to be tougher than any other men in the promotion. DiBiase and Cody helped Orton to the stage. Shane caught up to them. The other wrestlers pulled Shane away. He elbowed himself free of them, then demanded to know where Orton escaped to.
