Though Orton may be more experienced than Kingston, the athletic Superstar has shown in recent weeks that he has exactly what it takes to hit The Viper where it hurts. As retaliation for Orton viciously attacking him after a match, Kingston sought out his nemesis’ personalized NASCAR racer and defaced it while The Legend Killer looked on, helpless to stop the automotive carnage. The two’s rivalry then expanded during a Six-Man Tag Team Match on Raw when Kingston and Orton were joined by fellow Survivor Series combatants, MVP & Mark Henry and Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase, respectively.

In addition to R-Truth on the side of Kingston and the devious CM Punk teaming up with Orton, two of the top competitors in the Land of the Extreme, ECW Champion Christian and William Regal are also joining the fray. For months, The British Brawler has struggled to get the upperhand against Captain Charisma, and he might just have that chance when he joins up with Team Orton to face the ECW Champion and the rest of Team Kingston in a 10-Man Tag Team Match.

Don’t miss the epic confrontation between Team Kingston (Kofi Kingston, MVP, Mark Henry, ECW Champion Christian & R-Truth) and Team Orton (Randy Orton, CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, Ted DiBiase & William Regal) at the 23rd annual Survivor Series on Nov. 22, at 8/7 CT, live on pay-per-view.

source: wwe.com

Gallery Links:
- Fan Candids > Pay-Per-Views > Bragging Rights 2009 – Set #001
- Fan Candids > Pay-Per-Views > Bragging Rights 2009 – Set #002

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WWE champion RANDY ORTON vs. JOHN CENA — 60-minute Iron Man match — WWE Title match — Anything goes
Cole asked Lawler to offer some insight into going 60 minutes. Lawler said he’s never been in an Iron Man match, but he’s been in some hour-long matches where conserving energy is key. Cena and Orton started with an early lock-up, then Cena hit the turnbuckles hard on a whip to the corner. Orton whipped Cena to the opposite corner and Cena came out looking for a bulldog, but Orton blocked and went back to work on Cena. Out of nowhere, Cena slapped on the STF and Orton quickly tapped out. Crowd popped for Cena’s quick win. Orton popped up and glared at Cena, who took a deep breath and understood the strategy of Orton trying to conserve and not take too much damage in the STF.

***Cena 1, Orton 0 at 3:55***

Orton gained the advantage after the first fall as the announcers discussed the Shawn Michaels vs. Bret Hart classic Iron Man match from WrestleMania 12. Meanwhile, Orton slapped on a reverse chinlock as Cena faded. Cena fought back to his feet and hit the running blockbuster before going up top. Cena wanted the top rope guillotine and connected. He then set up the Five Knuckle Shuffle, but Orton suddenly snapped to his feet and nailed the RKO as Cena bounced off the ropes. Orton with the pin for the second fall at 9:00. And now a 30-second wait.

*** Cena 1, Orton 1 at 9:00***

After the pause, Orton rammed Cena off the apron into the guardrail on the floor. Orton followed to the floor and stared at the announce table. He turned his head and started clearing the table before grabbing a TV monitor. Orton blasted Cena over the top of the head with the point of the gimmicked monitor, then made a cover, but Cena kicked out. Apparently it’s Falls Count Anywhere too. Orton rolled Cena into the ring, then took a wireless mic and bopped Cena over the head with it. Orton made a cover, but Cena kicked out. Refs and medics then wanted to check on Cena, who sold injury. Cena suddenly stormed Orton in the corner with an explosion of energy before chucking Orton clear over the top rope to the floor. And we have blood with Cena bleeding from the head. Really does mean something since we haven’t seen blood on WWE TV in a while.

At the top of the third hour, Orton put a boot to Cena as Cena was face-first on the ring steps. Orton made a cover on the floor, but Cena kicked out. Back in the ring, Orton methodically began an attack on Cena with right hands to the source of blood. Orton then went down to the mat and pounded the mat with his fists before teasing the RKO. Cena ducked, though, and started his comeback routine. Cena then did the You Can’t See Me and connected with the Shuffle drop this time. Cena then wanted the FU and he connected. No wait, Orton apparently countered in mid-air with a reverse RKO. Both men were down and both men had an arm over each other. Ref counted a three count for each man at 17:00.

***Cena 2, Orton 2 at 17:00***

Medics hit the ring during the 30-second pause and checked on Cena. The 30-second interval expired and Orton missed with a running shoulder tackle when Cena moved. Medics apparently glued Cena’s head shut to close the wound and stop the bleeding. Cena then took Orton to the corner and wanted an FU from the second rope. He connected in a nice spot, but couldn’t make a cover. Cena then made a cover and scored the pin for another fall at 19:40.

***Cena 3, Orton 2 at 19:40***

During the 30-second pause, Ted DiBiase and Cody Rhodes stormed the ring to beat up on Cena. Apparently DiBiase is on Orton’s side tonight…thus far. DiBiase gave Cena the Dream Street finisher. They put Orton on top of Cena and Orton scored a pin at 20:55.

***Cena 3, Orton 3 at 20:55***

After the fall, Kofi Kingston stormed the ring with chair in hand to chase away DiBiase and Rhodes. Crowd was hot for Kofi. Good incorporation of Kofi to give him a main event spotlight. After the next 30-second interval, both men came to their feet and started brawling. The brawl spilled to the floor and Cena rammed Orton into the guardrail. Kids were screaming as Cena continued to beat on Orton. Ref told one of the thousands of fans wearing Steelers jerseys in the arena to back off. Orton then reversed a whip into the rail and smashed Cena into the structure. He made a cover, but Cena kicked out. Announcers talked about the equipment being dangerous as they approached the stage area. High Voltage given a name-drop. Orton then smashed Cena’s head into the pyro machine and some pyro went off. Orton freaked out, then caught his breath. He threw Cena through the HD lighting grid and Cena ended up in the backstage area. Orton then dragged Cena back to the arena-side of the Titantron and made a cover for the pin.

***Orton 4, Cena 3 at 25:35***

Orton looked around contemplating his next move during the 30-second interval. He went over the pyro machine and started playing with the buttons like a crazy kid with a new set of toys. Orton figured out how the pyro works, then smashed Cena across the back with a chair. Orton then dragged Cena to the stage area where the pyro shoots off. Orton ran over to the pyro machine and shoved the man in charge away. Ref admonished Orton, who had his finger on the trigger as Cena went motionless. Orton punched the button, but it wouldn’t work. Suddenly, the pyro went off and Cena had enough time to roll out of the way. Cena still alive. Orton then checked on Cena and was so pissed that Cena was still alive. Orton went into a rage beating and pounding on Cena before taking him down to ringside. Announcers called Orton a psycho pyromaniac. They hit the 30-minute mark with Cena out cold on the floor as Orton contemplated his next move.

Orton began a methodical attack on Cena, including ring steps to the face and a chair to the back as Cena leaned against the ringpost. Orton made a cover on the floor, but Cena kicked out. “What more can Orton do, he already tried to blow the man up?” Lawler asked rhetorically. Back in the ring, Orton slowly lifted Cena to his feet and Cena suddenly executed a small package after playing opossum. Cena scored the pinfall at 33:00, then Orton went nuts until the ref pulled him away for the 30 seconds. “F—” Orton shouted twice on the floor.

***Orton 4, Cena 4 at 33:00***

The 30 seconds expired, but Orton waited before re-entering the ring. He then dragged Cena across the ring apron and stared a hole into Cena’s soul. He wanted the horizontal DDT from across the ring apron to the floor and he executed it with Cena going face-first into the floor padding. Orton then rolled Cena over and made the cover for the pin at 35:20.

***Orton 5, Cena 4 at 35:20***

Crowd was quiet as WWE replayed the DDT into the floor. Orton was shown slapping the mat on the way down to create the sound of Cena’s face hitting the floor. After the 30 second rest period, Orton rolled Cena back into the ring as the crowd came to life with a dueling chant of “Let’s go Cena” vs. “Let’s go Orton.” Orton began his Orton Stomp trying to take apart Cena’s entire body. Cena slowly made his way to his feet, but Orton knocked him right back down with a straight right hand to the face. Orton with a cover, but Cena kicked out. They zoomed in on an evil look on Orton’s face as Grisham said he could be the face of Raw for many months or years to come. He said it appears Cena is headed for Smackdown. Well, that means Cena is winning.

Orton continued to slowly stalk and attack Cena, who finally ducked a clothesline and staggered Orton to the floor. Cena then staggered around in the ring as the cut on top of his head started to bleed again. Orton collected himself on the floor and checked the scoreboard with 20 minutes left in the match. Announcers speculated whether he’ll play prevent defense with a fall advantage. Lawler said it might be too long to stall. Cena then jelly-legged walked up the ramp to Orton, who met him with kicks and stomps. Back in the ring, Orton wanted the horizontal DDT, but Cena countered with an FU tease. Orton escaped, though, with elbow strikes and ran right out of the ring to the floor. Orton tried to take off through the stands up into the arena seats, but Cena met him and blasted him with right hands. Orton started rolling down the arena steps with a one-fall advantage trying to run away from Cena, who chased him down in-between the floor seats and 100-level seats. And we hit the 45-minute mark with Cena measuring Orton for right hand blows on the floor.

Back on the floor outside of the ring, Cena continued to chase down Orton before blasting him into the ring steps. Cena made a cover, but Orton kicked out. Cena then whipped Cena hard through the barricade near the timekeeper’s table and Orton crashed hard through the gimmicked barrier. Cena then calmly picked up the ring steps and blasted Orton in the face with the steps. Cena triumphantly lifted the steps in the ring, then looked over some potential options for his next move. After his review, Cena scooped up Orton’s dead weight and slowly carried him up the ring steps to position him for an FU through the announce table. Orton did the Abyss Shake as if he took a bump through the tacks, then Cena dropped down and covered Orton to score a pinfall at 51:00 to even it up.

***Orton 5, Cena 5 at 51:00***

Cena waited for the 30-second interval, then he tried pinning Orton again, but Orton kicked out. Cena then went under the ring and grabbed a table. He set up the table in the ring while Orton slowly started to stir on the floor. After setting up the table in the ring, Cena carried Orton back into the ring. They approached the five-minute mark and Cole reminded us there will be overtime if this is tied. Cena placed Orton on the table and Orton sold near-death. Cena then went up top and thought about this move. He tried a top rope leg drop, but Orton rolled off the table and Cena ate wood. And they hit 55:00 with both men down and out on the mat.

Orton landed the first right hand from his knees. Cena responded in kind. Orton with a right. Cena with a right. Orton with a right. Cena with a right. Orton with a right hand. Cena with a haymaker. Orton with an uppercut. Cena with a punch. Orton with a punch. Now both men on their feet. Cena with a shot to the gut. Orton with a right to the face. Cena likewise. Orton with a haymaker. Cena staggered, then another to the gut. Orton to the top of the head. Again. Cena with two, then three, and four. Cena ducked a clothesline and hit a shoulder tackle. He then tried a second, but airballed and the ref ate the shoulder tackle. Orton then dropped Cena in mid-ring with the RKO, but the ref was out cold. Another ref stormed the ring and Cena kicked out before three. Nice sequence.

At 58:00, Orton was PO’ed and shoved down the replacement referee. Two refs down. Orton slowly walked around the ring as Cole talked overtime. Lawler said he wants to see OT. Orton’s eyes bulged out of his head as he thought things over. Orton was on the verge of a nervous break down, but then stopped when he had an idea. He then backed up and teased The Punt, but Cena moved and dropped Orton with the STF in center ring. Orton had nowhere to go. Crowd ready to explode like a fourth down play on the goalline. Cena twisted Orton’s neck with the STF as Orton tried to hang on for 20 more seconds. Orton wouldn’t tap, though. Fans counted it down. Nine, eight, seven… and Orton tapped out at 59:54 with the crowd exploding. The time then expired and Cena won back the WWE Title.

Post-match: Cena grabbed his title belt and held it up high in the air. Cole called it one of the greatest matches he’s ever seen. Announcers recapped the high points of the match, then they cut back to show Cena on the stage sweating and holding the title belt. Orton was selling mass pain to his shoulder back in the ring. Announcers then showed Orton’s visible three count with the score 5-5 around 58:00. Back live, Orton was shown collecting himself. Cole said it’s the end of the war between Orton and Cena. Orton grimaced to close the PPV.

WINNER: Cena 6, Orton 5 with a submission at 59:54; Cena wins the WWE Title at 60:00. Quite the war. Nothing else on this show was replay-worthy, but this was replay-worthy. WWE pulled out all the tricks, gimmicks, and other assorted items to tell a 60-minute story. Orton was the star of the match with his crazy facial expressions and psychotic behavior staying true to his character. Story at the end we’ll probably see play out on Raw was Orton unable to hold on for those last six seconds or Orton complaining that he had Cena pinned at 58:00. Hard to rate this on a traditional scale, but I believe this was one of the best stories WWE has told on PPV this year. HBK vs. Taker is another level and in its own category, but this was a different type of four-to-five-star level match.

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By the time he got around to a follow-up move, a leaping kneedrop, Cena recovered enough to move. Cena applied an STF mid-ring. Orton crawled to the bottom rope. Cena dragged him back to the middle. Orton kicked Cena off of him, knocking Cena into the ref. Cena applied the STF again, but the ref was down as Orton tapped. Cena released the hold, apparently assuming Orton gave up and the match was over. He realized there was no ref in the ring and went to ringside to roll him back in. Orton recovered and surprised Cena with an RKO for a near fall. The crowd popped for the kickout. Lawler said Orton looked like he was going to cry. Cole said that may have been Orton’s last chance, although there’s no apparently reason why it would be (but it’s presumably what McMahon wanted Cole to say, so he said it).

Orton tied Cena up into the ropes and then applied a sleeper from behind. Cena appeared to be out cold. Orton released the hold and sat in the corner and pulled himself to his feet. He waited for the ref to release Cena. Cena fell face-first to the mat. Orton then waited for Cena to raise his head and then kicked him. And then he scored the three count.

WINNER: Orton in 21:00 to win the WWE Title.

STAR RATING: ***1/2 — They tell a good story and have chemistry with one another. No doubt about that. It’s just so familiar at this point that it’s like reading the same great book over and over, or a slightly different book with the same two main characters over and over. Fans are also expecting some blood in this type of intense rivalry. The Cell didn’t come much into play, either.

Backstage: Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase tried to celebrate with Orton, telling them that after they win, they’ll have a great night on the town. Orton said they are going to be in the Cell and win or lose they won’t just walk away. DiBiase said they’ve studied the Cell and spent time in it. He said they’re younger, stronger, and faster and have every right to be confident. Cody told Orton he’s starting to sound like his “old man.” Orton said they have no idea what they’re getting into. Orton stood and told Cody, “By the way, I’m not your old man. I’m the WWE Champion, and if I were you two, if I had something to say, I’d listen.” DiBiase said, “If I were you, I wouldn’t underestimate us.” The crowd oohhhed.

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Randy Orton vs. John Cena — I Quit match for the WWE Championship
No contact in the first minute, then Cena took it to Orton with a forearm and fisherman suplex out of the corner. Cena landed a fist strike, then airballed with a flying shoulder tackle when Orton ducked down to the mat. Orton then bumped Cena off the apron into the Raw announce table on the floor. Ringside, Orton grabbed a TV monitor and directed a shot toward Cena, who got his hands up to absorb the blow. Cena sold it like a direct shot to the head, though. Back in the ring, Orton set up Cena across the middle rope for his patented Jake Roberts DDT. Announcers reminded us Cena suffered a head injury on Raw, which could affect him tonight. Nice piece of storytelling to stack the deck just a little bit more. Orton then grabbed a chair and set it up in the ring. He wanted to repeat the end of Raw with an RKO into the chair, but Cena blocked and made a classic comeback. He paused for the crowd to reach its peak before he delivered the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cena then wanted an FU, but Orton grabbed the top rope and landed on the apron. He then yanked Cena’s shoulder/neck down hard across the top rope.

At 5:00, Orton saw Cena prone for The Punt, but Cena ducked and teased the STF. Orton slipped out of the ring, through, and lured Cena into a whip to the ring steps. Orton then grabbed the ring steps and blasted Cena in the face. Orton demanded Cena give it up, but Cena sternly said “no” a few times. Orton was angered by this development, so he lifted Cena and rolled him into the ring. He then grabbed a bag out from under the ring. Thumbtacks? No, it was a chain with a key on it and handcuffs. Orton put the chain around his neck, then put Cena in a handcuff. Orton stomped Cena down to the mat, then cuffed Cena to the top rope. Orton symbolically “held the key” to the match with it around his neck. Orton began attacking Cena, who refused to quit.

At 10:00, Orton took the mic and jammed it into Cena’s head. Orton then unhooked Cena and cuffed Cena’s hands together. Orton then dragged Cena up the ring steps and hung Cena over the top turnbuckle. Orton began assaulting Cena’s stomach with body blows, then he landed fist smashes one after another. Orton screamed at Cena that he’s not passing out on him, so he threw water at Cena, who then spit it back in Orton’s face. Orton was not pleased, so he grabbed the Singapore canes from the bowling shoe ugly match early. Orton then “tortured” Cena with multiple cane shots to the body. Orton then smashed him across the wrist as he continued to be hung up in the corner. Cena refused to quit. Orton then put the cane into Cena’s throat and Cena kicked him in the crotch. They didn’t show it, but Cena pulled himself down to the ground. Camera zoomed in on Cena having cut marks across his stomach. Cena slowly walked over to Orton, who had a chair in hand to surprise Cena with a chair shot to the head.

At 15:00, Orton uncuffed Cena, then he re-cuffed Cena around the ringpost with Cena on the ground facing the post. Lawler did the “babyface is about to lose, which means he’s not going to” line about Cena needing to think about living to fight another day. Cena then blasted Orton across the back with a chair shot and Cena shrieked. Cena refused to quit. Orton was about to lose it. At this point, you’re wondering where the gun is to shoot him. How much further can you go before the heel loses credibility for not killing the other guy? Anyways, Cena back dropped Orton to the mat, then he stole the key from Orton and uncuffed himself before cuffing them together. They transferred all the heat onto Cena, who then cuffed Orton and started going nuts on Orton. Cena exploded with body shots before taking Orton into the ring to land more body shots. Cena teased the FU, but Orton slipped out and nailed the RKO in center ring. Orton then tried to drag both of them toward the key across the ring, but Cena tugged him back to center ring and applied the STF. Cena wrapped the cuff around Orton’s throat, then Orton fought the hold before shouting “I quit, I quit” to give Cena the win.

After the post-match happenings for replays, recovery, etc., Cena took the mic and declared, “I did not quit.” They stayed with Cena’s post-match celebration for a while as Orton sold a shoulder injury on the way out. Cena then stood on the stage and lifted up the title belt to salute the crowd.

Winner: Cena at 19:45 to win the WWE Title.

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Orton then stalked Cena for The Punt at 11:00, but Cena moved and did the full comeback. Cena with a facebuster, then he went up top and hit a guillotine leg drop clear across the ring for a two count. Cena then teased the FU, but Orton grabbed the top rope to block. Double clothesline. Both men on the mat. Crowd took a deep breath, then started dueling chants. They came to their feet and did a right hand blow exchange. Mixed Yeahs/boos for Cena, Yeahs for Orton. Suddenly, Orton walked over to the ref and shoved the ref, causing a DQ. Cena sold shock. Orton took his belt and left. Lilian Garcia then took the mic and said she just received word that Randy Orton is the new WWE champion. Um… She corrected herself that she received word from Mr. McMahon that the match must re-start and if Orton gets DQ’ed, he loses the title.

Match re-started with an exchange that led to both men brawling to the outside. Back in the ring, Orton made a cover for a two count. He then went to the outside and demanded the WWE Title belt. He then took his belt and started to walk away as the ref started a ten count. Orton high-tailed it up the ramp and took the ten count to lose. Lilian Garcia then re-introduced Mr. McMahon’s word that if Orton gets counted again, he loses the WWE Title. When did McMahon get involved in storylines again, by the way? Orton stormed back into the ring, avoided the FU, then rolled up Cena and put his feet on the ropes to score a pin and the win.

Lilian announced Orton as the winner, his music hit, and Cena sat in the corner stunned. A second ref then hit the ring and told Scott Armstrong that Orton used the ropes. Armstrong called for a re-start. Cena instantly put Orton in the STF. He pulled Orton back into center ring and re-applied, but a fan suddenly ran into the ring and attacked the ref. WWE head of security jumped on the dude and hauled him out of the ring, but everyone just stood there like what the heck? If that was a planted fan, it was a crazy spot. They cut to a second shot of the fan being hauled away. Cena acted stunned. Crowd didn’t know how to react. Ref tried to get everyone back into the match, then Orton caught Cena with an RKO across the middle rope and one in center ring to score the pin for the win.

WINNER: Randy Orton at 17:40 to retain the WWE Title. If that was a legit fan who hit the ring, it gives new meaning to “If Cena Wins, We Riot” since Cena was about to score a tap out win. Crowd was into the match, but WWE over-booked the crap out of this match. Fan interference – legit or not – was the icing on the cake. For the record – first stop at 13:31, second stop at 15:34, third stop at 15:50, and finish at 17:40. Looks like an Orton vs. Cena re-match at Breaking Point where only way to win is by submission. (**1/2)

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WWE champion Randy Orton vs. John Cena vs. Triple H
Bell sounded and Orton slithered to the outside. He wanted Hunter and Cena to battle, but they stared at each other and slipped to the outside to put Orton in the middle. Orton slithered back into the ring, then Cena and Hunter followed him. Orton, upset with playing monkey in the middle, tried to punch Hunter, but Hunter knocked him to the outside where Cena clotheslined him to the floor. Baby oil went flying and Orton left a big skid mark on the padding. Orton eventually made the challengers run circles to where Cena was bumped off the apron into Hunter’s forehead. Back in the ring, Cena worked over Orton and dropped the Five Knuckle Shuffle on the champ. Cena wanted the FU on Orton, but Hunter slipped into the ring and gave him a boot to the gut before tossing him to the floor. Orton then snuck up behind Hunter with a clothesline to begin working over Hunter. Cena then re-entered the picture to boos, but he was quickly removed with a neckbreaker from Orton. Hunter wanted a Pedigree on Orton, but Orton back-dropped him over the top rope to the floor. Orton then teased a double horizontal DDT across the middle rope, but Cena and Hunter blocked and dumped him to the floor.

Now left in the ring: Cena vs. Hunter. They slowly approached each other and Hunter did the “You Can’t See Me” hand wave that set up a round of punch exchanges with the boos for Cena and yays for Hunter from the crowd. They countered each other’s signature moves, then Hunter nailed a Double A spinebuster center ring. Hunter then wanted to finish Cena, but Orton grabbed Hunter from the outside and dragged him to the floor. Orton blasted Hunter into the announce table, then Cena became involved. Three-way brawl on the announce table led to Orton eating the front row. Cena then slapped on the STF on the announce table. Orton broke it up, then dragged Cena back into the ring. Boo / yay punch exchange commenced. Two rounds of boos for Cena tonight.

At 15:00, Orton knocked Cena to the mat and teased the RKO, but Cena shoved him high and hard down to the mat. Orton sold it with a major arch back. Nice. Cena put Orton up top for a superplex attempt, but Hunter slid into the ring. Cena came down, then slingshot Hunter across the ring into Orton, who was perched up top. Cena then slapped on the STF in center ring. Orton helpless. Hunter fought the hold, teased, a tap out, then Cena re-applied the move center ring. Orton then came to life and his eyes lit up like a kid on Christmas morning to Punt the crap out of Cena, but Cena moved and Orton airballed. Cena tried a quick pin, but Orton kicked out and clotheslined Cena. Hunter and Cena were down on the mat and Orton began the Orton Stomp on both men. Some pockets of fans with a “Cena” chant that pumped up Orton to continue attacking.

At 20:00, Orton missed with a knee drop and Cena took out Orton’s left knee from behind. Cena then gave Orton a sit-out slam to set up the Shuffle again, but Hunter dumped Cena to the floor. Hunter then slapped on the Sharpshooter in center ring. A little love tap to Bret Hart in defense of Flair defense during Hart-Flair week? Suddenly, Cena slid into the ring and applied the Crossface on Orton at the same time Hunter had the Sharpshooter on. Orton tapped out and the ref looked like he had no idea what to do. Cena maintained the hold and the crowd didn’t know how to react. Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase then stormed the ring and attacked Cena and Hunter. Apparently that’s allowed. Cena wanted the FU on Cody, but Orton hit the RKO on Cena. Orton then pinned Cena to apparently retain the title. On the replay, they didn’t even show Orton tapping out, just the ref confused. After showing post-match disappointment from Hunter and Cena, they replayed Orton tapping out. Announcers just as confused post-match.

Winner: Orton in 23:00 to retain the WWE Title.

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Backstage: Randy Orton dialed a number, then placed a call. No answer. Just ringing. He got Cody Rhodes’s voice mail. Orton told him to call back. Did Cody pay his phone bill?

WWE champion RANDY ORTON vs. TRIPLE H — WWE Title match — Three Stages of Hell match
Orton quickly went for the left knee and wanted to wrap it around the ringpost, but Hunter slipped out and sent Orton’s momentum into the ringpost with Orton eating the post. Hunter teased the Pedigree, but Orton dropped down to one knee and punched the injured knee. Orton then began his focused attack on the knee. Orton teased the RKO, but Hunter shoved off and hit a spinebuster. Match moved to the floor. Poor Matt Striker in the background has been a spectator by himself for two hours with Josh Mathews backstage. Suddenly, Triple H pulled out a chair and blasted Orton with a chair shot to cause a DQ. *** Orton 1, Hunter 0 at 4:55*** Hunter, down one fall, started blasting away on Orton with the chair. Now it’s a Falls Count Anywhere in Fall Two. Lawler followed the logic of Hunter sacrificing one fall in order to beat the crap out of Orton to get the second fall. On cue, Hunter hit the Pedigree on the floor and pinned Orton to earn the second fall. *** Orton 1, Hunter 1 at 6:20***

A stretcher was brought down to ringside. Hunter easily placed Orton’s limp body on the stretcher and he wheeled Orton up the entrance ramp. He came close to the yellow line, but Orton came to life and jumped off the stretcher to blast Hunter in the knee. Orton then took out the left knee as Hunter gingerly walked down the entrance ramp. Match moved to the ringside area where Orton crotched Hunter across the guardrail. Security held back front row fans from interfering. Would have helped at the Astros game today where a fan cost the Astros a run and the game. Got that off my chest… match turned into a TNA-style brawl through the crowd. Hunter then clotheslined Orton over the guardrail to the ringside area. Hunter landed a straight right hand and Orton fell hard to the ground, but he pulled back the guardrail while on the floor and whipped Hunter into the exposed railing. A non-PG-friendly “Holy S—” whisper from a fan on the front row made air as Orton beat on Hunter. Orton put Hunter on the stretcher, but Hunter came to life. Orton cut him off, though, with a whip into the ring steps.

At 13:00, the match returned to the ring with Orton introducing ring steps into the ring. Classic “Roadrunner circumvents the Coyote” spot with Hunter turned a ring step smash into a drop toe hold sending Orton face-first into the steps. Hunter then bashed (get it?) the steps into Orton’s face. He tried to drag Orton onto the stretcher and succeeded. Hunter tried to wheel Orton up the ramp to the yellow line, but Orton kicked Hunter in the head. Hunter then hopped on the stretcher and punched him several times as they wheeled backward down the ramp together. Eventually, the stretcher fell off the ramp and they both fell to the ground in an unintentional comedy spot. Pretty cool ride. Orton sold mass pain to the back, but he got up and gave Hunter the classic Orton horizontal DDT off the stretcher into the ground. That was just not right.

Orton wanted The Punt, but Hunter moved and Orton airballed Hunter’s head. Hunter then wanted the Pedigree on the floor, but Orton back body dropped Hunter onto the stretcher. Orton slowly tried to wheel Hunter up the ramp, but Hunter got up about ten feet before the line. Orton then stalked Hunter for the RKO, but Hunter shoved Orton into the HD video scoreboard. Hunter followed with a Pedigree onto the stage. Yellow line marks the spot. Hunter crawled over the stretcher, which was just a few feet from the line. He put Orton’s dead weight on the stretcher, then tried to push it across, but Cody Rhodes showed up at the last second to block Hunter. Cody then attacked Hunter, but Hunter chucked him into the HD lights. Orton was still on the stretcher, but DiBiase suddenly made the save one foot away from the yellow line.

Cody and Ted then jumped Hunter and stomped away on him. They picked up Hunter and put him on the stretcher with a ton of effort while Orton was KO’ed, but Hunter fought back. The pack of wild dogs tried to subdue Hunter, who kept putting up a fight. Suddenly, Hunter had a sledgehammer. He stared blasting folks left and right, but he didn’t see a Punt to the gut from Orton. Orton then smashed Hunter with a piece from the stage. He flung Hunter onto the stretcher, then spun Hunter across the yellow line to win the match and retain the WWE Title.

Post-match: Orton celebrated on stage with the WWE Title, but Triple H snuck up behind him with sledgehammer behind. Orton sold cluelessness that Hunter was right behind him, then his music stopped and he turned around to accept a sledgehammer blow to the head. Orton KO’ed, Hunter standing tall to send ‘em home happy. After several replays, they closed with Orton clutching his WWE Title shot and finally making it to his feet with a look of pain written on his face to close the PPV.

WINNER: Orton at 21:30 to retain the WWE Title. First two falls were quick to get to the final fall, which wasn’t a traditional title match, but featured some good drama, action, and body blows to give fans their money’s worth. Felt just like the match they had on free TV six days ago, so you didn’t miss anything if you watched the free show on Raw. WWE booking the red herrings during the show with Cody and Ted worked well to create more drama on whether they would eventually help Orton retain the title. Sure hope this is the end of Orton vs. Hunter, but I highly doubt it since Hunter didn’t lose clean and he stood tall post-match. Solid gimmick match overall.

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WINNER: Batista at 7:10 to capture the WWE Title. Seems like forever since Batista won World Title gold. You also wouldn’t think they would put the WWE Title on an injured wrestler, so we’ll have to see where this is going, especially when Orton gets his re-match. Nice match, albeit short for Raw’s title match. Quick pace made for a good story. (**)

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Randy Orton vs. Batista — WWE Championship match
Bell sounded and the announcers said Batista was involved in an altercation earlier this weekend. Lawler said he had eight stitches in his eye as a result. Also, Orton dipped to the floor when the bell sounded to make Batista wait a bit longer for initial contact. Orton took a rest on the floor again, then Batista ran out of the corner with a clothesline. He kicked Orton in the back before sitting down on his lower back. Orton gained control at 4:00, then stood over Batista and did the old-school arms-extended pose from 2005. Crowd booed that heavily. Orton grabbed a basic chinlock and Batista escaped with elbow strikes before Orton nailed the fallaway backbreaker for a two count. Orton went back to the chinlock, then Batista escaped, and Orton re-applied. Batista escaped and Orton snapped off a nice dropkick. He then picked up the crowd intensity with that trademark horizontal DDT from the second rope.

At 8:30, Orton stalked cough-and-wheeze Batista for the RKO like a snake, but Batista remained on the ground. Orton then re-thought his plan to nail The Punt, but Batista was playing opossum and nailed a spear as Orton charged. Both men then came to their feet and they traded punches with crowd doing yeah/boo. Batista then scooped up Orton for a standing powerslam and a two count only at 10:00. Orton then rolled to the floor told the ref to start his ten count. Batista was not going to stand for Orton trying to get counted out, so he chased Orton around the ring. Orton tried to hug the ringpost, but Batista broke him off and tossed him into the ring for a clothesline and a two count.

Tree-hugging Orton then tried to grab a steel chair ringside, but Batista blocked. Batista then went up top (wha?) and nailed a nice-looking flying shoulder tackle for a two count. Batista teased the Batistabomb, but Orton blocked and rolled to the floor once again. He then grabbed his WWE Title belt and tried to run away clutching the belt, but Batista pursued him and tossed him back into the ring. Batista ducked a belt shot and nailed a spinebuster. Orton freaked as Batista grappled him for the Batistabomb, but Orton punched out. Batista blocked the RKO, then Orton moved out of the way of a spear in the corner. Orton, enraged, wanted the RKO, but Batista shoved him away into the ref. Orton and ref had a stop-and-collect-themselves moment, then Orton reared back and slapped ref Chioda. Ref called for the bell for a DQ and Batista put his hands on his head in disgust that he won, but Orton kept the belt. Classic Orton storyline.

Post-match: Legacy stormed the ring to help Orton with a three-on-one beating on Batista. Suddenly, Ric Flair’s music hit. Oh snap. Flair stormed the ring in dress clothes as the announcers freaked about Flair being here. Flair looked to be in great shape as he fought off Legacy. Batista then dropped Orton with the Batistabomb before Flair ripped off a round of chops on folks. Flair then helped Batista up and they had a stare down with Legacy with Batista smiling. Six-man tag with Triple H next month?
Winner: Batista via DQ at 14:45

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SHANE MCMAHON & BATISTA & TRIPLE H vs. RANDY ORTON & CODY RHODES & TED DIBIASE
Shane came out first, then Batista, then Triple H, then Legacy. Six-way chaos broke out before the bell rang. Triple H went after Orton at ringside and all the way to the back. Triple H returned to the ring and Orton was nowhere in sight. The ref ordered the bell to start the match, even without Orton at ringside. Batista opened against Cody. Triple H and Shane took turns beating on him. At 3:00 Cody raked Batista’s eyes and tagged in DiBiase. They double-teamed Batista in the corner. Ross said Rhodes and DiBiase are two building blocks in the future of WWE in his estimation. Batista came back at 4:00 wth a spinebuster on DiBiase. He set up a Batista Bomb, but DiBiase slid out of the ring. Batista went after him at ringside. Orton charged Batista from behind and shoved him into the ringpost. The ref didn’t see it. Back in the ring, Orton stomped away at a stunned Batista. Orton DDT’d Batista off the second rope. Batista tried to tag out a minute later, but Orton stopped him just in time at 8:00. Ross said that may be looked back on as a key moment in the match.

At 10:00 Batista came back with a spearing headbutt. Batista hot-tagged Shane who went to work on a fresh Rhodes with a barrage of punches. He hit a neckbreaker for a two count, then threw him to the floor. Shane began disassembling the announcer table. DiBiase went after him. Shane tackled him. Rhodes returned to the ring. Shane snapped his neck over the top rope, then climbed to the top rope and leaped of with a flying elbow. He rolled Rhodes over twice to get closer to the ropes, which looked ridiculous, and then predictably DiBiase yanked him out of the ring during his pin attempt. Orton whipped Shane into the ringside steps, but the ref was distracted by Triple H who left his corner. Orton went to work on Shane, suplexing him into the ring. Shane scurried toward his corner for a potential tag. Orton stopped him and then stared down Triple H.

The heels isolated Shane for several long minutes. Shane finally hot-tagged Triple H at 18:00. Triple H went to work on Orton with a barrage of punches. It was relentless. Orton reversed Triple H into the ropes, but Triple H came back with a kneelift. When DiBiase and Rhodes charged at him, he tossed them out of the ring, then gave Orton a spinebuster for a near fall, broken up by DiBiase who a split second later than ideal. Triple H set up a Pedigree, but Rhodes broke it up and DDT’d him. Shane dove at Rhodes and clotheslined him over the top rope. He did the same to DiBiase, knocking him over the ringside barrier into the crowd. Cody fired back at Shane with a chairshot to the shoulder. When Batista went after Rhodes, Rhodes jabbed him in the throat with a chair.

Both Orton and Triple H were down for an eight count in the ring. Both got up. As Batista was about to hit DiBiase with a chair at ringside, Triple H pulled the chair from him. Orton then gave Triple H an RKO for a convincing near fall. So convincing the bell ringing rang the bell mistakenly. Orton then gave Triple H a punt kick for the pin. The bell ringing must’ve known the finish, but rang the bell too early. He’s in trouble tonight. Orton then grabbed the WWE Title and left with DiBiase and Rhodes.

WINNERS: Orton & DiBiase & Rhodes in 22:00 so Orton becomes the WWE Champion.

STAR RATING: *** — They gave it time to be an epic match, but the early-match long selling by Batista and the mid-match long selling by Shane got a little tedious. Other than the early bell ring, though, the final minutes hit a great crescendo. Good to see a title change in this match take place with the new champion scoring the pin on the incumbent.

Gallery Link:
- Fan Candids > Pay-Per-Views > Wrestlemania 25

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Winner: HHH in about 25 minutes.

No words needed to be spoken. No blows exchanged.

Everything – all the shock, the pain, the suppressed rage – everything was written deeply into the lines on their faces. An incensed Triple H knelt beside the limp body of his wife, Stephanie McMahon, and locked eyes with Randy Orton, the man who, moments earlier, had rendered his beloved unconscious with an RKO and slithered from the ring. It was in that white-hot moment that both men recognized that a line had been crossed, that matters between them were now far too personal to ever be the same again. (WATCH)

With that anguish still seared into his conscience, WWE Champion Triple H will face down the challenge of his tormentor as he and Orton meet in a WWE Championship Match at the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania. The Game, however, cannot allow his emotions to rage untethered as Orton convinced Raw’s interim General Manager Vickie Guerrero to stipulate that Triple H will lose the title if he gets disqualified or counted out. 

A month prior to his RKO on Stephanie, Orton’s path had intersected with his former partner in Evolution at the Royal Rumble during which Triple H faced down the onslaught not only of Orton but also of his “Legacy” henchmen, Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase. While The Cerebral Assassin, alone with Legacy, managed to lay waste to two of the second-generation Superstars, the numbers would overcome him, and Orton would emerge victorious, ensuring himself a match at the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania.

Orton’s violent journey toward Triple H would persist as he continued to put one foot in front of the other – his right foot to be precise. 

In a fit of unchecked aggression, Orton punted Mr. McMahon in the skull with that punishing foot just as The Chairman appeared ready to fire him. While Triple H and his father-in-law have shared a well-documented contempt for one another over the years, it’s one thing to quarrel with a family member, but it’s quite another when someone else does it.

Ever proud, The King of Kings must have looked upon Orton’s despicable actions as an insult to all that the McMahon family has achieved, all that with which Triple H now finds himself inextricably intertwined.

Orton, however, would not stop there. Seemingly blinded with rage, the Legend Killer then trained his sights on Shane. Understandably livid, the younger McMahon sought to avenge his father, going so far as to agree to a No Holds Barred Match with Orton at No Way Out. Like his father, Shane would succumb to the treacherous dealings of the Legend Killer, who, with help from “Legacy,” dropped the progeny with a painful RKO.

For weeks afterward, the combustion between Orton and the McMahon family grew ever more intense until finally the flames of animosity were fanned into a rampaging blaze.

Sparked by Orton’s anger, or what he classified as IED (Intermittent Explosive Disorder), the Legend Killer employed Rhodes and DiBiase again during a match against Shane on Raw. As McMahon geared up to go Coast-to-Coast on his opponent, Orton’s lackeys interrupted, pummeling Shane and leaving him dazed on the mat. Unfortunately for Shane, his problems were only just beginning. In a sick rerun of events a month prior, Orton booted Shane in the skull, rendering him unconscious. That’s when a distraught Stephanie rushed to her brother’s side only to find herself leveled with an RKO. See this and more in RK-Ode…

The sight of his wife lying unconscious at the hands of Orton was almost too much for Triple H to bear. The following week, The Game would exact a small measure of revenge. Wielding his always convincing sledgehammer, Triple H punished both Rhodes and DiBiase. For his part, Orton narrowly escaped, finally fleeing the carnage in a car.

While he may have fled, Orton could not find solace - even within the certain comfort of his home in St. Louis. On a startlingly memorable Raw, The Cerebral Assassin took a field trip to The Legend Killer’s abode to seek Orton’s blood. Tearing through the Orton household with sledgehammer in tow, Triple H exacted the physical damage he sought. After driving his foe through the front window of his own house, the WWE Champion was apprehended by the authorities, at risk of criminal charges and the cancellation of his confrontation with Orton at WrestleMania. Watch the home invasion…

But the Legacy leader had other plans and other intentions than to have The Game incarcerated. Despite Orton’s own mandate that barred physicality between he and the WWE Champion until WrestleMania, The Legend Killer decided that his WWE Title opportunity was the more important factor. Thus, the No. 1 contender proclaimed that it would be he who renders judgment upon The Cerebral Assassin, under “Orton’s law.”

Under The Legend Killer’s rule or not, at WrestleMania there will be no escape. The situation has grown far too personal. While there’s no telling what depths Orton will plumb in order to save himself, there’s also no telling just how far Triple H is willing to go to seek vengeance for those he holds so dear – his family.

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RANDY ORTON vs. SHANE MCMAHON — No Holds Barred match
Anything goes tonight. Shane came out first looking very determined to take apart Orton. The match opened with Shane bobbing and weaving to frustrate Orton, then Shane knocked Orton to the floor. Huge puddle of oil and sweat on the floor after Orton crashed to the padding. Shane tried to follow, but Orton smashed him back-first into the ring apron. Back in the ring, Orton took off the turnbuckle padding and went back to work on Shane. Orton slowly walked around the ring teasing that Shane was done, then he approached Shane, who suddenly busted out a Kendo stick to crack Orton in the face.
At 5:00, Shane repeatedly blasted Orton with the stick. Orton winced with every blow to the sternum, then Orton regrouped on the outside. Shane followed out and hit a running clothesline. You knew this was coming. Shane cleared the Smackdown announce table, then grabbed a TV monitor and cracked it over Orton’s forehead. Point of the monitor caught Orton around the right temple and Orton came up bleeding. Didn’t catch Orton leaning down to blade there, so it looked hardway. Could be wrong, though. Shane then went up top for a splash on Orton, but DiBiase and Cody Rhodes jumped into the ring. Cody then retrieved a chair to smash Shane, but Shane moved and DiBiase accidentally took the chair to the back. Cut back to Stephanie watching on a backstage monitor.

At 8:00, Shane grabbed a trashcan and placed it over Cody in the corner. Shane wanted to go coast-to-coast on Cody after delivering it on DiBiase on Raw. Shane measured Cody, then went all the way across the ring in mid-air with a dropkick square in the face. Meanwhile, Orton was bleeding heavily while still on the Smackdown table. Shane, having SuperShaned on Cody and DiBiase, went back up top for the dive on Orton. Orton was playing opossum, though, and Shane ate the table, then the floor when Orton moved. Orton went back into the ring and told DiBiase to get Cody out of here to make sure he’s okay. Just do it man!

At 11:00, Shane slowly returned to the ring and took the horizontal DDT off the middle rope. Crowd was quiet as Orton beat down on Shane after setting up a table in the corner of the ring. Orton then took McMahon up top for a Cowboy Bob superplex and Orton connected right through the table. Very violent PPV so far tonight. Orton slowly made his way over to Shane for a cover, but SuperShane kicked out before three. Orton, frustrated, slammed Shane’s head into a broken part of the table. Another cover, but Shane kicked out at 15:00.

Shane then went on the offensive and grabbed the chair Cody tried to use earlier. Shane bashed Orton across the stomach, body, and legs. Orton hobbled and cried out in pain, then he begged off Shane, who measured him for a direct chair blow. Camera cut away real quick, so it was hard to see if it was a direct blow to the head or upper shoulder area. In any event, Shane wanted one more smashing shot via The Punt, but Orton suddenly snapped to his feet and nailed the RKO for the pin and the win.

WINNER: Orton at 18:18.

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Backstage, Todd Grisham brought in Randy Orton to discuss any words from the McMahon family. Orton said he hasn’t heard anything and he’s still in the Rumble. Chris Jericho then walked in and chatted up Orton. He said he doesn’t blame Orton one bit because he thought the Mr. McMahon that would show up last week would be the creative genius, but they got a clone of his former self pandering to the fans and his daughter. Jericho told Orton the real McMahon is already dead. Orton asked Jericho if he’s trying to make him feel better or make him lower his guard for the Rumble? Jericho said it’s not like that. He’s honest, plus he doesn’t know how much longer he’ll have to talk to him because he knows the McMahons are vengeful people. It could be Orton’s last night in WWE.

Out eighth was Randy Orton, which gave Hunter pause before trying to toss out Morrison. Here we go with Orton against Steph’s real-life hubby and Vince’s real-life father-in-law. Orton got the best of Hunter initially, then pounded his fists for the RKO, but Hunter blocked. Morrison then smashed Hunter with the Midnight Drive. Flurry of action leading to Rey hitting the 619 on Morrison. Cryme Tyme’s music hit, then both of them came out to flip a coin. JTG won the coin-toss and entered the Rumble, but Shad picked it up and saw it was a two-headed coin. Orton and Rey teased eliminations, then out tenth was Ted DiBiase, Jr.

Morrison and JTG tried to skin the cat simultaneously, then both men recovered back into the ring. Rey then almost took out DiBiase, but both men were okay. Good action thus far at 14:00. Out next was Chris Jericho at #11. Men starting to pile up in the ring before Mike Knox came out #12. He went right after Rey Mysterio, of course, before Ted and Orton schemed to go after JTG. No eliminations, then The Miz came out at #13 at 18:00. Orton suddenly went on an RKO rampage before taking a Pedigree from Hunter. Hunter then decided to take out both Miz and Morrison. Rey suddenly sky-walked across Miz and Morrison to avoid an elimination before Finlay came out #14. Action focused on Finlay vs. Knox for a little while before Cody Rhodes came out #15. Ted, Cody, and Randy then went to work on folks to gang up on various wrestlers.

No eliminations, except for a sick collision between Rey and Orton via the RKO from Orton to counter a springboard move from Rey. At #16, the lights went down and out, leading to The Undertaker. Everyone stopped and turned their attention to Taker, who stepped into the ring and started cleaning house. Taker went after Ted, then again, then took out JTG. Goldust came out #17 and had a face-off with Teddy before Cody grabbed him and they shared a staredown. Brother vs. brother. Goldust went Matt on Cody, setting up a one-on-one fight. Goldust teased eliminating Cody, but he skinned the cat back into the ring. Suddenly, Orton nailed the RKO on Goldust. Orton then instructed Cody to take out the trash. Cody then dumped out his brother, Goldust.

#18 was the new IC champion C.M. Punk at 26:00. A little action, then Mark Henry came out #19 and started cleaning house. Plenty of men around the ring collecting their breath. #20 was Shelton Benjamin just short of 30:00. No eliminations with the ring starting to fill up. #21 was William Regal, who sternly ran into the ring to go right after Punk, who took the IC Title from him on Raw. Tons of men in the ring now with Mark Henry taking an elimination via Rey Rey pulling the top rope down. At 32:00, our entry #22 was Kofi Kingston. Kofi went after all kinds of folks with him bouncing around the ring for a Rumble. He did hit the boom-boom leg drop on Knox, but Orton quickly cut him off. Taker then dumped out Shelton before Kane came out #23. Meanwhile, Rey was caught in between the ringpost trying to avoid elimination. Kane came in and started cleaning house, but no work against Taker yet. Another brother vs. brother confrontation, this time Kane and Taker, who was bleeding from the forehead. Taker and Kane scooped up DiBiase and gave him a chokeslam before Kane gave Kofi a slam. Punk then eliminated Regal.

At #24, R-Truth came out. One of the better reactions of the night. Truth went after Hunter with the spinning forearm blow. Suddenly out at #25, RVD. Shock from the stars in the ring. RVD went right after Kane as the crowd exploded. Everyone fed RVD, who awkwardly cleaned house as only RVD can. Some educated feet found Jericho and Cody, then Knox. Out next was The Brian Kendrick, who came out #26 with Ezekiel Jackson. Tons of men left in the match here. Suddenly, Kofi was dumped out by TBK, then Hunter dumped out TBK. That was quick.

At 40:00, crowd was firmly behind RVD as Punk skinned the cat. Out #27 was Dolph Ziggler. He went after Knox and everyone stared at him funny. Kane didn’t appreciate the handshake intro, so he shook his hand and tossed him out. So long mid-card gimmick acts. Coming up the magical final three numbers as another Rey tease went down. Meanwhile, Punk took the electric chair. Things slowed down in anticipation of #28, which was Santino Marella. Suddenly, Kane eliminated him, like right when Santino entered the ring. Ross said Barbarian’s record is gone. Kane smiled. Santino was beside himself wanting a re-do.

At 43:00, next-to-last was Hacksaw Jim Duggan, winner of the first Rumble in 1988. Duggan cleaned house on Legacy with the crowd firmly behind the ol’ Dugster. Duggan wanted a piece of Taker and he felled the giant tree. Duggan threw around some right hand blows for a little while. More teases, but no eliminations. And our final participant, at #30, was… Big Show. No Michaels, no JBL, no Hardy (either one). In any event, Show slowly made his way to the ring with everyone waiting for him to enter. So, here we go with everyone in the ring and only 15 men out.

Duggan tried to get Show out, but Show knocked him down to the mat. Ross said his heart was in the right place. Show then scooped up Duggan and eliminated him to a round of boos. Waiting for that flurry of boom, boom, boom eliminations, but more teased eliminations at 48:00. Show then press-slammed K-Truth right out of the ring. Show then teased a Punk elimination, but Punk skinned the cat and kicked away at Show. One more tease of Punk, then another. Show then landed the right hand blow to get Punk out. Three in a row for Show. Rey and Knox were then eliminated simultaneously with the camera off the action. Perhaps Horny had something to do with it, as he entered the action. Kane then dumped out Finlay. Camera shot showed Show getting Knox and Rey out, with Rey lasting just short of 50:00.

At 50:00, we have eight eliminations to go and nine men left in the ring. Orton battled Hunter and gave him the implant DDT off the horizontal position. Taker and Show then went face-to-face. They exchanged right hand blows, then Jericho got Show from behind. Suddenly, RVD went up top and nailed the Five Star frogsplash on Orton. Jericho then grabbed RVD and dumped him out, though. Jericho smiled, then Taker snuck up behind him and his smile went away. Taker eliminated him after a brief exchange. Lots of chatter leading to Legacy dumping out Kane.

We have six men left at 52:30 – Hunter, Taker, Show, and Legacy (Orton, Cody, Teddy). Legacy surrounded Taker and went after him gang-style while Show and Hunter battled. Show got the best of him with a chokeslam. Taker then momentarily took care of Cody with a chokeslam. So, we’re back to Taker vs. Show. Taker dropped the straps ala Angle, then Taker and Show had a mini-boxing match. Taker finished off the exchange with a “slobberknocker” of a clothesline before kicking Show over the top rope, but Show skinned the cat. Oh my. Taker and Show battled on the apron, then Orton snuck up behind Taker and missed with the RKO. Show then grappled Taker and pulled him to the apron at 55:00. They battled on the apron with teased eliminations. Orton suddenly RKO’ed Show to eliminate him. Legacy teased eliminating Taker, but Show yanked him down to the floor. Taker and Show then brawled through the stands up into the arena.

At 56:00, it was final four of Legacy and Hunter. Time for a Hunter Superman moment, with Hunter in there for a good 45 minutes at this point. Legacy took apart Hunter, then Orton called for Ted and Cody to pick up Hunter’s lifeless body. Orton taunted Hunter, then Hunter blocked the RKO. Cody and Ted went after Hunter, but Hunter fought them off. He kicked Cody, then nearly dumped Orton, but Orton skinned the cat. Here’s your great finishing sequence: Hunter threw a charging DiBiase out of here. Cody was suddenly the next one out moments later. Orton then snuck up behind Hunter and immediately eliminated him rapid-fire. Oh snap.

Post-match: Orton stood tall with the Legacy in the ring. Ross said Orton is guaranteed a championship match at WrestleMania 25. Orton then stood alone in the ring and pointed to the WM 25 sign hanging above the arena while spotlights shot out from the arena. Ross said Orton is going to Mania to become a champion. Ross reiterated the point that it’s guaranteed, implying the McMahons can’t do anything about it. Orton pointed to the WM 25 sign as a huge fireworks display shot off from the 25 banner. Orton sternly celebrated one more time to close the show.

WINNER: Randy Orton at 58:10. Very good Rumble match. Not one of the best, as there was such a long time period of having too many men in the ring, but the “crowd popping” ring entrances were spread out throughout the match to keep the match action hot. Good moments in the match, such as Show skinning the cat, Rey hanging on throughout, Cody taking out Goldy, and RVD’s surprise appearance. Orton winning was the right call and sets up some potential storyline greatness involving Orton and the McMahons leading to WrestleMania.

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Batista vs. Randy Orton (w/Cody Rhodes, Manu)
Orton knocked Batista to the floor at 2:00. Cody and Manu took cheapshots at them. The ref ordered both to the back. Orton stalked Batista at ringside and threw him back into the ring, then shouder-first into the ringpost. Orton worked over Batista’s arm and shoulder off and on for several minutes. Batista sidestepped a charging Orton at 7:00 and tossed him to the floor. Orton clutched his shoulder afterward. Orton caught Batista on his way back into the ring and DDT’d him with Batista’s legs draped over the second rope, leading to a two count. Orton dominated from there for a while. Orton settled into his obligatory mid-match chinlock. Cole talked about the influence Flair and Triple H had on both Batista and Orton. Lawler said, “What Randy Orton is doing right now is methodical.” Cole added, “Effective strategy from the gifted Randy Orton.” Orton avoided a Batista clothesline and applied a sleeper. Batista backdropped out of it a minute later. Batista fought back and climbed to the top rope. Orton knocked Batista off balance and hit a superplex. Batista came back with a spinebuster. Orton blocked a Batista bomb and went for an RKO. Batista avoided that and slammed Orton for a near fall. Orton caught a charging Batista with a kick to the chest. Not particularly well timed. Orton gave Batista a back/neckbreaked for a two count. Orton got set up for the RKO as he waited for Batista to stand. “Vindictiveness pouring from the eyes of Randy Orton,” said Cole. Batista avoided an RKO and then one-arm slammed him for a very near fall. At 15:00 Orton set up the running punt kick. Batista grabbed Orton and threw him into the corner where he mounted him and threw a barrage of punches. Orton powered out of the corner and dropped Batista feet-first to the mat. Batista turned it into a Batista Bomb and scored the pin.

WINNER: Batista in 16:00.

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Thanks so much to Tracey for the match captures <33
Screen Captures and Video have been posted, enjoy!

Um… Punk grabbed Regal when the bell sounded and gave him the G2S for a pin. Punk barely connected with the G2S, but we’ll ignore that. Layla didn’t like that, so she chucked her shoe at Punk and nearly took his eye out. With Regal out of the picture, they settled into an exchange of offensive control between the two teams. R-Truth and Shelton battled, then Shelton nailed the Paydirt at 8:00 for a pin. Kofi tried to follow by getting high…with a top rope kick…but Shelton kicked out of a pin attempt. Kofi then came back with a boom-boom leg drop, but Shelton kicked out again.

Randy Orton made his entrance tonight, then he meticulously took apart Kofi before nailing the horizontal DDT off the middle rope for a pin on Kofi. Punk tagged in to work on Orton, but Cody tagged in. Punk tried to attack him from the top rope, but Manu provided a distraction allowing Cody to toss Punk off the top rope before nailing a DDT. Cody with the pin on Punk for an elimination. Hardy then tried to work on Henry, but Henry caught Hardy in mid-air for the World’s Strongest Slam. Henry pinned Hardy at 15:00, leaving Batista by himself.

Batista stormed the ring and speared Henry for a pin. Shelton then accepted a spinebuster before taking a Batistabomb for the pin. So, it’s Orton and Cody vs. Batista. Cody ran right into a big boot, then took a clothesline to the throat. Batista followed with a powerslam before talking trash to Orton. Cody tried a DDT, but then he took a Batistatbomb. Orton blind-tagged Cody, though, then Orton snuck into the ring from behind and stalked Batista. Orton waited and waited, then Batista turned around and took the RKO. Crowd popped for the first time all match. Orton then pinned Batista for the win.

WINNERS: Team Orton in 17:00. Another hit-or-miss match before getting down to business at the end. Orton has a certain quality to him right now where fans are gravitating toward him. His character is fresh after being away from the ring for a while and fans are seeing something new to invest in. Good finish.

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Match:
The Deck seemed to be stacked, as Jericho smashed Batista with the title belt, then Randy Orton suddenly entered the ring. He made a count, but Batista kicked out in time. Heel ref pet peeve alert. Crowd popped big for the kick out, then Austin re-entered the scene and gave Orton a quick Stunner that rocked the building.

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Screen Captures and Video links have been posted, enjoy!

Orton grabs and mic and says that he doesn’t believe that they’ve met. He tells MVP that what he’s claiming to be – he is. Orton asks MVP if he’s ever taken a minute to figure out why this happens to him every month. MVP says that Orton is wrong, he knows who he is, but doesn’t recognize him without his shoulder sling and MRI scan in a folder. MVP says this happens because Vickie Guerrero is incompetent. Orton brings up WrestleMania and says that he won the main event while MVP lost. MVP says he’s not on Raw and he doesn’t work for Mike Adamle so there are no repercussions for knocking him out right now and from what he understands the entire Raw locker room would love him for doing it. Team Priceless and Manu come to ringside.

Cody Rhodes asks MVP if he’s really letting what Randy said offend him. He says after all… that’s what he does. Rhodes tells Orton that they’ve figured him out. Rhodes is drawing a lot of heat. Rhodes says Orton is that guy that graduated high school but never got into college. Rhodes tells MVP to let him coast on his reputation because that’s all he’s got. Orton tells Rhodes to ask CM Punk if he’s coasting on his reputation. Manu says that they did the damage and all he did was pick up his scraps. Orton says that he can tell that they are trying real hard to impress him but if they accomplish just half of what he has accomplished that he’ll begin to take them a little more seriously. Orton leaves the ring as MVP says, there he goes ladies and gentlemen, and says Orton is coming soon sometime in the year 2012.