Royal Rumble 2008 Thread *SPOILERS*

Darth Mattitude · The Dark Admin

David McKinney · 500 Club Member

I'm picking Ric Flair to win the Rumble right now. I think he will then go on to WM 24 and lose his first match. He will then be forced to retire because of the stipulation that McMahon put on him last night. Good story, no?

Darth Mattitude · The Dark Admin

Well at least we know what The main event (Outside of the Rumble) will be...

HHH Vs. Orton (WWE Championship Match)

Well of course provinding Y2J loses to Orton & Jeff Hardy at Armageddon anyway....

Totoro101 · Movie Executive Producer

I think Lashley will win the Rumble, turn heel and itll be Lashley vs Batista for the title at wrestlmania, just a guess though :).

Darth Mattitude · The Dark Admin

Can you believe how fast this year has gone? This is the first PPV of 08 and it's almost here....

David McKinney · 500 Club Member

No, I can't believe how fast this year has gone. 2008 looks to be a good year, though.

Not in wrestling, however, because it will still suck!

Heygizmo66 · B List Star

Darth Mattitude wrote:

Well at least we know what The main event (Outside of the Rumble) will be...

HHH Vs. Orton (WWE Championship Match)

Well you didn't get that one right. Jeff v Orton will be a good match i reckon but can't see Jeff winning.

For the rumble winner i'd have to go with the rumours of Batista winning. Although i'd rather have some surprise winner.....but there wont be.

Darth Mattitude · The Dark Admin

Good to see your eturn to the board sir. No I didn't it seems they have changed the plans going in. As it was 'rumoured' that HHH would have the belt going into WM.

David McKinney · 500 Club Member

I think that this is actually an interesting shake up. Jeff Hardy has always been on the brink of stardom (in both WWE and TNA), and this may just be his shot.

Heygizmo66 · B List Star

Although i'd like to see Jeff win, and think he'd be good as champ, I can't see WWE letting him take the belt and headline Wrestlemania. Plus he's IC champ at the moment.

p.s. Its good to be back, need to reclaim my snake leaderboard biggrin

Man In Black · Anime Mod

Hey a blast from the past. Welcome back dude!

Heygizmo66 · B List Star

With HHH losing to Flair on Raw it seems HHH wont be in the rumble. Not sure who he'll be fighting, maybe a pointless match against Regal or something. Also looks like it'll be JBL v Y2J and with Rey Mysterio winning beat the clock on smackdown it'll be Rey v Edge.

Darth Mattitude · The Dark Admin

Suppose we better start talking this one up as we missed Final Resolution. SO who is currently the Fav to win this thing?

Man In Black · Anime Mod

They've been holding qualifying matches on the road with Shitsky, Jimmy Wang Yang, Shannon Moore, Miz and John Morrison joining Umaga in this year's Rumble.

Also:

WWE Title - Randy Orton vs Jeff Hardy

World Title - Edge vs Rey Mysterio

Chris Jericho vs JBL

Heygizmo66 · B List Star

I still reckon it'll be Batista who wins it but i am beginning to sway towards Flair, especilly if Vince says he must win or he retires. Maybe Batista/Flair final 2 with Batista jumping over the rope to let Flair win. But that wont happen.

The list of rumble entrants so far are......impressive..... hmm

Man In Black · Anime Mod

Hardcore Holly Mick Foley and ...groan....Hornswoggle are also in the Royal Rumble.

-- Edited by Man In Black at 08:46, 2008-01-08

Darth Mattitude · The Dark Admin

Any money Umaga is treated like the new Andre in the rumble, y'know when the ring fills up out he comes and clears out all the jobbers then out pops one of the main eventers and they have a tussle then the ring fills up with a few more and it takes about 8 of them to throw him over the top rope... Even though Cena managed it in his matches managed by himself.

The other thing I love about the rumble is when they try and force someone over the ropes but their arm is over the top of them and clutching the rope so effectively they cant fall out. Always makes me chuckle.

Totoro101 · Movie Executive Producer

I think so dark M, i like a lot of the lazy attempts by wrestlers to throw someone out, just holding him in the corner until a big name comes out and destroys them all.I have a nast feeling Hornswoggle may make it to the final four somehow, in theory, he whould be elimanted with ease but this is WWE..But its one good spot taken from a guy who deserves it more, i guess we wont see the likes of Jimmy Wang Yang, Paul London, Kendrick ect ect in the rumble but probably Khali, Big Daddy V, Snitzkey...jeez..Ill go with my predicition and say Lashley will return at the rumble and win the whole thing.

-- Edited by Totoro101 at 11:19, 2008-01-08

Darth Mattitude · The Dark Admin

MVP Vs. Ric Flair at the Rumble was announced at the SD taping yesterday.

Does this mean that Flair will win the US title or does it mean he'll be in the Elimination Chamber Match which he'll win for the other title shot at No Mercy?

Man In Black · Anime Mod

Well, Flair is supposed to be an SD wrestler yet they've started this angle on RAW for some reason...

Also DAVE & Taker are in the Rumble and Carlito & Santino will be in a qualifying match at an upcoming house show.

Man In Black · Anime Mod

Kane and Shelton Benjamin added to the Rumble.

Heygizmo66 · B List Star

Few others have qualified for rumble.

Here is updated list of qualifiers

Raw:
- Umaga
- Snitsky
- Hardcore Holly
- Mick Foley
- Hornswoggle
- Cody Rhodes
- Carlito
- Santino Marella

Smackdown:
- The Undertaker
- Batista
- Kane
- Jamie Noble
- Finlay

ECW:
- John Morrison
- The Miz
- Shelton Benjamin

-- Edited by Heygizmo66 at 23:25, 2008-01-12

-- Edited by Heygizmo66 at 17:35, 2008-01-13

David McKinney · 500 Club Member

I say Kane wins the Rumble

Darth Mattitude · The Dark Admin

Im kinda caught between Undertaker or Batista myself altough with the Big SHow news who knows...?

Darth Mattitude · The Dark Admin

WWE.com has announced Shelton Benjamin, Mark Henry and The Great Khali as 2008 Rumble entrants.

Man In Black · Anime Mod

HBK qualified on RAW this week and Bionic H will get his chance next week.

Mollison · 500 Club Member

Darth Mattitude wont like this but I think it's time Kane won a rumble. The big guys aren't the best but they get used so often to put over the next "Legend In The Making"; and after a decade's hard service, with some attrotious storylines dumped on him, Kane deserves this. Who can forget him dumping 11 men out in the 2001 rumble?

Man In Black · Anime Mod

I'm sure a lot of people agree with that sentiment but Kane has really lost his main event aura and the WWE see little capital in him being in one of the Wrestlemania main events.

The way he has been booked over the past few years is that of a guy who doesn't need titles and when he does get a shot he never wins them so to suddenly turned that around now would seem a bit odd.

I think he is better off as an upper-mid card monster and an occasional title threat than a bona fide main eventer and world champion.

Besides either DAVE, Taker or Bionic H are going to win.

Mollison · 500 Club Member

I concur with all the above, I just think its a shame because out of all the big guys he was the only one who's matches I've ever really enjoyed. With a few exceptions from Taker.

Man In Black · Anime Mod

The main caveat with booking the Rumble these days is the fact that the winner gets the WM title shot thus limiting the choices for the winner.

The WWE need to have someone bankable to sell the show and make a "credible" main event. Unless they know they could have a potential ace up their sleeve and swerve everyone with a surprise winner the eventual victor is always going to be an established name and/or a proven draw or a fresh name who has been built up and groomed for the spot (like DAVE in 2005).

And since the landscape has changed so much over the years - even if was obvious that guys like Koko B. Ware or The Barbarian would never win a Rumble - the "anyone can win" selling point is long gone. Ergo facto - one look at the current line up is a testament to that.

Cody Rhodes? The Miz? Rumble winners? Not in my life time...

Mollison · 500 Club Member

Very good point. Perhaps a move to later in the season is the way forward for the rumble? That would give an excuse to get rid of the most pointless comp. ever , KOTR. It's just used to confirm that someones being pushed, we can figure that out ourselves!

Darth Mattitude · The Dark Admin

Well don't forget its the ruination of their oter good gimmick the Elimination chamber this year as they are getting the other title shot....

Mollison · 500 Club Member

The Elim. Chamber is always spoiled by using higher mid card performers to fill it leaving just 1-2 realistic winners. So you might as well Sky+ it and fast forward the first 20mins

Man In Black · Anime Mod

Current list of Rumble entrants:

RAW

- Umaga
- Shitsky
- Hardcore Holly
- Mick Foley
- Hornswoggle
- Cody Rhodes
- Carlito
- Santino Marella
- Shawn Michaels

SMACKDOWN

- The Undertaker
- DAVE
- Kane
- Jamie Noble
- Finlay
- Great Khali
- Jimmy Wang Yang
- Shannon Moore
- Mark Henry

ECW

- John Morrison
- The Miz
- Shelton Benjamin
- Big Daddy V

That's 22 places filled thus far.

Mollison · 500 Club Member

Just a random thought, doesn't Shannon Moore's name sound awfully like a porn stars?! Maybe I just had too much Polish Vodka last night?!

Darth Mattitude · The Dark Admin

Add Tommy dreamer and HHH to the list.

I think we will need to do a prediction list for this...

Man In Black · Anime Mod

It seems that WWE have decided to erase Moore and Yang from the list and ignore their qualifying match from the history books too.

Totoro101 · Movie Executive Producer

So that means their out of the Rumble? Not like any casual fan would care, neither of them are big stars in the company so may as well quietly remove them.

Mollison · 500 Club Member

its a shame. they can bring more to a rumble than some of the lazy jugganauts!

Heygizmo66 · B List Star

Man In Black wrote:

It seems that WWE have decided to erase Moore and Yang from the list and ignore their qualifying match from the history books too.

Were they ever on the list? I thought Morrison and Miz beat Moore and Yang at the house show so never qualified.

-- Edited by Heygizmo66 at 19:23, 2008-01-23

Man In Black · Anime Mod

No, Moore and Yang qualified first by beating Morrison and Miz then the next night Miz and Morrison def Moore and Yang to qualify themselves.

However I guess the WWE realised it seemed weird both teams losing to each other - especially that Miz and Morrison are the tag champs so they ignored yang and Moore's win and removed them from the Rumble.

Mollison · 500 Club Member

I know which pair I'd rather have in the Rumble...

Darth Mattitude · The Dark Admin

OK then prediction time....

Flair Vs. MVP - He wont be retiring until WM so either by interfernce from Matt Hardy or DQ

Y2J Vs. JBL - Clean win

Rey Vs. Edge - Again a clean win Edge has the undertaker at WM me thinks.

Jeff Hardy Vs. Randy Orton - No-one is giving Jeff a chance so I smell upset

The Rumble

First Out: Carlito
Most Eliminations: Umaga
Surprise entrants (Should be 5): Big Show, Tatanka, Marty Janetty, Matt Hardy & BOBBY LASHLEY
Winner: HHH

Totoro101 · Movie Executive Producer

Flair Vs. MVP

Y2J Vs. JBL

Rey Vs. Edge.

Jeff Hardy Vs. Randy Orton

The Rumble

First Out:Chuck Palumbo
Most Eliminations: The Great Khali
Surprise entrants (Should be 5): Big Show,Boogeyman,Matt Hardy,Bob Sapp (i wish!),Sid

Winner: Trips

Mollison · 500 Club Member

Flair v MVP: Flair to lose badly but then have a "Rocky Moment" @ WM as a farewell.

Y2J v JBL: Not the match it would have been 4 years ago. Y2J future lies with Orton and WWE title, JBL's future is back in 2004.

Rey v Edge: They wont want Taker squaring of with a face @ WM so if he gets his title shot Edge has to win this.

Jeff v Orton: They like heels losing in pairs @ WM so he'll drop it there not here.

Rumble

First Out: Hornswoggle, but he'll piss on someones parade leter in the day.
Most Elims: Umaga, another push for the waste of space.
Suprises: Shane O'Mac, who's parade was possibly the one mentioned above. Plus Big Show and probably Hardy. Why not add the Honky Tonk Man in as an outside bet?!
Winner: Taker, to set up WM match with Edge.

That is all smile

Man In Black · Anime Mod

Ric Flair Vs. MVP - It's non-title but Flair will go over by either DQ or count out

Y2J Vs. JBL - Another DQ win or Double DQ

Rey Vs. Edge

Jeff Hardy Vs. Randy Orton - Jeff SHOULD win but Orton is too protcted

The Rumble

First Out: Cody Rhodes
Most Eliminations: Umaga
Surprise entrants (Should be 5): Big Show, JBL, Chris Jericho, Chris Harris, Ric Flair
Winner: Bionic H (sadly)

-- Edited by Man In Black at 13:35, 2008-01-26

DoctorOfDesire · 500 Club Member

Flair Vs. MVP - Obviously not going to lose til 'Mania, shouldn't be clean though due to MVP's current push

Y2J Vs. JBL - A loss to JBL would be pointless with Jericho probably heading for a WM main event (but since when did that stop them cocking stuff up!)

Rey Vs. Edge. - Rey is still not World Title material (and never will be)

Jeff Hardy Vs. Randy Orton - I'd like to see Jeff win, but its unlikely.

The Rumble

First Out: The Miz
Most Eliminations: The Big Show (see below)
Surprise entrants (Should be 5): The Big Show, Kamala, Doink, DH Smith, Shane

Winner: HHH - If he doesn't I will be amazed!

David McKinney · 500 Club Member

Flair Vs. MVP - DQ?

Y2J Vs. JBL - Y2J! Y2J! Y2J!

Rey Vs. Edge -Spear! (From Mysterio, however)...but Copeland still pulls out the win

Jeff Hardy Vs. Randy Orton - if Vince knows what's best for him...

The Rumble

First Out: Miz
Most Eliminations: Kane
Surprise entrants: no idea. STING! Vince? probably not. Is Hornswaggle in it already?
Winner: Kane

Man In Black · Anime Mod

It's HornswOggle and yes he is in it. He qualified with Mick Foley.

The list of entrants are:

RAW

- Umaga
- Shitsky
- Hardcore Holly
- Mick Foley
- Hornswoggle
- Cody Rhodes
- Carlito
- Santino Marella
- Shawn Michaels
- Bionic H
- Mr. Kennedy

SMACKDOWN

- The Undertaker
- DAVE
- Kane
- Jamie Noble
- Finlay
- Great Khali
- Mark Henry
- Chuck Palumbo

ECW

- John Morrison
- The Miz
- Shelton Benjamin
- Big Daddy V
- Tommy Dreamer

That's 24 names with 6 spaces left. If MVP, Y2J, JBL and Flair do double duty that makes 28.

Heygizmo66 · B List Star

Flair Vs. MVP by submission

Y2J Vs. JBL - Probs by DQ after JBL cheats

Rey Vs. Edge -will cheat behind refs back to sneak win

Jeff Hardy Vs. Randy Orton - I want Jeff to win but he wont

The Rumble

First Out: Noble
Most Eliminations: Khali
Surprise entrants: Lashley, Big Show, CM Punk, K Kwik and 2 others i can't think right now
Winner: Undertaker