So the Rumble is under a week away, and the last Raw before it has just finished...
So who are the confirmed entrants for the Royal Rumble, as far as we know? In theory, all of Raw's announced entrants should be known, and a good chunk of Smackdown's.
The official site for the rumble lists a few, but I'm sure there's more than that as of tonight's Raw.
RAW) Goldberg (30), Scott Steiner, Christian, Booker T, Kane, Chris Jericho, Mark Henry, The Hurricane, Rob Van Dam, Matt Hardy, Test, Rene Dupree, Spike Dudley, Rico, Randy Orton (SD!) Chris Benoit (1), Kurt Angle, John Cena, Billy Gunn, Matt Morgan, The Big Show, Nunzio, Charlie Haas, Shelton Benjamin, Rikishi
That's 25 by my count.
Everything I say is a lie. Except that. Except that. Except that. Except that. Except that....Except that.
Originally posted by Dave GagnonRAW) Goldberg (30), Scott Steiner, Christian, Booker T, Kane, Chris Jericho, Mark Henry, The Hurricane, Rob Van Dam, Matt Hardy, Test, Rene Dupree, Spike Dudley, Rico, Randy Orton (SD!) Chris Benoit (1), Kurt Angle, John Cena, Billy Gunn, Matt Morgan, The Big Show, Nunzio, Charlie Haas, Shelton Benjamin, Rikishi
That's 25 by my count.
There were 25 guys in the graphic, too. I wonder if Smackdown will add another 5 guys on Thursday or if they'll leave a few slots open for special entrants. Of course, Raw can always drop Spike Dudley to free up one surprise slot and I presume at least one will be saved for 'Taker. Any other potential returning vets that might get a slot? Or maybe they'll drop that bit this year in favor of saving as many surprises as possible for Wrestlemania.
Originally posted by Dave GagnonRAW) Goldberg (30), Scott Steiner, Christian, Booker T, Kane, Chris Jericho, Mark Henry, The Hurricane, Rob Van Dam, Matt Hardy, Test, Rene Dupree, Spike Dudley, Rico, Randy Orton (SD!) Chris Benoit (1), Kurt Angle, John Cena, Billy Gunn, Matt Morgan, The Big Show, Nunzio, Charlie Haas, Shelton Benjamin, Rikishi
That's 25 by my count.
There were 25 guys in the graphic, too. I wonder if Smackdown will add another 5 guys on Thursday or if they'll leave a few slots open for special entrants. Of course, Raw can always drop Spike Dudley to free up one surprise slot and I presume at least one will be saved for 'Taker. Any other potential returning vets that might get a slot? Or maybe they'll drop that bit this year in favor of saving as many surprises as possible for Wrestlemania.
To twist that a little, a space could be saved for someone if Taker takes out Kane backstage or something like that.
SD2: February, Year 2; playing as the Big Boss Man FF7: Disc 1; 18h into game; At the old Mako Reactor outside Nimelheim (again). FF8: Disc 2; 20h into game; Ready to fight Reijin/Fujin in Balamb.
I believe it would make more sense if Undertaker wasn't a participant but just comes out to take out Kane. Else they would have to deal with the dead man getting eliminated and all (even if he and Kane brawl to the back) I think it makes more of an impact when he just shows up and pulls Kane out of the ring.
I don't expect too many other surprises just so a Taker appearance has a bigger impact (if they have him show up there at all. The next night or Raw could work too)
I like what the WWE has been doing in the past years. Add little feuds prior to the Rumble and if possible say who is going to be the #30 guy. This helps the crowd keep track (Are they all there yet? No, Goldberg isn't here) a bit easier.
Benoit #1,Goldberg #30? Hmmmm...interesting. I expect a short but impactful Rumble for Goldberg. Spear all, then get eliminated by a random move or something..
I agree that Undertaker will probably just show up and cost Kane the match and that's it, I also don't expect many surprises. I'm not sure who else there is from the SMackdown side though. Maybe they'll be another 3 way match between Tajiri, Akio and Sakada? Bradshaw? Shannon Moore?
Presuming (and that's a big presumption) that Undertaker is coming back as the Dead Man, I can't see them just having him run down and pull Kane out. If he does that, a lot of people will just be wondering why the Undertaker is wearing that stupid costume. Whereas, if he's an entrant, they can play his oldschool music, thereby inspiring awe within the crowd. He could easily come down and eliminate Kane and then, showing that all he cares about is ruining Kane, not winning the title, tope after him and brawl to the back.
If it wasn't for Benoit presumably at least staying til the end, whether he wins it or not, I could see Kane clearing house and being the only one left in the ring when Takers music hits. I'd also have liked to see Matt Hardy & Shannon Moore end up in the ring alone at some point, so Shannon could take out all the frustration of having his ass completely squashed due to Matt's defection. Benjamin & Haas going at it would be neat to see as well, but I really really don't want to see them break up, so I can do without any possible teases. (Alternatively, seeing them working together to eliminate a bunch of people and getting a tag team Diesel push could be interesting.)
Well, the Undertaker problem is easily solved. Have Kane come out around number eight/nine, destory everyone, elminate everyone except Benoit (who rolls to the outside after a chokeslam), and stand tall in the ring. Then...the lights go out. The music plays. And the Dead Man appears at the top of the aisle, framed in blue light. Kane stares on, showing fear for the first time since forever-and BAM! That's when Benoit sneaks up and tosses him. The lights go back up, Taker's gona, and Kane just wanders to the back, totally confused and more than a little scared. Simple, really.
"You're A Big Hunk Of Hero Sandwich, And You Wanna Save The Girl!"
Originally posted by oldschoolheroWell, the Undertaker problem is easily solved. Have Kane come out around number eight/nine, destory everyone, elminate everyone except Benoit (who rolls to the outside after a chokeslam), and stand tall in the ring. Then...the lights go out. The music plays. And the Dead Man appears at the top of the aisle, framed in blue light. Kane stares on, showing fear for the first time since forever-and BAM! That's when Benoit sneaks up and tosses him. The lights go back up, Taker's gona, and Kane just wanders to the back, totally confused and more than a little scared. Simple, really.
Top of the aisle? They're in MSG. There's like 5 feet from backstage to the ring, unless they've made a new stage for it that I'm unaware of.
Is this the strongest Rumble field ever? I mean there are only a few entrants who are far from credible winners. Even Rikishi has main-evented pay-per-views in recent years.
Originally posted by rvjgdIs this the strongest Rumble field ever? I mean there are only a few entrants who are far from credible winners. Even Rikishi has main-evented pay-per-views in recent years.
I thought 2001's was particularly strong... Angle, Austin, Triple H, Booker T (who was in better shape credibility-wise then than now), RVD, Undertaker, Big Show, Kane, not to mention the returning Mr. Perfect. 1992 is another one I'd rank up there: Flair, Undertaker, Hogan, Sid, Piper, Savage, Slaugher, Kerry von Erich, Roberts, etc. But, when you look at the directions some of the wrestlers are going in this Rumble, this could very well be up there when we look back on this a year from now.
Lana's movie was called "Andromina - The Pleasure Planet." Not that I am in any way a man who enjoys his late night Skinemax movie entertainment. That didn't read even remotely convincing, did it? PS - uh, Vince, please, PLEASE sign Riot...