It was a very good decision to go ahead and name HBK and Y2J as the first 2 competitors in the Royal Rumble.
Usually, the Rumble is a big mystery as far as which wrestlers will be matched up. Of course, there are often matchups that will obviously happen (Big Show vs. The Rock in 2000 for example) but, the WWE can't GUARANTEE the matchups will occur. And, they have often told us who #30 would be but, very rarely do we know the other entrant's numbers. Naming the first 2 competitors is smart (assuming it's an attractive matchup for the fans, of course). It allows the WWE to advertise a guaranteed matchup that fans want to see. The only other time I can remember them announcing #1 and #2 was when Austin and McMahon were #1 and #2. They milked that for all it was worth and it worked for them.
The decision to name HBK and Y2J as the first 2 is smart for another reason also. They can advertise the matchup between HBK and Y2J and not actually give away the match at the same time. The HBK and Y2J portion of the match will be very small before #3 enters the ring. If the WWE does a good job of building more tension between HBK and Y2J during the Rumble, they've got a ready made, and new, attractive matchup for WrestleMania.
My only problem with their decision is one minor detail. I think Jericho should have been #1 and HBK #2. It's not a big deal but, eventhough there is no actual difference between #1 and #2 in the Royal Rumble, there is a perceived difference a guy going all the way with the #1 and a guy going all the way with the #2.
I think this is a great idea also. And I think it will be even better if at some point it's still on Jericho and HBK in the ring and Christian enters. Christian decides to help out Jericho against HBK, but Jericho wants to win the RUmble himself, and eliminate HBK himself! So he tosses Christian.
I agree with this being a smart move... Me and my neighbor were ready for our nightly wars at SYM when SHawn Michaels pops on the screen and we erupt at the CONFRONTATION!
If someone gets urinated upon do they get pissed off or pissed on?
The only this means is that (once again) poor #3 will probably be the first one eliminated from the match. #2 or #3 are almost ALWAYS the first ones out.
"If you go out with a girl and they say she has a great personality, she's ugly. If they tell you a guy works hard, he can't play a lick. Same thing." -- Charles Barkley
Put me on the other side of the fence. I don't like this move, as the whole mystery of the Rumble is what appeals to me. I like the idea of seemingly random entries and I believe other fans do too. When you announce a person entering #1 or #30, it kinda kills the mystique. Just my opinion.
And something to chew on: The last time #1 and #2 were both announced, it was Steve Austin and Vince McMahon for the 1999 Rumble. And we all know how good THAT ONE turned out!
Does THIS look like the face of a man with Testicles?
Originally posted by It's FalsePut me on the other side of the fence. I don't like this move, as the whole mystery of the Rumble is what appeals to me. I like the idea of seemingly random entries and I believe other fans do too. When you announce a person entering #1 or #30, it kinda kills the mystique. Just my opinion.
And something to chew on: The last time #1 and #2 were both announced, it was Steve Austin and Vince McMahon for the 1999 Rumble. And we all know how good THAT ONE turned out!
I like them annoucning #30, as it reminds the people present (who might not have the time to keep track) that the final guy just came in.
As for 99 Rumble..it did turn out good, didn't it? S.E. finish, wicked cage match the month after, great WM main event with Rock vs Austin, the "ending" of the biggest and most important feud ever.
I don't know how much of that you can count as "The Royal Rumble" though, since most of what you just listed happened in the months after the match. I think so far people have just been talking about the match itself (from a "I just paid for this" viewpoint), and not the angles/matches that came because of it.
I do like when they announce #30 though, just because I realized after I got over my initial dislike of it that without a live commentary (even one as bad as the King and J.R.) the live crowd has no idea how many people are left coming out.
True Prophet, hadn't thought of the fact that it was all aftermath..still it seemed like the people back then were into it at that point. It might have screwed with every rule possible but it was entertaining to see.
And heh..the revealing of #30 probably is for the announcers too, as often they dont know what seems to happen next (remember a few years ago guys would no show at the appointed time only to show up later?)
Royal Rumble 1999 was one of my favorites. We got Vince on the mic doing commentary for a while and then he went on to win. What more could you ask for when the owner of the company puts himself over AND it was what was best for the company at the time.
...this WAS 1999, right? Do I have my years mixed up again?
I was sure Y2J would win the "name your own number" match, but then pull the little bitch move of choosing #30. THat would have been awesome, and totally in character. Maybe make it seem like he chose #2 to everyone without outright saying it (and use this to put of confrontation with HBK, because he'll tell HBK they'll "meet at the Rumble"), and then when the Rumble comes around have him act like everyone should know he actually chose #30.
It seems that I am - in no particular order - Zack Morris, John Adams, a Siren, Aphrodite, Cletus the Slack Jawed Yokel, Amy-Wynn Pastor, Hydrogen, Spider-Man, and Boston.
I just hated listening to Jim Ross re-affirm his position as The Stupidest Man in Wrestling by being TOTALLY SHOCKED AND BLOWN-AWAY that Jericho might not want #30. Jesus, I know that in a way, Jim Ross and Lawler are just playing a role, but why does it have to be a role of morons? How does THAT make me want to watch more?
As far as the stuff at the McMahon/Austin Rumble being entertainng while breaking most Royal Rumble traditions, I just thought it sucked to do stuff like "They leave the building" and "McMahon does commentary". But then again, I loved that Survior Series where the Russo'd the 16 person tournament and have 2.5 hours of 4 minute matches, and everyone else on the planet seemed to have hated it, so I understand where you're coming from (not that I'm saying you're alone, just that different people like different things, and that's cool. The Rumble's just my "Old School" favorite, and I don't like it being screwed with to fit whatever they're booking this week).
I don't know how the Vaudvillains gimmick would play on RAW; best-case scenario, though, is definitely getting the Santino/Adam Rose comedy segments, though. Which is why, like everyone else, I never want anyone to ever do better and move up from NXT.
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