|Date: January 31, 2010
|Venue: Philips Arena |City: Atlanta, Georgia
|Attendance: 16,697 |Buys: 462,000
|Brands: Raw, Smackdown & ECW

|tweet me: @BastionBlogger

The Royal Rumble, probably my favourite pay per view of the year. And this one has me more excited than usual. The Royal Rumble match is the headline event and this one is pretty unpredictable. I’m pretty sure it’ll be Shawn Michaels to win the Royal Rumble match and go on to face The Undertaker at Wrestlemania but I’m not 100%. There are a lot of big names in the Royal Rumble match this year including Triple H, John Cena, Batista and Chris Jericho as well as former World Champions like Kane, The Great Khali and The Big Show and then up an coming talent like The Miz, John Morrison, Jack Swagger, Drew McIntyre, Shelton Benjamin, R-Truth, Evan Bourne, Dolph Ziggler, Kofi Kingston, Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase.

The WWE Championship is set to be defended as Sheamus looks for his first PPV defence. A triple threat match between John Cena, Kofi Kingston and Randy Orton would decide a number one contender and it was Randy Orton that won the match which pits him against Sheamus in a not-so-classic all-heel WWE Championship match. There hasn’t been a lot of build to this match but there has been a lot of friction between the members of Legacy. Randy is hoping that Rhodes and DiBiase will have his back tonight. Rey Mysterio will be the man to contend for The Undertakers World Heavyweight Championship. He eat Batista in a steel cage match to decide The Undertaker’s next opponent and this match between the champion and Mysterio will be the first ever match between the two.

The ECW Championship will also be on the line as Christian defends against the winner of the ECW homecoming battle royal. 8 former ECW superstars and 8 current ECW superstars battled to decide which 8 men would compete in the battle royal. Those winners were Matt Hardy, CM Punk, Kane, Evan Borne, Ezekiel Jackson, Vance Archer, Shelton Benjamin and Yoshi Tatsu. Ezekiel Jackson won the battle royal to earn a shot at Christian. Also tonight the WWE Women’s Championship will be on the line as Michelle McCool once again defends against Mickie James. Michelle and her buddy Layla have been bullying Mickie as of late, labelling her “Piggie James” and mocking her weight. Mickie has the opportunity to have the last laugh tonight.

In a dark match prior to the event The Bella Twins, Eve Torres, Kelly Kelly and Gail Kim defeated Alicia Fox, Katie Lea Burchill, Natalya, Jillian Hall and Maryse.

The show kicks off with a video package as usual, this one first highlighting that the road to Wrestlemania starts tonight and then focus on the Randy Orton/Sheamus and Undertaker/Rey Mysterio matches. Michael Cole then welcomes us to the twenty third Royal Rumble event.

Christian (c) vs. Ezekiel Jackson – ECW Championship match

This is a first time meeting between these two men on pay per view, mostly because this match marks Ezekiel Jacksons PPV debut. Christian’s last Royal Rumble event was in 2005 when he entered the Royal Rumble match in 29th. Jackson is joined by William Regal. Between you and me, I think this may be the last time the ECW Championship is ever defended on pay per view. Ezekiel uses his strength in the early going, throwing Christian across the ring. Jackson powers Christian into the mat but Christian gets up and slaps him! Christian then dives out of the ring with Ezekiel Jackson in pursuit. Christian hits a baseball slide on his challenger and then dives to the outside with a springboard cross body. Back in the ring and Jackson hits a big powerslam but misses with an elbow drop. Jackson hits some right hands and clubbing blows before hitting a couple of hard Irish whips.

Christian looks to hit the killswitch but Jackson blocks it and looks to hit a gorilla press slam but christian hits a drop toe hold and a right hand from the outside. christian goes up to the middle rope but Jackson pulls him right back down. William Regal then looks to get involved but the referee spots him and ejects Regal from ringside! Jackson launches Christian into the ring steps and then rolls the ECW Champion back into the ring for the first near fall of the night. Jackson applies a chinlock and then turns it into a chokeslam for another near fall. Ezekiel hits a stalling vertical suplex for another near fall and then hits some clubbing blows to the back on Christian. Christian attempts a springboard sunset flip but Jackson blocks it and hits a double-armed chokeslam for a two count. Christian has had a good PPV record since returning to ECW nearly a year ago.

Christian fights out of a sleeper and hits a few slaps but Jackson knocks him down with a clothesline to the back of the head. Jackson applies a modified full nelson which Christian gets out of but Jackson then sets Christian up for a superplex which Christian fights out of. Christian hits a flying uppercut and then a missile dropkick for a two count. This is Christians first ever singles match at a Royal Rumble event. He attempts a killswitch but Jackson counters it. Christian then hits a (slightly botched) inverted DDT and then looks for a diving headbutt but Jackson gets out of the way. Jackson looks for his finisher but Christian elbows his way out of it and attempts the killswitch which Ezekiel counters and then hits a backbreaker for a two count.

Christian hits a pendulum kick to Jackson and then a tornado DDT for a near fall. Jackson hits a clothesline from nowhere for a two count but christian looks for the killswitch but Jackson blocks it. Christian looks for a sleeper but Jackson counters that into a powerslam, ramming Christian into the corner. Christian slips down and hits the killswitch which is enough for the three! Christian wins the match and retains the ECW Championship! Decent enough match between these two men.

Rating: 6/10

Teddy Long is backstage complimenting Tiffany on the ECW title match. Cryme Tyme then show up and ask for a second spot in the Royal Rumble match. Shad then says that it’s ok, they’ve always coerced somebody into giving them their spot. They call in The Great Khali and tell them that when he gives up the number, he can kiss Tiffany. Tiffany isn’t happy and Ranjin Singh talks Khali out of it. The Miz then arrives with the United States Championship over his shoulder and says that everyone will be talking about him tonight. Teddy Long then tells The Miz that tonight he will be defending his United States Championship against MVP. And that match is next.

Randy Orton looks focused backstage. Cody Rhodes tells Orton that he can beat Sheamus tonight and he will be there for him. Cody then tells Orton that Ted DiBiase is talking about winning the Royal Rumble and going on to beat Randy Orton at Wrestlemania.

The Miz (c) vs. M.V.P. – United States Championship match

This is the first PPV match between these two men.  Both men are 0-3 at Royal Rumble events but that poor record will change for one of these men tonight. MVP smashes Miz into a couple of top turnbuckles in the early going and then knocks the US Champion down with a clothesline for a one count. MVP hits some knees and a suplex for another one count. MVP hits an Irish whip but then runs into a boot. MVP hits a back body drop and then a side suplex for a two count. Miz rolls out of the ring and MVP follows and drops Miz on the barricade. Back in the ring and Miz kicks MVP onto the apron before knocking him down to the floor below. Miz rams MVP into the ring apron and then rolls his challenger back into the ring. Miz hits a legdrop brother and then a knee to the back.

Miz drives MVP into the corner and then hits him with a running clothesline and a double axe handle off the top for a two count. The Miz applies a sleeper which MVP gets out of and drops the US Champion with a flapjack and then a couple of clotheslines. MVP bits the ballin’ elbow drop and then looks for the playmaker but Miz counters it before running into a big boot. MVP gets a near fall on the cover and Miz rolls out to the apron before dropping MVP on the top rope. MVP avoids a running knee and then drops Miz with a pounce for a near fall. The Miz avoids a running boot in the corner and attempts the skull crushing finale but MVP counters it into a pinfall attempt for a near fall. Miz rolls to the outside and MVP follows and throws Miz back into the ring. Miz rolls MVP as he gets back into the ring and gets the three! The Miz retains his United States Championship tonight but MVP drops him with the playmaker after the bell. There’s a few boo’s for MVP interestingly and he looks pretty angry.

Rating: 5/10

The Big Show is backstage and runs into Chris Jericho. Big Show claims that Jericho is jealous of his new tag team with The Miz. Jericho says that Miz is using him for his own personal agenda. Jericho tells Big Show that he made him into a giant destroyer. Jericho says that if it came down to Big Show, Jericho and The Miz in the Royal Rumble then Show will make the right decision. Big Show says that he will eliminate both. R-Truth then shows up and says that he will eliminate Jericho tonight.

Randy Orton is backstage when Ted DiBiase wishes him luck and tells him that he will be there tonight. DiBiase tells Orton that Cody Rhodes is being weird and saying that he will win the Royal Rumble and beat Sheamus at Wrestlemania. Orton says that he will beat Sheamus tonight without any of Legacy’s help.

Sheamus (c) vs. Randy Orton – WWE Championship match

This is a first time meeting between these two men on pay per view. It’s a Royal Rumble debut for Sheamus who is undefeated on pay per view having won his matches at Survivor Series and TLC, he hopes to join Max Mini and Drew McIntyre as the only men up to now with a 3-0 PPV record. Orton is true to his word and has neither Cody Rhodes or Ted Dibiase with him. There is an idiot in the crowd trying to take the attention away from the match, I hope he gets kicked out. Orton knocks Sheamus down early with a dropkick before slithering away. Interesting psychology in this match as both men are heels. Sheamus takes down Orton with a clubbing blow and Randy exits the ring. Sheamus follows and hits a right hand a knee before knocking his challenger down with an uppercut. Sheamus swings Ortons arm into the ring steps before rolling Randy back into the ring. Sheamus looks for a running powerslam but Orton slides down the back and hits a chopblock.

Orton targets Sheamus’ left leg, stomping away at it. Orton then hits a kneedrop for a one count before laying in more stomps. Orton applies a leglock which Sheamus manages to kick his way out of. Sheamus throws Orton into the ringpost twice and then hits a couple of shoulder charges. Sheamus attempts a third but Orton hits him with a knee. Randy then stomps away at Sheamus and the crowd seem to be behind Orton. Sheamus manages to hit a DDT for a two count and then applies an armbar. Orton fights his way out of it and the two men slug it out with the crowd cheering for Orton. Sheamus hits a backbreaker for a near fall. Sheamus sets up for a crucifix powerbomb but Orton counters it and kicks Sheamus out of the ring. Sheamus gets up to the apron and Orton hits the hangmans DDT for a near fall. Randy sets up for a punt but Sheamus sees it coming and rolls out of the ring.

Orton follows Sheamus out of the ring  but Sheamus manages to ram Orton twice into the ringpost. Sheamus throws Orton back into the ring but Cody Rhodes jumps the barricade and attacks Sheamus from behind! Sheamus gets back into the ring and Orton hits him with an RKO! But the referee saw the attack from Rhodes and calls for the bell! Sheamus wins the match by disqualification and retains the WWE Championship! Rhodes gets into the ring after the match and pleads with Orton but Orton drops Rhodes and then drops Ted DiBiase who also shows up. Sheamus hits Orton with a pump kick for good measure and Legacy leave him in the ring.

Rating: 5.5/10

There’s a video package showing the controversial rivalry between Michelle McCool and Mickie James.

Michelle McCool (c) vs. Mickie James – WWE Women’s Championship match

This is the second PPV meeting between these two women. Michelle won the first at TLC last month. If you ask me, these are two of the top ten divas of all time up to now. Michelle gets on the mic before the match berating Mickie saying that Mickie hasn’t been seen and forfeits. Layla then walks out in a fat suit but Mickie follows and takes out Layla. Layla then tries to get involved again and Michelle looks to take advantage with a running boot but Mickie moves and Michelle takes out Layla! Mickie then hits Michelles with a DDT and pins her for the three! Mickie James wins the WWE Women’s Championship tonight! The Bellas, Gail Kim, Maria, Kelly Kelly and Eve then walk out with a cake before holding down Michelle and Layla so that Mickie can launch the cake into them! Not much of a match but a nice angle. Big title win for Mickie James tonight.

Rating: N/A

There’s a video package for The Undertaker and Rey Mysterio next.

The Undertaker (c) vs. Rey Mysterio – World Heavyweight Championship match

This is a first time ever singles match between these two men on pay per view. Neither Undertaker or Rey Mysterio have won a match at a Royal Rumble event since they won the Royal Rumble matches in 2006 and 2007 respectively. Rey Mysterio uses his speed in the early going to evade Undertaker and get some shots in. Undertaker catches Mysterio though and throws him one-handed over the top rope and out of the ring, Undertaker then hits Mysterio with a right hand as he tries to get back into the ring which adds insult to injury. Undertaker lays Mysterio on the apron and looks for his legdrop but Mysterio rolls out of the way. Undertaker manages to land on his feet, hit Rey with a right hand and hit the legdrop on the second occasion. Back in the ring and Undertaker motions for a chokeslam but Rey counters it with a hurricanrana, setting Undertaker up for a 619! Mysterio attempts the move but Undertaker catches him and sets him up for a tombstone which Rey kicks his way out of.

Rey looks for a springboard cross body but Undertaker gets his boot up. Rey rolls to the outside where Undertaker hits him with another big boot. Undertaker looks for a third but Rey gets out of the way and Undertaker crotches himself on the ringpost. Rey then hits Undertaker with a baseball slide before attempting a hurricanrana but Undertaker counters and sets up for a last ride on the outside which Mysterio counters and drops Undertaker with an asai moonsault. Mysterio looks for a baseball slide but Undertaker side-steps it and launches Rey into the barricade. Undertaker rolls Mysterio back in the ring for a pinfall attempt which Rey kicks out of. Undertaker has a bloody nose which he got quite early on. He throws Rey Mysterio onto the top rope and then hits him with right hands and a sidewalk slam for a near fall.

Undertaker is looking for a fourth successive PPV defence of the World Heavyweight Championship. Mysterio manages to hit a couple of boots and then drop Undertaker who sits back up but Mysterio hits him with a low dropkick. Rey then hits a springboard legdrop for a two count. Undertaker hits a clothesline and then sets up for the last ride but Mysterio counters it and hits the 619! Mysterio hits a springboard dropkick and then a second 619! Rey attempts the west coast pop but Undertaker catches him and hits him with a last ride for the three. The Undertaker wins the match and retains his World Heavyweight Championship tonight. Good match between these two.

Rating: 7/10

Shawn Michaels is watching backstage when Kane shows up and tells him that his obsession with The Undertaker is unhealthy. Kane tells Shawn Michaels that in the end there is no light and he leaves. Triple H shows up and wishes Michaels luck. Michaels wishes Triple H luck and then tells his friend that he and The Undertaker are meant to be. Triple H agrees and tells Michaels that he knows he’ll find another way.

Next up is the “numbers” VT for the Royal Rumble match.

The 2010 Royal Rumble match

The match that I look forward to the most! Justin Roberts runs down the rules before entrants #1 Dolph Ziggler and #2 Evan Bourne start the match. There’s a cool shot with both men looking at the Wrestlemania sign. This is a Royal Rumble debut for Bourne who takes down Ziggler with a spinning heel kick. Dolph fires back with right hands and a dropkick which teeters Evan on the top rope. Dolph was in last years Rumble match but was quickly eliminated by Kane. Ziggler hits the zig-zag on Bourne and then throws him out to the apron but Bourne kicks Dolph down to the mat and hits him with air-Bourne! #3 is CM Punk who is joined by Serena. Punk hits Bourne with clotheslines and Bourne fires back with a knee. Bourne and Ziggler then knock heads, before CM Punk eliminates both Dolph Ziggler and Evan Bourne!

CM Punk gets on the mic and says that tonight will be a historic night for his straight-edge society. Punk says that some can be saved. #4 is JTG representing Cryme Tyme. JTG takes Punk down with clotheslines and dropkicks but CM Punk makes light work of JTG, eliminating him from the match. CM Punk is left on his own again so gets on the mic and says that there are some people who cannot be saved. #5 is The Great Khali who is joined by Ranjin Singh. CM Punk tells Khali that he can save him and make him greater. Punk tells Khali to raise his hand and Khali does but Khali drops his hand on Punk with a chop. Khali then locks on the vice grip! #6 is Beth Phoenix! The second ever female to enter a Royal Rumble match! Beth goes toe to toe with Khali who picks her up and dumps her onto the apron. Khali tells Beth to go to the back but Phoenix lays a kiss on Khali before pulling him over the top eliminating The Great Khali from the match! Beth then lays into CM Punk, hitting him with clotheslines but Punk hits Beth with a go to sleep!

#7 is ECW’s Zack Ryder who is actually undefeated on PPV having won his only previous match. Punk eliminates Beth Phoenix. CM Punk tells Ryder that he has potential but then nails him with the microphone and eliminates Zack Ryder from the match. 7 participants so far and only CM Punk is left standing. He asks who is next and then says that he is better than them. #8 is Triple H. This is a big entrant and somebody that CM Punk won’t be eliminating easily. Triple H is generally left at the end in a Royal Rumble match. He was the last man eliminated in the last two Royal Rumble matches. He hits a knee to the face on CM Punk and lays into the straight-edge superstar. #9 is Drew McIntyre who has won all three of his PPV matches up to now. Triple H hits McIntyre with right hands and a high knee before looking for a pedigree on CM Punk who counters it. CM Punk then tries for a go to sleep but Triple H counters it and then eliminates CM Punk from the match!

Drew McIntyre lays into Triple H with right hands but they are soon joined by #10 Ted DiBiase. Triple H greets DiBiase with a clothesline but Ted hits a powerslam on The Game. Drew McIntyre and Ted DiBiase then double team Triple H, hitting him with right hands, boots and clotheslines. DiBiase hits a fistdrop on Triple H. #11 is John Morrison who lost the Intercontinental Championship to Drew McIntyre last month. Morrison takes out DiBiase with a dropkick and then lays into McIntyre. Morrison drops Drew with a tilt-a-whirl DDT before DiBiase attacks Morrison from behind. Morrison counters dream street with an overhead kick before hitting starship pain on Drew McIntyre. #12 is Kane who enters his 12th Royal Rumble match. Kane heads to the top and drops Triple H with a clothesline. Kane then takes everyone down, hitting DiBiase with a sidewalk slam and then both McIntyre and Morrison with a chokeslam. Kane looks to eliminate DiBiase but Triple H actually saves Ted. Kane chokeslams Triple H.

#13 is Cody Rhodes. Rhodes saves his partner Ted DiBiase from Kane. Legacy then double team Kane before Rhodes hits a side Russian leg sweep on Triple H. Morrison looks for a springboard move on Rhodes but Cody hits him with a dropkick. Triple H saves Kane from being eliminated by Legacy. Kane then goes after Drew McIntyre and Triple H nearly eliminates Cody Rhodes. #14 is MVP who is pulling double duty tonight but The Miz attacks him from behind with the United States Championship! MVP is laid out on the entrance ramp as Dibiase takes out Morrison with a clothesline. Cody Rhodes lays into Triple H and John Morrison hits a flying Chuck kick on Drew McIntyre. #15 is Carlito who doesn’t have a good PPV record. Carlito drops DiBiase, then Rhodes and then Triple H. Carlito then hits a double springboard elbow on Legacy and then a monkey flip on Morrison. Kane and Carlito slug it out before Carlito hits Triple H with a backstabber. Carlito then hits backstabbers to McIntyre and DiBiase.

#16 is The Miz who we just saw. Miz drops Carlito with a skull crushing finale and then out comes MVP! MVP clotheslines The Miz over the top eliminating both The Miz and himself! A short stay for The Miz. Legacy looks to eliminate Triple H but can’t. #17 is Matt Hardy who hits a twist of fate on Drew McIntyre and a side effect on Cody Rhodes. This is Matt Hardy’s 7th Royal Runble match. Hardy goes up to the middle rope and Kane pushes him, eliminating Matt Hardy from the match! Triple H then eliminates Kane! #18 is Shawn Michaels who won the 1996 Royal Rumble from this spot. Shawn Michaels eliminates Carlito, Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase! We;re down to Shawn Michaels, Triple H, Drew McIntyre and John Morrison. Shawn Michaels eliminates John Morrison! Drew McIntyre lays into Michaels but DX then double team McIntyre, clothesline him and eliminate him from the match! 

We’re momentarily down to Triple H and Shawn Michaels but the 19th entrant shows up and it’s John Cena! Cena takes down both Michaels and Triple H before hitting a double five knuckle shuffle! Cena then tries to eliminate Michaels but Triple H saves him and then hits Cena with a pedigree! Shawn Michaels then hits sweet chin music on Triple H eliminating him from the match! #20 is Shelton Benjamin. Benjamin represents ECW these days and he takes down both Michaels and Cena, hitting the pay-dirt on Michaels and a German suplex on Cena. Benjamin looks for pay-dirt on Benjamin but Cena counters it and eliminates Shelton Benjamin from the match! So we’re back down to John Cena and Shawn Michaels. Michaels hits a back suplex on Cena. #21 is Yoshi Tatsu who is making his PPV debut tonight. He hits Cena and Michaels with kicks. But Cena quickly eliminates Yoshi Tatsu from the match. Back down to Cena and Michaels. Cena hits a bulldog. #22 is The Big Show who races down to the ring. It’s his 6th Royal Rumble and he takes down both Cena and Michaels.

Big Show dumps Michaels  over the top and on to the apron but Michaels grabs him by the head. Big Show scoops him up and Michaels lands on John Cena’s shoulder where he tries to eliminate Michaels with an attitude adjustment. Michaels skins the cat. #23 is Mark Henry. This is Henry’s 6th Royal Rumble. Henry lays into Big Show and the two men slug it out. Cena hits Big Show with a couple of running shoulder charges and Mark Henry hits Big Show with a powerslam! Cena tries for an attitude adjustment on Mark Henry but can’t do it. #24 is Chris Masters who enters his 3rd Royal Rumble match. Masters hits a gorilla press slam on Shawn Michaels and then tries for a Masterlock on Big Show but Big Show eliminates Chris Masters from the match. #25 is R-Truth who comes in and eliminates both Mark Henry and The Big Show! Unbelievable. We’re down to Cena, Michaels and R-Truth now. Truth his a scissors kick on Michaels and then a hiptoss on Cena. Truth lays into Shawn Michaels with right hands. #26 is Jack Swagger. 

Jack Swagger enters his first Royal Rumble and drops R-Truth with a clothesline and then a couple of Vader bombs to Shawn Michaels and John Cena. Swagger hits Truth with a powerslam. Only four men left to enter. Swagger clotheslines Michaels over the top but Shawn rolls back in. #27 is Kofi Kingston. Kofi has been getting a nice push as of late. He hits a high cross body on Jack Swagger and then a boom drop to Jack. Kofi then eliminates Jack Swagger from the match. R-Truth lays into Kingston and nearly eliminates him form the match. Kofi then eliminates R-Truth! #28 is Chris Jericho. Jericho lays into all three men left in the match. Cena hits an attitude adjustment on Cena! Michaels hits Cena with a DDT and then goes up top and hits an elbow drop on Jericho. Michaels motions for sweet chin music on Jericho but Kingston hits Michaels with trouble in paradise! John Cena then eliminates Kofi Kingston to boo’s from the crowd.

Shawn Michaels and John Cena are down. Chris Jericho stands up and number 29 is….Edge! Edge returns to a huge ovation! He spears Jericho, spears Michaels and spears Cena! Edge eliminates Chris Jericho! Edge drops Michaels and then hits Cena with a DDT. Edge, Cena and Michaels are left with one entrant to go. #30 is Batista. One of four men will win the Royal Rumble. Shawn Michaels, John Cena, Batista and edge. Batista hits Michaels with a powerslam and Cena with a spinebuster. Edge then drops Batista with a spear! Cena hits Edge with an attitude adjustment. Michaels hits Cena with a flying forearm and then an inverted atomic drop. Michaels slams Cena and Batista and then heads to the top and hits an elbow drop on Cena. Michaels then hits an enzeguri to Batista before hitting him with an elbow drop. Michaels motions for sweet chin music before nailing Cena with it and then Batista with another. Edge then clotheslines Michaels and both men teeter on the apron. Michaels sweet chin music’s Edge back into the ring and Batista then eliminates Michaels from the match! 

That almost felt like it wasn’t supposed to happen. We’re down to three. Cena, Edge and Batista. Michaels attacks two referees but can’t believe he’s been eliminated. Michaels finally leaves and we’re down to three. Cena counters a Batista bomb and then low-bridges the top rope eliminating Batista from the match! Edge and John Cena remain. Edge looks for a spear but Cena side steps it only for Edge to throw Cena over the top and win the match! Edge wins the 2010 Royal Rumble match! Not the best Royal Rumble match ever, but I’m still a mark for them. Edge is back and heading to Wrestlemania.

Rating: 7.5/10

And that was the 2010 Royal Rumble event. 6 matches is more than usual but one of those was very short. The opening match was decent, Christian beat Ezekiel Jackson, who has been built up as a monster as of late. I’m surprised Christian won clean actually. With rumours of ECW’s demise, this just might be the final ever ECW title match we see on pay per view. Then came an unnecessary match in which The Miz beat MVP. I know they’ve been feuding but I don’t understand why they added this match to the card. The Miz won but MVP got his heat back after the match and actually came across a bit heelish. His demeanour was very heelish too. But we’d find out later that this was an angle to get them in and out of the Royal Rumble match quickly.

Next up Sheamus beat Randy Orton by disqualification to retain the WWE Championship.I think this was probably the best finish to this match and it adds to the Legacy angle where (unless there’s a swerve) it looks as though they’re all going in different directions. This match was ok, pretty average but not terrible. It’s difficult to get the psychology right in a match between two heels. I can’t see Sheamus being champion heading into Wrestlemania but this was a good defence for him. Not many can say they’ve beaten John Cena and Randy Orton in back to back PPV’s. The women were up next and Mickie James beat Michelle McCool very quickly I would rather have had the Miz/MVP match canned and given more time to the women but I guess this was fun and gave the result we all wanted to see. Pus Mickie and Michelle had a PPV match last month so we didn’t need to see to it again. Nice for Mickie to win the title though, she’s a legend in the company at this point.

The Undertaker predictably beat Rey Mysterio in their match to retain the World Heavyweight Championship. This match was everything you’d think it would be and more. It was a really solid match that I enjoyed. Good chemistry between the two which you wouldn’t necessarily expect. This win sets us up for the expected Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels match at Wrestlemania should Michaels win the Royal Rumble. But he didn’t. That honour went to the returning Edge. This was a real shocker. Man the pop he got when he came out was unreal. Edge is awesome so I don’t have a problem with him winning. And there was a really solid final four with John Cena, Batista and Shawn Michaels. The match was short though. Very short. The second shortest 30 man Royal Rumble ever. I enjoyed the Punk stuff but that was it really. Everyone was in and out really quickly. I love a royal Rumble match but this was one of the most disappointing ever.

Overall Rating: 62/100 (ranked joint 68th out of 248)

Match Of The Night: The 2010 Royal Rumble match
Worst Match Of The Night: The Miz vs. MVP
Surprise Of The Night: Edge returns and wins the Royal Rumble match
Worst Booking Of The Night: Adding the Miz/MVP match
Superstar Of The Night: Edge
The 2010 Royal Rumble PPV will be remembered for: Edge returning and winning the Royal Rumble match