Royal Rumble

Sunday, January 20th in Atlanta, GA

. Tag Team Championship: Tazz/Spike Dudley vs. Dudley Boyz

– The World Wrestling Federation’s first amazing Pay-Per-View of 2002 exploded live from Atlanta Georgia as the Royal Rumble got underway! Jim Ross and Jerry “The King” Lawler called all the exciting action as the Dudley Boyz tried to regain the Tag Team Championship from Spike Dudley and Tazz. The Dudley Boyz’ took the early advantage by using their size and fury to dominate Spike. But Spike Dudley is one tough SOB. He dodged Bubba Ray’s suplex attempt and hit his brother with the Dudley Dog! After a bit of Dudley Boyz underhandedness but Spike on his back, D-Von attempted a flying headbutt from the top rope. But Spike rolled out of harm’s way and tagged in Tazz! The man from Red Hook evened the score and got some help from his undersized partner. Spike delivered a second Dudley Dog to Bubba Ray! That prompted Stacy to climb the ring apron and distract the referee, but it didn’t have the desired effect. Tazz soon locked on the Tazzmission and forced D-Von to tap out! Spike and Tazz left Atlanta with their Tag Team Championship in tact!

– WINNERS and STILL CHAMPIONS: Tazz and Spike Dudley by submission

. Lillian Garcia Interview: Edge.

– Backstage, Lilian Garcia caught up with Edge. The Intercontinental Champion said that it was fine that William Regal wanted to play dirty. He produced a steel chair and reminded everyone how he broke Regal’s nose on it with a Edgecution. If Regal wants to play dirty, Edge said he’s up for the challenge.

. Intercontinental Championship: Edge vs. William Regal

– However, Regal got off to a fast start in this match. Regal pounded on Edge, but could only produce a two count for his efforts. Edge rebounded, though, and hit Regal with a unique backdrop. A reciprocal powerbomb from Regal could only put Edge’s shoulders to the mat for two seconds. Edge rolled out of the ring and planted Regal face first into the ring apron. Each man lay thoroughly exhausted in the center of the ring. They traded sharp blows after making their way to their feet. Regal attempted to hit the Edgecution, but Regal turned the tables and latched on the Regal Stretch! Edge refused to give in to the pain and finally grasped the rope to break the hold. Once Regal let go, Edge gave his opponent a taste of his own medicine by stretching Regal! Regal made his way to the rope and the action continued. Regal tried to hit a backdrop from the top rope, but Edge pushed him off. Edge followed with a leap off the top rope that stunned winded both men. Edge then went to spear Regal, but Regal pushed the ref into the way to absorb the blow! One down, Regal grabbed brass knuckles and smacked them into Edge! The Intercontinental Championship changed hands as Regal collected the three count.

– WINNER and NEW CHAMPION: William Regal by pinfall

. Michael Cole Interview: William Regal.

– Cole asked Regal immediately after the match how he could accept the championship. Regal said he was blessed with a powerful punch.

. Women’s Championship: Trish Stratus vs. Jazz

– Jackie came to the ring next to serve as the special guest referee for the match between Federation newcomer Jazz and Trish Stratus. This match would take place with the Federation Women’s Championship on the line. Trish sported a cast on her left wrist, the result of a brutal attack by Jazz last week. Jazz picked up right where she left off by brutally beating the champion. A sunset flip turned into a Jazz pin attempt, but Trish countered with a pin try of her own. in a remarkable display of agility and quick thinking, each woman took turns rolling the other into a pin. Soon after, Jazz and Jackie got into an argument and they exchanged shoves. Jazz then rolled up Trish into a pin, but Jackie delayed her count, allowing Trish time to recover and kick out. Soon after Trish hit a bulldog and nearly got the win, but Jazz kicked out. Trish displayed her own toughness by kicking out after a tough DDT from Jazz. Moments later, another Trish bulldog allowed the champ to retain her title!

– WINNER and STILL CHAMPION: Trish Stratus by pinfall

. Street Fight: Vince McMahon vs. Ric Flair

– The Federation co-owners took to the ring next for a Street Fight. A jacked Vince McMahon flexed mightily after shoving Ric Flair to the mat. Flair’s technical prowess outshined Vince’s muscles early on. He trapped Vince in the corner and delivered a few searing chop shots to his partner’s chest. Vince responded by whipping Flair head over heels into the corner and knocking him outside the ring. Vince smashed a street sign over Flair’s head repeatedly. With Flair seeing stars, Vince rooted around beneath the ring where he found a garbage can to smack over his partner’s head. Vince didn’t let up. He threw Flair’s bloody face into the ring post and then slammed him to the hard floor. Vince then grabbed a camera from Flair’s daughter, sitting at ringside, and began snapping photos of himself with Flair’s beaten, bloody face. Once back in the ring, Vince threw on a leg lock. He then smashed the leg repeatedly into the ring post. Vince then went to lock on Flair’s own signature Figure Four! Vince executed the move, but Flair refused to tap out. Flair eventually was freed of the move, but Vince wouldn’t let up. He went outside the ring and found a lead pipe similar to the one he assaulted Flair with last week. But when he reentered the ring, Flair pounded a low blow onto Vince. The action spread outside the ring with Flair now taking the upper hand. He sprawled Vince out on the ring barrier and proceeded to clear the announce table. Vince tried a counteroffensive but was crushed by a monitor that Flair threw at his head. Flair, bleeding profusely from an earlier wound, threw Vince back into the ring and laughed evilly as Vince begged for mercy. Flair reacted by punching Vince in the head and delivering another low blow! Flair then picked up the lead pipe and cracked it over Vince’s skull! Flair followed up with a Figure Four that made Vince scream in agony and made him tap out!

– WINNER: Ric Flair by submission

. Michael Cole Interview: Nick Patrick.

– Backstage, Michael Cole asked Nick Patrick about the match earlier in the night when Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley interrupted. She said that the beating Vince just took was nothing like what Triple H would do to the 29 other men in the Royal Rumble Match. She said she wished Debra would be at ringside so Stephanie could destroy her. While she was talking smack about Stone Cold, the Texas Rattlesnake snuck up on Stephanie and asked her WHAT!? she was talking about. Stephanie soon fled in fear. Austin said that he would throw every man over the top rope, including Triple H.

. Undisputed Heavyweight Championship: Chris Jericho vs. The Rock

– The Undisputed World Wrestling Federation Championship was on the line next, as Chris Jericho put his title on the line against The Rock. The Rock stared down Jericho as the champion talked a whole lot of trash. When the bell rang, The Rock went to attack Jericho, but Y2J held up a stiff hand in a mocking gesture. The Rock’s eyes widened as he attacked Jericho, then chased him around the outside of the ring. Jericho asserted himself and took control of the match by working The Rock into the corner and delivering a series of blows. A body press soon after only earned Jericho a two count. With The Rock laying in the ring, Jericho removed the cover off a turnbuckle. He turned his attention back to the Great One and tried to lock on the Walls of Jericho. Jericho then unleashed a tough drop kick off the topo rope and followed with a chin lock. The Rock moved to his feet and countered. He whipped Jericho onto his back and produced a two count. Quicker than a hiccup, Jericho rebounded and leveled Rock with a bulldog. Jericho soon became upset with the referee and the two exchanged stiff shoves. Moments later, The Rock surprised Jericho with a sharpshooter! The Undisputed Champion screamed in pain and began tapping out! But the referee didn’t see the action because Christian and Lance Storm came down and offered a distraction. The Rock disposed of the men but found himself falling victim to his own Rock Bottom, delivered by Jericho. That wouldn’t be enough to defeat the People’s Champion, though. The Rock tossed Y2J threw the ropes and continued an assault outside the ring. Rock began clearing off the Spanish announce table. He grabbed Jericho but was caught off guard and smacked into the hard wooden table. Jericho then mounted the announce table with The Rock in tow. He readied a Rock Bottom but absorbed the move himself when The Rock countered. The action spread back inside the ropes. The Rock went for a Rock Bottom but was turned into the Walls of Jericho! The Rock’s face turned red as he howled in pain, but he reached the ropes to break the hold. The Rock nearly took home a win when Jericho turned an inside cradle. Soon after, The Rock sprang off the ropes and tried to launch his body into Jericho but he met the referee instead. Jericho knocked The Rock down and motioned for another referee. Nick Patrick came down and began counting, but only got to two before The Rock kicked out! Patrick was definitely on Jericho’s side. The Rock rolled up Y2J in a pin, but Patrick refused to count! The Rock responded with a Rock Bottom to the ref and then with a People’s Elbow to Jericho! But there was no referee to count the ensuing pin attempt. The Rock, visibly frustrated, tried to revive Earl Hebner. While he tried to, Jericho hit The Rock with a low blow then pinned The Rock with his feet on the ropes for leverage. Jericho retained his title as Undisputed Champion!

– WINNER and STILL CHAMPION: Chris Jericho by pinfall

. 30-Man Royal Rumble – Winner Recieves Title Shot at WrestleMania

* [Order of Appearance: Rikishi, Goldust, Big Bossman, Bradshaw, Lance Storm, Al Snow, Billy Gunn, Undertaker, Matt Hardy, Jeff Hardy, Maven, Scotty 2 Hotty, Christian, DDP, Chuck Palumbo, The Godfather, Albert, Perry Saturn, Steve Austin, Val Venis, Test, Triple H, The Hurricane, Faarooq, Mr. Perfect, Kurt Angle, Big Show, Kane, Rob Van Dam, Booker T.]

* [Order of Elimination: Big Bossman, Lance Storm, Bradshaw, Goldust, Al Snow, Rikishi, Billy Gunn, Jeff Hardy, Matt Hardy, Undertaker, Maven, Scotty 2 Hotty, DDP, Albert, The Godfather, Christian, Chuck Palumbo, Perry Saturn, Val Venis, Test, The Hurricane, Faarooq, Big Show, Kane, Booker T. Rob Van Dam, Steve Austin, Mr. Perfect, Kurt Angle]

– The long-awaited Royal Rumble Match came up next. Riksihi entered the ring as the first competitor. Goldust, a Federation favorite from years back, entered as the second man in the ring. Goldust crawled around the ring and stared at Riksihi. Rikishi got upset and attacked Goldust. Rikishi tossed Goldust over the top rope on two separate occasions, but each time, Goldust held the top rope and avoided elimination. The final moments of the Royal Rumble ticked down with Kurt Angle, Mr. Perfect and Triple H in the ring. Angle tossed Mr. Perfect over the top rope, but he hung on and stayed alive. Mr. Perfect delivered a Perfect Plex to Angle but was eliminated by Triple H shortly after. Angle pushed Triple H over the top rope with a great deal of effort, but The Game caught his balance on the ring apron and stayed in the fight. Moments later, Angle hoisted Triple H over the ropes again but The Game again pulled himself back in contention. Angle, though, began celebrating. Triple H surprised Angle and tossed the Olympic Hero over the ropes to win the 2001 Royal Rumble!

– Royal Rumble Match Highlights: Matt Hardy appeared with Lita. The two kissed before Matt entered the ring … Maven, the WWF Tough Enough winner, eliminated Undertaker … Undertaker returned the favor and demolished Maven, beating him throughout the arena and smashing his head through a popcorn machine…The Godfather entered at number 16 with at least a dozen hos at his side. The Godfather has apparently gone legit in opening an escort service … Chuck and Christian eliminated The Godfather … RVD hit Angle with a Five-Star Frog Splash followed by the Rolling Thunder to Austin … Triple H hit a Pedigree on RVD.

– WINNER and QUALIFIER: Triple H by over-the-top victory