January 2, 2009 – Manchester, NH
Announcers: Jim Ross & Tazz
IN THE RING
General Manager Vickie Guerrero + Triple H: Vickie Guerrero screamed “Happy New Year!” and said 2008 was great but 2009 would be better! Vickie announced that WWE champion Jeff Hardy would compete with her husband Edge at Royal Rumble. Wow, big surprise! Vickie hyped the Royal Rumble and said the SmackDown! participants would be announced later tonight. Triple H came to the ring and wished Vickie a Happy New Year. Triple H said he was excited about the Royal Rumble and said he couldn’t wait to hear Vickie name him as a participant. Triple H said the people would get unruly if she didn’t give them what they want – and then started a “Trip-Pull-Hech” chant. Vickie warned H that if he kept it up he would not be in the Rumble. Triple H said if he wasn’t in the Rumble, then chances are a SmackDown! guy won’t win the Rumble, and that would make Vickie look weak, and nobody would buy the Vickie Guerrero action figure. Triple H pulled out one of those Vickie action figures and made fun of it until Vickie broke down and said Triple H would be in the Rumble. Triple H then took the clothes off of the Vickie doll, revealing a skinny body with big boobs and a six-pack underneath. Triple H said he searched the internet and found nude photos of Vickie being sold on eBay. Vickie said she’s never taken any nude photos, but didn’t look too confident about it. Triple H told Vickie that the auction closes in like five minutes, and somebody named ChavoG2009 is the highest bidder. Vickie jumped out of the ring and sprinted backstage.
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT: The Great Khali (w/Ranjin Singh) & Fit Finlay (w/Hornswoggle) goofed around during a photoshoot. What the heck? These guys used to hate each other!
TAG TEAM MATCH
Fit Finlay (w/Hornswoggle) & The Great Khali (w/Ranjin Singh) defeated Curt Hawkins & Zack Ryder: Hornswoggle came down with Finlay and immediately climbed under the ring. The Great Khali has new entrance music. Jim Ross said that this team had International flavor. Hornswoggle kept popping out and interfering in the match. After the match, they danced!
BACKSTAGE INTERVIEW
Eve Torres & Michelle McCool: Eve Torres said last week not only did Michelle lose her match, but she also lost her cool. They showed footage of Michelle’s “unprovoked” assault on Maria Kanellis. Michelle went on a “what about me?” rant and claimed Maria cost her the Divas championship. Eve said she thinks they can mend things if Michelle just apologizes. Michelle told her to stick to doing what she does best, and walks off.
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
Edge & Vickie Guerrero + The Big Sho: Edge was freaking out about nude pictures of his wife being sold on eBay. The Big Show said he saw the pictures and they weren’t that bad. Vickie stormed off and Edge scolded the Big Show. Big Show said that Edge hides behind Vickie and should be embarrassed. Edge said what was embarrassing was Big Show getting knocked out by a flyweight at WrestleMania!
TAG TEAM MATCH
THE Brian Kendrick & Ezekiel Jackson defeated Jesse & Festus:
SINGLES MATCH
Vladimir Kozlov defeated Hurricane Helms: Last week, Hurricane was challenging for the United States title, and this week he is Vladimir Kozlov’s dinner.
IN THE RING
Jim Ross + Shelton Benjamin + The Undertaker: Jim Ross hyped the Royal Rumble, and announced the following participants; Triple H (former winner), The Big Show, Vladimir Kozlov, Shelton Benjamin. Shelton Benjamin came out and told Jim Ross to announce him as the “odds on favorite to win the Rumble.” Benjamin kicked JR out of the ring and bragged about his reign as United States champion. Benjamin said it was his ultimate goal to main event WrestleMania and leave with the gold. Benjamin said there was no one in the Royal Rumble match that can compare with the Gold Standard. Suddenly the Undertaker’s voice came over the sound system and the lights went out! When they came back on the Undertaker was in the ring and he Choke-slammed Shelton Benjamin straight to hell! Jim Ross said that the Undertaker would be in the Royal Rumble match!!
IN THE RING
Michelle McCool + Eve Torres: Michelle McCool said Maria was not there this week because of her, and apologized to Maria (who was at home) through the camera. Maria said she also owed Eve Torres an apology, and asked her to come to the ring. Michelle said she felt horrible about how she has been acting lately. Michelle said she was sorry and asked for forgiveness. Eve said “of course” and they hugged. Eve turned and left the ring, but was assaulted at ringside by Michelle McCool! Michelle repeatedly kicked Eve in the face and shoulder, and also rammed her face-first into the edge of the ring before pounding her head into the floor! Michelle licked Eve in the ribs and slammed Eve head-first into the ring post before referees forced McCool to retreat – but the damage was already done.
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
Vickie Guerrero & Chavo Guerrero: Vickie said she liked Chavo’s idea, but was stressing out about nude pictures being out there somewhere. Vickie asked Chavo if he has seen them and Chavo claimed, “no!” Triple H came in and Vickie scolded him, and said he would wrestle three times next week; in a Tables match, a Handicap match, and a Last Man Standing Match. Let’s call this TRIPLE JEOPARDY!
SINGLES MATCH
Kizarny defeated Montel Vontavious Porter: MVP didn’t have any ‘bling’ and he didn’t get his usual entrance. MVP was clearly frustrated by his losing streak and called out whomever he was wrestling so they could get it over with. After the match, Mr. Kennedy came out to the stage and ribbed MVP for losing again and plugged his movie “Behind Enemy Lines: Columbia.”
IN THE RING
Edge: Edge told the fans that they had to respect Vickie Guerrero, and had to respect him because he will win the WWE Championship at the Royal Rumble. Edge said everybody is blaming him for taking out Jeff Hardy before Survivor Series, nevermind the fact that Jeff was a screw up! Edge said when Hardy’s reign as WWE champion comes to an end, then they could blame HIM!
TAG TEAM MATCH
The Hardy Boyz defeated Edge & The Big Show: Late in the match, the Big Show walked out on Edge and it didn’t take long for the Hardy Boyz to finish off Edge in a 2-on-1 situation.