This week, we will be publishing two Royal Rumble PPV flashback reports every day going back to 1997 leading to this year's Royal Rumble PPV. At 11:00 a.m., we'll be publishing one PPV flashback. At 5:00 p.m., we'll be publishing a second PPV flashback.

Monday - 1997 Rumble
Tuesday - 1998 Rumble & 1999 Rumble
Wednesday - 2000 Rumble
Thursday - 2001 Rumble & 2002 Rumble & 2003 Rumble
Friday - 2004 Rumble & 2005 Rumble
Saturday - 2006 Rumble & 2007 Rumble
Sunday - 2008 & 2009 Rumbles
Sunday night - Live PPV coverage of 2010 WWE Royal Rumble PPV

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Royal Rumble PPV Flashback Report - 2006
January 29, 2006
Miami, Fla.
Report by Wade Keller, Torch editor

-After a Caesar-themed video introducing the Royal Rumble and key matches, Michael Cole and Tazz introduced the show from ringside. They threw to Joey Styles and Jerry Lawler (no Coach, since he's in the Rumble). They threw to the Spanish team, Steve Romero & Hugo Savinovich.

1 -- KID KASH vs. PAUL LONDON vs. FUNAKI vs. NUNZIO vs. BRIAN KENDRICK vs. GREGORY HELMS vs. NUNZIO

Helms was allowed into the match because it was an "open invitational" match for all former Cruiserweight Champs. Lots of battle royal like action in the early minutes. London flipped onto every at ringside at 4:00. Kid Kash gave London his finisher and went for the pin, but everyone else broke up the pin. Kash drive Nunzio's back into his knee for a two count. Noble gave Funaki some crazy chops and then a dropdown gutbuster followed by a Dragon Sleeper. Helms interjected himself, preventing the tapout. He then knocked Noble out of the ring, then pinned Funaki himself after a Shining Wizard to win the title. Cole said Helms has now won the title with "two different personas."

WINNER: Helms at 7:10 to win the Cruiserweight Title.

STAR RATING: ** -- Some nice spots, good energy, and a decent opener.

-Teddy Long chatted with Vince McMahon. He said he was there to help Vince supervise. Vince told him his bow tie was a Louis Farrakhan look. Then he told Long he would handle things just fine. Vince then turned to Victoria, Candice Michelle, and Torrie Wilson, who were spinning the Rumble entry number bin. Orton reached in and pulled out a number. Triple H also pulled out a number. He pulled out a number that he wasn't happy with. Orton smiled and told him he got screwed. Hunter did a little comedy interaction with the women, having them "hold my ball" and saying it "felt good." When he got the bad number, he said "I want my ball back."

-Mickie James dropped a bombshell backstage on Trish Stratus, saying ,"I love you." Trish's jaw dropped and she walked to the ring with her belt. She looked distracted.

2 -- MICKIE JAMES vs. ASHLEY --Trish as special referee

Lawler said he'd like to be the shirt Trish is wearing. It's tough to do justice to how much this match did to make what wrestlers do normally not lot easy at all. It was so bad the crowd was booing in the end, not either woman, but the sheer horrible quality of the action. That this match was on PPV is a disrespect to all the hard work wrestlers put in trying to earn a shot on the big stage. It's not the fault of Mickey and Ashley, who certainly seemed to be trying, but those who put Ashley out there long (years) before she's really ready. Mickey won with a roll-up out of the corner and a yank of the tights. Trish didn't seem happy to count to three and paused before hitting the mat the third time. Mickey tried to hug Trish after the match.

WINNER: Mickey James at 7:38.

STAR RATING: neg. *

-The women backstage began showing off their tattoos. Big Show walked in to draw his number and offered to show Vince his tattoos. Vince turned down the offer. Show drew his number and nodded in moderate satisfaction. Rey Mysterio walked in. Big Show told him it was every man for himself, but he admired him for dedicating the match to Eddie Guerrero. Rey drew his number and looked up and said, "You've got to be kidding me" with a big smile on his face. He told Eddie in the sky, "You got me. You got me, man!" Tazz and Cole wondered if it was good or bad.

3 -- BOOGEYMAN vs. JBL (w/Jillian Hall)

Boogeyman taunted Hall before the match, basically mounting her on the mat and dangling a worm over her chest and face, then dropping it into her mouth. JBL stood at ringside and watched in horror, finally entering the right like a knight in shining armor to hit Boogeyman from behind. Boogeyman made a comeback quickly and pinned JBL clean with his pump handle powerslam.

WINNER: Boogeyman at 1:45.

STAR RATING: DUD -- Not long enough to be a match. That's a surprising finish. Why squash JBL, a former long-time World Champ? The reason is Boogeyman isn't good enough to have a long match without jeopardizing his gimmick, which like the previous match, shows why it's a good idea to stock your roster with competent in-ring performers, not just cool characters.

-Shelton Benjamin and his Mamma drew his number. Shelton promised Vince he'd make his night by eliminating Shawn Michaels. Melina walked in and told Vince about how bad her working conditions have been on Smackdown. Mercury and Nitro drew numbers. They shrugged as if they weren't great and weren't horrible. Melina then offered to have her team eliminate Shawn Michaels. Vince said she had pretty eyes. She thanked him. The other three women showed jealousy. He said they should sit on the couch together. Vince asked if Torrie's dog had a tattoo. She said it did, and it said "Vince." She tipped her dog upside down and Vince's eyes bugged out. Pretty corny.

-As Lilian Garcia was about to introduce the Royal Rumble, Spirit Squad came out and did a cheer inside the ring.

4 -- ROYAL RUMBLE

(1) Triple H and (2) Rey Mysterio began the match. Rey went for a 619, but Hunter ducked. Simon Dean (3) then came out on scooter. Fans across America who are playing the Home Version of Royal Rumble just let out a collective "Nooooo!" Simon tried to kiss up to Triple H. He offered a high five. Hunter just looked around as if to say, "Who's this idiot," then punched him. Hunter and Rey worked together and tossed Dean out. Cole proclaimed, "Simon Dean will not be headlining WrestleMania." Well, technically, if Dean can earn a World Title shot and win the belt between now and Mania, he could be defending against the Royal Rumble winner.

#1: Simon Dean at 2:45.

Psicosis (4) came out next. Rey eliminated him relatively quickly.

#2: Psicosis at 4:50.

Then at 5:10, Ric Flair (5) entered. Hunter went right after Flair. Flair, though, quickly took control. He grabbed Hunter's crotch. Hunter fired back with an eye poke. Rey sat and watched. Hunter backdropped a charging Flair over the top rope.

#3: Ric Flair at 6:48.

Big Show (6) entered next. He went to work on Hunter aggressively. Show slugged Hunter with a cast several times. Show headbutted Rey, then went back to Hunter, hitting a sideslam at 8:30. Coach (7) entered next. He went after Show. The crowd chanted, "You suck!" Show eliminated Coach, who seemed to almost dislocate both shoulders in the process.

#4: Big Show at 9:44.

Show went back to work on Hunter. Bobby Lashley (8) came out next. Lashley powered Show over with a backdrop of sorts, Show rolled to the floor. Cole pointed out he wasn't eliminated. Lashley celebrated like he just scored a touchdown in overtime. He tossed Rey aside. Kane (9) then came out at 13:00. Lashley gave Kane the Dominator and then played to the crowd. Sylvan (10) came out and was instantly eliminated by Lashley.

#5: Sylvan at 15:00.

Show and Kane teamed up to eliminate Lashley.

#6: Lashley at 15:25.

Show charged at Kane, but Kane lifted his boot. In a burst of energy, Hunter then came up behind and eliminated Show and Kane.

#7 and #8: Kane and Big Show a 16:30.

Carlito (11) came out next and began stomping away at Hunter and Rey. Chris Benoit (12) joined the match next. He and Triple H went at it. Booker T (13) entered next. Benoit immediately eliminated Booker.

#9: Booker at 21:50.

Mercury (14) next. The ring began to look somewhat full again. Tatanka (15) entered next. Tatanka hit Mercury with chops in the corner. Benoit kneed Hunter in the corner. Nitro (16) entered next. Carlito almost eliminated Rey, but Rey saved himself on the apron. Trevor Murdoch (17) entered next. Rey had several close calls in this stretch of the match. Eugene (18) made his return from drug rehab. The crowd immediately booed. Only in pro wrestling. He tried to shake hands with Murdoch, but Murdoch refused. Animal (19) came out next. He promptly powerslammed Hunter and dropped an elbow. Rob Van Dam (20) entered next, making his return. The crowd popped for RVD and chanted his name. RVD threw a barrage of offense, including some weak punches to Hunter (who probably called that spot just to make RVD look bad since punches are not RVD's strength). RVD backdropped Animal.

#10: Animal at 34:28.

Orlando Jordan (21) entered the match next at 35:00. The RVD chants continued. RVD almost eliminated Carlito, but Carlito held onto the rope and avoided touching the floor. Chavo Guerrero (22) came out next. Chavo gave the Three Amigos to Mercury, then he went for a frog splash, the first top rope move of the night, but Hunter shoved him to the floor.

#11: Chavo at 37:30.

Next out was Matt Hardy(23) at 38:00. RVD and Rey teamed up to try to eliminate Hunter, but Hunter rolled into the ring after hitting the apron. They tried a second time, but Hunter again held on. MNM eliminated Tatanka at 38:20.

#12: Tatanka at 38:20.

Super Crazy (24) entered next, followed by Shawn Michaels (25). Michaels went on a flurry of offense. Michaels eliminated Murdoch.

#13: Murdoch at 42:20.

Chris Masters (26) came out next. Hardy and Hunter took turns almost eliminating each other. Viscera (27) entered next. Viscera humped Matt Hardy. Viscera went for a corner splash, but Hardy lifted his legs. Hardy went for the Twist of Fate, but Viscera lifted Hardy and eliminated him.

#14: Hardy at 45:55.

Shelton Benjamin (28) came out next with his Mamma. Benoit eliminated Eugene.

#15: Eugene at 46:30.

Super Crazy was eliminated, but it was lost in the crowd.

#16: Super Crazy at 48:00.

Goldust (29) entered next. Randy Orton (30) was the last entrant. Orton promptly eliminated Benoit.

#17: Benoit at 49:30.

Masters and Carlito eliminated Viscera.

#18: Viscera at 50:00.

Carlito then promptly eliminated a celebrating Masters from behind. Highpoint of the match so far.

#19: Masters at 50:15.

Goldust gave Carlito the Golden Globes. RVD eliminated Goldust.

#20: Goldust.

Orton eliminated Jordan next.

#21: Jordan at 51:10.

Michaels hit Hunter with a flying forearm and inverted atomic drop. MNM attacked Michaels. RVD fought with Masters in one corner. Shelton choked Carlito in another corner. Rey and Hunter rested in opposite corners. Michaels eliminated Mercury, then Nitro.

#22 and #23: Mercury and Nitro at 52:30.

Shelton then went after Michaels from behind with a surprise superkick. Michaels superkicked Shelton off the ring apron.

#24: Shelton at 53:20.

Vince McMahon's music began and he walked out and didn't look happy. Michaels struggled to his feet and noticed McMahon. Shane McMahon then came up behind Michaels and tossed him over the top rope.

#25: Michaels at 54:10.

Shane danced his dignity away in celebration as Vince gloated. Michaels returned to the ring and backdropped Hunter and superkicked Hunter. Michaels chased after Vince and Shane. That left Carlito, Orton, RVD, Hunter, and Rey. RVD gave Carlito a reverse sidekick and Carlito leaped over the top rope in a choreographed spot to eliminate himself.

#26: Carlito at 56:00.

RVD and Rey teamed up against Orton. RVD dropped Rey onto Orton while legdropping him at the same time. RVD went to the top rope, then Rey mistakenly knocked RVD off the top rope to the floor.

#27: RVD at 57:15.

That left Mysterio, Hunter, and Orton. Rey fended off a dual attack from Hunter and Orton. Rey gave Hunter and Orton a dual 619. Hunter nailed Rey with a clothesline as he flew off the ropes. Orton powerslammed Hunter and then went for an RKO. Hunter blocked it and hit the Spinebuster. Rey then eliminated Hunter in a big spot that popped the crowd.

#28: Triple H at 60:08.

Hunter threw Rey into the ringside steps and then back into the ring, where Orton stalked him. Rey avoided an RKO and eliminated Orton at 62:28.

#29: Orton at 62:28.

WINNER: Rey Mysterio at 62:28.

STAR RATING: ***1/4 -- Not the best Rumble. Not even close. But they kept it interesting. The final minutes were pretty dramatic. How Rey fits into the slated WrestleMania line-up of Hunter vs. Cena, Edge vs. Foley, Orton vs. Angle, and McMahon vs. Michaels is going to be interesting.

-Mickie talked to Trish backstage and told her, "You really do love me!" Trish said she just did what she had to do.

-Rey Mysterio was celebrating backstage when Edge walked up and said he shouldn't even consider switching to Raw to challenge him for the World Title. He said there wouldn't be a happy ending.

5 -- EDGE (w/Lita) vs. JOHN CENA -- WWE Title match

Cena made a big-time ring entrance off scaffolding. Styles said since Edge won the title, ratings have been up, so give him his due, "Edge is ratings." This means Mark Henry will be headlining a PPV. They fought at ringside early. Edge knocked Cena into the crowd. Cena got back into the ring just before getting counted out. Edge mocked the "You can't see me" bit and stomped away at Cena. Edge dominated virtually the entire match, but Cena made a comeback, swatted Lita away when she intervened, hit the FU, applied the STFU, and got a tapout win.

WINNER: Cena at 14:02 via tapout to retain the WWE Hvt. Title.

STAR RATING: **1/2 -- Edge's complete domination of offense was a giveaway that he was losing. Cena was booed, but not horribly, during the match. When he won, it got a "shock pop" from fans and scattered boos. The match itself was forgettable, but passable.

-Todd Grisham interviewed Edge and Lita about the loss. They didn't have much to say and expressed deep frustration and humiliation. Hacksaw Duggan barged into the picture and did his "hey-yo!" Lita asked, "What are you doing here?" He didn't say. We may never know.

-Josh Matthews interviewed Kurt Angle backstage. Angle said he is the greatest wrestler in the world and there is no way in the world Henry will beat him. He said if Daivari gets involved, he'll take care of him, too. He vowed to walk and walk out as champ.

6 -- KURT ANGLE vs. MARK HENRY (w/Daivari) -- World Title match

Cole said, "This is a classic match-up." A literally gasped out loud when he said that. He explained it was a classic match-up between finesse and power. Henry overpowered Angle at the start, taking Angle to the mat with a one hand grip. Henry settled into a bear hug. Cole was at such a loss of how to fill time, as the crowd sat silently, that he said, "Tell me Tazz what's happening when you're in a bearhug like this." This resembled a bad Nick Bockwinkel vs. Otto Wanz match from the AWA circa 1980. Angle dove off the second rope, but Henry caught him. Angle maneuvered into an Anklelock, but Henry powered out, knocking Angle to the other side of the ring. Angle went for an Angleslam, but Henry didn't budge. Angle hit an Ankleslam a minute later followed by an Anklelock. Henry powered out again and knocked Angle into the ref. With the ref down, Angle grabbed a chair from ringside, but as he slid into the ring, Daivari grabbed him. Angle gave him a chairshot. Angle gave Henry a chairshot and went for a pin. Henry lifted his shoulder. Angle used a drop toe hold to knock Henry face-first into the exposed turnbuckle, then schoolboyed Henry for the win.

WINNER: Angle at 7:00 to retain the World Title.

STAR RATING: 3/4* -- Worst PPV main event in years. There just wasn't much Angle could do, but it didn't seem much thought was put into trying to exceed expectations.

-After the match, Undertaker returned with a grand ring entrance. Angle clutched his World Title belt and looked concerned about Taker's reason for appearing. Taker moved his arms and lightning shot into the ringposts. The ring then collapsed. Tazz said, "Shit!" Taker turned and walked away.

FINAL THOUGHTS: A letdown of a PPV. Nothing exceeded expectations. Bad undercard, average Rumble (although the highlight of the night), and two disappointing title matches.

[Torch art credit Grant Gould (c) PWTorch.com]

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