Cheap Heat: 2021 WWE Royal Rumble Preview

Craig D'Alessandro: 0:24

This episode of missing the point is being brought to you by box Oh crafts. Save 15% off your first holiday box at checkout with the promo code MTP. That's box o crafts.com. On this episode of missing the point with the Royal Rumble this Sunday and the road to WrestleMania about to begin, we get back in the ring for another episode of cheapy. We'll preview this year's card who were the favourites to win the rumbles and Main Event WrestleMania. We'll also look back to some of our favorite rumble moments saves wins and eliminations that have made the rumble so memorable. But first, some housekeeping missing the point is a one hour podcast recapping the biggest stories in the world of sports with the New England flavor. The show notes and transcript of today's episode can be found in the description box below, as well as on our website. www dot MTP show.com. If you're new to the show, please consider subscribing. It's the easiest way to see when we publish new episodes. We are on Apple podcasts, Spotify, Google and wherever you get your podcast. If you're listening on Apple podcasts, make sure to rate the show and leave a review for a chance to win a free missing the point t shirt. Be sure to follow us on all of our social medias. All of our links will be in the show notes and check it out brand new website WWW dot MTP show calm that's MTP show.com. And now this is visiting.

Michael Marcangelo: 1:49

Ladies and gentlemen boys and girls children of all ages missing the point proudly presents to you the most entertaining and informative wrestling podcast out there. And that is not a prediction. It is a spoiler. And this is cheap heat. Welcome everyone to Episode Three of cheap heat. My name is Michael Mark angele and today we are talking about the Royal Rumble past present future but mostly past and present. And I can't do that without the EP who is coming from behind the microphone as he does for every cheap heat. Craig D'Alessandro Craig How are you?

Craig D'Alessandro: 2:41

I'm great. How are we doing?

Michael Marcangelo: 2:42

I'm doing great because today we have taken another fan of professional wrestling out of the closet and brought him back into the forefront this time we have the real BK Bob Kelly talking all things rumble Bobby, how you doing? doing pretty

Rob Kelly: 2:58

good. You know, it's you have to lead it off of one thing. Let's go back.

Michael Marcangelo: 3:03

We're gonna get there.

Rob Kelly: 3:04

Oh Berg. I had I've been waiting to do that for like 15 years. It's been a long time since I've had that Goldberg chat in my head.

Unknown: 3:13

The guy that you said is the is the Tom Brady of professional wrestling. So that's just

Rob Kelly: 3:18

for the record though. So that doesn't count. I don't know

Michael Marcangelo: 3:20

on the record now. So on this episode of cheapy what we're gonna do is we're gonna run down this Sunday's episode of the Royal Rumble which we'll be streaming to you live on the WWE Network obviously there is a with every Royal Rumble there is a pretty reduced card because the Royal Rumble matches themselves take so long but then I think what we're really we're really going to enjoy doing is getting into our favorite Royal Rumble matches, moments saves and finishes. So we'll start with the card and I think you know for the men's wear rumble The really cool thing about this for me and I know that you guys feel the same way is that rebel is the kickoff to WrestleMania right it is the start of WrestleMania season which means really anything can happen. So right now we only have out of 30 slots 17 people who have confirmed for the Royal Rumble So what that tells me is that just like in the past anything can happen Craig Are you excited for this for this year's wearable?

Craig D'Alessandro: 4:15

I'm a little bit excited more for this year's Royal Rumble than I have been in the past especially in the last 10 years or so we've pretty much been able to tell going into it pretty much who's going to win it you know we do momentum means a lot in WWE and you can pretty much tell for leading up to it leading up to the event pretty much who's the favorite going in and usually the favor usually ends up winning it whether that's good or bad. I'll let you decide that but looking at the participants we have this year and I'm sure you'll go over in a minute. I see some names that I would really like to see when I see some names I would really not want to see when and those 13 spots that are less than they're really obviously the dark horses that some good and some bad can come out of that so we're gonna see coming up this Sunday.

Michael Marcangelo: 4:55

Yes. So far who's been listed as the Royal Rumble participants are Dolf Sigler Sami Zayn Mustafa Ali, Jeff Hardy says All right, what's that Mustafa Ali? Sorry, Jeff Hardy Cesaro Otis schinsky. Nakamura, Seamus, the phenomenal one AJ Styles j Russo, john Morrison, the MS. Bobby lashley, Daniel Bryan Biggie Randy Orton. But for me, who I think is going to win and he was announced this past Monday on Raw. He came back last year at the world After being gone for 10 years and that is the rated R superstar edge. He is my favorite in this match because Shawn Michaels has been retired for 10 years. I think that this is the best way to get back to the edge versus Randy Orton, or even edge versus Drew McIntyre for WrestleMania but I think that this is going to end an edge being the WWE Champion again and Bobby is someone who used to be a really big fanatic of the word rumble has kind of fallen off like you know, millions upon millions of other wrestling fans have since the Attitude Era. For you just looking at these names, not knowing probably who a lot of them are. Are you excited for it? And who would be your favorite to win it?

Rob Kelly: 6:07

You know, I'm very excited for it. As you said, I haven't. I was I haven't watched. I've watched rumble in a few years. It's been a few years since pretty much since Ray Mysterio one the last one he won, which is why 20 1522 now was like Wasn't he a finalist in like 2012 or something like that only

Michael Marcangelo: 6:25

he's only one third of the finalists, but he didn't win only one right

Rob Kelly: 6:27

well since the last one since the last one. I remember Ray Mysterio watch I don't remember what year it was. But yes, so edge to me I think is a really good choice though. Because from the more I read the more things I've been doing about this Royal Rumble is WWE loves to take guys who haven't been in the sport for years and bring them back to prominence and the Royal Rumble is the place for them to do that. You've seen him do it year after year we saw Goldberg a few years ago john cena did it after tearing his pack there's just been time and time again where guys go from you haven't seen him in a few years to back into prominence because of the Royal Rumble so I just a great pack. And other underdog to me I've been seeing this name a lot is Brock Lesnar. It's another guy where we haven't seen him a lot in a few years I've just been seeing a lot of noise about this is gonna be like that big surprise that comes out a little rumble that shares Brock Lesnar he's coming back and that he's gonna make some noise in this rumble that's just what I've been seeing.

Michael Marcangelo: 7:23

It may feel like a few years to you Bobby, but actually Brock has been signed to WWE since 2012 but has only been working three or four shows a year and his last performance or his last match was WrestleMania in April and he's been gone since then. Right But he's the guy last season at least Yeah, since the since last season though that's a good way to put it that that's how they scripted and last year's Royal Rumble Brock Lesnar. I believe he had to number one as a WWE Champion and just dared people to eliminate them and then we saw the rise of Drew McIntyre. So I think for predictions for this years were a rumble I'm taking edge Who are you taking Craig

Craig D'Alessandro: 8:01

I do think it's going to be edge I do think that the way that this was supposed to go down I believe I don't have any informed opinion about this i well i don't have any inside information this is my informed opinion is that there was with edge and Randy Orton there was supposed to be there trilogy of matches they have that first match at WrestleMania Of course edge came back last Royal Rumble was a big shock when it wasn't that big of a secret people who really delve into it like it kind of knew that he was coming back but for the general public, it was a huge shock and to me Still I didn't believe it. I saw a number 17 come up and then you know you think you know me hits and I was like Oh crap, he really is coming back when I come back is back Of course. And then you had the Wrestlemania match between him and Randy Orton which took way too long. And then he had the greatest wrestling match of all time at Backlash, which is where he tore his bicep something in his arm, whatever it was, and so that kind of put their drill do matches is supposed to happen last summer slam at on hold which is kind of where I thought I'd remake is a pri you know, the way this year's Royal Rumble would go would be Randy Orton just dominates it he tears it up. It's like 25 guys in Ed comes in like 2526 27 and just eliminates Randy Orton then he gets limited, and then they set themselves up for WrestleMania that's the way I would write it. But But I don't think that's going to happen. I think it's pretty much set in stone this time that Randy Orton and Bray Wyatt are going to meet up for WrestleMania so I just take Randy order that Randy Orton out of entirely. I do think edge is going to win but for me my dark horse and Bobby I know you don't know who this is, but I do think that if it's not edge I think Keith Lee wants it this year. Oh that would be that'd be awesome. Go ahead buddy.

Rob Kelly: 9:44

Knows Yeah, who is edges guy back Christian Christian. Yeah, they were like the blood brothers right? They had like a bad Empire thing going he doesn't get edges like that anymore, though. Right? He's

Unknown: 9:54

like a normal now he's a rated R he's a rated R rated R

Rob Kelly: 9:57

superstar.

Michael Marcangelo: 9:58

Okay, I think so in keeping with the tradition of the Royal Rumble over the past few years, you know, two years ago was at Minute Maid Park in Houston. Or was no, no, two years ago. It was in Phoenix last year was a Minute Maid Park this year it will be taking place from Tropicana field with no fence. So just I mean,

Rob Kelly: 10:16

that stadium giustino fence.

Michael Marcangelo: 10:18

Yeah, I think you know, some of the best parts about the word remember we're gonna get into later for me are always Surprised but then the crowd reaction to the surprise, right? That makes it because you know like, you know that you know and we'll talk about it like when those surprise entrance came out back in the day and that crowd went nuts. You just knew that it was an important moment so I am interested to see how they make important moments this year without fans I think that's gonna be super interesting to see how to do that.

Rob Kelly: 10:46

Yeah, it's not even the entrances that made though that had that crowd reaction you know what I mean? It would be like those close eliminations or like those weird eliminations where someone looks like they're about to get tossed out and all sudden they you know, do like a backflip and the other guy tosses him out. So yeah, I agree. The see how they do this with the fans this year is very intriguing to me for sure.

Michael Marcangelo: 11:07

And moving down the car to now for the fourth time ever, which I think it was long overdue. I'm glad that they're keeping with the tradition is the women's Royal Rumble. There are a lot of unknowns in this match. So far the participants are Naya Jax. Charlotte flair Bailey, the st of WWE Bianca Bel Air. Mandy rose Dana Brooke Peyton Royce Shannon deza Alexa Bliss Liv Morgan, Ruby Riot tamina. They're 18 people that have not been determined for this match. For me. My dream still is Sasha Banks to win this damn to win this damn match. I am has champion yes I don't care. I just want her to win.

Rob Kelly: 11:48

I'm a Sony 500

Michael Marcangelo: 11:49

I'm so precondition to having her lose on a pay per view that now I just want her to be champion and win the rumble. So she can go on to WrestleMania and losing herself that that's what i would love. But in reality, I don't think she's gonna win it because she is the champion. My Dark Horse for this, actually is that really dark horse? You if you listen to the last episode of GP which you can find in the show notes of this episode. Bianca Bel Air is my girl. I think she is the next big thing. Sorry, Brock in WWE. So I'm picking Bianca biller to win this event. A Craig, who do you think? Who do you think should win? Who do you think is going to win?

Craig D'Alessandro: 12:27

I'm actually happy to pick Bianca BelAir because I really think that it could be her and it probably should be her and it probably will be her but just to be just be different. Just to pick another one I'll just pick who I think has the whose star is the brightest right now in all women's wrestling besides Sasha Banks, and that's elected plus right now I think she ends up winning this because I look you know I can look at the men's program and I can say you know, you know this guy can win it. This guy can win it this guy who when I look at the world, I look at the women's division and obviously WWE has treated women's division like garbage since a woman's revolution. They claim they're doing five or six years ago but I look at these and I look at I can toss out more than half of these right now. Mandy Rose is not going to win Dana Brooke is not going to win. Peyton Royce is not going to win Shayna baszler is not going to win. I look at Alexa Bliss you have to understand about Alexa Bliss what she has done in the last month of Ra as she has done something that no woman in the history of the WWE in the WWE has ever done. She has made a vented ra four weeks in a row. No woman in the history of WWE has ever done that. I think her star is on fire right now. And what she has going on right now with her feud with Bray Wyatt and with Oscar and with and with Randy Orton. To me that's just sort of preordained that we're gonna see her when this when this rumble because I just look at these things and I don't know who besides her or Bianca Bel Air or Charlotte again. Oh, yes. Or no, I don't think it's going to be Charlotte. I do think Becky Lynch is coming back during this match. I do.

Unknown: 13:53

I do think she's out though.

Michael Marcangelo: 13:54

She'd be too much of a child. That's tough.

Craig D'Alessandro: 13:58

I've seen tougher situations. Let's not put it out of the realm of possibility though if she's been working out this entire time. I don't understand the anatomy of a woman sometime. But I'm sure that the way she's been preparing she'd be right I'm sure she'd be ready to go if they really wanted to. And you know, they'll have you know instead of the man she'll be the mom gimmick that's all ready to go the T shirts are already printed but to me it's Alexa Bliss that's who that's who I like it out it's not gonna be what are they gonna do put Ruby right in versus

Michael Marcangelo: 14:25

Oh, hold on. Before you go and start shitting on Ruby right I love her so don't

Craig D'Alessandro: 14:29

I love her too but she's not a main event.

Michael Marcangelo: 14:31

I guess this is the event that can catapult someone that is not Amanda letter to MIT event. Right? So two things that you said that that I loved. If Becky Lynch shows up, amen. I you know Sasha love you mean it but like if Becky comes back on picking her to what I want her to win it. I think she's the best thing to ever happen to the women's division. I also I don't have the odds in front of me. But we have our odds man, Bobby on on point here. What I will say. I think you could see Rhonda, I think if it was ever a time to bring her back, now's the time especially because there's no fans in attendance. They can't biewer when they're not supposed to biewer right. And this will go under so much more attention. So I would love if Ron just showed up. I don't know if it's gonna happen at the fandom. He says that'd be awesome. But based on what I can see who the participants are, I'm looking I mean, I'm looking for Bianca Bella. Bobby quickly gave me the odds of Bianca Delaware winning the Royal Rumble. Plus 175. Don't hate it.

Rob Kelly: 15:31

She's a favorite. She's a favorite. Yeah. Bianca BelAir is the favorite. Alexa Bliss is two plus 333. Charlotte flair is four plus 600. Yeah. So the Ronda Rousey thing is a Ronda Rousey Ronda Rousey. Guess we're tight. We have a nickname for her. Now

Michael Marcangelo: 15:47

rowdy Ronda Rousey. You're there.

Rob Kelly: 15:50

All right, yeah, just combined him. So she is right now 12345 she's seventh right now at plus 1600. So what that tells me is, Vegas isn't going to put out an odd at giving someone the seven favorite a plus 1600. Unless there's something telling them that Rhonda has a pretty good chance of showing up in this fight. You know what I mean? Let's I don't know, wrestling that well. But I know Vegas pretty well. And I can tell you that plus 1600 is something that they're like, Listen, she might not win it. But there's a really good chance and it's worth putting money down. Plus 1600 is a bait bet you know what I mean? That's like, which is you can put down 10 bucks and win 100 and win some money off it

Michael Marcangelo: 16:31

which in wrestling is tough, because everyone sees those odds, right? And it's predetermined. If you have if you didn't know that before you listen to this episode. I'm sorry. But yes, it is pre determined. That would be like putting

Rob Kelly: 16:41

Damn it,

Michael Marcangelo: 16:42

that would be like putting a plus 1600 bet on Khaleesi die in the final episode of Game of Thrones, right? producers knew that it happened. So they could cash in on that. So that's always the interesting part of bats in wrestling. For me, I do want to transition because I know that the bulk of this show is going to be dedicated to the past moments. But there's one guy that Bobby has always been a fan of one person that that always garnered his attention for professional wrestling. He was the man in a company that that went out of business in 2001. That was the number one wrestling company for a very long time. WCW had a streak of 173 wins and zero losses. And now in 2021 bill Goldberg is challenging for the WWE Championship. That's the only title he's never held in pro wrestling in the two major in the two major and the two major companies. What I will tell you is that every time since he's come back in 2000, in 2016, he has beaten every champion that he is faced in that match. Drew McIntyre is on fire right now. He is he's reinvented himself since last year's Royal Rumble, when he eliminated Brock Lesnar, the entire place went nuts. It was actually a bigger reaction than he got for winning it. So now he's in this weird position where he has to go against bill Goldberg, who was you know, long passes prime, but still has all of the notoriety and will garner some attention. So what should they do in this match, Craig? And what will they do?

Craig D'Alessandro: 18:19

I I think the two are one the same right there. And I think it's, you know, I've been reading online about what's probably going to happen in this match. And what's going to happen in the Royal Rumble. I know I'm going to contradict myself when I say this. But the my understanding is the way it's probably going to go is that bill Goldberg will lose in the Drew McIntyre Goldberg match will probably the first match on the card, and Goldberg will allegedly lose that match, and then come in into the Royal Rumble and end up winning the match. And I can see by looking on your face, that's not the way it should go at all the way it should go. And the way I think it will go is the way it always goes with Bill Goldberg, they build it up for weeks, then I'm going to be the guy that ends up beating bill Goldberg, I'm not going to lose to 30 seconds of Bill Goldberg and ends I ends up losing in 30 seconds to Bill Goldberg. And that's probably what I think is gonna happen and Drew McIntyre might come out and win it. That's the way that they're doing it. That's the way that I'm hearing. They're gonna do it right now. I hope it's not the way they do it. But I do think that when the Royal Rumble is over, Bill Goldberg walks out of there that World Heavyweight Championship.

Michael Marcangelo: 19:24

Okay, so a couple of things that we should just unpack there. Bill Goldberg should be a face right, a baby face a good guy got it, everybody. Cheers. Drew McIntyre is also a baby face. So on paper this match doesn't make any sense. It doesn't make any sense to have your young baby face champion, who beat Brock Lesnar in less than five minutes at WrestleMania. Lose to a 50 plus year old bill Goldberg. So Bobby, who's next?

Rob Kelly: 19:57

Go back now I listen. I love golberg man and so I was trying to explain the security of why I think over it gets to me. A guy in wrestling that will never because he doesn't have any gimmicks. He's never that guy. Listen, Goldberg's just a beast. He's gonna come out and beat the shit out of you because he can look at his moves. You know what I mean? His number one move is a spear and a jackhammer. All right, you know, he, he literally his number one moves. I'm just gonna tackle the fucking shit out of you. That's why to me, I have asked why I always gravitated toward Goldberg because it was just like, there is no gimmick there is nothing It was just I'm here, I'm gonna whup your ass. And that's just gonna happen because that's what I can do. I also kind of agree with Craig with the way he thinks that it's gonna go and what he's been reading. I see Goldberg in this WrestleMania is not in the WrestleMania in the Royal Rumble, I just think that's the way that they're setting it up. And that's the way it looks like it's gonna go is that govers gonna lose the McIntyre and he's coming into that Royal Rumble. And just because of the reaction they got out of it a few years. WWE is not dumb. So they see that and that's what they want. They want that reaction. They know people will react to it on Twitter seeing golberg come in from the Royal Rumble seeing them come in and seeing them you know, they they love that shit. So that's what I think is gonna happen. I'm with you crack.

Unknown: 21:13

So what should happen is Drew McIntyre, who is the young girl champion of this sport of this company, should triumphantly beat Goldberg and they should shake hands after the matches the passing of the torch. What I fear will happen.

Rob Kelly: 21:31

So like a Tom Brady, Pat mahomes. Like,

Michael Marcangelo: 21:34

yeah, stay tuned for the live show what I do. What I fear will happen is Goldberg is going to win. And he shouldn't win. Like I love you. I mean it like I think his runs from 2016 through now, far outweigh his one year run from 2003 to 2004. WWE, he's been treated the right way. They've been trying to treat him as like the new Babe Ruth, right. Like what they wanted to treat Bret Hart back in the day, they bring him in a couple times a year as a fan favorite, to always come out on top and do the right thing. That's good when you're having him face heels. McIntyre is not a heel, he does not need to lose to a 50 plus year old Goldberg, in fact, some might say and I will say that it will hurt his cause to lose. That being said, I think he's going to lose. I'm already mad. You can already envision me throwing a beer at the television while watching this because I know what's going to happen. Anything else want to talk about in terms of this match? I know that Bobby is just gonna get a little jackhammer and his pants are over the fact that gold

Rob Kelly: 22:38

jacket. It's just unbelievable to me. It really is like, Listen, I remember watching Goldberg when he won 12 matches and win somehow 106 and oh, you know, like To me it was just like to see him come back into Royal Rumble a few years ago. Like, honestly, that was what brought me back into watching Wrestling videos. Again, I saw Goldberg come back and I started watching the YouTube videos again of these rumbles and I started watching things again, because I was like, holy shit. Goldberg still here. So it was just,

Michael Marcangelo: 23:08

I love go over and like Bobby, I'm so glad that there is something that happened recently that brought you back into wrestling. I'm just like, you are the person that they're going after with moves like this, which upsets people like Craig and I who watch unfortunately, every single week, and you know, we can just kind of tell what I will say is if they do this match, I hope that they do at first I hope this opens the show, because that I have a feeling that this match if there were fans in the in attendance, this would be the match it leaves a sour taste in your mouth. So you want to have the entire car, the entire car left to rectify that. The next which being a match on this car that I think is gonna steal the show is gonna be the last man standing match between Kevin Owens and Roman Reigns. Uh, for those of you that are new to the show, new to professional wrestling are just starting to watch it. Roman Reigns is the cousin of Dwayne The Rock Johnson. He is part of the best I would say one of the best wrestling families and all professional wrestling the annoy family and he is the I think the the nephew of Yokozuna from back in the day rikishi, the russos. But up until this year, he was a guy that was always pushed to the top as the next babyface were supposed to like him. He took about six months off between April and August because he last year just overcame leukemia again. He had to leave and he's not what to put himself in a position to be around COVID-19 to get sick. He comes back as this badass heel. And he has the best speaker in the history of professional wrestling in his corner. Paul Heyman who's you just hate you love to hate them. So now this guy, man,

Rob Kelly: 24:55

I love him.

Michael Marcangelo: 24:56

Now this guy's just firing on all cylinders. And Kevin Owens has been a guy that you know, emerged onto the WWE scene back in 2015 when he when he was the NFC champion and he beat john cena at the Elimination Chamber and he is never ever no matter what happens, he'll never fall from the good graces of the fans. He could be a he'll give you a babyface people will pay to see him get his ass kicked or pay to see him get to kick some ass. So in this match, I want with all of my being for Kevin Owens to win but I also Don't want to see Roman Reigns loose. So what I think's gonna happen, I think that there's going to be some outside interference, which causes Kevin Owens to stay down for the count of 10, which results in Roman Reigns winning. It's the only way that you can protect both people. So I'm predicting a win here by Roman Reigns. Craig, what do you say that and what do you hope happens?

Craig D'Alessandro: 25:44

Getting back quickly to your thing with Paul Heyman? I think they gave him Paul Heyman when he was first coming back because Roman Reigns as a face wasn't the greatest talker. He could do promos. He could talk all right, but he definitely wasn't he definitely couldn't

Rob Kelly: 26:02

sell charismatic like It Wasn't

Craig D'Alessandro: 26:04

that you know, as a face he wasn't that charismatic. That's why they put Paul Heyman with Brock Lesnar backs for the past 16 years. Yes. You know, all the way back when he first debuted in 2004. They put Paul Heyman on because Brock Lesnar can't work can't talk over the dog. He tried that. I don't know. When he first came back in 2011, which was john Lauren john Laurinaitis, trying to get his ice cream bars or something maybe that was CM Punk. It wasn't it was just a disaster. And they immediately put Paul Heyman back with him. And he that's the reason why because Brock Lesnar can't talk he can just destroy people and he's very good at that. And that's how they made millions of dollars off him with with Roman Reigns. They've as a heel, he's given some of the best promos I've heard in years on this product, and head of the table, all that stuff. He's just been phenomenal work on him. And I'm sorry I love Kevin Owens just like you do you He is the hottest product in WWE right now. And you I'm sorry, you cannot just I would love I love Kevin Owens is WWE Champion. I think one of the most entertaining angles in the history of wrestling in the last 10 years has been with him and Chris Jericho, the list of jeric all that stuff, you know 567 years ago at this point, but it doesn't work in this particular time. Now, that storyline is just white hot, it has to be protected has to eventually lead. I don't even want Roman Reigns to lose to title at WrestleMania this year. I bet he's going to be Kevin Owens again, I don't know. I guess that's the only guy that could throw it in besides schinsky Nakamura but I don't think Roman Reigns loses that title until next year's WrestleMania. Not this year.

Michael Marcangelo: 27:42

Yeah, I mean, for me it just one thing I wanted to just talk about a little bit what you just mentioned, you know, Brock Lesnar not doing a good promo. That's true and not true. He's not a good promo when he's scripted. Right? If you've ever watched UFC after he beat Frank Mir the second time when he was walking around the cage saying who's the effing man? I'm gonna go home. I'm gonna climb on top of my wife. I'm gonna have a couple of bud lights like that. That's a great push like Woody

Rob Kelly: 28:10

when he's Brock Lesnar himself Brock Lesnar himself He is good to go, but

Unknown: 28:16

but when he's handed them you put them on a PG product and then he can't when he's handed a piece of paper written by a 70 something year old man and says I have fought much a foe like Who the hell wants to you don't want to hear that. So

Rob Kelly: 28:26

but before you saw with with Roman Reigns, I feel like I remember when WWE was trying to shove him down everyone's throat as that baby face for years and years. They made him remember you. I remember we were roommates at the time when they made him number 30 in that Royal Rumble, and people lost their fucking mind. They were so pissed because everyone was like, fucking Roman Reigns every year is the same bullshit. And I remember

Craig D'Alessandro: 28:56

deterrence policy for that by having the rock come out and help them there and people like they want to they want the rock we'll get them over and then they boot the rock.

Rob Kelly: 29:02

Right? Exactly. So like it I feel like they just wanted him to be that but like the entire time It feels like everyone knew Roman Reigns. He'll he's a heel. That's just what he is. And like, you can't take a heel and make them a babyface it just doesn't work that way you can be a heel and be routed for all the rock back in the day. But you can't take a healer and make them a fucking babyface you can't do

Craig D'Alessandro: 29:26

what they're doing what they're doing with Roman Reigns now is I feel like correcting the mistake they made of john cena for so many. Yes. They never. They protected john to so much but they were projecting their merchandising. Yeah, they're projecting their his good guy Hulk Hogan image. And you know, this is true. The top guy usually is a face in just untestable i don't think i don't think Hulk Hogan was ever a heel and you know, WWF time tried. They brought him back as a heel in 2002. And then the skydome cheered him against the rock.

Rob Kelly: 29:58

Cuz it's just like, it's Hulk Hogan, you can't you just you can't criss cross, you know, he can't do it.

Craig D'Alessandro: 30:03

So I think that was a calculated risk on Vince McMahon's part that has obviously worked tremendously.

Michael Marcangelo: 30:09

Yeah, I think you know, they should have done it sooner. But a lot of times they don't do it at all. So the fact that they did it this time. I think it's perfect. I also think he's been done such a disservice by the fact that there are no fans in the stands because if there were people in stands, I'm telling you, he would feed off the crowd. Now the one thing I will say about him is that he's, he's not a good promo in the current context of reading a script, but he has the instincts to play the audience. He knows when they're with him when they're against him. So all he would need to do three years ago was when he was out there saying like, it's my yard now after he beat taker and they booed him and he just leaves Look at him for 16 minutes. You're gonna you're in the ring for 16 minutes, you're gonna you're gonna just got boo, you're gonna boo me that was the greatest Hill promo in the last 10 years. And all he said was it's my yard now. And the place went nuts. So I'm all for Roman Reigns. I'm on the Roman Reigns bandwagon. There's one more match that is on this card. It's the women's Tag Team Championship match. I wish that it was not this forgotten or throw a match. But it is because they've done such a terrible job of building up the division in terms of tag team wrestling. It's Oscar and Charlotte versus named Jackson Shana. I fully expect aska and Charlotte to win. I hope that they win. And I think we can just move forward. Do you care about this match? Unfortunately, the woman sacd match.

Craig D'Alessandro: 31:31

I should. I don't, right. I don't think that they know what they're doing with it. They put the two, you know, top performers on one team. I don't think they know if they've been doing the title since I brought him in. I know they brought him in two or three wrestlemanias ago in the ikonics want him there was gonna be a big huge thing. And they just haven't known what they've been able to do with them. Yeah, they just because even the teams that even the teams they have right now even the teams they have right now on the women's tag team that are real teams aren't real team. There's aren't really good many rows and Dana Brooke, they broke up the iconic one of the best tag teams. in WWE. It's the riot squad. That's Oscar and Charlotte flair. The Riot squad which is a whole thing, which I can talk about at some other point in some other show. The attacking vision for women should be good, but it's just not.

Rob Kelly: 32:17

They don't do what they used to do. I feel like with the tag teams and stuff like that, like used to be like entire legions and like like it wasn't ever just like, oh, we're gonna put these two guys together. I think that'd be a good tag team. It was like, you know, like, I don't it was like the the Attitude Era dx. And like, there was actual like, teams were smoking guns, right? These guys are your fucking squad. And like, it doesn't matter what two guys we put together from those teams. That's, you know what I mean? That was your guys until you get to the rumble that it was always every man for himself.

Michael Marcangelo: 32:48

But right. And Bobby, now we're gonna get to the point of the show. Like, where's the reason why, you know, we brought you back, you asked to come on. You've been telling us for months at the Royal Rumble is your shit. It's your jam. It's what you know, it's what you want to talk about. So now I want to take a step back and just talk about some of the things that made us all wrestling fans in the first place back in the 90s in the 2000s. I'm still wrestling fan crysler wrestling fan. Bobby fights it sometimes but I was roommates with him for three years whenever there was a wrestling show and he was right next to me watching so for you. Top saves in the Royal Rumble, right. The first one that we have here. It's in there twice. I'm gonna I'm just gonna read it off. So saves his meeting. We're gonna define this for our listeners as you thought they were eliminated. But they weren't that maybe they did something that was outside of the box at that time they keep themselves in number one on the list that we have is 1995. Shawn Michaels, he entered that that Royal Rumble at number one. Davey Boy Smith, the British Bulldog was number two, they fought all their way to be the last two entrance. And what appeared to be the ending of this matches when was when the British Bulldog clothes on him over the top rope. And he skimmed the cat. Only one foot touch the floor. They played the British Bulldogs music. He got on the top rope and celebrated and out of nowhere. That little bastard Shawn Michaels HBK came up behind him tossed him over and he went on to win the Royal Rumble for me. I'm a Shawn Michaels guy. I'm HP life. Although I'm wearing the Hitman Hart t shirt, I've HBK for life. This for me was one of the greatest when first time was one of the most innovative saves that they've ever done.

Rob Kelly: 34:37

Yeah, and the thing I love most about it is when I was rewatching This is they, you know, they were kind of ahead of their time with the angles that they had on this, you know, like, seeing you they have one angle where like they're like, Oh, dude, he touched What happened? We don't know. And like it was kind of like a two minute where like you didn't know who actually won. They were confused. And also they have this camera angle where they show Shawn Michaels and you see the one foot touch. There's two refs there and you see them both just like nope, no, he didn't touch in the Bulldog music's plan. Yeah, that was such a good rumble man. And the best part about it was like seeing Bulldog and Michael's there's multiple times throughout that match, like knowing what the ending was walking in again. They knew that was the end Obviously Yeah, from moment one, and like to see how they played that out how like it was always those two it was always we were Lex Luger was in there a few times retired, right when there's a couple other guys you're like, oh, he might take it. But it was always baldachin Michaels and that rumble and the ending was just so awesome. I couldn't believe I really think it's

Michael Marcangelo: 35:43

one of the last arts or it's for me, it's one of the reasons why I still watch professional wrestling is it's for that one moment, on any show that can happen in any given time where they make you forget that it's staged and they make and they suck you into rooting for somebody, right? It's why we all watch our favorite TV shows, because it just suspends reality for a second and that, you know, I was seven. I was a huge Shawn Michaels fan. So when I saw that I went nuts. I remember jumping on my couch. Craig, you're watching Wrestling at this point in time, right? I didn't start watching Wrestling till about 98 Okay, have you seen this rumble before? Of course, just looking back at it because Bobby's right web was a little bit ahead of the time like with instant replay, they actually overuse instant replay in this instance, which gave us you know, I it's not unfair to say that this moment gave us all the other great saves that have come.

Craig D'Alessandro: 36:39

Yeah, I would say that coming into this world rumble a lot of these were kind of just you know, I don't remember a lot of these, you know, great finishes before the 1999 for the 1995 Royal Rumble, but this is the first one but they're like, I don't know who really won the one hit foot hit or the other but this is the start of a really, in my mind overused but still good when you can use a trend of like false finishes and WWE in that in royal rumbles prime for that kind of finish. And they haven't done it for a while. But that was this one and not 295 HBK was the start of that. And you know, that's deservedly what it's remembered for.

Michael Marcangelo: 37:17

I think also if we're going to talk about saves in the Royal Rumble match. I mean, Kofi Kingston should have his own segment. I mean, this guy, you just can't eliminate them the first time whether it's throwing him over the top rope and then the knees pushing his legs so that his feet so that his hands are walking on the stand. Yeah, he's doing a walking hands and a hand walk and then he gets himself over to the steps comes back in the ring. The whole crowd goes nuts. If it's he's he lands on other people lands on the table jumps on the chair, hopscotches the chair to the barrier. Joe that was my favorite one

Rob Kelly: 37:53

for sure. When he goes over and borrows the chair from the baby. Oh, yeah, as a pogo stick all the way back to the ring. Yeah, so good.

Michael Marcangelo: 38:00

And then he jumps from the barricade to the ring, which is a seven foot jump. That's pretty that's pretty tough for anybody. And then I you know, there's a there was also when he landed on big us shoulders. So Kofi Kingston for me, I think, you know, I was at the 2011 Royal Rumble in Boston. And he was doing some crazy shit, then he's still doing crazy shit now, which is 10 years later. I think that guy, you can bet that he's gonna do something fun if he's in the rumble. But fortunately, he's not this year. That's the problem. So we think, yeah, I

Rob Kelly: 38:30

was just gonna say that his name is on the His names on the osla. So it's not out of the question. But with Kofi the funniest thing with him is like he always has these miraculous saves. Almost every time. He's knocked out within a minute. Unbelievable. Save, and then he's just gone. is like, has he won one? COVID has a one one, right?

Michael Marcangelo: 38:51

That was not that.

Rob Kelly: 38:53

That was that was the thing I kept seeing was like, you know, they were some of the pages were dated. But it was like, Kofi has all the saves every single one. He has these great saves, but he's still never fucking won one. And it's just funny cuz he's like, he's a storyline every year of like, what is cofee gonna do this year, and not when

Craig D'Alessandro: 39:12

I would also in this little thing of coffee. I would also like not john Morrison who I know we're gonna get to but I would also like Naomi in there, but she's had some of those things.

Michael Marcangelo: 39:20

Yeah. Oh, for sure. I think the next one for me. It kind of came about it right after the Shama was 195. It was 1997, San Antonio, Texas or rumble. Bret Hart, I believe eliminated Stone Cold Steve Austin, but the referees didn't see it. So then he goes out and then he pulls bread over he eliminates bread and stone cold goes under when his first of three royal rumbles. I think for me, that's when Stone Cold was in top heel form, but they'd never done it in a situation in the web where someone was actually eliminated. Everyone saw it, but the rest didn't. And they let him stand.

Rob Kelly: 39:53

Yeah, it was the perfect first person to do that. I feel like he's the personification of what we were just talking about. It's like he's the best he'll ever write. He's up there. Because like, I've never routed so hard for someone that they wanted you to hate. Like, it's just everything they did made you want to hate someone called. And it actually got to a point where they turned his heel into like a baby face, but they turned him into like,

Michael Marcangelo: 40:19

an antihero.

Rob Kelly: 40:20

an antihero, right. Exactly like against the man type here. Yeah. We had no that one was awesome. I loved that. And yeah, that was like the intro to the Attitude Era to where it was. He was above they all those wrestlers lived above the rules. They were above like, everything that was happening around them. That was Yeah, that was a good look. I love that one.

Unknown: 40:41

Bobby, you have you came guns blazing on this topic. So what are some of your other top saves of all time?

Rob Kelly: 40:47

So I love the ray Mysterio verse edge one where it literally looks like Ray Mysterio was gone. And he grabs edge. I think he grabbed him by the hair almost, and just rips him out of that ring. And Ray Mysterio is Ray Mysterio is also one of my favorite wrestlers ever. I love him Sara. Yep, the other one. The Rock grabbing the ropes and eliminating the big show to win the

Michael Marcangelo: 41:10

2000 2000 Royal

Rob Kelly: 41:12

Rumble. That's one of the best finishes that we're ever going to see. That was another one of those where it was like, Oh, the big shows about you when it's over. He was dominating everyone, I'm pretty sure a big show. I mean, there's like eight people in two minutes in that row rumble. And the rock grabs them and just eliminates them and the rock wins. That was when the rock was at his top heel moments too.

Craig D'Alessandro: 41:34

And that and they were building the big show at that time. It's just you know, we as he always should have been, unfortunately was this giant, unstoppable monster who was one of the best athletes that have ever seen for his size, you know, jumping over the top rope, not just stepping over it and doing it so fast when he did it like 20 you know, 20 plus years ago at this point. Yeah. Then people were just like, how are you going to get the big shot of the rink? He's seven foot tall 350 400 pounds. You can't get rid of them. And like the rock out about the only way you could with his own momentum?

Michael Marcangelo: 42:02

Yep, exactly. That was an MSG that was I remember 2000 which set up the Forman Main Event WrestleMania 2000 which was the big show versus the rock versus Triple H versus Mick Foley. And so I think this is one of the things that I love most about about the Royal Rumble is that it just sets you on such a good course but what are some of the other best finishes or best saves there There we go.

Rob Kelly: 42:24

So there's one other one that stuck out to me and that's the john Morrison one because he played fucking Spider Man where he gets eliminated and literally jumps over to the side and just like grapples on to the I couldn't believe it and he walks along the the barrier where the fans are one thing that stood out to me it was like how funny would it have been if john if one of the fans was just sitting there and they were just like you know what john Morrison? Fuck you and then it just pushed off the barrier just eliminated they're like I'm sorry bro.

Michael Marcangelo: 42:53

That always comes through my mind too is like you know, they plan these great saves right? What if it goes wrong? What happens if it if john Morrison is not able to use his power core skills and scale the barricade and both feet touch that's why I think they do these kinds of that's why I think they do these kinds of finishes with guys who aren't the favorites. You know, you know back? JOHN Morrison like great, yeah, super great athletes, charisma, maybe World Heavyweight Champion one day, but they're not going to win that rumble so they feel like they can take the rest of them doing those spots and you know, Jeff Hardy, they can take the rescue if they fuck up the spots, you know, up there eliminated too bad. Right? I think that's 100% true. So now I think we should move on to what I what I think is you know, saves a great endings to rumbles are what makes it right. And I think for me, there are so many Bobby I know you have so many crago you have so many too. I want to start as far back as 1992 it was the Royal Rumble in which Ric Flair who came over in August or September of 1971 from from World Championship Wrestling, was walking around with their belt was calling himself the real world champion. He was in this word rumble. It was I believe it was him Sid Vicious or suggested whatever it was called at that time and Hulk Hogan at the end. And there was this there was this ending where Hogan was out and he pulled sit over the top rope for

Rob Kelly: 44:19

precedent setting Hogan was supposed to have like an alliance. Yep. And then Sid tossed Hogan over.

Michael Marcangelo: 44:26

Yep. Yep. Which leads us to Ric Flair winning and a promo that he cut which will live on in wrestling into me which is actually just pretty much regurgitated in the last UFC pay per view was that you know, this is the greatest moment of my life I think I believe Michael Chandler cut that promo but Ric Flair with a tear in my eye. I can tell you that this is the greatest moment in my life. Ric Flair for me I think if there's no Ric Flair, there's no Shawn Michaels there's no Triple H. This Royal Rumble was stacked with talent from top to bottom Macho Man Randy Savage. You had you had the nature boy Ric Flair you had Andre the Giant was still in this one I believe. I think actually, I think his last one was 1990 but this count the talent British Bulldog within it. Yeah. The Bulldog. Big Bossman Yep. Everybody's BK.

Rob Kelly: 45:15

I'm pretty sure HBK was already in that point. Oh,

Unknown: 45:17

yeah, for sure. So for you, Bobby, seeing as you've gone back and you've watched all this, what were your thoughts watching the 1992 Royal Rumble ending with flair. Hogan said,

Rob Kelly: 45:26

Oh, I loved it. It's funny. You bring that one up. That's the one I remember. I sent you a picture of that the other day and you're like, Ah, that's it too. Yeah. Yeah. Albany New York. Yeah. Which is hilarious. So I love this one because like you said it brought I don't want to be too punny here. But it brought the flair to wrestling if you will. You know what I mean? It really did bring it to a different level of personality like you had Hulk Hogan you had these guys but Ric Flair was different man. He had a different like, he walked in a room and you're like, Oh shit, this fucking guy. And you're right, you don't see HBK you don't see these guys who have that, that draw to them without Ric Flair. So this is one of my favorites, especially seeing him take down Hogan when he did because Hogan was at his height and Hogan was fucking unstoppable man. I remember watching the one. I don't know if it was a WrestleMania or Royal Rumble where he beat Yokozuna and Yokozuna was fuckin unstoppable WrestleMania. Yeah, so it was just like, Hulk Hogan was such a God of wrestling at this time and to have Ric Flair come in one year out of I don't even want to name register universal wrestling or world World Championship. Okay, World Championship Wrestling. Funny enough and take down Hogan like that is so good. And especially the way it happened to see Hogan turn on his guy to kind of start his own demise and let Ric Flair take that top spot was just a perfect I love it.

Michael Marcangelo: 46:56

By the way that the reason that happened was because Hogan did not want to lose to Ric Flair at WrestleMania the main event of that WrestleMania that year in I believe it was it was in the Hoosier dome so Indianapolis, Indiana, it was supposed to be Ric Flair versus Hulk Hogan, which was a dream match in the early 90s. It never been done. Hogan refuse to lose to him. So what they had to do was do a double main event. It was said justice versus Hulk Hogan and the Macho Man Randy Savage versus Ric Flair. So that should never have happened. It should have been a clean elimination to crown because this one rumble The winner of this webinar, there was a new WWE Champion WWF Champion at the time, which is why Ric Flair one moving on to 94. I think for me, it just showcased Now, if you look back at it, Vince didn't know who's gonna go with right. He wanted Lex Luger to be the guy he wanted, like so good to be the new Hulk Hogan, but he had this other guy, Bret the Hitman Hart dks favorite, who was just the standard bearer for the WWE at this time, who was the guy that he could always count on to have great matches to put people in the seats. So the 94 rumble Luger, and Bret Hart's feat bolt touch at the same time, which set up a tournament at WrestleMania. So Craig, looking back at it, what do you think of this ending? I remember this one, I still don't know how they pulled this one off, because you had to do such such precise timing to get that kind of finished to happen. Because you know, and they've done this kind of BS finish in the past and they're like these guys touch feet touch at the same time. But they actually pulled that off to script it like that to have both feet hit at the same time. live there. These weren't pre taped, this is live. Just I don't know how they did it. And I didn't know the backstory that you just explained to me. But not only know that finish makes complete sense. Yeah.

Rob Kelly: 48:47

And it's because like that again ahead of their time there and then be able to pull that off is another level. And it really did too, because I watched this one live to like, they really did fucking pull this off. They really hit the ground at the same fucking time. It's unbelievable. It really is.

Michael Marcangelo: 49:02

Like if it wasn't at the exact same moment, it was close enough that you just couldn't tell right

Rob Kelly: 49:07

and photo finish at least Yeah,

Michael Marcangelo: 49:10

it was definitely a photo finish. I think if you want to keep going. There are a couple other ones. We've already talked about Shawn Michaels. So that 1995 rumble where he ended and number one, want it 96 his comeback he went it again The first time I believe at this point that there was a back to back winner up until 9798 and Stone Cold Steve Austin. And then we have I think one of the most underrated and overlooked performances was when Vince Vincent Kennedy McMahon in 1999 when the Royal Rumble if you remember that match. First of all, he put a $100,000 bounty on whoever women Stone Cold from it right? And they were number one and number two and they fought all around that arena. I mean, they brought in the bathroom.

Rob Kelly: 50:01

If you watch it again, it's so ridiculous the entire thing because they really like all of a sudden you're watching it and it's like stone called Vince McMahon are fighting in the crowd. You know what I mean? Like one minutes are in the ring, and the next minute they're beating the shit out of each other in the crowd. And it's so cold in the hospital, really put the foot

Michael Marcangelo: 50:21

and then he comes back but before the end of that I mean had all of it and I think that was Vince at his I don't want to say that he used steroids, but that was him at his steroid peak. Like if

Rob Kelly: 50:32

he was doing real bro. He walked out of the tunnel and he was a new man. He went from being like, a normal looking dude to walk in out of that tunnel with no shirt on you're like, what it was like golberg

Craig D'Alessandro: 50:46

like, I remember the build up to that to where it was Shane McMahon like training, man and it was like a rock. It was like a rocky montage. It

Unknown: 50:53

was so good. It

Craig D'Alessandro: 50:53

was like, Look what I've created. Look at the monster I've created with Vince McMahon. And meantime, I

Rob Kelly: 50:58

looked up I was like, wires guy.

Craig D'Alessandro: 51:00

Yeah, in the meantime, I was like, 12 years old. I didn't realize he's been doing steroids work and I was entire life. So I was like, How the hell did he do that? Meanwhile, he's 50 at that point in time looking like a Greek god. But you're right, Craig, those montage is going up to it when he's punching the like the hanging cow. My favorite one is when Shane had him chase the chickens. It's one of the one of the funniest things you ever got to see. Like one wrestling wants to be good. They can be good. And having having Vince yelling that chickens dammit and chasing them was one of the funniest things that you're ever gonna see. Just doing leg curls going. I hate often. I mean, I

Unknown: 51:36

hate Austin. So

Michael Marcangelo: 51:37

good. There are a couple other things that happened. I think you know, obviously we talked about the 2000 word rumble where the rock eliminated the big show we have 2001 Royal Rumble where Stone Cold Steve Austin becomes the only three time winner of that match. 2002 I got this straight off the press straight from Hollywood. Mr. walay himself told me that the 2002 Royal Rumble lovey rayshawn with Triple H returning from the quad injury and winning that match. That match also had a couple of great elements. It was Triple H vs. Austin for the majority of the end of that match. Right? That was awesome. You had a couple of surprises like Mr. Perfect coming back for the first time. And I believe it was like seven or eight years at that time. But I think Triple H overcoming the odds 2003 you know, Brock wins. oh four though. You have it here, Bobby, the man that can never be mentioned again on WWE television. Because of the things that occurred after his Professional wrestling career. Crispin was start starts out number one, and defies all the odds by winning. So go ahead and tell us why this is on your list, Bobby.

Rob Kelly: 52:42

Yeah, no, I loved this royal rumble. I watched it again. It took me a long time to find it. Let me tell you that it took me a while to find it. And I couldn't watch it as like a YouTube video. I had to watch it as like, you're watching his YouTube videos that are like squares in the YouTube video. You're like, wow, this is this took some digging. It's so good man. It really is reminiscent of that 95 one where he's almost eliminated like 14 times. And he's just that guy where like, you can't get them out. And he's just so unstoppable. This entire match. I always like Crispin wall when he was in WCW before, when he came over to WWE, I was always a better MMA fan. So I know that like he's like, taboo in the WWE World now. But like for them to toss this out to the rug man is so good. It was such a good Royal Rumble and such a good performance to like just from beginning to end. It was so good.

Michael Marcangelo: 53:35

I understand that man probably went through a lot suffered a lot of traumatic brain injuries, right? But if you don't want to be deleted from the annals of WWE history, here's just a little family. Don't kill your family. Like I mean it. I don't mean it to be funny. Just don't do it, please, because his wrestling was better than most. I'd say like him winning the O for rumble. And going on to WrestleMania that year, which we are gonna have WrestleMania special you can book that. That triple threat, which you cannot find Also, you can watch on the WB network, but it just says Shawn Michaels versus Triple H but neither of them win. Right? And it's one of

Craig D'Alessandro: 54:12

my favorite thing about that WrestleMania is that picture became a meme in itself. It was just you know, it was the you know, the advantage of Shawn Michaels versus Triple H versus Chris Benoit then they changed it to Shawn Michaels versus Triple H like, hey, look over here at Shawn Michaels was the Triple H vs. Don't worry about it. Don't worry about it. Don't worry about it, right.

Michael Marcangelo: 54:30

Yeah, like he's so the winner of that match one of the rumble that can ever be mentioned again, but it was a phenomenal rumble. I think now 2005. They remade that 94 rumble when they had Battista and Sina both get eliminated the exact same time 2005 seen Battista versus Johnson It was a breath of fresh air, it's hard to believe because for the next five years, those people will be shoved down your throats. But it was a great ending 2006 Bobby and also rayshawn who could not be with us, Ray Mysterio I think a little bit of a backstory for this one is that in October, November of 2005, Eddie Guerrero passed away very unexpectedly. He by far was one of the most underrated talents ever. He could get he had the entire crowd in the palm of his hands whenever he wanted to. He was that good. Him and Ray were obviously best friends. So the story going into that match was I'm gonna win it for Eddie and when he won it, I couldn't believe it either. I mean, I honestly, I thought it was gonna happen. I knew it should happen. But when it did happen, I was like, Thank God because that was that's the way it should have ended.

Rob Kelly: 55:34

Yeah. And that was the you know that was the narrative going into it is that it should happen and that's what always happens with WWE is like they don't ever do what should happen. And it was good for them to finally see like, okay, they did it and this was the way it should be because Mysterio had been a finalist a few times going up to that point. So for him to finally get over the top and also do it to your Eddie Guerrero passed away because you're right. Eddie Guerrero was amazing, man. Like I said, I was at WCW man when he was in WCW. He was one of my favorites. He was unbelievable. And when he passed away it was it was really sad. So to see Mr. come back and do that. Like I told you, that was one of the last rump bulls that I really watched and paid attention to. And it was a great rumble man. I love Ray Mysterio I always well, and he's Joey. He's same ways that he Guerrero he's so underrated and such a technically amazing wrestler. He was so fun.

Michael Marcangelo: 56:23

There is so there are so many moments that we can go through but we are under a time constraint. So I'm going to go ahead and just fast forward to my last and then I'm gonna use this category 2019 the women's wear rumble. We are in Phoenix Arizona. Number 30 is Ilana she could not make it her way down to the ring. So who comes out but the man Becky Lynch and when I tell you that this was a road warrior pop which means that it was a loud ovation for her when they let fit Finley say yep, you can go in the whole place went nuts and when she won that rumble I when I was out of my mind I was jumping up and down again as a 31 year old man jumping up and down saying like it's about time because she was the right person. Craig I know that you were watching that one too.

Craig D'Alessandro: 57:11

Yeah, but I forgot why they didn't let her in the match

Michael Marcangelo: 57:14

because she had lost to oska at earlier in the show.

Craig D'Alessandro: 57:18

Oh so they so she just wasn't in the match and and what she full on it I know this is only two years ago but what she put on in her the man game again

Michael Marcangelo: 57:27

Yes.

Craig D'Alessandro: 57:28

Yeah, so yeah when they let her in that was pretty much Game Over at that point. I yeah, she was gonna wreck while in there obviously of mana coming in at 30 that was already preordained. But yeah. Becky Lynch when they let her do that Stone Cold Steve Austin gimmick hers? She fucking own that shit. It was so good. It was so good. But it'll be good when she comes back to because they're gonna do the exact same thing and it's gonna be awesome.

Michael Marcangelo: 57:50

Yeah, I mean, going up to that point, I believe it was November of 2018. She was the champion. She was going to face Ronda Rousey at Survivor Series but Naya Jax being the careless in ring worker that she is actually punched her punch Becky Lynch, for real in the face broker nose gave her a concussion. But Becky was bloody. And she kept fighting and then that that picture of her in the crowd with the blood dripping from her face, holding up her title. That was it for me. That's all I needed to see. I will buy whatever she's selling for as long as she sells it. I promise you. You're gonna have the mom t shirts. Yeah, whatever. She whatever they put out for him. What about biggest surprises? Because there are a lot of them. Bobby, you know, you're a big rumble guy. I think what we all incorrect for you to what we all love about the rumble is you know, you kind of know, but you never know who's gonna win. You just don't know who's gonna show up. Right? So 2001 the Royal Rumble. I believe that was your that Drew Carey showed up. He was on that one. I believe that was almost got chokeslam by Kane. I believe that was your that hockey talk was in there too. And that was you they can eliminate it I believe 11 participants 1313 and in two minutes, I think it was in there for 20 but it was the most eliminations up until Roman reigns in 2014.

Rob Kelly: 59:09

Isn't there one more Undertaker and Kane eliminated like eight people in a minute or something like that? Absolutely. Okay.

Michael Marcangelo: 59:17

Yeah. 2001 was an interesting time in wrestling January 2001. To be more specific as WCW was still around. They were not doing well. Their hardcore champion at the time, it was a wrestler named Mang he was their champion. He was on their television, and then in the Royal Rumble as their champion. hukou comes out. He's the same person. He signed a one night only contract. I remember, watch this going. So I watched Thunder this week, and he was on it. What's happening here is one it's one of the most it's one of the biggest surprises that I think that you can have one thing that's on this list that I know we can all talk about. Pete Rose, man, I mean, he showed up at the rumble three times and every time we did it was hysterical. Yeah, man. I love royal rebels, three tombstones.

Rob Kelly: 1:00:07

That's right. Yeah, amazing. Amazing. It can kick them out of baseball. I can't keep them out of wrestling.

Unknown: 1:00:13

That's true. Excellent.

Craig D'Alessandro: 1:00:16

I'm sorry, but I that's just the most hilarious thing Pete Rose just showing up doing whatever he's doing in Kane and Paul Beaer calm down and just tombstone him. It's just that was awesome. mania that was WrestleMania 14. He I don't know if he got he got tombstone in Boston, but he that was a running gag. Maybe it wasn't the rumble that he should have been. I know he was in one of them, but he should have been at WrestleMania from 1415 and 16. But I remember him being in Boston. I'm happy to be here. I dropped off some tickets for Bill Buckner, but he couldn't bend over to pick them up. How about it the whole crowd when what nuts when it's absolutely nuts? That's awesome. Mick Foley 2004. He's my favorite Mick Foley is one of the greatest I just think one of the greatest human beings in professional wrestling. He retired in 2000. He was in an on again off again a few with Randy ordinate this time and when his music hit, that entire place went nuts, and he eliminated Randy Orton which set up their match. Craig, I don't know if you prepped for this, but do you remember that that rumble and that reaction? I don't remember the Royal Rumble? I do remember this Toby's. I do remember that him and Randy Orton were in a big feud. This is still when they were in evolution enzyme. Triple H Ric Flair Battista, Randy Orton. And they were just you know, mashing Randy Orton was the start of his legend killer gimmick started off with Mick Foley and Randy Orton I think was having a pretty good Royal Rumble at this point here was Nick Foley came in he eliminated him that led to the tag team match I think the three on two tag team I think ended up being with the rockin sock connection versus evolution at WrestleMania That was awesome.

Michael Marcangelo: 1:01:49

It was awesome Nick Foley should also make this this list for what he did in 1998 when he showed up three times three dude love cactus cactus jack

Rob Kelly: 1:02:00

and mankind every single time we came out the announces like I feel like the most underrated part of wrestling a do you notice? They're so good, but like yeah, every single time he came out, they're like, wait, he kept the same guy. He can't do that. Like yes he can cuz it's not the same wrestler.

Michael Marcangelo: 1:02:21

I was so cactus jackets. Dude love

Rob Kelly: 1:02:23

Yeah, so good. Mankind. Mankind is one of my favorites ever soco? Yeah, I mean, he just

Unknown: 1:02:29

never understand. I'll never understand that gimmick. But I'll be forever thankful for it. Oh,

Rob Kelly: 1:02:32

so good. So good.

Michael Marcangelo: 1:02:33

I mean that that man put his body through absolute hell for just our benefit and Vincent's profits. So kudos to him. The one thing that you put in here at Bobby, which is surprising because this happened recently. And have you kind of fell off, which is again, I don't hold it against you wrestling used to garner 7 million viewers per week and Garner's like 1.8. So you're not maybe two if they're lucky. So john cena, terraces Peck in October of 2007. There were rumblings in MSG in 2008. And when Sina comes out, that place absolutely became unglued. Yeah, no

Rob Kelly: 1:03:08

see knows one of the guys that like listen, I haven't watched wrestling much but but teesta and Sina are the two that like whatever they were on TV. I was watching. It was one of those were like, I love Siena. I loved this entry, entrance music. I loved everything about him. And when he came back in this one, it was Battista and Siena, and it was like you know what I mean? Those were the rivals Those were the guys that were against each other. I'm pretty sure it came down to those two at the end of this too, right?

Michael Marcangelo: 1:03:31

Yeah, I think I think see no one this one it was Batista Orton,

Rob Kelly: 1:03:34

John Cena, if I remember correctly, it was the three of them. I don't know if I'm pretty sure it was. But yeah, that that's one of my favorites. Because when Siena comes out was a you know me, I love crowd reactions. And you're like, right, man, that place just lost their goddamn mind when he when that senior music comes on. And it's just it's over man,

Michael Marcangelo: 1:03:53

Madison Square Garden, those fans, those fans in the world. And 2008 they hated Siena. I mean, and when he came out, that place went absolutely nuts. So it just it's just a testament to the drawing power that he had. And he wasn't supposed to get back to the end.

Craig D'Alessandro: 1:04:09

He was supposed to be back in like another three months came back three months early.

Michael Marcangelo: 1:04:12

He came back three months early be there which is wild 2011 the Royal Rumble this is the year that they went instead of a 30 man Royal Rumble It was 40 it was in Boston, Massachusetts. Yeah, I was there. I was like, you know this is gonna be okay. It's gonna be good. Whatever. Roma will happens. Booker T comes out. I'm like, I love Booker T like that is like he was my WCW guy. I loved him. And then the biggest surprise, Stevie Ray, but the biggest surprise was Kevin Nash when he came back. I mean, diesel's music hit and the TD Garden did not shut up. That was one of the best surprises I think that they could have ever done. That's awesome.

Rob Kelly: 1:04:52

Yeah, I loved both of those guys in their heyday. So yeah, that must have been amazing to be sitting there not be expecting Booker T to walk out and all sudden you're like, Oh my god, it's so cool. I bet you The garden is such a cool place to watch a wrestling match. The people that are there probably like, let's say we all know Boston fans are just like absolutely Berserk about the things that they love. Yep. So when you get a bunch of Boston fans inside a wrestling arena. Yeah. That must have been fucking awesome.

Michael Marcangelo: 1:05:21

You want to ever go back and watch any of the any Of Surviror Series here is from 2008 you will see this beautiful face on your screen the entire time because I was facing the hard camera and I was only like 10 rows from the ring. And I mean it when Shawn Michaels comes out I'm in there dancing.

Rob Kelly: 1:05:37

I'm watching that well years that I'm watching it. Everyone listening to this, we're gonna watch this comment below.

Michael Marcangelo: 1:05:44

I'll send a screenshot we can post it but it's a 2008 two hour series. It's wild.

Rob Kelly: 1:05:50

Yeah,that's awesome.

Michael Marcangelo: 1:05:51

So we are running out of time. So for surprises, there are two more that will stand out. I think that they are the two most important, especially currently 2016 the Royal Rumble happen is happening in Orlando, Florida. 2016 is a weird year for WWE because there's not there wasn't a lot of noteworthiness happening in January 2016. Right Brock was Brock you had Triple H as that and Roman Reigns going for the WWE Championship but the Royal Rumble entrance this year that that electrified and shot everyone was the phenomenal, AJ Styles. AJ Styles had been a guy that everyone wanted to seem WWE for years, but never thought he'd get there. And when he got there, Craig, that place just lost their minds.

Craig D'Alessandro: 1:06:40

And they knew this is going to be such a big reaction. I didn't even bother doing it like when they what I would have done like waited till here like putting in my hairs number 14 AJ Styles, they put them in number two. And this is this had been one of the longest running rumors that AJ Styles would finally be coming to WWE, because at this point, I'm going to dive a little bit into TNA here. He was finishing up his run he had been he was in the middle of what I actually felt like one of his better gimmicks of you know, one version of AJ Styles. He was just a vigilante just fought everyone there was the revival of the main event mafia in TNA. It was just he wasn't that good, but AJ Styles was still good. I just thought it was always good. They did a bad gimmick of him and a fake baby and stuff like that. But that's that's neither here nor there. But then he went to New Japan Pro Wrestling and and was part of the bullet Club, which just took off and that's when they were like he could really be something in WWE Muse they brought in in TNA guys before and they didn't do anything they brought in some great guys from TNA have done amazing things of them. Xavier Woods, they've done amazing things. But, you know, AJ Styles with AJ Styles was TNA. He was Indy wrestling and to bring him in 2016. Number two, he didn't last that long. It lasted pretty long, I think in the 20s at that point, but that was the start of what was just a fun, what's you know, it's cliche, but just his one has been phenomenal, hasn't been perfect, but it's been very good. He's had some very good matches. I don't you know, he hasn't been injured. I know that was trouble with him and TNA for sometimes, but you know, he's just that was the beginning of a spectacular run for him so far.

Michael Marcangelo: 1:08:16

I think for me, it was just vindication. I mean for him for every AJ Styles fan. And because I you know, I love wrestling. I'm a WWE guy through and through, for sure. But I have watched other promotions. AJ Styles is the guy in TNA that I always watch and always loved, and just use the thing like they'll never do the right thing with him in WWE. So for him to get the reaction that he received upon, you know, arriving the Royal Rumble validated the fact that he's a real guy. And they pushed him for real, right. He went on to have a great Wrestlemania match against Chris Jericho and then had amazing matches with Roman Reigns after that, and then you know, Smackdown is now the house that AJ Styles built. So that is W's on Raw. Right? But he built Smackdown Yeah, last one. For me. Again, it's the most recent 2020 but we are again we are in at Minute Maid Park or whatever. It's called in Houston, Texas. Number 17. We've all heard the rumors but when they counted down from 10 and then the next words that you heard were you think you know me 50,000 people gave the cheer of their lifetime because they know, for all the for everyone that's listening, I assume that your wrestling fans for those that are not as hardcore wrestling fans, as maybe I am. Edge was a guy who lived and breathed and dreamed this business and to have to retire in 2011 because of a broken neck and his prime was awful. So to come back nine years later, nine years later, and being the Royal Rumble the place went nuts. Craig, what were your thoughts when you saw another use? I know that you knew about it, but it's one thing to read it it's another thing to see it

Craig D'Alessandro: 1:09:54

right and I you know I believe that he was coming back to that point, but I didn't really believe until I saw it. And when he came out and he came out instantly he couldn't even wait till his theme started. He just kind of popped I was like you think you know me? You look the crowd. Oh, he's already there. You could see when he was walking down. He was crying. Yeah, when he was walking down there, he didn't really believe this. Whatever happened and then you know, something just you know you could snap and something just clicked with him. And the rated R superstar was back I did as he was he does a little rock star thing. The fireworks are going off and edges back and then Kevin Dunn I'll never forget. I'll never forget Kevin done for this and you know exactly where I'm going. Edge gets into the ring Spears immediately I forgot who it was Ziegler Yeah, he's spear dogs. He's spear Dolph Ziggler. And they missed it. They missed it. And you know, obviously had on replay but just to see it live it just you know, I you know, he was one of the final three people in the match, I thought they really gonna do this. Yeah, I like really gonna put edge over and obviously he had a blue of drew back there and that eliminated him. But still, that was the point, you know, and was back and edges back. We'll see him again this year.

Michael Marcangelo: 1:11:02

Alright, so we're gonna finish this up here with just one final segment. It's gonna be I'm gonna I'm gonna ask you each a question. And then I'm gonna let you give your answer. Bobby, given everything you've seen so far. What is your favorite Royal Rumble match?

Rob Kelly: 1:11:17

I think I have to go so as well we actually didn't even mention all right, which is kind of cool. And it was because of the ending and that's 2007 which was our guy HBK versus the undertaker for 10 minutes at the end of that match Craig it sounds like the ending wasn't amazing. But for those two to have that ending that they did was just it dude it was just different level you could see it when you're watching it that it was two legends in front of you wrestling with I want to say throughout their prime, but they like they knew exactly who they were. They knew exactly what they wanted to do the chemistry between those two at that point was on another level. So that's my that's my pick just because of the ending 2007 Shawn Michaels versus Undertaker and and for sure, Craig

Craig D'Alessandro: 1:12:07

also in question same question. All right, I'm actually gonna go I'm actually I'm actually gonna go the first woman's Royal Rumble because I have felt that the while I love the Royal Rumble, I feel like it just wastes a lot of talent. But that first really women's Royal Rumble and really all the ones since I haven't really been that gimmicky, gimmicky like the men's ones do but that first one that they did with Oscar winning that one that was just a great hour long performance and I would just you know, I'll be ever be forever grateful for that. Because I've always been, you know, an advocate for women's athletics and women's wrestling, but that was just a phenomenal showing by everyone involved in that matter

Michael Marcangelo: 1:12:43

for me, you know, that match to I mean, the 2018 women's Royal Rumble, which is the first one. You had all the legends. You had Lita, you had Molly Holly, you and Trish Stratus come back after being gone for so long. The Bella Twins, but for Oscar to win that. And then the moment that we haven't really talked to him because it didn't quite happen during the rumble, right? It overshadowed in many people's opinions. Oscar winning the match was Ronda Rousey shows up. She walks out at hospital looked, everyone looked peers, which is what there was, no one knew that she was gonna be there. I don't think you can now. And she walks out doesn't say a word. And just point to the WrestleMania sign. So that, for me is one of the most historic matches. I think it's long overdue man. I think that there are so many great female athletes out there, but especially in WWE, and they have been for so long than they were never given their due. For me, it's a tie. The 2019 Royal Rumble or Becky or Becky Lynch one for my money. I can't remember ever being that happy because I just wanted her to win so bad and when she wasn't in it, I was so pissed. And then when she came out, I mean again 31 years old, just jumping for freakin joy. And then it's also the 2007 rumble because Shawn Michaels is my guy. little backstory to that, you know, Shawn Michaels in 2006, reformed degeneration x with Triple H they had a great tag team run the story was supposed to be that Triple H was gonna go on to Main Event WrestleMania 23 in Detroit again against john cena as a repeat match of their 2006 match. He tore his quad in January of 2007. So he was out. So Sean's the guy, so for Shawn to be one of the final participants or the final entrance in that Rumble, and then have that iconic, final 10 minutes with the taker, which was a, which would really set the stage for what would happen in two years, which would be one of the greatest WrestleMania matches of all time. Shawn Michaels versus Undertaker at WrestleMania 25 I think it was great. And as you can probably tell, I can talk about wrestling for hours upon hours, but I want to say thank you so much, Bobby, for joining this episode of cheapy. It was awesome to have you I

Rob Kelly: 1:15:02

love the fact that I could be here

Michael Marcangelo: 1:15:05

that on this show. We are pulling people who used to be wrestling fans out of the dark and bring them right back into the spotlight. So it was great to have you Craig as always, you're awesome to talk with on the show. So for Craig D'Alessandro for the real BK Bob Kelly, this is Episode Three of cheapy Stay tuned. For our live show this Sunday before the Royal Rumble, you can find that on all streaming apps, and be ready for the WrestleMania edition of cheapy. But until then, thank you so much and we'll talk to you soon. Thanks for listening to this episode of missing the point. missing the point is a one hour podcast recapping the biggest stories in the world of sports with the New England flavour. The show notes and transcript from today's episode can be found in the description box below, as well as on our website. www dot MTP show.com. If you're new to the show, please consider subscribing. It's the easiest way to see when we publish new episodes. We are on Apple podcasts, Spotify, Google and wherever you get your podcasts. Be sure to rate us and leave a review of any of our shows. We always appreciate your feedback. Let us know how we're doing and how we can sound better. Also, be sure to follow us on all of our social medias. All of our links will be in the show notes and check out our brand new website WWW dot MTP show.com that's MTP show.com. For all of us here missing the point. I'm Craig D'Alessandro. We'll talk to you next time.