Original subtitles

Welcome, everyone, to the Royal Rumble.

The Royal Rumble, the annual 30-superstar

spectacular that has become a highlight on the WWE calendar

for nearly 40 years.

Every man for himself.

And the Rumble events of the 2000s showcased

some of the event's greatest highlights.

From awe-inspiring feats-

Whoa, look at this.

Look at this.

to jaw-dropping returns-

John Cena is number 30.

to career-defining victories.

Triple H is going to WrestleMania.

The decade captures the unpredictable

nature that makes WWE so incredibly special.

Oh, the Big Show's over.

What?

The Rock has won the Rumble.

Today we look back at the best Royal Rumble

moments of the 2000s.

This is WWE's Greatest Moments.

If you smell--

Oh, my God.

What the hell are you doing?

Absolutely unbelievable.

Hulkamania is here.

Welcome, everyone,

to WWE's Greatest Moments.

I'm Michael Cole, and on this edition, we're looking back at

some of the most iconic Royal Rumble moments of the 2000s.

The rules of a Royal Rumble match are simple.

Beginning with two superstars, a new superstar joins the fray at

equally timed intervals, until all 30 competitors have entered.

Participants aim to eliminate their opponents by throwing them

over the top rope with both feet touching the floor with the

prize being a World Championship opportunity at the grandest

stage of theme all, WrestleMania.

Bayley's going to WrestleMania.

There have been plenty of dominant performers in

Rumble match history, but in the 2001 Royal Rumble, "The Big

Red Machine" Kane showed us just how much

of a monster he truly is.

Number six, "The Big Red Machine" Kane.

Kane was so dominant

in the 2001 Royal Rumble.

What power.

My God, what strength.

Kane is cleaning house, King.

Great opportunity for that character

to play to its strengths.

Oh, God.

Good grief.

When Kane showed up,

he was unstoppable, unbeatable.

The Royal Rumble match was a pretty definitive moment

in Kane's career, actually.

The Big Red Machine is going crazy here.

Oh, oh, Kane eliminated The Rock.

The Rock's out.

He's having this legendary day where he

eliminates, I believe, 11 competitors?

Kane has eliminated more people in the Royal Rumble

than any competitor in history, 11.

In that time, setting a record for Kane is

definitely going to be one that's going to live in his

memory for many, many years.

I have never seen anyone more dominant in the

Royal Rumble than Kane.

Since its inception in 1988,

the Royal Rumble match has been known for its unpredictability.

Only one of Shawn Michaels'

feet hit the floor.

Shawn Michaels has won the Royal Rumble.

But perhaps nothing was more shocking than

one particular interaction at the 2002 Royal Rumble between

Tough Enough's inaugural winner, Maven-

I'm going to work hard from this day forward

to be one of the next WWE Superstars.

and "The American "Badass"

The Undertaker.

Here comes our next entrant.

Oh, my.

Business is about to pick up.

In the 2002 Royal Rumble,

we see a super dominant Undertaker.

This yard belongs to one of the most evil individuals

in the history of the WWE.

There's one thing I wouldn't want to be.

What's that, King?

Next.

Oh, no.

You have this young kid from Tough Enough

and Taker, one of the favorites going into the Royal Rumble,

it's like Buster Douglas and Mike Tyson.

I got to admit, I was pretty-pretty nervous.

Maven getting in the Royal Rumble.

The first male Tough Enough winner.

We had been fighting with The Undertaker

a little bit right before that.

The Hardys just trying to get some retribution.

And there ended up being a distraction

where he was turned around.

Get your ass out of my ring.

Oh, my God.

My God.

Maven just eliminated The Undertaker.

What?

That arena is shocked.

Undertaker is shocked.

Maven was even shocked.

The people that were there that night,

they definitely got their money's worth, and then some.

I would do that every day if I could.

It was unbelievable.

That is the biggest shocker I've ever seen

at the Royal Rumble.

At the turn of the millennium, the WWE tag team

division was known for its wild action.

Two defining duos of the time were the Hardy Boyz

and the Dudley Boyz.

The tandems were in a heated rivalry, taking turns sending

one another through a particular piece of furniture.

The Dudleys have attempted to destroy

the Hardys right through a table.

And at the Royal Rumble 2000,

the Hardys and Dudleys would collide

in WWE's first-ever Tag Team Tables Match.

The site couldn't be any bigger.

We are in the sold-out Madison Square Garden.

The match only ends when both partners have been

driven through tables.

I wanted to take it to the next level.

I wanted people to be able to talk about this match.

Especially because we had the backdrop of Madison Square

Garden and the Royal Rumble.

Look out, Jeff on the rail.

Oh.

Oh.

This was the moment we had our chance to-to

show them that we could do the table deal as well and do it

just as good if not better than they do it.

They got it.

Both Hardys both airborne.

That match was like, boom, boom, boom, boom,

boom, boom.

Good God.

It became like an amazing storytelling concept

of a car crash.

Good Lord, Matt Hardy just got folded

up like an accordion.

If you're keeping score at home, you're looking for either D-Von

Dudley or Jeff Hardy.

The next one to go through a table will end.

Oh, here we go.

MSG just, like, pumping us up to put a hell of a

performance, and, you know, and risk our bodies.

D-Von on the table.

Jeff Hardy.

Don't do it, Jeff.

Don't do it.

Oh.

Good God.

A senton bomb from the balcony.

The Hardys have survived.

Survived?

They've won.

We tore the house down

in Madison Square Garden.

The Royal Rumble has brought us some of the most

remarkable championship matches in WWE history.

2008, "The Viper" Randy Orton was in the midst of a memorable

WWE Championship reign.

I'm going to be more ruthless

and dominant than ever.

Yet "The Charismatic Enigma" Jeff Hardy

had his sights set on dethroning the champ

by any means necessary.

Oh.

Oh, God.

Oh.

To what length would Jeff Hardy go to win his

first-ever WWE Championship?

Can that young man, tonight,

realize a lifelong dream?

Kinda surreal that I was in that position.

I'm exactly where I dreamt of being,

and wrestling Randy Orton in MSG.

Randy Orton may be wondering if this is the last

time he'll be able to hold that WWE Championship.

The style, unlike anybody else's.

We tore it up.

Jeff Hardy spent his entire life working

towards this moment.

Jeff Hardy really started finding his legs

and became immensely popular.

Hardy will physically abuse his own body

to win a contest.

We know that.

Here we go.

And there's some physical abuse right there.

I knew I was close,

and I felt like it was gonna happen.

Downstairs.

Twist of Fate.

No.

Oh, no.

RKO.

RKO.

Oh, my God.

My God, the RKO out of nowhere.

Everybody thought that Jeff was going to win,

but we had a great match.

Once you get two athletes of that caliber and

just have so much respect for them,

no matter who you're rooting for.

The 2000s signified a passing of the torch

to a new generation of up-and-coming WWE Superstars,

but no two individuals truly defined this decade quite like

John Cena and Batista.

These rising stars were eager to reach the top of the mountain,

and there was no better way to catapult yourself towards

championship glory than winning the Royal Rumble match

and earning a title opportunity at

the Showcase of the Immortals, WrestleMania.

Come on, Johnny.

Cena eliminated Kane.

Look at this.

Oh, my God.

And Jericho eliminated.

Batista has come to dominate.

At the 2005 Royal Rumble,

Cena and Batista would fight tooth and nail to the very end.

Cena, Batista, the final two.

One of these two will be in the main event at WrestleMania.

It was funny because I think when

I picked him up for the bomb-

Can you say, Batista Bomb?

he came up with so much force that he literally

just flung me over the ropes, so we both went over.

Get him.

Oh, geez.

My God, they both went out.

Cena and Batista go over the top rope

at the same time.

Every replay was inconclusive.

Who-who-who touched first?

We got back in the ring and didn't know

what was going on.

We've got two winners of the Royal Rumble.

They hit Mr. McMahon's music.

Here comes the chairman of the WWE.

On the way into the ring,

he ruptures both of his quadriceps.

So, he can no longer stand.

Per order of the chairman,

this match be restarted.

Well, that sounds good.

Batista and John Cena have to recover

from this absolute debacle.

Overpowering John Cena.

No, no, no, no.

With the Spinebuster.

No.

And Batista--

That was absolute pure chaos.

I've never seen anything like that happen,

but it became historic.

It's one of the most memorable Rumble moments in history.

It was not without controversy,

but Batista will be in the main event at WrestleMania 21.

Throughout WWE history,

there have been a number of true underdogs,

superstars who were given the short end of the stick,

who must fight their way toward ultimate glory.

The Royal Rumble match may provide the shot certain

superstars need to break through their glass ceiling.

In 2006, the high-flying fan favorite Rey Mysterio drew

the ill-fated number two spot in the Royal Rumble match.

Oh, God.

You got to be kidding me.

With the odds fully against the legendary

luchador, would Rey be able to go bell-to-bell and take home

the greatest victory of his career?

Triple H, number one.

Here comes Mysterio.

Being number two in the Royal Rumble,

your chances are-are not that great.

Rey Mysterio dedicated a victory

in the Royal Rumble matchup to his late friend,

Eddie Guerrero, and paying homage

to Eddie tonight in a low-rider.

There was an empty spot.

I needed Eddie there, but he was there in spirit.

There is the speed and quickness of Rey

Mysterio taking out the game at the knee.

There was only one guy you wanted to win.

This Royal Rumble matchup

has been going for one hour.

Triple H eliminated.

We're down to Mysterio and Orton.

Of course, I want Rey to overcome

and win the damn thing.

Randy Orton who came in at number 30.

Rey Mysterio who came in at number two.

Oh, Mysterio, he did it.

Oh.

He did it.

No way.

He did it.

He did it.

No- No way.

Rey Mysterio did it.

The explosion of the fans.

This was a picture-perfect moment.

The highlight of my career.

Rey Mysterio is going to WrestleMania.

The Royal Rumble match has proven to be no rest

for the weary.

Speaking from personal experience, of course.

Look at this clown.

He actually thinks he's going to go to WrestleMania.

One minor distraction, or wrong move, and

your dreams of headlining WrestleMania

can be squashed in an instant.

You guys just cost me spot at WrestleMania.

A good rule of thumb for every competitor

is to always be ready.

; I brought my two Roman soldiers,

Pasquale and Francesco.

Santino Marella,

the former Intercontinental Champion.

This year I was determined

to make an impact.

What?

Good Lord.

What the?

Could that have been a record?

I wasn't ready.

I wasn't ready.

No, I wasn't ready.

No.

I'm going back in.

He wasn't ready.

He thought he was going to get in the ring,

he was going to do a little stretching.

He was going to get ready.

Because I've talked to him about this at length.

Let's see if we can time this in our head.

One thousand one.

Eh, he didn't even last two seconds.

The positive side is-is, he has a record for being

in the Royal Rumble for the shortest amount of time.

Santino may have gone in the record book,

but not in the way that he would've liked.

That will always be played

every Royal Rumble.

One second.

You're out.

There are no re-do's, Santino.

I don't know if I'll ever be ready.

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin

has produced countless memorable moments

over his historic WWE career, including two Royal Rumble

victories, in 1997 and again in 1998.

Surely there was no way Stone Cold could win three, right?

But if you get your ass in it, Stone Cold's

going to throw your ass out of it, and that's the bottom line.

Ah.

It's Stone Cold.

This ain't going to be pretty, King.

But it's going to be good.

I was ready to go.

Hey, wait.

The Game.

What?

Triple H from behind.

Bam, hit me just like that.

Austin has been busted open.

He's never even gotten into the ring.

That's when the ball started rolling.

Oh, my God, Austin's on fire.

How's he doing this?

Bam, bop.

Jacking dudes, you know what I'm saying?

Knocking them out.

Eliminating them in the process.

Austin just eliminated Haku.

If you'd been in a Royal Rumble with Stone Cold, you most

likely got a mudhole stomped in your ass.

Oh.

Oh, the stunner.

Stunner.

Austin got a head of steam.

No.

Oh.

Kane is out.

Stone Cold is going to WrestleMania.

To eliminate Kane, one of the biggest,

strongest, most impressive WWE Superstars in history,

I remember it vividly.

I knew the Rattlesnake would

win this thing.

Winning three Royal Rumbles,

that's unheard of.

What a Royal Rumble.

We've witnessed some truly unbelievable Royal

Rumble finishes over the years, from nail-biting back and forths

to sensational last-minute comebacks.

Edge is here.

No other match in WWE epitomizes that it ain't

over till it's over.

Wait a minute here.

Bret Hart eliminated Stone Cold, and neither referee saw it.

The 2007 Royal Rumble featured 30 tough

participants all vying for a quintessential victory.

Eliminations would ensue, and once the dust settled,

only two future Hall of Famers remained.

The Undertaker, Shawn Michaels.

One of these men are going to WrestleMania.

The final two men.

Perhaps the biggest stars in the history of the WWE.

Like, you're talking about the greatest of the great

in the ring together.

Every time that they are in the ring together,

it just felt like magic.

How many times do you get a chance to see two

legends go at it when everything's on the line?

Just going to have a long amount of time out

there with Taker to do a lot.

It was really hard to mess something like this up and not

make it something memorable.

Shawn Michaels going for the victory.

Undertaker hanging on.

Telling you, we're watching history.

They literally had their own match

at the end of the Rumble.

Whoa.

This is a moment you're going

to tell your kids about, your grandkids.

Two guys that respect each other.

They're at the top of their games.

You can't ask for more than that.

Went for Sweet Chin Music.

Whoa.

Got caught.

Whoa.

Whoa, whoa, whoa.

Whoa.

Undertaker has eliminated Shawn Michaels.

This is a Rumble.

Last two.

It was one of the greatest of all times.

Shawn Michaels and Undertaker

exchanging glances, pure respect.

We have seen a classic.

It's now time for our number moment,

and brace yourself, this one's going to hurt.

In January 2000, WWE Champion, Triple H,

ruled over WWE with an iron fist.

The Game quickly identified frequent foe, Mick Foley, as a

threat to his reign and sought out his immediate demise.

Why don't you bring it down here right now?

Yet Triple H had not considered that Foley

had a trick up his sleeve.

But I think the WWE fans deserve

a substitute in that match.

His name is Cactus Jack.

At the 2000 Royal Rumble,

the champ was set to face the third and most

dangerous face of Foley in an unforgiving Street Fight.

At the moment that man is the best there is in the

game, but that man will do anything he can to become

the WWE Champion.

There was something to prove for both of us

in that match, which was we both should be

in that main event spot.

And the Street Fight-

for the WWE title is underway.

I'm headlining the venue I used to take trains to

and hitchhike to, and now I'm wrestling for the championship.

I'm one- with one of the greatest

of all time in Triple H.

And he's bringing out the best in me, and I'm not too far

behind in pushing him.

Oh look at that.

What?

Is that-- That looks like barbed wire.

Look out.

Oh.

We both want it to be great.

We're willing to do anything to make it great.

What?

Wait a minute.

I-I-I don't know-- I don't think--

It is-- Oh, God, it--

Oh, my God.

It's-it's-it's thumb tacks.

We used them in the most meaningful of ways.

Look at this.

Oh.

Oh, no.

Oh, my God.

Oh, my God, Cactus Jack is a human pin cushion.

There was some stuff in there that

he had to talk me into.

Pedigree in the tacks and all that stuff, like--

Pedigree on the thumb tacks.

That's it.

Got him.

My God.

My God, it's over.

Thank God it's over.

I was so happy with the match.

Will always be grateful for Triple H,

for bringing out the best in me.

That match was a bona fide main event making

match for both guys that were in that match.

The damnedest match that any of us

have ever witnessed.

An absolute awesome matchup

in every sense of the word.

Triple H and Cactus Jack took each other to their limits.

Another classic encounter to enrich the legacy

of the Royal Rumble.

Well, that'll do it for this edition

of WWE's Greatest Moments.

We hope you have enjoyed this look back at the most memorable

and breathtaking Royal Rumble moments of the 2000s.