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Royal Rumble (2004)

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Royal Rumble
Promotional poster featuringJohn Cena
PromotionWorld Wrestling Entertainment
Brand(s)Raw
SmackDown!
DateJanuary 25, 2004(2004-01-25)
CityPhiladelphia,Pennsylvania
VenueWachovia Center
Attendance17,289[1]
Buy rate582,000[2]
Pay-per-view chronology
←Previous
Armageddon 		Next→
No Way Out
Royal Rumblechronology
←Previous
2003 		Next→
2005

The 2004Royal Rumblewas the 17th annualRoyal Rumbleprofessional wrestlingpay-per-view(PPV)eventproduced byWorld Wrestling Entertainment(WWE). It was held for wrestlers from the promotion'sRawandSmackDown!brand divisions.The event took place on January 25, 2004, at theWachovia CenterinPhiladelphia,Pennsylvania.As has been customary since 1993, theRoyal Rumble matchwinner received a world championship match at that year'sWrestleMania,in this instance,WrestleMania XX.Beginning with this Royal Rumble, the winner could choose which championship to challenge for at WrestleMania, either Raw'sWorld Heavyweight Championshipor SmackDown!'sWWE Championship.

Sixprofessional wrestling matcheswere featured on the event'ssupercard,a scheduling of more than onemain event.The main event was the 2004 Royal Rumble match, which featured wrestlers from both brands. SmackDown!'sChris Benoit,the first entrant, won the match by last eliminatingBig Show,also from SmackDown!. This win resulted in Benoit breaking the longevity record last held byBob Backlund,staying in the match for over one hour, but was then broken byRey Mysterioin2006.Benoit also became the second wrestler to win the match as the first entrant, afterShawn Michaels.The primary match on the Raw brand was aLast Man Standing matchbetweenTriple Hand Shawn Michaels for the World Heavyweight Championship, which ended in a draw. The predominant match on the SmackDown! brand wasBrock LesnarversusHardcore Hollyfor the WWE Championship, which Lesnar won to retain the championship. The featured match on theundercardwas atables matchfor theWorld Tag Team ChampionshipbetweenEvolution(Ric FlairandBatista) andDudley Boyz(Bubba Ray DudleyandD-Von Dudley), which Evolution won to retain the titles.

Production[edit]

Background[edit]

The event was held at theWachovia CenterinPhiladelphia,Pennsylvania.

TheRoyal Rumbleis an annualgimmickpay-per-view(PPV) produced every January byWorld Wrestling Entertainment(WWE) since 1988. It is one of the promotion's original four pay-per-views, along withWrestleMania,SummerSlam,andSurvivor Series,dubbed the "Big Four".[3]It is named after theRoyal Rumble match,a modifiedbattle royalin which the participants enter at timed intervals instead of all beginning in the ring at the same time. The 2004 event was the 17th event in the Royal Rumble chronology and was scheduled to be held on January 25, 2004, at theWachovia CenterinPhiladelphia,Pennsylvania.It featured wrestlers from theRawandSmackDown!brands.[1]

The Royal Rumble match generally features 30 wrestlers. Traditionally, the winner of the match earns aworld championshipmatch at that year's WrestleMania.[4][5]Theprevious year,the winner earned a match for their respective brand's top championship, but for 2004, the winner could choose to challenge for either brands' world championship atWrestleMania XX:Raw'sWorld Heavyweight Championshipor SmackDown!'sWWE Championship.[1]

Storylines[edit]

The card included matches that resulted from scripted storylines, where wrestlers portrayedheroes,villains,orless distinguishable charactersin scripted events that built tension and culminated in a wrestling match or series of matches. Results were predetermined by WWE's writers on the Raw and SmackDown! brands, while storylines were produced on WWE's weekly television shows,RawandSmackDown!.[6][7]

The buildup to the Royal Rumble match started on the January 1 episode ofSmackDown!,whenJohn Cenainterrupted apromofromSmackDown! General ManagerPaul Heymanabout theTribute to the Troopsevent in Iraq. This angered Heyman and Heyman forced Cena to compete in ahandicap matchwith a partner and the two needed to win the match to gain entry in the Royal Rumble match. Cena's partner was revealed to beChris Benoitand the two defeatedThe Full Blooded Italians(Nunzio,Chuck Palumbo,andJohnny Stamboli) to qualify for the Royal Rumble match. As a result, all the three members of Full Blooded Italians lost their spots in the Royal Rumble match; had Cena and Benoit would have lost, neither would have been able to participate in the match. After the match,Kurt Angleannounced that he would participate in the Royal Rumble match and would win it. Later that night, Benoit insulted Heyman and Heyman forced Benoit to compete at the #1 spot in the Royal Rumble.[8]On the January 5 episode ofRaw,Kaneannounced that he was going to win the Royal Rumble but was confronted byBooker T,who claimed that he would eliminate Kane from the match and win the match.[9]Three days later onSmackDown!,Benoit defeated the Full Blooded Italians in a handicap mini Royal Rumble to retain his spot in the Royal Rumble.[10]On the January 12 episode ofRaw,GoldbergdefeatedMatt Hardyand announced that he would participate in the Royal Rumble match.[11]On the January 15 episode ofSmackDown!,several qualifying matches were held for the Royal Rumble, including abattle royalbetween the Full Blooded Italians, which Nunzio won.[12]On the January 19 episode ofRaw,Goldberg,Randy Orton,Rob Van Dam,Booker T,Mark Henry,andChris Jerichowon matches to qualify for a Battle Royal to determine the #30 entrant of the Royal Rumble match. Goldberg won the match and earned the #30 spot in the Royal Rumble.[13]

Royal Rumble qualification matches

The main rivalry heading into the event from the Raw brand was betweenTriple HandShawn Michaelsover theWorld Heavyweight Championship.AtArmageddon,Triple H defeated Goldberg and Kane in atriple threat matchto win the World Heavyweight Championship after interference fromEvolution(Ric FlairandBatista).[17]On the December 15 episode ofRaw,Michaels andRob Van Damdefeated Evolution (Triple H, Ric Flair and Batista) in a handicap match, when MichaelspinnedTriple H.[18]As a result, Michaels earned a World Heavyweight Championship match against Triple H on the December 29 episode ofRawin his hometown of San Antonio, Texas. Michaels seemingly defeated Triple H to win the title, but theRaw General ManagerEric Bischoffdeclared the match a draw due to both men's shoulders being down on the mat during the pinfall. As a result, Triple H retained the title.[19]On the January 5 episode ofRaw,the self-proclaimedSheriff of RawStone Cold Steve Austinannounced that Triple H would defend the title against Michaels in aLast Man Standing matchat Royal Rumble.[9]

The mainrivalryheading into the event from the SmackDown! brand was betweenBrock LesnarandHardcore Hollyover theWWE Championship.The rivalry could be dated back to September 12, 2002, episode ofSmackDown!,when Lesnar defeated Holly in a non-title match and injured him by breaking his neck, putting him out of action for over a year.[20]A year later, atSurvivor Series,Holly returned to WWE from injury to take revenge from Lesnar.[21]On the December 18 episode ofSmackDown!,Paul Heyman announced that Holly would team withShannon Moorein atag teammatch against A-Train and Matt Morgan, in which Holly could get a match of his choosing if he won but if he lost, his WWE contract would be terminated. Holly and Moore won the match, allowing Holly to wrestle a match of his choosing.[22]On the January 1 episode ofSmackDown!,Holly intentionally gotdisqualifiedin a match againstBig Showby brutally assaulting him.[8]On the January 8 episode ofSmackDown!,Holly defeated Big Show in astreet fight.[10]As a result, Big Show placed a restraining order on Holly and Lesnar stayed with Big Show to protect himself from Holly.[12]On the January 22 episode ofSmackDown!,Holly attacked Lesnar during a handicap match pitting Lesnar, Big Show, Matt Morgan, andRhynoagainst John Cena and Chris Benoit.[16]This led to a match between Lesnar and Holly for the WWE Championship at Royal Rumble.

A secondary rivalry heading into the event from the SmackDown! brand was betweenEddie GuerreroandChavo Guerrero.At Survivor Series, theBasham Brothers(Doug BashamandDanny Basham) defeatedLos Guerreros(Eddie and Chavo) to retain theWWE Tag Team Championship.[23]After the event, Los Guerreros started to break up as a team when Chavo began blaming Eddie for the team's recent failure. On the November 20 episode ofSmackDown!,Los Guerreros defeated TheWorld's Greatest Tag Team(Charlie HaasandShelton Benjamin) but after the match, Haas and Benjamin attacked Chavo and injured his leg. This caused Chavo to blame Eddie for the injury.[24]On the November 27 episode ofSmackDown!,Chavo was attacked again and he blamed Eddie.[25]This continued on the December 4 episode ofSmackDown!,when Eddie helped Chavo in defeating Benjamin in aone-on-one match.Chavo blamed Eddie for stealing the spotlight that Chavo needed.[26]On the January 1 episode ofSmackDown!,Eddie and Chavo finally broke up the team after losing to The World's Greatest Tag Team.[8]However, on the January 8 episode ofSmackDown!,Kurt Angle reunited Los Guerreros and earned them a WWE Tag Team Championship match against the Basham Brothers, which Los Guerreros lost. After the match, Los Guerreros finally ended when Chavo attacked Eddie and caused him to bleed. As a result, Chavoturnedheel.[10]On the January 15 episode ofSmackDown!,Angle informed Eddie that the SmackDown! General Manager Paul Heyman had made a match between Eddie and Chavo at Royal Rumble.[12]

The secondary rivalry heading into the event from the Raw brand was between Evolution (Ric Flair and Batista) andThe Dudley Boyz(Bubba Ray DudleyandD-Von Dudley) over theWorld Tag Team Championship.At Armageddon, Flair and Batista defeated Dudley Boyz in aTag Team Turmoil matchto win the World Tag Team Championship.[27]On the December 29 episode ofRaw,Flair served as thespecial guest refereeduring a match pitting Dudley Boyz against twoenhancement talents.Flair awarded the victory to enhancement talents by disqualifying Dudley Boyz. Batista then came out and attacked Dudley Boyz from behind.[19]On the January 5 episode ofRaw,Flair and Batista defeated Dudley Boyz to retain the World Tag Team Championship.[9]The next week onRaw,Batista defeated D-Von in a one-on-one match. After the match, Flair tossed atableinto the ring and Batista set it up but Bubba Ray entered the ring and chased Flair and Batista.[11]On the January 19 episode ofRaw,Evolution member Randy Orton defeatedThe Hurricanein a match. After the match, Flair and Batista came out to congratulate Orton. Hurricane's tag team partnerRoseycame out to check on him but was attacked by Batista. It led to Dudley Boyz coming out to deliver a3-Don Flair through the table butJonathan Coachmanran down to stop them and was hit with a 3D through the table by Dudley Boyz.[13]This led to atables matchbetween Dudley Boyz and Evolution for the World Tag Team Championship at Royal Rumble.

Another secondary rivalry heading into the event from the SmackDown! brand was betweenRey MysterioandJamie Nobleover theWWE Cruiserweight Championship.On the January 1 episode ofSmackDown!,Mysterio defeatedTajirito win the Cruiserweight Championship.[8]The following week, Tajiri and Noble were scheduled to have a number one contender's match for the Cruiserweight Championship, but Noble was not present on the show. As a result, Paul Heyman ordered Noble'smanagerNidiato replace Noble in the match. Tajirieasily defeatedNidia. After the match, Tajiri tried to assault Nidia, but Mysterio rescued her. This prompted Noble to come out and attack Mysterio as he thought that Mysterio was trying to harm Nidia.[10]On the January 15 episode ofSmackDown!,Noble defeated Tajiri to become the number one contender for the Cruiserweight Championship at Royal Rumble.[12]

Event[edit]

Other on-screen personnel
Role: Name:
Englishcommentators Michael Cole(SmackDown!)
Tazz(SmackDown! / Royal Rumble match)
Jim Ross(Raw / Royal Rumble match)
Jerry Lawler(Raw)
Jonathan Coachman(Opening match)
Spanish commentators Carlos Cabrera
Hugo Savinovich
Interviewers Josh Mathews
Terri Runnels
Ring announcers Tony Chimel(Smackdown!)
Howard Finkel(Raw / Royal Rumble match)
Referees Charles Robinson(Raw)
Mike Chioda(Raw)
Jack Doan(Raw)
Earl Hebner(Raw)
Brian Hebner(SmackDown!)
Jim Korderas(SmackDown!)
Nick Patrick(SmackDown!)
General managers Eric Bischoff(Raw)
Paul Heyman(SmackDown!)

Pre-show[edit]

Before the event aired live on pay-per-view,VictoriadefeatedMolly Hollybypinningher after aGory Neckbreaker,which Victoria callsWidow's Peak.The match aired live onHeat.[28]

Preliminary matches[edit]

The actual event opened with Evolution (Batista and Ric Flair) defending the World Tag Team Championship against Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray Dudley and D-Von Dudley) in a tables match. Jonathan Coachman interfered in the match as he distracted The Dudley Boyz, who attempted aWhassupon Coachman but Flair prevented the move. D-Von performed a Clothesline on Flair, allowing Batista to perform aSpinebusterthrough a table on D-Von to retain the titles.[1][29][28]

Next, Rey Mysterio defended the WWE Cruiserweight Championship against Jamie Noble. Noble'smanagerNidiaheld Noble's legs, thinking he was Mysterio. Mysterio took advantage and performed a619andDroppin' Da Dimeon Noble to retain the title.[1][29][28]

After that, Eddie Guerrero faced Chavo Guerrero.Chavo Guerrero Sr.interfered and attacked Eddie throughout the match. Eddie performed theThree Amigosand aFrog Splashon Chavo to win the match. After the match, Eddie attacked Chavo and Chavo Sr., causing Chavo to bleed.[1][29][28]

Main event matches[edit]

In the fourth match, Brock Lesnar defended the WWE Championship against Hardcore Holly. Holly performed anAlabama Slamon Lesnar and applied aFull Nelsonon Lesnar. After the two rolled out of the ring, Lesnar broke the hold by performing a Hangman on Holly. Lesnar performed anF5on Holly to retain the title.[1][29][28]

In the fifth match, Triple H defended the World Heavyweight Championship against Shawn Michaels in a Last Man Standing match. Triple H attempted aPedigreeonto a steel chair on Michaels but Michaels countered and dropped Triple H onto the steel chair. Michaels attemptedSweet Chin Musicon Triple H, but Triple Hlow blowedMichaels. Triple H performed aDDTand a Pedigree on Michaels, but Michaels stood at a 9 count. Michaels performed Sweet Chin Music on Triple H but fell himself, resulting in the match ending in a draw and Triple H retained the title.[1][29][28]

Chris Benoit,the firstRoyal Rumble matchentrant, eventually going on to win the match and theWorld Heavyweight ChampionshipatWrestleMania XX.

The main event was the annual 30-man Royal Rumble match, where the winner would get to wrestle the world champion of his brand atWrestleMania XX.Chris Benoit and Randy Orton were the first two entrants. As the match started, Benoit and Orton battled each other until Mark Henry entered at #3 and began attacking both Benoit and Orton. Tajiri entered at #4 and performed aHandspringBack Elbowon Orton. Orton battled Henry and Benoit battled Tajiri until Bradshaw entered at #5 and began dominating all the participants by finishing off Orton, then Henry, then Tajiri, with three consecutiveClotheslines from Hell.Bradshaw attempted to perform a Clothesline from Hell on Benoit, but Benoit countered it into aCrippler Crossface.Bradshaw got out of the hold by picking Benoit up and tossing him over the top rope. However, Benoit jumped on the apron and eliminated Bradshaw instead. Rhyno entered at #6 and attacked Orton, before focusing on Benoit. Tajiri battled Henry and applied aTarantulaon Henry. Rhyno performed a Spinebuster on Benoit and attempted to perform aGoreon Benoit but Benoit avoided the move and Rhyno instead crashed a rope hung Tajiri. This caused Tajiri to get eliminated from the match. Benoit then tossed Henry over the top rope, eliminating him.[30]Matt Hardy entered at #7, but was quickly tossed over the top rope by Benoit but Hardy landed on the apron. Rhyno tried to eliminate Hardy but Hardy stayed in the ring.Scott Steinerentered at #8 and started dominating all of the participants of the match. Hardy and Orton battled in the corner, where Hardy had nearly eliminated Orton until Benoit attacked Hardy and Orton was saved from being eliminated. Matt Morgan entered at #9 and he performed aSitout Powerbombon Benoit and aBig Booton Hardy.The Hurricaneentered at #10 and performed aDiving Crossbodyon Hardy. Hurricane then began fighting Morgan, who dominated Hurricane and eliminated him by tossing him over the top rope. Morgan then tried to eliminate Hardy in the same way, but Hardy landed on the apron and stayed in the ring. Benoit began fighting Rhyno, Steiner battled Orton and Hardy battled Morgan until Booker T entered at #11. Booker attacked Steiner and then performed aScissors Kickon Orton. Booker then eliminated Steiner from the match. Kane entered at #12. Morgan started attacking Kane but Kane performed aChokeslamon Morgan. Kane performed a Big Boot on Rhyno and then Kane chokeslammed Orton. Eventually,The Undertaker's entrance theme music began playing in the arena and the lights went out. When the lights came back, Kane was distracted and Booker eliminated Kane from behind.[30]Following Kane's elimination,Spike Dudleyentered at #13. Kane was angered at it and he thought that it was Dudley, who played Undertaker's gong. An enraged Kane performed a Chokeslam on Dudley on the ramp and Dudley was knocked out which meant that he was unable to participate in the Royal Rumble. Rikishi entered at #14. Along with Rikishi's entrance, BenoitbackdroppedRhyno over the top rope, eliminating him. Rikishi started attacking Hardy and performed aStink Faceon Morgan.René Dupréeentered at #15 and started battling Hardy beforedropkickinghim over the top rope to eliminate him. However, after eliminating Hardy, Duprée was eliminated himself by Rikishi when Rikishi performed aSavate Kickon Duprée, causing him to fall over the top rope. A-Train entered at #16 and began attacking Rikishi. Benoit eventually eliminated Morgan. Orton began dominating the match as he eliminated Rikishi and then backdropped Booker over the top rope to eliminate him. Benoit battled A-Train, while Shelton Benjamin entered at #17. Benoit eliminated A-Train and Benjamin tried to perform a Superkick on Orton, but Orton ducked the move and eliminated Benjamin. The first two entrants of the match, Benoit and Orton were left remaining.Ernest Millerentered at #18, along with his manager Lamont. Instead of using the opportunity of eliminating the knocked out Benoit and Orton, Miller and his manager Lamont danced to Miller's entrance theme. However, Benoit and Orton recovered and ruined the dance as Benoit tossed Lamont over the top rope and Orton eliminated Miller from the match. Following Miller's elimination, Benoit and Orton continued to battle each other.[30]Kurt Angle entered at #19 and began fighting Benoit while Orton recovered in the corner. Rico entered at #20 and began battling Orton. Rico performed aRoundhouse Kickon Orton while Benoit performed three consecutiveGerman Suplexeson Angle in a row. Orton recovered and backdropped Rico over the top rope, eliminating him.Test's music began playing at #21 but Test did not appear, as he was found knocked out at backstage by some doctors and the Raw Sheriff Stone Cold Steve Austin. Austin ordered someone to replace Test and gave him the #21 entry number. This person was revealed to beMick Foleywho immediately started attacking Orton. Foley performed aFlying Clotheslineon Orton, eliminating Orton and himself in the process. Foley and Orton continued to fight each other after their eliminations.Christianentered at #22 and started battling Benoit and Angle. Foley and Orton numerously attacked each other, where Foley was about to perform amandible clawon Orton until Nunzio entered at #23 and Foley turned his focus on Nunzio and performed a Mandible Claw on Nunzio, knocking him down. Orton attacked Foley and then retreated to the backstage. Angle battled Christian and Benoit in the ring while Nunzio sat in the ringside, instead of entering the ring. Big Show entered at #24 and began dominating the participants in the match.[30]Chris Jericho entered at #25 and started fighting Angle. Big Show knocked the heads of Jericho and Christian together before battling Jericho. Christian started attacking Big Show. Benoit, Angle, Christian and Jericho tried to eliminate Big Show but failed. Charlie Haas entered at #26 and was double-teamed by Jericho and Christian. Jericho eventually eliminated Christian. Billy Gunn entered at #27 and performed aLegdrop Bulldog,which he calledFameasseron Angle. Gunn then performed a Fameasser on Jericho and fought Big Show and Haas. John Cena entered at #28 but instead of entering the ring, he focused on Nunzio, who was sitting in the ringside. Cena tossed Nunzio into the ring and began attacking him until Big Show started attacking Cena. Big Show and Nunzio double-teamed Cena until Nunzio attempted to eliminate Big Show, but failed. Cena started attacking Big Show and tried to eliminate him while Nunzio tried to eliminate Benoit. Rob Van Dam entered at #29 and started dominating all the participants of the match. Nunzio tried to eliminate Van Dam but Haas battled Nunzio. Big Show battled Gunn and Cena performed aFireman's Carry Takeover,which he calledF-U,on Angle. Goldberg entered at #30 and performed aSpearon Big Show and then speared Gunn.[30]Goldbergpunchedseveral wrestlers including Angle, Jericho, Van Dam, Cena, and Haas. Nunzio jumped on Goldberg's back while Goldberg eliminated Haas from the match. Van DamkickedGoldberg. Goldberg speared Nunzio and then clotheslined Gunn over the top rope, eliminating him. Goldberg picked up Nunzio in aMilitary Pressand threw him over the top rope, eliminating him from the match. Goldberg started attacking Big Show, until Brock Lesnar interfered in the match and performed a F5 on Goldberg and left the ring. Goldberg was distracted and when he recovered, Angle eliminated him from behind. Benoit, Angle, Jericho, Cena and Van Dam all teamed up against Big Show when Big Show picked up Cena and Angle performed aChop Blockon Big Show. Van Dam performed aSlingshot Legdropand followed it with a Five-Star Frog Splash on Big Show. All the five participants tried to eliminate Big Show, but Big Show shoved all of them and eliminated Cena. Van Dam attempted to perform aMonkey Flipon Big Show, but Big Show tossed him over the top rope, eliminating Van Dam, leaving Big Show, Benoit, Angle and Jericho as the final four competitors. Big Show backdropped Jericho over the top rope but Jericho landed on the apron and entered the ring. Jericho applied anElevated Boston Crab,which he callsWalls of Jerichoon Big Show. Angle attacked Jericho and Big Show picked up Jericho and eliminated him.[30]Big Show chokeslammed Benoit and fought Angle. Angle performed anOlympic Slam,which he calls "Angle Slam" on Big Show and then performed an Angle Slam on Benoit. Big Show eventually tried to perform a Chokeslam on Angle but Angle rolled it into anAnkle Lock.Big Show was near the ropes, and he flipped out of the Ankle Lock, causing Angle to get eliminated. Big Show landed on the apron. Benoit climbed the top rope and performed aFlying Forearmon the back of Big Show's neck, sending Big Show back into the ring. Big Show tried to perform a Chokeslam on Benoit, but Benoit countered it into a Crippler Crossface. Benoit eventually landed on the apron while applying a front headlock on Big Show. He dragged Big Show over the top rope, who flipped over and got tossed on the floor over the top rope, getting eliminated. As a result, Benoit won the Royal Rumble match and became the second person in history to win the match from the #1 spot (after Shawn Michaels in1995and laterEdgein2021andRhea Ripleyin2023). He also brokeBob Backlund's longevity record in1993by staying in the match for 1:01:30.[1][29][30]

Aftermath[edit]

On the following night's episode ofRaw,during a confrontation between Triple H and Shawn Michaels, the Raw Sheriff Stone Cold Steve Austin intervened and announced that even though he could not make a match between the two (Austin having lost his Co-General Manager powers atSurvivor Seriesin November), he would "uphold the law" and announced that Michaels would not get the next shot at Triple H because he did not win the Royal Rumble. Austin revealed that the Royal Rumble winner would face "the champion" at WrestleMania XX, but that there was no specification as to which champion— thus, creating a loophole that Chris Benoit, who was then property ofSmackDown!,exploited to announce that he would join the Raw brand and instead chase the World Heavyweight Championship due in part to bad feelings between himself and SmackDown! General Manager Paul Heyman.[31]On the February 9 episode, Benoit and Triple H were to have their contract signing for the WrestleMania match, but Michaels interfered and hit Sweet Chin Music on Benoit then signed the contract himself.[32]The following week, after Michaels defeated Benoit in a singles match, Austin announced that Triple H would defend the title against Benoit and Michaels in a triple threat match at WrestleMania.[33]At WrestleMania, Benoit defeated Michaels and Triple H by submitting the latter to the Crippler Crossface to win the World Heavyweight Championship.[34]Benoit's defection led to a rule change for the Royal Rumble winner, where he could now choose which world champion he would face at WrestleMania.

SmackDown! Royal Rumble[edit]

Meanwhile, onSmackDown!,in order to make up for Benoit's defection, Heyman announced that a second Royal Rumble match featuring fifteen ofSmackDown!'swrestlers competing for a shot at Brock Lesnar's WWE Championship atNo Way Outin February. The thirteenSmackDown!wrestlers (Kurt Angle, Rhyno, Charlie Haas, Shelton Benjamin, Bradshaw, Ernest Miller, Tajiri, Billy Gunn, Big Show, John Cena, Nunzio, A-Train, and Rikishi) who competed in the original Royal Rumble match were given entries in the match as were Hardcore Holly and Eddie Guerrero (Holly, who replaced an injured Matt Morgan, wrestled and lost to Lesnar at the Rumble and Guerrero, who replaced Benoit, was continuing his feud with Chavo). Guerrero won the match and earned the title opportunity.[35]At No Way Out, Guerrero defeated Lesnar to win the WWE Championship.[36]

Draw Entrant Order Eliminated by Time Eliminations
1 Kurt Angle 14 Guerrero 34:14 6
2 Rhyno 5 Angle 13:59 0
3 Charlie Haas 9 Guerrero 20:54 1
4 Shelton Benjamin 10 Angle 19:29 0
5 Bradshaw 3 Big Show 06:59 0
6 Ernest Miller 1 Angle 00:42 0
7 Tajiri 2 Big Show 03:46 0
8 Billy Gunn 12 Guerrero 14:55 1
9 Big Show 8 Angle, Gunn, Guerrero, Haas, Holly, Rikishi, Cena 09:22 3
10 John Cena 7 Big Show 06:09 2
11 Nunzio 4 Cena 00:52 0
12 A-Train 6 Guerrero 02:43 0
13 Eddie Guerrero - Winner 17:44 6
14 Rikishi 13 Guerrero and Angle 08:17 1
15 Hardcore Holly 11 Angle 04:00 1

Impact of Benoit tragedy[edit]

Chris Benoitmurdered his wife and son before committing suicideover the weekend of June 22–24, 2007. Once the details of Benoit's actions became apparent, WWE made the decision to remove nearly all mentions of Benoit from their website, future broadcasts, and all publications.[37]As a result, this Royal Rumble and Benoit's victory is often ignored in official publications. When referring to the #1 entrant, WWE personalities occasionally stated, for instance, "two people have won from the number one position, includingHall of FamerShawn Michaels in1995",as commentator John" Bradshaw "Layfield (JBL) did in 2015.[38]Edge and Rhea Ripley would since become the third and fourth wrestlers to win as the first entrant in 2021 and 2023, respectively, which WWE acknowledged they were the third and fourth to do so, but only mentioned Shawn Michaels as the other to accomplish this. Coverage of the Royal Rumble has been very selective; no photos of Benoit exist on WWE's webpage for the event, focusing rather on the Last Man Standing match between Triple H and Shawn Michaels, and Benoit is only mentioned on the results page as the winner of the event.[39]Only a few WWE video features include footage from the Royal Rumble match, but those that do use careful shot selection so that Benoit is not seen on screen.[40][41]WWE's website has also posted photo galleries dedicated to the number one entrants and winners in the Royal Rumble history, both of which completely ignore Chris Benoit and the year of 2004.[42][43]The pay-per-view and the Royal Rumble match, however, exist in their entirety on theWWE Networkunedited.[44]Benoit went on to win the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania XX (which like this Rumble, it is also available in its entirety on the WWE Network unedited), but like his near erasure from this Royal Rumble, WWE only lists his name in the official title history but have removed the match description (this is also the case for any other WWE-owned title that he has won), as well as the match description for when Randy Orton defeated him for the World Heavyweight Championship atSummerSlam.[45]

Results[edit]

No.Results[1][29][28]StipulationsTimes[1]
1HVictoria(withSteven Richards) defeatedMolly HollybypinfallSingles match—
2Evolution(BatistaandRic Flair) (c) defeatedThe Dudley Boyz(Bubba Ray DudleyandD-Von Dudley)Tables matchfor theWorld Tag Team Championship5:29
3Rey Mysterio(c) defeatedJamie Noble(withNidia) bypinfallSingles matchfor theWWE Cruiserweight Championship3:06
4Eddie GuerrerodefeatedChavo Guerrero(withChavo Guerrero Sr.) bypinfallSingles match8:02
5Brock Lesnar(c) defeatedHardcore HollybypinfallSingles matchfor theWWE Championship6:22
6Triple H(c) vs.Shawn Michaelsended in adrawLast Man Standing matchfor theWorld Heavyweight Championship23:05
7Chris Benoitwon by last eliminatingBig Show30-manRoyal Rumble matchfor a world championship match atWrestleMania XX1:01:37
(c)– the champion(s) heading into the match
H– the match was broadcast prior to the pay-per-view onSunday Night Heat

Royal Rumble entrances and eliminations[edit]

–Raw
–SmackDown!
–Winner
Draw[46] Entrant[46] Brand Order[47] Eliminated by[47] Time[47] Eliminations
1 Chris Benoit SmackDown! — Winner 1:01:35[a] 6
2 Randy Orton Raw 19 Mick Foley 33:44 5
3 Mark Henry Raw 3 Chris Benoit 05:14 1
4 Tajiri SmackDown! 2 Rhyno and Mark Henry 03:39 0
5 Bradshaw SmackDown! 1 Chris Benoit 00:38 0
6 Rhyno SmackDown! 8 14:00 1
7 Matt Hardy Raw 9 René Duprée 14:18 0
8 Scott Steiner Raw 5 Booker T 06:49 0
9 Matt Morgan SmackDown! 11 Chris Benoit 12:14 1
10 The Hurricane Raw 4 Matt Morgan 00:19 0
11 Booker T Raw 13 Randy Orton 09:11 2
12 Kane Raw 6 Booker T 01:40 1
13 Spike Dudley[b] Raw 7 Kane 00:00 0
14 Rikishi SmackDown! 12 Randy Orton 03:48 1
15 René Duprée Raw 10 Rikishi 00:33 1
16 A-Train SmackDown! 14 Chris Benoit 01:44 0
17 Shelton Benjamin SmackDown! 15 Randy Orton 00:37 0
18 Ernest Miller SmackDown! 16 00:56 0
19 Kurt Angle SmackDown! 28 Big Show 29:04 1
20 Rico Raw 17 Randy Orton 01:06 0
21[c] Mick Foley Raw 18 Himself 00:43 2
22 Christian Raw 20 Chris Jericho 07:39 0
23 Nunzio SmackDown! 23 Goldberg 03:48 0
24 Big Show SmackDown! 29 Chris Benoit 22:38 4
25 Chris Jericho Raw 27 Big Show 14:58 1
26 Charlie Haas SmackDown! 21 Goldberg 06:53 0
27 Billy Gunn SmackDown! 22 05:37 0
28 John Cena SmackDown! 25 Big Show 07:37 0
29 Rob Van Dam Raw 26 Big Show 06:44 0
30 Goldberg Raw 24 Kurt Angle 02:04 3
  1. ^Chris Benoitbroke the longevity record for lasting 1:01:37, previous record held byBob Backlund(lasting 1:01:10) in1993.This record would stand for two years before it would be broken byRey Mysterio(lasting 1:02:15) in2006.
  2. ^Spike Dudleywas attacked byKaneand never made it to the ring.
  3. ^Testwas originally the 21st entrant but he was found unconscious and replaced byMick Foley.

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External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Royal_Rumble_(2004)&oldid=1232266473"