WWE Royal Rumble 2007 Review

Hello and welcome to another edition of Seanomaniac Wrestling Reviews, the only wrestling review series on the internet that wanted Jay White in The Bullet Club! What a shocker we have for you tonight as I review WWE’s Royal Rumble 2007, the first of the big four for 2007. The card includes Batista defending his world heavyweight championship against Mr. Kennedy fresh off a feud with Undertaker, we also have John Cena defending his WWE championship against Umaga and even the ECW Championship will be defended as Bobby Lashley battles Test. You cannot forget the royal rumble match with the winner going to Wrestlemania to challenge for his respective brand’s pay per view. Royal Rumbles rarely disappoint but could 2007 be different? Let’s find out!

Opening Promo

A subdued package if I am honest, they hype the rumble and the main event matches but it just does not have that grandioso feel to it for me.

The Hardy Boyz vs MNM W/ Melina

Look at this, another match between these teams. We have seen them touch at Survivor Series, December to Dismember, Armageddon and now the Royal Rumble. Talk about getting the most out of a match, happy to see The Hardys together and I am glad that Mercury was used to the best of his abilities but something new would be nice.

Nitro and Matt begin the match, tag to Mercury as Nitro jumped Matt. Munted punches by Mercury, Matt is meant to have a dislocated jaw per storyline assault from MNM. Tag to Nitro, shots to the jaw. Matt fights back, forearms to the face of Nitro. Nitro smacks the gut of Matt, tag to Mercury. Mercury misses a right hand, clubbing blows by Matt. Tag to Jeff, slingshot dropkick for two. Mercury backs Jeff to the corner, tag to Nitro. Right hands by Nitro, inverted atomic drop and leg drop to the groin by Jeff for two. Fist drop/splash combination by The Hardys, neckbreaker by Matt for two. Nitro gains control, tag to Mercury.

Tag to Nitro, uppercuts and a middle rope choke. Boot from the apron by Mercury, Nitro covers for two. Cravate lock by Nitro, knees to the jaw by Nitro. Tag to Mercury, big slaps by Mercury. Reverse chinlock by Mercury, Matt fights back before a hairpull from Mercury. Mercury misses a middle rope splash, tag to Jeff. Jeff nails forearms and a sit-out suplex on Nitro for two, whisper in the wind from Jeff. Mercury saves Nitro, Matt pummels Mercury with a back suplex. Double suplex on Nitro, Omega splash by The Hardys but Jeff is smacked in the ribs with knees by Nitro, Matt connects with the leg drop but Jeff is the legal man. Tag to Mercury, stomp to the ribs. Two for Mercury, Mercury brings Jeff to the corner. Right hands before a tag to Nitro, running knee by Nitro.

Leg drop by Mercury for two, waistlock from Mercury. Jeff tries a cradle for two, Mercury pounds away on Jeff. Double gutbuster by MNM, Matt saves Jeff. Kicks by Nitro, rear naked choke by Nitro. Jeff escapes but Nitro grabs a front chancery, Jeff back drops Nitro off but Mercury distracts the referee and the referee misses the tag. MNM double team Jeff, face rake using the ropes. Jeff nails Nitro with a reverse mule kick, tag to Matt. Back drop to Nitro, elbow to Mercury. Corner clothesline and bulldog combination for two on Nitro, middle rope elbow to the back of the head of Nitro for two. Jeff stops Nitro from nailing snapshot, Poetry in Motion on Mercury. Nitro dodges poetry in motion, roll-up on Matt for two. Side Effect on Nitro, Twist of Fate on Nitro. Mercury tackles Matt to the floor but Jeff tags in and nails a Swanton Bomb for the win.

Good opening match from these two, they have been facing off for months so I am glad to see the rivalry finally come to an end although it was rather one-sided with The Hardys beating the crap out of MNM on every occasion. However, I did enjoy the series and it was the best match out of all that they had, good start to the show.

Winners: The Hardy Boyz over MNM via Swanton Bomb!

(ECW World Championship Match) Bobby Lashley © vs Test

Oh why does the lord wish pain on my soul? After the awful ECW pay per view, we have Test challenging Bobby Lashley. Lashley was the champion after defeating Big Show in that chamber match that we shall not speak of again, Lashley has his first challenger in Test.

Lock-up, Test has Lashley in the corner. Slap by Test, takedown from Lashley. Test reaches for the ropes and we have the escape, Test sends Lashley into the ropes. Test chokes Lashley using the middle rope, elbows and foot choke from Test. Lashley catches Test for an exploder suplex, stalling vertical suplex by Lashley. Test rolls to the floor, Lashley is caught open on the apron. Test sends Lashley into the ringpost, armlock from Test. Lashley escapes before Test goes back to the arm, Lashley back drops Test. Corner spear by Lashley, Lashley botches a military press but covers well showing his arm is hurt. Big Boot by Test for two, Test screams and harasses the referee. Lashley escapes a tko attempt, clothesline by Lashley. Test rolls to the floor, says fuck it and gets counted out.

What kind of logic is that? The heel challenger decides he does not want the championship and loses by countout? What kind of bizarre booking is that? What the hell were they trying to accomplish? Why would Test ever have an opportunity at the championship again? Why did Lashley lay out Test at the end? How does this help Lashley? This was pointless, a waste of ten minutes but when you think of how they used ECW, it almost seems fitting. DUD!

Winner: Bobby Lashley over Test via Count-Out!

(WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match) Batista © vs Mr. Kennedy

Batista became champion after finally beating King Booker after a series of average matches, Kennedy had a victory over Batista via DQ. Kennedy was a rising star on Smackdown, coming off a feud with The Undertaker and the wheels were in motion for Taker vs Batista at Mania but this should still be a good match considering the two personalities inside of the ring.

Lock-up, Batista throws down Kennedy multiple times. Batista has Kennedy in the corner, Kennedy smacks around Batista after a clean break. Elbows by Kennedy, boot by Batista. Suplex for two, Batista rams Kennedy into the barricade. Kennedy comes back by sending Batista foot first into the steel steps, Batista is hobbling. Shoulder thrusts by Batista in the corner, Kennedy dropkicks the knee of Batista. Lots of leg work from Kennedy, Indian deathlock from Kennedy. Kennedy uses the ropes for leverage, the referee catches Kennedy.

Knee trembler from Kennedy for two, Boston crab by Kennedy. Batista kicks off Kennedy, small package for two. Running powerslam is blocked by Kennedy, chop block by the challenger. Batista nails a desperate spinebuster, right hands by Batista. Kennedy nails the knee, a kick to the face wakes up Batista. Clotheslines, corner clothesline and a slam. Rolling firemen’s carry, Batista calls for the end. Kennedy pushes Batista into the referee, low blow and neckbreaker but there is no referee. Short DDT by Kennedy for two, boot from the corner by Kennedy. Kennedy dives into a clothesline, Batista Bomb on one leg and that’s all she wrote.

Solid championship match, Kennedy worked the leg throughout the whole match and Batista sold the match very well. Another good match in the books for Kennedy, you could see why the company was so high on the character and the persona. Kennedy had a charisma, the fans wanted the championship reign but based on this performance, they would not have to wait long before Kennedy’s day. Well, until fate interfered and screwed all that up but this may be Kennedy’s finest moment inside of a WWE ring.

Winner: Batista over Kennedy via Batista Bomb!

(WWE Championship Match) John Cena © vs Umaga (Last Man Standing Match)

John Cena had beaten Umaga at New Year’s Revolution, it was a shock to me as I expected that Umaga would become wreckless and get disqualified which would lead to this match. I was wrong as Umaga was rolled-up by Cena, Umaga is back for revenge and Cena is not 100%. Cena’s ribs are taped up, Cena is walking gingerly while Umaga cannot wait for the bell to ring. We saw very good selling in the last championship match, can Cena match Batista’s performance?

Cena pummels Umaga before Umaga goes to the ribs, Cena is on the defence now. Cena is hurled into the steel steps, headbutt by Umaga. More rib punches, shoulder thrusts by Umaga. Clothesline by Umaga, Umaga brings steel steps into the ring. Cena hotshots Umaga, Cena picks up the steel steps and hurls them at Umaga’s head. The referee begins counting, Umaga is up at six. Cena is on the attack, Umaga is in the ring. Spinning heel kick by Umaga, bearhug by Umaga. Belly to belly suplex by Umaga, Umaga has steel steps in the ring once more. Umaga has the steps in the corner, Cena is placed against the steel steps. Umaga motions for the running hip attack, Cena dodges the attack. Umaga is clocked with the steel steps, Cena tries a crossbody but Umaga counters for a massive side slam.

Umaga hip drops Cena, Cena blocks the third drop with his knees, throwback onto the steel steps. Spinning side slam onto the steel steps, Five Knuckle Shuffle by Cena. Cena tries an FU but Umaga is too heavy, Cena’s back cannot carry the weight and Cena cracks himself off the steel steps. Cena is bleeding, right hands by Umaga. Foot choke by Umaga, right hands by Umaga. Cena wants more, Cena is still standing. Right hands by Cena, Samoan drop by Umaga. Cena blocks the Samoan spike but cannot block the headbutt, Cena is in the tree of woe. Cena avoids a headbutt and nails an awesome Kobashi style leg drop on Umaga.

Umaga is sent into the ringpost, Cena knocks down Estrada. Cena has a TV monitor, Umaga is walloped with the monitor. Cena and Umaga brawl on the floor, Umaga smacks Cena off the steel steps. Cena is laid on the announce table, Umaga takes a run and leaps at Cena. Cena dodges at the last second, Umaga stands at nine. Estrada unhooks the top turnbuckle, Estrada wants Umaga to use the turnbuckle and its steel rod. Cena counters for an FU, right hand to Estrada, Umaga is smacked with the steel rod and Cena applies an STFU using the rope to choke out Umaga.

Great championship match, Cena showed so much fire in this match. I would have liked to seen more rib work and more selling from Cena himself but taking that out of the criticism, the match is a tonne of fun. Lots of moving around, the next spot builds and is bigger and better than the next with table bumps, fun with the steel steps and a hard fought battle on the part of Cena. Umaga plays the monster so well inside of the ring, it was a very fitting championship match for a big event like the royal rumble.

Winner: John Cena over Umaga via Not Answering The Count!

30 Man Royal Rumble Match

You know how it works by now, if you are still reading and don’t know how a rumble works, you must be insane. Thirty men with one opportunity to go to Wrestlemania and headline for the championship of their respective brand. Rules are simple: two men enter with entrants coming into the ring at timed intervals, eliminations occur over the top rope with both feet touching the floor. I will split this into sections so it is easy for all of you to follow.

Entrants 1 to 5

Flair is in at number one, Finlay at number two. Shoulder block by Finlay, right hands by Finlay. Chops by Flair, back drop by Finlay. Number three is Kenny Dykstra, Flair chops Kenny. The heels gang up on Flair, double stomps in the corner. Number four is Matt Hardy, Side Effect on Kenny. Number five is Edge, Edge sprints down and Spears Flair and Finlay. Matt dodges, Twist of Fate on Edge. Flair rolls out and grabs a chair. Edge tosses out Flair and Kenny in quick succession.

Kenny/Flair Have Been Eliminated!

Entrants 6 to 10

Number six is Dreamer, Dreamer low dropkicks Edge before Finlay takes down Dreamer. Matt almost eliminates Edge, number seven is Sabu. Sabu pulls out a table, Sabu DDTs Dreamer. Number eight is Gregory Helms, Helms restarts his feud with Matt. Stomps by Helms, Sabu almost throws out Finlay but Finlay hangs onto the bottom rope. Dreamer and Edge square off in the corner, Sabu blocks being tossed by Finlay. Number nine is Shelton Benjamin, Benjamin almost tosses Dreamer. Same deal with Matt, Finlay and Benjamin tease tossing one another. Number ten is Kane, things are going to change very quickly. Boot for Dreamer, right hands for anybody who is in Kane’s way. Powerslam for Helms, Chokeslam for Edge. Dreamer is tossed to the floor, Kane Chokeslams Sabu through the table for the elimination.

Sabu/Dreamer Have Been Eliminated!

Entrants 11 to 15

Number eleven is CM Punk, Punk rushes Edge. Finlay and Punk brawl, number twelve is King Booker. Booker tosses Helms within seconds.

Helms Has Been Eliminated!

Punk and Booker try to eliminate one another, number thirteen is Super Crazy. Number fourteen is Jeff Hardy, The Hardys double team those in their way. The Hardys run into Kane, Poetry in Motion on Kane. Number fifteen is The Sandman, things are going to get extreme. Kendo stick shots for anyone in the way, Booker has enough of that jazz and tosses Sandman in seconds.

The Sandman Has Been Eliminated!

Entrants 16 to 20

Entrant number sixteen is Randy Orton, right hands to Super Crazy, Rated RKO toss Super Crazy. Rated RKO team up again and out go The Hardy Boyz.

The Hardy Boyz Have Been Eliminated!

Number seventeen is Chris Benoit, chops for everyone. German suplexes for Finlay, Benjamin has Punk on the apron. Punk survives barely, more German suplexes as Benoit kills everyone. Number eighteen is RVD, kicks galore as RVD pummels everything in sight. King Booker is tossed out by Kane, Booker is distraught. Booker re-enters and Scissor Kicks Kane before eliminating Kane.

Kane/King Booker Have Been Eliminated!

Number eighteen is Viscera, RVD punches Finlay. Number twenty is Nitro, Viscera smacks Punk in the corner. Rated RKO double team Nitro, Benoit stomps Benjamin.

Entrants 21 to 25

Number twenty-one is Kevin Thorn, RVD dropkicks Nitro into Viscera. Multiple clotheslines but Viscera will not go down. Number twenty-two is Hardcore Holly, the ring is filling up with plenty of superstars. Everyone ganging up on Viscera, number twenty-three is Shawn Michaels. Lou Thesz Press on Finlay, clothesline and Finlay is eliminated. Sweet Chin Music which allows everyone to toss Viscera over the top rope. Benjamin is elevated to the floor by HBK.

Benjamin/Viscera/Finlay Have Been Eliminated!

Number twenty-four is Chris Masters, Rated RKO attack Michaels. Benoit sends Nitro tumbling to the floor, Masters works on Punk in the corner.

Nitro Has Been Eliminated!

Number twenty five is Chavo Guerrero, Benoit pulls out Kevin Thorn with nobody watching.

Thorn Has Been Eliminated!

Entrants 26 to 30

Twenty-six is MVP, MVP goes after Benoit. Masters and RVD do battle, Masters tries a back suplex but RVD leaps out of the suplex and dropkicks Masters out of the rumble.

Masters Has Been Eliminated!

Orton and Punk are battling close to the ringpost, Punk survives elimination. Carlito is number twenty-seven, Rated RKO pummel Carlito. Number twenty-eight is The Great Khali, Khali beats up everyone with superior power. Number twenty-nine is Miz, Holly is tossed to the floor as is Benoit and Miz and RVD. Punk is tossed out too, Carlito is slapped out. Khali throws Chavo out too, Khali poses dominantly.

Benoit/Holly/Miz/RVD/Chavo/Carlito/Punk Have Been Eliminated!

Khali Slam on Michaels, number thirty is The Undertaker. Taker and Khali brawl, right hands by The Deadman. Brain chops by Khali, Taker staggers but does not go down. More brawling, Khali eats haymakers from Taker. Khali is against the ropes, Khali is clotheslined out of the match. Old School on MVP, Taker tosses MVP.

MVP/Great Khali Have Been Eliminated!

Orton clatters Taker with a steel chair, Edge thought about spearing Orton. Orton caught Edge, Orton is not happy. RKO on Michaels, Michaels falls to the floor. Orton and Edge have words, Rated RKO pummel Undertaker. Taker will not stay down though, more blows reign down on Taker. Corner clotheslines by Taker who is mounting a comeback, chokeslam is blocked via gut kick. Double clothesline by Taker, snake eyes on Edge. Massive boot, Edge Spears Taker who wanted a chokeslam on Orton. Chair to the head of Taker, Edge wants a conchairto. Michaels saves Taker by throwing out Orton and nailing Edge with Sweet Chin Music. We are down to two, Michaels and Taker.

Rated RKO Have Been Eliminated!

Taker sits up, Michaels kips-up. A stare-down for the ages, right hands by HBK. Taker shoves off Michaels to survive, right hands by Taker in the corner. Michaels hangs on by the skin of his teeth, chops by HBK. Michaels does his flip in the corner, Taker headbutts Michaels. Taker misses a boot, both men almost spill out, huge forearm by Michaels. Taker blocks with an elbow, right hands by Taker. Neckbreaker by HBK, slugfest between the two. Boot by Taker, Taker lifts Michaels to the apron. Michaels is resilient as ever, HBK is on the top rope.

Taker wants to toss HBK to the floor, Michaels is not staying down. Taker hits the mat with a thud, Michaels pulls his all into his elbow drop. Michaels wants sweet chin music, Taker blocks that for a Chokeslam. Undertaker eats a Sweet Chin Music as the tombstone is countered, Michaels measures for one more kick. Michaels misses as Taker dumps Michaels to the floor, Taker is going to Wrestlemania!

Winner: Undertaker over Everyone Else via Survival!

I might be alone in this opinion but I really found this rumble rather boring, there were no surprises which are some of the most fun parts of these kind of matches but there were also no memorable moments throughout the match. Rumbles allow for interactions that are not normally possible due to brand restrictions but I felt that there was nothing here, it was just everyone fighting and not doing a lot when it came to making the match fun.

However, that finishing stretch with the battle between Taker and Michaels was great, so much tension and so much drama. Just the two of them battling out made the match so important, they tore the house down in the time that they shared alone in that ring. Taker and Michaels were easily the stars of the match, they came into the match late though which means I sat through a whole lot of nothing just to get that nugget of gold at the end and as good as the match was, I cannot say the rumble itself was overly entertaining or exciting.

That was WWE’s Royal Rumble 2007, a mostly good pay per view from the WWE. It is very hard to make a Royal Rumble boring, it is the second biggest show in the WWE calendar. They want to deliver, it is the road to Wrestlemania. This show delivered, I only felt let down by bizarre booking in the ECW championship match and the rather boring Royal Rumble. The opening tag match was fast-paced with The Hardys doing what they do best, Jeff has been a sensation and such a shot of electricity and fresh air since his return from TNA, The Hardys are money and the fans still love them after all this time.

The Raw & Smackdown championship matches were really good stuff, Kennedy is such an unlikable heel even with all his charisma, Kennedy works the leg throughout the match, Batista sells and works for that finish and when it comes, it is impactful as Batista drives Kennedy through the mat. Even better when it comes to Cena vs Umaga, Umaga works the ribs and dominates while Cena battles from underneath, Cena and Umaga have a super fun match with all the steel steps shenanigans and announce table stuff before we have Cena resorting to choking out the monster just to win, I think it would have been so much more impactful had Cena not beaten Umaga by pin-fall at the prior pay per view, you could have even got another month out of this by having Cena finally pin Umaga but what’s done is done, no need to dwell on it.

My only gripes were that awful ECW title match and the rumble itself. The rumble did not feel like the rumbles we have come to known, no real titanic battles or points of interest. A lot of people you could have done without, I know they wanted to represent ECW but beyond RVD and Punk, every ECW roster member in the match was bounced around like a joke. They were just filler, things felt big when HBK and Taker came in but that was well into the twenties of the match. The match had been on a long time before that and the ECW championship finish made no sense to me, no idea why the challenger would walk away from a championship match. Bizarre and pointless, Lashley beat up Test afterwards so why could Lashley not just pin Test? Thanks for reading and remember: There’s always another night!