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{{short description|World Wrestling Entertainment pay-per-view event}}
{{cleanup-jargon|date=June 2009}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2013}}
{{Infobox Wrestling event {{Infobox Wrestling event
|name=Royal Rumble (2009) |name = Royal Rumble
|image = Wweroyalrumble2009.jpeg
|image=30068_PPV_RR_aff_ban_300x450.jpg
|alt =
|caption=Promotional poster featuring various ]
|caption = Promotional poster featuring various WWE wrestlers
|theme="]" by ] featuring ]<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/|title=WWE Royal Rumble|publisher=]|accessdate=2009-01-09| quote=Special thanks to Kevin Rudolf, whose "Let it Rock" is the official theme of the Royal Rumble. The track is off his Cash Money Records debut, In the City, which is available now.}}</ref>
|promotion=] |promotion = ]
|brand = ]<br />]<br />]
|date=January 25, 2009
|date = January 25, 2009
|attendance=16,685
|attendance = 16,685
|venue=]
|buyrate = 450,000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wrestlenomics.com/resources/wwe-pay-per-view-buys-wwf-ppv-buyrate/|title=WWE Pay-Per-View Buys (1993-2015)|date=March 25, 2020|work=Wrestlenomics|access-date=January 22, 2021}}</ref>
|city=]
|venue = ]
|lastevent=]
|city = ], ]
|nextevent=]
|lastevent = ]
|event=]
|lastevent2=] |nextevent = ]
|nextevent2=] |event = ]
|lastevent2 = ]
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}} }}
The 2009 '''Royal Rumble''' was the 22nd annual ] ] ] (PPV) ] produced by ] (WWE). It was held for wrestlers from the promotion's ], ], and ] ]. The event took place on January 25, 2009, at the ] in ], ]. As has been customary since 1993, the ] winner received a world championship match at that year's ]. For the 2009 event, the winner received their choice to challenge for either Raw's ], SmackDown's ], or the ] at ].


Five ] were featured on the event's ], a scheduling of more than one ]. The main event was the 2009 Royal Rumble match, which featured wrestlers from all three brands. Raw's ], the eighth entrant, won the match by last eliminating SmackDown's ], the seventh entrant. The primary match on the Raw brand was ] versus ] (JBL) for the World Heavyweight Championship, which Cena won to retain the title. The primary match on the SmackDown brand was a ] between ] and ] for the WWE Championship, which Edge won to win his fourth and last WWE Championship. The predominant match on the ECW brand was between ] and ] for the ECW Championship, which Swagger won to retain. This event also marked the first appearance of ] in WWE since ] in June 2007.
'''Royal Rumble (2009)''', a ] ] (PPV) event produced by ] (WWE), took place on January 25, 2009, at the ] in ].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/schedules/events/eventdetail/?id=8111896|title=WWE Royal Rumble event details| publisher=]| accessdate=2009-01-03}}</ref> It was the 22nd event produced under the ] name and featured wrestlers from the ], ], and ] ]. Five ] were featured on the event's ].


==Production==
The ], the annual 30-man ], featured wrestlers from all the three brands. ], the eighth entrant, won the match by last eliminating ], the seventh entrant. As a tradition, Orton received a ] match at ] for his choice of the ], ], or ]. For the third straight year, there was an uneven distribution of participants in the Royal Rumble match among the brands (with fifteen from Raw, ten from SmackDown, four from ECW, and one special guest entrant).
===Background===
] in ], ].]]
The ] is an annual ] ] (PPV) produced every January by ] (WWE) since 1988. It is one of the promotion's original four pay-per-views, along with ], ], and ], dubbed the "Big Four".<ref>Ian Hamilton. ''Wrestling's Sinking Ship: What Happens to an Industry Without Competition'' (p. 160)</ref> It is named after the ], a modified ] in which the participants enter at timed intervals instead of all beginning in the ring at the same time. The 2009 event was the 22nd event in the Royal Rumble chronology and was scheduled to be held on January 25, 2009, at the ] in ], ]. It featured wrestlers from the ], ], and ] ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/schedules/events/eventdetail/?id=8111896|title=WWE Royal Rumble event details|publisher=]|access-date=January 3, 2009}}</ref>


The Royal Rumble match generally features 30 wrestlers. Traditionally, the winner of the match earns a ] match at that year's WrestleMania.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/inside/specialtymatches/royalrumble|title=Specialty Matches: Royal Rumble|work=]|access-date=December 3, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050714073539/https://www.wwe.com/inside/specialtymatches/royalrumble|archive-date=July 14, 2005}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Waldman|title=Statistical survival – breaking down the Royal Rumble|url=https://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2005/02/01/917194.html|first=Jon|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|access-date=December 9, 2007|date=February 2, 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019171213/https://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2005/02/01/917194.html|archive-date=October 19, 2015}}</ref> For 2009, the winner could choose to challenge for either Raw's ], SmackDown's ], or the ] at ].
The predominant match on the ''SmackDown'' brand consisted of a ] between ] and ] for Hardy's WWE Championship. Edge won via pinfall after Jeff's brother, ], interfered in the match and hit Jeff with a ]. The primary match on the ''Raw'' brand featured ] defending the World Heavyweight Championship against ] (JBL), which Cena won by pinfall after performing an ]. The ] consisted of ] versus Matt Hardy for the ECW Championship and ] versus ] for the ].


=== Storylines ===
The event had 450,000 buys, down on the ] figure of 533,000 buys.<ref name="Buyrate">{{cite paper|title=WWE Reports 2009 First Quarter Results|publisher=]|date=2009-05-07|url= http://corporate.wwe.com/documents/PressReleaseQ109050609FINAL_000.pdf|format=PDF|accessdate=2009-05-07}}</ref>
The event included matches that resulted from scripted storylines, where wrestlers portrayed ], ], or ] in 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, SmackDown, and ECW brands, while storylines were produced on WWE's weekly television shows, '']'', '']'', and '']''.<ref>{{cite web|title=How Pro Wrestling Works|url=https://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/pro-wrestling.htm|last=Grabianowski|first=Ed|work=HowStuffWorks|date=January 13, 2006|publisher=]|access-date=March 5, 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131129050844/https://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/pro-wrestling.htm|archive-date=November 29, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Live & Televised Entertainment|url=https://corporate.wwe.com/company/events.jsp|work=]|access-date=March 21, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090218142749/https://corporate.wwe.com/company/events.jsp|archive-date=February 18, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://corporate.wwe.com/news/2006/2006_05_25_02.jsp|title=WWE Launches ECW As Third Brand|publisher=]|access-date=June 1, 2009}}</ref>


] (JBL) who faced off with ] at the Royal Rumble.]]
==Background==
The main ] from the Raw brand played out between ] and ] (JBL) over the World Heavyweight Championship. JBL earned his championship match against Cena after winning a ]—a standard match in which the last remaining competitor who has not been eliminated is declared the winner—on the December 29, 2008, episode of ''Raw'' by defeating ], ], and ].<ref name="Raw12.29">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/12292008/mainarticle|title=And they're off...|publisher=]|access-date=December 29, 2008}}</ref>
{{see also|Professional wrestling}}
Royal Rumble featured ] that involved different wrestlers from pre-existing ]ed feuds, ]s, and ]s played out on '']'', '']'', and '']''—]'s (WWE) primary television programs. Wrestlers portrayed a ] or a ] as they followed a series of events that built tension, and culminated into a wrestling match or series of matches.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://corporate.wwe.com/company/events.jsp|title=Live & Televised Entertainment of World Wrestling Entertainment|publisher=]|accessdate=2009-01-11}}</ref> The event featured wrestlers from WWE's Raw, SmackDown, and ECW brands—a ] in which WWE employees were assigned to a television program of the same name.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2006/2006_05_25_02.jsp|title=WWE Launches ECW As Third Brand |publisher=] Corporate|accessdate=2009-01-11}}</ref>


Another rivalry from the Raw brand came with ] challenging ] for her ] in a singles match. Melina won the opportunity to face Phoenix on the December 29, 2008. episode of ''Raw'' by winning a ], a match similar to the Royal Rumble, though with fewer competitors.<ref name="Raw12.29" />
] (JBL) who faced off with ] at the Royal Rumble.]]
The prime match scripted into the Royal Rumble, the annual ], has featured at every Royal Rumble event since its inception. The match featured 30 male wrestlers from WWE's three brands; 23 participants were officially announced for the match. The match ends when one wrestler remains in the ring, after all 29 other wrestlers have been eliminated via being tossed over the top ring rope and having both feet touch the floor. The winner earned an opportunity to challenge for the ], ], or ] at WWE's April ] pay-per-view.<ref name="RoyalRumblematch">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/matches/9050360/preview/|title=Preview: 30-Man Royal Rumble match|publisher=]|accessdate= 2009-01-11}}</ref>


The main rivalry from the SmackDown brand incorporated into the Royal Rumble featured ] and ], with the two feuding over the ]. At WWE's previous pay-per-view event, ], Hardy had defeated both defending champion Edge and ] in a Triple Threat match, a standard match involving three wrestlers, to win the WWE Championship. On the January 2, 2009, episode of ''SmackDown'', on-air ] ] announced that Edge would face Hardy for the WWE title at the Royal Rumble.<ref name="SD01.02">{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2009/01/03/7911321.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120716004352/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2009/01/03/7911321.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 16, 2012|title=Smackdown: Setting up the Rumble|date=January 3, 2009|last=van der Griend|first=Blaine|access-date=April 30, 2012|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=]}}</ref>
The main ] from the Raw brand played out between ] and ] (JBL), over the World Heavyweight Championship. JBL earned his championship match against Cena after winning a ]—a standard match in which the last remaining competitor who has not been eliminated is declared the winner—on the December 29, 2008 episode of ''Raw'' by defeating ], ], and ].<ref name="Raw12.29">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/12292008/|title=Results: And they're off...|last=Adkins|first=Greg|date=2008-12-29|publisher=]|accessdate=2009-01-11}}</ref>


The ECW brand's main rivalry, that between ] and ], had the two feuding over the ]. On the January 13, 2009, episode of ''ECW on Syfy'', Swagger defeated Hardy to capture the ECW Championship. On the January 16 episode of ''Friday Night SmackDown'', WWE announced that Swagger would defend the ECW title against Hardy in a rematch at the Royal Rumble.
Another rivalry from the Raw brand came with ] challenging ] for her ] in a singles match. Melina won the opportunity to face Phoenix on the December 29, 2008 episode of ''Raw'' by winning a ], a match similar to the Royal Rumble, though with fewer competitors.<ref name="Raw12.29" />

The main rivalry from the SmackDown brand heading into the Royal Rumble featured ] and ] with the two feuding over the ]. At WWE's previous pay-per-view event, ], Hardy defeated defending champion Edge and ] in a Triple Threat match, a standard match involving three wrestlers, to win the WWE Championship. On the January 2, 2009 episode of ''SmackDown'', on-air ] ] announced that Edge would face Hardy for the WWE title at the Royal Rumble.<ref name="SD01.02">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/results/8008376/|title=Results: Hardy New Year!|last=Passero| first=Mitch|date=2009-01-02|publisher=]|accessdate=2009-01-11}}</ref>

The ECW brand's main rivalry, that between ] and ], saw the two feuding over the ]. On the January 13, 2009 edition of ''ECW on Syfy'', Swagger defeated Hardy to capture the ECW Championship. On the January 16 episode of ''Friday Night SmackDown'', it was announced that Swagger would defend the ECW title against Hardy in a rematch at the Royal Rumble.


==Event== ==Event==
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|-
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===Preliminary matches=== ===Preliminary matches===
The first match of the evening saw ] defend the ECW Championship against ]. The match started with both wrestlers countering each other's moves for some time, until Swagger injured Matt's left shoulder and then targeted it for the entire match. Swagger ultimately defeated Matt by pinning him after a ] and retained the ECW title.<ref name="MattJack"/> The first match of the evening saw ] defend the ECW Championship against ]. The match started with both wrestlers countering each other's moves until Swagger injured Hardy's left shoulder and then targeted it for the rest of the match. Swagger ultimately defeated Hardy by pinning him after slamming him to the mat with a ]. Swagger thus retained the ECW title.<ref name="MattJack"/>


The second match on the card involved the ], where ] defended her title against ]. Phoenix was mostly in control of the match after working on Melina's legs in some point of the match. The match ended as Phoenix attempted to deliver the ] to Melina, but the latter countered it into a roll-up pin, giving her the win and the Women's Championship.<ref name="bethMelina"/> The second match involved the ], where ] defended her title against ]. The match ended when Phoenix attempted the ] on Melina, but Melina countered into a ], to win the Women's Championship.<ref name="bethMelina"/>


===Main event matches=== ===Main event matches===
] ]
]
The third match on the card pitted John Cena against JBL for the World Heavyweight Championship. JBL was accompanied to the ring by his employee ]. Shawn Michaels first got involved in the match when the referee was incapacitated, where came into the ring and performed his ] finisher both on JBL and Cena. He then left ringside, leaving JBL's arm on top of Cena. Cena however managed to get a shoulder up and performed an ] to retain his World Championship.<ref name="CenaJBL"/>
The third match on the card pitted ] against ] (JBL) for the ]. JBL's employee ] accompanied him to the ring and first got involved in the match when the referee became incapacitated; he came into the ring and performed his ] finisher both on JBL and Cena. He then left ringside, leaving JBL's arm on top of Cena. Cena however managed to get a shoulder up and performed an ] to retain his World Heavyweight Championship.<ref name="CenaJBL"/>


The fourth match on the card involved the WWE Championship, as Jeff Hardy defended his title against Edge. Before the match began Vickie Guerrero came out and announced that the match would be a ]. Edge then revealed that ] would be in his corner. The first big action came in the match when Jeff Hardy brought a ladder out and set it up near the Spanish announce table. When Chavo tried to interfere, Jeff put him on the table and jumped off the ladder connecting Chavo and breaking the table. Jeff then had the match won when he hit the Swanton after kicking Vickie off the apron when she tried to interfere. When Jeff went for the pin, Vickie stopped referee ] from making a three count. Jeff's brother Matt then made his way to the ring, placing a chair under Edge's face. Grabbing another chair, Matt at first appeared to be setting Edge up for his own version of Edge's ] maneuver. However, he instead smashed Jeff in the head with a chair. Edge then pinned Jeff to become the new WWE Champion.<ref name="HardyvsEdge"/> In the fourth match, ] defended the ] against ]. Before the match began, ] came out and announced the match to be ]. Edge then revealed that ] would be in his corner. During the match Hardy brought a ladder out and set it up near the Spanish announce table. When Chavo tried to interfere, Hardy put him on the table and jumped off the ladder, connecting with Chavo and breaking the table. Hardy then had the match won when he performed the Swanton on Edge after kicking Vickie off the apron when she tried to interfere. When Hardy went for the pin, Vickie stopped referee ] from making a three count. Jeff's brother Matt then made his way to the ring, placing a chair under Edge's face. Grabbing another chair, Matt at first appeared to be setting Edge up for his own version of Edge's ] maneuver. He instead hit Jeff in the head with the chair, allowing Edge to then pin Jeff and become the new WWE Champion.<ref name="HardyvsEdge"/>


The main event consisted of the Royal Rumble match. ] and ] started the Rumble. The final six participants left in the match were ], ], Triple H and ] (], ] and ]). While the Undertaker and Big Show were both brawling on the outside apron (both went over the top rope, but had not hit the floor), Orton eliminated Big Show with an RKO, causing him to fall off the apron. The Undertaker was shortly eliminated afterwards when Big Show pulled him off the apron by his leg. Despite being at a disadvantage against the Legacy, Triple H managed to eliminate both DiBiase and Rhodes. With Triple H by the ropes, Orton quickly clotheslined him from behind to send him over the top rope and become the winner of the Royal Rumble match.<ref name="Rumble"/> ] and ] came out to call the main event. The main event consisted of the Royal Rumble match. ] and ] started the Rumble. As ] entered at No. 14, ] stepped on the just eliminated ] and ] to avoid elimination. ] entered at No. 28 and was eliminated by Kane in one second. Breaking the Warlord's record for shortest elimination in the Royal Rumble. The final six participants left in the match were ], ], ] and ] (], ] and ]). While the Undertaker and Big Show brawled on the outside apron (both went over the top rope, but had not hit the floor), Orton eliminated Big Show with an RKO, causing him to fall off the apron. Big Show eliminated The Undertaker shortly thereafter when he pulled his opponent off the apron by his leg. Despite being at a disadvantage against the Legacy, Triple H eliminated both DiBiase and Rhodes. With Triple H by the ropes, Orton quickly clotheslined him from behind to send him over the top rope and become the winner of the Royal Rumble match.<ref name="Rumble"/>


==Aftermath== ==Aftermath==
] returned after the Royal Rumble and attacked Randy Orton]]
{{main|No Way Out (2009)}}
On the January 26 episode of ''Raw'', The Legacy came out with two lawyers and a therapist. Randy Orton then revealed that he suffers from ], which causes him to experience violent outbursts when provoked, losing all control of his emotions and actions. According to Orton and his lawyers, Orton had told ] that if fired, he would not only take DiBiase and Rhodes with him but the whole locker room, as he would bring in a lawsuit against the company.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/results/|title=The son also rises|date=January 26, 2009|access-date=January 27, 2009|publisher=]}}</ref>
]
On the January 26 edition of ''Raw'', The Legacy came out with two lawyers and a therapist. Randy Orton then revealed that he suffers from ], which causes him to experience violent outbursts when provoked, losing all control of his emotions and actions. According to Orton and his lawyers, Orton told ], if she is to fire him, he will not only take DiBiase and Rhodes with him but the whole locker room as he will bring in a lawsuit against the company.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/results/|title=The son also rises|date=2009-01-26|accessdate=2009-01-27|publisher=]}}</ref>


The Raw brand started the qualifying matches for the brand's upcoming ] match at WWE's next pay-per-view event, ]. Three of the qualifying matches saw ] defeat ], Rey Mysterio defeat ] and Chris Jericho defeat ] to qualify. In a fourth qualification match, Shawn Michaels failed to win a match against John Cena that would have made JBL eligible to participate in the Elimination Chamber.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/nowayout/matches/9229100/preview/|title=Preview:World Heavyweight Title Elimination Chamber Match|accessdate=2009-01-28|publisher=]}} The Raw brand started the qualifying matches for the brand's upcoming ] match at WWE's next pay-per-view event, ]. Three of the qualifying matches saw ] defeat ], Rey Mysterio defeat ] and Chris Jericho defeat ] to qualify. In a fourth qualification match, Shawn Michaels failed to win a match against John Cena that would have made JBL eligible to participate in the Elimination Chamber.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/nowayout/matches/9229100/preview/|title=Preview: World Heavyweight Title Elimination Chamber Match|access-date=January 28, 2009|publisher=]}}</ref>
</ref>


The ECW Championship feud between Jack Swagger and Matt Hardy had officially finished when ECW's on-air authority figure ] announced on the January 27 edition of ''ECW'' that Hardy requested to be moved to the SmackDown brand. Swagger had other problems as his ECW title belt was stolen by ]. When Hornswoggle's ], ], urged Hornswoggle to give the title back to Swagger, Swagger shoved Hornswoggle to the ground, which caused Finlay to knock down Swagger with his own title.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/results/|title=Extreme changes|date= 2009-01-27|accessdate=2009-01-28|publisher=]}}</ref> The ECW Championship feud between Jack Swagger and Matt Hardy had officially finished when ECW's on-air authority figure ] announced on the January 27 episode of ''ECW'' that Hardy had requested a move to the SmackDown brand. Swagger had other problems as his ECW title belt was stolen by ]. When Hornswoggle's ], ], urged Hornswoggle to give the title back to Swagger, Swagger shoved Hornswoggle to the ground, which caused Finlay to knock down Swagger with his own championship belt.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/results/|title=Extreme changes|date=January 27, 2009|access-date=January 28, 2009|publisher=]}}</ref>


On the January 30 edition of ], Matt Hardy came out to ring and told the WWE Universe that he had no remorse about smashing his brother Jeff in the head at the Royal Rumble and costing him the ]. He then told the universe that he no longer considers Jeff a partner or a sibling.<ref> ] Retrieved on February 1, 2009</ref> There were three Elimination Chamber qualifiers for No Way Out. The first match being ] versus ], which Taker won via submission with the ]. The second qualifier match was ] defeating Festus with a K.O. Punch. The last qualifier was a triple threat match featuring Triple H, ] and ]. Triple H won the match after he delivered a ] to Khali to pick up the victory.<ref> Retrieved on February 1, 2009</ref> On the January 30 episode of ''SmackDown'', Matt Hardy proclaimed that he had no remorse about smashing his brother Jeff in the head at the Royal Rumble and costing him the ]. He then told the universe that he no longer considered Jeff a partner or a sibling.<ref> ] Retrieved on February 1, 2009</ref> There were three Elimination Chamber qualifiers for No Way Out. The first match being ] versus ], which Undertaker won via submission with the ]. The second qualifier match was ] defeating Festus with a K.O. Punch. The last qualifier was a triple threat match featuring Triple H, ] and ]. Triple H won the match after he delivered a ] to Khali to pick up the victory.<ref> Retrieved on February 1, 2009</ref>

During the ], the World Heavyweight Championship and WWE Championship switched brands.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rough Draft |url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/04132009/mainarticle/ |website=] |access-date=November 29, 2021 |date=April 13, 2009}}</ref>


<!-- ===Reception=== -->
==Results== ==Results==
{{Pro Wrestling results table
{| style="font-size: 85%; text-align: left;" class="wikitable sortable"
|times = <ref name="pwh">{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/rumble.html#2009|title=Royal Rumble|access-date=February 23, 2009|publisher=Pro Wrestling History}}</ref>
!style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3;" width="1%"|'''#'''
|note1 = dark
!style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3;" width="45%"|'''Matches'''
|match1 = ] defeated ]<ref name="pwh"/>
!style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3;" width="50%"|'''Stipulations'''
|stip1 = ]
!style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3;" width="0%"|'''Time'''<ref name ="pwh">{{cite web|url= http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/rumble.html#2009|title=Royal Rumble|accessdate=2009-02-23|publisher= prowrestlinghistory.com}}</ref>
|time1 =
|-
|match2 = ] (c) defeated ]<ref name="MattJack">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/2009/matches/9143224/results/|title=Results:Solidification with a Swagger|date=January 25, 2009|last=Burdick|first=Michael|publisher=]|access-date=January 25, 2009}}</ref>
|]
|stip2 = ] for the ]
|] defeated ]<ref name="pwh" />
|time2 = 10:27
|]
|match3 = ] defeated ] (c) (with ])<ref name="bethMelina">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/2009/matches/9029660/results/|title=Results:Viva Melina!|date=January 25, 2009|publisher=]|access-date=January 25, 2009}}</ref>
|N/A
|stip3 = ] for the ]
|-
|time3 = 5:56
|1
|] (c) defeated ]<ref name="MattJack">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/matches/9143224/results/|title=Results:Solidification with a Swagger|date=2009-01-25|last=Burdick|first=Michael|publisher=]|accessdate=2009-01-25}}</ref> |match4 = ] (c) defeated ] (with ])<ref name="CenaJBL">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/2009/matches/9029646/results/|title=Results:Beating the odds|date=January 25, 2009|last=Sitterson|first=Aubrey|publisher=]|access-date=January 25, 2009}}</ref>
|stip4 = ] for the ]
|] Match
|time4 = 15:29
|10:27
|match5 = ] (with ]) defeated ] (c)<ref name="HardyvsEdge">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/2009/matches/9055494/results/|title=Results: Hardy's twisted fate brings gold to Edge|date=January 25, 2009|access-date=January 25, 2009|last=DiFino|first=Lenny|publisher=]}}</ref>
|-
|stip5 = ] for the ]
|2
|time5 = 19:23
|] defeated ] (c) (with ])<ref name="bethMelina">{{cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/matches/9029660/results/|title=Results:Viva Melina!|date=2009-01-25|publisher=]| accessdate=2009-01-25}}</ref>
|match6 = ] won by last eliminating ]<ref name="Rumble">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/2009/matches/9050360/results/|title=Results:Detroit "RKO" City|date=January 25, 2009|last=Tello|first=Craig|publisher=]|access-date=January 27, 2009}}</ref>
|] Match
|stip6 = 30-man ] for a world championship match at ]
|5:56
|time6 = 59:37
|-
}}
|3
|] (c) defeated ] (with ])<ref name="CenaJBL">{{cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/matches/9029646/results/|title=Results:Beating the odds|date=2009-01-25|last=Sitterson|first= Aubrey|publisher=]|accessdate=2009-01-25}}</ref>
|] Match
|15:29
|-
|4
| ] (with ]) defeated ] (c)<ref name="HardyvsEdge">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/matches/9055494/results/|title=Results:Royal Rumble: Hardy's twisted fate brings gold to Edge|date=2009-01-25|accessdate=2009-01-25|last=DiFino|first=Lenny|publisher=]}}</ref>
|] for the ]
|19:22
|-
|5
|] last eliminated ] to win.<ref name="Rumble">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/matches/9050360/results/|title=Results:Detroit "RKO" City|date=2009-01-25|last=Tello|first=Craig|publisher=]|accessdate=2009-01-27}}</ref>
|]
|58:37
|-
|colspan="4"|{{center|{{small|''(c) - refers to the champion heading into the match''}}}}
|}
{{note|WMXXV}} - The winner had the option of choosing which championship he would challenge for.<ref name="RoyalRumblematch" />


===Royal Rumble entrances and eliminations=== ===Royal Rumble entrances and eliminations===
Red <font color="#FFEEEE">██</font> and "Raw" indicates a ] superstar, blue <font color="#EEEEFF">██</font> and "SD" indicates a ] superstar, purple <font color="#E7DDEE">██</font> and "ECW" indicates an ] superstar, and white indicates a special guest entrant.<ref name="rumblestats">
{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/participants09/|title=2009 Royal Rumble Statistics and Eliminations|accessdate =2009-01-06|publisher=]}}</ref>



{| class="wikitable sortable" border="1" style="font-size:100%; text-align:left;"
:{{Color box|#FBB|border=silver}} – ''']'''
!style="border-style:none none solid solid; background:#e3e3e3;"|Draw
:{{Color box|#BBF|border=silver}} – ''']'''
!style="border-style:none none solid solid; background:#e3e3e3;"|Entrant
:{{Color box|Beige|border=Black}} – ''']'''
!style="border-style:none none solid solid; background:#e3e3e3;"|Brand
:{{Color box|White|border=Black}} – '''Legend'''
!style="border-style:none none solid solid; background:#e3e3e3;"|Order
:{{Color box|Gold|border=Black}} – '''Winner'''
!style="border-style:none none solid solid; background:#e3e3e3;"|Eliminated by

!style="border-style:none none solid solid; background:#e3e3e3;"|Time

{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Draw<ref name="rumblestats">
{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/2009/participants09/|title=2009 Royal Rumble Statistics and Eliminations|access-date=January 6, 2009|publisher=]}}</ref>
!Entrant<ref name="rumblestats"/>
!Brand
!Order<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/rumble2.html#2009|title=Royal Rumble 2009|access-date=December 20, 2012|publisher=Pro Wrestling History}}</ref>
!Eliminated by<ref name="rumblestats"/>
!Time<ref name="rumblestats"/>
!Eliminations
|- |-
|-style="background: #FFEEEE;" |-style="background: #FBB;"
|{{sort|01|1}} |{{sort|01|1}}
|] |]
|Raw |Raw
|19 |20
|Big Show |Big Show
|49:24 |49:26
|1
|-style="background: #E7DDEE;"
|-style="background: Beige;"
|{{sort|02|2}} |{{sort|02|2}}
|] |]
|ECW |ECW
|{{sort|06|6}} |{{sort|05|5}}
|Triple H |Triple H
|19:32 |19:35
|0
|-style="background: #EEEEFF;"
|-style="background: #BBF;"
|{{sort|03|3}} |{{sort|03|3}}
|] |]
|SmackDown
|SD
|{{sort|03|3}} |{{sort|03|3}}
|Kozlov |rowspan="3"|Vladimir Kozlov
|{{sort|06:11|6:11}} |06:11
|0
|-style="background: #EEEEFF;"
|-style="background: #BBF;"
|{{sort|04|4}} |{{sort|04|4}}
|] |]
|SmackDown
|SD
|{{sort|02|2}} |{{sort|02|2}}
|03:52
|Kozlov
|0
||{{sort|03:52|3:52}}
|-style="background: #EEEEFF;" |-style="background: #BBF;"
|{{sort|05|5}} |{{sort|05|5}}
|] |]
|SmackDown
|SD
|{{sort|01|1}} |{{sort|01|1}}
|01:30
|Kozlov
|0
|{{sort|01:30|1:30}}
|-style="background: #EEEEFF;" |-style="background: #BBF;"
|{{sort|06|6}} |{{sort|06|6}}
|] |]
|SmackDown
|SD
|{{sort|04|4}} |{{sort|04|4}}
|Triple H |Triple H
|{{sort|02:40|2:40}} |02:40
|3
|-style="background: #EEEEFF;"
|-style="background: #BBF;"
|{{sort|07|7}} |{{sort|07|7}}
|] |]
|SmackDown
|SD
|29 |29
|Orton |Randy Orton
|49:55 |50:00
|6
|-style="background: #FFCCCC;"
|-style="background: Gold;"
|{{sort|08|8}}
|'''{{sort|08|8}}'''
|]
|''']'''
|Raw
|'''Raw'''
|{{sort|30|—}}
|'''WINNER''' |'''{{sort|30|—}}'''
|'''Winner'''
|48:27
|'''48:30'''
|-style="background: #FFEEEE;"
|'''3 '''
|-style="background: #FBB;"
|{{sort|09|9}} |{{sort|09|9}}
|] |]
|Raw |Raw
|{{sort|07|7}} |{{sort|07|7}}
|Undertaker |The Undertaker
|11:59 |11:59
|0
|-style="background: #FFEEEE;"
|-style="background: #FBB;"
|10 |10
|] |]
|Raw |Raw
|27 |27
|Triple H |Triple H
|45:11 |45:11
|1
|-style="background: #FFEEEE;"
|-style="background: #FBB;"
|11 |11
|] |]
|Raw |Raw
|23 |23
|Undertaker |The Undertaker
|37:17 |37:17
|1
|-style="background: #FFEEEE;"
|-style="background: #FBB;"
|12 |12
|] |]
|Raw |Raw
|20 |19
|Big Show |Big Show
|32:42 |32:42
|0
|-style="background: #E7DDEE;"
|-style="background: Beige;"
|13 |13
|] |]
|ECW |ECW
|{{sort|05|5}} |{{sort|06|6}}
|Triple H |Triple H
|01:21
|{{sort|01:18|1:18}}
|0
|-style="background: #E7DDEE;"
|-style="background: Beige;"
|14 |14
|] |]
Line 217: Line 268:
|21 |21
|Kane |Kane
|29:59 |30:00
|0
|-style="background: #FFEEEE;"
|-style="background: #FBB;"
|15 |15
|] |]
Line 225: Line 277:
|Triple H |Triple H
|37:01 |37:01
|2
|-style="background: #EEEEFF;"
|-style="background: #BBF;"
|16 |16
|] |]
|SmackDown
|SD
|26 |26
|Big Show{{note|show}} |Big Show{{Ref|NoteA|1}}
|32:29 |33:30
|4
|-style="background: #FFEEEE;"
|-style="background: #FBB;"
|17 |17
|] |]
|Raw |Raw
|{{sort|08|8}} |{{sort|08|8}}
|Rhodes |Cody Rhodes
|{{sort|01:11|1:11}} |01:11
|0
|-style="background: #FFEEEE;"
|-style="background: #FBB;"
|18 |18
|] |]
|Raw |Raw
|{{sort|18|18}}
|18
|Big Show |Big Show
|22:29 |22:29
|1
|-style="background: #E7DDEE;"
|-style="background: Beige;"
|19 |19
|] |]
|ECW |ECW
|{{sort|09|9}} |{{sort|09|9}}
|Mysterio |The Undertaker & Rey Mysterio
|{{sort|03:14|3:14}} |03:14
|0
|-style="background: #EEEEFF;"
|-style="background: #BBF;"
|20 |20
|] |]
|SmackDown
|SD
|10 |10
|Undertaker |The Undertaker
|{{sort|04:17|4:17}} |04:17
|0
|-style="background: #FFEEEE;"
|-style="background: #FBB;"
|21 |21
|] |]
|Raw |Raw
|11 |11
|Punk |CM Punk
|{{sort|04:23|4:23}} |04:23
|0
|-style="background: #FFEEEE;"
|-style="background: #FBB;"
|22 |22
|] |]
|Raw |Raw
|12 |12
|Kendrick |The Brian Kendrick
|{{sort|06:58|6:58}} |06:58
|0
|-style="background: #FFEEEE;"
|-style="background: #FBB;"
|23 |23
|] |]
|Raw |Raw
|24 |24
|Rhodes, DiBiase and Orton |Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton & Ted DiBiase
|18:21 |18:21
|3
|-style="background: #EEEEFF;"
|-style="background: #BBF;"
|24 |24
|] |]
|SmackDown
|SD
|17 |17
|Big Show |Big Show
|12:06 |12:06
|- |0
|-style="background: White;"
|25 |25
|] |]
|Unbranded
|—
|22 |22
|Jericho |Chris Jericho
|13:56 |14:00
|0
|-style="background: #EEEEFF;"
|-style="background: #BBF;"
|26 |26
|The ] |]
|SmackDown
|SD
|13 |13
|Triple H |Triple H
|{{sort|00:15|0:15}} |00:15
|1
|-style="background: #FFEEEE;"
|-style="background: #FBB;"
|27 |27
|] |]
|Raw |Raw
|14 |14
|Kane |rowspan="2"|Kane
|{{sort|00:21|0:21}} |00:21
|0
|-style="background: #FFEEEE;"
|-style="background: #FBB;"
|28 |28
|] |]
|Raw |Raw
|15 |15
|00:01
|Kane
|0
|{{sort|00:01|0:01}}
|-style="background: #FFEEEE;" |-style="background: #FBB;"
|29 |29
|] |]
Line 322: Line 387:
|16 |16
|Big Show |Big Show
|{{sort|02:50|2:50}} |02:50
|0
|-style="background: #EEEEFF;"
|-style="background: #BBF;"
|30 |30
|] |]
|SmackDown
|SD
|25 |25
|Orton |Randy Orton
|{{sort|09:32|9:32}} |09:32
|6
|} |}
{{note|show}}Randy Orton had already eliminated The Big Show prior to his eliminating of The Undertaker.


{{Ref|NoteA|1}} Big Show's elimination of Undertaker came after Big Show was eliminated by Randy Orton.
==See also==
{{portal|professional wrestling|break=yes}}
* ]


==References== ==References==
{{reflist|2}} {{Reflist|30em}}


==External links== ==External links==
{{Commons category|WWE Royal Rumble (2009)}}
*
*


{{2009 WWE pay-per-view events}}
{{WWEPPV|Royal Rumble}} {{WWEPPV|Royal Rumble}}


] ]
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Latest revision as of 10:31, 11 October 2024

World Wrestling Entertainment pay-per-view event

Royal Rumble
Promotional poster featuring various WWE wrestlers
PromotionWorld Wrestling Entertainment
Brand(s)Raw
SmackDown
ECW
DateJanuary 25, 2009
CityDetroit, Michigan
VenueJoe Louis Arena
Attendance16,685
Buy rate450,000
Pay-per-view chronology
← Previous
Armageddon 		Next →
No Way Out
Royal Rumble chronology
← Previous
2008 		Next →
2010

The 2009 Royal Rumble was the 22nd annual Royal Rumble professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). It was held for wrestlers from the promotion's Raw, SmackDown, and ECW brand divisions. The event took place on January 25, 2009, at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan. As has been customary since 1993, the Royal Rumble match winner received a world championship match at that year's WrestleMania. For the 2009 event, the winner received their choice to challenge for either Raw's World Heavyweight Championship, SmackDown's WWE Championship, or the ECW Championship at WrestleMania 25.

Five professional wrestling matches were featured on the event's supercard, a scheduling of more than one main event. The main event was the 2009 Royal Rumble match, which featured wrestlers from all three brands. Raw's Randy Orton, the eighth entrant, won the match by last eliminating SmackDown's Triple H, the seventh entrant. The primary match on the Raw brand was John Cena versus John "Bradshaw" Layfield (JBL) for the World Heavyweight Championship, which Cena won to retain the title. The primary match on the SmackDown brand was a No Disqualification match between Jeff Hardy and Edge for the WWE Championship, which Edge won to win his fourth and last WWE Championship. The predominant match on the ECW brand was between Jack Swagger and Matt Hardy for the ECW Championship, which Swagger won to retain. This event also marked the first appearance of Rob Van Dam in WWE since One Night Stand in June 2007.

Production

Background

The event was held at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan.

The Royal Rumble is an annual gimmick pay-per-view (PPV) produced every January by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) since 1988. It is one of the promotion's original four pay-per-views, along with WrestleMania, SummerSlam, and Survivor Series, dubbed the "Big Four". It is named after the Royal Rumble match, a modified battle royal in which the participants enter at timed intervals instead of all beginning in the ring at the same time. The 2009 event was the 22nd event in the Royal Rumble chronology and was scheduled to be held on January 25, 2009, at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan. It featured wrestlers from the Raw, SmackDown, and ECW brands.

The Royal Rumble match generally features 30 wrestlers. Traditionally, the winner of the match earns a world championship match at that year's WrestleMania. For 2009, the winner could choose to challenge for either Raw's World Heavyweight Championship, SmackDown's WWE Championship, or the ECW Championship at WrestleMania 25.

Storylines

The event included matches that resulted from scripted storylines, where wrestlers portrayed heroes, villains, or less distinguishable characters in 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, SmackDown, and ECW brands, while storylines were produced on WWE's weekly television shows, Raw, SmackDown, and ECW on Sci Fi.

John "Bradshaw" Layfield (JBL) who faced off with John Cena at the Royal Rumble.

The main rivalry from the Raw brand played out between John Cena and John "Bradshaw" Layfield (JBL) over the World Heavyweight Championship. JBL earned his championship match against Cena after winning a fatal four-way elimination match—a standard match in which the last remaining competitor who has not been eliminated is declared the winner—on the December 29, 2008, episode of Raw by defeating Chris Jericho, Randy Orton, and Shawn Michaels.

Another rivalry from the Raw brand came with Melina challenging Beth Phoenix for her WWE Women's Championship in a singles match. Melina won the opportunity to face Phoenix on the December 29, 2008. episode of Raw by winning a battle royal, a match similar to the Royal Rumble, though with fewer competitors.

The main rivalry from the SmackDown brand incorporated into the Royal Rumble featured Jeff Hardy and Edge, with the two feuding over the WWE Championship. At WWE's previous pay-per-view event, Armageddon, Hardy had defeated both defending champion Edge and Triple H in a Triple Threat match, a standard match involving three wrestlers, to win the WWE Championship. On the January 2, 2009, episode of SmackDown, on-air authority figure Vickie Guerrero announced that Edge would face Hardy for the WWE title at the Royal Rumble.

The ECW brand's main rivalry, that between Jack Swagger and Matt Hardy, had the two feuding over the ECW Championship. On the January 13, 2009, episode of ECW on Syfy, Swagger defeated Hardy to capture the ECW Championship. On the January 16 episode of Friday Night SmackDown, WWE announced that Swagger would defend the ECW title against Hardy in a rematch at the Royal Rumble.

Event

Other on-screen personnel
Role: Name:
English commentators Michael Cole (Raw)
Jerry "The King" Lawler (Raw/Royal Rumble)
Jim Ross (Smackdown/Royal Rumble)
Tazz (Smackdown)
Todd Grisham (ECW)
Matt Striker (ECW)
Spanish commentators Carlos Cabrera
Hugo Savinovich
Interviewer Todd Grisham
Ring announcer Lilian Garcia (Raw)
Justin Roberts (SmackDown/Royal Rumble)
Tony Chimel (ECW)
Referees Charles Robinson
Mike Chioda
Chad Patton
Marty Elias
Jack Doan
Scott Armstong

Preliminary matches

The first match of the evening saw Jack Swagger defend the ECW Championship against Matt Hardy. The match started with both wrestlers countering each other's moves until Swagger injured Hardy's left shoulder and then targeted it for the rest of the match. Swagger ultimately defeated Hardy by pinning him after slamming him to the mat with a gutwrench powerbomb. Swagger thus retained the ECW title.

The second match involved the WWE Women's Championship, where Beth Phoenix defended her title against Melina. The match ended when Phoenix attempted the Glam Slam on Melina, but Melina countered into a roll-up pin, to win the Women's Championship.

Main event matches

The Royal Rumble match in progress
Randy Orton after winning the 2009 Royal Rumble

The third match on the card pitted John Cena against John "Bradshaw" Layfield (JBL) for the World Heavyweight Championship. JBL's employee Shawn Michaels accompanied him to the ring and first got involved in the match when the referee became incapacitated; he came into the ring and performed his Sweet Chin Music finisher both on JBL and Cena. He then left ringside, leaving JBL's arm on top of Cena. Cena however managed to get a shoulder up and performed an Attitude Adjustment to retain his World Heavyweight Championship.

In the fourth match, Jeff Hardy defended the WWE Championship against Edge. Before the match began, Vickie Guerrero came out and announced the match to be No Disqualifications. Edge then revealed that Chavo Guerrero would be in his corner. During the match Hardy brought a ladder out and set it up near the Spanish announce table. When Chavo tried to interfere, Hardy put him on the table and jumped off the ladder, connecting with Chavo and breaking the table. Hardy then had the match won when he performed the Swanton on Edge after kicking Vickie off the apron when she tried to interfere. When Hardy went for the pin, Vickie stopped referee Scott Armstrong from making a three count. Jeff's brother Matt then made his way to the ring, placing a chair under Edge's face. Grabbing another chair, Matt at first appeared to be setting Edge up for his own version of Edge's con-chair-to maneuver. He instead hit Jeff in the head with the chair, allowing Edge to then pin Jeff and become the new WWE Champion.

Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler came out to call the main event. The main event consisted of the Royal Rumble match. Rey Mysterio and John Morrison started the Rumble. As Finlay entered at No. 14, Rey Mysterio stepped on the just eliminated John Morrison and The Miz to avoid elimination. Santino Marella entered at No. 28 and was eliminated by Kane in one second. Breaking the Warlord's record for shortest elimination in the Royal Rumble. The final six participants left in the match were The Big Show, The Undertaker, Triple H and The Legacy (Cody Rhodes, Ted DiBiase and Randy Orton). While the Undertaker and Big Show brawled on the outside apron (both went over the top rope, but had not hit the floor), Orton eliminated Big Show with an RKO, causing him to fall off the apron. Big Show eliminated The Undertaker shortly thereafter when he pulled his opponent off the apron by his leg. Despite being at a disadvantage against the Legacy, Triple H eliminated both DiBiase and Rhodes. With Triple H by the ropes, Orton quickly clotheslined him from behind to send him over the top rope and become the winner of the Royal Rumble match.

Aftermath

Shane McMahon returned after the Royal Rumble and attacked Randy Orton

On the January 26 episode of Raw, The Legacy came out with two lawyers and a therapist. Randy Orton then revealed that he suffers from IED, which causes him to experience violent outbursts when provoked, losing all control of his emotions and actions. According to Orton and his lawyers, Orton had told Stephanie McMahon that if fired, he would not only take DiBiase and Rhodes with him but the whole locker room, as he would bring in a lawsuit against the company.

The Raw brand started the qualifying matches for the brand's upcoming Elimination Chamber match at WWE's next pay-per-view event, No Way Out. Three of the qualifying matches saw Kofi Kingston defeat Kane, Rey Mysterio defeat William Regal and Chris Jericho defeat CM Punk to qualify. In a fourth qualification match, Shawn Michaels failed to win a match against John Cena that would have made JBL eligible to participate in the Elimination Chamber.

The ECW Championship feud between Jack Swagger and Matt Hardy had officially finished when ECW's on-air authority figure Theodore Long announced on the January 27 episode of ECW that Hardy had requested a move to the SmackDown brand. Swagger had other problems as his ECW title belt was stolen by Hornswoggle. When Hornswoggle's storyline father, Finlay, urged Hornswoggle to give the title back to Swagger, Swagger shoved Hornswoggle to the ground, which caused Finlay to knock down Swagger with his own championship belt.

On the January 30 episode of SmackDown, Matt Hardy proclaimed that he had no remorse about smashing his brother Jeff in the head at the Royal Rumble and costing him the WWE Championship. He then told the universe that he no longer considered Jeff a partner or a sibling. There were three Elimination Chamber qualifiers for No Way Out. The first match being The Undertaker versus Mark Henry, which Undertaker won via submission with the Hell's Gate. The second qualifier match was The Big Show defeating Festus with a K.O. Punch. The last qualifier was a triple threat match featuring Triple H, The Great Khali and Vladimir Kozlov. Triple H won the match after he delivered a Pedigree to Khali to pick up the victory.

During the 2009 WWE Draft, the World Heavyweight Championship and WWE Championship switched brands.

Results

No.ResultsStipulationsTimes
1Jimmy Wang Yang defeated Paul BurchillSingles match—
2Jack Swagger (c) defeated Matt HardySingles match for the ECW Championship10:27
3Melina defeated Beth Phoenix (c) (with Santino Marella)Singles match for the WWE Women's Championship5:56
4John Cena (c) defeated John "Bradshaw" Layfield (with Shawn Michaels)Singles match for the World Heavyweight Championship15:29
5Edge (with Chavo Guerrero) defeated Jeff Hardy (c)No Disqualification match for the WWE Championship19:23
6Randy Orton won by last eliminating Triple H30-man Royal Rumble match for a world championship match at WrestleMania 2559:37
(c) – the champion(s) heading into the match
D – this was a dark match

Royal Rumble entrances and eliminations

  – Raw
  – SmackDown!
  – ECW
  – Legend
  – Winner


Draw Entrant Brand Order Eliminated by Time Eliminations
1 Rey Mysterio Raw 20 Big Show 49:26 1
2 John Morrison ECW 5 Triple H 19:35 0
3 Carlito SmackDown 3 Vladimir Kozlov 06:11 0
4 Montel Vontavious Porter SmackDown 2 03:52 0
5 The Great Khali SmackDown 1 01:30 0
6 Vladimir Kozlov SmackDown 4 Triple H 02:40 3
7 Triple H SmackDown 29 Randy Orton 50:00 6
8 Randy Orton Raw — Winner 48:30 3
9 JTG Raw 7 The Undertaker 11:59 0
10 Ted DiBiase Jr. Raw 27 Triple H 45:11 1
11 Chris Jericho Raw 23 The Undertaker 37:17 1
12 Mike Knox Raw 19 Big Show 32:42 0
13 The Miz ECW 6 Triple H 01:21 0
14 Finlay ECW 21 Kane 30:00 0
15 Cody Rhodes Raw 28 Triple H 37:01 2
16 The Undertaker SmackDown 26 Big Show 33:30 4
17 Goldust Raw 8 Cody Rhodes 01:11 0
18 CM Punk Raw 18 Big Show 22:29 1
19 Mark Henry ECW 9 The Undertaker & Rey Mysterio 03:14 0
20 Shelton Benjamin SmackDown 10 The Undertaker 04:17 0
21 William Regal Raw 11 CM Punk 04:23 0
22 Kofi Kingston Raw 12 The Brian Kendrick 06:58 0
23 Kane Raw 24 Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton & Ted DiBiase 18:21 3
24 R-Truth SmackDown 17 Big Show 12:06 0
25 Rob Van Dam Unbranded 22 Chris Jericho 14:00 0
26 The Brian Kendrick SmackDown 13 Triple H 00:15 1
27 Dolph Ziggler Raw 14 Kane 00:21 0
28 Santino Marella Raw 15 00:01 0
29 Jim Duggan Raw 16 Big Show 02:50 0
30 Big Show SmackDown 25 Randy Orton 09:32 6

Big Show's elimination of Undertaker came after Big Show was eliminated by Randy Orton.

References

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  2. Ian Hamilton. Wrestling's Sinking Ship: What Happens to an Industry Without Competition (p. 160)
  3. "WWE Royal Rumble event details". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved January 3, 2009.
  4. "Specialty Matches: Royal Rumble". WWE. Archived from the original on July 14, 2005. Retrieved December 3, 2007.
  5. Waldman, Jon (February 2, 2005). "Statistical survival – breaking down the Royal Rumble". SLAM! Wrestling. Archived from the original on October 19, 2015. Retrieved December 9, 2007.
  6. Grabianowski, Ed (January 13, 2006). "How Pro Wrestling Works". HowStuffWorks. Discovery Communications. Archived from the original on November 29, 2013. Retrieved March 5, 2012.
  7. "Live & Televised Entertainment". WWE. Archived from the original on February 18, 2009. Retrieved March 21, 2012.
  8. "WWE Launches ECW As Third Brand". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved June 1, 2009.
  9. ^ "And they're off..." World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved December 29, 2008.
  10. van der Griend, Blaine (January 3, 2009). "Smackdown: Setting up the Rumble". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on July 16, 2012. Retrieved April 30, 2012.
  11. ^ Burdick, Michael (January 25, 2009). "Results:Solidification with a Swagger". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved January 25, 2009.
  12. ^ "Results:Viva Melina!". World Wrestling Entertainment. January 25, 2009. Retrieved January 25, 2009.
  13. ^ Sitterson, Aubrey (January 25, 2009). "Results:Beating the odds". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved January 25, 2009.
  14. ^ DiFino, Lenny (January 25, 2009). "Results: Hardy's twisted fate brings gold to Edge". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved January 25, 2009.
  15. ^ Tello, Craig (January 25, 2009). "Results:Detroit "RKO" City". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved January 27, 2009.
  16. "The son also rises". World Wrestling Entertainment. January 26, 2009. Retrieved January 27, 2009.
  17. "Preview: World Heavyweight Title Elimination Chamber Match". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved January 28, 2009.
  18. "Extreme changes". World Wrestling Entertainment. January 27, 2009. Retrieved January 28, 2009.
  19. Matt Hardy says the incident was no accident World Wrestling Entertainment Retrieved on February 1, 2009
  20. HHH, Taker and Big Show in the Chamber Retrieved on February 1, 2009
  21. "Rough Draft". WWE. April 13, 2009. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
  22. ^ "Royal Rumble". Pro Wrestling History. Retrieved February 23, 2009.
  23. ^ "2009 Royal Rumble Statistics and Eliminations". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved January 6, 2009.
  24. "Royal Rumble 2009". Pro Wrestling History. Retrieved December 20, 2012.

External links

WWE pay-per-view and WWE Network events
Royal Rumble
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Former
Categories: