Fantasy Booking: Royal Rumble 2008

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Alright…well, what does winter break mean? Boredom. And what does boredom mean? I’m bringing back my fantasy booking of the Royal Rumble.

Basically, in ’04 and ’05 I did a fantasy booking of the Rumble PPV, right down to the match itself in detail. Had a blast doing it…especially cause I love writing out Rumble matches for some reason. But the past two years I simply haven’t had time/haven’t really cared. But since I’ve got the time, I’m bringing it back this year.

In the past, loopydate and others have posted their own fantasy bookings of the PPV. Use this thread to do that if you wish.

Keep in mind, this is my fantasy booking here…usually, I book the matches I THINK will happen but the result is a product of what I’d like to see occur. Right. Well, here we go:

<b><u>OPENING CONTEST – World Tag Team Championships: The Highlanders vs. Hardcore Holly and Cody Rhodes (C)</u>

BUILD UP:</b> Holly and Rhodes successfully defend their belts against Cadoch on an episode of Raw (exercising their re-match clause)…and that team seems to be at ends. After the bout, the Highlanders attack and go on about how they deserve a title shot. Regal agrees, and they finally get their chance at the Rumble.

<b>MATCH:</b> Your typical throwaway tag title match that they seem to do every year at the Rumble. Holly wins with the Alabama Slam on Robbie. Meh.

<b>WHERE TO GO FROM HERE:</b> Dunno really…the tag division is pretty lame. I’d love to see Londrick get a shot after this or possibly debut a new team to freshen the division up a bit.


<b><u>United States Championship: Ric Flair vs. MVP (C)</u>

BUILD UP:</b> MVP basically continues to be a cocky asshole, screwing Rey Mysterio out of a victory on Smackdown. He issues an open challenge to anyone, and when Ric Flair answers, MVP laughs his ass off. Porter claims Flair has no chance of winning and that he’s making the biggest mistake of his life, cause Flair’s career is on the line.

<b>MATCH:</b> This could be a decent contest I think. I’d book it to be back and forth with MVP eventually gaining an advantage. Sooner or later, Flair gets in the classic offensive flurry and locks MVP into the figure four. MVP works his way to the ropes but he taps…and Flair is new US Champion (read the next section before lynching me).

<b>WHERE TO GO FROM HERE:</b> On Smackdown, MVP claims he was screwed and provides visual evidence that his hand was on the ropes while in the submission hold. Thus, the US Title is handed back to MVP but Flair gets to continue his career as he still made MVP tap and technically didn’t lose. I’ll explain what to do with both of these guys later on.


<b><u>ECW Championship: Mark Henry vs. Big Daddy V vs. Kane vs. CM Punk (C)</u>

BUILD UP:</b> After their victory at Armageddon, Matt Striker rallies to get both of his clients into an ECW Championship match. However, Kane wants a shot as well…and before you know it Punk has his biggest challenge to date when its decided that it will be a fatal four way match. One-on-one matches are held between the competitors to build tension. Odds obviously favor one of Henry or V winning because they seem to be on the same page.

<b>MATCH:</b> Lord, this match would probably suck. For mercy’s sake, this one should be one fall to a finish. That ending also sets up V hitting a big splash on Punk or vice versa…only for Henry to break the pin and show he wants the belt. They brawl like overweight hosses do...but eventually, V is left down and out and Punk manages to latch in the Anaconda Vice and win via submission.

<b>WHERE TO GO FROM HERE:</b> Punk will more than likely go one on one against Mark Henry next, as V is the one who tapped…but I’d rather see Punk move onto a feud with Shelton Benjamin.


<b><u>World Heavyweight Championship: Batista vs. Edge (C)</u>

BUILD UP:</b> God I really hope they come up with something more interesting…but I see this match happening for the 9 millionth time. Vickie Guerrero will try to get Edge out of it but, low and behold, Batista has that almighty re-match clause. :roll:

<b>MATCH:</b> With luck, this will be the last time these to wrestle for quite some time. Hopefully, it’ll be a solid match. Batista gets the inevitable flurry of offense (even thwarting attempted interference from the Major Brothers). As the ref tries to eject the Majors, Edge connects with a title shot to the skull and retains his gold.

<b>WHERE TO GO FROM HERE:</b> I’d like to see Edge move into a program with MVP in which both are heels trying to cheat to get each other’s gold. Matt Hardy makes his eventual return, having history with both men. Ultimately we end up with a Triple Threat Match similar to the one at WM16. The US Title is on the line in the first fall, the WHW Title in the second fall.


<b><u>WWE Championship: Jeff Hardy vs. Randy Orton (C)</u>

BUILD UP:</b> Well this match is obviously already confirmed. Contrary to what many others think, I really don’t see Triple H turning heel just yet. With WWE needing a top face, unhappy with Jericho, and I have other plans for HBK, HHH is gonna be that face for the time being. Basically, people start taking Hardy seriously after his win over HHH. Orton tries to give himself the advantage every chance he gets.

<b>MATCH:</b> I can see this being a really good match with a lot of false finishes and near falls. Orton seems to hit the RKO out of nowhere, but Jeff blocks it. Twist of Fate, Swanton, 3 count. Madison Square Garden erupts as Jeff Hardy is declared the winner and NEW WWE Champion.

<b>WHERE TO GO FROM HERE:</b> Ultimately, I’d like to see Orton, Batista, Triple H, and Flair end up feuding amongst each other on both Raw and Smackdown, leading to a fatal four way at WrestleMania (possibly a number one contender’s spot on the line or something). It keeps all these guys out of the title picture and REALLY freshens things up. As for Hardy, he’ll face the winner of the Rumble at Mania…not gonna say who, you have to read on.


K so the only thing left is the Rumble, which I’ll write out how I’d book it. It’s in the next post.</font>

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod><b><u>2008 ROYAL RUMBLE MATCH</u>

God I love writing these things. I need help. Anyway, the way I see it, they are gonna try to re-establish some order to the Rumble. 15 guys from Raw, and 15 from the SD/ECW Exchange.

RAW BUILD-UP:</b> After being screwed at Armageddon, Chris Jericho enters the match. Triple H enters as well, having narrowly missed out on a Royal Rumble title match. Shawn Michaels enters, looking to win his 3rd Rumble. Mr. Kennedy, Snitsky, Umanga, Carlito, and Santino Marella all get in just by virtue of being amongst the main heels on Raw. Cade and Murdoch are having problems and both enter, seemingly to try and outlast one another. William Regal decides that he hasn’t had a match in awhile and enters himself. DH Smith gets in as the token young guy/wild card entrant. I’d like to enter Londrick, but knowing WWE those spots will go to Super Crazy and Jim Duggan…because every Rumble needs patsies. The last Raw spot is never mentioned and is presumably a mystery entrant.

<b>SMACKDOWN/ECW BUILD-UP:</b> After screwing Jericho, JBL enters and this is meant to be his first official match back. William Regal informs Hornswoggle that Vince has entered him into the match and that he will be the #1 entrant. Finlay gets in cause he’s been on a role. Undertaker gets in because who’s gonna tell him no? Khali gets in cause he’s big. Vickie Guerrero enters The Major Brothers at Edge’s urging. Morrison and Miz get in because they are tag champs. Elijah Burke convinces Estrada to enter himself and his friend Shelton Benjamin into the match. Jesse and Festus win a tag team qualifier against Deuce n Domino. Balls Mahoney is thrown in randomly. And since we need a token cruiserweight, may as well be Jamie Noble with his recent push.

<b><u>THE MATCH</u></b>
Hornswoggle is #1, and #2 is Festus. In a comedy spot…Swog doesn’t seem too afraid of the absent-minded Festus. Once the bell rings, Festus snaps and begins to chase Swog around the ring, Swog eventually hides under the ring. Santino Marella gets #3 and he talks up a storm on the way to the ring but refuses to actually get in. Jesse gets #4, throwing Santino in from behind. Despite all the talk, Santino is quickly double teamed and chucked out. Jesse tries to convince Festus not to fight him as Snitsky enters at #5. Double teaming doesn’t work well as Snitsky eventually gets rid of both with a double clothesline. In another funny spot, Festus keeps trying to get back in the ring and continues to go crazy until Jesse grabs the bell and rings it. This calms Festus down and the two return to the back as Snitsky awaits the next participant.

Finlay gets #6 and the announcers cream themselves as he and Snitsky slug the shit out of each other for the entire interval. Mr. Kennedy gets lucky #7 and he mainly lets the other guys fight, choosing his spots wisely. Super Crazy is #8 and he and Kennedy brawl for a bit before Crazy is tossed. Trevor Murdoch is #9 and he actually lasts the interval. Shelton Benjamin is #10. Carlito is #11. Lance Cade is #12 and he and Murdoch bicker throughout the interval.

Currently in the ring: Snitsky, Finlay, Kennedy, Murdoch, Shelton, Carlito, Cade

Ring is getting pretty filled up as everybody (but Carlito, who is kicking back relaxing in the corner) tries to gang up on Snitsky. Shawn Michaels gets lucky #13, bringing the fans to their feet. He superkicks Carlito out right away before joining in on the effort to get Snitsky out, which proves to be successful. John Morrison enters at #14 and gets in his shots wherever, while JBL comes in at #15 in his first match back. Cade/Murdoch finally seem to get back on the same page as Cade holds Morrison for a clothesline. Morrison ducks as Murdoch accidentally sends Cade over the top. Cade distracts Murdoch “unintentionally” and it leads to Morrison shelving Trevor as well.

Jim Duggan comes in at #16 to the apathy of everyone, and he is promptly clotheslined and eliminated by JBL. A Major Brother (interchangeable, lets just say Brett) comes in at #17 while Balls Mahoney enters at #18. Triple H comes in at #19 and hits some high impact moves while not eliminating anyone. The Great Khali comes in at #20 and throws out Balls (the first man to come near him). Like last year, Khali headbutts the hell out of people…but only recorded the one elimination.

Currently in the ring: Finlay, Kennedy, Shelton, HBK, Morrison, JBL, Brett, HHH, Khali

The other Major Brother (in this case Brian) enters and helps out his brother. Khali continues to stand in the middle of the ring and headbutt/chop people. But for the most part, everyone else takes a “let’s just pretend he isn’t here” approach. Jericho gets #22 and goes straight for JBL. Both men fall to the floor under the ropes and start wailing on each other out there, spilling into the crowd and up the steps. Khali rids us of both Major Brothers as William Regal enters at #23. As Regal steps into the ring, Swog comes from under and grabs Regal’s foot, enabling Finlay to clothesline Regal right back out out. Swog makes the mistake of jumping into the ring to celebrate, as Khali picks him up and hurls him halfway up the rampway where he lands on the recently eliminated Majors and Regal.

The announces talk about how dastardly and gutless Khali is and wonder whose gonna be able to stop him. Then, on queue, last year’s winner, the Undertaker, gets #24. For the second year in a row, Taker rids us of Khali. Jamie Noble gets #25 and is clearly intimidated by the big men in the ring. Miz gets #26 and he not only lasts longer than last year, but he works with Morrison to eliminate Noble. #27 ends up being the surprise, unannounced return of Bobby Lashley. As JR orgasms, Lashley surprises and eliminates Kennedy (revenge for putting him on the shelf) after a great effort. Announcers also do the obligatory mention that #27 is the lucky number in the Rumble.

DH Smith gets #28 and the announcers comment that the rookie got one helluva draw. The rook makes an immediate impact, eliminating a winded Shelton Benjamin. Unfortunately, he makes the rookie mistake of celebrating in a Royal Rumble as #29 entrant Elijah Burke dumps him to avenge his protégé. Umanga gets the prized #30 and the announcers state the obvious, pegging him as the favorite.

Our final suspects: Finlay, HBK, HHH, Miz, Morrison, Burke, Taker, Umaga, Lashley, JBL, Y2J (the latter two are seen brawling at various areas in the arena at differing points in the match)

Umaga and Taker have an epic hoss showdown (possibly setting up a WM match? I dunno) with both guys trying to headbutt each other to elimination. Taker gets the better of the exchange, sending Umaga out. Taker is reeling, and WWE Tag Team Champions take advantage of this and make a shock elimination, getting rid of Taker. The champs get into a stare off with the members of DX, and experience prevails there as Miz and Morrison are both sent packing.

At or around this time, JBL and Y2J finally make their way back to the ring and start wrestling with other participants. Jericho does quite well for himself, knocking out Elijah Burke. JBL seemingly makes no friends in the ring, trying to attack everyone. The end result is a 5-on-1 with everyone getting shots in and Jericho sending JBL out. JBL, pissed, jumps back into the ring and clotheslines Jericho’s head off…making him easy pickings for Finlay.

FINAL FOUR: Finlay, Shawn Michaels, Triple H, Bobby Lashley

Announcers marvel that Finlay has been in over 45-50 minutes (depending on the interval time this year). Really, with the next two eliminations you could go either way, either Lashley getting thrown out by Finlay or Finlay going at the hands of Lashley. Either way, the survivor there is double teamed by the other two, leaving us with a *gasp* DX Showdown at the final two. Lots of near-eliminations occur but when all is said and done, Michaels connects at the right moment with the Sweet Chin Music and wins his 3rd Royal Rumble Match.

<b>WHERE TO GO FROM HERE:</b> HBK and Jeff build towards a WM match, hopefully with HBK turning heel around No Way Out. HHH stays face and ends up in aforementioned Evolution match at WM. Finlay earns himself a World Heavyweight Title match against Edge at No Way Out for his efforts.


Well, that’s it. As you can see, I have too much time on my hands. Feel free to comment, post your own ideas, or whatever.</font>

[St. Jimmy]

Tag Matches, on a PPV? THIS IS MADNESS.

[James Steele]

I am glad I am not the only one who thinks HBK/Jeff for the WWE Championship would be a huge WM main event.

[loopydate]

I'll hopefully get around to this on Friday. Looking forward to it!

[XL]

Tag Matches, on a PPV? THIS IS TNA.
Seriously, their last PPV had like 6 Tag matches!!

[Mr. Nerfect]

Nice work, man. Nice fucking work. I'm not sure if it's how the card is going to go, but it's certainly realistic enough (although I'm fairly certain we won't see Ric Flair vs. MVP happening), nor that particular World Tag Team Title Match. But that is a card that I would not mind seeing.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Thanks. Keep in mind I wrote this right before Raw Monday.

If I were to re-do it, the tag title match would probably be Carlito/Santino vs. Holly/Rhodes

Also, JBL would be on the Raw side for the Rumble match</font>

[The Optimist]

I like that you handeled the Tag Team titles with as much vigor and spirit as the WWE does. The point of fantasy booking is to put a new fresh angle on wrestling and make it better.

Other than that, I like it. I'm always hesitant to put Finlay near the main event, but overall it's complete and well thought out.

[Mr. Nerfect]

One thing I really like, is Umaga as #30 in the actual Rumble match. I think that's how it will go. :y:

[Mr. Nerfect]

Oh, by the way, Edge vs. MVP vs. Matt Hardy in a 2 Fall Triple Threat Match for the World Heavyweight and United States Championship? That should happen.

[Evil Vito]

I'll hopefully get around to this on Friday. Looking forward to it!

<font color=goldenrod>Wonder if he meant this Friday.</font> :shifty:

:p

[loopydate]

What I MEANT was "I'll hopefully get around to this before the Rumble." :lol:

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>This has nothing to do with the real-life WWE Rumble. But I did another Rumble write-up for the one I booked in my EWR game, and so I'll share it here out of boredom.

---

<b><u>Segment 7: 2008 Royal Rumble Match</u></b>

New Breed leader Elijah Burke gets #1, while ECW Original leader Tommy Dreamer gets #2. Right away, this causes the announcers to speculate on if this is what the New Breed was talking to McMahon about earlier. Both men intensely slug at one another for the opening 2 minutes.

“Just call me smoooooth” Marcus Cor Von enters at #3 and it becomes increasingly obvious: the New Breed wanted to set Tommy up so they can destroy him so they had the draw rigged. Cor Von and Burke bash Tommy with weapons, busting him open.

John Morrison’s music hits at #4, further signifying that the New Breed care more about taking out the Original leader than winning the match. But Morrison never comes out. Eventually, backstage is shown, and Morrison as well as Mike Mizanin are laid out, bloodied. Burke and Marcus speculate in the ring, until a sound of a car crash is heard. The crowd mark out as MICK FOLEY runs out and starts taking it to Cor Von and Burke. Tommy helps out…and on both sides of the ring we see Cactus Clotheslines, eliminating all 4 men. Brawls break out in the crowd as the announcers go on about how they can’t believe what they just saw.

“KENNEDYYYYY!” Mr. Kennedy enters at #5…but there is no one in the ring, so he eats the 2 minutes by having the spotlight put on him and the mic comes down. He does his usual schtick, right up until the countdown for the next entry.

The lights go out, and the gongs sound…meaning THE UNDERTAKER, the 2007 winner, is coming out at #6. Taker gets into the ring and Kennedy clearly looks overmatched and surprised that he’d be facing Taker this early, but Kennedy stays in the match.

The music of “The Masterpiece” Chris Masters hits as he comes in at #7 and teams up with Kennedy on the Undertaker, not much happening here.

ECW Original Super Crazy makes his entry at #8. Initially, he helps work over Taker with Masters before going after Kennedy upon realizing Kennedy is sitting back letting the others do the work.

“One two, you hear the clock tickin’” Egotistical US Champion Montel Vontavious Porter struts his way down to the ring at #9. He enters and gets his shots in wherever. The ring is starting to fill up.

After the countdown, a giant “10” is seen on the Titan Tron. Fans know that it is the 10th entrant, but nobody knows who it is until is it starts counting down to a familiar sound. Pyro, BREAK THE WALLS DOWWWWN, huge markout, and Chris Jericho has made his shocking return, apparently as SmackDown!s mystery signing. After posing on the ramp, he sprints into the ring and immediately dumps Masters and Crazy (who were trying to get each other out). MVP charges, and Jericho ducks, sending him up and over. MVP looks absolutely gob-smacked at the fact that he only lasted 2 minutes and his night was already over.

“Sexy Boy” hits and the fans mark out once more, as Shawn Michaels enters at #11. He sees that Jericho and Kennedy are already paired off, so he ties it up with the man he faced off with in the final two last year – the Undertaker.

Hardcore Holly enters at #12 and gets practically no reaction at all when compared with Jericho’s and HBK’s. He plays no favorites, going after just about everyone.

“I spit in the face of people who don’t want to be cool” Carlito comes out at #13, just in time to save Corporate teammate Mr. Kennedy from being eliminated. The two Corporate members put a beating on longtime nemesis HBK.

New Breed member Kenny Dykstra enters to boos at #14 and gets a rude awakening, getting slapped around by Holly (announcers cornily joke that Hardcore must think Kenny is still a rookie).

“WOOOOOO!” Ric Flair gets a great ovation to bring us to the halfway mark at #15. He delivers is patented chops to everyone, giving the crowd plenty of chances to WOOOO.

The Sandman enters from the crowd at #16, beer and Singapore cane in hand. Despite no longer being on ECW, Sandman clearly doesn’t like what the New Breed stands for, as he immediately waffles Dykstra with the cane, sending him flying out. Holly goes after Sandman from behind, but also receives a cane shot and gets eliminated as well. Apparently seeing him as a threat, the Corporate members gang up on Sandman and throw him out to end that flurry of eliminations.

Johnny Jeter gets #17…he dodges a clothesline from Kenny (who was retreating to the back after being eliminated) and plants him with a roundhouse kick before getting into the fray.

“Oooooh Chavo!” Chavo Guerrero comes out at #18 and in typical Chavo fashion, he really just resorts in kicking people who are already down.

A bigass explosion sets off, which means Kane is #19. He walks into the ring and sets off the pyro, before getting into a staredown with the first man he sees (who is, luckily enough, the Undertaker). Chavo makes the mistake of trying to get between the two and is eliminated for his troubles.

ECW Original Balls Mahoney enters at #20, but unfortunately for him he doesn’t last as Kennedy and Carlito double him out. The announcers mention that the Corporate union is going to be hard to break.

Cruiserweight Champion Jimmy Wang Yang is #21, and he lasts the interval despite being the smallest guy in.

John Cena enters to the biggest boos of the match at #22. The Corporate trio clearly dominates the ring, teaming together to eliminate the big man Kane. They then set their focus to Shawn Michaels.

As luck would have it, Triple H gets #23 and he comes out to save Michaels. DX starts running rampant as Triple H plants Carlito with a Pedigree. Ric Flair comes over to assist the Game in throwing out his former partner.

ECW Original Nunzio grabs the #24 slot, not much to stay there. He gets his shots in and works with Johnny Jeter.

New Breed member Colt Cabana gets #25, representing the final entrant in the match for ECW. Colt impresses from the get-go, hitting Nunzio with the Colt .45 and eliminating him. He spends the rest of the interval fighting with Jeter.

Samoan Bulldozer Umaga is #26 and he lives up to his name by mowing people over and taking down anyone who comes near him, including throwing out Yang. He gets into a hoss showdown with the Undertaker and in somewhat of a surprise, he also eliminates him. The announcers commend Taker on a 40 or so minute performance and then commend Kennedy for being in the longest.

The music of Bobby Lashley hits as JR can be seen masturbating at ringside. He comes out in the coveted #27 spot and puts an end to Kennedy’s night, much to Kennedy’s shock. The announcers bring up that Kennedy is the one who put Lashley on the shelf (though I don’t see how we should remember that as it was more than a month ago).

Rookie Cody Rhodes gets #28 as the announcers make it out as if he actually has a chance at winning. Dave Taylor, one half of the World Tag Team Champions, draws #29 but stands at the rampway without entering. It becomes apparent why when the other half as well as Raw GM William Regal gets the prized #30. The announcers, of course, mention that Regal had to have rigged it somehow.

The tag champs take their time and walk into the ring as a team. The first man they go after is Cody Rhodes, who is promptly eliminated. A cheer is heard, as out run LONDON & KENDRICK. They attack Regal & Taylor (obvious bad blood after being screwed out of the belts and Rumble spots). Their attack is enough to throw the champs off their game as Flair bundles out Taylor while Jericho shelves Regal. Londrick run backstage as Regal & Taylor can’t believe they’ve been besmirched.

We see another hoss showdown, this time with Lashley and Umaga. Lashley gets the better of the exchange, sending Umaga out. Cena uses this chance to take out Lashley from behind. Cena turns as Triple H tries to get him with a knee lift but Cena ducks and sending The Game out to the floor. Cena turns once again and this time receives a Sweet Chin Music to send him packing. The Corporation will NOT be winning this Rumble.

On the other side of the ring, Colt Cabana sends Johnny Jeter packing, leaving us with our final four: Cabana, Shawn Michaels, Chris Jericho, and Ric Flair. Each man occupies a corner before Colt gets in mid-ring and trashes the three others. Big mistake, as they gang up on Colt and chuck him. Jericho, Michaels, and Flair exchange moves on one another before Flair ultimately is sent out via double clothesline. The fans and even Jericho and HBK take a moment to applaud Flair for his 30+ minute effort.

Down to our final two, the announcers marvel that they’ve been in almost an equal amount of time as Jericho entered at #10 and HBK at #11. They have an absolutely brilliant showdown with loads of near finishes. HBK goes for the Sweet Chin Music by Jericho ducks, grabs Michaels…and Irish Whips him into the turnbuckle so hard that he flips over it, stranding him on the apron. Jericho hits a springboard dropkick to send Michaels to the floor and make him the runner-up for a second straight year. Chris Jericho is going to WrestleMania!</font>

[Savio]

You should do a royal rumble with TPWW participants

[Xero]

BDC wins.

[Hanso Amore]

MAH eliminates himself when a hot tranny appears at the top of the ramp.

Alienoid is eliminated by Val Venis and Doug Basham

KK is alone in the ring at one point, and turns on himself when he has no one else to prove wrong.

[Volare]

"Da V" enters early...only to jump over the top rope to the floor when he sees a piece of aluminum foil.

[Mr. Nerfect]

BDC <s>wins.</s> tears a quad on the way to the ring, and never gets to enter.