Race to the Rumble Qualifying Match: Randy Orton vs. Batista

The referee comes to the ring and lets the ring announcer know that Batista is unable to appear so Orton wins by forfeit. Orton grabs the mic. He says he's had many memorable moments in his career. From being the youngest champion in history to winning the main event at Wrestlemania. None are as personally satisfying as kicking Batista in the skull. He brings up the Evolution double cross four years ago, and how he had been dreaming about kicking Batista in the skull for four years. Same dream every night for four straight years. He says Christmas came early. He asks Batista how it feels to not get to face Cena at Rumble. He tells Batista his career has come full circle. Once again taking back seat to Orton. Batista's time is up and next time he sees Orton, he will once again be World Champion. Really, really strong promo.

Winner: Randy Orton (Forfeit)

-Dolph Ziggler introduces himself to Kelly Kelly. Kelly turns back to the mirror and gets another tap on the shoulder. This time its Miz and Morrison. Miz thanks Kelly for the chokeslam and tombstone last week. Miz asks if its Cena she's protecting. Kelly says she's just his tag partner tonight. They tell her someone broke into the hotel and destroyed a hotel room. Rumor is its hers. They hope she can keep he focus tonight.

Race to the Rumble Qualifying Match: Chris Jericho vs. CM Punk

Huge Y2J chant to start. Jericho hits a shoulderblock early. Crowd is solidly behind Jericho. Jericho grabs a headlock and takes Punk to the mat. Punk counters with a headscissors and moves to a headlock of his own. Punk hits a knee to mid section and follows that up with a snap mare. A dropkick to the back of Jericho's head gets two. Jericho regains control with a some fists and a clothesline. Vertical suplex by Jericho gets a two count. Punk hits a springboard crossbody out of the corner and follows that up with some martial arts kick sending Jericho to the mat. Big chorus of boos for that. Jericho is heavily dazed from the kick as the ref checks on him. That sends us to commercial.

Back from break and Punk hits a modified tarantula in the corner. Jericho catches Punk with a kick on the way back in taking control. Gutwrench suplex gets a two count for Jericho. Half Nelson sleeper from Jericho is locked in but Punk is able to power out of that with a headbutt. Jericho comes back with a knee to the mid section and a kick to the back. Jericho places Punk on the top rope and goes for a super plex. Punk fights him off and sends him crashing back to the mat. Flying crossbody from Punk gets a two count. Spinning heel kick from Punk sends Jericho to the corner. Punk runs into a boot from Jericho on a charge, but hits a powerslam out of the corner for two. Jericho hits a running bulldog after a counter sequence. Jericho goes for the Lionsault, but Punk catches him in the GTS. Punk goes for the GTS, but Jericho hits a sweet counter sliding down the back into the Walls of Jericho. Punk fights the hold teasing a counter. He inches towards the ropes but Jericho pulls him to the middle. Finally Punk counters out pushing Jericho into the rope. Jericho goes for the walls again but Punk again fights him off. Knee lift by Punk to Jericho gets a two count. Punk hits a high knee in the corner and goes for a bulldog. Jericho pushes him into the corner but runs into a spinning kick to the back of the head. Punk goes for a springboard from the outside but Jericho counters into a codebreaker picking up the pin to a THUNDEROUS pop. Fantastic match.