WWE Royal Rumble Results (1/25) - Matt Hardy Turns On Jeff, Title Changes & More!

Event: WWE Royal Rumble Pay-Per-View
Airdate: Sunday, January 25th, 2008 (Pay-Per-View)
Location: The Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, MI
Results by WrestleView.com

- The WWE promo hits.

- A video package runs highlighting the history of the Royal Rumble. The package then focuses on the highlights from Raw this past Monday that saw Randy Orton punt Vince McMahon in the head.

- We then go live to the Royal Rumble in Detroit where Michael Cole and Jerry "The King" Lawler state the McMahon family is staying quiet about Mr. McMahon's injuries. They added Randy Orton is expected to be punished in some form, but when that happens remains to be seen.

- A graphic opening then hits welcoming us to the Royal Rumble. We then go live to Detroit where a huge display of pyro goes off in the entrance area. Michael Cole is the first to welcome us to the 22nd Royal Rumble.

- Matt Hardy is out first to kick off the show.

ECW Championship Match
Jack Swagger (c) vs. Matt Hardy
Matt Striker pointed out how Jack Swagger was a "true" champion by wearing the belt around his waist. Before the match, we had ring introductions for the challenger Matt Hardy and the champion Jack Swagger.

The bell rings and here we go. Lock up and Hardy pushes Swagger to the corner. Hardy pulls back for a big right hand and Swagger quickly grabs the ropes to break it up. Lock up and Swagger pushes Hardy into the opposite corner. Hardy blocks a right from Swagger landing one of his own. Hardy with more shots on Swagger who is frustrated and bails to the outside trying to recover. Hardy follows and lands another stiff right hand to Swagger. Hardy nails Swagger face first off the ring, tosses him back in and takes out Swagger with a big clothesline. Swagger again bails to the outside when he hits the ropes and dodges another big right from Hardy. The referee begins the count. At seven, Swagger walks up the steps and gets back inside. Loud "LETS GO HARDY" chant starts up. Swagger shoots in and takes Hardy down with a double leg. Hardy recovers to his feet, but Swagger again pulls Hardy down with an impressive roll to the mat. Hardy is back up, tosses Swagger to the corner and lands boots to the face. Hardy with a bulldog, cover and Swagger kicks out after two. Hardy is up top and Swagger pushes him off to the outside.

Swagger jumps out and works on the left arm of Hardy who was favoring it after the drop to the outside. Swagger throws Hardy back in and goes back to work on his left arm/shoulder. Swagger with the cover and Hardy kicks out after two. Swagger then works on Hardy's left arm with a keylock submission. Swagger with kicks and shots to Hardy in the corner. Swagger attempts an irish whip, but Hardy holds on to the ropes and Swagger falls back. Swagger responds with a big boot, cover and Hardy again kicks out after two. Swagger goes back to work on Hardy's left arm lifting his body up and down. Hardy fires back with a big clothesline breaking up the offense from Swagger. Hardy with a kick to the head and clotheslines on Swagger. Hardy with a reverse neckbreaker on Swagger, cover and Swagger kicks out after two. Hardy with a clothesline to Swagger in the corner followed by a running bulldog. Cover by Hardy and Swagger kicks out. Hardy drops an elbow to the back of Swagger's head from the corner, covers and Swagger again kicks out. Hardy attempts a Twist of Fate, Swagger counters and hits a belly-to-belly suplex. Cover by Swagger and Hardy gets a shoulder up.

Swagger drops Hardy down by his bad left arm, covers and Hardy again kicks out. Swagger throws Hardy's face off the top turnbuckle, props Hardy up top, attempts a back superplex, Hardy punches Swagger away to the mat, stands up and connects with a stiff moonsault! Hardy hooks the leg and Swagger barely kicks out after two. Swagger counters a Twist of Fate, elbow by Hardy to Swagger, Swagger dodges a Side Effect and tosses Hardy into the steel ring post in the corner. Hardy is limp as Swagger hits the gutwrench powerbomb and gets the pinfall. Great match.

Winner & STILL ECW Champion: Jack Swagger

After the match, we see highlights of the match leading to the finish. Back live, Jack Swagger has the ECW Title over his shoulder as he smiles heading up the ramp. Swagger turns around and stares down Matt Hardy who is recovering in the ring. Swagger holds up the ECW Title as he heads to the back. We then see a shot of a disappointed Hardy leaving the ring and sitting down on the steel steps.

- Earlier tonight we see footage of Randy Orton arriving to the arena. We see various WWE stars staring him down as he walks by.

WWE Women's Championship Match
Beth Phoenix (c) w/ Santino Marella vs. Melina
The bell rings and Beth Phoenix walks forward smiling. Lock up and Phoenix throws Melina down quickly. Lock up and Melina gets a headlock applied. Phoenix flips Melina down. Melina is back up and Phoenix has a body lock applied. The crowd in Detroit loves Santino. Melina with a armbar takedown. Phoenix brings her body back up sitting on her knee as Melina keeps the armbar applied. Melina gets up on Phoenix's shoulder to apply it more. Phoenix then drops Melina into the corner to break it up. Melina is back up on Phoenix's shoulders and Phoenix drops Melina down hard on the mat. Phoenix with a body charge to Melina's head in the corner. Phoenix hooks the leg and Melina quickly kicks out. Phoenix works on Melina's left leg wrenching on it. Phoenix gets Melina's leg up so far that she is hitting Melina on the back of her head with Melina's own foot! Phoenix with a big knee to the head followed by a side slam on Phoenix. Phoenix puts Melina up on the top turnbuckle. Phoenix shows her strength lifting Melina up. Melina counters falling off and hitting a modifed stunner. Melina with elbows to Phoenix, slides under Phoenix, hits a sunset flip and Phoenix barely kicks out after two. Melina sends Phoenix into the ropes and drives her knee into Phoenix's back. Melina charges and takes out Phoenix quickly, covers and Phoenix kicks out after two. Melina with boots to the face and a body splash from the corner to Phoenix. Phoenix counters Melina, hits a chop, sends Melina into the ropes, Melina jumps on Phoenix, flips around her body, rolls up Phoenix and gets the pinfall!

Winner & NEW WWE Women's Champion: Melina

After the match, the referee hands Melina the WWE Women's Title and she is emotional. Beth Phoenix is shocked as we see a shot of Santino at ringside also shocked. We then see highlights of the match leading to the finish. Back live, Melina is on the ramp holding up the WWE Women's Title. Santino is in the ring with Beth Phoenix who can't believe she just lost.

- A video package runs highlighting the events between Shawn Michaels and JBL leading to tonight's World Heavyweight Championship match between champion John Cena and challenger JBL.

- Backstage, JBL tells Shawn Michaels that when he becomes World Heavyweight Champion tonight he will not only pay him all the money he owes him, but all the money that he owes him tonight. He said Michaels will never have to work for him again and will guarantee that he has a spot in the Royal Rumble tonight. JBL said there is no reason to be conflicted with John Cena as everything he wants is out in front of him. JBL leaves as Michaels turns to think. When he turns back around The Undertaker gets in his face. JBL tells him it is time to go.
- A promo for WrestleMania 25 airs.

World Heavyweight Championship Match
John Cena (c) vs. JBL w/ Shawn Michaels

They did ring introductions for the challenger JBL and champion John Cena.

Shawn Michaels exits the ring and the bell rings. John Cena moves forward and JBL backs up to the corner. The two circle the ring and Cena takes down JBL with a quick headlock takedown. JBL gets back to his feet, breaks it up and gets in a headlock takedown of his own. JBL with a shoulder block on Cena. Cena fires back with a big elbow, hooks the leg and JBL quickly kicks out. JBL bails out of the ring and regroups saying something to Shawn Michaels. JBL returns to the ring, gets in a knee to Cena and hits Cena with many shots in the corner. Cena with a bulldog on JBL, covers and JBL gets a shoulder up quickly. Cena with a blockbuster off the ropes on JBL, another cover and JBL once again kicks out. JBL bails to the outside, Cena follows, Cena misses a clothesline, almost hits HBK, Cena stops in front of HBK, turns around and JBL hits a stiff forearm to Cena's back. JBL sends Cena into the steel steps and throws him back in the ring. JBL covers Cena and Cena kicks out. JBL with a big clothesline on Cena, cover and Cena kicks out. JBL drops a few elbows over Cena, covers and Cena gets a shoulder up. JBL with a snapmare on Cena into a modified crossface submission.

Cena fights to his feet, breaks it up, hits the ropes, JBL grabs Cena and hits a big side slam. Cena rolls out and stands up on the ring apron. JBL then charges at Cena who falls off the ring apron to the outside. The referee then starts the count. JBL then walks out, grabs Cena and sends him into the steel steps. The referee then starts the count again. JBL tosses Cena back inside at seven, hooks the leg and Cena kicks out quickly. JBL props Cena up in the corner and hits some stiff right hands. JBL puts Cena up on the top turnbuckle, hits some more big rights, JBL gets up top with Cena, Cena hits some right hands of his own and JBL falls back to the mat. Lots of boo's from the crowd against Cena. Cena stands up and connects with his leg drop to the back of JBL's neck. Cena hooks the leg and JBL gets a shoulder up after two. JBL with a big boot to Cena in the corner. JBL hits the ropes and Cena trips him up. Cena gets in a few shots and nails JBL face first off two corners, hits two jumping shoulder charges and then his shifting powerbomb. Cena connects with the five knuckle shuffle on JBL. Cena with an FU attempt, but JBL hits an elbow to Cena's face.

JBL attempts a Clothesline From Hell and Cena takes JBL down into a crossface. HBK puts his hands on the ropes as he sees the submission taking place. Cena sees this, breaks the hold and kicks the ropes away from HBK. JBL then tosses Cena to the outside through the ropes. Cena stares down HBK, returns to the ring and JBL connects with a Clothesline From Hell! Cover by JBL and Cena somehow kicks out after two. JBL goes to pick up Cena, Cena gets JBL up for an FU, JBL breaks it, attempts a big boot, JBL takes out the referee and then JBL and Cena meet in the middle hitting a double clothesline. Shawn Michaels then enters the ring with the referee out. HBK is staring down both men. HBK hits JBL with Sweet Chin Music. Cena can't believe it and smiles. HBK then levels Cena with Sweet Chin Music as well. HBK then grabs JBL, puts his arm over Cena's body and leaves the ring. HBK walks up the ramp and heads to the back. A referee runs down, slides in...1...2...Cena gets a shoulder up. Both men get back up. JBL attempts a clothesline, Cena ducks, hits the FU and hooks the leg to get the pinfall.

Winner & STILL World Heavyweight Champion: John Cena

After the match, John Cena is handed the World Heavyweight Title and holds it up in the air. We then see highlights of the match leading to the finish. Back live, Cena is holding up the World Heavyweight Title at the top of the entrance ramp and heads to the back. We see a shot of JBL still out in the middle of the ring.

- A promo airs for the "Legends of WrestleMania" video game in stores March 24.

- A video package airs highlighting the events between Jeff Hardy and Edge leading to tonight's WWE Championship match.

- Before the match during Jeff Hardy's entrance, Vickie Guerrero walked out and tells Hardy that she has changed the match to No Disqualification.
WWE Championship – No DQ Match
Jeff Hardy (c) vs. Edge w/ Chavo Guerrero

They did ring introductions for the challenger Edge and champion Jeff Hardy.

The bell rings and Hardy charges at Edge exploding on him in the corner with punches and kicks. Hardy sends Edge face first into the opposite corner with force. A loud "WE WANT CHRISTIAN" chant starts up. Hardy with a jumping takedown on Edge after Edge hit the ropes. Hardy sends Edge into the ropes again and Edge holds on bailing to the outside. Hardy follows, Edge is back in, Hardy grabs a steel chair, jumps up on the ring apron and Edge kicks him in the head causing Hardy to drop the steel chair. Edge pulls Hardy back in and hits a big right hand. Hardy with a float over and clothesline to Edge in the corner. Hardy with a dropkick to the back of Edge, hooks the leg and Edge kicks out quickly. Hardy with a scoop slam on Edge. Edge fights back with some shots of his own. Edge sends Hardy into the ropes, Hardy slides out, Edge slides out as well, Hardy gets back in and dropkicks Edge through the ropes. Edge is back up, Hardy attempts a dive, Edge moves, Hardy lands on the ring apron, Hardy then jumps off the ring apron and takes out Edge. Edge slides back in the ring, Hardy attempts a springboard back inside, Chavo holds his leg, Hardy kicks Chavo away and as he gets air Edge gets in a big boot.

Edge grabs Hardy and sends him into the ring barricade with force. Edge then throws Hardy face first off the Smackdown, Raw and ECW announce tables that Jim Ross called a "tri-branded headbutt." Edge tosses Hardy back in the ring, hooks the leg and Hardy kicks out. Hardy gets up on his knees and Edge gets in a kick to the ribs. Edge picks up Hardy and gets in a quick right. Edge with a shoulder charge on Hardy in the corner. Hardy with a sunset flip on Edge that results in a close two count. Edge fires back with a clothesline right away. Edge hooks the leg and Hardy kicks out after two. Edge jumps on Hardy taking his back and holding him down. Hardy tries to hit the ropes and Edge grabs him by his hair pulling him back down. Hardy with a dropkick to Edge's chest. Hardy starts going up top when Edge cuts him off with a few shots. Hardy throws Edge off the corner to the mat, Hardy jumps and Edge catches Hardy in mid-air with a big dropkick! Edge hooks the leg and Hardy again kicks out after two. Edge then leaves the ring and grabs two steel chairs. As Edge tries to get back in the ring on the ring apron, Hardy charges and connects with a huge Spear on Edge sending Edge to the outside with force.

Hardy then connects with a dive over the top rope taking out Edge. Hardy tosses Edge back inside the ring. Edge with a knee to Hardy's chest on the ring apron. Hardy with a kick and a Twist of Fate on Edge over the ring apron! Hardy then grabs Edge and sends him face first into the Smackdown and Raw announce tables. Hardy then begins clearing off the Raw announce table. Hardy then pulls a ladder out from under the ring and sets it up by the Raw announce table. Hardy places Edge over the Raw table and gets in a few shots for good measure. Hardy starts climbing up the ladder and Chavo starts climbing up the other side. Hardy punches Chavo off and then dives taking him out. Hardy then grabs Edge who is back up and sends him shoulder first into the steel ring post. Hardy grabs Chavo and then puts him on the Raw table. Hardy starts climbing up the ladder, reaches the top, jumps, the ladder tips over and Hardy crashes through the Raw table over Chavo! Hardy then gets to his feet in pain as he jumps and dropkicks Edge against the guard railing. Hardy sends Edge back in the ring, goes up top and connects with a cross-body. Hardy covers and Edge kicks out after two. Edge then levels Hardy with a big boot.

Edge then exposes a turnbuckle as Hardy remains down. Edge tries to send Hardy face first into the exposed corner, but Hardy blocks it and connects with a Whisper in the Wind on Edge. Hardy covers and Edge kicks out after two. Edge counters a Twist of Fate attempt by Hardy into a huge DDT. Edge hooks the leg and Hardy gets a shoulder up after two. Edge then comes off the top, Hardy blocks putting his feet up, Edge blocks that, Hardy with a rollup and Edge kicks out after two. Hardy with a facebuster suplex on Edge. Hardy is back up top. Hardy then jumps down when he sees Edge moving hitting a big dropkick sending Edge down into the corner. Hardy attempts his swinging dropkick in the corner, but Edge sits up, grabs Hardy in mid-air and drops him face first off the exposed turnbuckle. Edge covers Hardy and Hardy somehow kicks out. Edge then backs up to the corner and is ready to hit the Spear. Hardy is up, Edge charges and Hardy turns hitting a Twist of Fate! Hardy then works his way up top when Vickie Guerrero runs out. Hardy kicks her away, jumps and connects with the Swanton Bomb. Hardy crawls over, hooks the leg...1...2...Vickie pulls the referee out. Matt Hardy then runs out, throws a steel chair in the ring and tosses Vickie inside. Matt pushes Vickie to the corner. Matt leaves and grabs another steel chair. Jeff and Matt each have a steel chair. Jeff swings back and Matt levels Jeff with the steel chair. Matt stares down at Jeff as the fans boo loudly. Edge sits up and can't believe it. Edge pulls Jeff over, hooks the leg and gets the pinfall.

Winner & NEW WWE Champion: Edge

After the match, Edge is handed the WWE Championship and holds it up high as he celebrates with Vickie Guerrero. Matt Hardy leaves the ring and heads to the back. In the ring, Edge is still celebrating his win with the WWE Title. Edge leaves the ring with Vickie as she holds his arm up. We then see highlights of the match leading to the finish. Back live, Jeff Hardy is recovering as WWE officials attend to him. Hardy is helped to the back as he holds his head.

- A promo for WWE No Way Out on February 15 airs.

- Backstage, Todd Grisham is with Randy Orton. Grisham asks him about the rumors of legal action being taken tomorrow night on Raw after what happened last Monday. Orton said he doesn't know about these rumors and that he is still scheduled to compete in the Rumble tonight. Chris Jericho walks up and tells Orton he doesn't blame him one bit for doing what he did to Vince McMahon. Jericho said the Vince McMahon who showed up wasn't the man who created the WWE Universe and said the real Mr. McMahon is already dead. Orton wants to know why he is telling him this. Jericho said the McMahon's don't take anything and feels tonight will be Orton's last night as a contracted talent for WWE. He wishes Orton luck as he walks off.

30-Man Royal Rumble Match

Rey Mysterio, who won the 2006 Royal Rumble, drew #1 (he drew #2 in 2006). John Morrison drew #2. Carlito was in next at #3. MVP came in at #4. MVP was over with the crowd and they even had an "MVP" chant going. The Great Khali is in at #5.

Koslov came in at #6 and eliminated Khali. He then eliminated MVP. It looks like he's getting the Rumble push this year, where you eliminate a ton of people but don't actually win. Koslov then eliminated Carlito.

Triple H is next at #7. So much for the Rumble push as Triple H eliminated Koslov.

Randy Orton comes out at #8 to a ton of heat. If he doesn't get injured, it should be his year. JTG of Cryme Tyme was in next at #9. Ted Dibiase is #10. Jericho is #11. Mike Knox is #12. The Miz is in at #13. They're doing 90 second intervals this year so it's going by pretty fast, I've always preferred the 2 minute intervals. Randy Orton went on an RKO rampage, hitting the RKO on the Miz, Morrison and JTG before being his with a pedigree from Triple H.
HHH then eliminated The Miz and Morrison. Mysterio was thrown out, but he landed on the Miz and walked on Morrison and got back into the ring.

Finlay is in at #14. Cody Rhodes was #15 so all of Legacy is together in the Rumble.

The Undertaker is in at #16. He quickly eliminated JTG. Goldust is in at #17. He and brother Cody immediately started going at it. Orton hit Goldust with the RKO and then had Cody eliminate him.

CM Punk is #18. Mark Henry is #19. Shelton Benjamin is #20. William Regal is #21. Mark Henry was eliminated by Mysterio.

Kofi Kingston is in at #22. Kane is #23. He and The Undertaker gave Cody Rhodes a double chokeslam. There's a ton of people in the ring now. CM Punk eliminated Regal. R-Truth is #24.

Rob Van Dam is in at #25 as a surprise entrant to a huge pop. Brian Kendrick came in at #26. He eliminated Kofi Kingston. Triple H then eliminated Kendrick. Dolph Ziggler is in at #27 and was thrown out by Kane. Santino Marella is #28 and is eliminated immediately by Kane.

#29 is "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan, who won the first televised Royal Rumble in 1988, when it was a 20 man Royal Rumble that aired for free as a special on the USA Network.

#30 is the Big Show. Hacksaw grabbed Big Show's strap and started wailing away on him, which reminded me of Hacksaw's feud with Andre the Giant back in the day. Show then eliminated Hacksaw. He pressed and eliminated R-Truth. Show tried eliminating CM Punk a couple of times before knocking Punk out on the apron and sending him to the floor.

Mysterio and Knox were eliminated when Mysterio charged at Knox. Mysterio was in there for 49 minutes. Kane eliminated Finlay. With the exception of Cody Rhodes and Ted Dibiase, it's all former world champions in there right now. Jericho eliminated RVD. Undertaker then eliminated Jericho.

Rhodes, Orton and Dibiase triple teamed Kane to eliminate him. Legacy then teamed up on The Undertaker. While Big Show and Taker were fighting on the apron, Orton hit an RKO on Show to eliminate him. Show then grabbed Taker from the outside to eliminate him.

It's now down to Legacy vs. Triple H. Triple H eliminated Dibiase and Rhodes, and Orton snuck behind Triple H to eliminate him and win the Royal Rumble.

Winner: Randy Orton

After the match, Rhodes and Dibiase joined Orton in the middle of the ring and they all raised their hands.

For another report of the show from our live coverage here at WrestlingINC.com, click here.