I watched RR1990 last night because of this thread. I didn't take notes, so I won't do a write-up.

The first 50-55ish minutes were great. I was never a fan of The Million Dollar Man, but I was really hoping he would go the distance after half an hour. I think he went out at about 48 minutes.

I didn't care for the finish, although Warrior and Hogan stalemating for a while was okay. I don't remember that era too well, was there a reason behind Hogan winning, other than he's Hogan?

I may need to start watching some of those old matches. What I would really like to see is some of the Canadian product from the mid 70s to early 80s.

It's been reported very widely that Mr. Perfect was supposed to win that Rumble to set up a series with Hogan. Hogan vetoed this very soon before the Rumble and that was that.

That would have been a more satisfying finish.

So we would see Hogan Perfect at wm6? Or would it have just been on the house show circuit?

The next 3 rumbles 90-91 and 92 are very good if I remember correctly. Then its a significant drop off after that until the late 90s.

House shows.

That would have been good. Sucks for Perfect. I was a huge Hogan mark as a kid but he really did **** on a lot of people.

I'm not trying to push you to do something that you don't want, but there are plenty of ways to do a write up. If you look at my Wrestlemania write ups, you will see that I did more of a random thought in bullet points style. That made it much less note taking intensive. Just wanted to throw that out there in case you decide to try a write up or two

I may do that, but I'll need to take some notes, if only so I remember who the participants were.

1990 Royal Rumble

Live from Orlando, Florida

Once again, just a stream of thoughts

Probably already mentioned in previous reviews, I wish Finkel was still announcing today.

“Orlando loves WWF” sign printed out on the old school printer with the fringe stuff on either side you have to pull off was a nice moment of “back in the day”

Tony Schivone? I don’t remember him in the WWF at all

Entrant # 1 – Million Dollar Man

Drew #30 last year, apparently it was a down year for Ted’s finances, couldn’t buy his way out.

Entrant # 2 – Koko B. Ware

The Hall of Famer (what?) makes his way down with his signature bird and signature colorful hair.

Koko counters Dibiase, and gets some offense, but is eliminated when he decides to run at Dibiase from across the ring.

Entrant # 3 – Marty Janetty

Quite the pop for Marty, I heard they initially thought he would be the singles star from the Rockers, seems silly knowing what we know now.

Janetty wins moron of the day for trying a crossbody near the ropes and basically jumps over the rope to be eliminated.

Entrant # 4 – Jake the Snake Roberts

A big LOL to Janetty trying to give Jake a high five as he goes to the back after being eliminated.

Dibiase comes out the bottom of the ring to attack Jake outside, nice little touch.

Entrant # 5 – Macho King Randy Savage

Savage full on sprints down to the ring to attack Jake the Snake.

Scary Sherri and Virgil are both at ring side, guess they changed the rule about managers being down there.

Entrant # 6 – Roddy Piper

The nut job comes down the aisle with the crazed look in his eye and runs roughshod over the heels.

Sherri screaming was the original “EXCUSE ME” I feel, so annoying.

Entrant # 7 – Warlord w/Mr. Fuji

I really like his look, seems like generic heel though.

Virgil with the low key cheating trying to help Savage and Dibiase eliminate Jake.

Entrant # 8 – Bret Hart

Judging by the sound, the Hart Foundation has turned face.

Entrant # 9 – Bad News Brown

We are approaching the “full ring, not a lot of spots to watch” moment of the Rumble.

Jake the Snake is eliminated by Savage and Dibiase.

Entrant # 10 – Dusty Rhodes

The polka dot wearin, bionic elbow droppin fan favorite, comes in to a HUGE pop, even more so when he eliminated the Macho King.

Entrant # 11 – Andre the Giant

Andre is moving very slowly, has to be getting close to being done. Doesn’t prevent him from eliminating the Warlord.

Heenan and Mr. Fuji get in a little altercation outside, my money is on Fuji.

Entrant # 12 – Red Rooster

Poor poor man, stupid stupid gimmick.

Piper eliminates Bad News, who delivers some bad news to Piper, and pulls him out after getting eliminated.

They fight towards the back….is this the lead to the Piper half black face match? I get years confused.

Entrant # 13 – Ax

Red Rooster was eliminated by the Giant so I’m told.

Andre gets stuck in the ropes and gets a beating from Ax and Rhodes.

Entrant # 14 – Haku

Andre’s partner at the time, goes in to help the big man.

I always liked Haku/Meng. Probably helped that he was infamously a badass.

Entrant # 15 – Smash

Demolition is now in the Rumble, they immediately team up on Andre.

Jesse Ventura is doing a great job putting Dibiase over as still being in the match.

Entrant # 16 – Akeem

There is some weight in that ring at the moment.

Andre is eliminated by Demolition, which is better than being eliminated by a snake I suppose.

Entrant # 17 – Jimmy Snuka

Knowing that he pretty much murdered someone and got away with it, really ruins
watching him for me now.

That being said, he eliminates Akeem after the original Funkasorous decided to put on a dance show.

Entrant # 18 – Dino Bravo

Always thought it was interesting he didn’t bring the Canadian flag with him, maybe it was to color coordinate.

Entrant # 19 – Canadian Earthquake

I don’t remember him with the Canadian part of his name, but to each his own.

Screw that guy, he eliminated Dusty Rhodes, and he made me cry as a small child because I thought he almost killed Hulk Hogan.

He also eliminates Ax, back down to 6 people in the ring.

Entrant # 20 – Jim Neidhart

I was thinking it was good timing for him to come help Bret Hart, then realized I missed him being eliminated earlier.

Earthquake eliminated by a load of guys.

Entrant # 21 – Ultimate Warrior

WWF’s reigning 100 meter dash champion runs down like a wild man and immediately eliminates Dino Bravo, albeit a little rough.

Entrant # 22 – Rick Martel

I love being able to show him to random people now and tell them his gimmick was that of a model. 90’s beauty at its finest.

Smash eliminated by Haku.

Million Dollar Man still going strong 40 minutes in.

Entrant # 23 – Tito Santana

Bad news for the Model, “Chico” goes right after him, has him 90% eliminated and can’t quite get the last 10.

Entrant # 24 – Honky Tonk Man

Elvis Wrestley makes his way to the ring

Jim Neidhart eliminated by a few people.

Ted Dibiase finally eliminated with a running clothesline by the Ultimate Warrior.

Creative seems to want to keep the ring about 6 people full for the most part.

Entrant # 25 – Hulk Hogan

Is Jimmy Snuka a heel? Immediately goes after Hogan, not a good decision, eliminated.

Hogan eliminated Haku with a bad spot, still with his shirt un-torn.

There the shirt goes.

Tito Santana eliminated by Ultimate Warrior.

Entrant # 26 – Shawn Michaels

Honky Tonk eliminated by Hogan

Micheals eliminated by Warrior, that was quick.

Martel eliminated by Warrior

Leaves us with Hogan and Warrior in the middle of the ring, people going crazy, maybe
they should have a match at some point.

They run back and forth after trying to show who is stronger, a double clothesline puts both men down.

Entrant # 27 – Barbarian

Either he is the luckiest man or the unluckiest depending on how you view it coming in while Hogan and Warrior are both down.

Begins by working over both Hogan and Warrior.

Rick Rude comes out of nowhere, no countdown. it shows up for a second then goes away. So I guess

Entrant # 28 – Rick Rude

Rude goes after Warrior with success, doesn’t eliminate him though.

Rude and Barbarian eliminate Warrior with help from Hogan, Warrior doesn’t like it and comes back in for a moment, just to run away.

Entrant # 29 – Hercules

Entrant # 30 – Mr. Perfect

Perfect wastes no time, sprints down and attacks Hogan.

Ventura pushing the Hogan vs. Warrior narrative.

Hercules eliminates the Barbarian.

FINAL FOUR (important to me)

Rick Rude – Believable winner, good heel, could always use the push.

Hercules- Not believable, generic generic generic

Hulk Hogan – Of course believable

Mr. Perfect – I’m split 50/50 on whether I think he could win it, I know it was in the plans initially but I just don’t know if they would give it to a “mid-card lifer”

Hercules eliminated by Rude.

Hogan being double teamed, HOW WILL HE EVER OVERCOME THE ODDS!?

Rude hits Perfect on accident, Hogan throws Rude into a rope which Perfect was using to get up, Rude tumbles over.

Perfect vs. Hogan

Perfect gets some offense in, hits Hogan with the Perfect Plex, Hogan no-sells it

Hulking up, close to ball game here

Hogan eliminates Mr. Perfect

WINNER – Hulk Hogan

MVRP – Ted Dibiase: 40+ minutes is always a good candidate

LVRP – Shawn Michaels (strange) Under a minute gets you this spot almost everytime.

Overall Thoughts – I like that almost every big name they had was in this Rumble, most of the matches prior to suffered because of it, but that’s fine with me. So far they keep getting better as they go along. This one goes to the top for now.

Rankings
1. 1990
2. 1989
3. 1988

Going to try and write this up this weekend. It's one of my favourites, so I'm looking forward to it.

I will make it a point to finish the 89 review sometime this week and the 90 review shortly after.

The obvious starting point for this would be the beginning, but being there are a few Rumbles I've seen a ton of times and a few I've never seen, I thought I would change it up and go to one I don't think I've ever seen.

I almost wanted to do a pre-match Rumble Odds list, but I am afraid that will be too easy to spoil surprises and winners for me, and possibly even angles I may be interested in watching after the match, so I'll probably say each entrant, and what I believe their actual chance of winning is, or something like that. Even though I haven't seen some of these I can probably still figure out who won it fairly easily, as I have seen every Mania.

Anyways, here we go

2005 Royal Rumble, Fresno, CA.

Before firing it up, I can pretty safely say I have zero recollection of this Rumble. So take my guesses at their chances of win with a huge grain of salt. Just something I like to do while watching the Rumbles.

Number 1 - Eddie Guerrero (Some Chance)

Sadly, there's a large gap in my Eddie Guerrero knowledge. I've seen some of his bigger wins, but never fully have gotten to appreciate the greatness of Eddie.

Number 2 - Chris Benoit (Some Chance)

Guess they wanted things to start off with a WCW Crusierweight match. Taz and JR talk about how they used to be best friends, while they start off the Rumble to use their technical abilities.

Number 3 - Daniel Puder

LOL, all of a sudden I remember watching some youtube videos on the guys already in the ring beating the hell out of Puder. Puder takes the mic, tells us he'll be the first Tough Enough champion to win the Royal Rumble.

Eddie and Benoit proceed to chop the living **** out of him. Honestly, some of the hardest chops I've ever seen. Puder obviously knew the ass beating was coming but you can almost feel sorry for the dude.

Number 4 - Hardcore Holly

LOL, was this all just to teach Puder a lesson. Holly's time to beat Puder's ass. I am surprised his chest isn't caved in after this. I think Holly seems to sense Puder putting his hands up pre chop, so he holds Puder's arms back tightly, while Eddie lands a chop.

Puder is eliminated, by Holly, while this guys music hits.

Number 5 - Hurricane Helms

Benoit and Eddie start by joining together to try to take out Helms, only to see Eddie try to sneak attack Benoit out of the ring. Back to everyman for himself. With that, Benoit and Eddie do team up to eliminate Helms.

Number 6 - Kenzo Suzuki (No Chance)

I have no recollection of this guy. Benoit and Guerrero go back to working together and start to work this guy over. In the middle of that, Benoit attempts to eliminate Guerrero.

Number 7 - Edge (Good Chance)

He beat HBK earlier in the night, and got a huge pop here, making me think he has a good chance to win or make a deep run. Edge comes it like he just received the hot tag, taking out everyone. Edge was really sort of the first one to get any offense in upon his arrival to the ring. Everyone else was getting beat by Benoit and Eddie.

Number 8 - Rey Mysterio (Some Chance)

I only say some chance because I know he wins a Rumble soon, but I don't think he's a 2 time winner. Rey takes Suzuki out.

Entry 9 - Shenlton Benjamin (No Real Chance)

Benjamin is another guy I feel I should seek out more. His athleticism always amazes me in the small amount I've seen his work.

10th - Booker T (Nah)

I feel the way he was squashed by RacisHHH at last year's Mania means he will probably not be winning this one.

Eric Bischoff strolls to the ring. He's the RAW GM, which I've just learned.

Entry 11 - Chris Jericho (Decent)

First undisputed champ, probably has a good chance to make a decent showing. With the exception of Edge and Benjamin, it looks like a WCW reunion in here.

Teddy Long, Smackdown GM has come to the ring to cheerlead like EB.

Entry 12 - ITS REIGNS...Luther Reigns (No chance)

JR says a guy like this could shock the world, which means he has less than zero chance to win.

The guys split up between the Raw and Smackdown Roster. Guess they were just waiting for Luther Reigns to really make this spot work. The crowd loves it, so who am I to say.

I feel like they are filling the ring up to have someone eliminate a ton of people anytime now.

Entry 13 - Muhammad Hassan (No Chance)

I don't think this will be the guy to clear the ring. From what I understand, this guy was asked to play a terrorist in the middle of a terror war. Everyone in the ring beats him down. Aaaand he's gone.

Entry 14 - Orlando Jordan (No Chance)

I'm pretty sure Ultimate Warrior called this guy the future of wrestling at one point. We are still waiting.

Entry 15 - Scotty 2 Hotty (Umm No)

The Terrorist attacks Scotty from behind, which doesn't surprise JR, because terrorism. Very few eliminations.

Entry 16 - Haas (Nooo)

We have reached the lower card portion of the Rumble. Booker eliminates Luther and Orlando in short order. Almost immediately after, Booker is eliminated by Eddie. Booker is shocked, thinking they were friends. To be fair, Eddie didn't really do much to eliminate Booker. He simply moved out of the way (probably meaning to hold a rope down, while missing) While King Book, leaped over the top rope pretty much on his own.

Entry 17 - Rene Dupree and FiFi the dog (No Chance)

The streak of no hopers continues. Haas and Benjamin, former partners, team up for a moment to do a tag team maneuver (my inner Vince talking) on someone that I already forget. Benjamin is eliminated by Edge.

Entry 18 - Simon Dean (This is pretty bad)

I'm guessing a Kane, Taker, or Nash is coming soon to eliminate the majority of the ring.

Eddie is eliminated by Edge. The crowd is not happy.

Entry 19 HBK (I'd say this guy has a chance)

HBK eliminates Dean in short order. A short while later he takes out Charlie Haas. JR Makes a French joke, because he thinks Haas is Dupree I guess?

Entry 20 - Kurt Angle (Pretty Good Chance)

Angle Slams for everyone! Lol Angle eliminated with a sweet chin music. So much for my prediction. Guess Angle wanted a short night?

Entry 21 - An ESPN Anchor (No Chance)

I vaguely recall Coach, mostly from The Rock making fun of him. Coach hits Benoit and Coach runs to the opposite corner and clings to the bottom rope.

Entry 22 - Mark Jindrak (No Chance)

Angle comes back in and eliminates HBK. Angle then hits HBK with the steel steps, splitting him open. He gives HBK an Angle Lock on the stairs. How can someone be eliminated by someone who's been eliminated? Anywho... I think I have an HBK-Angle match to seek out.

Entry 23 - Viscera (He's so big, WHO CAN ELIMINATE HIM??)

Viscera, as King Mable headlined at least one PPV, when he crushed Kevin Nash (literally), but I don't think he's going to get the call to main event Mania.

Entry 24 - Paul London (No Chance)

I don't really really remember this guy, but Taz described him as "Someone who runs fast who's a go-getter." That's just...sad.

Jericho eliminated Dupree. JR does not double down on his missed French joke from earlier.

Entry 25 - John Cena (Fair Chance)

I don't exactly remember the exact moment Cena's career took off towards what it has become today. It could very one be this Rumble for all I remember. Cena eliminates Big Daddy Mable.

I swear there's like 25 seconds between some of these entrants.

Entry 26 - Gene Snitsky (No Chance)

He has so many bandages on him he sort of looks like a mummy. Not a Yeti, but a mummy. Snitsky clotheslines London off the apron, which I would describe as the most impressive elimination of this match.

Snitsky has a staredown with Cena, so I guess this was a thing. Snitsky gets the best of it.

Entry 27 - Kane (Not really, but good for some eliminations)

Kane and Stinsky have a long feud apparently. London hasn't moved. Everyone is getting a chokeslam from Kane. Kane eliminates Jindrak. Coach goes after Kane, because he's an idiot.

Entry 28 - Batista (I'd say a pretty big chance)

This does sort of ring some bells. Not sure if he wins. But I think he might. Is this Vince tears both quads? Batista eliminates The Mummy.

It's weird seeing the crowd cheer Batista in a Rumble. Batista eliminates Jericho.

Entry 29 - Christian (not really)

Comes to the ring with a version of his theme song I've never heard and a manager I've never seen. Cena eliminates Kane with an FU to the outside.

Entry 30 - Ric Flair (Not a real chance, but maybe a top 4)

My 4 year olds favorite wrestler, which is obviously my fault. Flair was a surprise to me, as I often forget he's in the WWE here, other than his retirement match. Flair eliminates Coach.

Batista throws edge onto the manager he came out with. Benoit lands at least 10 chops on Flair. Batista, his Evolution teammate, comes to the rescue. Together they eliminate Benoit. Flair then tries to throw out Batista, but Batista doesn't budge. Pretty funny moment.

Edge spears Flair then eliminates him. There are 4 left - Cena, Rey, Edge, and Batista.

I didn't whiff on any of these guys, but I did think Angle would last longer.

Edge spears Dave and Cena. Rey moves. Rey lands thr 619 on Edge. Edge spears Rey through the middle ropes. Three left.

Well, Edge is gone. So it's down to Dave, Cena, and Vince's quads. I recently saw a list where this is the biggest botch ever in a Royal Rumble, so I know who wins. But I can say honestly say up until the very end it wasn't spoiled for me, so that's cool.

I probably should have mentioned this an hr ago, but Raw and Smackdown were split brands at the time, so the final two featured one from each brand (Cena, Smackdown, Batista, Raw)

Batista tries to powerbomb Cena, but Cena's momentum sends them both flying over the top rope. Honestly, this looks so perfectly done, it makes me wonder if I was worked when I see this described as a botch. It ranks nearly as perfectly as the Luger/Hart double elimination, which of course WAS planned. However, Batista's look, and Cena covering his face while talking to the refs outside indicate it was indeed a mistake.

Jack Doan raises Batista's hand, while a Smackdown ref raises Cena's hand. If they did all this on the fly, then then all involved deserve high praise.

Here comes Vince barreling to the ring. He slides into the ring, no sells massive pain, and sits against the bottom rope, with his hands on his hips. The announcers also no sell Vince chillin on the canvas. Batista throws Cena over the top. Cena comes in and does the same to Batista. Vince orders the match to continue. This is really quite hilarious.

30 seconds later Dave wins the Royal Rumble.

Good times.

Final Thoughts - Is Paul London ok? There was a lot of deadweight in this match. I don't feel like the stars were spaced well enough, but overall I was pretty entertained. I didn't notice too many angles made from this match, other than Angle vs. HBK, which I assume is really good? Also, maybe this showed some dissention in Evolution with Flair trying to take out Batista, but in a way, that was just Ric being Ric.

It was pretty good, and not as bad as I thought it would be. I'll see if I can churn anymore out before the 2018 version.

The early Angle elimination by HBK set up their WM 21 match.