Royal Rumble (2010)
{{short description|World Wrestling Entertainment pay-per-view event}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2013}}
{{Infobox Wrestling event
|name = Royal Rumble
|image = Royal Rumble (2010).jpg
|caption = Promotional poster featuring various WWE wrestlers
|tagline = I Am The One
|promotion = World Wrestling Entertainment
|date = January 31, 2010
|venue = Philips Arena
|buyrate = 462,000
|lastevent = TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs
|nextevent = Elimination Chamber
|event = Royal Rumble
|lastevent2 = 2009
|nextevent2 = 2011
}}
The 2010 Royal Rumble was a professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). It was the 23rd annual Royal Rumble and took place on January 31, 2010, at the Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. The event featured wrestlers from the promotion's Raw, SmackDown, and ECW brand divisions. As has been customary since 1993, the Royal Rumble match winner received a world championship match at that year's WrestleMania. For the 2010 event, the winner received their choice to challenge for either Raw's WWE Championship, SmackDown's World Heavyweight Championship, or the ECW Championship at WrestleMania XXVI—this was the last Royal Rumble in which the ECW Championship was an option as the ECW brand was disbanded in February, also deactivating the title, thus also being WWE's last PPV to include the ECW brand.
Six professional wrestling matches were featured on the event's supercard, a scheduling of more than one main event. The main event was the 2010 Royal Rumble match, which featured wrestlers from all three brands. SmackDown's Edge, the twenty-ninth entrant, won the match by last eliminating Raw's John Cena, the nineteenth entrant. The primary match on the Raw brand was for the WWE Championship between reigning champion Sheamus and Randy Orton, which Sheamus won by disqualification. The primary match on the SmackDown brand was between The Undertaker and Rey Mysterio for the World Heavyweight Championship, which The Undertaker won to retain the championship. The featured match on the ECW brand was between Christian and Ezekiel Jackson for the ECW Championship, which Christian won to retain.
Production
=Background=
File:State Farm (Philips) Arena, Atlanta, GA (46558861525) - 2019.jpg in Atlanta, Georgia.]]
The Royal Rumble is an annual professional wrestling 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".Ian Hamilton. Wrestling's Sinking Ship: What Happens to an Industry Without Competition (p. 160) The concept of the event is based on 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 2010 event was the 23rd Royal Rumble and was scheduled to be held on January 31, 2010, at the Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. It featured wrestlers from the Raw, SmackDown, and ECW brand divisions.{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/schedules/events/rw/eventdetail/9887132|title=Royal Rumble 2010|access-date=November 25, 2009|work=World Wrestling Entertainment|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090612234005/https://www.wwe.com/schedules/events/rw/eventdetail/9887132|archive-date=June 12, 2009}}
The Royal Rumble match generally features 30 wrestlers. Traditionally, the winner of the match earns a world championship match at that year's WrestleMania.{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/inside/specialtymatches/royalrumble|title=Specialty Matches: Royal Rumble|work=WWE|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}}{{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}} For 2010, the winner could choose to challenge for either Raw's WWE Championship, SmackDown's World Heavyweight Championship, or the ECW Championship at WrestleMania XXVI.
=Storylines=
The event included matches that resulted from scripted storylines. 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.{{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=Discovery Communications|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}}{{cite web|title=Live & Televised Entertainment|url=https://corporate.wwe.com/company/events.jsp|work=WWE|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}}{{cite web|url=https://corporate.wwe.com/news/2006/2006_05_25_02.jsp|title=WWE Launches ECW As Third Brand|work=World Wrestling Entertainment|access-date=June 1, 2009}}
On the December 15, 2009, episode of ECW, general manager Tiffany announced that the ECW brand would host a competition called the "ECW Homecoming", where the winner would face Christian for the ECW Championship at the Royal Rumble. Featuring current and former wrestlers from the ECW brand, the first round of the competition consisted of eight singles matches. The winners would then qualify to the "Homecoming Finale" on the January 12, 2010, episode, where they would fight in an eight-man battle royal that will determine the competition winner. The first two qualifying matches were featured later that night with Ezekiel Jackson defeating Vladimir Kozlov and Kane defeating Zack Ryder.{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/archive/12152009/|first=Kara A.|last=Medalis|title=Ryder sees red|work=World Wrestling Entertainment|date=December 15, 2009|access-date=December 23, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091231090815/https://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/archive/12152009/|archive-date=December 31, 2009}} The following week, Jack Swagger returned in a losing effort to Yoshi Tatsu, while Vance Archer advanced with a victory over Goldust.{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/archive/12212009/|first=Kara A.|last=Medalis|title=Losing his Swagger|work=World Wrestling Entertainment|date=December 22, 2009|access-date=December 23, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100105033918/https://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/archive/12212009/|archive-date=January 5, 2010}} On the December 29 episode, Matt Hardy and Evan Bourne defeated Finlay and Mike Knox, respectively, to qualify.{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/archive/12292009/|first=Kara A.|last=Medalis|title=An Original goodbye|work=World Wrestling Entertainment|date=December 29, 2009|access-date=December 30, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100109114316/https://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/archive/12292009/|archive-date=January 9, 2010}} The two remaining qualifying matches were held on the January 5, 2010, episode of and saw Shelton Benjamin defeating Chavo Guerrero Jr. and CM Punk defeating Mark Henry to qualify.{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/archive/01052010/|first=Kara A.|last=Medalis|title=Straightedge Homecoming|work=World Wrestling Entertainment|date=January 5, 2010|access-date=January 6, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100117054205/https://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/archive/01052010/|archive-date=January 17, 2010}} On the January 12 episode, Jackson won the "Homecoming Finale", last eliminating Kane, to earn the right to face Christian at the Royal Rumble.{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/archive/01122010/|first=Kara A.|last=Medalis|title=Homecoming king|work=World Wrestling Entertainment|date=January 12, 2010|access-date=January 21, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100123195609/https://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/archive/01122010/|archive-date=January 23, 2010}}
On the January 4 episode of Raw, a fatal four-way match was held to determine the number one contender for WWE United States Championship featuring Montel Vontavious Porter (MVP), Mark Henry, Carlito, and Jack Swagger. MVP emerged victorious by pinning Swagger and earned a match against The Miz for the championship.{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/01042010/|title=Hit Man, baby, one more time|date=January 4, 2010|last=Adkins|first=Greg|work=World Wrestling Entertainment|access-date=April 14, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100115165708/https://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/01042010/|archive-date=January 15, 2010}}
It was announced on December 31, 2009, on the company's official website that The Undertaker would be defending the World Heavyweight Championship at the Royal Rumble; the means of determining the challenger was stated to be via the "Beat the Clock Sprint", a series of matches that sees whoever wins their match in the fastest time would be declared the number-one contender. The sprint, held on the January 1, 2010, episode of SmackDown, consisted of four matches involving CM Punk, Kane, Chris Jericho, Rey Mysterio, Dolph Ziggler, R-Truth, Matt Hardy, and Batista. The wrestler who won his match in the quickest time would earn the championship match. Punk defeated Hardy in his match, setting the time at 7:20. The next match featured Kane and Ziggler; both failed to beat the time limit and the match ended in a draw. Mysterio defeated his former rival Jericho one second faster than Punk's time, with 7:19. The final match was Batista versus R-Truth; the match resulted in another time-limit draw, due in part to interference from Mysterio. Despite Mysterio's fastest time, on-screen consultant Vickie Guerrero overruled the result, announcing a match the following week between Mysterio and Batista, who had disputably won his match.{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/01012010/|title=Time to Rumble|last=Burdick|first=Michael|work=World Wrestling Entertainment|date=January 1, 2010|access-date=January 2, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100112112026/https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/01012010/|archive-date=January 12, 2010}} The match between the two on the January 8 episode of SmackDown was declared a no contest following both men being incapacitated.{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/01082010/|title=Stunned contenders|last=Passero|first=Mitch|work=World Wrestling Entertainment|date=January 7, 2010|access-date=January 8, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100119210424/https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/01082010/|archive-date=January 19, 2010}} A rematch between the two was held the following week, this time as a Steel Cage match. Mysterio won the match, earning the right to face The Undertaker at the Royal Rumble.{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/01152010/|first=Michael|last=Burdick|title=Locked in the cage with a wild Animal|work=World Wrestling Entertainment|date=January 15, 2010|access-date=October 23, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100128053708/https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/01152010/|archive-date=January 28, 2010}}
The main event for Raw was determined on the January 11 episode with guest host Mike Tyson announcing the winner of a triple threat match later that night between John Cena, Kofi Kingston, and Randy Orton would advance to face Sheamus at the Royal Rumble for the WWE Championship. Orton ultimately won with the help of Legacy, who took out Cena and Kingston for him.{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/01112010/|title=Tyson's rope-a-dope|last=Adkins|first=Greg|work=World Wrestling Entertainment|date=January 11, 2010|access-date=January 12, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100122104236/https://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/01112010/|archive-date=January 22, 2010}}
Since November of the previous year, WWE Women's Champion Michelle McCool had been relentlessly insulting Mickie James over a perceived weight issue.{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/11202009/|last=Burdick|first=Michael|title=Survival instincts run wild|work=World Wrestling Entertainment|date=November 20, 2009|access-date=January 30, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091202063854/https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/11202009/|archive-date=December 2, 2009}} The two had a match at TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs, which saw McCool win, continuing the torment.{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwetlc/matches/12893246/results/|title="McCruel" retains|last=Vermillion|first=James|work=World Wrestling Entertainment|date=December 13, 2009|access-date=January 30, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091217075617/https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwetlc/matches/12893246/results/|archive-date=December 17, 2009}} James confronted McCool on the January 15 episode of SmackDown during a mocking monologue about James, leading to the champion assaulting her. It was also confirmed that day that McCool would defend her title again at the Royal Rumble against James.
Event
| class=wikitable style="font-size:90%; margin: 0.5em 0 0.5em 1em; float: right; clear: right;"
|+ Other on-screen personnel !|Role: !|Name: |
| rowspan=3|English Commentators
|Michael Cole {{small|(Raw)}} |
| Jerry Lawler {{small|(Raw)}} |
| Matt Striker {{small|(SmackDown)}} |
| rowspan=2|Spanish Commentators |
| Hugo Savinovich |
| rowspan=3|Ring announcers
|Tony Chimel {{small|(SmackDown)}} |
| Justin Roberts {{small|(Raw)}} |
| Savannah {{small|(ECW)}} |
| Backstage interviewer |
| rowspan=6|Referees |
| Mike Chioda |
| John Cone |
| Jack Doan |
| Aaron Mahoney |
| Chad Patton |
=Dark match=
Before the event aired live on pay-per-view, a dark match took place in which Gail Kim, Kelly Kelly, Eve Torres, and The Bella Twins (Nikki Bella and Brie Bella) defeated Maryse, Katie Lea Burchill, Jillian Hall, Alicia Fox, and Natalya in a 10-Diva tag team match.
=Preliminary matches=
The event opened with Christian defending the ECW Championship against Ezekiel Jackson (accompanied by William Regal). Regal attempted to interfere but the referee noticed, ejecting Regal from ringside. Christian executed the Killswitch on Jackson to retain the title.
Next, The Miz defended the WWE United States Championship against Montel Vontavious Porter (MVP), a match that Theodore Long booked in a backstage segment. After MVP chased Miz into the ring, Miz pinned him with a small package to retain the title.
File:Rhodes stunned.jpg attacking Cody Rhodes, after Rhodes' interference resulted in Orton being disqualified during his WWE Championship match.]]
After that, Sheamus defended the WWE Championship against Randy Orton. Sheamus dominated most of the match, targeting Orton's left arm. Sheamus attempted Pale Justice on Orton but Orton countered the move with a Rope Hung DDT. Orton pinned Sheamus but Sheamus touched the bottom rope, voiding the pinfall. Orton attempted a punt on Sheamus but Sheamus countered and targeted Orton's left arm. Cody Rhodes interfered and attacked Sheamus, meaning Sheamus retained the title by disqualification. After the match, Orton confronted and attacked Rhodes. Ted DiBiase came out but was also attacked by Orton. Sheamus attacked Orton with a Brogue Kick and celebrated his victory.
Next, Michelle McCool defended the WWE Women's Championship against Mickie James. McCool was accompanied by Layla. Before the match began, McCool taunted James by calling her "Piggy James" and Layla wore a fat suit to mock James. As the match started, "Piggy James" Layla tried to attack the genuine James but McCool accidentally executed a Big Boot on Layla. James took advantage and executed a Mickie DDT to win the title.
In the penultimate match, The Undertaker defended the World Heavyweight Championship against Rey Mysterio. After countering a Last Ride, Mysterio executed two 619s on Undertaker. Mysterio attempted a West Coast Pop but Undertaker caught Mysterio and executed a Last Ride to retain the title.
=Main event=
File:Shawn furious.jpg after he was eliminated from the Royal Rumble match.]]
The main event was the Royal Rumble match for a world championship match at WrestleMania XXVI. Dolph Ziggler (#1) and Evan Bourne (#2) were quickly eliminated by CM Punk (#3). After eliminating both men, Punk began talking on the microphone, boasting of his intention to win, carrying this on for all of his time in the match. Punk quickly eliminated JTG (#4), before being stopped by The Great Khali (#5). Beth Phoenix then entered at #6, becoming only the second female to participate in an all-male Royal Rumble, after Chyna did so in 1999. Phoenix eliminated Khali by pulling him over the top rope while kissing him but was eliminated by Punk immediately afterwards. Triple H entered at #8 and eliminated Punk. Montel Vontavious Porter (MVP) (#14) was attacked by The Miz during his ring entrance and taken backstage by medical personnel without entering the match. Miz then entered at #16 but MVP returned to the match and eliminated both himself and Miz. The other half of D-Generation X, Shawn Michaels, entered at #18 and he and Triple H eliminated all the other competitors in the match, leaving themselves. Michaels and Triple H were immediately joined by John Cena (#19). After double-teaming Cena, Michaels performed a Sweet Chin Music on Triple H to eliminate him. A notable moment in the match came when R-Truth (#25) eliminated Big Show (#22) and Mark Henry (#23) at the same time. Chris Jericho entered the ring at #28 and was soon joined by entrant #29, Edge, who was making his return following a six-month hiatus due to injury. Edge performed spears on Jericho, Michaels, and Cena before eliminating Jericho. Dave Batista entered at #30 as the final entrant. This brought the final four down to Michaels, Cena, Edge, and Batista. After all four competitors traded moves on each other, Batista eliminated Michaels, who tried to rejoin the match but was stopped, resulting in him superkicking a referee before walking to the back frustrated.
File:Edge after wins the royal rumble.jpg after winning the Royal Rumble match.]]
After a quick back and forth, Cena eliminated Batista, bringing the final two down to himself and Edge. Cena countered a spear attempt from Edge and went to eliminate him, but Edge instead eliminated Cena to win the match. In doing so, Edge would gain the new record of spending the least amount of time in the rumble match before winning it. He was in the match for 7 minutes and 37 seconds, besting the previous record set by Cena by 51 seconds (Cena's record had been set two years earlier after also returning from injury in the Rumble match as a late entry - in Cena's case, #30). This record lasted for 12 years until it was broken by Brock Lesnar in 2022.{{cite web|last=Bryant|first=Nathan|title=Brock Lesnar wins the 30-Man Royal Rumble Match|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/2022/30-man-royal-rumble-match-results|date=January 29, 2022|work=WWE|access-date=January 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220130053006/https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/2022/30-man-royal-rumble-match-results|archive-date=January 30, 2022|url-status=live}}
Reception
The Royal Rumble received generally positive reviews from critics. The event earned 462,000 pay-per-view buys, an increase of 12,000 on the 2009 Royal Rumble.{{cite web|url=https://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/WWE_News_3/article_41137.shtml|title=WWE Financials: PPV business break down - Royal Rumble, Chamber, WM26|date=May 6, 2010|last=Caldwell|first=James|access-date=June 8, 2014|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100509085555/https://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/WWE_News_3/article_41137.shtml|archive-date=May 9, 2010|url-status=live}}
Aftermath
After failing to win the Royal Rumble match and losing an Elimination Chamber qualifying match to Randy Orton,{{cite news |last1=Nemer |first1=Paul |title=Raw Results – 2/1/10 |url=https://www.wrestleview.com/wwe-raw-results/1703-raw-results-2-1-10/ |access-date=March 5, 2023 |work=WrestleView |date=February 1, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100205191529/https://www.wrestleview.com/news2009/1265084317.php?style=dark |archive-date=February 5, 2010 |url-status=live}} Shawn Michaels cost The Undertaker the World Heavyweight Championship against Chris Jericho in the SmackDown Elimination Chamber match at Elimination Chamber.{{cite news |last1=Canton |first1=John |title=The John Report: WWE Elimination Chamber 2010 Recap |url=https://tjrwrestling.net/review/the-john-report-wwe-elimination-chamber-2010-recap/ |access-date=March 5, 2023 |work=TJR Wrestling |date=February 21, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127023550/https://tjrwrestling.net/review/the-john-report-wwe-elimination-chamber-2010-recap/ |archive-date=November 27, 2021 |url-status=live}} As a result, Michaels challenged Undertaker to a rematch of their WrestleMania XXV match at WrestleMania XXVI. Undertaker agreed on the term that if Michaels lost, he would retire from professional wrestling.{{cite news |last1=Nemer |first1=Paul |title=Raw Results – 2/22/10 |url=https://www.wrestleview.com/wwe-raw-results/1067-raw-results-2-22-10/ |access-date=March 5, 2023 |work=WrestleView |date=February 22, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100227002239/https://www.wrestleview.com/news2009/1266900678.php?style=dark |archive-date=February 27, 2010 |url-status=live}} A stipulation was added that the match would be contested under no disqualifications and no countouts.{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/03082010/|title=Sleight of hands|first=Greg|last=Adkins|work=World Wrestling Entertainment|date=March 8, 2010|access-date=August 23, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100323002944/https://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/03082010/|archive-date=March 23, 2010}} At WrestleMania, Undertaker defeated Michaels to extend his WrestleMania winning streak to 18–0 and Michaels was forced to retire.{{cite news|last=Canton|first=John|title=WWE WrestleMania 26 Review|url=https://tjrwrestling.net/review/wwe-wrestlemania-26-review/|access-date=March 5, 2023|work=TJR Wrestling|date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220325053736/https://tjrwrestling.net/review/wwe-wrestlemania-26-review/|archive-date=March 25, 2022|url-status=live}}
As a result of winning the 2010 Royal Rumble match, Edge earned the opportunity to wrestle for a world championship of his choosing at WrestleMania XXVI. After Chris Jericho won the World Heavyweight Championship from The Undertaker in an Elimination Chamber match at Elimination Chamber, Edge announced that he would wrestle Jericho, whom Edge had shared the WWE Undisputed Tag Team Championships with at the time of his injury, for the title. At WrestleMania, Jericho defeated Edge to retain the title. After the match, Edge would be frustrated, spearing Chris Jericho through the barricade in the process at ringside. The rivalry ended after Edge defeated Jericho in a Steel Cage match at Extreme Rules.{{cite news|last=Canton|first=John|title=WWE Extreme Rules 2010|url=https://tjrwrestling.net/review/wwe-extreme-rules-2010-review/|access-date=January 9, 2023|work=TJR Wrestling|date=May 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220508144200/https://tjrwrestling.net/review/wwe-extreme-rules-2010-review/|archive-date=May 8, 2022|url-status=live}}
John Cena eliminated Batista from the Royal Rumble match, which started a conflict between Batista and Cena. On the February 1 episode of Raw, Cena rescued Bret Hart from an assault by Batista and Vince McMahon. After the show ended, Cena tried to help Hart but was attacked by Batista.{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/02052010/|title=Opportunity knocks|first=Mitch|last=Passero|work=World Wrestling Entertainment|date=February 5, 2010|access-date=August 23, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100216140953/https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/02052010/|archive-date=February 16, 2010}} At Elimination Chamber, Cena won the WWE Championship from Sheamus in an Elimination Chamber match. After the match, McMahon ordered Cena to defend the title against Batista. Batista defeated Cena to win the WWE Championship. At WrestleMania XXVI, Cena defeated Batista to regain the WWE Championship. Cena would retain the title against Batista in a Last Man Standing match at Extreme Rules and in an "I Quit" match at Over the Limit,{{cite news|last=Canton|first=John|title=TJR Retro: WWE Over The Limit 2010 Review|url=https://tjrwrestling.net/review/tjr-retro-wwe-over-the-limit-2010-review/|access-date=March 6, 2023|work=TJR Wrestling|date=May 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211021152524/https://tjrwrestling.net/review/tjr-retro-wwe-over-the-limit-2010-review/|archive-date=October 21, 2021|url-status=live}} which forced Batista to quit WWE.{{cite news|last=Martin|first=Adam|title=Raw Results – 5/24/10|url=https://www.wrestleview.com/wwe-raw-results/14319-raw-results-5-24-10/|access-date=January 9, 2023|work=WrestleView|date=May 24, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528081824/https://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1274757307|archive-date=May 28, 2010|url-status=live}}
After the Royal Rumble, Christian and Ezekiel Jackson continued to feud over the ECW Championship. On February 2, however, WWE Chairman Vince McMahon announced that ECW would be going off the air and would air its final episode on February 16.{{cite web|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TV_Reports_9/article_38686.shtml|title=Parks' ECW TV report 2/2: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of the show, including Vince McMahon's announcement on the future of ECW|first=Greg|last=Parks|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=February 2, 2010|access-date=May 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100204182030/https://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TV_Reports_9/article_38686.shtml|archive-date=February 4, 2010|url-status=live}} On the final episode of ECW, Jackson, with the help of William Regal, defeated Christian in an Extreme Rules match to become the final ECW Champion. Afterwards, the ECW brand was discontinued, subsequently retiring the championship.{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/archive/02162010/|title=Dominant farewell|first=Kara A.|last=Medallis|work=World Wrestling Entertainment|date=February 16, 2010|access-date=August 23, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100227011528/https://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/archive/02162010/|archive-date=February 27, 2010}} This would in turn be the last Royal Rumble in which three titles were an option for the Royal Rumble winner (with the one-time exception of 2020).{{cite web|last=Thompson|first=Andrew|title=WWE Royal Rumble PPV To Be Held At Minute Maid Park In Houston, Texas In 2020|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/wwe-royal-rumble-ppv-be-held-minute-maid-park-houston-texas-2020|work=Fightful|access-date=February 15, 2019|date=February 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304151419/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/wwe-royal-rumble-ppv-be-held-minute-maid-park-houston-texas-2020|archive-date=March 4, 2021|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Wells|first=Kelly|title=NXT TakeOver Portland Report 2/16: Live results and match analysis for Cole vs. Ciampa, Ripley vs. Belair, Kai vs. Nox Street Fight, more|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2020/02/16/nxt-takeover-portland-report-2-16-live-results-and-match-analysis-for-cole-vs-ciampa-ripley-vs-belair-kai-vs-nox-street-fight-more/|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=February 16, 2020|access-date=February 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815135331/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2020/02/16/nxt-takeover-portland-report-2-16-live-results-and-match-analysis-for-cole-vs-ciampa-ripley-vs-belair-kai-vs-nox-street-fight-more/|archive-date=August 15, 2020|url-status=live}}
Results
{{Pro wrestling results table
|note1 = dark
|match1 = The Bella Twins (Brie Bella and Nikki Bella), Eve Torres, Gail Kim, and Kelly Kelly defeated Alicia Fox, Jillian Hall, Katie Lea Burchill, Maryse, and Natalya by pinfall
|stip1 = 10-Diva tag team match{{cite web|url=https://www.wrestleview.com/wwe-news/1739-dark-match-before-royal-rumble/|title=Dark match before Royal Rumble|date=January 31, 2010|last=Gerweck|first=Steve|access-date=April 6, 2012|work=WrestleView|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250414231454/https://www.wrestleview.com/wwe-news/1739-dark-match-before-royal-rumble/|archive-date=April 14, 2025|url-status=live}}
|time1 =
|match2 = Christian (c) defeated Ezekiel Jackson (with William Regal) by pinfall
|stip2 = Singles match for the ECW Championship{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/matches/13235842/results/|title=Results: Christian slays Guyanese Goliath|first=Kara A.|last=Medalis|date=January 31, 2010|work=World Wrestling Entertainment|access-date=February 1, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100204093521/https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/matches/13235842/results/|archive-date=February 4, 2010}}
|time2 = 11:49
|match3 = The Miz (c) defeated Montel Vontavious Porter by pinfall
|stip3 = Singles match for the WWE United States Championship{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/matches/13372568/results/|title=Results: Sore winner|first=James|last=Vermillion|date=January 31, 2010|work=World Wrestling Entertainment|access-date=February 1, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100204093532/https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/matches/13372568/results/|archive-date=February 4, 2010}}
|time3 = 7:30
|match4 = Sheamus (c) defeated Randy Orton by disqualification
|stip4 = Singles match for the WWE Championship{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/matches/13224254/results/|title=Results: Dodged Viper|first=Greg|last=Adkins|date=January 31, 2010|work=World Wrestling Entertainment|access-date=February 1, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100204093347/https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/matches/13224254/results/|archive-date=February 4, 2010}}
|time4 = 11:24
|match5 = Mickie James defeated Michelle McCool (c) (with Layla) by pinfall
|stip5 = Singles match for the WWE Women's Championship{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/matches/13298520/results/|title=Results: Mickie stops the hogwash|first=Kevin|last=Powers|date=January 31, 2010|work=World Wrestling Entertainment|access-date=February 1, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100204093526/https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/matches/13298520/results/|archive-date=February 4, 2010}}
|time5 = 0:20
|match6 = The Undertaker (c) defeated Rey Mysterio by pinfall
|stip6 = Singles match for the World Heavyweight Championship{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/matches/13224522/results/|title=Results: Under-World Title triumph|first=Michael|last=Burdick|date=January 31, 2010|work=World Wrestling Entertainment|access-date=February 1, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100204093351/https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/matches/13224522/results/|archive-date=February 4, 2010}}
|time6 = 11:09
|match7 = Edge won by last eliminating John Cena
|stip7 = 30-man Royal Rumble match for a world championship match at WrestleMania XXVI{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/matches/9887158/results/|title=Results: Opportunity shocks|first=Ryan|last=Murphy|date=January 31, 2010|work=World Wrestling Entertainment|access-date=February 1, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100204093357/https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/matches/9887158/results/|archive-date=February 4, 2010}}
|time7 = 49:24
}}
=Royal Rumble entrances and eliminations=
:{{Color box|#FBB|border=silver}} – Raw
:{{Color box|#BBF|border=silver}} – SmackDown
:{{Color box|#FF8|border=silver}} – ECW
:{{Color box|gold|border=silver}} – Winner
| class="wikitable sortable"
!Draw !Entrant !Brand !Order !Eliminated by !Time !Eliminations |
| style="background: #BBF;"
|{{sort|01|1}} |SmackDown |{{sort|02|2}} |CM Punk |02:29 |0 |
| style="background: #FBB;"
|{{sort|02|2}} |Raw |{{sort|01|1}} |CM Punk |02:26 |0 |
| style="background: #BBF;"
|{{sort|03|3}} |rowspan=4|SmackDown |{{sort|07|7}} |Triple H |10:04 |5 |
| style="background: #BBF;"
|{{sort|04|4}} |JTG |{{sort|03|3}} |CM Punk |00:25 |0 |
| style="background: #BBF;"
|{{sort|05|5}} |{{sort|04|4}} |Beth Phoenix |01:37 |0 |
| style="background: #BBF;"
|{{sort|06|6}} |{{sort|05|5}} |CM Punk |01:39 |1 |
| style="background: #FF8;"
|{{sort|07|7}} |ECW |{{sort|06|6}} |CM Punk |00:32 |0 |
| style="background: #FBB;"
|{{sort|08|8}} |Raw |17 |Shawn Michaels |17:55 |3 |
| style="background: #BBF;"
|{{sort|09|9}} |SmackDown |16 |Shawn Michaels & Triple H |14:43 |0 |
| style="background: #FBB;"
|10 |Raw |14 |Shawn Michaels |13:40 |0 |
| style="background: #BBF;"
|11 |rowspan=2|SmackDown |15 |Shawn Michaels |11:37 |0 |
| style="background: #BBF;"
|12 |Kane |11 |Triple H |08:59 |1 |
| style="background: #FBB;"
|13 |rowspan=4|Raw |13 |Shawn Michaels |08:54 |0 |
| style="background: #FBB;"
|14 |{{sort|08|8}} |The Miz1 |00:07 |1 |
| style="background: #FBB;"
|15 |12 |Shawn Michaels |05:09 |0 |
| style="background: #FBB;"
|16 |{{sort|09|9}} |Montel Vontavious Porter1 |00:17 |0 |
| style="background: #BBF;"
|17 |SmackDown |10 |Kane |00:20 |0 |
| style="background: #FBB;"
|18 |Raw |27 |Batista |23:45 |6 |
| style="background: #FBB;"
|19 |Raw |29 |Edge |27:11 |4 |
| style="background: #FF8;"
|20 |rowspan=2|ECW |18 |rowspan="2"|John Cena |00:48 |0 |
| style="background: #FF8;"
|21 |19 |00:29 |0 |
| style="background: #FBB;"
|22 |rowspan=3|Raw |22 |rowspan="2"|R-Truth |05:04 |1 |
| style="background: #FBB;"
|23 |21 |03:09 |0 |
| style="background: #FBB;"
|24 |20 |Big Show |00:29 |0 |
| style="background: #BBF;"
|25 |SmackDown |24 |Kofi Kingston |04:22 |2 |
| style="background: #FBB;"
|26 |rowspan=2|Raw |23 |Kofi Kingston |02:06 |0 |
| style="background: #FBB;"
|27 |25 |John Cena |03:09 |2 |
| style="background: #BBF;"
|28 |SmackDown |26 |Edge |02:24 |0 |
| style="background:gold"
|29 |Edge |SmackDown |{{sort|30|—}} |{{sort|30|Winner}} |07:37 |2 |
| style="background: #BBF;"
|30 |SmackDown |28 |John Cena |05:24 |1 |
- 1 – MVP was attacked by The Miz during his entrance, but later entered the match shortly after Miz's entry and eliminated both himself and Miz from the match.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|WWE Royal Rumble 2010}}
- [https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/ Official website]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20100115154458/https://rr10.wwe.com/ Official microsite]
{{2010 WWE pay-per-view events}}
{{WWEPPV|Royal Rumble}}
Category:Professional wrestling shows in Atlanta