STW - Royal Rumble 2008 [Show Notes] (Patreon)

Today we’re going back to the Royal Rumble in 2008!

Ric Flair

On the June 11, 2007 episode of Raw, Flair is drafted to SmackDown. After a few months off, he comes back in November and declares that he’s never going to retire. This prompts Vince McMahon to announce that the very next match Flair lost – whenever that might be – would be his last. So any match Flair has from that point forward is a ‘career-threatening match.’ He goes on to beat Triple H, Umaga, William regal, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. McMahon, and, before at the Rumble he’ll take on MVP.

The Ric Flair Retirement Tour - had some starts & stops. How much of this was all week by week and trying to figure it out?

Was Ric hard to deal with?

Flair is going to stand in the ring, after each win and receive a standing ovation on the edge of tears.

Bruce, how long had you known at this point that Flair was winding down? How far ahead of WrestleMania did you already know it was going to be Shawn that retired him?

Let’s get into WWE’s Relationship with Playboy

WWE had a relationship with Playboy magazine that dated back to Sable’s pictorial in 1999. Chyna posed in 2000, Torrie Wilson in 2003, Sable AND Torrie in 2004, Christy Hemme in 2005, Candie Michelle in 2006, and Ashley Massaro in 2007.

Bruce, remind us how that relationship was started.

After Sable and Chyna pose for the magazine, there seems to be a real effort to make sure one woman poses per year. How were the individual women selected each year?

The storyline we’ll see in the Rumble is that Ashley, the previous year’s model, gets a call from Hugh Hefner, trying to recruit Maria for 2008’s edition.

Did you have to do any convincing with Maria, or was she all in?

This would be one of the last times WWE and Playboy worked together - was it hard to be PG and still be promoting Playboy?

Legacy of Eddie Guerrerro

The feud between Edge and Rey Mysterio is set up through SmackDown General Manager Vickie Guerrero. Vickie, Eddie’s ex-wife, awards Edge the World Title and the two start a relationship. Rey becomes the #1 contender with some help from Batista and the Undertaker, beating Chavo Guerrero’s time during a beat the clock challenge. Utilizing Chavo in the story is a nice little way to carry on the story, too. Then Rey, as Eddie’s old friend, confronts Vickie over the relationship. He says he’s suspicious that Edge is only using Vickie to keep the title. There is a lot of drama here.

We’re less than 3 years removed from Eddie’s death here. Is there any sensitivity or trepidation over using his memory for a storyline like this?

Edge also has Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder with him as, essentially, clones. They have the same hair style, the same tights, everything. We’ve seen so many stables in wrestling, but rarely if ever do we see three guys that look exactly the same. Is this just to try something different?

Hawkins and Ryder are talented performers. In hindsight, though, do you think this hurt Hawkins and Ryder from getting over on their own later? Do you think fans only ever saw them as imitations?

Jeff Hardy seems like he’s riding a wave of momentum that he hadn’t really had before. He’s only back from the WWE at this point for a little over a year after having to go away and get himself right. Jeff Hardy was Jeff Hardy’s ceiling is that right?

Did you think around this time he had turned the corner and he was someone you had faith in that could be a top guy?

On paper, Jeff seems a little out of place. This is the era when guys like Randy Orton, John Cena, Triple H, Batista, Umaga, and Edge are all competing for the top titles. Why was it Jeff Hardy’s time?

Around the Rumble in January, are you noticing anything about Jeff that might indicate he’s slipping into his old ways? Are you growing concerned about his stability or performance in any way?

In December of 2022 Jeff’s brother Matt discussed the incident on his Extreme Life of Matt Hardy podcast:

“[Jeff] was gonna win this Money in the Bank Briefcase briefcase, and I think at

this point, they had pulled the trigger and decided they wanted to try and turn him into the champion. I saw Freddie Prinze had been given this edict, like ‘Get Jeff Hardy ready for the championship.’”

Bruce, do you remember Jeff getting the nod here?

Remind everyone what Freddie Prinze’s role was. Was he the one tasked with preparing Jeff for the big run? If so, why was it Freddie, instead of someone more seasoned like Michael Hayes?

Randy Orton

Jeff is going to be going against WWE Champion Randy Orton at the Rumble. Something I’ve always thought was fascinating is how we build Orton here. We’re really pushing him as a third generation Superstar and it’s working.

Why do you think it worked so well with Orton and not Rocky Maivia, when you pushed him as a third generation star in ‘96? What changed in the 22 years between?

John Cena had been gone since October 1, 2007 with a pectoral injury. He injured it in a Monday Night Raw match against Mr. Kennedy, when Cena hip tossed Kennedy and the pec tore off his chest. The North American Journal of Sports Physical Therapy recommends avoiding strenuous lifting for about 6 months after a pec surgery. But Cena shows up as the surprise 30th entrant in the ‘08 Rumble after less than 4 months of recovery!

Bruce, what do you remember about Cena’s rehabilitation process?

What is your communication with doctor’s during a recovery like this? Is WWE medical staff talking directly with surgeons every day?

In ‘08, he’s basically your Hulk Hogan, your top draw. Is there any fear about bringing him back too soon and risking losing him even longer?

You’ve discussed in the past that the way to really bring John back was via a surprise - how closely guarded was the secret?

This is going to be the first time we see Mike Adamle. You’ve talked before about bringing him in because he had credibility in the sports world as a former NFL player and in the media world as the former host of American Gladiators.

Why debut him here standing among the fans, just outside the ring barrier? I know he would go on to be a controversial figure for saying Jeff “Harvey,” but at the beginning it feels like he should be a big deal. Why not something more special?

Was the plan for him in the beginning just to be a sort of sideline reporter?

The High Definition Era

A major shift in WWE’s TV and PPV products takes place in 2008, when you move to High Definition video.

Is this Vince saying ‘we need to move into the next era of broadcasting’ or are the production guys encouraging this change?

From a logistical point of view, what changed on a day-to-day basis in terms of producing live television? Obviously you have to upgrade to HD cameras to show the shows, but what else that might not be so obvious?

LOCATION

Madison Square Garden is chosen as the location for Royal Rumble ‘08, the 21st annual event. Usually we go to MSG for major anniversaries like the 10th, 20th, etc. Why was MSG chosen for the 21st? It seems like MSG would have been the logical choice for holding the 20th anniversary in ‘07, but instead it’s at the AT&T Center in San Antonio.

The opening package for the show and the poster feature guys wrestling on a New York subway car. Is this shot on a soundstage in LA or at WWE HQ?

I would imagine that whenever you have a video package like this, everyone wants to be involved. So how do you cast it? How do you choose which talent will be featured?

While the talent is wrestling on the subway car, we also see some normal bystanders on their way to work. Who are these folks? Working bystanders?

There are a number of qualifying matches for the Rumble, including Umaga versus Jim Duggan. Duggan had a rather forgettable run here in the late 2000s. Bruce, what do you remember about him coming in here?

Another qualifying match features John Morrison and the Miz versus Shannon Moore and Jimmy Wang Yang. Jimmy Wang Yang isn’t someone we talk much about on the show. Got any good stories about him you haven’t shared?

We saw Michael Buffer a lot in WCW, announcing big matches. But he’s going to be announcing the main event of Rumble ‘08. Why did you decide to bring him in here?

We are years from him doing this on a regular basis in WCW - why was now the time - and who’s idea was it?

Is Buffer’s dramatic introduction something that’s scripted and given to him, or is that just his genius at work?

We talked a little in our Rumble ‘89 episode about how Royal Rumble matches are structured to further existing storylines and develop new ones. How difficult is it to do that with three brands? As a reminder, in ‘08 you had Raw, SmackDown, and ECW.

We have two surprise legends enter this year’s Rumble match: Roddy Piper and Jimmy Snuka. How do you convince them to be part of this match? Are there long-term plans?

Was it your job to call Roddy?

The show features all 3 commentary teams - how frustrating is it backstage when all 3 teams are trying to talk? Is Vince losing his mind?

Match 1

Ric Flair defeats MVP (US Champ) - Career Threatening Match for Flair - in 7:48

Ric starts the match by giving a heartfelt speech about his first match at MSG in 1976, when he’s interrupted by MVP. The two battle until there’s a false finish, as referee Charles Robinson counts the three before he notices Flair’s foot on the bottom rope. This causes a distraction on which Flair capitalizes. He wins with the figure 4.

After the match, Flair is visibly emotional and Jonathan Coachman calls out that Ric is getting a standing ovation, building up that farewell tour idea.

MVP was a good opponent for Ric here was he not?

Is it a little anticlimactic to have Ric’s last MSG match open the pay-per-view - against a champion - and not even win a title?

Backstage we see Mr. McMahon tells his “bastard son” Hornswoggle about great Madison Square Garden promoters like McMahon’s grandfather and father. Then he tells Hornswoggle not to trust anyone in the Rumble match. That’s when we see Fit Finlay interrupt. Nothing much comes of it, but it furthers tensions between Hornswoggle and his former partner Finlay.

Vince loved working with Hornswoggle didn’t he?

At ringside Jerry Lawler and Jim Ross introduce Mike Adamle, who says he saw Flair’s first match at MSG in ‘76, standing in the crowd. Adamle then introduces a video package recounting the build up for John Bradhsaw Layfied versus Chris Jericho. In the video package, we see JBL verbally attack Jericho’s family and strangling Jericho with microphone cables. So far so good with Mike at this point right?

Match 2

JBL defeats Chris Jericho by DQ in 9:23

Jericho gets color when JBL throws him through the top and middle rope into the ring post, out to the floor.

This is an era when we don’t see blood too much. We know that Vince went back and forth over the years on when to use and when not to. But these two - they knew what they were doing to get color right?

The match ends in a DQ when Jericho cracks JBL in the head with a chair and continues to pummel him after the match. Jericho chokes JBL with a mic cable in retribution.

What did you think of JBL & Jericho together?

Match 3

Edge (World Champion) defeats Rey Mysterio in 12:34

Vickie, pushed in a wheelchair by Teddy Long, Hawkins, and Ryder all come out to Edge’s music, stacking the deck against Rey.

Rey hits the 619, then the top rope splash, when Vickie gets out of her wheelchair and pulls the leg of ref Mickey Henson to stop the count. Rey goes for a second 619, when Vickie kneels on the apron and hugs Edge’s head, causing Rey to take out Vickie. The distraction allows Edge to pin Rey.

Edge, Ryder, and Hawkins try to take care of an unconscious Vickie after the match.

Was Vickie at all intimidated to take bumps like this?

Too much ga ga Bruce or was it just enough?

Backstage Ric Flair walks into his dressing room, after a shower and Mr. Kennedy is waiting. Kennedy gives Ric a slow clap for winning his match, then Shawn Michaels interrupts. Flair says Shawn has a great chance to win the Rumble, when Batista and Triple H enter. The segment ends with Shawn shilling his new t-shirt.

I get why Shawn, Hunter, and Batista are here with Ric. But why Ken Kennedy? Was there ever thought to a Flair and Kennedy program during his run up to WrestleMania?

We see a shot of the Royal Rumble billboard in Times Square, while JR and the King are putting it over at ringside.

You have so many companies and organizations trying to get featured on the screens in Times Square. What is the process like to make it happen? Do you rent the space like a traditional billboard?

Back in the arena Maria comes to the ring and introduces the Kiss Cam segment.

Who’s idea is this? How do you select the people that are going to be featured? Did you hate this shit?

Ashley comes out and tells Maria she got a call from Hugh Hefner asking Maria to pose for Playboy; Santino interrupts with a figure covered in a black sheet.

When Santino says no one wants to see Maria naked, she acts bashful. She says she’s unsure, then asks the fans if she should do it. Of course they want to see her naked.

Santino calls a shrouded figure into the ring and unveils a portly fellow dressed in a cutt-off Tom Brady jersey with the Patriots logo painted on his belly. (Big Dick Johnson) For context, this is a week before the underdog New York Giants are set to take on the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII.

Ashley kicks his ass and runs him out. Maria and Santino leave, without ever giving an answer about Playboy.

This…is quite the segment on a pay-per-view Bruce is it not?

Next up we see a vignette for WrestleMania XXIV. It’s a Baywatch theme featuring Kelly Kelly as a lifeguard on duty, when an overweight fellow tries to get her attention by pretending to drown. Of course she runs toward him in slow motion, eventually saving him on the beach. Right as she’s about to give him mouth-to-mouth and make his dreams come true, Mae Young pulls Kelly off and does it herself, leading the guy to run away with Mae in chase.

This is a great little piece. Who’s idea was it?

Do you remember Kelly ever being asked to pose for Playboy in this era?

Ya’ll loved having fat dudes on TV with hot women didn’t you at this time?

Back in the arena Mike Adamle introduces WWE Championship match calling Jeff Hardy, Jeff “Harvey.”

So you bring in this guy, and he makes a major blunder during his first on-screen event. What’s going on backstage as you hear “Harvey” come out of his mouth?

What is Vince’s reaction?

Randy Orton (WWE Champion) defeats Jeff Hardy (Intercontinental Champion) for the WWE Title in 14:03. (NOTE: Only the WWE Title was on the line in this match.)

Orton wins by countering Twist of Fate with the RKO and Hardy receives a standing ovation after the match.

This is one of those very underrated title matches at the time - and it feels like the crowd is begging for Jeff to get the win here - but looking back - it was definitely the right call not to put the title on Jeff considering what was about to happen right?

Was there ever consideration of putting Jeff over?

Back in the arena, Tazz and Joey Styles introduce a video package about Royal Rumble stats.

You’ve done slightly different versions of this video package over the years, and there have been several narrators. Vince loved this video didn’t he?

The Royal Rumble opens with two gigantic superstars - something that doesn’t always happen. Its the Undertaker & Shawn starting off which is quite ironic considering last year they were the last two. That’s a nice little wrinkle Bruce isn’t it?

Batista was #8 and lasted the longest in the Rumble at 40 minutes. That’s a big deal for him at this time is it not?

Triple H would end up having the most eliminations with 6. Is that something that people really put into a thought process when putting the match together?

The biggest pop - before John Cena - in my mind - was Roddy Piper. To see Roddy get that reaction again had to be great for you wasn’t it?

Cody told this story a few years ago that he just went for it with the Undertaker in the ring. Dropkicks, kicking out of the chokeslam - things like that. How much freedom do the guys have in the ring to do these things and do you think some guys are scared to go get it sometimes?

The reaction at 30 for John Cena - from the announcers - the crowd - this is one of those moments is it not?

If Cena doesn’t return - do you know who the winner was going to be?

Would you had Cena return if he wasn’t going to win? That couldn’t have been a possible idea - to have him come back and not win right?

Bruce - this was your last pay-per-view at MSG before you left in 2008 - do you think we’ll ever see a PLE in MSG again?

The short walk way - with no big stage - what do you think of that look?

What say you Bruce - do you think this pay-per-view is a thumbs up, thumbs in the middle or thumbs down?