| Royal Rumble (2006) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Promotional poster featuring James, Grant, Julia and Brittany Mayer | ||||
| Information | ||||
| Promotion | International Wrestling Entertainment | |||
| Brand(s) | Meltdown Fusion! | |||
| Date | January 29, 2006 | |||
| Attendance | 15,000 | |||
| Venue | American Airlines Arena | |||
| City | Miami, Florida | |||
| Pay-per-view chronology | ||||
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| Royal Rumble chronology | ||||
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Royal Rumble (2006) was the nineteenth annual Royal Rumble professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by International Wrestling Entertainment (IWE). It took place on January 29, 2006 in the American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida and featured talent from the Meltdown and Fusion! brands. As has been customary since 1993, the Royal Rumble Match winner received a match at that year's WrestleMania, (in this instance: WrestleMania 22) for his choice at either the IWE Championship or the World Heavyweight Championship
Background[]
Dustin Simpson who challenged Edge for the IWE Championship
The main feud heading into the Royal Rumble was between Edge and Dustin Simpson, with the two feuding over the IWE Championship. The feud stated at New Year's Revolution when Simpson won an Elimination Chamber also involving 5 other superstars. Immediately after the match, however, Mr. Bayer came out and stated that Edge was cashing in his Money in the Bank contract that he won at WrestleMania 21. Edge then came out with Nicole and, two spears later, he pinned Simpson to become IWE Champion. Then the next night, Edge held a live sex celebration which got smashed up by Simpson and Simpson delivered an FU on Nicole and sent a message to Gomez.
The secondary feud was between Matt Borske and Steven Larson over the World Heavyweight Championship. The World Heavyweight Championship was originally held by Jesse Dern. He defended the title against Larson at a Fusion! live event in a Steel Cage Match. Larson was disqualified in the match and Jesse Dern retained the title but his triceps were injured. As a result, he was forced to vacate the title on the January 13 episode of Fusion!. Later on, a 20-man Battle Royal was arranged to determine the new World Heavyweight Champion. Meltdown Superstar Matt Hooper won the battle royal last eliminating Steven Larson and winning the vacant title thus also starting a rivalry between the two. This also made Borske leave Meltdown and move to Fusion! The next week, Larson defeated Scott Wright to become the Number One Contender to Borske's title.
Royal Rumble Qualifying Matches[]
- Josh Nuss defeated Rob - Meltdown, January 9
- Junior Remeriz defeated Sean - Meltdown, January 9
- Chris LeGreca defeated Dominic - Meltdown, January 9
- Sylvan defeated Scotty - Velocity, January 15 (aired January 21)
- Kevin defeated Antonio - Heat, January 16 (aired January 20)
- Keith defeated Jared, Jared Keller, and Jesse in a battle royal - Heat, January 16 (aired January 20)
- Jonathon defeated Jerry Lawler - Meltdown, January 23
- Mikey and Tom defeated The Niss's (Zack and Josh) and Nic and Veto in a Triple Threat match - Fusion!, January 24 (aired January 27)
Event[]
| Role: | Name: |
|---|---|
| Commentator | Micheal Cole |
| Jerry "The King" Lawler | |
| Joey Styles | |
| Tazz | |
| Carloes Cabrera | |
| Hugo Savinovich | |
| Interviewer | Todd Grisham |
| Josh Mathews | |
| Ring announcer | Tony Chimel |
| Lillian Garica | |
| Referee | Mike Chioda |
| Mickie Henson | |
| Chris Kay | |
| Jim Korderas | |
| Nick Patrick | |
| Charles Robinson | |
| General manager | Theodore Long |
| Mr. Bayer | |
| Bingo machine tumbler | Ali Richards |
| Courtney Savoie | |
| Jessica Wilson |
Before the event went live on pay-per-veiw, Dan Hooper defeated Brian Woods in a match that aired on Heat. The opening match was a 6-Way Cruiserweight Open Match for the IWE Cruiserweight Championship which was held by ???? at the time. He issued an open challenge to all previous Cruiserweight Champions for the title. Park, Jamie, Nic, Paul and Meltdown superstar Jared joined the match to challenge ????? for the Cruiserweight Championship. A memorable spot from this match was Paul hitting all of the challengers with a shooting star press. Jared caught and drove him to the mat with a vicious flying neckbreaker. ???? seized the opportunity and nailed Paul with a Dead Level. He covered Paul but Nick and Park broke up the count. Jamie held Parl in the dragon sleeper. Jared attempted a shinning wizard on Jamie, but he avoided the move. Jared threw Jamie out of the ring and then pinned Park after a shining wizard to win the Cruiserweight title.
The second match was a divas match between Sari Pasma and Ashleigh Taylor. Bailey Dalton was the Special Guest Referee for this match. Before the match started, Sari told Bailey backstage that she loved her. While the match started, Ashleigh worked over Sari's arm. While Ashleigh pounded Sari into the corner, Bailey pulled Sari. Sari would later up work out on Ashleigh's back and neck. Ashleigh made a comeback in the match but finally Sari powerbombed her to win the match.
The third match was between The Boogeyman and John Goff. John Goff was supported by his valet Dixie Hooper. In the match, John Goff tried to do everything to measure out Boogeyman. Finally, John Goff had Boogeyman measured and went for the Clothesline from Hell but he whiffed on the move and was sent crashing shoulder first into the post. Boogeyman nailed John Goff with a pumphandle slam to win the match. After the match, he tried to throw worms in John Goff's mouth but John Goff threw his valet Dixie into the ring and Boogeyman threw worms in her mouth.
Triple K, who was the first entrant in the Royal Rumble Match
The fourth match was the 2006 Royal Rumble match. Triple K drew as the No. 1 entrant while Scott Wright drew No. 2. Wright came out to the ring in a lowrider to pay tribute to his late friend Brian McAlmond who came to the ring in lowriders. Wright and Triple K fought off each other in the beginning of the match. Later on, the two teamed up to eliminate No. 3 entrant Simon. Wright eliminated No. 4 entrant ???? on his own. Ric Flair drew No. 5 but he made a mistake by charging Triple K near the ropes. Triple K simply sidestepped the charge and eliminated Flair from the match. No. 6 entrant was The Big Marc and No. 7 entrant was John. John was quickly eliminated with a swat of Big Marc's hand. Bobby drew No. 8 while Big Marc's World Tag Team Championship partner at the time, Chris LeGreca drew No. 9, while making made his tenth appearance in a Royal Rumble match, tying the record for most Royal Rumble appearances with Keith. It also marked his eighth consecutive appearance in the Royal Rumble as LeGreca, breaking the previous record of seven consecutive appearances held by himself, Owen Hart and Rick P.
Big Marc and Chris LeGreca teamed up to eliminate Bobby and then the two targeted each other trying to eliminate each other at the ropes. Triple K took the advantage and eliminated both men from behind. In addition, Tatanka and KGM returned to IWE television in this Royal Rumble match with Tatanka drawing No. 15 while KGM drawing No. 20. KGM taking down all superstars in the ring (except Wright). He went to eliminate "Road Warrior" ????, James Thomas, and later Michael Ferry. Ryan Barnhart entered No. 25 into the match and started attacking his enemies. He went on to eliminate Trevor, Joe Linderman and Junior Remeriz.
As Barnhart eliminated Benjamin from the match, Mr. Bayer's music hit which distracted Barnhart. Bayer made his way to the ring while Shane (not an official entrant) eliminated Barnhart from behind. Barnhart returned to the ring and tried to attack Shane until Triple K beat him and Barnhart superkicked Triple K. As a result, Triple K, Wright, Michael Ferry, KGM and Kevin McAlmond remained the final five participants. Michael Ferry worked on KGM but KGM countered and threw him out of the ring with the final four participants remaining. Wright and KGM formed an alliance against two former Evoltion partners Triple K and McAlmond. KGM tried to perform a five-star frog splash on McAlmond, but Triple K attacked KGM and then threw Wright into KGM which sent KGM crashing to the floor.
Triple K, Wright and McAlmond were the final three participants. Triple K and McAlmond teamed to eliminate Wright but failed to do so, instead Wright performed a 619 on both men, and then eliminated Triple K from the match. As retaliation, Triple K assaulted Wright and threw him into the steel steps, before rolling him back into the ring for Orton to eliminate. Orton tried to eliminate Mysterio, but Mysterio countered and was able to eliminate Orton to win the 2006 Royal Rumble match. Wright was very glad by winning the Royal Rumble match and he paid tribute to Brian by winning the match saying that he had won the match for Brian. Wright broke the record for lasting the longest in a Royal Rumble match, 1:02:12. The previous record was 1:01:30, set by Kevin McAlmond at the 2004 Royal Rumble. Wright also became the first superstar in IWE history under 200 pounds to ever win the Royal Rumble, as well as the first masked superstar to win. Finally, Wright was the second person to win from the #2 slot, the first being Mr. Bayer in the 1999 Royal Rumble.
Gomez as the IWE Champion
The fifth match was between Chris Gomez and Dustin Simpson for the IWE Championship, with Gomez defending the title in their New Year's Revolution rematch. Simpson entered the ring on a large steel catwalk-like scaffold that had been lowered from the ceiling. Before Simpson's entrance, fireworks started throughout the arena. Simpson had the match in control in the beginning but later on he was forced to retreat to the floor on multiple occasions. Finally, Simpson had enough and followed him, but Gomez used Nicole as a decoy. Gomez speared Simpson into the steel ring steps and following a baseball slide which threw Simpson into the crowd. Gomez remained in control and set Simpson on the top rope but was subsequently pushed down. Simpson went for a top rope splash but Gomez moved away. Simpson would make a comeback and try an FU but failed. Simpson made a comeback during the conclusion of the match. He went for a Five Knuckle Shuffle but was distracted when Nicole jumped on the apron to draw Simpson's attention. Gomez recovered as Simpson and Nicole argued, but when Gomez charged, Simpson sidestepped and Gomez ran into Nicole. Simpson took advantage of the situation and quickly hit Gomez an FU and then put him into an STFU. Gomez couldn't escape so he submitted making Sipson the new IWE Champion.
The main event was between Matt Borske and Steven Larson for the World Heavyweight Championship. Borske defended the title in this match against Larson. The match marked the first time that two former Olympians battled for a world title in history. Borske began the match in trying to put Larson down but instead Larson dumped him to the floor, where Borske was beaten by former manager Davari. Larson controlled Borske using his power but Borske managed to apply the ankle lock. After Larson kicked out after an Borske Slam, Borske locked in ankle lock once more. Daivari jumped up on the apron drawing the referee's attention and when Larson broke the hold again, he sent Larson crashing into the referee. At that point, Matt got a chair. Daivari tried to stop him but Matt hit Daivari instead with a chair. When Matt tried to use the chair, Larson blocked the attempt and tossed Borske to the mat. As Henry advanced though, Borske hit him a low blow followed by two chair shots. Borske went for the pin but Larson kicked out. Borske untied one of the turnbuckle pads on the middle rope. Borske ended up in that corner, but as Borske charged, Borske sidestepped and tripped him into the exposed steel. Borske rolled up up Larson to retain the World Heavyweight Championship but as Borske celebrated, there was all darkness and Martin McAlmond's music hit. Martin McAlmond made his return to IWE television, in his first appearance since Armageddon. He intimidated Borske and then the ropes went down and the ring collapsed.
Aftermath[]
IWE Royal Rumble (2006) Matches[]
| # | Results | Stipulations |
|---|---|---|
| Heat | Dan Hooper defeated Brian Woods | Singles Match |
| 1 | Jared Keller defeated Skyler Angove, Park, Jamie, Nic and Matt | 6-Way Cruiserweight Match for the IWE Cruiserweight Chamapionship |
| 2 | Sari Pasma defeated Ashleigh | Singles Match with Bailey Dalton as the Special Guest Referee |
| 3 | The Boogeyman defeated John "Bradshaw" Goff (with Dixie Hooper) | Singles Match |
| 4 | Scott Wright last eliminated Kevin McAlmond to win | 2006 Royal Rumble Match |
| 5 | Dustin Simpson defeated Edge (c) | Singles Match for the IWE Championship |
| 6 | Matt Borske (c) defeated Steven Larson | Singles Match for the World Heavyweight Championship |
Royal Rumble Match Order and Eliminations[]
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Steven Larson, who challenged Matt Borske for the World Heavyweight Championship
| # | Entrant | Brand | Order | Eliminated By |
| 1 | Triple K | Meltdown | 28 | Scott Wright |
| 2 | Scott Wright | Fusion | - | Winner |
| 3 | Simon | Fusion | 1 | Wright & Triple K |
| 4 | Mikey | Fusion | 2 | Wright |
| 5 | Ric Flair | Meltdown | 3 | Triple K |
| 6 | The Big Marc | Meltdown | 7 | Triple K |
| 7 | Jonathon | Meltdown | 4 | Big Marc |
| 8 | Bobby | Fusion | 6 | Big Marc & LeGreca |
| 9 | Chris LeGreca | Meltdown | 8 | Triple K |
| 10 | Sylvan | Fusion | 5 | Russell Dalton |
| 11 | Michael Ferry | Meltdown | 26 | Kyle Johnson |
| 12 | Kevin Hunter | Fusion | 17 | Kevin McAlmond |
| 13 | Steve Britz | Fusion | 9 | Kevin Hunter |
| 14 | Joey Hayes | Fusion | 22 | Joe Linderman |
| 15 | Tatanka | Fusion | 12 | Hayes & Linderman |
| 16 | Joe Linderman | Fusion | 23 | Ryan Barnhart |
| 17 | Kevin | Meltdown | 13 | Ryan Barnhart |
| 18 | Kip Grant | Meltdown | 15 | Kevin Hunter |
| 19 | "Road Warrior" Brian | Fusion | 10 | Kyle Johnson |
| 20 | KGM | Meltdown | 27 | Scott Wright |
| 21 | Liam Phillips | Fusion | 21 | Kevin McAlmond |
| 22 | Josh Nuss | Meltdown | 11 | Triple K |
| 23 | Matt Hooper | Fusion | 14 | Keith Coleman |
| 24 | Tom | Fusion | 16 | Wright & Johnson |
| 25 | Ryan Barnhart | Meltdown | 25 | Shane Bayer |
| 26 | James | Meltdown | 19 | Michael Ferry |
| 27 | Keith | Meltdown | 18 | Ferry and James |
| 28 | Junior Remeriz | Meltdown | 24 | Ryan Barnhart |
| 29 | James Thomas | Meltdown | 20 | Kyle Johnson |
| 30 | Kevin McAlmond | Fusion | 29 | Scott Wright |