Sacramento, California
Attendance: 10,109
January 16, 2008
The last time Rampage conducted a show in Sacramento was September of 2002, back when it was RAW. But the first show of 2008 was held there and it was a huge event, which started with Uprising. 2 King of the Ring first round matches and a Royal Rumble qualification match were on tap for the show before the show. King of the Ring Tournament 1st Round Elijah Burke vs. Taylor Made w/ Kelly The King of the Ring tournament got underway on the Rampage side with two men who were in the same ring at DoomsDay. Kelly turned plenty of heads when she came out, and the buzz around the arena got Taylor rolling as he took it to Burke. Taylor connected with a flying clothesline and then set himself up in the corner, waiting for Burke to get up. When he did, Taylor went for a spinning roundhouse kick, but Burke ducked. Taylor landed awkwardly, twisting his ankle and Burke rolled him up for the 3 count. King of the Ring Tournament 1st Round Chris Platoon vs. Chris Tirpak Tirpak came out very aggressively, punching and kicking away at Platoon, who scrambled to defend himself. Platoon tried to slow Tirpak with a finger to the eyes, but Tirpak smashed him with a clothesline after Platoon hit the ropes. It looked like Tirpak was on his way to a dominating win as he got Platoon onto his shoulders but Platoon slid off and lowblowed him from behind, something the referee didn't see. Platoon then pulled him right into the "Last Chance" and covered him for the huge win, advancing to the next round. Royal Rumble Qualifying Match Lance Cade vs. Rob Van Dam Not only was the King of the Ring going on, but qualifying for the Royal Rumble match was as well. Lance Cade drew 2003 winner Rob Van Dam but he was all over RVD from the second the bell rang. Cade's powerful style gave RVD fits until he ducked a big lariat and caught Cade with a kick on the jaw. RVD took control of the match from that point, dropping a corkscrew legdrop before landing the Rolling Thunder. RVD went to the top rope, but that's when Cade's partner, Trevor Murdoch, emerged from the back. Murdoch provided a slight distraction but RVD didn't hesitate at all to fly off the top rope to the outside of the ring on him! RVD then slid back into the ring but Cade was waiting with a small package to steal the win, becoming the first man to qualify for the 2008 Royal Rumble with a huge upset. CADE AND MURDOCH CELEBRATED THE WIN AS THEY HEADED UP THE RAMP WHILE THEIR MUSIC PLAYED AS UPRISING CAME TO A CLOSE WITH RVD IN DISBELIEF OVER THE DEFEAT. RAMPAGE GOES LIVE
***THIS EDITION OF RESULTS WILL BE CONDENSED DUE TO TIME CONSTRAINTS*** THE SCENE OPENS LIVE INSIDE ARCO ARENA AND RIGHT OFF THE BAT, "MISERIA CANTARE" HITS AS THE LIGHTS GO OUT. JIM ROSS AND JERRY LAWLER WELCOME THE TV VIEWING AUDIENCE AS J.J. RAMPLIN MAKES HIS WAY OUT OF THE ECW ENTRANCE WITH HIS KING OF CABLE TITLE STRAPPED TO HIS WAIST. Non-Title/King of the Ring Tournament 1st Round King of Cable: J.J. "The Ram" Ramplin vs. Austin Pyromania Rampage got kicked off with another King of the Ring tournament match and Austin Pyromania tried to capitalize off Ramplin's battle with Mr. Kennedy at DoomsDay. Pyromania seemed quicker, more alert and ready to spring the upset on the King of Cable. After a big hip toss slam, Pyro came off the top rope with a perfect missile dropkick, covering Ramplin for the 1.......2....., but J.J. was up. Ramplin fought back with 2 kicks to the stomach when he got to his feet but after reversing an irish whip, Pyromania took him out with a nice spinning heel kick. Pyro then pulled him up and shot him to the corner, charging in with a full head of steam. But Ramplin moved out of the way and rolled Pyro up, grabbing a handful of his pants as referee Jack Doan made the 3 count. Match Time: 4:08 AS "MISERIA CANTARE" PLAYS, RAMPLIN MAKES HIS WAY UP THE RAMP WITH A SLIGH GRIN ON HIS FACE AND THE KING OF CABLE TITLE RAISED ABOVE HIS HEAD IN HIS RIGHT HAND. IN THE RING, PYROMANIA IS STEAMING OVER THE RESULT. A PROMO GRAPHIC IS SHOWN FOR THE MAJOR BROTHERS' "SPECIAL INVITATION" DIVAS BIKINI CONTEST, SCHEDULED FOR TONIGHT. COMMERCIAL BREAK....... RETURN FROM BREAK...... RINGSIDE..... King of the Ring Tournament 1st Round Aldo Corleone vs. Matt "Madik" Cruz Rob Storm came to the ring along with Corleone, but referee Jose Mendez made the call to send him to the back. With the odds even, Cruz was very impressive in breaking down the vertical base of Corleone with his incredible mat skills. After getting the big Italian down, Cruz worked on his legs in textbook fashion. Corleone was able to fight him off and get to his feet before catching a charging Cruz with a backbody drop that sent him to the floor. That is where the match completely changed. It took the form of a back alley fight and Aldo was the aggressor. After ramming Cruz shoulder first into the steel ring post, Corleone threw him hard into the steel ring steps. He then rolled him back into the ring and went for a big elbow drop, but Cruz rolled out of the way. Cruz was hobbled, but he still tried to lock Aldo in the "Colorado Cloverleaf", but he just couldn't turn the big guy over. After pushing Cruz off, Aldo got up and smoked him with the Mafia Kick. Cruz may've even lost a tooth on it. Corleone then pulled Cruz to his feet and delivered the "Aldo Bomb" to secure the win. Match Time: 5:56 A SHORT VIDEO CLIP IS SHOWN FROM DOOMSDAY OF TATANKA PINNING DUSTY RHODES AFTER THE "WYKEA". King of the Ring Tournament 1st Round Tatanka w/ Ted Dibiase vs. Mr. Kennedy This was another interesting first round matchup, but only one man could advance. Tatanka tried to get the jump on Kennedy, but Kennedy was ready for that. Ready to make up for his loss at DoomsDay, Kennedy was all over Tatanka. After a spin kick to the gut, he landed a running kneelift that knocked Tatanka across the ring several feet. Kennedy then got the Native American up on his shoulders and delivered a high impact fireman's carry slam before making the cover for the 1..........2........, but Tatanka was up. Kennedy pulled him up and slapped his chest, but Tatanka fired back with a knifedge of his own. Kennedy threw a knifedge, but Tatanka rocked him with a tomahawk chop. He then ran the ropes but Kennedy went for a clothesline. Tatanka ducked and grabbed Kennedy by the back of the head, tossing him over the top rope to the floor. While Tatanka distracted referee Jim Korderas, Dibiase tried to get in a cheap shot. But Kennedy grabbed his right foot and tripped him up! After getting back to the apron, Kennedy drove his shoulder into the abdomen of Tatanka as he tried to grab him before shooting himself over the top rope with a sunset flip. Kennedy was trying with everything he had to pull Tatanka down, but Tatanka sat down on his chest as Dibiase got up to grab both of his hands and Korderas, who was way out of position, made the 3 count. Match Time: 6:14 COMMERCIAL BREAK......... RETURN FROM BREAK..... RINGSIDE..... King of the Ring Tournament 1st Round Sylvester Terkay vs. Cody Rhodes Cody Rhodes was still looking for his first TWF win, and he tried to get the crowd behind him to build up some momentum. The problem- he drew the Manbear as his first opponent. Terkay was just dominant and after going into a boxing stance and staggering young Cody with a right hook, he dropped him with a roundhouse to the head. Terkay went for the standing triangle armbar but Cody slipped free and used two feet to the face to push Terkay away. Cody then got up and dropkicked Terkay but after running the ropes, he ran into a stiff clothesline. Terkay pulled Cody up and delivered a running shoulderbreaker before pulling him back up for his nasty Heart Punch. Cody hit the mat with a thud and Terkay topped him for the quick victory. Match Time: 3:39 BACKSTAGE AREA...... MELINA IS SHOWN IN THE BACK AT THE CATERING TABLE WHEN THE MAJOR BROTHERS COME UP. Brian Major: "Hey, Melina...... Melina: "Oh.... hey". Brett Major: "Listen, we've got this bikini contest tonight to celebrate us becoming Rampage Tag Team champions and we....... Melina: "I don't want to do it, nobody deserves to see me in a bikini". Brian Major: "Oh come on, you can't deprive everyone of seeing that...... BRIAN LOOKS HER UP AND DOWN. Brett Major: "Think about it, Rampage's ratings would go sky high if fans knew the lovely Melina was gonna be in a bikini". Melina: "Really? You think so"? Brian Major: "Yeah, everyone who is watching now is gonna call their friends and Rampage will have a record number of viewers..... come on, you know you're smokin'". MELINA GETS A BIG SMILE ON HER FACE AND APPEARS TO BE BLUSHING. Melina: "Okay, I'll do it..... but no pictures". Brett Major: "Cool, we'll see you at there". BRETT AND BRIAN KNOCK FISTS, HAPPY WITH MELINA's AGREEMENT TO ENTER. Sebastian Cain vs. Ian Knoxx (invitee) "Requeim" by Trans-Siberian Orchestra brought the very different Sebastian Cain out for his Rampage debut. Everyone in attendance watched intently as this new superstar picked Ian Knoxx limb from limb. Cain used an impressive repertoire of moves including a sidewalk slam and a powerbomb onto the top turnbuckle. With Knoxx pretty much out on his feet, Cain ended the quick showcase with his devastating "Burning Hammer". After the match, he told fans that because of him, the TWF will be a "better place". Match Time: 3:10 COMMERCIAL BREAK......... RETURN FROM BREAK.... RINGSIDE..... When Rampage returns, the brand new Rampage Tag Team champions, the Major Brothers, are in the ring and say they are ready to celebrate with the fans the only way they know how..... with a Divas Bikini Contest! Trinity is out first and she is wearing knee high boots, a black thong and what appears to be yellow "caution" tape as a top. The crowd is very into her. Out next is Kelly and she is in a two piece white bikini. The crowd loves her, she gets much more cheers than Trinity did. Melina comes out next but she is still in her plain clothes which draws plenty of boos. Mickie James comes out next to a huge response. She is in a two piece black lace bikini. The crowd is VERY into her. A new entrance theme comes on and brand new Rampage diva, Roucka, comes out. The crowd seems a little unfamiliar with her, but she looks lovely in her turquoise bikini. The Majors persaude Melina to remove her clothes. The crowd cheers as she takes off her top but when she goes for the rest, "Pictures" hits and Eye Spy comes out, along with Candice Michelle. Candice has a microphone and she says they warned Melina that this would happen and a video package begins to play on the TWF Tron. All that can be seen is Melina's dressing room and several "pleasurable" noises are heard in the background. Melina's voice can be distinctly picked up. Candice says they have to shut it off before it gets "R rated" and Melina is horrified. After Eye Spy goes to the back, Melina leaves the ring, completely humiliated. The Majors allow the fans to pick the winner and Mickie James gets the biggest cheers, slightly over Kelly. MICKIE's MUSIC PLAYS AS THE OTHER DIVAS LEAVE THE RING. SUDDENLY, CHINA ROSE MAKES HER WAY OUT TO THE RING AND GETS A MICROPHONE. CHINA FIRST CONGRATULATES MICKIE ON HER WIN BUT THEN CHALLENGES HER TO A ONE ON ONE MATCH. MICKIE ACCEPTS AS J.R. SAYS IT SEEMS TO BE A "FRIENDLY CHALLENGE". BACKSTAGE...... TODD GRISHAM IS STANDING BY WITH CHRIS MASTERS. Todd Grisham: "Here with me at this time is TWF World champion Chris Masters who survived the decision made by the Board of Directors at DoomsDay and is still TWF World champion". Chris Masters: "Survived? I didn't survive, Todd, I thrived! I took on two of the biggest superstars this industry has ever seen and I beat them, me, the Masterpiece"! SUDDENLY, MARK HENRY ENTERS THE SHOT. Mark Henry: "You?! What do you mean, you beat them? You better give credit where credit is due"! Masters: "Or what? You think I needed you to win"? Henry: "There is no way in hell you'd still have that belt if it wasn't for me! Matter of fact, screw Hulk Hogan, screw The Rock.... I want the next shot at that title"! Masters: "Okay, let me think about that". MASTERS TURNS TO LEAVE BUT TURNS RIGHT BACK AND HITS HENRY WITH THE WORLD TITLE RIGHT IN THE HEAD. HENRY STUMBLES BACK BUT DOESN'T FALL AND HE IS EXTREMELY IRATE AS MASTERS HAS LEFT THE SCENE. King of the Ring Tournament 1st Round Jason Oliver vs. Carlito Back to the tournament we went and this match started with both men trash talking. Carlito took a bite of his apple but Oliver responded with a right hand before taking him down with a hard armbar, nearly locking in a Crossface. Carlito escaped and got to his feet, trading punches with Oliver. The southpaw got in a big hook before running the ropes and nailing Oliver with a springboard back elbow. Carlito pulled Oliver up and went for a suplex but Oliver blocked it and used a suplex of his own. He then pulled Carlito up by the hair and got him up for the torcher rack. Carlito was able to slip free and he went for the Backcracker but Oliver held onto the top rope to block it. Oliver then grabbed Carlito in a standing waistlock when he got up and ran him to the ropes, rolling him up. But Carlito rolled through it and had Oliver stacked up, getting the 3 count and a mild upset. Match Time: 4:43 OLIVER KICKED THE ROPES IN FRUSTRATION AS CARLITO's MUSIC PLAYED AND HE LEFT, TAKING ANOTHER BITE OF APPLE. COMMERCIAL BREAK.......... RETURN FROM BREAK..... BACKSTAGE...... FANS IN THE ARENA LOUDLY CHEER WHEN ROUCKA IS SHOWN IN THE BACK. SUDDENLY, CHRIS PLATOON COMES UP. SHE CONTINUES TO WALK AS HE FOLLOWS. Chris Platoon: "Wow, girl, I must say, you looked mighty fine out there". Roucka: "Thanks". Platoon: "Ya know, I've been looking for someone to kind of oil me up and get me properly stretched out before my matches, would you be........ Roucka: "Are you kidding? Besides, aren't you into dudes"? ROUCKA WALKS AWAY AND PLATOON IS NOT THRILLED BY HER REMARKS. King of the Ring Tournament 1st Round Money Mike w/ Stephanie McMahon vs. Nemesis The last match of the first round featured the dark, tortured soul Nemesis against the reigning King of the Ring. Mike started off strong, imposing his will with right hands and well placed boots to the abdomen. Mike hit a spinebuster and had Nemesis in trouble, but Nemesis fought his way back into the match. After a gutwrench into a powerslam, the crowd was surprised to see Nemesis have Money Mike reeling. After a barrage of right hands to the head and body, Nemesis shot Mike to the corner and followed in with a big clothesline before hitting the ropes and kicking him right in the face. Nemesis made the cover, but Mike was up at 2. Both men were up and Nemesis pulled Mike in for the "Shut Down" but Mike countered with a backbody drop. Mike then went for the "Money Pit" but Nemesis elbowed his way out and then delivered a huge chokeslam! Both men were down but the crowd was yelling for Nemesis to get over and make the pin. Just then, the Boogeyman's music hit and he came down the ramp to ringside with his staff which was spewing red smoke. Nemesis was clearly distracted by his presence and that allowed Mike to get up and schoolboy him to get the 3 count. Match Time: 7:21 Nemesis got up and argued the decision, thinking he was up at 2. But Mike kicked him in the groin from behind and then delivered the "Money Pit" with plenty of authority. "King of Kings" by Motorhead played as The Boogeyman came into the ring and looked on at the TWF's royal couple before Mike let out a triumphant laugh. OFF AIR..........
