April 4, 2009
With the Royal Rumble in the history books, I welcome you all to the third edition of the Cain Connection. This time, I'm going to take a look back at some of the matches as well as give you the background history, build up and results to these matches. Plus I have an interview guest who will join me later in the column to give his views and opinions on a few things. So with all of that said let's get this thing started and head on to the review.
The Review
The annual Royal Rumble Pay Per View marks the start to the road to WrestleMania. This year the Royal Rumble came to you from the San Diego Sports Arena in San Diego, California. In addition to the traditional 30 man Royal Rumble match, the rest of the card was packed with anticipated matchups as well.
First we had a match between Matt Hardy and Mark Henry, this one was the first round of the Intercontinental Championship tournament to name a new number one contender for the title. I didn't expect much in this match other than the former Intercontinental Champion, Mark Henry beating the snot out of Matt Hardy, no surprise.
A no holds barred match between Beth Phoenix and Monica, it seems to me that Monica has really improved, but I'm still shocked she left with the win.
Then we have the Inferno match that took place between "The Hardcore Icon" Nails and the newcomer, the Dockland Destroyer. This wasn't the first time these two have met in the ring. Just about a month ago at the War in the Winter Pay Per View, Nails defeated The Destroyer, and that probably would have been the end of it. Obviously it wasn't, because Dockland couldn't control himself after the loss, things only escalated between the two. Destroyer and Samaiel got a win over Nails in a handicapped match on PrimeTime. Things literally heated up between the two, and at the Royal Rumble they went at it one more time in the dangerous inferno match. Nails of course prevailed.
Just added before the event was a light heavyweight title match between Kenny Doane and Evan Bourne who just debuted and won the belt at War in the Winter. I didn't think there was anyone who would dethrone Bourne so soon. I was wrong.
Then a match that has been brewing for 2 months shy of a year between Sean O'Haire and Sebastian Cain. A one time mentor for Cain was O'Haire and all was well until O'Haire did all he could to sabotage Sebastian. After months of being held back by Sean, Sebastian finally stood up to O'Haire. Then on Rampage when Sebastian was facing the current King of Cable champion Sean O'Haire in a non title match, Sean O'Haire assaulted Cain with a fire extinguisher. Cain had a chance to capture a title that he has been going for, for sometime when he faced Sean O'Haire one on one with the title on the line and he made the most of it and walked out as champ.
Then we had King of the Ring winner Jason Oliver facing current Rampage GM Roddy Piper, This came about when GeNext member, Jason Oliver addressed the legends, Piper took offense to this and made the match. In recent weeks the GeNext stable has gone through changes, gaining members, splitting into two sides, losing members, and now Oliver defeating the legend, Roddy Piper at the Royal Rumble.
In a triple threat match for the Universal Championship, Joe Corey and John Cena challenged Edge. Joe Corey has lost ECW, he has fired his agent all on the way to getting his hands on some gold. He lost the number one contender match to Cena at War in the Winter, but when the match took place Corey interfered and hit both match participants with a chair. Edge had his hands full with the challengers in this one but he somehow pulled through. If the stipulation stands Joe Corey will not compete at WrestleMania 10.
Rob Van Dam took on Randy Orton in hopes of winning the TWF Championship. Unfortunately for Van Dam, Randy Orton was too much for him. It started with his golden ticket win and perhaps ended here at the Rumble.
And finally the 30 man Royal Rumble match. One of the harder matches to call on any card, because their are so many participants, as well as many likely candidates. In past years winners include The Undertaker, John Cena and Travis Wakeman who have all won it twice as well as Rob Van Dam, Charlie Haas and last year, Mr Kennedy who went on to win the TWF Championship. The winner who now holds the record for the most wins was Travis Wakeman who now heads to WrestleMania.
Development News
- TJ Wilson has been called up to the main rosters.
- We have comes to terms on the release of Manu, we wish his the best in his future endeavors.
- The Asylum have signed the following to Non- Developmental Contracts: Joe Hennig, Windam Rutunda and Maverick Darsow.
- Now is the time to contact Travis, he is wanting to call up at least one or two members to the main rosters, so if you want to move up contact him asap and discuss this chance, act now because this has to be done before WrestleMania or the doors will close again on this offer! Email him now!
TWF News
- M.X. Ogden asked and was granted his release from his contract.
- Stacy Kiebler has been released.
- Officials are in talks with at least 2 big name superstars from the TWF's past to make their returns.
Interview
As promised, I do have an interview guest and he is ready to join me, my guest is the longest reigning King of Cable Champion, from Rampage, J.J. Ramplin.
Cain: "Welcome J.J., first off, can you explain your actions on the last Rampage leading up the the Royal Rumble"?
J.J. Ramplin: "Well like I said on Rampage, I'm tired of being told that I'd be a star in this business by doing this or doing that, like a sheep I followed the advice and yeah it got me part way up the mountain but I'm sick of following peoples orders, it's time everyone met the real me and the way I do things".
Cain: "You were one of the 30 men in The Royal Rumble match, and entered at number 24 and was one of the final 5 in the match before being eliminated by Jordan Rockwell, can I get your feelings on that"?
Ramplin: "I made a mistake and guess I got excited being that close to my goal of being in the main event of WrestleMania. Next year when the rumble rolls around, I'll have learned from the mistake I made and I will be victorious".
Cain: "Who is your biggest threat in the TWF today"?
Ramplin: "The biggest threat to me? Hmmmm...... I'd have to say Jason Oliver because he's an extremely talented guy and with Rhodes and DiBiase by his side, it makes him very powerful".
Cain: "Plans for WrestleMania"?
Ramplin: "As of right now, it depends on what happens in the next few weeks and where it takes me".
Cain: "What do you think caused ECW to end"?
Ramplin: "Arrogance, Jealousy, Greed. I could go on and on about the reasons that ECW self-destructed and what people didn't see behind closed doors, but that chapter of my career is closed now and I just want to move on".
Cain: "What can we expect to see from J.J. Ramplin now that ECW is gone"?
Ramplin: "You can expect to see a side of me that nobody in the TWF has seen and that I've kept hidden since I joined this company. You can also expect me to get better and better".
Cain: "It's time to close this thing up now, but before we do, any last words"?
Ramplin: "You haven't seen the best out of me yet by a long way and I will prove to myself and most importantly everyone who has doubted me that I can be the star I've dreamed of and can reach the pinnacle of this profession. And oh by the way, congrats on winning my title at the Rumble man, haha only kidding, but congrats".
In closing , just want to thank my guest J.J. Ramplin for delivering a quality interview and I will be back with the fourth edition of the Cain Connection very soon.
