Tonight’s event comes to us from the Tyson Events Center/Gateway Arena in Sioux City, Iowa, home of Miletich fighting systems. 

The Royal Rumble is two weeks away. 

There is a long shot following JBL’s stretched limo as we cut to see JBL sitting inside with HBK.  JBL tells Michaels that he’ll be fighting for his employer tonight and to consider his match tonight to be his Wrestlemania match.

Stephanie enters the ring and rehashes the Royal Rumble rules.  She starts talking about Vince, but is interrupted by Chris Jericho.  Jericho compares Stephanie to the crowd which grants him instant cheap heat –awesome.  Jericho tells us he is looking forward to having Vince back and believes he will reverse Stephanie’s decisions.  After some back and forth arguing, Stephanie gets pushed over the edge verbally and fires Jericho!

During the break, an astounded Jericho was escorted out of the building by security. 

“Jericho no longer in the Royal Rumble or in the WWE for that matter” - King

The Miz vs Rey Mysterio

Michael Cole tells us the John Morrison could not appear due to injuries suffered in his tables match with Triple H on Smackdown.

Mysterio starts with his high flying offence, but Miz eventually counters it and tosses Mysterio into the turnbuckle.  Mis continues with the pressure, then hits his corner clothesline.  Rey comes off the ropes with a plancha then sets up for the 619, Miz dodges it.  After another attempt, Mysterio hits the 619 and nails a splash for good measure.

Winner: Rey Mysterio

After the match, Knox comes out and attacks Mysterio once again.  This week however, Mysterio defends himself and sends Knox to the outside.

Backstage Candice Michelle wishes CM Punk good luck, but a focused Punk just heads to the ring. 

William Regal vs CM Punk (IC Title Match)

They each display their wrestling skills with a number of reversals on the ground, followed up with quick pin attempts.  Punk eventually hits a high knee in the corner then drops Regal with the bulldog.  Regal then manages to send Punk into the turnbuckle.  As Punk falls he then hits Regal in the breadbasket with a straight punch.  From the angle of the referee, the ref thought it to be a low bow and disqualifies Punk. 

Winner: William Regal (still champion) 

Rhodes is seen backstage with Manu and Sim.  Manu and Sim are upset that Rhodes joined up with Orton last week; they inform him that they will attack Orton tonight and tell Rhodes to make a decision.$  In addition they reveal that they have a back up, another second generation wrestler.

Grisham asks Regal about tonight’s match.  Regal says that he is satisfied with the win and feels the rivalry is over.  Stephanie interferes and says that she is not happy with the outcome and as a result, they will have a third and final match that will be no disqualification.

We see a video package highlighting Stone Cold Steve Austin and some of his most memorable moments.  (i.e. the neck breaking piledriver, Wrestlemania match with Bret Hart, 1st title win, feud with The Rock, stomping a mudhole in McMahon and raising hell Austin style).  On April 4th, a very deserving Stone Cold Steve Austin will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame at the Toyota Centre in Houston Texas.

In the locker room, JBL reminds Michaels that he works for him and tells him not to lose.  Michaels says he’ll prove why he’s the showstopper tonight in his match against Cena.   

Just announced, Rey Mysterio will face Mike Knox next week.

Kane vs Randy Orton

Orton starts with hard punches, but Kane answers with a big uppercut and follows up with elbow smashes.  Kane is just physically dominating Orton, then tosses him outside, where Rhodes runs over to check on his new leader.  Back in the ring, Orton gets a headlock on Kane and drills him with some European uppercuts.  He follows up with the Orton stomps, then ranks Kane’s eyes with the side of his boot – classic maneuvers, Ronnie Garvin ring a bell?  Orton locks on a side headlock, but Kane picks him up and drops him with a back suplex.  Kane connects with a big boot and side slam and the fans are cheering (what’s going on tonight?). Kane goes to the top rope and flies, but Orton catches him with a drop kick and gets a three count.  We go back to the replay and we see that Kane actually lifted his should on the 2 count.  Kane hounds the referee and they both exit as Orton remains in the ring.

Winner: Randy Orton

After the Bell, Manu and Sim show up and ask Rhodes if he has chosen a side.  They reveal their backup to be the returning Ted DiBiase.  Orton is in the ring as Manu, Sim and DiBiase surround the ring with Rhdoes standing behind Orton on the outside.  The four 2nd generation stars enter the ring.  It looks like Rhodes may have sided with the 2nd generation stars as they all stare down Orton.  It looks like Orton is in trouble, but wait! (Its not like we didn’t see this one coming) Rhodes and DiBiase attack Sim and Orton unleashes on Manu.  DiBiase and Rhodes lay out Sim and Manu each with their own finishers as Orton stomps away.  The three exit the ring and remain on the ramp holding up their arms in victory.  The Legacy is born.

Backstage with Todd Grisham, Cena talks about how much he loves the Royal Rumble and reminds everyone how he won last year.  Cena then proceeds to put over JBL and Shawn Michaels, as he talks about how tough they are. 

Beth Phoenix, Jillian Hall vs Kelly Kelly, Melina

Rosa Mendez dressed as a photographer, attacks Melina prior to her match up.  Beth Phoenix and Jillian Hall attack Melina and Kelly Kelly from behind.  

Winners: No Contest

We see a Vince McMahon return promo, yes he’ll be back next week.   

Orton tells Rhodes and DiBiase that they both proved themselves worthy to be in his faction.  DiBiase announces they are all in the Royal Rumble, to which Orton says their can only be one winner.  Rhodes and DiBiase look at him with approval.  So it looks like they’ll work as a team to ensure Orton wins the Rumble.

Outside of Stephanie McMahon’s office, we see Cryme Tyme, Goldust, Dolph Ziggler and Jamie Noble waiting to speak to the GM.  Abruptly Santino Marella comes out of the office and much to their dismay; he declares that he (Santino) will be in the Royal Rumble.

John Cena vs Shawn Michaels w/ JBL

Cena extends his hand and Michaels shakes it.  HBK starts with a headlock takedown, but Cena manages to get the fight standing.  A frustrated HBK shoves Cena to which Cena answers with a rocking right that drops Michaels.  HBK attempts sweet chin, but Cena dodges it.  After a back body drop on HBK, Cena clotheslines him outside.  Michaels gets back in the ring and throttles Cena’s neck on the ropes.  HBK wearing down Cena with some Flair chops then locks in the figure four.  Cena’s veins pop out of his head, as he screams out loud like he’s popping a hemorrhoid.  After reversing the submission, Cena goes to the top and misses the leg drop.  Michaels quickly locks in the deadly crossface.  Cena then gets control with a series of suplexes and JBL looks on with a stone face.  Cena locks on a bear hug then drops HBK with shoulder tackles.  The action goes to the turnbuckle. 

After a top rope FU attempt, Michaels floats over and hits a powerbomb, HBK goes to the top but misses the elbow.  Cena takes advantage and nails HBK with the five knuckle shuffle, he sets up for the FU, but HBK reverses it and lands a DDT.  HBK once again goes to the top, this time hitting the elbow; and as he goes for the superkick, Cena catches him and drops the FU, but HBK kicks out!  Cena then locks in the STFU right in front of JBL.  After some time, JBL leans on the bottom rope which allows HBK to get the rope break.  The fight is in the stand up once again, HBK manages to send Cena for the ride to the ropes.  JBL makes the minor distraction, Cena stumbles, turns around and eats some Sweet Chin Music -- it connects perfectly. 

Winner: Shawn Michaels

Post match up, Michaels walks to the back as he won “his Wrestlemania” match and JBL stands over a fallen Cena in the middle of the ring.        

Next Monday – The boss is back!

Mickey Rourke wins the Golden Globe award for best actor in his portrayal of Randy “The Ram” Robinson in Darren Aronofsky’s The Wrestler.  Thanks to this performance, we could see him in the Iron Man sequel.