“I’m here to win the royal rumble and main event Wrestlemania”-CM Punk
Drew McIntyre started the RAW segment this week and had a lot to say about what he would do at the Royal Rumble. Upon mentioning CM Punk, his music comes on, and Punk makes his way down the ring. The promo had some highlights, but neither of the men was on their best game. Punk fumbled a few words, and McIntyre looked uncomfortable trying to go toe to toe with Punk on the one-liners.
Ultimately, the point was made, and CM Punk said no one would stop him from winning this year’s Royal Rumble. The line that stood out was the one about Wrestlemania, which received the most noise from the crowd.
Cody Rhodes vs. Shinsuke Nakamura ‘Street Fight’
They started right away as Cody Rhodes dictated the tempo. Rhodes and Shinsuke Nakamura immediately went to the outside of the ring as Rhodes was throwing Nakamura against the side rails.
Nakamura grabbed a kendo stick, but after a reversal, Rhodes would grab the stick and hit Nakamura continuously with it. Nakamura regained control of the match and started to unload his offense. The action went back and forth as Rhodes tried to rally but was stopped short by Nakamura each time.
Rhodes executed a power slam and signaled to the crowd that he was going for his finisher. He executed the Rhodes kick, but Nakamura popped out before the three count by the referee. Rhodes pulled out the table as the crowd called for it earlier in the match. Nakamura stopped Rhodes by using some Nunchucks. Nakamura then spit red mist in the direction of Rhodes, but he got out of the way, which splashed the face of the cameraman.
After going back and forth in the middle of the ring, Rhodes does his father Dusty’s patent elbow drop to knock Nakamura down. Nakamura would then get up, lay Rhodes on the table, and execute a double knee to break the table in half.
In the end, Rhodes throws Nakamura into the table, then applies the cross Rhodes and pins Nakamura for the win.
More must-reads: