Royal Rumble 2023 Card

[Evolution J]

“Kingdom” by Downstait hits as Cody Rhodes comes out to a huge cheering ovation from the crowd as he claps and shakes the hands of the UWF universe. He has a huge smile on his face as he stares into the ring and he sees The Butcher holding Trevor Lee’s UWF TV Championship. He stops smiling as he stares with anger that has been building up inside him for weeks and he turns to the right at the steel steps. He walks up and he walks along the ropes as he stops in the middle. He goes through the ropes as he goes to the announcer while he still keeps his eyes on the Butcher and the announcer gives him the microphone. He thanks the microphone before he grabs the microphone and his theme music stops playing. The crowd begin chanting his name and he gives a smirk at the chant before he lifts up the microphone. He walks over to the Butcher and stares at him in the face.

Well, what do we have here? We have Andy doing his buddy's dirty work and carrying his precious TV Championship. I honestly know Mr. Trevor Lee is hiding somewhere around here and I am not a fool to know what type he is playing Andy. As a matter of fact, I already know you and the TV Champion are planning something big to make sure you guys can get rid of me tonight at the Royal Rumble. But there is a huge problem with that because I can tell you right here and right now nothing you both have planned is going to work out so well in the end. In the end, I can promise you both that I will walk out the new UWF TV Champion and there isn’t a damn thing you both can do about it.

Andy, you and Trevor already know I easily have beaten both of you straight up one on one. The odds are already against yo9ur buddy Trevor. Sure, he does have the longest UWF TV Championship reign for now. But the problem is that it will end when he steps in the ring with me tonight. Do you know why I said that?

Cody stares Andy in the eyes with an angry look.

You both don’t know what it is like to be in my situation. You both don’t know how it feels to lose someone you love that can train you to be one of the greatest wrestling competitors in the whole world. You both think it is easy being the son of one of the greatest wrestling Halls of Famers. Heck no, it is not easy. It is extremely difficult because you have to go to school while your pops and older brother have to be out in the world wrestling to help pay for bills. He was a plumber and he had to work hard to get where he is today. And being his son was even hard enough because I have already tried to make my dad proud of me in every way I can. All the championships and goals that I have accomplished weren't just for me. It was for my dad. I did it to make sure he was proud of me. Ever since the day he passed away, my world has turned upside down and I have lost myself. It took a decade for me to learn how to cope with his death and come back to do what I love most. It took that long to realize I have to go back where it all started. I had to go back to what I do best and it is in my blood. It was to make a grand return to UWF and to make my dad proud. I have to continue to live the legacy that my father has carved for my brother and I.

Cody Rhodes: You and your friend Trevor may not like me. But only respect my dad. That counts as a disrespect to my whole family and I won’t allow it at all. At the Royal Rumble, I am going to do what I do best and that is defeat Trevor Lee for the UWF TV Championship. I am not only going to crown him as the UWF TV Champion. I am going to put respect back to the Rhodes name and respect the UWF TV Champion deserves. There have been so many names that have disrespected the beloved UWF TV Championship. I honestly can’t allow it to continue. So I am taking this opportunity to be the man to step up to the plate and fight my way to defeat Trevor Lee to put some respect in the UWF TV Championship division. It has been far too long since we have a rightful UWF TV Champion that will do whatever it takes to win and bring justice to the division. All Trevor Lee used the spotlight to continue his so called mayor campaign and it disgust me. It disgusts me on one outsider that has to disrespect the UWF TV Championship by using it as a prop for his own stake to continue to be a mayor for his so-called town.

I honestly respect your buddy Trevor Lee for being one hell of a competitor and doing what he needs to keep that precious UWF TV Championship around his waist. But believe me Andy, there will take more than you and your Andy’s master plan to stop me from defeating him. As you see, I not only will walk the walk and talk the talk. I am going to prove it by giving Trevor a fight that he has never expected from me. If he thought losing to me in a single match was bad, it will be a whole lot worse tonight when he gets defeated once again at the Royal Rumble. Because not only will I bring everything I got to the table. I got a lot of tricks up my sleeves that I can use to overcome the odds of becoming the new UWF TV Champion tonight.

Trevor Lee, you can hide anywhere you want for now and send your buddy here to do the talking for you for now. But at the Royal Rumble, there will be nowhere for you to run and hide because you will be struck in the ring with me. At the Royal Rumble, all your dreams of walking out still the UWF TV Championship will become a nightmare when you get defeated by none other than the American Nightmare…Cody Rhodes.

As for all the competitors who I will face in the Royal Rumble, all your dreams will be ruined and it will turn into a huge nightmare when I walk out the winner. At the Royal Rumble the American Nightmare will walk out the new UWF TV Champion and the winner of the Royal Rumble. I will continue my journey to fulfill my goal of recapturing the UWF Championship once again. There won’t be any human being out there strong or brave enough to stop me because they don’t call me the American Nightmare for nothing. I am the one that will haunt your dreams and turn them all into living nightmares and become your boogeyman. At the Royal Rumble, everyone will remember the name of your brand new UWF TV Champion and future UWF Champion………Cody Rhodes!

The scene fades and ends with Cody breathing hard as he stares angry at Trevor Lee’s friend the Butcher in the ring.

[ada2]

“Sunday Night is more than just a match – it’s THE match. It’s the match that everyone in the entire WORLD wants to see.”

As the mad king held back, a small bit of emotion within his voice, for this was the truth. there where many great matches on order for this show, many titles matches as well, but this one against the young and very talented Danhausen .. even if he would never admit that out loud, he had to give it to the little freak, he won a title .. and that was more than whatever he has done in his two years here, so he could at least, tip his hat in respect to his hard efforts, being paid off, but it was like he said, Danhausen was only holding the title, because for these long months, he has had his hands full with constant issues and concerns, but this was a new year, the issues of the past, they where dead and buried, trust me on that .. the mad king has made sure those pests from the past, will not be back biting on his heels, it was onto new and better things.

“Danhausen , is the man that this company decided to invest in and personally – it’s more than stupid– it’s plain out over the fucking top because the man this company should invest in and put their bottom dollar in is not Danhausen , not anyone that is like him – a gimmick, with face paint, flashing lights, all the bells and whistles – but yours truly, Eddie FUCKING Kingston. I'm the man that’s undefeated – unbeaten, and I HAVEN’T BEEN TOUCHED. When I first came here. I went on a run, that no one has ever been able to live up to or match and sure, I am living of the past a little bit, the glory days of my time at the top, but Danhausen. I like to go down memory lane, because your getting that Eddie Kingston, the one who was hungry for the success. When a title is on the line, when it is game time.

THERE IS NO ONE BETTER THAN ME!

Danhausen is looked at as some widespread threat – some disease or virus that had an outbreak on the roster. People are scared. All because Danhausen has some freakish curses under his name, and some odd talent to win matches? Is he stronger than he seems? If he is that strong? Why was he my BITCH for the last three weeks, taking my verbal beatings and then letting me do whatever I wanted to him! I’m not afraid of him. I don’t find him powerful. I don’t try to avoid him or any of that. I like Danhausen - for the challenge that he will be for me to beat. I think Danhausen is an interesting guy and I can’t wait to knock the remaining teeth he has in his head down his bloody throat. I’m already on top of the food chain and I’m already the man to beat but guess what? It’s never happening because I’m completely UNSTOPPABLE. Every single man these last two months that has stepped into the ring with me; ask them all and they’ll tell you the same thing… I came, and I break them down and snapped them in half in the centre of the ring.”

He takes a moment to himself. Running his hand up and over his head. There was passion leaving him and he was showing it here and now and you know why he was, because this was the chance, he has waited a year. It was funny, this time last year, it was for the world title, and so yes of course .. many people would look at this as a step back, an insult a slap to his face, but to him, this was the second highest prize within the game and so many great men have won it, done it justice, carried it with respect as well and you know what, they all moved on to bigger and better things and the mad king wants to be one of those select view, who used the title as it was meant to be used, the title was for the next guy on the rise, kind of fitting then, that it would be around his waist soon enough.

“Danhausen doesn’t know what it was like to be in those fights. Danhausen doesn’t know how it is to fight guys on that level. Those were tough, I went through hell. I have been in hardcore matches and – light out matches! I can get hit in the bloody cranium with a steel chair, a light tube, or even go through a flaming table. It’s all happened to me, pain –

IT’S MY FUCKING FRIEND NOW.

I put my body on the line every week because this championship I want to hold .. is not only the main prize But it’s life or death for me. Every week could be the death of me so I fight not only for a championship and my career… I fight for my life. In the middle of a bloody arena with thousands of people cheering or booing loud like we’re gladiators – killing each other all for what? All for a piece of gold I can earn and bathe in that glory. I strive to walk out as the winner after tearing apart Danhausen, who to me, is just in the wrong place, at the wrong time, holding something I want to have, this is not personal, this is a matter that is simple, he has what I want, so we gotta fight for it. I FIGHT to walk out as a survivor and Danhausen doesn’t know about survival as he doesn’t have the instincts of a fucking beast he doesn’t have the claws of a beast he doesn’t have the fight… of a beast. All Danhausen has is a target on his back and i’m going to make this a FUCKING NIGHT TO REMEMBER. Danhausen - fuck -he's just another victim that’s on my list.”

[Cwalker]

As Spike finishes, LA Knight jumps in one final time. 

LA Knight: 'Ya know something, runt? L...A....Knight doesn't steal. L....A...Knight doesn't kill. But L...A...Knight has absolutely no problem messing with a Dudley. Especially the most useless one of the bunch. But I will say there is one thing you keep saying that has my attention.

Spike looks on intently as Knight speaks.

LA Knight: 'Ya keep saying how 'ya here for me. 'Ya keep saying how I'm the reason that 'ya are back here. And yet 'ya pander to all of them...

Knight points out into the sea of people that have been supporting Spike since his return.

LA Knight: 'Ya want all of them to believe that they're 'ya motivation. But I know the truth, runt. I'm 'ya motivation. 'Ya keep admitting it; I just haven't picked up on it. But I realize it now, 'ya need me. 

Spike chuckles at Knight's absurd claim. The brash man from Baltimore pays him no mind.

LA Knight: They say, "a good hero is nothing without an even better villain." And 'ya know, they're right. What is Superman without Lex Luthor? What is Batman without The Joker? What is Spike Dudley without L...A...Knight? Just think about it for two seconds. 'Ya say that 'ya came out of retirement because L...A...Knight talks too much. L...A...Knight needs to be put in his place. Look around, runt. 'Ya think I'm the only one that talks? Batista is super full or hot air, that I've been waiting for him to fly away for weeks. Kyle O'Reilly is actively trying to murder the big dummy. Danhausen puts curses on people. But 'ya targeted L...A....Knight because of my confidence? Nah, that ain't it. 'Ya came after L...A...Knight because 'ya know what it would do for 'ya. 

LA Knight: 'Ya could've went after Cody Rhodes. 'Ya could've went after Trevor Lee. 'Ya could've gone after Leyton Buzzard. But 'ya chose me because 'ya wanted to start at the top of the totem pole. 'Ya knew that trying to re-establish yourself against the man that will be UWF Champion in a few short weeks. I can somewhat respect it. But 'ya just out of your depth.

LA Knight: I can only have a career 'ya can dream of? Wake up, runt. After this Sunday, I'll have surpassed 'ya. Hall of Fame? Congratulations! How long did that take 'ya? I've been back 2 months, and I am this close...

Knight holds his fingers less than an inch apart right in front of Spike's face. 

LA Knight: AND I MEAN THIS CLOSE! to winnin' the Rumble and Main Eventing the biggest WrestleMania of all time! Sounds like that will earn me some Hall of Fame consideration. And when that time comes, maybe I'll thank 'ya in my speech.

LA Knight: 'Ya say that 'ya are bringing a gun to a knife fight. Be my guest. My clip is full and I'm ready to empty the chamber come this Sunday. 'Ya going to wish 'ya stay retired. 'Ya going to wish 'ya never met L...A...Knight. Hell, 'ya might even wish that 'ya died in the house fire 'ya mentioned earlier. Because come the Royal Rumble, the underdog gets put to sleep. And L...A...Knight shows the entire world...

For the last time, Knight and Spike get nose to nose. 

LA Knight: That a runt is ALWAYS a runt. No matter how big his heart is. 

For the last time, Knight lowers his mic and stares down his opponent 72 hours from now. 

[gunn]

Like a Villain plays over the sound speaker as Ciampa walks out onto stage, the crowd would notice that he looks slightly off and DDP would race ahead of him before he can make his way down the ramp, DDP would extend an arm out to block Ciampa and an arm at Shark Boy and hold up a finger to indicate to give them a minute. The pair would talk for a second and Ciampa can be seen physically taking a deep breath to calm down but would still be seen jittering a bit. DDP would move out the way and Ciampa would march his way down to the ring, holding his hand out for a mic and is intercepted by a ring side technician, Ciampa pats the tech on the back and slides into the ring, looking Sharky in the eye

Ciampa: Well this is it, eh. I’ve finally made it to the dance because trust me Shark Boy, this is the fucking dance. For the past almost two years i’ve busted my ass off to get here. I’ve had to put up with guys like Tom Lawlor trying to retire me. Seth Rollins casting me aside like nothing and Danhausen making a fool of me, its all come to this and my golden opportunity.

Looking down, Ciampa would shake his head

Ciampa: And you know what, I've screwed it up. These last few weeks my mind has been clouded, I can’t think straight but all I can think of is this match at the Rumble, the opportunity i’ve worked so hard for is now within my grasp but I can slowly feel it slipping away. I know I deserve this Shark Boy but part of me thinks I don’t deserve it. Part of me just feels like walking up that ramp and leaving, leaving all of this behind.

There would be silence in the crowd as Ciampa pours his heart out to his opponent.

Ciampa: Its not that I don’t think i’m good enough for this, I know I am. I know i’m the best wrestler in this company and that i’ve proved it plenty of times but my loss to Finn made me think if i’m losing focus here. If I can’t win a warm up match against him, how am I going to do against you man.

I’ll admit when you came back I was one of those guys who saw you as a joke, just as someone in to entertain the crowds and draw a few bucks while guys like me put the actual work in. Then you became number one contender against Edge and we all saw this serious fire erupt in you, hell we all saw what you became in that title match against Edge and you won that Championship and hell you retained it against one of the most determined Edge’s on the roster and you did it convincingly, the guy had to be carted out of here by medics and that made me realize: don’t underestimate Shark Boy.

Looking back at his opponent, Ciampa would realize he is being erratic here but he wouldn’t do anything about it.

Ciampa: You were right in saying we were on a collision course eventually but I didn’t see it coming like this, i’ll admit I fully expected to be standing across from Edge tonight. That guy was on a different level and you took him down when I couldn’t. I wanted to face Edge to clear the slate against him, I don’t have that chance. I wanted to face Seth Rollins to once again prove I was better than him. I don’t have that chance. I wanted to beat CM Punk, just to prove I was the best in the world and I don’t have that chance.

I was looking back across some tapes from the past year, just to see if I could learn some of your moves, learn some of your tactics and I came across a match that us two had. Just a throwaway on Revolution and you beat me, just two weeks removed from me winning my Intercontinental Championship, that title that I had a long run with. While you were challenging for the World Title, I was propping up this company while a delusional freak was World Champion, I was showing the merits of this company and now a year later Shark Boy, I get my rematch against you.

Ciampa would walk in closer to Shark Boy.

Ciampa: Last time you won, this time I intend to. This time it isn’t just some match on Revolution with no consequences, it is for the biggest prize in our sport. We have the beloved champion going up against one of the most hated guys in this business today up till a couple weeks ago, I know who the crowd is going to be rooting for out there Sharky but I don’t care. All I care about is winning that gold and cementing myself at the top of the UWF and whoever wins the Rumble, better watch out because i’m not going to be a lazy champion, i’m going to be a fighting champion and i’ll do anything to win it.

Lowering the mic, Ciampa would stare at Shark Boy. A fire would be burning in him that could burn down this building if he wanted to but he’s saving it for the Rumble.