Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases
A New HD Rumble
WWE opens its 2008 pay-per-view schedule in Madison Square Garden. The event establishes the WrestleMania XXIV opportunity and brings together Raw, SmackDown, and ECW competitors.
Key Events
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Royal Rumble 2008 Announced — WWE presents its first pay-per-view event of 2008. Characters: John Cena, Randy Orton, Edge, Jeff Hardy, Rey Mysterio, Triple H
Location: Madison Square Garden, New York
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HD Broadcast Debut — The event becomes WWE's first broadcast in HD. Characters: John Cena, Randy Orton, Edge
Location: Madison Square Garden, New York
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Buffer Introduces Event — Michael Buffer exceptionally introduces the televised wrestling event. Characters: John Cena, Randy Orton, Edge
Location: Madison Square Garden, New York
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WrestleMania Stakes Explained — The Royal Rumble winner earns a WrestleMania XXIV title match. Characters: John Cena, Triple H, Randy Orton, Edge
Location: Madison Square Garden, New York
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Three Brands Gather — Raw, SmackDown, and ECW wrestlers appear on one event card. Characters: John Cena, Randy Orton, Edge, Jeff Hardy, Rey Mysterio, Triple H
Location: Madison Square Garden, New York
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Championship Matches Set — Two singles matches are scheduled around WWE's major titles. Characters: Randy Orton, Jeff Hardy, Edge, Rey Mysterio
Location: Madison Square Garden, New York
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Retirement Match Set — MVP and Ric Flair are scheduled for a retirement match. Characters: MVP, Ric Flair
Location: Madison Square Garden, New York
The Multi Brand Collision
The scheduled card combines championship matches, a retirement match, and a contest between JBL and Chris Jericho. The Royal Rumble then begins as the central multi-brand contest.
Key Events
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Jericho Faces JBL — JBL and Chris Jericho are set for a singles contest. Characters: JBL, Chris Jericho
Location: Madison Square Garden, New York
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Rumble Match Begins — The traditional 30-man Royal Rumble becomes the main event competition. Characters: John Cena, Triple H, Randy Orton, Edge, Jeff Hardy, Rey Mysterio
Location: Madison Square Garden, New York
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Cross Brand Elimination Battle — Competitors from Raw, SmackDown, and ECW try to eliminate one another. Characters: John Cena, Triple H, Randy Orton, Edge, Jeff Hardy, Rey Mysterio
Location: Madison Square Garden, New York
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Cena Enters Thirtieth — John Cena enters the Royal Rumble as the thirtieth participant. Characters: John Cena, Triple H
Location: Madison Square Garden, New York
Cena Claims The Opportunity
John Cena enters as the thirtieth participant and reaches the decisive stage against Triple H. Cena eliminates Triple H and wins the Royal Rumble match.
Key Events
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Final Rumble Duel — John Cena and Triple H become the decisive final competitors named. Characters: John Cena, Triple H
Location: Madison Square Garden, New York
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Cena Eliminates Triple H — John Cena eliminates Triple H, the twenty-ninth participant. Characters: John Cena, Triple H
Location: Madison Square Garden, New York
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Cena Wins Royal Rumble — John Cena wins the 30-man Royal Rumble match and earns a title opportunity. Characters: John Cena, Triple H
Location: Madison Square Garden, New York
Champions Hold Their Ground
Randy Orton defeats Jeff Hardy with an RKO in the WWE Championship match. Edge defeats Rey Mysterio with a Spear and retains the World Heavyweight Championship.
Key Events
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WWE Title Match Starts — Randy Orton defends the WWE Championship against Jeff Hardy. Characters: Randy Orton, Jeff Hardy
Location: Madison Square Garden, New York
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Orton Uses RKO — Randy Orton performs an RKO on Jeff Hardy. Characters: Randy Orton, Jeff Hardy
Location: Madison Square Garden, New York
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Orton Retains Title — Randy Orton wins the WWE Championship match against Jeff Hardy. Characters: Randy Orton, Jeff Hardy
Location: Madison Square Garden, New York
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World Title Match Starts — Edge defends the World Heavyweight Championship against Rey Mysterio. Characters: Edge, Rey Mysterio
Location: Madison Square Garden, New York
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Edge Wins With Spear — Edge wins the match by using his Spear against Rey Mysterio. Characters: Edge, Rey Mysterio
Location: Madison Square Garden, New York
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Edge Retains Title — Edge remains World Heavyweight Champion after defeating Rey Mysterio. Characters: Edge, Rey Mysterio
Location: Madison Square Garden, New York
Royal Rumble (2008) was the twenty-first annual Royal Rumble PPV. It took place on January 27, 2008 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York and featured talent from the Raw, SmackDown and ECW brands. The event was also the first WWE pay-per-view broadcast in high definition. As has been customary since 1993, the Royal Rumble match winner received a match at that year's WrestleMania. The main event was the annual 30-man Royal Rumble match, which featured wrestlers from all three brands. The primary match on the Raw brand was Randy Orton versus Jeff Hardy for the WWE Championship. The primary match on the SmackDown brand was Edge versus Rey Mysterio for the World Heavyweight Championship. The featured matches on the undercard were Montel Vontavious Porter versus Ric Flair in a Career Threatening match and John "Bradshaw" Layfield versus Chris Jericho.
