Throwback Thursday: Looking back at WWE Royal Rumble 2008

Each and every Thursday I will look back at a different pay-per-view event from the past via the WWE Network. Want to see a certain event covered? Send your suggestions to @VaughnMJohnson on Twitter.

Last time, I covered the WWE Royal Rumble 2005.

WWE Royal Rumble 2008

Date: Jan. 27, 2008

Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York

Some random notes

This was the 21th annual Royal Rumble and the second Royal Rumble to take place in Madison Square Garden. The first was back in 2000.

It was also the first WWE pay-per-view to be broadcasted in high-definition.

Since there were three brands in WWE at the time, there were three sets of announce teams. For Raw, Jim Ross and Jerry "The King" Lawler called the matches. For Smackdown, there were Michael Cole and Jonathan Coachman.

Although ECW did not have a match on the card, Joey Styles and Tazz were on hand to sort of talk about the ECW guys that were in the Royal Rumble match.

Another member of the broadcast team made his debut on this night and that was Mike Adamle, who was widely known for his time on the television show American Gladiators, but is infamous among wrestling fans for his cornucopia of mistakes on live television.

Adamle didn't waste any time making mistakes, as he began making them at the Royal Rumble by calling Jeff Hardy "Jeff Harvey." Hardy was only one of the most popular superstars in WWE at the time.

For some reason, Adamle's flub has been edited out of the WWE Network version of this event. We all know it happened though.

Before the WWE title match, Maria hosted a Royal Rumble kiss can. I have no idea why this was shown on television other than to get Maria and Ashley to interact with each other.

Ashley asked Maria if she was interested in posing for Playboy. That brought out Santino Marella, who was Maria's on-screen boyfriend at the time and did not want his girlfriend to pose nude.

Marella then ripped on the New York sports teams and even predicted that the Giants would lose the Super Bowl to the undefeated New England Patriots. We all know how that turned out.

Marella then brought his special friend to the ring, who was someone standing under some type of sheet. Marella took the sheet to reveal that the person was Big Dick Johnson, who was sporting his usual skimpy underwear, but added a Tom Brady jersey and had a Patriots logo painted onto his stomach.

The back of his skimpy underwear said "19-0," which would have been the Patriots' record if they had defeated the Giants in the Super Bowl the next weekend.

Ashley ended the torture by beating him with rubber chickens. This was supposed to be funny.

This was also the only representation from the women on the show. It was a far cry from what the WWE does with its women today.

With that said, let's get to the matches:

Career threatening match – Ric Flair def. MVP

Vince McMahon had put Flair in a proverbial do-or-die situation before this event. The situation: Flair's next loss would be his last, as he would be forced to retire.

Montel Vontavious Porter, better known as MVP, entered the match as the United States champion.

MVP controlled the majority of the match and even landed a big boot to Flair's face when the 16-time world champion had retreated into a corner.

MVP went for cover and actually got a three-count, but the referee noticed that Flair's leg was on the rope and did not end the match.

MVP went to dispute this happening with the official. The referee was Charles Robinson, better known as "Little Naitch" for his resemblance to Flair.

MVP should have known he wasn't going to get the call here.

Flair then surprisingly rolled MVP up and went for a pin, but MVP managed to kick out.

Later in the match, MVP went for his finishing move called the playmaker. However, Flair reversed it into the figure four, which forced MVP to submit.

Flair received a much-deserved standing ovation from the New York fans after the match.

Flair's career lasted another day, but eventually came to an end a couple months later at WrestleMania 24 after losing to Shawn Michaels.

John "Bradshaw" Layfield def. Chris Jericho via disqualification

This match came about a month after Jericho's first big return to WWE. It came about because of JBL costing Jericho the WWE championship in his first pay-per-view in three years.

It is crazy to think that Jericho's character began to make a radical change only three or four months after this event.

But before that radical change, he was still a babyface that harkened back to the "Attitude Era."

JBL went for the clothesline from hell early, but missed, which allowed Jericho to lock in the walls of Jericho. Fortunately for JBL, he was right next to the ropes and reached them to break the hold.

The fight spilled outside the ring, where Jericho continued the beating.

JBL fought his way back into the match by targeting Jericho's injured neck.

Jericho was even tossed into the ring post, which cut him open. Even that didn't slow JBL down, as he continued to beat on the bloody Jericho outside of the ring.

JBL tossed Jericho back into the ring and didn't let up on Jericho. Despite blood pouring down his face and chest, Jericho fought back and clotheslined JBL out of the ring.

Jericho was done playing by the rules, as he picked up a steel chair and clocked JBL in the head with it, causing him to be disqualified.

That apparently meant nothing to Jericho, as he continued to assault JBL after the match. Jericho then grabbed some cables and wrapped them around JBL's neck just like what JBL did to him on a recent episode of Raw.

World Heavyweight championship – Edge def. Rey Mysterio

It's still weirdly uncomfortable to watch Edge and Vickie Guerrero kiss even until this day.

Mysterio entered the ring with gladiator helmet of sorts. Somewhere in the world, Ron Simmons probably said "Damn!" thinking that Mysterio stole his helmet from 1996.

Despite being the top heel on Smackdown, Edge had a lot of fans at Madison Square Garden on this night.

Conversely there was a segment of the crowd that actually booed Mysterio, which will always sounds strange.

Cheering for the bad guy is nothing new for wrestling fans. It happens today with AJ Styles, who ironically is the world champion on Smackdown Live like Edge was on this night.

However, I don't remember this fervor among the fans that wanted to see Edge win matches despite being one of the biggest heels in WWE at the time.

It didn't take long for the Edge Heads, Zack Ryder and Curt Hawkins, to be ejected from ringside by the referee.

Usually, an ejection receives a big reaction from the fans, but New York loved Edge so much, they actually booed it.

Mysterio attempted to get up and running with his high-flying exploits, but the champion cut that short by attacking Mysterio's injured left knee. Mysterio managed to fend off Edge one essentially one leg, but was unable to put the champion away.

The former world champion came close to reclaiming the title on multiple occasions, but Edge routinely found a way to survive.

Out of nowhere, Edge put a stop to Mysterio's momentum with a big boot to the face. Edge then retreated to a corner to set up the spear, but Mysterio moved out of the way, sending crashing into the middle turnbuckle.

Mysterio capitalized by hitting Edge with the 619 and hit a splash from the top rope, but Guerrero arose from her wheelchair and tugged one the referee's leg before the count of three.

Mysterio shook that off and got Edge in position to hit the 619 again, but Guerrero sacrificed herself by shielding Edge from the blow.

Mysterio then went for another splash, but Edge speared him out of mid-air to pick up the win.

Instead of celebrating the title defense, Edge immediately jumped out of the ring to check on Guerrero.

WWE championship – Randy Orton def. Jeff Hardy

Hardy went into the match as the Intercontinental champion, marking the first time that the Intercontinental champion went up against the WWE champion in Royal Rumble history.

Hardy reached his peak in WWE in 2009, but he was more than over at this point in 2008. The fans were ready for him to finally become WWE champion, and judging by the reactions he got on a nightly basis, it seemed like only a matter of time.

Hardy began the match with all of the momentum, as he unleashed a flurry of offense. Orton was not too pleased with the start of the match and attempted to leave with his title.

Hardy had none of that and went after Orton. However, the champion managed to weather Hardy's early storm to take control.

The challenger regained some momentum by tossing Orton out of the ring. Hardy then dove off the ring apron onto Orton.

Hardy rolled Orton back into the ring and went for a cover, but Orton kicked out. The challenger then attempted to attack Orton in the corner, but the champion moved out of the way, which sent Hardy flying into the ring post.

Orton saw the opportunity and took full advantage by slowing down Hardy.

Hardy managed to pick up the pace again and almost scored a pin fall, but Orton got his shoulder up at the last possible second.

The challenger climbed to the top rope to attempt the swanton bomb, but Orton rolled out of the ring before Hardy jumped. Hardy remained on the top rope and drop kicked Orton off the ring apron.

Hardy then climbed to the top rope in another corner and performed a moonsault that barely clipped Orton, who was standing outside of the ring.

Just when it looked like Hardy was in position to hit the twist of fate and win the title, Orton hit an RKO out of nowhere to pick up the win.

John Cena won the Royal Rumble

Michael Buffer announced the first two entrants in the Royal Rumble, which were The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels.

For obvious reasons, The Undertaker and Michaels starting the match was a big deal, but they were also the two men that finished the Royal Rumble the year before with The Undertaker coming away with his one and only Rumble win.

The Undertaker didn't waste any time going on the attack, as he immediately had Michaels on his heels.

At No. 3 was Marella. As most would have expected, he didn't last very long with Michaels and The Undertaker. Michaels super kicked him moments after he got in the ring and The Undertaker followed up by dumping him over the top rope.

Once Marella was gone, Michaels and The Undertaker went back to fighting each other.

No. 4 was The Great Khali, who had once had a rivalry with The Undertaker. Khali and The Undertaker renewed hostilities very quickly.

Khali got the better of The Undertaker, but the latter managed to eliminate the former.

At No. 5 was Hardcore Holly, who was one half of the World Tag Team champions. Holly managed to hold his own in the ring with The Undertaker and Michaels.

John Morrison, who was one half of the WWE Tag Team champions alongside The Miz, joined the trio at No. 6. Morrison was nearly eliminated moment after entering the ring, but managed to hang on.

No. 7 was New York's own Tommy Dreamer, who came out to a big ovation from the hometown fans.

The ring began filling up when Batista, the winner of the 2005 Royal Rumble, joined the fray at No. 8. He quickly engaged in stare down with his rival The Undertaker, but Dreamer interrupted that moment by attacking Batista.

Batista quickly shrugged off the attack and tossed Dreamer over the top rope.

At No. 9 was Hornswoggle. Everyone in the ring stopped fighting to look at Hornswoggle make his entrance. Instead of getting into the ring, Hornswoggle crawled under it. I don't blame him.

Chuck Palumbo entered the match at No. 10 and punched everyone in sight. Palumbo's rival Jamie Noble followed him at No. 11.

Noble went right after Palumbo, which turned out to be a mistake, as he was sent packing by his rival barely a minute after entering the match.

At No. 12 was CM Punk, who also received a big ovation from the New York fans. Punk was immediately active, as he delivered high knees to multiple people in the ring. His run of momentum came to a screeching halt at the hands of The Undertaker, who knocked Punk of his feet. Punk quickly recovered by eliminating Palumbo.

Unlucky No. 13 was Cody Rhodes, who was a World Tag Team champion alongside Holly. Rhodes went to help his partner, but drew the ire of The Undertaker.

To his credit, Rhodes handled himself well by landing a drop kick on the legend.

Business picked up when Umaga entered the match at No. 14. The second Umaga entered the match he began bouncing people around the ring and eliminated Holly.

At No. 15 was Snitsky, who had a serious dental hygiene problem at this point of his career. The Miz, a man with much better teeth, followed Snitsky at No. 16.

No. 17 in the match was Shelton Benjamin, who immediately made an impact by taking down The Miz and Morrison.

But just as quickly as Benjamin entered the match, he left, as he was super kicked out of the ring by Michaels.

Jimmy Snuka entered the match at No. 18. Snuka got in the ring and got a piece of nearly everyone inside of it, including The Undertaker. I guess Snuka was getting revenge for being the first victim of The Undertaker's WrestleMania streak back in 1991.

Another WWE Hall of Famer followed at No. 19, as Roddy Piper marched to the ring, tore off his shirt and pointed at his old rival, Snuka.

Everyone else in the ring stopped and watched Piper and Snuka fight each other as if it was the 1980s all over again.

The nostalgia came to an end at No. 20 when Kane blazed his way to the ring and quickly dumped Piper and Snuka out of the match.

At No. 21 was Carlito, who immediately spit an apple in Rhodes' face upon entering the ring.

There were still legends to come, as Mick Foley hopped into the fray at No. 22.

The ring added yet another combatant with Mr. Kennedy entering the match at No. 23. Just after Kennedy got into the ring, Ross announced that The Undertaker and Michaels had been in the ring for more than 30 minutes.

With at least a dozen people occupying the ring at this point, Big Daddy V entered the match at No. 24. With the ring beginning to run out of room, The Undertaker eliminated Snitsky.

Seconds later, Michaels super kicked The Undertaker right out of the ring. Michaels joined The Undertaker seconds later after Kennedy dumped him over the top rope.

The Undertaker took his frustrations out on Snitsky by delivering a leg drop to him on top of an announce table.

Even with those three men gone that still left 10 competitors in the ring at once.

The men just kept getting larger when Mark Henry entered the match at No. 25. Suddenly, Hornswoggle popped up from underneath the ring and managed to pull The Miz out to eliminate him.

After The Miz hit the floor, Hornswoggle went back underneath the ring.

Chavo Guerrero, who recently defeated Punk for the ECW championship, came out at No. 26. Punk, seeking revenge, jumped right on him when he entered the ring.

As that was happening, Kane eliminated Morrison.

Hornswoggle tried to pop back up and pull someone out again, but grabbed the wrong hand in Henry. Henry yanked Hornswoggle up into the ring and was ready to squash the little fella alongside Big Daddy V.

That was until Finlay thwarted them with an assist from his trusty shillelagh. Finlay was actually supposed to be No. 27, but was disqualified for coming out too early to protect Hornswoggle and using a weapon.

Finlay left the ringside area with Hornswoggle to get him out of harm's way.

Some normalcy returned when Elijah Burke entered at No. 28. Ross then announced that Batista had been in the ring for 35 minutes.

Moments later, Chavo Guerrero eliminated Punk. Meanwhile, Batista lied outside of the ring recovering from a Samoan spike from Umaga. Since he did not go over the top rope, he was still in the match.

At No. 29 was Triple H, who jumped into the ring and tossed out Rhodes. He then tossed Big Daddy V out of the ring.

Triple H then exchanged punches with Foley in a scene reminiscent of the 2000 Royal Rumble. Triple H got the better of the exchange and tossed Foley and Burke out of the Rumble.

Just as the clock began to tick down for the 30th and final entrant, Triple H delivered the pedigree to Umaga.

Then, the clock struck zero. The buzzer went off and familiar tune blared through the Madison Square Garden speakers.

Fans immediately recognized it as John Cena's music. Seconds later, the man himself walked out to a very loud ovation.

Why was it so loud? Because no one thought he would be there.

Back in October of 2007, Cena tore his pectoral muscle. He was scheduled to miss at least six months of action and possibly up to a year. However, he somehow healed up so fast that he was healthy enough to return to the ring only three months after surgery.

So when Cena made his entrance, no one actually saw it coming. No one. And just like that, the temperature in the building changed.

Everyone in the ring stopped moving, including Triple H, who stood with a stunned look on his face. Cena, on the other hand, had a look of supreme confidence and told Triple H, "It's go time!" before jumping in.

When he got in he got right to work on Henry before eliminating Carlito and Chavo Guerrero. He then returned to get his hands on Henry and tossed him out, too.

He then stopped dead in his tracks and eyed Triple H. The two exchanged punches, but Triple H landed a spine buster to slow down Cena's momentum.

Suddenly, Batista, who had been in the ring for more than 40 minutes, reasserted himself by eliminating Kennedy and Umaga. He then joined Triple H in eliminating Kane.

Then there were three: Batista, Triple H and Cena. Batista held court by dominating the other two.

Just when it looked like Batista was poised to send both men packing and win the match, Triple H managed to knock him out, leaving himself and Cena.

Triple H and Cena traded punches before Cena took down his foe and hit the five-knuckle shuffle.

Both men reversed each other's finishing moves before knocking each other down with a clothesline. They both made it back to their feet at the same time before Triple H delivered a DDT.

The two men traded counters, but Cena got the last laugh, as he was able to hoist Triple H on his shoulders and toss him out of the ring to win the match.

The victory was Cena's first of two Royal Rumble victories. His second came in 2013.