We open with the usual MLK Day video clip with the "I Have a Dream" speech.

In the arena:

No firework intro this week. Just authentic crowd noise followed by John Cena's entrance music. Cena walked into the ring where The Coach and a contract table met him. Coach then introduced Umaga and Armando. Before Coach could get things rolling, the fans interrupted with a Cena chant. Coach said the Royal Rumble title match can't be just any match, so he's letting Armando pick the stip. Armando announced a Last Man Standing match for the Rumble. Cena looked dejected and the crowd went quiet. Armando said there's no way Cena's walking out of the Rumble as champion. Armando signed the contract on behalf of Umaga. I'd like to verify that Power of Attorney for validity. Cena took the contract and the mic from Coach, then said "Last Man Standing match" and the women screamed. He could say "poopy face head" and the women would still scream. Cena asked Armando if he really thinks he's crazy enough to sign the deal. The fans encouraged him and Cena said the fans know him too well and know he's crazy enough to sign. After signing, he said he's also full of surprises. Cena jumped over the contract table and took Umaga to the outside. They fought on the floor with Cena smashing Umaga in the face with ring steps to a big cheer. He then grabbed Armando and threw him into the ring. Cena set up Armando for the FU and he sent him through the table as the crowd exploded. This show is instantly better than last week with a hot crowd reaction. I was surprised Cena actually got in the FU on Armando, but I'm sure Umaga will deliver a beating by the end of the night or next week to show that Cena is in jeopardy.

Mixed Tag Team Match
Johnny Nitro and Melina vs. Jeff Hardy and Maria

Johnny Nitro and Melina walked out for a mixed tag match. Jeff Hardy and Maria then walked out. Maria did Jeff's "dance" on the stage, which will be in thousands of message board signatures by the end of the week. Jim Ross dropped hints about this year's Rumble being the most star-studded Rumble yet. I don't know if they can top Pamela Anderson at the '95 Rumble.

Maria took a tag early on and went after Melina, looking for revenge from last week. Nitro then kicked Maria in the back from the apron and Melina took control. She put Maria in a Camel Clutch and tried to break her back, but Maria fought out with right hands.

Nitro took a tag and knocked Jeff on the apron, leading to Nitro stalking Maria. She stepped on Nitro's foot and Jeff came in with kicks on Nitro. Jeff hit the Whisper in the Wind and went up top. Maria and Melina fought to the outside, then Jeff blocked a superplex and hit a Swanton Bomb for the win.

Winners - Jeff Hardy and Maria

Coach and Vince McMahon were in Vince's office. Coach rambled on as McMahon tried to get Donald Trump on the phone. The person on the other line didn't know who he was. He was finally patched through, but he was told Trump was having dinner. McMahon started to give his cell number, but he stopped after saying 352. McMahon told the person that Trump knows his number. He hung up and Coach sat silent without saying anything to upset McMahon. And that sound you heard was the show coming to a screeching halt on the train tracks.

Edge and Randy Orton walked out dressed to wrestle. Ross and Lawler didn't think their match against HBK was up next, though. DX's music began to start up, but then it flatlined out. Orton smirked and screamed at the fans to shut up. He said that was the sound of someone flatlining. He asked for a replay of the flatline noise, then said they're finally going to take out DX tonight. Orton said Triple H can't help Michaels tonight because he's done for good with the torn quad. Orton then walked off because he had something to check on backstage. Edge provided us with a fun fact that Shawn Michaels's TV debut was in Cajun country. He said it would also be his final TV match tonight. Edge said he needed to check on Orton, then he left. They re-emerged with Jim Duggan, who they dragged out on the stage with blood trickling out of his mouth. Edge said Duggan was in the locker room with HBK for his first match and they're going to make an example out of him to warn anyone who might think about helping HBK tonight. They set up Duggan for a Concahirto, then referees and producers ran out on stage. Edge still landed the Conchairto, then Malenko and Rotundo checked on Duggan. Nice build up for a big TV match.

Kenny Dkystra vs. Ric Flair

They showed clips of Flair low blowing Kenny last week, causing him to lose to Jeff Hardy. Ross said Dugan is being attended to by paramedics. Good flow from segment-to-segment with the show seeming like a continuous book with chapters and stories that flow into each other, rather than seeming like fifteen separate novels. Ross talked about Flair's battles with JYD in Louisiana to provide another reference to Mid South.

Kenny went for the figure-four at 2:00, but Flair kicked Kenny to the outside. Back in the ring, Flair landed a series of chops. He then successfully hit a top rope smash for a nearfall. Kenny rolled through a pin attempt and tried to grab the ropes for a pin, but the ref caught him. Flair then rolled up Kenny and put his feet on the ropes for the win to outsmart Kenny.

Winner - Ric Flair

McMahon and Coach were still waiting for Trump's return call. Coach suggested that McMahon recharge his batteries - hinting at McMahon's cell phone, but pretty much hinting that McMahon should take time off. McMahon said he didn't need to recharge his batteries. Coach asked McMahon why he has to speak with Trump so badly. McMahon then snapped out a letter from Trump dated last Wednesday. He read Trump's evaluation of last week's show that the skit was poorly produced, inane, and lame. Trump wrote that it wasn't up to WWE standards. He said the audience would rather watch exciting wrestling with the best talent in the world rather than a poor attempt at comedic satire. The P.S. was not to forget to watch The Apprentice. Coach tried to talk up The Apprentice, but McMahon cut him off and said he's going to give Trump some compelling television.

Vince McMahon walked out to the ring. He reiterated Trump's statement that fans would rather watch exciting wrestling than comedic satire. McMahon said many fans enjoyed the skit, though, so he introduced the video clip. The fans mix booed and cheered when McMahon said the skit was brilliant. He asked for a slow-motion package. McMahon said he operates differently than Trump. He said he doesn't ask his audience what they want. "I tell them what they want and they like it!" he screamed. Boos. McMahon said he would have done things differently with the Ms. USA controversy. He called her out, but no one came out. Torrie Wilson then walked out in a number from the Debra McMichael collection. Torrie pulled out a strip of paper and said she's been a very bad girl. She asked him what she could do to make it up to him. Before McMahon could make a suggestion, Carlito walked out. Torrie was suddenly all smiles. Carlito said he knows McMahon is the boss and he's taking a big risk coming out, but McMahon isn't cool. He said the thing with Rosie and Donald was bad. Really bad. "Nah, it sucked," he said. He said Torrie might look beautiful, but the segment is brutal. He said McMahon doesn't know what the fans want. He said the fans don't want to see stupid skits. "They don't even want to hear you talk," he said. Carlito said the fans want to see people fight. McMahon had a look of shock on his face. McMahon then stripped off his jacket and went into a fighting stance against Carlito. McMahon then stopped and told Carlito to fight Great Khali, who walked out alone. Khali no-sold left hand blows and chops, then landed a right hand blow to the forehead. Lawler said Carlito might have committed career suicide by challenging McMahon. Khali then gave Carlito a two-hand chokeslam. McMahon smiled, then raised Khali's hand. Torrie fought back tears on the outside as Khali left. McMahon then said, "Now that...now that's cool." Torrie checked on Carlito as McMahon left the ring. Intriguing because it could lead to a complete burial of Carlito, or it could lead to a new babyface moving up the ranks. McMahon admitting a mistake last week in the most roundabout way is better than nothing. The reaction against the skit wasn't as negative as you would have seen if it were a 100 percent Internet audience.

Women's Championship Match
Victoria vs. Mickie James (c)

Victoria grabbed Mickie by the hair and screamed in her face. Mickie returned the favor and Victoria complained. Mickie then draped Victoria across the top rope and gave her a spanking. The females in the audience screeched as Victoria came back with a double foot dropkick to the stomach.

Victoria forced Mickie into the splits, then she applied a leg vice. Ross said he thought he just pulled a groin. Victoria took Mickie to fireman's carry position and hit a spinning sidewalk slam for a nearfall. Victoria then walked into a turnaround sidekick and Mickie scored the pin. Well, that came out of nowhere.

Winner and still Women's Champion, Mickie James

They showed footage of the military man breaking The Masterlock at the Tribute to the Troops show. Someone clearly has it out for Masters by showing that footage again. Masters was in the ring to talk about the Rumble match. He predicted that he would win. Masters then pulled out an official document from McMahon stating that because of outside interference in Iraq, the Masterlock hasn't been officially broken. He went back to his carnival roots with the Masterlock challenge and called out anyone to break the hold. Ron Simmons came out and Masters said he wasn't referring to Simmons. He called out anyone else, but Simmons shoved him to the mat. Simmons then sat down in the chair and Masters pumped himself up. Masters pulled away before locking up, then he locked in the hold on the second try. Simmons went down to one knee, but then powered up to both feet. Before we could get a decision, Super Crazy ran into the ring and dropkicked Masters to break the hold. Crazy hit a moonsault on Masters and the crowd went quiet. Well, that killed the buzz. Crazy left and Simmons took the mic. He stood over Masters and screamed, "Damn!"

The WrestleMania Recall was RVD winning the Money in the Bank ladder match at WrestleMania 22. It seems like ages ago when Shelton Benjamin was utilized for his athleticism.

They cut backstage where Ric Flair was being tended to after being knocked out in his locker room. Grisham said there were rumors that it was Orton and Edge's doing. HBK frantically checked on Flair as Grisham played field reporter.

JTG vs. Shelton Benjamin

Shelton took down JTG with a short-arm clothesline to start things off. He followed with a shoulder breaker into a keylock submission hold. JTG came back with a reverse elbow and dropkick. Shelton then ran him over with a standing kick to the face.

Charlie jumped on the apron for some reason and Shad exposed the top turnbuckle. Charlie and the referee fought over the turnbuckle pad, then Shad tripped Shelton allowing JTG to fall on top of Shelton for the pin.

Winner - JTG

Grisham provided an update on Flair that's been taken to a medical facility. HBK stormed the set and said tonight might be the end of DX, but he's not going down alone. He said he's going down in a blaze of glory. He stepped back, then dropped Grisham with Sweet Chin Music.

They showed footage from New Year's Revolution when Triple H tore his quad. He did a voice-over on what happened with the kneecap separating from the leg and sliding over. They showed footage of Dr. Andrews examining Triple H before interviewing him about the injury. Hunter said things are different this time than the previous injury because he knows what to expect. He said that once the doctors let him know he can get back to training, he's going balls to the wall. Hunter said when he comes back, he's going to be on top.

Edge and Randy Orton walked out for the main event. Edge took the mic and asked the fans if they're ready. He mimicked Triple H's intro and told the fans to stomp their feet for HBK. Orton did Hunter's Michael Buffer intro, then told the fans to hold up their DX signs. Orton then said he had two words for everyone. "Get 'em." Orton told security that under orders of Vince McMahon to grab all of the DX signs and bring them to the ring. There was a struggle for life and death in the crowd with one fan having the last word by delivering a crotch chop at a security person. Edge and Orton proceeded to tear up the signs.

The main event ended in a bloody battle with HBK coming out on top.  Though the match ended in a DQ, Michaels managed to deliver a one-man conchairto to Randy Orton as Edge cowered up the ramp.