EDGE (C) VS. DOLPH ZIGGLER

 Michael Cole, Jerry "The King" Lawler and Matt Striker are on commentary for this match, it’s Lawler vs. Cole era, so get ready for the bickering.

 

Edge enters first and we see the end of his match with Dolph Ziggler on the previous Friday’s Smackdown. Vicki Guerrero makes the Spear illegal for their match tonight. She comes out to let the fans in the arena know, meaning we hear it twice. Dolph Ziggler makes his way out and Lawler says it shows how big tonight is that they start with a World Heavyweight Championship match.

 

EDGE © VS. DOLPH ZIGGLER

(World Heavyweight Championship)

WWE Royal Rumble 2011 (30^th January 2011) 

They lock up and Edge gets the early advantage, backing Ziggler into the corner. Dolph Ziggler’s head meets the top turnbuckle but he cuts Edge off with a kick to the midsection. Dolph Ziggler unloads with right hands in the corner until the referee backs him away, which causes him to get sent across the ring into the turnbuckles. Edge covers but Ziggler kicks out at 1. Edge gets a nearfall with a gutbuster, he targets the midsection, sending Ziggler across the ring into a knee for another nearfall. Zolph Ziggler rolls out to the apron but Edge slides out to the floor and trips Ziggler, then sends him into the barricade.

  Edge breaks the referee’s count and I notice a sign saying “hire Akira Tozowa” which took a few years, but did end up happening. Edge drops Ziggler across the barricade and sends him back into the ring. Dolph Ziggler cuts Edge off and hits a neckbreaker across the middle rope. Ziggler covers but only gets a nearfall. He stomps at Edge in frustration but stops before being disqualified. Edge is draped over the apron and Ziggler attacks the neck with elbows, then chokes Edge across the middle rope and covers for a nearfall. Dolph Ziggler puts on a chinlock and the fans chant for Edge until he gets to his feet and breaks Ziggler’s grip with right hands. Dolph Ziggler is sent into the corner but Edge runs into his boot. Edge rolls through a sunset flip attempt and catapults Ziggler into the corner, rolling him up for 2. Dolph Ziggler kicks Edge in the knee to set up a neckbreaker, Ziggler covers but Edge kicks out at 2. Dolph Ziggler gets a rolling neck snap for another nearfall and puts Edge back in a chinlock, keeping himself above Edge. He breaks it with a handful of hair, setting Edge up for a jumping elbow drop. Edge rolls towards the ropes and gets to his feet on the apron but Ziggler sends him into the barricade. Dolph Ziggler immediately brings it back into the rong and covers for another nearfall. Dolph elbows Edge on the top of his head before putt ing him back in a chinlock. Edge gets back to his feet and sends Ziggler into the ropes, Dolph Ziggler ducks the clothesline and they collide with crossbody blocks. Dolph tries getting to his feet as Edge crawls to the ropes, They’re both to their feet at 6,

Dolph Ziggler runs at Edge but is sidestepped and hits the turnbuckles for another double down. They both slowly get to their feet and Ziggler runs into a flapjack! Neither of them can capitalize before getting to their feet. Edge knocks Ziggler down with a forearm, then clotheslines him. Edge hits Dolph with the facebuster and covers but still can’t get 3. Ziggler counters a clothesline into a jawbreaker and covers, but only gets 2. Edge counters the running legdrop into a powerbomb but Ziggler kicks out at 2! Edge climbs to the top rope as Ziggler is on his feet. Dolph Ziggler cuts him off , he tries to superplex Edge, but Edge blocks it. Edge fights out of the superplex and hits a crossbody on Ziggler, ZIGGLER ROLLS THROUGH! 1, 2!, 2.9! They struggle to their feet, Ziggler hits a standing dropkick, Edge has to use the ropes to get to his feet. Dolph attempts the Zig-Zag but Edge holds on to the top rope. Edge puts on the side-Sharpshooter and clubs at the challenger as he crawls to the ropes. Edge is forced to break the hold and he chokes Ziggler across the middle ropes. More shots to Zigglers midsection, Edge hits the ropes for momentum but Ziggler gets out of the way of the crossbody. Dolph Ziggler hits the Fame Asser and gets another close nearfall! Edge reverses an irish whip, sending Ziggler off the roes into a big boot. Edge goes to the corner setting up the Spear but the referee reminds hum he can’t use it. Dolph Ziggler tries to put on a Sleeper hold but Edge fights it off. He hits the Impaler! 1, 2, Vicki pulls the referee away!

 Vicki Guerrero gets on the apron and slaps Edge! Ziggler runs at Edge from behind, Edge sidesteps but Ziggler stops before he hits Vicki. Edge rolls him up for 2. Vicki connects with another slap from the apron, as you can imagine this isn’t a non-speaking role for her. Kelly Kelly appears at ringside, she brings Vicki from the apron and sends Vicki into the ring steps. Dolph Ziggler hits the Zig Zag as they catfight on the floor, he covers 1, 2, 2.999! Dolph Ziggler stalks Edge from the corner and he locks in the Sleeper hold, jumping on Edge’s back. Edge drops to one knee, but he gets back to his feet after a struggle, he flails with Ziggler on his back knocking the referee down. Edge gets out of the Sleeper with a piggyback stunner and he realises Vicki Guerrero and the referee are both down. EDGE HITS A SPEAR! Edge plays possum, getting to his feet as the referee wakes up. Edge hits the Unprettier and covers Dolph Ziggler for the win.

WINNER:  EDGE (STILL World Heavyweight Champion)

This was a good match. Edge could have won without hitting the Spear but banning it for the match made the fans want to see it more. The referee bump was predictable but it got the reaction they wanted and Edge did hit Christian’s move instead to win so it effect the score too much.[** 3/4] 5/10