JEFF JARRETT VS. AHMED JOHNSON

 Events like this I really wish they had the old Free For All and Heat episodes from before Pay-Per-Views on the WWE Network. Just for completion’s sake. For those that don’t know Duke “The Dumpster” Drose defeated Hunter Hearst-Helmsley to become #30 in the Royal Rumble, because he lost the match, Helmsley became #1. It’s not relevant to this match but since it’s the opening match, I thought I would mention it here.

 

Jeff Jarrett attacked Ahmed Johnson after his match the previous month (here) Jeff Jarrett makes his way out as we see the attack through a filter. Ahmed Johnson jogs down to the ring and vaults the top rope.

Vince McMahon and Mr Perfect are on commentary for this match. The Fink is our ring announcer.

JEFF JARRETT VS. AHMED JOHNSON

WWF Royal Rumble 1996 (January 1996)

  Ahmed Johnson ducks a right hand as Jarrett tries to attack, and connects with some of his own in the corner. Jeff Jarrett is sent off the ropes, he bails to the floor and is followed by Johnson. Jarrett catches Ahmed Johnson as he gets back in the ring with stomps before taking it to the corner.

  Jeff Jarrett connects with knees to the midsection but the hip toss attempt is countered, Jarrett kicks Ahmed in the midsection and grabs a headlock, but Ahmed Johnson just lifts Jarrett and throws him across the ring again. Ahmed Johnson misses the charge and eats some right hands but he reverses the irish whip and clotheslines Jarrett down. Jeff Jarrett runs into a shoulder block so he tries again with the same result. He hits the ropes a third time and Johnson scoops him up before dropping him to the mat and covering, but Jarrett kicks out at 2. Ahmed Johnson almost jumps over Jarrett with a clothesline as Vince mentions Johnson is undefeated so far in WWF. Jarrett is sent into the ropes and he holds on, Ahmed Johnson charges and is sent over the top rope, he catches his hand between the ropes and Jarrett kicks it free. Jeff Jarrett hits a clothesline from the apron to the floor and sends Johnson into the apron, then irish whips him into the steps before bringing it back in the ring. Ahmed Johnson is choked against the middle rope until Jarrett hits the running attack I’m sure was never named.

  Jeff Jarrett hits an ax handle from the turnbuckle and Ahmed Johnson starts shaking it off. Jarrett hits another and Ahmed Johnson is getting fired up. Jeff Jarrett tries a third and Ahmed Johnson is still not budging. On the final corner Ahmed Johnson catches Jarrett in a bearhug before dropping him with an inverted atomic drop. Johnson decapitates Jarrett with a clothesline and calls for the Pearl River Plunge, Jeff Jarrett is sent off the ropes into a spinebuster instead and he goes to the floor again. Ahmed Johnson throws himself over the top rope with a plancha and the landing doesn’t look pretty but it brings Jarrett bck into the ring. Ahmed Johnson goes to the top rope for a somersault legdrop but he misses! Jeff Jarrett puts the figure Four leglock on Johnson’s newly-injured knee and gets a nearfall as Ahmed’s shoulders temporarily go down. Ahmed Johnson reverses the pressure and forces Jarrett to break. Jeff Jarrett is the first to his feet and he goes after the leg with a kick and elbow drops. He calls for the Figure Four again but Ahmed Johnson kicks Jarrett through the ropes.

  Jeff Jarrett grabs the guitar out of frustration and heads to the top rope as Johnson gets to his feet. Jeff Jarrett gets disqualified with a guitar shot.

WINNER: AHMED JOHNSON (via Disqualification)

This was a good match for what it was. It didn’t take too long, Ahmed Johnson didn’t have to do too much and Jarrett was able to help him not be too exposed. Although the plancha and the overshot clothesline slipped through the cracks this was still a good match for Ahmed Johnson’s expectations at the time. [* ¾] 3.5/10

Ahmed Johnson quickly recovers from the guitar shot and chases Jeff Jarrett to the back.