KURT ANGLE (C) VS. MARK HENRY

 Before the match, Kurt Angle is backstage with Josh Matthews. Matthews mentions that Mark Henry has already powered out of the Angle Lock, and the WWE Championship as changed hands, but Angle says he can still beat Mark Henry tonight, and Daivari will get it too if he gets in the way.

Mark Henry is out first, Daivari is in his corner for this match. It was Mark Henry who originally took out Batista, leading to Angle winning the World title. Henry also beat Rey Mysterio to get this match. The crowd chants for Angle before his music plays. Michael Cole specifies that the “You Suck” chant is directed at Henry.

Michael Cole and Tazz are on commentary for this match

 

KURT ANGLE © VS. MARK HENRY

(WWE World Heavywieght Championship)

WWE Royal Rumble 2006 (29^th January 2006)

 

They lock up and Mark Henry backs Angle into the corner, but Angle holds on to the rope so he can’t be whipped across the ring.

  Kurt Angle shoots for Henry’s leg but can’t do much with it before Henry overpowers him. Kurt Angle puts Henry in a waistlock, he avoids the back elbow and plays keep-away, frustrating Mark Henry before connecting with right hands. Mark Henry catches Angle’s fist, dropping the champion to his knees before sending him onto his back from the arm wrench. Kurt Angle rolls out of the way of the elbow drop and connects with right hands. He hits the ropes and ducks a clothesline and a back elbow, but Mark Henry catches the crossbody attempt and dumps Angle ribs first into the top rope, sending him out to the floor. Mark Henry has Charles Robinson distracted in the ring so Daivari gets some cheap shots in. Henry follows to the floor and throws the ring steps, so Angle gets back in the ring. Kurt Angle jumps on Henry as the challenger makes it through the ropes.

  Mark Henry lifts Angle whilst in a front facelock and hangs Angle over the ropes again before connecting with a boot. Mark Henry stands on Angle’s chest and drags him to the middle of the ring. Henry hits a Big Splash, but only gets 2. Mark Henry works a bearhug, Kurt Angle tries to counter with a hip throw, but Henry sinches it in. Angle gets the throw, taking Mark down after a solid minute in the hold. He connects with right hands but is sent into the turnbuckles. Mark Henry runs into a back elbow in the corner but catches the crossbody from the middle rope. Angle counters the World’s Strongest Slam into an Angle Lock and Henry stupidly lets go of the ropes. Angle is able to pull Henry further away but Mark Henry powers out of the hold again. Kurt Angle is back to his feet but he can’t lift Henry for the Angle Slam either.

  Mark Henry clubs at Angle’s back. Kurt Angle slips out the back of a powerslam attempt, hitting Mark Henry with a german suplex. They’re both slow to their feet but Angle is able to hit the Angle Slam, he covers but Mark Henry kicks out at 2. Kurt Angle brings his straps down before putting the Angle lock back on Mark Henry. It must add more torque. Daivari is on the apron, drawing Robinson over in position for a ref bump as Henry kicks Kurt Angle away. Angle goes to get a chair from ringside, as any valiant babyface would, Daivari tries to interfere so takes a chairshot. Mark Henry is able to block the chair and wrestles it away from Angle. Kurt Angle hits Henry in the balls before going back to the chair. It takes two shots to the head before Mark Henry goes down and Angle revives the referee. Angle covers 1, 2, NO! Kurt Angle exposes the middle turnbuckle but can’t move Mark Henry. Angle gets sent into the corner but plays possum.

  A drop toehold sends Henry’s head into the exposed turnbuckle and Kurt Angle rolls him up with a schoolboy, using the ropes for extra leverage and getting the win.

WINNER: KURT ANGLE (STILL WWE World Heavyweight Champion)

This wasn’t a great match, it shouldn’t have been the main event but had to be. The match went too long for me and Angle had to work as a heel to get anything out of it. [*½] 2.75/10

Kurt Angle can barely celebrate before Undertaker returns from a short break, reading on a chariot and signalling to Kurt Angle that he wants the title belt and setting off his magic pyro, collapsing the ring around Angle before we fade to black.