Throwback Thursday: Looking back at WWE Royal Rumble 2001

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 1999.

WWE Royal Rumble 2001

Date: Jan. 21, 2001

Venue: New Orleans Arena (now the Smoothie King Center), New Orleans, La.

Some random notes

This was the 14th annual Royal Rumble.

The most notable not from this event was that Drew Carey was WWE's special guest so that he could promote some pay-per-view special he had later that month.

He was featured in backstage segments, which weren't that funny. He eventually met Vince McMahon, who convinced him to participate in the Royal Rumble.

Carey was funny, but this was a little too silly.

Anyway, Jim Ross and Jerry "The King" Lawler were on hand to call the action.

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

WWE Tag Team championship – The Dudley Boyz def. Edge & Christian

The story of this match was based around the Dudley Boyz having suffered a series of concussions at the hands of Edge and Christian. Bubba Ray Dudley even held his head throughout the match to sell the fact that he wasn't 100 percent.

As a result, Edge and Christian focused their attack on the heads of the Dudley Boyz. This is not a story you'd see playing out on television today.

The match was pretty standard considering the teams involved. Bubba Ray got the hot tag and a couple of minutes later, he and his brother hit the 3-D to pick up the win and the tag titles.

WWE Intercontinental championship (Ladder match) – Chris Jericho def. Chris Benoit

As soon as Benoit got in the ring, the two men began exchanging blows.

Benoit gained the upper hand by working on Jericho's left arm. He grabbed a ladder and made the first attempt to climb up to grab the title, but Jericho thwarted him.

Instead of using the ladder to climb, Jericho used it as a weapon. Jericho had the ladder used against him when Benoit catapulted him into a ladder that was set up in the corner.

Benoit attempted to capitalize by doing a dive to the outside of the ring, but Jericho met him with a steel chair to the face.

After Jericho crashed and burned with the ladder, Benoit got a hold of it and used it against the challenger, which allowed him to regain control.

Jericho was able to mount of some offense and eventually delivered a Russian leg sweep to Benoit from near the top of the ladder. It looked like both men fell right on the back of their heads.

Benoit didn't stay down for long, as he quickly went back on the offensive. He then propped up the ladder in another corner of the ring and attempted to Irish whip Jericho into it.

Jericho reversed the Irish whip and sent Benoit face-first into the ladder. Jericho then used the ladder as a seesaw and caught Benoit right in the face with it.

Jericho took this opportunity to climb the ladder, but Benoit quickly stopped any chance of that by clubbing his opponent in the back and tossing him out of the ring.

Benoit then climbed up to the top of the ladder and reached for the title, but Jericho stopped him and somehow locked in the walls of Jericho on top of the ladder in an awesome spot.

Jericho tossed Benoit off the ladder and reached for the title, but Benoit somehow knocked the ladder over, sending Jericho crashing to the mat.

Jericho managed to be the first to make it back to his feet and hit Benoit with the ladder. He then climbed the ladder and tried to leap off in an effort to hit Benoit, but Benoit caught him out of mid-air and locked him in the cross face.

Benoit eventually let go, which allowed Jericho to recover and regain the advantage with the help of the ladder.

Jericho set up the ladder in the corner and caught Benoit on top of it. Jericho attempted to hit him with a super-plex, but Benoit fended him off by shoving him off the ladder.

Benoit then climbed the ladder and attempted a diving head butt from the top of it, but Jericho moved out of the way.

Jericho then grabbed the ladder and placed it on top of Benoit in an attempt to trap him underneath.

That still didn't stop Benoit, as he essentially bench pressed the ladder off of him, which sent Jericho flying all the way out of the ring.

Benoit set up the ladder again, but Jericho recovered quickly and jumped back into the ring with a steel chair and wrapped it around Benoit's back. He then shoved the ladder over, which sent Benoit tumbling hard outside of the ring.

While Benoit slowly crawled his way back into the ring, Jericho climbed up the ladder and grabbed the Intercontinental championship to win the title for the third time.

WWE Women's championship – Ivory def. Chyna

The story surrounding this match was that Chyna was dealing with a neck injury that she had suffered after receiving a pile driver from Right to Censor's Val Venis.

This was the first time Chyna had ever even challenged for the women's title, as she had spent her career to this point as Triple H's muscle and wrestling men.

As expected, Chyna dominated from the outset by literally swinging Ivory around the ring. Ivory attempted to escape with her health in tact, but Chyna chased her down and beat her through the crowd before tossing her back to the ring.

Steven Richards attempted to get involved, but Chyna easily dispatched him.

Chyna then propped Ivory up in one of the corners and attempted to hit her with an elbow, but re-injured her back performing the move.

Chyna lied on the mat motionless, as Ivory crawled over to pin her for the victory.

WWE attempted to add some realism to this by having Lawler get up from his announcer position to check on Chyna. Billy Gunn joined him.

Medical personnel eventually got to the ring, placed Chyna on a backboard and stretcher and hauled her away.

WWE championship – Kurt Angle def. Triple H

This was a championship match between two heels, which was and still is rare in WWE.

Also at play were Stephanie McMahon and Trish Stratus, who were at odds due to Vince McMahon having an affair with Stratus, who accompanied Angle to the ring.

Angle used his wrestling prowess to gain the early advantage over Triple H.

Once the fight got outside of the ring, Triple H's was more in his element and took advantage by gaining control.

Once back in the ring, Triple H showcased his wrestling skills by working over Angle's left knee.

Angle got some breathing room by launching Triple H out of the ring. However, Triple H targeted Angle's knee again and managed to hit with a steel chair while Stephanie McMahon distracted the referee.

Triple H tossed Angle back in the ring and went back to work on Angle's knee. He even put Angle in the figure four.

Stratus tried to get involved while the figure four was locked in, but Stephanie McMahon cut her off and the two engaged in a brawl on the announce table.

This brought out Vince McMahon to break it up, but even he couldn't keep the women apart. He eventually picked up Stratus over his shoulder and carried her away.

That didn't stop Stephanie McMahon, as she yanked Stratus of her father's shoulders and the fight continued all the way backstage.

Triple H watched the entire altercation, but once they all left, he went right back to work on Angle's knee.

Angle fought back and eventually hit a DDT to stop the onslaught.

He then went up for a moonsault and actually hit it. He attempted to pin Triple H, but the challenger kicked out.

Angle rolled out of the ring and the referee followed. Triple H then attempted to hit Angle, but hit referee Earl Hebner instead.

Triple H climbed to the top rope, but Angle leaped up there with him and tossed him down to the mat. He pinned Triple H again, but Hebner was still down.

Angle went out to revive him, but Triple H joined him. The two combatants fought their way over to Hebner and inadvertently rammed him into the steel steps.

This prompted Triple H to grab the championship belt and bring it in the ring. However, he didn't get to use it, as Angle hit him with a suplex. The champion then picked up his belt and attempted to use it as a weapon, but Triple H caught him with the pedigree.

Triple H went for a pin, but Hebner was still down. Triple H tried to revive Hebner, but was suddenly attacked by Austin, who was still engaged in a blood feud with Triple H.

Austin hit Triple H with the WWE championship, tossed Hebner back into the ring and then hit Triple H with the stunner.

Angle crawled over and draped his arm over Triple H. Hebner also crawled over and barely counted to three to give Angle the victory.

Steve Austin won the Royal Rumble

The coveted No. 30 spot was already determined before the match and that distinction belonged to Rikishi.

The unenviable position of No. 1 belonged to Jeff Hardy. The equally unenviable position of No. 2 belonged to Bull Buchanan.

Buchanan ran down to the ring and got right to work on Hardy.

After two minutes, Jeff Hardy's brother Matt ran to the ring at No. 3. Buchanan stood little chance of lasting with the tag team partners and they quickly dispatched him.

The brothers then went to work on each during the two-minute interval.

At No. 4 was Farooq and he quickly beat down Matt and Jeff Hardy. The Hardy Boyz eventually got the better of Farooq and hit him with the twist of fate followed up by the swanton bomb.

Moments later, Farooq was tossed over the top rope.

No. 5 was Carey. He walked down the aisle and stood at ringside with a big smile on his face while the Hardy Boyz fought each other inside the ring.

Carey then crawled into the ring to get a better view of the Hardy Boyz fighting. Somehow, Matt and Jeff eliminated each other, leaving Carey alone in the ring.

However, No. 6 was Kane. That was bad news to say the least.

Carey was rightfully petrified at the sight of Kane and did everything but wet his pants before Kane got into the ring.

Kane let the intimidation set in by circling the ring before getting in and setting his pyro off.

Carey stuck his hand out hoping for some sportsmanship, but Kane wasn't interested.

He then offered money, but Kane did not accept it and opted to wrap his hand around Carey's throat just as Raven entered the match at No. 7.

Raven hit Kane with a kendo stick, which drew his attention away from Carey. Meanwhile, Carey eliminated himself by climbing over the top rope in a wise decision.

However, poor Raven was left alone in the ring with Kane. Raven managed to crawl out of the ring and grab a fire extinguisher, which he sprayed in Kane's face. He attempted to grab more weapons, but Al Snow ran down and attacked him.

It just so happened that Snow was the eighth entrant in the match and used the weapons to hold court. He even grabbed a bowling ball and hit Kane with it.

He then took the ball and rolled into Raven's family jewels.

Raven and Snow tried to gang up on Kane with the weapons that littered the ring and their strategy showed some promise, as they got the big man off his feet.

No. 9 was Perry Saturn and he immediately went after Kane by working on his left leg. Soon Saturn, Raven and Snow went after Kane just to take him off his feet. It took a while, but they eventually succeeded.

Another former Hardcore champion then entered the fray, as Steve Blackman entered at No. 10. He ran to the ring with weapons in tow and wasted no time using them.

At No. 11 was Grandmaster Sexay, as he ran down and got active immediately. His time in the match was short lived after Kane hit him in the head with a garbage can, which sent him flying over the top rope.

That was Kane's first elimination. There would be many more.

Kane went on a rampage with the garbage can, hitting everyone in sight. He then commenced to clearing the ring by eliminating Blackman, Snow and Raven in a matter of seconds.

Before No. 12 got to the ring, Kane tossed Saturn over the top rope to put his elimination total up to five.

Speaking of No. 12, it was the Honky Tonk Man. In a matter of minutes, Lawler got to see his son (Grandmaster Sexay) and cousin (Honky Tonk Man) participate in the match.

Honky Tonk Man took the microphone and attempted to sing a song. Kane was never known to be a fan of music of any kind and hit the Honky Tonk Man over the head with his own guitar.

He then picked up the former Intercontinental champion and dumped him out of the ring, putting him at six eliminations.

Business picked up at No. 13 when The Rock entered. The Rock hit the ring and immediately began laying the smackdown on Kane.

The Rock tried to quickly eliminate Kane, but to no avail, as Kane regained dominance.

At No. 14 was The Goodfather (formerly The Godfather). Goodfather didn't last too long either, as The Rock quickly sent him packing. Unfortunately for The Rock, that left him alone in the ring with Kane again.

Kane reasserted his dominance while Tazz entered at No. 15. As soon as the former ECW World champion entered the ring, Kane wrapped his hands around his throat, hoisted him up to the top rope and knocked him out of the ring.

Kane was now up to seven eliminations. He and The Rock battled some more until Bradshaw entered at No. 16.

Bradshaw ran in while both Kane and The Rock were down on the mat and wasted no time in taking advantage by knocking the daylights out of both men.

At No. 17 and 18 were Albert and Hardcore Holly, as the ring began filling up with five men.

The Rock nearly eliminated Kane, but the big man held just as K-Kwik, now known as R-Truth, ran in at No. 19.

Val Venis ran into the match next at No. 20 just as Kane officially had crossed the 30-minute mark. At No. 21 was William Regal, who entered the match as the European champion. There were now eight men in the ring.

No. 22 was Test, making it nine men in the ring. However, that number quickly went down to eight, as Test eliminated Regal.

At No. 23 was Big Show, who apparently returned to action after some time away. It didn't take long for him to come back in style, as he tossed Test and K-Kwik over the top rope.

Big Show then choke slammed everyone in the ring except The Rock, who hit him with a low blow before knocking the giant out of the ring.

As Crash Holly entered the match at No. 24, Big Show took out frustration out on The Rock by choke slamming him through an announce table. Despite being pulled out of the ring, The Rock was not eliminated, but out of commission.

While that was going on, all of the other men ganged up on Kane with some success. Kane received some help at No. 25, though, as his brother The Undertaker rolled down to the ring on his motorcycle.

The Undertaker jumped into the ring and doled out knuckle sandwiches to his brother's foes before tossing Bradshaw out of the ring.

The next to go were Albert and Crash and Hardcore Holly. Two of which came at the hands of Kane, putting him at nine eliminations. Venis joined those men after The Undertaker threw him out, leaving only the Brothers of Destruction in the ring.

Kane crossed the 40-minute mark, as No. 26 entered the ring. That unlucky soul was Scotty 2 Hotty.

Scotty was understandably hesitant getting into the ring, but foolishly did and was quickly dominated by the brotherly duo. They then eliminated Scotty in tandem, which put Kane up to a whopping 10 eliminations.

Meanwhile, The Rock began stirring at ringside, but it was now time for No. 27 to enter the match, and that man was Steve Austin.

However, before Austin got in the ring, Triple H attacked him from behind. While that was happening, The Rock re-entered the ring and went on the attack. The Undertaker and Kane quickly overwhelmed him.

Outside of the ring, Triple H had cut open Austin while Billy Gunn entered the match at No. 28. Gunn attempted to get the jump on The Undertaker and Kane, but that didn't last too long.

Officials finally ran out to haul Triple H backstage. While Austin recovered outside of the ring, The Undertaker and Kane continued to run roughshod inside of it.

No. 29 was surprisingly Haku for some reason.

The 30th and final entrant was, as expected, Rikishi. He took his time walking to the ring, but spotted Austin on his down. Rikishi attempted to do a number on Austin, but Austin suddenly found his second wind and fought his way into the ring.

Moments later, Austin sent Haku packing, which put the match down to six people.

By this point, Kane was in the ring more than 50 minutes, but his brother didn't last much longer, as Rikishi super kicked him over the top rope.

Rikishi tried to eliminate The Rock as well by climbing to the rope for the banzai drop. However, The Rock got up in time to low blow Rikishi and dump him out of the ring.

The final four men in the match were now Gunn, Austin, The Rock and Kane.

Gunn looked like he was in position to eliminate Austin, but Austin was able to turn the tables and send Gunn to the showers.

With only three men left, The Rock and Austin locked eyes and eventually exchanged blows. The Rock got the better of the exchange and knocked Austin down.

He put himself in position to hit the rock bottom, but Austin countered with the stunner. Austin then stomped a mud hole in The Rock before Kane re-entered the fray.

Austin eventually hit Kane with a Lou Thesz press for his troubles.

The Rock made his way back to his feet and was finally able to hit Austin with the rock bottom.

The Rock then tossed Kane out of the ring, but it was between the ropes, not over the top. The Rock had little time to catch his breath, as Austin hit him with some right hands.

Both men nearly eliminated each other, as Kane ran in and dumped The Rock out for his 11th elimination.

Austin was still in the match, however, and gave Kane a series of right hands. Kane quickly recovered and delivered a choke slam to the bloody Austin.

Austin managed to low blow Kane, which took the big man off his feet. Kane then rolled out of the ring, got his hands on a steel chair and brought it into the ring.

Austin shut down Kane's use of the chair and hit him with a stunner. Austin then crawled over to the chair and smashed Kane in the face with it three times before knocking him out of the ring to win the Royal Rumble.

It was the third time in four years that Austin had won the Royal Rumble. He still holds the record for the most Rumble victories.

Kane's 11 eliminations was a record that stood until Roman Reigns broke the mark 2014.