Royal Rumble 2008: Cena's Shocking Return and a Phenomenal Finish

Date: January 27, 2008

Location: Madison Square Garden - New York, New York

The Rumble Match:

Entrants and Eliminations:

1. The Undertaker (Entry #1, eliminated by Shawn Michaels)

2. Shawn Michaels (Entry #2, eliminated by Mr. Kennedy)

3. Santino Marella (Entry #3, eliminated by The Undertaker)

4. The Great Khali (Entry #4, eliminated by The Undertaker)

5. Hardcore Holly (Entry #5, eliminated by Umaga)

6. John Morrison (Entry #6, eliminated by Kane)

7. Tommy Dreamer (Entry #7, eliminated by Batista)

8. Batista (Entry #8, eliminated by Triple H)

9. Hornswoggle (Entry #9, Never re-entered match)

10. Chuck Palumbo (Entry #10, eliminated by CM Punk)

11. Jamie Noble (Entry #11, eliminated by Chuck Palumbo)

12. CM Punk (Entry #12, eliminated by Chavo Guerrero)

13. Cody Rhodes (Entry #13, eliminated by The Triple H)

14. Umaga (Entry #14, eliminated by Batista)

15. Snitsky (Entry #15, eliminated by The Undertaker)

16. The Miz (Entry #16, eliminated by Hornswoggle)

17. Shelton Benjamin (Entry #17, eliminated by Shawn Michaels)

18. Jimmy Snuka (Entry #18, eliminated by Kane)

19. Roddy Piper (Entry #19, eliminated by Kane)

20. Kane (Entry #20, eliminated by Batista and Triple H)

21. Carlito (Entry #21, eliminated by John Cena)

22. Mick Foley (Entry #22, eliminated by Triple H)

23. Mr. Kennedy (Entry #23, eliminated by Batista)

24. Big Daddy V (Entry #24, eliminated by Triple H)

25. Mark Henry (Entry #25, eliminated by John Cena)

26. Chavo Guerrero (Entry #26, eliminated by John Cena)

27. Finlay (Entry #27, eliminated by Himself)

28. Elijah Burke (Entry #28, eliminated by Triple H)

29. Triple H (Entry #29, eliminated by John Cena)

30. John Cena (Entry #30, Winner)

Thoughts on the Match:

John Cena's unexpected return at number 30 stunned the Madison Square Garden crowd, leading to a historic finish with Triple H and Batista.

Full Event Card:

1. Jimmy Wang Yang and Shannon Moore vs. Deuce and Domino (Jimmy Wang Yang and Shannon Moore wins)

2. Ric Flair vs. MVP (Ric Flair wins)

3. JBL vs. Chris Jericho (JBL wins via disqualification )

4. Edge vs. Rey Mysterio for the World Heavyweight Championship (Edge retains)

4. Randy Orton vs. Jeff Hardy for the WWE Championship (Randy Orton retains)

5. The Royal Rumble Match (Winner: John Cena)

Highlights and Aftermath:

- John Cena's triumphant return marked a surprising and emotional moment, setting the stage for his road to WrestleMania.

- The closing sequence involving Cena, Triple H, and Batista teased the potential for a triple-threat match at WrestleMania.

Impact on Storylines:

- John Cena's victory reshaped the main event picture for WrestleMania 24, creating anticipation for his championship pursuit.

- The tension between Edge and Rey Mysterio continued, hinting at a potential rematch for the World Heavyweight Championship.

Conclusion:

The 2008 Royal Rumble delivered surprises, with John Cena's comeback stealing the spotlight. The event laid the groundwork for WrestleMania storylines and showcased memorable moments inside the iconic Madison Square Garden.