Grilling JR #92: WWF Royal Rumble 2001

[@seacrezt]

Royal Rumble 2000 and 2001 were very good. Good old days.

[@Rschr101]

2002 wasn't bad either. Except for the son in law winning.

[@theredcomet1994]

@@Rschr101 Love him or Hate him, but Triple H definitely was the right man to win that rumble even if it was predictable.

[@danielescalera6638]

Except the end of ECW for me

[@shannonswift2233]

Probably the best moment in WWF. The final hoorah before Austin vs. Rock, Benoit vs. Jericho, Kane’s 11 eliminations, Austin’s 3rd win, HHH feuding with Angle who hated Stephanie who hated Trish that dated her father that hated Linda, peak before WM17 and destroying WCW

[@bolouniverse]

I like how JR tries to paint Vince in a fair light. Critical when needed and defends him when negative assumptions are made.

[@danieldrayet2364]

Exactly, he doesn't kiss his ass like bruce does

[@bolouniverse]

@@danieldrayet2364 But to be fair Bruce and Vince have a completely different relationship. If you worked with your best friend for 30 years you would be hesitant to dog him in public. Bruce has his moments of honesty.

[@williamschaeffer409]

JR seems like a real straight shooter.

[@AWrestlingHistorian]

It's an interesting dynamic.

[@nickfrankie261]

JR has been around more then Suck ass Brother Love

[@phantomsidious2934]

This Royal rumble match is my favorite of all time, so much variety and story telling going on throughout, watched it live, so amazing! This, with no way out and Wm17 was a gold standard of WWF

[@tommp44]

Finally my favourite rumble and possibly my favourite ppv of all time. Thank you Conrad and JR for covering this. #staysafe

[@ALDO-un7ol]

I love coincidence, I just watched this Rumble with my kids two nights ago to get them ready for the 2021 Rumble, great PPV and really fun Rumble match to watch.

[@butch5419]

Awesome

[@carolinabigboy]

This was a great time to be a wrestling fan...even the underneath guys were over during this time...Great Memories

[@nonstickmeat]

Fun fact the guy that made that iconic 2001 Royal Rumble poster is a graphic designer that currently teaches at Kean University in NJ. He said working with WWE was a pain in the ass, to no one's surprise

[@zaryalace7475]

I just googled the other years' posters. The 2001 Royal Rumble poster is by far the most sophisticated since it's all hand drawn.

[@butch5419]

Nicee I'm a Rahway guy

[@mikeyoutubeaccount7120]

JR looking tougher than a $2 steak on that pic😅

[@lorenllbj88]

I loved the 1995 rumble as well. Michaels hanging on by one foot and pulling himself back up was amazing. Especially with him and Davey boy being the first two and the last two to survive.

[@shaneclancy4083]

Not to take anything away from that Rumble, but it was very predictable just like 93….everyone knew Yoko would win. In 95….even coming in at #1…..everyone knew HBK would win. Also….it’s the shortest Rumble match in history shortly over 40 mins…….compared to all the other Rumbles

[@AkamoriRivals]

My first ever pro wrestling ppv viewing. That Benoit vs Jericho match is still one of my top 10-20 matches of all time. This should be fun.

[@coreyhardwick4660]

To skip the ads: at the beginning of the video slide the track marker all the way to the end and the video will reload with no ads. I can understand a few ads but one every 3 minutes or so is ridiculous.

[@moxiemowers3851]

Conrad such a natural podcaster, great way of directing the conversation and keeping things on track!

[@mutts.nutts1]

Just rewatched the 2001 RR before the 2024 RR..... WITH GOD AS MY WITNESS THIS WAS A DAMN GOOD SHOW!

[@ROSTAFA]

I had a neighbor who would tape the ppv’s for me. This PPV is one of my favorites from top to bottom. The storylines were clear, solid, and delivered in the matches advertised. This PPV featured the most memorable Benoit vs Jericho match ever. Big Show’s return made me pop so huge. I’d say that this Royal Rumble match is probably one of the top 3 or 5 greatest of all time.

[@Stevenirons]

Imo the greatest Rumble ppv ever. 92 might have a better Rumble match but top to bottom this is the best ppv. Kane was a beeeast in this match with his "Diesel" spot.

[@catchemcarlisle5655]

I think the only rumble event better than this one was 2004. Obviously never to be mentioned again. But my god how good was 2001 WWF PPVs

[@ROSTAFA]

1:58 starts

[@weatheredtome]

MVP

[@BishopM1]

Thanks

[@weatheredtome]

@@BishopM1 watch your language please, this is a children's site

[@GoldenRetrievin]

It be interesting to know who JR despises more, Chyna or Warrior.

[@mda19882]

In every podcast JR talks about his wife Jan who passed away. its so sweet. He loves her very much

[@J_D_TheSportsG]

OMG at 1:46:40 when JR says "Shit no. Fuck, you kidding me?" he sounded just like my Uncle Larry, who despite being born in Tulare, CA, talks with that all-recognizable Oklahoma drawl, as my grandpa (not Larry's father, but his dad, as he the the man who raised him. Larry is my dad's maternal half-brother) was born in Hobart, OK. Larry's biological father was also born in OK, so the accent is natural. 💯 JR made me bust a gut. Good shit LMAO

[@FallicIdol]

JR helped get them over with us disgust of the”Those damn Dudleys!”

[@countof3everybodyOD]

It sucks to hear when people bash ECW For 2, 3 years, roughly 96-99, ECW was the best promotion I’d ever seen So engaging and exciting

[@murraysaucedo897]

by far the most stacked Royal Rumble ever

[@TheTruth-pl3mk]

One of my favourite Royal Rumble's, probably top 3. I liked the previous year also, along with the 1990 & 91 Rumble's (tied).

[@TheNewMeme_]

More ads please.

[@siqaraminmassaquoi1999]

I seriously didn't see a single ad through this entire podcast

[@mattjindrak]

@@siqaraminmassaquoi1999 I saw one every 5 fucking minutes for the first hour

[@Phil_KaneONite_Wood]

Start the podcast. Drag the slider to the final 10 seconds or so. Let it play to the end. Then hit replay. No ads. I have no advice on the popping and clicking throughout, other than to check Jim Cornette's podcast instead.

[@theredcomet1994]

It's insane that HHH in late 2000/early 2001 during his quarter hour segments was pulling in the highest viewership out of anybody. That man was hot and over as fuck as a heel, kinda wish we had one today.

[@jackjohnson5714]

His top physical shape, too, I feel. Not as overly muscly as, say, 2003 or 2004.

[@theredcomet1994]

@@jackjohnson5714 u mean 2002? When he returned he looked so jacked up, it was insane.

[@jackjohnson5714]

@@theredcomet1994 2002 as well, yeah. Even though he wasn't quite as overly muscly in 2000, he looked leaner and more athletically impressive, which I think was his best look purely as a wrestler. 2000 HHH was straight money.

[@theredcomet1994]

@@jackjohnson5714 I definitely agree. That time period from late 99-01 HHH looked like a million bucks.

[@markrobinson9394]

@@theredcomet1994 2002 Triple H was a far inferior performer, clearly due to the massive muscle gain. His matches often seemed slow and clunky, even for a Triple H match. I don’t think he ever again reached the high standard he set in 2000 and early 2001.

[@shamsingh6190]

Best rumble ever for me👌

[@tommy_drumz697]

Drew Carey was promoting his own ppv comedy improv special

[@cruz8315]

I love the ads every 2 minutes

[@siqaraminmassaquoi1999]

What ads? I didn't see one during the entirety

[@Phil_KaneONite_Wood]

Start the podcast. Drag the slider to the last 10 seconds or so. Let it play to the end. Hit replay. No ads. Can't advise on the popping and clicking on the audio, other than to check out Jim Cornette's podcast instead.

[@michaelpitt57]

JR as The American Bad Ass Undertaker🤣🤣

[@robertbarrow8383]

Everyone loves this rumble and how different it was and of course JR hates it for the hardcore spots

[@-Gurza-]

As disappointing as it was to many fans for Kane to not actually win that Rumble after being so impressively dominant, it made sense in a narrative way in that it's like, "what the hell will it take to eliminate Kane this night?" Austin finally does it, with 3 chairs to the head as an answer to that question; thus, the mountain is toppled, yadda yadda.

[@scottshaffer7296]

If this was wcw, drew carry would have won the rumble

[@DehumanizingSounds]

Sadly, yes.

[@dpistons149]

I was so pissed as a kid the Rock didn’t win the rumble I never watched this match again until a couple days ago. I forgot how great it was. Maybe the best of all time.

[@Rschr101]

Sad to hear how much bitterness JR still has for Chyna. Let the dead rest Jimbo.

[@ComaAlpha]

Vince, Bruce, and JR have a bitterness about how Joanie left. Quite frankly, I believe Joanie got railroaded because A she was a woman in a man's world and B her ex boyfriend is now the boss's daughter's boyfriend.

[@StrikeTeam0316]

I think he holds a lot of anger and resentment toward her because of how many times he, along with many others, were there for her to try to help her. But she couldn’t get out of the heartbreak. He comes across as bitter but I think he’s really mad at himself a little bit.

[@reallyretro]

I remember this PPV for the atrocious angle with Chyna, and her bad acting with the neck injury. On the other side, there was the Ladder match which was fantastic.

[@gothchicksbongrips5712]

I loved Whose Line & The Drew Carey Show. So I was all about seeing Carey there. Looking back, not so much 😬

[@kevinbudzinski9576]

I remember Lawler saying to Drew "take those glasses off! You're not a Dudley!" 😆

[@gfpbaneable]

I did laugh at Drew trying to bribe Kane in the middle of the ring. 😂

[@citizenbeeswax7985]

The problem with austin was that his career was cut short because of owen hart. He was never really the same after summerslam 97. He was limited to being a brawler rather than a ring technician

[@kingofkings69nerjr90]

Before watching this video with a bunch of ads, fast forward all the way to the end of the video then restart then you'll be ad free!

[@mattjames7386]

Anyone else remember the guy in the white shirt and black tie (kinda looked like an RTC Steven Richards) who did random stuff during the show and held up a sign that said "my crap is bigger than Taz"?

[@josephlascola6592]

Jr's call when kane came out still makes me laugh. Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god, there's no easy way here. Idk why

[@YoungGrizzly82]

Austin's interference helped set up the match @No Way Out

[@aaronsheen271]

Seen it should i watch it again?

[@MikeMaduxx]

Uh yeah.. Especially if you only seen it once.

[@ROSTAFA]

Umm Yes!!!

[@AWrestlingHistorian]

Haku was allegedly working at WCW without a contract which explains his sudden jump back to the WWF.

[@colethompson2892]

In the early 2000s the work Jericho Benoit and Angel put out was of the charts those three had amazing chemistry and could have been used together wven more in bigger roles but hard with Austin and Rock with Taker still there

[@stevepmg9202]

Angle was a big deal right from the off. He won all three singles titles and King of the Ring in 2000, they couldnt have pushed him much harder. Benoit had two title shots on PPV which is great for a number 3 heel, and Jericho was in a tough spot with Rock permanently on top and even tougher when Austin came back. Not sure they could have done much better booking than what they did.

[@shaneclancy4083]

@@stevepmg9202 such a loaded roster

[@cleavedewaynewhitby2891]

i which 1999 royal rumble stoe clod in mr. mcman ilke stare of the rumble but my on problem with it Jim Ross was not on commentary

[@Marcelg13]

one thing that you can count on is JR referencing Football

[@damainmane4765]

Ouch I actually remember when that royal rumble picture was new

[@troywright359]

1:07:45 Sarcastic JR is the best "How can that be?"

[@tomseville2345]

At one point in Jericho/Benoit, the ladder falls sideways, closed, and Benoit is clearly "feeding" for the damn thing to land on his head in that position. That it missed was considered a botch...

[@chrisatkins9195]

JR mad critical lol

[@sensationaldenny]

Whos is behind the Kane Mask in the photo? JR or Conrad?

[@stingrey1571]

conrad failed to mention the wwf title match was a rare heel vs heel match. that is why the crowd wasnt really into it.

[@MikeMaduxx]

For some reason, JR's podcast always has a popping sound in the background of his shows.. like feedback from the microphone or something. Wish it would be fixed. I don't notice it in any of Conrad's other podcasts..

[@MikeMaduxx]

@Tim Malcolm Its gotta be JR's equipment or something. No popping on other Conrad shows. Weird..

[@siqaraminmassaquoi1999]

The popping sound is JR bar b queing ribs in the background. Gotta get that Slober Knocker BBQ sauce sold man!!!

[@tomseville2345]

It's true that the Dudleys got over on their own merit in the WWF. Tables weren't even "their" gimmick in ECW, they were just incidental.

[@Dessan01]

The wrestling talk bits interrupting the ads ruined this for me...

[@dgkclay2213]

Great Rumble

[@djdavro]

I carry rotten fruit everywhere I go just on the off chance I find Conrad so I can pelt him with it

[@chrismorgan8330]

I would say he'd probably eat it but he doesn't look like he eats fruit.

[@chrismorgan8330]

I did read on the observer that Meltzer says conrad does eat half eaten hot dogs out of dumpsters.

[@anto-mac]

The greatest rumble match of all it had everything in it

[@raynwolfsbane2084]

I wish Kane had won the Rumble that year.

[@user-vg5rv5xf4u]

20 adverts sneaked in at the start? Wtf?

[@Phil_KaneONite_Wood]

Start the podcast. Drag the slider to the last 10 seconds or so. Let it play to the end. Hit replay. No ads. Can't advise on the popping and clicking on the audio, other than to check out Jim Cornette's podcast.

[@artminusme]

For the record, and this would be the pre curser to my favorite Wrestling era... I never wanted to pay to see Triple H get beat up or watch a Triple H match tbf

[@justinkelly9526]

It would be nice to go 1 podcast without hearing Meltzer brought up in every single podcast, multiple times throughout the podcast. All we hear is, "Meltzer wrote.... Meltzer said..... Meltzer thought.... Meltzer gave....." Someone that was never in the business and is only known because he bribes people for information by putting them over in his newsletter.... He's the main focus of every single podcast. You aren't reviewing the RR 01. Your reviewing what Meltzer thought in 01. That's pretty much how it is in every single podcast..... We have an opportunity to listen to people that were actually there and done stuff in the business, but Meltzer gets brought up non stop.

[@arthurmorgan7086]

You crying?

[@justinkelly9526]

..... Yeah I was..... Over a year ago.....

[@arthurmorgan7086]

@@justinkelly9526 baby

[@justinkelly9526]

Thanks for the update. You've served your country well by attempting to troll in KZbin on an almost 2 year old post.... Without your service, no one would've ever one I was "crying" and being a "baby" over the fact this 500lb man done nothing but talk about Meltzer on his podcasts. You're a true hero.

[@arthurmorgan7086]

@@justinkelly9526 you’ve started crying again 😐

[@jynconewman1430]

I would of liked to of seen a rematch with austin vs hbk at mania instead of the rock

[@lorenllbj88]

Same! I loved WM19 but it would be nice to have seen HBK wrestle stonecold at 19 since stonecold won the title from Him first

[@will_laze]

Of course jr and connie would declare floyd (a guy known to beat women, serving jail time for it multiple times), a nice guy

[@SatansSimgma]

When he described the best dish they had as simplely shrimps and potatoes, I was in. More then 6 ingredients you messing it up.

[@Elfo_Scuro]

Royal Rumble match at 01:12:52

[@stormydavis8546]

What is SAD is the number of commercials y’all allow

[@siqaraminmassaquoi1999]

Seriously where??? I never seen one the entire time

[@squinteastwood4637]

@@siqaraminmassaquoi1999 HEY HEY THIS IS CONRAD THOMPSON

[@themasterjman]

Enjoy the podcast

[@stevecrawford5619]

The most over talent after this rumble was KANE!!! maybe the single best rumble performance ever. The only one that compares would be flair in 1992. 2 of my 3 favorite rumbles, 1992, 2001, 2002

[@danielescalera6638]

Austin in 97 rumble was over and the crowd was loving it

[@FlairVSSavage]

Rick martell in wcw was still really good in the ring he still looked good

[@patrickruth153]

I thought whazzup was from scary movie

[@stevepmg9202]

Scary Movie took it from the Budweiser advert.

[@nbaldwin45]

I saw a shoot with Ivory where she was LIVID about this match. She said that basically Chyna Ultimate Warrior'd her and refused to give her anything here or at Wrestlemania. I guess by this point that Joanie was in a state over the Stephanie/HHH relationship but Ivory deserved better.

[@AW-kr9fl]

Chyna was trash. Don’t wanna disrespect someone who has passed but it’s true

[@nbaldwin45]

@@AW-kr9fl A lot of people who knew her said she was basically a nice person but she was deeply messed up and went through massive mood swings. Squashing Ivory was basically a power trip from her, sulking because she wasn't allowed to wrestle the guys any more. Nobody was allowed to come anywhere near giving her competition apart from her buddy Lita, and even that wasn't a particularly difficult win for her IIRC. Imagine if Chyna had stuck around, we'd never have seen Trish rise to prominence like she did. Probably no Mickie James or Jazz or Molly or Victoria either

[@gothchicksbongrips5712]

JR talking about how the Rumble will never be as big as Wrestlemania, then referred to is as "a solid number 2" 🤣

[@reggiefields6551]

i would say that is correct, what is your point?

[@CyberSlunk]

@@reggiefields6551He's making a 💩 joke

[@eamonnmaccionnaith5761]

And?

[@thehillbillygamer2183]

Lot of people think that the taskmaster did it some of their masses and some of the looks that they give each other and WCW there's real

[@coreythompsonTheOneandOnly]

I love Conrad and Jim Ross's work but this 37 year old born and raised 🙌 in Chicago Illinois must keep it real. Its Royal Rumble number one and WrestleMania number two and its simply because a lot of those WrestleManias aren't the 3 hour extravaganzas theyre promoted as and the WrestleMania matches arent exactly what the fans want nor something the fans bargained for

[@patrickruth153]

Biscuoff’s in now

[@patrickruth153]

I dint know chyna slipped up

[@NLaBar]

Can’t believe Drew Carey was put in WWE HOF after this one appearance where he did nothing but eliminate himself.🙄

[@dravenwinters7995]

Why not replace Chyna's face as well?

[@squinteastwood4637]

Maybe because she died recently

[@sonnycrockett9900]

Save with Cockrad

[@dadncaleb]

The only downside is that constant popping , I’m not sure what it is but it sucks

[@MikeMaduxx]

I notice it too. Conrad's other podcasts dont have it.. weird..

[@ComaAlpha]

You talk about simulating realism, so wouldn't the most logical thing be for Taker and Kane to keep eliminating everyone till they're the last two left?

[@dachronicalalittlebitofeve6630]

Sadly HHH didn’t understand that he needed to lose in order to put the other guy over. He had booked himself into the top slot but this is further than he should’ve ever been. To make it worse he beat the likes of sting for example, the worst business decision that could’ve been made. Firstly it killed a huge drawing power in sting, secondly in winning nobody came out better off, maybe HHH, but not the company, not sting, nobody else gained anything. It’s why matches like bulldog vs Brett, For example will be remembered so fondly, not because of who won but because of the story told, the winner was a feel good moment. Hhh beating sting was like “oh ok, glad I didn’t pay to see it now”

[@mattjindrak]

These guys have the energy of a snail riding on a sloth's back.

[@MikeyP1983]

🤣

[@sincerelyme7423]

33:41

[@AvoidTIMtation]

Jim Ross wasnt a fan of ECW LMAO

[@jonathancoleman3444]

Wtf jr all those damn ads

[@siqaraminmassaquoi1999]

Where? I didn't see a single ad

[@scottycarreiro9147]

Way to many commercials jeeezus Conrad nan

[@james.butler.]

1:43:04

[@markcoughlan6863]

I love the podcast, however there is one thing I would change. Before anybody starts crying, this is just my opinion and I'm not forcing anybody else to agree, I'm just commenting mine. I click on these podcasts to hear about certain WWE PPV's from the past. Yes, it's also great hearing how Jim is currently doing, however what I don't like is the constant AEW references during the talky bit before we get to the PPV. Everything usually seems to end up being a "and that's why I like what we're doing at AEW on TNT on Wednesday nights". It just gets so boring to hear and I'm not clicking these podcasts for a AEW commercial on every subject. Again, that's just my opinion. You're still allowed your own.

[@thechosenones4375]

Benoit shouldn't get a pass just because he was good at doing wrestling moves.

[@StrikeTeam0316]

Mental illness is a serious issue. People, I’m one of them, choose to remember the positive side of Chris before things got bad. His son also chooses to do the same thing.

[@thechosenones4375]

@@StrikeTeam0316 the difference between you and JR is that one minute he (and most podcasters) will act like everyone should hate 1 wrestler because he's racist or something, but then the next minute he's sticking up for another wrestler who did the same thing, or even worse. So what he's indicating is that racism is bad, unless he really likes your in ring work. Then it's okay to be racist or even a murderer. If Goldberg and Benoit switched places, suddenly murder would be bad again.

[@DaFranchise3947]

This is unwatchable. Way to many ads. You have to stop what you’re doing every couple of mins just to skip all them ads smh

[@thehillbillygamer2183]

Nobody really knows what happened to Chris Benoit his family nobody knows who did it they might as well have had Barney Fife doing that investigation or Andy Griffith actually Andy probably would have did a better job

[@squinteastwood4637]

Chavo knows

[@countof3everybodyOD]

Sorry not sorry, Angle and Hart are better than HBK and Flair

[@coreythompsonTheOneandOnly]

The Dudley boys "whats up" isn't from a Superbowl commercial, they got that from the movie called 🍿🎥 Scary movie 🍿 🎥

[@Rschr101]

Taco bell commercial*

[@eamonnmaccionnaith5761]

​@@Rschr101It was the Budweiser ad wasn't it?

[@leokeleher5289]

I love ya jim but holy god so many ads. first ad in 4 mins over and over in a hour plus video really takes me out.. plus I see like 15 more within like 40 minuets.... you don't need so many ads just nitpicking here but seems unnecessary

[@shaunbritton939]

Jr wcw happy jr WWE grumpy old man what happened Jim do u hate WWE money that much u were happy in the old days now it's depressing his voice is monotone sounds like he's had enough fed up sad cause Jim was awesome

[@BishopM1]

Triple H? Top draw? Hilarious. He was never a great heel. Or great anything. Good a lot of stuff but great at nothing.

[@homer8029]

i can't listen to anything with conrad , its just ads all the fucking time

[@sanchez501]

Meltzers writing isn't critical, it's cynical.