Le Champion Chris Jericho has revealed the process behind Vince McMahon having the entire backstage hallway cleared after his tore both quads at the 2005 Royal Rumble.
Apart from 1994, the 2005 30-Man Royal Rumble Match has arguably the most famous finish in the event’s history. Boiling down to just Batista and John Cena, both men took a tumble over the top rope when the latter leaned too far back on a Batista Bomb attempt causing his foe to stumble backwards thus dumping both men over the summit at the same time.
With the original plan for a Batista victory and pay-per-view time quickly running out, Vince McMahon dashed to the ring and upon entry tore both quads when he hit his legs on the ring apron. While it wasn’t obvious what had occured in the heat of the moment, fans began to smell a rat when the owner casually sat in the ring – unable to move – chastising both performers and directing referees to re-start to the match.
Said bout was hastily commenced with Batista making short work of Cena before hurling him over the top rope and claiming his place at WrestleMania 21.
Now, AEW Superstar Chris Jericho has taken to his Talk Is Jericho podcast in order to discuss how Vince didn’t like people seeing him weak or in trouble, with special guest Nick Dinsmore, and had the entire backstage area cleared before he would let anyone remove him from the building:
“I’m sure he hated the fact that you saw him in that condition. I remember when he tore his quads, they made us clear the hallways when they took him out on a stretcher. Vince didn’t want to have anybody see him that way.”
Following the mistake, it was said that both Batista and John Cena were fined though both men ended up going to WrestleMania to capture their first world titles against Triple H and JBL respectively.
Credit for the interview: Talk is Jericho
h/t for the transcription: Wrestling Inc.