Over the past several weeks, I have written about my top 3 personal favorite Royal Rumble moments. John Cena’s miraculous return in 2008, the controversy surrounding the 2005 Rumble match and the infamous 3 Faces of Foley Rumble in 1998 were all incredible RR moments. I know there are many others but there is one moment in particular that WWE fans still ask me about to this day. It’s time to finally set the record straight about the 2001 edition of the annual classic.

The question that everyone constantly asks me is, “did you keep any of the money you scooped up that Kane slapped out of Drew Carey’s hand?”  Before I finally tell you all the truth about this, let me paint the picture from my vantage point. Truth be told, even my Aftermath Radio co-host Arda Ocal hasn’t heard the real story about this night so this will be news to him as well.

As a referee in the Royal Rumble match, you have to be prepared for anything that can and may happen during the match. We all knew that comedian Drew Carey was to be a participant in the match but were not aware of how involved he would be. As the clocked clicked down to zero while Matt and Jeff Hardy fought to eliminate each other, who should appear in the #5 position but Drew Carey.

The Cleveland Ohio native was in no hurry to enter the ring. The Hardy’s managed to eliminate one another simultaneously which left Carey as the only entrant standing in the ring. As the time counted down to the #6 entrant, Drew anxiously awaited the next Superstar to enter. The look of utter fear in his eyes told the story as flames and pyro lit up the New Orleans arena and Kane walked confidently to the ring. Once inside, he raised his arms above his head and quickly brought them down and more flames shot out from all 4 ring posts. A terrified Carey extended his hand in an attempt to shake hands with Kane but the Big Red Monster just stared a hole through Drew. Carey then reached into his pocket and pulled out several $100 bills. Kane slapped the money out of his hand and wrapped his extra large hand around Drew’s throat and was about to choke slam the future Price Is Right host. (If you look at the photo above, you can see me eyeballing the cash.)

This is where I leaped into action. Seeing all that money just laying there in the ring and with all those photographers hovering around ringside, I decided that the only smart thing would be to scoop all the cash up. Raven, who was the next entrant in the Rumble stormed into the ring hitting Kane with a Kendo Stick making him release Carey who, in a blink of an eye, jumped over the top rope thus eliminating himself from the Rumble.

Here’s where I’ve had fun with the story over the years. I have told people that I gave it back when the match was over. I’ve told others that I may have kept some of the cash before returning the rest of it. The actual truth is, and this is the very first time I am telling this, is that I was so concerned about what “the office” might think that I gave the money right back to Drew Carey as soon as he eliminated himself from the Royal Rumble. I didn’t hold onto it, I didn’t keep any of it, I just figured the sooner I gave it back, the less chance of me being blamed if it were to disappear. I could always put the blame on the millionaire comedian. In hindsight, not sure who they would have believed had the money gone missing. It could’ve been one hell of a trial.

Well, there it is. It only took 11 years for the truth to rear its head. I just couldn’t live this lie any longer. I feel like a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders. Well, maybe not but it was fun letting fans think I may have copped a few dollars that night. For one night, people thought I was “The Bad Guy”. Probably not but a guy can hope.

This weekend is the 25^th annual Royal Rumble. I have had the honor and privilege to have been a part of many of them. Those memories will be with me always. Hope you all enjoy the Pay Per View this Sunday. I’m very much looking forward to it myself. Until next time, stay thirsty my friends.