10 Fascinating WWE Royal Rumble 2000 Facts
3. Taka Michinoku Was Legitimately Hurt On His "Elimination"
With both Kaientai and the Posse bumped from Rumble participation, WWE decided to include them in an ongoing angle. The five disgruntled wrestlers would hit the ring later on to try and force their way in, only to be repeatedly (and comically) rebuffed. At one point, Big Boss Man and Gangrel flung Taka Michinoku over the ropes, with rather costly results.
Michinoku suffered a serious injury upon hitting the floor, with accounts ranging from a concussion to an injured shoulder/collarbone. In any event, when a stubborn Funaki charged the ring later in the match, Michinoku was nowhere to be seen.
That didn't stop WWE from replaying Taka's ass-over-teakettle flip throughout the match as a ghoulish running gag, which brought delight to Jerry Lawler each time it aired.