The rivalry between Mick Foley and Randy Orton had been simmering for some time. In June of 2003, almost 10 months before Mania 20, Randy and Ric Flair attacked Foley after an on-air ceremony honouring Mankind for his achievements. This was the infamous backstage scene where the pair threw the former WWF Champion down a flight of stairs. Foley would return in December as the replacement for Steve Austin as Raw co-general manager and gave himself a shot at Orton's Intercontinental Championship, but decided not to after Orton spat in his face after seemingly loosing his mojo, so to speak. In January, a furious Austin declared that Foley would be entered in the Royal Rumble, demanding that he return to the ring. Foley did and eliminated Orton from the match, taking himself with the then Legend Killer. The Rock would later become involved with the feud and the reformed Rock 'n' Sock Connection, challenging Orton, Batista, and Flair to a handicap tag team match at WrestleMania XX. Evolution won the match when Orton pinned Foley after an RKO.
