The Royal Rumble match is easily one of the most popular WWE events of the calendar year, second only perhaps to the grandeur of Wrestlemania. Rivalries are born, superstars are made, and sometimes even old faces return. With a history almost stretching across three decades, choosing the 10 greatest moments was a tough task. Did your favourites make the list?
10. Hart or Luger? - 1994
Controversy is common in the Rumble match and tough calls are sometimes required. When Lex Luger and Bret Hart tumbled over the top rope as the final two participants, a harem of officials couldn’t decide who’s feet touched the ground first. Video evidence was equally unhelpful. It was decided that the two were joint winners of the match, a feat that has not been replicated since.
9. Sudden Death - 2005
Perhaps one of the reasons we haven’t had a repeat of the incident from 1994 is the introduction of sudden death overtime. John Cena and Batista were the final two and after, again, simultaneously going over the top rope, Chairman Vince McMahon decreed that the match continue. On the restart Batista was able to overwhelm and eliminate Cena. Both men however would still go on to win their first world titles at that year’s WrestleMania.
8. Spider-Morrison - 2011
The chances are high that if you are thrown over the top rope, your chances of winning the match are slim to none. Try telling that to John Morrison. Blasted off the apron by William Regal after flipping over the top rope, "The Shaman of Sexy" miraculously landed on the security barricade. Some well placed jumps later and he was amazingly back in the ring...and he was even able to dish out a little retribution to the recently eliminated Regal on the way.
7. Lucky Number 30...Finally - 2007
Despite being considered the most advantageous number to draw, it actually took 19 years for the number 30 entrant to win the Royal Rumble match. Emerging from the darkness and a blanket of smoke was The Undertaker who booked his title showdown with Batista at WrestleMania 23 by last dispatching fellow veteran Shawn Michaels.
Controversy is common in the Rumble match and tough calls are sometimes required. When Lex Luger and Bret Hart tumbled over the top rope as the final two participants, a harem of officials couldn’t decide who’s feet touched the ground first. Video evidence was equally unhelpful. It was decided that the two were joint winners of the match, a feat that has not been replicated since.
9. Sudden Death - 2005
Perhaps one of the reasons we haven’t had a repeat of the incident from 1994 is the introduction of sudden death overtime. John Cena and Batista were the final two and after, again, simultaneously going over the top rope, Chairman Vince McMahon decreed that the match continue. On the restart Batista was able to overwhelm and eliminate Cena. Both men however would still go on to win their first world titles at that year’s WrestleMania.
8. Spider-Morrison - 2011
The chances are high that if you are thrown over the top rope, your chances of winning the match are slim to none. Try telling that to John Morrison. Blasted off the apron by William Regal after flipping over the top rope, "The Shaman of Sexy" miraculously landed on the security barricade. Some well placed jumps later and he was amazingly back in the ring...and he was even able to dish out a little retribution to the recently eliminated Regal on the way.
7. Lucky Number 30...Finally - 2007
Despite being considered the most advantageous number to draw, it actually took 19 years for the number 30 entrant to win the Royal Rumble match. Emerging from the darkness and a blanket of smoke was The Undertaker who booked his title showdown with Batista at WrestleMania 23 by last dispatching fellow veteran Shawn Michaels.
6. Elimination Number 39 - 2011
For the first, and so far only time the Royal Rumble match in 2011 featured 40 men instead of 30...and was almost won by the most unlikeliest participant of all time. Hiding away from the action for most of the contest was Santino Marella whose sneaky antics almost saw him eliminate Alberto Del Rio to win the match. Alas, Del Rio was able to recover and eventually dumped Marella over the ring and out of the contest.
5. The Devil's Favourite Rampage - 2001
Having recently reformed The Brothers of Destruction with his half brother The Undertaker, Kane entered the 2001 Rumble match riding a frightening wave of momentum. For just short of an hour, the masked menace brutalised his fellow competitors, eliminating a then record 11 men including The Rock, one of the original favourites to win the match. Kane ultimately fell at the final hurdle however as he was the final man eliminated by the record three time winner Stone Cold Steve Austin.
4. A Rated R Return - 2010
After suffering a serious, near career ending achilles tendon tear in 2009, few expected to see Edge for a very long time. Former tag team partner and friend Chris Jericho was one of these people...so imagine his and our surprise when the Rated R superstar made his return to the WWE as the 29th entrant of the 2010 Rumble match. Not only did he defy the odds by making such a quick return from injury, he even won the match by once again living up to his moniker as the ultimate opportunist, last eliminating a distracted John Cena.
3. Iron Man Mysterio - 2006
Determined to win the Royal Rumble in the memory of the recently deceased legend Eddie Guerrero, Rey Mysterio used this as inspiration to overcome the odds and win the Royal Rumble in 2006. Mysterio’s stint in the match, a torturous hour and two minutes, stands as the single longest appearance in the match to date. The high flyer was even able to overcome the much fancied Triple H and Randy Orton on route to his emotional victory, setting him up for an unlikely world title match at WrestleMania.
2. The Chairman Victorious - 1999
Distracted by the appearance of The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin’s dreams of a record smashing third consecutive Rumble victory was ended in unbelievable fashion...by nemesis and WWE Chairman Vince McMahon himself! Entering the match at number two, McMahon survived an early barrage from Austin before fleeing from the ring. Only the antics and persistent interference from The Corporation allowed the villainous Chairman to win the one of the most shocking Royal Rumble matches of all time.
1. Cena Shocker - 2008
A completely torn pectoral muscle in late 2007 didn't just see John Cena’s lengthy WWE title run end prematurely...it almost ended his career. Expected to be out for most of 2008, Cena stunned the WWE Universe by making his unannounced return as the 30th entrant in the Madison Square Garden hosted Rumble, mere months after surgery to repair his serious injury. Cena’s unbelievable comeback was completed moments later as he hoisted Triple H in the air and over the top rope with a match winning Attitude Adjustment. An incredible moment, and completely unexpected in an age where the internet spoils all.
What is your favourite Royal Rumble moment? Leave your suggestions below!
For the first, and so far only time the Royal Rumble match in 2011 featured 40 men instead of 30...and was almost won by the most unlikeliest participant of all time. Hiding away from the action for most of the contest was Santino Marella whose sneaky antics almost saw him eliminate Alberto Del Rio to win the match. Alas, Del Rio was able to recover and eventually dumped Marella over the ring and out of the contest.
5. The Devil's Favourite Rampage - 2001
Having recently reformed The Brothers of Destruction with his half brother The Undertaker, Kane entered the 2001 Rumble match riding a frightening wave of momentum. For just short of an hour, the masked menace brutalised his fellow competitors, eliminating a then record 11 men including The Rock, one of the original favourites to win the match. Kane ultimately fell at the final hurdle however as he was the final man eliminated by the record three time winner Stone Cold Steve Austin.
4. A Rated R Return - 2010
After suffering a serious, near career ending achilles tendon tear in 2009, few expected to see Edge for a very long time. Former tag team partner and friend Chris Jericho was one of these people...so imagine his and our surprise when the Rated R superstar made his return to the WWE as the 29th entrant of the 2010 Rumble match. Not only did he defy the odds by making such a quick return from injury, he even won the match by once again living up to his moniker as the ultimate opportunist, last eliminating a distracted John Cena.
3. Iron Man Mysterio - 2006
Determined to win the Royal Rumble in the memory of the recently deceased legend Eddie Guerrero, Rey Mysterio used this as inspiration to overcome the odds and win the Royal Rumble in 2006. Mysterio’s stint in the match, a torturous hour and two minutes, stands as the single longest appearance in the match to date. The high flyer was even able to overcome the much fancied Triple H and Randy Orton on route to his emotional victory, setting him up for an unlikely world title match at WrestleMania.
2. The Chairman Victorious - 1999
Distracted by the appearance of The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin’s dreams of a record smashing third consecutive Rumble victory was ended in unbelievable fashion...by nemesis and WWE Chairman Vince McMahon himself! Entering the match at number two, McMahon survived an early barrage from Austin before fleeing from the ring. Only the antics and persistent interference from The Corporation allowed the villainous Chairman to win the one of the most shocking Royal Rumble matches of all time.
1. Cena Shocker - 2008
A completely torn pectoral muscle in late 2007 didn't just see John Cena’s lengthy WWE title run end prematurely...it almost ended his career. Expected to be out for most of 2008, Cena stunned the WWE Universe by making his unannounced return as the 30th entrant in the Madison Square Garden hosted Rumble, mere months after surgery to repair his serious injury. Cena’s unbelievable comeback was completed moments later as he hoisted Triple H in the air and over the top rope with a match winning Attitude Adjustment. An incredible moment, and completely unexpected in an age where the internet spoils all.
What is your favourite Royal Rumble moment? Leave your suggestions below!