30 Greatest Royal Rumble Moments
Stunning victories, heartbreaking betrayals and shocking returns.
For over 30 years, WWE has found ways to shock us to kick off the year. Upset victories, unbelievable returns and heartbreaking betrayals have helped shape the Royal Rumble into the second biggest event of the year. Let’s take a stroll down memory lane to relive the greatest Royal Rumble moments …
30. The Deadman’s Chariot
Returning at the Royal Rumble became a trademark of The Undertaker. He came back from a brief sabbatical in 2003, made his presence felt the following year and then destroyed the ring in 2006. His mystical powers were enough to make people forget Mark Henry’s dud with Kurt Angle.
29. “I’m Marking Out, Bro!”
Fresh off an entertaining run in TNA, Booker T returned to WWE as a surprise entrant in the 2011 Royal Rumble. He didn’t do anything of significance, but that’s okay because Matt Striker stole the spotlight with the dorkiest lines ever uttered in commentary: “It’s a mark out moment! I’m marking out, bro!”
28. Diesel Power
Booker T’s fellow Main Event Mafia member Kevin Nash also returned at the 2011 Royal Rumble. For the first time since 1996, he donned the Diesel tights and black glove as the crowd roared. Those fans would regret giving “Big Daddy Cool” such a reception eight months later at SummerSlam, but we’ll forgive them.
27. Undertaker’s Gong
I was at the Wachovia Center (now Wells Fargo Center) in Philly for the 2004 Royal Rumble. When it was time for the 13th entrant, Undertaker’s gong echoed throughout the arena and the place erupted. “The Deadman” hadn’t been seen since Survivor Series, when Kane buried him alive, and the gong symbolized a return to Undertaker’s roots after four years as the American Badass/Bikertaker.
26. Chris Jericho Returns
After being forced to leave WWE the night after SummerSlam (just in time for a Fozzy tour), Chris Jericho surprised everyone (including his rival Dolph Ziggler) by entering No. 2 in the 2013 Royal Rumble. It was brilliant booking to have the two continue their hostility to kick off the annual event.
25. “Tomko, Give Me a Beat”
In 2005, Christian was on the cusp of stardom. As “Captain Charisma,” he had blended humor and aggression into a delicious cocktail that fans were gulping down. His funniest moment came at the 2005 Royal Rumble, when he challenged John Cena to a rap battle. Big pop for telling his “problem solver,” “Tomko, give me a beat.”
24. McIntyre Slays The Beast
The 2020 Royal Rumble was fantastic because the first half consisted of Brock Lesnar eliminating everyone who dare step into his ring. But then Drew McIntyre came in and Claymore kicked “The Beast” out of the ring. Nobody expected McIntyre to do the honors, which set him up to win the Rumble and then slay Lesnar at WrestleMania for the WWE Championship.
23. 434 Days
In a foregone conclusion, The Rock challenged CM Punk for the WWE Championship at the 2013 Royal Rumble. With Cena and Rock on a collision course for a WrestleMania rematch, nobody expected Punk to retain. Well, he almost did (thanks to The Shield), but then Mr. McMahon restarted the match and Rock ended the longest championship reign since Randy Savage in 1988.
22. Absolutely Perfect
There were several returns promoted for the 2002 Royal Rumble, none more anticipated than Mr. Perfect. Last seen in WWE six years earlier, Curt Hennig came out at No. 25 and looked like a nostalgia act that could still go. He actually made it to the final three before being dumped over the top rope by Triple H.
21. Smash Hit
He’s got his long sideburns, his hair slicked back, Peggy Sue behind in his pink Cadillac. He’s The Honky Tonk Man! The greatest Intercontinental Champion of all time appeared in the 2001 Royal Rumble only to have his guitar smashed over his head by Kane before being eliminated.
20. Kofi Has Hops
You could fill half of these spots with Kofi Kingston moments from the Royal Rumble, but my favorite is 2014 when Punk knocked Kingston off the apron and onto Rusev. The monster slammed Kingston onto the barricade, but the future New Day member’s feet never touched the floor. Regaining his composure, Kingston ran across the barricade and leapt back to the apron. Incredible athleticism!
19. Ninth Wonder of the World
Chyna became the first woman to enter the Royal Rumble in 1999. Not just a pretty face, she wasted zero time in going after Mark Henry and tossing “Sexual Chocolate” out after he lied about a rendezvous with her.
18. Bitter Rivals
Twenty-four years after the coconut incident, Roddy Piper and Jimmy Snuka renewed their rivalry in the 2008 Royal Rumble. Snuka entered at No. 18 in a surprise, and then Piper entered right after to the roar of New York City. They may have been senior citizens, but it was a fun blast to the past to see these arch rivals clobber each other in Madison Square Garden one last time.
17. What Friends Are For
Shawn Michaels was so desperate to win the 2010 Royal Rumble and challenge Undertaker in a WrestleMania rematch, that he did whatever it took, including super kicking his best friend Triple H out of the ring. John Cena’s shock and awe mirrored all of our faces.
16. Mrs. Foley’s Baby Boy
You don’t spit in the wind and you damn sure don’t spit in Mick Foley’s face. Randy Orton learned that the hard way in 2004 after provoking the “Hardcore Legend” to come out of retirement. Well, Foley attacked Test backstage and took his spot in the Rumble, emerging to the delight of the City of Brotherly Love and double closelining Orton to eliminate both men.
15. The Man Comes Around
After losing to Asuka earlier in the night, it seemed that Becky Lynch’s night at the 2019 Royal Rumble was over. But then Lana was too injured to compete in the match, so Lynch marched out and with the fans clamoring for her entry, she replaced Lana and went on to win the whole damn thing. Tossing out her ex-BFF Charlotte was the cherry on top.
14. Dropkick Heard Round The World
There were many memorable moments at the 2002 Royal Rumble, but none more shocking than Maven, fresh off winning the inaugural Tough Enough, dropkicking Undertaker out of the ring. Of course, the rookie didn’t have time to celebrate, as “The Deadman” dragged Maven out and pummeled him all over the arena, even smashing his face into a popcorn maker.
13. Edge Returns
For half a year, Edge was sidelined with a torn Achilles, prematurely ending his alliance with Chris Jericho. Toward the end of the 2010 Royal Rumble, the “Rated-R Superstar” made his unexpected return, spearing everyone in sight and eliminating his former cohort. Edge would go on to win the whole thing, but didn’t win the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania.
12. 3 Faces of Foley
Hopefully, Mick Foley took home three paychecks at the 1998 Royal Rumble. After all, he started the match as Cactus Jack, trading chairshots with Chainsaw Charlie. After being eliminated, Mankind came in at No. 16 and got revenge on Charlie by eliminating him. Goldust quickly tossed out Mankind, but then at No. 28, Dude Love emerged!
11. Kissing Your Sister
The 1994 Royal Rumble doesn’t get enough credit for being one of the best and that’s probably because of the wacky finish. After both Lex Luger and Bret Hart were attacked earlier in the night, both men valiantly entered the Rumble and ended up as the final two participants. And in a blink or you’ll miss it, they both fell over the top rope at the same time. So, the Rumble ended in a tie!
10. CM Punk’s Tirade
Whenever someone messes with the Royal Rumble formula, it’s exciting. Case in point, CM Punk cutting a promo in between eliminations in 2010. As the leader of the Straight Edge Society, it made total sense for him to give a sermon on such a platform. It was hilarious, too.
9. Women’s Rights
After more than 30 years of the Royal Rumble, women finally received their own version in 2018. Blending current stars, up-and-comers and nostalgia acts, it was a fantastic outing for the ladies. Asuka continued her undefeated streak by winning inaugural event.
8. About Damn Time
The peak of Virgil’s career came at the 1991 Royal Rumble. After years of being treated like crap as Ted DiBiase’s man servant, Virgil snapped and decked his boss with the Million Dollar Belt. While the crowd roared, Roddy Piper was even louder on commentary, overjoyed that Virgil had finally stood up for himself.
7. “With a Tear in My Eye”
It’s universally accepted that the 1992 Royal Rumble is the best. Ric Flair’s performance, Bobby Heenan’s commentary and the sheer star power in that match put it above the rest. After Flair won the WWE Championship, a remarkable feat considering he was the face of the NWA for the past decade, he gave an emotional promo as only the “Nature Boy” can.
6. Brotherly Love
1994 was the year of Owen Hart. It all started at the Royal Rumble, when his older brother Bret was too selfish to admit he needed to tag his baby bro in against the Quebecers. With Bret unable to finish the match due to his injured leg, the referee stopped the bout and declared the Quebecers the winners, thus robbing Owen of the Tag Team Titles. Well, Owen was rightfully pissed and kick Bret’s leg out of his leg!
5. Phenomenal
It was rumored that AJ Styles was coming to WWE in 2016, but after spending most of his career in TNA, it just didn’t seem possible that Vince McMahon would welcome “The Phenomenal One.” That’s why his arrival as the third entrant in the Royal Rumble was so cool – even Roman Reigns was stunned.
4. And NEW Intercontinental Champion…
Roddy Piper didn’t need a title. But gosh darnit, he deserved one. At the 1992 Royal Rumble, he finally struck gold by defeating The Mountie for the Intercontinental Championship. The crowd exploded as “HotRod” got the spotlight, and if it wasn’t for the greatest Royal Rumble match taking place on the same show, that’s what the whole event would be remembered for.
3. Superman vs. Superman
Three years after the irresistible force met the immovable object, we witnessed another epic confrontation in the 1990 Royal Rumble. After clearing the ring, Hulk Hogan and Ultimate Warrior – the two most popular stars in WWE at the time – went face to face for the first time. By the crowd’s reaction, you knew that the main event of WrestleMania VI had just been set.
2. Edge Returns…Again
After nine years in retirement due to cervical spinal stenosis, Edge made a miraculous comeback at the 2020 Royal Rumble. When his music hit as a surprise entrant, fans couldn’t believe they were seeing clearly. Although he didn’t win, “The Rated-R Superstar” proved that anything is possible, giving the world some much-needed good news considering Kobe Bryant’s tragic death earlier that day.
1. John Cena Returns
Nobody saw this coming. John Cena tore his pectoral muscle completely off the bone in October and his timetable for recovery was six months to a year. Well, just four months later, the former WWE Champion shocked the world by coming out as the final entrant in the 2008 Royal Rumble and actually winning the damn thing.
About Author
