Royal Rumble, one of the most anticipated and fan-favourite events, returns tomorrow for its 37th edition. Whether you follow WWE or not, whether you understand the storylines or not, Rumble is one of those events that will always captivate you because of its unique format, in which 30 men fight to throw others out of the ring, and the last man standing wins the spectacle and paves his way to the ultimate event, which is WrestleMania.
From the unforgettable comebacks of icons like John Cena and Edge to the stunning underdog victories of Yokozuna and Shinsuke Nakamura, each Royal Rumble has written a unique story. The essence of the event lies in its inherent unpredictability, where there is never a guaranteed winner until the final moments unfold. Now, as the big event approaches, let’s look back at the greatest-ever Royal Rumbles of all time.
5. 1992 Royal Rumble
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XPi2RKYPX0&w=789&h=444]
This Royal Rumble was undoubtedly one of the most Royal events in WWE history. Some of the biggest WWE legends banded together and competed in a 30-man battle. Among them were Ric Flair, Shawn Michaels, the Undertaker, and Hulk Hogan.
The first two, who initiated the 1992 Royal Rumble were The British Bulldog and Ted DiBiase.
Ric Flair The Golden Stallion entered the squared ring as the third draw and lasted more than an hour, eliminating up to five competitors.
The match lasted over an hour. Sid Justice, Randy Savage, Hulk Hogan, and Ric Flair remaining were the final four. Randy Savage was the 27th to be eliminated, falling to Justice and Ric Flair.
Sid Justice waited in the corner while The Golden Stallion and Hogan fought it out. Seizing the opportunity, Justice interrupted just as Hogan appeared to be about to eliminate Flair, tossing Hogan out of the ring.
This unexpected maneuver fuelled Hogan’s rage, resulting in an encounter between him and Sid on the outside. The subsequent dispute allowed Slick Ric to recover, and with Hogan’s unexpected help, he won the 1992 Royal Rumble.
After the Rumble ended, Hogan and Sid came face to face. However, they were seperated by the officials before anything could happen.
4. 2007 Rumble
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZg3vdQkzTE&w=789&h=444]
The peak Undertaker vs Shawn Michaels at the Royal Rumble, can it get any bigger than this? The 2007 Rumble marked a historic occasion as it brought together superstars from Smackdown, Raw, and ECW for the first time in the Rumble match.
Some of the biggest names in this Rumble battle included Undertaker, Randy Orton, Shawn Michaels, Edge, CM Punk, Kane, and Ric Flair.
After nearly an hour of intense competition, the final four standing were Undertaker, Edge, Shawn Michaels, and Randy Orton aka The Legend Killer. In a defining moment, Shawn Michaels eliminated both Randy Orton and Edge, setting the stage for an unforgettable showdown.
Undertaker and Shawn Michaels were the only two remaining, and they wrote one of the best WWE storylines. Amidst the sight of blood streaming from Undertaker’s forehead and the resilient Shawn Michaels fighting on, both warriors exchanged powerful blows. Ultimately, it was Undertaker who emerged victorious, securing his place as the winner of one of the greatest-ever Royal Rumbles. This historic match adds to the Royal Rumble’s illustrious history.
3. 2020 Royal Rumble
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrLt2KGRMPs&w=789&h=444]
The 2020 Royal Rumble was a spectacle that captured the essence of WWE’s grandeur, featuring thrilling surprises, remarkable comebacks, and intense showdowns.
Brock Lesnar, the WWE Champion, entered at number one and dominated the early stages by eliminating 13 competitors.
The spectators watched in astonishment and shock as Lesnar’s reign was abruptly ended by an unexpected entrant—Drew McIntyre.
But that wasn’t the highlight of the night, it was the comeback of Edge that truly stole the show who entered the ring as 21st entrant.
As the Royal Rumble reached its climax, the final four contenders emerged: Roman Reigns, Edge, Randy Orton, and Drew McIntyre. Edge’s remarkable return to the ring created a nostalgic atmosphere, while the resilience of Reigns, Orton, and McIntyre added to the drama.
In a nail-biting conclusion, it was Drew McIntyre who eliminated Roman Reigns to secure his victory. This Royal Rumble victory received mixed response from the viewers.
2. 2016 Rumble
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAhY_A7TnP8&w=789&h=444]
The 2016 Royal Rumble unfolded with high stakes as Roman Reigns defended his WWE World Heavyweight Championship.
As the Royal Rumble approached its end, the final four wrestlers appeared: Roman Reigns, Triple H, Sheamus, and Dean Ambrose.
The surprising return of Triple H, who came in at number 30, provided an element of suspense to the bout. In an unexpected change of events, Triple H, who had been sitting low for much of the match, eliminated Roman Reigns. He then turned his focus to Dean Ambrose and eliminated him to win the title.
1. 2008 Royal Rumble
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNlObJjzoyk&w=789&h=444]
Claiming the top spot on our list of the Five Best Royal Rumble Matches of All-Time is the 2008 edition. This Rumble is particularly renowned for featuring one of the greatest comebacks in WWE history, orchestrated by none other than John Cena.
In the climactic moments, the final four contenders were Batista, Triple H, John Cena, and Kane. In a surprising turn of events, Cena emerged victorious by eliminating Triple H through a Attitude Adjustment. He secured his return to the ring with a resounding triumph that resonated throughout the wrestling world.
So, in our view, this is the greatest Royal Rumble ever. According to you, which Royal Rumble is the best? Do let us know your thoughts.