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It’s that time of year again where everyone is debating who will win the Royal Rumble match. The Royal Rumble kicks off the road to WrestleMania, and every year the Royal Rumble match contains a lot of surprises. From surprises entrants to Kofi Kingston’s stunts during the match, the Royal Rumble has seen it all. We have witnessed Santino Marella get eliminated in just one second, and we also witnessed numerous controversial finishes. Not to mention, Santino almost the Royal Rumble match in 2011. Needless to say, we have seen it all.
Every year there is always speculation as to who will make a surprise appearance in the Royal Rumble. Here are 10 of the biggest surprise entrants in Royal Rumble history.
#10 Beth Phoenix
In the 2010 Royal Rumble match, Beth Phoenix became the second female wrestler - after Chyna - to enter the Royal Rumble match. The only reason Chyna isn’t on this list is that she used to compete with the male talent, so her entering the Royal Rumble match wasn’t a major surprise. Beth Phoenix entered the Royal Rumble match in 2006 and shocked the world by eliminating The Great Khali.
After eliminating The Great Khali, Beth Phoenix got very close to eliminating CM Punk as well. But, her time in the Royal Rumble didn't last long as CM Punk eliminated Beth Phoenix.
#9 Drew Carey
In the 2001 Royal Rumble match, Drew Carey surprised everyone by participating in the Royal Rumble match. Surprisingly, he lasted longer than one minute. However, the comedian soon realized that the Royal Rumble match isn’t a sitcom when Kane’s music hit, and Carey was the only man left in the ring.
Carey, being the comedian he is, first tried to shake Kane’s hand, when that didn’t work, he offered Kane some money which ‘The Big Red Machine’ obviously refused. Just when Kane was about to Chokeslam the American actor, Raven’s music hit, and he came into the ring and attacked Kane. Drew Carey immediately climbed over the top rope and eliminated himself in comic fashion.
This was amusing to the fans who got to witness their comedian in a WWE ring for the first time. Needless to say, Drew Carey will never try to compete in the Royal Rumble match again.
#8 The Three Faces of Foley
In the 1998 Royal Rumble match, Mick Foley entered at number 1 as Cactus Jack but was eliminated 10 minutes into the match by Chainsaw Charlie. Halfway through the match, Foley entered the match again at number 16 as Mankind. Mankind eliminated Chainsaw Charlie but didn’t last long as he was eliminated by Goldust after lasting only three minutes in the match.
Later on in the match, the third face of Foley, entered the Royal Rumble match at number 28 as Dude Love. This time, the ‘Hardcore Legend’ made it to the final four with The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and Farooq before being eliminated by Farooq.
Foley made history by becoming the first wrestler to enter the Royal Rumble match more than once on the same night, and it was a complete surprise for fans who got to witness all three alter egos of Foley in the same night.
#7 Rob Van Dam
Rob Van Dam was the only surprise entrant in the 2009 Royal Rumble match. He lasted only 14 minutes in his one-night appearance. In the 14 minutes, he managed to show the audience all his moves that he was known for, including the five-star frog splash. He was then eliminated by Chris Jericho ending his return to the WWE.
RVD wouldn’t return to the company for another four and a half years. Like former WWE stars, he went to TNA before finally returning to WWE on a part-time basis in 2013.
#6 Chris Jericho
Every time Chris Jericho would return to WWE, it would involve a series of vignettes, so you can imagine the fans’ surprise when Jericho returned at the 2013 Royal Rumble completely out of nowhere. Jericho was the 2nd entrant in the Royal Rumble that year and he lasted for 45 minutes.
Dolph Ziggler was the first entrant and even though Jericho ut up an impressive fight, Ziggler ended up eliminating him.
#5 Bubba Ray Dudley
Bubba Ray Dudley made a shocking return in the 2015 Royal Rumble match after a ten-year absence with the company. He returned as the number three entrant in the match, and his return was well received by the fans.
The fans even got to see the famous ‘Wassup’ with R-Truth, and Truth also assisted Bubba Ray Dudley in performing the 3-D. Despite Bubba and D-von’s storied careers, both of them had never participated in the Royal Rumble match prior to this.
#4 Kharma
Kharma was one of Triple H’s major acquisitions since taking over as an executive. Kharma would bring something unique to the WWE women’s division largely due to the fact that she looked completely different from your typical WWE Diva. But, things didn’t work out as planned, and shortly after her debut, she became pregnant.
She, unfortunately, lost her child during her pregnancy. However, she made her return at the 2012 Royal Rumble eliminating Hunico before being finally eliminated by Dolph Ziggler. This was her last appearance in WWE, as she was granted her release from WWE shortly thereafter.
#3 Edge
Edge had been out of WWE with a torn Achilles for a few months. Since then, his tag team partner, Chris Jericho, took every opportunity he could find to belittle ‘The Rated-R Superstar’, calling him weak before replacing him with The Big Show.
Edge would return with vengeance in the 2010 Royal Rumble - much to Jericho’s dismay - spearing everyone in sight before eliminating Jericho from the match. Edge eliminated John Cena to win the Royal Rumble, receiving one of the biggest pops in his career in the process.
#2 John Cena
John Cena tore his pectoral muscle in October 2007, but luckily, Super Cena was able to recover in record time to make his return at the 2008 Royal Rumble. When his music hit, Madison Square Garden was sent into a frenzy. Even people who used to boo him started cheering for him.
Cena’s return shocked not only the fans but also the participants in the match. Cena went on to win the Royal Rumble match making him the second wrestler to do so from the number 30 spot. If I had made this list two years ago, Cena would have occupied the top spot, but for now, he will have to settle for number two. So, any guesses as to who is number one?
#1 AJ Styles
There were rumors for weeks that when AJ Styles’ NJPW contract was up, he would be headed for WWE. But, many people didn’t think that the guy who helped put TNA on the map would actually set foot in WWE. WWE also did quite well to hide Styles’ from everyone and tried their best to keep him a secret.
When the titantron lit up with words “I Am Phenomenal,” everyone knew instantly that ‘The Phenomenal One’ was finally in WWE.
The entire WWE universe chanted “AJ Styles’ throughout the match. ‘The Phenomenal One’ had stolen the show in phenomenal fashion. Styles lasted nearly half an hour in the match, but that was just enough time for him to show off his skills to the WWE universe.
Were there any entrants left out from this list? Let your voice be heard in the comments section below.
