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Entry number 27 is widely considered the luckiest number to pick for the Royal Rumble, with the winner having come from the 27th entry on 4 separate occasions in the history of the WWE Royal Rumble. However, the last winner to have come from number 27 was back in 2001 when Stone Cold Steve Austin claimed his third Royal Rumble victory.
However, in the early years of the Royal Rumble, it was better to come from pick 27 then it was from pick 30. Discounting the 1988 Royal Rumble, which only featured 20 competitors, Entry 27 won the 1989, 1993, and 1994 Royal Rumbles.
It was the first number in the Royal Rumble to produce back to back winners, and wouldn't be repeated until the Undertaker and John Cena would win the 2007 and 2008 Royal Rumble respectively.
To this day, entry 27 holds the record of the most winners emanating from the number at 4, ahead of numbers 24 and 30 which both boast 3 winners each. The WWE, which loves the numerology of the Royal Rumble, often stresses this point when heading into Royal Rumble season.
However, since Austin's Royal Rumble victory in 2001, no entry 27 has made it to the final 4 of the Royal Rumble, excluding Nikki Bella in the 2018 women's Royal Rumble who was eliminated last by Asuka.
You can see the other entries in this series below:
Part 1 is here; Part 6 is here; Part 11 is here; Part 16 is here; Part 21 is here; Part 26 is here
Part 2 is here; Part 7 is here; Part 12 is here; Part 17 is here; Part 22 is here
Part 3 is here; Part 8 is here; Part 13 is here; Part 18 is here; Part 23 is here
Part 4 is here; Part 9 is here; Part 14 is here; Part 19 is here; Part 24 is here
Part 5 is here; Part 10 is here; Part 15 is here; Part 20 is here; Part 25 is here
#5 Nikki Bella (2018) - Eliminated 29th; 4 Eliminations
The 2018 Women's Royal Rumble meant a lot for the pioneers of female wrestling, including the Bella twins who steered the helm of women's wrestling in the WWE when it was perhaps at the lowest point at its history. Headlining the division and feuding with the likes of Eve Torres, and won her first Diva's title from Beth Phoenix, and losing it to Layla. She would later win it back from AJ Lee and lose it again to Charlotte.
Nikki would enter the 2018 Women's Royal Rumble as entrant 27, one before her twin sister Brie Bella. Nikki would eliminate Carmella, Nia Jax, Sasha Banks, and her sister Brie Bella making it to the final two of the Royal Rumble with Asuka. Nikki would manage to get Asuka out to the ring apron before Asuka pulled Nikki Bella to the apron as well and eliminated her.
While Nikki wouldn't appear on the WrestleMania show, she would get a title match against the Raw Women's champion, Ronda Rousey, at the all-women pay-per-view Evolution.
#4 Big John Studd (1989) - Winner; 2 Eliminations
In 1989, Big John Studd became the first person to win a 30-man Royal Rumble entering in the Rumble at the 27th entry. As the 1989 Royal Rumble was the first Royal Rumble to have 30 participants, up from 1988's 20-man Royal Rumble, Studd was the first person to win after having come out as the 27th entry.
Big John Studd would win with a time of 12 minutes and 21 seconds, eliminating only the other two competitors of the final three with him. Studd eliminated Akeem the African Dream, who one year had finished runner up as the One Man Gang, and then eliminated the first ever 30th entry, Ted DiBiase, to win the first ever 30-person Royal Rumble.
Studd would solely be involved at WrestleMania V as a special guest referee in a match between Andre the Giant and Jake Roberts. Studd's Royal Rumble victory would come at a time before the winner of the Royal Rumble would be rewarded with a title or title match at WrestleMania
#3 Stone Cold Steve Austin (2001) - Winner; 3 Eliminations
Stone Cold Steve Austin is historic for many reasons, not only is it the most recent Royal Rumble victory from the 27th entry, but it was also Austin's third Royal Rumble victory. No other superstar has won more than 2 Royal Rumbles in the event's entire history. Austin was in the last three with longtime rival the Rock and the Big Red Machine, Kane.
On the way to his Royal Rumble victory, Austin would eliminate Haku, Billy Gunn and finally Kane for the win. However, on his way down to the ring, Austin was attacked from behind by Triple H after Austin had interfered and cost Triple H his title against Kurt Angle earlier in the night. The attack opened up and after fending off Triple H, a bloodied Austin climbed back into the ring.
Austin would defeat the WWF Champion of the Rock at Wrestlemania X-Seven in a No Disqualification match. The match ended with Stone Cold turning heel and aligning with Vince McMahon, winning the championship in the process.
#2 Bret Hart (1994) - Winner; 4 Eliminations
This Royal Rumble was already covered earlier in the series as Bret Hart co-won the Royal Rumble with entry 23, Lex Luger. Hart, who had been the WWF Champion at the 1993 Royal Rumble was seeking to use the Royal Rumble to get another title shot. Hart eliminated Crush, Thurman "Sparky" Plugg, Genichiro Tenryu, and Fatu before Bret and Lex Luger would topple over the top rope together.
Bret Hart would suffer defeat earlier in the night, with Bret and his brother Owen losing their shot at the Tag Team Champions against the Quebecers. Hart would then come to the ring with a visible limp after injuring his knee in the tag team match.
After his victory, Bret would face Yokozuna second at Wrestlemania X after Yokozuna would retain his title against Lex Luger earlier in the card. Hart would win the fight and would regain his WWF title.
#1 Yokozuna (1993) - Winner; 7 Eliminations
After debuting late in 1992, Yokozuna would enter his first Royal Rumble in 1993. Given the 27th spot in the Royal Rumble, Yokozuna would dominate the competition, eliminating several competitors on his way to victory.
Yokozuna would eliminate Tatanka, Carlos Colon, Earthquake, Tito Santana, Owen Hart, Bob Backlund, and finally Randy Savage. The match ended somewhat comically as Randy Savage looked to have the match won, after hitting his signature Elbow Drop on the fallen big man.
However, Savage went to pin the giant, which wasn't a way that someone could win the Royal Rumble. Yokozuna kicked out of the pin so forcefully that it pushed Savage over the top rope and to the floor on the outside, allowing Yokozuna to pick up the win.
Yokozuna would be the first person to receive a Wrestlemania title shot from winning the Royal Rumble. Yokozuna would defeat Bret Hart at WrestleMania IX, winning his first WWF title. In a twist of fate, Yokozuna would face Hart at WrestleMania X as the defending champion after Hart won the 1993 Royal Rumble.
