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As mentioned in the previous entry, not all Wrestlemania title shots won at the Royal Rumble have lasted until the Royal Rumble. While yesterday's episode was about Wrestlers that had been stripped or recanted their opportunity at the title at Wrestlemania, that isn't the only way to lose the shot. Some wrestlers have chosen to gamble their spots away or been forced into defending their Royal Rumble win against another superstar.
While the Rock initially lost his Wrestlemania 2000 title shot against the Big Show at No Way Out. He also managed to win it back and was added to the match as previously stated. However, this occurred as the Rock had landed first and as a compensation for the mistaken finish, the Big Show was given a shot for the number one contendership.
However, in 2002 Triple H would lose his Wrestlemania title shot against Kurt Angle at No Way Out. The match involved Stephanie McMahon as the special guest referee. Triple H would lose the match after turning on his wife and trying to pedigree her. However, the Game would win back the title shot at the Raw following No Way Out and would then go on to unseat undisputed champion Chris Jericho.
This wouldn't be the only time a wrestler would put their Wrestlemania match on the line, as 2006 winner Rey Mysterio wrestled against Randy Orton at No Way Out for the spot. Just like Triple H, Rey Mysterio would lose the match at No Way Out. However, instead of winning the spot back like the Game, Smackdown GM Teddy Long re-inserted Mysterio into the title match for Wrestlemania to make it a Triple Threat match.
2013 winner John Cena and 2015 winner Roman Reigns both defended their Wrestlemania title shots successfully. John Cena defended it against CM Punk at No Way Out to face the Rock at Wrestlemania, while Roman Reigns defended his title shot against fan favorite Daniel Bryan. While Cena would go on to defeat the Rock at Wrestlemania after losing to him the year before. Reigns' match against WWE Champion Brock Lesnar would be interrupted by Seth Rollins, who cashed in his Money in the Bank Briefcase to pick up the victory.
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 27 is here
Part 3 is here; Part 8 is here; Part 13 is here; Part 18 is here; Part 23 is here; Part 28 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 Sid Justice (1992) - Eliminated 29th - 6 Eliminations
Sid Justice, who also wrestled under Sid Vicious and Psycho Sid, wrestled for both WCW and WWF throughout the 1990s. Sid first joined the WWF in May 1991 and was a special guest referee for a tag team match between the Ultimate Warrior, Hulk Hogan and the Tower of Terror. Initially wrestling as a face, he would later be turned heel during his run against Hulk Hogan later in 1992.
Sid originally missed the action at the end of 1991, returning at the 29th spot at the 1992 Royal Rumble being contested for the vacant WWF Heavyweight title. Sid would eliminate Sgt. Slaughter, The Warlord, Rick Martel, Roddy Piper, Randy Savage, and Hulk Hogan, with the last 4 coming sequentially.
However, after eliminating Hogan, the former WWF champion would distract him, allowing Ric Flair to eliminate him from behind. Despite being so close to the title, it would take Sid another 5 years before he would win the promotions major title.
Sid would later face Hogan in that year's Wrestlemania but lose by Disqualification following interference by Papa Shango, despite Shango missing his cue to enter. Forcing Sid to kick out of Hogan's Leg Drop.
The WWE's affiliation with signing wrestlers being larger than life is a well known fact, and Sid was also on their watchlist to make it big in the business. Despite boasting of a powerful in-ring style, Sid was unfortunately the butt of many jokes owing to some his in-ring antics and promo botches that are often recalled even to this day.
#4 Chris Jericho (2012) - Eliminated 29th - 2 Eliminations
Chris Jericho is a Royal Rumble expert, having participated in 10 Royal Rumbles in addition to the Greatest Royal Rumble. Despite the fact that he has cumulatively lasted the longest in the Royal Rumble history, having totalled over 5 hours in the Royal Rumbles over the years. Despite this, Jericho has never won a Royal Rumble during his many runs with the WWF and WWE.
After leaving the promotion in 2010, Jericho returned to the WWE in 2012 after a series of vignettes but left without saying a word. Jericho's first words for the company on return was not until a few weeks later saying that the Royal Rumble would mark the end of the world as we know it.
The first ever Undisputed WWF Champion came close to winning in the 2012 Royal Rumble, making it to the last two with Sheamus. Jericho lasted 11 minutes and 34 seconds, eliminating David Otunga and Randy Orton on his way to the final 2. Jericho had the Irishman hanging on to the ropes on the ring apron but was unable to eliminate him. Jericho would follow this up by applying the Walls of Jericho and a Code Breaker but was unable to get Sheamus over the top rope. Sheamus was able to once again put Jericho onto the apron before kicking him off with a Brogue Kick.
Jericho would go on to face the WWE Champion CM Punk for the title at Wrestlemania but lose via submission.
Jericho's longevity is a much hearlded trait in the industry and he still continues to be relevant to WWE's rival company AEW.
#3 Triple H (2008) - Eliminated 29th - 6 Eliminations
The 2008 Royal Rumble had the most qualifying matches ever had for a Royal Rumble, with several entries being required to earn their spots in the match on Raw and Smackdown before the event. These days wrestlers walk out and announce their spots on Raw, Smackdown or via Twitter, with occasionally wrestlers fighting for their spots a week before the event. In the 2008 Royal Rumble, Triple H qualified for the Royal Rumble after defeating Snitsky, Mark Henry, and William Regal to qualify. Despite losing the match, both Snitsky and Mark Henry still appeared at the Royal Rumble.
Coming out at the 29th entry of the Rumble, Triple H looked like a hot favorite to win. Triple H had missed the 2007 Royal Rumble after injuring his quadriceps in the month leading up to the event. Triple H would eliminate Cody Rhodes, Big Daddy V, Mick Foley, Elijah Burke, Kane, and Batista before squaring off against John Cena in the final two.
Cena would eliminate Triple H to win the Royal Rumble but would lose his Wrestlemania title shot at No Way Out. Cena would win, but via Disqualification meaning that he didn't win the title. The two had a rematch at Wrestlemania that also included Triple H at Wrestlemania with Orton retaining his title.
Triple H's expression when he saw John Cena's music hit is one of the most memorable instances from the event.
# 2 Edge (2010) - Winner - 2 Eliminations
In the lead up to the 2010 Royal Rumble, Edge had taken 6 months away from the ring to recover from injury and rest his body following a gruelling career. Edge had torn his Achilles tendon and returned at the Royal Rumble.
Edge came into the Royal Rumble spearing Jericho and John Cena after shocking many in the crowd on his return. Edge would eliminate Chris Jericho and would be in the final two with John Cena at the end of the Royal Rumble. Edge would throw Cena over the top rope and would win his first Royal Rumble in several attempts.
Chris Jericho, who would be in the Royal Rumble with Edge and be eliminated 26th would win the World Heavyweight Championship at the Elimination Chamber PPV prior to Wrestlemania. Edge would challenge Jericho for the title but lose after Jericho hit Edge with the title and a Code Breaker. Edge would go on to cost Jericho the title after attacking him on an episode of Smackdown, allowing for Jack Swagger to cash in his Money in the Bank briefcase on the felled champion.
#1 Brock Lesnar (2003) - Winner - 4 Eliminations
In 2002, Brock Lesnar was first brought up to the Main Roster from WWE's developmental territory, Ohio Valley Wrestling. Within 6 months, Lesnar had feuded with several top talents, including Hulk Hogan, and defeated The Rock for the WWE Undisputed title at Summerslam to become the youngest title holder at the time. Lesnar would drop the title to the Big Show a few months later at Survivor Series after his manager, Paul Heyman, turned on the Beast Incarnate.
This would lead to Brock entering his first Royal Rumble in 2003, coming in as entry number 29. Lesnar would eliminate Charlie Haas, Shelton Benjamin, and Matt Hardy in succession before facing off against the Undertaker in the final two. After Taker eliminated Batista and Kane, Batista returned to the ring with a steel chair to take out the Deadman. Lesnar took advantage of the distraction to eliminate the Undertaker and win his first Royal Rumble.
Lesnar would defeat Kurt Angle at Wrestlemania to win the WWE title, with Lesnar finishing the match after suffering a severe concussion after landing awkwardly while attempting a Shooting Star Press.
