5 Best runner-up performances in Royal Rumble match history

#3 The Rock (1998)

A massive stunner brought an end to Rock's stunning run in the Rumble.

The Royal Rumble from 1998 is mostly remembered for three main things - Mick Foley appearing in the same Rumble match three times, Shawn Michaels suffering a career-ending injury, and Kane setting The Undertaker on fire. However, one thing that often gets unnoticed is The Rock's performance in the Royal Rumble match.

Entering at number 4 in the match, The Rock stayed in the match for over 50 minutes and outlasted 27 other Superstars, including former Nation of Domination leader Farooq. But like it happened so many times, a certain Rattlesnake got the better of him before he could register his maiden Rumble match victory.

Scrambling in the middle of the ring for the final few minutes of the match, The Rock and Steve Austin gave a glimpse of the chemistry they went on to share in the future as they wrestled a fantastic closing stretch. A massive stunner by Austin, however, brought an end to The Rock's stunning run in the match as The Rattlesnake registered his second consecutive Rumble victory and made The Great One wait for two more years for his win.