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Victory in the Royal Rumble Match has proven to be a daunting feat for many WWE Superstars. The win solidifies a spot in the main event of WrestleMania and possibly the world championship.
Throughout the near-four decades of the titular match, some superstars have left a mark on the annals of history by having his or her arm raised at the end of the Rumble.
Whether it be with a shocking return from injury or fulfilling their destiny, several WWE Superstars have created legendary moments in the company's history with a victory in the Rumble Match.
To have a truly great Rumble win, there are numerous factors at play. It has to be the right superstar at the right time with the right little moments sprinkled in.
This formula has cemented many winners into a different straosphere. In this article, let's take a look at the five greatest Royal Rumble victories of all time.
#5 John Cena - 2008 Royal Rumble winner
Royal Rumble surprise returns have become a staple of the stipulation. From Bob Backlund in 1993 to Christian in 2021, the company has relied on these shocking moments that leave fans with their jaws on the floor. However, there is none more legendary than John Cena's return in 2008.
The Cenation Leader reigned as WWE Champion for 380 days. Unfortunately, he suffered a bicep injury that was supposed to keep him out of action for nine months. Cena's recovery was quicker than what doctors and fans expected. That set the stage for the iconic surprise return in Rumble history.
At No.30, the music hit and out came the returning John Cena. The typically "Anti-Cena" MSG crowd forgot how they felt about the man for a minute and greeted him with a massive pop.
The roar of the fans is replayed often in highlight reels around Rumble season. Cena went on to last eliminate Triple H to win the 2008 iteration. This has to make the list as it sets a new standard for shocking returns.
#4 Shawn Michaels - 1995 Royal Rumble winner
Shawn Michaels is one of the superstars synonymous with the Royal Rumble Match. His legacy with the stipulation all started in 1995.
The Heartbreak Kid was on the rise and seemed like a favorite to win the match and face his former best friend Diesel for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 11. However, Michaels coming in at No.1 caused doubt for his fans.
Shawn Michaels and No.2 entrant The British Bulldog were in for the entire duration of the bout. They fought at various times and made it clear that one would have to take out the other to win.
In a memorable finish, Bulldog threw Michaels over the top rope, but Shawn only had one foot touch the floor. HBK came back into the ring and eliminated Bulldog to become the first man to come from the No.1 spot to win the Rumble.
#3 Bianca Belair - 2021 Royal Rumble winner
Although Asuka could also make this list for being the first woman to win the Royal Rumble Match, the other winners used their victories to get Championship gold at WrestleMania.
Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair were both established top stars when they won the titular matchup. In 2021, WWE finally made a new main event player with a win in the Women's Rumble.
Bianca Belair came in at No.3 with plenty of momentum. She battled a who's who of WWE Superstars and legends like Victoria and Torrie Wilson. It came down to Belair and Rhea Ripley in a battle of young, promising competitors.
After a grueling struggle, Belair eliminated The Nightmare to win the Women's Rumble and went on to Mania to win the SmackDown Women's Championship.
#2 Stone Cold Steve Austin - 1998 Royal Rumble winner
Stone Cold Steve Austin is the most prolific Royal Rumble winner in WWE history. With three wins in the titular stipulation, he has created countless memories through the Rumble. Out of his three victories, his signature win has to be the 1998 Royal Rumble Match.
In 1997, Austin was on the rise and his win helped continue his feud with Bret Hart, but it didn't even lead to a WWE Championship Match at WrestleMania. 2001 was the best Rumble match that Stone Cold was ever apart of. It was a fun, beautiful portrait of the Attitude Era. By that point, though, Austin was a made man by that point.
The 1998 Rumble is often regarded as "The Stone Cold Steve Austin Rumble." It was built around him and a quest for all the other superstars to get rid of the Texas Rattlesnake.
Despite every man coming after him, Austin prevailed by last eliminating The Rock. This victory is even more memorable thanks to leading to Stone Cold's first WWE Title win at Mania 14.
#1 Ric Flair - 1992 Royal Rumble winner
There can only be one original Iron Man of the Royal Rumble. Every year, one superstar puts on a stamina exhibition by being the longest competitor in the Rumble. In 1992, Ric Flair came in as the No.3 entrant. Many fans and even the announcers believed that this marked the end of his quest for the WWE Championship.
Flair came in from WCW and claimed to be the "real" World Champion by carrying his version of the WCW World Heavyweight Championship. He finally received his opportunity at the top prize in WWE when the Nature Boy caused a controversy by getting involved in the title picture and getting the gold vacated.
This meant for the first time the Rumble Match was for the WWE Championship. Ric Flair went out there and put on an outstanding performance, interacting with almost every superstar along the way. He had memorable confrontations with The British Bulldog, Macho Man Randy Savage and 'Rowdy' Roddy Piper.
In the end, Hulk Hogan was eliminated by Sid Justice. The Hulkster didn't take this well and pulled Sid after being thrown over the top rope. Flair took advantage and eliminated Sid to win the WWE Title.
His post-match speech with "a tear in his eye" was magical to watch. That tremendous promo after the match was the cherry on top of the greatest Royal Rumble victory of all time.
