5 WWE Royal Rumble runner-ups who still headlined WrestleMania

Reigns' road to WrestleMania 34
Reigns' road to WrestleMania 34

#3 Stone Cold Steve Austin - 1999

Austin
Austin

The 1999 Royal Rumble was built around what many regard as the greatest rivalry in pro-wrestling at the time. Vince McMahon was hell-bent on making sure that Stone Cold Steve Austin didn't win the match and make his way to the main event of WrestleMania 15. Austin came out at #1, while Vince came out next. The entirety of match saw Vince stooping to the lowest of lows to prevent Austin from winning.

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In the end, The Rock's interference aided McMahon in eliminating The Rattlesnake and winning the Royal Rumble. At St. Valentine's Day Massacre: In Your House, Austin defeated Vince in a Steel Cage match to win the title shot at WrestleMania. At The Grandest Stage Of Them All, Austin faced The Rock in the first of their three WrestleMania encounters, with the WWE title on the line. Mankind was the special guest referee for the bout, and Austin hit a Stunner on The Rock to win the WWE title for the second consecutive occasion at a WrestleMania.

Teddy Long snaps when Swerve Strickland's race is brought up HERE

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