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The 2021 Royal Rumble is just over a week away and is set to take place in the WWE Thunderdome on January 31st. The Royal Rumble is one of the biggest events of the year for WWE and signals the start to the road to WrestleMania.
Over the years, there have been some huge Royal Rumble moments, including some big returns, shock eliminations, and unexpected winners.
This year, viewers may not get to experience the usual huge Royal Rumble pops due to restrictions relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of the most notable Royal Rumble moments have been those crowd reactions, so this year's event will feel rather different - however, it is still certain to be one of the most exciting nights of the wrestling year.
Here are five WWE Superstars who received the loudest pops in Royal Rumble history.
#5 Triple H (Royal Rumble 2016)
In early 2016, Triple H had been missing from WWE programming after being the victim of an attack by Roman Reigns at TLC in December 2015. Going into the 2016 Royal Rumble, the event was shaping up to be one of the most unique Rumble matches as the WWE World Heavyweight Champion at the time, Roman Reigns would have to defend his title in the match as entrant number one, as a punishment for his actions against the McMahon family.
Towards the end of the match, not many stars were left standing. Fans were shocked by the 30th entrant, who turned out to be none other than Triple H himself, returning to WWE.
Triple H received a huge crowd reception at the 2016 Royal Rumble. After getting down to the final two of the match, The Game managed to eliminate Dean Ambrose and win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.
#4 AJ Styles (Royal Rumble 2016)
The 2016 Royal Rumble was possibly one of the biggest in the history of the event. The match saw Roman Reigns' WWE World Heavyweight Championship on the line after the star came into dispute with Triple H and the McMahon family, and also a huge debut from AJ Styles.
Prior to the 2016 Royal Rumble, AJ Styles had been a popular star in New Japan Pro Wrestling, IMPACT Wrestling, and Ring of Honor. Following reports after his NJPW departure that the performer would be coming to WWE, his signing to the company was confirmed just four days before the 2016 Royal Rumble was set to take place.
In the 2016 Royal Rumble, AJ Styles was a surprise entrant at number three, much to the shock and the excitement of the crowd in attendance. During the match, Styles managed to eliminate some of WWE's biggest stars at the time, including current NXT star Tyler Breeze.
AJ Styles lasted almost 29 minutes in the Royal Rumble that year, which was one of the longest times spent in the match, behind Roman Reigns, Chris Jericho, and Dean Ambrose.
#3 Becky Lynch (Royal Rumble 2019)
The 2019 Royal Rumble was one of the biggest moments of Becky Lynch's WWE career, and it was built-up for some time. From summer 2018, Becky Lynch was gaining momentum as one of the standout stars of WWE's women's division. The performer was gaining popularity among WWE fans, who got behind the Irish star following the implosion of her friendship with Charlotte Flair.
As the 2019 Royal Rumble grew closer, all eyes were on The Man. The star was determined to win the SmackDown Women's Championship back from Asuka after Ronda Rousey interfered in her title match at TLC a month prior, causing her to lose.
On the night of the 2019 Royal Rumble, Becky Lynch faced Asuka in a SmackDown Women's Championship match but was ultimately unsuccessful. Later in the night came the women's Royal Rumble match. Lana was supposed to be entering at number 28, but struggled to make it down to the ring due to an ankle injury that she had sustained during the pre-show.
The crowd cheered when Becky Lynch emerged and bargained with Fit Finlay to let her replace Lana, and they later exploded when she was granted entry into the match.
The match ended with Becky Lynch managing to eliminate Nia Jax, and then Charlotte Flair to win, which received another great crowd reaction from fans.
#2 John Cena (Royal Rumble 2008)
Before the 2008 Royal Rumble, John Cena had been away from the ring for quite some time. The star was injured in October 2007, when he suffered a torn pectoral muscle during a match, and as a result, was stripped of his WWE Championship.
With his recovery expected to be at least six months, fans were not anticipating seeing John Cena at the 2008 Royal Rumble. The performer had made a non-wrestling appearance at December 2007's Tribute to the Troops, but a return to the ring was not announced.
As the 2008 Royal Rumble was drawing to a close, it was looking as though the 29th entrant, Triple H was about to win. The star had eliminated six fellow contenders within minutes of entering the ring. His luck ran out, however when the 30th entrant was revealed to be John Cena, much to the delight of the crowd, who popped immensely.
John Cena went on to win the 2008 Royal Rumble when he eliminated Carlito, Mark Henry, Chavo Guerrero, and then Triple H, despite only spending 8 minutes and 28 seconds in the match.
#1 Edge (Royal Rumble 2020)
In the build-up to the 2020 Royal Rumble, reports suggested that multiple-time champion Edge was returning to WWE after almost a decade away from the company. Edge responded to these rumors by firmly shutting them down publicly.
As this talk was shut down so convincingly by Edge, fans were not anticipating to see him in the 2020 Royal Rumble. During the match, fans were already hooked after fan-favorite Drew McIntyre eliminated Brock Lesnar, who had been tearing through competitors so far.
Edge entered the 2020 Royal at number 21 as a surprise, receiving a thunderous reception from the crowd at Minute Maid Park. In his Royal Rumble return, Edge put on a great performance - almost as if he had never been away from the ring.
During the 2020 Royal Rumble, Edge racked up three eliminations, throwing AJ Styles, Luke Gallows, and former WWE Champion Randy Orton over the top rope. Edge managed to stay in the ring down to the final three of himself, Roman Reigns, and eventual winner Drew McIntyre.
Following the Royal Rumble, Edge entered a high profile feud with his former Rated-RKO teammate Randy Orton. Edge suffered an injury during their match at Backlash, and is currently away to recover.
A WWE Hall of Famer called out AEW fans HERE
