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Most wrestlers do not want to enter first in the Royal Rumble. With a new entrant coming out every 90 seconds, the #1 entrant is at an obvious disadvantage, having to outlast the entire field of competitors to win.
Despite the seemingly insurmountable odds, the #1 spot has a surprisingly good track record of producing winners. Ironically, both #1 and #30 have produced three winners each. This is just 1 below the winningest number of all time, 27.
In this list, we will look back at each superstar who drew the dreaded #1 spot from the years 2002-2011, run through their performances and see what they are up to now.
Without further ado, let's begin.
Rikishi: Royal Rumble 2002
By 2002, Rikishi was a seasoned veteran of WWE. Following a failed heel run, he had returned to his fun-loving dancing character that endeared him to his fans.
Rikishi performed respectably, lasting 13 minutes and scoring a single elimination before being eliminated by The Undertaker. The veteran Rikishi remained with WWE until 2004.
At the age of 56, Rikishi continues to keep an active schedule where he makes appearances, gives interviews and wrestles on occasion. Since his sons, The Usos, made their debut on WWE's main roster in 2010, Rikishi has featured on WWE programming from time to time and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2015.
More recently, Rikishi has begun hosting his Rikishi Driver Talk Show podcast.
Shawn Michaels: Royal Rumble 1995 and 2003
At the time of the 2003 Royal Rumble, Shawn Michaels was barely six months into his legendary career resurgence following a four-year hiatus. A Royal Rumble expert by that point, Michaels had previously won in 1995 and 1996. His victory in 1995 made him the first man to win a Rumble from the #1 spot and his 1996 win made him only the second multi-time Royal Rumble winner in history.
Wanting to prove that he was still at the top of his game, Michaels chose to enter the 2003 Rumble in the #1 spot to replicate his legendary feat from 1995. Unfortunately, a sneak attack by Chris Jericho caused him to be eliminated in a mere two and a half minutes.
The Heartbreak Kid enjoyed a decorated career until his retirement in 2010. Aside from one match in 2018, Michaels has been active behind the scenes in WWE. As a coach, Michaels has been helping train the next generation of WWE Superstars. In recent months, he has also been filling in for his longtime friend Triple H, who has been recuperating following heart surgery.
Chris Benoit: Royal Rumble 2004
Like Shawn Michaels before him, Chris Benoit became the second man to win a Royal Rumble from #1. Lasting a grueling hour and scoring six eliminations, Benoit's win was a masterclass in endurance, technique and psychology. A performance that should be talked about to this day has been understandably swept under the rug.
On the 25th of June 2007, the bodies of Chris Benoit, his wife Nancy and their son Daniel were found at their home. It became clear upon further investigation that Benoit had murdered his wife and son before committing suicide. As a result of this, WWE has distanced themselves from Benoit and have erased close to all mention of his name on their website and TV programs.
Benoit's numerous accomplishments, including his incredible Royal Rumble victory, are not mentioned, leaving him virtually unknown to a newer generation of fans. While it is unfortunate that the work of such an accomplished wrestler has been forced to disappear into history, it is also understandable to no longer glorify him in light of his brutal actions.
Eddie Guerrero: Royal Rumble 2005
Fresh off what was the most successful year of his career, Eddie Guerrero sought to ride that momentum and win the 2005 Royal Rumble. In a memorable backstage segment prior to the match, Guerrero unsuccessfully attempted to steal Ric Flair's number.
Guerrero put on a respectable showing in the 2005 Rumble match, lasting over 28 minutes and scoring four eliminations. In the coming months, Guerrero would win the Tag Titles with Rey Mysterio and battle him at WrestleMania 21.
Tragically, Eddie Guerrero would suddenly pass away from heart failure in November of that same year. He was only 38 years old. Guerrero was inducted into WWE's Hall of Fame the following year and is remembered as a beloved legend gone too soon. His friend Rey Mysterio would go on to win the 2006 Rumble in his honor.
Triple H: Royal Rumble 1996 and 2006
Speaking of the 2006 Rumble, its #1 entrant, Triple H, was quite the seasoned veteran of Rumble matches.
In his first Rumble match in four years, Triple H put on an impressive showing. Lasting over an hour and scoring six eliminations, he was eliminated by eventual winner Rey Mysterio. The Game would enjoy more Rumble success with another victory in 2016. As the years have gone on, Triple H has become a bigger force behind the scenes than between the ropes.
At the moment, Triple H is on leave from all his duties, both on screen and behind the scenes. Having recently undergone major surgery for a genetic heart issue, he has been advised to take it easy for an extended period of time. There is no doubt that once he is healthy enough to return, he will once again continue to work hard to achieve his vision of what WWE should be.
Ric Flair: Royal Rumble 1993 and 2007
One of the greatest Royal Rumble performers of all time, Ric Flair was well known for his hour-long winning performance in the 1992 Royal Rumble. He had previously drawn the #1 slot in 1993 as well.
By 2007, Flair was already in his late 50s and his days as an active competitor seemed numbered. Flair was the first man eliminated in the match and lasted merely 5 minutes. The following year, Flair retired ceremoniously from in-ring competition but briefly came out of retirement until 2012.
Flair continued to make occasional appearances for WWE until his release in 2021. Although not currently affiliated with any major promotions, he remains a popular presence on social media and is never far from the reach of his fans.
The Undertaker: Royal Rumble 2008
The 2008 Royal Rumble match is often hailed as one of the best Rumble matches in recent memory. Held at Madison Square Garden to commemorate the event's 20th anniversary, the 2008 Royal Rumble match was able to perfectly mix rising stars, bona fide veterans and returning legends.
Who better to start off such a prestigious event than the Phenom of WWE himself, The Undertaker. Entering the previous year's match at number 30 and winning it, it was almost poetic that he would start the 2008 Rumble alongside Shawn Michaels, the man whom he had eliminated to win the previous year's Royal Rumble.
In typical Undertaker fashion, he put in a good effort. Lasting over 32 minutes and scoring three eliminations, he eventually found himself eliminated by Michaels, who was able to avenge his loss from the year before. Undertaker quickly bounced back from this Rumble loss and went on to win the World Heavyweight Championship once more in the main event of WrestleMania 24.
Having announced his retirement at the 2020 Survivor Series, The Undertaker continues to be associated with WWE. In recent years, he has also begun to make appearances while out of character. Despite that, it is only a matter of time before The Deadman reappears on WWE TV once more.
Rey Mysterio: Royal Rumble 2009
The winner of the 2006 Royal Rumble, Rey Mysterio, is no stranger to overcoming insurmountable odds. Whether it's because of his size or his sheer endurance in Rumble matches, Mysterio had previously won the 2006 Rumble from the equally disadvantageous #2 spot and in doing so, broke the record for the longest time spent in a Rumble.
By 2009, Mysterio was a solid main eventer. Demonstrating his considerable endurance once more, Rey Mysterio lasted an impressive 49 minutes before being eliminated by #30 entrant, The Big Show. Mysterio left WWE in 2014 but returned at the 2018 Royal Rumble.
At the age of 47, the master of the 619 is undoubtedly in the latter stages of his career. Despite this, he remains an active member of the WWE roster and is currently in a tag team with his son, Dominick. A true Rumble veteran, Mysterio will compete in the 2022 Royal Rumble match.
Dolph Ziggler: Royal Rumble 2010 and 2013
Dolph Ziggler is another wrestler to have earned the dubious distinction of having entered two Rumble matches in the dreaded #1 spot. In 2010, Ziggler was still finding his feet as a superstar and lasted an unimpressive two and a half minutes.
By the 2013 Royal Rumble however, Ziggler had established himself as a main event level talent. Entering first again, The Showoff lasted almost 50 minutes and scored two eliminations. Over the years, Ziggler has floated between the mid-card and main event scene.
Today, Dolph Ziggler is a seasoned veteran of WWE and is firmly entrenched in the Tag division. Like Rey Mysterio, both Ziggler and his partner, Robert Roode, will compete in the 2022 Royal Rumble
CM Punk: Royal Rumble 2011 and 2014
CM Punk is another wrestler to have drawn #1 in two Rumble matches. Both times, he put on extremely memorable performances that continue to be talked about today.
In the 2011 Rumble, Punk was the leader of the New Nexus and cleverly made use of his underlings to eliminate each new entrant as they came in. He lasted a respectable 35 minutes and managed seven eliminations. In 2014, Punk entered the Rumble as the clear underdog but put on a valiant 49-minute performance with three eliminations to boot.
Punk would walk out of WWE the next night and, for the most part, disappear from the wrestling world. However, in August 2021, Punk made his debut in AEW. With his passion for the business once again renewed, fans can find him on a near weekly basis on AEW TV.
Bayley gives us a HUGE update on a top Superstar's upcoming return RIGHT HERE.
