This Sunday, January 29th, 2017, WWE will put on its 30th annual Royal Rumble PPV and eponymous match. This is one of the most exciting time of the year for wrestling fans because the Rumble itself is one of the most important and unpredictable matches WWE puts on.
This year, the WWE hype train has been in full swing. As of January 24th, 22 of the 30 entrants in the Rumble match have already announced (or, in Sami Zayn’s case, qualified for) their participation. So far, we only know these men will be in the match; little to nothing has yet been mentioned about the order.
So for all intents and purposes, we very well might get to see Goldberg actually wrestling the Undertaker for the first time ever, which would be huge in itself.
But the fun doesn’t end there. NJPW Superstar Kenny Omega has been fueling a firestorm of rumours that he may or may not be in the Royal Rumble match. This speculation has been amplified by John Cena posting Omega pictures on his social media pages, which he did for AJ Styles last year.
All of this has made many fans more excited than ever to see the Royal Rumble match take place.
But the Royal Rumble match wasn’t always so much fun. If you think it’s hard for WWE to book a singles match between two wrestlers, imagine how difficult it is for a match that’s usually an hour long and involves thirty men, all of them doing different things at the same time.
As a result of that, previous Rumble matches have been both good and bad in terms of booking and execution. Some have withstood the test of time and have become legendary matches. Others, meanwhile, have been booked or received so badly they’ll live forever in infamy.
This article will rank all of the Royal Rumble matches from worst to best, with each year identifying its respective winner(s).
#29 2015 (Roman Reigns):
This notoriously-bad Rumble match will forever go down in history as the worst iteration of the annual event of all time. Not because Reigns won, but because the actual story told during the match was done in such terrible fashion. Daniel Bryan was eliminated after only ten minutes into the match.
Popular mid-carder Damien Sandow/Mizdow lasted less than one minute before being eliminated, despite being one of the most popular acts on the roster. Even if he went nuts and eliminated two people for 30 seconds, that would’ve been much better than what actually happened.
Then, there was the ending.
Big Show and Kane eliminated fan favourites Bray Wyatt, Dean Ambrose and Dolph Ziggler, one by one, with the powers backstage hoping that the fans wouldn’t have any other choice but to cheer Reigns.
It backfired spectacularly, with the fans booing Reigns out of the building, cheering Rusev of all people, and even booing the Rock, who had come out to try and salvage this mess. Hopefully, WWE never attempts to force a wrestler down fans’ throats like this ever again; if it does, things could get far worse.
#28 2014 (Batista):
This match took place just as Daniel Bryan’s ‘Yes Movement’ was gaining major steam. He was the most popular Superstar on the roster to the point that fans cheered him far more than anyone else. Unfortunately for WWE, he wasn’t in the company’s long-term plans at that point, which led to the fans turning on this match…HARD.
No one expected Bryan to participate in the Rumble match, given his earlier match with Bray Wyatt. Still, there was this unrealistic hope that he would anyway.
So when he didn’t, the fans hijacked the event, booing everyone in the ring including Rey Mysterio. They even cheered then-heel Roman Reigns, which gave WWE the false impression that he was over with them when in reality, they were only reacting in opposition to WWE going with its own plans.
With such a hostile crowd demolishing the atmosphere of this match, this edition of the Rumble can only be enjoyed if you want to watch WWE’s long-term plans blow up.
#27 1995 (Shawn Michaels)
WWE likes to hype up this match as a critical moment in Shawn Michaels’ career, winning from the very first spot. What they ignore on a regular basis is that this was the shortest Rumble match in the event’s history, lasting a mere 38:41.
The match’s short length reduced any kind of drama the match might’ve had. Few of the wrestlers involved in the match had any lasting impact; this match was pretty much all about Shawn Michaels and, to a lesser extent, the British Bulldog. Not an exciting match by any stretch of the imagination.
#26 2013 (John Cena)
This was one of the most predictable Rumbles ever, which reduced the fans’ excitement for it. With the Rock winning the WWE Championship, everyone could predict with 100% accuracy that John Cena would face him in the WrestleMania main event…again.
Because of that, this match was void of any moments of major excitement. The whole point of the Rumble is for there to be the possibility that anyone (or at least, a small handful of people) could win the Rumble match.
When the result is so predictable, you end up with a boring match and a dissatisfied audience.
#25 2009 (Randy Orton):
Like other matches on this list, the 2009 Rumble match suffered from the curse of predictability.
The match was centred almost exclusively on Randy Orton and the Legacy faction, with all three of them lasting into the final six. Apart from the larger HHH-Orton storyline that would evolve in the following weeks, the only other semi-exciting moments were Santino Marella’s record-breaking elimination, Rob Van Dam’s surprise appearance and the Undertaker making everyone stop what they were doing.
Other than that, this is a forgettable Rumble.
#24 1989 (Big John Studd):
This match served as the prototype for the 30-man Rumble match that would define the match for decades to follow. Many key structural elements of the Rumble match were first used in this match, and have found their way into every subsequent one in one way or another.
The only reason this match doesn’t rank higher is because it didn’t accomplish much in the grand scheme of things. Big John Studd won this match, but only ended up acting as a special guest referee in the match between Jake Roberts and Andre the Giant.
Without any major payoff, this match’s importance was lessened greatly.
#23 1996 (Shawn Michaels):
If you ever had any reason to believe WWE’s roster was stretched thin during the mid-1990s, look no further than in this match. It featured non-regular wrestlers like Dory Funk, Jr., Takao Omori and Doug Gilbert, none of whom had a lasting impact on the match.
Much of the action itself was limited, with most wrestlers spending their time against the ropes trying to eliminate someone else or avoiding being eliminated. Too little action, not enough to really remember.
#22 1988 (‘Hacksaw’ Jim Duggan):
The original Rumble match hasn’t aged well. As the first incarnation of the now-celebrated annual event, the 1988 edition featured many glaring flaws. It lacked in star power, had only 20 participants, didn’t feature any of the signature elements of the Rumble match (including music for the entrants), and didn’t have any long-term payoff for the participant.
Because of that, this Rumble fails to match many of its successors in terms of excitement but still ranks higher than others, due to its sheer novelty and historical significance.
#21 2005 (Batista):
Despite serving as the metaphorical launching pad for the careers of two of WWE’s biggest rising stars at the time (Batista and John Cena), this match can only be remembered for three things. First, Daniel Puder getting chopped to death by Eddie Guerrero, Chris Benoit & Hardcore Holly in a little bit of dark comedy.
Second, Muhammed Hassan getting thrown out by multiple opponents.
Thirdly and most memorably, Cena and Batista screwing up the match’s finish, leading to an angry Vince McMahon running down to the ring and tearing both quads in the process. The visual of an angry Vince sitting on his ass as the referees try to figure out the finish is the only thing one should need to re-watch this Rumble match.
#20 1999 (Mr McMahon)
This entire match centred around the continued rivalry between ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin & Vince McMahon. It didn’t have any truly memorable moments outside of Austin doing his best to destroy Vince.
It didn’t really serve any purpose for Vince to win, other than to further put more importance on himself, despite being a non-wrestler. Whether you enjoy watching matches like this depends on whether you enjoy watching overbooked nonsense that is more about outlandish characters than anything else.
#19 2011 (Alberto Del Rio)
Have you ever wondered why WWE never did a second 40-man Royal Rumble?
It’s because the first (and only) one was so bad. Having so many people in a single match, made it feel convoluted and difficult to follow, leading to a feeling of almost two separate matches. The first half of the match focused almost entirely on CM Punk and his new Nexus, then the match went in a different direction once Cena came in.
There was virtually no connection between the beginning and the end, leaving us a disjointed match that almost felt like two different contests.
That said, Diesel’s surprise appearance drew a monumental reaction from the crowd, as did Santino nearly winning the whole thing. Those things alone makes this something worth revisiting.
#18 1991 (Hulk Hogan)
This was a major disappointment, especially when compared to the one that occurred the year prior (more on that later). This match was hampered by a much lesser degree of star power (including Randy Savage no-showing the match).
A big part of this match’s lack of thrill also stems from few memorable spots and the overall tone of the main storyline surrounding Sgt. Slaughter’s Iraqi Sympathizer gimmick. These things had crippled the Rumble’s popular appeal, and for many, was too distasteful for them to tune in.
#17 2012 (Sheamus)
If there was one word that could describe the 2012 Rumble match, it would be ‘bland’. It featured very few true top guys, as most of them were already busy with other matches on the card.
80% of the participants were eliminated within less than ten minutes of entering, which made their involvement much less important. The eventual winner, Sheamus, only eliminated three people, yet somehow this was enough for him to win the entire thing. On the whole, a disappointing and forgettable Rumble.
That said, mad props need to go to Kofi Kingston for avoiding elimination by walking on his hands. One of the greatest elimination foils ever.
#16 2000 (The Rock):
When discussing the 2000 Royal Rumble, the thing that most people remember isn’t the actual Rumble match that the Rock won. That match was average, as far as Rumble matches go, and is remembered mostly for the Rock messing up the finish.
Instead, most people look to the outstanding Street Fight between Triple H and Cactus Jack as their primary memory from this PPV. That match’s reception dwarfed the reaction of the Rumble match.
The Rock was already a huge star by the time this match happened anyway, so it wasn’t like this was really a launching pad for his career or something.
#15 1993 (Yokozuna)
This was the first time that the Rumble match winner got a world title shot at WrestleMania. As such, the stakes were much higher than in most earlier incarnations of the Rumble. That said, this Rumble lacks a lot of good moments to remember.
The only real thing people remember is the spectacular botch involving Randy Savage hitting his trademark Elbow Drop and going for a pin…in the Royal Rumble match.
I honestly don’t know what was funnier: the way the commentators say, ‘Pin Falls don’t count!’, or how Yokozuna literally kicked out so hard from the Elbow Drop he threw Savage over the top rope. Either way, this is a Rumble match that sits firmly in the middle of the pack.
#14 2003 (Brock Lesnar):
There was nothing inherently wrong with this edition of the Rumble, but it didn’t have any truly outstanding moments either. It was solid from beginning to end, with a good opening between Chris Jericho and Shawn Michaels, and ended with Brock Lesnar destroying everyone left in the ring after being in the match for less than ten minutes.
This Rumble had a single goal: elevate Lesnar even further. It accomplished that goal without a doubt. All in all, a solid Rumble match.
#13 1997 (‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin):
This was the Rumble match that began Austin’s main event ascent. The bout itself was centred entirely around Austin, and he worked very hard throughout to prove he had what it took to main event.
His feud with Bret Hart reached a fever pitch in this match, which would eventually lead to their spectacular WrestleMania XIII encounter. Aside from Austin’s work, however, this Rumble match doesn’t offer anything truly memorable. A one-man match if there ever was one.
#12 1994 (Bret Hart & Lex Luger):
This is the only Rumble match in history to actually end in a tie.
They had both tumbled over at the same time, and the match ended with two referees each announcing a different winner. That alone makes it unique as far as Rumble matches go, but apart from that, there aren’t any truly memorable moments in this match. That is, of course, unless you count Diesel’s strong run.
#11 2002 (Triple H):
On one hand, this match will be remembered in WWE history as Triple H’s first big step back to the top of the company after a devastating injury. The reaction he received was unbelievable, and he was perceived as a conquering hero for his efforts in this match.
It was rather ironic, then, that within less than six months, he’d allegedly begin his ‘reign of terror’ that would see him become one of the most notorious backstage politicians in WWE history, and one of the most hated men in the industry.
On the other hand, this match will also be remembered for Maven eliminating the Undertaker in truly shocking fashion, and the lengths ‘Taker went to destroy Maven for his actions. It was as hilarious as it was brutal.
#10 2016 (Triple H):
This match was unique, to say the least. It was the first time the world championship was defended in a WWE ring, making it historical for that reason alone. What was even more surprising was it’s ending: Fourteen years after his first victory, Triple H entered the Rumble at #30.
And like that 2002 match, he emerged as a conquering hero. Despite being cast as a villain against Reigns, HHH received roaring approval for eliminating Reigns, and when he eliminated Dean Ambrose in a questionable booking decision, that only lessened the cheers ever so slightly.
The fans even cheered when HHH did his D-X crotch chop. This was another show that’s fun to watch if you enjoy seeing WWE’s plans fall apart.
#9 1998 (‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin):
While they tried to make this match work, it was, unfortunately, wildly predictable. Austin was by far the biggest star in this match, which made it all the more predictable he’d win. It had a few good spots here and there, especially the segments involving Foley.
But on the whole, it lacked any major spots or true drama to make it a classic Rumble. At least it served its purpose, however; to launch Austin’s career to further heights by leading to his WWE Championship coronation at WrestleMania XIV.
#8 2006 (Rey Mysterio)
It’s difficult to rank this match given its background. On one hand, Rey Mysterio was the ultimate underdog (and that’s not just a cute nickname) that overcame some of the biggest odds imaginable.
He broke the record for longest time in the match, lasting over an hour. On the other hand, many felt his main event push was due to his closeness to the recently-deceased Eddie Guerrero, and WWE was trying to use (or exploit, depending on whom you ask) his death for its own benefit.
Rey did end up winning in a truly heart-warming moment and had a great WrestleMania moment afterwards. So if you’re one of those that enjoys a match that pulls at your heart strings, this may be for you.
#7 2004 (Chris Benoit)
This is the most controversial Rumble match ever. For some, the wounds from Chris Benoit’s actions still cut deep, and mentioning him in a positive light is difficult. For others, it’s important to remember that Chris Benoit the wrestler was fantastic in his field of work, and this match is a prime example of that.
At the time of this match, Benoit was still perceived as a mid-card guy who was a great wrestler but nothing more.
This match told the beautiful story of Benoit overcoming all obstacles, eventually winning in the main event of WrestleMania XX. The match also furthered several WrestleMania feuds, including Randy Orton vs. Mick Foley & Kane vs. The Undertaker.
#6 2008 (John Cena):
This Rumble match was pretty exciting, I’m not going to lie. Undertaker opening the match against Shawn Michaels was a great way to start the match. There were also more potential winners in this match than in previous years, as well as than in following editions as well.
For the first time in a long time, it was hard to predict who’d win this match.
Then, the biggest shock of the match occurred when John Cena made his surprise return at #30. He managed to shock not only the fans in attendance, but the wrestlers in the ring as well. His victory here was well-earned, which is more than what can be said about his second win, five years later.
#5 2010 (Edge):
This was a fun Rumble match, top to bottom. It featured several underlying stories being told, with each one being given enough time to breathe and unfold properly. CM Punk’s early dominance and mid-match Straight-Edge promo were one of the most unique and well-executed moments in recent Rumble history.
Shawn Michaels’ desperation to win the match to challenge then-World Heavyweight Champion the Undertaker was told beautifully, with every move made by and against him, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats.
And speaking of Edge, the Rated R Superstar’s surprise victory was a fantastic breath of fresh air, as Edge managed finally achieved something that had eluded him on so many occasions over the years.
#4 1990 (Hulk Hogan)
This was the most exciting Rumble match up until that point in time. The first half of the match was dominated by the excellent performances of Ted DiBiase, Jake ‘the Snake’ Roberts, Roddy Piper and ‘Macho Man’ Randy Savage.
But the best moment of the entire match was the Hulk Hogan/Ultimate Warrior face-off, which brought the entire arena to its feet. Pure, harmless fun in this match. A must-watch for any fan.
#3 2007 (The Undertaker)
This match had, without a doubt, the best closing moments in Royal Rumble history. Shawn Michaels and the Undertaker, two legends of the WWE (and two known Texans) fighting for that coveted main event spot in Shawn’s hometown.
For over ten minutes, these two men put on an excellent contest that would serve as the perfect prelude to their eventual WrestleMania confrontations.
Compared to those matches, this little encounter was nothing but a sample. However, on its own, it’s one of the best and most dramatic sequences in Rumble history.
#2 2001 (‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin)
Never in my life have I seen a Rumble match with a crowd as insane as this one.
Kane set a Rumble record of 11 eliminations, and lasted until the very end of the match. The sight of Kane taking multiple chair shots to the head and not going down was one of those truly awesome moments that defined him as a bona fide monster.
Drew Carey entered the match as a guest participant and provided the otherwise serious Rumble match with some much needed comedic brevity. Steve Austin went absolutely nuts in this match, bleeding like a stuck pig and drawing an unbelievable reaction from the audience with every move he did.
This was one of Austin’s greatest achievements, especially as there were fears that his career was over a year before. But Austin, ever the Bionic Redneck, managed to overcome even the most devastating of injuries and win the Rumble in a truly fantastic moment.
#1 1992 (Ric Flair):
This legendary Rumble match has withstood the test of time. From the opening bell to the final elimination, the crowd was on fire for this match. Ric Flair’s performance and storytelling in this contest were spectacular.
This match had a far more balanced group of participants, including Flair, Hogan, Savage, Sid, the Undertaker, just to name a few. This was pretty much a perfect Rumble match, with a spectacular ending (and post-match promo) that really left a lasting impression.
If there was one Rumble match you needed to watch before the upcoming 2017 edition, this is the one.
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