#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.
