This week in WWE history (Jan 17-23) - Batista Returns, Ric Flair wins The WWE Championship in The Royal Rumble 

This week's WWE news has been dominated by the build-up to the Royal Rumble and the fact that Mustafa Ali requested his release from the company.

That being said, Ali isn't the first WWE Superstar to request his release from the company, but he is one of very few who's had his request rejected.

The annual Royal Rumble match has become a long-standing tradition in WWE, and much of the discussion about this week will focus on winners of past matches.

The news from this week's history of the company is certainly noteworthy, as there are often highs and lows when WWE prepares for its annual Royal Rumble event every year.

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#5. Stone Cold Steve Austin wins the 1998 WWE Royal Rumble - January 18th, 1998

Stone Cold Steve Austin is the only superstar in history to have won three Royal Rumble matches. These wins came back in 1997, 1998, and 2001.

In January 1998, The Texas Rattlesnake clinched his second consecutive victory in the bout. Interestingly, Austin last eliminated his rival The Rock to win the contest. Stone Cold entered the match at number 24 and eliminated seven men en route to his triumph. Hulk Hogan and Shawn Michaels had already won back-to-back matches before Austin, making him the third man in history to achieve this feat.

This victory was the latest step in Austin's rapid rise to stardom. He went on to beat Shawn Michaels for the WWF Championship at WrestleMania XIV. In doing so, he cemented his status as a top star in the wrestling world.

Mick Foley also made history in this Royal Rumble match by becoming the only man to enter the bout three times and subsequently getting eliminated every time. He came to the ring as Dude Love, Cactus Jack and Mankind at different points throughout the contest.

This was the second earliest Royal Rumble pay-per-view in history; the 1989 event took place on January 15th. This was also the only event to take place on January 18th, as several other dates have seen multiple Rumble events.

Elsewhere on the card, Shawn Michaels defeated The Undertaker in a Casket atch to retain his WWF Championship. In another noteworthy bout, The Rock defeated Ken Shamrock via disqualification to retain his Intercontinental Championship.

#4. Ric Flair wins the WWE Championship in the Royal Rumble - January 19th, 1992

The Royal Rumble Match has become an annual tradition in WWE, but several of these contests have stood out from the rest.

Three decades ago, in 1992, the WWF Championship was on the line in the Royal Rumble bout for the first time. Ahead of the event, the title was vacated after several controversial matches between Hulk Hogan and The Undertaker.

As a result, for the first time in history, the winner of the Rumble would be handed the world championship. Ric Flair ultimately emerged victorious by last eliminating Sid Justice to clinch the victory.

Of course, this wasn't the only Royal Rumble Match to take place on January 19th. The previous year, Hulk Hogan won the 1991 Royal Rumble Match. A few years later, the 1997 Royal Rumble Match also happened on this day; Stone Cold Steve Austin won the bout by last eliminating Bret Hart.

Then, in 2003, Brock Lesnar outlasted 29 other superstars to clinch his own victory in the legendary battle royal.

This is also the day that Sting arrived on RAW back in 2015. The Icon appeared for the first time on WWE's flagship show after he stunned the wrestling world by making his debut at Survivor Series a few weeks earlier.

#3. Batista returns to WWE - January 20th, 2014

Batista made his triumphant return to WWE on Monday Night RAW back in January 2014, and he quickly declared himself for the Royal Rumble Match.

The Animal left the company in 2010, but he was back with a vengeance. In 2014, he was hoping to win the annual Royal Rumble Match and punch his ticket to WrestleMania. That's exactly what The Animal did; he won the match and went on to main-event the biggest show of the year alongside Randy Orton and Daniel Bryan.

The crowd's negative reaction forced Batista to turn heel. During a brief Evolution reunion, Batista, Orton and Triple H feuded with The Shield. But it wasn't long before The Aminal opted to quit the company once again. Batista has since found success outside of the company, as he is one of many former wrestlers who have transitioned into Hollywood.

Also on this day, Triple H won the 2002 Royal Rumble Match by last eliminating Kurt Angle. The Game entered at number 22 and lasted 23 minutes before he clinched the victory for the first time in his career.

It's also worth noting that at almost 70 minutes, the 2002 Royal Rumble Match is still the longest 30-man bout in WWE history.

#2. Big Van Vader makes his WWE Monday Night RAW debut - January 22nd, 1996

Vader made quite the splash in his debut at the 1996 WWE Royal Rumble, but his debut on Monday Night RAW the following night caught all the headlines.

The powerhouse made a stunning impact when he attacked Gorilla Monsoon in what was believed to be the first physical altercation between on-screen personnel and a wrestler. Vader was subsequently suspended for attacking the veteran, which allowed him to be written off TV so he could have shoulder surgery.

Also on this day, Bret Hart and Lex Luger became the first-ever joint winners of the WWE Royal Rumble Match in 1994.

The duo both exited the ring at the same time, and it was announced that for the first time in history, the company would accept them as joint winners. This feat hasn't been matched ever since, but it was almost replicated in 2005.

When Batista and John Cena accidentally both won the contest, the match was restarted in order to declare a single victor. Batista clinched the victory by tossing Cena out of the ring to end the night standing tall.

#1. John Morrison and Matt Cappotelli win WWE's Tough Enough - January 23rd, 2003

John Morrison was released from WWE in November as part of the company's budget cuts throughout 2021. This exit marked the second time the popular star had been released from the company.

Long before his days as Morrison, almost two decades ago, he was known as John Hennigan, a contestant on Tough Enough. Alongside Matt Cappotelli, he was named one of the winners of the show's third season. While Morrison went on to have a successful career, Cappotelli was never able to make it to the main roster.

The former star was released from his contract in 2009 and went on to be a trainer in OVW. He later announced that he had been diagnosed with grade IV glioblastoma multiforme. After revealing that he had opted to stop treatment, Cappotelli passed away on June 29th, 2018.

Also on this day, The Rock won the 2000 Royal Rumble match by last eliminating The Big Show. The Rock entered the match at number 24 and eliminated four men en route to victory.