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Royal Rumble is not just one of the 'Big Four' pay-per-views on the WWE Calendar, but one can actually argue that it is the second biggest show of the year. After all, the show not only starts the Road to WrestleMania, the show ends with fans knowing who is going to be in a championship match at WrestleMania.
Given the importance of the event among the wrestling fraternity, it is no surprise that WWE gives all that they have to make the show a success. This includes marquee World Title matches, deserving Royal Rumble winners, and some of the best surprise appearances.
However, not every Royal Rumble event can be considered a great show as there have been years when WWE's attempt to produce a show for the ages has often resulted in disappointed fans. That doesn't mean WWE has not bounced back from the criticism they have received in the past, though.
In fact, after forgetful shows for the first half of the 2010s, WWE responded with a string of great Royal Rumble events that continues to this day. With this in mind, here are the 10 best Royal Rumble events in the history of WWE.
#10 Royal Rumble 2003
Starting the list is a show that had more bad matches than good, but is still regarded as a great show. The Royal Rumble match in 2003 was a highly enjoyable encounter, comprised of plenty of up and coming Superstars. Along with Brock Lesnar, who emerged victorious after eliminating The Undertaker, the likes of Batista and John Cena also had a great showing in the match.
The high point of the show, however, came before the Royal Rumble match, as Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit wrestled a breathtaking WWE Title match that was easily the best World Title match in the event's history at that time. It took place at the heights of the Smackdown Six era.
However, the lowest point on the show came just before the highest, as Scott Steiner and Triple H fought a long, boring World Heavyweight Title match.
Everything else on the show was nothing special. Brock Lesnar's victory over Big Show in the opening match wasn't too memorable, the World Tag Team Title match between The Dudleys and Storm & Regal ended before it could get into second gear, and the less we say about Torrie Wilson vs Dawn Marie, the better.
#9 Royal Rumble 2019
Royal Rumble 2019 was loaded from top to bottom. The show centered around Women's wrestling, particularly Becky Lynch, who bounced back from a defeat against Asuka in a stunning opening contest for the Smackdown Women's Championship to win the Women's Royal Rumble match later in the night.
Completing the trio of great Women's matches on the night was the first time contest between Ronda Rousey and Sasha Banks for the Raw Women's Championship which, although not as good as its Smackdown counterpart, was easily the best defense of Rousey's Title reign.
On the Men's side, Seth Rollins emerged victorious in the Royal Rumble match to book a date with Brock Lesnar, who defeated Finn Balor in a highly entertaining match for the Universal Championship. The Miz & Shane McMahon defeated The Bar for the Smackdown Tag Team Titles to continue their run as a tag team.
The WWE Title match between Daniel Bryan and AJ Styles, to everyone's surprise, was arguably the lowest point of the show, but was still a good match.
#8 Royal Rumble 2008
The Royal Rumble match from 2008 would go down in history as one of the best editions of the gimmick match. The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels, two of the cornerstones of the WWE, started the match, and the likes of Triple H, Batista, and John Cena tussled during the final moments.
Cena's return from injury ahead of time at #30 generated one of the biggest pops of all time, and this was only enhanced by his victory. Add to this surprise appearance by Roddy Piper and Jimmy Snuka, and the electric crowd in MSG and WWE had all the pieces in the right place for their Royal Rumble match.
However, the namesake match wasn't the only great thing on the show. Edge's successful World Title defense against Rey Mysterio is an underrated gem, and Randy Orton's victory over Jeff Hardy in the WWE Title match is one of those encounters that always slips through everyone's mind.
Even the remaining matches featuring the likes of Chris Jericho and Ric Flair were above average affairs, making Royal Rumble 2008 one of those rare pay-per-views without a bad match.
#7 Royal Rumble 2016
Coming into Royal Rumble 2016, WWE had a lot of pressure to present a great show, having received tremendous backlash for the last two editions of their January Spectacle. While WWE didn't deliver a perfect show, it was still an event that people remember fondly to this date.
The opening encounter, the Last Man Standing match between Dean Ambrose and Kevin Owens, was so violent that it gave everyone feels of the good ol' Attitude Era style matches. The Usos and The New Day had a great encounter for the Tag Team Titles, months before they were stealing the show daily.
Charlotte and Becky Lynch gave a glimpse of the chemistry they'd go on to have in their Divas Title match, and Kalisto took the United States Championship away from Alberto Del Rio in a match that was a lot better than anyone expected it to be.
The Royal Rumble match, while not the best, was way better than the previous two editions. AJ Styles' debut at #3 would go down as arguably the greatest ever debut in the Rumble match, while Dean Ambrose had a fantastic showing. Triple H's return at #30 to win the Royal Rumble, and the WWE Championship, after eliminating Roman Reigns only made this event more memorable.
#6 Royal Rumble 2020
Taking place just before the start of the Pandemic Era, Royal Rumble 2020 was probably the best professional wrestling show last year. While one can argue that the presence of the crowd gave it an edge over the other shows, a close look at the matches on the card gives a completely different picture.
The opening match, a Falls Count Anywhere bout, between Roman Reigns and King Corbin was probably the best match in their never-ending feud. This was followed by Charlotte Flair's Royal Rumble victory, which seemed like a less than exciting outcome, but Shayna Baszler and Bianca Belair's breakthrough performances turned the match into a memorable affair.
Bayley's Smackdown Women's Title defense against Lacey Evans was probably the only below-par match on the card, but this was followed by three matches that range from great to show-stealing. 'The Fiend' Bray Wyatt and Daniel Bryan had a surprisingly good Strap Match for the Universal Title, which sadly ended up being his last successful title defense.
Becky Lynch finally got the best of Asuka, exactly a year after their previous marquee bout, by beating her in a great Raw Women's Title match. However, it was the Men's Royal Rumble match that stole the show again. Brock Lesnar's dominant run in the first half was only bettered by Drew McIntyre's emotional victory. The highest point of the night, however, was the return of Edge, who wrestled his first match in over 9 years, to a massive pop from the crowd.
#5 Royal Rumble 2018
Royal Rumble 2018 was a historic event. After years of just having a Rumble match for the Men, WWE finally went all the way and held the Women's Royal Rumble Match for the very first time. The match itself was great as well, with WWE compensating for the lack of female superstars with a string of returns by legends from yesteryear.
Asuka's victory in the Rumble match was a great decision, in line with her undefeated streak. However, it was Ronda Rousey's long-awaited WWE debut, after the Royal Rumble match, that stole the entire spotlight and automatically established her as a top tier superstar in WWE.
On the Men's side, WWE presented their best Royal Rumble match in years, which saw Shinsuke Nakamura emerge victorious after eliminating Roman Reigns. From surprising returns by The Hurricane and Rey Mysterio to the closing stretch, this match had all the ingredients necessary for a Match of the Year Candidate.
Among the Non-Rumble matches, the two Smackdown meetings were significantly better than their Raw counterparts. AJ Styles and The Usos successfully defended their WWE and Tag Team Titles against Sami Zayn & Kevin Owens and Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin respectively. On the Raw side, Brock Lesnar overcame Kane and Braun Stroman for the Universal Championship, while Seth Rollins and Jason Jordan were defeated by Cesaro and Sheamus for the RAW Tag Titles.
#4 Royal Rumble 1995
It might surprise a few readers, but Royal Rumble from 1995 was probably the second-best pay per view of the New Generation Era, after WrestleMania X. This show had everything you'd need to have a great Royal Rumble event - A solid opening match, a fantastic World Title match and a virtually perfect Rumble match.
The value of the Intercontinental Title was at an all-time high in 1995, and it was Razor Ramon and Jeff Jarrett who kept its prestige intact during that period. Their opening clash at Royal Rumble 1995, while marred with shenanigans, was a beautifully fought contest that saw Double J play the cocky heel perfectly to win the Intercontinental Championship.
Diesel's WWF Title reign, while a lengthy one, was quite lackluster. Barring a handful of great matches, most of his defenses were sub-par affairs. However, his match against Bret Hart at Royal Rumble was a stunning encounter. Despite the non-finish, it was easily the best World Title match on the January Show up to then.
The Royal Rumble match, while the shortest in history, is an iconic one as it had the same two superstars who started the match, make it to the final two. Shawn Michaels' victory from #1, and the breathtaking closing sequence, is often considered the start of his run as a main-event star, and a foundation stone of all the innovative Rumble saves in the future.
#3 Royal Rumble 2007
Wrestling fans all over the world remember Royal Rumble 2007 for one reason - the legendary closing sequence in the main event. Fans witnessed a fantastic clash between The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels, face to face for the first time in many years, as they tore the house down and gave a glimpse of what they'd end up doing two years later at WrestleMania.
However, that final stretch is not the only memorable thing about the Royal Rumble. The Rumble match itself was a fantastic one, probably the best one in years. The Great Khali played the unstoppable monster, Edge and Randy Orton played the Iron Man role, and The Undertaker got his long overdue win that coincided with the start of his best years in WWE.
John Cena's Last Man Standing match against Umaga from Royal Rumble is often considered a landmark match in Cena's Title run. The brutal encounter, which ended with Cena choking The Samoan with the ropes and the turnbuckle, is often rated among the best match of either man's career.
Even the opening match between The Hardy Boys and MNM was a fun affair, with Jeff & Matt, despite outside interference from Melina, taking the win after a hard-fought battle. Elsewhere on the card, Batista and Bobby Lashley had below-par title defenses against Mr. Kennedy and Test. Regardless of those two matches, Royal Rumble 2007 will forever be remembered for that unbelievable final 15 minutes.
#2 Royal Rumble 2001
If you have watched WWE for a long time, you surely know what Royal Rumble 2001 is most fondly remembered for - Kane's dominant performance in the Royal Rumble match. It was a performance that no one had ever seen in the past, a performance that was so strong and dominating that it overshadowed everything else on the show.
It was the first time that a single superstar eliminated more than ten other participants in the Royal Rumble and played a massive role in maintaining the excitement of the match. Surprising appearances by Honky Tonk Man and Drew Carey added to the comedy factor, while strong performances from the likes of The Rock, The Undertaker, and Steve Austin, the eventual winner of the match, also kept fans on the edge of their seats.
For the WWF Title, Kurt Angle and Triple H wrestled a highly physical match that was as good as any other match between the two arch-rivals. The Dudley Boyz and Edge & Christian also had a fun match that gave the Dudleys their second WWF Tag Team Titles.
However, the honor for the best match of the night belonged to Chris Jericho and Chris Benoit, who had a show-stopping match early on in the show. With the Intercontinental Title on the line, the two Canadians wrestled a highly competitive Ladder match that ranks at the top on both the lists of best Intercontinental Title matches and the best Ladder Matches in wrestling history.
#1 Royal Rumble 2017
How often do we witness a show that doesn't have an average match, let alone a bad match? Once in a decade, right? Well, we witnessed one such show on January 29, 2017, as WWE presented probably the best Royal Rumble show in history in front of a record crowd of over 50 thousand fans.
It started with a solid Raw Women's Title defense by Charlotte, who defeated Bayley in a match that was just a preview of the battles they would have in the subsequent weeks. Neville's victory over Rich Swann, which kick-started probably the best Cruiserweight Title reign, came in a highly competitive contest between two great performers.
The Royal Rumble match itself was not lacking in excitement or pure thrills. Appearances from Goldberg, Brock Lesnar, and The Undertaker added star power to the bout. A dominant performance by Braun Strowman, who eliminated seven superstars on the trot, provided the 'awe factor'. The use of Roman Reigns at #30, while initially getting a negative response, also served its purpose as it generated a massive pop for the eventual winner in Randy Orton.
However, the real show-stealers were the two World Title matches, which were not only better than anything else on the card but probably better than 90% of bouts that have ever taken place at Royal Rumble events. Kevin Owens' Universal Title defense against Roman Reigns, in a No DQ match, was probably the best match of his 6-month long reign.
Their performance, however, was soon overshadowed by AJ Styles and John Cena, who wrestled a nearly 25 minutes long WWE Title match that would go down as probably the best bout in Royal Rumble history. Filled with lots of finishers and a sequence of near falls, this match gave Cena his record-tying 16th World Title.
It was one of those shows where the quality of matches kept going up with every passing contest, peaking with this WWE Title match that played a big role in the success of the show.
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